Just tracked down and received an older Kiwi lockback WOW!

[KrisOK]

I've always loved the Kiwi design. For a small knife, it gives a full four finger grip that gives me outstanding control. And it folds into a deceptively small handle that simply vanashes in the bottom of your pocket. But all the Kiwi's that I've owned have been Kiwi 3's with a slipjoint. The spring on these knives is SO strong that it's almost impossible to open it one-handed. I've been wanting to try an older version with the lockback design, and I finally found one with the carbon fiber inserts at a somewhat reasonable price.

Well, it arrived today, and WOW, what a great little folder! The lockback has a MUCH gentler backspring, and it opens and closes buttery smooth one-handed. The carbon fiber inserts have a great fit and finish, and the knife is just a joy to hold. I can see that this will sneak into my EDC more often than normal.

I simply don't understand why Spyderco would abandon such a great design for the thumb killing slipjoint design of the Kiwi 3's. I understand that they are probably cheaper to make, but after comparing the actions of both knives, the older model feels like a much classier knife. I would really like to see some sprint models with the lockbac, maybe with something other than VG-10 and maybe some exotic handle inserts like the Kopa series.

What do you guys think? Are there any other Kiwi lovers here?

 

[The Deacon]

You rang.

Congratulations on your acquisition, glad to hear you share my feelings about the Kiwi. IMHO, all the production versions of the locking Kiwi were excellent knives. Moki did a great job with them, the fit and finish was right up there with the C27 Jess Horn. And, for me, the icing on the cake was the way they could be customized. They're the epitome of functional jewelry, pleasing to the eye without giving up anything in terms of function. It's a shame the market could not sustain them but, of course, that can be said for quite a few discontinued Spydercos. I still mourn the Kiwi's passing, and the current "Chinese Gooseberries" don't even come close to filling that void.

 

[Don W]

KrisOK-Nice find on the Kiwi lockback.

The Deacon- Wow!!! Awesome collection.

 

[pinetreebbs]

The Deacon defines kiwimania.

 

[vinito]

Mine has feather inserts.

 

[KrisOK]

Paul................... Oh My GOD!!!

What an awesome collection! I'm definately going to have to start looking for more of these lockbacks now. Most of the ones I see on the Bay are Sante Fe Stoneworks or David Yellowhorse versions with prices from $250 to almost $500. Hopefully I can get lucky on some of the versions that were Spyderco releases. I picked up the CF version for just under $100, which was a pretty good deal I think. I wish that I had been actively collecting Spyderco when these were first released.

How many of those were actual Spyderco versions?

 

[Simple Man]

HAha"Goosebeeries" fits quite well Paul.

I happen to be carrying this one to day, one I rescaled in Micarta. I agree it is a nice little knife. Mine falls free with very little play after unlocking, and it has already lived one full life.

http://www.spyderco.com/forums/showthread.php?53310-Kiwi-rescale

 

[9blades]

You rang.

I feel so...........inadequate...sigh....
Knice collection

 

[whetrock]

I had no clue Moki was involved with the Kiwi, you learn something new every day. I for one am perplexed as to why they kinda put them on the back burner. My Stag Kiwi 3 slipit had great F&F, however was a chore to open with one hand. Still I'd like to see the Kiwi lock backs back in production.

 

[mkjellgren]

I had no clue Moki was involved with the Kiwi, you learn something new every day. I for one am perplexed as to why they kinda put them on the back burner. My Stag Kiwi 3 slipit had great F&F, however was a chore to open with one hand. Still I'd like to see the Kiwi lock backs back in production.

Moki has made, and continues to make some of spyderco's highest end seki city knives. I believe the zdp-189 versions of the caly 3/3.5 are made by Moki. That's why the caly series is laminate zdp rather than solid zdp like the rest of the zdp spydercos. Moki doesn't do full thickness zdp blades, but spyderco wanted top notch fit and finish, so they went with Moki and the laminate steel.

 

[The Deacon]

What an awesome collection! I'm definately going to have to start looking for more of these lockbacks now. Most of the ones I see on the Bay are Sante Fe Stoneworks or David Yellowhorse versions with prices from $250 to almost $500. Hopefully I can get lucky on some of the versions that were Spyderco releases. I picked up the CF version for just under $100, which was a pretty good deal I think. I wish that I had been actively collecting Spyderco when these were first released.

How many of those were actual Spyderco versions?

Spyderco released five versions of the locking Kiwi: Jigged Bone, All Stainless, Smooth Red Bone, White Pearl with Abalone accents, and Carbon Fiber. There were also three AG Russell Specials, in White Pearl, Black Pearl, and Jet with Abalone accents that came in Spyderco boxes.

 

[chemist]

KrisOK, Thanks for the post. Good information.

Deacon - Your collection of Kiwis is as nice as any display of any kind of knife that I have ever seen. Absolutely stunning. Made me sit up and go wow! Thank you very much for sharing.

 

[Evil D]

I've been wanting either the CF version or just a plain old stainless version for a while and just haven't come across one yet.