Kasper Fighting Folder

M

MrG

Joined
Aug 11, 1999
Messages
389
Okay people...I want one! I like the way the titanium handled version looks, but I've never held the knife. It looks heavy; a phone call to the Crawfords said the knife would weigh between 6 and 7 ounces, two week wait. Sounds VERY tempting. Does anyone out there have one? Do you like it? Is it worth the bucks? How does it carry in the pocket? Is there another knife that would do the same as the KFF, for less??

Help me people!!
 
Greetings Mr. G. As the Kasper folder is designed for serious use, I' ve been carrying one with a rough blasted finish micarta scales. Pat also did some very functional file work around the entire perimeter of the scales' edge save the finger groove. With such a finish and the ergonomics of its design, the folder will not come free of the hand when your adrenaline is pumping. Ti _looks_ nice but I don' t think it affords a secure enough grip unless it has some texturing.

Pats Kasper compliments my every day fix blade carry, Al Polkowskis Kasper designed "Pug" in 5" blade.

As for a less expensive alternate, the BM AFCK comes highly recommended by Bob Kasper and his fellow GHCA members. Please refer to resident "Knifehead" Kevin Gentile of their web site:
http://home.earthlink.net/~ghca

There you will find a wealth of information.

Also see Marion David Poffs interview with Bob Kasper in his review thread on the Kevin Gentile modified AFCK. Hope this helps a bit.

L8r,
Nakano

------------------
"To earn a million is easy, a real friend is not."
 
Take a serious look at the REKAT Carnivore. It is a Pat Crawford design that is kind of a cross between his Shark and the KFF. I have a KFF and love it. I also have a Carnivore, which is my favorite production knife. And it is $200 less than the KFF.
a great review of the Carnivore can be found here
http://bbs.ipass.net/~stringb/Carnivour.html
------------------
-Dennis-


[This message has been edited by shootist16 (edited 05 September 1999).]

[This message has been edited by shootist16 (edited 05 September 1999).]
 
The Titanium KFF if the latestest version of the KFF line. It is probably the best version because it is slightly thinner and weighs a tad less then the other models. This should make it carry easier. The first thing I noticed when I handled any KFF was that it was big, heavy, and slightly grip heavy. This comes from translating the fixed blade design of the Polkowski Companion to a folder. What you get is a solid grip design that protects the hand and a blade design that is efficient for fighting. If you are looking for a pure fighting folder the KFF is a good choice. If I were buying a new KFF now I would probably get the titanium model.
 
I have both the Micarta handle and the Titanium handle KFF.

I like the titanium better for its light weight and balance. Both knives are excellent.

Pat Crawford's liner locks lock up tight and they are recessed, so it is not likely that you will inadvertantly release the lock. I suppose that it could happen, but I think that you would probably have to try.

The titanium will show scratches quickly during use and carry.

The ergonomics are great on both types.

All of the Crawford knives that I own are well finished and well designed. You can't go wrong with a Crawford, IMO.

Daniel
 
I'm really glad to see this topic-I was just about ready to post it myself. I have a blasted titanium KFF on order. Pat said he would contact me when they are actually ready to start to put it together, so I still have time to change the handle choice. I would appreciate if anyone who has handled both the blasted and satin titanium models would comment on the difference in texture. I have a regular and decorated Sebenza and the difference in grip is enormous. This is what prompted me to order the KFF in blasted finish, but I had also considered asking Pat to do dome filework around the palm curve and maybe the index curve.
Thanks, Cappy
 
I have a real nice one with stainless Damascus. It looks great and is scary sharp.
A bit heavy but a great defensive knife.
 
After reading this thread, if anyone is selling a used Titanium KFF let me know, I may be interested.
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The KFF, in my opinion, is one of the finest "fighting" knives, especially in a folding design, ever made. WhY?

Because:

1. The full size blade is wide and is designed for slashing as well as deep penetration; almost machete-like. If you are carrying this knife as a defensive tool, you've made an excellent choice. You wand a knife with a blade design that is made for creating large wounds.

2. The grip offers superb indexing of the forefinger and thumb. You really should get your hand on one and feel the grip. It is designed primarily for the fencer's grip. One of the marks of a great fighting knife is when grip retention is taken into consideration. The KFF grip WILL NOT SLIP when you come incontact with your intended media. You just can't cut yourself with this knife.

3. Pat Crawford offers the KFF is just about every configuration as far as materials are concerned. The fit and finish are second to none.

I have the bolstered version with micarta handles. This version is substantially heavier than the all Ti handled version. I generally prefer a heavier fighting knife because of velocity in delivering thrusts, cuts, and slashes, but knife weight is probably the subject of another topic. I've handled the Ti version, and it is excellent.

Again, if you are looking for a fighting folder, the KFF is a great choice. Pat's carnivore and Wortac are similar and offer many of the same features.

I hope this will help you make your decision. The KFF is a great fighting knife.

DrRMJ
 
MrG,

Shootist16 is too modest. He has written a great review on the KFF which I have taken the liberty to post below:

http://user.icx.net/~drbible/

I carry a bead blasted black micarta scale KFF daily. I don't carry it with the clip because I prefer the deep concealment of my Inside the Pocket Knife Holster. Without the clip the handle feels great in my hand, not too thick or thin. I'm sure the Ti version feels great too. I hope to hold one at the Timonium (MD) Knife Show in Dec. I also am looking forward to meeting Pat Crawford (Thanks for the tip Damon).

The micarta on my KFF has a bead blasted finish which the earlier KFFs didn't have. It really makes the knife slip resistant and is a big help during openings. The micarta is very scratch resistant. My KFF also has the newer conical shaped thumb stud which I prefer to the earlier cylindrical version.

I also have a KFF with a blunt, unsharpened training blade. Doing impact training with the trainer really points out the excellence of the handle. Never do I have to adjust my grip even after multiple hard thrusts because the knife is totally locked in the hand.

DrRMJ,

When you refer to the fencer's grip I assume that is the same as the saber grip. I agree that the knife feels wonderful in that grip. However after communicating with Bob Kasper, he told me that the saber grip is only intended for snap cuts and that the natural grip should be used otherwise. This is because the natural grip is more secure. There aren't too many folders that offer a secure natural grip hold, but the KFF is exceptional in this area.

As stated by others, the blade design is marvelous. Very sharp and the wide profile makes for large wound channels. On my new KFF, I had Pat leave an extra 1/2" of unground edge at the pivot end. Being a liner lock, the knife should be checked periodically for proper locking. After several months of hard heavy bag use, which is nowhere near common usage, my KFF trainer started to disengage during some thrusts. I sent it back to Pat and he fixed it. With the extra unground edge, should the blade close accidently, the unsharpened edge will contact the finger. A quick flick of the wrist will lock the blade back in position. The deep finger groove ensures that the index finger will be properly placed for this safety feature to work. Pat graciously added this mod without any extra charge.

I asked Pat Crawford about a Rolling Lock version of the KFF. He was going to build it, but then Bob Kasper told him that he did not like the placement of the slide bar. He was concerned that the thumb could accidently unlock the knife. Pat may come up with a design that Bob likes in the future, but for now the RL KFF is not available.

The Carnivore looks like an excellent design also. I prefer the pinky hook on the KFF handle for the added grip security it adds during withdrawals.

So in short, a great knife, my all-time favorite folder.

Axel

 
Thanks everyone for replying!! I especially liked the review by Shootist16; thanks Axel!!
So now I'm going to do it...tomorrow I'll call Pat and put in an order for a KFF. I was going to get the titanium version, but I think the rough blasted micarta version would be better. I'll ask Pat to add some filework around the edges. I wonder if rough blasting the titanium model would help?
Anyway, thanks again to all of you! Without your help I never would have thought of ordering the knife, especially without holding it. Call me silly, but I trust most of the opinions listed here. Hey, we're all knife addicts, right?
 
Well, I went ahead and ordered a bead blasted titanium KFF. Should get it by next Saturday...

I'll let all of you know when I get it. Thanks again for all the replies.

BTW, Mr. Pat Crawford was an extreme gentleman on the phone, and was very patient with my silly questions.

Can't wait till I get it!!
 
Hey everyone!! Just wanted to say that I finally got my KFF!!! I actually went to the Chicago knife show and met Mr. Crawford, and picked up my knife there. I was able to handle all of his knives; Mr. Crawford is SO cool! I went and got the blasted titanium version...all I can say is WOW!! Sharp, fits my hand like a damn glove, and BEAUTIFUL. Thanks to all my friends out there for your info and suggestions.

Mr. Crawford had a KFF with a SIX inch blade. You guys should see that one! HUGE. He also had his new Janus model he made with Allen Elishewitz. He had all the various fancy Kasper models too. The Wortac is a slick knife, and so is the Carnivour. But I really LOVE my KFF!!! Going to go and play with it now....

BTW, I want another Crawford knife. Damn, I think I'm addicted.
 
Okay people, I have a question...how do I get a training knife for the KFF? I remember reading in a magazine about a plastic model of the KFF, and Axel Yup says he had one made for him by Mr. Crawford himself. I bet it cost some serious bucks; hey Axel, was it worth it? I'm thinking that it might be worth it, but I need some info first. Anybody else out there have a KFF trainer?
 
MrG,

Yes, I have an actual KFF trainer. Yes, it costs as much as a standard KFF. In my opinion, it was well worth it. I really like the ability to do a quick opening followed by actual impact. I use it on my blanket covered heavy bag which has three padded arms on it. It's patterned after a Wing Chun dummy.

I spend well over the cost of a KFF every year on range fees and ammo to shoot my handguns. I feel that a one time cost for a trainer KFF is quite economical. I believe in the adage to train as close to reality as possible. The KFF trainer brings me that much closer. I think that a folding trainer is especially useful because it allows a nice flow from the draw to the attack. Unless you do a lot of live cutting and thrusting drills from the draw, the trainer is a big help.

There was a one piece, plastic KFF trainer which Bob Kasper had made for him. My understanding from Damon is that the source was unreliable so Bob didn't recommend it.

You may be able to find someone who can make a non-folding aluminum trainer for the KFF. I had someone make one for me modeled after an AFCK. I don't know if he still makes trainers, but if he does I'll pass his name on to you. I just sent him a letter asking if he will make one for my Polkowski Scorpion.

I recently put in an order for a Polkowski Gaunt and Gaunt trainer. I think that using the trainer to practice draws from concealment and hard impact will be of benefit. Of course the Gaunt trainer only costs $95.

Of course, no training aid is worth it if you don't use it. Thankfully, the KFF trainer is a blast to use and I do so daily.

Axel

P.S. I found out that Pat Crawford will be attending the Timonium (MD) Knife Show which is held close to where I live. I look forward to meeting him in December.


[This message has been edited by Axel Yup (edited 21 September 1999).]

[This message has been edited by Axel Yup (edited 21 September 1999).]
 
Thanks for the info Axel!! You're right...when you break it down like that the cost factor doesn't seem so bad. I agree with your training philosophy; wish we could work out together! Now...how to tell my wifey poo I need to make ANOTHER purchase...
 
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