KATZ Kagemusha 3.5 folder

B

Bargusin

Joined
Dec 9, 2010
Messages
24
Howdy,
I am new in this forum. I am from Germany, please excuse my english. I own just a few knives,
Reeve, Victorinox, CRKT, SOG Seal......
Now I have fallen in love with the KATZ:
http://www2.knifecenter.com/item/KZPH35CW/katz-kagemusha-inchsecret-ninja-inch-3-5-inch:cool:
Please, tell me about the quality, guys!
First, I wanted a strong folder like Spyderco Paramilitary, or BUCK 110 but
now I want this KATZ as an EDC. Is it good quality, what about the price?
Thanks to all helping me making a good
decision for a strong folder up to 150$,
Thorsten
 
Katz has a decent reputation from what i have researched. Well made and reliable.

If you are going mostly on overall strength there are choices much stronger than the other knives you named. my recommendation is a Benchmade 275BK Adamas or Ontario XM-1, right in your price range and stronger than a Spyderco Para. There are many many threads here about strong folders, you would be better off giving some time to searching some of those threads here as well as communicating with other members before you decide what knife to get. But if you think the Katz is for you why not get it? Knifecenter is a very well-respected dealer here on this forum and they are saying this Katz knife is very strong, they know what they are talking about.

You could also do what many people here do and that is trade or sell your knife if you don't like it and then get something other.
 
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I think XT80 is just their proprietary version of 440c which, if true, would make it fairly overpriced in my eyes. I do think it looks fairly comfortable and classy.
 
That is about the MOST uncomfortable knife you can possibly get. The back of the knife has no spacers, so there are essentially two pieces of sheet metal pressing in to your palms whenever you hold it.

The quality is good but the design is a total piece of crap and I almost guarantee you'll regret buying it, especially at the prices Katz charges. Get the PM2. Way, way better designed.
 
I'm not familiar with the Katz, so no vote for it. I recommend a ZT 200, 350, or a Spyderco Sage 1 or 2. The ZTs are very beefy and heavier, but bombproof. The Sage knives are classier, but tough also. Enjoy!
 
Thorsten,
I have both the Katz Kagemusha and the Phantom model you asked about. Both knives are very well made, smooth to open and close and quite rugged. They are fairly thin, about 15mm wide so carry quite well in the pocket. I have read the XT80 steel is actually AUS8, or some form of 440C. My experience is that the blades take and hold a good edge. As "Like Em Sharp" said, the handle is not that comfortable IF you are doing heavy cutting, as the metal frame is exposed, but for normal cutting tasks I have not had any problems with discomfort, caused by the frame. My suggestion to you is that if you really want a Katz knife is to find some place you can actually handle one and see if it works for you. John
 
Tell us what you're looking for in a knife, and I'm sure we can come up with a few recommendations that are better for what you want (unless what you want is a knife that looks exactly like that). Blade steel, slicing power, strength, and ergonomics could all be better in that price range. Maybe try to pick up a discontinued Spyderco Phoenix? They have similar styling.

Wilkommen ins Bladeforums!
 
Thank you for the welcome and all your answers to my thread!
The more I read about knives the less I know, difficult for a beginner....
Maybe the KATZ is not the right knife for me and the new Paramilitary 2
might be a good compromise between strength/quality of the blade in general
and the price is OK as well! I looked up the ZT Hinderer, it looks really cool
but I wont spend 200$. I dont like a too aggressive style of the folders,
so the BM Paramilitary 2 is even the limit concerning the look!
What reliable online shops would you experts recommend except Knifecenter?
Have found knifeart, knifeworks, Smoky Mountain Knives, what else is good?
Thanks again for your help, hello from wonderful Germany:D
 
Ooops, I forgot to say that the folder I am looking for
should have a blade not longer than 4 inches.
Just easy, good steel, strong locking mechanism,
not too aggressive and martial look and about 150$.
Have a great day, Thorsten
 
I know of or have bought from all the retailers you mentioned except for knifeart. Other stores I've bought from or heard are reliable are GP Knives, Blade HQ/Blade Play (same company), Cutlery Shoppe, and 1 Stop Knife Shop. There's a dealer section here on Bladeforums where online stores advertise special offers and new items; you might want to look there. Many of the online shops that have been mentioned are active there, too.

If you want something that's not overly tactical, has good quality, and is about $160 or less, I'd recommend the Spyderco Gayle Bradley. It does look less tactical, and the fit and finish is better than the Paramilitary 2's. The liners are very thick and strong, and the steel is pretty much the best you're going to get at that price, or even at higher prices. I haven't handled a folder with higher quality than the Gayle Bradley at that price point; it rivals my much more expensive knives. The PM2 is well-liked as a functional work knife, but the Gayle Bradley has a more gentlemanly air to it.
 
Bargusin said:
Hi Tsujigiri,
do you know this shop?
I think he sells only used knives,
looks fine, nice pocket knives!
Thank you:)
Click to expand...

Sorry, I haven't heard of this seller. For used knives, it's pretty hard to beat the exchange section of bladeforums. To sell you need a paid account, but it's free to buy. The sellers are mostly honest people who know about knives, and you can get lower prices than you usually would since they don't have to pay ebay's fees of about 10%. There's a special section for traditional knives like the one you linked to (but you might want to edit that link out since it could count as deal-spotting, which isn't allowed here).
 
Try Enlan EL02 or EL06. I have EL02, and at 20-25$ shipped with same quality in steel, they also look quite gentle.

Both has about 3.5" blade. EL02 is 8Cr13MoV (comparable to AUS08), with nice micarta handle. EL02B has bead blasted blade (more prone to rust) and G10 instead of micarta. EL06 blade is higher steel, 9Cr13MoV (similar to 440C), with G10 handle.

They are reviews in the Review section as well.

Google them, the place called exduct is where I got it from. The folks at britishblades forum likes them, and mostly European, so shipping to Europe doesn't seem to be a problem.
 
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