Katz knife info request

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fish4life

Joined
Sep 19, 2006
Messages
19
Hello,

Great forum guys, stumbled accross it thanks to google and been reading for hte last hour. You guys are hardcore and have some awesome looking blades.

Anyways, i am thinking about buying a KatZ WildCat knife which is to be used for hunting. Has anyone here had any experience with one or even with hte XT 80 stainless steel that they use? I haven't seen the x80 on any othrer knives so can't decide if that's good or bad.

I guess i'm attracted to that stubby looking blade which is nearly 1/4" thick :) :) and i like the weight of the knife. I have held it in my hand before and love the way it feels, nicely balanced and feels like it would do a a lot of the work for you when skinning game, but but i'm a little sceptical on how they hold up over several years. So i'm hoping someone can throw in a comment or two :D

Any info is appreciated, except for the statements of them being over priced, i'm quite aware of that :D

thanks again

http://katzknives.com/Merchant2/mer...e_Code=K&Product_Code=K-103&Category_Code=WIL
 
I have no experience with that particular brand, but in that price range I would go for something by a company that comes a little more highly reccomended.

Oh! And welcome to blade forums.
 
fish4life said:
Any info is appreciated, except for the statements of them being over priced, i'm quite aware of that :D
Click to expand...

tgw914 said:
I have no experience with that particular brand, but in that price range I would go for something by a company that comes a little more highly reccomended.
Click to expand...

Chortle!!! :D
 
it can be found for cheaper then 225, it can be found for about 150 i've heard but thanks for hte welcome and feedback, keep it coming :D
 
Katz knives are very good and XT-80 is said to be comparable to ATS-34. I have read that it has a similar chemical composition to AUS-8, but that it seems to hold an edge better, and be more wear resistant.
 
I was under the impression the brand was good and the ones I've seen appearred so.

That price is a bit too much, though.
 
I handled a Katz like the one below at a knife store just outside of Ft. Worth recently. (House Of Blades) The knife was beautifully made. It had a gorgeous stag handle and an outstanding fit and finish - As good as any production knife I've seen. Problem is it had a price to match it's looks. Don't recall the exact price but it was over $350 bucks. They may be great knives but at that price you're getting into some pretty decent custom knife territory.

K-103ST.jpg
 
I bought my Katz 302 in the early 90s, so I can really only comment on their early production.
At the time I was carrying a Chris Reeve Shadow 7" in the bush, and it was against this tough as nails tool steel knife that I compared the Katz.
The ergonomics, fit and finish, and overall design of the 302 is excellent. The handle is comfortable and secure, the blade is big enough to do anything
without being too big to be useful, and the whole package just feels right in one's hand.
In my opinion, the XT80 steel behaves a lot like ATS34, and is a high quality hard work stainless.
If you buy one, I hope it serves you as well as mine has served me.
 
I have a couple of Katz knives including the one you are questioning. They are very well made, hold a good edge but are expensive on the retail level. I was a dealer at the time I got mine so I didn't pay retail. If you're looking for a recommedation, I would list them on the high end.
Scott
 
I have a Katz B-10 boot knife. I've been quite happy with it. I just would like it to be a little more pointy. Street prices are considerably cheaper than retail
 
that's great feedback, i appreciate it very much. Like i said in my initial post i too think they're over priced but they are so gorgeous looking to me that i don't think i'll be able to resist. Looks like the quality is top notch as well ... it's a shame the brand never took off like i would have loved to see. I guess that price tag had something to do with it.
 
I certainly plan on borrowing those designs, and making my own in good ol carbon steel.

Those rubber handles arent so hot either. I'd like to see them in micarta.
 
They have them in micarta, thoug the price goes up. Saw one in a shop with scrimshaw, looked nice. Just not $600 nice.
 
Yeah really.... A stainless knife like that with a micarta handle should be 150-200 tops.

Hell...you can get a forged blade from a master or journeyman smith for 600.:rolleyes:
 
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