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Katz knives
- Thread starter Ad58
- Start date
- Joined
- Apr 20, 2001
- Messages
- 18,423
Solid and well IMO from the folder I had.
t1mpani
Platinum Member
- Joined
- Jun 6, 2002
- Messages
- 5,528
Sorry for the resurrection here but figured at least one more chime-in was called for.
The fit and finish of Katz knives is excellent, in my experience. Their XT-70/80 steels seem to be pretty good, though I've never really pushed either to it's limits.
As to the Lion King, what I'd say is that it's a very nicely put together knife with a wonderfully beefy handle (micarta version), but the edge geometry is far from what I think is ideal in a knife this size. VERY deep hollow grind makes for a very thin edge, and yes it IS sharp, but it's also fragile with a blade this heavy, and the rapid progression in thickness from that thin edge shoulder to a 5mm thick blade stock makes it wedge in deep cuts (try cutting through the side of a cardboard box with it--you can do it, but it's clumsy and difficult). Couple that geometry with a high carbon stainless at nearly 60 HRC and like I said, fragile and difficult to say what it'd really be good at.
They look awesome, no doubt, but there are better heavy fixed blades and better slicing blades for less money, and MUCH better for equal money. The Lion Cub (smallest version) would make a hugely stout skinning knife.
All of this said, I do have a Lion King--but it's a frivolous ownership, and I think you were asking for a practical recommendation.
The fit and finish of Katz knives is excellent, in my experience. Their XT-70/80 steels seem to be pretty good, though I've never really pushed either to it's limits.
As to the Lion King, what I'd say is that it's a very nicely put together knife with a wonderfully beefy handle (micarta version), but the edge geometry is far from what I think is ideal in a knife this size. VERY deep hollow grind makes for a very thin edge, and yes it IS sharp, but it's also fragile with a blade this heavy, and the rapid progression in thickness from that thin edge shoulder to a 5mm thick blade stock makes it wedge in deep cuts (try cutting through the side of a cardboard box with it--you can do it, but it's clumsy and difficult). Couple that geometry with a high carbon stainless at nearly 60 HRC and like I said, fragile and difficult to say what it'd really be good at.
They look awesome, no doubt, but there are better heavy fixed blades and better slicing blades for less money, and MUCH better for equal money. The Lion Cub (smallest version) would make a hugely stout skinning knife.
All of this said, I do have a Lion King--but it's a frivolous ownership, and I think you were asking for a practical recommendation.
- Joined
- Oct 27, 2010
- Messages
- 231
I have both the Alley Kat and the Lion King. Very impressive knives, well put together. I would def recommend getting one, especially the Alley Katz.