Kevin John Daboia AKA Venom 2

[Lost Cosmonaut]

Except that the seed money came from bad practices. This is basically bank robbers going into banking.

One steals from a company, the other steals from it's customers. Not sure there's a whole lot of difference.

In doing my research, it appears Kevin John and Custom Knife Factory are one and the same...and that this is a model previously offered by CKF called the Daboia.

Interesting.

Nope, this is wrong. CKF bought the knives sterile from KJ and told them to clean up their act and stop selling counterfeits, but KJ refused to stop selling counterfeits because that's what makes money (because no one buys the legitimate knives), and so the Daboia is the only thing that will ever come from those two "together".

 

[K.O.D.]

One steals from a company, the other steals from it's customers. Not sure there's a whole lot of difference.



Nope, this is wrong. CKF bought the knives sterile from KJ and told them to clean up their act and stop selling counterfeits, but KJ refused to stop selling counterfeits because that's what makes money (because no one buys the legitimate knives), and so the Daboia is the only thing that will ever come from those two "together".

Thank you. I stand corrected.

 

[PURPLEDC]

Yet one has to ask why they mark the handle in such a way if deception wasn't really the focus. Anybody who marks a china made knife "IDAHO MADE" is scum in my book. Feel free to use the rest of this thread to justify your awsum china knives.

Any answer i give would be me guessing. But no matter the answer if they are trying to fool everyone into thinking that is a real sebenza there are a lot easier ways to do it besides slapping a billboard on the side of the blade stating otherwise. Believe it or not i have actually seen people complain that they DIDNT use the original company logo along with the k john stamp because at least that way it gave the designer at least some acknowledgement as to who originally made the knife. As for me i dont justify these knives. I know that me owning them is a completely selfish act and i do not pretend otherwise.

 

[benchwarmer380]

I learned a long time ago to never trust anyone with two first names.

You can't lump every firsty firsty together.

[video=youtube;TLnJhUgZU10]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLnJhUgZU10[/video]

 

[josephrogers]

Skipped reading most of the replies after it turned sour. Regardless of if they are known to counterfeit or not, it is a solid knife that really is aesthetically pleasing. I haven't found any evidence that this is a counterfeit. Even CKF got a run of these made for them. Considering my other knives are all US made, a figured why not try something new?

If you don't like it and think it is unethical then stay away. Until I find proof that this is a counterfeit, I have no issues with having a great, well built knife. Regardless of where it was produced. So if you want to come to this thread to just bash on the knife or the maker without having experience with either, go ahead. But this is likely my last time looking at the replies.

 

[PURPLEDC]

One steals from a company, the other steals from it's customers. Not sure there's a whole lot of difference.



Nope, this is wrong. CKF bought the knives sterile from KJ and told them to clean up their act and stop selling counterfeits, but KJ refused to stop selling counterfeits because that's what makes money (because no one buys the legitimate knives), and so the Daboia is the only thing that will ever come from those two "together".

I dont know if that is the whole truth. They actually sold some with the k. John logo. They also seem to use k john for certain manufacturing. And even though ckf publicly disapproves of counterfeits at least one site they are affiliated with sells exact clones without the logos. And if their ties to that factory truly are severed that sucks for everyone because they are responsible for the better wuality knives.

 

[bld522]

Skipped reading most of the replies after it turned sour. Regardless of if they are known to counterfeit or not, it is a solid knife that really is aesthetically pleasing. I haven't found any evidence that this is a counterfeit. Even CKF got a run of these made for them. Considering my other knives are all US made, a figured why not try something new?

Of course it's a counterfeit. Kevin John (he/she/it/them) is a well-known counterfeiter. Having said that, some of the knives I've seen under the Kevin John moniker, particularly their higher-priced knives, have been extremely well made. Based on your description, I have no doubt yours is among them.

 

[RX-79G]

Except that the seed money came from bad practices. This is basically bank robbers going into banking.

Or treasonous British subjects violently starting their own country.


I'm not making excuses for Kevin John. The counterfeits they make are not illegal in their country, and I don't know if they are even violating international law. The violation of law happens when counterfeits are imported into the company where the legal protection lies.


Whether it is a drug dealer becoming a musician, mafia going into olive oil imports or a Chinese counterfeiter going into their own designs, it is better than the status quo.

 

[PURPLEDC]

Skipped reading most of the replies after it turned sour. Regardless of if they are known to counterfeit or not, it is a solid knife that really is aesthetically pleasing. I haven't found any evidence that this is a counterfeit. Even CKF got a run of these made for them. Considering my other knives are all US made, a figured why not try something new?

If you don't like it and think it is unethical then stay away. Until I find proof that this is a counterfeit, I have no issues with having a great, well built knife. Regardless of where it was produced. So if you want to come to this thread to just bash on the knife or the maker without having experience with either, go ahead. But this is likely my last time looking at the replies.

I have a daboia. They are killer knives. I would prefer a better bearing system but it sure glides anyways. Did you get the black or satin. Mine is the satin model with no logo.

 

[Jasonsdman]

This thread was supposed to be about an original designed knife. The company behind it is well known as a cloning(stealing, shady, really bad) company. Anyone that finds anything to do with these type of company offensive should not post in it as to keep it from getting the attention it does not deserve. Arguing about something clear as day is absurd IMO.

 

[singularity35]

Haven't people always said about sanrenmu, "they can make a good knife, they should produce their own designs"....

 

[Lost Cosmonaut]

Of course it's a counterfeit. Kevin John (he/she/it/them) is a well-known counterfeiter. Having said that, some of the knives I've seen under the Kevin John moniker, particularly their higher-priced knives, have been extremely well made. Based on your description, I have no doubt yours is among them.

The Daboia/Venom II is a unique design, it is not a counterfeit.

 

[Leftytwogunz]

So we're saying this counter fitter finally made a knife of his own design, well woo hoo. I would never support him or anything he had a hand in.

 

[wazu013]

BF does have an international presence so it makes sense that reviews and opinions on knives like the OP's will be presented. I like to keep an open mind about them. If kevin John wants to make his own designs that's fine. It will be an uphill climb for him in the US because he's picked the pockets of so many people here. CKF has some fantastic knives priced at the highest price point possible. They seem to want to compete with an established US made market while using all the advantages the Chinese labor pool has to offer. I don't have a problem with that but I'd expect to see prices far below where they are now.

 

[RevDevil]

Skipped reading most of the replies after it turned sour. Regardless of if they are known to counterfeit or not, it is a solid knife that really is aesthetically pleasing. I haven't found any evidence that this is a counterfeit. Even CKF got a run of these made for them. Considering my other knives are all US made, a figured why not try something new?

If you don't like it and think it is unethical then stay away. Until I find proof that this is a counterfeit, I have no issues with having a great, well built knife. Regardless of where it was produced. So if you want to come to this thread to just bash on the knife or the maker without having experience with either, go ahead. But this is likely my last time looking at the replies.

Well, counterfeit items get no love on Bladeforums Sorry. Kevin John is a known counterfeiter, which should not be the topic of this discussion in particular. I'm reopening the thread after some consideration and discussion with another member via email. If this veers back to all things Kevin John, I'm locking it back up.

 

[RX-79G]

Well, counterfeit items get no love on Bladeforums Sorry. Kevin John is a known counterfeiter, which should not be the topic of this discussion in particular. I'm reopening the thread after some consideration and discussion with another member via email. If this veers back to all things Kevin John, I'm locking it back up.

Thanks for re-opening the thread, Rev. I hope that folks who didn't blow their load destroying the Copy thread can restrain themselves long enough for discussion of the lovely new purchase Joshephrogers decided to share with us:

This is an original, S35VN, titanium and carbon fiber knife made in China. It has little tritium vials inset in it and a street price of around $200-210. $200 and China with Western materials puts the product in a similar category to Reate.

I think it has a nice style - new, but not too outlandish.

 

[Comeuppance]

I like to troll through aliexpress every once in a while with the search terms "d2 titanium" "s35vn knife" "tc4 d2" "9cr knife" "440c knife" "bearing knife" etc etc. Mostly clones of dubious quality, but every once in a while you come across a real unique and original gem:

(Not my video. I just happened to find this when looking for a picture)

[video=youtube;3qQL5lQkYgo]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qQL5lQkYgo[/video]

I have one of these in all stainless and one with a g10 presentation side coming my way from China. There are some very good knives out there, but counterfeits are apparently where the cash is so that's what is prominent.

I have a $13 SNG clone that I keep around so I can continue to remember that I really don't like the form of Strider knives. I kept forgetting all the time, and then I would get on a hard-use knife kick (which I'm basically always on) and end up with an SMF or an SNG that I handle for ten seconds and go "OH YEAH RIGHT I HATE THESE" and then try to trade it for something else as soon as possible.

The Venom 2 looks amazing, but I have a hard time forking over $200 for a knife with no appreciable warranty. For $200, I could get a ZT with the same kind of build quality AND a warranty. ZT has actually made clones pointless to me. Cheap bearing knife? Pfff. I'll get a Strobe, or a Nura. Titanium flipper with bearings and a lock insert and great steel? $140 will get me an 0801 with less time spent searching than I would end up waiting for something to arrive from China.

Really, it is the warranty that does it for me. I can justify using a $200 knife if I know that any problems and issues will be addressed quickly and to my satisfaction. Kai and Spyderco will break their backs helping you out. Kai machined a new pocket clip for my TiLT, FFS! Böker completely replaced my Urban Trapper after I sent them mine in pieces because I lost several of the bearings (TEENSY little bastards). Spyderco has re-bladed a couple of knives for me and fixed a couple that were off-center and/or had play.

If I had any of these issues with a knife made by a manufacturer who didn't have a US warranty office, I would be SOL. Hence, I stick with CHEAP Chinese-made knives of good quality (Ganzo, SanRenMu, Enlan. I'm carrying a G720-O right now and it's pretty nice.) and spend my big dollars in the US (on, admittedly, some Chinese-made products that at least have a US warranty).

 

[asdf12345]

I have a $13 SNG clone that I keep around so I can continue to remember that I really don't like the form of Strider knives.

I have a $20 Sebenza clone that I keep around so I can continue to remember that I really don't like its ergonomics.

 

[Comeuppance]

I have a $20 Sebenza clone that I keep around so I can continue to remember that I really don't like its ergonomics.

That might be the best argument for the continued existence of clones - self control.

 

[sirupatespecial]

Gotta tell the truth.....just bought a Sebenza clone. Kevin John branded. Paid 88 bucks shipped. It doesn't say "made in Idaho". And doesnt' have CK logo on handle. And it says on the blade, in large letters, Triumph somethingorother, Kevin John, s35v. It does resemble a Sebenza. Like I could buy a Sebenza for $88.00....So, ya'll really think these clones, counterfeits..whatever, actually hurt Chris Reeve? On the contrary, I actually think they help his brand. You think maybe anyone has ever bought a clone and then bought a real CR? Maybe CR should be paying them royalties for advertising or something.

Kevin John(whoever that may be) also makes a Hinderer clone. Before I actually ordered I did a little research. I can't buy a Hinderer new, apparently. I can buy them at a jacked up price used. From firemen, law enforcement and military who many times buy to resell. That's a whole lot better than buying a clone for 25% of the price for a knife that is constantly sold out

I don't buy knives to sit in a drawer. I buy them to use. Maybe one day I'll buy a "real" Sebenza". Can't see my self carrying a $400.00 knive everday...Call me cheap. Or smart. Or cheap. I don't care. Except how many hand made knives have I bought on the exchange? Several.

Crap. Sorry. Nice Venom! Wished I had looked here before I bought. I thought the Venom was a clone. Really.....