Kiku fixed, should I buy it?

[TacoHunter]

So I´m planning on buying a new fixed blade. I want something that looks pretty cool but is still practical, so I found he Kiku Fixed, large. The size seems pretty good to me, I like the micarta handle and SOG has never let me down. But the AUS-8 stainless steel kinda worries me. Also, I never had a knife with a recurved blade, any thoughts on that?

It is gonna be my go-to outdoor knife.

Here´s a link to SOG´s Kiku page:
http://www.sogknives.com/type/new-for-2014/kiku-large-fixed-black-tini.html

Thanks in advance guys.

 

[sloth357]

I have 2 older sogs that still haven't broke, YET.. I think SOG quality is ... medium grade at best. On the other hand Kiku is awesome. I'm not one to buy custom turned major maker production watered down designs/materials.

recurve, harder to sharpen... black coating, annoying and never looks good, patina looks good, satin used up -looks good... just my opinions.

If you want "cool" looking, slightly practical and inexpensive, look at the Ontario RAT7 I think it is.. there are many others...

I wouldn't buy that SOG/Kiku though.. again, my 2 cents..

 

[TacoHunter]

If you want "cool" looking, slightly practical and inexpensive, look at the Ontario RAT7 I think it is.. there are many others...

Thanks for the suggestion, gonna check it out. And by "cool" I mean somethiong rugged, but kinda elegeant. Thats why the Kiku caught my eye.

 

[craytab]

By "go-to outdoor knife" what exactly do you mean?

I have a lot of SOG fixed blades and I like them all but none of them are used as a woodsy-bushcrafty-camp blade. For me, my SOGs are more utility/tactical blades. The ones I have that would be consider woodsy are collectors like the SK5 Tigershark.

Further, the blade shape on the kiku doesn't look conducive to many outdoor knife tasks. Seems like much more of a tactical blade. The Aus8 would worry me too. Not really a woods type of steel. Great for budget EDC and utility but I would much rather have a good carbon steel for wood work. For these reasons, I wouldn't get the Kiku for an out-doors blade. But my needs might be different than yours.

While the RAT 7 above looks good, if you do some research on Ontario fixed blades you will find the fit/finish and heat treat are a bit fickle. Plus, for what you would spend on the Kiku, you can do better than an Ontario (the sheath also sucks).

My recommendation, and what I use, would be an offering from Esee. I have several of their blades. My go-to outdoors knife is an Esee 6. I have an Izula, 4, 5, 6, and Junglas, but the 6 and Junglas see the most woods use. You might be tempted by the 5 but it is a bit of a gimmick as it is meant as an extreme survival tool for a downed pilot, it would be great to cut your way out of a chopper but not that great at cutting normal stuff. Take a look also at the Laser Strike, both the 6 and LS are in the size range of the Kiku but much more suited to woods work. Everything on an Esee will be upgraded compared to an Ontario fixed blade: fit/finish, steel heat treat, sheath, and warranty. Esee has the best knife warranty in the business hands down. Blade breaks for any reason, they give you a new one. Unconditional, forever, and transferable.

 

[TacoHunter]

You might be tempted by the 5 but it is a bit of a gimmick as it is meant as an extreme survival tool for a downed pilot, it would be great to cut your way out of a chopper but not that great at cutting normal stuff..

haha yep, the Esee 5 caught my eye. What do you mean it´s a gimmick? Is it made with less cuality that the others?

 

[Esav Benyamin]

The ESEE 5 is made for EXTREME survival, as in demolishing an aircraft frame to escape. You don't need that for extreme camping-type survival which requires cutting, in a lighter, more easily carried, more maneuverable blade.

I would rather choose an ESEE 6 than a 5, although a 4 is probably the most generally useful of the three.

 

[Inazone]

I was excited to see the Kiku knives, but I think Hogue offers some fixed blades and folders of a somewhat similar design with better steel for not much more money.

 

[marcinek]

So I´m planning on buying a new fixed blade. I want something that looks pretty cool but is still practical, so I found he Kiku Fixed, large. The size seems pretty good to me, I like the micarta handle and SOG has never let me down. But the AUS-8 stainless steel kinda worries me. Also, I never had a knife with a recurved blade, any thoughts on that?

It is gonna be my go-to outdoor knife.


Thanks in advance guys.

1) Well, if it looks cool to you, you should get it. It will make you happy.
2) AUS-8 is one of, if not my favorite, stainless steels.
3) As for the "recurved" blade, a modified tanto nightmare grind or whatever that is, is going to be next to impossible to sharpen in the field (and AUS-8 will need sharpening), so it would not be my choice for a "go-to" outdoor knife. If I was going to go SOG for one of those (which I wouldn't..but that's me) I'd go with one less ninja-tacti-licious, like the NW Ranger.

 

[marcinek]

The ESEE 5 is made for EXTREME survival, as in demolishing an aircraft frame to escape. You don't need that for extreme camping-type survival which requires cutting, in a lighter, more easily carried, more maneuverable blade.

I would rather choose an ESEE 6 than a 5, although a 4 is probably the most generally useful of the three.

Sure, but what if I have lost my keys in the woods, and my survival depends on getting to the cooler of beer locked in my car's trunk?

Those ESEEs would be excellent choices.

 

[Esav Benyamin]

Sure, but what if I have lost my keys in the woods, and my survival depends on getting to the cooler of beer locked in my car's trunk?

Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance:

Ya should have gotten the beer out to take into the woods with you in the first place.

 

[glocker199]

I love the blade shape and grind, the micarta scales are nice, and the sheath looks pretty good. However, I think it's waaaaaaaay overpriced for an AUS-8 Taiwanese knife.

AUS-8 and Taiwan is fine for a $30 folder, but crazy for a fixed blade with an MSRP over $200.

For the same money you can buy a similarly sized Benchmade fixed Contego. Made in the USA of vastly superior S30V, with an impeccable warranty and a lifetime of free sharpening.

The Kiku is a really cool looking knife but SOG lost me with the price. It should be about a $70 knife.

 

[mars5l]

The ESEE 5 is made for EXTREME survival, as in demolishing an aircraft frame to escape. You don't need that for extreme camping-type survival which requires cutting, in a lighter, more easily carried, more maneuverable blade.

I would rather choose an ESEE 6 than a 5, although a 4 is probably the most generally useful of the three.

Well you just sold me on the 5

 

[WuGod]

BKT Baconmaker (looks kinda like the SOG to me) or BKT 15 with some custom work might be cheaper, and almost for sure tougher. But I love me some carbon steel too.

 

[Carolina72]

I had a SOG Kiku large fixed and really loved the knife, though it never saw any work. Its not a back woods blade and I would not recommend it as a go to blade for anything other than sticking on a vest and kicking down doors. There are a lot better blades for the outdoors/survival. I carry a sog kiku folder as an EDC blade and it does well, doesn't hold an edge well though IMO. Just my 2cents.