I also wonder if we can still find them ..
but it was quite abundant back in 1986 till around 1995, along with Taiwan rostfreis.
If you read Imada's Advanced Balisong Manual, you will find Korean Kamikaze at the catalog section. The blade was about 4.2", 420 quality and 1/10 " thick, and the handle was die-cast. This was my first balisong I got .. Then the handle broke and I had to get a machinist to make milled brass handle for it. Eventually the latch broke, making this into latchless bali!
Then about 3-4 years later, they made these 5"bowie blade, 1/8" thickness with skeletonized die-cast handle that look like the Herbertz 5" bowie, with a very clear Stainless over Steel over Korea tang stamp. The stamp is punch into the steel and not only ink marking. The blade shape design was quite good to my taste (lenght vs curve vs width), but being a hollow ground blade, the 1/4 portion towards the tip got very thin. The horn is quite significant, but more rounded than the BM/PC balis. I can't find the scan anywhere, but it really looks like the 5" Herbertz or the 5" bowie on Knifezilla
The 4" version was also available, and my Singaporean friend bought one in Thailand during his vacation. The blade shape wasn't that nice and having a less significant horn.
The importer stopped importing those around 1996 and I have not seen any new one coming in.
My personal experience with it: good blade that can be sharpened to shaving sharp. The tang pin wore the handle fast, and the pins are weak. I haven't ever replaced them yet though, but merely stuffed the cup with epoxy and folded staple bullet to make them lock tight open. Similarly, locking close is loose after many sessions of manipulation, I had to stuff with epoxy also.
They (the bowie and the kamikaze) all came with two version: polished (satin I believe, as I can see the lines there) blade with chrome plated handle OR teflon coated black blade with black handle.
I hope you are happy that I can say, Korean Balis are superior to Taiwan rostfreis!!!
(I haven't got a Jag, so I can't compare)
[This message has been edited by Chris Anagarika (edited 03-13-2001).]
