- Joined
- May 3, 2002
- Messages
- 6,192
I've met and hung out with DJ Urbanovsky (the maker of American Kami Knives) personally
and he's one of the most likeable people, let alone knife people, I've ever met. In fact,
when I first saw his knives that day at the bar in Colorado years ago, I was SHOCKED that
he was the MAKER and not just the owner because he seemed just like a knife enthusiest like
you and I. "Yeah, I made these. What do you think?" Unbelievable. He didn't know how good
he really was (is).
Now, everybody knows.
It makes DJ really uncomfortable when I say things like I'm about to say and he, certainly,
wouldn't endourse this statement himself since he's such an ethical and humble member of
the knife community, BUT...
I believe American Kami knives are better than Strider Knives in the catagories of "fit & finish"
and customer service. They may, PERHAPS, even be better in strength since he makes these
of carbon steel rather than stainless. These are thick, strong, and razor sharp. He uses a chisel-grind
that is done the "right" way with the flat side on the left side of the knife.
If/when I ever recover from the economic slump I'm in, I'll be going back to DJ and American Kami
Knives for a few fixed blades (and he'll have folders by then). His knives are, in a word, awesome!
I'm selling these for the same prices DJ sells them for on his site even though these are vintage
and he doesn't make any of these like this anymore.
Here they are:
American Kami KBBSS Sword 11" blade, G10 "two handed" handle with a beautiful green camo stain finish
that he no longer does! This is a Zombie killer. This is the only one of these like this.American Kami ever made.
DJ is very proud of this one, but it was a lot of work and he told me he doesn't plan on making more.
1/4" thick. MINT $400
American MODEL# 805 Combat Steak Knife V2, 4.25" blade, G10 handle with a beautiful green
camo stain finish that he no longer does! 1/4" thick. MINT $210 Sold
American Kami MODEL# 840 MIGS TantoTanto, blade 4.25", tan wrap and a strong tanto point
(his newer ones are pointer). 1/4" thick. MINT $180 Sold
American Kami MODEL# 831Buru Hitsu teal wrap. Blade is about 3 1/4. I personally ground a spot
where you can "choke up" on the knife (pictured) without cutting your fingers. I sent it to a shop
of a knife customizer I know to get a custom "hard gold" coating that's, aparently, one of the hardest
coatings available. It was an expensive coating that I traded a knife to get and it's beautiful. It's called
"Alpha" Chrome Nitride" from here: http://www.tincoat.net/coatings/alpha.html
Makes the knife look like a stick of gold. This customizer (Slaytanic) also re-wrapped DJ's teal handle wrap
in a super-duper-cool pattern. Otherwise MINT. 1/4" thick. $150Sold Pending Funds
and he's one of the most likeable people, let alone knife people, I've ever met. In fact,
when I first saw his knives that day at the bar in Colorado years ago, I was SHOCKED that
he was the MAKER and not just the owner because he seemed just like a knife enthusiest like
you and I. "Yeah, I made these. What do you think?" Unbelievable. He didn't know how good
he really was (is).
Now, everybody knows.
It makes DJ really uncomfortable when I say things like I'm about to say and he, certainly,
wouldn't endourse this statement himself since he's such an ethical and humble member of
the knife community, BUT...
I believe American Kami knives are better than Strider Knives in the catagories of "fit & finish"
and customer service. They may, PERHAPS, even be better in strength since he makes these
of carbon steel rather than stainless. These are thick, strong, and razor sharp. He uses a chisel-grind
that is done the "right" way with the flat side on the left side of the knife.
If/when I ever recover from the economic slump I'm in, I'll be going back to DJ and American Kami
Knives for a few fixed blades (and he'll have folders by then). His knives are, in a word, awesome!
I'm selling these for the same prices DJ sells them for on his site even though these are vintage
and he doesn't make any of these like this anymore.
Here they are:
American Kami KBBSS Sword 11" blade, G10 "two handed" handle with a beautiful green camo stain finish
that he no longer does! This is a Zombie killer. This is the only one of these like this.American Kami ever made.
DJ is very proud of this one, but it was a lot of work and he told me he doesn't plan on making more.
1/4" thick. MINT $400
American MODEL# 805 Combat Steak Knife V2, 4.25" blade, G10 handle with a beautiful green
camo stain finish that he no longer does! 1/4" thick. MINT $210 Sold
American Kami MODEL# 840 MIGS TantoTanto, blade 4.25", tan wrap and a strong tanto point
(his newer ones are pointer). 1/4" thick. MINT $180 Sold
American Kami MODEL# 831Buru Hitsu teal wrap. Blade is about 3 1/4. I personally ground a spot
where you can "choke up" on the knife (pictured) without cutting your fingers. I sent it to a shop
of a knife customizer I know to get a custom "hard gold" coating that's, aparently, one of the hardest
coatings available. It was an expensive coating that I traded a knife to get and it's beautiful. It's called
"Alpha" Chrome Nitride" from here: http://www.tincoat.net/coatings/alpha.html
Makes the knife look like a stick of gold. This customizer (Slaytanic) also re-wrapped DJ's teal handle wrap
in a super-duper-cool pattern. Otherwise MINT. 1/4" thick. $150Sold Pending Funds
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