Massdrop/Laconico Keen

[marchone]

Food of all types. I'm a chef. Just personal choice, and what has worked for me for over 30 years in kitchens. Retired now so I have some time to smell the daisies.

 

[halden.doerge]

Food of all types. I'm a chef. Just personal choice, and what has worked for me for over 30 years in kitchens. Retired now so I have some time to smell the daisies.

Ahh ok. Yeah in the kitchen that makes total sense. For me it's a knife block full of of Shun's for those tasks.

 

[RBid]

Food of all types. I'm a chef. Just personal choice, and what has worked for me for over 30 years in kitchens. Retired now so I have some time to smell the daisies.

That’s a sensible disconnect between us. I don’t use folders for food prep, and generally think in terms of tasking in a retail environment.

Edited to add: to avoid any possible conclusion, I didn’t intend for this to read as a slight. It’s me acknowledging that I’m not used to thinking in context of food prep.

 

[marchone]

I totally get it. My needs aren't going to be everyone else's. Having a folder in my pocket is very convenient. Especially in strange kitchens when I was still doing consulting work. Funny thing about it though, I only began getting into these things at the end of my career. The first one I picked up was a Strider PT CC. Great ergonomics, terrible blade shape for my uses. Next up was a RealSteel S571. Perfect in every way until the clip pin snapped off. Poor QC. Enter the Shiro F3. Now I'm looking for a fixed blade that is exactly like it.

 

[halden.doerge]

I totally get it. My needs aren't going to be everyone else's. Having a folder in my pocket is very convenient. Especially in strange kitchens when I was still doing consulting work. Funny thing about it though, I only began getting into these things at the end of my career. The first one I picked up was a Strider PT CC. Great ergonomics, terrible blade shape for my uses. Next up was a ReatSteel S571. Perfect in every way until the clip pin snapped off. Poor QC. Enter the Shiro F3. Now I'm looking for a fixed blade that is exactly like it.

Did you try the Spydiechef or the new Spyderco Kapara? Both of those are folders designed for food prep work. Though they are 3.5" blades, not 4".

 

[marchone]

No, I haven’t. I’ve looked at them online but I think they’re odd. IMHO food prep knives don’t need to be reinvented. Just give me a good 4-inch utility knife and a 10-inch Chef’s knife and I’m a happy cook.

 

[halden.doerge]

No, I haven’t. I’ve looked at them online but I think they’re odd. IMHO food prep knives don’t need to be reinvented. Just give me a good 4-inch utility knife and a 10-inch Chef’s knife and I’m a happy cook.

My knife block agrees with you.

 

[marchone]

What I've learned here, and specifically from my Shiro, is a stout 4" FFG slicer can be used for heavy bushcraft skills as well as food prep. That makes it versatile. For me.

Last spring we spent a couple weeks in Tuscany where we rented a house. Outside was a fireplace where I did most of our cooking. Firewood needed to be prepped. I wish I had the Shiro then. I bought an ax and a heavy Chef's knife as I brought nothing with us not knowing what to expect.

 

[marchone]

If we go back in the spring I'll take a knife roll with me. I'm in process now designing one to my specs for four to five knives plus assorted small tools. I'm considering having it made in Cordura with a Kevlar liner. My 30-year old leather one has finally bit the dust.

 

[halden.doerge]

Oh man, getting back to the Keen... it's finally scheduled for delivery with USPS for tomorrow. My god, can it be?

 

[marchone]

The Keen is a damned nice knife. Don't get me wrong. When I used the word effete it was only next to my Shiro F3, the workhorse. It's dainty by comparison.

I get a new custom Kephart tomorrow. Should be exciting.

 

[sechip]

Received mine on Saturday and I’m pleased overall.

Ive owned 3 different customs from Ray
A Jasmine, Blast ll and an EDC and the Keen is fairly comparable especially considering the price point.

 

[Officer's Match]

Oh man, getting back to the Keen... it's finally scheduled for delivery with USPS for tomorrow. My god, can it be?

Mine's due Wednesday. Been a while since I've had this much anticipation for a knife in this price range.

 

[halden.doerge]

Mine's due Wednesday. Been a while since I've had this much anticipation for a knife in this price range.

Agreed! If it's all it appears to be it may be one of the best options under $200 that I can think of.

 

[abbazaba]

Mine's due Wednesday. Been a while since I've had this much anticipation for a knife in this price range.

It really feels like a knife beyond it's price point. Agreed about the Baby Bear... Did you ever handle a Ursa Minor? It's hands down my favorite Kizer/Laconico.

 

[Officer's Match]

Oh man, getting back to the Keen... it's finally scheduled for delivery with USPS for tomorrow. My god, can it be?

It show yet?

 

[marchone]

It's a keeper, guys. Urban EDC.

I'm waiting for UPS right now. I hear he has a custom Kephart for me in today's delivery. Forest EDC.

 

[halden.doerge]

It show yet?

Yep! Got lucky and it came just as I was leaving for work this morning. Been flipping it all day. Definitely worth the wait. I’ll be posting some pics and more thoughts later.

 

[Nautique]

Yep! Got lucky and it came just as I was leaving for work this morning. Been flipping it all day. Definitely worth the wait. I’ll be posting some pics and more thoughts later.

You better have an appropriate handkerchief for it.

 

[Spikediesel]

Yep! Got lucky and it came just as I was leaving for work this morning. Been flipping it all day. Definitely worth the wait. I’ll be posting some pics and more thoughts later.

Eagerly awaiting this! I’ve had the page open for days contemplating the purchase. Wondering if this will scratch my itch for a Laconico without shelling out for a Jasmine or an EZC.