- Joined
- Oct 19, 1999
- Messages
- 2,836
before I start I would like to note that I am a novice at this whole japanese blades thing, so some of my opinions might not be as refined as might be apprecaited but I thoguht to do this review for ther people like me who woudl want to get ito Japanese blades, as I looked for advice on where to start and found very little of it.
My main forte is in Hossom fixed blades and ofcourse Balisongs. My bank account still thinkis I have made a grave error by my choice of expanding my horizons
I wanted somehting new to decorate my waistband so I thogutht to get a Kozuka (as per couteux's talk on it). So my first jump was to go for an RJ. I bought a #4 kozuka but it didn't work out (again sorry about that Kev, but you were a real understanding gentleman.. thanks), I have no qualms about paying the big bucks for a good blade and I have done in the past.
but somehow I didn't feel like spending 300.00 for such a small knife. Make no mistake that RJ kozuka is a SWEET m(therF)kr, and the grind and edge are sincetely dangerous even to the look. His sheath is very cute too. But I wanted something.. wider.
I did my research and found Mr. Don Polzien and Mr. mike Snody. However I was still at a loss.. I then made the prudent choice to contact Mr. Les Robertson. I had a good time exchanigng info with him and he was a very down to earth guy and a very nice salesman. I told him my plight and my ignorance to japanese blades and he made the extra effort to understand me and suggest against buying a more expensive blade to begin with but start my new passion with a more affordable yet high quality piece (one with a more traditional grind and shape suitd to my small frame), as not to be turned off by a low end blade or a high end blade that will make me cringe in buyer's remorse. Les was a big help in educating me, and was there to make me satisfied not to make a quick buck. High recommendations to him.
So in the end I chose to get a mike Snody Kozuka (kozuka this kozuka that.. I suggest for newbies like me to ask abotu the dimentions of the said jap knife as the dimensions vary from maker to maker - so no happy surprised like me)
http://robertsoncustomcutlery.com/snodytf.htm
i got the one with the skull menuki not pictured anymore.
I must say that this knife is truly excellent both in fit and value for the money. I have no regrets not spending the extra 100-300 to put say a Polzien or RJ in my pants (but trust in me I am gonna get a Polzien in the future.. I am still kicking myself in the ass cause I realized a few weeks ago that I ACTUALLy met polzien in person in Texas but was not interested in jap blades then - am ALSO doubly pissed that I was not able to go to ceasapeake to speak to Mr. Snody myself). The grind lines are good in my opinion and th eknife feels good and looks good both in the and and in te waistband. Mr. Snody was once described as the unervalued new face in the jap blades scene and has quality of the greats liek RJ wen they were starting and is only improving - coupled with his high standards and character and attitude Les and other have said that it will be no surprise if in the future he will rival the best. Seeing what he has now it's almost scary to think he is 'underrated'.
I hate tantoes, especially american tantoes and I hate chisel grinds. This blade is a chisel grind beast with a straight back utility shape. and I mst say I feel good carrying it, which must speak good for it since I am a bitchy opinionated fickle sort.
the handle wrap is tight, clean and I liek the Menuki quite a bit. it is a welcome change to the standard orchids or dragons.
The blade is a behemoth though I do not own many blades in 1/4 stock, and it took me aroudn 3 weeks to get used to carrying my polkowski scorpion.. or anything IWB and it took me 2 days to get used to this new heavy piece in my pants.
Suffice to say this is my first chisel grind and I am imrpessed by how sharp this thign is. it is easily the sharpest balde in my collection and what they say is indeed true. (again sorry about the newbie rant here)... I have no regrets for bying this chisel grind over a double grind. To those who know me I am a purist and eventhough I once had my qualms about the ugly chisel grind when I heard it was 'traditional' I had to get one in that config.
This blade even thogh thick and looks clunky (again cause I have thinner blades in my pants) cuts gracefully thru paper liek you woudl believe and makes short work of other materials. Foam under old jeans was Nothing. As a slasher and stabber it is great. The jeans armour dummy I had didn't stand a chance and I doubt much else will (car door or not.. right Les?
)
I need to get used to the weight, but being a short balde it manipulates easy in the hand and flies well. it has a solid powerful feel that feels like eating raw fish for the first time.. after a while as many of you know you can't stop that grin on your face
All in all I recomend Snody for an affordable piece that won't hurt your back account, make you feel guilty and at the same time make you really feel good.
I realize that this is a rather elemntary review and maybe not as detailed or eloquent as many japnese enthusiasts might want but I thought to share with others liek me who are just getting into the hobby and are used to other lighter different styled blades.
hapy holidays - today will be a wonderful day & may your dreams come true mon ami.
------------------
<A HREF="http://www.contrib.andrew.cmu.edu/~soo/balisong/balisong.html" TARGET=_blank>http://www.contrib.andrew.cmu.edu/~soo/balisong/balisong.html
</A> If you play with love you will be heartbroken; if you play with knives you will [bleed]
[This message has been edited by sniperboy (edited 12-19-2000).]
My main forte is in Hossom fixed blades and ofcourse Balisongs. My bank account still thinkis I have made a grave error by my choice of expanding my horizons
but somehow I didn't feel like spending 300.00 for such a small knife. Make no mistake that RJ kozuka is a SWEET m(therF)kr, and the grind and edge are sincetely dangerous even to the look. His sheath is very cute too. But I wanted something.. wider.
I did my research and found Mr. Don Polzien and Mr. mike Snody. However I was still at a loss.. I then made the prudent choice to contact Mr. Les Robertson. I had a good time exchanigng info with him and he was a very down to earth guy and a very nice salesman. I told him my plight and my ignorance to japanese blades and he made the extra effort to understand me and suggest against buying a more expensive blade to begin with but start my new passion with a more affordable yet high quality piece (one with a more traditional grind and shape suitd to my small frame), as not to be turned off by a low end blade or a high end blade that will make me cringe in buyer's remorse. Les was a big help in educating me, and was there to make me satisfied not to make a quick buck. High recommendations to him.
So in the end I chose to get a mike Snody Kozuka (kozuka this kozuka that.. I suggest for newbies like me to ask abotu the dimentions of the said jap knife as the dimensions vary from maker to maker - so no happy surprised like me)
http://robertsoncustomcutlery.com/snodytf.htm
i got the one with the skull menuki not pictured anymore.
I must say that this knife is truly excellent both in fit and value for the money. I have no regrets not spending the extra 100-300 to put say a Polzien or RJ in my pants (but trust in me I am gonna get a Polzien in the future.. I am still kicking myself in the ass cause I realized a few weeks ago that I ACTUALLy met polzien in person in Texas but was not interested in jap blades then - am ALSO doubly pissed that I was not able to go to ceasapeake to speak to Mr. Snody myself). The grind lines are good in my opinion and th eknife feels good and looks good both in the and and in te waistband. Mr. Snody was once described as the unervalued new face in the jap blades scene and has quality of the greats liek RJ wen they were starting and is only improving - coupled with his high standards and character and attitude Les and other have said that it will be no surprise if in the future he will rival the best. Seeing what he has now it's almost scary to think he is 'underrated'.
I hate tantoes, especially american tantoes and I hate chisel grinds. This blade is a chisel grind beast with a straight back utility shape. and I mst say I feel good carrying it, which must speak good for it since I am a bitchy opinionated fickle sort.
the handle wrap is tight, clean and I liek the Menuki quite a bit. it is a welcome change to the standard orchids or dragons.
The blade is a behemoth though I do not own many blades in 1/4 stock, and it took me aroudn 3 weeks to get used to carrying my polkowski scorpion.. or anything IWB and it took me 2 days to get used to this new heavy piece in my pants.
Suffice to say this is my first chisel grind and I am imrpessed by how sharp this thign is. it is easily the sharpest balde in my collection and what they say is indeed true. (again sorry about the newbie rant here)... I have no regrets for bying this chisel grind over a double grind. To those who know me I am a purist and eventhough I once had my qualms about the ugly chisel grind when I heard it was 'traditional' I had to get one in that config.
This blade even thogh thick and looks clunky (again cause I have thinner blades in my pants) cuts gracefully thru paper liek you woudl believe and makes short work of other materials. Foam under old jeans was Nothing. As a slasher and stabber it is great. The jeans armour dummy I had didn't stand a chance and I doubt much else will (car door or not.. right Les?
I need to get used to the weight, but being a short balde it manipulates easy in the hand and flies well. it has a solid powerful feel that feels like eating raw fish for the first time.. after a while as many of you know you can't stop that grin on your face
All in all I recomend Snody for an affordable piece that won't hurt your back account, make you feel guilty and at the same time make you really feel good.
I realize that this is a rather elemntary review and maybe not as detailed or eloquent as many japnese enthusiasts might want but I thought to share with others liek me who are just getting into the hobby and are used to other lighter different styled blades.
hapy holidays - today will be a wonderful day & may your dreams come true mon ami.
------------------
<A HREF="http://www.contrib.andrew.cmu.edu/~soo/balisong/balisong.html" TARGET=_blank>http://www.contrib.andrew.cmu.edu/~soo/balisong/balisong.html
</A> If you play with love you will be heartbroken; if you play with knives you will [bleed]
[This message has been edited by sniperboy (edited 12-19-2000).]
