Moki Vg-10

D

Dadex

Joined
May 1, 2021
Messages
143
Hello guys,
A few days ago i ordered a Moki Lockback (VG-10) after doubting between it and the Moki Glory (Aus-8 blade) because i read in some threads that it was superior. Then i read some opinions about the VG-10 and most people said that it depends on the maker.
So, whats your opinion on the VG-10 from Moki?
 
Moki's VG10 is very good, although this is based on the one lockback I have. Its not a particularly tough steel (I'm not sure the exact HRC, I would guess on the harder side), but if you use the knife for light duty (like it's meant to be), the edge lasts a long time. It reminds me very much of Shun's VGDamascus, very similar in performance and characteristic.

I've only ever touched mine up on the white sharpmaker, never had to use the coarser stones.

Good luck!
 
VG-10 is one of my favorite steels. No, it's not the best edge holder, but it works well enough to get through a day or few, and it sharpens easily and I can get VG-10 wicked sharp with less effort than nearly any other steel (both harder and softer).

I've been happy with the VG-10 in my Moki and Moki made knives. FYI, Moki makes, or at least made, knives for Spyderco (and Al Mar and AG Russell and others). If you've used Spyderco's VG-10 from at least a few years ago, you'll like Moki's. I don't know specifically which Japanese Spyderco models Moki made (or didn't make), or until what point. I've read that recently (a few years ago?) Spyderco stopped contracting to Moki because of supply/QC issues. A partial list is here but it's from 2012.

On that list, the only Spyderco I have by Moki with VG-10 is the Kopa, and I have no complaints. Granted, it's not exactly a "working" knife, but it's held up fine, and I've definitely used/sharpened it. Also, I've used several Moki Preppy and AG Russell lockbacks (the Preppy is nearly identical to the 3.0" [not the current Chinese one]), and they're fantastic. My Moki Preppy happens to be one of my most-used knives that I EDC, despite, but really especially of its small size, inoffensive nature, and thin blade. Love it.

You shouldn't worry about Moki's AUS-8 either. Good stuff. And let's be real; you're not going to be breaking down dozens of cardboard boxes or carving fuzz sticks with it. You're looking at "gents" knives, and I'm guessing that they'll be used as such. Either VG-10 or AUS-8 will hold up just fine.
 
Dergyll said:
Moki's VG10 is very good, although this is based on the one lockback I have. Its not a particularly tough steel (I'm not sure the exact HRC, I would guess on the harder side), but if you use the knife for light duty (like it's meant to be), the edge lasts a long time. It reminds me very much of Shun's VGDamascus, very similar in performance and characteristic.

I've only ever touched mine up on the white sharpmaker, never had to use the coarser stones.

Good luck!
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I bought it as a classy knife more than a tool so yes, light duty.
 
Planterz said:
VG-10 is one of my favorite steels. No, it's not the best edge holder, but it works well enough to get through a day or few, and it sharpens easily and I can get VG-10 wicked sharp with less effort than nearly any other steel (both harder and softer).

I've been happy with the VG-10 in my Moki and Moki made knives. FYI, Moki makes, or at least made, knives for Spyderco (and Al Mar and AG Russell and others). If you've used Spyderco's VG-10 from at least a few years ago, you'll like Moki's. I don't know specifically which Japanese Spyderco models Moki made (or didn't make), or until what point. I've read that recently (a few years ago?) Spyderco stopped contracting to Moki because of supply/QC issues. A partial list is here but it's from 2012.

On that list, the only Spyderco I have by Moki with VG-10 is the Kopa, and I have no complaints. Granted, it's not exactly a "working" knife, but it's held up fine, and I've definitely used/sharpened it. Also, I've used several Moki Preppy and AG Russell lockbacks (the Preppy is nearly identical to the 3.0" [not the current Chinese one]), and they're fantastic. My Moki Preppy happens to be one of my most-used knives that I EDC, despite, but really especially of its small size, inoffensive nature, and thin blade. Love it.

You shouldn't worry about Moki's AUS-8 either. Good stuff. And let's be real; you're not going to be breaking down dozens of cardboard boxes or carving fuzz sticks with it. You're looking at "gents" knives, and I'm guessing that they'll be used as such. Either VG-10 or AUS-8 will hold up just fine.
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Good to hear that. Never had an spyderco and never had any other moki or any knife that uses vg-10. But it looks like it is great.
 
Planterz said:
VG-10 is one of my favorite steels. No, it's not the best edge holder, but it works well enough to get through a day or few, and it sharpens easily and I can get VG-10 wicked sharp with less effort than nearly any other steel (both harder and softer).

I've been happy with the VG-10 in my Moki and Moki made knives. FYI, Moki makes, or at least made, knives for Spyderco (and Al Mar and AG Russell and others). If you've used Spyderco's VG-10 from at least a few years ago, you'll like Moki's. I don't know specifically which Japanese Spyderco models Moki made (or didn't make), or until what point. I've read that recently (a few years ago?) Spyderco stopped contracting to Moki because of supply/QC issues. A partial list is here but it's from 2012.

On that list, the only Spyderco I have by Moki with VG-10 is the Kopa, and I have no complaints. Granted, it's not exactly a "working" knife, but it's held up fine, and I've definitely used/sharpened it. Also, I've used several Moki Preppy and AG Russell lockbacks (the Preppy is nearly identical to the 3.0" [not the current Chinese one]), and they're fantastic. My Moki Preppy happens to be one of my most-used knives that I EDC, despite, but really especially of its small size, inoffensive nature, and thin blade. Love it.

You shouldn't worry about Moki's AUS-8 either. Good stuff. And let's be real; you're not going to be breaking down dozens of cardboard boxes or carving fuzz sticks with it. You're looking at "gents" knives, and I'm guessing that they'll be used as such. Either VG-10 or AUS-8 will hold up just fine.
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I think you are right on the money, except for one thing. I have never heard of QC issues on any Japan (Moki) sourced Spydercos (feel free to correct me if I am wrong), but I know AG Russell had stated cost was the reason he moved away from having knives manufactured in Japan.
 
Dadex said:
Hello guys,
A few days ago i ordered a Moki Lockback (VG-10) after doubting between it and the Moki Glory (Aus-8 blade) because i read in some threads that it was superior. Then i read some opinions about the VG-10 and most people said that it depends on the maker.
So, whats your opinion on the VG-10 from Moki
Click to expand...
I don't have a VG10 Moki, but I do have several knives made in Japan using VG10 which is made solely by Takefu Specealty Steel in Japan. For a long time they were very protective and refiused to even export the steel. My experience has ranged from zero issues to small chipping on first use, which was resolved after the first sharpening. But in general I doubt very much you will have any issues with VG10 for any knife manufactured in Japan, Especially so for a first class maker like Moki.
I have heard of issues with VG10 knives made in China, which I attribute to either poor HT and/or the use of the Chinese equivalent rather than real VG10.
 
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VG-10 is a good all-round steel for folders. The only real downside is in edge-holding, which is only slightly better than average. Its key attributes are ease of sharpening, and the ability to take a very fine edge, which it holds acceptably well, in my opinion. My current EDC folder is in Bohler N690, a European VG-10 analogue. With a proper heat-treatment, VG-10 is a very good steel, if not exceptional, but mostly for smaller knives. I don't consider toughness to be a an important attribute in a folding knife blade.

Personally, I would feel less trepidation buying a Japan made knife with a well-known Japanese steel than I would buying a Chinese knife with a claimed American or European steel alloy. And I have several of those, including the EDC folder mentioned above.

Moki has a reputation to keep up. This is a big deal in Japanese culture. Most of the Chinese companies have reputations they are building, but knife making is not the same honorable institution that it is in Japan.
 
I recently purchased one of the Pliant models in Quince wood, and it's one of the nicest knives in that price range that I've handled. Mine came screaming sharp, and it is perfect as far as fit and finish goes. Plus, the action is very nice, and it just beams "quality" at you when it's in the hand. As my friend Planterz Planterz states, it's not a working knife, or the one I'd reach for if I was getting air-dropped into the woods for three grueling months of survival, but it shines when sitting in an office environment and needs to be used around folks who are perhaps not knife folks. Simple, beautiful, clean design.

Here's mine.

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I have a Moki made Ruple1 contracted by Old School Knifeworks. Excellent performance with the VG10. Keeps an edge fror a long time at 60 Rc I think.
 
I today received the knife and i have to say all is pretty well made except for 2 details that im gonna share here. From what i read i expected almost perfection from Moki and it has not been the case. I dont know if im being nitpicky or...
The first issue is that there is gap between one of the scales and the lockup. The second issue is that the mother of pearl inserts have like a dirty glue thing in some spots.
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Looked at your photos and if this was a new knife I would return it. You paid fot it so you should be 100% satisfied.
But if this is a used knife, I would say you are being "nitpicky". I would just clean up that stuff on the scale. And that very minor scale gap may have occured from use.
You could still return it of course if possible, Just my personal opinion.
 
KenHash said:
Looked at your photos and if this was a new knife I would return it. You paid fot it so you should be 100% satisfied.
But if this is a used knife, I would say you are being "nitpicky". I would just clean up that stuff on the scale. And that very minor scale gap may have occured from use.
You could still return it of course if possible, Just my personal opinion.
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It is a new knife. The glue is something you can not clean, it looks like it is what they use to put the mother of pearl in the scales.
 
Looks like there was a reason this was the last one. ☹️
 
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