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Need Review for Spyderco Kiwi
- Thread starter AC_23
- Start date
- Joined
- Dec 2, 1999
- Messages
- 12,249
I got one a few weeks ago, so here are my opinions.
First I must say two things, even though my collection until this point has been "modern" folder, I always liked the "old-time" look. I especially liked the look of the pocket worn series.
The problem was that these style knives are hard to get open, don't have the fit and finish I have come to expect, and use non modern steels.
So, when I saw the Kiwi I thought, Yeah! that could be it. Well, for me it is!
Small and lightweight, looks great, (even the wife likes it), easy to open via the spyder hole, shape of the handle make it very comfortable to use. Possibly the sharpest spyderco I've ever received new.
It doesn't have a pocket clip so I carry it in my watch pocket. I may get a slip sheath for it someday.
It is what I would consider a gentle person's folder, but hoenstly that's 98% of what I need a knife for anyway. It's a great knife, I want to go buy a spare, just in case.
Hope that helps.
First I must say two things, even though my collection until this point has been "modern" folder, I always liked the "old-time" look. I especially liked the look of the pocket worn series.
The problem was that these style knives are hard to get open, don't have the fit and finish I have come to expect, and use non modern steels.
So, when I saw the Kiwi I thought, Yeah! that could be it. Well, for me it is!
Small and lightweight, looks great, (even the wife likes it), easy to open via the spyder hole, shape of the handle make it very comfortable to use. Possibly the sharpest spyderco I've ever received new.
It doesn't have a pocket clip so I carry it in my watch pocket. I may get a slip sheath for it someday.
It is what I would consider a gentle person's folder, but hoenstly that's 98% of what I need a knife for anyway. It's a great knife, I want to go buy a spare, just in case.
Hope that helps.
I have been carrying a Chris Reeve Umfaan and a Kiwi side by side for a week now.
Wharncliff shape blade on the Kiwi is an ideal blade shape for my office EDC needs.
While I am not a lockback fan, the Kiwi is small enough that you can release the lock, push the blade away from the lock bar and transfer a finger to get the whole thing closed fairly reasonably, not as nice as the Umfaan, but adequate.
The Kiwi, when opening makes a VERY loud snap. I do not like this as it draws attention when opening the knife, it is much louder than when I open the Umfaan or let's say a William Henry Lancet.
The Kiwi can be opened directly with the hole fairly consistently for me, but not always as my hands have the be in a certain position to get the small knife set up correctly in my hands. That said, it can be Spyder-dropped very very easily and is my preferred opening method.
Kiwi drops nicely into you pocket and leaves very little "signature" even in thin wool dress pants. I can also ride pretty well in your shirt pocket.
All in all - despite the loudness and that it is a lockback, the Kiwi has beaten out the Umfaan as my office mini EDC.
Anyone want to buy an Umfaan?
Wharncliff shape blade on the Kiwi is an ideal blade shape for my office EDC needs.
While I am not a lockback fan, the Kiwi is small enough that you can release the lock, push the blade away from the lock bar and transfer a finger to get the whole thing closed fairly reasonably, not as nice as the Umfaan, but adequate.
The Kiwi, when opening makes a VERY loud snap. I do not like this as it draws attention when opening the knife, it is much louder than when I open the Umfaan or let's say a William Henry Lancet.
The Kiwi can be opened directly with the hole fairly consistently for me, but not always as my hands have the be in a certain position to get the small knife set up correctly in my hands. That said, it can be Spyder-dropped very very easily and is my preferred opening method.
Kiwi drops nicely into you pocket and leaves very little "signature" even in thin wool dress pants. I can also ride pretty well in your shirt pocket.
All in all - despite the loudness and that it is a lockback, the Kiwi has beaten out the Umfaan as my office mini EDC.
Anyone want to buy an Umfaan?
- Joined
- Mar 28, 2001
- Messages
- 4,611
I have one and really like it.
While I can't say it's an EDC since I don't have an EDC I have carried it quite a bit.
When I first opened the box I thought, boy this one won't be around long, I figured I'd probably sell it. Then I started carrying it.
I carry it loose in my pocket and never know it's there, a problem I have with other slip joints. This one just seems to lay right when I'm stting down so I'm not constantly adjusting it in my pocket.
Lock-up is nice, not rock solid but very firm. On a knife this small you have nothing to worry about.
Blade was razor sharp out of the box and cuts very nicely. Fit and finish overall is dead on, no cracks in the bone, everything tight.
If you have big hands then manipulating it takes a little practice, but after 10-15 cyclings through the routine I have no problems. The thing I really like about it is how well it locks into my hand when I use it.
I would say that if you like the quirky style of the knife then get one and you won't be disappointed.
While I can't say it's an EDC since I don't have an EDC I have carried it quite a bit.
When I first opened the box I thought, boy this one won't be around long, I figured I'd probably sell it. Then I started carrying it.
I carry it loose in my pocket and never know it's there, a problem I have with other slip joints. This one just seems to lay right when I'm stting down so I'm not constantly adjusting it in my pocket.
Lock-up is nice, not rock solid but very firm. On a knife this small you have nothing to worry about.
Blade was razor sharp out of the box and cuts very nicely. Fit and finish overall is dead on, no cracks in the bone, everything tight.
If you have big hands then manipulating it takes a little practice, but after 10-15 cyclings through the routine I have no problems. The thing I really like about it is how well it locks into my hand when I use it.
I would say that if you like the quirky style of the knife then get one and you won't be disappointed.