Need user feed back from Kunwu and Ohlone users

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maull1

Joined
Jan 3, 2024
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Looking at getting a new edc for everyday stuff. I enjoy the looks of the Kunwu Chad, and X tao, as well as the Ohlone Goat AXL. Just wondering what the user experience has been with these too companies on the customer service side? Does anyone out there have both or all three and can help me with any insight? Also considering a Spartan Harsey or CRK. Can anyone else recommend something in the price range of $500 or under that I can carry for the next 10 years? Thanks for any info
 
I have a kunwu Chad. It is quite heavy but excellently made. The lock-up is outstanding. The action is too, but as with most knives that run on bearings there is space for gunk to get in so it needs to be flushed clean periodically. Slicy grind! I modified mine to reduce weight (especially reducing the interior liners). No info about customer service though.

They won't make any more bc getting the heat treat right on the fancy steel turned out to be costly, so you'd need to find one on the secondary market. PXL_20240108_060925056.jpg
 
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maull1 said:
How much use does your SHF get? How do you like it compared to others in your collection?
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I’ve been carrying one of those on and off for a few years now. The S45VN with the symmetrical pivot are definitely preferred. They aren’t the best slicers, but they definitely outperform many of the competitors. The stonewashed versions break in very fast, open and close smooth as glass. I’ve gotten a fair amount of use out of the blacked out version pictured above. Cardboard, kitchen use, yard work (and last ditch self defense tool I’ve never had to use ). The main reasons I like the SHF are its simplicity and size. No bearings to clean, no springs to change, nothing that will rust - for a large knife it carries well. The S45VN sharpens like a breeze, stay sharp with ceramic rods.

If I was in the market for a folder between $400 and $500 - Spartan, Demko, CRK, Les George and Curtiss would be on my radar.
 
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The Curtiss F3 lite is pretty decent. Mr Curtiss is currently making these to order ( slicing machines ).

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Excellent knives - all of them cut like crazy. Extremely satisfying action as well ( think Shiro meets Hinderer ).
 
luethge said:
View attachment 2449560View attachment 2449561View attachment 2449562

The Curtiss F3 lite is pretty decent. Mr Curtiss is currently making these to order ( slicing machines ).

View attachment 2449563

Excellent knives - all of them cut like crazy. Extremely satisfying action as well ( think Shiro meets Hinderer ).
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Awesome thank you so much. I will definitely have to check these out. I just wish I could find a place close to me where I could put a shiro or a Hinderer in my hands.
 
fishface5 said:
I have a kunwu Chad. It is quite heavy but excellently made. The lock-up is outstanding. The action is too, but as with most knives that run on bearings there is space for gunk to get in so it needs to be flushed clean periodically. Slicy grind! I modified mine to reduce weight (especially reducing the interior liners). No info about customer service though.

They won't make any more bc getting the heat treat right on the fancy steel turned out to be costly, so you'd need to find one on the secondary market. View attachment 2449552
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what else do you have in your collection? How does it compare for an EDC? Do you find the blade shape more useful than a more traditional drop point or wharnie?
 
I have or have owned too many knives to list, but lots of Benchmade, Spyderco, WE/Civivi, Kizer, and a couple Sebenzas.

I mostly use knives for home and office tasks, the Chad's blade shape is good for those and especially cutting cardboard. It's not very stabby but neither am I. The thin edge is good for cutting but not prying.

The Ohlone Goat AXL gets very good reviews. As does anything by Kunwu. Same for Curtiss and Les George. It comes down to what you prefer in lock type, ergonomics and blade shape/geometry.

I only had a Talos by Spartan, which I liked very much but a bit small for me. CRK is very good quality but I hate the pointy thumbstuds.

You might also look at the Klotzi Swiss Border Patrol, that is supposed to be high quality. Same with Demko knives if you like the shark lock.
 
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fishface5 said:
I have or have owned too many knives to list, but lots of Benchmade, Spyderco, WE/Civivi, Kizer, and a couple Sebenzas.

I mostly use knives for home and office tasks, the Chad's blade shape is good for those and especially cutting cardboard. It's not very stabby but neither am I. The thin edges good for cutting but not prying.

The Ohlone Goat AXL gets very good reviews. As does anything by Kunwu. Same for Curtiss and Les George. It comes down to what you prefer in lock type, ergonomics and blade geometry.

I only had a Talos by Spartan, which I liked very much but a bit small for me. CRK is very good quality but I hate the pointy thumbstuds.

You might also look at the Klotzi Swiss Border Patrol, that is supposed to be high quality. Same with Demko knives if you like the shark lock.
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Thanks for your input. I will defintely have to check out Klotzli. I am partial to thumbstuds and will probably never own a sypderco style folder, with a hole in the blade. Do the thumbstuds on the Chad feel good to open? They look like they feel great, as well as the lock bar studs. Might just have to get the Chad(really enjoy the look of those thumb studs) for the daily mail, and something a little nice for EDC. LOL I guess I am a collector now. damnit :D
 
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IMHO the thumbstuds on the Chad are excellent. However the knife is quite a handful just for opening envelopes!
 
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