Review New Okapi Knives unboxing

[marthinus]

Okapi South Africa recently launched their new models at Huntex South Africa. Here is a video of the unboxing and a week later review.

I re-ground it to .2 mm behind the edge.

 

[TheJon]

Any word on when these will be avaliable state side?

 

[SharpBits]

I bought a traditional wood model to hold me over until these show up in the States.

 

[marthinus]

Any word on when these will be avaliable state side?

Managed to speak to a few people. Okapi had a large influx of orders. One of which is a US dealer. Current period is 3+ months. So it appears they are on their way.

 

[TheJon]

Managed to speak to a few people. Okapi had a large influx of orders. One of which is a US dealer. Current period is 3+ months. So it appears they are on their way.

Thanks for that. I managed to get a response from them via email. Their website is live for purchasing but no international shipping as of yet from what I can see.

 

[jstrange]

Did he say only the wood handled ones would be locking? I couldn’t quite understand him.

 

[marthinus]

Did he say only the wood handled ones would be locking? I couldn’t quite understand him.

Correct. That is as per catalog at this stage.

 

[oldmanwilly]

Fyi, Jim Green Boots is now shipping these to the US if you order through their site.

Note that the locking model with wood handles is in 1075 and not N690, whereas all of the updated slipjoint models are in N690. I did not realize that until after I ordered, but no bother as 1075 is pretty good and I ordered an frn slipjoint as well. I'm pretty excited to get them, my cheapskate senses are tingling.

 

[A.L.]

Really cool. I've wanted to try the Cold Steel knockoff version but I can't get past the fact that they are knockoffs and made in chinesium. These would feel much more right.
I'd definitely be interested to try if they are decently priced and available here at some point.

 

[oldmanwilly]

I got tracking info for my order from Jim Green that indicates a point of origin in Pulaski, Virginia. I reckon that explains how I got free shipping.

 

[marthinus]

I put this model through its paces over the past few days on a roofing and waterproofing job.

Note, mine is reground so the tip was THIN. Apart from normal edge wear cutting fiberglass and other waterproofing membranes it also had to cut some 100grit sand paper.

It looked better than expected as the pass around knife on the job.

Afterwards I did a deep clean, reground the tip and blade and put a fresh edge on it.

 

[marthinus]

I got tracking info for my order from Jim Green that indicates a point of origin in Pulaski, Virginia. I reckon that explains how I got free shipping.

Has yours arrived yet?

 

[oldmanwilly]

Has yours arrived yet?

Not yet. The US Postal Service said it was supposed to arrive last Wednesday, but it has not arrived and the tracking system doesn't seem to know where it is. This has happened to me a few times in the past; they usually get it sorted out.

 

[Alberta Ed]

Fyi, Jim Green Boots is now shipping these to the US if you order through their site.

Note that the locking model with wood handles is in 1075 and not N690, whereas all of the updated slipjoint models are in N690. I did not realize that until after I ordered, but no bother as 1075 is pretty good and I ordered an frn slipjoint as well. I'm pretty excited to get them, my cheapskate senses are tingling.

1075 is a good tough steel, assuming it's been heat treated properly.

 

[oldmanwilly]

Welp, the USPS tracking just updated to show the parcel arrived in my city and will be delivered tomorrow. We'll see how that works out.

 

[oldmanwilly]

Sawubona! My postal lady dropped these off in time for luncheon today. I don't have any biltong, so I figured dried sausage was the next best thing for the first cut.



So far, I think they're great and am glad I ordered both. I can say the fit, finish, and function of the pivots is much better than I anticipated. I look forward to working with them.

 

[oldmanwilly]

marthinus did you sharpen both sides of the edge, or did you maintain the chisel grind? Mine cut like the dickens, but when cutting thick stuff like an onion the blade tends to curve leftward during the cut. I'm thinking to grind an even bevel on the show side to counteract this.

 

[marthinus]

marthinus did you sharpen both sides of the edge, or did you maintain the chisel grind? Mine cut like the dickens, but when cutting thick stuff like an onion the blade tends to curve leftward during the cut. I'm thinking to grind an even bevel on the show side to counteract this.

I still have the chisel edge, but reground mine thinner. This help’s quite a bit but as it is a chisel grind it will trail to one side.


I will take a picture when I see my father again. His is still stock for you to see the difference.