spiralarchitect
Gold Member
- Joined
- Apr 29, 2007
- Messages
- 2,685
Alright, here are some crappy iPhone pics of s/n 0098
There are a couple of tiny spots of MILD SURFACE RUST that snuck in there as artifacts of the coarse stonewashing that was done on the liners. It really is just a 5 minute sandpaper job as PG pointed out -or- in my case, a 30 second flitz job. My blade is centered, my lock is at about 40 percent and tight, my grinds are spot on. The detent on this knife is also pretty great. It should be a heck of a flicker once it is broken in.
The one thing I had not seen mentioned is the fact that upon disassembly you realize how well engineered this knife is. Every thing clicks into place perfectly, the skeletonized liner looks great and is light as a feather and this knife is pure function. The simplicity of the design is absolutely beautiful. I still miss the choil that was on the prototype, but, this knife surprised me in how well I like it. Nothing has managed to knock my 300 out of my pocket, but, this one might.
Overall, I'd say that minus the itty bitty rust issue on the liner this product is on par with Rick's in-house work. Of course the G10 texturing isn't as detailed as Rick's, but, at a 200 dollar savings that's a point I am willing to move right past. People need to realize that no knife is perfect from the factory and this one may have a few minor finish issues, but, If you have ever had the pleasure of cleaning up a BRAND NEW $400 custom you will realize that this is no issue at all.
Every maker and company has a few slip through. This is the first run of an insanely sought after knife with a few little issues in the first hundred or so units.... stuff happens. This being a KAI product you can bet your bottom dollar it will be fixed quickly and permanently. Also, this being KAI, you can bet it won't happen again in the future. KAI has a high ranking official here on the forum that has apologized, owned the mistake and guaranteed you it will be fixed. There aren't many other places you will get that kind of attention.
The 0551 oozes Hinderer essence, it is every bit the knife that the XM-18 is at a fraction of the price. If you are looking for a knife to bet your keister on, for 2 bills, this appears to be a great one. Rick Hinderer is happy with this knife.... the 0551 deserves its due as a great piece for a great price. It seems kind of a shame that a hundred units with what is by almost all accounts is a pretty minor cosmetic flaw should taint your view. Do we want them to all be perfect.... you betcha. Does Thomas want everything you get to be perfect.... you bet he does. If you got one with a bad liner.... let KAI fix it for you then judge the knife based on its merits not a cosmetic flaw. I assure you that the "rust" on this knife is only on the surface and it will come off easily... further, if you clean it up with Ren wax or Flitz you will probably never see any rust again.... we aren't talking a deep pitting kind of rust here people. That would be a critical alloy screw-up.... this is a minor processing and finishing issue.
I have seen some complaints about the thumbstud contacting the G10 and not the Ti Side. Please note a few things.
The thumbstud should contact the G10 side first and not the Ti side (like a Strider) or both sides equally . Titanium is not as strong as the harnened steel liner and G10 side. If a knife w/o a stop pin (stopping on the studs) contacted the ti side first and only you would end up with blade-play after a while b/c of the wearing of the Ti.
I composed this post earlier today and felt the need to add this little bit of info:
After a few hours with the knife I feel compelled to add that the new back spacer posts and the fact that they are screwed in from both sides are great. I really love the way they look and they are stout as all hell. I've been bouncing the 551 back and forth with my EDC 300 for the last little bit.... I love both of these knives. The handle texture on the 551 is starting to grow on me and it moves about as well as the 300 in my hand. A few days of carry and fondling should allow me to get a comfortable with it as I have become with the 300
There are a couple of tiny spots of MILD SURFACE RUST that snuck in there as artifacts of the coarse stonewashing that was done on the liners. It really is just a 5 minute sandpaper job as PG pointed out -or- in my case, a 30 second flitz job. My blade is centered, my lock is at about 40 percent and tight, my grinds are spot on. The detent on this knife is also pretty great. It should be a heck of a flicker once it is broken in.
The one thing I had not seen mentioned is the fact that upon disassembly you realize how well engineered this knife is. Every thing clicks into place perfectly, the skeletonized liner looks great and is light as a feather and this knife is pure function. The simplicity of the design is absolutely beautiful. I still miss the choil that was on the prototype, but, this knife surprised me in how well I like it. Nothing has managed to knock my 300 out of my pocket, but, this one might.
Overall, I'd say that minus the itty bitty rust issue on the liner this product is on par with Rick's in-house work. Of course the G10 texturing isn't as detailed as Rick's, but, at a 200 dollar savings that's a point I am willing to move right past. People need to realize that no knife is perfect from the factory and this one may have a few minor finish issues, but, If you have ever had the pleasure of cleaning up a BRAND NEW $400 custom you will realize that this is no issue at all.
Every maker and company has a few slip through. This is the first run of an insanely sought after knife with a few little issues in the first hundred or so units.... stuff happens. This being a KAI product you can bet your bottom dollar it will be fixed quickly and permanently. Also, this being KAI, you can bet it won't happen again in the future. KAI has a high ranking official here on the forum that has apologized, owned the mistake and guaranteed you it will be fixed. There aren't many other places you will get that kind of attention.
The 0551 oozes Hinderer essence, it is every bit the knife that the XM-18 is at a fraction of the price. If you are looking for a knife to bet your keister on, for 2 bills, this appears to be a great one. Rick Hinderer is happy with this knife.... the 0551 deserves its due as a great piece for a great price. It seems kind of a shame that a hundred units with what is by almost all accounts is a pretty minor cosmetic flaw should taint your view. Do we want them to all be perfect.... you betcha. Does Thomas want everything you get to be perfect.... you bet he does. If you got one with a bad liner.... let KAI fix it for you then judge the knife based on its merits not a cosmetic flaw. I assure you that the "rust" on this knife is only on the surface and it will come off easily... further, if you clean it up with Ren wax or Flitz you will probably never see any rust again.... we aren't talking a deep pitting kind of rust here people. That would be a critical alloy screw-up.... this is a minor processing and finishing issue.
I have seen some complaints about the thumbstud contacting the G10 and not the Ti Side. Please note a few things.
The thumbstud should contact the G10 side first and not the Ti side (like a Strider) or both sides equally . Titanium is not as strong as the harnened steel liner and G10 side. If a knife w/o a stop pin (stopping on the studs) contacted the ti side first and only you would end up with blade-play after a while b/c of the wearing of the Ti.
I composed this post earlier today and felt the need to add this little bit of info:
After a few hours with the knife I feel compelled to add that the new back spacer posts and the fact that they are screwed in from both sides are great. I really love the way they look and they are stout as all hell. I've been bouncing the 551 back and forth with my EDC 300 for the last little bit.... I love both of these knives. The handle texture on the 551 is starting to grow on me and it moves about as well as the 300 in my hand. A few days of carry and fondling should allow me to get a comfortable with it as I have become with the 300
