OKT's for Ladies

[Warrior108]

Hey Chris,

I posted a thread over in the Fiddleback forum and thought I'd toss the same request/idea out to you. With regard to your line, I would like to give a bit of feedback with an example ...

The Warthog shown in the thread certainly is an exceptional specimen and a beautiful knife but it ends up feeling like a heavier/larger knife given the materials and it is also 1/8" vs 3/32". Of the 4 Warthogs I have, it is the heaviest and has the widest handle. Targeting knives for ladies, you'll want to steer towards lighter / thinner handles.

Link to thread:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1443882-Fiddlebacks-for-Ladies?p=16626092#post16626092

Thanks,
Jerry

 

[Tim the Wizard]

I don't know, Jerry. The last lady I talked to on Bladeforums bought the biggest, baddest, heaviest, most supreme Khukuri I had available! It really depends on the lady

 

[adequacy]

Hey Jerry, this is a bit unrelated to the ladies thread ( which I think is a great idea, btw). I wanted to pick your brain about the Warthog vs. mamushi vs razorback vs. raptor.

Maybe we could even tie this back into the idea of which of those models (or any of Chris' other OKT models) that might be suited for a lady based on some of the character you mentioned.

I personally am a huge fan of the 3/32- 1/8 range of steels. Plenty strong for my needs, and big time slicing ability. In terms of aesthetics, the warthog, mamushi, and razorback all appeal to me. To put it into fiddleback perspective, my favorite knives over there are the handyman and hiking buddy in thin steels. I wear an "L" sized glove, and tend to prefer thinner handles. In the end, aside from the colors, I might be on par with some of the preferences you described for ladies knives, except perhaps slightly bigger hands.

Before you mentioned it in this thread, I had no idea that the warthog had fatter handles.

 

[varga49]

Great Idea Jerry, My granddaughter turns 12 this coming January, Her mother [my daughter] has finally agreed to let me get her her first knife. My first thoughts were to get her a folder...that was before I found my way to FBF land. It's definitely going to be something along the lines of an Esquire.

 

[Warrior108]

Hey Jerry, this is a bit unrelated to the ladies thread ( which I think is a great idea, btw). I wanted to pick your brain about the Warthog vs. mamushi vs razorback vs. raptor.

Before you mentioned it in this thread, I had no idea that the warthog had fatter handles.

It isn't a situation that the Warthog had a fatter handle. Sorry if I miscommunicated that.

I think I have a pic or two comparing a thin handled and a thick handled Warthog. I'll try to post them tomorrow morning first thing. The thin one is commando canvas and lighter material. The thicker one is jade and G10 which are heavier materials. They're like any other customs and can vary greatly within a model.

 

[Warrior108]

..

Addition ...


With regard to what model might strike a woman's fancy for a small EDC blade, that could really vary based on personal preference. My 1st vote would be the Warthog, 2nd would be for the Mamushi and then the Raptor after that. The Mamushi and especially the Raptor blade shapes (at least to me) seem a bit more on the intimidating side but hey, that could be motivation for the men to stay in line more. I've never handled the Razorback, EDU or Trailhand but the Apache and Hunter would be on the larger side for sure.

Chris likes being creative so maybe there is opportunity for a new model?



It isn't a situation that the Warthog has a fatter handle. Sorry if I gave that impression. They're like any other customs and can vary greatly within a model.

Here are the descriptions of the 4 Warthogs that I have. I don't have the weight for the toxic glow but it feels a tad lighter than the black canvas, even though it has a slightly thicker handle. Given that we're talking a range of 3 to 4 oz. here, consider that there is almost a full ounce difference between the 1st and 3rd ones listed.
- Warthog 1/8" (.140") CPM154 TT Bolstered Ivory G10 w/ Jade G10 over Natural w/ Blue accent liner OAL 7 1/2” Blade 3 1/2” 4.16oz
- Warthog 1/8" (.146") S35VN TT Thunderstorm Kevlar Natural w Red accent liner OAL 7 1/2” Blade 3 1/2” 3.84oz
- Warthog 3/32" (.105") CPM154 SFT Sand blasted Black Canvas, Commando, SFT OAL =7 1/2" Blade 3” 3.2oz
- Warthog 3/32" (.99”) CPM154 TT Commando Toxic Glow Burlap handle from Shadetree OAL 7 1/2” Blade 3 1/2”

Here are spine comparisons of the bolstered G10 and the commando black canvas.

Hope that helps.

Thanks,
Jerry

 

[Warrior108]

Great Idea Jerry, My granddaughter turns 12 this coming January, Her mother [my daughter] has finally agreed to let me get her her first knife. My first thoughts were to get her a folder...that was before I found my way to FBF land. It's definitely going to be something along the lines of an Esquire.

Simply because kids were mentioned here, besides a variety of OKT, WAS and Fiddleback fixed blades that I've gotten for my daughters' future use, they also have a collection of Spyderco folders allocated to them. Included in that bunch are a set of Delica and Delica Trainer knives. I figured it would be a good idea to let them start out with Trainer blades when teaching them basic knife handling and safety. That being said, I could always tape off or cover up the edge on a custom fixed blade but you won't catch me even considering taking the edge to a grinder to make an OKT Trainer.


Maybe there is a market after all for those blades that Chris, Andy and the gang mess up and use as throwing knives? lol

 

[adequacy]

Hey Jerry thanks for the thorough response. It definitely helps. I look forward to more pictures and analysis. I think this is especially helpful because you have multiple iterations of the same model. I like the differences that come about as a result of having a hand made product, but to some degree, it's also nice to have a set of expectations are in terms of minimum and maximum dimensions and specifications. Thanks again, I look forward to more discussion on the matter.

Also, I can see why you'd say the blade shapes may be intimidating, but I'll also say that I'm sure it depends on the lady/person, just like it does with any other product. I personally don't like the upswept tips very much. I find myself to be more of a drop point or spear point guy, which comes from a combination of visual and practical reasons. Anyway, thanks again for getting those numbers out here.

 

[FeralGentleman]

I'd say something small, cute and pink just to piss them off into wanting a Ferox with a sharpened clip...

A knife loving lady, I wouldn't make ANY assumptions. For someone, like my better half, who could care less about knives or a younger woman; I would make the assumption of a Warthog or Trail Hand. Probably more user friendly than an EDU, and I don't know if I would recommend a Mamushi or Raptor over a Warthog to a non knife lover for everday use. Don't forget the kiridashi - Small, flat in small slip or guard, and easily concealed in a small handbag without taking up space or adding weight. Not as fun as the knives with handles, but has potential if they learn to appreciate the chisel and will probably only use the knife to open boxes or open mail etc anyways. Still would go with a Warthog as the 1st recommendation though. Nothing greater than 1/8" steel for any model, preferably in a stainless.

As far as handles, there's something out there for everyone...when I buy my wife clothes they end up going back anyways, so I would wish her best picking the handle she likes.