opinion of american kami knives

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rlarge10

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Oct 20, 2008
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i saw this website and some of his designs look pretty cool. what do you guys think? i'd especially like to know if anyone has any real user experience with these.
 
You know, I was wondering how long it would take for American Kami to pop up here. I have two of DJ's knives, one that I carry on the regular and love. They look beautiful but don't be fooled, they are 100% users. DJ was great to talk with, answered all my questions and discussed a few custom ideas. If you have any questions I'll do my best to answer them.
 
just wondering about how they would hold up to HARD use. also are they easy to sharpen. i'm not real familiar with chisel grinds
 
rlarge10 said:
just wondering about how they would hold up to HARD use. also are they easy to sharpen. i'm not real familiar with chisel grinds
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I don't own any, and I do like his designs, but those chisel grinds really irritate me. It's like picking up a pair of left-handed scissors...it'll work, but it ain't quite right.
 
All a matter of personal preference I suppose. Does take a bit of adjustment but unless you are cutting paper birds or some other delicate task I don't think it would be an issue...might not be the best knife for those tasks. They are built to use. 1/4" stock differentially HT 1095. Haven't pounded it through a door or anything (mine is a smaller edc) but I cut lots of zip-ties and cardboard and it will still take hair off my arm. Having only one bevel makes sharpening that much easier. Again, it's what you like.
 
1095 if alright, but if you're paying $300-$400 for a knife, might as well get something a bit more then simple carbon. O1 or W2 would be nice.

RH chisel grinds? That makes me want to think he can't grind even bevels on both sides of the knife. :rolleyes:

His knives look nice, but for the prices I want to see better grinds and better steel. I'd take one of his bearded ax's in a heartbeat if it was done in 01 without the chisel grind.
 
Just checked his site, his designs are outstanding, really beautiful. I am having a Westernized Waki made custom for me, same steel as his (5160) but saber ground, not chisel, but it's costing me slightly more than half of what he is asking, and it's not chisel ground! I would buy a knife from him IF it wasn't chisel ground, I hate that. Too bad. Those spears, Kopis' and many of his other designs are really great, I would love to own one except for that grind.
1095 is not a bad steel, but I agree with the others who have stated that for the money, a higher-end steel is warranted. 5160 is very good for swords.

If he ever starts grinding 'normally', I will buy something from him for sure.
 
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