opinion of American Kami Knives

R

rlarge10

Joined
Oct 20, 2008
Messages
2,550
I posted this in the general discussion forum and nobody has any info to provide. his stuff looks very interesting, but i'd like to hear some first hand reviews.....
 
I like his hawks but when I contacted him about them he was very nice but required I believe full payment at time of order He has a pretty long back log and No matter how nice some one is I will not make an order and pay that far in advance. To many things can happen.

Last I spoke to Laci Szabo he was going to make some designs of Laci's
 
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quite the scene he's got going on over there. He's got a pretty neat jungle honey styled sword.
 
I remember when DJ started , never met him but he sure stays busy and has plenty of designs and works hard. I believe he learned a lot from Charles Marlowe , what a lucky guy.

DJ can sure grind.
 
I have never had the opportunity to handle one of his knives, but I really don't like chisel ground blades. Other than that they look darn good.
 
rlarge10 said:
why is this not a maker that is discussed in this forum?
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No good reason. His work, until you brought it up, was unknown to me.

Without question, it's very 'tactical'. (I like his designs, although I have zero experience in their usage or suitability. Pricing is very realistic. And, they 'look' wicked. ;)) The other forums he participates in are geared/tuned to that market more than the BF Custom forum.

Hopefully we will see more. Thanks for the post. :thumbup:

Coop
 
rlarge10 said:
why is this not a maker that is discussed in this forum?
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Thanks Coop and Joe for explaining the obvious so beautifully on my behalf. My intent was to let the OP know he could probably get more definitive answers and a lot more of them on another forum where that type knife takes center stage. We actually don't spend much time discussing them here.

Paul
 
sheathmaker said:
Thanks Coop and Joe for explaining the obvious so beautifully on my behalf. My intent was to let the OP know he could probably get more definitive answers and a lot more of them on another forum where that type knife takes center stage. We actually don't spend much time discussing them here.

Paul
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could you guide me to that forum?
 
His website states he has a subforum devoted to his products on the USN (usualsuspect.net) forum.

In my opinion they are the premier tactical-based discussion forum, and a bunch of members here are also members there (including me). You will have to join to view.

I'd love to see his folders. Although some were mentioned, no photos were provided.

Good luck in your searches!

Coop
 
I ordered a knife from DJ a while back....very nice guy to deal with and he usually updates his "what's on the bench" page often so you can see the progress of the batch your knife is in. I also recall paying in full at the time of order.

The guy has some serious grinding skills and decent pricing on his work. You can still see my knife on his fixed blade page (streethawk Mod 2 w/ green/black G10). I bought it without the intent of it being a user, but upon receipt there was absolutely no way it was going in a drawer. Just begs to be used and abused.:D

My taste in knives has changed a bit from that purchase, but I would not hesitate to reccommend his work!

BTW, I believe he posts on USN as Manghu67 and has his own American Kami subforum there.

Kris
 
DJ offers a range of prices and styles. He does ask for prepayment and is backordered. I handled his work at blade - the fit and finish are great. I have two pieces on order and it has taken quite a while but we have been in constant communication as to the status. He is very imaginative in his design and most of his designs are chisel ground. If you see a design that catches your eye or have one of your own I would encourage you to give him a call. We spoke for about an hour when I placed my order. Very professional and courteous.
 
bigbob68 said:
EXPENSIVE!!! http://www.jerzeedevil.com/forums/showthread.php?t=59516&highlight=Kami & I would NEVER prepay for a Custom.
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Prepay: I would be plenty hesitant, too. That's his perogotive to charge, and ours whether or not we want to participate. Agreed. :thumbup:

Expensive? That's not his pricing in that link. That's a markup from a dealer. It may or may not have been his price as the listing on his site is 'not for sale'. Already his knives are getting markup. Something most makers dream about. (It's also 26" long!)

This knife below, at a listed $220 with sheath, is a good example of value pricing to me.

DSC08526.JPG


Coop
 
I have met DJ Urbanovosky, the guy behind American Kami. I own three of his
designs, with minor mods, a NeoTribe ax, a Street Hawk (a karambit style tool with sharpend swedge for some game skinning utility, and the prototype BSB (Border Security Bowie, as I refer to it) my wife has a smaller tanto style blade which handles and cuts with great facility.
Most of DJ's tools are geared toward tactical use but many have obvious field use capability. The chisel grind may not have the symmetry that most people are used to or looking for but I can testify that the cutting ability of my Kami grinds are excellent ,even with the thick blades and construction is as close to bomb proof as you can get.
DJ is a very amiable, humble and generous guy. Yeah he requires the coin upfront and the lead time can be tedious (the price of sucess and demand).
At the 2010 Atlanta Blade Show DJ, sold all but a few of his blades the opening Friday afternoon. A testament of his workmanship and design.

MojaveMan
 
Thanks for all the kind words and support guys. Very much appreciated.

Any particular questions you might have about me or my work, please ask away and I'd be happy to address them.
 
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