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Opinions on Shiva Ki blades?
- Thread starter Bravo 26
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I am sure Leatherbird will be along to give you his impressions of Master Ki's knives. He has first hand knowledge of their quality.
Not having owned a Shiva Ki knife, I can't really say much other than what I have been told by people that have owned one or more. These people have stated that the blades were as sharp or sharper than any other knives they have owned. The knives hold an edge very well and are comfortable in the hand. The fit & finish is a little rough and to some not up to what it should be in a knife in this price range. Those more concerned with performance than looks (don't get me wrong, his knives don't look bad) do not find this to be a problem.
Master Ki himself has managed through his posting on this forum to turn a lot of folks off his knives, myself included. He is full of himself, and felt it necessary to insult other makers in an effort to make himself look better. Though I do respect the man's knive, I don't respect the man. Therefore, I will never own one of his knives. This may be my loss, but I have no problem living with that.
Not having owned a Shiva Ki knife, I can't really say much other than what I have been told by people that have owned one or more. These people have stated that the blades were as sharp or sharper than any other knives they have owned. The knives hold an edge very well and are comfortable in the hand. The fit & finish is a little rough and to some not up to what it should be in a knife in this price range. Those more concerned with performance than looks (don't get me wrong, his knives don't look bad) do not find this to be a problem.
Master Ki himself has managed through his posting on this forum to turn a lot of folks off his knives, myself included. He is full of himself, and felt it necessary to insult other makers in an effort to make himself look better. Though I do respect the man's knive, I don't respect the man. Therefore, I will never own one of his knives. This may be my loss, but I have no problem living with that.
Good summary top to bottom there Keith!
Bravo 26, if you have the time and don't mind slogging through the chest pounding and bizzare stuff, do a search of the forum, like on "shiva".
Have a couple of bags of popcorn ready!
The knives themselves seem to be "solid" for what they are represented to be, then again, there's a bit of voodoo and smoke mixed into the picture, so, pop the popcorn!
Frank H.
Bravo 26, if you have the time and don't mind slogging through the chest pounding and bizzare stuff, do a search of the forum, like on "shiva".
Have a couple of bags of popcorn ready!
The knives themselves seem to be "solid" for what they are represented to be, then again, there's a bit of voodoo and smoke mixed into the picture, so, pop the popcorn!
Frank H.
Kohai999
Second Degree Cutter
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- Jul 15, 2003
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- 12,554
Experience with the bladesmith, no. That would be the province of Leatherbird or James Falor.
I have handled his knives(6 or 7 different models over the last 10 years), my favorite is a "homage" to the Harley Battle Bowie. Very, very sharp.
My issues are:
1. He is a maker who is very full of himself, demanding comparisons to others who may very well make a product that is as good.
2. I would prefer to go into combat with a stainless steel blade(USN 1987-1991)
3. His prices are a tad on the spendy side.
Best Regards,
STeven Garsson
I have handled his knives(6 or 7 different models over the last 10 years), my favorite is a "homage" to the Harley Battle Bowie. Very, very sharp.
My issues are:
1. He is a maker who is very full of himself, demanding comparisons to others who may very well make a product that is as good.
2. I would prefer to go into combat with a stainless steel blade(USN 1987-1991)
3. His prices are a tad on the spendy side.
Best Regards,
STeven Garsson
- Joined
- May 18, 2005
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- 23,127
Shiva Ki has so much ninja essence that he once deanimated himself while meditating on the spiritual plane. Then both of himself went out for icecream and shared a warm hug.
here is an actual picture of the battle.
here is an actual picture of the battle.
- Joined
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Bravo 26,If you are being deployed or someone you know is,I can think of no finer knife you/they would be happier with,that said,I joined BladeForums when the above mentioned posts were being discussed and Shiva Ki was banned from posting here.He most certainly showed disrespect to at least one outstanding knifemaker,which was wrong.He contacted this knifemaker,John Fitch,yes,THAT John Fitch,and I wasn't privy to the conversation but do know that J.F. now has an example of Shiva's work,I'm not saying all is well in either of there worlds but do know that an attempt was made.OK,so far?
You've read the Defensereview.com reviews.Good.You should research as much as possible before buying any knife,and his knives are considered higher cost knives.His knives may have some forge marks on the flats,I like them,some don't and I think this may be a reason some say his fit and finish aren't good.Polished blades look beautiful,I agree.The differential temper of his blades are unlike anything I've seen or used,and his knives are sharp beyond belief and edge retention is the same.Part II next.
You've read the Defensereview.com reviews.Good.You should research as much as possible before buying any knife,and his knives are considered higher cost knives.His knives may have some forge marks on the flats,I like them,some don't and I think this may be a reason some say his fit and finish aren't good.Polished blades look beautiful,I agree.The differential temper of his blades are unlike anything I've seen or used,and his knives are sharp beyond belief and edge retention is the same.Part II next.
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I own a half dozen of his knives,Spirit blades and his Merc's,I bought a Merc' from him for a friend of mine who is serving "over there" and he swears by it,God Bless you Corey,and if your headed that way I would wholeheartedly suggest getting a Merc',having no experience with his stainless other than saying I prefer high carbon steel for the obvious reasons,wouldn't want my blade to snap while prying anything open.Note,the Merc' may be a little heavy,depending on what size you get,but it is not an issue with me.
He uses Water Buffalo Horn and Impala Bone,jigged on the handles of the Merc's,I like the Impala bone.Best grip there is,wet,dry,muddy,sandy he says and I have found that to be true.
I think part of the problem was SK's being new to computers and posting and unwillingness to "tell all" as he holds his steelmaking techniques pretty close to the vest and that pissed some people off who were used to a warm,cozy relationship with there knifemakers.He believes he deserves this from his varied life experience.Feel free to Email me.Doug Castor.
He uses Water Buffalo Horn and Impala Bone,jigged on the handles of the Merc's,I like the Impala bone.Best grip there is,wet,dry,muddy,sandy he says and I have found that to be true.
I think part of the problem was SK's being new to computers and posting and unwillingness to "tell all" as he holds his steelmaking techniques pretty close to the vest and that pissed some people off who were used to a warm,cozy relationship with there knifemakers.He believes he deserves this from his varied life experience.Feel free to Email me.Doug Castor.
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Oops!Forgot to mention,he starts with "Eastern" knifemaking techniques combined with his own knowledge and experience and goes from there also if ya' like hamons,I'm sure you will enjoy his,I have only seen them equaled,IMO,a couple of times.
One last thing,the last thing Shiva Ki needs to be called is a "mall ninja",he is no poser,he has been there,done that!
Mob mentality is everywhere and when the aforesaid posts and banning of Shiva Ki were ongoing,and my threads/posts were started,there was this piling on,I believe I have tried to contribute to this place and may or may not have,but when forumites not even old enough to drive a car started bashing Shiva Ki,I posted things I regret.SK's son recently was discharged from the Marines and joined the Army Rangers as a sargent.He carries a Merc'.OK.I'm done for now.
One last thing,the last thing Shiva Ki needs to be called is a "mall ninja",he is no poser,he has been there,done that!
Mob mentality is everywhere and when the aforesaid posts and banning of Shiva Ki were ongoing,and my threads/posts were started,there was this piling on,I believe I have tried to contribute to this place and may or may not have,but when forumites not even old enough to drive a car started bashing Shiva Ki,I posted things I regret.SK's son recently was discharged from the Marines and joined the Army Rangers as a sargent.He carries a Merc'.OK.I'm done for now.
Great! Thanks for the help guys. I got out in 2003, but lots of my Squad members are still in, and serving in the sandbox right now. My buddy is going back in march of 06, and wants a good blade. He actually tells stories of the fighting over there to be so fierce that there have been several kills attributed to the M9 bayonet while clearing houses, bunkers and such. myself and 3 other buddies have decided to each chip in some cash and get him a good blade before he goes back. A former SOCOM guy I go fishing with has one of his Ranger Stealth Kill models, and it looks to be what we want to get him.
Thanks for the info on the blades, and his personality. it does not surprise me to hear he is a little "proud" Almost all the artists i know are that way when they achieve thier particular artistic goals.
I know very little about knives, actually, next to nothing. When I was deployed, the M7 and M9 bayonets were good enough for me, as well as a benchmade folder for little stuff..but rest assured I will be spending some time here educating myself on the topic at hand. thanks for the warm welcome folks.
Thanks for the info on the blades, and his personality. it does not surprise me to hear he is a little "proud" Almost all the artists i know are that way when they achieve thier particular artistic goals.
I know very little about knives, actually, next to nothing. When I was deployed, the M7 and M9 bayonets were good enough for me, as well as a benchmade folder for little stuff..but rest assured I will be spending some time here educating myself on the topic at hand. thanks for the warm welcome folks.
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He is not "a little proud". He is an arrogant, pompous fool who publicly craped on other makers. :jerkit:
His stuff I've seen was way overpriced and the fit and finish was very approximative. He claims to use some "samurai steels", and is very secretive about his pseudo secret techniques.
His stuff I've seen was way overpriced and the fit and finish was very approximative. He claims to use some "samurai steels", and is very secretive about his pseudo secret techniques.
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I do find the suggestion that Shiva Ki's conduct here on the forums could in any measure be explained by his being "new to computers" to be somewhat laughable. The threads are there and speak for themselves. Do some research and decide if you want to buy a knife from this man.
About the only useful information his various fans seem to report about his knives is that they are very sharp and somewhat rough in fit and finish. If those are the sum total of your requirements in a $4K bowie - and you are willing to take it on faith that his "samurai steel" is something really super-special, then you probably need to look no further.
For my dollar, I'll take metallurgy over mysticism every day of the week. Plus, as a rule, I don't buy knives from jerks.
Roger
PS - Welcome to the forums - this is a great place to learn about knives.
About the only useful information his various fans seem to report about his knives is that they are very sharp and somewhat rough in fit and finish. If those are the sum total of your requirements in a $4K bowie - and you are willing to take it on faith that his "samurai steel" is something really super-special, then you probably need to look no further.
For my dollar, I'll take metallurgy over mysticism every day of the week. Plus, as a rule, I don't buy knives from jerks.
Roger
PS - Welcome to the forums - this is a great place to learn about knives.
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Roger, I wish I could give you a green chiclet for that!
I also enjoy reading Leatherbird's take. Two interesting views.
Coop
I also enjoy reading Leatherbird's take. Two interesting views.
Coop
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Bravo 26, There will be more posts as above.Roger,point well taken,"new to computers" were my words,not Shiva Ki's!Like I said I was new to the forums when the SK "stuff" had already gone down.I started a thread,unknowingly,and what followed,followed.
Guys.How long we gonna' roast this one!? I like 'em,some of ya' don't,so what!
Bravo 26,Give Shiva a call,he'll find time to talk,you'll get along fine or Email him.
Tell your buddy to stay safe over there. :thumbup:
Guys.How long we gonna' roast this one!? I like 'em,some of ya' don't,so what!
Bravo 26,Give Shiva a call,he'll find time to talk,you'll get along fine or Email him.
Tell your buddy to stay safe over there. :thumbup:
Wow. I just got done reading a lot of the threads on this..seems quite a controversial guy. How about we turn this into a thread on some other knives we can reccomend for my buddy, by some manufactures that have a good rep around here. ( I'm still looking into the Shiva thing, just want other options..and dont want to start another flame thread about this guy )
1. The budget is 400$ MAXIMUM
2. He leaves again in late march of 06
3. he is 6'2" and 220lbs, has basic combat knife training, and currently serves in a US Army "bad guy squad" hunting down suspected terrorists in Iraq. he is home for a few months of instructor duty, then back again to the sandbox.
4. He wants a knife for a backup weapon, silent killing, utility work, and general all around usefullness in a wartime scenario.
5. he likes large fixed blade knives ( around the M9 Bayonet size ) cause they scare the sh*t out of terrorists when they capture and interrogate them..often just the sight of a large blade will loosen some tounges over there..they are not all die-hard jihadists like the media would have us belive.
Any other recommendations?
1. The budget is 400$ MAXIMUM
2. He leaves again in late march of 06
3. he is 6'2" and 220lbs, has basic combat knife training, and currently serves in a US Army "bad guy squad" hunting down suspected terrorists in Iraq. he is home for a few months of instructor duty, then back again to the sandbox.
4. He wants a knife for a backup weapon, silent killing, utility work, and general all around usefullness in a wartime scenario.
5. he likes large fixed blade knives ( around the M9 Bayonet size ) cause they scare the sh*t out of terrorists when they capture and interrogate them..often just the sight of a large blade will loosen some tounges over there..they are not all die-hard jihadists like the media would have us belive.
Any other recommendations?
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Start another thread. Really.
Coop
Coop
Never heard of the guy until I found this thread and got curious. Then I decided to make a visit in his webpage... and there was something that really surprised me!
There are a lot of pictures of this gentleman testing his knives on his webpage. This association speaks (at least to me) some of Shiva's character... therefore I wouldn't buy his knives.
Who said "Tell me who you walk with and I shall tell you who you are.."???
There are a lot of pictures of this gentleman testing his knives on his webpage. This association speaks (at least to me) some of Shiva's character... therefore I wouldn't buy his knives.
Who said "Tell me who you walk with and I shall tell you who you are.."???
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Bravo, there are a lot of makers who could provide a first rate forged knife to meet your needs. The only problem might be delivery time within three months - that will whittle the list down some. Do take the suggestion of starting a new thread with your revised question. Also, have a peek at the for sale forums here and elsewhere - there are lots of good knives to be had.
Roger
Roger
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