Owners/Former Owners of Kiwi, Lum Chinese, Ti-Salsa

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Oct 4, 2002
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OK, I'm looking at these three knives as dressier EDC's for those nights on the town. I just want to know your oppinions on which you think is better for this task and why. Also what knife seems to fit your hands well and what size hands do you have. I have medium sized hands and I know sometimes that people recommend knives as "feeling great" in the hand, and it doesn't work that way for me. I have no way of handling these knives in person, so any feedback would be appreciated.
-Kevin:)
Edited to add: My Delica will almost certainly keep the EDC spot, but sometimes you just need a classy knife.
 
Hey there,

In my humble opinion....

I have had and carried all three and I would definately get the kiwi. It is very nice, fits the hand well, and can cut like a much bigger knife. The steel is very easy to sharpen but can take a beating. You will no doubt get compliments on the knife from anyone older than 50 yrs of age because they love the older style but like the shape of the blade. My father in law carries his every day as an electrician and he not only uses the hell out of it but gets many compliments a week from older guys on the job sites.

Like many have, you will probably get tired of the salsa shape after a while.

The lum is not a small knife and will make your pants pocket droop some. It is a nice shape tho and if you are going to wear mostly jeans this may be something to consider.

hope this helped.

Mike
 
That was a great help. I would be using the clip on the Chinese, so I am not too much worried about pants drooping. How did the Chinese and Kiwi feel in your hand? Which sliced better in your oppinion? The Chinese is fully flatground, so I would expect it to, but I have heard people say the wharncliffe bladeshape slices quite well too. Thanks in advance,
-Kevin
 
the kiwi is more of a "gentleman's knife" i9n that it's quite small. The Lum Chinese is nice but much larger, may cause a few raised eyebrows that the kiwi wouldn't, depending on the environment. The lum is absolutely not safe for any poking motion, intentional or accidental, in my opinion. But it will slice like crazy, you just need to be much more careful than with the kiwi, which "locks into" the hand due to the two finger grooves. You can also get the kiwi in all-stainless handle for around $55. I dunno anything about the ti-salsa. Hope that helped!
 
I'm not so much looking for a gentleman's knife, as a good looking knife that will replace the Delica on special occasions. The Delica is amazing and will probably never be replaced for EDC (until I get out of my parents control that is and am allowed to get 3"+knives. In which case I'll probably have a Delica variant, police/endure/military, LOL). But on those nights where you are going to a party or a date, do you really want a Delica in the pocket? Or a really beautiful/fucntional knife. So I don't mind the size of the Chinese as I really won't be using it as a gentleman's folder. More like a "nice looking" knife option.
-Kevin
 
I haven't handled the Kiwi, so I can't really comment on it. I will say that if it had a clip I would own one by now. :)

The Lum Chinese is a very elegant looking knife and a great slicer. I was never entirely comfortable with the grip, but it worked well enough.

I would not call the Titanium Salsa pretty, but obviously tastes vary. I had mine anodized a dark blue to dress it up a bit and I'm very pleased with the results.
salsa.jpg

The Salsa does have one of the best grips I've ever experienced on a folder. It locks into the hand and allows me to use my full strength, which is amazing for a knife this small. The blade is short but solid enough to stand up under that kind of pressure and the lock is more than adequate.

Based on my understanding of what you're looking for I would recommend the Kiwi with the Titanium Salsa as a close runner-up. The Kiwi is a bit more elegant and the Salsa is a bit tougher. Chances are you would be very happy with either.

--Bob Q
 
Kevin - if you are concerned about blade length (or your parents are) I see that the Kiwi has a 2.5" blade (really 2" because .5" is choil that is taken up by the index finger) and the Delica has a 3.0" blade but the Lum has a 3.1875" blade, slightly longer. And it looks a lot bigger too because it's much wider than the Delica. But of the three I think the Lum is the coolest looking.
 
Didn't think I would like the Kiwi,I have big hands BUT got one anyway!Little sucker has grown on me! Carry it & find uses for it everyday! My other EDC is the Gunting!Get the Kiwi!!
Jim
 
I own all three.

The LUm is bigger, it looks classy and cuts well, but too big for a night on the town.

The Ti salsa is very comforatble and is handy similar to a delica. HOwever it is also pretty heavy and a little big.

The kiwi is slim and feels good, I carry it in my watch pocket and it works fine. FOr out on the town, that's the ticket.
 
The only one I own of those three mentioned is the Kiwi. I bought it because I loved the design and the jigged bone scales. It is a great little knife and I've carried it every day since I got it in it's leather slip pouch. I have medium sized hands and it fits my hand perfect. It's often the knife I fondle while I'm on the phone at work. The president of the company I work for isn't a knfenut, but I think he's fallen in love with my Kiwi.
 
I have the Lum and have handled the other two. I'd pick either the Lum (more utilitarian) or the Kiwi (smaller less obtrusive.) Personally I find the Salsa ugly and compression locks ungainly.

I would suggest an alternative, the Spyderco/Wegner Mouse. The knife is in the same price range. It packs a lot into a small very unobtrusive package. Although small, it is very servicable and its aluminum scales make it relatively pretty. Clipped behind a belt buckle it will easily pass most wand checks. Carried openly, you'd never have it confiscated by police or security, just possibly denied entry.
 
I have had all three, still have the Kiwi which is in my pocket at work right now. The Chinese Lum is a bit big and the blade width looks more aggressive than your Delica. I got rid of the Salsa, wasn't my cup of tea. The blade width also made it look less sheeple friendly although the blade is short.

I would opt for the Kiwi. Great looking, handly, and not offensive looking especially if you are a young person.
 
I only own a fully serated Lum but let me tell you it's great! It has a bit of plain edge neat the tip which I use for precision and the flat grind together with the serration slices like a dream. If you wanna impress some sheeple with it it's great too! ;) Most people I know have never seen a knife like this before.
 
The only one I have is the Lum, which is among my smaller knives, and really beautiful. One peculiarity is that, although the handle shape is somewhat unusual, it is so comfortable, I can actually unlock and close the liner lock left-handed (I'm a righty).

It is a good working knife, even if it looks so good it seems meant for display.
 
I'm still stuck between the Kiwi and the Lum Chinese. Both look really great.

Fishface5,
Yea, my parents are concerned about blade length, but they would let me get by with the Chinese. They let me get by with the Native, so I don't think I will encounter a problem.

Owen,
Actually, I had not really considered the CarbonFiber Delica becuase I was looking for something different. Now that you mention it though, it does seem like something to consider. Anyone have oppinions for or against it? Does the CF, with the finish that Spyderco gives it scratch too easily?
-Kevin
 
yea, the mouse is nice, but the blade is a little too small for primary carry. I would rather a bigger blade.
-Kevin
 
But talk about going all the way... Thats some big dollars right there, but from what I here it is supposed to be worth it. One of the best designs Spyderco ever made. They say it has an amazingly silky smooth opening. But you own it, so I don't have to tell you that. If you can tell me a good place online to get one in PE for a decent price, I will choose that knife. Thanks for bringing it to my attention as I had not considered it due to price and it being discontinued.
-Kevin
p.s.- What is it's bladelength look like next to a Delica or Native? I want to give my dad an example so he won't freak out. I know the length is 3 3/8" but numbers are decieving. My Delica feels like it's blade is larger than my Natives.
 
Excuse me while I pummel myself about the head, Kevin. I'd totally forgotten that the Viele was discontinued. I checked the blade length vs. a Native and a Lum Chinese and it is very close. Slightly longer, but much narrower, so if anything it looks less threatening. I don't think your Dad would have any problems. On the other hand, you should see some of the knives I've given my kids. :D

Jack
 
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