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

Of the three I would get the Kiwi. The Lum does seem much larger than the the difference in length with the Delica would imply. I also have a Ti Salsa. It's a great knife but not really a gentlemen's folder and a little heavy. The Kiwi is deceptive. I've actually used it to cut a seatbelt and it went through it like butter. It's unobtrusive and unlikely to raise eyebrows. Even if you like larger knives, I think everyone should have at least one smaller nicely made and finished gentlemen's folder. The Kiwi will be able to go places neither the Lum or the Salsa will.
 
I've had them all and here's my opinions:

-Ti Salsa- nice little framelock. Mine had vertical bladeplay that just bugged the hell out of me. My second was much better. I liked the Salsa design but I don't like how it carries with the clip. I ended up removing my clip and carrying it deep pocket.

-Lum Chinese- I love this knife! I carried one as an EDC for about 6 months and I wish I still had it. VG-10 steel, flat grind, nice belly. Mine had a perfect lockup and the scales looked great even after 6 months of daily carry. My favorite test for this blade would be to dice apples while still on the tree! A real winner!

Kiwi- I still carry mine almost daily. The wharncliffe blade offers alot of utility and the handle is extremely comfortable. The fit and finish on this knife is incredible. You won't be dissapointed.
Matt
 
I'm looking at a Viele now too, LOL! But if that doesn't work out I am torn between the Lum Chinese and the Kiwi... I mean, I know I'm going to get them both eventually...But there will be that 4-5 month period of missing out on one of them...:(
-Kevin
 
I know that you need another knife suggested about as much as you need another hole in your head but here goes anyhow. I have a BenchMade Model 770 Warren Osborne Gentleman's Folder that would seem to fill your need to a "T". I am NOT selling mine but suggesting that you may wish to look into one as a possible "Go to Meeting" carry choice. They now come with a variety of scale styles from the original carbon fiber through plain and/or anodized aluminum and with various blade options, all blades measuring 2 7/8". At Bayou LaFourche, they run from $137.95 for the carbon fiber scaled version with a black coated blade through $90.99 for a polished aluminum scaled version with a velvet-finished blade. The knife is quite slim and stylish and it uses the extremely solid Axis Lock.
 
Thanks for the suggestion, but I am focusing my collection on Spyderco at the moment. If I did by a Benchmade for this purpose the 770 does look like a great choice. I love that 771 with the red and black aluminum handles too. That is probably the one I would get. With the option for the satin blade though, black blades just turn me off.
-Kevin
 
Have you look on Dragonfly with the stainless steel handle and ATS-55 blade? I just got one and I like it a lot - the look especially.
Thanks, Vassili.
 
Yes I have taken a look at the Dragonfly. The only thing that hold me back from getting one at the moment is the steel. I know ATS-55 is far from a poor steel, but why carry it when I can carry VG-10 and have a sharp edge for twice as long? BTW, I think Spyderco will probably update the steel on the Dragonfly next year to something more substantial. In fact, I think I will start a thread on it and go bug Sal. :p
-Kevin
 
It was my consern too, but I choose another solution - I bought Dragonfly for the look and Native I for the steel (look is pretty pretty too) :) .
On my opinion the Dragonfly has most spydercofish look then any other knife. I mean it represents Spyderco design best. Of cource, I prefers to have it in CPM S30V or CPM 440V. But I can stand ATS-55 with such a beautifull look. It seems that Spyderco does not make SS handles in USA and does not make CPM steel blades in Japan. But I think VG10 or ATS-34 will be fine too.
Add my vote when you'll bug Sal.
Thanks, Vassili.
 
Regarding the Bob Lum Chinese. Keep in mind that, while clipped to the pocket, it appears to be a very small knife indeed (when carried tip-up) due to the tapered handle. Even when presented in it's folded state it seems pretty dainty. The freak-out comes when you pull a big, beefy serrated blade out of the small looking package. Above all though, you need to adhere to your parents limits on length until you're paying the bills.
 
Got the Lum Chinese. It's a great knife, really is. I love the full flat ground blade, and the color.

Funny thing about the color that I didn't see stated in any posts... It appears bright green in the photos online, but it's really a dark, almost forest green. I love it. REALLY REALLY CLASSY LOOKING!:cool:

Yea, it does look unintimidating when carried tip-up, but I don't worry about those sort of things. Let the sheeple think what they want. The fact is, if they see a SAK they will go nuts half the time. (BTW, I got the PE not the SE. I find it to be more versatile for 90% of the stuff I do.)

So to sum up, I would say I got what I looked for. A great dress knife from Spyderco, that will perform outstanding if called upon for a more than "dress knife" task.
-Kevin
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top