P'Kal, Pikal, Pickle, or Pakal; either way I have questions!

REGRM16

REGRM16

Joined
Apr 27, 2008
Messages
85
Hey gang, I really want one of these puppies BAD but I have a few questions.

Do any of you have one and are they as nice as they look?

How well does the "wave like rod" work on opening the blade?

Any issues you have found with them?

What do you like (or hate) about yours?

If you could "do it over again" would you?

What do they go for $$$ wise (i.e. a good price is)?

Have I lost my mind or are these really great SD blades (especially for weapon retention)?

Any info is (as always) appreciated! Thanks
 
It's the most explosive out of the pocket folder on the market, virtually the same "grab-yank-shank" speed of a fixed blade. It is the ideal folder for SD/Weapon retention, and the Pkal style is pretty simple to learn. If you want a SD folder, it really doesn’t get any better or more effective.

However, it is a very impractical design for household chores, due to the grip orientation and blade style- I was opening a case of water in reverse grip edge in (pkal) and that ridiculously sharp talon blade + the unfamiliar grip = I slashed through like 4 bottles by accident.

It's an awesome toy, and nasty weapon. Highly recommended.
 
I have one; got it from my brother when I was home in December. It's been my EDC since.

Quality-wise it's very nice. Solid lockup, blade comes pretty damn sharp. At first I was disappointed that the ball bearing lock had the plastic grip thing over it (my view being that the ball bearing was such a simple, clean, attractive design), but it makes more sense to have it for gloves, cold weather, or just simply not having to manipulate it as finely.

I don't particularly like wide blades, so it's wedge-ish shape put me off at first, but it's grown on me. If I could make it a little narrower near the base I would, but it's not a big deal. The rod works great in my jeans, shorts, etc...it unscrews too if you want to remove it. It's not the second coming, but overall it's a well designed solid knife that I really like. It looks, feels, and sounds like quality. Whenever I pull it, it thunk!s open like a bank vault or rifle bolt.

Subjective as it was, I hope that was helpful.
 
REGRM16 said:
How well does the "wave like rod" work on opening the blade?
Click to expand...

It works well... and it's addictive. Which means pocket linings start to give out pretty quickly.

REGRM16 said:
Any issues you have found with them?

What do you like (or hate) about yours?
Click to expand...

The tension in the lock is perhaps a little on the soft side for me. That's about it though.


REGRM16 said:
If you could "do it over again" would you?
Click to expand...

I have two, so yes.



REGRM16 said:
Have I lost my mind or are these really great SD blades (especially for weapon retention)?
Click to expand...

Knives designed purely as self defence items are pretty specialised, within a subset of such specialised knives, the P'Kal is probably more specialised again.
If you're going to rely on it for SD, i'd suggest you train well with it.
 
Thanks for the quick replies! This is what I was hoping you would report. So it is a "good to go knife".

I have been training in various styles (including some that utilize this style of blade) for years now and it looks to be the "Ne Plus Ultra" of folding combative blades (although I still like my Cutter Knife and Tool Karambit for off side use).

DISCLAIMER TO MODs: THIS IS A REQUEST FOR AN OPINION ONLY AND NOT AN OFFER/REQUEST FOR TRADE!

Would you say, in your opinion only, [not that you would ever be ask to do anything within the bounds of this or any other discussion area within this forum or others like it] that a NEW (unused, un-sharpened, un carried) Spyderco Fred Perin Street Beat be a fair swap for a P'kal? Is that reasonable to assume or am I way off value wise?

Thanks for your opinions!
 
I know they're an expensive pair, but I would recommend training with a trainer. Mistakes are easy and the "cut" is unforgiving.

sal
 
I agree with you about a trainer for keeping the learning curve from involving hospitals! Also, Thank you for making such super knives! It takes major vision (not to mention risk) to do a project like the P'Kal. The fact that you also thought to make a training drone version is a strong testament to the commitment to superior products for serious users. Now I just need to get more stuff from my collection moved about to pick up a pair!

Thanks!
 
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Also, I would not use it for "mundane" tasks like cutting open boxes. Unless I was attacked by the ever feared "vampire cardboard box golems" (again!) in which case I would be forced to sunder them with 'flashing steel & stunning technique'; most likely while peeing my pants and crying like a school girl (the most proven technique for VCBG's).

Actually, I carry defensive and usage knives for the same reasons I don't use my Wilson 1911a1 to open boxes; it's rude and scares the crap out of the UPS guy!
 
REGRM16 said:
that a NEW (unused, un-sharpened, un carried) Spyderco Fred Perin Street Beat be a fair swap for a P'kal? Is that reasonable to assume or am I way off value wise?
Click to expand...
I'd say yes. They both retail for about the same (give or take $10 difference), I'd say it's a fair deal. Not that you'd go soliciting in the improper forum or anything like that.
 
So then (hypothetically speaking of course) if I posted a Fred Perrin Street Beat on the "for trade are" I may receive a favorable offer, in your opinion.

I will have to take that into due consideration...
 
I have two... and wouldn't mind if I found a deal on a third... so....

Yeah.

I LOVE them.

I don't use them for utility, but for their intended purpose, there's nothing out there, much less anything better!

-j
 
OK I am gutless! I just bought one (sharp version) from 70chevelless. I could not help myself for $135 shipped (w/ paypal) it seemed good to me.
 
I just bought my first p'kal yesterday I likey.I thought it was going to have a handle that was to small for my large-ish hands but I was shocked it fit like a glove with no extra handle sticking out of either end.Good for keeping pocket space and concealability.Rides nice and low in the pocket as well.I will be cliping this bad boy to my pocket until it's time to rotate.

good work sal/shivworks:thumbup:
sal I hope you will have another sd folder for the 2009 product guide
 
The p'kal has been everything I expected. It has been my most carried sd folder since I purchased it late last year. The wave works like a dream. I recommend sacrificing the purchase of another folder and buying a trainer if you intend to tote this as your defense blade. ;)
 
Well gang I now have in my grubby mits a new P'Kal!.

First of all let me say a kind word about our fellow fourmite 70chevelless (Greg); if you are looking for a great deal and fast shipping he is the man!

Second, kudos to Sal and the Spyderco folks for building a very, very high quality knife that is at the top of the tactical heap. I'm sure the only reason it is so affordable is because of all that cash Sal saves on steel by putting this huge hole in the blade :D . This P'Kal is simply bad a$$ and cheap at twice the price.

So I am completely stoked; I have an entire weekend to become a "mall ninja master" with my new blade before going on the lookout for box golems to fend off. As one member said "Grip-Rip-Shank"! I gotta get the trainer though because this thing is sharp as hell and will not tolerate one "whoops" without drawing blood I'm sure.

Lastly, I am sure I am not the first person to point this out but it is good of Sal to stamp the blades origin Golden, Colorado USA Earth. Nothing says quality like "Made on Earth". I have bought several knock off blades from Venus and those mothers ain't worth squat; literally the "Pakistan blades" of the galaxy. :D

Now if you really want some really good "off world" stuff, the blades from Planet Arrakis (Canopus system) are of serious quality but the shipping times are way out of bounds even for a full custom. Maybe Sal could work out a crysknife folder for us. Have to see if "Shai-Hulud" is on the endangered species list for import ban though. :cool:
 
I need one of these its without doubt my next knife buy.
But could it be opened with a flick of the wrist?.
The reason im asking is i live in the UK and recently had a griptalin seized by customs as they classed it as a gravity knife which are banned hear.
Im assuming it can with a loose pivot screw but under normal cicumstances can it?.
 
Probably, the Ball lock is smooth enough. You could tighten the pivot down some and it might not flip.
 
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