PUK Impressions

[John Hollister]

PUK Impressions:

I grabbed an EKI Police Utility Knife, aka PUK (affectionately pronounced "Puke") from a friend and have been playing with it for the last couple of days.

I remembered that my first impressions from the ones I saw at the Blade Show in June were that it was smaller then I had expected. While this came as a sunrise, it shouldn't have. It's was designed for utility, not to be used as one of those huge "fighters". I compared it to my carry Commander and found that it was just a tad smaller overall. Great size for everyday fixed blade carry.

The grip is very well shaped and the large thumb ramp certainly lends itself to heavy cutting. The grip offers a small finger guard reminiscent of the Commander, SOFCK and CQC8 among others. The knife has a full tang, with the polymer grip molded right over it, with two lanyard holes in the butt. Picture

This last week I was using my Benelli M1 Super 90 in a down pour and it became downright slippery. Having to maintain control of it, while attempting to load and fire it in the rain defiantly made an impression. Unfortunately, when I was playing with the PUK, it was bright and shiny out, so off to the sink I went. While not as slippery as the shotgun, it could have been "stickier". Having said that, I should also mention that my buddy loaned it to me with a Kydex sheath that can be worn inside the waist band. It the texture on the grip was any rougher then it is already, it wouldn't be near as comfortable in IWB carry.

Disparaging words:

The stock sheath, while nice, really doesn't lend it self to daily carry for most folks. It has that whole "SWAT/Military" look, but I think I'd be better served with a sheath more like the Camillus CQB1 or the IWB that I borrowed.

After having received a couple of MT LCC MAs and a Cold Steel Large Tanto Voyager in the last couple of weeks, the PUKs sharpness was a bit of a let down. My left forearm is all but bald from the MT and CS knifes. I'd have to give the PUK "average" marks for out of the box sharpness.

Overall:

In memory of James Mattis, I took every opportunity to cut threads with it, core an apple, peeled potatoes and many, many small chores that utility blades are meant for (here's to you James). The PUK excelled at these tasks. Plus I really don't think I would feel under armed if I was forced to defend myself with this particular "utility" knife.

Overall I have to give the PUK two thumbs up.

I will be ditching my CQB1 for a "Puke" with an IWB sheath very soon.

 

[thelu]

Are these in stock now? Where did you get your knife? I'm still unsure whether to get a PUK or the SpecWar folder - which do you suggest?

 

[John Hollister]

Thelu

The one I'm using belongs to a dealer buddy on mine and is his personal knife. (Ed can you guess who

)

The PUKs are out to dealers and are for sale at this time.

As to which knife to buy, I would have to ask what your intended use of the knife will be and how you plan on carrying it. The Specwar folder will be the easier to carry for urban folks, but a good fixed blade is hard to beat in a rural setting.

Personally, I always carry two folders and often carry a IWB fixed blade.

hth

John

 

[SharpEdge]

Did your friend get the Kydex shealth from Emmerson?? I saw the knife with the kydex shealth inside their 2000 catalog, but when i call them up and ask them, they only have the nylon one. Thanks

 

[John Hollister]

No, the sheath is one of his own. The knife came with the nylon sheath. I don't know if EKI has plans to bring out thier own Kydex sheath or not. One can only hope.

John

 

[flash71]

John,
I have a black coated PUK and really like it. I too would love to have a Kydex sheath like the one in your picture. Your right about the nylon sheath. Even though the nylon is a really cool sheath, I would only use it for out on the ranch or hunting etc. I have the same impressions as you do and would like to carry this awesome knife IWB in Kydex or concealex. I usually carry 1 fixed blade and two folders daily. I've been toying with the idea of taking the kydex insert out of the nylon sheath and fashioning a IWB sheath using a retaining strap over the guard. It sure would be easier to find one already formed like the one in your picture

Mike

------------------
Sworn to defend the Constitution

 

[edmoses]

John,

Does this now mean that your daily carry is changed to a Commander, a Microtech,a PUK in a kydex sheath and half a dozen SureFire lights (I am assuming that you are in casual mode and are leaving the Glock and the rest of the ammory at home

)

Regards,

Ed

PS take good care of my nylon sheath!!

 

[John Hollister]

I had to call Cal to get the "Nylon Sheath" reference.

Just for the record, Nothing yet has come close to replacing my Commander (Well . . that's not entirely true

)

I do have to admit that I am not carrying the pretty MT Oceanblue/Stonewashed UDT anymore . . . it ran away from home. I had to switch back to a Spyderco Harpy until my production LCC DA comes in.

And the "G" is simply a part of my body, thank you very much.

 

[rfrost]

Here is my plain-edge Black-T Puke:

I have to agree with John's evaluation of the sheath. For everyday carry, its worthless. For hitting the woods, its invaluable.

------------------
"They sicken of the calm, who know the storm."
RFrost5746@excite.com

My Knives

[This message has been edited by rfrost (edited 10-16-2000).]