REKAT Pikuni- How bad are they?

Runs With Scissors

Runs With Scissors

Joined
Dec 3, 2000
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I remember when everyone was dyin' to get one, and then got 'em from REKAT with some HORRIBLE grinds, fits, etc. and there was alot of noise and disappointment.

Question is, were they really all that bad? I got to hold one recently and loved the feel and design of it. if it was that atrociously ground it didn't immediately come to notice. Looked like it'd still cut pretty good in any case.

Think it would be safe to buy or trade for one off the net, or would I be better off getting one I could paw a bit first?

I'd love to get one From Simonich himself, but I's a bit of a po' boy, an' I gathered he ain' doin' custom orders.

Anyhoo, what's y'alls experience with 'em?
 
From what I understand the bad grinds were limited to a limited number. I have two REKAT Pikuni's and the fit and finish are fine on both.
 
Some grinds were worse than others. I hand picked through about 50 of them at Blade in 2001 that Mike Turber had. None of them were really bad it is just that some were near perfect. That is one TOUGH little knife with a GREAT sheath!:D
 
If you're looking to get one as a working-piece (a tool), don't worry too much about the grind-lines as long as it performs well. However, if you are looking for one as a "collectors' piece", ask the person who you are buying from to look it over carefully prior to purchase/shipping.
 
Hi..

Or have pictures taken of it from different angles..

Also you may wanyt to specify a 24 hour inspection period, so if you aren't satisfied with it, you can return it and pay the postage back to the owner..

ttyle

Eric....
 
I owned one of the early special first issue in CF, it was terrible, the grinds were soo far out of line it was scrap material,,,,,I returned the knife.

Recent purchase of a used with standard G-10 has excellent fit and grinds!

Very comfortable grip and great steel.

Regards,
FK
 
The lines on mine seem fine. I wouldn't say perfect. This knife is one solid little knife though.

As previously stated, it depends on what you are using it for.

Good luck!
 
Mine came from REKAT with an awful grind - uneven, with too much angle that left it too thick in some places, sharp in others. At the time Rob Simonich kindly offered to fix them personally - which made me think quite highly of his commitment as a maker since he didn't grind them himself.

Anyway I thought about it but figured since I'm in Canada and with the border and GST hassle and all, I just broke out the DMT stones and went to work. Fixed up the grind lines as best I could, put the proper angle on it and sharpened it up nice and fine. The modified D2 steel is GREAT - and it holds an edge extremely well. The knife stock is a bit on the thick side for a neck knife of this size, but the up side of this is that the REKAT Pikuni is one stout blade once you get it sharpened up.

I wouldn't hestitate buying another one again as a user. The Sastre River City Sheath that it came with is superb - and the knife more than holds its own as a necker.I also have a Simonich ground D2 Pikuni and the only difference that I can see is that the Simonich Pikuni has a thinner grind and a much higher level of cosmetic
finish. Once sharpened properly they both cut very well.
 
I have owned about 3 or 4 of these nifty little Pikunis(factory, not the customs), and none of them were very evenly ground. Nothing major, but still uneven nonetheless. Nothing that a little grinding on my Bader couldnt fix though. ;)

Someday, I would like to get the Simonich custom version.
 
I don't know if they are all like this, but mine is too thick in the edge to cut the way I like. It's just another knife laying in a drawer.

Paul
 
Thanks for the replies thus far! I'm actually looking for a pure user, but for a hair over $100 there's a helluva lotta really nice fixed blades in that price range, thusly makin' me curious as to why should I tolerate crappy grinds and a lack of cutting efficiency if I don't have to.

I found one here in AK, (about twenty minutes after posting this) and I'm going to look at it today. Price is $107.00 though. I tend to recall a similary sized one made by "Ed Mc Caffrey?"...Montana Blade Smith for $136. I'll compare, and take notes, be sure to let y'all know the outcome.
 
Hey Paul...

Trade you something in the way of sheathing for it ??!!

Drop me an email we'll press out the details..:)

ttyle

Eric...
 
Originally posted by Runs With Scissors
I tend to recall a similary sized one made by "Ed Mc Caffrey?"...Montana Blade Smith for $136.
Click to expand...

Could it be Ed Caffrey? If so he makes good knives. Is this the one you are speaking of:

EBK1blublk.jpg


Here is his website:
http://www.caffreyknives.net/available.htm

Another maker that offers knives in that range is R.W. Clark. His website is:




The above knifw is R.W. Clark's model 1
S30V Rc60 Heat Treat by Paul Bos.
6 1/2" Overall length with a 2 3/4" flat ground blade. Blade is ground from 1/8" stock. Blade is satin finished. Handles are lightly textured red G10.
Includes a Carbon Fiber patterned Concealex multi carry sheath and a Mini TekLok

Weighs only 4.3 oz including sheath.


Price $140

I have a model 6 in a similar configuration (mine has black handles) that I carry regulary.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Originally posted by Runs With Scissors
I found one here in AK, (about twenty minutes after posting this) and I'm going to look at it today. Price is $107.00 though.
Click to expand...
I have not looked for them in a while but that seems high. The ones I bought at Blade were $69 I think . . . worth that but maybe not $107!
 
Originally posted by Jason Burns
The ones I bought at Blade were $69 I think . . . worth that but maybe not $107!
Click to expand...

I agree. If you can get one of the REKAT's for around $70 it would be worth it. If I were going to spend over $100 I would get a custom.
 
Heya Shootist 16,
That's the name and appears to be the exact knife. If I can find the REKAT around the forums for the suggested $70 or so I may go for it, but otherwise I'm lookin' more towards the Ed Caffrey-ish ones. (wasn't sure of the name at first)
 
If you are looking for a small knife that you can carry as a neck knife but, more is more versatile overall - the Camillus Talon! I have carried one in a neck sheath for a long time. It is about as long as I can carry but, choked up a little short so it lays against my sternum, it disappears in a shirt. Best of all, you have a real knife when you need to use it.

On of Geno Dennings small models in an appropriate sheath would work. Just make sure the handle is slimmed a little.

I don't know if he still makes them but, I got an R.W. Clark "Modernized Asian Utility" set up as a neck knife. It is very thin stock flat ground ATS-34 about 3 inches long (cutting edge) with the traditional silk over rayskin handle treatment. For such a small knife, it is very secure in the hand. :)

You also have the possibility fitting one of the Dozier models in an appropriate sheath as well.
 
Was thinkin' 'bout one of the Camillus Talons, actually. I THINK I saw one once that was 154CM that looked real nice. (Talonite is way too much for me) I'm looking more along the lines of an EDC that can be worn on a belt comfortably day in and day out than a designated neck knife. Fairly slender, three to four inch blade, variety of carry options, with preference towards cutting efficiency as opposed to prybar toughness.

Think the Camillus may be just right though...
 
Originally posted by Runs With Scissors
Was thinkin' 'bout one of the Camillus Talons, actually. I THINK I saw one once that was 154CM that looked real nice. (Talonite is way too much for me) I'm looking more along the lines of an EDC that can be worn on a belt comfortably day in and day out than a designated neck knife. Fairly slender, three to four inch blade, variety of carry options, with preference towards cutting efficiency as opposed to prybar toughness.

Think the Camillus may be just right though...
Click to expand...
Speaking of Camillus, how about a Camillus Cuda CQB-2?
 
Originally posted by Runs With Scissors
Heya Shootist 16,
That's the name and appears to be the exact knife. If I can find the REKAT around the forums for the suggested $70 or so I may go for it, but otherwise I'm lookin' more towards the Ed Caffrey-ish ones. (wasn't sure of the name at first)
Click to expand...

No biggy just thought I was going to help the guy out. Removed by request
 
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