I just received Rock Creek Kudu from Knife Center. No pictures yet.
My initial impressions out of the box:
1. The packaging is kinda over-kill. It comes in a large box with foam lining, covered with a RC branded sleeve. The foam has cut outs for the knife and the sheath. Apparently it's a bit more fragile than expected.
2. The knife is well made and finished. The grinds are symetrical and cleanly done. The fit of the guard to the blade is very well done, but there seems to be a hair gap along the blade. The blade has a nice serration for the thumb, coarser than the old Marbles Woodcraft however. I can't comment as to how the blade performs however!
3. The handle is stacked leather and is nicely finished, fitted to a steel pommel. I think the design of the handle needs to be more rounded and radiused - it feels too "square" to me.
4. The sheath is very nicely made and rugged. I'm going to use some neetsfoot oil to soften it up and waterproof it.
Pros: Nicely finished and fitted, with good attention to detail. I like the blade design, which is the reason I purchased it in the first place.
Cons: For me, the knife doesn't fit or feel good in my hand. The handle seems to taper too thin at the guard, and quickly flaring wider at the end. For some reason, it just doesn't seem to have that undefinable quality of "soul" ... it has a very mass-produced feel to it.
With shipping, I paid about $80, which isn't too bad for what you get. I'm not sure I'd buy one again, or buy other's from the line without handling them first. I'm looking forward to giving this knife some use around home and in the woods.
My initial impressions out of the box:
1. The packaging is kinda over-kill. It comes in a large box with foam lining, covered with a RC branded sleeve. The foam has cut outs for the knife and the sheath. Apparently it's a bit more fragile than expected.
2. The knife is well made and finished. The grinds are symetrical and cleanly done. The fit of the guard to the blade is very well done, but there seems to be a hair gap along the blade. The blade has a nice serration for the thumb, coarser than the old Marbles Woodcraft however. I can't comment as to how the blade performs however!
3. The handle is stacked leather and is nicely finished, fitted to a steel pommel. I think the design of the handle needs to be more rounded and radiused - it feels too "square" to me.
4. The sheath is very nicely made and rugged. I'm going to use some neetsfoot oil to soften it up and waterproof it.
Pros: Nicely finished and fitted, with good attention to detail. I like the blade design, which is the reason I purchased it in the first place.
Cons: For me, the knife doesn't fit or feel good in my hand. The handle seems to taper too thin at the guard, and quickly flaring wider at the end. For some reason, it just doesn't seem to have that undefinable quality of "soul" ... it has a very mass-produced feel to it.
With shipping, I paid about $80, which isn't too bad for what you get. I'm not sure I'd buy one again, or buy other's from the line without handling them first. I'm looking forward to giving this knife some use around home and in the woods.
