Smock vs. Ikuchi

The Ikuchi looks pretty stabby and appears that it would slice better. The Smock looks more robust, but has that choil that would seem to catch onto everything you are cutting. If I had to pick one, it would probably be the Ikuchi.
 
I've got the both. Just got the Ikuchi today.

Which is "better" functionally largely depends on the intended use but, if it's just a matter of which I "like" more, I can already say that I like the Ikuchi more than the Smock.
 
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Ikuchi.

I like function AND form. The world has a plethora of examples demonstrating you can have both in a folding knife. The Smock, no matter how good it may be, is just too ugly for me to even look at.
 
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cchu518 said:
Choil on the Smock is just awful. Messed what would have been awesome knife.
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This was my one major complaint about the Smock from the start.

Looks nothing like the choil on the SK23 upon which it was based. The vertical front edge of the choil narrows the radius of the choil, which makes it difficult to use comfortably and represents an unnecessary "cut" risk. It's still a nice knife but it would have been better if the choil was better.
 
I was a little tempted to try a Smock, but not any more, now that I have my Ikuchi. It's probably a good thing the Smock was released first. I really can't see the Ikuchi having a positive impact on Smock sales ;)
 
I also have neither one but I'm thinking I need the Ikuchi. I have a sliverax and love it so I'm all for another Paul Alexander design.
 
yes:D
They are both wonders of design. They share some superficial similarities (Taichung, CF/g10, s30v, compression-ish lock). But feel in hand, while both good, is very different. Use will likely be different too, but kind of early still on that front.

I got the Smock first, and knew it was a keeper. I got the Ikuchi, and like it a bit more:oops:. Would I get the Smock if I had received the Ikuchi first...absolutely.
And - Where are the pics??!!
Threw a Para3 in there, for MaxFactor MaxFactor . My Para3's aren't jealous.

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I'm intrigued by the blade shape on the Smock. Modified Sheepsfoot I guess would be a good description. I could have done without the choil though.
 
I’d get the one made in Golden. So I reckon that’ll be a Para 3LW or more likely a Waterway. ...if not another Native 5!
 
Gene K said:
I'm intrigued by the blade shape on the Smock. Modified Sheepsfoot I guess would be a good description. I could have done without the choil though.
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The choil is needed to clear the compression lock release button.

It would have been better just to uniformly radius the choil so that it looks better and is larger so that people w/big index fingers don't have a problem using it. The only reason I can see for NOT doing that is that it would have significantly reduced the length of the blade edge, which they probably wanted to keep at 3 inches. Otherwise, it would have required lengthening and/or widening the blade and handle which wasn't an acceptable alternative either.

So, like it or not, it is what it is.
 
I like both the blade shapes. I at least in theory like both locks. I do like that wire clip though a lot more.

We had the Smock in Canada but it sold out pre sale. Haven't seen the Ikuchi yet pop up. For that one I think I'd just buy in country; not sure how the folks in customs would react to a flick the bic flipper blade.
 
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