Spyderco Kitchen Cutlery

Flatlander1963

Flatlander1963

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Jan 28, 2008
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I just bought this new old stock out of Canada to go with my Yin and Yang. Really pleased to be able to grab these two:

SPYDERCO K04PBK BLACK UTILITY
length overall 10.81" (275 mm)
blade length 6.50" (165 mm)
blade steel MBS-26
cutting edge 6.00" (152 mm)
weight 2.1 oz (60 g)
blade thickness 0.053" (1.3 mm)
handle material Polypropylene Plastic

From Sal (2002) on the MBS-26 steel:
"MBS-26 has been around for at least 20 years. It is little known because it is a priopriatary steel produced exclusively for one knife mfr in Japan. It is a steel that we have used and tested for 20 years and it always comes aout way ahead of all of the others for a kitchen knife.

This is a steel that the numbers do not tell the whole story. I once asked the maker how he was able to achieve such exceptional performance from this steel? That the steel performs far beyond the numbers. He said that the "secret" was a spohisticated heat treat spec that they adhere to meticulously. I have seen their heat treating and I must say that is is different than others I've seen. I really don't think it proper to divulge too much info.

I will say that we have found no other steel that will perform as well very thin. Edge retention is up there with the exotics, and corrosion resistance second only to 440C and X15TN, neither of which will get as sharp as, or stay sharp as long as MBS-26. That's why I went through the hoops necessary to make the folding filet knife with MBS-26. Which was a difficult project that took years to make happen."

sal

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Are you sure that it was new old stock? I believe Spyderco just re-released the K04. I may pick one up, plain edge with blue handles if possible.

*edit* a couple minutes worth of google-fu shows that only the serrated is available in blue, drat.
 
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The blue version was made for commercial application (sub shops, pizza, etc) where a lot of cutting was being done on a cutting board., The blue was easier to find in a kitchen.

sal
 
Doesn't look like new old stock to me. That's as fresh as it gets.
 
Sal Glesser said:
The blue version was made for commercial application (sub shops, pizza, etc) where a lot of cutting was being done on a cutting board., The blue was easier to find in a kitchen.

sal
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That explains why I've never been able to find a blue bread knife.
 
It is certainly new run. I got mine yesterday. The marking on old K04 is totally different.
 
bh49 said:
It is certainly new run. I got mine yesterday. The marking on old K04 is totally different.
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Yup, that's one of the first things I noticed as well.

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The black is the old run, blue is new. I like the older markings more than the newer myself, but it makes no difference use-wise. The newer runs handles also seem to be harder and more rigid while the older run is more rubbery and more comfortable for me at least.
 
I didn't use my new knife yet. cannot wait to star making dinner :)
the blade thickness on the spine is .048" vs. .068" for Yang, also Yang measures .020" behind the edge and K04 only .014", which is even thinner than my Caly.
 
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Price looks right on these as well, and I've been eyeing a 6 inch utility for the kitchen. Sounds like Mr. Glesser is going to be getting a bit more of my money.:D
 
Just ordered mine as well - full serrated. I've had such good luck with my old knives over the years, I'm looking forward to adding a K04 to the rotation.

TedP
 
rycen said:
Doesn't look like new old stock to me. That's as fresh as it gets.
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Well I misread the sellers write-up and then found Sal's comments from 2002.
I wasn't looking for these knives bumped into them while on an auction site.
Still glad Sal brought a nice set of kitchen knives back. The wife loves the Yin and Yang. I expect similar admiration for these two.
 
After we tried new K04, my wife still like Yang more, but I prefer K04. My Yang just was sharpened still K04 to compare to Yang slices effortlessly.
Sal,
Thank you for bringing it back. I am looking forward for "come back" of more kitchen knives.
 
This run is really the beginning of a path to get the new design in motion. If possible, we'd like to begin the next run or following run by incorporating the refined design. It has a hard plastic handle and a soft plastic overmold, a full tang and the handles are relplaceable. Blade shape is refined as well.

sal
 
I just got a K04 black handles from Kenny at Sooner State Knives. I'm very pleased that Spyderco has re-released the kitchen line, as I definitely want to improve my collection over the bulk of my kitchen cutlery. Thanks, Sal!
 
Sal Glesser said:
This run is really the beginning of a path to get the new design in motion. If possible, we'd like to begin the next run or following run by incorporating the refined design. It has a hard plastic handle and a soft plastic overmold, a full tang and the handles are relplaceable. Blade shape is refined as well.

sal
Click to expand...

These knives are getting high mark from both me and my wife, which is not always the case! I like the blue so we can tell the difference in the knife block. My wife would love a 4" version, and I'd like an 8" version. Big thumbs up on these.
 
I have 2 from old stock, a blue handle and a larger black handle, both exceptional knives. The wife and i race for the knife block to grab the blue handle one. Much easier to use than Yin and Yang cause blades are thinner. I highly recommend the MBS26 steel series.
 
Knives came today. Used the plain edge to quarter up a baked chicken.
Very sharp and slice through breast bone and leg joints/hips very quickly without any fuss.
However, did not much like the smallish handle. I'll see if that grows on me but first take is the handles are flat out too small.
 
Just got my 6" blue handled today. It's a present for the goddess. Looks great, good fit/finish and sharp as all get out. We've used up 3 of the previous models, but with the new handles this one should last. They are a little bit stiffer than the old one, but still comfortable.

I give the 6" as wedding presents and people love it. More than one bride has told me it's the sharpest knife in the house.

Three cheers for the return of spyderco kitchen knives
 
Just found out reading this thread about the kitchen line coming back. My wife's go to for everything is the 6' utility. When I told her she had me order one ASAP. Her old one had a problem with the handle so I made a new handle for her. These are all from the 1980's. Still going strong.
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