Spyderco Kiwi Slipjoint

Joe58

Joe58

Joined
Nov 11, 2002
Messages
1,969
I started this thread here as it is about a small slipjoint.

Has anyone had experience with the newer Chinese version of the Kiwi?

I have an older Japan made with VG10 lockback, that is a pretty nice dressy knife. Gets wicked sharp.

Haven't handled the newer Chinese versions with the lower end steel. Or is that sentence right there enough to avoid these models.

Would like to see a bit bigger slipjoint model, made here, with decent steel, but don't imagine that will ever happen.

Thanks! Joe
 
What is this "inferior" steel? If it's 8cr13mov, the steel will perform just fine for everyday tasks. Having a thumb hole puts the kiwi on the fringes of traditional, I'm not sure what kinds of responses you will get
 
Josh - I didn't say inferior steel. I said lower end steel, which the Chinese steel is considered to be by most folks, hence the price. I was just looking to find out if anyone has one of the China made models, and what they feel about it's quality, and edge holding. I know a lot rides on the heat treat given the steel.

And perhaps I'm being a bit of a steel snob, but strictly speaking for myself, I don't care for 8cr13mov. There is much better available for fairly near the same price point. Just my opinion only. If others are happy with it, that's a good thing. Variety is the spice of life. :)
 
GEC makes many knives in 440C. Moki (Japan, very high quality, fit & finish nearly on the level of a custom knife) uses VG-10. Just for starters.
 
I have the new kiwi, purchased on a whim at the store with a big blue roof.....My 2 cents: Not worth it. No mechanical problems, and well made; but overall it doesn't "feel" like a spyderco. Steel holds a decent edge, but everytime I use it (which is rare...I'm a strictly traditional bone/wood/delrin guy) it feels more Gas-station-ie and less like value per $ spent type of knife, your experience may vary though.

-mm
 
My .02, nice small knife. Don't have the experience of others on the forum, but for an inexpensive EDC, I used it daily for nearly a year and it did everything I asked of it. I work in an office, so it wasn't pushed to its limits. I bought one as a gift for a co-worker in appreciation for his great work. Both examples were reasonably sharp out of the box, sharpened up well, and had no side to side blade movement.
 
Knives with holes in the blades for opening them are not Traditional Forum stuff.

Moving to General
 
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