Spyderco Kiwi: The Ultimate Business EDC?!

M

Mitch H

Joined
Nov 20, 2005
Messages
24
I just received a new Spyderco Kiwi in Jigged Bone and it is an incredible piece of cutlery design (IMHO). It looks elegant, so it is great for business carry. It has excellent ergonomics, so it feels great in the hand despite the fact that it is a small knife, and the blade is incredibly sharp. In addition, it certainly looks non-threatening in an urban, politically-(in)correct context.

It may not be as interesting as some of my other EDC knives in terms of technology (i.e. the Axis lock on the BM MiniGrip, the assisted opening of the Kershaw MiniMojo or the funky and fun engineering of the Kershaw ET), but it is a very well thought out piece.

The combo of the Kiwi and the Navigator 2 w/SpyderEdge pretty much covers me in all "suit and tie" situations.

Best,
Mitch
 
Hi Mitch and welcome to Blade Forums.I agree that the Spyderco Kiwi is a fine folder.Mine is very well made and as sharp as any folder I own however if you're looking for the ultimate office or buisness folder than the CRK Mnandi is the one.Its in another class,more like a custom and of course you'll pay a lot more.You can clip it in your shirt pocket.The clip makes it look just like a pen.Check it out at CRK's web site or do a search right here.Good luck with the Kiwi;)
 
The Kiwi definitely looks like a nice little blade, problem is, i've never seen one in real life, how does it's size compare to the Jester and Cricket, any Kiwi owners care to take a pic of the Kiwi with one or both of these other two?

thanks :)
 
I have a jigged bone Kiwi and like it a lot, but it was replaced by my maroon Calypso Jr. with a ZDP-189 blade. If only Spyderco and Sal Glesser could be convinced to make a Kiwi with that steel in the blade........ Sigh!
 
On one hand, I agree it would be nice to have better alternatives to VG-10 in some of the Spyderco knives. On the other hand, I find it extremely frustrating to try and sharpen my SV-30 blades. In fact, I have yet to succeed in getting a razor sharp edge on any of them, something which is not a problem on other steels I currently deal with.

Why this is the case, is probably a subject for a different forum.

Mitch
 
I've got stainless steel Kiwi and Cricket, VG-10 works fine in both. With knives this size, a sharp, durable edge doesn't even need impact resistence. Almost any decent steel will do.

Chasing high-end knives or high-tech steels is fun, but Spydies make clean, neat, unobtrusive users. Those of us from NYC can appreciate the convenience-without-confrontation, too.
 
Great little knife. As a certified steel snob, I do agree with Hugh. However, the lack of ZDP in the blade will not stop me from carrying the Kiwi.
 
I've been pondering this knife for some time and finally placed an order for it Monday evening. With a little luck it'll be here by Friday. To me, it somewhat resembles (in a Spyderco kind of way) slipjoints of my youth. I eoulf have preferred it in Black Micarta but the jigged bone will be unique for me.
 
The Kiwi has tempted me many times but its lack of a clip puts me off. Instead I carry a ss cricket but its ss clip at the same time stands out a whole lot on my black dress pants.
 
Mitch H said:
The combo of the Kiwi and the Navigator 2 w/SpyderEdge pretty much covers me in all "suit and tie" situations.
Click to expand...

I've got a Kiwi as well that I use in "suit and tie" situations, but I'm not altogether happy with its cutting performance. Interestingly you carry two knives, so you obviously also feel the Kiwi on it's own doesn't cover all your needs. I do the same, my second knife is usually a Calypso Jr, but I'm looking forward for the revival of the Copilot later this year.

I think that'll be more to my liking than the Kiwi, even though it hasn't got the full flat grind I'd much prefer.

Hans
 
This thread makes me want to get one and check it out. I carry a slipjoint and a one-hand-opener almost every day, and I work in a necktie environment.
I'll always love slippies, and I'm addicted to the convenience of a one-hander, so perhaps the Kiwi will split the difference. It is traditionally styled, to a degree, but offers one handed operation.

Hmmm.....
 
I like the Kiwi, I'd like it more with a clip. It seems there are a few hardcore Kiwi fans out there (you know who you are) that would chain themselves to the machines in Spydie Central in order to prevent clips from ruining the aesthetics of the Kiwi. The Kopa is in that similar size group and I am happy with the Kopa as a office type EDC, and I'm not on a quest to clip the Kiwi.
 
I got one for my dad, ss, and he loves it. I'm jealous every time I see it. My office edc is a Vic tinker, though.
 
I have a jigged bone Kiwi as well, great little knife.
I wear it at work (suit & tie) in a belt pouch that was given to me by my boss.
I couldn't have told you what steel it was without looking. What Spyderco decided to use is fine with me, it takes a nice edge. I use it in the office, I seldom need to skin a deer or whittle tent pegs. ;)
 
I'm also dying to get a kiwi but will not because it doesn't have a clip. If I put it at the bottom of either of my front pockets, it will either get scratched up by my keys or by my change. The kopa doesn't have a wharncliff blade, which is my attraction to the kiwi. Public friendly wharncliff, works better for my edc needs, which are office type tasks. The cricket seems like a good alternative, but it won't fit the hand as well.
 
ooheadsoo said:
I'm also dying to get a kiwi but will not because it doesn't have a clip.
Click to expand...

Ironically, the first thing that I generally do to smaller "gents" knives is remove the clip. Just a matter of preference. Once I get my KIWI, I'll let you know if its an easy mod to add one,
 
I carry my jigged bone Kiwi every day at the office. It came complete with a suede pouch that I carry it in, so a clip is a non-issue. Do they still come with the pouch?
 
Yup, my Kiwi certainly came with a pouch. It's a very convenient way to store the knife in my shirt pocket.

Mitch
 
ooheadsoo said:
I'm also dying to get a kiwi but will not because it doesn't have a clip. If I put it at the bottom of either of my front pockets, it will either get scratched up by my keys or by my change. The kopa doesn't have a wharncliff blade, which is my attraction to the kiwi. Public friendly wharncliff, works better for my edc needs, which are office type tasks. The cricket seems like a good alternative, but it won't fit the hand as well.
Click to expand...

You can get a small slip-pouch with a clip like William henry offers

http://www.williamhenryknives.com/product/accessory/pocket-cases/index.html

I'm sure that there are other people that make them as well.
 
That's an interesting option. I've been carrying my ss se dragonfly clipped to my pocket with my keys and it's gotten the crap scratched out of it (I assume) from my fenix l1p flashlight, so the pouch, if slim and unobtrusive enough, may be a good alternative for guys like me.
 
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