I recently purchased a Spyderco Kumo as a back-up self defense knife. I paid around $140 for it online, and considering it has an MSRP of around $200, It was a really good deal. My first impression of the knife was that it was not much more than a looker, and wouldnt hold up If I were to really use it; I was wrong. I took the knife out and did some cut tests on a variety of things ranging from watermelon, to some rolled up carpet. It cut through everthing I tried it on without any problems, and still cut hair off my arm when I was done. Before handling the knife, I was wary to perform penetration tests with the knife, due to its razor-sharp blade, and lack of handgaurd. After using it a little, I discovered that the epoxy saturated cord wrap provided a surprisingly sound grip on the knife, and kept my hand from moving at all. As for the penetration, I could nearly punch it through my old phone books. Another strong point of this knife is its low profile, and well made kydex sheath, which comes with a belt clip allowing it to be carried in a multitude of positions. It is made out of one solid piece of VG-10, and so is really tough. VG-10 is really some of the best stainless around for its price, and will hold a razor edge for a long time.
I would have preferred the blade to have a bead blasted finish, or even just a black coating to prevent scratching, and reflection. The blade picked up some relatively minor aesthetic scratches from both drawing it from the sheath, and the cut tests I performed, but they in no way affect the fuction of the knife. Other than that, I cannot come up with anything bad about the knife.
All in all, the Spyderco Kumo makes a great self defense fixed blade, due to its great cutting and penetration, and higly concealable nature. I would not recommend this knife for a hard use utility purpose, as it is mainly designed as a weapon, not a tool.
Knife specs
overall length-8 3/8"
blade length-4 1/8"
cutting edge-3 3/4"
blade steel-VG-10
handle-black epoxy-saturated cord over black same (stingray skin) with silver spider menuki
I would have preferred the blade to have a bead blasted finish, or even just a black coating to prevent scratching, and reflection. The blade picked up some relatively minor aesthetic scratches from both drawing it from the sheath, and the cut tests I performed, but they in no way affect the fuction of the knife. Other than that, I cannot come up with anything bad about the knife.
All in all, the Spyderco Kumo makes a great self defense fixed blade, due to its great cutting and penetration, and higly concealable nature. I would not recommend this knife for a hard use utility purpose, as it is mainly designed as a weapon, not a tool.
Knife specs
overall length-8 3/8"
blade length-4 1/8"
cutting edge-3 3/4"
blade steel-VG-10
handle-black epoxy-saturated cord over black same (stingray skin) with silver spider menuki
