- Joined
- Sep 29, 2008
- Messages
- 10,394
The Spyderco P'Kal is a collaboration knife with Shivworks. I feel it's important to note that as the design of the knife is heavily geared towards SD while retaining Spyderco's unique flair for the unusual.
The knife is made in Golden out of S30V. Black G-10 scales with a tip down wire clip and integrated Ball Bearing Lock complete the package.
Here is an interesting video about how to carry it in pocket. Upon receiving this knife I assumed it had been setup for left handed carry and switched the clip. After watching this I realized that the initial factory set clip position is intentional and also very useful.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-p4YmUJ4PA
This knife sports the Emerson "Wave" activation feature and I think it does better then the original. The wave is longer and as such more reliable and consistent in it's openings. It's also removable for those wishing to not have the wave feature.
The blade is a modified hawkbill blade. The design is great in that it has a smaller in pocket profile then a full hawkbill, but retains the "sink the tip and let it rip" mentality of the style. Made out of S30V you're going to get great edge retention and stainless properties out of it.
The caged Ball Bearing Lock was new to me. A lot of people have looked at the plastic cap and assumed it was cheap and flimsy. It's not. The BBL is rated hard use and is self adjusting when wear occurs. The ball bearing is smaller then I expected, but just as secure as the D'Allara. The plastic button makes it a lot easier to actuate the lock compared to the original design that forced you to wedge a fingernail in there to unlock it.
The action is smoother than any AXIS lock I've ever handled. The way the tang is shaped the ball bearing helps keep the knife closed as well as locking it open. Incredibly easy to open one handed, and as mentioned, the action is glassy smooth with no blade play at all.
As mentioned the knife is designed using a variation of the hawkbill blade shape. The handle shape, blade design, and carry option are all designed for the knife to be used in the "edge in" style particular to this style of martial arts. As described on the product page "As a self-defense platform, Pikal is carried out holding a knife in reverse grip with the sharpened edge facing inward toward the user. Pikals objective is not flowing drills with your opponent but rapidly and effectively striking and surprising. "
Overall I think that this knife is exceptionally designed for it's intended use of self defense but works generally well for every day carry as a substitute for a hawkbill. The blade is nice and thin which makes it an excellent slicer. My only complaints are the tip down only carry and the size. I think a larger version is in order, and for those wishing to remove the wave, tip down carry would be nice to have. Plenty of room on that upper portion to stick a tip down clip.
The knife is made in Golden out of S30V. Black G-10 scales with a tip down wire clip and integrated Ball Bearing Lock complete the package.
Here is an interesting video about how to carry it in pocket. Upon receiving this knife I assumed it had been setup for left handed carry and switched the clip. After watching this I realized that the initial factory set clip position is intentional and also very useful.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-p4YmUJ4PA
This knife sports the Emerson "Wave" activation feature and I think it does better then the original. The wave is longer and as such more reliable and consistent in it's openings. It's also removable for those wishing to not have the wave feature.
The blade is a modified hawkbill blade. The design is great in that it has a smaller in pocket profile then a full hawkbill, but retains the "sink the tip and let it rip" mentality of the style. Made out of S30V you're going to get great edge retention and stainless properties out of it.
The caged Ball Bearing Lock was new to me. A lot of people have looked at the plastic cap and assumed it was cheap and flimsy. It's not. The BBL is rated hard use and is self adjusting when wear occurs. The ball bearing is smaller then I expected, but just as secure as the D'Allara. The plastic button makes it a lot easier to actuate the lock compared to the original design that forced you to wedge a fingernail in there to unlock it.
The action is smoother than any AXIS lock I've ever handled. The way the tang is shaped the ball bearing helps keep the knife closed as well as locking it open. Incredibly easy to open one handed, and as mentioned, the action is glassy smooth with no blade play at all.
As mentioned the knife is designed using a variation of the hawkbill blade shape. The handle shape, blade design, and carry option are all designed for the knife to be used in the "edge in" style particular to this style of martial arts. As described on the product page "As a self-defense platform, Pikal is carried out holding a knife in reverse grip with the sharpened edge facing inward toward the user. Pikals objective is not flowing drills with your opponent but rapidly and effectively striking and surprising. "
Overall I think that this knife is exceptionally designed for it's intended use of self defense but works generally well for every day carry as a substitute for a hawkbill. The blade is nice and thin which makes it an excellent slicer. My only complaints are the tip down only carry and the size. I think a larger version is in order, and for those wishing to remove the wave, tip down carry would be nice to have. Plenty of room on that upper portion to stick a tip down clip.
. My ability to "use" this knife for the intended purpose is limited but I love it as an EDC. I know some people have said it doesn't work for the everyday but I love it. A little hawkbill, great point and the ergos fit many hand grips. The more I use it the better it feels. Thanks for a great design!
