szaboinc.com? Opinions?

I have the Devil's Elbow and the Street Scalpel.
Not the most utilitarian, but I like them. :)
 
I've got the Combat UUK (longer than the standard), two of his Battle Hawks, and his Tactical Gladius, along with numerous impact stuff. I also have the Tops Felony Stop. They are all wonderfully made; and I have absolutely no regrets about buying them - worth every penny. I'm currently saving for at least four other designs; not sure which one I want, first.

I've never met Laci; but we've spoken many times on the phone. He's a good man; very knowledgeable, and he'll ask you all the right questions to determine what you're looking for. I'm not knowledgeable in martial arts at all; but he certainly looks like he knows his stuff, and the responses here confirm that. I would trust his designs completely.
 
Some of his designs are a bit eccentric for me, but others are very well thought out, and his customer service is excellent. I've emailed him in the middle of the night, only to isntantly receive a reply instructing me to call, so I've had some good conversations with him. I don't think he sleeps. He's really hyperactive and excitable, and just a great guy all around.
 
Esav Benyamin said:
I have the Devil's Elbow and the Street Scalpel.
Not the most utilitarian, but I like them. :)
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Then I hope you don't mind me asking. How is the hand with the inside edge of the Elbow? I was a bit afraid of hand traveling to the inside edge and get cut. Is it a possibility?

Tq.
 
BlackKnight86 said:
I've got the Combat UUK (longer than the standard), two of his Battle Hawks, and his Tactical Gladius, along with numerous impact stuff. I also have the Tops Felony Stop. They are all wonderfully made; and I have absolutely no regrets about buying them - worth every penny. I'm currently saving for at least four other designs; not sure which one I want, first.

I've never met Laci; but we've spoken many times on the phone. He's a good man; very knowledgeable, and he'll ask you all the right questions to determine what you're looking for. I'm not knowledgeable in martial arts at all; but he certainly looks like he knows his stuff, and the responses here confirm that. I would trust his designs completely.
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Combat UUK. Not familiar with it but is longer better? Got a pic in hand :)

Any idea what steel ur is made out of?
 
Cotherion said:
Then I hope you don't mind me asking. How is the hand with the inside edge of the Elbow? I was a bit afraid of hand traveling to the inside edge and get cut. Is it a possibility?
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It doesn't work that way. The forward edge of the handle has finger grooves at the bend and similar thumb grooves on top. Held in a fist, this keeps the hand from moving forward at all.
 
Cotherion said:
Combat UUK. Not familiar with it but is longer better? Got a pic in hand :)

Any idea what steel ur is made out of?
Click to expand...

Sorry to take so long to get back to you....been trying to get a decent digital camera without luck. I've got a couple other folks I can ask; so I'll try to get one up in the next day or so.

Basically, the Combat UUK is a couple of inches longer than the regular, with a slightly broader blade (width, not thickness). I'm not a fighter by any stretch of the imagination, and I don't have the smaller one; but from what I understand that will give it better reach and punch in a fight; however, it will be less adept at close-in work and short maneuvering than a smaller UUK. I determined that I wanted my UUK strictly as a fighting blade, so I went with the longer model (I've got plenty of smaller utility blades). The Combat UUK feels very light in the hand, and moves very fast.

By the way, I asked Laci about this - the UUK can be used as a utility blade...I wouldn't baton with it (double edged); but it'll do anything else any comparable sized blade will do. I don't know if you've ever handled one of John Gage's swords; but if you have, the feel is similar: very well balanced, seemingly so light in the hand, but can deliver a good hack/slash. I love mine.

I believe it's made from 5160, and it was made by Robert Newton.

BK86
 
5160 by Robert Newton :) Now I'm even happier with my UUK. Got mine 2nd hand with reground (to sharper or lower degree angle).

Always have good experience with 5160 and my UUK is my EDC (in my work bag, it's flat :)) because it is so instinctive to use. Feels light in my hands too for a blade so big. Though I'm still unsure about the reverse grip. I actually paracord wrap the last (pinky area) section for better grip and it is an improvement. One of my most satisfying purchases. And for 180 bucks :)

As utility I'd be more inclined to use my bowies than this cause it freaks out the non-knife people. That's why I'm looking at the Tops Devil's Elbow. Thanks Esav, always wondered about the risk of losing my digits. It's now either the Tops Grim Ripper or the Devil's Elbow. I'd have to agree with Esav, the Scorpion's tail is a wee bit too aggressive.

PS: Thanks BlackKnight86, will be waiting for ur in-hand pics. Nothing I love better than knife porn :)
 
To me, his site and his knives just scream "please arrest me because I have a weapon". They also look like the kind of knives mall ninjas would carry.

Just don't float my boat.
 
I love his stuff, wish I could afford more. Have the Szabofly and I am looking forward to the Spyderco folding Szabofly :)

I think his work is interesting, but obviously, not for everyone.
 
Cotherion said:
That's why I'm looking at the Tops Devil's Elbow. Thanks Esav, always wondered about the risk of losing my digits. It's now either the Tops Grim Ripper or the Devil's Elbow. I'd have to agree with Esav, the Scorpion's tail is a wee bit too aggressive.
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It just occurred to me, your hand is probably much smaller than mine. The D. Elbow will be perfect for you since even my paw wraps around it comfortably. When you put your thumb over the top, it almost disappears in your hand but that double edge can still bite. :)
 
Not for everyone is right, but some of them... :D

If I ever come into that kind of disposable income, I might have to grab a battle sickle - mostly because I like the idea of a battle sickle :thumbup:
 
Esav Benyamin said:
It just occurred to me, your hand is probably much smaller than mine. The D. Elbow will be perfect for you since even my paw wraps around it comfortably. When you put your thumb over the top, it almost disappears in your hand but that double edge can still bite. :)
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Yes, freakishly small. I work out so my biceps and triceps are large but my paws are puny. Truth be told, I look weird. But my weird hands do fit the Szabo kerambit better than for people with large hands.

If the Elbow disappears in your hands for you then for me probably protrude a little. It'll be better this way for hammer type or reverse hammer type blow.
 
I would suggest giving Laci a call. He is very personalble. Of the many people I have met in the knife world, him and James Keating are probably the two easiest guys to talk to. If you have any questions, he will be the guy to have the answers for you.
 
Made some prototypes for pennies from good steel (28" round wood saw bade) . Turned out pretty nice. Sharp and scary though! Need to make sheaths now. Tactical Golok, Battle Sickle, and just about done with the Gladiator D- Guard.
 
I love Laci Szabo's stuff. I own more things from him than from anyone else by a long shot. There is a massive amount of purpose built into everything he touches, and most of it has to be seen, felt, and used to be appreciated. Aesthetics aren't his gig - he builds his stuff for specific purposes starting with ergonomics. Sometimes I don't like the finger grooves, jimping, and curves he builds into handles but I always know why it is there.

Laci has worked with makers and designers from all over, and introduced me to the work of Elsa Fantino, Fred Perrin, Van Steck, Robert Newton (one of the best custom makers you've never heard of), DJ Urbanovsky (American Kami), and several others. His work has been produced by Strider, Spyderco, TOPS, and probably others.

The TOPS Felony Stop, designed by Laci Szabo, is the best production knife I own. His ghost is the best self defense weapon I own. His synthetic fighting sticks completely replaced all wooden sticks in my collection.

In short Laci is a legend and his work always deserves careful consideration. Don't be deceived by some of the weirder looking stuff he comes up with, for behind every curve and bevel is a careful design process that most makers simply don't have.
 
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