Could someone post a picture of the Watu closed (focused on the comp lock cut-out)? I can only find some stock photos online - and they all look edited. Is the amount of choil in the cutout enough to bump off the finger and leave the blade a bit open?
Watu...AKA Lil Chokwe
Re: Watu...AKA Lil Chokwe
Re: Watu...AKA Lil Chokwe
Yes they are!TomAiello wrote: ↑Tue Apr 21, 2020 10:31 amCutlery Shoppe is a class act.DSH007 wrote: ↑Tue Apr 21, 2020 9:56 amCame in the box with my order from Cutlery Shoppe.. along with a pen and the usual lollipops.. it was a pretty nice surprise!
Spydergirl88
3 Nats, 1 Chap, 1 Sham, 1 Urb
3 Nats, 1 Chap, 1 Sham, 1 Urb
Re: Watu...AKA Lil Chokwe
Yes, it will leave the blade a bit open if you fight to leave your finger on the tab. But my experience has been similar to the shaman. The bump of the choil hits my finger, but pushes it off at just the right time so that it just closes. I have been constantly fidgeting with this since yesterday morning and have had no problems whatsoever.
Re: Watu...AKA Lil Chokwe
I was just going to mention the same thing, that it seems similar to the "issue" with the Shaman. It just takes a little practice and before you know it, it's second nature to move your finger in time.
I had no intentions of getting this knife, but the more I look at it, the more I'm liking it!
I had no intentions of getting this knife, but the more I look at it, the more I'm liking it!
15 's in 10 different steels
1 - Bradford Guardian 3 / Vanadis 4E Wharnie
1 - Monterey Bay Knives Slayback Flipper / ZDP 189
1 - CRK Small Sebenza 31/Macassar Ebony Inlays
1 - CRK Large Inkosi Insingo/ Black Micarta Inlays
1 - CRK Small Sebenza 31 Insingo/Magnacut
-Rick
1 - Bradford Guardian 3 / Vanadis 4E Wharnie
1 - Monterey Bay Knives Slayback Flipper / ZDP 189
1 - CRK Small Sebenza 31/Macassar Ebony Inlays
1 - CRK Large Inkosi Insingo/ Black Micarta Inlays
1 - CRK Small Sebenza 31 Insingo/Magnacut
-Rick
Re: Watu...AKA Lil Chokwe
I wanted one badly, but that killed it for me when I saw the pics of the tab in the comp lock.
Re: Watu...AKA Lil Chokwe
I have had a lil native comp lock with this "issue" for over 2 years and never had an issue...never been cut and always move my finger out of the way. And i have tiny fingers which in theory would be more susceptible to getting cut by the exposed 1 mm of edge. The ricasso and choil protect your finger anyway because they stick out more than the edge. I honestly don't understand the hate. Would love to see pictures of all the people out there that complain about this issue and their cut fingers... Oh wait. Exposed tips are an issue, not this.
Spydergirl88
3 Nats, 1 Chap, 1 Sham, 1 Urb
3 Nats, 1 Chap, 1 Sham, 1 Urb
Re: Watu...AKA Lil Chokwe
Thank you.PStone wrote: ↑Tue Apr 21, 2020 12:02 pmYes, it will leave the blade a bit open if you fight to leave your finger on the tab. But my experience has been similar to the shaman. The bump of the choil hits my finger, but pushes it off at just the right time so that it just closes. I have been constantly fidgeting with this since yesterday morning and have had no problems whatsoever.
This is a non issue for me - but it sounds like some feel passionately about it.
One other thing to point out - when holding the knife to release the compression lock, your index finger nail is facing the choil/blade. If any part of your finger were to come in contact with the cutting edge (big IF), it would be the nail and not any skin.
edit - based on my experience with the ikuchi. Still waiting on my Watu.
- Hank Scorpio
- Member
- Posts: 61
- Joined: Mon Mar 05, 2018 10:56 pm
- Location: Colorado
Re: Watu...AKA Lil Chokwe
Got one inbound from DLT. Been looking forward to this one for a while. Glad to hear initial reports of free dropping action, even though it wouldn’t have been a deal breaker at all.
Currently enjoying the most pocket time:
:spyder: Sage 5 FRN, Watu :spyder:
:spyder: Sage 5 FRN, Watu :spyder:
Re: Watu...AKA Lil Chokwe
This is also the reason I had to sell the Kapara, finger would get hit everytime, otherwise it would be the perfect knife for me. The Sage 5 also did this to a degree, but it could be avoided if I moved my finger forward a bit to avoid it. I wonder if this one has any space in front of or behind its "nub"?
-
- Member
- Posts: 591
- Joined: Wed Feb 26, 2020 8:44 pm
- Location: SW Florida
Re: Watu...AKA Lil Chokwe
At first I thought this knife was ugly. I still do now, a liitle bit less than before. It is growing on me and I will probably end up with one.
Re: Watu...AKA Lil Chokwe
Molle Ninja wrote: ↑Sun Apr 19, 2020 5:06 pmOne of the great things about the compression lock is the ability to open the blade by pressing on the lock when the blade is facing down. Of course, that same thing goes for closing, too.
On the first Kaparas, while a lovely knife they didn’t have this attribute. Still a nice lock, but it loses two great functions of Sal’s lock.
So if I could pick, I’d want one with those extra two characteristics.
Perhaps I don´t fully get what you mean, but you can do that as easily with a CBBL too, and even with a backlock it is not problem at all (with the latter: Press the lockbar with your index finger and give the knife just a little wrist flick)
Top three going by pocket-time (update March 24):
- EDC: Endura thin red line ffg combo edge (VG10); Wayne Goddard PE (4V), Endela SE (VG10)
-Mountains/outdoors: Pac.Salt 1 SE (H1), Salt 2 SE (LC200N), and also Wayne Goddard PE (4V)
- EDC: Endura thin red line ffg combo edge (VG10); Wayne Goddard PE (4V), Endela SE (VG10)
-Mountains/outdoors: Pac.Salt 1 SE (H1), Salt 2 SE (LC200N), and also Wayne Goddard PE (4V)
Re: Watu...AKA Lil Chokwe
PStone wrote: ↑Tue Apr 21, 2020 12:02 pmYes, it will leave the blade a bit open if you fight to leave your finger on the tab. But my experience has been similar to the shaman. The bump of the choil hits my finger, but pushes it off at just the right time so that it just closes. I have been constantly fidgeting with this since yesterday morning and have had no problems whatsoever.
Sure I totally respect if someone just does not like the finger being "hit" when closing a comp. lock knife, but still I have to say: I personally don´t fully understand why.
I have quite a bit experience and use with the comp. lock,mainly with my PM2, where the finger does not "get hit", but when I could handle a Shaman twice, from the very beginning it was no issue at all for me that a bit of the choil extended into the comp. lock cutout when closing the knife.
That being said: I really like the Watus design, but I personally think a linerlock (like on the Chokwe) would suit it even a tad better than a comp. lock. I am not talking functionality here, but just about the overall "basic, simple" style of the knife, while the comp. lock is somehow a very sophisticated "modern" type of lock.
Top three going by pocket-time (update March 24):
- EDC: Endura thin red line ffg combo edge (VG10); Wayne Goddard PE (4V), Endela SE (VG10)
-Mountains/outdoors: Pac.Salt 1 SE (H1), Salt 2 SE (LC200N), and also Wayne Goddard PE (4V)
- EDC: Endura thin red line ffg combo edge (VG10); Wayne Goddard PE (4V), Endela SE (VG10)
-Mountains/outdoors: Pac.Salt 1 SE (H1), Salt 2 SE (LC200N), and also Wayne Goddard PE (4V)
Re: Watu...AKA Lil Chokwe
foofie wrote: ↑Tue Apr 21, 2020 3:04 pm
Thank you.
This is a non issue for me - but it sounds like some feel passionately about it.
One other thing to point out - when holding the knife to release the compression lock, your index finger nail is facing the choil/blade. If any part of your finger were to come in contact with the cutting edge (big IF), it would be the nail and not any skin.
edit - based on my experience with the ikuchi. Still waiting on my Watu.
You’re welcome. If you would like any more angles or comparisons, I’d be happy to post some.
Re: Watu...AKA Lil Chokwe
I agree. I get why some people don’t like it. But I’m not one of them. I actually think it helps me time my release better, and avoid the “bouncing” that I sometimes get with my pm2.Wartstein wrote: ↑Tue Apr 21, 2020 11:25 pmPStone wrote: ↑Tue Apr 21, 2020 12:02 pm
Yes, it will leave the blade a bit open if you fight to leave your finger on the tab. But my experience has been similar to the shaman. The bump of the choil hits my finger, but pushes it off at just the right time so that it just closes. I have been constantly fidgeting with this since yesterday morning and have had no problems whatsoever.
Sure I totally respect if someone just does not like the finger being "hit" when closing a comp. lock knife, but still I have to say: I personally don´t fully understand why.
I have quite a bit experience and use with the comp. lock,mainly with my PM2, where the finger does not "get hit", but when I could handle a Shaman twice, from the very beginning it was no issue at all for me that a bit of the choil extended into the comp. lock cutout when closing the knife.
That being said: I really like the Watus design, but I personally think a linerlock (like on the Chokwe) would suit it even a tad better than a comp. lock. I am not talking functionality here, but just about the overall "basic, simple" style of the knife, while the comp. lock is somehow a very sophisticated "modern" type of lock.
- captnvegtble
- Member
- Posts: 1058
- Joined: Tue Oct 06, 2009 10:20 am
Re: Watu...AKA Lil Chokwe
Mine arrived today. Totally awesome!
I think this might kick the Delica out of my pocket... it's superior in many ways... more neutral grip, pointy tip, thinner grind, deep carry wire clip. The only thing missing is a black wire clip, which is easily remedied.
I think this might kick the Delica out of my pocket... it's superior in many ways... more neutral grip, pointy tip, thinner grind, deep carry wire clip. The only thing missing is a black wire clip, which is easily remedied.
-
- Member
- Posts: 539
- Joined: Mon Oct 29, 2018 1:04 am
- Location: Davis, CA
Re: Watu...AKA Lil Chokwe
Got email that mine shipped today! So excited!!!
- bbturbodad
- Member
- Posts: 1180
- Joined: Sun Mar 24, 2019 9:18 am
- curlyhairedboy
- Member
- Posts: 2621
- Joined: Fri Mar 18, 2016 11:01 am
- Location: Southern New England
Re: Watu...AKA Lil Chokwe
Mine came in yesterday and it's everything I hoped it would be! Big thank you to Sal!
EDC Rotation: PITS, Damasteel Urban, Shaman, Ikuchi, Amalgam, CruCarta Shaman, Sage 5 LW, Serrated Caribbean Sheepsfoot CQI, XHP Shaman, M4/Micarta Shaman, 15v Shaman
Fixed Blades: Proficient, Magnacut Mule
Special and Sentimental: Southard, Squarehead LW, Ouroboros, Calendar Para 3 LW, 40th Anniversary Native, Ti Native, Calendar Watu, Tanto PM2
Would like to own again: CQI Caribbean Sheepsfoot PE, Watu
Wishlist: Magnacut, Shaman Sprints!
Fixed Blades: Proficient, Magnacut Mule
Special and Sentimental: Southard, Squarehead LW, Ouroboros, Calendar Para 3 LW, 40th Anniversary Native, Ti Native, Calendar Watu, Tanto PM2
Would like to own again: CQI Caribbean Sheepsfoot PE, Watu
Wishlist: Magnacut, Shaman Sprints!
- bbturbodad
- Member
- Posts: 1180
- Joined: Sun Mar 24, 2019 9:18 am
Re: Watu...AKA Lil Chokwe
Thanks! Im looking forward to carrying it today. Looks like this one's gonna end up getting a lot of pocket time. :D
-Turbo