Kiwi Musings

jfm · #1

Hello All,

This little Spydie had intrigued me for awhile, but I resisted getting one, as I'm not particularly fond of metal scales. For my uses, I tend to prefer the smaller Spydies, and the size, shape and wharncliffe blade of the Kiwi looked interesting. Well, I recently purchased a SS Kiwi and think it's an elegant, useful knife. That being said, I'm not sure that it will get much carry time, as I still haven't warmed up to metal handles, and the SS scales are pretty slippery (Deacon's engraved Kiwi looks like an artistic, but costly solution to this). Maybe checkering, like on a gunstock, would be a cheaper way to get better grip but still maintain the metal scale appearance. For my purposes, a Kiwi in G10 or even FRN would be very welcome. All in all, I'm glad I picked up the Kiwi, even if I don't end up using it too much - it shows the variety of the Spyderco product line.

Just my 2 Cents.

Regards,

Joe

CopilotATS-55 · #2

If you can find a Jigged bone Kiwi that might be a gippiness solution :)

Mr Blonde · #3

Spyderco has been toying around with the idea for a FRN Kiwi, I wouldn't mind one!

Wouter

Gibsoniam · #4

FRN Kiwi! I LIKE IT!

I'll take a basketful of Kiwis (FRN)! I like the SS Kiwi, but the slipperiness factor is the main reason I don't have one.

CopilotATS-55 · #5

FRN+Kiwi=a good thing :D

greencobra · #6

CopilotATS-55 wrote:If you can find a Jigged bone Kiwi that might be a gippiness solution :)

FRN+Kiwi=a good thing

Jigged bone+Kiwi=a better thing :p

The Deacon · #7

jfm wrote:I'm not sure that it will get much carry time, as I still haven't warmed up to metal handles, and the SS scales are pretty slippery (Deacon's engraved Kiwi looks like an artistic, but costly solution to this). Maybe checkering, like on a gunstock, would be a cheaper way to get better grip but still maintain the metal scale appearance. For my purposes, a Kiwi in G10 or even FRN would be very welcome. All in all, I'm glad I picked up the Kiwi, even if I don't end up using it too much - it shows the variety of the Spyderco product line.

Just my 2 Cents.

Regards,

Joe

Joe, you might want to try adding a fob. I have one on my plain stainless Kiwi and find if I wrap my pinky around it when opening the knife I have no problem with one hand opening. The material does not have to be anything super fancy, the one I use is a hangman's knot of cotton twine. On the other hand, if you want a more elegant look a thin, round, leather shoe lace, or a length of braided horsehair, can be substituted for the cotton.

jfm · #8

Thanks to all for the comments/advice.

Deacon, I saw the Kiwi SS with the lanyard in your photos (super collection!). I don't really have trouble with one hand opening; rather, it's the overall slickness of the scales that I'm talking about. When it comes to knives, I'm probably more into the utilitarian than elegant, so FRN or G10 scales would be more to my taste. That's why the jigged bone, though probably grippier (I've never handled one) would still run behind FRN or G10 for my personal preference. That being said, I like the design of the Kiwi.

Regards,

Joe