Kris First Impressions

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eljay
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Kris First Impressions

#1

Post by eljay »

I wrote the below just after I received the knife but decided to wait for pictures before posting it.

I haven't seen a whole lot of commentary on this one, so perhaps a first impression report would be useful to folks. I received my Kris from New Graham, oh, about an hour ago. New Graham was wonderful as always.

With very few exceptions I won't buy a knife that I don't think will get a lot of use. I was curious about how the Kris would perform with the negative blade angle (I hope that's the right term) and the curved shape.

My very very first impression: Heavy!

The knife was a bit hard to open - very stiff. It's built like a tank and the fit is really tight. Presumably this will take care of itself or worst case I'll add a bit of lube and help it along. It does seem like the hole could be a bit larger however.

It feels wonderful in the hand. Clearly a ton of thought went into making the handle shape just so. And it's around the size I usually like (Stretch and R2 being other ones I like).

It feels nice in the pocket, despite feeling so heavy in the hand. Given the other junk that's usually in that pocket usually it only works if the knife is smaller but with the relatively smooth surface I think I'll try carrying it for a while (I'd intended for it to live in a work area). I like it that the surface is smooth but not slick - meaning I don't feel like it will snag in my pocket but I don't feel like I'll be dropping it either.

The only job that needed doing was to cut some cardboard to size, so I did that, and it worked like a champ. As with every Spyderco I've ever purchased it's quite sharp from the factory.

I don't generally run around the house cutting everything in sight - I'd rather just use the knife normally and let an opinion form - so that's it for now. Hopefully somebody found that interesting. :-)

OK, let's see if we can get some pictures to work. It seems like probably everybody knows what this looks like from the side, let's try some detail views...

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4077th
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#2

Post by 4077th »

Fantastic pics. Thanks much.
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#3

Post by squad314 »

Looks like you got the pictures to work just right.Thanks for the review and great detail shots.The tolerances look sooo fine.Very nice fit and finish.
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#4

Post by smcfalls13 »

Let us know how you like it once you've gotten the chance to use it a little. I agree about the fit and finish. The Schempp knives have fit and finish which puts even custom knives to shame.

Enjoy it.
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#5

Post by Halfneck »

Sold a video game account I had and as soon as I get the cash I will be getting a Kris.

Good pics.
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#6

Post by rnhood »

Congrats on that Kris. My experiences and thoughts with this knife closely parallel yours - as well as my opinion of the "R2" and "Stretch" which are simply great knives for EDC. The "Stretch" sets a benchmark for operating ease.

A little "Prolink", "Rock & Roll", or other good quality bicycle chain lube will add a degree of smoothness to that stiff Kris action. I totally concur about the hole size. Its really borderline large enough on this particular knife. I am planning on enlarging mine a mm or 2, or as much as can be done without interfering with the emblem/logos. That with the aforementioned lub job should give this knife a fresh breath of operability.
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Pretune your knife

#7

Post by Ed Schempp »

I appreciate your comments on the Kris. here are some suggestions for more enjoyment from the knife.

I have noticed the feel of a little grit in the Moki made knives. I flush with WD 40 and work the mechanism. I then blow out with compressed air. Then I relube with a good synthetic oil or grease. I work the mechanism and then blow the synthetic into the pivot area and then remove the excess oil. After a week or two in the pocket the knife works much better than out of the box. As the knife smooths out the hole size is less of an issue; and more appropriate in size for the much reduced force necessary to operate the knife.

I generally release the lock and flip the blade down to where it bumps my index finger to close the knife. It is important to have your index finger close to the guard for this process to be safe.

The waves on the Kris blade generate a lot of pressure. A friend cleaning up from and ice storm found that he would successfully cut branches that would require multiple cuts with other comparable sized folders.

I'd be interested in impressions you have about the knives cutting ability after you have EDCed it for a month or two...Thanks...Ed Schempp
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#8

Post by eljay »

Thanks to everybody for the advice and comments... especially nice of course to get some advice from the man whose name is on the blade. :-)

I went ahead and did something similar to what Mr. Schempp suggested - and sure enough it just took a very small amount of effort to make everything much more smooth. A certain amount of metal-colored stuff (presumably fine filings) were blown out so probably just as well to get that out of there.

I'll definitely make it my EDC for a while. I should also mention that I really appreciate how nicely beveled everything is. It makes it both nicer in the hand and makes it less likely to snag in the pocket.

I'll report back at some point how I feel about its cutting ability, how much it did or didn't smooth out past this point, and how I feel about the hole size and position (right now I'm thinking a bit higher would be just as good as making it a bit larger).
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#9

Post by dialex »

Hi Elijay, congrats on your new fine knife. Enjoy it. Thanks for the great comments and pics. When Ed (Schempp) makes a knife, you can be sure it will pack functionality as much as the looks. I'd be reluctant to get such an exotic looking knife (I'm on the functional side myself), but not if Ed and Spyderco back it up.
Thanks Ed for letting us know some more intimate details about your knife.
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#10

Post by Axlis »

Congrats on the Kris eljay!

Thanks for the detailed pics as well, they really show off the fit and finish. Looks Awesome!
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#11

Post by spydutch »

Congrats eljay :cool:

I never cared much for the Kris until I held one at the A'dam show.

Man, what a beast of a knife. Fits my big hands like a glove.

And.... It's fully serrated(just a different kind of serrations ;)
Arend(old school Spydie lover)

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....AND A FG(PARA) MILITARY/SE IN CPMD2(thanx Sal):cool:

...I would love to have one in full SpyderEdge:p
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#12

Post by Gerard Breuker »

Congratulations on a great knife.
Although it has been received with mixed feelings I believe it will be considered one of the classic collaborations in the near future. I am glad I had a chance to handle it during the Amsterdam meeting as I found the handle of the Persian to be just big enough and I wasn't sure about the Kris before. Received mine just a week ago so I haven't really used it yet but I plan to as I believe it should be used to be fully appreciated.
Having had a chance to look at the prototypes of the other designs of mr. Schempp and now that I have mine I hope the Kris will be sold out soon to make room for another great collaboration.
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#13

Post by Mr Blonde »

Congrats on the new knife. Thank you for your comments on the knife, and what fantastic close-up shots! I was dubious about the Kris myself. After handling at the A'dam meet, I'm sure it will end up in my collection.

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#14

Post by TheKnifeCollector »

CONGRATS on the Kris!!! Nice pix too!!
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#15

Post by Senate »

we love macro pics! :cool:
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#16

Post by Civilian »

Nice shots there. I can't wait to get one of these! I think I'll have to get 2 though EDC/safe.
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The Kris and Sheeple

#17

Post by Qboy »

Hi all:

The Kris is a lovely looking knife and, having a Persian, I am sure the ergos are fantastic. I must admit that I cannot even imagine the response if I opened up a Kris in front of a mixed audience. The history of the Kris is as a weapon and I am afraid that many people will react badly--any thoughts? I EDC'd my Karambit for a while and the response to that teeny little blade was bizarre. I cannot imagine what would have happened with a Kris!
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#18

Post by Michael Cook »

:spyder: Qboy, I reccomend scorn and derision. Be proud. **** bed-wetting liberals. :spyder:
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#19

Post by eljay »

Qboy wrote: I EDC'd my Karambit for a while and the response to that teeny little blade was bizarre. I cannot imagine what would have happened with a Kris!
You know, around here people think it's so strange to have a knife at all I'm not sure a Kris is substantially worse than anything else I might cary. If I'm in some situation where I'm concerned there's always the keychain knife.

It's great in the pocket, incidentally - much easier to get stuff in and out than when I'm carrying a Stretch, that's for sure.
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#20

Post by Qboy »

Michael Cook wrote: :spyder: Qboy, I reccomend scorn and derision. Be proud. **** bed-wetting liberals. :spyder:
Oh yeah, that'll work! I laughed out loud when I read that quote and all I can say is 'Amen brother!' I know that I am preaching to the converted here (to carry on my theme), but it baffles me that people get so freaked out about knives. I do not know how many people get stabbed to death or even injured intentionally by knives, but I do know that it must be a tiny, tiny fraction of people who get killed in autos (about 50,000 per year in the U.S. I think) and no one is afraid of their cars. I'd much rather have an irresponsible person carry a knife than drive a car!

Ciao.
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