UKPK.... what's your preference.... orange or olive drab?

Shifty · #1

I am looking to pickup a UKPK for my birthday. Not one of the new ones... but the current model, with FFG CPM-S30V blade. I just can't decide between the safety orange, and the olive drab.

I've seen pics of both, and I just love the orange. Any downsides to the orange? Does it get dirty easy? I find myself shying away from the dark coloured G10 like black, as I think the crap which the texure would pick up (dust, skin) would show a lot more... and just look gross. Not sure if the OD is dark enough to apply this logic as well. I see that the FF leaf blade OD is not in the new catalogue, meaning it most be discontinued.

Also, why in the catalog does it say 'NEW' beside the orange UKPK? Was something about it changed to make it a new model?

Thanks!

SmoothOne25 · #2

orange, black, foilage green is what i have... olive drab? what is that?
anyway i have all five ukpk and love them all. the orange i dislike the most. the resuce orange and normal blade ornage get dirty easy. in fact i just got a little hair stuck in the g10 texture and it WONT come out without me destroying the coating. the ukpk in the new catalog have them all including the frn textures one that will be out. the rescue is also going to be frn. cant wait!

D1omedes · #3

I have the orange UKPK and find that it does show dirt far faster than black G10. That is when I've used it in a warehouse and my hands were black with dirt and grime. It didn't bother me too much, since a toothbrush and water/dish detergent take off the dirt easily.

You have to decide what you'll be using the knife for. If it is an EDC and you want maximum subtlety then go with the green. If you are using it in the woods or are afraid of losing your knife, then get the orange.

I like the orange just because it's different and IMO, makes the knife look more like a tool. I wouldn't mind carrying the green, it's just that I don't have the funds right now to acquire one.

nathan310 · #4

I like the the orange over the foliage green. Because if you ever use it outdoors or in a heavily cluttered area the orange will be much easier to find. I feel the orange does serve a real purpose. It can show dirt more than other colors though.

The Deacon · #5

With a textured material like Spyderco's G-10, any light color will show grime more than black would. However, between orange and foliage green, I think grime will stand out more and look less attractive on orange.

Pneumothorax · #6

I love the orange! Its different and looks more NKP friendly. I dont have the green version to compare. I dont use mine heavily, so it doesnt show a ton of dirt, but I will take a toothbrush to it one of these days. My 2 cents, if you dont have an orange G10, get this one.

Shifty · #7

Sorry guys... I meant to say foliage green... not olive drab.

I guess they are discontinuing the foliage green, leaf blade version... and replacing it with the drop point blade shape? Is that correct? I don't see the foliage/leaf model listed in the 2010 catalogue. That's kind of a bummer.

ColonelX1 · #8

i love em both, but to be honest, the orange gets really dirty really fast, and g10 is a pain to clean, i love the look of the OD green its a very passive natural color

Shifty · #9

Ya, I'm still not sold on the idea of G10 for a few reasons.... picks up gunk, hard on fabric, texture shows wear after a while and looks bad IMO.

Would love to have a knife in safety orange FRN..... who knows..... maybe those new Delicas everyone is talking about will include an orange one.

npueppke · #10

Shifty wrote:Ya, I'm still not sold on the idea of G10 for a few reasons.... picks up gunk, hard on fabric, texture shows wear after a while and looks bad IMO.

Would love to have a knife in safety orange FRN..... who knows..... maybe those new Delicas everyone is talking about will include an orange one.

Today is your lucky day (almost). The 2010 FRN UKPKs include a safety orange rescue model, and I'm sure you could swap the scales onto one of the leaf shaped models to have your orange FRN UKPK.

yowzer · #11

If I were to get one, it'd be the drop point blade, which, IIRC, only comes in green.

Crocodilo · #12

I've got several Spydies in Foliage Green, and although I'm wasn´t at first crazy about the visuals, I'll admit it wears considerably well, hiding dirt, and it's a very neutral color.

As to G-10 versus FRN... I'm a sucker for G-10. The UKPK drop point is a fantastic folder, very well balaced, lightweight and solid. I have deep reservations about the FRN version: no doubt it will be very good, but IMHO it won't feel as good - and that is something I value, although it's a very personal matter.

Also, I went with the drop-point because I already have a couple of Caly3s, and wanted to try a different blade shape. The drop point makes for a smaller knife in the pocket, and the shape is a little more versatile to use, if making curved cuts deep into the material.

(BRAG MODE ON)

Let's see, G-10 Foliage Green owned:
-Military (2)
-Paramilitary
-Endura
-Delica
-UKPK

Yup, I guess I'm fine with FG.

(BRAG MODE OFF)

Happy New Year!

Shifty · #13

What are the advantages of the drop point blade? What kind of cutting is that blade best suited for?

bh49 · #14

Considering all choices of UPKP I strongly prefer Orange. I am huge fan of Caly3 and I bought Orange UKPK only due to color. I looks really good in Orange

mr.vu · #15

I have an orange UKPK. Its different and I feel its more NKP friendly.

Blerv · #16

Shifty wrote:What are the advantages of the drop point blade? What kind of cutting is that blade best suited for?

My gut reaction besides visual preferences:

Leaf: wide stable blade (more steel in cutting channel), lateral strength (same), can often be ground more accutely as more steel for high hollows or specific flat ground profiles, more blade = more sharpenings/regrinds over time.

drop point: less piercing footprint (delicate entry), more maneuverability while cutting, higher penetration in heavy materials

rescue: best draw cuts, agressive wharnie style tip scoring (blister packs), sawing capable, edge retention due to teeth.

Some of these might be total bunk to you guysbut just my thoughts. At least it might get the discussion going. I was just thinking "if I had all three when carving a pumpkin how would they perform?"

Ps: foliage green > orange in my opinion.

The Deacon · #17

Blerv wrote:Some of these might be total bunk to you guysbut just my thoughts. At least it might get the discussion going. I was just thinking "if I had all three when carving a pumpkin how would they perform?"

I suspect the Drop Point would be best for that, in the sense of allowing the most intricate cuts. You're talking a fairly thick material, so a wider blade is a liability. It's also a fairly dense and tough material, so I don't think the Rescue version would work well at all unless used in conjunction with another knife.

Shifty · #18

This might be a wierd request..... but anyone here willing to post a pic of their 'dirty' orange G10? I am interested to see what you guys mean when you say it shows up a lot more on the orange.