Brief review and photoshoot of the Spyderco P'kal

[GoldenSpydie]

Well, I received another awesome knife from Golden: the Spyderco P'kal (Pikal).

I normally don't buy into the "tactical" thing, but I had to have a P'kal if I ever hoped to have a complete collection of Golden-made Spydies.

It is actually pretty cool. :cool: From the Emerson wave feature to the hawkbill blade to the p'kal grip configuration, this is mostly a novelty piece for me, but that doesn't mean that it isn't fun to play with. In fact, the Emerson wave is very fun to play with. It took some practice, but I can now draw it with nearly 100% reliability.

Specs:

Blade length: 3 inches
Sharpened edge: 2.75 inches
Blade height at plunge line: 1.3 inches
Blade thickness at plunge line: 0.125 inches
Blade thickness behind the edge: 0.031 inches
Handle length: 4.5 inches

Blade: With the FFG and slight hawkbill blade, the knife cuts very efficiently. The tip is fairly fine and offers good control.

Ergonomics: Bleah. It only really works in reverse (P'kal) grip. Any other grip is quite uncomfortable. A pinch grip does work, but I don't really like this grip for general cutting. It seems like it could have been designed to work both in P'kal grip and in the standard grip.

Lock: It's the CBBL. Nuff said.

Clip/carry: It uses a wire clip, and the knife is very easy to draw from the pocket with or without the Emerson feature.

Overall, it's a cool knife for those that are into the "tactical" thing. It could be used as an EDC knife, but I would shrink from doing very much cutting with it, as it is not very ergonomic.

Pics! :D

[Liquid Cobra]

You sir, are constantly elevating your game and I love it. Carry on.

[tvenuto]

An interesting design, and one not often talked about for obvious reasons. Thanks for putting this together.

[bearfacedkiller]

Thanks my man!!! I have held one and the ergos are a little off for me but I am not very tacticool. I have tried to talk myself into it but alas it has fallen way down the list.

Again, what a great company. Every time I see something I don't care for I know it is because Spyderco is trying to make a little something for everybody.

[timlara]

Nice review and pics! I completely agree with your assessment. I typically don't buy Spydies that I can't see myself using for EDC and the P'kal definitely falls into that category for me as well. Cool design, but I just don't need one. Based on the few instructional videos of "SouthNarc" that I've watched, it seems to be an incredible tool for the very specific close combat defense style it was designed for, but I am certainly not brave or coordinated enough to ever master such a discipline!

The Yojimbo on the other hand is actually a great EDC knife due to the ergos and blade shape. The only reason I don't carry my Yo more often is that it's just a little too aggressive looking for the office settings I unfortunately spend the majority of my time in.

In any case, I greatly admire that Spyderco is willing to make unusual designs to serve niche markets. Not a lot of companies doing that sort of thing anymore in this mass market corporate world.

[Studey]

Nice pics. It is THE definitive pikal folder, better than the Soutern Comfort which inspired it, and THAT was a great pikal folder. It's (in my mind) a single purpose design, but it EXCELS in that role.

[elena86]

I have to disagree with some of you.P'Kal IS A VERY GOOD EDC.In fact is better than many other spydies designed for every day use.IMHO is an underrated model.For me it's one of the few allaround,allpurpouse spydies.Great for self defense in more than one grip, great blade shape,easy to carry and conceal, light, good lock, good pocket clip,what more do you need ? I repeat myself, this folder is way too underrated.I love my P'kal and my only regret is that only own one.But this post remainded me to fix this ASAP.

[GoldenSpydie]

Thanks everyone!

I have to disagree with some of you.P'Kal IS A VERY GOOD EDC.In fact is better than many other spydies designed for every day use.IMHO is an underrated model.For me it's one of the few allaround,allpurpouse spydies.Great for self defense in more than one grip, great blade shape,easy to carry and conceal, light, good lock, good pocket clip,what more do you need ? I repeat myself, this folder is way too underrated.I love my P'kal and my only regret is that only own one.But this post remainded me to fix this ASAP.

Would you mind showing us some pictures of you holding it in a standard grip?

[elena86]

I forgot to mention something.P'kal is tacticool only for those who know a thing or two about Shivworks,or MBC.His apearances could deceive many non-knife people.Some of my non-knife friends are convinced that my p'kal is a "vineyard knife".

[UpDok]

GoldenSpydie - Nice Pictures!
I've been carrying a Pikal as EDC for a few months now. For my uses it's a terrific knife for fruit peeling and other mundane tasks, and it looks unbelievably cool & purpose driven, yet understated.

[Mr.Sparkitle]

Very nice photos. I love my p'kal. I carry it every day when I am at work. It always stays in my left front pocket as that is my "weak" side. It sure isn't the prettiest of spidies but it has gotten the most attention from my co-workers out of all the knives I carry on duty. I really feel that the p'kal is designed to perform some rather specific roles, and I feel that if I ever needed it to perform those roles (god forbid) it would do great.

[Blerv]

Great review :). Thanks for putting it together. I love the lock, clip and blade shape. It's just more appealing as a EDC (for me) so the RGEI handle seems it would be a bit funky.