UK Penknife: Initial Impressions

Harry White · #1

I received a UKPK yesterday (an early birthday gift), a day after I got the new Jess Horn. This is shaping up to be a good week.

Initial thoughts on the UKPK...

This is one classy knife! I love the streamlined look of the lockless folder. No lock also means fewer screws holding the scales together. It's a "minimalist" look, and the black G-10 coupled with the grainy CPM-S30V steel give the knife a very robust appearance.

The clip is my favorite on any :spyder: . I prefer the wire clips in general, but I particularly like the bronze coloring on the UKPK clip. And you can't make it any more low-ride than this.

Sharp? Yes, but nowhere near as sharp out of the box as the VG-10 Caly Jr. or the ZDP-189 Jess Horn Lightweight. I'm finding in general that my S30V blades do not feel as sharp as the VG-10, and are certainly more difficult to sharpen (for me, at least). However, it holds an edge very well, and as I've said elsewhere, is more aesthetically pleasing to my eyes.

It takes a decent amount of pressure to close the UKPK -- I don't anticipate not having a lock being an issue for 95% of my EDC activities. I do miss the "flickiness" of other Spydercos -- the UKPK can be flicked open, but the resistance does not make it as smooth as most locking :spyder: 's. Still, one-handed opening is easy, and I'm quickly learning to close this knife by pressing it against the side of my leg.

All in all I am truly happy with the UKPK. The Caly design is a classic, and for good reasons. It lies in the hand very comfortably, and the balance is perfect. It is lightweight in the pocket, but has a solid feel in the hand. I'll be carrying this around for a while, but just wanted to share my first impressions.

PS - I've seen some pictures with the letters "UKPK" (or maybe "UK Pen Knife") along the steel spacer on the spine. Mine does not have this lettering. Was this a custom engraving or a UK-only distinction??? :confused:

Here's a pic that I found -- sorry I don't have the name of the person who took it (it may even be you!). Thanks.

peacefuljeffrey · #2

I really like the lines of the UKPK. It's one thing associated with Britain that I really like! (In general, I used to be an Anglophile until they turned full-on rabidly anti-gun, anti-knife, and anti-self-defense.)

What is the mechanism for holding the UKPK closed or open? Is it just friction, or is it a slipjoint? (Is "slipjoint" the right term for the kind of knife that has no lock, but has tension because of a long spring built into the spine?)

-Jeffrey

PSU · #3

Yep, the UKPK is a great knife. I am glad that it is going to be a regular production model.

The engraving that you are referring to was done for the members of the UKPK design team. I believe that the engraving said something to the effect of "UKPK Design Team"

BlackNinja · #4

Thank's for the nice photo, ang great "Inital Impression" review! Sure does look nice! :)

Harry White · #5

peacefuljeffrey wrote:What is the mechanism for holding the UKPK closed or open? Is it just friction, or is it a slipjoint? (Is "slipjoint" the right term for the kind of knife that has no lock, but has tension because of a long spring built into the spine?)

-Jeffrey

Yes -- I've seen the term slipjoint and notchjoint (i think) used to describe the mechanism to hold the knife both open and closed. Not too familiar with it, but so far I'm impressed.

Thanks for the replies, and the info about the lettering (very interesting). One thing I forgot to mention is the linerless G-10 scales. I like this combination. There is another thread discussing the need and possible overuse of liners on most higher end :spyder: s. This G-10 is solid enough without liners, at least as far as what I use a knife for. I would like to see more knives use linerless G-10 for scales. I think the Dodo and UKPK proove it's a design that works!

peacefuljeffrey · #6

Why is the price point of the UKPK so high for what it is, though?

I see it has an MSRP of $120, and sells on knifecenter.com for $79.95! That seems a little high, doesn't it? I mean, it has no locking mechanism. I would have thought construction costs would be minimized because of that. It's not made of such super-materials for that to be what drove the price that high. I would have expected it to be a $50, maybe $60 knife, tops!

I'd like one, but I'd like one for less than eighty bucks! Being a non-locker, it's not like it's apt to be the biggest user/workhorse in the fleet!

-Jeffrey

BlackNinja · #7

I think that's a pretty fair MSRP! S30V & G-10, I'm not gonna complain about that knife! I would probably spend the money on a different :spyder: , but if I lived Oversea's, with more strict laws in regards to knives, I'd be the proud owner of a UKPK! :D

peacefuljeffrey · #8

I'm just sayin', for what it is, that seems a bit steep. (Both the MSRP and the going rate...)

-Jeffrey

Harry White · #9

I do think the MSRP seems a bit high, but I paused only briefly before deciding to get one at the $79.95 price. (OK it was a gift, but the UKPK and the Jess Horn ZDP were both the same retail price -- so instead of choosing between the two I bought one and "hinted" about the other... :rolleyes: :D )

BlackNinja · #10

AHHHHHHHHH, but you did get the UKPK and *hinted* at the ZDP Horn! :eek: :D The Horn is one great gents knife! I do hope you get one, Harry!

markg · #11

BlackNinja wrote:I think that's a pretty fair MSRP! S30V & G-10, I'm not gonna complain about that knife! I would probably spend the money on a different :spyder: , but if I lived Oversea's, with more strict laws in regards to knives, I'd be the proud owner of a UKPK! :D

There maybe something to this...

How about a FRN handled UK Pen Knife? Maybe call it "The Traveler." Would make a great knife to throw in checked bags to travel around the world with... With a lower price point, we would be less worried about loss or consfication.

brainus · #12

Harry White wrote:I do think the MSRP seems a bit high, but I paused only briefly before deciding to get one at the $79.95 price. (OK it was a gift, but the UKPK and the Jess Horn ZDP were both the same retail price -- so instead of choosing between the two I bought one and "hinted" about the other... :rolleyes: :D )

I wonder if it's because it's still only supposed to be shipped to UK retailers. In TazKristi's list, the UKPK was slated to start selling to US retailers in May I believe. Could that be part of it, or is it because it's being made in Golden and that is really how much they want to sell it to me for?

JDEE · #13

I've had my UKPK, for all intents and purposes a "slipjoint" just like Grandpa used, for some time now and it has never let me down. The S30V blade holds up well just like the blade in my Paramilitary. I bought mine more out of sentimental reasons having been brought up on slipjoints and it is good to have a modern one with modern materials.

dete · #14

no lock, that is wild!

slip joint? man it's sounds like one of those I have to actually feel it
to understand it.

it sounds off the hook.

peacefuljeffrey · #15

Really, you can just imagine what it feels like to open or close the big blade on a good Victorinox Swiss Army Knife.

Am I right, people?

-Jeffrey

gull wing · #16

I like my UKPK very much, it's an upgrade to the Calypso Jr. For me it has the best ergos. Can't wait till the locking one comes out. (of course it will be in VG10, but that's ok)
If you had not already posted a picture, I would have posted mine in G11 green.

boxer93 · #17

I think for the quality of the model the MSRP and 'street price' quoted are quite reasonable. The G10 makes it very secure in hand, Which I can't say holds true for me with an SAK. As for the slipjoint action it has the 'stop' mid way through closing, nothing like any SAK I've used. The UKPK and DKPK are very well made models that for me compare closely with the caly Jr. Except with G10 and wire clip make a nice upgrade. Now only ...... :D
Chris

Harry White · #18

BlackNinja wrote:AHHHHHHHHH, but you did get the UKPK and *hinted* at the ZDP Horn! :eek: :D The Horn is one great gents knife! I do hope you get one, Harry!

Ahhh, but I'm a very good hinter! I DID get a Jess Horn -- I like everything about it. In fact, I think I'll share my thoughts in a new thread.....

BlackNinja · #19

Harry White wrote:Ahhh, but I'm a very good hinter! I DID get a Jess Horn -- I like everything about it. In fact, I think I'll share my thoughts in a new thread.....

Well, that's cheating! :rolleyes: :p

That sounds good, to me! I have nothing but great things to say about the Horn! :D

spydutch · #20

Congrats and enjoy Harry :cool: