UKPK sharp choil

phillipsted · #1

I have several of the UKPK knives and really love them - I have the orange leaf blade, the orange urban wharncliffe, and the olive drab urban leaf blade models.

On all of these knives, there is a very sharp ridge at the front of the choil. (see the picture below - I've drawn an arrow at the place I'm talking about) The first time I carried my orange Urban, that ridge gave me a blister right on my index finger after several repeated openings and closings.

I came home and used my dark grey bench stone to lower its profile and round it off a bit so that it wasn't as prominent. Problem solved. The grey bench stone solved this issue quickly and efficiently with a little elbow grease.

Then I got my orange leaf-blade UKPK. Same problem.

Then I got the green Urban Leaf-blade. Same problem.

My question is this: Why was this very high ridge left with sharp edges? It had to be a conscious design decision on Sal's part. I'm thinking that it creates a little friction point to keep your finger from sliding forward beyond the choil. However, it makes the blades very difficult and painful to use in my experience.

Anyway, I wanted to see if anyone had the same issue with the UKPK.

TedP

McDutch · #2

I have a Gray FRN UKPK, and my choil looks like this;

Nice and rounded..

razorback1595 · #3

McDutch wrote:I have a Gray FRN UKPK, and my choil looks like this;

Nice and rounded..

his ukpk's are from japan and your's is from golden.

there will probably be a differance.

Jay_Ev · #4

phillipsted wrote:Anyway, I wanted to see if anyone had the same issue with the UKPK.

TedP

Yes! I originally was going to keep silent & not mention it because many members here would consider it as being nit-picky and *****ing about an issue, but I am experiencing the same issues you raised. I recently bought two UKPK's - one titanium and one carbon fiber, both made in Golden. And they both have that sharp 'spur' at the choil. It does create a bit of a sore hot-spot on my finger after some use. I will look into rounding it off with a file or stone.

On another note, I used to be 101% anti slip-it, until I got this pair of UKPK's. Now I can't put 'em down. My opinion of slip joints has changed. I am now a UKPK fan.

Sithus1966 · #5

All four of my Golden made UKPK's are round and not sharp.

Jazz · #6

So easy to fix, I wouldn't even worry about it. Anything that bugs me about my knives, and I'm usually right on it. It's something to do. :)

- best wishes, Jazz.

Jazz · #7

Forgot to add, I don't at all like how the UKPK's are hard to open, so I did this...

...problem solved. I also don't like how a lot of the holes aren't sharp enough, so I do that myself, too. I do see what you're saying though - it would be nice if there were no wierd, sharp edges where there shouldn't be.

- best wishes, Jazz.

phillipsted · #8

I'm not worried about it, Jazz. I'm just curious - and you are right, it is easy to remedy. I wanted to point it out in case Sal and the crew were interested in a continual improvement opportunity. Nice work on the scales, BTW, I might try that on mine...

To be honest, I didn't even notice that my UKPKs were Seki blades - different manufacturing line is probably the root of this. I bought these from Sierra Trading Post, so these models may have been early manufacturing runs that were purposefully relegated to the discount sales channel by Spyderco. They were a great deal, though - I paid $53 each for them...

And I'm 100% in line with Jay - the UKPK slipits are fantastic designs. I find myself reaching for them as EDC companions more and more frequently. Sal - I love these knives!

Cheers!
TedP

DeathBySnooSnoo · #9

I like my FG Urban and my lightweight DP too...I want more that is for sure and I am hoping to get the Ti one...but the prices are insane on that one!