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Re: Watu...AKA Lil Chokwe
Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2020 11:37 am
by ABX2011
It's the pattern of the cf laminate that I don't like. Would prefer what's used on the Amalgam. Anyway, overall looks great and I'll likely get one.
Re: Watu...AKA Lil Chokwe
Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2020 12:04 pm
by sal
FYI,
Clovisc is the person that started the entire Chokwe and Watu project when he was in Zambia with the Peace Corp.
sal
Re: Watu...AKA Lil Chokwe
Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2020 12:44 pm
by curlyhairedboy
sal wrote: ↑Thu Jan 16, 2020 12:04 pm
FYI,
Clovisc is the person that started the entire Chokwe and Watu project when he was in Zambia with the Peace Corp.
sal
I remember doing a deep dive into those old threads back when I was digging into the Ethnic Series. It's really a design that is surprisingly comfortable - but as we know, it's been refined over many, many generations.
Thank you for bringing it back!
Re: Watu...AKA Lil Chokwe
Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2020 3:56 pm
by RazorSharp86
A hard pass for me.
Especially with a compression lock. Looks like it has the same issue the Rhino model has with the tab when the compression lock access cutout is.
Would have been a nice option if it were a framelock or even linerlock.
Re: Watu...AKA Lil Chokwe
Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2020 6:26 pm
by SpyderNut
RadioactiveSpyder wrote: ↑Wed Jan 15, 2020 11:24 pm
SpyderNut wrote: ↑Wed Jan 15, 2020 9:58 pm
I’m in. It’ll match nicely with its big brother. :D
Funny, the knife I thought it would
really go along nicely with is your Rhino Michael
:D
Hey thanks, man! You might just be right. :D :)
Re: Watu...AKA Lil Chokwe
Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2020 11:16 pm
by Halfneck
clovisc wrote: ↑Thu Jan 16, 2020 9:25 am
Goes without saying that I am extremely excited about this one! Thanks, Spyderco, for continuing to refine and explore the possibilities for this traditional design, and for the effort involved in translating it into the realm of high-tech materials. It is also great to see continued, generous partnership with Keep a Child Alive.
Good on you for bringing this knife out to start with. I remembered someone here on the forum was responsible, took Sal to jog my memory.
I'm not a fan of Carbon Fiber, but I like the scales on my Rhino. Probably because of the grippy, yet unabrasive texture.
No idea what people are complaining about on the Compression-lock. I've not ran into any problems with it on my Rhino or Lil'Temp 3.
Re: Watu...AKA Lil Chokwe
Posted: Fri Jan 17, 2020 1:51 am
by Wartstein
Halfneck wrote: ↑Thu Jan 16, 2020 11:16 pm
clovisc wrote: ↑Thu Jan 16, 2020 9:25 am
Goes without saying that I am extremely excited about this one! Thanks, Spyderco, for continuing to refine and explore the possibilities for this traditional design, and for the effort involved in translating it into the realm of high-tech materials. It is also great to see continued, generous partnership with Keep a Child Alive.
Good on you for bringing this knife out to start with. I remembered someone here on the forum was responsible, took Sal to jog my memory.
I'm not a fan of Carbon Fiber, but I like the scales on my Rhino. Probably because of the grippy, yet unabrasive texture.
No idea what people are complaining about on the Compression-lock. I've not ran into any problems with it on my Rhino or Lil'Temp 3.
I think it is the little bit of the tang/Ricasso that hits the finger when one closes the knife and sticks out where the lock tab is when the knife IS closed (a bit like on the Shaman).
Don´t think that I personally would have an issue with that.
Still, I´d prefer a good liner lock. Just more convinient and natural to use for me in "real life" . The Watu comp lock looks like being one of those (like also on the Kapara for example) that are fun to use in "ideal" conditions, but really not in cold, wet, "numb fingers" - scenarios
EDIT: Still I love this design! :)
Re: Watu...AKA Lil Chokwe
Posted: Fri Jan 17, 2020 1:51 am
by Wartstein
Wartstein wrote: ↑Fri Jan 17, 2020 1:51 am
Halfneck wrote: ↑Thu Jan 16, 2020 11:16 pm
clovisc wrote: ↑Thu Jan 16, 2020 9:25 am
Double post, sorry
Re: Watu...AKA Lil Chokwe
Posted: Fri Jan 17, 2020 5:14 am
by Ric
Halfneck wrote: ↑Thu Jan 16, 2020 11:16 pm
No idea what people are complaining about on the Compression-lock
I had that issue at the Lil Native.
If that front choil were 2mm bigger it could worked as flipper tab.
If you use a bit of force you could get the finger in an open it by pressing straight on that portion of the blade.
But, the real issue is at closing.
When I close with the CL, I just slide away the CL tab. My finger then stays on that CL tab.
At the Lil Native that front choil bounced back from my finger.
If I close the knife, the finger touches that tab.
On the Para 3 the "blade" never touches the finger even when rested at the CL.
There is more space between CL and blade.
I grinded that tab down on my Lil Native and it get better.
But I still have to use another closing technique as on my Para 3.
Re: Watu...AKA Lil Chokwe
Posted: Fri Jan 17, 2020 5:40 am
by curlyhairedboy
I definitely don't mind when the tab/bump/nub hits my finger on closing. It's what it's designed to do - protect my finger from the edge.
Re: Watu...AKA Lil Chokwe
Posted: Fri Jan 17, 2020 5:55 am
by Sumdumguy
My only complaint is the faux CF. If you want to lower the price, use G10. Otherwise, use solid CF. Feels cheap using a half measure.(not physically)
It's like a V6 Mustang, with a Cobra badge. Each of them individually is fine, but put together they look incredibly cheap.
This is by no means a deal breaker, I can always make some new scales.
Re: Watu...AKA Lil Chokwe
Posted: Fri Jan 17, 2020 6:41 am
by Maximumsmoochy
ABX2011 wrote: ↑Wed Jan 15, 2020 3:08 pm
Really nice design. That pattern of laminate CF is not appealing. Many things I like - thin 2.5mm blade stock, light weight, wire clip, simple handle shape, pointy tip.
Wartstein wrote: ↑Wed Jan 15, 2020 4:01 pm
Looks cool, and I generally love to see more thinner-blade-stock knives!
If I’m not mistaken this is the first compression lock on a sub 3mm blade stock - a technical milestone for that mechanism.
Re: Watu...AKA Lil Chokwe
Posted: Fri Jan 17, 2020 6:48 am
by Dazen
Maximumsmoochy wrote: ↑Fri Jan 17, 2020 6:41 am
ABX2011 wrote: ↑Wed Jan 15, 2020 3:08 pm
Really nice design. That pattern of laminate CF is not appealing. Many things I like - thin 2.5mm blade stock, light weight, wire clip, simple handle shape, pointy tip.
Wartstein wrote: ↑Wed Jan 15, 2020 4:01 pm
Looks cool, and I generally love to see more thinner-blade-stock knives!
If I’m not mistaken this is the first compression lock on a sub 3mm blade stock - a technical milestone for that mechanism.
The Ikuchi has a 2.5mm blade stock as well.
Re: Watu...AKA Lil Chokwe
Posted: Fri Jan 17, 2020 6:51 am
by Maximumsmoochy
Dazen wrote: ↑Fri Jan 17, 2020 6:48 am
Maximumsmoochy wrote: ↑Fri Jan 17, 2020 6:41 am
ABX2011 wrote: ↑Wed Jan 15, 2020 3:08 pm
Really nice design. That pattern of laminate CF is not appealing. Many things I like - thin 2.5mm blade stock, light weight, wire clip, simple handle shape, pointy tip.
Wartstein wrote: ↑Wed Jan 15, 2020 4:01 pm
Looks cool, and I generally love to see more thinner-blade-stock knives!
If I’m not mistaken this is the first compression lock on a sub 3mm blade stock - a technical milestone for that mechanism.
The Ikuchi has a 2.5mm blade stock as well.
Corrected, thank you.
Then I’ll say the Watu is the first sub 3mm stock compression lock for which I jones.
Re: Watu...AKA Lil Chokwe
Posted: Fri Jan 17, 2020 7:58 am
by dj moonbat
I may have to get one. That angular style really pops. If I were guessing its design heritage, I’d have guessed Bauhaus rather than tribal Africa.
And 20CV to sweeten the deal.
Re: Watu...AKA Lil Chokwe
Posted: Fri Jan 17, 2020 8:14 am
by captnvegtble
The original chokwe is a real slicer... amazingly ergonomic for the boxy coffin-shaped handle, and very thin blade with pointy tip (not a pry bar). The only issues I had with the original was that it was a bit too big for EDC (which the Watu solves), and the detent on the lock-bar wasn't very strong so there were a couple of times that long slicey blade opened in my pocket. This would be easily fixed by converting to tip-down carry, but I think the compression lock on the Watu will also be a great addition and hopefully solve this issue from the original chokwe (Taiwan seems to be known for their weak RIL lock detents).
Re: Watu...AKA Lil Chokwe
Posted: Fri Jan 17, 2020 8:28 am
by Dazen
captnvegtble wrote: ↑Fri Jan 17, 2020 8:14 am
The original chokwe is a real slicer... amazingly ergonomic for the boxy coffin-shaped handle, and very thin blade with pointy tip (not a pry bar). The only issues I had with the original was that it was a bit too big for EDC (which the Watu solves), and the detent on the lock-bar wasn't very strong so there were a couple of times that long slicey blade opened in my pocket. This would be easily fixed by converting to tip-down carry, but I think the compression lock on the Watu will also be a great addition and hopefully solve this issue from the original chokwe (Taiwan seems to be known for their weak RIL lock detents).
I would hope that with the popularity of the Watu it would entice Spyderco to bring back the Chokwe in the same comp lock configuration. Even if it is just a sprint or flash batch, I think it would be awesome to have both.
Re: Watu...AKA Lil Chokwe
Posted: Fri Jan 17, 2020 8:42 am
by Wartstein
Double post
Re: Watu...AKA Lil Chokwe
Posted: Fri Jan 17, 2020 8:45 am
by Wartstein
captnvegtble wrote: ↑Fri Jan 17, 2020 8:14 am
The original chokwe is a real slicer... amazingly ergonomic for the boxy coffin-shaped handle, and very thin blade with pointy tip (not a pry bar). The only issues I had with the original was that it was a bit too big for EDC (which the Watu solves), and the detent on the lock-bar wasn't very strong so there were a couple of times that long slicey blade opened in my pocket. This would be easily fixed by converting to tip-down carry, but I think the compression lock on the Watu will also be a great addition and hopefully solve this issue from the original chokwe (Taiwan seems to be known for their weak RIL lock detents).
Dazen wrote:
I would hope that with the popularity of the Watu it would entice Spyderco to bring back the Chokwe in the same comp lock configuration. Even if it is just a sprint or flash batch, I think it would be awesome to have both.
Now that I look closer into Watu and Chokwe, I´d also wish they bring back the latter! :)
But: Nothing against the comp.lock (it´s a good one, not arguing that!), but really guys, there are so many comp. lock knives out there to choose from already.
The comp. lock is an
alternative but not necessarely an
improvement over a good linerlock or in this case integral lock. Both have their pros and cons (and just for me the linerlock "wins" by s slight margin).
So: I really hope at least the liner-/frame lock mid- and higher end Spydies that are already established are there to stay (I am a bit concerned from what I hear about the Millie 2 tbh).
Improving the detent if necessary: Yes, absolutely!
Get rid of liner-/framelock in favor of comp.lock: Please not.
Re: Watu...AKA Lil Chokwe
Posted: Fri Jan 17, 2020 9:11 am
by Dazen
Wartstein wrote: ↑Fri Jan 17, 2020 8:45 am
captnvegtble wrote: ↑Fri Jan 17, 2020 8:14 am
The original chokwe is a real slicer... amazingly ergonomic for the boxy coffin-shaped handle, and very thin blade with pointy tip (not a pry bar). The only issues I had with the original was that it was a bit too big for EDC (which the Watu solves), and the detent on the lock-bar wasn't very strong so there were a couple of times that long slicey blade opened in my pocket. This would be easily fixed by converting to tip-down carry, but I think the compression lock on the Watu will also be a great addition and hopefully solve this issue from the original chokwe (Taiwan seems to be known for their weak RIL lock detents).
Dazen wrote:
I would hope that with the popularity of the Watu it would entice Spyderco to bring back the Chokwe in the same comp lock configuration. Even if it is just a sprint or flash batch, I think it would be awesome to have both.
Now that I look closer into Watu and Chokwe, I´d also wish they bring back the latter! :)
But: Nothing against the comp.lock (it´s a good one, not arguing that!), but really guys, there are so many comp. lock knives out there to choose from already.
The comp. lock is an
alternative but not necessarely an
improvement over a good linerlock or in this case integral lock. Both have their pros and cons (and just for me the linerlock "wins" by s slight margin).
So: I really hope at least the liner-/frame lock mid- and higher end Spydies that are already established are there to stay (I am a bit concerned from what I hear about the Millie 2 tbh).
Improving the detent if necessary: Yes, absolutely!
Get rid of liner-/framelock in favor of comp.lock: Please not.
I wouldn’t object to bringing it back the exact same way it was except for a CF front scale, 20CV and the pivot collar. I’m sure any detent issues will be resolved anyway.