Kiwi 4 lightweight

[MyelinSheath&Borborygmi]

I have g10 Kiwi 4 that I bought secondhand and I was astounded how comfortable it is in my hand. Add svelte design to it and very utilitarian wharncliffe blade shape and you get a masterpiece. I was heartbroken to see it was discontinued, but we all know why it happened; it was too high of the cost of producing g10 knives in Japan, the same case as with why such variants of Delica and Endura are no longer produced. Yes, the initial cost of the molds is high, as is the risk of getting money back from the model, but I think the kiwi 4 is such an amazing design that it deserves a second chance. If I remember correctly lightweight version of the Caly 3.5 might be in the works, so why not try the same with "australian bird"? Who would buy one? How much would you be willing to pay? What are your thoughts?

[ladybug93]

i missed out on the kiwi and have always thought they were cool. i'd like to have one of the price isn't prohibitive.

[Mushroom]

If it’s a way of getting another version of the Kiwi 4 again, I’m all in! Lightweight or not I would love to see another version of Kiwi 4 because it’s one of my favorites.

[PocketShredder]

I'm behind this 100%.

[Evil D]

I'll probably buy any version of a new Kiwi 4, but I think besides a fancier version with inlays and bolsters I would most want just a simple all stainless version with contoured scales like the last Kopa got. Simple clean and elegant. The slip joint was almost there but I really prefer a lock and the bigger 4 size.

[Dodge]

How about a sprint of the original Kiwi?

[Toucan]

Heck yeah, I'd get one.

[Zive]

Would purchase one if the steel was revised to something with greater edge retention.

Would also point out that Kiwi are endemic to New Zealand (not Australia).

[Manixguy@1994]

I have the original jigged bone Kiwi and gifted my brother the stainless version . I never got around to buy the larger version but did handle one a friend of mine bought . I some ways the egos remind me of the Dragonfly , feels great in hand for a small knife . Any version would be welcome to me . MG2

[ChrisinHove]

I would prefer a slightly higher end variant. Polished g10 and a “better” steel.

[bearfacedkiller]

The Japanese G10 price issue seems to be more of a Seki City thing. The Kiwi4 was Moki who have some quality issues at times but do deliver at a lower price point. The Caly3 HAP40 wasn’t super expensive and neither was the original Kiwi4. I don’t remember what it cost when it came out but I think I remember seeing them for around $110.

I think what killed this knife was that folks wanted a Kiwi which had traditionally been a gents knife. It came out in black g10 and vg10 and folks were underwhelmed. Nobody wanted a tactical kiwi, they wanted a classy kiwi.

Moki made the Caly3 with a Damascus blade, stainless bolster and cf scales. That would be a nice Kiwi.

[Manixguy@1994]

This is the first Kiwi which I have had since around when they first came out . I will try to get a picture of the Kiwi 4 sometime today if possible . I can only assume but to make one now would be rather expensive. A G10 Kiwi would possibly soften the blow a bit and may hinge on G10 costs and choice of steel . This knife would definitely need to have a lot of support for powers that be to make a decision to move forward for another run . I would definitely be happy to see another Kiwi 4 . MG2

[samdasnake]

I love my kiwi4 and would be totally behind a lightweight version. I generally prefer FRN to all other handle materials, so for me at least a LW would be a nice upgrade.

[olywa]

I have the 4 but don't carry it often. However I smile every time I pick it up because it just feels great in-hand. I'd love to see a new release in FRN or Micarta with a high edge-retention steel like K390. I likes me a slim Wharnie from time to time.

[Meadowlark]

I'd buy a few

[Manixguy@1994]

MAH7766 sent this pic to show differences of the models . Thanks Mike ! MG2

[Manixguy@1994]

Mike’s Kiwi Tribe . MG2

[TomAiello]

How can there be no posts from the Deacon in this thread yet?

http://www.paulberetta.com/kiwimania/index.html

[olywa]

The frame gets pretty short behind the pivot on the 4. I think a steel liner would need to be retained for integrity.

[timlara]

I'd certainly be interested in a FRN Kiwi with contoured scales, although I guess it would kind of cross over with the Roadie a little bit in those materials.

I would also love to see a new "fancy" version with SS or titanium bolsters and inlays, but I'm afraid it would be insanely expensive these days, so I assume that's one of the reasons it hasn't happened. Once it's getting up in to CRK Mnandi pricing territory, I'm sure it would be a very tough risk to swallow. The true fans would love it, but I'm just not sure if there are enough of them out there.