For anyone debating about joining this "Exclusive", special drop this time or in the future. I wanted to give my 2 cents.
I ordered this knife in it's initial drop. I have a small knife collection, and the few Kwaikens I have are the crown jewels in it. In fact it was a picture of a Kwaiken that inspired me to get into knives and starting a collection. My first Kwaiken was through Massdrop and I was very happy with it. Since then, I have gotten a few more: carbon fiber scales, better steel, different sizes and finishes, all that.
This custom, exclusive, Mirror Finish, VG-10, Wooden Scales version was to be the ultimate version to cap off the collection within my collection. Instead, it is the best looking, worst version of the bunch. It mainly comes down to the action when opening. It's gritty and not smooth at all. I'm aware that a brand new, one handed, flipper folder can take some time to break in. Any time I get a new knife I have a good time opening and closing it while sitting around watching TV or whatever. That's the fun! You get a feel for the knife, the action, the muscle memory to open it quickly all the while giving it a good break in. I've had it a few weeks now and it's not getting any better. In fact it's getting worse.
The six months it took to arrive made me mad, but also got me more excited for when I got it. Equally, it was that much more disappointing when I flipped it open for the first time and it felt awful.
On the positive side, the blade is gorgeous. The mirror finish gets a double take from anyone I show it to. The steel came very well sharpened and both takes and holds an edge spectacularly well. The centering is perfect and all the little details are right about the labeling and stamping, etc.
The wood is also very well done, but i do worry about oil from my hands and dirt ruining the look over time.
Overall, I'm conflicted. It's certainly not an everyday carry, but I knew that going in. The blade is too gorgeous, and I worry about messing up the look by even cutting a little string. The wood is also a problem. It's too vulnerable to nicks and scratches and discoloration over time. But the main thing is that when you carry a knife this awesome around with you, half the fun is showing it off to those who would appreciate it, and then it feels like junk when they open it for the first time.
My complaints are minor but fundamental. For the most part, I've always been happy with Massdrop when it comes to the products and deals that they find. I realize it's not their fault if a manufacturer misses a deadline or two. This was my first purchase where I was upset by delays and minimal communication about the status of a drop.
Just my 2 cents.
Do what you will. I didn't post any pictures because it looks exactly as advertised.
Malcolm Harding
PS. If anybody else received their knife and feels the same way about the feel when opening/closing the knife and has any advice about fixing it, I'd love to hear it!
I ordered this knife in it's initial drop. I have a small knife collection, and the few Kwaikens I have are the crown jewels in it. In fact it was a picture of a Kwaiken that inspired me to get into knives and starting a collection. My first Kwaiken was through Massdrop and I was very happy with it. Since then, I have gotten a few more: carbon fiber scales, better steel, different sizes and finishes, all that.
This custom, exclusive, Mirror Finish, VG-10, Wooden Scales version was to be the ultimate version to cap off the collection within my collection. Instead, it is the best looking, worst version of the bunch. It mainly comes down to the action when opening. It's gritty and not smooth at all. I'm aware that a brand new, one handed, flipper folder can take some time to break in. Any time I get a new knife I have a good time opening and closing it while sitting around watching TV or whatever. That's the fun! You get a feel for the knife, the action, the muscle memory to open it quickly all the while giving it a good break in. I've had it a few weeks now and it's not getting any better. In fact it's getting worse.
The six months it took to arrive made me mad, but also got me more excited for when I got it. Equally, it was that much more disappointing when I flipped it open for the first time and it felt awful.
On the positive side, the blade is gorgeous. The mirror finish gets a double take from anyone I show it to. The steel came very well sharpened and both takes and holds an edge spectacularly well. The centering is perfect and all the little details are right about the labeling and stamping, etc.
The wood is also very well done, but i do worry about oil from my hands and dirt ruining the look over time.
Overall, I'm conflicted. It's certainly not an everyday carry, but I knew that going in. The blade is too gorgeous, and I worry about messing up the look by even cutting a little string. The wood is also a problem. It's too vulnerable to nicks and scratches and discoloration over time. But the main thing is that when you carry a knife this awesome around with you, half the fun is showing it off to those who would appreciate it, and then it feels like junk when they open it for the first time.
My complaints are minor but fundamental. For the most part, I've always been happy with Massdrop when it comes to the products and deals that they find. I realize it's not their fault if a manufacturer misses a deadline or two. This was my first purchase where I was upset by delays and minimal communication about the status of a drop.
Just my 2 cents. Do what you will. I didn't post any pictures because it looks exactly as advertised.
Malcolm Harding
PS. If anybody else received their knife and feels the same way about the feel when opening/closing the knife and has any advice about fixing it, I'd love to hear it!