New Little Kaiken

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Sam1911

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Hi all!

It has been a LONG time since I've made a knife. Way too long. Recently I was spurred to get off my butt (or, rather, get my butt off of other issues and back to the workbench) and finish up a few.

This is one I'd roughed out months back in 440C. Supposed to be a small Kaiken Tanto, slightly more graceful and refined than my previous attempts.

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It is a bit smaller than the traditional length, at only 6-1/2" overall. But we live in a slightly less robust time. :) 2-7/8" from the tip to the plunge line. Blade is just about 3/32" thick at the spline. 7/8" from the spine to the deepest part of the belly. With the scales, a tiny bit under 3/8" thick.

The scales are coarse textured G10. WOW. What a material! Pretty easy to work, and the grip is intense. Sort of like a "half-scale" version of VZ Gunner grips, but not so abrasive. I grabbed this knife coated with liquid dish soap and couldn't slip on the handle. It's almost like it would be hard to let go of!

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Sheath is made of Holstex with the carbon fiber look.

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It's hung on a Spyderco "G Clip" which has proved to be a lot more versatile than I'd expected. You could totally secure this knife as an IWB just by running the clip over your pants waistband with the belt over the whole thing. The hook at the bottom grips like crazy.

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Very nice.

Those scales are unexpectedly attractive.

I still like calling it a Samto.
 
Thanks guys! Yeah, the scales are very clean and business-like. Almost reminiscent of a tweed. Wouldn't look bad next to your suit vest -- or your ACUs, or jeans, of course.

Forgot to mention that heat and cryo treat was by Paul Bos HT.

Also, for various reason, this knife (and the others in its batch) feel like possibly the sharpest knives I've ever made. Took a phenomenal edge.
 
Sir, I think you should be embarrassed to have such a knife in your possession so send it to me. I have no shame and would be proud to own it. :D Very, very nice look work, Sir.
 
Yup! Gordon is the proud owner. He promises a review soon.

Next projects? Well...I've got a pile of our "Daily Kiris" that should go to get heat treated sometime soon. All in 440C. Got a handful of a slightly smaller scale version of our Camp Defender that actually did get heat treated a while back and now I need to finish up and put handles on. Then, who knows? I work so sporadically that I never can tell what I'll finish next! :)
 
Ooh! I've been waiting on my CD 2.75 for a couple of years now. Hope the 3V hasn't picked up any rust. Was that getting blue micarta?
 
Sure! :) Uh, if my memory is any guide ... well, if my memory is any guide, you'd better refresh my memory! LOL! :D

But I do have blue micarta and I do recall planning to put it on one of the 3V 2.75s!
 
I just checked out your showroom, awesome stuff. I have recently been viewing the postings related to blades and have been enjoying them very much. I will be looking forward to seeing your next creation. I also admire Sam Cade's work.
 
Ok I try to be a man of my word so I promised a review of this sweet little knife I bought from Sam for $175 , quickly ! :D
Now this knife is about perfect for what I had a need for but I did have to change it's character. The knife is wafer thin AND 440C so I figured here is the perfect knife for my wife to use preparing meals outside of her kitchen, and it is ! The thing is after trying the very secure, almost too secure :uhoh: Spyderco clip in both vertical and horizontal modes the size of the clip attachment overwhelms the thinness of the amazing carbon fiber look Holstex sheath .The sheath is molded for very secure retension so I put on the useless for me Surefire spare battery lanyard I had thru the bottom hole in the sheath after I removed the clip device:
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Now it is a necker and is no heavier or bulkier than my Kim Breed necker that I wear all the time as you can see from the rusted handle and stained blade which I keep slathered in protectant after I pulled it out rusted after a hot sweaty couple days.The 440c is a big step up in rust/stain 'proof' compared to my favored carbon steel so as a necker exposed to the body that is a huge plus! Sam1911 really does an amazing mirror polish FWIW and 440c polishes about the best there is
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My wife is canning from our huge garden right now and says the blade is a fruit slicer par excellance! ;) she loves the non slip handle texture and really bears down on the sucker :) Look how thin this slicer is!:

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So allthough I will be carrying the Breed necker for it's superior bad arse combat ergonomics I will ALLOW my wifey to wear the necker when camping, picnicing or other outdoor recreation, she loves it but agreed to my keeping it with the other Sam Owens blade collection I have ;) Thanks Sam yes it is the cleanest blade I have seen from you with flawless grind lines and fittings!
 
Gosh, that's as nice a review as I could hope for! I hope you enjoy it for many years to come!
 
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