The Daily Kiri

Status
Not open for further replies.
S

Sam1911

Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Oct 22, 2007
Messages
34,961
Location
Central PA
While in Afghanistan, John had the chance to work out a concept for a small daily carry utility knife based on the form of the Japanese Kiradashi.

He asked me to come up with a few trial examples and I've been finishing them up along with a pile of other items.

Here are a few that came out of a recent heat-treat batch...

111912007.jpg
Daily Kiri with extended choil -- 1/8" CPM 3V, OD Green GunKote, green "accessory" cord wrap.

112012011.jpg
Daily Kiri with choil -- 1/8" CPM 3V, Gun Blue GunKote, G10 handles.

112012001-1.jpg
"Mega" Kiri with choil -- 3/16" CPM 3v, Flat Dark Earth GunKote. OD 550 cord wrap.
(This thing's a bruiser. I modeled it after a traditional carpenter's marking knife, but heavier.)

112012007.jpg
Micro Kiri -- 3/16" CPM 3V, Gun Blue GunKote. This one's an interesting experiment. Very thick for its size. It would be right at home on a keychain. If threaded onto the keyring so the keys acted as part of the handle, it could be a quite formidable dissuader.

attachment.php

Mini Daily Kiri with choil and scalloped handle -- 1/8" CPM 3V, OD Green GunKote, green "accessory" cord wrap.

In making a few different varieties I've come to some conclusions about what I like and what I don't, but I'd love to hear opinions, so fire away! :)
 
The angle of the blade makes it adaptable as a chisel or paint scraper as well as a knife.
 
I think I'd worry about using #4 with wet/slimy hands, too much chance of the hand slipping on to the cutting surface. It really needs a finger groove or an integral guard stub.
 
Bob, since the tang/handle tapers wider as it nears the cutting surface, how do you see that happening? There are guardless knives with absolutely nothing between blade and handle put out every day. With the blade in question, at least handle shape works to make that less likely.

John
 
That isn't clear from the photo, John. I thought it was simply lens distortion, and not the actual shape of the blade. And other people do it, too! isn't really a viable defense, you know. :D
 
So, now knowing that the handle is wider at the top than bottom, does that allay your concerns? Don't make me send you this knife. :)

John
 
I'd add that since the blade of a kiri type knife is at such an angle away from the tang, this is less of a problem than with many knife styles where the blade extends directly in line with the gripping surface. Sure, it could still cut you, but you won't be sliding directly along the blade as your hand moves forward -- in effect the blade is receding from your gripping fingers as you move toward the tip.

Having said that, I do like some contour and a choil, myself. Actually, I'm really fond of the version in the first pic.
 
John: If it was tapered both in width and thickness, I'd really be happy. Picture that one in your mind. Doing so allows the tail end to be used as both a screwdriver and a wedge.
 
Sam,

I'm really liking the Daily Kiri with extended choil (1st pic) & the Mini Daily Kiri with choil and scalloped handle (last pic).

Production any time soon?

Jack
 
Production? As with all my other knife work, yes, eventually, hopefully! My plan with such things from now on is to produce small batches of models folks have expressed interest in and put them up for sale when complete. That keeps me from promising things to folks which then get delayed endlessly by the vagaries of my "real" life. :)
 
The first picture and the last picture look sweet! As an edc knife I can't think of anything they wouldn't do that I ask of my edc knives. With the choil and para cord it looks like it would be comfortable in the hand and stable when used properly. I don't see using them with wet hands as a problem, I get good traction with para cord.. They look sweet.
If they ever become available for us to buy, you can count me in as wanting the blade in picture number five.
 
Bob,

Sam and I have discussed ways to integrate a screwdriver and/or pry face. The issue on these small knives is making both a useful knife and useful- and safe- screwdriver. We definitely would rather do one thing well than a couple things poorly or unsafely. We'll keep working at it. :)

Thanks,

John
 
I most certainly am intrigued by this very practical knife.

I'm curious as to whether they can be made with a custom handle type ? ? ?

I'm envisioning a finger hole instead of a scallop....

Is there a cost on these / are they available ?
 
Sam makes batches of knives to offer. These just all have been sold before they made it out to be offered to the membership.

The handled version, depending on options, runs around $70.
 
It's hard to really understand how small these are until you handle them.

They're AWESOME! Sam beautifully executed my idea, and then further explored it with versions like the EC.
 

Attachments

  • SAM_0044.jpg
    SAM_0044.jpg
    54.6 KB · Views: 63
:) That's high praise! Glad I hit the mark!

Have you quite figured out what the huge hand-spike mega-kiri is good for, yet? :) I'm tempted to make one for some of my woodworking pals. I'm just concerned that the tip takes all the abuse with tasks like you'd normally use a razor knife for. But some of my pals actually sharpen things, so that might not be an issue.
 
Last edited:
I like em' all, but I really like that Mini Daily Kiri with choil and scalloped handle on the bottom. Especially with that necker arrangement. Good idea and nice work.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

S
  • Locked
Morgul Blades
Replies
19
Views
1K
sidheshooter
S
M
  • Locked
State of the Knife Collection, November 2020
Replies
18
Views
932
JShirley
JShirley
D
  • Locked
"Im on the Boker Rampage" (Review)
Replies
2
Views
901
Searcher1970
S
Valkman
  • Locked
Latest from the shop
Replies
6
Views
566
cosine
C
C
  • Locked
A few left over from the Coon hunters Festival
Replies
8
Views
1K
cpirtle
C
Back
Top