Thanks for recognizing the simple genius of the Kudu ring-lock knife. I found your video while looking through other Kudu videos - fewer positive videos than negative ones. But once you master the opening and closing of the Kudu, only then can you truly appreciate it. I'm not referring to that slap-dash South African or jamaican gangster method that the kids like so much (because it's dangerous as hell), I'm referring to the actual correct way of opening and closing it. You keep your pointer finger inside the ring the entire time you use it - opening and closing. That ring also doubles as a finger guard because your hand won't slide forward if your finger is still inside that ring. The middle part of your pointer finger works like a torque bar, between the side of the knife and the ring itself. The ring only moves so far before it stops and allows your finger to torque against the side of the knife. Your thumb manipulates the blade open - a thumb stud really helps here. Closing the knife requires the ring to be pulled ever-so-slightly. No torquing of any kind is necessary. Your thumb rides the back of the blade, almost to the middle. My thumb knuckle rests just above the apex of the clip point. Your fingers ride (loosely) along the back of the handle. The ring is still around your pointer finger. You pull up, ever-so-gently, with your pointer finger, as you pull down slightly (but firmly) with your thumb along the back of the blade. I put the thumb stud right above the Kudu's head, centered on the Kudu's ear. Go slowly at first because, like you said, it's a dang 10 inch razor.. As you get comfortable, you will get faster, but you still have to remember that it is a 10" razor, and it wants to take your hand off.. Hopefully you can master this and pass it along to other Kudu owners, so they will quit trying to do that gangsta garbage.. I am able to run my Kudu open or closed faster than I can run any traditional slip joint knife. That Kudu Lite is a copout. It works fine, like it's supposed to, but (to me) it's like a sportscar with a tiny engine.. And you will never understand this statement until you are able to run your ring-lock Kudu like it is supposed to be run.
@milosjovic617
11 ай бұрын
The explanations about the proper opening/closing are on point. That's the respectful way of handling a Kudu and even a Okapi. Nowadays I open it almost as if it has a thumb stud, it got that easy. Once I got the knife I thought the blade gets dull too fast since it stopped shaving my hair after a couple of cardboard cuts which I thought was lame and was hoping for a better edge retention... and then a second later after that thought, I went to open up the next package with it and it split open my palm just beneath my thumb. Went through it like through butter. I almost fainted when I saw how deep the wound was. It was an effin mess. Luckily, the blade was considerate enough to miss the ligaments, but I understood the message really well. That little prick may not be good for bushcraft but it sure is hungry for blood. To all future users: don't be afraid of it, give yourselves some time, treat that damn knife with utmost respect like a brother, and you will have a wicked razor of an ally that disappears in the pocket like a charm and that will never let you down.
@user-tp9gy8kt2q
11 ай бұрын
Milosjovic, glad this technique works for you. I can open and close the knife WITHOUT a thumb stud, but it is slower and more awkward, so I continue to leave it on. I would expect even just a textured, roughed-up spot on that part of the blade might help with gripping it as though you had a thumb stud attached. But if the knife gets slick with blood or grease, that thumb stud method still works. Sorry to hear about your sliced-up palm. I believe it is a lesson that we all learn eventually - pressing harder with a dull edge will eventually cause you to cut yourself. Obviously some of us deeper than others.. The 5Cr15MoV blade steel is a softer (relatively) steel that most stainless steel blades have, but it allows for quicker and easier sharpening. Touch-ups can be done with nearly anything, even the palm of my hand sometimes - sorry if that is a tender spot for you.. I completely agree that the Kudu isn't a first-choice for bushcraft, but the 2.7 ounce weight shouldn't prevent this from ALSO being close at hand. The Kudu is always the OTHER knife I have in my pocket, because it is so inexpensive and it takes punishing use in stride. Harder steel would probably require higher cost, and that would make this design less appealing. VALUE is the primary attraction to this knife. Lock-up on a Kudu is solid, and that is a primary factor for me. Sloppy knives fail and break. Pushing a sloppy knife is about as smart as pushing a dull knife harder to cut through stuff. Videos show folks replacing their ring with a loop of paracord, but paracord can't work as the torque bar that allows proper/fast use of the thumb stud. I've never used or owned an Okapi knife and I doubt I ever will. No need, with this affordably-priced beauty on the market. Hopefully your Kudu gives you years of good, effective service just as mine has.
@nothingsreal6810
Жыл бұрын
could probably get it for my dad
@vladimirkovacevic1656
10 ай бұрын
i love this one much more than slipjoint version
@Gman1024
2 жыл бұрын
That is great value at that price. The Lite version is cool too, it doesn't have the ring on it.
@user-tp9gy8kt2q
Жыл бұрын
The Kudu Lite works just like its supposed to work, but compared to the original ring-lock design, its just a copout. Read my comment to see how it's supposed to be run.
@BolsteredBlades
Жыл бұрын
Glad you liked it for what it is. I received it free with a Viking ax I purchased a couple years ago. It has forever made it's mark upon me! Not that one, my own. It's horrible, but super clean deep Mark on me! LOL 👊🏻💥👍🏻
@SoberDon74
Жыл бұрын
Check out the Kudu lite. It's just like this one except no ratchet mechanism, it's a slip joint 😁
@CrazySharp
Жыл бұрын
Naw I like the ring lock
@TheBeardofDOOM
Жыл бұрын
Who do the kudu that you do so well?
@CrazySharp
Жыл бұрын
WE DONT NEED NO STINKING BADGES
@EDCandLace
Жыл бұрын
Smkw included one with the American lawman I bought a couple months ago. I literally never even opened it. Just threw it in the knife box cubby. I'll check it out tho lol
@user-tp9gy8kt2q
Жыл бұрын
Read my comment to see how the ring-lock is supposed to be run. It might just change your (knife) religion.
@erichusayn
2 жыл бұрын
Smkw through w w one in for free with an order a while back. I was genuinely impressed
@flipflat4814
2 жыл бұрын
Your right about Cold Steel not keeping their name on it if it was a total piece of junk👍. Thanks to Stacey Bolstered Blades for sponsoring this video 👍.
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