Nice review Mark. Very impressive knife. It's performance is outstanding. One day I will realize my aspirations and own a CKC knife............Cheers.
i know kylies knives only from seeing on youtube, but i am totally convinct, that this are very good knives. he almost builds, what i could imagine how a good knife should function and look like. but function is for me more important than having a fancy knife. a good functioning knife is a good looking knife for me too.
Great review. The reason it cuts better than the others is the bevel on the edges is a lot shallower . I usually decrees the bevel when I get a new knife, while It cuts better its not as bullet proof. I really like convex edges though, simply because they're a lot more forgiving to sharpen and cut better. Thanks.
@aussiemark909 Very Good review! Lone the demonstration you did showing the biting performance, I've seen that on other channels but they were usually pitting convex vs convex, and some high brand knives I cant afford. Now i'm gonna have to convex my Strider! @ cliffstamp is it possible to convex a tanto point? hmm anyway Dang it Now i want one! lol! OHH Kyley ;)
@ironmonkeyz Glad you liked the demo mate, I really was not sure what was going to happen or how well it would go on video. You really gotta try one of these, just amazing (but do try not to do a Hoodlum on it). Thanks for stopping by IMZ, luv u man ;)
@AussieMark909 nice video, but I gotta say something. starting with 7:55, that test wasnt accurate at all simply because your first 2 cuts with the ckc were so good because they were to the end of the piece of wood, and the corner was simply pushed away. all of your knives would have made the same mark as the ckc, if the cut was made in that area
@MateiEmanuel Actually whilst I take your point I must disagee. I have done further testing and the convex just bites deeper with less effort. I will keep away from the end of the wood in future when I do these kind of tests. Thanks for the feedback.
@AussieMark909 I agree with you. You were not doing a slicing cut to remove wood off the side of the plank. when biting in at a 45 degree cut like you did, the side loading from extra material has almost no impact.. otherwise a cut to the middle of the wood would be more difficult than 1/3rd in from the wood.
@AussieMark909 I would also say that if the entire video was actually watched by that person then theyd note at 11:28 you went back to the 1.0 and cut into the middle of the wood and the performance was identical to the first cut. While I respect the viewpoint, it was proven inaccurate by complete viewing of your test Mark.
@ironmonkeyz Yes, you can put a convex grind on anything, the only issue with the tanto is the transition point where the two primary grinds meet. Most people leave a fairly dramatic transition there but it doesn't need to be done that way and of course traditional tantos (japanese blades) are usually convex ground.
@CliffStamp Yeah that was the the part I was thinking about, seemed like it would be a little tough. Granted I need to figure out how to convex period. I need to get a belt grinder..
That was a good review. Tell me though the truth from the heart it's amazing the way the convex cuts isn't it. And it's so easy to keep sharp. I'm blown away seriously. That 1.0 looks like a really good little bade. I like the finish on Kyley's knives because all the bits that matter are done and done with skill. All the important engineering bit's I call them. And the sheaths work perfect. Damn all my knives have sat in a draw since I got them. I Have had fun with mine and am attatched to them.
@johnwoodz1220 The convex has been quite a revelation to me. Sure I'd seen the demos here on other videos, but experiencing it for myself was amazing. The downside is that it makes my other knives seen less than they were before.
@AussieMark909 Yes I know. :) I dont really use any of my others except my Griptilian.
But These Convex Knives Kyley does are high performance convex knives. I think that to get the knives to perform like Kyley's knives is a specialised job....to do it well, to make them cut like they do. I think that not any convex knife will cut like Kyleys ones. Check out the handles how comfy they are compared with anything else. I just love them.
Hi Mark, I like you have been toying with the idea of getting one of kyley's knives, but have'nt made up my mine on what size I wanted. This looks great, also a very good review. I was looking at one of his pen knives but will wait a while longer. Keep the vids going mate.
@thewouldbetraveller2 Hi mate, I've got a pen knife ordered. After seeing mindsmirrors video on his I just had to have one. My advice is to put in your order sooner rather than later just to get your name on the waiting list.
next time I am down that way I will have to let you have a play with my Paratrooper Bowie as it is a convex and just destroys wood. its the one I made the 10 min spoon with.
@TheRATPT01 Good question, theres only one way to find out. I don't have one or it would have been included in the test. Might have to get my hands on one.
@AussieMark909 i have mora and other scandi grind knives and i guess they are much better than the odinary full flat v shape ginds too. some scandies are a little bit better and some a little bit less good cutters. i think convex and scandi grinds are the better grinds, but every grind has his pros and cons.
@TheRATPT01 It doesn't. cKc knives are the best all around knives I've ever come across, period. They offer the best balance of performance, strength and comfort of anything I've found. The only thing he doesn't do is make them look really clean, but that makes you more willing to use it. I have quite a few cKc knives and they are my go to blades. The handle and blade designs are excellent. Plus, the geometry on his knives is amazing. They cut stupidly well and are still quite strong.
OK I want to see you take a saltwater croc and skin him out with only that knife! In return I will hunt down the dreaded snipe with only my Kyley knife!
@Nebulax123 Sorry Bruce, but this sounds like a con job to lil 'ol me. I happen to know you have a large cKc blade, and the snipe is quite a small bird. I on the other hand have a small cKc knife and the salty is effectively a bloody great dinosuar with nasty big teeth! Oh, and last I checked no human has been attacked and eaten by a snipe! No deal my friend, no deal ;-)
@AussieMark909 You obviously have only seen the Australian Snipe and your right that is a rather pitiful bird I am of course referring to the Greater Northern Snipe the terror bird of the north as he is called up in Canada. Polar Bears and Grizzly's give him a wide birth and few have seen him and lived to tell the tale but I am willing to take one on just for you. Surely that little river lizard is no match for your knife!
Interesting, that's the first comparison between convex and other grinds, that I have seen. Time I did some research on convex grids :-) Interesting...
I would guess that the cKc has about half the edge angle of the ESEE etc. blades and they likely have fairly thick edges as well. Some consideration has to be be given though as production knives are made for the masses so they have to build in a bit of a safety factor to keep returns down. I spoke to Randall about this directly on the Junglas and he noted that was one of the reasons why he kept the edge thickness up to about 0.045" on that one.
@CliffStamp I'm sure you're right, and I'm actually not trying to bag production knives at all. I don't feel qualified to get deeply into things like blade geometry. I just thought it was interesting for a layman such as myself to compare themand show the diffence in real world use. I knew nothing about convex before seeing them on here. I was concerned that convex might be a hard edge for a regular knife user to keep sharp, but so far I've found that is not the case.
@AussieMark909 Yeah, the perception of convex knives being difficult to sharpen comes mainly from people who sell jig or v-rod systems.
Noted, I didn't think you were, just making a point that large scale production knives have to build in a safety/dummy factor that customs don't. If you are willing to be a bit careful and use a little common sense you can usually radically thin out production bevels.
@CliffStamp I'm thinking of trying that when I feel a bit more knowledable. I think the BK2 would be a good candidate. I like the strength of the blade, but I'm sure a convex would make it a far better knife.
@AussieMark909 If you are concerned about how a knife looks you may want to start with a few really cheap knives just to get a feel for how to grind to prevent aesthetic damage. The best place is a flea market or second hand store and just buy a couple of knives for 1-$2 and then reshape them.
@CliffStamp I can tell you from many years of talking to the owners of some of the major companies another reason they do V edges is that it is more cost effective to get the knives to market. Also they have to sell to a majority of folks who's sharpening skills only go as far as their dads old whetstone in the junk drawer. You have to make what people will buy and you can't fault them for that.
@Nebulax123 Yes, companies also have to be concerned with high production rates and consistency, so set up a 20 degree grinding jig and into the blades they go. Convex edges are ground freehand and subject to a lot of variability. When you have someone like Kyley who is checking each blade to ensure they cut well it isn't an issue as he will check each blade and ensure performance is met, but without that you are risking returns due to overly thin/thick grinds.
@Nebulax123 As a dramatic example, just take a look at some of the Bark River knives and the reports on YT where the edges can fail dramatically even on extremely light cutting. Now it isn't possible to conclude that it is 100% the grind, but the significant variance in grind from blade to blade doesn't help the consumer when they are selecting a product. This risk isn't there with the jig ground v-blades.
@Nebulax123 Of course the ideal solution is to have each of the blades hand checked for cutting ability and durability in the production market and that would allow them to optimize the edge a bit more - but like anything there is cost there. And that is one of the main reasons to get a custom from someone like Kyley as there is a much higher level of attention put on each blade - plus you can directly interact with the guy doing the grinding/sharpening, etc. .
@CliffStamp My cKc Knives are really easy to keep popping sharp. All I do is keep stropping them, and then sometimes if they have gone a bit past hair shaving lightly stropping with the paper just laid on the strop with 1500 Silicon Carbide pare brings it back in a few strokes. They are still sharp now, popping. I can get these knives sharp even before I've had my coffee. :)
@johnwoodz1220 Yes, he grinds high performance cutting geometries so they will cut well with little strain and this keeps damage down and encourages proper technique. Plus he is focused on quality heat treatment so the steel inherently should have little issue with burrs or other signs of edge instability. I prefer stones over sandpaper, but personal preferences is the deciding factor there.
@CliffStamp I like stones but am not confident enough to use them yet on a skill level on a convex blade.I'd not risk messing the geometry up on these knives or I'd have to send them back to Kyley in New Zealand from the UK:). I've seen you sharpen on the stones convex knives. I will have to try and get a cheap blank that's damaged off Kyley, or convert one to practice on. I dont have hardly any equipment at all yet. I'm going to buy a little 1x30 later in the year to have some fun.
@johnwoodz1220 that's the part of the story, why i prefere scandi grinds. no grind is easier to sharpen on a stone than a scandi grind. convex is the most difficuilt grind to keep ot sharp for a long time. as soon you lose you right ankle the knife turns bad. i have a very nice blue paper steel blade, but it came already with a wrong convex ankle and the knife is no good knife to cut and to sharpen.
@uddoss Yeah I know what you mean. If you damage the edge badly it will be hard to keep it lined up after a good sharpening. If it happens I'[m gonna have to take my time and keep my fingers crossed. I like convex so much now I will have to learn how to do it soon. I like Scandi too. I think that and the convex are the two best grinds.
@johnwoodz1220 i agree, i believe it too, that convex and scandi are the best grinds. a am wondering why all the big knife companies in europe and usa prefere the other grinds very much and forget about this two grinds most time? (retoric question :-)
@johnwoodz1220 Just start off on something inexpensive and easy to grind, a cheap paring knife is decent as they are usually 5Cr13 or similar steel. The main thing you are looking for is feedback on the contour and when to know when you are sharpening the edge, grinding too high, or working the relief grind. Once you know what these feel like you won't have a problem any more.
@cam131313cam LOL, I think I'll just try to delfect the blame. He should have come up with a better name, so it's really not my fault. There, I feel better now ;-)
Wow. Looks like a great knife. Definitely checking out his channel and website. Thanks for the great review.
scooter17568 1 month ago
Nice review Mark. Very impressive knife. It's performance is outstanding. One day I will realize my aspirations and own a CKC knife............Cheers.
1234sensei 1 month ago
i know kylies knives only from seeing on youtube, but i am totally convinct, that this are very good knives. he almost builds, what i could imagine how a good knife should function and look like. but function is for me more important than having a fancy knife. a good functioning knife is a good looking knife for me too.
uddoss 1 month ago
thank you for the intersting video.
uddoss 2 months ago
@uddoss You're welcome, thanks for taking the time to watch it.
AussieMark909 2 months ago
Great review. The reason it cuts better than the others is the bevel on the edges is a lot shallower . I usually decrees the bevel when I get a new knife, while It cuts better its not as bullet proof. I really like convex edges though, simply because they're a lot more forgiving to sharpen and cut better. Thanks.
cahoonu 2 months ago
@cahoonu The convex is impressive thats for sure, I'm loving it. Thanks for the comment.
AussieMark909 2 months ago
@aussiemark909 Very Good review! Lone the demonstration you did showing the biting performance, I've seen that on other channels but they were usually pitting convex vs convex, and some high brand knives I cant afford. Now i'm gonna have to convex my Strider! @ cliffstamp is it possible to convex a tanto point? hmm anyway Dang it Now i want one! lol! OHH Kyley ;)
ironmonkeyz 2 months ago
@ironmonkeyz Glad you liked the demo mate, I really was not sure what was going to happen or how well it would go on video. You really gotta try one of these, just amazing (but do try not to do a Hoodlum on it). Thanks for stopping by IMZ, luv u man ;)
AussieMark909 2 months ago
@AussieMark909 nice video, but I gotta say something. starting with 7:55, that test wasnt accurate at all simply because your first 2 cuts with the ckc were so good because they were to the end of the piece of wood, and the corner was simply pushed away. all of your knives would have made the same mark as the ckc, if the cut was made in that area
MateiEmanuel 1 month ago
@MateiEmanuel Actually whilst I take your point I must disagee. I have done further testing and the convex just bites deeper with less effort. I will keep away from the end of the wood in future when I do these kind of tests. Thanks for the feedback.
AussieMark909 1 month ago
@AussieMark909 I agree with you. You were not doing a slicing cut to remove wood off the side of the plank. when biting in at a 45 degree cut like you did, the side loading from extra material has almost no impact.. otherwise a cut to the middle of the wood would be more difficult than 1/3rd in from the wood.
knivesandstuff 1 month ago
@AussieMark909 I would also say that if the entire video was actually watched by that person then theyd note at 11:28 you went back to the 1.0 and cut into the middle of the wood and the performance was identical to the first cut. While I respect the viewpoint, it was proven inaccurate by complete viewing of your test Mark.
knivesandstuff 1 month ago
@ironmonkeyz Yes, you can put a convex grind on anything, the only issue with the tanto is the transition point where the two primary grinds meet. Most people leave a fairly dramatic transition there but it doesn't need to be done that way and of course traditional tantos (japanese blades) are usually convex ground.
CliffStamp 1 month ago
@CliffStamp Yeah that was the the part I was thinking about, seemed like it would be a little tough. Granted I need to figure out how to convex period. I need to get a belt grinder..
ironmonkeyz 1 month ago
That was a good review. Tell me though the truth from the heart it's amazing the way the convex cuts isn't it. And it's so easy to keep sharp. I'm blown away seriously. That 1.0 looks like a really good little bade. I like the finish on Kyley's knives because all the bits that matter are done and done with skill. All the important engineering bit's I call them. And the sheaths work perfect. Damn all my knives have sat in a draw since I got them. I Have had fun with mine and am attatched to them.
johnwoodz1220 2 months ago
@johnwoodz1220 The convex has been quite a revelation to me. Sure I'd seen the demos here on other videos, but experiencing it for myself was amazing. The downside is that it makes my other knives seen less than they were before.
AussieMark909 2 months ago
@AussieMark909 Yes I know. :) I dont really use any of my others except my Griptilian.
But These Convex Knives Kyley does are high performance convex knives. I think that to get the knives to perform like Kyley's knives is a specialised job....to do it well, to make them cut like they do. I think that not any convex knife will cut like Kyleys ones. Check out the handles how comfy they are compared with anything else. I just love them.
johnwoodz1220 1 month ago
Hi Mark, I like you have been toying with the idea of getting one of kyley's knives, but have'nt made up my mine on what size I wanted. This looks great, also a very good review. I was looking at one of his pen knives but will wait a while longer. Keep the vids going mate.
thewouldbetraveller2 2 months ago
@thewouldbetraveller2 Hi mate, I've got a pen knife ordered. After seeing mindsmirrors video on his I just had to have one. My advice is to put in your order sooner rather than later just to get your name on the waiting list.
AussieMark909 2 months ago
next time I am down that way I will have to let you have a play with my Paratrooper Bowie as it is a convex and just destroys wood. its the one I made the 10 min spoon with.
NoBSSurvival 2 months ago
Good review and very interesting to see the performance compared to other knives. You got yourself quite a tool here.
aebbelwoy 2 months ago
@aebbelwoy A tool for a tool some might say ;-)
AussieMark909 2 months ago
I wonder how a simple Mora compares to the cKc?
TheRATPT01 2 months ago 2
@TheRATPT01 Good question, theres only one way to find out. I don't have one or it would have been included in the test. Might have to get my hands on one.
AussieMark909 2 months ago
@AussieMark909 I got a mora if you want to borrow it tho I was thinking of convexing it lol
NoBSSurvival 2 months ago
@AussieMark909 i have mora and other scandi grind knives and i guess they are much better than the odinary full flat v shape ginds too. some scandies are a little bit better and some a little bit less good cutters. i think convex and scandi grinds are the better grinds, but every grind has his pros and cons.
uddoss 2 months ago
@uddoss it's pros and cons
uddoss 2 months ago
@TheRATPT01 It doesn't. cKc knives are the best all around knives I've ever come across, period. They offer the best balance of performance, strength and comfort of anything I've found. The only thing he doesn't do is make them look really clean, but that makes you more willing to use it. I have quite a few cKc knives and they are my go to blades. The handle and blade designs are excellent. Plus, the geometry on his knives is amazing. They cut stupidly well and are still quite strong.
mindsmirror 2 months ago
Customs didn't capture that baby!
nikistef 2 months ago
OK I want to see you take a saltwater croc and skin him out with only that knife! In return I will hunt down the dreaded snipe with only my Kyley knife!
Nebulax123 2 months ago
@Nebulax123 Sorry Bruce, but this sounds like a con job to lil 'ol me. I happen to know you have a large cKc blade, and the snipe is quite a small bird. I on the other hand have a small cKc knife and the salty is effectively a bloody great dinosuar with nasty big teeth! Oh, and last I checked no human has been attacked and eaten by a snipe! No deal my friend, no deal ;-)
AussieMark909 2 months ago
@AussieMark909 You obviously have only seen the Australian Snipe and your right that is a rather pitiful bird I am of course referring to the Greater Northern Snipe the terror bird of the north as he is called up in Canada. Polar Bears and Grizzly's give him a wide birth and few have seen him and lived to tell the tale but I am willing to take one on just for you. Surely that little river lizard is no match for your knife!
Nebulax123 2 months ago
Interesting, that's the first comparison between convex and other grinds, that I have seen. Time I did some research on convex grids :-) Interesting...
Optionsaregood 2 months ago
@Optionsaregood Kyley's channel is a gold mine on the subject. Thanks for watching mate.
AussieMark909 2 months ago
I would guess that the cKc has about half the edge angle of the ESEE etc. blades and they likely have fairly thick edges as well. Some consideration has to be be given though as production knives are made for the masses so they have to build in a bit of a safety factor to keep returns down. I spoke to Randall about this directly on the Junglas and he noted that was one of the reasons why he kept the edge thickness up to about 0.045" on that one.
Nice work.
CliffStamp 2 months ago
@CliffStamp I'm sure you're right, and I'm actually not trying to bag production knives at all. I don't feel qualified to get deeply into things like blade geometry. I just thought it was interesting for a layman such as myself to compare themand show the diffence in real world use. I knew nothing about convex before seeing them on here. I was concerned that convex might be a hard edge for a regular knife user to keep sharp, but so far I've found that is not the case.
AussieMark909 2 months ago
@AussieMark909 Yeah, the perception of convex knives being difficult to sharpen comes mainly from people who sell jig or v-rod systems.
Noted, I didn't think you were, just making a point that large scale production knives have to build in a safety/dummy factor that customs don't. If you are willing to be a bit careful and use a little common sense you can usually radically thin out production bevels.
CliffStamp 2 months ago
@CliffStamp I'm thinking of trying that when I feel a bit more knowledable. I think the BK2 would be a good candidate. I like the strength of the blade, but I'm sure a convex would make it a far better knife.
AussieMark909 2 months ago
@AussieMark909 If you are concerned about how a knife looks you may want to start with a few really cheap knives just to get a feel for how to grind to prevent aesthetic damage. The best place is a flea market or second hand store and just buy a couple of knives for 1-$2 and then reshape them.
CliffStamp 2 months ago
@CliffStamp Sound advice, I think that is exactly what I'll do. Cheers Cliff, I appreciate your help.
AussieMark909 2 months ago
@CliffStamp I can tell you from many years of talking to the owners of some of the major companies another reason they do V edges is that it is more cost effective to get the knives to market. Also they have to sell to a majority of folks who's sharpening skills only go as far as their dads old whetstone in the junk drawer. You have to make what people will buy and you can't fault them for that.
Nebulax123 2 months ago
@Nebulax123 Yes, companies also have to be concerned with high production rates and consistency, so set up a 20 degree grinding jig and into the blades they go. Convex edges are ground freehand and subject to a lot of variability. When you have someone like Kyley who is checking each blade to ensure they cut well it isn't an issue as he will check each blade and ensure performance is met, but without that you are risking returns due to overly thin/thick grinds.
CliffStamp 2 months ago
@Nebulax123 As a dramatic example, just take a look at some of the Bark River knives and the reports on YT where the edges can fail dramatically even on extremely light cutting. Now it isn't possible to conclude that it is 100% the grind, but the significant variance in grind from blade to blade doesn't help the consumer when they are selecting a product. This risk isn't there with the jig ground v-blades.
CliffStamp 2 months ago
@Nebulax123 Of course the ideal solution is to have each of the blades hand checked for cutting ability and durability in the production market and that would allow them to optimize the edge a bit more - but like anything there is cost there. And that is one of the main reasons to get a custom from someone like Kyley as there is a much higher level of attention put on each blade - plus you can directly interact with the guy doing the grinding/sharpening, etc. .
CliffStamp 2 months ago
@CliffStamp My cKc Knives are really easy to keep popping sharp. All I do is keep stropping them, and then sometimes if they have gone a bit past hair shaving lightly stropping with the paper just laid on the strop with 1500 Silicon Carbide pare brings it back in a few strokes. They are still sharp now, popping. I can get these knives sharp even before I've had my coffee. :)
johnwoodz1220 2 months ago
@johnwoodz1220 Yes, he grinds high performance cutting geometries so they will cut well with little strain and this keeps damage down and encourages proper technique. Plus he is focused on quality heat treatment so the steel inherently should have little issue with burrs or other signs of edge instability. I prefer stones over sandpaper, but personal preferences is the deciding factor there.
CliffStamp 2 months ago
@CliffStamp I like stones but am not confident enough to use them yet on a skill level on a convex blade.I'd not risk messing the geometry up on these knives or I'd have to send them back to Kyley in New Zealand from the UK:). I've seen you sharpen on the stones convex knives. I will have to try and get a cheap blank that's damaged off Kyley, or convert one to practice on. I dont have hardly any equipment at all yet. I'm going to buy a little 1x30 later in the year to have some fun.
johnwoodz1220 2 months ago
@johnwoodz1220 that's the part of the story, why i prefere scandi grinds. no grind is easier to sharpen on a stone than a scandi grind. convex is the most difficuilt grind to keep ot sharp for a long time. as soon you lose you right ankle the knife turns bad. i have a very nice blue paper steel blade, but it came already with a wrong convex ankle and the knife is no good knife to cut and to sharpen.
uddoss 2 months ago
@uddoss Yeah I know what you mean. If you damage the edge badly it will be hard to keep it lined up after a good sharpening. If it happens I'[m gonna have to take my time and keep my fingers crossed. I like convex so much now I will have to learn how to do it soon. I like Scandi too. I think that and the convex are the two best grinds.
johnwoodz1220 2 months ago
@johnwoodz1220 i agree, i believe it too, that convex and scandi are the best grinds. a am wondering why all the big knife companies in europe and usa prefere the other grinds very much and forget about this two grinds most time? (retoric question :-)
uddoss 1 month ago
@johnwoodz1220 Just start off on something inexpensive and easy to grind, a cheap paring knife is decent as they are usually 5Cr13 or similar steel. The main thing you are looking for is feedback on the contour and when to know when you are sharpening the edge, grinding too high, or working the relief grind. Once you know what these feel like you won't have a problem any more.
CliffStamp 1 month ago
You seem to have alot of the same knives as me. Would love to see your whole collection
cam131313cam 2 months ago
@cam131313cam I did a vid a while back that has most or all the fixed blades I had at the time. It's in the oddments playlist, a VR to CAWeaponGuy.
AussieMark909 2 months ago
Oh no he didnt.........You called it a 1 point 0.....its a 1 dot 0....
kyley's gonna ged MAD
cam131313cam 2 months ago
@cam131313cam LOL, I think I'll just try to delfect the blame. He should have come up with a better name, so it's really not my fault. There, I feel better now ;-)
AussieMark909 2 months ago
@cam131313cam HAHA :-P Once you buy it you can call it a dildo if you like :D
knivesandstuff 2 months ago
@knivesandstuff ROFLMAO!
ironmonkeyz 2 months ago
once you go convex you dont go back
cam131313cam 2 months ago