CHOKWE and MEERKAT pass around impressions

First off - a huge thanks to the provider of these knives for the pass around - very cool!

I was really looking forward to seeing these especially the CHOKWE. So with that said let me pass along my impressions and my .02

– WARNING – I am not a safe queen owner, I see
knifes as tools and not objects of art. I am not knocking collectors and art
knifes – just saying they ain’t my bag so I am very opinionated and pass all
thoughts through that filter. If something has no practical use I usually place
it in the “crap” file – so please do not be offended by a crusty old man’s
outlook on knives and life -

CHOKWE - Using my very unscientific wooden
ruler it is roughly 81/4" long when open, has 3 3/4" blade showing when
open, 4 1/8" from hinge to tip.

Pros –

Reasonably light
Has a big fat cool factor
Very solid lock up with no wiggle side to side.
Love the pocket clip and ability to go tip up or down carry.
Flat grind rocks and CPM S30V is a good piece of steel.

Cons –

The BLADE - design has no belly – more of a
stabbing only blade

The HOLE - this was wicked sharp – all my
other Spyderco’s were counter bored and smootherThe HANDLE - corners being
squared off seemed uncomfortable to hold in the hand. I sometimes carry
discreetly behind my belt in the top of my trousers at the 1:00 position and
the hard corners poke into my Dunlap – me likey rounded handle ends.

LINER LOCK – dude, that thing was giving me a
numb thumb every time I used it – my Military has a Liner Lock that is tons easier,
I noticed that the Ti is wearing and when it is opened it locks hard against
the back of the blade.

CLIP – I actually like this clip but in
general would like to see “deep carry” clips on any EDC knife. Oddly enough the
MEERKAT has a deep carry clip that would be better suited on the CHOCKWE size
knife.

JIMPING – If you are a fan of jimping, you are
not going to be happy here.

Blade on this one kept opening up in my pocket
or war bag, happened twice and was very disconcerting – the blade is loose when closed and I did not try adjusting, as it’s not mine.


MERRKAT – Using same ruler this one looks 5 ¼ “ long when open, 2 ½ “ blade showing when open.

Pros –
Nice size
Absolutely perfect blade shape – love the finger choil on the blade
Opens like silk – very sweet
Great pocket clip – very deep carry in the pocket
The lock is a hoot! – Loved playing with it and watching new users figure it out – it’s like a puzzle
Blade – VG10 and Seki City – what else needs to be said!!

Cons –
SCALES – why so thick? This knife has a metal liner and this is a small pocket knife – ridiculous amount of plastic used making it bulky

HANDLE END FINGER CHOIL – this I don’t get –
the two scallops on the end of the handle are too pointy, hurt the hand and poke
you when handled. If this is a strike end for defense, get a bigger knife. To
me this knife is like the Cricket, small and very usable. A gentleman’s knife
for polite use. I kept wanting to take the belt sander to these scales and do a
little thinning – probably not recommended.

CLIP – no real bash other than we have a deep pocket clip on a pipsqueak of a knife – these kind of clips need to be on the larger EDC working blades.

Ok – that’s my take on them. It’s hard to tell by this review but I love Spyderco knives and have used them hard for over 20 years while a Firefighter.

One man’s sport scar is another mans pickup so take all opinions presented with the proverbial grain of salt. If you have a different view then serve it up for the rest of us to hear. There are no “correct” answers, just personal opinions.