The Spyderco UKPK

Benner · **on:** February 20, 2010, 08:59:30 PM

There seems to have been quite a bit of interest and talk recently about the Spyderco UKPK and the other slippits, so I thought it deserved it's own thread.

I have been carrying mine now for a couple of days and here are some pics and some very early initial thoughts....

Likes;

The blade being flat ground makes for a great slicer and gives a nice fine edge. I really like the CPMS30V steel and it seems to be wicked sharp.

The scales have great ergonomics and are made from nicely textured G10.

Screw construction makes for easy cleaning and adjustment of the pivot.

The opening is very smooth despite having a back spring to overcome, and I like the half stop which seems to act well as a safety measure, yet doesn't impede easy opening.

Pocket clip is both very discrete and high on the knife so a lot sits deeper in your pocket.

Choil makes the knife safer to use, reducing the chances of the blade slipping and also allows you to choke up on the blade for detailed cutting.

Dislikes;

Tip up only carry (although can be changed to either side).

Quite a pricey knife in the UK.

Jimping on the back of the blade could do with being a tad more aggressive just to offer a little more purchase. Could also do with jimping around the choil to to offer a bit more grip.

More thoughts to come on this one, but first impressions are amazingly good. I'm amazed I have gone this long without one.

Benner · **Reply #1 on:** February 20, 2010, 09:41:07 PM

BTW, the date code on mine shows it was made in August 2006. I'm interested to know if there have been any changes over the years (apart from colours).

Zack · **Reply #2 on:** February 20, 2010, 09:44:29 PM

Hey you finally got one. Now you and GG will have matching knives.

Sean · **Reply #3 on:** February 21, 2010, 02:45:24 AM

Very nice. Thanks for posting the pic's and your thoughts. It will be my next knife purchase I'm pretty
sure. I think though I am going to go for the new drop point uk.

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **Reply #4 on:** February 21, 2010, 10:04:35 AM

Stop taunting me

Gareth · **Reply #5 on:** February 21, 2010, 10:50:01 AM

Very nice Ben.

Benner · **Reply #6 on:** February 21, 2010, 12:59:02 PM

Just a couple more pics to give an idea of size...

DaveK · **Reply #7 on:** February 21, 2010, 03:58:21 PM

Very nice Ben - glad you're getting along with it!

Dunc · **Reply #8 on:** February 21, 2010, 05:42:33 PM

They are great arent they Ben , stupid question but where is the date code ? I can't find it on mine

Dunc

Neil · **Reply #9 on:** February 21, 2010, 08:55:04 PM

I'm pretty sure they're on the box rather than the knife.

I've actually carried mine for the last couple of days after seeing this

Gadget Guy · **Reply #10 on:** February 21, 2010, 09:10:21 PM

Quote from: Zack on February 20, 2010, 09:44:29 PM

Hey you finally got one. Now you and GG will have matching knives.

Yep, I'm really excited to finally get one!

Magic Bus · **Reply #11 on:** February 21, 2010, 10:05:04 PM

Mine has foliage green handle slabs. Lovely little practical thing. Great if you need more than SAK steel

donvito · **Reply #12 on:** February 21, 2010, 10:15:55 PM

Beautiful knife Benner

thx for sharing your thought on it.

Benner · **Reply #13 on:** February 21, 2010, 11:53:56 PM

Quote from: Neil on February 21, 2010, 08:55:04 PM

I'm pretty sure they're on the box rather than the knife.

I've actually carried mine for the last couple of days after seeing this

Neil is right. Spyderco date code the boxes with 2 letters. The first is the month (so A would be January, B would be Feb and so on) and the second is the year (A being 2001, B being 2002 etc).

Raukodur · **Reply #14 on:** February 22, 2010, 11:33:51 AM

Cant stand the way spyderco knives look, otherwise it does seem like a good knife.

donvito · **Reply #15 on:** February 22, 2010, 01:14:44 PM

Quote from: Raukodur on February 22, 2010, 11:33:51 AM

Cant stand the way spyderco knives look, otherwise it does seem like a good knife.

That's until you try one

you can get hooked fast, the spider has a mean bite

Sean · **Reply #16 on:** February 22, 2010, 04:47:57 PM

Quote from: donvito on February 22, 2010, 01:14:44 PM

Quote from: Raukodur on February 22, 2010, 11:33:51 AM
Cant stand the way spyderco knives look, otherwise it does seem like a good knife.
That's until you try one you can get hooked fast, the spider has a mean bite

I agree with the latter, and you know it's a common complaint ever since they started
production on them. It takes time to get used to the look for some.
I have a friend that's collected every brand and variety of knife around for years except
Spyderco so when I decided to buy a Delica back in the 80's I was on my own. However,
once I started wearing it clipped to my jeans, I found it to be very user friendly and
efficient.
Carry one around for awhile it's hard to find another brand of knife out there that is it's
equal for ease of use.

Benner · **Reply #17 on:** February 22, 2010, 05:12:23 PM

I quite like the Spyderco styling myself. The police for example is just

Benner · **Reply #18 on:** February 22, 2010, 08:55:09 PM

Ok a couple more points after a couple more days of carry...

Have used the UKPK to cut A LOT since it's arrival and find it is a nice weight due to it's lack of liners and had a good balance to it. It really is comfortable to use.

Ideally I would have liked to see a smoother area underneath the pocket clip so clipping on and removal was just that bit easier. Maybe this wouldn't look as nice, but I'd prefer the function with this knife.

Getting on real well with it.

Zack · **Reply #19 on:** February 22, 2010, 09:05:10 PM

Are you noticing any side to side play? Mine was greta until I had to tighten it up every few days.

Benner · **Reply #20 on:** February 22, 2010, 09:08:29 PM

Nope, none at all. You know me and blade play, I would have moaned about it by now.

BTW, teflon tape on the threads is a great way of stopping pivot screws from loosening.

mcgoo7 · **Reply #21 on:** February 25, 2010, 04:02:56 AM

Great review and knife !
I have a orange UKPK and 2 Calys (VG10 and ZDP189) which are the locking version and they all get alot of pocket time.

Cheers
James

Benner · **Reply #22 on:** February 25, 2010, 12:30:21 PM

If it wasn't for our carry laws, I'd have chosen the Caly over it any day.

After a bit more use, I will probably get all these thought together a write up a proper review. I think the knife deserves it.

Sean · **Reply #23 on:** February 25, 2010, 05:04:42 PM

Quote from: Benner on February 25, 2010, 12:30:21 PM

If it wasn't for our carry laws, I'd have chosen the Caly over it any day.

After a bit more use, I will probably get all these thought together a write up a proper review. I think the knife deserves it.

yeah for sure.

See I'm the opposite of you with this knife and it's no surprise but all my modern day knives have locks
of some sort so to grab one like the UKPK modern looking, without a lock is cool! That is why I would
buy it over the Caly 3. However, being where you are I see your point.

nuphoria · **Reply #24 on:** February 25, 2010, 05:24:44 PM

I totally agree with your review Ben. Overall it's almost perfect legal EDC for me too.

I wish there was more choice, and at a less exorbitant price tag, but it is a quality knife and one I wouldn't want to do without now. I wasn't hugely enamoured with the Spydie shape either, but totally fell in love with it after a few days of carry. If they were more legal options which I liked, I would probably be trying to get a few more in my pockets!

donvito · **Reply #25 on:** February 25, 2010, 11:44:19 PM

Quote from: nuphoria on February 25, 2010, 05:24:44 PM

I totally agree with your review Ben. Overall it's almost perfect legal EDC for me too.

I wish there was more choice, and at a less exorbitant price tag, but it is a quality knife and one I wouldn't want to do without now. I wasn't hugely enamoured with the Spydie shape either, but totally fell in love with it after a few days of carry. If they were more legal options which I liked, I would probably be trying to get a few more in my pockets!

There's Spyderco Urban with shorter blade, but similar price tag. The new frn ukpk is coming out soon as well (cheaper price tag)

There was talk (not rumor) of a "multitool" of sorts build on an Urban platform, blade and an additional layer with a multifunctional implement.

Gareth · **Reply #26 on:** February 25, 2010, 11:51:24 PM

There is also a thread over on BB right now, with Sal Glesser's involvement, as to what folks would want to see in a single bladed slipit Byrd.

jzmtl · **Reply #27 on:** February 26, 2010, 12:01:39 AM

Ben, reprofile that sucker to 20° inclusive then add a 30° microbevel, s30v cruise through anything you would cut at that angle and hold the edge long enough.

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