Opinions on the UK Penknife

metsfan

metsfan

Joined
Oct 26, 2012
Messages
1,203
Hey guys, I wanted to know what are peoples opinions and/or experience with the UKPK. I'm interested in buying one for edc, and those days I wanna carry light. The slipit mechanism, is it anything like the mechanism of a sak? Looking forward to hearing your thoughts
 
I have a number of UKPK variations and I think they are great. Mine all have S30V blades, which is a steel I love. I have no problem with the the fact that it is a slip-it, as the design makes it very unlikely that the blade will start to close in any normal use. It is much more likely to be a problem with any of my SAK's then with the UKPK's I have handled.
 
I just picked one up in Ti, and love it.

I don't use my knife so hard as to really need a locking blade, and the design, and double detent make it really hard to hurt yourself anyways.

I do like how much easier it is to close one handed over my usual EDC which is a Delica.

Essentially I bought it for a fancier EDC than my delica, which was my go to.

Now that I got the UKPK I don't think the Delica will get as much use. I am really impressed!
 
I really love my G10 UKPK. Give one a try, I think you'll like it. With your finger in the choil position there is no way it could close on you.
 
The UKPK is one of my favorite knives with a good variety to choose from [FRN, Ti, CF, G10]. Fairly safe to use as the choil would catch your finger rather than the blade. It is great for EDC or for special occasions.

IMG_1675.jpg
 
The G10, Titanium and Carbon Fiber version are excellent and based upon the Caly 3 design, which is one my favorite folders. The combination of the double detent and the finger choil puts it at the top of the non-locking folder class IMO.
 
Viper89- Blade steel differences aside, how does the FRN version compare with the other UKPK versions?
 
The FRN version is the lightest of them all. I barely notice it in my pocket. I would recommend getting the newer FRN with the stiffer spring [CTS-BD1 versions] as the older ones are not as stiff. Traction is pretty good but not as good as G10 but better than CF and Ti; the jimping is just as good as the others. Mine is very smooth to open with a stiff "lock". The halfstop on mine is not too strong but that is fine with me. The FRN is perfect for the light use EDC and a good choice if you want a cheaper alternative of a great design. I hope this helps.
 
Thanks, viper89. I like FRN, but never got a FRN UKPK as I wasn't crazy about the grind. I'm anxiously awaiting the release of the FFG version.
 
I agree the grind is a little...not pretty. However it does make it easy to sharpen on the Wicked Edge as it permits a nice flat clamping surface.
 
I have one UKPK fully serrated, bought here on the forum.
Great knife! High quality, no blade play, Razor sharp - shaved my forearm :)
The only thing to concern about is fast-deploy. Maybe it's just my fingers or knife is so light but I can't do all that cool stuff like fast opening with click and spyderco drop. My advice if you are not farmer/hunter you'll spend much more time playing with the knife than use it,
So try to look something else in this price range - tenacious, persistent,dragonfly or add some and take Delika/Endura/PacificSalt/Centofante III or even BM mini-grip with hole - the best knife to play with.
 
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For the money that you pay for the knife it's fantastic. I had one a little while back but ended up trading it cuz it had the combo edge.... And since then I've been wanting a new one so I might have to pick one up again...:D
 
Just ordered the vg-10 frn version. I wanted one for the days I don't wanna carry my zt301 or my para2. Should arrive by Saturday so I'll keep you guys posted
 
Never been a big fan of the FRN models. But I really enjoy carrying the G-10, CF, and Ti versions of the UKPK and Urban. Absolutely top-quality knives. And I never feel like the non-locking blade action is unsafe (as opposed to a regular slip joint knife) - because of the ingenious choil design. Great stuff. I'll buy more when they come out!

Sal - can we get that Native Slipit that has been bandied around on the UK Knife Forum? Please?

TedP
 
I seem to be of the opposite opinion from everyone else. I bought a S30V G10 UKPK within a week of moving to the UK. I carried it and used it daily for a few months but I never really liked it that much. It's really comfortable to hold and the steel and grind are great but I found it lacking in a lot of ways. I found it wants to be used harder than it should. When using the thumb ramp I find it too easy to overcome the "lock" and have it partially close when cutting stuff like thick cardboard or carving wood. It seems to me like the backspring should be stronger but then it wouldn't open easily. I don't know. I think that the Caly wasn't the right knife to turn into a slipit and that the Native, with it's flat spine, would have been better. I do think though that the cheaper FRN ones make more sence. After a few months I replaced it with a Vic Soldier and have carried that for the last three years. When I feel the need for more cutting power I just illegally carry a Delica or a Griptillian ore any one of my other knives. But if you want a light weight, lightish duty EDC that opens one handed and you can't carry a locking knife it's a good choice. If not than I'd recommend a Cali, Delica, Sage, Native.......JMHO.
 
metsfan said:
Hey guys, I wanted to know what are peoples opinions and/or experience with the UKPK. I'm interested in buying one for edc, and those days I wanna carry light. The slipit mechanism, is it anything like the mechanism of a sak? Looking forward to hearing your thoughts
Click to expand...

Are one haded opening folders legal in NY?
 
Dr Heelhook said:
Are one haded opening folders legal in NY?
Click to expand...

Not New York, but New York City, and only if they can be opened like a "gravity" knife, meaning a wrist flick. Most 1-hand opening knives can be opened with a wrist flick.

I owned a G10 (orange) UKPK, and handled an older black one before then, and I loved the way they felt. The ergos fit me like they were designed specifically for me. The spring was stiff, but not too stiff, and had a great feel to the action. I handled a lightweight FRN one during a passaround, and although it was still a good knife, it didn't feel nearly as good as the G10 models. Materials aside, the action was way lighter, less positive, and less secure...although it didn't feel like it was unsafe...it's just the G10 models felt much more secure.
 
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