spyderco uk pen knife

GuinnessSynd

GuinnessSynd

Joined
Aug 25, 2011
Messages
545
was looking at getting one of these. was wondering if anyone has experience with them and perhaps some pics next to endura,tenacious, or military. thanks
 
Here it is next to a Delica 4 and a Dragonfly 2.

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I bought two of them (light blue drop point and maroon leaf shape) intended as gifts. I like the light blue drop point so much I'm going to give my Dragonfly2 as a gift and keep the light blue drop point. Why? The reason is the ergonomics on the UKPN are superb and better for my hands than the Dragonfly2. It is a little larger, but has the awesome wire clip and is almost as featherlight as the Dragonfly2. So for a similar carry weight I get a much more useful (to me) blade and better ergonomics. And I love the color.

Here's a pic of it in my hand. It just feels awesome. I don't own a Caly 3, but I've heard the ergonomics are very similar.

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Note that because it has no steel liners, the lightweight UKPN is noticably lighter than the Delica 4 (which I also love) and rides lower in the pocket to boot. Plus, I'm a sucker for nicely colored FRN. Note also that the texturing of the FRN is more G10-like than the Delica/Endura/Dragonfly2, which is another fun difference.
 
You actually sold me on the Dragonfly. I was looking for another knife to use in places nearby that have a 2.5 inch limit of blade length, and the Dragonfly fits the bill nicely. I also really like an EDC that is very light, and I don't think you could make one lighter than this.

I'm still interested in the UK Penknife though. There just isn't enough of a difference right now between it and my Delica4 to justify another purchase. But thanks for the comparison.
 
The Dragonfly 2 is certainly lightweight. Light enough you don't feel it. It fits perfectly in the fifth pocket of jeans too.

It's a good knife. It's just a touch too small for my large hands. For opening a box, it's fine. But I wouldn't want to work with it for hours or anything. I didn't expect to really like the UKPN so much. Like I said, I bought two to give away, but ended up liking it more than I thought I would. I also had to overcome my preference for locking blades. Knife laws aren't an issue for me on locking knives. But the truth is for a utility blade, it hardly matters. And the brilliant design of the UKPN makes accidental closing on your fingers almost a non-issue. Your index finger will block accidental closing in most real life circumstances. I wouldn't "stab" with it, especially in reverse grip. But that's a non-issue for me.
 
Hi Mud Shrimp Moe,
I just started to check out the UKPK, and wondered if you would still recommend this knife for someone that is not that familiar with a slip joint style knife?
I'm with you, I love the style and design, I just don't want to find out that I don't like it if it closes too easily.
I realize that some of this just is up to the user and you can't tell me if I will like it or not. Just wondered if you would add anything for someone like myself that isn't that familiar with this style knife.
Thanks
 
Deal4 said:
Hi Mud Shrimp Moe,
I just started to check out the UKPK, and wondered if you would still recommend this knife for someone that is not that familiar with a slip joint style knife?
I'm with you, I love the style and design, I just don't want to find out that I don't like it if it closes too easily.
Click to expand...

The FNR version doesn't have a full length backspring as the G-10 version does, so it does close a bit more easy. But, when you grip the UKPK your index finger goes in the choil, so there is no way it can close on you in this grip.
The great choil on the UKPK makes it one of my favorite smaller knives.
 
Thanks for the response!
Yeah, I know about the finger choil or I wouldn't consider this knife. But, with so many people really liking this knife, it must be a heck of a knife! I've been checking out some reviews, and I might have to make this my first slip joint knife! Not a bad price either!
 
I really like the looks of the UKPK. The listed weight and discreet carry clips along with the ergonomics really appeal to me.
 
I agree with Mud Shrimp Moe however the S30V UKPK versions that have full-length back springs making the 'click' into place even more positive. My FRN version, which has a shorter back spring is significantly easier to close.

As Mud Shrimp Moe says for most tasks this isn't an issue and the finger choil acts as an effective block. The only other type of cut to take care with (in addition to any stabbing type of motion) would be a forward push-cut. It is possible to close the blade when using this cut. Don't get me wrong there are very effective alternatives (pull-cuts!) but if you're used to fixed blades/ locking folders you may use this type of cut without really thinking about it (I certainly do!)

All in all, I can't recommend the UKPK series highly enough and Sal and his team are to be utterly commended for catering to those of us who exist under the yoke of ridiculous knife laws...

Ben
 
I just got an email asking about the UKPK, so I thought I would just post up my response:

Well, the UKPK I have is the discontinued G-10 version with s30V
steel. I did own an FRN UKPK for a few months, but I gifted it to a
good friend for Christmas. The FRN UKPK was still a very good knife,
but there are a few differences between it and the G-10 Version.
First off, the steel is BD-1, which is good, but not quite as good as
S30V. Second, the backspring is not as strong, which both makes it
open faster, and close easier than the G-10. Now this is both good
and bad, because it is very easy to disengage, so I found I was using
the choil and my index finger to hold it open a lot more than on the
G-10 version.

It does have some strengths over the G10 version too however. It is
dramatically lighter because of the FRN scales and the smaller
backspring. It is one of the lightest knives I have ever owned, I
never really felt it in my pocket at all. The FRN scales are really
nice too, they have a great texture that simulates the feel of G10,
which is one of my favorite handle materials. The wire pocket clip
works really well with it too. It is a very fast knife, allowing it
to be used and put away in a flash, which can be handy for escaping
notice if you don't want people to see you using a knife (more as a
public comfort thing, not weapon, I think this would make a very poor
weapon).

Overall, I think the FRN UKPK is a great value. For EDC tasks, the
lack of a lock really doesn't matter, and in fact makes it easier to
use. Some locks can be a bit of a pain to disengage, and sometimes
even dangerous (liner locks can be really sneaky about biting, due to
the extra force to overcome the detent while having your thumb in the
way.) You don't need to put your thumb in front of the blade to close
it, which I love. The FRN now comes in black as well, so you have a
lot of options. As for blade style, I owned a drop point FRN, but my
G10 is leaf blade, and I really like that shape, but I don't know
which is better in a saber grind (mine was Full Flat Grind).

Hope this helps!

Also, I just wanted to tag on that if you want an even smaller lighter
slipit, the Spyderco squeak is excellent. It has a 2" blade, with a
very similar design to the UKPK. It has the same FRN, and a bit
sturdier of a backspring than the UKPK. Also, it comes with a full
flat grind blade, and N690Co steel, which is between BD-1 and S30V.
Its a tiny champ lol.
 
I have received a black frn ukpk last week and it has been sitting in my pocket daily since that day. What i like about the ukpk is that it is really lightweight, has an extremely grippy frn handle, easy to maintain BD-1 steel (by the way i love its stonewashed, yet almost mirrored finish), deep wire carry clip, and the great egronomics. The ukpk is more comfortable to hold than the sage 1, manix 2, and probably on par with para2. I heard it's similiar to caly 3, but i don't own one. The only downside is that it isn't as smooth as other locking knives that spyderco makes. But u'll get used to it
 
I'm a late convert to the UKPK and Urban lines myself. Been a locking blade fan most of my life, having been bitten once too often by my Camillus Scout knife and Case pocket knives in my younger days.

However, Sal's designs for the non-locking UKPK series are pure genius. Basically a member of the Caly Jr./Caly 3/Caly3.5/Sage "bloodline" - with similar ergonomics, the choil makes all the difference.

I'm with Bobusx and bigmo66 - the G10/CF/Ti versions with the full length backsprings are the bee's knees. Since Spyderco just discontinued the Ti model, I just picked one up last week. What a fine piece of engineering. The fit, finish, ergonomics, and "wow factor" are off the charts. Pick one up while you can...

TedP
 
Although I let go of the ones that I had, the g10 and ti versions are well designed and built. Very functional slicers for light edc tasks. Will definitely get the carbon version in the near future.
 
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