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SOG Knives Collectors' Review:
This is a beautiful knife - the result of reverse collaboration between SOG Knives and Kikuo Matsuda of Kiku Knives. It will be quite rare in the future, it being the only fixed blade model SOG has with such interestingly shaped and coloured micarta handles. Very interesting patterns on the shiny blade and the use of extremely hard OU-31 steel makes this a very presentable piece indeed.
This would make a great user, but it is too pretty to be used. Nice to know SOG still cares about collectors by introducing models like this (though very expensive lol!). Till date they are widely available at all sources. Lowest price seen at $873.88, still a hefty price to pay. This knife won the "Best Collaboration Knife of the Year Award" at the BLADE Show 2007. Do note that the design of the 'Kiku' is not entirely Kikuo Matsuda's. It bears a similar resemblance to the 'Seal 2000' knife and is designed together by Kikuo and Spencer Frazer.
Specifications:
Blade Length: 7.5 in. x .160 in.
Overall length: 12.25 in.
Blade steel: OU-31 Damascus
Blade hardness: Rc. 64
Blade finish: Polished
Weight: 21 oz.
Edge: Straight
Carry System: Leather sheath and presentation box
Handle Material: Green Canvas Micarta
Knife Type: Fixed Blade
Country of origin: Japan
Part #: KU-01
Rarity Details:
Last Known MSRP: $2500
Estimate price now (2009): $1800
Production dates: 2007 - present
Production numbers: 100
Limited run?: Yes, batches of 3 per month for 100 pieces.
Other things of interest: Only fixed blade model that uses micarta and done with "reverse collaboration". Damascus steel too.
Rarity index: 6/10 (10 being the most rare)
Rarity index scale (1 to 10, 10 being the most rare):
1 - Very common; easily available on ebay, google product search and almost every knife selling website. Spammed with at least 10+ listings on ebay.
3 - Has been around for at least 2 years and are selling reasonably well, with retailers favouring other newer models over this knife.
5 - Knives that are on the borderline of being discontinued or have been discontinued for less that a 6 months
6 - Products from 6 onwards are either discontinued or limited edition.
7 - Discontinued knives that pop up once every few months on the "For Sale" part of forums or on ebay. Still can be found at a few online shops though.
8 - Knives that need lots of researching to find. Not available anymore in online knife shops and pop up (if you're lucky) >4 months for one at a time.
9 - Knives holding this rarity are the shadowy kind. You can't find any information on them at all (not even from online knife shops that have not taken down that knife's product page). If you see one for sale grab at all cost.
10 - The rarest of all knives. If you hadn't been here you wouldn't even have known that it existed. Should you have one of these you better lock it up in a triple-combination safe and treat it like a family heirloom..
Links to forums on this knife:
Product Description:
When SOG inspiration meets master craftsmanship, a true work of art is born!
Introducing the KIKU, a reverse collaboration* by custom knife maker Kikuo Matsuda of Kiku Knives. Inspired by the iconic SOG design, this limited edition blade will only be available in 100 pieces, 3 per month.
Featuring a mirror polished blade with double bevel lines and grinds, Green Canvas Micarta handle, and OU-31 steel. OU-31 steel It is a micro fine steel made by Nippon Koshuha Steel Co., Ltd. It features high hardness, HRc 64, and is 3 times tougher than that of D2. Reported to have 10 times longer edge holding than ATS-34 according to cutting tests.
Also includes Leather sheath and presentation box.
*Reverse Collaboration is where a manufacturer works closely with a custom maker to produce a limited number of knives in the style of the manufacturer. This will provide a set of guaranteed orders for the custom maker while also elevating his stature in the cutlery world. The manufacturer also gains stature by working with the custom maker and can sell knives to markets and buyers that would not normally buy that makers products.
SOG Kiku Pictures:
SOG Kiku at the booth Close up of SOG Kiku blade The SOG Kiku - Functional art SOG Kiku and its sheath
Page last updated: Monday, September 28, 2009 03:13:47 PDT
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.jpg "SOG Kiku knife - A Reverse Collaboration between SOG Knives and Kiku Knives")
