Actually, my wife had gotten me the new Shoki and a Microtech Ultratech for my birthday. I worried about the recent reports of the poor QC & CS which MT was providing - and returned both for a credit several weeks ago - which I used for a new small Sebbie. I couldn't stand it - and found the money to buy the Shoki - gave it to my wife to give me on my birthday. I unwrapped it first today - then the Sebbie - what a birthday! It wasn't over... an odd-shaped box I would open last contained that MicroTech! I really am blessed - what a wife - the Sebbie, Shoki, and Ultratech... an unreal haul for my birthday. Wow!

Stainz

Yeap, she's a keeper!

About the Shoki's leather pouch...

In my "No stinkin' clips for me!" mode, I elected to remove the clip from the doubled leather pouch. I used a miniature straight bladed jeweler's screwdriver to ease the outside rivet head into the leather's hole, then wiggled and pulled until it was free. The inner part of the rivet was staked through the liner layer - which means that it would rub against the nice CF scales anyway. I was happy to remove mine - good thing, as it can't go back! Makes a nice pocket protector for the knife - without the clip.

Stainz

I had the original Shoki and felt that the blade was a bit thick edged for such a small knife, so I sold her off kinda quick, loved the shape though.

So, moving forward, I picked up a 581 WOW sweet knife, great blade and
as I wanted a smaller folder to compliment her I saw that
the 480-1 was out also having M390 steel, so she's
on order now as well, hopefully the blade is ground
down a little thinner on this version??

Thanks for the review!
G2

It's a nice enough little knife, it's just not exactly my cup of tea...

But every body in the world is different and that's what makes life interesting...

I really like that Shoki 480-1 as a compliment knife to the Barrage,
similar blade shape and also made with M390 steel
The detent when closed seems almost non-existent and
when open there is some blade play, after tightening
the pivot the lateral play went away but of course it
didn't change the vertical, so there is still some
slight vertical play, not much but I've never cared
for any blade play, especially on a new knife.

Here are some images of the Shoki;





the Nak lok rises up above the scale only slightly, so I don't think you could
accidentally press and release the blade in use, lets say "normal use" as others
have noted this is more a Gent's folder and not a combat blade.





The Nak Lok has, basically, a thumstud attached to the liner that swings across to prevent
the blade from closing. I imagine that it is fairly hard to get the geometry just right to keep
all things lined up and prevent the vertical play, lots of variables going on there.

SO, my recommendation is to always carry the Shoki in some type of slip sheath, the one that
is provided, I've worked it in so that it's tip up now and holds the knife pretty secure, the
braided lanyard aids in removal from the sheath, pulling the lanyard while pressing down on
one lip of the sheath's opening. I placed the knife in my left front pocket free once and when
I drew the knife out, the thumbstud caught on something and as it came clear of the pocket
the blade was almost fully open, not a good thing when you don't expect it to be!

edited to add the comparison to the 581 Barrage;





just took a few images of the small clip sheath, without a lanyard, you would
be hard pressed to remove the knife when it was inserted pivot down;





and a looksee into the opening, the leather is braided snuggly around the metal end
the skulls were from a friend at Ashokan, helped him learn a little about sharpening
William 'Bill' Barrett and they may look scary but they do the job for this small folder
where larger beads would be too much.



G2

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Gary W. Graley,

Anyone have any idea the profile angle on this beauty? Thanx

Nice review...great pics. I like this CF/ano'ed model better than the orig. Hope they do something like this w/ the Megumi..really diggin' the the blade/handle shape on that one.

quote:

Originally posted by Stainz:
About the Shoki's leather pouch...
The inner part of the rivet was staked through the liner layer - which means that it would rub against the nice CF scales anyway. I was happy to remove mine - Stainz

I pushed a mini benchmade pouch off into my leather pouch to protect a 3100 from being scrathed from the rivit. also added a bit more hold on the smaller knife in the pouch.

I have had this on the radar. just have not had the funds for it. Hope to before it gets disco'ed