Spyderco Kiwi3 Stainless Steel PlainEdge Knife

I own several other Sypderco knives, and recently added the Kiwi 3 to my collection. I wanted something more along the lines of a gentleman's folder, which to me means a smaller knife with a thinner blade, a steel, bone, horn, or wood handle, and two handed opening. I understand that other people may have other definitions of what constitutes a gentleman's folder. For me, though, the Kiwi 3 hits all the marks.It is a small knife, but the stainless steel scales give it a good amount of heft. I absolutely love the handle design with the two finger cutouts/choils. For it's diminutive size, it is very comfortable. I like the wharncliffe blade, although it is the first I own. Time will tell if I find it useful, but given what I intend to use the knife for (minor tasks such as opening packages), I think it will be fine.The Kiwi 3 is one of Spyderco's Chinese-made knives, and I am sad to say that it shows just a bit compared to their US- and Japan-made knives. The 8Cr13Mov steel blade did not come anywhere near as sharp from the factory as my Japanese Spyderco blades have. Those things are razor sharp right out of the box. The Kiwi 3 was fairly dull (perhaps a bit sharper than Opinels typically come) and the grind was a bit messed up in places. Given that every knife owner should also own and know how to use a sharpening stone or sharpening system, this shouldn't be too much of a deterrent. A few minutes of sharpening and it was nice and sharp.The Kiwi 3 is a slip-joint, not a lock-back. But the spring is incredibly strong, and it opens (and closes) with authority. This isn't a tactical blade or even a blade for heavy-duty EDC use, so not having a locking mechanism should not be a problem.Overall, I love the look and feel of the Kiwi 3. It is definitely an odd shape compared to other Spydercos, but I think this sets it apart. It is also an inexpensive knife for what you get. If you are looking for a small gentleman's folder that won't set you back much, I'd have to recommend the Kiwi 3 or perhaps an Opinel No. 6.

Blade takes a decent edge, but you have to have a steady hand on the hones. It is just too small to be an EDC in my opinion, but if you have limited need for a knife in daily life, it could do the job. It is very solidly constructed. I keep mine around my neck, and I never notice it is there. I think that this is a fine knife, and would be a wonderful part of your EDC setup.

Let me start off by saying that I have been a big fan of Spyderco knives for years. I have an original endura and a delica and I still carry then frequently. This knife, on the other hand, is going back. The build quality is poor, the edge grind is uneven, and it is very hard to open or close. I should be able to open this knife with my thumb. Not happening. The body of the knife was already dinged up when I received it as well. I realize it is going to end up like that, but still.At any rate, I'm very disappointed in this knife's build and will hesitate before buying any more of Spyderco's knives if this is the way they are going. Sorry but there are too many good knife makers out there to waste money of low quality product, even if it is an interesting design.

This is what I'd call a gentlemans blade. It's nice and thin and fits in the pocket without printing. The reason I knocked off a star is because the one I received didn't match the picture. The one I received had a screw visible in the center, holding the blade to the main part of the knife. Other than that, beautiful little knife. I'll try to post a picture of the difference.

I really like this little knife. Smaller than I anticipated, but I didnt look at the measurements. One star taken off because of the lack of a locking mechanism. It has a point where it's difficult to fully open up and close, and this helps kinda lock it in place but no replacement for a real locking mechanism. This knife is still easy to open, so dont let me confuse that.

I'm a fan of Spyderco, although I've only owned a few. I lost my stainless handled Dragonfly and thought I would prefer something a little smaller for my everyday needs. There is no clip but it isn't too heavy. Be warned that you might not be able to do a one-handed open. I have medium hands and the kiwi is just too small for that. However, the finger indents on the handle/blade make this an extremely comfortable knife to use.I'll be happy to carry this knife for my office work. It serves as a useful tool without being too large. I'll probably go with a Delica for the times I wish to have a larger, one-handed opening knife.

i really like the looks of this knife. the only real issue i have with it, is that the edge was not straight when i got it. i cant recall if i got it used, bu the edge was a squished "w" shape with rounded edges. or a sinusoid if you know what that is...

A quality gentleman’s knife but very slippery in your pocket----it can just slide out if you slouch in a chair or lay down. Very lite in your pocket---you will forget you are carrying until you need it. I have attached a paracord lanyard to mine in a hangman noose knot that is about 2 inches long that has solved the sliding out of the pocket issue. This knife is in my pocket almost every day. This is a gentleman’s knife nothing more—in that category this is worth every dollar spent.

Small and sharp, this is a well made bit of steel as befits the spyderco name. This is chinese made blade, Spyderco make them in china , japan and america with premium prices on american made blades. Can't fault the build on this one. it's excellent i've been using it for roping work and a little light whittling since i got it a few moths ago and there is no play in the pivot at all. Stiff opener tho, not a one handed example although i've handled one out the box that could be used that way with out too much problem.The design is nice too with the curve at the back of the blade combining wth the curve in the front of the scales to form a deep and comfortable finger notch. It's a small knife so to say that it's comfortable to use for extended period is pushing it a bit , but it's very capable. Comes damn sharp out of the box and holds an edge well. I have nothing bad to say about this at all, i've actually bought a couple for friends and got good reviews back from them too.Comes in the now standard black box with spider on the lid and black cloth lined cut out for the blade. So much better than the almost cigarette box pattern that my co pilot came in. THe co pilot was the first spyderco blade i bought, i now have ten of them and still lusting after more.

Handy, lightweight stainless steel pocket knife made in China for Spyderco, for everyday carry, in a neat little presentation box. The razor sharp and very finely pointed non-locking 2" blade is easy to open and close, with the large hole in the blade providing a good grip. The back of the blade is nice and thick for strength, and stamped near the joint with the Spyderco logo, 'Spyderco', and (I presume) a reference to the carbon content of the steel.Just under 3.5 inches closed, the smoothly rounded handle is shaped so that it is snug in the palm of your hand and your forefinger naturally falls in the groove behind the blade, and prevents it closing, at the same time keeping your skin away from that sharp edge. Easily and comfortably accommodates a big hand, and for that reason alone I prefer this as my 'everyday' knife to the Spyderco Grasshopper that I also own. Looking at the blade side on, with the lanyard hole it resembles nothing less than a bird's skull, with a very pointy beak !

Useful little knife that fits into the ticket pocket of my jeans. It's a little stiff to open one-handed, but I'm hoping it'll wear in. Really nice quality build.

Very nice wee knife, didn't come as sharp as I would have liked but that can be easily fixed. Is actually a bit bigger than I was expecting which is nice.

Great for those like i (in england) who can only carry not locking knives with small blades.It has a nice full finger grip for it's sizeA very sharp tip and it also comes razor sharp out of the boxIt has a pretty good blade steelIf you're looking for a kife like this then i think you'll be most pleased if you get this