The JL Kwaiken from Kubey Knives // A Design That Leads to Much Discussion

[@nickallen937]

Cool blade without a doubt. Also, I’ve been watching your videos about a month now, just wanted to say I like the way you structure them. It feels like having a chat with an old friend. Keep em coming!

[@411Outdoors]

I appreciate that!

[@hawkknight4223]

A blade that I bought that I thought I was going to hate. But everyone was talking about it. Has floored me over the last five or six years of owning it! Incredibly useful. Moronically versatile. And incredulously impossible, to take from me in a grappling scenario. (Unless there’s, wrist control obviously.) The Mora Eldress! It looks stupid. And it feels silly. And then you just keep beating the crap out of it! The stupid thing works! I made a whole, little kit, neck knife around it.

[@DavidBurge-xf8zx]

I am a huge fan of Kubey. Great budget brand. The Kubey Royal is one of my primary EDC knives that I rotate in and out of my carry.

[@santossalinas4221]

I agree with the guy that brought up the obake vibes that's why I like it.

[@jamesslough6465]

Thanks for posting this video and I enjoyed your ample warnings about the potential consequences of no hand guard on a knife with such a straight handle. I bought a semi cheap medical knife ($30) to put in a bug out medical kit and it had no hand guard and too tight a cheap plastic sheath. While I was struggling to pull it out of a stuck sheath my hand slipped and I got a very nice hand slice that was one that required stitches (but I just poured bleed stop on the cut and wrapped it in gauze, and got to swap bandages and watch it oozing for about a week). So your warnings are well placed and thanks again for the refresher training on knives without sheaths. Tell everybody to be sure and have a plan B if they want to play with dangerous knives :):) Best Wishes.

[@oceanwater6887]

That knife reminds me of the CRKT Obake

[@coyotejake9164]

They're both based on the Japanese kaiken/kwaiken design.

[@411Outdoors]

💯

[@kencoffman7145]

I have the obake. I strongly recommend trying the lanyard type of carry for this blade. There use to be videos demonstrating this. I find this style very edc friendly

[@estevangandara6788]

Kubey makes great stuff for a even better price. I own the wolf cqc

[@clintonlewis1261]

Cool looking blade.

[@arvienplaythrough5459]

It's not gonna slip. 😊

[@edsweeney6843]

Thanks for another great video. I'm on the fence about this kind of knife. But it's a beautiful knife.

[@livinglarge13]

I been using a boker Burnley design Kwaiken as my EDC great little blade I really like the jl Kwaiken thanks for sharing

[@anthonybarefoot6860]

The first thing to come to my mind was trout and bird knife.

[@VTPSTTU]

Thanks for the video. At this point, I'm too tired to have an opinion either way. I can see both sides.

[@r3ptile584]

Kubey makes decent blades. I really like the WOLF.

[@timcullinane7455]

Knife sheath hack. I use tie wraps through the holes on the sheath. You can do regular or scout carry. Keeps the knife close to the body

[@411Outdoors]

Awesome!

[@azizyahaya2174]

Discussion, indeed. Sometimes people focus so much on the hardware that they forget that a knife is still a weapon that you have to *train* with in order to become *effective* at using said weapon. A handguard on the knife becomes irrelevant if you don't train with edged weapons to begin with. It's not some magic thingamajig that automatically wins you every knife fight you encounter. Likewise, not having a handguard would limit the types of maneuvers you can use with an edged weapon. Thrusting and stabbing becomes tricky because your hand might slip onto the blade. This may be prevented by developing skill and experience through dry training exercises but not negate it completely. But personally, this particular blade is small and still pretty utilitarian in nature. You can get away with using it as a fixed blade pocket knife while still being able to defend yourself since its size makes it easy to conceal.

[@dylanvisitacion8618]

👍

[@edmundleong576]

Very valid questions regarding a lack of handguard. When things start getting "real" and body fluids are on everything. There is a greater chance of slippage on the knife you are using, regardless , even if your are using it in ice pick grip. Especially, if your strikes encounter web gear or belt buckles. Unlike ,what the movies most often depict that a one shot "magic" thrust is all it takes to "neutralize" a target . It rarely happens that way. Most of the time they don't even know at the that they have sustained a stab wound. Unfortunately it usually requires multiple, rapid thrusts like a "singer sewing machine" . To have any effect, when the adrenaline is running high. Thus , increasing, the chance of slippage on the blade. When it is necessary to use the knife this way.

[@roadking681]

I like everything about that knife except for the fact it does not have a finger choil on the handle to keep your fingers from sliding on to the blade. Thanks for sharing.

[@forestadventureswithscott8777]

I've always liked the look of the kwaiken design. Very close to puukko designs in terms of no guard. I almost pulled the trigger on a Boker a few years ago but went another route.

[@TheWolfe83]

Nice blade I think something like the Spyderco street beat would be more for me

[@esegoldberg]

Nice looking knife but not for me. I like a knife I can use for different purposes. A handguard is important to me. In my Escrima training I prefer knives I can use in either the "Heaven" or "Earth" grips, not a knife that is limited like this one is. Good review. Keep up the good work..:)

[@BrianHarbut-v5k]

Gotta say Daniel you got scarily excited over that knife! 😂 The thought of my hand sliding up that blade set my teeth on edge though! I’ll stick to a safer type I think. Best wishes! 👍

[@411Outdoors]

Thank you!

[@erikhasenauer3584]

I'd go for the ccanku knife you reviewed before for the use as a stinger.

[@KenS826]

I wouldn't classify this knife as a self defense knife only, I see it as a great utility knife as well. Saying that, the lack of a finger guard isn't a deal-breaker for me. Any knife can be used for defense in an emergency condition, but there are many handle designs that don't appear tactical. That may be a good thing in cities that are restrictive.

[@rylandfoster1]

This reminds me more of TOPS Street Scalpel, more so then the CRKT Obake. The Street Scapel 2.0 is a huge improvement for those who like forward grips due to the deep finger choil to act as a hnd guard of sorts. Also, there is the Canku 1390, which resembles the Street Scalpel for those on a budget. The Artisan Cutlery Sea Snake is another good option in this vein of blade style. Different blade profile, but it is still that sleek, just big enough for the hand and easy to conceal style blade. For reference, the blade review is actually called the JL Drop Point Fixie on Kubey's site. They have a few good CQC self defense blades, like the Medusa push knife (cant call it a dagger since it isnt double edged), and the Wolf E- CQC. The wolf seems tailored to accomodate as many grip types and techniques as possible, of you consider the design elements the blade designer implmented, but the presence of the butt ring kinda gears you toward a reverse grip more often then not, bit the lack of dual edge makes this impractical. As a reference, most karambit practioners, myself included, would use a dual edge blade because it reduces the need to attack from awkward angles and eliminates the need to change grips.

[@Micsupersonic]

I believe some countries have more restrictive regulations towards knives with a handguard. Might be the reason why

[@adawolf9483]

Finger guards are like training wheels, good to have them but very disappointing if people can't go without them.

[@411Outdoors]

I just believe the heat of the moment could pose an issue. I personally can work without. Just more risky

[@erikhasenauer3584]

I would love the ak74 from kuby but it seems they discounted it.

[@reedsponsler2563]

I have an obake which I have carried for years scout style. Dont see me getting this though.

[@phillipmargrave]

It looks similar to a roach belly knife in blade profile, maybe a bit slimmer.

[@AlphaNTT]

Well, every knife has its purpose. Nun, jedes Messer hat seinen Zweck.

[@xklocu1812]

That's a great looking blade. But I suppose there's no reason not to put just a small finger guard on a defensive knife. Even in reverse grip you can just forget to put your thumb on top of the handle. I much more prefer cs kyoto tanto as it feels way more securely. Carrying the kubey is like carrying a gun with a round in the chamber without internal safety😂

[@411Outdoors]

Haha well said!

[@stephenbarabas6286]

I must live dangerously since my gun's only "safety" is a heavy trigger spring

[@stonefox9124]

Why doesn't ur knofe have a hand guard? I live on the edge!

[@411Outdoors]

Haha!💯

[@beeamerica5024]

It would seem to me that it would come down to aim and staying away from hard bone

[@411Outdoors]

💯💯

[@clintonlewis1261]

I perfer a hand guard !

[@AdamosDad]

🗽Border, 2nd Amendment, Abortion, America First🗽

[@richardhenry1969]

Training is more important that tool. With proper training everything becomes a tool. If your focused to use a knife. I would highly recommend not stabbing but slicing. Every action needs to be defendable. Especially if you live in a blue state or city where the crime is. I carry a large knife but i also carry a cane and a kubaton an sometimes mace. A gun would be great but my state is communist unless you are a certain demographic. Hopefully with some luck i can move to a free state again. Only came back because of the grankids and now everyone has moved. Really like that design myself.

[@411Outdoors]

Martial blade concepts in particular focuses upon slicing instead of stabbing. I have more of a shock zone system of piercing and evading. That being said, I like both slicing and piercing methods. This is a cool design. It just has more risk.

[@user-ue5kr7xf7z]

I honestly do not understand the big interest in those types of knives/blade design. To me it's just a glorified average steak knife with a pretty handle. Just reach into your kitchen draw and grab a steak knife. Give me a KaBar any day.

[@411Outdoors]

A lot of people are into stinger type designs because of their compact and slick nature

[@phillipmargrave]

The majority of knife crimes around the world are committed with kitchen knives, because they’re readily available in the moment. OJ Simpson killed his victims with a steak knife.