I don't think I've posted here before, so let me start by saying "Hello" to everyone, and thank you for all the wonderful advice, information, and anecdotes that you have shared on this website. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

A few have posted here and in other forums that their knives have arrived, but I thought I would share my experience nonetheless, if for no other reason than as a Canadian buyer.

My un-numbered RSK MK1 arrived today quite unexpectedly -- Aeromedix had said in the invoice that they would notify me when the knife shipped, but I didn't receive a note. So I was pleasantly surprised and puzzled to come home to a note from the delivery person that there would be a package waiting for me at the depot since I wasn't home when he (or she) came. After a quick supper, I drove to retrieve the package, and lo, there it was.

My EDC folder for the past 10 or more years has been a Spyderco Delica, so my observations on the RSK MK1 are strongly coloured by that. I'm not a frequent knife buyer or reviewer by any measure, so pardon my simpleness.

Having said that, let's get the most obvious thing out of the way: the RSK is heavier and larger than the Delica. Handling the knife, it is apparent that there is a substantial amount of steel in the blade. The knife feels blade-heavy, and yet, surprisingly, it has a balance point somewhere along the finger guard. Looking at my limited collection, I can compare this against my 9cm Wustof paring knife and my 8-inch Henckels chef's knife. The paring knife is handle heavy, and "falls" into my palm. Same with my Delica. The chef's knife balances on my fore-finger, just like the RSK. When I first handled the RSK, I was kind of surprised that the blade was not longer. Such are the limits of my experiences.

From a tactile point of view, the next thing I noticed was how quiet the Axis lock is. Compared to the Delica's backlock, which makes a loud "thwack" when I open it even at moderate speeds, the Axis lock is more like a gentle "thwip". I won't say it's luxurious sounding because you can still hear the plastic in the handle at the end. But it's probably quiet enough to go unnoticed in a cube-farm office environment.

I haven't had any problems getting used to opening the knife with the thumb stud, which is nicely finished with no burrs.

I like the shape of the blade, which is less "pointy" than the Delica and I think less threatening. I can't explain it, but I've always felt that the Delica's blade looks like it's made for stabbing. When I was younger, I chose the Delica because it looked wicked cool. The RSK blade's shape reminds me of the Sebenza, and of my Cold Steel Master Hunter, which I think are more outdoorsy looking, and hopefully less scary. I guess these days that matters to me. The stone-tumbled finish puts a nice random-scratch pattern on the RSK's blade. I'm not sure if the logos and other markings are laser etched, I guess time will tell how well they wear, not that it matters much to me.

The lock pin slides smoothly, and there is no blade play as far as I could tell. But then my Delica doesn't show any play either. There was some discussion on Blade Forum (I think) about whether the Axis lock pin could be slid with just the thumb on one side, or whether you need to put both thumb and fore-finger on both sides of the pin. Well I can slide the pin with just my thumb, but prefer to use both thumb and finger because the omega springs are pretty stiff. And besides, the lock pin just slides smoother this way.

The handle has nicely rounded contours, and I love the way it fits my hand. I particulary like the way the handle drops down at the tail end, just like my Delica. The longer, wider handle and the rounded-pyramid pattern provide an improved grip over the Delica's narrow shape and "volcano" pattern, which seem slippery by comparison. The RSK's plastic handle is louder when I rub it and clack my engineer's pinky ring against it. I'm used to having a thumb ramp on my Delica, and the RSK's does feel very comfortable.

The metal clip is stiff, and presses against the handle very well. I lost my first (of two) Delica's because of its relatively weak moulded-in clip, so I think the RSK's clip is a definite improvement. I've seen my Delica half-way out of my right front jeans pocket after physical activity, but I suspect the RSK will stay put.

And now for the Canadian content part of this post. The package was shipped USPS Global Express, and arrived via Purolator (the Canadian Postal Service owns Purolator, so I guess they use it for deliveries like this.) I didn't have to pay any duty or taxes when I picked up the package, but there is an orange sticker that says I may yet receive one in the mail. The package was shipped from WY on Jun 12, and arrived today, the 16, so that makes 4 days in transit to my Toronto home.

In summary, I think this is a good knife and I'm glad I bought it. At least, that's the case so far. Time will tell, eh? I plan to EDC it from now on. Thank you, Doug (and everyone else involved, sorry if I don't name names), for the effort you put into producing this knife. I hope it sells well, and that it gets into the usual distribution channels so I can easily buy more of them to stash in my kits and give away as gifts.