SOG Kiku XR Blackout Review

Kiku Matsuda is a knifemaking legend in Japan and his relationship with SOG Knives goes back to 2008. We covered his first folder collaboration with SOG back in 2014 so, while perusing the company’s offerings online, I was delighted to see the company still offers a couple of Matsuda’s exquisite designs — especially the Kiku XR folder. Though not brand-spanking new, in this writer’s opinion Kiku’s designs are timeless. I procured a sample of the Kiku XR and bring it to you here.

The SOG Kiku XR — 7.375″ overall and 4.375″ closed — is built like a tank but once you get past its somewhat short, stubby profile, Matsuda’s exquisite design prowess takes over. The 3.0″ black-coated CTS-XHP stainless steel blade is a hybrid alliance of the Japanese Tanto, Recurve and Harpoon styles skillfully blended into one. The matte black finished blade rolls out by your choice of a kidney-shaped hole or jimped flipper and snicks into place with SOG’s XL slide-lock. The blade deploys by thumbing down the spring-loaded lock release. The handle has nicely sculpted Micarta scales over stainless steel liners. The Kiku XR is delivered with two pocket clips, one for right side carry and one for the left, both for tip-up orientation.