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By the time I was 10 years old I could tell a good knife from a bad one. Honestly my tastes haven’t changed a bit. 40 years later I still like what I liked when I was ten.

By the time I was 17 I could sharpen a knife better than anyone I knew. (Other than my father).

I know what I like, I know how to sharpen, and I have my own opinions. I don’t really need u tube for knife content.

Occasionally a how to video is helpful. It’s a valuable resource, but take it all with a grain of salt.
 
spoonrobot said:
... I liked Outpost76 but other than that I can't think of a single reviewer that made a positive impression on me.
Click to expand...

I'm also a fan of Outpost 76. I see him more as a steel tester than a knife reviewer. He certainly offers opinions on various knives. It's just a very different format than your average review channel.
 
As long as they don’t have OCD or act like they got high before doing the video. I want to know how a knife performs and the specifics like the blade type, thickness, length, grind and folded size. What the handle materials are and if it’s slick or grippy. I care very little about how they feel about the knife or if they just ate breakfast. It’s about the knife!
 
I love nutnfancy because he spends money on what he wants to review as far as knives go and I grew up watching him so I enjoy his goofy over the top commentary. He makes a knife review more entertaining to watch than anyone else(in my opinion). A lot of reviews tend to just do “overviews” on knives very similarly to each other. How a knife is during use is not as important as how it is to fidget with. I still enjoy watching most all reviewers as I’m just obsessed with knives generally.
 
I was disillusioned when they all raved about the Peña X Front Flipper Trapper and I bought into the hype and bought one, only to discover the scale pinches my thumb skin off, the detent is so strong I cant flip it without chunks of skin going off. Now I have buyers remorse and dont even want to get rid of it.

I really wish there were more knife stores in my area so I can go physically fondle knives instead of reliant on pictures and reviews. Good thread, if you want entertainment Pete and AKB's got your back, I put them on when I'm at the gym.
 
I'm new here, and new to the hobby/obsession with knifes and trying to learn. My needs are simple really, driven currently by a need to replace a stolen knife. As I look for information sources for reviews and commentary in general it seems to me that most are just like every other review for every other product type; mostly useless. They are all driven by trying to build followers and click-throughs no the ads. Once you hit 1,000 followers on YouTube for example you can start to monetize it. With 1k you might buy a cup of coffee but it easily leads to being driven by the wrong purpose in this age of instant info.

I'd like to have a better local source to see/hold different options. Buying without that...for me at least...makes it harder than it should be.
 
MH150 said:
I'm new here, and new to the hobby/obsession with knifes and trying to learn. My needs are simple really, driven currently by a need to replace a stolen knife. As I look for information sources for reviews and commentary in general it seems to me that most are just like every other review for every other product type; mostly useless. They are all driven by trying to build followers and click-throughs no the ads. Once you hit 1,000 followers on YouTube for example you can start to monetize it. With 1k you might buy a cup of coffee but it easily leads to being driven by the wrong purpose in this age of instant info.

I'd like to have a better local source to see/hold different options. Buying without that...for me at least...makes it harder than it should be.
Click to expand...

Ah, fellow knife fondler.
 
SavageSick said:
What did Tony from Everyday Commentary get sued for? Defamation?

Also, could you share any interesting lawsuits Marfione/Microtech engaged in over the years?
Click to expand...

First, some initial background: http://www.toybotstudios.com/2012/02/microtech-matrix-is-ripping-off-zero.html
In May 2016, a year before these suits were filed, Marfione and Microtech stopped selling their infringing models after KAI sent them a cease and desist letter regarding their patent (the patent application was made in January 2012 but was not granted until September 2015).
In January 2017, at Shot Show, KAI debuted the Natrix, with several not-so-subtle refrences to Microtech's thievery released a fairly incriminating statement about the whole thing, which they've since taken down (but it’s hard to make things disappear on the internet http://imgur.com/a/3gaBY )
The ad copy for the Natrix included these gems:
Where have I seen that profile before? That’s right. The new Kershaw Natrix is based on brother brand Zero Tolerance’s 0770, which itself was inspired by the award-winning ZT 0777. The design has—apparently—been the envy of certain other knifemakers. And now we’re taking it back.
...
Now the next time you see this famous knife profile, it will be from a manufacturer that has a right to the design: us.​
Tony Sculimbrene basically took that copy and ran with it: https://web.archive.org/web/2017012...1/the-story-behind-greatest-knife-of-all.html
A few weeks later, Marfione threatened to sue some random guy on Instagram for calling out the 0777 thing https://external-preview.redd.it/5l...bp&s=31c912eac27d7788f8052e2c2cb28fd981f97c74
10 days later, Marfione and Microtech sued Tony for defamation and "commercial disparagement" related to that blog post (1:17-cv-00046 (W.D. Pa. Feb 17, 2017)).
A month after the suit was filed against Tony, and while it was still pending, Marfione and Microtech sued KAI for defamation, alleging some sort of involvement in Tony's blog post (1:17-cv-00070 (W.D. Pa. Mar 14, 2017)).
Tony eventually agreed to do a retraction (hence the archive.org link) in order to get the case settled.
KAI's motion to dismiss was granted.

Last year, an interesting case was filed: Marfione v. Marfione - 1:20-cv-00178 (W.D. Pa. Jul 06, 2020).
Basically, Microtech and Marfione Custom Knives were incorporated back when Anthony and his ex-wife were still married. Today, they both own 50% of the companies.
Ex-wife sued Anthony for stealing from the companies and making knives to sell in competition with them under the name "Celestial Knives."
Seems that Mr. Marfione decided he no longer wanted to share profits with his ex-wife and tried to do some business behind her back.
The case was resolved in October, and I can't find any sign of "Celestial Knives" on the internet.

There was also a lawsuit filed by Anthony Marfione against his son, Anthony G. Marfione, but it was filed in local Pennsylvania court, so don't have easy access to records. I suspect it has something to do with Heretic Knives, but could be anything.
 
Zookie said:
I love nutnfancy because he spends money on what he wants to review as far as knives go and I grew up watching him so I enjoy his goofy over the top commentary. He makes a knife review more entertaining to watch than anyone else(in my opinion). A lot of reviews tend to just do “overviews” on knives very similarly to each other. How a knife is during use is not as important as how it is to fidget with. I still enjoy watching most all reviewers as I’m just obsessed with knives generally.
Click to expand...

I haven't watched in a while but I like the gear-check/pocket-dump he does when filming out and about. I know a bunch of us here spend time setting up our EDC. How rare is it that somebody asks or wants to check out your choices?
 
I still follow Nick, Advanced Knife Bro, and Cedric and Ada but unsubscribed from the others I did follow.
 
I haven't watched a review in a couple years, I'm not really fond of any of them. I used to watch Nick but I can't handle his voice and I've found I don't agree w/a lot of his assessments. He likes knives as toys or cred, not a knife guy IMO. Some reviewers are OK but I'm pretty over the whole genre. The underlying marketing steers a lot of people, everyone ends up w/the same knives.
 
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OrangeBlueOrangeBlue said:
First, some initial background: http://www.toybotstudios.com/2012/02/microtech-matrix-is-ripping-off-zero.html
In May 2016, a year before these suits were filed, Marfione and Microtech stopped selling their infringing models after KAI sent them a cease and desist letter regarding their patent (the patent application was made in January 2012 but was not granted until September 2015).
In January 2017, at Shot Show, KAI debuted the Natrix, with several not-so-subtle refrences to Microtech's thievery released a fairly incriminating statement about the whole thing, which they've since taken down (but it’s hard to make things disappear on the internet http://imgur.com/a/3gaBY )
The ad copy for the Natrix included these gems:
Where have I seen that profile before? That’s right. The new Kershaw Natrix is based on brother brand Zero Tolerance’s 0770, which itself was inspired by the award-winning ZT 0777. The design has—apparently—been the envy of certain other knifemakers. And now we’re taking it back.
...
Now the next time you see this famous knife profile, it will be from a manufacturer that has a right to the design: us.​
Tony Sculimbrene basically took that copy and ran with it: https://web.archive.org/web/2017012...1/the-story-behind-greatest-knife-of-all.html
A few weeks later, Marfione threatened to sue some random guy on Instagram for calling out the 0777 thing https://external-preview.redd.it/5l...bp&s=31c912eac27d7788f8052e2c2cb28fd981f97c74
10 days later, Marfione and Microtech sued Tony for defamation and "commercial disparagement" related to that blog post (1:17-cv-00046 (W.D. Pa. Feb 17, 2017)).
A month after the suit was filed against Tony, and while it was still pending, Marfione and Microtech sued KAI for defamation, alleging some sort of involvement in Tony's blog post (1:17-cv-00070 (W.D. Pa. Mar 14, 2017)).
Tony eventually agreed to do a retraction (hence the archive.org link) in order to get the case settled.
KAI's motion to dismiss was granted.

Last year, an interesting case was filed: Marfione v. Marfione - 1:20-cv-00178 (W.D. Pa. Jul 06, 2020).
Basically, Microtech and Marfione Custom Knives were incorporated back when Anthony and his ex-wife were still married. Today, they both own 50% of the companies.
Ex-wife sued Anthony for stealing from the companies and making knives to sell in competition with them under the name "Celestial Knives."
Seems that Mr. Marfione decided he no longer wanted to share profits with his ex-wife and tried to do some business behind her back.
The case was resolved in October, and I can't find any sign of "Celestial Knives" on the internet.

There was also a lawsuit filed by Anthony Marfione against his son, Anthony G. Marfione, but it was filed in local Pennsylvania court, so don't have easy access to records. I suspect it has something to do with Heretic Knives, but could be anything.
Click to expand...

I've always wondered where the negative sentiment of Microtech/Marfione [M/M] originated from...

Thanks to you, it finally makes sense.


The Marfione family seems dysfunctional, to say the least :D

Do you happen to own any M/M products? I've owned a handful of them, they've all been of excellent quality; but their apathy towards customers in terms of warranties have pushed me away from them (sold off all my Microtechs).



If you were to teach a law classroom, would you use this instance as a case study? :p

You should dedicate a thread and illuminate us laypeople about the legal quarrels occurring in the knife industry.

Serious thanks to your commitment in compiling and delivering such an enlightening, lengthy, detailed post.
 
OrangeBlueOrangeBlue said:
First, some initial background: http://www.toybotstudios.com/2012/02/microtech-matrix-is-ripping-off-zero.html
In May 2016, a year before these suits were filed, Marfione and Microtech stopped selling their infringing models after KAI sent them a cease and desist letter regarding their patent (the patent application was made in January 2012 but was not granted until September 2015).
In January 2017, at Shot Show, KAI debuted the Natrix, with several not-so-subtle refrences to Microtech's thievery released a fairly incriminating statement about the whole thing, which they've since taken down (but it’s hard to make things disappear on the internet http://imgur.com/a/3gaBY )
The ad copy for the Natrix included these gems:
Where have I seen that profile before? That’s right. The new Kershaw Natrix is based on brother brand Zero Tolerance’s 0770, which itself was inspired by the award-winning ZT 0777. The design has—apparently—been the envy of certain other knifemakers. And now we’re taking it back.
...
Now the next time you see this famous knife profile, it will be from a manufacturer that has a right to the design: us.​
Tony Sculimbrene basically took that copy and ran with it: https://web.archive.org/web/2017012...1/the-story-behind-greatest-knife-of-all.html
A few weeks later, Marfione threatened to sue some random guy on Instagram for calling out the 0777 thing https://external-preview.redd.it/5l...bp&s=31c912eac27d7788f8052e2c2cb28fd981f97c74
10 days later, Marfione and Microtech sued Tony for defamation and "commercial disparagement" related to that blog post (1:17-cv-00046 (W.D. Pa. Feb 17, 2017)).
A month after the suit was filed against Tony, and while it was still pending, Marfione and Microtech sued KAI for defamation, alleging some sort of involvement in Tony's blog post (1:17-cv-00070 (W.D. Pa. Mar 14, 2017)).
Tony eventually agreed to do a retraction (hence the archive.org link) in order to get the case settled.
KAI's motion to dismiss was granted.

Last year, an interesting case was filed: Marfione v. Marfione - 1:20-cv-00178 (W.D. Pa. Jul 06, 2020).
Basically, Microtech and Marfione Custom Knives were incorporated back when Anthony and his ex-wife were still married. Today, they both own 50% of the companies.
Ex-wife sued Anthony for stealing from the companies and making knives to sell in competition with them under the name "Celestial Knives."
Seems that Mr. Marfione decided he no longer wanted to share profits with his ex-wife and tried to do some business behind her back.
The case was resolved in October, and I can't find any sign of "Celestial Knives" on the internet.

There was also a lawsuit filed by Anthony Marfione against his son, Anthony G. Marfione, but it was filed in local Pennsylvania court, so don't have easy access to records. I suspect it has something to do with Heretic Knives, but could be anything.
Click to expand...

Hey, O OrangeBlueOrangeBlue , way to back up your statements! So much information these days, even here, is just parroted from some other source and it winds up being rumor and hearsay. Nicely done. We live in a time where there seems to be a lot more misinformation than information, and it seems that there is always someone sitting in front of their computer that "knows the guy" or situation that is being spoken of.... trust them... they are on the internet.

I hope all remember here that they folks review knives only do it for a couple of reasons. First, mostly likely money. Second, most likely ego. I would bet that 99% of the people that post videos ( "hey... seriously... don't forget to subscribe/like/ring the bell since that's how I support this site" ) don't do it because they have nothing else better to do.

Really?? UNFN Boxing?? " ummm.....errrr.... well, this is a box. Seems like a nice box.... the knife came in this box. The box appears to be blue.... with some what I am going to call ummmmm..... errr..... "black" writing on it. Here is the barcode sticker. The box as we are calling it, is in pretty good shape, and the knife appears to fit well inside it".

Add 15 more minutes of stumbling around, rolling the knife over in the hand, flicking he mechanism discussing how fast it "deploys", showing it compared to the other knives you own, and that is all you seem to get. Better than nothing, but not much. And of course, all now are experts. If they call the company and tell them they are reviewing one of the company's knives for their YouTube channel, no doubt someone will take the call in this cancellation culture we have.

I have seen this somewhere online; the guy has a question about how a knife opens (excuse me, deploys) and about wear surfaces on the frame and no engineer/designer will take his call. He calls back the next day, and those same busy professionals don't take his call. Don't they know he is Rock Survivalman (his internet name, no doubt) from Dime Box, Texas?

The posting continues with "I tried to contact the company on more than one occasion to discuss this with them, but they refused to respond. Makes me wonder about their customer service after the sale. What if I needed them in a knife emergency and they weren't there for me?"

No doubt some of the guys do a really good job, and if you have ever made a video, you have an ideal how long it takes just to make 10 minutes. (I do them as part of my commercial real estate inspection reports). If I wasn't getting paid for it, I wouldn't do it. Then of course, EVERYONE is a critic once you have gone live and posted it for viewing. And although they haven't posted a video on their own, they are grand critics. Critical comments range from they think you are an idiot, I don't like his accent, I love my XXXX so he must have done something wrong, I didn't like his/her testing methods, and on and on. NOW... now they have an opinion!

So I am back to my original premise. If there are more than a video or two from someone, no doubt in my mind they are either trying to make money or hoping to make money from their hobby. Even if they waive the flag of "I paid for this myself and didn't receive anything from XXXX" I think we should take all of them with a grain or three of salt. Even without sponsorship, they receive a (although tiny) payment every time an ad runs.

Robert
 
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