4-Max Curiosity

Mick_1KRR said:
I've always felt if you're going to go for a massive overbuilt knife, you're buying it so everything is exactly that "overbuilt". I just don't see the point in buying a folder with huge stock, heavy in pocket etc but it still has a frame lock. That spring tension barely gets any stronger when you beef up the frame of the knife. That's why if i'm going to put up with the weight and size I want the thing to be as indestructible as it feels even if we're talking "abnormal or abuse standards". In that vein i prefer the 4max, SR1 and the actual AD-10 customs from Demko. I still love the Adamas and other tanky knives tho.

When other companies start bringing out massive overbuilt knives with actual strong (and unique?) overbuilt locks that can't fail from average abuse I will start looking at other makers. Because at the end of the day overbuilt knives are a bit of a novelty, they don't cut things better or carry better, they're made to give you that sense of strength and indestructibility, and I just don't get that feeling from any kind of frame lock.
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Exactly. Overbuilt frame locks, and to an even greater degree liner locks, just seem sort of pointless to me. The one exception I've encountered was the Carson Tech EVO. It was a framelock, but the spring tension was too strong to disengage with your thumb, so it had a button actuated frame lock and a safety to boot. I doubt the OP could track one down very easily, but they are cool knives and definitely sturdy:
 
jstn said:
Obviously not my money, but I would take a chance on the 4 Max. For one, I don't think it is really much of a risk. I've had a few 4 Max models and both were flawless; they were on par with my custom AD10. I didn't keep the 4 Maxes because of the size and weight, but I have no doubt they are the strongest folders made, and they still cut well for their size. I suspect if you don't scratch the itch for one you will keep wanting one.
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The words you speak make sense. I guess the worst that could happen is that I get a bad knife in which case I could just return it.
 
jstn said:
Obviously not my money, but I would take a chance on the 4 Max. For one, I don't think it is really much of a risk. I've had a few 4 Max models and both were flawless; they were on par with my custom AD10. I didn't keep the 4 Maxes because of the size and weight, but I have no doubt they are the strongest folders made, and they still cut well for their size. I suspect if you don't scratch the itch for one you will keep wanting one.
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My 4-MAX cuts extremely well for having such a strong blade. Just thin enough to slice well and just thick enough to be brute strong. And the Tri-Ad lock, well, Mr Demko's videos speak for themselves. I highly doubt there's a stronger lock on the planet. Once again, my 2 cents.
 
So I can unscrew the screws that hold the clip on then remove the clip and just retighten the screws without the clip , correct?

The 2017 version is @ $70 less than the 2018 USA-made version. Any preference there?
 
Yes the clip can be removed and the screws put back. I've never owned a USA made one but my Italian made one is pretty much perfect. If I had to name any issues with it the only thing is the blade is just a tiny bit off center. Hardly even enough to notice. Everything else is fitted perfectly. Blade grinds are spot on. Lockup is solid as a rock. Handles are smoothly finished and fitted perfectly.
 
Wolverine666 said:
Looks insane. Ridiculously thick but I like it. How's threir QC rep? And experience with one?
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QC is so so. Returned mine. If don’t mind an off center blade and owning it just as a novelty knife then that’s fine.
If you are gonna use a knife then cold steel. Find a good dealer that you can inspect in person or has good CS.
 
I have the colossus and the 4 max. Colossus performs better obviously with the thinner wide blade. Nothing I own slices better. The thumb plate cannot be baton though and a thin full flat is not so good to baton because wedge is better.
4 max cutting performance will be poor in comparison but it’s much better than it’s beefy stature. That knife feels as if you can baton with a hammer on top.
I had QC problems in 4 max , colossus and the pmp beast.
I fixed my 4 max. I got an exchange on the colossus and the pmp beast QC is horrendous on my particular unit. 4 max is a functional beast. Pmp beast is like an art knife. No problem if you want to own one if you are not gonna use it.
Bottom line my advice is to use a good dealer and go for a cold steel. Maybe even the ultimate hunter may be all that you need.
Edit: on the grayman, I remember there is some speculation they are actually made in china which is not a bad thing nowadays but I can’t quite confirm that. There was some reason that slips my mind
Edit again: Scratch what I say about grayman until I can prove what I am talking about
 
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F22shift said:
I have the colossus and the 4 max. Colossus performs better obviously with the thinner wide blade. Nothing I own slices better. The thumb plate cannot be baton though and a thin full flat is not so good to baton because wedge is better.
4 max cutting performance will be poor in comparison but it’s much better than it’s beefy stature. That knife feels as if you can baton with a hammer on top.
I had QC problems in 4 max , colossus and the pmp beast.
I fixed my 4 max. I got an exchange on the colossus and the pmp beast QC is horrendous on my particular unit. 4 max is a functional beast. Pmp beast is like an art knife. No problem if you want to own one if you are not gonna use it.
Bottom line my advice is to use a good dealer and go for a cold steel. Maybe even the ultimate hunter may be all that you need.
Edit: on the grayman, I remember there is some speculation they are actually made in china which is not a bad thing nowadays but I can’t quite confirm that. There was some reason that slips my mind
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Grayman's made in China? It says "100% made in the USA" on their site. But I don't know much about them. Either way , their knives look great. I did reach out to Grayman the other day and they responded quickly. I asked if they had more Satu's that would be available soon. They said hopefully by the end of the year. So we'll see.
 
Wolverine666 said:
Grayman's made in China? It says "100% made in the USA" on their site. But I don't know much about them. Either way , their knives look great. I did reach out to Grayman the other day and they responded quickly. I asked if they had more Satu's that would be available soon. They said hopefully by the end of the year. So we'll see.
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Yeah hmm. I could have sworn I read something about it. Scratch what I said until I can find what I read. I don’t want to spread misinformation.
Edit: let me just say I’m wrong and have misspoke. Because it’s quite serious if I am wrong as it’s part of their selling point.
 
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Wolverine666 said:
After reading the linked thread , the 4-Max seems like an awfully big gamble for $345. I think I'm gonna pass.
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Some of the US runs had QC issues. I believe that's what drove the move to Italy. I've been very pleased with my Italian version.

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This thread is making me want to try to justify carrying a 4 Max so I can get another one!
 
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