- Joined
- Dec 29, 2003
- Messages
- 339
I've been waiting patiently (OK...maybe not so patiently) for a new Obie. I contacted Mike a few months back and he mentioned that he was just finishing up a batch of knives for True North and suggested I contact Neil who was nice enough to put up with my countless emails and calls over the course of a month or two. I placed my order yesterday and had my package from Neil about 20 hrs later. How's that for service?
I opted for a Mini Model 2 with carbon fiber scales. The mini measures 3 7/8" closed, OAL comes in at 6 5/8" with a 2 3/4" blade of S30V. Matte finished Carbon Fiber is mated to ti liners & bolsters. Neil just got this one in from Mike, so it's literally right off the bench. I found it smooth, but a little tight out of the box so I added a drop of Militec on each side of the pivot and it removed the slight resistance immediately. I was always amazed at the smoothness of my Obie framelock, and this liner lock is no different.
Lock up is achieved with a solid and audible clank. No play in any direction, just as anticipated. The S30V blade is scary sharp and just like my other model 2, this mini is equipped with the characteristic & portly Obenauf drop point blade. To my surprise, when Neil described the blade he indicated it had a slight recurve. It's absolutely gorgeous and places even more emphasis on the blade's already oversized belly (a belly much like my own ). The bolsters & blade are finished in the same satin appearance. A black micarta spacer fills the otherwise open back and the package rounds out with dual thumbstuds and a clip set for tip-down carry (which I promptly removed).
You can't review or describe Mike Obenauf's knives without using the word "value" at least once. IMHO, Mike's knives are simply one of the best values on the market today. Fit, finish and action are are as good or better than knives I've handled at considerably higher price points. Attention to detail is clear the first time you open an Obenauf folder. It's smoothness defies gravity. It's items like the burly bellied blade, a distinct finish and quality workmanship that set his knives apart from so many others available today. Toss in the great value and it's a package that's hard to beat...any any price.
And lastly, my two Obenauf Model 2's, the 'small' framelock and my new 'mini' liner lock.
Stay tuned for pics of my Damascus model 2 in the next couple of weeks.
I opted for a Mini Model 2 with carbon fiber scales. The mini measures 3 7/8" closed, OAL comes in at 6 5/8" with a 2 3/4" blade of S30V. Matte finished Carbon Fiber is mated to ti liners & bolsters. Neil just got this one in from Mike, so it's literally right off the bench. I found it smooth, but a little tight out of the box so I added a drop of Militec on each side of the pivot and it removed the slight resistance immediately. I was always amazed at the smoothness of my Obie framelock, and this liner lock is no different.
Lock up is achieved with a solid and audible clank. No play in any direction, just as anticipated. The S30V blade is scary sharp and just like my other model 2, this mini is equipped with the characteristic & portly Obenauf drop point blade. To my surprise, when Neil described the blade he indicated it had a slight recurve. It's absolutely gorgeous and places even more emphasis on the blade's already oversized belly (a belly much like my own ). The bolsters & blade are finished in the same satin appearance. A black micarta spacer fills the otherwise open back and the package rounds out with dual thumbstuds and a clip set for tip-down carry (which I promptly removed).
You can't review or describe Mike Obenauf's knives without using the word "value" at least once. IMHO, Mike's knives are simply one of the best values on the market today. Fit, finish and action are are as good or better than knives I've handled at considerably higher price points. Attention to detail is clear the first time you open an Obenauf folder. It's smoothness defies gravity. It's items like the burly bellied blade, a distinct finish and quality workmanship that set his knives apart from so many others available today. Toss in the great value and it's a package that's hard to beat...any any price.
And lastly, my two Obenauf Model 2's, the 'small' framelock and my new 'mini' liner lock.
Stay tuned for pics of my Damascus model 2 in the next couple of weeks.
