I realized today that I’ve been in the hobby now for nearly 13 years and a member of this forum for a bit more than 12. Thinking back on my first pivotal purchase, a Delica 4, and noting the state of the hobby then vs. now, we really have come so far. Pretty much anything you could want in a knife exists somewhere. Hell, Spyderco sprints around that time were flat ground s30v iterations of the Manix 2. Now they’re making a Salt series Native in MAGNACUT.
Titanium framelocks were the most desirable pieces in the game and the two major players were CRK and Strider (no flaming please), and Hinderer was either on the cusp of greatness or barely heard of at that point. Now you have Demko introducing new locks every two years and his production models are flying off of shelves. Titanium framelocks are made in droves by every major company.
My time in the hobby is short compared to many, but the evolution over that short time has been just incredible.
Titanium framelocks were the most desirable pieces in the game and the two major players were CRK and Strider (no flaming please), and Hinderer was either on the cusp of greatness or barely heard of at that point. Now you have Demko introducing new locks every two years and his production models are flying off of shelves. Titanium framelocks are made in droves by every major company.
My time in the hobby is short compared to many, but the evolution over that short time has been just incredible.