A Week with a Medford Praetorian.

[BladeScout]

In my view, the Medford doesn't hold its own very well when taking into account value, ease of use, and performance.....

Agreed.

But to compare the Praetorian to the Opinel doesn't accomplish anything.

Well, in regards to the type of light cutting tasks in the pics, IMO its valid to point out, how for example an Opi would perform as compared to the bulky Medford P.

 

[Gizler00]

...the Medford is .190" thick while the Opinel is .06". That's a huge difference, especially when it comes to use. Do you honestly believe that it can do all the things an Opinel can do? That's 3x the thickness.

The Medford will be better at tasks that abuse a knife (lateral forces, ie prying, batoning incorrectly, being used as a screwdriver, etc).

The Opinel will excel, and literally cut circles, around the Medford at tasks that, I feel, a knife is meant for. The thickness of the Medford alone will prevent it from accomplishing tasks that the Opinel could. This is fact.

edit: bold -- this goes both ways. I don't know why you would want it the other way for a knife, but the Medford will certainly excel at the opposite tasks the Opinel does (ie, Opinel will bend easily, possibly chip, roll an edge, etc)

I am referring to the things I would use it for everyday. I in no way think that the Thicker blade of the Praetorian could do as well as the opinel as finer tasks. I was making the statement of it being able to do all the things the opinel would do for ME in a day.

 

[Gizler00]

Nice review, good pics, thanks for taking the time. I read your review in the OP with interest.
The knife itself, I simply cant take seriously.
There are plenty of nice knives out there for the same money and they'll have thinner stock/less width and weigh less.
Personally, Ive never seen the point of overengineered thick heavy folding knives (no pun intended). They sort of defeat the purpose of carrying a folding knive in my POV.

The light 'cutting' tasks in the review begs the question of why this over a thinner slicer for the same money. Notice no question marks, as I full well am aware, that you obviously wanted the Medford

Its your money and your knife and you obviously wanted to buy this and try it put. Would be a sad world, if we all bought the same knives.

Thanks for the compliments. I understand your point of view. Its not everyones cup of tea. Also, thank you for understanding that I simply wanted to see how it performed these tasks. Typically I would use my Military to do this type of kitchen duty.

Id like to come back to this subject in the future and see, how many of these heavy bulky knives were actually carried for years 24/7 by their owners.

I carry all my knives 24/7 big or small. Problem is I never end up keeping them long since there's always something else that catches my eye.

 

[Gizler00]

Some of you wanted in hand shots. Here you go.








Here is a picture of some thick cardboard I just cut up to give you an idea. The hollow grind on this blade is very thin compared to the spine of the knife. It slices very well.





I do not now how else to explain this unless you actually try it out. I understand that Price is a factor and some people do not think that its worth it. But its just like anything else we have. Take your car for example. If you drive a Platinum f-150 over an XLT, would you be an A$$hole? I mean the XLT version is going to do the exact same job as the more expensive Platinum.

Do some people who tow a 14' aluminum boat need a 2014 3/4 Cummins Diesel truck when a beat up " Smaller" Toyota pickup will do the same job.

We buy things because we like/want them. There are many other choices of knives out there to do the things I am doing with this blade.

I simply made this thread to give some people insight on a knife that does not have much actual Usage info out there. I certainly did not want to stir the pot of Who's is bigger and better. I will keep posting up pictures and my findings as they come, in hopes that it might help someone make a decision one way or another.

Thanks for taking the time to read and, please feel free to keep asking questions .

 

[darkangel55555]

As someone who as one of the Praetorian G models (in the exact same configuration as OP, incidentally), a Praetorian T, and the first Praetorian Ti in the stub nose tanto grind (which has now become the norm, I believe) I can confidently say that the .187 blade stock offers much less resistance push cutting through thicker media than the .260 stock. Additionally, having to max out the travel on the Edge Pro just to clear the primary grind on my Ti is less than ideal.

I've carried and used the Ti since I've had it (over a year now) and it's held up to just about everything. I must admit that the gen4 clip on the T and G models puts less wear on car seats (right rear pocket) and has less chance of getting caught and bent back than the milled clip on the Ti. Apart from that, I've struggled to damage the knife, and believe me I've tried.

Before someone comes along arguing that a cheaper, thinner, lighter knife would do the same job - I know, they do, I have those too. I think I have one of everything currently in production, and yet I still come back to the Praetorian Ti. Some situations just call for hitting something with the broad side of a brick, and the blade of this knife substitutes nicely. I say that in jest, but really it does weigh about as much as its volume in fired clay and then some.

So, why? Why carry something that performs worse, costs more, and looks like it's built from two slabs of titanium and another of steel that hardly got any treatment before being bolted together? Because I can.

 

[Quiet]

...the Medford is .190" thick while the Opinel is .06". That's a huge difference, especially when it comes to use. Do you honestly believe that it can do all the things an Opinel can do? That's 3x the thickness.

The Medford will be better at tasks that abuse a knife (lateral forces, ie prying, batoning incorrectly, being used as a screwdriver, etc).

The Opinel will excel, and literally cut circles, around the Medford at tasks that, I feel, a knife is meant for. The thickness of the Medford alone will prevent it from accomplishing tasks that the Opinel could. This is fact.

edit: bold -- this goes both ways. I don't know why you would want it the other way for a knife, but the Medford will certainly excel at the opposite tasks the Opinel does (ie, Opinel will bend easily, possibly chip, roll an edge, etc)

I just need to ask, why are you in this thread? Do you go into other review threads and state "Yeah, an Opinel can cut better than this knife, so why would you want this knife? This knife clearly won't be as effective as an Opinel at cutting, which I think is what a knife is meant for"? It's been clearly explained to you, and a few other detractors as to why the OP wanted this knife. He likes the design, and as the pictures clearly show, it cuts things just fine. So, why not let the guy likes what he likes? He's been exceptionally polite in the face of everyone essentially stating "You can like your knife, just as long as you know you're wrong for liking it because an Opinel is better."

 

[Gizler00]

As someone who as one of the Praetorian G models (in the exact same configuration as OP, incidentally), a Praetorian T, and the first Praetorian Ti in the stub nose tanto grind (which has now become the norm, I believe) I can confidently say that the .187 blade stock offers much less resistance push cutting through thicker media than the .260 stock. Additionally, having to max out the travel on the Edge Pro just to clear the primary grind on my Ti is less than ideal.

I've carried and used the Ti since I've had it (over a year now) and it's held up to just about everything. I must admit that the gen4 clip on the T and G models puts less wear on car seats (right rear pocket) and has less chance of getting caught and bent back than the milled clip on the Ti. Apart from that, I've struggled to damage the knife, and believe me I've tried.

Before someone comes along arguing that a cheaper, thinner, lighter knife would do the same job - I know, they do, I have those too. I think I have one of everything currently in production, and yet I still come back to the Praetorian Ti. Some situations just call for hitting something with the broad side of a brick, and the blade of this knife substitutes nicely. I say that in jest, but really it does weigh about as much as its volume in fired clay and then some.

So, why? Why carry something that performs worse, costs more, and looks like it's built from two slabs of titanium and another of steel that hardly got any treatment before being bolted together? <I>Because I can.</I>

Thanks for the Reply. Its nice to hear from someone who has spent some time carrying this particular Blade.

How has the coating held up? Vulcan or DLC? Would love to see some Pictures.

 

[Quiet]

IMO its not about fans of cheapo knives dissing high end more expensive knives. Its about some pointing out, that some knives of thinner stock will perform the light cutting tasks in the review better. In this regard, price dont matter.

There are plenty of knives for same price made of thinner stock.

Actually, it's about fans of cheaper knives wanting to force fans of bigger, thicker knives to accept that their way is better, when "better" has little to do with it. Brancron was right on the money, why don't we just shut this site down and all buy Opinels? Oh, oh right: because sometimes, people want what they want. Looks like some folks here need to learn to deal with it.

By the way, Gizler, I will definitely want to see pictures in the future after further use on how the coating holds up. I could see myself with one of these, it's just that right amount of ridiculous and useful. Plus, I see that they also come in olive green, which looks really nice, I think.

 

[somber]

I just need to ask, why are you in this thread? Do you go into other review threads and state "Yeah, an Opinel can cut better than this knife, so why would you want this knife? This knife clearly won't be as effective as an Opinel at cutting, which I think is what a knife is meant for"? It's been clearly explained to you, and a few other detractors as to why the OP wanted this knife. He likes the design, and as the pictures clearly show, it cuts things just fine. So, why not let the guy likes what he likes? He's been exceptionally polite in the face of everyone essentially stating "You can like your knife, just as long as you know you're wrong for liking it because an Opinel is better."

Because it's called Blade Forums, not Blade Gallery, where you just look at a knife. I'm discussing and criticizing the knife. Because this is the venue to do that.

Welcome to the Internet.

 

[Gizler00]

Because it's called Blade Forums, not Blade Gallery, where you just look at a knife. I'm discussing and criticizing the knife. Because this is the venue to do that.

Welcome to the Internet.

I appreciate that. It does offer opportunities for people to voice their opinions. I do it all the time. Please continue to contribute .

 

[dogrunner]

Thank you Gizler for the review, the in-hand pics, and your whole attitude about some of the responses here
This is a knife I have been curious about and never really seriously considered it for me. But I have been curious because it is so different from anything in my own experience (my favorite folders, fwiw, are spydercos - Mili, PM2 especially). I have been using beefier-bladed folders lately, including ZT 620 and 630, Spyderco Techno and Tuff, and BM Adamas and really like the sturdy feeling of those blades, which are also relatively easy carry (the Adamas I confess I only carry in coat pocket or belt sheath), but that got me wondering how far one could push the limits on "beefiness." Medford strikes me as one thinking in that direction too, but yours is the first really thoughtful review I have seen and I found it very interesting and useful. I hope you continue to report on your reaction to it as you carry / use it more.
I also really appreciate the in-hand pic and the earlier pic next to a Mili (love the cruwear mili!) and if it is not too much trouble, would you mind taking a pic next to your Striders (espec the SMF) if you still have those. The striders are the ones I have been considering myself.
thanks!

 

[Gizler00]

Thank you Gizler for the review, the in-hand pics, and your whole attitude about some of the responses here
This is a knife I have been curious about and never really seriously considered it for me. But I have been curious because it is so different from anything in my own experience (my favorite folders, fwiw, are spydercos - Mili, PM2 especially). I have been using beefier-bladed folders lately, including ZT 620 and 630, Spyderco Techno and Tuff, and BM Adamas and really like the sturdy feeling of those blades, which are also relatively easy carry (the Adamas I confess I only carry in coat pocket or belt sheath), but that got me wondering how far one could push the limits on "beefiness." Medford strikes me as one thinking in that direction too, but yours is the first really thoughtful review I have seen and I found it very interesting and useful. I hope you continue to report on your reaction to it as you carry / use it more.
I also really appreciate the in-hand pic and the earlier pic next to a Mili (love the cruwear mili!) and if it is not too much trouble, would you mind taking a pic next to your Striders (espec the SMF) if you still have those. The striders are the ones I have been considering myself.
thanks!

Thanks for the Compliments. I try to stay as unbiased in my reviews as I can. Trying to stay open to all sides of discussion can be difficult at times when we are talking about something I enjoy using. But like others have said, this is the internet and a knife forum where people are supposed to express opinions and thoughts. I welcome them all.

I no longer have any SMF's. However, I can and will post some pictures of it next to my SNG and a few other blades that I own for size reference. One thing that I did not present is how thin this knife actually is. That is another reason why I find it very easy to pocket carry.

 

[HOKIE_FAN]

Way to stay classy Gizler. Great knife...enjoy it. Some people are fans of thick blades, some aren't etc.. That's what's great about our community. I personally love Gregs knives.

 

[AmosPaul]

Why don't you show the Medford doing tasks it is designed to do? Is it designed or advertised to be a kitchen knife?

 

[BladeScout]

Actually, it's about fans of cheaper knives wanting to force fans of bigger, thicker knives to accept that their way is better, when "better" has little to do with it.

That is not at all, how I perceive the posts prior to this one.

 

[Quiet]

Because it's called Blade Forums, not Blade Gallery, where you just look at a knife. I'm discussing and criticizing the knife. Because this is the venue to do that.

Welcome to the Internet.

I'm curious as to why you would criticize this knife in a review thread? Oh, right, because you don't enjoy watching others say nice things about something you don't personally like. Good deal. Well, that's fine. Your drum music is falling on deaf ears, go troll somewhere else.

That is not at all, how I perceive the posts prior to this one.

When OP has already made his position clear concerning thinner bladed knives, that's really all it could be. It's the continued insistence on the part of some folks posting that gets grating. Like, we get it. You don't like this knife, it can't cut anything (because pics of it actually cutting things? Worthless.), and you need to make sure everyone knows it. Ok, cool. Thanks for stopping by.

 

[somber]

I'm curious as to why you would criticize this knife in a review thread? Oh, right, because you don't enjoy watching others say nice things about something you don't personally like. Good deal. Well, that's fine. Your drum music is falling on deaf ears, go troll somewhere else.

When OP has already made his position clear concerning thinner bladed knives, that's really all it could be. It's the continued insistence on the part of some folks posting that gets grating. Like, we get it. You don't like this knife, it can't cut anything (because pics of it actually cutting things? Worthless.), and you need to make sure everyone knows it. Ok, cool. Thanks for stopping by.

Stellar contributions there, Quiet. Let's talk about the knife and not the people talking about it, yeah?

 

[Quiet]

Stellar contributions there, Quiet. Let's talk about the knife and not the people talking about it, yeah?

That's what I thought. This Medford is a neat knife, you agree right?

 

[somber]

That's what I thought. This Medford is a neat knife, you agree right?

You're crusty, dude, and you're not worth my time

...if Greg Medford made a thinner knife with an even full height grind, I'd [maybe] buy one (even at a $600 I think the value could be there).

 

[Quiet]

You're crusty, dude, and you're not worth my time

That's fine.

So, Gizler, we'd love to see more shots of you cutting things up, I find them to be pretty awesome. :thumbup: