A Week with a Medford Praetorian.

[darkangel55555]

This is what mine started life as.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtiMquqZFyE

This is what's happened since.

The finish holds up pretty well, surprisingly. I've cut a ton of cardboard, dragged it along pipes to clear electrical tape, cut about a mile of gaffer tape, and done a fair few packing straps (dense plastic, not steel) as well.

The point got hammered through a few coconuts as one of its first jobs when I got it.

Yes, that's a gen1 TFF-1. I prefer the look of that belly.

So for everyone asking about the wear, here's a HEST 2.0 folder that's been subjected to a similarly hard life.

Lockup hasn't even moved over. Which, admittedly, means it's still worryingly close to disengagement.

Satin front slab, black oxide D2 blade, flamed satin back slab, satin Ti clip, SS hardware. NP3 coated D2 breaker. Tried it once. Didn't work all that well, rounded over a little bit. Guess 1/2" tempered glass spreads the force enough that it just splits in one spot instead of shattering. Rounded the point of the breaker a little bit. It still does well to balance the weight of the open blade.

 

[Zacgmcg11]

Comparing opinels to this medford is hilarious. And i think one of the big conundrums in this knife world is that its true a $30 knife can and will cut a lot of the same things in the same way. But we all want different things, and in this hobby there is a million options from looks, feel, materials, styles, makers, country of origin. If this was a random knife topic that would be one thing, but the fact it is a review to me changes the type of replys that should be coming in. it is his opinion.

Also i own four Medfords and they are everything i hoped they would be and more. Just the fact they are so different makes me like/enjoy them even more.

 

[Boats]

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.

This is one of the most juvenile posts I have ever read on this forum, and that's saying something given how long I have hung out here.

"Fans of cheaper knives?" Really? There are many thinner bladed knives out there that cost more than any Medford ever made.

What has, and is, going on in this thread is a legitimate debate over the daily practicality of this Medford in question, and by extension, a discussion of the merits of all folding knives of this particular niche.

People who see the primary job of a EDC to be able to cut things with some amount of precision have difficulty seeing blades like the Praetorian features as delivering the goods on a price:value judgement. People who want near fixed blade toughness and "adequate" cutting ability, i.e., when called upon it actually cut something, if not wowing slicing aficionados in the process, defend these blades because they want that margin of abuse durability or they are fans of the overall aesthetic.

It's not about "right" or "wrong," it's about having a vigorous pro/con debate for the undecided. No one has attacked the OP as a free spending idiot, they've been asking him what he sees in his chunky handful of Ti and steel.

I'm with the critics that don't see the merits of this class of folder. In my own case, I dumped a bigger and heavier BM 610 for an easier to carry, slightly smaller, and much lighter Spyderco Military, getting a better cutting but less "ultimately butch" EDC in the bargain, but didn't save any money worth mentioning.

I haven't missed the extra "toughness" at all, so I also can't see paying as much as a decent handgun costs OTD to get even more potential toughness out of a thick bladed frame lock when I could carry an ESSE-3 IWB if I really thought it necessary to have that design/material margin for abusive tasks.

Let the discussion develop so that the undecided can make up their own minds. Reviews that are all fanboy mandated cheerleading and attaboys to the guy joining the "club" don't illuminate anyone.

 

[Quiet]

This is one of the most juvenile posts I have ever read on this forum, and that's saying something given how long I have hung out here.

"Fans of cheaper knives?" Really? There are many thinner bladed knives out there that cost more than any Medford ever made.

What has, and is, going on in this thread is a legitimate debate over the daily practicality of this Medford in question, and by extension, a discussion of the merits of all folding knives of this particular niche.

People who see the primary job of a EDC to be able to cut things with some amount of precision have difficulty seeing blades like the Praetorian features as delivering the goods on a price:value judgement. People who want near fixed blade toughness and "adequate" cutting ability, i.e., when called upon it actually cut something, if not wowing slicing aficionados in the process, defend these blades because they want that margin of abuse durability or they are fans of the overall aesthetic.

It's not about "right" or "wrong," it's about having a vigorous pro/con debate for the undecided. No one has attacked the OP as a free spending idiot, they've been asking him what he sees in his chunky handful of Ti and steel.

I'm with the critics that don't see the merits of this class of folder. In my own case, I dumped a bigger and heavier BM 610 for an easier to carry, slightly smaller, and much lighter Spyderco Military, getting a better cutting but less "ultimately butch" EDC in the bargain, but didn't save any money worth mentioning.

I haven't missed the extra "toughness" at all, so I also can't see paying as much as a decent handgun costs OTD to get even more potential toughness out of a thick bladed frame lock when I could carry an ESSE-3 IWB if I really thought it necessary to have that design/material margin for abusive tasks.

Let the discussion develop so that the undecided can make up their own minds. Reviews that are all fanboy mandated cheerleading and attaboys to the guy joining the "club" don't illuminate anyone.

You completely missed the point of what I said, which is rather amusing considering that you said it's one of the most juvenile posts you've ever read. Gotta love it when people have to engage in hyperbole in order to try to make a point, am I right? And of course, then you have to go right into a rehash of the same tired points the other detractors tried to make, all of which are outweighed by the fact that no one cares. The guy wanted this knife. Not a knife that you think is better. Sorry that you and Somber weren't consulted before Gizler made his purchase. Oh well, next time he'll contact you guys first.

Anyway, back to my "juvenile" comment. If you'd read the rest of this thread, then you'd know that my comment was completely in context, and has nothing to do with whether or not there exists thinner knives that cost far more. Others weren't comparing this knife to those thinner knives that cost more.

But hey, go you. Also, this was a review thread. Not a "Let's criticize this guy's knife choice and tell him it wasn't worth the money he paid" thread. But hey, whatever. Do your thing guy.

Anyway, Gizler, great pics you posted of this knife cutting things. Cracks me up some of the folks who think that this knife can't cut things. :thumbup:

 

[Quiet]

Anyway, I'm done commenting towards folks who don't get that others aren't concerned with their opinions on what's best. Giz, you have a great knife, and you've done a great job brushing these guys off. I'll bow out of your thread, because any further discourse will almost certainly earn me a red-card. Take care, man.

 

[crom]

For whatever reason, this company seems to be polarizing here. At least the OP posted the thing in use! Most times you see the higher end knives, they're kept like valuable jewels. And, he proved that despite the thick blade, it still cuts stuff! OP, great post, keep em coming.

 

[Boats]

You completely missed the point of what I said, which is rather amusing considering that you said it's one of the most juvenile posts you've ever read. Gotta love it when people have to engage in hyperbole in order to try to make a point, am I right? And of course, then you have to go right into a rehash of the same tired points the other detractors tried to make, all of which are outweighed by the fact that no one cares. The guy wanted this knife. Not a knife that you think is better. Sorry that you and Somber weren't consulted before Gizler made his purchase. Oh well, next time he'll contact you guys first.

Anyway, back to my "juvenile" comment. If you'd read the rest of this thread, then you'd know that my comment was completely in context, and has nothing to do with whether or not there exists thinner knives that cost far more. Others weren't comparing this knife to those thinner knives that cost more.

But hey, go you. Also, this was a review thread. Not a "Let's criticize this guy's knife choice" thread. But hey, whatever. Do your thing guy.

Anyway, Gizler, great pics you posted of this knife cutting things. Cracks me up some of the folks who think that this knife can't cut things. :thumbup:

No one need consult me or anyone else about any knife purchase. Your "point" as it were, dull as it is, is that criticizing a design is meaningless because the OP "got what he wanted."

If anyone were attacking the OP for wasting his money, I'd agree that those posts would be useless, but that's not what is going on here.

It's unfortunate that someone made an Opinel the hyperbolic measuring stick, but even then it doesn't take away from the fact that blade profile and grind is a serious point of contention about these types of beefy folders. If the guy who invoked the Opinel was truly trolling, well, you fell for it. My own view is that Opinels are archaic, compared to any one handed folder, and not a good comparison, but nevertheless that there is a legitimate debate over the utility of a thick bladed folder like the Praetorian.

The juvenile part of your post was the sneering that someone was trying to force the OP into an admission of being wrong, or trying to get him to kowtow to whatever conspiracy you have playing in your head about people who value fine cutting ability in an EDC over brute power.

There's been a discussion, not your imagined persecution.

 

[Quiet]

No one need consult me or anyone else about any knife purchase. Your "point" as it were, dull as it is, is that criticizing a design is meaningless because the OP "got what he wanted."

If anyone were attacking the OP for wasting his money, I'd agree that those posts would be useless, but that's not what is going on here.

It's unfortunate that someone made an Opinel the hyperbolic measuring stick, but even then it doesn't take away from the fact that blade profile and grind is a serious point of contention about these types of beefy folders. If the guy who invoked the Opinel was truly trolling, well, you fell for it. My own view is that Opinels are archaic, compared to any one handed folder, and not a good comparison, but nevertheless that there is a legitimate debate over the utility of a thick bladed folder like the Praetorian.

The juvenile part of your post was the sneering that someone was trying to force the OP into an admission of being wrong, or trying to get him to kowtow to whatever conspiracy you have playing in your head about people who value fine cutting ability in an EDC over brute power.

There's been a discussion, not your imagined persecution.

Which is generally what someone is doing when they keep repeating the same point over and over again. You can keep personally insulting me all you want, all it shows me is that you don't accept that Gizler and other folks who find this knife interesting find arguments of "Well you could have bought this other knife for less money" logically invalid. If you have to keep personally insulting me, that tells me you don't actually have any argument and are hoping I won't notice. Sorry, I noticed.

There hasn't been much discussion, it's been multiple folks essentially posting up a paragraph long version of "Ew, you bought that knife? Why, when you could have had this OTHER knife which cuts better because that's a fact, you know!". How puerile.

Now, are we done here? Or do you want this thread locked?

 

[Gizler00]

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.

Thanks. I also feel he has some pretty nice designs.

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

I have a few more pictures coming.

This is what mine started life as.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtiMquqZFyE



Satin front slab, black oxide D2 blade, flamed satin back slab, satin Ti clip, SS hardware. NP3 coated D2 breaker. Tried it once. Didn't work all that well, rounded over a little bit. Guess 1/2" tempered glass spreads the force enough that it just splits in one spot instead of shattering. Rounded the point of the breaker a little bit. It still does well to balance the weight of the open blade.

Very nice collection you have there. Its good to know that the coating held up nicely.

 

[Boats]

I don't have to insult you Quiet, the lack of quality in your posts speaks for itself.

I am interested in what Gizler has to say about this knife. I am not interested in your attempts to shut down a discussion of its relative merits as an EDC with what amounts to "whateva haterz, it's his money."

Yes, the Praetorian cut something. There's even some pictures to prove it. I'd be interested in seeing if it could do better work than has thus far been depicted. You are apparently interested in not finding out and squealing to a moderator.

 

[Quiet]

I don't have to insult you, the lack of quality in your posts speaks for itself.

I am interested in what Gizler has to say about this knife. I am not interested in your attempts to shut down a discussion of its relative merits as an EDC with what amounts to "whateva haterz, it's his money."

Yes, the Praetorian cut something. There's even some pictures to prove it. I'd be interested in seeing if it could do better work than has thus far been depicted. You are apparently interested in not finding out and squealing to a moderator.

Translation for your ridiculous drivel: "I am interested in seeing more people criticize Gizler for purchasing this knife, because I don't like this knife and he should have bought an Opinel instead. Also, I'm being super childish by continuing to discuss the "quality" of Quiet's posts. He's a big meaniehead who doesn't agree with me."

P.S. I wouldn't "squeal to a moderator". I just know these sorts of things go, and so should you.

 

[crom]

The irony here, regarding the knife's intended use or whatever, is if the OP posted pics of it batoning firewood or something else equally abusive; people here would be ripping him a new one for using it in a way it wasn't intended.

 

[Boats]

Translation for your ridiculous drivel: "I am interested in seeing more people criticize Gizler for purchasing this knife, because I don't like this knife and he should have bought an Opinel instead. Also, I'm being super childish by continuing to discuss the "quality" of Quiet's posts. He's a big meaniehead who doesn't agree with me."

P.S. I wouldn't "squeal to a moderator". I just know these sorts of things go, and so should you.

I am not interested in seeing anyone pile on to Gizler for purchasing this knife. Judging by his responses to date, I seriously doubt he needs your defense lawyering either.

I have freely admitted that I don't go for this class of folder. That said, I am following this thread because someone is daring to put one through its illustrated paces, instead of merely sticking it into a stump and praising it for being "indestructible," or some other fanboy BS as applied to a folder.

I'd like to see if praetorian could process a fish, or skin a squirrel, or even how it peels an apple. Why? Because I can entertain the idea that I could have it all wrong about this class of knives and that notion doesn't threaten my sense of self at all.

So check your paranoia and let Gizler do the talking to all comers about HIS knife.

 

[Quiet]

I am not interested in seeing anyone pile on to Gizler for purchasing this knife. Judging by his responses to date, I seriously doubt he needs your defense lawyering either.

I have freely admitted that I don't go for this class of folder. That said, I am following this thread because someone is daring to put one through its illustrated paces, instead of merely sticking it into a stump and praising it for being "indestructible," or some other fanboy BS as applied to a folder.

I'd like to see if praetorian could process a fish, or skin a squirrel, or even how it peels an apple. Why? Because I can entertain the idea that I could have it all wrong about this class of knives and that notion doesn't threaten my sense of self at all.

So check your paranoia and let Gizler do the talking to all comers about HIS knife.

Please check your paranoia about my "defense lawyering" and let me state my opinions concerning others comments'. I mean, as long as we're giving direction, right? :thumbup:

Or, we could just admit that our little back and forthing here is patently ridiculous and crapping up this poor guy's thread and how about we stop? I mean, unless you want to call me childish and juvenile some more. I'd be fine either way, really.

 

[Boats]

Truce. I'd like to see Gizler keep posting pics of whatever he decides to cut. Agreed?

 

[Quiet]

Truce. I'd like to see Gizler keep posting pics of whatever he decides to cut. Agreed?

Sounds like a plan to me. :thumbup:

 

[HOKIE_FAN]

Hey Gizler- how are you liking the newer style pocket clip...as far as flexability and strength? I notice it has a single mounting screw vise 2...My TFF 1 has the same laser cut Ti clip as darkangel55555 in post #81 (the one on the right)... which is really wide and offers a good balance for such a big knife.

 

[Gizler00]

I am having issues posting. Give me a few minutes.


This is very frustrating as I tried to create a thread for people to get an idea, and possibly some insight, on a knife that does not have much usage info out there. I understand and greatly appreciate all the comments, suggestions, and even flack I have been getting for purchasing the praetorian. I accept all aspects and thoughts on behalf of the design, cost, and function of this knife

This is an Internet Knife forum with all kinds of people from all over the world. So of course there will be different opinions. I also understand why people think I am crazy for wanting such a chunky knife that looks like it cannot cut. I also understand that there are some who feel like I do, and simply wanted to try the knife out.

Some of you who know me, understand that I will not make my final decision on any said knife until I have owned if for enough time to run it through some basic tests. I then compile all my findings and see how I still feel about said knife after the dust settles.

Some of you also know that I am showing photos of Fruit and Vegetables being cut, not because the manufacturer says that's what the knifes for, but rather just testing its ability to do so and see how well it performs.

What I do not appreciate nor wanted, was this thread to turn into a place where people are bickering about who's is longer and harder. Please Understand that while I appreciate any and all feedback, I do not appreciate arguing in a thread where I am simply giving my view point.

Please keep the thoughts, questions, concerns, criticism, etc... coming, but please stop the arguing. Or I will close the thread.

 

[WK ONE]

I love chunky knives, so this is right up my alley. That being said, spending $1200+ on a single folder is insane to me. If I had the money to burn, I probably would.... but I don't

 

[Gizler00]

Hey Gizler- how are you liking the newer style pocket clip...as far as flexability and strength? I notice it has a single mounting screw vise 2...My TFF 1 has the same laser cut Ti clip as darkangel55555 in post #81 (the one on the right)... which is really wide and offers a good balance for such a big knife.

I like it a lot. It has really good tension and allows the knife to sit fairly low in the pocket.