- Joined
- Jan 13, 2023
- Messages
- 49
......take a knee and kneel before the presence of such royalty....
Once and awhile there comes along such a time and such a knife which makes you awe-struck and awe-spired and grateful to be in the knife hobby. This is one such knife. As the saying goes, possibly the best thing since bread itself is sliced bread. The Anax is sliced bread w/butter and jam on top, served the way you like on a silver platter.
Though not a full review his is more of a comparison/reflection, if you're new to the Anax you are beholding a Marfione creation. It is one such born of and out the fiery lava mountain no other mountain can touch in height, the Sebenza. I say modeled after though one can't be sure but perhaps all frame locks are truly modeled after the 1st and great. However upon close inspection, the similarities (and the differences) are striking. I'll spare the details and specs for the sake of brevity but basically its a full-size titanium frame lock folder with blade under 4", over 3.5" and overall under 9". IMHO it hits that sweet spot, the very sweet spot the Sebenza hit.
I had cringed at the thought of making a review others have done saying "this knife is the best folder" or "this knife is the ultimate EDC" and yet could not get away with saying absolutely nothing. It was like a sword in the stone which begged me to pull and yet I am barely worthy. Thus please hold not me to the standard of royalty but the Anax as it is the true King. I'm not paid, endorsed, or funded by Microtech or Rike but rather a longtime common fan. However, this fandom does not cloud my judgement and objectivity because I hold each knife I own by its own merit as a stand alone not in relation to its maker. It might also be important to state at this time I own Sebenzas and have much love for them as do most of the CRK lineup.
Due to this love of is why didn't title this thread as "the Sebenza Killer". Perhaps there are a few knives which could take that title, in addition to the Anax but not even sure the Sebenza could ever be killed because A) It is the first and most classic icon of the frame lock, B) has the most undistinguishable classic lines, and C) has been a marker which has stood the test of time and likely always will. It is important to give the Sebenza its due praise.
Sometimes though a progression occurs and comes along and improves something so much in an undeniable way one has to proclaim its greatness. Behold the Anax. The Anax can skip the line in comparison to many other knives simply because it is so similar to the Yardstick to which most other folders are measured against. Also I believe the Anax flies under most peoples' radar because A) the originals are hard to find and nearly $800+ and B) are turned off by the fact these are in collaboration with a Chinese based company, Rike. As a collector and user, the way I look at it is I gravitate away from Chinese-based companies and toward U.S based and all others of different origins fall somewhere in-between. At the same time it really isn't fair to judge a true high quality Chinese-based company that comes up with its own designs and has something of quality to bring to the market while not having human rights violations. I believe any company should be judged solely on its product, not where the product is manufactured just because it isn't the U.S. Microtech saw something worthy in Rike and behold, together they re-invigorated and breathed new life into one of the absolute greats.
If you know the Sebenza then you know why it is considered such a great knife but if not then stop now and hit up other reviews and learn why.
Since the Sebenza is so great, how in the world can another knife come along and best it in so many bloody ways all in the same package in the same release?
As the saying goes......ah let thou list thee ways:
The Anax takes all the great aspects of the Sebenza and then adds a -
As one can see, the Anax reigns supreme and the only knives coming close would have to be custom or high quality production integrals. Integrals have a different feel unto themselves and get as close as one can to a folder which feels like a fixed blade. I understand this is a pretty bold statement but there really isn’t a knife that can beat it given the weight, dimensions, strength, feel, looks,versatility and price point. Something will have to be sacrificed in its quest to become King. No frame lock or liner lock or even triad lock will have the same feel. Even the original Anax is left in the dust because this newer collaboration version has better pocket clip positioning and triangular hardware style.
If the Ice king were here he'd surely use his powers to break any rose-colored glasses so that being said, the Anax isn't 100 percent perfect. Then again, is any knife? If flaws had to be named, one such might be the ceramic ball pocket clip. It works great but does have a slight jiggle in sound to it with a quick shake of the hand. Does this take away from its strength or effectiveness? No, but it is present. The other noticeable thing which may bother some and not others is the jimping. The plus is it is definitely there in spades but is a bit rough to the touch. I could be sensitive in this way as had to custom grind the jimping on my Hinderers but it is a thing.
In closing, the Anax didn't acquire its name for just any reason and be on the lookout as it is raising an army hopefully for what the future might hold.
Once and awhile there comes along such a time and such a knife which makes you awe-struck and awe-spired and grateful to be in the knife hobby. This is one such knife. As the saying goes, possibly the best thing since bread itself is sliced bread. The Anax is sliced bread w/butter and jam on top, served the way you like on a silver platter.
Though not a full review his is more of a comparison/reflection, if you're new to the Anax you are beholding a Marfione creation. It is one such born of and out the fiery lava mountain no other mountain can touch in height, the Sebenza. I say modeled after though one can't be sure but perhaps all frame locks are truly modeled after the 1st and great. However upon close inspection, the similarities (and the differences) are striking. I'll spare the details and specs for the sake of brevity but basically its a full-size titanium frame lock folder with blade under 4", over 3.5" and overall under 9". IMHO it hits that sweet spot, the very sweet spot the Sebenza hit.
I had cringed at the thought of making a review others have done saying "this knife is the best folder" or "this knife is the ultimate EDC" and yet could not get away with saying absolutely nothing. It was like a sword in the stone which begged me to pull and yet I am barely worthy. Thus please hold not me to the standard of royalty but the Anax as it is the true King. I'm not paid, endorsed, or funded by Microtech or Rike but rather a longtime common fan. However, this fandom does not cloud my judgement and objectivity because I hold each knife I own by its own merit as a stand alone not in relation to its maker. It might also be important to state at this time I own Sebenzas and have much love for them as do most of the CRK lineup.
Due to this love of is why didn't title this thread as "the Sebenza Killer". Perhaps there are a few knives which could take that title, in addition to the Anax but not even sure the Sebenza could ever be killed because A) It is the first and most classic icon of the frame lock, B) has the most undistinguishable classic lines, and C) has been a marker which has stood the test of time and likely always will. It is important to give the Sebenza its due praise.
Sometimes though a progression occurs and comes along and improves something so much in an undeniable way one has to proclaim its greatness. Behold the Anax. The Anax can skip the line in comparison to many other knives simply because it is so similar to the Yardstick to which most other folders are measured against. Also I believe the Anax flies under most peoples' radar because A) the originals are hard to find and nearly $800+ and B) are turned off by the fact these are in collaboration with a Chinese based company, Rike. As a collector and user, the way I look at it is I gravitate away from Chinese-based companies and toward U.S based and all others of different origins fall somewhere in-between. At the same time it really isn't fair to judge a true high quality Chinese-based company that comes up with its own designs and has something of quality to bring to the market while not having human rights violations. I believe any company should be judged solely on its product, not where the product is manufactured just because it isn't the U.S. Microtech saw something worthy in Rike and behold, together they re-invigorated and breathed new life into one of the absolute greats.
If you know the Sebenza then you know why it is considered such a great knife but if not then stop now and hit up other reviews and learn why.
Since the Sebenza is so great, how in the world can another knife come along and best it in so many bloody ways all in the same package in the same release?
As the saying goes......ah let thou list thee ways:
The Anax takes all the great aspects of the Sebenza and then adds a -
- longer cutting edge, slightly more belly
- greater steel (M390) (with exception to new magnacut)
- thicker blade stock
- thicker blade tip
- stronger grind (flat)
- no thumb stud
- 3 ways of opening - groove flick (or slow open), front flick, middle finger flick
- rare contoured handle swell (width)
- more ergonomic handle
- bigger pivot screw
- special triangular hardware
- integral construction
- over travel lock bar stop
- smaller gap in frame for lock bar cutout
- replaceable and removable lockbar blade rest
- ceramic ball molded pocket clip w/ no hotspot
- 2 different kinds of jimping for thumb
- insanely buttery bearing-driven smooth action and great sounding detent
- one of a kind lanyard system w/ 2 types
- sweetest presentation box
As one can see, the Anax reigns supreme and the only knives coming close would have to be custom or high quality production integrals. Integrals have a different feel unto themselves and get as close as one can to a folder which feels like a fixed blade. I understand this is a pretty bold statement but there really isn’t a knife that can beat it given the weight, dimensions, strength, feel, looks,versatility and price point. Something will have to be sacrificed in its quest to become King. No frame lock or liner lock or even triad lock will have the same feel. Even the original Anax is left in the dust because this newer collaboration version has better pocket clip positioning and triangular hardware style.
If the Ice king were here he'd surely use his powers to break any rose-colored glasses so that being said, the Anax isn't 100 percent perfect. Then again, is any knife? If flaws had to be named, one such might be the ceramic ball pocket clip. It works great but does have a slight jiggle in sound to it with a quick shake of the hand. Does this take away from its strength or effectiveness? No, but it is present. The other noticeable thing which may bother some and not others is the jimping. The plus is it is definitely there in spades but is a bit rough to the touch. I could be sensitive in this way as had to custom grind the jimping on my Hinderers but it is a thing.
In closing, the Anax didn't acquire its name for just any reason and be on the lookout as it is raising an army hopefully for what the future might hold.
... must... have...
? All this hail the king nonsense aside, it's definitely a failed joke. What you call Anax (including the socom series) are rike production (as op said) knives. If it didn't say microtech on it, it would be sold for 200 300 dollars. I bought a rike light cavalry for 75 dollars. It was like a knife from the same series in every way except that it was cpm d2. Also anax is a copy of lochsa as mentioned above. I think these knives are overpriced, I would rather spend the same money on a hinderer, crk, olamic, spartan or something of similar quality. I don't have a problem with being made in China, contrary to the general tendency of the forum, I love Chinese knives and have a lot of them, but it is a strange dilemma that something is made in China and does not have the price advantage, which is the most basic advantage of being made in China. If I'm going to pay the same money for the same kind of product, I'd rather pay that money in America.
