Anyone else fascinated with Mcusta knives?

Bushido185

Bushido185

Joined
Sep 21, 2013
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I've been looking at the different Mcusta models available for a few months now. Really have my heart set on a blue Katana but my timing is always off, they don't last long. More recently I found some of their custom knives and they blew me away. I'm thinking of starting a new addiction unless I hear something convincingly negative about them. Mainly interested in Mcusta as a collector and most likely won't us them for EDC. What do you think, are they worth the investment? Just a sample of what I'm talking about....

Customs


MC-18 Ieyasu


MC-17 Jazz


MC-11 Nami
 
At a time I was also considering Mcusta knives. But with the true intention of using them. I thought it was the cheapest way to get a decent damascus blade. But even on the simplest models they still have way too much bling for me. I would get one with a nice damascus blade and syntethic handles (G10) in a solid color. As I told you, I use mi knives. I don't own any knife I haven't used.

Mikel
 
I owned Cocobolo Take. I love the handle, but blade was visibly off center and the blade had some small cracks on Damascus. Sold it.
Still, sometimes I am thinking about Bamboo. I wish I could hadle the knife before I buy it.
 
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I'm fascinated with their knives, too. For the money they sure are pretty knives. I wouldn't want one with flying cranes embedded in it, but they make some with very nice, understated inlays that I've been seriously considering. There really aren't that many people talking about them, though, so I'm holding off because I don't know if they're able to actually stand up to reasonable use.
 
I have a lot of EDC blades so I've been considering a collector type knife that won't break the bank. I like their customs but they are a bit more expensive than my wallet allows, and it looks like those will be nearly impossible to get due to only 60 being made. I agree that some of them are over the top with the embellishments they have chosen, but most of their lineup is five star imo. I'm curious about the blade centering and blade play. The only two knives I've watched videos of were the Katana and the Tactility. Both appeared to be very well made but I understand that all knife makers have at least some QC issues.

From the top: Tiana 143; Bamboo 145; Riple 141; Tiana 144


From the top: Tactility (in the back); Katana; Tsuchi; MC33 Take; MC15
 
I recently picked one up in a trade. It was probably used beyond its limits, but here are some observations.
It was very smooth, and looked to be a great gentleman's folder. Slim, great pattern on the blade, smooth action, Damascus overlays. But there is one thing that bugs me about the Mcusta for actual EDC:

Very thin liner locks. This one has late lockup and has some up/down play. I blame the thin lockbar.
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It was also off center, which isn't a deal breaker for me. But I have tried multiple times to get warrantee information on Mcusta knives and have come up empty. This is a perfect time for this thread because I have been looking for any information on if I can get my lockup fixed, or the knife refurbished at all by Mcusta. If anyone has any information on any warrantee they may or may not have, or how to contact Mcusta please let me know (post/PM/email). I have sent now 3 messages through their website to McustaUSA and have not heard back at all.

For collecting they should be very rewarding. Beautiful designs at a decent price (for the production moddles).
 
I've always fancied them but can't seem to pull the trigger on one. Wish they did somewhat bigger blades, maybe something in the 4" range...
 
The most complaints I have heard of have been with the off center blades which seems to be fairly common. From a collectors standpoint I would not call them investment knives. No knife really is unless its from a well established maker. Even then the tides can shift and you will have a few years before they come back in vogue. The only motivating facor here should be if the knives will make you happy collecting them. I think mcusta makes a decent knife but for me they are behind the times. I prefer companies that are constantly looking for ways to improve whether it be new materials or new ways of utilizing existing materials. Mcusta seem to be very rooted in tradition. This is not always a bad thing but I think there comes a point where it can choke you off. If your not willing to change with the current trends its hard to stay relevant. The only way that I know of to defeat this is to make an absolutely exceptional product in every way (think CRK). Mcusta doesnt make superlative knives. I think they would do well to try something new. But I have had emails with them and they seem to be very content in what they currently do.
 
Saw a bunch in a bricks & mortar store, expecting to buy at least one.

Almost every blade was visibly off center, out of the 6 or 7 I held. The thumb stud on the small ones was very close to the scale, making it awkward to open compared to a knife with a larger cutout (e.g., sebenza). Due to the liners plus the nice wood scales, they were thicker than I wanted for knives that small. The all metal ones weren't too thick for me, but were relatively heavy.

In short, I found something to nitpick about every single knife I held, and couldn't make myself pay the dollars for them. Perhaps CRK has spoiled me, since I came away wanting a small insingo instead.
 
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BladeCommander said:
Very thin liner locks. This one has late lockup and has some up/down play. I blame the thin lockbar.
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[/URL][/IMG]

It was also off center, which isn't a deal breaker for me. But I have tried multiple times to get warrantee information on Mcusta knives and have come up empty. This is a perfect time for this thread because I have been looking for any information on if I can get my lockup fixed, or the knife refurbished at all by Mcusta. If anyone has any information on any warrantee they may or may not have, or how to contact Mcusta please let me know (post/PM/email). I have sent now 3 messages through their website to McustaUSA and have not heard back at all.

For collecting they should be very rewarding. Beautiful designs at a decent price (for the production moddles).
Click to expand...

Unless I'm seeing things it looks like there is a slight bend in the lock bar.
 
I am a fan if their product, I think they offer great quality at a reasonable price point. Gentlemens folder is the vibe I get from them, they are smooth and look sharp.
 
AddictedToGear said:
I am a fan if their product, I think they offer great quality at a reasonable price point. Gentlemens folder is the vibe I get from them, they are smooth and look sharp.
Click to expand...

Same way I see them, well made gentleman knives that are highly underrated. Everyone of them is a work of art. I haven't had the chance to fondle one yet but it looks like Mcusta would be a nice addition to my collection. 3" blades are just about right for EDC but I too would like to see a 4" folder. They have a few fixed blades as well. This one would match my Moki Lakota almost perfectly...

 
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I only own one Mcusta (a Yoroi model) but I'm quite pleased with it and would not hesitate to buy another. Mcusta makes some of the most visually interesting modern production folders, imo, and if my single specimen is any indication of their overall quality, I'd say they are pretty good value for the dollar... :thumbup:

-Brett
 
Very good knives for the money. I bought an Ebony Take with Damascus blade for my grandfather and he loves it. It was so nice that I was half way tempted to keep it, but I know that my grandfather deserved something nice so to him it went. I would own one if the niche in my rotation wasn't filled already.
 
Some of them look pretty interesting, but the ones i've handled were on par with gerber or crkt as far as F+F is concerned. Materials look nice but off center blades and funky lockup problems sent me in the other direction years ago.
It may look pretty sitting in a display case, but I wouldnt want one for EDC.
 
Dang, this thread isn't helping. Either love them or hate them, I guess.
 
I handled a few in a shop, same model but each had a different degree of flaw, one had blade play, two were off center and rubbing the liner. All the grinds were "different" to each other. Made me wonder about their QC.
 
My little Mcusta Yoroi Knife with San Mai Blade and Damascus steel handle with the Yoroi weave design is quite stunning and at just under $200 I think it's well worth it.

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