Artisan Cutlery?

[KVT]

Always wondered about these knives but never bought any.
They always just seemed like another China cheapy.
Maybe slightly above Kershaw China but nothing like ZT quality.
Well I just ordered a Tradition 1702PS-CF just to try em out. An inexpensive $59 experiment.
Ceramic bearing flipper, CF with a Hinderer vibe.

Does anybody have experience with the these?
What is your opinion on quality?
(Besides the obvious choices in budget D2 steel on some of their stuff.)

EDIT:
Got the small Tradition in. It looks and feels like it's priced right. This particular knife is a step above Kershaw China, but not at ZT levels of quality IMO. This is only one knife I have to base that on - I'm sure if I got the full size tradition and/or other $150+ offerings my opinion might change. Flips real good (bearings) and drops shut.

 

[DrRollinstein]

I wouldn't say they're at WE level, but they are really nice. I have a Damascus and titanium archaeo and it's really neat and well done.

Their website is trash though. PayPal wont let me buy directly through them because it isn't safe. Cheaper to wait for dealers to get them anyways.

 

[sgt1372]

I own 5 Artisans; all in D2. The Shark, Dragonfly, Zumwalt, Waistline and Hornet.

I also own over 50 Kershaws and almost 30 ZTs. The quality of the fit/finish of the Artisans far exceeds anything Kershaw currently makes and is very close (if not equal) to what's currently available from ZT. You get the same quality in the D2 Artisans for only $50-60 as you do in the $150-200 Artisan versions which are comparable to what ZT is producing w/the same steel and other materials in the same price range.

The 1st Artisan I bought was the Waistline with a wickedly sharp and beautiful kwaiken style blade which is my favorite in terms of style. The 2nd I bought was the Shark which is my favorite as an EDC; the blue annodized liners and spacers/screws offset by the textured G10 is gorgeous to me.

The other 3 I bought just to round out the collection but I could do w/o them. The Zumwalt doesn't offer any more than the Shark does. I like the cutout design of the Dragonfly better than similar knives made by other makers but it is heavier than it looks. I also have a "thing" for daggers and like the Hornet for it's appearance but the handle/body is a bit too thick for my taste. I'm thinking of selling these 3 off for these reasons.

However, you can't miss buying a Waistline or Shark. The Tradition is most similar to the Shark in appearance. So, my guess is that you'll like it fine.

The following are photos of the Shark and Waistline.

 

[KVT]

Well there’s a few more AC knives I’ve got my eye on, so that’s good news you all are very happy with them.

Thanks!

 

[jmh33]

Have a Waistline.. GREAT fit/finish and sharp as a scalpel.. Would like to add a Shark.. Highly recommend these!!!
John

 

[bobobama]

I also own over 50 Kershaws and almost 30 ZTs. The quality of the fit/finish of the Artisans far exceeds anything Kershaw currently makes and is very close (if not equal) to what's currently available from ZT. You get the same quality in the D2 Artisans for only $50-60 as you do in the $150-200 Artisan versions which are comparable to what ZT is producing w/the same steel and other materials in the same price range.

Wow! And I thought I owned too many knives.

 

[gotgoat]

I got one of the less expensive ones to try out and I'm pretty impressed with them

 

[Mo2]

There style is whack. Can't get into them at all. The quality is decent though. If it screams to you go for it. But they only appeal to a small market. Knives only a mother would love.

 

[KVT]

LOL! I would say some are slightly off.
Some slightly homely.
I’ll probably try the Zumwalt if the Tradition coming checks out.

 

[sgt1372]

Wow! And I thought I owned too many knives.

I own more than just the Kershaws/ZTs and Artisans. I own as many Spydercos as all those combined as well as a few others.

I just listed the numbers to add credibility to my opinion about the Artisans.

 

[b00n]

There style is whack. Can't get into them at all. The quality is decent though. If it screams to you go for it. But they only appeal to a small market. Knives only a mother would love.

A lot of their designs are very busy, but to me, they need to change that logo. It looks like a Swastika drawn by a kid to me. And I see no "Artisan Cutlery" / AC in it anyway. So..yeah.

 

[Comeuppance]

A lot of their designs are very busy, but to me, they need to change that logo. It looks like a Swastika drawn by a kid to me. And I see no "Artisan Cutlery" / AC in it anyway. So..yeah.

It’s convenient that I dislike their designs, because, yeah, that logo would keep me from getting them regardless. It really looks like they took logo design cues from a high school’s toilet stall.

 

[b00n]

If it was my company I would go for something really simple like:

Like mash an A and a C together, stylize it a bit, given their designs add some sharp angles, keep it small, be done with it. I wouldn't wanna be known as that "Kinda Swastika Looking Logo Company"

 

[DrRollinstein]

I will admit that the logo could use some work lol.

 

[sgt1372]

You guys judge the "quality" of a knife by the mfg's "logo"? Really???

FWIW, Artisan's logo looks fine and nothing like a swastika to me but, then again, I tend not to obsess about such things.

 

[dirc]

If it was my company I would go for something really simple like:

Like mash an A and a C together, stylize it a bit, given their designs add some sharp angles, keep it small, be done with it. I wouldn't wanna be known as that "Kinda Swastika Looking Logo Company"

I honestly don't mind the logo, I can appreciate that the overall shape preceded the 1930's by many thousands of years, and shares none of the meaning

 

[Comeuppance]

You guys judge the "quality" of a knife by the mfg's "logo"? Really???

FWIW, Artisan's logo looks fine and nothing like a swastika to me but, then again, I tend not to obsess about such things.

Did I miss a post where someone equated their logo with their design or build quality?

I’d say it’s sufficiently reminiscent of a swastika (I mean, just connect the logo in the center and it’s 90% the way there) that I just wouldn’t want it on something I carried that someone might see.

I honestly don't mind the logo, I can appreciate that the overall shape preceded the 1930's by many thousands of years, and shares none of the meaning

The vast majority of the world population equates a swastika with a very specific thing. Prior meaning is nearly irrelevant. Charlie Chaplin had a very iconic mustache, but you don’t see people rocking that facial hair these days because basically nobody in modern society associates it with the silent film star.

 

[Krav]

I own 5 Artisans; all in D2. The Shark, Dragonfly, Zumwalt, Waistline and Hornet.

I also own over 50 Kershaws and almost 30 ZTs. The quality of the fit/finish of the Artisans far exceeds anything Kershaw currently makes and is very close (if not equal) to what's currently available from ZT. You get the same quality in the D2 Artisans for only $50-60 as you do in the $150-200 Artisan versions which are comparable to what ZT is producing w/the same steel and other materials in the same price range.

The 1st Artisan I bought was the Waistline with a wickedly sharp and beautiful kwaiken style blade which is my favorite in terms of style. The 2nd I bought was the Shark which is my favorite as an EDC; the blue annodized liners and spacers/screws offset by the textured G10 is gorgeous to me.

The other 3 I bought just to round out the collection but I could do w/o them. The Zumwalt doesn't offer any more than the Shark does. I like the cutout design of the Dragonfly better than similar knives made by other makers but it is heavier than it looks. I also have a "thing" for daggers and like the Hornet for it's appearance but the handle/body is a bit too thick for my taste. I'm thinking of selling these 3 off for these reasons.

However, you can't miss buying a Waistline or Shark. The Tradition is most similar to the Shark in appearance. So, my guess is that you'll like it fine.

The following are photos of the Shark and Waistline.

Thanks for the beautiful pictures. The Shark looks like a solid edc. Looks like it would be thin in the pocket and the price is nice.

 

[DrRollinstein]

You guys judge the "quality" of a knife by the mfg's "logo"? Really???

FWIW, Artisan's logo looks fine and nothing like a swastika to me but, then again, I tend not to obsess about such things.

I dig a lot of the designs and as posted above, I own one of their more expensive knives. But it definitely looks similar to a swastika.

 

[b00n]

You guys judge the "quality" of a knife by the mfg's "logo"? Really???

FWIW, Artisan's logo looks fine and nothing like a swastika to me but, then again, I tend not to obsess about such things.

I don't think anybody said anything about their quality, nor did anybody judge them solely on the logo. I am sure they are decent to fine knives, I don't love any of the designs enough to try them out and the logo isn't helping. Those are my thoughts.