Artison Cutlery Waistline (China)

[mwhich50]

I saw the expensive version of the waistline on Youtube, and it looked like an awesome, large Boker Kwaiken.

This one has S35v, and the anodized titanium handle. $187

I went to KnifeCenter, and snagged the cheaper D2, "carbon fiber" version below for $65.

"If it looks too good to be true, it probably is". I was definitely disappointed. I'm not sure whether it will be a keeper, or a gift.
It looks, and feels like a high quality flea market knife.
The handle is smooth as glass. It appears to be plastic with a carbon fiber pattern beneath the surface. The handle is thick, and square with sharp metal liner edges (full liners).
The cheap looking clip is a 'deep pocket' style, but it is mounted 3/4" from the end?? The knife is SUPER loose in the pocket, even with jeans. The slick handle is probably mostly to blame.
The lanyard hole is way too small for 550 paracord?! The lanyard tube has VERY sharp standard screwdriver(?) cutouts on both sides. Guess what you grab on to when you pull the knife out of your pocket?! It will break the skin.
The blade is centered, with no play in any direction. The flipper, and ceramic bearings deploy the blade fast, and smoothly. The flipper is not jimped too aggressively. There is a weird rubbing sound. Not grittiness. Is this normal for ceramic bearings? If you open and close the blade super slowly you can also feel the slight 'bump, bump, bump' of the ball bearings. The blade spine is VERY thick (thick handle?) I like that. I hate paper-thin blades.
The stone washed blade, and pivot screw look very good. The liner lock is early, and not sticky like the some other Chinese CRKT, Kershaw knives I own.
It shaves arm hair, and appears to have a strong, but pointy tip. The grind is decent.

• Blade Length: 4.06" (103.0 mm)
• Cutting Edge: 3.84" (97.5 mm)
• Closed Length: 4.92" (125.0 mm)
• Overall Length: 8.98" (228.0 mm)
• Blade Material: D2 Carbon Steel
• Blade Thickness: 0.15" (3.8 mm)
• Blade Hardness: 58-60HRC
• Blade Style: Upswept
• Blade Finish: Stonewash
• Handle Material: Carbon Fiber
• Handle Thickness: 0.5" (12.7 mm)
• Locking Mechanism: Liner
• Pivot Assembly: Ceramic Ball Bearing
• Pocket Clip: Tip-Up Right/Left Carry
• Weight: 4.1 oz.

 

[sgt1372]

I have 5 Artisans. The Waistline was the 1st and the Shark (pictured) is my favorite. I also have the Zumwalt, Hornet and Dragonfly. All of them are well constructed, perfectly centered and flip w/ease

They mostly come w/4" blades and have some great blade/handle designs using a variety of different scales, including CF & G10, and are very affordable in the $50-70 range w/D2 blades but you can also buy better steel if you are willing to pay for it. A great buy IMO.

All of the ones I own are in D2. Mostly w/G10, one w/CF (the Zumwalt; the CF is too shiny, don't like it that much but it's "ok") and 1 all steel (the Dragonfly).

 

[mwhich50]

Not one Youtube review (in English) on the "CF" Waistline, so far. If the word starts to get out, I think a lot of people will want to try at least one. There are not enough 4" blades out there, and they are very good looking knives.

 

[mwhich50]

I couldn't resist. I got the CONTOURED G-10 version. The handle looks/feels great on this one. It is textured, and a little grippy. The liners are still a little sharp. It is a little sticky at the beginning, but deploys good. The liner lock is over 50%, and sticks beneath the tang. When I was comparing my g-10, and CF versions I noticed the the G-10 blade is longer by 1/8". Maybe that happens due to the needle shaped tip.

 

[brj]

Got one of these in D2. Not blown away, but not disappointed either.

The G10 is a bit slick and they might have done a better job at sharpening, but the quality seems reasonable. Deployment is fast and reliable with either hand and the bearing system runs smoothly enough.

No visible gaps between the liners and the G10 slabs on mine. Liner engages at around 40%. No lock stick. No bladeplay. Almost perfectly centered out of the box. I really really like the full open construction.

The clip is ugly as sin but it gets the job done.

The blade is a tad too upswept for my liking, something more in line to the handle, akin to the Ikuchi, would have been preferable, but I can live with it.

I'd go for a dressed up version if they make a mini with a front flipper tab Spyderco Smock style.

 

[sgt1372]

Got one of these in D2. Not blown away, but not disappointed either.

The G10 is a bit slick and they might have done a better job at sharpening, but the quality seems reasonable. Deployment is fast and reliable with either hand and the bearing system runs smoothly enough.

No visible gaps between the liners and the G10 slabs on mine. Liner engages at around 40%. No lock stick. No bladeplay. Almost perfectly centered out of the box. I really really like the full open construction.

The clip is ugly as sin but it gets the job done.

The blade is a tad too upswept for my liking, something more in line to the handle, akin to the Ikuchi, would have been preferable, but I can live with it.

The Waistline is the 1st of 5 Artisans that I purchased in D2. It and the Shark are my favorites. Build quality for the knives is excellent for just a $50-60 knife; far better generally than what you'd get from Kershaw and/or CRKT for the same price.

Personally, I think the clip is well designed and I do not find it ugly at all.

As for the blade shape, the knife is a kwaiken and the blade shape is the way it is because of that. It's supposed used as a fighting/self-defense knife and is not designed for general EDC use, as is the Shark, which I would suggest as an alternative, if the blade shape of the Waistline doesn't suit you.