I got mine in the week and have been enjoying it. The blade was perfectly centred and it came pretty sharp out of the box. The detent was okay - much, much better than my LFTi but not as secure as my Sebenzas, Ti Military or in fact any of my other Ti framelocks. I can shake the blade out but I don't manage every time I try and it needs a good wrist flick - I don't think this is an issue on my particular sample.
I have no issue with tip down only, particularly on a knife this size but I took off the clip because it has very little flex being so thick and is a hassle to use if your pockets have a thick seam. I'm not fanatical about this - I'm happy with it loose in my pocket or in a pouch.
I like the gear look on the thumb stud but unfortunately like double studs more because I fidget with my knives with my left hand quite often so the stud was swapped out with a 551.
In hand ergos are really good, I like this knife a lot. It hasn't done any serious cutting so this is really just an initial impression but on the face of it, it looks like a good user. I'm not sure about the need for the bearings - the blade shoots out (nothing I really need) but it also closes very, very quickly and initially you need to watch your thumb if you are holding it upside down and flicking it closed with your index finger after releasing the lock.
So, having a look at what it may or may not be compared with ...
Roughly $70 more than a fluted Ti Military (if you can find one) and $70 less than a Sebenza. In my opinion, the additional $70 for the Sebenza is money well spent if you don't have a Sebenza. If you do, this is a very nice alternative. I don't have a drop point large Sebenza, having a 761 has taken any need to get one away. $70 more than a fluted Military - more difficult to answer and will depend more on how much you value the difference in steel, the size, the coolness of the fluting, etc. I might just give the 761 the edge here but it will depend on which side of the bed I wake up on.
The comparison this really needs is with the Alias 1. I only have an Alias 2 but below you can see the similarities - I'd like to see a 761 and Alias 1 side by side. Obviously the things you cannot see (steel and bearings) are the big differences aside from the grind - the 761 is in my opinion a lot better for my general uses being closer to flat ground. The lock release on the 761 is very, very similar to the feel of the release on my small Alias. A little sticky ... and then it pops
All in all I'm very happy with the 761. It isn't going to kick a Sebenza out of my pocket but I wasn't expecting it to. It is a great knife to have in your rotation. As your only knife ... maybe not, there may be other candidates that fill that price bracket a bit better, depending on what you value in the knife.
) I was at the counter handing over my hard earned pay. I think this just may be the best money I've ever spent..
