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Choosing: BladeTech MLEK Lite vs 5.11 Investigator
- Thread starter diamdave
- Start date
- Joined
- Jul 30, 2006
- Messages
- 44,253
Neither blade especially appeals to me
The MLEK has a recurve to it that I don't care for.
But, I've read several positive reviews of Blade-Tech products.
The MLEK series knives are made in Japan IIRC.
The Investigator appears to only be available in a combo edge on either a tanto or spearpoint blade. I don't care for combo edges. I don't remember reading any reviews of their products, so I am unsure of the fit and finish. The knife is imported, but I don't know from what country.
For me, between these two I would choose the MLEK. The recurve is slight and I will take a slight recurve over a combo edge, plus the quality is less of an unknown. YMMV. If I could get the Investigator in a PE I would risk the unknown quality factor and go for that. Better steel, better blade design for what I want in an EDC. (note, in my own manila rope cutting tests, ATS-34 was a goodly notch above 440C in edge retension. )
The MLEK has a recurve to it that I don't care for.
But, I've read several positive reviews of Blade-Tech products.
The MLEK series knives are made in Japan IIRC.
The Investigator appears to only be available in a combo edge on either a tanto or spearpoint blade. I don't care for combo edges. I don't remember reading any reviews of their products, so I am unsure of the fit and finish. The knife is imported, but I don't know from what country.
For me, between these two I would choose the MLEK. The recurve is slight and I will take a slight recurve over a combo edge, plus the quality is less of an unknown. YMMV. If I could get the Investigator in a PE I would risk the unknown quality factor and go for that. Better steel, better blade design for what I want in an EDC. (note, in my own manila rope cutting tests, ATS-34 was a goodly notch above 440C in edge retension. )
- Joined
- Dec 22, 2006
- Messages
- 1,277
blade tech makes an excellent knife and it is available with no serrations. 440c is easy to resharpen and it very corrosion resistant. I would pick the Blade Tech.
Don't know much about the Bladetech, but I did get to handle all of the 5.11 knives prior to thier release, at The Grand Opening of Extreme Outfitters new store in Va. Beach. Va. Seemed like a good knife for the money. Pretty decent fit and finish and they felt good in the hand. Have'nt touched one since so I dont know if these were extra nice demo bait or standard production models. I always research the hell out of things before I spend my money. I would just keep researching till I was sure. Good luck in your choice.