CK Edition Maserin Plow Sodbusters

rje58

rje58

Gold Member
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Dec 21, 2013
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Is there no thread yet on the CK Maserin Plow Sodbusters? I just received mine and it is super nice at this price. The blue canvas micarta looks much better on mine than it does on the CK website.

Mine is centered, good walk and talk, and quite sharp. Fit and finish outstanding at this price point. Not quite the quality of the Lionsteel models, but less than half the price and a great value in my opinion.
 
I beg to differ... the quality is all there.. and then some. Flush half stop and all!

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We can agree to disagree. But in my opinion they are a great value - 95% of the quality, fit and finish of the Lionsteel offering for less than half the price. The other thing to consider is Maserin D2 vs. Lionsteel M390, but I love these! I'm not finding fault, just attempting full disclosure.

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Of course, I can't know what others look like in person, but the photos in post #2 show the scales as more greenish than mine ... I don't know if that's a photo/camera issue or variance in the materials? In fairness, due to my camera, my photos are perhaps slightly LESS greenish than the actual knife, but not by much.
 
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I was happy with the Bocote Plow I picked up last year (I think that was the first run Mike did?). The blade is great -- nice and thin, razor sharp factory edge, great price for D2 -- but I would describe the F&F of the rest of the knife as merely "acceptable," certainly not outstanding. Perhaps they made some big improvements for the second run (the Torx screws kept me from picking up one this time around).

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Is this new second run supposed to be higher F&F than the first one which was designed to be a cheap no nonsense offering? Trying to work out what the extra $15 is buying.
 
I've never handled the original run, but the quality on the new one I received is incredible at this price point!

Pomsbz said:
Is this new second run supposed to be higher F&F than the first one which was designed to be a cheap no nonsense offering? Trying to work out what the extra $15 is buying.
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rje58 said:
We can agree to disagree. But in my opinion they are a great value - 95% of the quality, fit and finish of the Lionsteel offering for less than half the price. The other thing to consider is Maserin D2 vs. Lionsteel M390, but I love these! I'm not finding fault, just attempting full disclosure.
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It is my opinion that the quality of construction (fit an finish) is equivelant to the Lionsteel CK colabs, and the quality of materials (value) is ahead of other sodbusters being offered at the same price point. To use M390 would double the price.

rje58 said:
Of course, I can't know what others look like in person, but the photos in post #2 show the scales as more greenish than mine ... I don't know if that's a photo/camera issue or variance in the materials? In fairness, due to my camera, my photos are perhaps slightly LESS greenish than the actual knife, but not by much.
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Mine is more blue than the photos, but there are darker canvas streaks that make it appear a little more green at angles.
 
jrawk said:
It is my opinion that the quality of construction (fit an finish) is equivelant to the Lionsteel CK colabs..
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I can't sign up for that statement, but appreciate it. My personal review would include minor "cons" such as a) fairly consistent space in the backspring - although it is the same place on everyone I have seen and must be part of a process we can tune out later; and b) although it has good action, I would like a bit more snap; and c) there is a wee bit of rock in half stop from tumbling the blades. But, that is a very critical examination.

Pomsbz said:
Is this new second run supposed to be higher F&F than the first one which was designed to be a cheap no nonsense offering?
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Yes. As was eluded to in the long original thread about the market acceptance of a low end sodbuster - there is a fine line somewhere that transitions a knife from "a good value" to "a good knife". The $30 version was a good value and I use mine daily; but it is just not something you are proud to hand a friend that asks to use your knife. I hope that makes sense.

jrawk said:
So much so... The first version does not compare to the new version, Mike, and a new name would be advisable.
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I can appreciate that, and thought a bit about it. But I really like the name Plow; and the first run will soon be a thing of the past.
 
I like what i see for the price honestly. Are some thinner in the handle than other ones?Some seem thicker in the handle than the micarta in this thread
 
Unfortunately, I don't have my 71 anymore, and I don't want to speculate when I can't compare them side-by-side. My GEC Bull Nose was very high quality, but it cost me a little more than the Plow. My 71 was destroyed in a house fire.

Modoc ED said:
More so than GEC's #71 Bull Nose?
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knifeswapper said:
I can't sign up for that statement, but appreciate it. My personal review would include minor "cons" such as a) fairly consistent space in the backspring - although it is the same place on everyone I have seen and must be part of a process we can tune out later; and b) although it has good action, I would like a bit more snap; and c) there is a wee bit of rock in half stop from tumbling the blades. But, that is a very critical examination.
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Tickle me pink -- the one i received does not exhibit item A, B, or C.
 
The first gen definitely had thicker handles and don't even come close to being as nice in F&F as this second run of them. Compared to say Case or Schrade, you're getting more than your money's worth personally. If compared to a GEC Bull Nose, quality is pretty close in comparison, both are well built with no gaps and edges that are razor sharp. However, the difference in steel (1095 vs D2) and availability make the Plow a bit more appealing. As far as walk and talk go, I personally like the plow over the case sodbuster and it is easier to open than some examples of the bull nose.

Wouldn't be afraid to recommend the plow to anyone that likes the sodbuster pattern. I actually have a former boss who still uses and carries the first run one I gave him, kicked a sodbuster jr out of his pocket.
 
I like this knife. If you are a sodbuster fan you will be pleased with the value.fullsizeoutput_cae.jpegfullsizeoutput_caf.jpeg Comparison with a bullnose.IMG_7006.jpgIMG_7007.jpg If I could only have one I would choose the bullnose. But it is purely subjective. I prefer the thickness and the ferocious pull/snap of the bullnose (both of which are highly debated and puts me in the minority).
 
I do not currently own any of the Maserin Plows, though I have purchased them and given away as gifts. The F&F on the first run was not great. That being said, I was thrilled with not only how comfortable in hand they were but also how thinly ground those D2 blades are. They are excellent slicing machines and well worth the 30 bucks. I just might take a closer look at the latest run, if they have significantly improved, I wouldn't balk a paying an extra 20.

Of course, the Lion Steel Bolus has caught my eye as well but that comes at a rather significant price increase. Well worth it though, judging by the quality of my Euro Barlows.
 
On the new run, Plow 2.0, how does the handle thickness compare to the original run? Anyone have some side by side pictures? I currently have a Micarta model from the first run and it is a solid knife just wondering what all I would get from the new run were I to pick one up.
 
These are almost 2 different knives that share the same blade, from the best I can tell from what I have in hand. The handle is better fit and finish, different shape, different features, and all that.

It's not a lionsteel which has a lot more engineering and higher priced materials going on in it but this is very nice for the price. Mine had a fine wire on the spring/liner joint that came off with a little stropping on cardboard and leather. I was excessively impressed with the micarta as it seems burlap takes a price premium from most places. I may get another one of these.

PirateSeulb said:
On the new run, Plow 2.0, how does the handle thickness compare to the original run? Anyone have some side by side pictures? I currently have a Micarta model from the first run and it is a solid knife just wondering what all I would get from the new run were I to pick one up.
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The new ones look a little more squared off than the old models, based on pictures I'm seeing. The finish of the handle is just very clean. If no one posts measurements I'll get the calipers out tonight for you.
 
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