I wasn't entirely sure where to put this thread, because it isn't a review (I only received the knife today), but I figured this is as good a place as any.
I ordered this knife for $39.00 from Kershawguy's website. All I can say is, that's a freaking steal. Honestly, I like this knife better than I like my FFG Delica 4. And I love my Delica.
I love the Aluminum scales. They feel great in the hand, not slippery at all. Very quality stuff.
Awesome pocket clip. Only one way, non-adjustable right side tip down. Fine for me, some won't like that it can't be repositioned to tip up. Just the right amount of tension, plus I can already tell the smooth scales won't wear your pocket at any where near the rate textured G-10 will. Parkerized finish looks great, and has a great feel. I've also heard that the parkerized clip wears a lot better than a painted clip will, time will tell.
Zytel backspacer. I could have done without a backspacer for easier cleaning, but this one really doesn't bother me because it's only maybe a third the length of the scales. There is only one liner, on the side of the liner lock. Also, the jimping on the blade feels great. It's even sharper than Spyderco jimping.
The first thing most people say when they see the knife is, "Isn't that liner lock too thin?" It really isn't. The blade has just as solid lockup as any knife I have, no blade play in any direction. There is really no situation that you should be using this knife for, where that liner lock will fail. To me, it's just fine. There's also some jimping on the liner lock, not as sharp as the jimping on the blade (a good thing), and very functional.
Man, the stonewash on this blade is just gorgeous. This is the 7002 model. As you can see, the thumbstud is not a dual thumbstud, it is sanded down on one side to be flush with the blade. Works for me, I'm right handed. If you're left handed, you can still buy this knife, it will just be a little more inconvenient to open. You can still open it by pinching the blade between your thumb and middle finger just to get it past the detent, then swing it out the rest of the way with your thumb.
ATS-34 steel. I personally have no experience with this steel, but the general consensus seems to be that it's very similar to 154CM. I haven't done an incredible amount of cutting with it yet, but I can tell you it came from the factory almost hair whittling sharp. Not quite, though. The thumbstud is knurled around the edges, but it isn't an aggressive knurling at all. Just enough to get traction. You can also remove the thumbstud with a hex key, if you want to.
The pivot pin is adjustable with a hex key as well, but mine came from the factory right where I want it. This knife is incredibly smooth for the price. It really feels like an eighty or ninety dollar spyderco (in regards to its smoothness). There's a bit of jimping on the inside of the choil as well, just as functional as the jimping on the back of the blade. I forgot to snap a picture of the blade centering, but it's perfect.
To synopnsize, I really, really like this knife lol. Great scales, great lock, phenomenal blade (beautiful stonewash, great shape, great material). I would have happily paid around $80 for this knife today. What really surprised me when this came in, though, was how smooth it is! I can easily flick the blade open without any break-in period. The fit and finish is great. The detent is strong enough, but not overly strong. I don't foresee it ever coming open in my pocket. The only thing I can think of that would improve this knife is if there was a bit of milling in the scales leading up to the thumbstud. It's really close to the scales, but it isn't a problem just to flick open the knife, very easy. Overall, from what I can tell so far this is an outstanding knife, especially at the price point. This will be getting plenty of EDC time.
Oh, by the way, this knife was discontinued in 2001. Very unfortunate, and I feel lucky to get my hands on one.
And sorry for the cell phone pics on my bed, this was kind of just a quick thing. Lol.
I ordered this knife for $39.00 from Kershawguy's website. All I can say is, that's a freaking steal. Honestly, I like this knife better than I like my FFG Delica 4. And I love my Delica.
I love the Aluminum scales. They feel great in the hand, not slippery at all. Very quality stuff.
Awesome pocket clip. Only one way, non-adjustable right side tip down. Fine for me, some won't like that it can't be repositioned to tip up. Just the right amount of tension, plus I can already tell the smooth scales won't wear your pocket at any where near the rate textured G-10 will. Parkerized finish looks great, and has a great feel. I've also heard that the parkerized clip wears a lot better than a painted clip will, time will tell.
Zytel backspacer. I could have done without a backspacer for easier cleaning, but this one really doesn't bother me because it's only maybe a third the length of the scales. There is only one liner, on the side of the liner lock. Also, the jimping on the blade feels great. It's even sharper than Spyderco jimping.
The first thing most people say when they see the knife is, "Isn't that liner lock too thin?" It really isn't. The blade has just as solid lockup as any knife I have, no blade play in any direction. There is really no situation that you should be using this knife for, where that liner lock will fail. To me, it's just fine. There's also some jimping on the liner lock, not as sharp as the jimping on the blade (a good thing), and very functional.
Man, the stonewash on this blade is just gorgeous. This is the 7002 model. As you can see, the thumbstud is not a dual thumbstud, it is sanded down on one side to be flush with the blade. Works for me, I'm right handed. If you're left handed, you can still buy this knife, it will just be a little more inconvenient to open. You can still open it by pinching the blade between your thumb and middle finger just to get it past the detent, then swing it out the rest of the way with your thumb.
ATS-34 steel. I personally have no experience with this steel, but the general consensus seems to be that it's very similar to 154CM. I haven't done an incredible amount of cutting with it yet, but I can tell you it came from the factory almost hair whittling sharp. Not quite, though. The thumbstud is knurled around the edges, but it isn't an aggressive knurling at all. Just enough to get traction. You can also remove the thumbstud with a hex key, if you want to.
The pivot pin is adjustable with a hex key as well, but mine came from the factory right where I want it. This knife is incredibly smooth for the price. It really feels like an eighty or ninety dollar spyderco (in regards to its smoothness). There's a bit of jimping on the inside of the choil as well, just as functional as the jimping on the back of the blade. I forgot to snap a picture of the blade centering, but it's perfect.
To synopnsize, I really, really like this knife lol. Great scales, great lock, phenomenal blade (beautiful stonewash, great shape, great material). I would have happily paid around $80 for this knife today. What really surprised me when this came in, though, was how smooth it is! I can easily flick the blade open without any break-in period. The fit and finish is great. The detent is strong enough, but not overly strong. I don't foresee it ever coming open in my pocket. The only thing I can think of that would improve this knife is if there was a bit of milling in the scales leading up to the thumbstud. It's really close to the scales, but it isn't a problem just to flick open the knife, very easy. Overall, from what I can tell so far this is an outstanding knife, especially at the price point. This will be getting plenty of EDC time.
Oh, by the way, this knife was discontinued in 2001. Very unfortunate, and I feel lucky to get my hands on one.
And sorry for the cell phone pics on my bed, this was kind of just a quick thing. Lol.
