Curtiss F3 Medium or Koenig Arius?

Z

ZTFan

Joined
Oct 6, 2016
Messages
137
Both of these knives seem to pass with flying colors from the gauntlet of YT reviewers. Both are custom ball bearing titanium frame lock flippers. They both seem to have excellent QC and features. I like them both. This would be carried in the front pocket every damn day and flipped to no end.

Does anyone have both and can compare their actions? Are there any significant advantages or disadvantages that one has over the other? Any advice would be appreciated.
 
I can't speak to the Koenig, but I've had a couple of Curtis F3 mediums. Fantastic build quality/F&F, and Dave is a first-rate fella with great customer service.

With that said, I have medium, average-sized hands and always found myself wanting a tad more handle length on the F3 mediums.

Good luck with your choice!
 
And I have only had the Koenig and my thoughts on it echo his on the Curtis So, quality wise I dont think you should worry. Just get whichever attracts you the most I say and then save up and get the other later.
 
I've owned both. Both are first-rate folders.
Does one have an advantage over the other? Not that I can see.
If there is, it would be in the man behind the knife.
Not to take anything away from Bill Koenig, a true artist, but I've had more dealings with Dave Curtiss.
If every business had customer service like Dave Curtiss the world would be a better place.
 
Earlier this year I was seriously eyeing a Curtiss and came very close to pulling the trigger. Ended up going with an Ed Cope Damascus LR.6 instead and I'm extremely happy with it, but I still crave an ultra high-end ball bearing flipper. Lately I've been dangerously eyeing the Arius though, and I like all the different variations of it.

I believe Dr. Frunkey recommended carbon fiber over titanium on the Arius for weight savings. I don't own nor have I ever owned a CF knife, but I've always thought they looked cool. Would one of these perhaps be a good intro into that world?
 
Heck yeah. The Arius in CF is awesome and when I buy my 2nd it will be one of thsoe, but I can tell you the Arius in Ti with lightening pockets is ridiculously light. Feels like a feather to me. I never use the flipper though. I Spydie flick it. Find that much more enjoyable.
 
I would totally buy a Koenig Arius with Blue Twill, Satin Blade and ideally a blue anodized lockside (or alternatively copper shred CF Showscale, Bronze Ano Lock and Satin blade) I like somewhat color matched looks. And I feel like a lot of the full Ti variants on the Arius are priced too high. (At least over here) A full DLC+CF Arius is about 770$ and a Style 55 Ti Version is 1050$ and I don't see 300$ more in either labor or materials, especially given that there is only milling on the show side.
 
I've owned several F3 mediums (have one, now), and two Arius". They're both fantastic. If I could only keep one, however, I think that I'd chose (after much back and forth, and with lots of regret) the Arius. I tend to find myself grabbing the Arius more regularly than the F3. A note on weight: Several have commented on the weigh saving "lightening pockets", and the lighter weight of the Carbon Fiber. Personally, I prefer a knife to have a little heft to it. I had a titanium Arius w/lightening pockets, and it felt oddly light to me. Ultimately, I had to let it go. I did (after some searching) find someone willing to let go of a titanium Arius without the pockets. SO much better for me. Your mileage may vary......
 
I say go with the large F3!
I have a large F3 in flamed ti with oval tac pattern milled, simply put it's amazing.
Fit and finish is outstanding, looks gorgeous but also a very trustworthy blade that screams to be used.

I cant speak for arius but have heard good things
 
bambam99 said:
I say go with the large F3!
I have a large F3 in flamed ti with oval tac pattern milled, simply put it's amazing.
Fit and finish is outstanding, looks gorgeous but also a very trustworthy blade that screams to be used.

I cant speak for arius but have heard good things
Click to expand...

bambam99 bambam99 let’s see some pics of that Large F3 Oval Tac!

Also, I’ve been looking for that exact model..hint..hint..if you’re looking to let go ;)
 
I would go with the F3 medium. Not to take anything away from Koenig but I have owned several medium F3's and they have all been outstanding. The last one I had came to me dull from the previous owner. I emailed Dave and he had me send it in for free sharpening and had the knife back to me in a couple weeks. Stand up guy and great customer service.
 
I'd go with the Koenig.

I've only heard good things about Dave Curtiss and his knives, however, my experience did not mirror said good things. Knife was excellent, service was tense and stressed. Wouldn't buy again.
 
SeppukuSamurai said:
I'd go with the Koenig.

I've only heard good things about Dave Curtiss and his knives, however, my experience did not mirror said good things. Knife was excellent, service was tense and stressed. Wouldn't buy again.
Click to expand...

I would think that anyone at that level of fame in the knife community must be under a huge amount of stress to get orders out. Especially when you tell people that you can send your knife in for practically anything, I seriously cannot imagine how busy he is on a daily basis and everyone has a snapping point. It always makes me nervous to read that everyone thinks so-and-so is such a great guy, because I would hate to read that as the artist himself and feel the pressure of always being a sweetheart. Rough expectation for anyone.
 
ZTFan said:
I would think that anyone at that level of fame in the knife community must be under a huge amount of stress to get orders out. Especially when you tell people that you can send your knife in for practically anything, I seriously cannot imagine how busy he is on a daily basis and everyone has a snapping point. It always makes me nervous to read that everyone thinks so-and-so is such a great guy, because I would hate to read that as the artist himself and feel the pressure of always being a sweetheart. Rough expectation for anyone.
Click to expand...

No doubt. My situation was likely extenuating, however, I gave many opportunities for things to be made right and it only spiraled further. Oh well.
 
I looked up the Koenig Arius on BladeHQ. If I read that correctly, they have 28 different variations of the Arius...with the grip being the primary differentiating factor...
Now, there is a man who believes in his product.
I don't own either one, but would likely choose the Arius...first... (form, not function)
 
Last edited:
"Havoc" said:
bambam99 bambam99 let’s see some pics of that Large F3 Oval Tac!

Also, I’ve been looking for that exact model..hint..hint..if you’re looking to let go ;)
Click to expand...

Sure I'll host some tomorrow and share with you, just have one on my IG at the moment.

Haha, I just recently got it... not sure you could pry it out of my hands just yet
 
Sonnydaze said:
I looked up the Koenig Arius on BladeHQ. If I read that correctly, they have 28 different variations of the Arius...with the handle being the primary differentiating factor...
Now, there is a man who believes in his product.
I don't own either one, but would likely choose the Arius...first... (form, not function)
Click to expand...

The same could be said about Dave's...
The F3 comes in a few sizes, pick one thats right for you. Then you can pick one of the pre built custom ones or request and have your own done. He is doing amazing work to the blades and handles that others cant touch yet.
 
In my never ending quest to find a medium sized Sebenza with a flipper, I recently acquired a Medium F3.

Came to me a bit gritty and slow to open. So, right out of the gate, I was a bit bummed out.

Checked out a review online to make sure that Dave uses caged bearings (yes, he does), and proceeded to take it apart (super easy BTW). Noticed there was some gunk, cleaned everything, re-oiled and put it back together. The blade now rockets out and is rock solid with zero play in any direction. I did have to strop the edge as some of it wasn’t hair popping sharp, but not a big deal by any means.

I can EASILY say that I have in fact found a medium sized Sebenza w/flipper. Is it a tad thicker, yes. But again, not a big deal and it carries very well in a jeans pocket.

I freakin’ love this knife. So much so, that I will be receiving a Large F3 in tomorrow’s mail!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top