Factor Equipment knife experiences?

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ipwn3r456

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Hey guys,

Does anyone have experiences with Factory Equipment knives? I am looking at specifically at the Absolute 1 series with the M390 steel. How do you guys like it? How's the edge retention of the blade? How does it feel? Any opinions would be appreciated, thanks.
 
No first hand knowledge, but I have a Factor Equipment Iconic Mini Titanium on it way to me right now and will be able to tell you more then.

I think the general consensus from the reviews is that they have good build quality and you get a lot for the price... But there is a downside. A lot of their designs are clones or knockoffs and that rubs a lot of people the wrong way and could hurt the resell value if that means anything to you. For instance... The Iconic is basically a clone of the Giant Mouse which was a collaboration from Jens Ansø and Jesper Voxnaes. It became a big enough deal that Factory Equipment has agreed to stop making the Iconic and is now clearing them out. I believe the Iconic was made for Factor Equipment by Bestech out of China if it makes a difference (not sure about the Absolute 1).
 
Fixall said:
No first hand knowledge, but I have a Factor Equipment Iconic Mini Titanium on it way to me right now and will be able to tell you more then.

I think the general consensus from the reviews is that they have good build quality and you get a lot for the price... But there is a downside. A lot of their designs are clones or knockoffs and that rubs a lot of people the wrong way and could hurt the resell value if that means anything to you. For instance... The Iconic is basically a clone of the Giant Mouse which was a collaboration from Jens Ansø and Jesper Voxnaes. It became a big enough deal that Factory Equipment has agreed to stop making the Iconic and is now clearing them out. I believe the Iconic was made for Factor Equipment by Bestech out of China if it makes a difference (not sure about the Absolute 1).
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Yeah, I looked more into the company after I made the post and I basically have the opinion as you. It does seem like it's only for the iconic models that's being called the knockoff, I haven't heard it on the other models.

Do update me when you get your iconic mini though, that would be appreciated.
 
ipwn3r456 said:
Yeah, I looked more into the company after I made the post and I basically have the opinion as you. It does seem like it's only for the iconic models that's being called the knockoff, I haven't heard it on the other models.

Do update me when you get your iconic mini though, that would be appreciated.
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I can't seem to find it now... But I seem to remember another accusation of stolen intellectual property in the Factor Equipment lineup. I'll see if I can find it tomorrow. It could have been an article directed at Bestech (who have seem to have a history of producing clones/knockoffs). To be fair to Bestech, it does seem like they've stepped their game up (I considered picking up the Swordfish on Massdrop for a few minutes).

I'll let ya know how it goes with the Iconic.

P.S.
I did find a review of the Absolute One over on KnifeInformer. The review didn't leave me with the best impression of the knife.

http://knifeinformer.com/factor-absolute-review/
 
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Fixall said:
I can't seem to find it now... But I seem to remember another accusation of stolen intellectual property in the Factor Equipment lineup. I'll see if I can find it tomorrow. It could have been an article directed at Bestech (who have seem to have a history of producing clones/knockoffs). To be fair to Bestech, it does seem like they've stepped their game up (I considered picking up the Swordfish on Massdrop for a few minutes).

I'll let ya know how it goes with the Iconic.

P.S.
I did find a review of the Absolute One over on KnifeInformer. The review didn't leave me with the best impression of the knife.

http://knifeinformer.com/factor-absolute-review/
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Accusation of stolen IP? Maybe I have not done deep enough research about them, didn't know it was that serious. Let me know if you found anything about it.

I was also looking at the Swordfish on Massdrop and was planning to get it as a "beater" knife, but I wanted something with a Titanium handle with better steel, since I already have my Spyderco Native 5 FRN as my EDC.
 
I have the Factor Iconic Compact Carbon Fiber. It’s now discontinued due to the controversy regarding use of the GM1’s design. I don’t like the abuse of Giant Mouse’s intellectual property, but I really like this knife.

It’s smaller compared to the original and a good EDC size. It has great ergonomics, outstanding blade shape, nice carbon fiber, and a very smooth action. I added a deep carry clip.

d73mtLC.jpg
 
at least they stopped making the knives that were clonelike; gotta hand it to them for that...
 
Factor equipment supplied best tech with the models that were near clones of other knives for at least two models. The iconic and absolute. As I've seen the absolute on the dhgate sites for years now and iconic of the gm1. I think they may have learned there lesson... But who knows. There are decent reviews of the best tech knives. They have had a few qc issues now and then, but so does everyone. I don't own any yet but don't see any desire for the designs they have made. They do make a good budget knife for the money from what folks are suggesting. And the high end knives from best tech seem decent enough from my arm chair.
 
I have 2 Iconics, one CF and the other TI, an absolute and just recently picked up the hardened model. I like all of them. Especially at that price point. I know the controversy regarding the Iconic and I typically stay away from that kind of thing but, for $70 I kinda had to. The action on all of them is great and all the blade centering is good as well as the detents. Fit and finish are above what they probably should be for that price.
 
Malaka73 said:
I have 2 Iconics, one CF and the other TI, an absolute and just recently picked up the hardened model. I like all of them. Especially at that price point. I know the controversy regarding the Iconic and I typically stay away from that kind of thing but, for $70 I kinda had to. The action on all of them is great and all the blade centering is good as well as the detents. Fit and finish are above what they probably should be for that price.
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Everything you described is true of my Iconic CF Compacts (bought two for $65 each), now my usual EDC knife. I agree: great quality for the price.
 
Factor Iconic gets Chinese companies to make the knives for them.

The knife they have been advertising as the “absolute 1” I have seen for a long time being made by many Chinese companies known for making clone knives. I believe I have seen Dicoria and “district 9” both selling knives that looked exactly the same as the Absolute 1. These knives don’t appear to be clones of the Absolute 1 rather the Absolute 1 seems to be one of these Chinese knives just rebranded with the Factor name.
 
It WAS the Absolute One! If I'm understanding it right... The Absolute One has been produced for YEARS under different names, coming out of China. I think the most recent name, before Factor Equipment got a hold of the design, was the "Maker 3 Originality" It even uses the exact same proprietary screws. :/

Here's a video from "LuvThemKnives" that talks about it.


I don't know... That's strike 2. I bought the Iconic Mini Titanium because it has solid reviews and I just couldn't walk away from $65 for a titanium scaled knife with s35v. I'll probably play with it for awhile and sell it though.

I don't think I'll purchase anything else from Factor Equipment until they build up a history of being on the "up and up". I would hope they learned their lesson when BladeHQ and KnifeCenter removed the Iconic from their store (although, I see both sites are still selling the Absolute 1)... Who knows though.
 
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Fixall said:
It WAS the Absolute One! If I'm understanding it right... The Absolute One has been produced for YEARS under different names, coming out of China. I think the most recent name, before Factor Equipment got a hold of the design, was the "Maker 3 Originality" It even uses the exact same proprietary screws. :/

Here's a video from "LuvThemKnives" that talks about it.


I don't know... That's strike 2. I bought the Iconic Mini Titanium because it has solid reviews and I just couldn't walk away from $65 for a titanium scaled knife with s35v (the owner of FE gave me a 35% off coupon if anyone is interested). I'll probably play with it for awhile and sell it though.

I don't think I'll purchase anything else from Factor Equipment until they build up a history of being on the "up and up". I would hope they learned their lesson when BladeHQ and KnifeCenter removed the Iconic from their store (although, I see both sites are still selling the Absolute 1)... Who knows though.
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Wow, exactly the same knife, but just with different blade steel... that's indeed disappointing to hear. The prices are indeed low to maybe make this a bit more worthwhile.

If you don't mind, I am interested of the coupon.
 
Shoot me an email.
 
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I've had a Factor Hardened knife since January, but I haven't carried it or really done much with it. It seems like a quality, well made knife, considering what I paid for it.

Things I like about it:
-- the blade shape and design - functional and it looks good to me; 3.7 inches is a size I like
-- locks up tight as a drum, basically a beefy framelock with G10 overlaid for grip - would love to see this more on other knives!
-- flips open nicely
-- detent is just right - not heavy enough to interfere with flipping, but tight enough to open only when you really intend for it to
-- the clip, almost 'deep carry', but not so much that it interferes with deployment
-- scales have great grip, but not pocket shredders by any means
-- the backspacer looks nice and makes the knife seem even more solid

Things I like less:
-- scales aren't particularly eye pleasing to me
-- centering is good, but not perfect
-- has a proprietary pivot design, for which no special tool is supplied with the knife; this hasn't been an issue for me - yet - as mine came perfect from the factory - but it certainly could be in future
-- clip is shiny, not subtle

Things I don't know yet:
-- how it carries on a routine basis
-- blade steel is AUS10 - I don't hate AUS8 when it's well done, so it's probably fine, as it's supposed to be an improvement over AUS8

Excuse the crappy cellphone photo. There are better pictures via web search, of course.

Factor_Hardened_2.jpg
 
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JimMD said:
I have the Factor Iconic Compact Carbon Fiber. It’s now discontinued due to the controversy regarding use of the GM1’s design. I don’t like the abuse of Giant Mouse’s intellectual property, but I really like this knife.

It’s smaller compared to the original and a good EDC size. It has great ergonomics, outstanding blade shape, nice carbon fiber, and a very smooth action. I added a deep carry clip.

d73mtLC.jpg
Click to expand...
If you don't mind me asking. What deep carry pocket clip works on it?
 
ShookDaddy72 said:
If you don't mind me asking. What deep carry pocket clip works on it?
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It's from MXG Gear. This is how its listed on their website:
Custom Made Titanium Deep Carry Pocket Clip For Zero Tolerance ZT0456
Item# 302161

It adds just a little width to the butt of the handle but fits perfectly and looks like it was made for the knife.
 
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