The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details:
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is $300 $250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
Of the new stuff the Sinkevich Tumbler is amazing for the price. It's clear to me they're using a new OEM for the KVT/D2 $60 range their experimenting with. Some telltale signs give it away (signature Chinese Kershaw bevel look isn't there, copious amounts of threadlocker etc.).
I think it goes neck and neck with CIVIVI in quality but has a US based warranty and Sinkevich ergos (which blow away the no-name CAD designed stuff like the Elementum).
I've been recommending it for people looking for a $60 flipper since I got it. Probably best in class in that price range right now. A wonderfully designed knife that's made just well enough.
I love the design of the Tumbler but like 8Cr13Mov, Chinese D2 has become a deal breaker for me. Had they used 14C28N, I'd have been all over it. Ironically, the 14C28N that was originally designed for Kershaw and was once exclusively used by Kershaw is now being used by Sanrenmu (including Ruike and Real Steel) at prices competitive with Kershaw's 8Cr13Mov.
The premium Elementum in S35VN/Micarta is a really nice knife. I rather like some of the Civivi designs. The Baklash is still one of my favorites. While their Isham designs aren't my style, I'm hoping to see more collaborations from them in the future. Coincidentally, Civivi has recently started using 14C28N too. I just ordered their new Riffle.
If Kershaw is using a new Chinese company to do their OEM, I'd love to get one apart for inspection. Is it permanent thread-locker or just too much? Easy disassembly is important to me. Having taken apart a bunch of Civivi knives now, their internals are nicer and leave the factory cleaner than a lot of other budget knives.
My Kershaws that seem to get most pocket time are the Chill and Al Mar AM-3.
I Have 2 Chills that I made wood scales for (ipe and osage orange). Having a wider handle really makes them nice to use.
the Al Mar? Well I've always liked Al Mar's designs. Several of my first quality folders were the UltraLights.