Shortly after ordering the Ganzo G729, I read a buyer's negative review and tried to cancel. The shipper replied that it was already too late. At first, I was pissed. What do you mean -- I just ordered!
Two days later, when the package arrived, I had a change of heart -- this knife is darn good!
It should be: in size and shape, it is a direct knockoff of one of the knife world's most popular folders -- the Spyderco Para Military 2.
(If you don't believe in and won't purchase knockoffs, I totally get it; stop reading now.)
Ganzo makes inexpensive knives and this is no exception at under $20.
Instead of S30V steel for the blade, Ganzo's specs call this 440C. That's still a good mid-range steel. But since this is made in China, the steel is more likely to be some variant of a Chinese steel. We'll never know; that's a problem with ordering imports without local warranty or service available.
The scales claim to to be real G10. The biggest difference between the Ganzo G729 and the real deal Spyderco is that this Ganzo has an Axis-style lock.
(Unless Ganzo has permission from U.S. maker Benchmade, originator of the the Axis lock, this, too, is a knockoff. Many would say 'ripoff.')
The combination of a Para Military 2 with an Axis lock is a dream come true for some knife collectors. The Axis isn't better than Spyderco's Compression Lock.; it's just different. Both are excellent.
The workmanship and QC of the Ganzo isn't up to Spyderco standards, of course, but it's darn good -- much better than Ganzo's earlier knives. Whenever I bought an earlier Ganzo, I purchased two on the theory that at least one would have issues. I wasn't often wrong.
Not the case here -- out-of-the-box, the Ganzo G729 looked and worked perfectly. With full liners, it's a bit on the heavy side. The blade steel is softer than more expensive "super steels" and won't stay sharp as long. But it also should be easier to sharpen when it gets dull breaking down cardboard boxes or the like.
This is a good, useful folding knife -- but there is that issue about knockoffs and stealing someone else's design.
I have both -- four of the $100-plus Spyderco Para Military 2s, and the inexpensive Ganzo G729. I'll use the Ganzo for dirtier work when I don't want to risk damaging a more expensive and far better product.
The Ganzo is a good cheap knife. It takes nothing away from the Spyderco, which remains one of the best folding knives you can buy.
Two days later, when the package arrived, I had a change of heart -- this knife is darn good!
It should be: in size and shape, it is a direct knockoff of one of the knife world's most popular folders -- the Spyderco Para Military 2.
(If you don't believe in and won't purchase knockoffs, I totally get it; stop reading now.)
Ganzo makes inexpensive knives and this is no exception at under $20.
Instead of S30V steel for the blade, Ganzo's specs call this 440C. That's still a good mid-range steel. But since this is made in China, the steel is more likely to be some variant of a Chinese steel. We'll never know; that's a problem with ordering imports without local warranty or service available.
The scales claim to to be real G10. The biggest difference between the Ganzo G729 and the real deal Spyderco is that this Ganzo has an Axis-style lock.
(Unless Ganzo has permission from U.S. maker Benchmade, originator of the the Axis lock, this, too, is a knockoff. Many would say 'ripoff.')
The combination of a Para Military 2 with an Axis lock is a dream come true for some knife collectors. The Axis isn't better than Spyderco's Compression Lock.; it's just different. Both are excellent.
The workmanship and QC of the Ganzo isn't up to Spyderco standards, of course, but it's darn good -- much better than Ganzo's earlier knives. Whenever I bought an earlier Ganzo, I purchased two on the theory that at least one would have issues. I wasn't often wrong.
Not the case here -- out-of-the-box, the Ganzo G729 looked and worked perfectly. With full liners, it's a bit on the heavy side. The blade steel is softer than more expensive "super steels" and won't stay sharp as long. But it also should be easier to sharpen when it gets dull breaking down cardboard boxes or the like.
This is a good, useful folding knife -- but there is that issue about knockoffs and stealing someone else's design.
I have both -- four of the $100-plus Spyderco Para Military 2s, and the inexpensive Ganzo G729. I'll use the Ganzo for dirtier work when I don't want to risk damaging a more expensive and far better product.
The Ganzo is a good cheap knife. It takes nothing away from the Spyderco, which remains one of the best folding knives you can buy.