Good knives that didn't make it

S

sja2249

Joined
Feb 11, 2006
Messages
174
Have you ever seen a great new knife from a decent manufacturer that just never got the attention it deserved? It always seems that I fall in love with a knife that is already discontinued or destined to be discontinued soon.

Probably one of my favorites is a Gerber SL 3.25. I'll admit, it has a somewhat awkward name... but the recipe is right. It has an ATS-34 blade that's 3.25" long. The blade is a nice hollow ground clip point with ambidextrous thumb studs. The scales are very nice looking black G10. It has a single titanium liner that locks up very early. The knife has no vertical or lateral blade play. It weighs next to nothing, but delivers a nice long cutting edge. The pocket clip is a deep carry clip. It's pillar constructed and can be completely disassembled by the user. As far as I can tell, these knives never made it out of their initial production run.

Another personal favorite is the Buck Odyssey 182 in ATS-34 with CF scales and a solid spine... While the Odyssey design took off, it seems that the higher end models didn't have the same market appeal.

Sam
 
Spyderco Delica G-10 and Endura G-10 are two knives that are fantastic, but the market just did not embrace them enough to keep them in production.
 
This is my EDI Genesis. I think this is a good knife design but for some reason the company didn't survive. I have read that some people had quality control issues with the knife but mine is very good. My only complaint about it is that the bead blasted blade finish is hard to keep clean.

DSC_6667b.jpg
 
In Germany, where I live, the whole Böker Tree Brand series didn´t make it. They are not available here.

I asked once via Email at Böker, Germany. They told me, that people got angry when using it and carbon steel changes color. So they removed it from their list. I own one, which I got from a kind forum member and it´s a great knife!!

Kind regards
 
well, sometimes a lack of attention and the ensuing end of production could be a good thing...they may be hard to find, but the same lack of attention might mean a lower price. The Remington tango and zulu series are made by Fox in Italy, and I really like them, but wasn't willing to pay close to 200$ for a fixed blade and around 150$ for the folders. The lack of success for the company means that I got a fixed clip for 70$ and a folder for 40$. I also got lucky with an Ontario SP5 for less than 50$
 
I'll second the BM Rukus and standard AFCK and add the BM HK Ascender. Great knife and good value...
 
Yeah, the demise of the AFCK irritates me, too. My EDC has been an AFCK since around 1998 or so. My 800HS is on its way back to me. I've been carrying an 806D2 for several years now. The sprint runs aren't helping matters, either, in my humble opinion.
 
I can think of a host of models from both Camillus & Schrade.
Models from companys still in business would be Benchmade's Deja-voo & 921 Switchback.
Spyderco's Lum Chinese.
 
A lot of benchmade I own go into this category unfortunately. The 930 kulgera is one of the best EDC blades Ive used. 3.6 inch drop point blade, and weight only 3oz. Don't get much better than that! Also the skirmish 635, but i don't know if it was just a short run or a production. Another is the 806 AFCK! A favorite of mine with m390 steel. Benchmade Goes Hard!
 
Benchmade 705 (basically a mini Benchmade 710). That was such a cool knife.

Spyderco Yojimbo was a big one until the Yojimbo 2 came out.

SOG Desert Dagger. Looked way cooler than the Daggerts that replaced it IMO. I'm guessing they added the bead blasting/coatings to cut costs which is a shame.

Emerson Persian before they brought it back. Such a unique tactical folder.
 
Liner lock AFCK. I just retired my original plain edge one to "desk knife" duty after many years because I got a new ZT 0560 for my new "car knife". My brother got one of the later cheap lock back version and its not even close. I know that they put a lot of time and money into the Axis lock knives, but IMO, if they brought back the original AFCK, people would buy it. it was one of the first of its kind in the production knife world and as such, has attained an almost legendary status with many folks. I also wouldn't mind seeing the original Benchmade metal handled Walter Brend folder from the 90's. brought back.
 
I think the Benchmade 730 Ares and AFCK have always been well liked and the ZT 500 MUDD was also liked by a lot of people. There are many others out there but those come to mind most often. Mostly the 730 and AFCK! Kevin :D
 
AFCK from Benchmade, and the Mirage (gasp) series from CRKT. Miss them all.
 
mkjellgren said:
The 730 is back in production as a dealer exclusive and with m390 to boot!! It's available from the same dealer as the 710 in m390.
Click to expand...

I know. I've got one. :D (and a black M390 710, fwiw).

It just makes me wish they were regular production that much more. 400 pieces isn't that big of a run.
 
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