Got myself a Ganzo G702...

Inazone · Apr 26, 2014

Although I've actually been making a point of avoiding buying more Chinese knives, reading about some of the Chinese brands building and marketing their own knives (not necessarily original designs) rather than slapping an American brand name on the blade led me to buy one. In this case, I decided to go with a Ganzo G702, which has a (supposedly) 440C blade, aluminum handle and Axis-style lock. I figured that I could do worse for $18, and honestly, it's not a bad knife . . . but I still find myself wondering if the Chinese workers cranking these out actually know what it is they're building. In particular, look at the picture of the belt clip. The angle makes it hard to tell, but there is a glass breaker (or skull breaker if you prefer) and it screws into the handle holding the belt clip in place. However, notice that there are screw holes and a small indentation on both sides of the handle for attaching a different type of belt clip that isn't even included with the knife. Genius! Also of no functional value is the jimping, which is only milled along the edges of the handle and thus offers no actual traction. I have seen YouTube videos pointing out these design oversights, so it's not just my knife that is this way.

Those two issues aside, I honestly can't find any flaws. The blade cuts paper quite cleanly out of the box, and after a couple drops of oil and flipping the blade open and closed a few dozen times, it deploys smoothly with the thumb stud. There is no blade play, and the blade seems to be securely locked in place. Unlocking, on the other hand, is quite stiff, compared to a Benchmade anyway. Still, it functions fine. The thumb stud and glass breaker don't inspire much confidence because the screw-in portion of the glass breaker is tiny and probably would snap off if actually struck against glass. Those criticisms aside, it is a pretty good knife and doesn't have any glaring QC shortcomings - it's just that the design is sort of screwy.

I probably won't race right out to find another Ganzo, but the G702 wasn't a waste of money. I doubt that it will find a spot in my EDC rotation, but I'm sure I'll carry it now and then.

dkb45 · Apr 27, 2014

Those pocket clip holes... I love designs done by a few people doing their own thing and not communicating their choices. So many things are like that now.

I like Ganzo knives. Well made, good steel, actually comparable to a Benchmade sans warranty. Oh, also cheap as dirt. If you want to get a beater then a Ganzo is not a bad choice if you don't want to drop even a slightly significant amount of money. Would I carry one over my Benchmade knives? Probably not, but almost everybody I know wouldn't mind having a Ganzo. Consider them excellent gifts from knife people to non knife people.

shuutr · Apr 27, 2014

I bought two. The second one accidentally. It took so long for delivery, I forgot I bought it. So I bought it again. I gave the second one to a friend, a non knife guy, and he was pleased.

the kid · Apr 27, 2014

I had one of those but found it to heavy.

I used a Sanrenmu 763 for the last year for really abusive work.
And just bought another two for less then $22 shipped.

Omega Leather Works · Apr 28, 2014

I've never bought one of these, just don't like the axis cloning, but a friend did show me his small collection of these the other day.

I was fairly impressed with the quality. My take was that they are clearly superior to the Chinese s&w knives that I used to buy years ago. Seriously. No competition. That would still be the case if another lock was used.

Good quality, killer price. Still a rip-off.

the kid · Apr 28, 2014

Strigamort said:
I've never bought one of these, just don't like the axis cloning, but a friend did show me his small collection of these the other day.

I was fairly impressed with the quality. My take was that they are clearly superior to the Chinese s&w knives that I used to buy years ago. Seriously. No competition. That would still be the case if another lock was used.

Good quality, killer price. Still a rip-off.

Ah please. Those patents are stupid anyway. Imagine if the liner lock was patented. Or the thumb stud. Or back lock. Or the back spring.

dkb45 · Apr 28, 2014

the kid said:
Ah please. Those patents are stupid anyway. Imagine if the liner lock was patented. Or the thumb stud. Or back lock. Or the back spring.

Michael Walker could have patented the liner lock, (blank on the name) could have patented the detent, Chris Reeve could have patented the frame lock, and I really want to say Spyderco could have patented the lock back. If all of those were patented, EVERY knife would have to either be a collaboration if it had a lock, or be some kind of friction folder or slip joint. That would suck. I really hate how the Axis lock is exclusive to Benchmade and Benchmade only, because some of these midtech or custom makers could make KILLER Axis locks with their incredible tolerances.

the kid · Apr 28, 2014

dkb45 said:
Michael Walker could have patented the liner lock, (blank on the name) could have patented the detent, Chris Reeve could have patented the frame lock, and I really want to say Spyderco could have patented the lock back. If all of those were patented, EVERY knife would have to either be a collaboration if it had a lock, or be some kind of friction folder or slip joint. That would suck. I really hate how the Axis lock is exclusive to Benchmade and Benchmade only, because some of these midtech or custom makers could make KILLER Axis locks with their incredible tolerances.

Exactly. And the first guy who made the slipjoint could have patented the back spring. Or the guy before that could have patented the friction folder. Or the guy before that a piece of steel with a sharp edge. etc.

I get why companies and individuals do patents; MONEY. I probably would do the same if I could. Doesn't mean I should support someone else doing it. The world would be a better place without these stupid patents or at least let them expire after five years, not seventeen with the option to renew!
If another company (Ganzo) rips of some else's patent (McHenry and Williams); I really could not care less.

Especially the axis lock patent pisses me off because I see no point in buying a locking folder without it. I LOVE the axis lock and compared to all the other locks I've seen and read about it is far superior. In usability and strength and wear.
So I only buy slipjoints and axis rip-offs now. (I'm not paying European Benchmade prices; $135 for a mini grip online)

Derek the Destroyer · May 1, 2014

Nice I just got a pair of enlan el -02's and believe it or not, they slice better than my millie! who woulda thought?

Inazone · May 4, 2014

Well, I just got a Ganzo G716, and if I had to rate my favorite "tactical" folders, it would definitely be pretty high on the list. It's a couple of very minor flaws (aesthetic only) from being perfect, at least without being made of a superior steel I suppose.

LX_Emergency · May 5, 2014

dkb45 said:
Michael Walker could have patented the liner lock, (blank on the name) could have patented the detent, Chris Reeve could have patented the frame lock, and I really want to say Spyderco could have patented the lock back. If all of those were patented, EVERY knife would have to either be a collaboration if it had a lock, or be some kind of friction folder or slip joint. That would suck. I really hate how the Axis lock is exclusive to Benchmade and Benchmade only, because some of these midtech or custom makers could make KILLER Axis locks with their incredible tolerances.

Patents expire You know. Last time I checked I found out that the Axis Lock patent expires next year.

Also. .. There's no way Spyderco could've locked down the lock back. That design feature is a lot older than you seem to think.

Omega Leather Works · May 6, 2014

LX_Emergency said:
Patents expire You know. Last time I checked I found out that the Axis Lock patent expires next year.

Also. .. There's no way Spyderco could've locked down the lock back. That design feature is a lot older than you seem to think.

Exactly. Allow the company their time to make the money they deserve. That's why I have no problem with owning an edge pro clone. The patent expired.

Anyway, I'm not judging you any more than I'm judging my friend. He wasn't even aware of BKC before I explained it to him. Do whatever you want.