Gotta Ask for Opinions

dvldog5811

dvldog5811

Joined
Sep 25, 2020
Messages
359
Mornin' BFers!
There's a lot of folks on here that know a helluva lot more than me so gotta feed my curiosity.
I'm a huge Medford fan although I haven't yet found their perfect model for me. I really like Greg although he can be an asshole but, so can I. I feel very comfortable with his company because he's so out in the public eye and doesn't seem to pull any punches or hold back. Plus, his stuff is made here. I've never had the pleasure of fondling a CRK or many other high-end knives other than Strider's so I need some help here.
So, my question for all of you brainiacs out in the BF world...
Why aren't Medford's more popular>
Is it because their so overbuilt? Is it because of word of bad experiences with the company? Is it because more and more people are wanting more EDC friendly carry?
I know opinions are like a**holes but I really would like to hear 'em.
Also, as far as "hard-use", "overbuilt" knives, what do you guys prefer?
Thanks all, have a great day and be safe out there!!
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I’d say for many they aren’t EDC friendly for the most part. They are typically big and bulky so they are more safe queens then actual users. Also at the price point only “knife” people would have any interest. I’d say his personality has a tiny bit to do with it but a small amount. It’s just one of the many brands out there to most.
 
For me, they are not practical tools, especially at these prices. I mean, I am not an art collector.. :)

I still don't know what is wrong with his personality/controversy, but whatever it is, maybe he is doing it on purpose, so people have something to talk about? :rolleyes:
 
I kind of like the look of his Gentleman Jack... But that's about the only "EDC friendly" knife that caught my eye...
But I can't speak to the quality of the build...
 
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For me the Medford knives are too rough around the edges, they look unfinished and somewhat childish for the price. I worked for a knife company 20 years ago and collect knives made by Reate, Chris Reeve, Hinderer, etc and do appreciate a tough built knife.

When you know the manufacturing side and seeing a poorly finished knife commands the price of a CRK or Reate it’s an easy pass. Knives with machined satin blades right off the grinder, slab sided handles, tumbled finishes, etc are really just cost cutting measures. So I don’t see any value in them. To my eye a $200 Spyderco Shaman is as well made, rugged, and durable a tool as any Medford and if they were priced in that range they might be worth a look. At the $400+ range you can get hand satin blades, exquisite machining, compound grinds, and other time intensive details which the Medfords lack.

For the record, I have no knowledge of Medford the company or the man behind it, just handled a few knives and see them listed for sale on websites so cannot comment on any of that.
 
I won't go into Medford himself, this is not the place, but imo his knives are pretty much worthless as knives. I think he's finally started making some that function as cutting tools, but they're out of my wheelhouse and I have no interest in trying them.

Plus his ridiculous "don't take it apart or you have no warranty" spiel. Not sure how rigid they are on that, but I'll take apart my knives if I please, tyvm. Just like I'll work on my car, or guns, or anything else I own.
 
Damn, you all are making me think. I have to say, I haven't seen any responses that I disagree with. I will say that this may not be the place for personality discussions although I do wish I had a good platform for making my political opinions known. Thanks all, love the answers so far!
 
Biginboca said:
For me the Medford knives are too rough around the edges, they look unfinished and somewhat childish for the price. I worked for a knife company 20 years ago and collect knives made by Reate, Chris Reeve, Hinderer, etc and do appreciate a tough built knife.

When you know the manufacturing side and seeing a poorly finished knife commands the price of a CRK or Reate it’s an easy pass. Knives with machined satin blades right off the grinder, slab sided handles, tumbled finishes, etc are really just cost cutting measures. So I don’t see any value in them. To my eye a $200 Spyderco Shaman is as well made, rugged, and durable a tool as any Medford and if they were priced in that range they might be worth a look. At the $400+ range you can get hand satin blades, exquisite machining, compound grinds, and other time intensive details which the Medfords lack.

For the record, I have no knowledge of Medford the company or the man behind it, just handled a few knives and see them listed for sale on websites so cannot comment on any of that.
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Most of his models are definitely rough around the edges. I have to admit, that's one of the things I like about 'em. Thanks for the input!
 
dvldog5811 said:
Damn, you all are making me think. I have to say, I haven't seen any responses that I disagree with. I will say that this may not be the place for personality discussions although I do wish I had a good platform for making my political opinions known. Thanks all, love the answers so far!
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Don't they have a political section here? Never ventured there myself.
 
Rough around the edges means “uncomfortable for full daytime use” to me. So I stay away. Other than the Gentleman Jack which is “ok” as a slipjoint.
 
I’ve always liked the look of the Praetorian (especially the Genesis which would be better in the pocket for me). But for the money , there are other knives I’d rather go with. That’s not to say that I won’t someday own one. Just not today.
 
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My observations, as someone who owns 4 Medfords -

1 - they come across as chunky pocket bricks that aren't EDC or carry friendly; not my experience with the models I own

2 - the price

3 - I have heard complaints over the choice of steel, particularly D2; as if Medford's D2 can be compare with the Chinesium that's out there

I have the Colonial, On Belay, 187 and Slim Midi; I am very happy with them. The Praetorian and the like don't really interest me; but I would like to own the M-48, that looks stellar.
 
Medford makes knives that I know I'll never want carry, and certainly never EDC, no mater how much I might like a design (most of which I don't, the Infraction and GJ are ok). I have handled a Praetorian, and it was fine, but I would never buy one. And I would probably only keep a Medford in my collection if it was a gift.
 
Wish I wasn't so busy at work...I'll start replying to everyone after sitting in interviews. I love all of the responses. Really appreciate everyone's opinions. Whether we agree or not, love the convo's!
 
Some of the knives he’s put out recently are more in line with what I would consider functional edc knives. Thinner, smaller, lighter. Button locks & flippers too. Personally I think those types of knives would have a broader appeal if the brand didn’t carry the stigma (probably not the right word) of being big, bricky, splitting wedges. There’s nothing wrong with the stereotypical Medford, but it’s going to have limited appeal.

The only Medford that’s really-really appealed to me is the Infraction, but it’s still a bit too heavy for my taste. I kick myself for not picking up a CF one a few years ago. A re-do of that knife in CF with slightly thinner blade stock would be hard to resist.

Oh yeah, and I agree with the goofy warranty comment.
 
I think some perceptions are hard to change when there are a number of equal or better options out there. The top reasons I see that people take issue with are:

1. Greg’s personality. He’s opinionated and outspoken about certain things and that will always rub some people the wrong way, no matter the opinion.

2. The Praetorian and many of his earlier tankesque knives veer more on the side of ridiculous mantle “art” than anything that can be classified as a functional folding knife. Though “tough guy” rambo fantasy toys can be fun, not super common for knife people to want to EDC one. Especially at those prices. Again though, once this perception becomes ingrained, it’s hard for many to break away from. As a few of Medfords options now are practically sized, well built EDC tools that are just as good as any other in the price range. I’ve owned 3 and I really liked how they felt.

3. This may be the biggest one I’ve heard, but a lot of people took issue with Medfords original warranty stipulations of absolutely no disassembling, lubing, modding or adjusting his knives or risk the warranty being voided. This annoyed a lot of people as it came off more as daddy scolding their teenager than proper knife care advice. I could kind of see where it was coming from, but kind of stupid to be so condescending to someone who just spent half a grand or more on one of your knives. Especially considering nearly all of Medfords competition in that price range not only encourages disassembly, but provides you with the tools to do just that. Now I’ve heard these guidelines have changed recently, but not sure to what extent.
 
dvldog5811 said:
Mornin' BFers!
There's a lot of folks on here that know a helluva lot more than me so gotta feed my curiosity.
I'm a huge Medford fan although I haven't yet found their perfect model for me. I really like Greg although he can be an asshole but, so can I. I feel very comfortable with his company because he's so out in the public eye and doesn't seem to pull any punches or hold back. Plus, his stuff is made here. I've never had the pleasure of fondling a CRK or many other high-end knives other than Strider's so I need some help here.
So, my question for all of you brainiacs out in the BF world...
Why aren't Medford's more popular>
Is it because their so overbuilt? Is it because of word of bad experiences with the company? Is it because more and more people are wanting more EDC friendly carry?
I know opinions are like a**holes but I really would like to hear 'em.
Also, as far as "hard-use", "overbuilt" knives, what do you guys prefer?
Thanks all, have a great day and be safe out there!!
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A benchmade contego or adamas is just as tough, better steel, a fraction the price and wont pull my pants down when i put it in my pocket.
 
I did end up with one of his autos, but in general, I agree with the drift of the discussion here - they are mostly more novelties than tools, and while I do spend good money on "art" knives sometimes, those are just not my aesthetic. I can imagine myself dropping more than I should on a folding crowbar in a moment of weakness, but those go for a multiple of my silly-money limit.

No idea what he's said to annoy people, and probably wouldn't care if I did.
 
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