Gotta Ask for Opinions

Well, it's probably not his personality, because let's face it, people still buy and have pride of ownership in Striders, and that scumbag lied and cooked up a completely made up special forces background so he'd sell more knives. He has fans that, to this day, will still argue with you on that. So, if that's the case, then you know folks aren't going to care that Greg is super Conservative. I think it comes more from the fact that most fullsize Medford models weigh roughly 17 lbs, and aren't really pocket friendly because of it. That, plus the fact that even their models in D2 still are going to run you $650-$750 makes them not even an option for the supersteel snob crowd. Lastly, the prices themselves are eye-wateringly high for what you get, and on top of that, their resale value is low due to the first few points I mentioned. So, to recap, Medfords tend to weigh as much as a small car, and the cost/materials ratio is way outta wack, plus their resale value is low.

Me, I like Medfords, and have owned one or two in my time. And I've always got that low-key itch to get another, but then I recall the bath I took selling previously, and I'm good. Honestly, nothing Medford makes is going to be a "knife for life" with me, so why bother?
 
My God! I love the differing views! No matter what anyone's opinion in this thread, I bet we could all go out and have a beer and great discussion!!
Thanks again all. I'm hoping to soon end my search for MY perfect purchase. Problem is, there's always just one more to look for.
 
Id say its because they arent EDC freindly. I tried one out for a week and the Preatorian was like having a dumbell in my pocket. Some may say they dont care so much for the maker (Greg) either, but thats just opinion and has nothing to do with the knives themselves. Overall, just big clunky prodctuion/mid tech knives that Greg never touches himself.
 
Quiet said:
Well, it's probably not his personality, because let's face it, people still buy and have pride of ownership in Striders, and that scumbag lied and cooked up a completely made up special forces background so he'd sell more knives. He has fans that, to this day, will still argue with you on that. So, if that's the case, then you know folks aren't going to care that Greg is super Conservative. I think it comes more from the fact that most fullsize Medford models weigh roughly 17 lbs, and aren't really pocket friendly because of it. That, plus the fact that even their models in D2 still are going to run you $650-$750 makes them not even an option for the supersteel snob crowd. Lastly, the prices themselves are eye-wateringly high for what you get, and on top of that, their resale value is low due to the first few points I mentioned. So, to recap, Medfords tend to weigh as much as a small car, and the cost/materials ratio is way outta wack, plus their resale value is low.

Me, I like Medfords, and have owned one or two in my time. And I've always got that low-key itch to get another, but then I recall the bath I took selling previously, and I'm good. Honestly, nothing Medford makes is going to be a "knife for life" with me, so why bother?
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My LGS was clearing out Medfords at a steep discount the last time I was in there. Something about how Greg reneged on his agreement to take back inventory that didn't move.
 
Ah, Medford; always an entertaining topic. 🤣 :D

By the numbers, Medford is my favorite high-end production knife company. I've owned a Praetorian Genesis T, Praetorian G, 187DP, 187F, and TFF-1, and I currently own a Medford-made Strider .75 AR -- which is as many as all the other brands in that price range that I've owned combined. I didn't plan it that way! ;)

They were all superbly made, with excellent fit and finish. I often like Medford's aesthetic, and I don't mind heavy knives; their unique appearance is a plus for me. They're not exemplary slicers, but the hollow grind is excellent and they meet my relatively modest EDC needs well. Among mine there were some minor design choices I didn't love, like the lockbar access on the 187s, and I do wish Medford chamfered the edges of the cutout that creates the lockbar (they're not the only higher-end manufacturer to avoid doing this; my Hinderers aren't chamfered there, either), like Reate and ZT do. I wasn't a fan of the flipping action on the 187F.

I eventually sold all but the .75 AR (which is new), but I eventually sell 90% of my knives so that's not unique to Medford. A large part of that came down to deciding that I didn't want D2 at that price point; the rest was mainly just finding that I preferred other knives in my collection, and needing the money for other stuff. My .75 AR is flawless, uses great steel (S90V), and tempers Medford's design instincts in a way that I quite like. It's my favorite of the ~3.5" Medford-made knives I've owned.

I don't see Medford as trying to compete on price. A Reate or ZT knife will beat them all day on price and refinements, and equal them on fit and finish. But if that were my only criterion, I'd still own my ZT 0562 instead of my Hinderer XM-18 3.5. The Hinderer brings me more joy, and I get more satisfaction from carrying and using it, than I did from the ZT -- despite the ZT being a fantastic knife, and a better deal than the XM. That same "X factor" is what has kept me coming back to Medford.
 
Well there IS a market for the “sharpened pry bar”… but maybe Medford is more novelty than most of them.

Anyone here who has held a praetorian or marauder (full size) can’t say they didn’t at least grin with satisfaction at least for a few minutes until the realization set in that there’s no way you’re going to carry it for opening letters and Amazon boxes… but if someone said “pick a bomb proof folder, we are headed to the wilderness and you can’t take a fixed blade”, by all means… give me the USMC fighter flipper, or a marauder. I know they’re more bomb proof than cold steel… but you pay for that fact.

In the end, they’re for a particular person.. maybe someone that stabs holes in their garage wall while blasting Slayer drunk on craft beer with a sh*t ton of disposable income… or maybe the guy that has to have one of everything… but they’re not a knife most people can comfortably carry.
 
dvldog5811 said:
My God! I love the differing views! No matter what anyone's opinion in this thread, I bet we could all go out and have a beer and great discussion!!
Thanks again all. I'm hoping to soon end my search for MY perfect purchase. Problem is, there's always just one more to look for.
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I don't drink beer
 
I have no experience with Medford knives, but when I look at them I can see the appeal. It's just that for me there are so many other knives in that price range that appeal to me personally more, and it's not like I need that many knives in that price range.

As for the man himself, I've never had any personal interactions with him, so I don't hold much of an opinion on him either way. Sure, he comes off as a bit abrasive, but I don't mind that, because at least you know where a man stands. We don't all have to agree on everything to get along in life, that's the beauty of a free society. Most of the videos I've seen him on are the ones dealing with the American Service Knife project, and I must say, I appreciate his efforts there and hope it succeeds. I'd consider picking one of those up at some point, especially if they do well and he decides in the future to add scissors.
 
For me, the individual person’s personality, leanings, beliefs, etc don’t matter so much. I’m buying a knife, not dating the person. Make me the knife I want and you can do yoga on a mountaintop in the Himalayas or shotgun beers at party cove with a giant flag on your boat, I do not care… so long as someone doesn’t lie, cheat, or steal. Sorry, but one maker mentioned here did lie. That’s a hard line for me.
 
rhino said:
I will say this: Medford isn't afraid to do hollow grinds. We need more . . . many more . . . folders with hollow grinds, not fewer!
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It's a little outside the scope of this thread, but if you get a chance to check out either the M_Stealth or the upscale compound-ground Begleiter from Kizer, you should! They have awesome grinds
 
I like his fixed blade fighter, but there are a lot of others knives with that look I like too, like the CS Leatherneck, that don't cost $500+.
 
I’ve owned 8 and now down to 6. They definitely don’t hold their value on the secondary market. I think that is mostly because of weight and size of the larger models. Seems like the smaller more pocketable models have decent demand. I’ve carried a praetorian T many times and it doesn’t carry as big as u think. Don’t even know it’s there when wearing jeans. Praetorian genesis is the perfect happy medium and has very similar dimensions to the .75 AR. I love the marauder h but that starts pushing the limits even for me.
Medfords shine in a coated 3v blade. Also come very sharp from factory. I love my Hinderers but sometimes they are a little lacking in this department. Medfords definitely can cut.
 
The Infraction had my attention a little while ago until I saw that the blade was almost twice as thick as what I typically like to run.
 
I admired them for a long time from a distance while I tried a lot of other knives, as I like medium to large folders. I bought a 187F and immediately knew it didn't feel right in my hands and returned it. I replaced it with a 187DP. It is a beast, there is no denying that. Personally I really like the chunky industrial look so that doesn't bother me, and it does cut pretty well for it's size. Not turning paper into threads, maybe, but cutting real stuff in life, it does fine. That said, I mostly reserve it for outdoor activities where I want something that I could legitimately use for anything so I don't have to also have a fixed blade all the time around a campsite or on a hike or something. Day to day, it is a bit large and heavy for general EDC, so it doesn't get carried a lot. For most usage I don't think you can find anything better than a large Sebenza 21 Insingo, which is by far my favorite knife. In addition to a couple CRKs, I also favor a PM2, a nice flipper from WE Knife Co, and a few MT OTFs. The Medford will never be my go to EDC knife, but I do like it and it is fun to carry when the mood is right.
 
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