Griffith Knives review is FINISHED!

Chiro75

Chiro75

Joined
Feb 4, 1999
Messages
5,786
I finished my review of some Griffith knives. It is long and has tons of pictures, so be patient with loading time. I anticipate lots of debate, so let's keep it clean for a good discussion! The four knives reviewed were an older Patrolman and Texan and a brand new Patrolman and Texan. I would prefer if you access the review from my homepage: http://www.geocities.com/chiro75/frames.html

You will have to scroll down the frame on the left side to find the Griffith Knives Review. If you'd prefer, here is a direct link to avoid the frames:
<A HREF="http://www.geocities.com/chiro75/griffith.html

" TARGET=_blank>http://www.geocities.com/chiro75/griffith.html

</A>

Lynn was a little angry with my subjective conclusions at the end, but the objective data is favorable for the most part, and hopefully people won't get too hung up on a few sentences of opinion when there are three pages of objective data. As such, I could not get commentary from Lynn to put at the end of the review, so things that need explanation on his part will, unfortunately, be subject to everyone's opinion here.

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My Knife & Sheath Pages:
http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Lab/1298/frames.html
Palmer College of Chiropractic
Sheath Makers Referral Directory
chiro75@yahoo.com
Madpoet (Mel Sorg, Jr.) Tribute page:
http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Lab/1298/madpoet/main.html
 
Your review appears to be balanced-fair and very well researched. What I'd like to comment on though is your website-it's killer. I even put it on my Favorities list.
Nice work.

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Beherethen, thanks for the encouragement! It's taken a LONG time to get my website looking decent. I started by teaching myself rudimentary HTML when I was a sophomore in college (I needed a webpage for my radio gig) and it just snowballed from there. Probably the biggest improvement has been my ability to borrow digital cameras from other people and also buying a book on HTML. It helps with learning how to do frames and more fancy formatting. Once you get a page set up in a cool way, though, you pretty much copy and paste them and just change the content. Anyway, thanks again!

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My Knife & Sheath Pages:
http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Lab/1298/frames.html
Palmer College of Chiropractic
Sheath Makers Referral Directory
chiro75@yahoo.com
Madpoet (Mel Sorg, Jr.) Tribute page:
http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Lab/1298/madpoet/main.html
 
Mike, sorry, I don't have any pics. A description should work. The difference is really in the way the letter itself looks. a J-clip is j-shaped from the side. A G-clip is essentially the same thing, except the folded part that is double-backed on itself is a little longer. A G-clip is basically just a more secure J-clip, if that makes sense. Your Leatherman clip is like a really exaggerated G-clip. Hmmm...maybe pics would be better!
wink.gif


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My Knife & Sheath Pages:
http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Lab/1298/frames.html
Palmer College of Chiropractic
Sheath Makers Referral Directory
chiro75@yahoo.com
Madpoet (Mel Sorg, Jr.) Tribute page:
http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Lab/1298/madpoet/main.html
 
Lets see if I can be any help here. Here is a picture of some of the carry attachments...are any of these what you are calling a j-clip? Maybe the 3rd attacment from the left?

View


Anyways...well done review Chiro. Very informative.



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Richard
icq 61363141
Just some knife pictures
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=110070&a=4518795
 
Richard, that is a J-clip, but unfortunately you can really only tell the difference from the side. That J-clip that Lynn uses is pretty unimpressive in my opinion, but it serves the purpose okay. I tried to post my review on Lynn's forum and I learned that I have finally been banned! Sheesh. I guess I shouldn't have been so detailed in my review! A second draft is on the way. I have a couple changes to make here and there, but it should be okay for the time being. It will be totally finished by tomorrow.

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My Knife & Sheath Pages:
http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Lab/1298/frames.html
Palmer College of Chiropractic
Sheath Makers Referral Directory
chiro75@yahoo.com
Madpoet (Mel Sorg, Jr.) Tribute page:
http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Lab/1298/madpoet/main.html
 
Nice review Chiro - very thorough.

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The beast we are, lest the beast we become.
 
Seems to me that your review conferms what the other two reviews said, MD and Tom's. As you seem to place a different value on uneven grinds, grinding marks,and the other defects, I respect your opinion. Disagree a little I think they are major points/defects, but that is my opinion. All in all a good review. I can understand you trying to say as many good thing as you can posibly find about Lynn, but I think you may still be in for the attack from the Griffo clan. Good luck.

Btw I am a little confused on the handle part. First you say the handle locks in the hand, then after you do some cutting you say your hand slipps. Can you clear this up a little for me?
 
DB, I think the bends are a pretty big problem from a quality control issue, maybe not so much from a performance issue. Since these bends are probably caused by the uneven grinds, then I guess they go hand-in-hand.
I guess I should not have used the word "locked" in that way. I meant that the handle on the Patrolman conforms nicely to the shape of the hand. Just because it conforms to the hand, though, doesn't necessarily mean it offers good grip in certain types of cutting motions. I very highly polished marble handle scale that is shaped right will confrom to your hand, but forget about it offering grip! Sorry about the confusion. The handle are ergonomic and they conform to your hand, but they do not feel safe for stabbing type motions or wild slashing.

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My Knife & Sheath Pages:
http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Lab/1298/frames.html
Palmer College of Chiropractic
Sheath Makers Referral Directory
chiro75@yahoo.com
Madpoet (Mel Sorg, Jr.) Tribute page:
http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Lab/1298/madpoet/main.html
 
Thanks for the hard work, Steve - nice job on the review.
smile.gif
I am glad that you were able to have a larger sample size than I did. There were some similarities in what each of us had written.

BTW, don't feel bad about bein banned on Lynn's Forum --> I was banned a couple of months back.
biggrin.gif
We are in good company though....LOL.
wink.gif




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Ray 'md2020'

ATKI member #A001042
 
Hey Steve....

Pretty Decent I must say...
However I have to be honest and say that I didn't read it completely..

Found the section on the sheaths particularly interesting...

At this point I don't know Jack about making knives and won't pretend I do,, but sheaths is a different story...

I will comment on these...

This is not to be negative, and Lynn,, please don't take it that way, we've had discussed this before,, Honest critique is a good thing...
smile.gif
I hold no Grudge, and have no Agenda.

In General I find double sided 2 piece sheaths,, Way,,, WAY Huge and unnecessary...

Pouch or fold over sheaths,, are far more easier to make, don't waste fasteners, complement the knife Far more than bulky 2 pieces of kydex.

They are much more comfotable to wear and Hugely more appealing to the eye....

I'm not a fan of lashing down gear with paracord,, actually I'm totally against it,, so I see no need for eyelets down both sides.. Any lashing I will do,, or have EVER done is with mil spec 100mph tape.

I guess I take a minimalist view on sheaths,, Less is more...

From memory,, I could make close to 3 sheaths with the fasteners used on one,,Without compromising structural integrity...

On the Other Hand,, Lynn's sheaths are nicely done. Straight, Even, seem Strudy and look like they were pressed well.


Steve,,, as far as bending a blade during the pressing process,, I find it highly unlikely.. There could be a couple of possibilities though if this is the case...

1. Not enough foam used in the molds..
2.. Flex in the Mold(s)
3... Extreme Pressure being used.
4.... Uneven Pressure being used.

That's just my opinion though.. Could be that,, something else,, or non of the above... Who knows!


ttyle Eric..

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Eric E. Noeldechen
On/Scene Tactical
http://www.mnsi.net/~nbtnoel
Custom made, High Quality
Concealex Sheaths and Tool Holsters
Canada's Only Custom Concealex Shop!

[This message has been edited by Normark (edited 06-02-2000).]

[This message has been edited by Normark (edited 06-02-2000).]
 
Chiro,

excellent review!!

I feel the issue about the clip though, is a matter of opinion. I happen to prefer the moveable clip. It holds the sheath to your pants, at the same time it allows it to move ever so slightly so it is not very rigid and conforms as you bend or move. I have also noticed that with a fixed clip, comfort of carry varies with different pants. That is not a problem with the moveable clip. Just my opinion. Thanks again for the great review.

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Louis Buccellato
http://www.themartialway.com
Knives, Weapons and equipment. Best prices anywhere.
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"only the paranoid will survive"


[This message has been edited by TheMartialWay (edited 06-02-2000).]
 
OK, I'm gonna jump right in here with both feet, as one of the "Griffo clan."
wink.gif


I think the review is EXTREMELY well done. Chiro barely even levels any constructive criticism at Lynn's work, let alone any useless criticism. Everything seems, to me, to be very matter-of-fact, and if opinion is inserted, it is well noted.

I can't understand why Lynn would ban Chiro, but if he has, then it is unfortunate IMO. But oh well. The bends in the knives sounds like a problem to me. I can say that the SUB Texan that I have has NO discernible bends in it. But hey, how much can you tell in a knife with a 2 inch blade. In any case, I like it, and the workmanship seems to firmly back up what Mr. Randall says above. It is so good that I have a Sniper on order that should be here by September.

Bottom line, good review Chiro. Nice pics, and I especially liked the explanation on the form fitting of the grips to your hand. Whowouldathunkit?

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iktomi
 
As owner of 3 of Lynn's knives with 4 more on order I want to second everything Rockspyder said about the review - excellent job, very fair & opinion was very clearly noted as such. I use Lynn's Rhino Pup & Patrolman in my second job for detail cutting of grips & opening packages at the Tennis Club where the size & cutting ability are first rate - the small grip works great in this situation & the thinness of the Patrolman makes it excellent for neck carry. The level of finish of the newer work is definately improving & for my purposes worth the money. One interesting thing of note is comments regarding the points being slightly off-center. My Patrolman was made in the same batch with the newer one Chiro tested & my Stag Tracker was older & the one from A. G. Russell's Cutting Edge. After reading the review I went back & checked the two longer blades for straightness - by sight alone they looked straight but when placing them along a block that is within .001 of perfectly straight there was a slight curve to the right of maybe 1 - 11/2 degree max on both knives. The amount was nearly identical on both knives in the same direction. This in no way affects the performance of the knife or detracts from it - the amount is so small. Interestingly I also checked knives from a number of very prominent makers including Master Smiths & found quite a few were off by a very small amount(approx. 1 deg.). So this does not seem to be uncommon & I don't think a whole lot needs to be made of it as long as the amount is minute. A 1 deg. offset is not going to make you miss where you are attempting to place the point of the knife. A large curve would be a problem that needs to be rectified.

Anyway to sum up, a very good review in its final version & the objective points made accurately reflect the knives tested & Lynn's work. The subjective opinions reflect Chiro's likes regarding knife styles which he states very clearly - if we didn't have differences life would be very dull & there wouldn't be nearly as many wonderful knives being made.
"Variety is the spice of life!"
Bill
 
Thanks for the comments, guys. I think it sucks that hours of hard work, most of which benefitted Lynn, were met with my being banned from his forum, but that's life. Luckily I am on friendly terms with a lot of well-known knifemakers and I can go to them for help when I need it. It would be nice to see if Lynn plans on doing anything to get his blades to stop warping, but I guess I'll never know!

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My Knife & Sheath Pages:
http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Lab/1298/frames.html
Palmer College of Chiropractic
Sheath Makers Referral Directory
chiro75@yahoo.com
Madpoet (Mel Sorg, Jr.) Tribute page:
http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Lab/1298/madpoet/main.html
 
I did not want to respond to this review. After Chiro posting in several different places, and on other knife lists I feel that he has left me know choice.


This review is written to appear like Chiro had no opinion of me, or my knives before he wrote the review. I myself, would believe that, if I hadn't corresponded with Chiro many times over the past 8 or 9 months (in which time he continually asked for free knives, free services, and free materials). Below are quotes from postings that Chiro made recently on BladeForums (before recieving the knives in this review). Based on these, I do not know how anyone could believe that he had no bias before writing this review.

Chiro said:
"I have only seen one of Lynn's knives up close and personal. It is actually sort of a variant on his SUB series, and it was made to a Bladeforums member's specs. Essentially it keeps the tiny 2" blade and simply adds a longer handle. I can't remember what he paid for it, but it was a lot. I would take one of Sean Perkins little knives over it anyday, and still have beer money leftover! "
And:
"I agree that Lynn's knives are very overpriced, but he has a rabid following and that's what counts, I guess."
And:
"Lynn has a following, and for whatever reason, he has plenty of folks lined up to pay top dollar for his stuff. He also has his own forum that is a stroke-fest of egotistical mania"
And:
"Lynn also seems to be a pretty honest businessman and he stands behind his work, so kudos there, too. I think that maybe his buyers may be a little uninformed, and the pricing is off quite a bit, but that's why I'm not a customer!"

As per most of Chiro's comments in his review, I can probably agree. I however doubt very much his statements about the blades being warped. I am human, so had he said one was, I may have believed that. I do not for a minute believe that all four are. Since he mentioned all four were, I highly doubt that any of them were.
I also want to note that I offer a 100% money back guarantee on any unused knife that is returned to me within a 5 day inspection period. If a customer ever purchases a knife from me and wants to return it, I will give them a full refund (less shipping). There does not have to be anything wrong with the knife. To my knowledge, the current owner of these knives is very happy with them, as he has many more on order.
Note to Chiro:
I believe that you believe every statement you made. I however do not believe that your review was made with out bias. You have stated that you would never purchase a knife for more than $100 (although I know you purchased a knife for $125 or so after that statement). For that reason, I do not consider your reviewing knives that start at over that price point appropriate. Also please consider the fact that your review is essentially telling people not to employ my services. Imagine your dispair if someone said the same to your employer about you.

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Lynn Griffith-Knifemaker

See you at Blade Show (table 13c)

griffithknives.com
GriffithKN@aol.com
Griffith Knives Forum
 
While I am at it, I would like to note that I sold 13 knives (all I took) on the first day of Blade show. There was not a single complaint from any of these customers about price or quality. Also I would like to note that Chiro waited until he though I had left for Blade Show to post this review. Chiro states above that I was angry. Below is a cut and past of the only E-mail I ever sent to Chiro after seeing this review

Cut and paste:
Try and imagine that you are me, read the entire review, then think of how you would respond to it. Really put yourself in my position. I am off to Blade Show. Talk to you later.

Thanks,

Lynn Griffith-Knifemaker

As for banning Chiro from my forums I did, and have 12 different times over the past few months. Each time I forgave his attitude, and let him back on. In hindsight I should never unbanned him. Any knifemaker that has had dealing with him knows that he attentioned starved, and is a free loader who constantly tries to get free stuff frm others.

I am a nice guy. I did not want to respond, but after having my good name drug through the dirt, I feel I must.

Thanks for listening,



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Lynn Griffith-Knifemaker

See you at Blade Show (table 13c)

griffithknives.com
GriffithKN@aol.com
Griffith Knives Forum
 
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