Have $120 to spend - Pinnacle, Axis, Pioneer II, or Sentinel

L

Llamedos

Joined
Jul 14, 1999
Messages
352
Im getting ready for another purchase and i cant decide on which of the above to buy first.
The reason i've chosen the Pinnacle, Axis, and Pioneer is because they all have strong locks and im after something different other than the standard liner or lockback.
The Sentinel is also on the shortlist because i like the design and as they've been discontinued i might not be able to get one in the near future.

My question is this ? Do you own any of the above and what are they like ? Also, what would you choose if you had $100 to spend ? (Even if its not on the above list)
One other thing, I will be buying online so are any of the above liable to have QC problems as i will not be able to send them back if there is a problem ?

Thanks

JD
 
Others to add to your list
REKAT carnivour
Spyderco Military, Starmate, BF native

To make a good Suggestion though, we need an idea of the knife's intended use. It it is going to be a serious hard use knife that is gonna scrape gaskets and stuff, the Sentinal is out..etc..

YeK
 
I own an Axis and a Sentinel and I'm in the process of tracking down a Pinnacle. The Sentinel is a really nice knife, but I wouldn't put it to any REALLY hard work. Also, the first run had some quality issues (first-hand experience talking here). The Pinncale has a really strong fram lock, like a Sebenza-I'm told it's very good. But if I were you, go for the Axis. Super strond, comfortable, elegant but a real worker, and you will get hooked on the Axis lock (especially when it comes time to close it). Hope I helped.
 
I would have to say go for the Pioneer.
The Axis does have a nice lock though and seems to be favored on the forums.
Good luck either way and let us know which way you go.

------------------
The greatest thought that has ever entered my mind is that one day I will have to stand before a Holy God and give an account of my life.
*Daniel Webster

Rev 20:12

 
From your list I like the Pinnacle and Axis best.Although,I would choose a Military or Starmate over either of them.Let us know what you decide on.

Later,

Bobby
 
Thanks for the replies so far.

Yekim, intended use is very light cutting jobs. If the truth be told i dont even get much to cut on the average week but i buy as much as i can afford as iam a collector more than iam a hard user. As far as the other suggestions are concerned i have a BF Native and is one of my favourites.

Keep 'em coming

JD
 
I have the pinnacle, pioneer and sentinel. I don't have an axis. The sentinel is pretty to look at. But for utility I would go with the other three for better utility shaped blade than the sentinel's spearpoint and more reliable locks.

sing
 
I have a first generation Pioneer and I like it a lot. supposedly the new lock is a big improvement as far as ergonomics, so it must be awesome. A few things I would be aware of about the Pioneer, though:
1) It is smaller than you would think. I have small hands and it fits perfect, but this knife is not like an Endura or Calypso which has a lot of extra room on the handle. I suspect the Benchmades you mentioned have longer handles, too, although I don't know for sure. I was surprised (pleaantly) at the length of Pioneer's handle.
2) It is HEAVY! For everyday pocket wear it is almost too much. With loose pants it really screws up the pocket and looks bad, I have found. Jeans or better fitting pants probably are okay, but this is one heavy mother when it comes to folders.
3) The pocket clip loosens very easily and moves a lot. Bob Taylor suggests using epoxy to fix it in place, but I haven't tried it yet. The pocket clip design is a big flaw, I think and I hope they intend to rework it for the future.
The Pioneer is a great, albeit very different, knife.

------------------
My Custom Kydex Sheath page:
http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Lab/1298/knifehome.html
Palmer College of Chiropractic
On Two Wheels
agocs_s@dd.palmer.edu
Madpoet (Mel Sorg, Jr.) Tribute page:
http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Lab/1298/madpoet/main.html

 
IMHO no question BM AXIS. 3 different sizes BB or black, serrated or plain, one handed open and close. My BM 710BT should be here tomorrow from Roger at Knife works, he has them in stock. $77.99 to $97.99 plus $4.75 shipping. I like opening and closing it with the lock. Your fingers never cross the path of the blade.

------------------
RICK LEFTIES UNITE


 
I have a Pinnacle and an Axis.
Love them both!
Both are high on the recommendation list.
The Pinnacle is terribly tough with that Mono-lock. The knife fits my hand really well, VEEERRY comfy. The handle is quite compact too, it doesn't take up a lot of space in your pocket.
But! On the other hand...
That Axis lock absolutely rocks!
Your fingers never get in the blade path closing the knife. That is a very good safety feature.
It too is nice to hold. No rough edges and all smooth contours feel good in my hand.
Also, both knives have very smooth actions. A joy to use for sure.

Be sure to let us know what you decide!
Good luck!

------------------
The individualist without strategy who takes opponents lightly will inevitably become the captive of others.


[This message has been edited by misque (edited 12 October 1999).]

[This message has been edited by misque (edited 12 October 1999).]
 
Anyone ever had any problems with blade play on any of the above knives ? If so was it remedied by tightening the pivot screw ?

The Axis in particular is starting to look tempting, as is the Pinnacle. Any Pinnacle lock failures ?

JD

[This message has been edited by Llamedos (edited 12 October 1999).]
 
My Pinnacle and Axis both have a "sweet spot" in the pivot pin tensioning where the blade play all but dissappears and the opening of the blade is still free enough to flip open with authority. It's a bit of work finding it but well worth the little bit of effort involved.

My Pinnacle has never failed a Spinal Tap Test. It has dented the crap out of the top of my work bench though.

------------------
The individualist without strategy who takes opponents lightly will inevitably become the captive of others.


 
I had a Pinnacle and have an Axis and Pioneer II.If your ordering online then you might have problems with the Pinnacle.I was lucky enough to be able to hand pick one.Some are kinda bad and definately not created equal.Mine locked up very good with an attractive snap.Between the Axis and Pioneer I like the Pioneer best for utility.The Axis is way smoother in operation.Fit and finnish are good and it's got a darn cool lock.Handle is very comfortable.The Axis is a real fun knife to have.I have the BT2 coating and it does scratch very easily.I think you would be happy with it.Pioneer is pretty rough around the edges.I like the pioneer better because it came with a better edge grind and I honestely believe that REKAT's ATS-34 performs better than BM's.It's tougher and more rust resistant,and thats what I want for my daily utility knife.Its just a brute of a knife.
scott w
 
The Pinnacle is still hit and miss, I have come across a few of the older style models that were rock solid, others that were just plain rocky. I have only seen one model with the new lock design at a shop and was not impressed with the lockup, the bar already had almost full travel and thinned out considerably, hardly an integral lock at all.

------------------
James
San Francisco, CA

 
I'm ordering a 710. Any suggestions on the coating or not? I don't think i mind it rubbing off, (Does it look real bad when it does?) Most of the work i'll be doing is carving.

------------------
"If you fake the Funk, your nose will grow."
- W. Bootsy Collins

 
I own all of the above. I would go with the Axislock. I've got two in M2 steel and two in ATS-34. I am a dealer and they are NIB condition. Email me for prices.

Joe Glessner, owner
Sycotic Samurai Cutlery
 
Referring to the original knives: I've got an Axis and Sentinel, I've handled the others a few times...

The Axis would be my pick of the four, by a long shot. Mine locks up tight, no blade play, good ergonomics, good texture on the G10, doesn't eat too much pocket space, fast opening and closing, and it's great fun to play with. It's one of the knives that you can take out, use, and put away, with little conscious thought involved.

The Sentinel is pretty, but rather uncomfortable in the hand (alternating flat aluminum with squared edges and "serrated" thumb notches). I got one when they first came out (and sliced my thumb open the next day, my fault, not the knife's), and have hardly carried it at all. I've handled the protos of its replacement, the DarkStar, and that's a much better knife.

Haven't been much impressed with the Pinnacles I've handled (but then I've got a Sebenza to compare against); others here don't sound too thrilled with it either.

The Pioneers are nice, very tough and sturdy, but it's in a different size class than the other choices (a bit-over-3 inch blade, where the others are all approaching 4 inches). A good alternate choice.

Personal recommendation: get an Axis Lock (710BT), or get a Spyderco Starmate.

-- Carl

[This message has been edited by Carl Jacobsen (edited 13 October 1999).]
 
Partially serrated Axis all the way. I'm getting one in the next 4 months or so, after I get my car fixed, whatever coems 1st. I really like it.

Surprised you didn't list the Darkstar - great knife...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top