James Brand The County

[btb01]

So I noticed this knife today on a website I frequent that features tech, cars, gear and other "guy stuff" (not sure if I'm allowed to mention the site, so I won't). I've not heard of the James Brand before, but the knife seems interesting. Looks like the company is based in Portland, OR. I took a look around their site and The County pattern seems to be their only traditional; everything else looks like sleek, low-profile, modern-type folders.

This is the special edition that the site where I saw the knife is doing as a sort of SFO/collaboration:

And this is the standard version of The County they offer:

Anyone familiar with the James Brand or this knife? Thoughts on it?

(I'm hoping this is considered traditional enough to fit in the traditional forum. Certainly seems to so me - slip joint, nail nick, wood covers - but I guess there's also the black blade coating on the special edition and the Torx pivot screw, so if the mods feel it doesn't belong here, feel free to move the thread.)

 

[Pipeman]

Reminds me of the new line of knives by gun makers Famars of Italy.
Google Famars, go to their main site then to knives.

Best regards

Robin

 

[Ryouchijtx]

To be honest I'm not a huge fan of James Brand. When I first saw their products I thought
"This looks like a try at indie fashion/design combined into a knife"

Kind of like Best Made Company.

Making knives and slipjoints trendy.

As someone who has studied and worked in that background..the character and heritage of traditional knives is what truly draws me.

I will say, this seems like a well made knife if anyone wants a traditional knife with some stainless steel. The price is a touch high for what you're getting though.

 

[Ccc]

I was expecting much worse actually. I don't like their Chapter Knife at all. I think it looks like it was designed by graphic designers and not users. But it received some good reviews from people with considerable experience (more than I have at least).

So maybe this will be ok. The design is clean and pretty simple. I doubt I will ever get one unless it goes on sale for a price too good to pass up, but it's nice to know that they are branching out into less hipster designs.

 

[supratentorial]

To me it looks like a modern knife. For me there needs to be more than just a slipjoint construction to be traditional. The Spyderco UK pen knife is a slipjoint and I wouldn't call it traditional. And some traditional knives aren't slipjoints... like the Opinel.... or Mora fixed blade. I'd call it modern or at the least a hybrid. But it's not important to me. I guess it could be considered an equal-end pattern.... sorta.

Anywho... the main reason that I'm posting is because I'm wondering about the metal portion of the handle. Is it part of the liner? Like a really long and skinny bolster running the entire length of the knife? Or is it just an inlay?

 

[Ccc]

OK, I just looked it up. I am not really impressed after all. I wanted to give it a chance, but it is just awful. I would still give one a shot if it was given to me, but I would rather spend my money on something a little less contrived. The scale really is just walnut and steel and runs on bronze phosphorus washers.

I don't know a ton about slipjoints, but would washers serve a purpose here? I thought the washers helped with quick opening, which you wouldn't want on a slipjoint.

I guess I am also bothered because there are twice as many shirts/sweaters/patches/caps/beanies as there are variations of TWO knives.

 

[Snipe 1]

I kind of like the standard one. Blurs the lines between modern and traditional. The simple design reminds me of an Opinel or sodbuster. Too pricey for what you get, but guys spend hundreds on modern tactical knives without blinking an eye.

 

[btb01]

Thanks for the responses, guys.

Tim, it does seem like these were made with trendy design as the primary focus (same with their other knives). I think it's safe to say the company has a very different aim than, say, GEC or Queen. But I figure maybe if it appeals to a different type of consumer and possibly sparks in that person an interest in more traditional style knives that we all love here, I don't think that's a bad thing.

Ccc, I enjoyed your two responses, as my reaction to the knife was similar. I thought it was somewhat interesting at first, but the more I look at it, the less interested I am. I, too, noted that they seem to sell more variation in shirts, beanies and hoodies than knives.

supratentorial, hybrid is probably a good term. It's tough to tell whether or not the steel part of the handle that runs along the spine is part of the liner or not. Here are a couple other photos of the standard version, but I still can't quite tell.

More than anything, I agree with the consensus that the knife is far too expensive. Don't believe I'll be buying one.

 

[supratentorial]

Thank you for the photo. I can't tell if it's integral or a separate piece (bolsters can be either) but it's not a thin inlay. It appears to be the same thickness as the handle.

 

[Ice Tigre]

I don't know why, but both of those knives just scream CRKT to me. Something about the blade shape I think, maybe the font for the name, but the first though in my mind every time I look at the pics is "oh, another CRKT collaboration project"