Ken Onion MidTech questions

[Rick]

I recently ordered a non-speedsafe, integral-lock, Ken Onion folder (3.5” satin blade) from Larry at KnifeArt. (The one shown is similar, but with a 3" blade, and is still available).

While I’m waiting for it to arrive, I have a few questions. Is this $485 knife a “Midtech?” I assume that it is, based on the prices Ken’s work has been selling for lately. I understand that the parts are CNC’d by an outside vendor and then Ken does the finishing and assembly (?). Are the blade bevels hand ground? How do these knives compare in terms of fit and finish to the true handmades?

I collect art automatics and feel that, as art, they should be more or less handmade. When it comes to “tacticals” and users in general, I couldn’t care less which machines were used as long as the end result shows high quality in form and function. Unlike my autos, which stay in the display case, I plan to carry and use this knife on a daily basis. I hope it will be as good a tool as Ken’s reputation suggests. Any commects would be appreciated.

 

[KnifeArt]

Hello Rick,

Thanks for the post. As far as I know the CNC work that Ken has used is currently only on his Mid-Tec Boa with SpeedSafe. This is a custom. I believe he has more future plans to utilize CNC on several other models.

Thanks,

Larry

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KnifeArt.com - Fine Custom Knives
KnifeDirectory.com - Online Knife Guide

 

[tom mayo]

yes larry is correct.....the mid techs have a carbon fiber inlay and the lock is inlaid too...held in place by the two middle spacers...I have one.....cool knife. the knife pictured is hand made by ken. Mid techs are all the same.

 

[Rick]

Well, I’ll be damned.

If I can buy a handmade Onion for under $500, and Larry still has one like it in stock, why did that poor shmoe pay $1100 for the one on Jay’s site? Surely the speedsafe mechanism isn’t worth an extra six hundred clams. It’s a fun gimmick, I’ll admit, but from a functional stand point it strikes me as totally superfluous (meaning no disrespect to Ken’s invention).

 

[Bo]

I do not think the one at knife art is there anymore

Thanks for the heads up.

Now to get a Boa

 

[Les Robertson]

Wow, $1,100 for a custom Onion. I screwed up I went and sold my Boa with the flipper for Ken's price of $550.00. Guess Ill never be able to compete with the big boys.

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Les Robertson
www.robertsoncustomcutlery.com
Custom Knife Entrepreneur

 

[KenOnion]

The knife in question is a Vapor . It's modeled after a knife I made to take on a fishing trip to Kodiac Alaska . The holes made the knife really light and easy to clean after gutting my body weight in silver salmon. I like it realy well and so did the guys that visit me from time to time and suggested I make a few Non Speed Safe knives so I did and . They seem to be selling fine .


Les,You only sold that knife for my retail cause you flat wore me out haggling with me on the price .talking about how tough times have been and how you was hoping you could take your wife out to Sizzlers for Valentines and that the kids need shoes .
till I damn near gave it to you to begin with !!!!HA!!HA!!
How was that ?

 

[C4]

Very nice!
But I have to ask: Is it something in that Hawaiian air, or do you guys (Tom and Ken) just get really good prices on drill bits...?

Michael

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He who has smelt the smoke is never free again...

 

[tom mayo]

I thought it was modeled after a knife you looked at from that surfer dude!!!!!!??!!

[This message has been edited by tom mayo (edited 02-15-2001).]

 

[jbravo]

I think the reason why Les is the 800lbs. gorilla of custom knife purveyors is the fact that he will sell the knife at the maker's price in the face of the double-its-price auction! The "big boys" are running just trying to catch up with him.

 

[dcv69]

message to les .. at least you will be able to sleep at night, the auction on the competition's site in my opinion was taking the ****!

 

[Les Robertson]

JB and DVC, thanks for watching my back from that mean old Hawaiian Onion!

Ken, you have me confused with Jay. He was the one who was telling you about the kids needing shoes and taking Karen to Sizzlers.

That's why he felt it necessary to get twice what you sell the knives for.

Ken, you know the way to keep dealers from doing that. Is the next time you sell him a knife tell him you will give him the dealer discount off of $1,100.00.

Whoever, got that knife, I hope he doesn't expect Jay to take it back in trade at even close to $1,100!

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Les Robertson
www.robertsoncustomcutlery.com
Custom Knife Entrepreneur

 

[KenOnion]

Tom Liked the look of the holes in the handles of my knives so much he decided to do it on his knives too. How flattering Tom .

Les , I've known about other transactions that were very similar to the 1100.00 knife .They were just a little les public. I guess if someone wants something bad enough they'll pay extra for it. And some people just have a little more disposable income than others.
I have no intention of raising my prices and am comfortable were they are,as I am trying to make the best knife I can for the $.
Most of the people I know collect knives because they like them and plan on keeping them .Others collect with the intention of turning some profit Had this been a collector selling his/her knife for this amount would it get this kind of attention? I doubt it,But I have to admit it was kinda flattering .

Thanks whoever it was that bought that knife.I'm honored that you would think enough of my work or want one of my knives so bad that you would be willing to spend that kind of money for one.
Please E-mail me and let me know how you like it .
Aloha!!! Ken Onion