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Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
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Ken Onion Vegas Preview
- Thread starter UW Mitch
- Start date
CRH said:
When you open the blade into the stop position, the spring kicks the lock back into the tang area. The spring works the stud, which is moveable. To unlock the blade, you push forward on the stud, releasing the spring.
If you look at the Michael Walker (or was it Blackie Collins?) "Bladelock" design, you can see diagrams. I belive Columbia River Knife and Tools keeps such a diagram on their website. I have no idea if Ken's design is identical or if he has developed a variation, but the idea will be the same for the user.
I picked up one of those Paul Chen Wharncliffe's fairly recently which uses the same technology. Like some of the newer lock inventions, it strives to keep your fingers (and thumbs) free of the blade path when closing. I have no idea as to its reliablity or durability.
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That Bump is impressive indeed.
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James:
I went to Vegas to check out Ken's knives. They were pretty nice but holy cow the crowd around him was amazing. He sells his knives by lottery and it seemed like everyone and their brother was there to try to get one. The knife blades seem to have a funky shape to them that I felt wasn't practical. I didn't bother trying to get in the lottery, too much hassle. I think Onion is becoming overrated. Yeah he's hot now but his I don't give a **** about my customers attitude puts me off. I did have a chance to see Tom Mayo and talk to him for a bit and that was nice. He's another Hawaiian who's hot and one thing I like about Tom is that he will make a left hand folder, Ken won't. Plus in Vegas this year I was de-knifed at the door. That really sucked. They didn't take any knives but anything you brought in was tagged and the folding knives were wrapped so they couldn't be openned. I might not do Vegas again.
I went to Vegas to check out Ken's knives. They were pretty nice but holy cow the crowd around him was amazing. He sells his knives by lottery and it seemed like everyone and their brother was there to try to get one. The knife blades seem to have a funky shape to them that I felt wasn't practical. I didn't bother trying to get in the lottery, too much hassle. I think Onion is becoming overrated. Yeah he's hot now but his I don't give a **** about my customers attitude puts me off. I did have a chance to see Tom Mayo and talk to him for a bit and that was nice. He's another Hawaiian who's hot and one thing I like about Tom is that he will make a left hand folder, Ken won't. Plus in Vegas this year I was de-knifed at the door. That really sucked. They didn't take any knives but anything you brought in was tagged and the folding knives were wrapped so they couldn't be openned. I might not do Vegas again.
wolfmann601
Gone, but not forgotton. RIP Ira.
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SnippedScott Dog said:James:
I went to Vegas to check out Ken's knives. They were pretty nice but holy cow the crowd around him was amazing. I think Onion is becoming overrated. Yeah he's hot now but his I don't give a **** about my customers attitude puts me off. I did have a chance to see Tom Mayo and
You should talk to ken and get to know him. Ken is truly one of the nicest guys in the industry and cares a great deal about his customers.
And, eventhough he is hot and his knives sell for 5 times what he sells them for seconds after the lottery, he has not increased his prices because he cares about the people who buy his knives.
You have misjudged ken Onion, my opinion
And his knives are amazing!!!
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Wolfman:
I'm sure you are right. I just haven't taken the time to get to know him. One time I asked him if he would consider making a left hand knife and he laughed at me. Maybe he was joking but I wasn't. I guess one of the luxuries of being rich and famous is that you can afford to laugh at people.
I'm sure you are right. I just haven't taken the time to get to know him. One time I asked him if he would consider making a left hand knife and he laughed at me. Maybe he was joking but I wasn't. I guess one of the luxuries of being rich and famous is that you can afford to laugh at people.
Kohai999
Second Degree Cutter
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and sometimes, not even then. He is not rich at all, maybe has worked himself to upper middle class at this point.
He is a very good dude. HE IS confident, and even a little cocky, and very much cares about his customers.
The lottery thing is to give everyone a fair shot at his knives. Everybody wants them, he can only make so many, and this is what he came up with. If you don't want to enter the lottery because of the hassle, then don't, you will not get the knives directly from him at his reasonable prices that way. You can pay $3,000 on the aftermarket, and have a knife that you want, maybe.
Ken's knives are good, and he is innovative. Originating the SpeedSafe made Ken a lot of customers. The knives are OVERRATED by those that are not entirely sure what exactly they are looking at, and it is feeding the market. Those of us that do know see them for what they are, again, good knives that have a unique opening mechanism.
I would not make a left hand folder for anybody, but if you find some left handed knifemakers, they might do it. Do you have any idea what it entails to do this? If you did, you might not get so huffy. You basically have to re-engineer the knife, and that takes a lot of time.
I am not coming down on you either, Scott, I went through my own Onion saga last year at Huntington Beach. I feel your pain, I just think that you had higher expectations than I did.
I will categorically say that Ken Onion is a fair, decent and talented person. We have had a fair amount of serious disagreements in the last 8 years, and he never holds it against me. You give him a chance, he will be cool to you. You give him attitude, and he will make you look like an ass. That is just the way it is.
Best Regards,
STeven Garsson
He is a very good dude. HE IS confident, and even a little cocky, and very much cares about his customers.
The lottery thing is to give everyone a fair shot at his knives. Everybody wants them, he can only make so many, and this is what he came up with. If you don't want to enter the lottery because of the hassle, then don't, you will not get the knives directly from him at his reasonable prices that way. You can pay $3,000 on the aftermarket, and have a knife that you want, maybe.
Ken's knives are good, and he is innovative. Originating the SpeedSafe made Ken a lot of customers. The knives are OVERRATED by those that are not entirely sure what exactly they are looking at, and it is feeding the market. Those of us that do know see them for what they are, again, good knives that have a unique opening mechanism.
I would not make a left hand folder for anybody, but if you find some left handed knifemakers, they might do it. Do you have any idea what it entails to do this? If you did, you might not get so huffy. You basically have to re-engineer the knife, and that takes a lot of time.
I am not coming down on you either, Scott, I went through my own Onion saga last year at Huntington Beach. I feel your pain, I just think that you had higher expectations than I did.
I will categorically say that Ken Onion is a fair, decent and talented person. We have had a fair amount of serious disagreements in the last 8 years, and he never holds it against me. You give him a chance, he will be cool to you. You give him attitude, and he will make you look like an ass. That is just the way it is.
Best Regards,
STeven Garsson
Scott,
You know I'm a lefty, you know I collect pretty much only lefty knives. I make exception for Ken's work, because it truly is at the top of his game. For those who say their over rated, please show me a better folder in the $600-900 range. Ken is a good friend and has always been there for me. He may not be able to satisfy everyone all of the time, but he's trying his best. People will say what they want about him, me and other friends of his. That's fine with me.
Let the bullshit anonymizer emails flow on in!
~Mitch
You know I'm a lefty, you know I collect pretty much only lefty knives. I make exception for Ken's work, because it truly is at the top of his game. For those who say their over rated, please show me a better folder in the $600-900 range. Ken is a good friend and has always been there for me. He may not be able to satisfy everyone all of the time, but he's trying his best. People will say what they want about him, me and other friends of his. That's fine with me.
Let the bullshit anonymizer emails flow on in!
~Mitch
Kohai999
Second Degree Cutter
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"For those who say their over rated, please show me a better folder in the $600-900 range."
Kit Carson-Fit, finish and long years of experience
Gordon Chard-I have a button lock folder that will knock your socks off
Matt Diskin-Makes his own damascus, and the fit/finish is in the top 5%
Grant Hawk-He has created 3 new trick folding designs in the last 5 years
R.J. Martin-Value added maker with fit and finish unheard of in most parts
Scott Sawby-Have you ever handled a self-lock? It will make you cry
John W. Smith-No better folder maker, only people as good,few at that
Bob Terzuola-Started the whole tactical thing, if not for him, who knows?
Obviously these are opinions, just like anybody else's, but you threw down the gauntlet, I am interested in your response.
Best Regards,
STeven Garsson
Kit Carson-Fit, finish and long years of experience
Gordon Chard-I have a button lock folder that will knock your socks off
Matt Diskin-Makes his own damascus, and the fit/finish is in the top 5%
Grant Hawk-He has created 3 new trick folding designs in the last 5 years
R.J. Martin-Value added maker with fit and finish unheard of in most parts
Scott Sawby-Have you ever handled a self-lock? It will make you cry
John W. Smith-No better folder maker, only people as good,few at that
Bob Terzuola-Started the whole tactical thing, if not for him, who knows?
Obviously these are opinions, just like anybody else's, but you threw down the gauntlet, I am interested in your response.
Best Regards,
STeven Garsson
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- 2,157
The demand for Ken's knives increases every show. You saw this yourself at Las Vegas. Would you have said he was "overrated" if you got one of his knives. Your "overrated" comment sounds like sour grapes.Scott Dog said:
You should know Ken before you write he doesn't care about his customers. I have never heard him comment that he doesn't care about his customers. I have heard his say just the opposite many times. Again, more sour grapes?
Look at the stud lock knives. They are ambidextrous.Scott Dog said:
Your comments don't make sense unless you are trying to badmouth Ken or stir the pot. I do know you are wrong about Ken's feelings about customers.
Kohai999 said:"For those who say their over rated, please show me a better folder in the $600-900 range."
Kit Carson-Fit, finish and long years of experience
Gordon Chard-I have a button lock folder that will knock your socks off
Matt Diskin-Makes his own damascus, and the fit/finish is in the top 5%
Grant Hawk-He has created 3 new trick folding designs in the last 5 years
R.J. Martin-Value added maker with fit and finish unheard of in most parts
Scott Sawby-Have you ever handled a self-lock? It will make you cry
John W. Smith-No better folder maker, only people as good,few at that
Bob Terzuola-Started the whole tactical thing, if not for him, who knows?
Obviously these are opinions, just like anybody else's, but you threw down the gauntlet, I am interested in your response.
Best Regards,
STeven Garsson
Steve,
Thanks for that list. I consider Kit a friend like his knives but don't own one. Thanks for pointing out Gordon Chard - I don't know his work, but will make a point to find out. Diskin is a good friend and I love how he's blended his own Damascus with his skills as a machinist to produce a top level knife that can appeal to my tactical guy side as well as my love for really high quality Damascus. RJ, JW Smith and BobT certainly are at the top of the category, but their knives just don't do it for me - there are many other people who enjoy their work, and I will leave it for them. Scott Sawby I have never met, but I have played with a number of his pieces. Very trick, but not quite what I'm looking for. Gavin and Grant - okay they do make a hell of a knife inthe $600-700 range. Had a TOAD and loved it and I just played with the ET. They are serious geniouses when it comes to mechanisms.
I guess we've strayed from the topic so quickly. Ken's new midtech are out and about in the world now. The studlock is fully ambi, very strong and exactly what one would expect with the Ken Onion name on it. I hope one day to have the opportunity to own one, but for now it was good enough to play with them at his table. I encourage you all to do the same at the next show.
~Mitch