Knife surprise

[atony]

Just wondering if any of you have been completely surprised by a purchase recently.


I have a couple knives that I recently picked up and could not be happier with my purchases. The first was the Para 3, love this little knife. The other was the Benchmade Mini Crooked River from the custom shop, I think I was more surprised by this knife than any other that I have gotten, production knives anyway. Really happy how it turned out and will be getting a couple more.

Just curious if anyone else was just like WOW!!! when you opened one up.


Obligatory pics of said knives

 

[RBid]

The Real Steel Megalodon 2017 was a big surprise for me. Every review I’d seen made reference to the quality and action, so I expected it to be great. What I didn’t expect was for it to feel equal to a Koenig Arius, Liong Mah Eraser, etc, in every way, at a sub $200 price point. Frankly, the action is better than the multiple samples of each of those and others that I’ve checked out, and that’s not a knock on those. I’m a huge fan of each, and think they’re worth every penny of their price tags.

This thing is ridiculous.

I find myself carrying my Keen more than anything, but the Megalodon comes out to play a fair bit. I’ve also taken it to work and have used it quite a bit in the short time I’ve had it. .14” ffg M390 = beautiful user.

 

[evilgreg]

This thing defied my expectations entirely. You can't tell from this photo, or from any others I've taken, but it's a very strangely shaped knife, with weird asymmetric handle slabs that don't match, connected by strange angled planes here and there:

The wonky asymmetry wasn't the surprising bit, that's right in the knife's name, it's a CKF Asymmetric Midi.

The surprising bit is that it packs a ton of blade into a Southard-sized package, ~3.7", and it's much lighter than a Southard as well, at less than three ounces. The long flat ground S90V blade is thin enough behind the edge to perform really well and the action is fantastic. The knife's asymmetry isn't particularly noticeable in use, either, beyond the odd angles cut into the blade spine jumping out at you a bit.

 

[Eli Chaps]

For me, it is a Dexter Russell Vegetable Cleaver. I got it as a cheap test to see if I like the general nakiri design and so far haven't gotten around to an upgrade. I had to spend some time rounding the edges but that can be said for much more expensive knives too. It's funky looking thing but it takes a screaming edge and works like a champ.

Even did a review of it: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/dexter-russell-vegetable-cleaver-chinese-chefs-knife.1615437/

 

[Comeuppance]

I already had high expectations for the 4V Manix I purchased from a chap on the bay, but the experience in-hand was on a whole new level.

The finish on the blade is perfect, the knife swings open to perfect lockup and drops shut centered. The satin finish looks far better than the sort of soft, nearly glossy stonewash the previous saber-ground Manixes had, and the handle scales have a very interesting appearance in person that is difficult to describe.

So, it's mechanically perfect and the blade is made of unobtanium. I'm overwhelmed with how much I like this knife. First thing I did was throw some tuf-glide on all parts of the blade I could access, since I live in the humid south and 4V is a tool steel. Here it is after being oiled:

 

[BD_01]

Last summer before a sailing trip I bought a serrated Pacific Salt, not really expecting much, other than corrosion resistance. As it turns out, I really like the knife! I think it’s one of those knives you need to own and use in order to appreciate.

 

[Sergeua]

For me, it is a Dexter Russell Vegetable Cleaver. I got it as a cheap test to see if I like the general nakiri design and so far haven't gotten around to an upgrade. I had to spend some time rounding the edges but that can be said for much more expensive knives too. It's funky looking thing but it takes a screaming edge and works like a champ.

Even did a review of it: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/dexter-russell-vegetable-cleaver-chinese-chefs-knife.1615437/

That looks good to cut cake with. Cut and it's already on the knife to throw on a plate with

 

[Czechnologist]

So fugly it almost qualifies as a modern art masterpiece. LOL

Fox ASO FX-516 BRI

But at the same time, it surprising how well the flipper tab works on this thing. That was unexpected.

 

[Blacplastik]

Ruike Hussar.
Can’t get over how well built it is for the price.
Easily one of the smoothest flippers I have.

 

[snapshot2017]

I already had high expectations for the 4V Manix I purchased from a chap on the bay, but the experience in-hand was on a whole new level.

The finish on the blade is perfect, the knife swings open to perfect lockup and drops shut centered. The satin finish looks far better than the sort of soft, nearly glossy stonewash the previous saber-ground Manixes had, and the handle scales have a very interesting appearance in person that is difficult to describe.

So, it's mechanically perfect and the blade is made of unobtanium. I'm overwhelmed with how much I like this knife. First thing I did was throw some tuf-glide on all parts of the blade I could access, since I live in the humid south and 4V is a tool steel. Here it is after being oiled:

Data sheet for your blade steel.
https://www.cartech.com/globalassets/datasheet-pdfs/cpm_4v.pdf

 

[Sergeua]

I got a kemerson while in a knife store awhile back. I was looking for something cheap to practice freehand on. I liked handling it, and blade shape looked easy to sharpen, so I payed abit more than planned and got it. Turned out the bevels are dead even on both sides as i reprofiled it.
So I use it from time to time and I like it. It cuts and feels pretty good and after a whole bunch of sharpenings and me getting better it's holding its hair shaving edge really well with its "cheap steel". Surprisingly.

All that cardboard and it was still shaving.
This knife surprised me again yesterday when I tried making feather sticks. It did really well. Its also very centered and smooth with no play. Thanks to my reassembly and picking up a good specimen in store.

 

[Velitrius]

The last "Wow" I got was from the Benchmade Bugout.

I didn't expect a wow moment. All I wanted was something as light as my 530 with a bit better blade profile and handle ergonomics.

And now I find my other knives just sitting around wondering if/when I'll carry them again.

 

[Night Rider]

After losing a knife on a job site I was in need of a beater so I stopped by Wally World and picked up this thing for $19 bucks. It's a SOG AEGIS made with a 8Cr13MoV blade and steel scales. I wanted to hate it but after stripping it down and tuning it up and a couple days of EDC, strippng wire and slicing cardboard boxes open I'm almost ashamed to say it But... I love it. It turned out to be a very nice slicer with a nice thin grind and a sturdy deep carry pocket clip and has jimping in all the right places. It's also a fun little fidget flipper but it needs to be recenterd often due to getting dropped from ladders and such.

 

[Crimson Cloud]

Kilimanjaro Gear DW Folder. I have Winkler Woodsman fixed blade, and this knife came up in a search for Winkler folding knives. AUS 10 black Teflon coated blade, Micarta handles, Daniel Winkler design. Flips great with a solid thunk at lock up, and it's just a great looking knife. I've used it for everything, even to cut tar roof shingles when I realized I didn't bring a razor knife up with me. For $40.00 I have got every ounce of enjoyment out of it that an inexpensive folder could surprise me with. (Apologize for lack of a photograph in advance).

 

[katanas]

Thanks a lot Crimson, you just cost me $. Kilimanjaro Firma; new brand to me.

 

[Night Rider]

Kilimanjaro Gear DW Folder. I have Winkler Woodsman fixed blade, and this knife came up in a search for Winkler folding knives. AUS 10 black Teflon coated blade, Micarta handles, Daniel Winkler design. Flips great with a solid thunk at lock up, and it's just a great looking knife. I've used it for everything, even to cut tar roof shingles when I realized I didn't bring a razor knife up with me. For $40.00 I have got every ounce of enjoyment out of it that an inexpensive folder could surprise me with. (Apologize for lack of a photograph in advance).

Here ya go

 

[FN in MT]

Sorry no digital. But just got two in from Great Eastern Cutlery, their #44 two blade folder with Gabon ebony stocks and beautifully polished German silver bolsters.

And their #15 Huckleberry Boys knife. A single blade traditional folder with very modern OD Green micarta scales.

The former was $90 and the latter was $70. The fit, finish and overall quality is startling. My first GEC/Tidioute blades, probably not my last.

I look at what BM sells for $100+ and either of these are screaming bargains. I know BM and GEC are a REAL "Apples/Oranges" comparison but there is far more handwork and "soul" that goes into the GEC's than most of todays blades by BM, ZT, etc. I LOVE my BM Bugout, don't get me wrong, but an asking of 130? And their MAP of $114.

 

[stevejams]

$115 has never bought me so much. Seen the ferrum forges on the forum, and have been interested in this blade style for a little while now. Besides the bargain price, this knife is absolutely flawless and is quickly becoming a favorite due to its unique design and quality build. What a deal!