black mariah
Banned
- Joined
- Jul 22, 2003
- Messages
- 162
Definitely not the typical subject for review around here, but I feel it merits a mention. I think we all know of the Darrel Ralph designed knife kits that knifekits.com sells by now. About a week ago I ran across their low-buck "Basic Training" kits that include (almost) everything you need to assemble a frame lock folder. Since I was in the market for a basic EDC folder, and it was in my self-imposed "cheap bastard" price range I ordered up their FL-005 kit.
First impression on opening the package was "Holy crap this thing looks CHEAP." The satin finish isn't pretty by itself, and the prominent "Manufactured in China" on the instruction sheet didn't help much either. After a quick once-over of the parts and the instructions I came to the conclusion that these are easily the worst instructions I've ever seen for anything ever Ever EVER. The knife in the illustration isn't this model, and doesn't even appear to be in the same line. Throw the instructions away and figure it out for yourself.
It won't take long. This is a VERY simple kit and uses maybe half of the hardware that's included, leaving you plenty of extras in case you drop something. Even with some minor issues involving my own stupidity (forgot the washers), it only took about ten minutes to assemble the kit after I'd found an Allen wrench small enough for the screws.
Once it was assembled, my initial worries of a cheap (in feel and construction, price notwithstanding) knife faded. The action is very solid, opening and closing with a pleasing click, and fairly smooth. I had to file the detent bearing down a little as it had a bit of a burr that caused a nasty scraping sound. The blade is reasonably sharp. No more or less than I'd expect from a knife in this price range.
Lame instructions aside, this is a great kit. Props for including the extra hardware. The one thing I didn't like is that the kit didn't include the Allen wrench needed for assembly, but that's a VERY minor point and for ~$20 I'm not going to complain too much. This is a great knife for the money and will serve me well as an EDC.
Until I save up enough for a Typhoon.
First impression on opening the package was "Holy crap this thing looks CHEAP." The satin finish isn't pretty by itself, and the prominent "Manufactured in China" on the instruction sheet didn't help much either. After a quick once-over of the parts and the instructions I came to the conclusion that these are easily the worst instructions I've ever seen for anything ever Ever EVER. The knife in the illustration isn't this model, and doesn't even appear to be in the same line. Throw the instructions away and figure it out for yourself.
It won't take long. This is a VERY simple kit and uses maybe half of the hardware that's included, leaving you plenty of extras in case you drop something. Even with some minor issues involving my own stupidity (forgot the washers), it only took about ten minutes to assemble the kit after I'd found an Allen wrench small enough for the screws.
Once it was assembled, my initial worries of a cheap (in feel and construction, price notwithstanding) knife faded. The action is very solid, opening and closing with a pleasing click, and fairly smooth. I had to file the detent bearing down a little as it had a bit of a burr that caused a nasty scraping sound. The blade is reasonably sharp. No more or less than I'd expect from a knife in this price range.
Lame instructions aside, this is a great kit. Props for including the extra hardware. The one thing I didn't like is that the kit didn't include the Allen wrench needed for assembly, but that's a VERY minor point and for ~$20 I'm not going to complain too much. This is a great knife for the money and will serve me well as an EDC.
Until I save up enough for a Typhoon.
