The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details:
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
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.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
Different strokes, etc...but would be interested in knowing what it is about the Arius that you don't like? If you want to contrast with the Archbishop, that would be helpful too. Thanks.
Great and very helpful answer. Many thanks. I won’t tell you that you made a sale for FF/WE, but...Well, for one thing, every knife on Bill's table was too expensive. It was the complete opposite of most other tables where buying there at BLADE netted the buyer a discount of some kind, rather than being charged more. They had one of the regular models, stonewash Ti, colored lanyard loop/backspacer, 20cv blade, and they wanted something like $780 for it. There was also one of the blue twill scale models, with a price tag of $800+ (I think it was actually higher, just can't recall the specific number because I was too busy laughing) What? Hard pass. I remember when DLT had that exact knife for $600, and that was recently!! Secondly, it just looks entirely too much like some of the more outlandish We/Reate designs. Oddly shaped handle, and overall, it just felt off in my hand. I didn't like it. Also, there were a few of the non-flipper tab models on the table, and I absolutely did not understand those at all. No flipper tab...and then no scalloping in the scale in order to have easy access to the hole in the blade? Again, hard pass. The scales on either side were thick and flat that you're essentially left with either Spyder-flicking it, or else grabbing onto the blade and hole and flicking the knife open that way. No idea. I was standing there for a couple of minutes trying to open the knife with my thumb, while Bill was standing there. I shook my head, set it down, and moved on. All of this said, I'm definitely not trying to trash this maker, because hey, glad to see an American maker putting out high-end knives for people that like them. I'm just not the target market for that particular knife. I didn't like them at DLT prices, definitely didn't like 'em at BLADE show prices. I know that those folks who love them, really love them, and to that I say, good for those folks. Thankfully there are companies/makers on the knife scene to satisfy virtually anyone. I should also add that I'm really glad to have had the opportunity to handle them here instead of just purchasing one online like I'd been on the verge of doing in the past, because I figured with all the hubbub I must be missing something. Turns out, I'm not.
As for the Archbishop, I don't love that it's a Chinese made knife*, but I DO respect that it's a reasonable price for an M390 bladed knife with a design that speaks much more to actual use. The handle shape, the useful choil (I have big hands and like knives with a choil) and the design that speaks to simple fitment into the hand, it's a nice looking knife. Secondly, I really like the blade shape over that of the Arius. The Archbishop, if I'm being honest actually immediately recalls all the things I enjoy about older knives like the early ZT Hinderer models, and the XM models themselves, come to think of it. Hell, it even brings to mind the classic Olamic Wayfarer**. Simple, useful design. I actually was on the verge of purchasing a FF knife multiple times at the show. The thing that I personally (again, that caveat) do not like about FF is that it's not instantly recognizable to me which is an actual FF custom knife made here, and which is an outsourced We/Reate/Kizer (I have no idea who's making them for FF) knife. I would hate to have a seller snake me into purchasing an import when I thought I was purchasing a full custom. I'm sure though, that is probably more of a "me problem" as those who are well versed in FF knives can probably tell right off the bat. I can't. This is a reason why I don't like Gavko knives that much either, for the record.
Anyway, sorry for the novel length response, I had some time to kill on a slow afternoon!
*For those who have a problem with my POV, save it, no one's changing any minds today!
**Full disclosure: I'm a huge watercarrier for Olamic Cutlery, who plays in this same market space, but I feel that for the same money (literally!) you get a lot more for that dollar. That's just me.
atony
). While I just got it yesterday and haven’t cut anything yet, I will say that in every respect by which I can judge it, it’s remarkable. I love the size, heft (neither light nor heavy), ergos, action, craftsmanship of both design and manufacture, and value for money. I may still try an Arius at some point but it’s going to be really, really, hard to justify paying 3X the price of the Archbishop 2.0
Just wanted to pop back in to say that I ended up buying an Archbishop 2.0 on the Exchange (thanks
Just wanted to pop back in to say that I ended up buying an Archbishop 2.0 on the Exchange (thanks
Thanks. It’s a great feeling, especially when contrasted with the feeling you get when one shows up and the reaction is “oh man, this sucks.” I’ve had that more than once and it really, well, sucks. I usually take a while to decide on a purchase and feel kind of invested by the time I get it in hand. It’s great to feel like it’s what you hoped it would be.
