- Joined
- Aug 27, 2004
- Messages
- 12,955
Recently a soldier on active duty sent me three knives to do work on for him. One was a very high dollar absolutely beautiful custom Greg Lightfoot Catchdog folder for me to see if I could add one of my custom low rider pocket clips to it. The other was an Emerson CQC10 sent to me to convert to one of my massive .160 thick frame locks, which I finished and you can see in my homepage link to my picture galleries in my profile (STRprojects) or on my own forum here on BF's and the third was unmarked, had one little insignia on the blade and although the owner told me in his original email contact what he was sending I knew in advance I had not heard of that last one and upon looking it over could not remember what he called it. I noted there were no marking or ID of the company on the knife other than the little emblem on the blade of a compass. Anyway, it was to eval to see if I could come up with a custom low rider pocket clip for it also.
Ok I admit, seeing the quality of the other two knives this same guy sent me may have played on my judgement a little but then again it was really the knife that I was judging based on what I saw in my hand and based on years of experience working on them. Keep in mind I didn't know the knife and really don't care that much for the Karambit which is what the knife I could not identify was. The Karambit pictured with the hawk bill or claw blade is the one I had sent to me.
I just knew this Karambit was probably between $125 and $200 to look at it. It was solid, it was good looking, and overall the fit and finish, workmanship and every detail of the knife was right up there with many of the other high dollar knives I've handled. In short the knife was flawless. Needless to say when I asked the owner what he paid for it and to tell me again what it was and he told me it was like $28 and some change I about fell over! I believe I wrote him back saying you have to be kidding right? You meant $128 and some change correct? Nope. He got it right the first time. I had to check this out further.
I did some searching and ordered one of each style of Karambit from Knifecenter, and the T5 folder listed on the company web page as BG42 blade steel was ordered direct from the owner himself. I was suspicious of this knife and the listing of the blade steel, particularly when I noticed that some dealers list the T5 as 420HC, while others say its got a blade of 420J and the company making the knife lists it as BG42. In my mind I was thinking there is no way this little knife can possibly be BG42 for $28. For what its worth though, some dealers list this at $46 and shipping.
For me the knife was so inexpensive shipped from Mantis I had to ask, how could it be BG42 blade steel? Well, I asked both on the phone and in writing about this to the company. I have the email from Jared West, director of Mantis knives and the designer of the T5. Jared informed me that the blade steel on the T5 is BG42 blade steel and further, its a folder of his own design that he is very proud of. In our conversation I learned that the T-5 design itself was inspired by an open wheeled KART race car. The original intention for the red ellipse at the opposite side of the handle is for a karabiner. I must admit that even after this conversation via email I still doubted. Nevertheless I don't want to call the man a liar. He says its BG42. I'll take his word for it.
I have not had these long enough to get real in depth on them as far as cutting performance. I have however had them long enough to make a brief commentary.
For the money these knives cost it is my opinion that they are functionally as good or better than many knives 5 times the cost. I gotta tell you, they don't look bad either. The simple fact that the knife of the three sent me that impressed me and stood out the most was the Mantis Karambit has me a bit puzzled because I've been told by competitors to Mantis that its made in China. However, its not stamped made in China and has no other marks on it other than the company trademark logo. I have no proof its a Chinese product here in my hands. The knife stood on its own merit in my hand. Due to the design of the blade and the fact that I am just not that familar with Karambits I can't really say I am the one to test this one though. I'll leave Karambit testing to someone more qualified.
Lets just talk about the build of the knives. The locks on these knives are flawless. No sticking locks here at all, no blade play, just pure function plain and simple. On everyone of them the locks are 420J stainless steel with a black finish. At least I think that is what it is. Some sites list the frames as 420HC steel. It is safe to say that these are not titanium knives but thicker stainless ones on par with some of the newer Kershaw beefcake folders. The blades are perfectly balanced, centered, smooth as silk with no grainy or gritty feeling when opening and closing them and evenly ground. In whittling hardwood just enough to test my own T5 it sliced and cut into it as well as any other knife I've tested NIB with the exception of Spydercos but again, I only did like five or so big slices.
The T5 has no pocket clip but what a great little folder it is for $28 and some change. At 3.1 ounces its an easy carry knife also. I won't use the Karambits. I just had to have them to compare to the one sent to me because I wanted to sample the products for myself to compare them for consistancy. In fact they are out in the mail to a few in my circle of friends to examine for themselves as I type because they impressed me so much. The Karambits are 420 HC blade steel but for what you pay, who cares right? I do note they have a few, well, not really sharp edges, lets just say they are not beveled quite as well as I'd like but to be perfectly honest about that and to throw some perspective on it for you, I've seen this in $200 Emersons I've bought also. I mean if I had a nickel for every time I've taken a NIB knife to the shop to take off some sharp edges I'd have enough for my new grinder.
Anyway, my point is I have some knives to add to the list of inexpensive alternative folding knives to look at if you are in the market and they are here in the form of these Mantis knives. Just something to list side by side with the Byrd folders, the Kershaw Vapor, Storm and other Wal Mart selections we have all deemed worthy if you are looking for a good inexpensive beater or tool box knife. I rate these knives as something you won't much care if you lose or get taken from you or beat up, or just something new and different to check out what these guys over at Mantis are doing. I have three of their knives. I have currently handled four. EDIT: Correction. I now own four since the owner of the Karambit I first saw gave it to me as his gift for the work I did. They are nice. I mean they are really really nice for the money. Could they be better. Sure, I wish there were some additions and some subtractions, but that is par for the course with any knife.
Now do I have any issues at all with them? Ok, if I want to search what can I find? I see a different blade stop set up in the Karambits. The stop pin looks small. Looks built into the blade too because it pivots with the blade when it moves. I note its also on one side of the blade only.
The blade is rock solid when closed and open though. No amount of force moves the pin. The lock doesn't move in further when you really lean into the blade opened either and believe me I've leaned into it on my work table with all 210 pounds of me so its apparently not giving much if at all. In short. I note the stop differences but can't find fault with it. It appears to work fine.
The blades were not as sharp as I like my knives to be but they were certainly better than some others I've paid a lot more money for. About four swipes on a 1200grit Edge Pro ceramic fixed that on each one though and brought the edges up to a quick and easy biting sharp edge.
You need special tools to take them apart. This is like torture to a guy like me let me tell you because I'd love to get inside this Karambit and find out more about that blade stop.
If this quality of workmanship, fit and finish and quality blade steel keeps up, it is going to be very hard for the knife buying public to ignore Mantis. I understand 11 new models are being introduced at the Blade Show. Check them out. Add to my thread or start new ones. Trust me. I think we'll want to know more about this new company.
http://www.mantisknives.com/
STR
Ok I admit, seeing the quality of the other two knives this same guy sent me may have played on my judgement a little but then again it was really the knife that I was judging based on what I saw in my hand and based on years of experience working on them. Keep in mind I didn't know the knife and really don't care that much for the Karambit which is what the knife I could not identify was. The Karambit pictured with the hawk bill or claw blade is the one I had sent to me.
I just knew this Karambit was probably between $125 and $200 to look at it. It was solid, it was good looking, and overall the fit and finish, workmanship and every detail of the knife was right up there with many of the other high dollar knives I've handled. In short the knife was flawless. Needless to say when I asked the owner what he paid for it and to tell me again what it was and he told me it was like $28 and some change I about fell over! I believe I wrote him back saying you have to be kidding right? You meant $128 and some change correct? Nope. He got it right the first time. I had to check this out further.
I did some searching and ordered one of each style of Karambit from Knifecenter, and the T5 folder listed on the company web page as BG42 blade steel was ordered direct from the owner himself. I was suspicious of this knife and the listing of the blade steel, particularly when I noticed that some dealers list the T5 as 420HC, while others say its got a blade of 420J and the company making the knife lists it as BG42. In my mind I was thinking there is no way this little knife can possibly be BG42 for $28. For what its worth though, some dealers list this at $46 and shipping.
For me the knife was so inexpensive shipped from Mantis I had to ask, how could it be BG42 blade steel? Well, I asked both on the phone and in writing about this to the company. I have the email from Jared West, director of Mantis knives and the designer of the T5. Jared informed me that the blade steel on the T5 is BG42 blade steel and further, its a folder of his own design that he is very proud of. In our conversation I learned that the T-5 design itself was inspired by an open wheeled KART race car. The original intention for the red ellipse at the opposite side of the handle is for a karabiner. I must admit that even after this conversation via email I still doubted. Nevertheless I don't want to call the man a liar. He says its BG42. I'll take his word for it.
I have not had these long enough to get real in depth on them as far as cutting performance. I have however had them long enough to make a brief commentary.
For the money these knives cost it is my opinion that they are functionally as good or better than many knives 5 times the cost. I gotta tell you, they don't look bad either. The simple fact that the knife of the three sent me that impressed me and stood out the most was the Mantis Karambit has me a bit puzzled because I've been told by competitors to Mantis that its made in China. However, its not stamped made in China and has no other marks on it other than the company trademark logo. I have no proof its a Chinese product here in my hands. The knife stood on its own merit in my hand. Due to the design of the blade and the fact that I am just not that familar with Karambits I can't really say I am the one to test this one though. I'll leave Karambit testing to someone more qualified.
Lets just talk about the build of the knives. The locks on these knives are flawless. No sticking locks here at all, no blade play, just pure function plain and simple. On everyone of them the locks are 420J stainless steel with a black finish. At least I think that is what it is. Some sites list the frames as 420HC steel. It is safe to say that these are not titanium knives but thicker stainless ones on par with some of the newer Kershaw beefcake folders. The blades are perfectly balanced, centered, smooth as silk with no grainy or gritty feeling when opening and closing them and evenly ground. In whittling hardwood just enough to test my own T5 it sliced and cut into it as well as any other knife I've tested NIB with the exception of Spydercos but again, I only did like five or so big slices.
The T5 has no pocket clip but what a great little folder it is for $28 and some change. At 3.1 ounces its an easy carry knife also. I won't use the Karambits. I just had to have them to compare to the one sent to me because I wanted to sample the products for myself to compare them for consistancy. In fact they are out in the mail to a few in my circle of friends to examine for themselves as I type because they impressed me so much. The Karambits are 420 HC blade steel but for what you pay, who cares right? I do note they have a few, well, not really sharp edges, lets just say they are not beveled quite as well as I'd like but to be perfectly honest about that and to throw some perspective on it for you, I've seen this in $200 Emersons I've bought also. I mean if I had a nickel for every time I've taken a NIB knife to the shop to take off some sharp edges I'd have enough for my new grinder.
Anyway, my point is I have some knives to add to the list of inexpensive alternative folding knives to look at if you are in the market and they are here in the form of these Mantis knives. Just something to list side by side with the Byrd folders, the Kershaw Vapor, Storm and other Wal Mart selections we have all deemed worthy if you are looking for a good inexpensive beater or tool box knife. I rate these knives as something you won't much care if you lose or get taken from you or beat up, or just something new and different to check out what these guys over at Mantis are doing. I have three of their knives. I have currently handled four. EDIT: Correction. I now own four since the owner of the Karambit I first saw gave it to me as his gift for the work I did. They are nice. I mean they are really really nice for the money. Could they be better. Sure, I wish there were some additions and some subtractions, but that is par for the course with any knife.
Now do I have any issues at all with them? Ok, if I want to search what can I find? I see a different blade stop set up in the Karambits. The stop pin looks small. Looks built into the blade too because it pivots with the blade when it moves. I note its also on one side of the blade only.
The blade is rock solid when closed and open though. No amount of force moves the pin. The lock doesn't move in further when you really lean into the blade opened either and believe me I've leaned into it on my work table with all 210 pounds of me so its apparently not giving much if at all. In short. I note the stop differences but can't find fault with it. It appears to work fine.
The blades were not as sharp as I like my knives to be but they were certainly better than some others I've paid a lot more money for. About four swipes on a 1200grit Edge Pro ceramic fixed that on each one though and brought the edges up to a quick and easy biting sharp edge.
You need special tools to take them apart. This is like torture to a guy like me let me tell you because I'd love to get inside this Karambit and find out more about that blade stop.
If this quality of workmanship, fit and finish and quality blade steel keeps up, it is going to be very hard for the knife buying public to ignore Mantis. I understand 11 new models are being introduced at the Blade Show. Check them out. Add to my thread or start new ones. Trust me. I think we'll want to know more about this new company.
http://www.mantisknives.com/
STR
