I picked up this little folder from newt martin of www.martinknives.com a week ago. I noticed it on another forum and asked for some pics. newt did one better and posted this video of the knife for me http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ojqr3GPvEs I thought that was really cool of him and it sure helped give me a much better idea of what the knife looked like than pics. would have. This is the Martin brothers first and currently only folder, they make some very nice looking fixed blades though.
The specs.
Blade length: 3"
OAL: 7 1/4"
Blade thickness: 1/8"
Blade material: S30V
Ti framelock: 1/8"
G10 thickness: 1/8''
Fasteners: various size torxs
The fact that is was G10 on one side and a Ti. framelock w/tip up carry initially caught my eye. I wanted something smaller to carry around as well as something light weight. After shooting some PM's back and forth I decided to give one a try besides Newt is really a great guy to chat with.
After owning this knife for a week I figured I would write this review as there wasn't much information on this folder that turned up when I did a search. So here we go.
The things I liked;
The Ti. framelock, most of my folders are of the framelock versions I have seen some poorly executed ones and some perfectly executed ones (i.e. Hinderer). The Martin bros. did a good job on this one, it locks up solid at about 50% travel and isn't sticky. They also rounded the edge of the lockbar so when you repeatedly disengage the lockbar your thumb doesn't get sore or cut. There is a generous cut out in the G10 side so you can easily access the lockbar as well, the cut out looks a little weird being as large as it is but is very practical in use.
The action is smooth but not slick like my Mayo, Doucette or Hinderer folders. You can flick the knife open easily, as seen in the video, but is just doesn't have that butter feel to it like the other knives. The lockup and the action both remind me alot the the Emerson HD-7, though you can not flick this knife open with your wrist like you can with the Emerson.
The blade has a full height deep hollow grind, which this is the only knife I own with a hollow grind clear to the spine all of my other full height ground knives have a flat grind. Though I did not measure the thickness of the edge I can tell just by looking at it is quite abit thinner than my small Sebenza but about the same thickness as my large Sebenza. Needless to say it does slice really well and came quite sharp not RJ martin or Spydie sharp but still had a very good edge.
Almost forgot the blade is centered when closed as well. I also like single thumb studs, I have been cut too many times by a dual thumb stud knife catching on my pocket and partially opening when I pull it out.
The pocket it the standard style common to alot of manufacturers such as Emerson. Decent clip firm but not too tight, no side to side slop even with only having two screws.
Now to the things I didn't care for;
The G10 being so smooth, it is slick when your hands are wet. I can understand why the Martin bros. finished it this way but I figured I would still mention it. I personally like the "dremel" style grooves and am sure the guys would be more than happy to put a different texture on it if I would have asked.
The unfinished section of the blade, it is between where the blade contacts the stop pin and where the locking surface is. This is a minor detail and doesn't affect the knife at all.
The stop pin being adustable, having a screw on each side that can be tightened down. The stop pin having 2 screws is something that I have not seen before on a folder. When I recieved the folder I flicked the blade open several times, gotta play with the new toy, and one of the screws on the stop pin rattle loose. I got out my wrench and tightened it up, I didn't stop and think that it might cause a problem but it did. The blade was very stiff to open so I took a closer look and realized I had overtightened the screw and flexed the Ti. side in, once I took the screw out and put some vibra-tite compound on it it was fine. I honestly would like to see the stop pin changed to a different style as I could have seen me loosing that screw if I had been carrying the knife and not paying attention. This is my only real complaint with the knife.
All in all for a first folder from these guys that only have been making knives for 3 years now I think they did a great job especially at the price point of these knives. I am definitely satisfied with my purchase and will be using this knife alot in the up coming year, it's a great slicer that is comfortable in the hand.
I do have some pics. if anyone would like to post them for it would be appreciated.
Whooo what a windbag! Thanks for reading.
TIR.
The specs.
Blade length: 3"
OAL: 7 1/4"
Blade thickness: 1/8"
Blade material: S30V
Ti framelock: 1/8"
G10 thickness: 1/8''
Fasteners: various size torxs
The fact that is was G10 on one side and a Ti. framelock w/tip up carry initially caught my eye. I wanted something smaller to carry around as well as something light weight. After shooting some PM's back and forth I decided to give one a try besides Newt is really a great guy to chat with.
After owning this knife for a week I figured I would write this review as there wasn't much information on this folder that turned up when I did a search. So here we go.
The things I liked;
The Ti. framelock, most of my folders are of the framelock versions I have seen some poorly executed ones and some perfectly executed ones (i.e. Hinderer). The Martin bros. did a good job on this one, it locks up solid at about 50% travel and isn't sticky. They also rounded the edge of the lockbar so when you repeatedly disengage the lockbar your thumb doesn't get sore or cut. There is a generous cut out in the G10 side so you can easily access the lockbar as well, the cut out looks a little weird being as large as it is but is very practical in use.
The action is smooth but not slick like my Mayo, Doucette or Hinderer folders. You can flick the knife open easily, as seen in the video, but is just doesn't have that butter feel to it like the other knives. The lockup and the action both remind me alot the the Emerson HD-7, though you can not flick this knife open with your wrist like you can with the Emerson.
The blade has a full height deep hollow grind, which this is the only knife I own with a hollow grind clear to the spine all of my other full height ground knives have a flat grind. Though I did not measure the thickness of the edge I can tell just by looking at it is quite abit thinner than my small Sebenza but about the same thickness as my large Sebenza. Needless to say it does slice really well and came quite sharp not RJ martin or Spydie sharp but still had a very good edge.
Almost forgot the blade is centered when closed as well. I also like single thumb studs, I have been cut too many times by a dual thumb stud knife catching on my pocket and partially opening when I pull it out.
The pocket it the standard style common to alot of manufacturers such as Emerson. Decent clip firm but not too tight, no side to side slop even with only having two screws.
Now to the things I didn't care for;
The G10 being so smooth, it is slick when your hands are wet. I can understand why the Martin bros. finished it this way but I figured I would still mention it. I personally like the "dremel" style grooves and am sure the guys would be more than happy to put a different texture on it if I would have asked.
The unfinished section of the blade, it is between where the blade contacts the stop pin and where the locking surface is. This is a minor detail and doesn't affect the knife at all.
The stop pin being adustable, having a screw on each side that can be tightened down. The stop pin having 2 screws is something that I have not seen before on a folder. When I recieved the folder I flicked the blade open several times, gotta play with the new toy, and one of the screws on the stop pin rattle loose. I got out my wrench and tightened it up, I didn't stop and think that it might cause a problem but it did. The blade was very stiff to open so I took a closer look and realized I had overtightened the screw and flexed the Ti. side in, once I took the screw out and put some vibra-tite compound on it it was fine. I honestly would like to see the stop pin changed to a different style as I could have seen me loosing that screw if I had been carrying the knife and not paying attention. This is my only real complaint with the knife.
All in all for a first folder from these guys that only have been making knives for 3 years now I think they did a great job especially at the price point of these knives. I am definitely satisfied with my purchase and will be using this knife alot in the up coming year, it's a great slicer that is comfortable in the hand.
I do have some pics. if anyone would like to post them for it would be appreciated.
Whooo what a windbag! Thanks for reading.
TIR.
