- Joined
- Dec 1, 2016
- Messages
- 11,013
Good day, all.
Since I have been broadening my cutlery related interests as of late, I thought I would acquire a knife that I have been eyeballing for awhile now. As I haven't seen a whole lot of information out there with regards to this particular knife, I figured I would write up a bit of a review.
I have largely been a slipjoint guy for the last several years and prior to that, my experience with other folders was a bit limited - I usually stuck with a single knife for long periods of time. Because of this and the fact that I have never experienced a "flipper" before (my closest point of comparison would be the ZT 0301), this review may come across as a bit amateurish.
I don't watch reviews on YouTube so I will embark as I have with other reviews that I have done here in other sub-forums.
Like the title says, this is the AM-2 from Maserin Cutlery, designed by Attilio Morotti, out of Maniago, Italy. Maserin describes this knife as a High-tech "EDC" - a knife for the person who wants a beautiful, elegant, personal cutting tool. They have this knife available in the following cover options - Black/Grey G10, Titanium Twill Carbon Fiber, Black Carbon Fiber, and Palo Santo Wood.
The knife I am reviewing has the following specs:
I don't think that it is imprudent to note the dealer that I purchased this from, as he is a BF supporting dealer. This knife was purchased from Mike at Collector Knives and as usual, I received a great knife within a short time of ordering.
The knife arrived in a nice box with a magnetic flip lid (not sure if that is its technical term but it should be). Contained within the box were the knife, a nylon belt sheath and some of the standard papers one tends to note and ignore. Everything was securely wrapped and packaged - nicely done.
(Pictured here after I had already removed all the plastic wrapping)
Here she is! I was immediately struck by the nicely grained wood. As someone who has a fondness for traditional slipjoints (clad in wood, stag, and bone), the full wood scales are what drew me to this particular knife to begin with. The metal hardware makes for some striking accents as well.
Immediate impressions are positive. Another thing that drew me to this knife was it shape, it is rather aesthetically pleasing (to my eye anyway). Good curves, good flow, nothing too crazy and outlandish.
The blade shape reminds me somewhat of the "sheepfoot" style that you see on Bradford knives - not a match but I do feel there are some similarities. I do like how it sweeps up and though I haven't really put it through its cutting paces quite yet, I suspect that it will make for a nice slicer.
I am not too familiar with N690 steel other than it seems to have a good reputation and should be plenty suitable for an elegant knife like this.
The pocket clip is rather interesting to me. I don't generally like Carbon Fiber so if I were to nitpick the visuals, this would be the one thing that kind of mars the whole landscape for me. Objectively, it can make for a nice accent though, especially against the warmth of the wood. Functionally, I don't know how robust it is but since this seems to be more the "Take your partner to a steak dinner" sort of knife rather than a "Cut 20 bags of concrete mix open" knife, it should hold up just fine.
I am familiar with the liner lock system so this isn't anything new to me. It functions as I would expect with a nice, tight lockup and no vertical play whatsoever. It isn't sticky at all when disengaging and though a wee bit gritty right out of the box, it has smoothed out wonderfully.
The action is on stainless thrust bearings - I am not sure what "thrust" entails but there does appear to be ball bearings in the pivot. Again, aside from being a touch gritty out of the box, it flips smoothly and falls shut gently.
(Note the relief cut out of the wood)
Now for a couple of "cons" - one being design or manufacturing related and the other a potentially fixable flaw.
One of the things that I appreciate about most slipjoint knives is that the frame shapes are inclusive enough to be usable and even comfortable despite their comparatively diminutive size. Most folders of more modern designs tend to be a lot more discriminating with regards to hand size, grip style, etc. The AM-2 is no exception, though the fault is not necessarily in the shape but in the execution of the handle scales.
The short of it is, this is not a comfortable knife. It is full of sharp angles and points and even when flipping it open and closed, the butt of the knife has created a sore spot in the palm of my hand.
I feel that the one thing that this knife could have benefited greatly from is some chamfering of the handles - it would have gone a long way towards improving the overall comfort.
The second point is that the blade did not come centered at all. I know this is a major concern with regards to collecting and using more modern folders. Though I do not think it speaks at all to the actual functionality of the knife since it is not rubbing or hitting the frame, it is a matter of the craftsmanship that one expects from a more precision made tool.
I do not know if this pivot is adjustable and I haven't reached out to Mike yet to discuss it with him but if it is and I can do so safely, then I have no issues with that.
In summary, this seems to be a fine knife that with a bit of a manufacturing tweak regarding the handles, would make for an otherwise excellent cutting tool. Overall, in its current state, I would give it a 3.75, out of 5 stars.
I've developed a fondness for the knives that have been coming out of Maniago and I look forward to continuing to experience what they have to offer.
Since I have been broadening my cutlery related interests as of late, I thought I would acquire a knife that I have been eyeballing for awhile now. As I haven't seen a whole lot of information out there with regards to this particular knife, I figured I would write up a bit of a review.
I have largely been a slipjoint guy for the last several years and prior to that, my experience with other folders was a bit limited - I usually stuck with a single knife for long periods of time. Because of this and the fact that I have never experienced a "flipper" before (my closest point of comparison would be the ZT 0301), this review may come across as a bit amateurish.
I don't watch reviews on YouTube so I will embark as I have with other reviews that I have done here in other sub-forums.
Like the title says, this is the AM-2 from Maserin Cutlery, designed by Attilio Morotti, out of Maniago, Italy. Maserin describes this knife as a High-tech "EDC" - a knife for the person who wants a beautiful, elegant, personal cutting tool. They have this knife available in the following cover options - Black/Grey G10, Titanium Twill Carbon Fiber, Black Carbon Fiber, and Palo Santo Wood.
The knife I am reviewing has the following specs:
- Maker: Maserin Cutlery
- Model: AM-2
- Blade Steel: N690
- Hardness: 59/60 HRC
- Finish: Satin
- Frame: Stainless Steel
- Handle Material: Palo Santo Wood
- Lock Style: Liner Lock
- Action: Flipper
- Pocket Clip: Carbon Fiber (tip up only - non-configurable)
- Closed Length: 5 1/16"
- Blade Length: 3 9/16" with a 3 1/2" Cutting Length
- Weight: 5.33 oz
I don't think that it is imprudent to note the dealer that I purchased this from, as he is a BF supporting dealer. This knife was purchased from Mike at Collector Knives and as usual, I received a great knife within a short time of ordering.
The knife arrived in a nice box with a magnetic flip lid (not sure if that is its technical term but it should be). Contained within the box were the knife, a nylon belt sheath and some of the standard papers one tends to note and ignore. Everything was securely wrapped and packaged - nicely done.
(Pictured here after I had already removed all the plastic wrapping)
Here she is! I was immediately struck by the nicely grained wood. As someone who has a fondness for traditional slipjoints (clad in wood, stag, and bone), the full wood scales are what drew me to this particular knife to begin with. The metal hardware makes for some striking accents as well.
Immediate impressions are positive. Another thing that drew me to this knife was it shape, it is rather aesthetically pleasing (to my eye anyway). Good curves, good flow, nothing too crazy and outlandish.
The blade shape reminds me somewhat of the "sheepfoot" style that you see on Bradford knives - not a match but I do feel there are some similarities. I do like how it sweeps up and though I haven't really put it through its cutting paces quite yet, I suspect that it will make for a nice slicer.
I am not too familiar with N690 steel other than it seems to have a good reputation and should be plenty suitable for an elegant knife like this.
The pocket clip is rather interesting to me. I don't generally like Carbon Fiber so if I were to nitpick the visuals, this would be the one thing that kind of mars the whole landscape for me. Objectively, it can make for a nice accent though, especially against the warmth of the wood. Functionally, I don't know how robust it is but since this seems to be more the "Take your partner to a steak dinner" sort of knife rather than a "Cut 20 bags of concrete mix open" knife, it should hold up just fine.
I am familiar with the liner lock system so this isn't anything new to me. It functions as I would expect with a nice, tight lockup and no vertical play whatsoever. It isn't sticky at all when disengaging and though a wee bit gritty right out of the box, it has smoothed out wonderfully.
The action is on stainless thrust bearings - I am not sure what "thrust" entails but there does appear to be ball bearings in the pivot. Again, aside from being a touch gritty out of the box, it flips smoothly and falls shut gently.
(Note the relief cut out of the wood)
Now for a couple of "cons" - one being design or manufacturing related and the other a potentially fixable flaw.
One of the things that I appreciate about most slipjoint knives is that the frame shapes are inclusive enough to be usable and even comfortable despite their comparatively diminutive size. Most folders of more modern designs tend to be a lot more discriminating with regards to hand size, grip style, etc. The AM-2 is no exception, though the fault is not necessarily in the shape but in the execution of the handle scales.
The short of it is, this is not a comfortable knife. It is full of sharp angles and points and even when flipping it open and closed, the butt of the knife has created a sore spot in the palm of my hand.
I feel that the one thing that this knife could have benefited greatly from is some chamfering of the handles - it would have gone a long way towards improving the overall comfort.
The second point is that the blade did not come centered at all. I know this is a major concern with regards to collecting and using more modern folders. Though I do not think it speaks at all to the actual functionality of the knife since it is not rubbing or hitting the frame, it is a matter of the craftsmanship that one expects from a more precision made tool.
I do not know if this pivot is adjustable and I haven't reached out to Mike yet to discuss it with him but if it is and I can do so safely, then I have no issues with that.
In summary, this seems to be a fine knife that with a bit of a manufacturing tweak regarding the handles, would make for an otherwise excellent cutting tool. Overall, in its current state, I would give it a 3.75, out of 5 stars.
I've developed a fondness for the knives that have been coming out of Maniago and I look forward to continuing to experience what they have to offer.