Maserin-Good or Bad?

B

BaconButcher

Joined
Nov 20, 2014
Messages
54
Well, I got myself into a situation. I bought my first ZT 0550 in S35VN, and I got this overwhelming feeling to buy another expensive, high quality knife. I guess this is what that feeling is when a due-to-be knife collector gets his first knife. Anyways, I dropped about $600-800 on knives, and I got room for one more knife, particularly under $200, so I dont go over $1000 (My girlfriend would murder me). I was looking around, and I saw this knife. A maserin S35VN steel blade in a oiled, polished to perfection olive wood handle, all for just $99.95. Just needed some knife nuts to look at it and determine if there is anything I should watch out for (i.e: Blade geometry, thickness, heat treat quality, etc...)
Heres the link: http://www2.knifecenter.com/item/ME...-folding-knife-s35vn-blade-olive-wood-handles
 
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It's not cheap for what it is....but from looking at that link I don't see any flaws. As with anything like this you don't know how it feels to open it, how the lock sounds, how beefy the liner is, where the lockup is, etc. What kind of washers?

I take it you've done a little side research on it too? No clip on it. If it were a dollar more I might say forget it...but I like wood too. Olive wood can be pretty nice if you get the right one. And you can always return it.

Before you buy it though, check out the TBS Boar folders and the rest of their line.

The Maserin is a slick looking knife. I hadn't seen this one before. I 'd been leaning toward one of the Boars with a longer blade.
 
EChoil said:
It's not cheap for what it is....but from looking at that link I don't see any flaws. As with anything like this you don't know how it feels to open it, how the lock sounds, how beefy the liner is, where the lockup is, etc. What kind of washers?

I take it you've done a little side research on it too? No clip on it. If it were a dollar more I might say forget it...but I like wood too. Olive wood can be pretty nice if you get the right one. And you can always return it.

Before you buy it though, check out the TBS Boar folders and the rest of their line.

The Maserin is a slick looking knife. I hadn't seen this one before. I 'd been leaning toward one of the Boars with a longer blade.
Click to expand...

Uhm, this blade is 3.75 inches long, the average for a pocketknife. I dont really care for TBS that much, cause the no-locking and very thick handles (I have moderately small hands).
 
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Blade is 3.375" long not 3.75". Maserin has a good rep for fit & finish but will be harder to resell if you don't like it, compared to benchmade/spyderco etc. Also I didn't notice this at first but the handle scales are scalloped. Olive wood smells nice.
 
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I don't have any knives from Maserin but have heard good things about them. Maniago, Italy is also home to LionSteel, Viper, Fox and Fantoni and I have great knives from each of them. A great center and history of knifemaking.
 
I have a Maserin Birdland in blue G10 which I love. Easily the smoothest knife i own. Its not perfect though...
 
I have a maserin with beautiful green burl handles. The knife is gorgeous, which is why I bought it.

Although the quality is good, is doesn't seem to be at the same level as some other Italian brands like Lionsteel.

I would liken the difference to say, a kershaw and a zt. The kershaw is nice, but the ZT is quite a bit nicer.

However, the prices are reasonable and some of the handle materials they use are very hard to find on any other folders, at any price.
 
I've got a Maserin pocket knife, and it's one of the most used pocket knives I've got. Very nice blade geometry, takes a wicked edge and holds it pretty well. Plus I love the looks. The Olive wood takes on a very smooth warm feel after a bit of rubbing down with a linseed oil cloth. Wood to metal fit cold be a bit better, but I'm mor than happy with it. It has it's own character and style. Italian knives are nice. Get it!

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