Here's a quick review of my Matt Freeman Rampage-inspired Pikal.
My camera is on the fritz, so you'll have to make due with the pictures that CM himself posted.
The ergonomics of the handle are fantastic. The G10 is smooth, but the handle shape locks in your grip. It was designed and is optimized for a edge in grip, but the handle is neutral enough to be used in most of your standard edge out grips.The sheath is kydex with some simple paracord loops that function as IWB straps. I had the option of running a Tek Lok, but I prefer to keep it simple instead of bolting stuff on the sheath.
This is one of those "have but hope you don't have to use" kind of knives, so it's not got to see a ton of utility use. I was pretty confident it'd hold up, but just to be sure, I stabbed the hell out of a phonebook and some boxes. Even on glancing blows, it penetrated very well. The knife is of course none worse for the wear.
It's my first custom knife, though technically it's the second custom knife I ordered. How is that possible? Mr. Freeman has an ungodly quick turnaround time. He estimated it'd take three weeks and he finished it and shipped in about two and a half weeks. For a completely custom knife that included waiting for my feedback at every step of the process (design, cutting out the blade, surface grinding, heat treat, etc.), that is ludicrous speed. It is a very high quality knife and I have no doubts that CM is just going to get better.
Get your orders in now before the prices shoot up and there's a 6 month waiting list.
My camera is on the fritz, so you'll have to make due with the pictures that CM himself posted.
The ergonomics of the handle are fantastic. The G10 is smooth, but the handle shape locks in your grip. It was designed and is optimized for a edge in grip, but the handle is neutral enough to be used in most of your standard edge out grips.The sheath is kydex with some simple paracord loops that function as IWB straps. I had the option of running a Tek Lok, but I prefer to keep it simple instead of bolting stuff on the sheath.
This is one of those "have but hope you don't have to use" kind of knives, so it's not got to see a ton of utility use. I was pretty confident it'd hold up, but just to be sure, I stabbed the hell out of a phonebook and some boxes. Even on glancing blows, it penetrated very well. The knife is of course none worse for the wear.
It's my first custom knife, though technically it's the second custom knife I ordered. How is that possible? Mr. Freeman has an ungodly quick turnaround time. He estimated it'd take three weeks and he finished it and shipped in about two and a half weeks. For a completely custom knife that included waiting for my feedback at every step of the process (design, cutting out the blade, surface grinding, heat treat, etc.), that is ludicrous speed. It is a very high quality knife and I have no doubts that CM is just going to get better.
Get your orders in now before the prices shoot up and there's a 6 month waiting list.
