Messer Klotzli.......What about them?

Cosmic Superchunk · Sep 17, 2001

Okay, maybe it's due to the fact that I have never handled a Messer Klotzli knife, but why are they so expensive? I was looking through a catalogue and there is a Walker designed Klotzli folder with 440C blade, titanium handle, linerlock for $375.00 US. I know if Michael himself was selling it, it would probably be in the thousands, but we're talking about a production folder here. What is so special about it? I mean, for the price you could basically buy a handmade folder. I am by no means bashing Klotzli, but I would like to know from any Klotzli owners, what is it about these knives, when you compare them to a Benchmade 690,or a Microtech L.C.C. Anyone?

Horus · Sep 17, 2001

A few weeks ago I handled two Klötzli folders at a local knife shop (I can not remember the model names) and the quality of this knives was very disappointing.
Overall impression regarding the workmanship at best standard, both blades were dull like a butter knife and the liner locks were downright dangerous.
Klötzli knives are certainly not in the same class as Microtech knives!

redvenom · Sep 17, 2001

The Klotzi Walker folders are a nice clean design but are way overpriced for the materials used. While I don't mind 440C on a folder, i would not pay $375 for one. A pity, as I have another Klotzi folder which I am very happy with - the Whimpff wharncliff which is far more reasonably priced.

Heck, for $345 you could get a CR Sebenza which is IMO a few places higher in terms of workmanship and in BG42/Titanium to boot.

Steve-O · Sep 17, 2001

Always loved the design of the Whimpff wharncliffe, but thought it was overpriced. Wharncliffe blades are my favorite!

Now if it had a BG-42 blade and titanium slabs....hmmm...and maybe an integral lock...

(Hey CRK, ya listenin'?

)

Tommi · Sep 18, 2001

I've handled Walker whanrcliffe (shorter and poitier than Whimpff) and compared it (more than once) to WH CF Lancet. Quality of that specimen was on same level as WH:s. My friend paid 150$ for that and it was well worth it. Quality was on same level as MT and WH but a bit lower than CRK:s. 345$ seem quite high - you can have custom linerlocks with that kind of money.
I found only one thing lacking - blade was only barely sharp enough.

Dexter Ewing · Sep 18, 2001

The Klotzli's are nice but yeah, they are a bit overpriced for a 440C bladed folder. Not that 440C is a bad material. I own a couple Klotzli's (both Wimpff models) and they are well made, though the carbon fiber is too slick for rough use. The cutting edges were sharp, but not as sharp as some other companies' knives I've handled in the past.

Will.223 · Sep 20, 2001

I handled four Klotzli's at a gun store and they were very sharp, the carbon fiber was perfect and the lock up was perfect. Makes me wonder about quality control.

Will

Bud Lang · Sep 21, 2001

Maybe four or five years ago I had the opportunity to visit many German (including Christian Wimpff) knife makers shops as well as the Boker plant. I also visited a Swiss maker, the Victorinox and Wenger plants, AND, I spent a day at the shop of Herr Klotzli. Klotzli is, I believe, a 4th generation knife maker. He has a retail store, and he operates a small plant, similar to that of Chris Reeve, but with no hi-tech mills and CNC stuff. At that time he had four or five talented knife makers working for him, not just assembly line people who rush home at night. Some of these people made custom knives, under their own names, after hours, using his facilities. Yes, the Klotzli knives are factory knives, but like many others out there, they are produced and assembled with care. Messer, by the way, is knife in German, if I am not mistaken. If anyone has a knife they feel is inferior, it is suggested it be returned to the person or company you purchased it from. I am sure they will make it good. That's just my humble opinion, knowing Herr Klotzli as I do.
Bud Lang - www.bladesinternational.com