- Joined
- Aug 24, 1999
- Messages
- 2,294
One of the highlights of returning to my hometown of Montreal is visiting Neil Ostroff of True North Knives. Neil always has a staggering selection of knives, ready to be inspected by eager knife knuts. I looked at about 20 knives (all tacticals) in detail
heres a mini-review of what I can remember.
The Ostroff knives some of you may have seen Neils review of his visit to Bob Terzuolas shop where he made two knives under Bobs careful supervision. Based on the pics, the Ostroff knives looked just about as good as the real thing the same is true in real life! It is just incredible that Neil made those knives by himself!
Crawford KFF The KFF was one of the first custom knives that I encountered a few years ago I have wanted one ever since but something else always came up. Im glad that I waited because now I have the most BADASS version that I have ever seen. Yup, I walked away with a knife (surprise, surprise). My new framelock KFF is coated in Bodycote Tungsten DLC and it has a unique thumbstud. The action is the typical KFF smoothness, its sharp as #$@%, and the ergos are even better than I remembered.
Heres the front
And the back
Crawford Perfigo this one is high on my to get list I havent decided which variant I would like to get but the Damascus one pictured below is rather tempting!
Darrel Ralph Mad Maxx 7 WOW, this thing is AWESOME! Sure, the size is impressive (I think the overall length is longer than a Mad Dog Panther!) but the best part is the smoothness of the action and lock it is very easy to handle this giant.
Darrel Ralph Mad Maxx 5.5 DLC Visually, this piece was even more stunning than the 7 variant. The knife was satin finished before it was sent to Bodycote so the black coating has a high gloss appearance (in contrast, my KFF is matte). I almost walked away with this one as well (but I already have a special Maxx on order).
Heres a pic of the 5.5 Maxx, my KFF, and the Perfiogo
Crawford flipper a new knife introduced at Blade, the handle looks like a mini-version of the Perfigo but the blade has a slightly different grind (and its only 3.5) a bit too small for me (at least in length it is thick enough) but a cool piece nonetheless.
RJ Martin Avenger this is the first RJ Martin folder that I have seen in the steel I like it! The size is certainly right for me (big and chunky), its very comfortable in all grips (note the traction grooves strategically placed for reverse grip) and it is the sharpest folder that I have ever encountered.
Duncan Aftershock framelock flipper (the framelock variant is a TNK exclusive) Despite the fact that Mr. Duncan has had a hard time on the boards, I have to admit that this is an awesome knife. The bearing action works incredibly well with the flipper, the blade is ultra sharp, and the unique shape of the handle makes the knife lock-in to your hand (especially in reverse grip) Id definitely get this one!
Heres a pic of the Avenger and Aftershock with my KFF for size comparo
JWS Evolution framelock a JWS in my size! With the possible exception of the Liong Mah designed Juggernaut, this is the biggest JWS that I have ever seen it has a great heft to it and, thanks to the full backspacer, it makes a great clack upon opening. The action has the typical JWS smoothness.
Marzitelli Spike Cruiser I just cant understand why Marzitelli gets so little mention on the boards his knives are great! The Groove opener works incredibly well and he always incorporates some unique design elements e.g. this knife has see-through G10 scales that show off the artistically anodized titanium underneath.
Devilliers Warhog the first thing that struck me about this knife was the weight of the handle this is one beefy knife! Its also a prototype (the words prototype 2003 are engraved in the bottom liner) the styling reminds me of the Terminator.
Apart from these, I looker at the Marzitelli Razier, Elishewitz Silver Fox flipper, JWS Small Scimitar, Terzuola Microstar and a few others feel free to email if youd like additional comments.
Big thanks go out to Neil!
RL
The Ostroff knives some of you may have seen Neils review of his visit to Bob Terzuolas shop where he made two knives under Bobs careful supervision. Based on the pics, the Ostroff knives looked just about as good as the real thing the same is true in real life! It is just incredible that Neil made those knives by himself!
Crawford KFF The KFF was one of the first custom knives that I encountered a few years ago I have wanted one ever since but something else always came up. Im glad that I waited because now I have the most BADASS version that I have ever seen. Yup, I walked away with a knife (surprise, surprise). My new framelock KFF is coated in Bodycote Tungsten DLC and it has a unique thumbstud. The action is the typical KFF smoothness, its sharp as #$@%, and the ergos are even better than I remembered.
Heres the front
And the back
Crawford Perfigo this one is high on my to get list I havent decided which variant I would like to get but the Damascus one pictured below is rather tempting!
Darrel Ralph Mad Maxx 7 WOW, this thing is AWESOME! Sure, the size is impressive (I think the overall length is longer than a Mad Dog Panther!) but the best part is the smoothness of the action and lock it is very easy to handle this giant.
Darrel Ralph Mad Maxx 5.5 DLC Visually, this piece was even more stunning than the 7 variant. The knife was satin finished before it was sent to Bodycote so the black coating has a high gloss appearance (in contrast, my KFF is matte). I almost walked away with this one as well (but I already have a special Maxx on order).
Heres a pic of the 5.5 Maxx, my KFF, and the Perfiogo
Crawford flipper a new knife introduced at Blade, the handle looks like a mini-version of the Perfigo but the blade has a slightly different grind (and its only 3.5) a bit too small for me (at least in length it is thick enough) but a cool piece nonetheless.
RJ Martin Avenger this is the first RJ Martin folder that I have seen in the steel I like it! The size is certainly right for me (big and chunky), its very comfortable in all grips (note the traction grooves strategically placed for reverse grip) and it is the sharpest folder that I have ever encountered.
Duncan Aftershock framelock flipper (the framelock variant is a TNK exclusive) Despite the fact that Mr. Duncan has had a hard time on the boards, I have to admit that this is an awesome knife. The bearing action works incredibly well with the flipper, the blade is ultra sharp, and the unique shape of the handle makes the knife lock-in to your hand (especially in reverse grip) Id definitely get this one!
Heres a pic of the Avenger and Aftershock with my KFF for size comparo
JWS Evolution framelock a JWS in my size! With the possible exception of the Liong Mah designed Juggernaut, this is the biggest JWS that I have ever seen it has a great heft to it and, thanks to the full backspacer, it makes a great clack upon opening. The action has the typical JWS smoothness.
Marzitelli Spike Cruiser I just cant understand why Marzitelli gets so little mention on the boards his knives are great! The Groove opener works incredibly well and he always incorporates some unique design elements e.g. this knife has see-through G10 scales that show off the artistically anodized titanium underneath.
Devilliers Warhog the first thing that struck me about this knife was the weight of the handle this is one beefy knife! Its also a prototype (the words prototype 2003 are engraved in the bottom liner) the styling reminds me of the Terminator.
Apart from these, I looker at the Marzitelli Razier, Elishewitz Silver Fox flipper, JWS Small Scimitar, Terzuola Microstar and a few others feel free to email if youd like additional comments.
Big thanks go out to Neil!
RL
You still have a chance to wrestle that Duncan out of my hands though
