Name some knife models or companies that just don't get enough credit on these forums

Kaizen1

Kaizen1

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Let's stay away from making negative comments about people's posts in this thread. The idea here is to put the spotlight on some specific knife models or knife companies that just don't get named very much even though it's a decent to great knife/company. Maybe a few knife shoppers can see some new knives that they can add to their lists. Definitely feel free to add positive comments though:):

Knives:
~Spyderco Poliwog: One of the most ergonomic production knives I've ever held.
~Cold Steel Pocket Bushman: Probably the toughest knife that you can find at its price point.
~Benchmade Monochrome: 440C blade, solid frame lock, low price point- you really don't need much more than this for EDC from a minimalist perspective.
~Kershaw E.T.: The custom version of this knife has won design awards. This is an awesome knife. For those worried about cutting themselves with it- it can't be any more difficult than a bali. It just takes some practice.

Knife company:
~Mcusta: Basically Japanese William Henrys in the $100-$200 price point range. You can't lose with them.
 
Beretta has some nice offerings you don't hear much about. Same goes for some Browning pieces. Though too thick and heavy for some, Entrek makes a very good knife.

I think the BM Monochrome uses Austrian N690 steel, not 440C.
 
Great idea for a thread Phil.

Although the XM18 is a highly sought after knife, I hardly ever hear about Hinderer Knives as a company, I decided to contact Rick on a Custom deluxe Kubaton set about 3 months ago, he replied on every single email, went through all possible options and given the slowly degrading exchange rate between our countries, he absorbed the 3% paypal fee.

This might seem like common courtesy for Americans, but as an Australian, I find it increasingly difficult to find oseas suppliers that will a) deal with an Australian b) pass on realistic shipping fees c) communicate.
 
Well, I hardly ever hear mention of Microtech's manual SOCOM and Amphibian knives. The knives are well made and I like the "microbar" lock and think it is superior to the plebian :) liner-lock (not really hard to do, being superior). Further, the overall designs are pretty good for EDC use.
 
Extrema Ratio folders. Some of the toughest production folders ever made. Full 1/4 inch thick blade and the mother of all back locks.
Case knives. For a knife to hand down to your kids they can't be beat. Every ones first knife should be a nice case slip joint.
Art knives in general. I'm speaking customs. A lot of them sell on the dealers sites but few are posted for bragging rights.
These opinions do not reflect any views or beliefs of any one on earth, or neighboring friendly planets. Any complaints should be directed to Uranus for processing.
 
3 heavy folders that don't get much press

1) bladetech rajbak - this Ti frame lock has a great lock up. It also has a very thick s30v blade. The ergo is great. It a bit heavy. If you like the look this is a Ti frame lock for about $160.

2) kershaw Tyrade -
Steel: CPM-D2/154CM composite two-tone stainless-steel with copper accent
Handle: 6AL4V Titanium with zirconium carbo-nitride copper-tone coating and CNC-machined black carbon fiber inlays
Blade Length: 3-5/8 in. (9.2 cm)
Closed Length: 5 in. (12.7 cm)
Overall Length: N/A
Weight: 6.7 oz

3) al mar sere 2000 - this is a very good liner lock. The liners are very thick forged SS. The lockup is perfect. This is a very strong knife but is a bit heavy.
 
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Darrel Ralph is pretty well-known, but to me he does not get credit for the rarefied level that he has reached. How many makers offer both high tech materials like ti, carbon fiber, and DLC, and exotic natural materials like mammoth ivory.

While other makers are proudly announcing their adoption of IKBS, Darrel Ralph has long since used it, discarded it, and moved on to his own sealed bearing system that he calls 'Maxx Glide.'

He has also done every mode of production, from kit knives, to mid-tech, to custom, to high-dollar one-of-a-kind art-type pieces.

He's the Michael Jordan of knifemakers.
 
Northwoods willow leaf. Got one in 52100, black and orange g10. One hell of a knife
 
+1 on the Kershaw Tyrade and Spydie Poliwog. Both don't get enough credit around here eventhough they excel in their categories.
 
i'm surprised that gerber gets such a hard time around here but ive never been disappointed by any gerber model i've handled, a few of them are downright awesome, most of em id happily EDC i do admit there are better companies but they're still phenomenal knives IMHO

cheers!

the colonel
 
I like the Grohmann Russell Belt Knife -- I have to admit, I'm not that fond of the stainless models, but I really like their cabon steel flat ground knives. They also make a larger, heavier survival model that I like a lot.

I'm also a fan of the Marble's 52100 steel blades -- the Northwoods Willow mentioned above started life as a Marble's blank.

I don't think too much of their modern products, but the old Cold Steel Outdoorsman and the mini-outdoorsman felt real good in the hand.

Rough Rider gets mentioned a lot for an inexpensive slip joint -- and rightly so -- but I've had pretty good luck with the Smith and Wesson 440C slipjoints. I don't think they'd hold up to a lot of hard use, but as an EDC I'm not afraid to mess up or loose they work well.

Another company I'm not thrilled with is CRKT, but I do like the K.I.S.S. for what it is; also, I have a now discontinued model, the Prowler, that was a decent knife for the price, even if I wasn't thrilled with the steel. I think it was AUS6.
 
ColonelX said:
i'm surprised that gerber gets such a hard time around here but ive never been disappointed by any gerber model i've handled, a few of them are downright awesome, most of em id happily EDC i do admit there are better companies but they're still phenomenal knives IMHO

cheers!

the colonel
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Absolute Dittos on that! i have collected Geber for the last two years and have collected many of their higher end military type knives. on their serious blades they use good steel and they are made in Portland.

----------- Eric
 
diamdave said:
Beretta has some nice offerings you don't hear much about. Same goes for some Browning pieces. Though too thick and heavy for some, Entrek makes a very good knife.

I think the BM Monochrome uses Austrian N690 steel, not 440C.
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Thanks for the correction on the BM. +1 on the Beretta knives too:thumbup:. I recently saw a fully CF/Ti liner lock knife designed by Warren Thomas through Beretta. It looked pretty nice and was a a good price point.
 
Spyderco Spin. Wonderful little knife, great to compliment a larger one like the Military.
 
Among small knives, the Spyderco Calypso Jr. I'm not crazy about most small knives but this one fits my hand so well. For small tasks it's a cutting machine, and it's amazingly compact and lightweight.

I still like the Benchmade 805 among larger folders. The ergonomics just work for me.

Bill D.
 
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