New ESEE folder - the Zancudo

fetzer85 said:
My input has been delayed once again. Ordered from Knifeworks Monday, was supposed to be here yesterday but didn't come. Mail already came today and still not here. (not a Knifeworks issue, a USPS issue)
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Oh man, don't get me started with shipping issues! Lately I've had a string of good luck, but I can't tell you how many items never got to me, be it from friends, purchases off the bay, or other merchants.
 
Wonderful folder, I'm openly biased against Chinese and Taiwanese gear in general but this knife really gave me reason to rethink that. The plastic actually feels better to me then FRN but that's probably purely subjective. AUS8 seems to have a good heat treat and takes a wicked edge freehand for me and retains it better then the Cold Steel AUS8 I'm familiar with.

Fit and finish on par with the Tenacious which, in my opinion, is the benchmark for "cheap knives" and the ergonomics and blade shape are both good for "a few fingers" grip but this is a small knife without aggressive checkering or jumping so do be careful.

My only real complaint is that it is tough to open and feels unlikely to improve much with use but I think that's do to the detent and washers used.
 
Try putting you thumbnail underneath the thumbstud vs on it. And then flick it open with the top of your nail!
 
Im struggling with not trying one of these. The RAT series is so great, it has me curious...yet also not needing it as the RAT's are so good.

: This thread needs more comparison pics too :)
 
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cchu518 said:
Try putting you thumbnail underneath the thumbstud vs on it. And then flick it open with the top of your nail!
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The detent holds the blade in so tight that I literally can't, it caves my fingernail in and actually hurts pretty bad. Usually I need both hands.

The flip side being I have absolute confidence it will never open accidentally which is nice if it's in a bag or something, don't have to worry about getting poked when rummaging around.
 
Ah the same thing happened with a crkt drifter I had. It loosed up after 7 months of use.
 
R15K said:
The detent holds the blade in so tight that I literally can't, it caves my fingernail in and actually hurts pretty bad. Usually I need both hands.

The flip side being I have absolute confidence it will never open accidentally which is nice if it's in a bag or something, don't have to worry about getting poked when rummaging around.
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Try this, when holding the knife straight up and down, place your thumb under the thumbstud (not to the side). Then flick up and out in one fluid motion. Fortytwoblades said it best: like popping the head off a daisy!
 
Mine arrived today. The finish is pretty good. All the handle edges are smooth, the grind is even and the edge is respectfully sharp. I am encountering an intermittent issue though with the lockbar sticking and being too difficult to disengage with just my right thumb. Other than that all is well. It's not so great that I'm going to get the red one from Blade HQ like I figured I would. I do plan on buying it's big brother though when it comes out. I'm a bigger fan of the RAT 1 than the 2 anyways, so I'll probably like the bigger one more than the Zancudo.

It's a good value folder but if I had to choose between it and the RAT 2...I'd go w/ the RAT 2. (not trying to take away from it, just making a comment)
 
Mountain Mike said:
Try this, when holding the knife straight up and down, place your thumb under the thumbstud (not to the side). Then flick up and out in one fluid motion. Fortytwoblades said it best: like popping the head off a daisy!
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That almost works, it pops open just a touch however.

Also good advice on not putting pressure on the frame lock Austinaftermath, thank you; that was something I paid no attention to but unfortunately it appears that I'm not putting undue pressure on it after paying attention to my technique some.

I think, as cchu518 says above that it's just a matter of several months of use before it wears in some.

Please don't let my posts stop anyone from buying the Zancudo though as my issue seems to be a rarity. Not to mention that you guys should buy any and everything that makes Jeff Randall money, he's a true class act.

fetzer85 said:
Mine arrived today. The finish is pretty good. All the handle edges are smooth, the grind is even and the edge is respectfully sharp. I am encountering an intermittent issue though with the lockbar sticking and being too difficult to disengage with just my right thumb. Other than that all is well. It's not so great that I'm going to get the red one from Blade HQ like I figured I would. I do plan on buying it's big brother though when it comes out. I'm a bigger fan of the RAT 1 than the 2 anyways, so I'll probably like the bigger one more than the Zancudo.

It's a good value folder but if I had to choose between it and the RAT 2...I'd go w/ the RAT 2. (not trying to take away from it, just making a comment)
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My lock bar is a bit tougher to disengage then the other frame locks that I own but a shade easier then "too difficult." If you have brass balls you could bend it just a touch.
 
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Anyone mind taking a picture of the knife tang? Curious to see the geometry of the lock face
 
kreole said:
Anyone mind taking a picture of the knife tang? Curious to see the geometry of the lock face
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This is the best I could do with my cell phone camera.

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It seems the lockbar face angle is pretty closely matched to the angle on the blade.
 
Ordered one of these a few days ago. Hopefully it will be here this week. It's been in pre shipment limbo for two days. Just curious but on the Zancudos with the black lock side and black clip are those painted black as well like the blade or is it a more durable coating? I'm probably going to order a coyote brown with a stonewashed blade! Nice!
 
fetzer85 said:
Mine arrived today. The finish is pretty good. All the handle edges are smooth, the grind is even and the edge is respectfully sharp. I am encountering an intermittent issue though with the lockbar sticking and being too difficult to disengage with just my right thumb. Other than that all is well. It's not so great that I'm going to get the red one from Blade HQ like I figured I would. I do plan on buying it's big brother though when it comes out. I'm a bigger fan of the RAT 1 than the 2 anyways, so I'll probably like the bigger one more than the Zancudo.

It's a good value folder but if I had to choose between it and the RAT 2...I'd go w/ the RAT 2. (not trying to take away from it, just making a comment)
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The lockbar on mine was a little sticky out of the box but it disappeared after a few days of use. That seems like a common thing with liner/frame locks they need a little bit of break in time before they work smoothly.
 
I forgot to add that the strong detent issue also goes away with some use. I've had mine nearly three months and it opens and closes very easily now.
 
Part of me wants to try this thing out, but I may just hold off till the larger version is released. Great pics, everybody.
 
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