Next folder... Laconico, Starbenza or calavera patrone

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dudeinthacanoe

Joined
Nov 28, 2012
Messages
54
So... After getting my Allan Davis, im pretty sold on the ball bearing system... its sooo fast! But, i really liked my old Umnumzaan when it came to putting it to work, it damn near felt like a fixed blade. So, has anyone handled or used all three of the mentioned knives? I LOVE the looks of the Laconico, and i think it may be at the top of my list, however, im not sure how i could ever actually buy one... they sell in minutes and I just cant dedicate that time to get one! I really like the blade shape and looks of the wilson combat starbenza, but no ball bearings. I believe the calavera is a washer system like the CRK knives, but it looks pretty damn tough.

Any thoughts or perhaps knives that ive overlooked?

Thanks
Erik

P.s. anyone have one of the above mentioned that they want to sell!? LOL
 
I don't own one but I dare you to find a single person that won't swear by a laconico.
 
your right rays work is always gone within 10mins of it being posted I just recently wanted to look into his jasmine flipper but am finding it hard to even get in touch with him
and calavera is very much so a tank
 
I own one small sebenza and a number of Laconico knives, both fixed and folding. I think you know where this is going.

I get to handle quite a few of Ray's knives, since I live a couple miles from him and visit regularly. I am impressed with the action on his current flippers. His work is top notch.
 
Go with Jeremy Roberstson and his El Patron. He is top notch. Will respond quickly to any and all questions. I just went through discussion this week what I wanted. He was awesome in his opinion. Never made me feel like I was bothering him. I can't say that for other custom guys. Yes, they are very busy. Without us pining to buy or order from them. You know. Also Ray and Jeremy's knives sell on the secondary market a lot it seems. Gareth Bull as well! He is busy. Look up jbsknives(J.Stout) get on his list!

Jeremy is a class act. Finalized email: some edits.

Patrick,
Sounds good. I will build your order and let you know of its progress as it gets closer. I have used nano oil. it is good stuff. I had (certain knife) long time ago. I liked it, He really has everything dialed in. I just didn't like the ergos. It had alot of sharp edges and didnt feel like part of my hand. I decided I was going to solve that problem.
Thanks for your order Patrick, I appreciate your business.
 
Here's my take; I've never held a Robertson or a Laconico but have heard great things about both. I wasn't impressed by any of the CRK offerings I owned and as a result, they have been sold off (YMMV).

More importantly, I would NEVER spend that much on a mid-tech when there are the aformentioned customs available for roughly even money.
 
I can put my input in for the Jeremy Robertson custom El Patron.......if you like bear system he does do a flipper in a bearing system i beleive. i own the thumb stud version with washers and am carrying it right now. it is a tank of a blade but not so much like all these over built knives like the medfords and these monster knives coming out these days. the El Patron is so smooth and big enough to handle any job you need taken care of. just think sebenza and George VECP having a baby and you get an EL PATRON in 3V steel. just sayin'. Been trying myself to get one of Rays knives as well. any one of the two guys you will be happy. Rude.
 
The question really should be what are you gonna use this knife for? What style do you like? Tactical? Simple & super clean? Full titanium? Artful? Blade length ? Weight? Overall length? So on


Also there are some sm-100 el patrons on the exchange atm.
 
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evanPGH said:
More importantly, I would NEVER spend that much on a mid-tech when there are the aformentioned customs available for roughly even money.
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I understand the Custom is ALWAYS better then production mentality, but I have come to disagree with it. I have owned many customs that did not match the F&F of a CRK by a long shot. That said, both Laconico and Robertson are top notch, so no worries there. I wouldn't use price as a deciding factor though. All three are going to perform and last you a lifetime.

I own many Sebenzas, including the Starbenza, and also a Laconico EDC. For whatever reason, I find myself carrying the Starbenza more than the Laconico, but if I had to get rid of one, I'd keep the Laconico and sell the Starbenza without thinking twice. Bottom line, you've named three of the finest folders available. Pick the one that appeals to you the most and you can't go wrong. I will say though, you mention the ball bearing system. I confess to prefer washers over ball bearings for the simplicity. My Laconico uses Teflon washers (he has moved to mostly ball bearings though, IIRC), and my Starbenza has the perforated phosphor bronze washers and pivot bushing. Both of these folders come very close to the smoothness of customs with ball bearings that I have owned. Also, the ball bearings can get gritty if they get gunk in them, and the washers are easier to clean. Just my two cents.

Also, this thread needs pictures. (Don't own a Patron, sorry).
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In all honesty, you might just end up with a knife from all three makers.

I've owned all three and ended up selling them all, and this is my opinion.

I miss my Sebenza, I miss my Ray Laconico, and I miss my El patron.

What ever you choose will be a home run! If you like ball bearing systems them i'd go with one of ray's flippers. Super smooth and they deploy like an auto.
 
ha. i just sold my laconico jasmine edc yesterday. amazing knife, smooth action. gorgeous fit and finish. so why did i sell? it was too damn beautiful for me to justify the kind of abuse i generally put my blades thru. so my advice, if you're gonna spend the coin on a custom folder from which ever maker you choose, just make sure you are ok with getting it dirty! i sure wasn't. :D
 
I picked up a large 3V El Patron with bearings recently (not a flipper) and love it. And Jeremy is awesome like everyone else mentioned. This is my absolute favorite right now and I don't see anything kicking it out of my pocket anytime soon. To me it's just more interesting than a Sebenza and I love that it's a convex grind. I've had a large Sebenza but not a Laconico.

I use my knives once I decide they're keepers!
 
Laconico isn't taking new orders and I've been too slow to snag one off the Forums. I sold my Sebenza (regular, plain version) because it just didn't do anything for me (but everything people say it is). Several weeks ago I received the El Patron in 3V direct from Jeremy and love it. I really like the feel in the hand and finish is outstanding. A tank with a really subtle elegance to it. I definitely recommend getting one of these. Though, the size and weight are something to think about if you want it for EDC. There is a smaller version, but I'm happy with the 3.75" version. His wait time keeps getting longer (now 14-16 weeks I think), so I'd place an order soon. I ordered mine last november and the wait time was 8 weeks then. And if you don't like it, you should be able to sell it easily and not lose much.

Lev
 
Lev said:
Laconico isn't taking new orders and I've been too slow to snag one off the Forums.

Lev
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When was the last time you inquired about an order? As of about Jan 11( when I emailed him) he was taking orders on the Blast.Jasmine and Fossa.
 
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