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Obenauf Small #1

ptpalpha

ptpalpha

Joined
Aug 25, 1999
Messages
1,317
An excellent liner-locking folder. The fit and finish are top-shelf, and the knife opens smoothly, very smoothly, and closes with a heart-warming "snick!". The blade is D2 (I don't know if it's the new variety of D2), with the top edge radiused (a nice touch which I really appreciate) and the thumb serrations are simply perfect. So often I notice thumb serrations are cut slightly less (or more) than perpendicular to the blade; not so with this one. A neat touch is that Mike ground the thumb serrations into the radius of the top edge, which gives them kind of a "fade-away" effect. The blade is stamped OBENAUF on one side and NO.8 on the other, in a nice, plain script. Nothing gaudy or fancy, and perfectly square with the blade.
The ti bolsters have a nice BB finish to them, and the ti liners are jeweled perfectly. The fit of the blue/black micarta to the bolsters is flawless.
The liner lock has 100% contact with the blade, and the blade locks open with vault-like strenth. No play whatsover. In spite of this, the lock is easy to disengage with the thumb. Very well done.
This little knife has a solid heft to it; I don't have my calipers handy but the liners are a little thicker than you would expect, which gives the knife a very solid feeling in my hand. The weight combined with the outstanding blade-to-handle ratio (3.25" blade, 4.25" closed, 7.5" overall) complete a very appealing package.
The only complaint I have, and it is very minor, is that the clip is too tight. You could give yourself a wedgie pulling it out of your pocket. But this is easily corrected, and by no means detracts from what is a very well made, well designed folder.
Similar to Kit's work? You betcha. Nice work, Mike.
I'll be looking for a large #2 next.
My thanks go out to Malcolm, for selling me this jewel, and to Michael, for helping the deal go smoothly. Thanks, guys.
-Paul
 
Man...do I like this knife. A solid workhorse of a folder. I had Mike O. make me up a mini-Model 1 (I call it a Snub Nose Model 1). Mine is 2.5 inch blade with 3.5 inch handle. I just like smaller knives and carry them more. But I still wouldn't call mine a gents knife. It is more like a small work knife.

Like you said fit and finish great and lockup is perfect. Double thumbstuds work good both ways. Love the "snap" when opened and it is a real smoothie. My thumb serrations aren't quite as perfect as yours (you can tell they are hand done), but that's not a big deal.

Overall...these are a great buy. I carry mine all the time. It fits right into the smaller high pocket on my jeans. High clip makes it ride low and unnoticed.

JT
 
I've been talking to Mike about a small knife and as soon as I help my uncle sam out (he seems to have a financial crisis at about this time every year) I'll be ordering one.
 
I have a large #2 and a small # 2 with mods due this week. Mike also told me last week that he has designed an integral folder. I think Mike is going to have continued success as a custom knife maker. Lot of value in his work!
Barry H
 
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