Pohl Force ~ H3 Alpha Two

[Tom_123]

I only own the older Alpha two and the new Bravo outdoor.
(I don’t like serated blades anyway)

The Alpha two is my favorite knife for heavy-duty work.
Very well made, build like a tank and no blade play at all.
I don’t care about fancy steel, 440C works fine for me.

I think for $200 + you can find better knife

I’m not a Pohl Force fan boy, I just love my Apha two.
So if you can point me to other knives as sturdy and well made as the Alpha two,
I’m all ear.

Has any european BF-members heard anything about it?

Just rumors and speculations.
Another rumor says, the Charly will be a little fixed blade.
So I guess we have to wait.

 

[wouter1967]

I'm holding one right now. I bought a used Alpha One over a year ago and it is built like a tank (think of the weight!^^). I don't mind the 440C, it performs quite well and takes a nice edge. The Alpha has some nice features: The pivot screw is massive and can be tightened with a simple coin, the whole construction can be taken apart and reassembled with the slotted screwdrivers you find on a Victorinox. My opinion is just based on facts and own experience...

The fact that there is no need for any special tools is an real + for this design in my believe.

I only own the older Alpha two and the new Bravo outdoor. The Alpha two is my favorite knife for heavy-duty work. Very well made, build like a tank and no blade play at all. I don’t care about fancy steel, 440C works fine for me.

I'd love to see the A and B together in one pic ;-)

All I can say is that it's the sturdiest folder I've ever witnessed, but a bit ridiculously sized for actual pocket carry....It's too thick to cut anything like all similiar "hard use knives" , but if you are looking for military folder then this would be a good choice.

You sure do have a point here. A Spyder Mil, wich is large too is more comfortable and less weight. I dont mind the size, put it depends on your preferences.

I handled all the Pohl Force knives but don't own one. They (alpha) are indeed very very big knives. I own a zt200 and a bm rukus and i think these are big folders. These will look like dwarves if you compare them with the alpha's.

The Rukus and the Alpha are in lenght the same size, bulky wise the Alpha and the 0301 are more a like. Your 0200 is somewhere in between I suppose. The Bravo is absolutely more suitable for EDCíng. I never held one but Dagon has shown pics on an other forum as you probably know. The Bravo is realy 'pocket size' made. The Alpha line was not realy designed for EDCíng I asume.

Thanks guys for your feed-back and sharing experience :thumbup:

 

[zenheretic]

For those grousing about cost in the US, try to remember import/export to and from Europe adds quite a bit more to the cost.

As for zytel/frn being "cheap" well gosh how many threads have we seen with broken frn? I'd venture very few to zero.

 

[Tostig]

Josh K - If you don't like it, tough.

Your opinion was that of a what is commonly known as a hit and run , or to be a little harsher , a troll. You gave no rhyme or reason as to your bitter conclusion to boot.

Havent learned those manners yet I see.





I'm getting the last word on this...


Tostig

 

[Josh K]

Your opinion was that of a what is commonly known as a hit and run , or to be a little harsher , a troll. You gave no rhyme or reason as to your bitter conclusion to boot.

Havent learned those manners yet I see.

Whatever.

 

[Tostig]

Whatever.

I give up.

hehehe, you win.

 

[Swedge]

For those grousing about cost in the US, try to remember import/export to and from Europe adds quite a bit more to the cost.

Because of value-added tax (around 20% in most countries) and because of a less competitive market, consumer goods are often significantly cheaper in the US than in Europe.

 

[benyaM95 Ranger Knif]

what makes you think so? what should be different?
BTW, who really held the knife in his hands in here?

True, but if one states there would be better knives for 200 dollars (which might be), I would expect an opinion that is based on more than just the apearance.

Please, don't be so impatient, my friend. Allow me to present my point of view.
You see, I strongly believe in the separation of tasks. Just like an electrician should not perform dental work - folder should not be build to substitute a fixed blade. Especially when it comes to the knives for "special forces". Mind you the Leatherman multi-tool will do them better that that monstrosity
IMO - Pohl, Extrema and all alike knives - just a "show offs" without much practical sense. And whet it comes to getting a better knife for the same or lesser amount - there are tons of those - not too expensive, practical and reliable(BM. Spyderco, and many others)
PS - just to ease your mind - I'm not judging just "on looks"
Hope you're an open minded enough person - so you can accept opinion of others

 

[Dagon]

About the Charlie One: I saw the prototype, it's indeed a fixed blade, pure steel with an "open handle", you know: like the handle of an izula.

Regarding:

It's too thick to cut anything like all similiar "hard use knives"

Well, actually with its particular multi-faceted blade geometry I found it -suprisingly- very good at most precise kitchen work, something that for example a Fallkniven F1 isn't good at.

About:

IMO - Pohl, Extrema and all alike knives - just a "show offs" without much practical sense.

As I wrote before, it actually IS being used by a German military unit - I can only assume that they made their choice based on the thing's clever design and great reliability.
For my private use, it is indeed overkill. But I can guarantee that you'll get a big stupid grin on your face when you hold it. Think the first time you held a ZT or the original Manix: that peculiar feeling of "this will get me anywhere" - but even more so than these other knives.
Realistically speaking, my Military is more than heavy duty enough, and a brilliant lightweight design. And yet, the Alpha is really something special. And I am someone who mainly collects weird gentlemeny designs...

Some more knife p0rn (Alpha One outdoor, including a comparison with the smaller Bravo One and a Military):

 

[benyaM95 Ranger Knif]

As I wrote before, it actually IS being used by a German military unit - I can only assume that they made their choice based on the thing's clever design and great reliability.

I'm sorry, but IMO, knives for military very rarely chosen for their practicality

 

[Swedge]

But I can guarantee that you'll get a big stupid grin on your face when you hold it.

That is the best reason for buying this knife, IMO, a reason that can not be disputed. De gustibus non est disputandum!

 

[RevDevil]

Personally, after reading through this entire thread - I have to say I do like the Bravo 1 a lot. The handle looks like it supports the hand well through different grips. I like the size too, just about Endura size.
As Tostig pointed out on Page 2 - the Black blade and Tan G10 looks really nice.
Thanks for the pics Wouter & Dagon!

 

[jonnymac44]

Very cool looking knife. I have had really limited exposure to these, but after reading through this thread I might look into one, although I'd probably be more interested in the smaller version. The large one is a BEAST!!

Thanks for sharing:thumbup:

 

[Morrow]

Thanks to Mr. Pohl and Dagon, there will be a sign up list for a Pohl Alpha Three (D2 blade) passaround in the very near future. The thread will be started in the Knife & Gadget Pass-Around Forum once I have the knife in hand. Please do not email me to get on the list before the thread is started. It would be a good idea to review the pass-around rules. The most important rules are being a member here for 6 months and having some sort of paid membership.

 

[wouter1967]

Got my new Alpha Three (D2 Tatoo blade, HRC 61) the other day. Just like to show my pics and the comparison with my Alpha Two.

Thanks for watching :devil1:

 

[Tostig]

Thanks for the pics Wouter. Nice to see that the tanto is not chisel ground


Great looking knives.

Tostig

 

[Landry]

I handled the Alpha in my local shop. It looks great but the ergonomics are not so good, it's hard to open if you have medium sized hands and the 'step' in the lower middle of the handle would poke your ring finger. Its lockup is tight unlike the Dark Ops knife which could be flicked open and its lock is quite loose.

 

[TheCarbideRat]

Regrind the Alpha 3 for a D2 drop point? I know what a sacriledge but I would hehe-muhaha.

Nice knife, a very serious blade Wouter thanks for posting the pics, enjoy!

and Dagon, and thanks for the Youtube stuff.

Do you know what is the pivot diameter for the big Pohl Force folders?

 

[Buffalohump]

If it was plain edge, had G-10 scales and a better grade of steel I would be happy to pay $200 for it. I really like the blade shape. And I really like lock backs.

But the scales as is don't do it for me at all. That to me is the Achilles Heel of the whole package.

 

[Morrow]

As I mentioned in an earlier post, Mr. Pohl was kind enough to provide the Bladeforums community an H3 Alpha Two (440C) as a permanent pass-around knife. I just opened the box tonight and took some pictures. Look in the pass-around forum for a new thread in the next day or two.