Being this is only the 2nd knife I've ever owned, and I've only started researching folding knives recently, I don't have the experience of owning many knives to compare to, but thought it would be fun to post my review/thoughts on this knife anyway. Sorry if I have the lingo wrong, still learning. I read and watched as many reviews as Google came up with until I couldn't find any new ones, then I usually talk myself into or out of buying it. I'm trying to avoid buying knives on impulse so I don't wind up with buyers remorse. My first purchase was a mini bugout and it met my needs, but wanted to try to go a bit bigger.
The Waypoint seemed a good jump up in size. When I got it, I knew the size was perfect for me, (medium size glove). I got the titanium stone wash handle and satin blade. When I slid it into my pocket it felt just as good as the mini bugout, didn't even know it was there. It's thin and light, sits off to the side in my right side pocket and I can still get my hand in my pocket it without it getting in my way, that was important to me. Didn't want my hand getting crunched and didn't want to have to take it out of my pocket every time I needed to grab cash or coin. I don't worry that it will fall out either. I was never a fan of wire clips but then I realized they slide in & out of the pocket much easier, and are very stealthy. I thought the clip was excellent, just the right tension to keep it secure but still easy to slide out.
On my first deployment it opened up with ease. This being my first liner lock I wasn't sure if I would like the way it closed but I found it easy. It fit my hand very well and I am able to get all my fingers wrapped tightly on the handle. The edge cut through paper with ease and made my bugout feel dull. Fit and finish were flawless, no sharp edges, smooth and tight. From an engineering and design POV, I think it's perfect. It looks like such a simple design but that's the genius, there are no obstructions, nothing to get in the way, it glides in & out of the pocket with nothing to get hung up on. For my taste it was the perfect balance between a utility EDC and a gentleman's knife. I don't feel worried that when I take it out that people will feel threatened.
Another requirement was I wanted something with washers so it's easier to take apart and clean/maintain. It seems to me, that bearings are more of a PITA to take apart and reassemble. After feeling how easy this knife is to open, I'm not sure bearings are worth the trouble, but I have 2 knives on order that have bearings but they will be safe queens.
I know nothing about steel, but from what I read, Vanax seems well liked. But the fact that it's almost impossible for it to rust, was a good selling point to me. I'm not a fisherman or anything, but I think it's nice to be able to rinse it, use it while hiking and getting sweaty and not have to worry about it rusting if you don't keep it dry. I had originally narrowed down my choices between the larger bugout, the 940, and the ZT 0450. The decision came down to this, I already had the mini bugout so wanted to try something different. Something about the shape, or blade shape of the 940 that doesn't appeal to me. The ZT 0450 was a strong contender but it was the waterproof aspect of the vanax that convinced me to go with the Waypoint.
So now comes the hard part, for me. It's not a cheap knife, and so using it that first time to cut something and getting scratches etc makes me cringe, but I want to make this knife my regular so I guess I'll have to get past that......
The Waypoint seemed a good jump up in size. When I got it, I knew the size was perfect for me, (medium size glove). I got the titanium stone wash handle and satin blade. When I slid it into my pocket it felt just as good as the mini bugout, didn't even know it was there. It's thin and light, sits off to the side in my right side pocket and I can still get my hand in my pocket it without it getting in my way, that was important to me. Didn't want my hand getting crunched and didn't want to have to take it out of my pocket every time I needed to grab cash or coin. I don't worry that it will fall out either. I was never a fan of wire clips but then I realized they slide in & out of the pocket much easier, and are very stealthy. I thought the clip was excellent, just the right tension to keep it secure but still easy to slide out.
On my first deployment it opened up with ease. This being my first liner lock I wasn't sure if I would like the way it closed but I found it easy. It fit my hand very well and I am able to get all my fingers wrapped tightly on the handle. The edge cut through paper with ease and made my bugout feel dull. Fit and finish were flawless, no sharp edges, smooth and tight. From an engineering and design POV, I think it's perfect. It looks like such a simple design but that's the genius, there are no obstructions, nothing to get in the way, it glides in & out of the pocket with nothing to get hung up on. For my taste it was the perfect balance between a utility EDC and a gentleman's knife. I don't feel worried that when I take it out that people will feel threatened.
Another requirement was I wanted something with washers so it's easier to take apart and clean/maintain. It seems to me, that bearings are more of a PITA to take apart and reassemble. After feeling how easy this knife is to open, I'm not sure bearings are worth the trouble, but I have 2 knives on order that have bearings but they will be safe queens.
I know nothing about steel, but from what I read, Vanax seems well liked. But the fact that it's almost impossible for it to rust, was a good selling point to me. I'm not a fisherman or anything, but I think it's nice to be able to rinse it, use it while hiking and getting sweaty and not have to worry about it rusting if you don't keep it dry. I had originally narrowed down my choices between the larger bugout, the 940, and the ZT 0450. The decision came down to this, I already had the mini bugout so wanted to try something different. Something about the shape, or blade shape of the 940 that doesn't appeal to me. The ZT 0450 was a strong contender but it was the waterproof aspect of the vanax that convinced me to go with the Waypoint.
So now comes the hard part, for me. It's not a cheap knife, and so using it that first time to cut something and getting scratches etc makes me cringe, but I want to make this knife my regular so I guess I'll have to get past that......
