This isn't a review, so I'm not putting it in the Reviews sub-forum. Rather, I'd like your opinions. I was gifted a Mantis MT-9 Tough Tony. Since I didn't pay anything for it, I figured I'd review it. The basic specifications are:
2.4" CPM-440V blade.
Machined G-10 handles.
Linerlock.
Tip up clip, left or right handed.
Blade is almost 1/4" thick and hollow ground.
Weight is five ounces.
Made in Taiwan.
Street price is $57.
I've done (at last count) over 200 reviews here on BladeForums, and the ones that took the longest were the ones I just didn't like. I think that this would be one of those. I'd like to do a fair review of this knife, instead of saying it's an overpriced, gimmicky $25 knife using steel that's probably 440C. I'd like to say that this doesn't feel like a higher-end Frost Cutlery piece. I'd like to say that for $57, this rivals the Kershaw Knockout, Spyderco Delica, or Cold Steel Voyager. But I can't. It's not worth the 300-word review. I'd gladly take this knife to the local knife shop and trade it in for a $36 UKPK.
Now, I'm not asking for your opinions of Mantis knives, or even this knife. I'm asking if it would be worth the time to even do a review. For a basic photo review, it takes me around an hour and a half. This includes photographing, editing, typing, and uploading everything. And that's after the testing. I'm thinking, with the time spent on this Mantis knife (which I've had for a while and just need to do the review) I could review something worth your reading time, like the Kershaw Piston or Spyderco UKPK. You know, good knives. But, there are also people who want to see how Mantis stacks up since they'll never buy one. Thoughts?
Note: Yeah, a 300-word review is a few words more than this rant. At least the rant didn't have me cussing at the failing linerlock or abysmal steel. And I didn't have to waste time taking photos, uploading them to Photobucket, editing them, then uploading them into a review. Plus I think I've got the flu again. Thanks, Jared.
2.4" CPM-440V blade.
Machined G-10 handles.
Linerlock.
Tip up clip, left or right handed.
Blade is almost 1/4" thick and hollow ground.
Weight is five ounces.
Made in Taiwan.
Street price is $57.
I've done (at last count) over 200 reviews here on BladeForums, and the ones that took the longest were the ones I just didn't like. I think that this would be one of those. I'd like to do a fair review of this knife, instead of saying it's an overpriced, gimmicky $25 knife using steel that's probably 440C. I'd like to say that this doesn't feel like a higher-end Frost Cutlery piece. I'd like to say that for $57, this rivals the Kershaw Knockout, Spyderco Delica, or Cold Steel Voyager. But I can't. It's not worth the 300-word review. I'd gladly take this knife to the local knife shop and trade it in for a $36 UKPK.
Now, I'm not asking for your opinions of Mantis knives, or even this knife. I'm asking if it would be worth the time to even do a review. For a basic photo review, it takes me around an hour and a half. This includes photographing, editing, typing, and uploading everything. And that's after the testing. I'm thinking, with the time spent on this Mantis knife (which I've had for a while and just need to do the review) I could review something worth your reading time, like the Kershaw Piston or Spyderco UKPK. You know, good knives. But, there are also people who want to see how Mantis stacks up since they'll never buy one. Thoughts?
Note: Yeah, a 300-word review is a few words more than this rant. At least the rant didn't have me cussing at the failing linerlock or abysmal steel. And I didn't have to waste time taking photos, uploading them to Photobucket, editing them, then uploading them into a review. Plus I think I've got the flu again. Thanks, Jared.
