Shot Show 2018

Hickory n steel said:
They released so far the 110LT
they released the new 524 Alumni in 5 colors
There's another small little folder in a more modern look
There's a new Bucklite fixed blade
And there's a few other things I don't remember, but all were well received in the Buck section.
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At least they didn't do any super weird gimmicky garbage like last year with the Kinetic series, but the releases this year were maybe playing it a little overly conservative in my opinion. But I think everyone industry wide was hurting a bit from trying to field too many designs that failed to gain any traction.
 
jstn said:
Wow, thanks for the great pics! I am loving that Kizer fixed blade. Also excited to hear Hinderer debuted Gen 5 XMs with steel inserts. That is on my list for sure now.
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You're welcome... I stole it from BladeHQ.
 
Mick_1KRR said:
What an extremely boring and lazy year it's looking to be so far for some of the big companies. Looking at you ZT, Cold steel and a little Spyderco too. I'm calling it, for 2019 ZT are going to release their line of actual Jewelry. Watches, bracelets and rings. All on bearings.
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You may not be that far off with ZT. I am in love with my ZT 0909 (yeah, I know, too pedestrian for most) as it is the most solid, purpose built work knife I think I own. Brilliant for use on the construction site and has proven to be indestructible. I even like the nut on the pivot as it makes field cleaning a real snap. Don't even need a torx to adjust or spray out the pivot! I remember reading post after post after post about it being too plain, unexciting, not a frame lock, the blade design being too simple, jimping too heavy, clip too small and on and on. But it now looks like they are following the trend of pretty knives, so all the way back to the other swing of the pendulum.

I have been reading that one of the new ZTs (0609) with all the overly done 3d machining on the scales requires its own tool to take apart the cute little see through hollow pivot. Really? When did ZT start getting so fussy? ZT made their bones selling heavy duty work knives, even if those that bought them didn't use them for any actual work. Now it seems they are making knives that have a almost a fantasy blade look, and the handles just don't look comfortable for any real work. And now the pretty colors from cheap anodizing...

Not for me. I know it's the trend as all the makers seem to be coming out with some real colorful knives with carved up blades (thanks CNC, wire cutting, plasma cutting, etc.!) and some real weirdness. I am just thankful that I bought a second 0909 as soon as I saw they were showing up on closeout.

Robert
 
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halden.doerge said:
I agree entirely. Seems like Spyderco and ZT are doing everything they can to push Benchmade to the top of the pack. If this keeps up for another year, well, wow. We might be looking a production knife market where Benchmade is the definitive leader. Kinda mind blowing.
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Honestly I see Benchmade as all the same. Not really into the new style, not a hunter so that crooked river just ain't my thing. Spyderco released a bunch of useful knives BTW. And while I don't like the zt style anymore they are quality products.

Overall the decline is real for real knife nuts in general. But someone keeps buying the stuff we're not interested in.
 
Eagle Scout said:
The Zipslip caught my eye as well. Elijah Isham's "Theta" is my definite "Yes!" from their new releases, just waiting on the price. Micro flipper tab, third finger flick, and thumb opening all look GTG.
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Sorry what company is doing the theta?
 
SpySmasher said:
I've heard a couple of people say this and it just doesn't seem right.

Benchmade indeed had a few genuinely new models but most of the "new" stuff were mini or fixed-blade versions of existing models. Furthermore, none of the genuinely new stuff was ground-breaking in any way. An aluminum handled auto! A mid-sized G-10 handled drop point!

Spyderco indeed is mostly "dressing up old models in new clothes and charging a lot more for a new colored knife " but they also introduced a tomahawk, brought back a beloved model (the PPT), introduced a new steel and debuted a wild new model with a new lock (the Parata), as well as other new stuff that was less ground-breaking.

Of the "Big Three" it really feels to me like Spyderco brought the most to the table.
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Spyderco is bringing back the PPT? I guess Sal heard my prayers.
 
I may seem crazy but there is actually one knife I'm excited about that was announced at Shot -- the Kershaw Concierge flipper designed by Dmitry Sinkevich. Crap steel, liner lock, non-assisted (thank God). Retails at around 40 bucks. HOWEVER, it has an INSET POCKET CLIP.

KS4020nc.jpg


I AM IN HEAVEN.
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
At least they didn't do any super weird gimmicky garbage like last year with the Kinetic series, but the releases this year were maybe playing it a little overly conservative in my opinion. But I think everyone industry wide was hurting a bit from trying to field too many designs that failed to gain any traction.
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I don't think they're playing it safe at all.
I think they're giving their customers what they want as they normally do ( besides that stuped spear thingy )
 
Kershaw did step it up with the natrix line. A Big one down to a small one, with d2 steel thrown into the mix too. And an American made natrix, called bare nuckle (correct me if Im wrong). Style wise, they’re nicer that the zt lineup.

Zt has let me down. The new Hinderer design and the new 0609 remind me of a kizer or WE designed knife. The 0609 has a nice blade but the handle is where it loses me. The Hinderer design just has too much going on with the g10 overlay. Bad pocket clip too, the positioning looks too low. But at least they’re using 20cv on the new blades. I just expected more. More muscle instead of flash.

Kai can just take the new kershaws, throw on some s35vn or better steel, and toss the new Zt’s.
 
Hickory n steel said:
I don't think they're playing it safe at all.
I think they're giving their customers what they want as they normally do ( besides that stuped spear thingy )
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Nah--no significant innovations this year, and many of them were redressings of knives they've made in the past or simple line extensions. Which is fine. It's just not their usual. They typically have at least one or two surprises up their sleeves and nothing this year was at all surprising. I actually think their new releases are more tight and solid looking than many other companies, with good values all around, but I think they could have had one or two models that pushed the innovation angle a bit more.
 
Mo2 said:
Honestly I see Benchmade as all the same. Not really into the new style, not a hunter so that crooked river just ain't my thing. Spyderco released a bunch of useful knives BTW. And while I don't like the zt style anymore they are quality products.

Overall the decline is real for real knife nuts in general. But someone keeps buying the stuff we're not interested in.
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Potato, potato.

But yeah, preferred style and taste are really the stuff of all these reactions.
 
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midnight flyer said:
You may not be that far off with ZT. I am in love with my ZT 0909 (yeah, I know, too pedestrian for most) as it is the most solid, purpose built work knife I think I own. Brilliant for use on the construction site and has proven to be indestructible. I even like the nut on the pivot as it makes field cleaning a real snap. Don't even need a torx to adjust or spray out the pivot! I remember reading post after post after post about it being too plain, unexciting, not a frame lock, the blade design being too simple, jimping too heavy, clip too small and on and on. But it now looks like they are following the trend of pretty knives, so all the way back to the other swing of the pendulum.

I have been reading that one of the new ZTs (0609) with all the overly done 3d machining on the scales requires its own tool to take apart the cute little see through hollow pivot. Really? When did ZT start getting so fussy? ZT made their bones selling heavy duty work knives, even if those that bought them didn't use them for any actual work. Now it seems they are making knives that have a almost a fantasy blade look, and the handles just don't look comfortable for any real work. And now the pretty colors from cheap anodizing...

Not for me. I know it's the trend as all the makers seem to be coming out with some real colorful knives with carved up blades (thanks CNC, wire cutting, plasma cutting, etc.!) and some real weirdness. I am just thankful that I bought a second 0909 as soon as I saw they were showing up on closeout.

Robert
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Agreed mate, the 0909 was the last knife they produced in my eyes that actually seemed half true to their roots. This new age artsy stuff is fine for people that like it, but to me it all just looks like toy knife rubbish. Hell, even the high end chinese companies are making comparable knives to any of these new artsy ZT's. No thanks. I haven't spent a cent on ZT since they went all feminist on their knives, and from the looks of it i don't think I ever will. Relax fems, i'm just playing.
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
Nah--no significant innovations this year, and many of them were redressings of knives they've made in the past or simple line extensions. Which is fine. It's just not their usual. They typically have at least one or two surprises up their sleeves and nothing this year was at all surprising. I actually think their new releases are more tight and solid looking than many other companies, with good values all around, but I think they could have had one or two models that pushed the innovation angle a bit more.
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I bet they announce one or two new things at Blade Show.
 
I like the blade shape, material and overall ergonomics on ZT0396 but the handle is way too sophisticated/jewelry-like for me.
A solid G10 or CF will have done the job for me...
 
SpySmasher said:
I may seem crazy but there is actually one knife I'm excited about that was announced at Shot -- the Kershaw Concierge flipper designed by Dmitry Sinkevich. Crap steel, liner lock, non-assisted (thank God). Retails at around 40 bucks. HOWEVER, it has an INSET POCKET CLIP.
Click to expand...

I'm very excited about this one too. I'm reaaaaaaally hoping that ZT does a higher end version of this knife. I love the blade shape, contoured handle, inset pocket clip, and so on. But give me 20CV, contoured carbon fiber, a satin or stonewashed blade, and I'll pay $300 np. I guess I'm the only one that likes the Kershaw Atmos?

And speaking of stuff not many people seem to like, the ZT 609. Oh...my...god. I know the proprietary pivot is going to throw a fair amount of people off of it, but it's a beautiful looking knife IMO, pre-ordered it as soon as I could. I'm loving that ZT switched to 20CV as what looks like their go to steel now. This is actually the first year that I can say I'm interested in more than 1 thing from the ZT/Kershaw duo.
 
Therom said:
ZT0462 in 20cv can get my interest but I was expecting more than 3 knives....
some more Emerson or Les Georges would have been welcomed :(
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I'm thinking they may have more than 3 but we'll have to wait until Blade 2018 to see those.
 
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