Shot Show 2018

I agree with much that’s been said. I was really hoping for something big from ZT this year. Maybe and integral, or front flipper. The last ZT to really interest me on release was the 0562. Kershaw got me excited however. I love the use of more KVT, and the small Natrix will be one on the list if the price is reasonable. Honestly, and this really can’t be said often, Emerson may get my excitement most this year. I’m really digging the Kwaiken.
 
115Italian said:
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.
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Yeah, I actually think Kershaw did pretty well here (not ZT). Nothing groundbreaking, but a tight, interesting lineup with a few things that address previous complaints a lot of folks have had and some interesting touches. The Natrix Copper has joined the Kizer Zipslip on my 'must buy' list, as it's different in a cool, classy kind of way. Interesting looks, concept and material without being gaudy or breaking the bank. I'm a bit on the fence about the Bareknuckle, only in that I really like it, but it doesn't quite fill a gap in my collection or anything, but given the US made, improved blade steel and KVT at a pretty aggressive price point I think it will do very well for them.
 
I like a couple of Kershaw's offerings, especially how they are moving away from the speedsafe on the Natrix and the Bareknuckle (finally a great design without assist). Kershaw's speedsafe has been one of the most innovating yet boring, overused design methods for their knives the past 10 years.
 
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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jstn said:
I suspect they will be revealing some each day of Shot Show, or at least slowly releasing some throughout the year. Hopefully..
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SV-97 said:
Really disapointed with what I've seen up until now. Spydercos intersting models this year are mostly re-releases and overall they get way too pricey. Benchmade seems to be on an upward path imo. The ZTs are utter bullshit. Let's hope there's still stuff I haven't seen(or that weren't shown) that will be great.
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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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tgtodd said:
Kershaw 1559

No ZT folding dagger.
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115Italian said:
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.
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skyhorse said:
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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KAI released all of their kershaw line at SHOT. The rest of the ZT folders will be released throughout the year. I’m assuming we will see atleast 3 more by Blade show. Hopefully also more after that. I actually like this approach of to their releases much better as it spaces things out.

Not a fan of the 0393 or the 0609, but the 0462 is what I have been asking for since the 0460 was released!
 
Would be glad to see more releases of ZT at BLADE. I feel appreciative that KAI does not raise ZT prices while all others (including Benchmade and Spyderco) are doing it.
 
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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Indeed Spyderco has brought it this year. Some cool new models announced at Shot, including the Smock, Amalgam, and a new Techno. There will be some great sprints this year too I suspect. Spyderco constantly innovates and puts out cool new designs.
 
I like going to SHOT but must admit, that I dont go there for the knives.

Shorttime said:
The Emerson Seax.

DqfNk9I.jpg


My Ninjavitis is tingling.
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Not too long ago, Id have thought that blade a stupid shape ...

... then I bought a Yojimbo:D

The blade slices all the way to the point, which for example an upswept point under some circumstances wont and its a sticker.

What an excellent and useful blade shape - there will be cardboard debris all over the place, were I to buy one of those.

Lapedog said:
Spyderco is bringing back the PPT? I guess Sal heard my prayers.
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If Spyderco is bringing back the PPT, that is indeed good news.

IMO one of Spyderco's best.

Just an awesome knife.
 
That copper Natrix is pretty unique, glad to Spyderco had a few things left in the pipeline after the underwhelming 2018 catalog release.

Then there's the Kershaw Outright? The blue one...I feel like somebody at Kai came up with the idea as a joke and it got way out of hand...It's like their version of the Spyderco Draper
 
Just saw the new Spyderco designs:
Mantra 3 - went to a worse steel and the blade looks messed up(though I can't put my finger on it)
Amalgam - Too large and sal said it had a weak detent
clipitool - nah, too much of a compromise
Techno 2 - yes, very nice
Brouwer - looks like a beefed up version of the lancer
Smock - most interesting knife of their lineup this far but S30V and a fugly blade kinda kill it. But maybe I'll still give it a shot
couldn't care less for the hawk
 
`br4dz- said:
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.
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Oh, yes.
 
SV-97 said:
Just saw the new Spyderco designs:
Mantra 3 - went to a worse steel and the blade looks messed up(though I can't put my finger on it)
Amalgam - Too large and sal said it had a weak detent
clipitool - nah, too much of a compromise
Techno 2 - yes, very nice
Brouwer - looks like a beefed up version of the lancer
Smock - most interesting knife of their lineup this far but S30V and a fugly blade kinda kill it. But maybe I'll still give it a shot
couldn't care less for the hawk
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Where can I see their lineup at?
 
SV-97 said:
Just saw the new Spyderco designs:
Mantra 3 - went to a worse steel and the blade looks messed up(though I can't put my finger on it)
Amalgam - Too large and sal said it had a weak detent
clipitool - nah, too much of a compromise
Techno 2 - yes, very nice
Brouwer - looks like a beefed up version of the lancer
Smock - most interesting knife of their lineup this far but S30V and a fugly blade kinda kill it. But maybe I'll still give it a shot
couldn't care less for the hawk
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Where can we see these new designs?

SV-97 SV-97 nm, i found where to see them. Of those I like the Smock the best. It features the ultra low profile flipper tab I have long desired to see brought to the production knife world. I also quite like the Lancer. I love small framelocks. I’ll add it to my Techno and small 21.
 
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The Late Boy Scout at WE Knives. Yeah, yeah...I know.

The dragon scale stuff is just cool IMO. Pushing the envelope of machining.


No screws on the sides, just one on the back. Interesting.

back-screw.jpg
 
That Brouwer is calling my name! Also love most of the other new designs, save the techno 2 (too much love for my original drop point techno), the auto opener, and the one with the new lock (wide blade).

Lapedog Lapedog looks like they took your flipper advice on the Smock huh?
 
SV-97 said:
Just saw the new Spyderco designs:
Mantra 3 - went to a worse steel and the blade looks messed up(though I can't put my finger on it)
Amalgam - Too large and sal said it had a weak detent
clipitool - nah, too much of a compromise
Techno 2 - yes, very nice
Brouwer - looks like a beefed up version of the lancer
Smock - most interesting knife of their lineup this far but S30V and a fugly blade kinda kill it. But maybe I'll still give it a shot
couldn't care less for the hawk
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I was onboard with the new Mantra until I saw s30v...
 
China has officially taken over. Kizer with it's premium Ganzo looking lineup coming heavy. ZT going full full steam ahead on the 3D machining.

I can't be the only one that's so tired of all the gimmicky 3d machined crap with no thought put into the design other than "because we can" .

I'd like to think that there is room for everyone but the realist in me says at some point in the next few years there will be some serious consolidation and one or more of the big US brands will be gonzo.

Chinaco knives are just starting to gather steam. Two suns is hard on the gas, kizer, we, reate, rike they all have made significant headway. All while the supply chain continues to flatten.

It's a great time to be a fan of knives but on the flipside I can't help but think it's never been more competitive to try and make a go of making, marketing and distributing knives.
 
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