The Ganzo G8012 Fixed Blade Review

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Umm..
Trevitrace is correct though.

Most "survival" knives should be able to make a proper bow drill divot.
The ability to pierce flesh, skin an animal, fillet a fish or even carve with accuracy are all traits of a proper "survival" knife.

I'm not saying that this Ganzo can't do most of these things, I'm just betting it would do a sloppy job.
 
AtechReviews said:
Here is a short review of the knife:
First impressions:
The knife came in 2.5 weeks directly from China.
It arrived in a pretty simple Ganzo branded cardboard box.
The G8012 was pretty sharp out of the box (shaved hair) and had no quality issues.
The tests:
Out of the box it cut paper with no drag and shaved arm hair.
Sits tight in the sheath - no rattle at all and couldn't be shaken out (unless using extreme and improbable force), even without the Velcro strap. With that strap it is impossible.
The cord cutter (which is often confused for a seat belt cutter) works well and allows to cut cord one-handed and without taking the knife out of the sheath.
The included ferro rod gives out good sparks and I reckon will be enough to make a fire in the outdoors.
The knife itself chops and carves wood pretty well, the tip is strong enough to take abuse and passes the tip test with flying colors.
The only thing I didn't test was the very coarse diamond sharpener on the back of the sheath cause there was no need to and I didn't want to use it on a knife that is still sharp.





The Good:
- The execution. The knife is genuinely well made. The handle and the sheath are rubberized (for your pleasure) and the fit is excellent. No rattle or unnecessary movement from any part.
- The ergos. The knife fills the hand great and is very comfortable and pleasant to hold and use.
- The attention to details. Starting from the uncoated area on the top of the blade to use the ferro rod, to the checkering on the back of the "stryker" at the tang, no corner cutting on this one.
- Although the blade shape could remind some of Moletta designs - the overall design is original and couldn't be called a direct clone of any other knife (if you do know of a knife that is 100% similar to this one - please write in the comments).
- The steel performed well and stayed reasonably sharp after the tests.

The Great:
- The added features. With this knife you get a cord cutter, a ferro rod, a striker/hammer and even a coarse sharpener built in, so it could cover most of your survival needs. Great features for the price.
- This knife really gives you enough confidence to actually use and to rely on it for camping, hiking and even survival situations. My experience tells me it won't fall apart or fail during those.
- The price. The fact that you get a knife with original design, this well made and has all those features for this amount of money is not less than amazing.

The Neutral:
- The knife isn't full tang. Could be disassembled and cleaned on the inside using a torx on the striker.
View picture below.



With that, it holds very well and they did apply a white thread locker on the screw to prevent unwanted opening. Like I already mentioned - no corner cutting on this one.

The Bad:
- The GITD inserts serve no real purpose as they aren't very bright and don't accumulate light well. Could easily lived without those.
- The sheath is much longer than the knife itself cause they used separate blades for the cord cutter and put an extra mounting opening at the end of it.
- The Velcro strap does make the knife impossible to shake out, but feels too thin and flimsy (not the best stitching job either). I would really prefer it to be thicker and to have an extra button. Luckily it could be modded and could be folded back (the knife will probably stay in the sheath even without using it).

The Ugly:
- Can't really find anything ugly about this knife, especially for the price.

Summary:
- The quality + fit, finish + added features (cord cutter, ferro rod, striker/hammer and a coarse sharpener) + the ergos + the fact it has original design + the performance + the confidence to use (built well and smart) + the attention to details + the price - the drawbacks make this one of the best budget survival style knives on the market as of today IMO.
It pleasantly surprised me and I am very glad I got it.

*It seems the newer versions of this knife could arrive without the firesteel, because of the post safety regulations (like a firesteel could just catch fire), so please make that point clear if you order the knife.

Video overview and some use:

So, it seems Ganzo have made a breakthrough and made a knife (fixed blade this time) that features in house design and very decent quality for the price.
I hope this knife will be popular and they will make a decent folder that will have an original design to it as well, maybe even a collaboration with one of the known designers out there.
What do you think? Could it be possible?
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I don't necessarily agree with all of your review , but I enjoy and value such reviews . Ganzo is OK with me . Review whatever you like unless an actual moderator tells you otherwise !
 
:thumbsup: to that Reviewing freedom statement
I haven't posted reviews here of some of my Chinese knives because of this, and I am not talking clones here but original designs.
So sad to realise the loss of knowledge and info related to the Chinese hatred here :thumbsdown:

Thanks for your review!!
 
ThePeacent said:
:thumbsup: to that Reviewing freedom statement
I haven't posted reviews here of some of my Chinese knives because of this, and I am not talking clones here but original designs.
So sad to realise the loss of knowledge and info related to the Chinese hatred here :thumbsdown:

Thanks for your review!!
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Okay, I've tried to stay away from the topic of Chinese knives lately, but I have to call you out for a completely erroneous statement. We're not talking about "Chinese hatred", as you call it, we're talking about Theft hatred. The attitude displayed by the owners, moderators and the majority of members here toward copies, rip-offs and clones is SPOT ON. They should be shunned and avoided. If you truly want to be a fan of knives and a supporter of the industry, you should avoid the theft of designs and promote new and original ideas. That is the correct stance, the moral stance and the logical stance. There really isn't a "safe zone" for enthusiasts when it comes to clone knives. There shouldn't be acceptance of actively promoting clone knives and the brands that make them.

Do you notice this has nothing to do with where the knife came from? It's not about world regions or geographical borders. It's about a moral choice to defend invention, creation and ingenuity in the face of theft and sloth.

If you have reviews for ORIGINAL knives from China (or anywhere else for that matter), I encourage you to post them and share them. You might be surprised to find the hatred you imagine isn't real at all.

One final thought...be sure to include pictures of the knives you wish to review and remove zip ties and nuts so we can actually see the full blade.
 
Perhaps those who find this poster to be so very objectionable should use their "ignore" button. :rolleyes: That, and not watching his videos should help stem their disturbing experiences with him. :thumbsup: Personally, I believe he has the right to keep posting these reviews (like them or not) until the Mods say no; and, of course, others have the right to object which would entail their continued reading of said objectionable reviews. ;)
 
ThePeacent said:
:thumbsup: to that Reviewing freedom statement
I haven't posted reviews here of some of my Chinese knives because of this, and I am not talking clones here but original designs.
So sad to realise the loss of knowledge and info related to the Chinese hatred here :thumbsdown:

Thanks for your review!!
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review Chinese knives. we like them. what we dont like is clones, homages and stolen design language.
 
Infection can be a relative category. There are some (really) who consider humans an infection of the earth. :( I'm glad that not many of them try their best to eradicate that particular infection. :eek: Also, sometimes conversion (like praising attempts to do originals instead of copies) is a better solution. :thumbsup:
 
AtechReviews said:
Please stop trolling in this review thread.
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He wasn't in any way, shape, or form trolling.

You specifically asked

AtechReviews said:
What USEFUL task you wouldn't be able to perform with a knife that has this kind of tip?
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and creating a divot for a bow drill is exactly one of the tasks a "survival" knife like that is called on to do. (In fact some of those kind of knives include a divot in their handle scales for that purpose).

And that knife can't do it.
 
so, if I posted a review of the new Ganzo I got a month ago that resembles the Spydercos that I also own, and the Byrds that I also buy and enjoy, but has none "Spyderco" branding, nor does it claim to be one of them...
won't I get any bad comments or heated replies because the brand that made it, Ganzo, has other not so well-considered models?

xThIMi3.jpg


I sincerely doubt it. A clear example is this thread, where OP posted a nice original, and new model by this brand and half the comments referred to its apparent "excessive resemblance" to Gerber or other knives, or plain bashing based on previous pieces from the aforementioned brand
 
ThePeacent said:
so, if I posted a review of the new Ganzo I got a month ago that resembles the Spydercos that I also own, and the Byrds that I also buy and enjoy, but has none "Spyderco" branding, nor does it claim to be one of them...
won't I get any bad comments or heated replies because the brand that made it, Ganzo, has other not so well-considered models?

I sincerely doubt it. A clear example is this thread, where OP posted a nice original, and new model by this brand and half the comments referred to its apparent "excessive resemblance" to Gerber or other knives, or plain bashing based on previous pieces from the aforementioned brand
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Byrd is a wholly owned subsidiary of Spyderco. Why would there be a problem with that? I love the quality and value that Byrd Knives brings to a knife knut! Of course, your Ganzo is a rip off of Byrd knives, that's why I'd consider that one unacceptable to promote.

The problem with Ganzo, even when they appear to offer an original design, is that they continue to manufacture knives that are stolen designs from other companies. As a result, they don't deserve a spot of praise on a knife enthusiast site. If they stop making stolen designs and become contributors to the industry, I'll be the first to welcome them with open arms. I've said this many times.

I don't really have an opinion on the reviewed Ganzo in particular, other than it looks like a stupid option if choosing a survival knife. I value my survival a lot more than a $20 knife. Again, the problem isn't with this Ganzo knife, the problem is with the scores of others they still make that represent stolen creativity. Even critics of this lame knife haven't based their criticism on Point of Origin.

OMG, the nuts and zip ties. Have you considered just buying a knife with the Wave feature? Or is that a problem because it's patented and trademarked to Ernest Emerson? You could go with a Kemerson and actually reward the designer for a feature you seem particularly smitten with...or are you waiting for the Ganzo version so you can cheat yet another knife designer?
 
Hackenslash said:
Byrd is a wholly owned subsidiary of Spyderco. Why would there be a problem with that? I love the quality and value that Byrd Knives brings to a knife knut! Of course, your Ganzo is a rip off of Byrd knives, that's why I'd consider that one unacceptable to promote.

The problem with Ganzo, even when they appear to offer an original design, is that they continue to manufacture knives that are stolen designs from other companies. As a result, they don't deserve a spot of praise on a knife enthusiast site. If they stop making stolen designs and become contributors to the industry, I'll be the first to welcome them with open arms. I've said this many times.

I don't really have an opinion on the reviewed Ganzo in particular, other than it looks like a stupid option if choosing a survival knife. I value my survival a lot more than a $20 knife. Again, the problem isn't with this Ganzo knife, the problem is with the scores of others they still make that represent stolen creativity. Even critics of this lame knife haven't based their criticism on Point of Origin.

OMG, the nuts and zip ties. Have you considered just buying a knife with the Wave feature? Or is that a problem because it's patented and trademarked to Ernest Emerson? You could go with a Kemerson and actually reward the designer for a feature you seem particularly smitten with...or are you waiting for the Ganzo version so you can cheat yet another knife designer?
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three things on that...

a. What about the SOGZilla? Isn't that a blatant rip-off of the Spyderco hole, as many forum members and threads all around the net bashed SOG for this model and heavily criticised its design? Or the KaBar Dozier with a hole instead of stud, or the Emerson one?
Are all those allowed to do so by Spyderco, or they have an agreement like BM has? And the Cold Steel pro Lite, what about that one, or the Strider folder? I mean, it's found all over the knife world to limit its criticism to Chinese companies

b. The question about the Wave from E.Emerson is worded like a pretty aggressive ad hominem attack, and does have an unfriendly tone, especially the bolded part. I don't own Emerson folders because of their price point, especially outside the US, and same with Spyderco and ZT collaborations, I've attempted to get an Endura Emerson and Matriarch 2 Emerson without success in my country.
The Zip-tie is removable, and does work easily, effectively and inexpensively. If I wanted to "cheat yet another company" I think I wouldn't have bought the Spydercos and Byrds that I own and would've gone for all the Ganzo or Navy copies of these designs, wouldn't have I? Especially at the price they have here in Europe. I respect, like and defend Spyderco and all of its principles, morality and the thoughts of Sal and Eric among others.

c. The Kemerson designs are often said to be "the cheap way to try out the Wave" or a similar statement, being regarded as gateway knives before getting a real Emerson or just an affordable to try out the features at a really budget price. I have also wanted to get my hand on those, especially the CQC 4K, CQC 11K and CQC 1K0 (bigger models) but they are far from "budget pieces" here, costing an average $70-90 in most stores, which is an excessive price for me at the moment.
Have no doubt that I won't doubt to get one when the right opportunity arises, and also have no doubt that I don't intend to "cheat" on Emerson and I appreciate the Wave feature he invented and the great idea behind the concept-
 
I
ThePeacent said:
three things on that...

a. What about the SOGZilla? Isn't that a blatant rip-off of the Spyderco hole, as many forum members and threads all around the net bashed SOG for this model and heavily criticised its design? Or the KaBar Dozier with a hole instead of stud, or the Emerson one?
Are all those allowed to do so by Spyderco, or they have an agreement like BM has? And the Cold Steel pro Lite, what about that one, or the Strider folder? I mean, it's found all over the knife world to limit its criticism to Chinese companies

b. The question about the Wave from E.Emerson is worded like a pretty aggressive ad hominem attack, and does have an unfriendly tone, especially the bolded part. I don't own Emerson folders because of their price point, especially outside the US, and same with Spyderco and ZT collaborations, I've attempted to get an Endura Emerson and Matriarch 2 Emerson without success in my country.
The Zip-tie is removable, and does work easily, effectively and inexpensively. If I wanted to "cheat yet another company" I think I wouldn't have bought the Spydercos and Byrds that I own and would've gone for all the Ganzo or Navy copies of these designs, wouldn't have I? Especially at the price they have here in Europe. I respect, like and defend Spyderco and all of its principles, morality and the thoughts of Sal and Eric among others.

c. The Kemerson designs are often said to be "the cheap way to try out the Wave" or a similar statement, being regarded as gateway knives before getting a real Emerson or just an affordable to try out the features at a really budget price. I have also wanted to get my hand on those, especially the CQC 4K, CQC 11K and CQC 1K0 (bigger models) but they are far from "budget pieces" here, costing an average $70-90 in most stores, which is an excessive price for me at the moment.
Have no doubt that I won't doubt to get one when the right opportunity arises, and also have no doubt that I don't intend to "cheat" on Emerson and I appreciate the Wave feature he invented and the great idea behind the concept-
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I apologize for the aggressiveness and tone of my comments concerning the Wave feature. I actually paused after posting and considered editing it out. I appreciate feedback from all knife knuts and I'm sorry that I posed an argument in a way that became a personal attack.

I know regional knife pricing sucks. If you want to pm me a mailing address, I have a Kemerson I can send you to add to your knife collection. It has to be legal for me to ship to you, of course.

I only jumped into this thread to argue against the concept of China hatred. I hope I've expressed my viewpoint on what's really going on with the negative reception of Ganzo.

The other knives you mentioned would all need to be addressed one at a time as they all tend to be unique situations, some of which have been "handled" by the companies in question. Regardless, neither SOG nor Ka-Bar nor Emerson nor Cold Steel offer entire lines of knives which have been grafted from the product catalogs of other companies. There is a significant magnitude of difference. These cases you've cited are exceptions to the rule from these fine manufacturers. With Ganzo, the original design IS the exception to the rule.
 
Hackenslash said:
...are you waiting for the Ganzo version so you can cheat yet another knife designer?
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This^^^^^^^

Could always buy a Dremel and try your hand at it, Matt became very adept at it even even notorious for doin' it to to a Sebenza and a few other midtechs and they all came out nice. IIRC he started moddin' blades with a basic Dremel tool in the early days.
 
Hackenslash said:
I



I know regional knife pricing sucks. If you want to pm me a mailing address, I have a Kemerson I can send you to add to your knife collection. It has to be legal for me to ship to you, of course.

I only jumped into this thread to argue against the concept of China hatred. I hope I've expressed my viewpoint on what's really going on with the negative reception of Ganzo.

The other knives you mentioned would all need to be addressed one at a time as they all tend to be unique situations, some of which have been "handled" by the companies in question. Regardless, neither SOG nor Ka-Bar nor Emerson nor Cold Steel offer entire lines of knives which have been grafted from the product catalogs of other companies. There is a significant magnitude of difference. These cases you've cited are exceptions to the rule from these fine manufacturers. With Ganzo, the original design IS the exception to the rule.
Click to expand...

I honestly thank your offer but I will refuse as when I get an "Emerson Kershaw" I want to pay its part to Ernest and the addition of his Wave deployment idea, as I said I believe in giving credit where it is due, and support the original makers of the ideas we all enjoy in our folders today. In fact I now do not own any of the three Ganzos in this picture

Pw9k6Hf.jpg


and do not intend to buy any model that is a clear knockoff, ripoff or direct, evident clone of another one. I've learned a few things since I got those, mainly thanks to this forum, so it's the least I can do.

As for grinding off a "wave" with the Dremel, I've had my poor attempts at it (see the previous pic, the Enlan half serrated one has a "wave" I crudely did myself, and thanks to it its deployment was 100% reliable in all my pants' pockets) and I'd rather not risk it, especially on my Spydercos, as you all often say: "you can take material and metal out, but can't put it or add it back!"
Also, I often remove the ZIpTies for times or occasions where I don't feel the need to open the folder as it is drawn from the pocket (i.e. out of my gardening and landscaping job, or on vacation and holiday times)
 
unklfranco said:
I like the idea of a removable handle. Did you experience any slipping? Was it easy to remove?
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Didn't experience slipping at all, even when striking.
Wasn't easy to remove at all as it was loctited, but there is a torx hole on the back of the striker, that could be used to disassemble it.
 
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