The Les George Knives Thread

[mitchnola]

Another video would not confirm or disprove anything. To get the action as shown, there is blade play. Tightening the pivot makes the blade play better and action worse. Could not be shaken shut. Blade remained in the full open position until it was pushed down after unlocking. Not as good as a brand new Sebenza, much less a broken in one. I wouldn't describe the blade as flying open with ease or being extremely smooth closing or slow rolling. Trying to flick it was about 50/50 whether it would fully open or not. Slow rolling felt jumpy because of how tight it was. I could have posted a video of this and everyone could have just as easily told me I needed to break it in more or tune it better and I didn't feel another video was worth my time or that anyone would gain anything from it.

I admitted many times here that maybe my expectations were just too high after a good (lucky?) experience with my Talos. Wasn't expecting to come back after the weekend and find people insinuating that I have something to hide or was being unreasonable in being disappointed with the VECP.

I don't know if the person I bought the knife from directly is active here, their name is Jon Ho on Facebook. He advertised it as the best VECP action of multiples he had owned. Jon Ho commented saying it was previously owned by @Necroanax and that it had been sitting in a pouch since their transaction. @Necroanax commented "assuming it hasn't changed much, I can confirm that the action is stellar". Jon Ho responded that he had not touched or tinkered with the tuning one bit, and that it was literally perfect as given to him by @Necroanax.

If all that is true, they both knew it had blade play. After buying a knife with that discussion on the sale post, I was extremely disappointed to receive a knife with blade play and nothing I did to the knife made it more pleasant.

I intended not to name names or drag anyone into this who wasn't associated with my transaction because again, maybe I just expected too much after getting a good Talos, and I generally try to avoid online drama. Maybe Jon Ho did mess with the knife after receiving it from @Necroanax . Maybe all of us have different expectations for action, acceptable amounts of blade play, or what should be disclosed when selling a knife. Again, I hesitated to name him because he had nothing to do with my transaction other than talking up the knife in the comments, and he had no way of knowing whether it was the same as when it left him or not. I don't blame him for anything about my experience and I don't know how he could do anything at this point other than saying the knife was great when he had it which is all I'd expect anyone to do anyway.

At the end of the day I was disappointed with the knife and disappointed with the transaction. Some of my responses or comments about it may have been irrationally driven by my emotions about the experience rather than the knife itself. Whether or not the knife is defective or my expectations were unreasonable, I was unhappy with it and have sold it to someone who knows what they are getting. Continuing to discuss it at this point isn't going to gain anything for anyone.

Well if Necro said the action was great than I would be inclined to believe him since he’s handled more LGs than Les himself has .

This all started with you asking about the action on this particular knife. Providing a video would have just helped in getting an answer and would have saved a lot of time typing paragraphs describing the action. It does seem to me your expectations for what is considered to be a great action on a washer knife may be a little too high. Drop shut, shake it shut etc are not the only or most important metrics for me at least. From my experience very few knives on washers shake/drop shut, especially crks. But as you mentioned it’s a mute point at this time.

I do agree a action of a knife can only be assessed with absolutely no blade play. It would be wrong to advertise a knife with great action while having blade play. I would just recommend giving a vecp another chance given the opportunity because they’re great knives.

 

[Ilikesharpstuff]

Well if Necro said the action was great than I would be inclined to believe him since he’s handled more LGs than Les himself has .

This all started with you asking about the action on this particular knife. Providing a video would have just helped in getting an answer and would have saved a lot of time typing paragraphs describing the action. It does seem to me your expectations for what is considered to be a great action on a washer knife may be a little too high. Drop shut, shake it shut etc are not the only or most important metrics for me at least. From my experience very few knives on washers shake/drop shut, especially crks. But as you mentioned it’s a mute point at this time.

I do agree a action of a knife can only be assessed with absolutely no blade play. It would be wrong to advertise a knife with great action while having blade play. I would just recommend giving a vecp another chance given the opportunity because they’re great knives.

It is what it is. I bought it for having a great action and it did not meet my expectations for that, I don't need anyone to confirm or deny it for me. I was trying to determine whether that was normal or not and it seems the consensus is that it is. If that knife was normal for a VECP I have no interest in owning a different one and I would objectively say the Talos is a better knife. Maybe my Talos is an exceptional example, and if I were to purchase another, at this point I would fully expect it to not be as good.

Whether reasonable or not, the VECP is a knife I'm no longer interested in. I'm not trying to become a LG collector. I got a Talos, really liked it, and wanted to see what his other knives are about. Got an excellent MK3 out of that pursuit. Most of what I like about them is the action. If my Talos and MK3 felt like that VECP did I would have sold them too. Haven't tried a Myna yet because I see lots of them with centering issues and that's the type of thing that bugs me too, but am open to grabbing the right one to check out in the future.

For what it's worth, my large Sebenzas drop/shake shut similarly to my Talos. They are old, broken in 21s, and I know that's what I like in a CRK. I've sold 31s and Inkosis because, while smooth, they just didn't feel as good to me. We all have our preferences and it's okay that they're not all the same. An exceptional action is the only thing that would make me choose a washer knife over something on bearings and I know that not every one I touch is going to be that.

 

[mitchnola]

It is what it is. I bought it for having a great action and it did not meet my expectations for that, I don't need anyone to confirm or deny it for me. I was trying to determine whether that was normal or not and it seems the consensus is that it is. If that knife was normal for a VECP I have no interest in owning a different one and I would objectively say the Talos is a better knife. Maybe my Talos is an exceptional example, and if I were to purchase another, at this point I would fully expect it to not be as good.

Whether reasonable or not, the VECP is a knife I'm no longer interested in. I'm not trying to become a LG collector. I got a Talos, really liked it, and wanted to see what his other knives are about. Got an excellent MK3 out of that pursuit. Most of what I like about them is the action. If my Talos and MK3 felt like that VECP did I would have sold them too. Haven't tried a Myna yet because I see lots of them with centering issues and that's the type of thing that bugs me too, but am open to grabbing the right one to check out in the future.

For what it's worth, my large Sebenzas drop/shake shut similarly to my Talos. They are old, broken in 21s, and I know that's what I like in a CRK. I've sold 31s and Inkosis because, while smooth, they just didn't feel as good to me. We all have our preferences and it's okay that they're not all the same. An exceptional action is the only thing that would make me choose a washer knife over something on bearings and I know that not every one I touch is going to be that.

Fair enough, I’ve actually been very curious how the action is on these new vecps. I’ve been wondering if they were like the older models or closer to the newer talos and mk3. Would love to hear from someone with one to chime in.

I’m on the other end of the spectrum and prefer washers over bearings. I really enjoy that hydraulic feel. I must admit though that upgrading to skiff bearings is a nice upgrade and gives a much better smoother feel.

And while the action is important to me on a knife it’s just one of many metrics I value along with design and functionality. For example how a knife feels in hand is one of the most important features for me. It’s actually the ergonomics of most crks why I no longer own any. I found the inkosi to be the best but still very narrow in my hand. The sebenza was just ok but the zaan had the worst ergos of em all imo. Which is unfortunate because I still think it’s one of the best looking knives out there.

 

[Ilikesharpstuff]

Fair enough, I’ve actually been very curious how the action is on these new vecps. I’ve been wondering if they were like the older models or closer to the newer talos and mk3. Would love to hear from someone with one to chime in.

I’m on the other end of the spectrum and prefer washers over bearings. I really enjoy that hydraulic feel. I must admit though that upgrading to skiff bearings is a nice upgrade and gives a much better smoother feel.

And while the action is important to me on a knife it’s just one of many metrics I value along with design and functionality. For example how a knife feels in hand is one of the most important features for me. It’s actually the ergonomics of most crks why I no longer own any. I found the inkosi to be the best but still very narrow in my hand. The sebenza was just ok but the zaan had the worst ergos of em all imo. Which is unfortunate because I still think it’s one of the best looking knives out there.

Action is definitely one of a number of important metrics, but for me it is a very important one. Enough to be make or break. If the MK3 wasn't known for having a great action I never would have considered adding one to my stable based on design alone.

My day-to-day knife usage is largely cutting tape, cardboard, packaging, etc...at any given time I'm using my knife, it is fair to assume the opening and closing will literally be 2/3 of the experience. Comes out of the pocket, open, cut the tape to open a box, close, back in the pocket. That might happen once in a day or 25+ times. Those opening flicks and satisfying closes matter just as much as the cut in this use case. Cutting tape on cardboard boxes isn't the greatest "oh man you won't believe what I did with my knife today" feeling, but every time I open and close it can make me go "wow, that's nice".

I think both washers and bearings have their place and there are plenty of great knives using each.

I've historically preferred slim-medium knives more than medium-large in the thickness and width dimensions and the Talos is easily the most "hand-filling" handle shape of my folders. A Sebenza 21 is high in the running for my "if you could only have one" hypothetical.

 

[bbk357]

Correct. I was done with the knife and wanted it gone, and it is now on the way to a new owner. That video was from the sale post and I did disclose the blade play. I wasn't going to make another special video just for you guys so that strangers on the internet believe me when I say the action on that knife wasn't good when the pivot was tight enough to remove blade play. Whether you believe me or not does not change my opinion that the action was not satisfactory for a $500 knife from a company known for good washer actions, and neither is needing to induce blade play to attain that action. My Talos has a better action AND no blade play. Why would I come here and talk badly about a knife I intended to sell if nothing was wrong with it? Especially being someone that has been a fan of every other Les George knife I've handled?

Sorry if it hurts you guys' feelings in some way to realize that every single knife Les makes may not be perfect.

I didn’t mean to stir anything up but looks like I did!

I’m a CRK guy. I’m not a “drop shutty” fan unless it’s Shiro. I actually just got my first Les George a few days ago. I’ve heard of him but I’ve never really looked into his knives. My buddy is a big George fan and he asked me if I wanted to buy his MKII MEFP because he knows like frag patterned knives.

It’s fantastic and seems very well built. I came to this thread to try and learn about his other models.

One of the first post I saw was yours complaining about the action. I’m neutral… I’m not a fanboy. I just thought it was interesting that you posted the video of the perfect action but did not show the action when the pivot was tighter… and you didn’t try to show the blade movement when it was loose to be “perfect action”.

I’ve been there. I had an SNG years ago that I wanted to love but it had a ton of blade play and lock bar creaked when moving. It was without a doubt a dud and even after I sent it to the maker it came back the same.


Anyway- your old knife is someone else’s hands. I bet if I bought it I’d be happy because I don’t like when the blades swing around to what is now known as “perfect action”.

Here’s the dud I had… I still keep the video on hand when people don’t believe me:

https://imgur.com/a/noIqOA5

 

[Ilikesharpstuff]

I didn’t mean to stir anything up but looks like I did!

I’m a CRK guy. I’m not a “drop shutty” fan unless it’s Shiro. I actually just got my first Les George a few days ago. I’ve heard of him but I’ve never really looked into his knives. My buddy is a big George fan and he asked me if I wanted to buy his MKII MEFP because he knows like frag patterned knives.

It’s fantastic and seems very well built. I came to this thread to try and learn about his other models.

One of the first post I saw was yours complaining about the action. I’m neutral… I’m not a fanboy. I just thought it was interesting that you posted the video of the perfect action but did not show the action when the pivot was tighter… and you didn’t try to show the blade movement when it was loose to be “perfect action”.

I’ve been there. I had an SNG years ago that I wanted to love but it had a ton of blade play and lock bar creaked when moving. It was without a doubt a dud and even after I sent it to the maker it came back the same.


Anyway- your old knife is someone else’s hands. I bet if I bought it I’d be happy because I don’t like when the blades swing around to what is now known as “perfect action”.

Here’s the dud I had… I still keep the video on hand when people don’t believe me:

https://imgur.com/a/noIqOA5

No worries. You came into the end of a long (felt like it at least) discussion about that knife and whether the action was normal or not. I posted the video because it already existed for my sale post, not necessarily to prove anything to anyone. I was already over it and the knife was already sold. The knife had blade play as tuned in that video and I don't need to prove that here to know it was true and that it wasn't acceptable for me.

I also recently got a MEFP MK3 and it is a great knife!

 

[mitchnola]

I didn’t mean to stir anything up but looks like I did!

I’m a CRK guy. I’m not a “drop shutty” fan unless it’s Shiro. I actually just got my first Les George a few days ago. I’ve heard of him but I’ve never really looked into his knives. My buddy is a big George fan and he asked me if I wanted to buy his MKII MEFP because he knows like frag patterned knives.

It’s fantastic and seems very well built. I came to this thread to try and learn about his other models.

One of the first post I saw was yours complaining about the action. I’m neutral… I’m not a fanboy. I just thought it was interesting that you posted the video of the perfect action but did not show the action when the pivot was tighter… and you didn’t try to show the blade movement when it was loose to be “perfect action”.

I’ve been there. I had an SNG years ago that I wanted to love but it had a ton of blade play and lock bar creaked when moving. It was without a doubt a dud and even after I sent it to the maker it came back the same.


Anyway- your old knife is someone else’s hands. I bet if I bought it I’d be happy because I don’t like when the blades swing around to what is now known as “perfect action”.

Here’s the dud I had… I still keep the video on hand when people don’t believe me:

https://imgur.com/a/noIqOA5

You damn crk guys always stirring the pot!

Glad to hear you’re loving your mk3. You’ve definitely found the right place to learn any and all things LG.

Even though I don’t currently own any CRK’s I’m still very much a fan. My one in one out policy has prevented me from holding on to any as I’ve had to sell them to buy more LGs usually. I will eventually own a lg inkosi and small Sebbie again.

I must say, the crk fanboy community here on bf is probably the best I’ve encountered. That’s a great group of guys over there.

 

[bbk357]

You damn crk guys always stirring the pot!

Glad to hear you’re loving your mk3. You’ve definitely found the right place to learn any and all things LG.

Even though I don’t currently own any CRK’s I’m still very much a fan. My one in one out policy has prevented me from holding on to any as I’ve had to sell them to buy more LGs usually. I will eventually own a lg inkosi and small Sebbie again.

I must say, the crk fanboy community here on bf is probably the best I’ve encountered. That’s a great group of guys over there.

Thanks!

Yep once I found CRK it was hard to try anything else because of the overall feel. I’ve been collecting knives since I was a kid but started getting interested in frame locks about 20 years ago. I went through quite a few brands…

I will say I went into this MK3 blind and now I’m really liking it. Very smooth and great ergonomics. I even thought to myself “I’ll give it a whirl and sell it if I don’t like it”. No plans on selling now!
I also did not realize how hard they are to snag. I did a search and they are pretty hard to buy new (it seems). I am grateful my friend reached out when he had to move one of his many.

 

[mitchnola]

Thanks!

Yep once I found CRK it was hard to try anything else because of the overall feel. I’ve been collecting knives since I was a kid but started getting interested in frame locks about 20 years ago. I went through quite a few brands…

I will say I went into this MK3 blind and now I’m really liking it. Very smooth and great ergonomics. I even thought to myself “I’ll give it a whirl and sell it if I don’t like it”. No plans on selling now!
I also did not realize how hard they are to snag. I did a search and they are pretty hard to buy new (it seems). I am grateful my friend reached out when he had to move one of his many.

View attachment 2800905

Yes sir, buying new is the hardest. Drops sell out in seconds to minutes. Especially the exclusive or limited variations like the mefp mk3 you have. Those in particular are very hard to find and he won’t be making any mk3s for a while now. He’s focused on the talos and myna, maybe some occasional vecps. Being a crk guy, I would highly recommend a vecp or talos. The myna may be my new favorite. It’s a model he just released late last year. It’s a flipper on bearings if ya into that kind of thing. It’s one of the best knives in hand I’ve ever owned with a very useful reverse tanto blade.

The myna

 

[norcalAF]

Thanks!

Yep once I found CRK it was hard to try anything else because of the overall feel. I’ve been collecting knives since I was a kid but started getting interested in frame locks about 20 years ago. I went through quite a few brands…

I will say I went into this MK3 blind and now I’m really liking it. Very smooth and great ergonomics. I even thought to myself “I’ll give it a whirl and sell it if I don’t like it”. No plans on selling now!
I also did not realize how hard they are to snag. I did a search and they are pretty hard to buy new (it seems). I am grateful my friend reached out when he had to move one of his many.

View attachment 2800905

I have the twin of yours! It's fantastic!

 

[bbk357]

Yes sir, buying new is the hardest. Drops sell out in seconds to minutes. Especially the exclusive or limited variations like the mefp mk3 you have. Those in particular are very hard to find and he won’t be making any mk3s for a while now. He’s focused on the talos and myna, maybe some occasional vecps. Being a crk guy, I would highly recommend a vecp or talos. The myna may be my new favorite. It’s a model he just released late last year. It’s a flipper on bearings if ya into that kind of thing. It’s one of the best knives in hand I’ve ever owned with a very useful reverse tanto blade.

The myna

View attachment 2800916

My friend told me I need to check out a VECP next as well. He sent me a pic of his with a bronze coated blade. Looks incredible. I’ll def be looking out for one.

 

[bbk357]

I have the twin of yours! It's fantastic!

Yes I saw your disk mod above. It looks great! I visited Gray’s site but I’m afraid it’ll be too big and snag on my pocket. What’s your experience with the disk so far?

 

[norcalAF]

Yes I saw your disk mod above. It looks great! I visited Gray’s site but I’m afraid it’ll be too big and snag on my pocket. What’s your experience with the disk so far?

I have Gray's products on all my disc knives. I like that it acts similar to the Emerson wave with the MK3. Ymmv. It provides a bit more surface for the thumb and you can dress the knife up a bit. I got it mostly for aesthetics and I was ordering some discs for my Emersons and a Firetac, so I figured why not check it out.

 

[norcalAF]

My friend told me I need to check out a VECP next as well. He sent me a pic of his with a bronze coated blade. Looks incredible. I’ll def be looking out for one.

The framelock and button lock VECPs are great, I have a PJ and a woody. If you like fidgety flippers, the D7 servo is a real treat!

 

[norcalAF]

Current state of the VECP collection

 

[Stringjam7]

It's been a really tight race for me between the Talos v2 and VECP, but I think (and now that I've adjusted both for a lighter detent), the VECP is my favorite between the two. It just feels better in-hand for me - everything else is a wash. They're both great, but I just love the feel of the grip on the VECP.

 

[norcalAF]

It's been a really tight race for me between the Talos v2 and VECP, but I think (and now that I've adjusted both for a lighter detent), the VECP is my favorite between the two. It just feels better in-hand for me - everything else is a wash. They're both great, but I just love the feel of the grip on the VECP.

I think you have a V2 VECP, do you have a shot of the other side? That's a beauty! I love me some PJ LG stonewash!

 

[Stringjam7]

I think you have a V2 VECP, do you have a shot of the other side? That's a beauty! I love me some PJ LG stonewash!

I don't have a shot of the other side, but I'll grab one when I get back home later this week (headed out this morning and decided to grab a couple of big Spydies for the trip - K2 and Bodacious...OT, but that Bodacious is putting a lot of knives later in the rotation since I got it). I'd be interested to know which version the VECP is for sure.

 

[norcalAF]

I don't have a shot of the other side, but I'll grab one when I get back home later this week (headed out this morning and decided to grab a couple of big Spydies for the trip - K2 and Bodacious...OT, but that Bodacious is putting a lot of knives later in the rotation since I got it). I'd be interested to know which version the VECP is for sure.

I'm sure some more knowledgeable folks will chime in, but between the updated thumbstuds and the V1 style handle cutout it would seem to be somewhere in between the V1 and V3. My V1 and V3 are pictured above for reference numbers 1&2 from the top in both photos. I swapped the clip for a lynch on my V3 to spice it up

 

[norcalAF]

And yes, that Bodacious is a game changer!