The ARM-1 line by Maserin, Italy is a tactical folding knife variety made with premium materials and a selection of options.
First, the specs:
Size: 9.47cm (3.73in.) blade length
------0.40cm (0.16in.) blade thickness
------12.62cm (4.97in.) handle length
------1.54cm (0.604in.) handle width
------22.09cm (8.70in.) open length
Weight: 158.8 grams (5.60oz.)
Material: 440A blade (54-57 HRC)
---------T6-6061 Aluminum scales (anti-slip inserts)
---------PTFE bushings
Finish: Bead-blasted blade
-------Black anodized scales
Blade: Drop-point flat grind
Lock: Liner lock
Deployment: Ambi thumb studs; flipper; wave
Pocket clip: Right-side tip-up only
Assisted: No
Designer: Maserin (person
Italian Made
MSRP: $139.90
Fact: The knife comes packaged in a cardboard box with the "Art." number (the knife featured in this review is Art.650/AS for "anti-slip"), some user care literature and an Allen wrench are also included.
Opinion: The packaging is very boring and is cheap. I would expect an Italian manufacturer to provide a finer presentation for their product (much like Fox Knives does).
Fact: Blade centering on this design can vary due to the use of PTFE washers. Tolerances of the hardware are precise and function of the knife is normal.
Opinion: Again, I would expect more refined touches from an Italian company, especially when you look at the price of this piece. I would expect slightly higher-quality materials than PTFE washers or 440C blade steel. To be fair, Maserin does offer this knife in two steel choices: 440A or N690Co. The model in this review is of the 440A variety. I would recommend the N690Co variety (tack on an extra $40.00 or so).
Fact: The 650 series comes in a variety of blade patterns, steels and coatings as well as different options for the inlays (review model is "anti-slip" inlayed variety). There is a tanto blade style of this knife (designated ARM-1 651) and all models come with either "anti-slip", "olive wood" or "prestige olive wood" inlays. The knife also features a stainless steel glass breaker and extra-wide lanyard loop.
Opinion: I am going to have to recommend one of the olive wood inserts. The "anti-slip" (or "no-slip") inlays are basically like deck tape. They are extremely rough and will tear up your pockets if used as designed. My knife has been modified so that the material underneath the pocket clip is sanded smooth. I also loosened the tension of the clip. I like the two-tone æsthetic of this knife and think the olive wood-inlayed versions look really nice as well. The glass breaker is a little odd because the shape is not entirely conducive for breaking glass and I'm not too big on lanyards, so whatever.
Fact: The handle is aluminum that has been anodized black and has been milled in certain locations for traction and contouring. There is a partial liner that acts as the locking mechanism set into the right-side scale, retained by a single screw and standoff.
Opinion: The handle seems too wide and squared off for my liking. Granted, it is designed for military use and if it were held in a gloved hand it would most likely feel more sturdy. Suffice it to say that the design is not intended for everyday use.
Fact: The pocket clip is steel and mounted for right-side tip-up carry only. The pocket clip hardware from the factory is brushed satin finished.
Opinion: As is standard with all of the knives in my personal collection, this knife has been modified for left-side tip-up carry and the hardware pictured is different than what comes with the knife. I don't appreciate the fact that I must do this to many of the knives I buy, but it is one of the few disadvantages to being left-handed. Luckily, the thumb-studs are ambidextrous and there is also a flipper for those who prefer them. It is also possible to wave this knife from the pocket, although I do not recommend it (the "wave" surface tends to slip off of the pocket in the process and leaves you with a blade only partially opened). I think in the pocket the knife rides too high and I would've liked to see a loop-over clip instead of this one. I just don't like aluminum handles sticking up out of my pocket to get dinged and scratched.
Fact: Lockup on this model is beyond 50% and the liner material is 1.38mm thick. The ambidextrous thumb-studs also act as blade stops and the detent is set to break between 800-900 grams of force.
Opinion: Detent is too weak, in my opinion. It impedes the action of the flipper, making it hard to open it like that without a wrist flick. The lockup is alright, but I think the liner could be thicker for such a large knife. That phosphorous washer you see in there is a modification of mine, which I have now done to the other side as well.
Final Thoughts:
This knife is a high-quality product from a lesser-known company. I do like the design and if it were more widely available I might have more good things to say about it. As it stands, however, I think this knife is too inaccessible for individuals not living in Europe at the moment. If you can score a blackened version with N690Co steel for a decent price, than do so; otherwise, don't go breaking your back to get a hold of this knife (unless you're a fanatic for obscure designs like me).
[video=youtube;cMKBw1clPpQ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMKBw1clPpQ[/video]
Finally, some comparisons that I think would be more suitable:
Benchmade 275 Adamas Folder (~$150MSRP)
Fox Knives Military Division Predator II FX-FP2B (~$150)
Microtech Socom Elite (~$300)
Zero Tolerance 0560 (~$240)
Last edited: