TJ Schwarz Perpetua

Hackenslash said:
Just like on a Zaan, you need to contact the posterior side of the stud as you sweep your finger along the scale toward the pivot.
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That’s what I suspected based on the pics. I’m not waiting on a Perpetua, but I’ve been curious about it.
 
Hackenslash said:
I finally got mine after a long, slow boat delivery process. You need to work on that Massdrop!

Fortunately, mine is perfect. The fit and finish is fine for the price point. The lock functions great and I can open it with a lock flick or a thumb flick. The blade is sharp and well ground with no “wash” markings. Those who are griping about a burr inside the liners need to look again; that’s the anchor for the lock spring extending thru the liners. Remember, this is the first legit, mass market Axis lock so it’s done a little differently than a typical Benchmade. I did add a drop of lube to the pivot and that improved the action.

For those of you griping about the stud placement...that’s not how they’re meant to be used on this knife. Just like on a Zaan, you need to contact the posterior side of the stud as you sweep your finger along the scale toward the pivot. If you try to attack the scale from the dorsal side of the pivot, you’re in for a world of hurt. Changing the scales has nothing to do with how you’re supposed to contact the stud.

The clip ain’t great because the pronounced ramp makes it easy to catch on things. Remove the clip and bend the ramp down a tad with some needle nose pliers and you’re good to go.

All in, this is a great knife for what I paid for it. I think Massdrop was doomed with this knife due to production delays. The droppers were fit to be tied and ready to rage. I’m happy with mine and suspect that there are lots of folks who need to temper their expectations.

This is, after all, a knife that dropped at $110 USD with $20 in credits applied along the way. Pretty sweet deal if you look with some perspective.
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I really agree with this. You pretty much said what I was trying to explain. I don’t think it’s “perfect” (after all “perfect” is subjective) but For $110 it’s one hell of a knife.
 
I've still not gotten a response from Massdrop on my email. Just the canned response of having gotten the message. I'm going to call them when I'm able to, which is fun considering I work thirds and they are California based. Eastern time they are open noon to 8pm.
 
Hackenslash said:
For those of you griping about the stud placement...that’s not how they’re meant to be used on this knife. Just like on a Zaan, you need to contact the posterior side of the stud as you sweep your finger along the scale toward the pivot. If you try to attack the scale from the dorsal side of the pivot, you’re in for a world of hurt. Changing the scales has nothing to do with how you’re supposed to contact the stud.
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I still think there's a problem. It's not about trying to get "behind" the stud, it's that the stud is too short for easy purchase. Even using a Zaan-style opening motion, unless I dig in harder than normal for any other knife my thumb just slides over the top. Another 1 or 1.5mm of stud height would've solved everything without making them proud of the scales.

Then again, maybe as it works itself in I need less purchase. Time will tell. I'm not giving up on this knife.

As for price, I don't think it's special. It's appropriate. Compare to say a Golden-made Maxix 2. That's about the same price for a similarly-sized, American-made knife of similar build quality. Yes, the Nitro-V is more exotic that S30V but not by that much. This is not like getting midtech value at production prices.
 
You can see some reviews here highlighting some problems:
https://www.massdrop.com/buy/massdrop-x-schwarz-perpetua/reviews/2197171

TLDR - some people are getting their knives with missing spring on one side. Also the thumbstud is an issue, too close to the handle and too short. There's also some other fit & finish issues reported.

I honestly think that Massdrop coulda done a much better job teaming up with WE knife to make this. I would take S35VN any day. WE Knives could have delivered this in much higher quality with less delay based on their past track records.
 
hkyew said:
You can see some reviews here highlighting some problems:
https://www.massdrop.com/buy/massdrop-x-schwarz-perpetua/reviews/2197171

TLDR - some people are getting their knives with missing spring on one side. Also the thumbstud is an issue, too close to the handle and too short. There's also some other fit & finish issues reported.

I honestly think that Massdrop coulda done a much better job teaming up with WE knife to make this. I would take S35VN any day. WE Knives could have delivered this in much higher quality with less delay based on their past track records.
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Nitro-V is a great steel, and is supposed to perform just a little below S35VN... if it's actually hard like you can take it, upwards of 62HRC. Based on what I got, I know even the worst WE knife I've gotten is still better, worst issue I've had with them is a detent a little lighter than I'd like, but I haven't had out of spec screws, bad action, and as far off as possible without rubbing centering. What gets me is Millit has shown that they are capable of superb machining, this knife feels like they subcontracted it out to Bear & Sons though.
 
hkyew said:
honestly think that Massdrop coulda done a much better job teaming up with WE knife to make this. I would take S35VN any day. WE Knives could have delivered this in much higher quality with less delay b
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Ive had big delays with we knives and poor qc on many models. Plus nitro v is great. Though I didn't buy because of the low hrc.
 
SpySmasher said:
I still think there's a problem. It's not about trying to get "behind" the stud, it's that the stud is too short for easy purchase. Even using a Zaan-style opening motion, unless I dig in harder than normal for any other knife my thumb just slides over the top. Another 1 or 1.5mm of stud height would've solved everything without making them proud of the scales.

Then again, maybe as it works itself in I need less purchase. Time will tell. I'm not giving up on this knife.

As for price, I don't think it's special. It's appropriate. Compare to say a Golden-made Maxix 2. That's about the same price for a similarly-sized, American-made knife of similar build quality. Yes, the Nitro-V is more exotic that S30V but not by that much. This is not like getting midtech value at production prices.
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Is your lock stiff? That could be the difference between the ease of contact with the studs between our knives. I was expecting a very stiff "Axis" lock from the early feedback, but mine drops open if I disengage the lock. I can see how a stiffer lock might make purchase on the studs trickier because they definitely could use a little more height.
 
hkyew said:
I honestly think that Massdrop coulda done a much better job teaming up with WE knife to make this. I would take S35VN any day. WE Knives could have delivered this in much higher quality with less delay based on their past track records.
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I agree with your comments about WE. They've shown that they can consistently deliver well make products within the expected time frame. Other than that, I'm kinda glad that Millit made this knife. The only other Millit products I have are some aftermarket pocket clips which are exquisite. This gives me an opportunity to try another maker and another steel that I don't currently have in the stable. I think it's also cool that the first patent-free "Axis" lock was made by an American shop, but that's entirely subjective.

In my opinion the real test on this drop will be whether MD can reach a state of satisfaction with the customers who are reaching out for support. It's my perception that they do a good job with customer service; my one experience with their CS department went very well. I have a feeling that all the issues with this particular knife may tax their ability to respond, repair and replace. We'll have to wait and see. To my mind it's not about making a product perfect every time, but how good you do when something isn't perfect.

dkb45 said:
Nitro-V is a great steel, and is supposed to perform just a little below S35VN... if it's actually hard like you can take it, upwards of 62HRC. Based on what I got, I know even the worst WE knife I've gotten is still better, worst issue I've had with them is a detent a little lighter than I'd like, but I haven't had out of spec screws, bad action, and as far off as possible without rubbing centering. What gets me is Millit has shown that they are capable of superb machining, this knife feels like they subcontracted it out to Bear & Sons though.
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MD has been very careful to not talk about the Millit production operation, to the point that there appear to be contradictions between MD updates and postings on the Millit Instagram page. Personally I think this drop may be the biggest undertaking that Millit has ever executed. I have a feeling this stretched their production capabilities to the limits. As a result, out the door QC can suffer and consistency from knife to knife will be variable. This is the unexpected side effect of the success of MD produced knives. It probably would have been better for MD to cap this particular drop to 400-600 units to give Millit an opportunity to ramp up production. That would have kept the drop on time and probably would have resulted in better quality control. Nearly 1200 units sold of a first ever design is a major run for big production lines like Spyderco and Benchmade; Millit is a rather small, two person shop. This was a huge bite for them to take.
 
By the way:

Millit: 8 employees (via their IG)
Reate: +/- 16 employees (via henkh of WE)
WE: 100+ employees (via henkh of WE)

Hackenslash said:
Is your lock stiff? That could be the difference between the ease of contact with the studs between our knives. I was expecting a very stiff "Axis" lock from the early feedback, but mine drops open if I disengage the lock. I can see how a stiffer lock might make purchase on the studs trickier because they definitely could use a little more height.
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Yeah, it's stiff. Even with a vigorous shake it will only fall so far -- far enough that I can manage to push it closed with my finger but it definitely doesn't fall. I don't want to mess with the pivot YET because mine came nicely centered. I'm going to see if it breaks in before I try adjusting the pivot. (In my mind, there's nothing wrong with a production knife needing a little break in.)
 
Hackenslash said:
The only other Millit products I have are some aftermarket pocket clips which are exquisite. This gives me an opportunity to try another maker and another steel that I don't currently have in the stable.
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I have a couple of Milli-made "midtechs" and they are absolutely excellent.

I also think that this was a "growing pains" project for them.
 
SpySmasher said:
By the way:

Millit: 8 employees (via their IG)
Reate: +/- 16 employees (via henkh of WE)
WE: 100+ employees (via henkh of WE)
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Good info. I think it's rather telling that Reate, with about double the workforce, rarely do runs of more than 200-400 knives per model/style. Maybe we should all be marveling at what Millit pulled off while still offering customization options for their mid-techs and aftermarket clips for CRKs.

Anyway, I hope your knife works out for you. I'm carrying mine today and it seems to be breaking in a little with compulsive fidgeting.
 
Hello everyone! TJ Schwarz here. I wanted to make myself available if anyone has any questions at all about this project.

For starters and with complete respect towards anyone in this thread - I do want people to understand the scale of this project for a company like Millit. This is new territory in terms of volume, price, and design for a quickly growing manufacturer. That being said, any issue with a knife you've purchased is not acceptable and you do not have to live with. I just got off the phone with Shane from Millit and he told me that he would be actively pursuing anyone who has issues with their knives so that he can resolve their problems immediately. I am looking to offer any help I can with questions regarding the design. I would also like to point out that Massdrop has received service requests for fewer than 1% of Perpetuas. We're talking about 1,000 knives made entirely by a team of 8 people and not yet 10 people have reported issues. If there are more than 10, we're looking for you! Thank you and I do appreciate all of your comments.
 
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Thanks for posting in here TJ and for offering to help resolve any issues. I received mine yesterday and wanted to report that mine came in without any issues. The blade is centered, it drops free to open and close by disengaging the lock, and opening via the thumb studs is very smooth and easy.

I’m excited to put it through its paces and see how the steel performs at this HRC. I have been making kitchen knives out of Nitro V hardened to around 61 and those have performed really well so it will be nice to compare that steel at 57-59.

I think it’s great that you guys opted to keep manufacturing of this knife in the US. I have no problems with Chinese knives (I’ve ordered every one of the FF/WE collaborations) but I love seeing a product like this made in a small US based shop. You probably could have charged the same and made a few bucks more per knife sending it overseas but I appreciate you working with Millit on it.
 
Jasoncap said:
Thanks for posting in here TJ and for offering to help resolve any issues. I received mine yesterday and wanted to report that mine came in without any issues. The blade is centered, it drops free to open and close by disengaging the lock, and opening via the thumb studs is very smooth and easy.

I’m excited to put it through its paces and see how the steel performs at this HRC. I have been making kitchen knives out of Nitro V hardened to around 61 and those have performed really well so it will be nice to compare that steel at 57-59.

I think it’s great that you guys opted to keep manufacturing of this knife in the US. I have no problems with Chinese knives (I’ve ordered every one of the FF/WE collaborations) but I love seeing a product like this made in a small US based shop. You probably could have charged the same and made a few bucks more per knife sending it overseas but I appreciate you working with Millit on it.
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Thank you, I'm happy to hear you like the knife! I would like to point out that the final hardness is 60-61 Rc on the Perpetua. We've found that Nitro-V has great properties at that high of a hardness. Thanks again.
 
CarbonHandprint said:
Thank you, I'm happy to hear you like the knife! I would like to point out that the final hardness is 60-61 Rc on the Perpetua. We've found that Nitro-V has great properties at that high of a hardness. Thanks again.
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Ha that was one of the reasons I had backed out of the drop, because the hardness was going to be too low.
 
Mine arrived yesterday I have to say it's okay the action is good as are ergos I do find the stud placement an issue and I wish the blade to handle ratio was better but kind of knew it was not great going in. The comments about the clip have some legitimacy I may try to tighten mine a little but it's not terrible. All things considered I'm happy but not blown away
 
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