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It's a big, meh, for me. Looks a lot like some of the Chinese Ganzo's knives I've seen. (although it does have a lot better steel) Different strokes...
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The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
TJ Schwarz Perpetua
- Thread starter tgtodd
- Start date
SpySmasher
Lead Guitar
- Joined
- Sep 1, 2016
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- 5,016
CarbonHandprint
Hey, TJ. Thanks for checking in. I have a question about mine:
From your standpoint, what SHOULD be the action/stiffness of the pivot? What was the design intention?
I would characterize mine as "stiff." With a firm shake I can get the blade within range of my fingers to be pushed close. With other Axis-type locks I'm used to a much more drop-shut or shake-shut pivot action. I can't "snap" it open as I really need to dig on the thumb stud and push it open.
I will probably end up loosening the pivot anyway but since you're here I thought I'd ask how you intended it to be tuned when you designed it.
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- Apr 8, 2016
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This is a no clone forum buddy. Please keep them to yourself.
- Joined
- Apr 25, 2017
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- 50
I received mine today. About one and a half weeks to be shipped to Australia, awesome.
First the positives: I really like a lot about the Perpetua. The ergonomics really fit me well, it’s extremely comfortable in my hand.
The G10 is great. It’s grippy but not aggressively so and it feels very high quality. It’s the nicest G10 I’ve felt on a knife. The axis lock mechanism is really nice, it’s very smooth to pull down.
I love the blade shape and the finish. The stonewash is gorgeous. I like that the whole knife is monochrome, it’s discreet and will hide wear very well.
The grind is fantastic, it came hair shaving sharp. One of the sharpest knives I’ve received.
Unfortunately I have 3 issues with it.
First issue: there is rust or pitting spots on the spine of the blade.
Second issue: the clip was nice and tight out of the box. I’ve only had the knife in my pocket for half a day but just removing it and putting it back in my pocket has already loosened the clip considerably. I know this happens with all clips but certainly not within one day. I worry about the long term durability of this clip.
Third issue: the action is gritty, loud and screechy. Something is wrong with it. I added a couple of drops of nano oil and slightly loosen the pivot but it has actually gotten worst from when I received it.
When I hold the axis lock mechanism down, the blade swings freely and it’s beautifully smooth but as soon as the axis lock mechanism is released, it’s back to being horribly gritty and screechy.
Also the thumb studs aren’t far enough away from the scale and they aren’t tall enough. This is very disappointing especially considering this was supposed to be fixed on the production knives. It was mentioned in Epic Snuggle Bunny’s prototype review and was mentioned in the opening post in the comments section. Maybe I’ll get used to the thumb studs? I can’t tell because the knife isn’t able to be flicked open with the gritty screeching action.
I’m very disappointed. There is a lot I like about this knife. I think this will be a great user knife, especially with a higher quality pocket clip and better thought out thumb studs.
I’ve contacted massdrop and sent them photos and video of the above issues.
Here is the video.
If it’s an easy fix, that would be great because the cost to send it back to the U.S could cost a third of the original cost of the knife.
First the positives: I really like a lot about the Perpetua. The ergonomics really fit me well, it’s extremely comfortable in my hand.
The G10 is great. It’s grippy but not aggressively so and it feels very high quality. It’s the nicest G10 I’ve felt on a knife. The axis lock mechanism is really nice, it’s very smooth to pull down.
I love the blade shape and the finish. The stonewash is gorgeous. I like that the whole knife is monochrome, it’s discreet and will hide wear very well.
The grind is fantastic, it came hair shaving sharp. One of the sharpest knives I’ve received.
Unfortunately I have 3 issues with it.
First issue: there is rust or pitting spots on the spine of the blade.
Second issue: the clip was nice and tight out of the box. I’ve only had the knife in my pocket for half a day but just removing it and putting it back in my pocket has already loosened the clip considerably. I know this happens with all clips but certainly not within one day. I worry about the long term durability of this clip.
Third issue: the action is gritty, loud and screechy. Something is wrong with it. I added a couple of drops of nano oil and slightly loosen the pivot but it has actually gotten worst from when I received it.
When I hold the axis lock mechanism down, the blade swings freely and it’s beautifully smooth but as soon as the axis lock mechanism is released, it’s back to being horribly gritty and screechy.
Also the thumb studs aren’t far enough away from the scale and they aren’t tall enough. This is very disappointing especially considering this was supposed to be fixed on the production knives. It was mentioned in Epic Snuggle Bunny’s prototype review and was mentioned in the opening post in the comments section. Maybe I’ll get used to the thumb studs? I can’t tell because the knife isn’t able to be flicked open with the gritty screeching action.
I’m very disappointed. There is a lot I like about this knife. I think this will be a great user knife, especially with a higher quality pocket clip and better thought out thumb studs.
I’ve contacted massdrop and sent them photos and video of the above issues.
Here is the video.
If it’s an easy fix, that would be great because the cost to send it back to the U.S could cost a third of the original cost of the knife.
argyle1812
Gold Member
- Joined
- Mar 6, 2016
- Messages
- 1,725
While nothing is broken on mine I did email Massdrop about having the company take a look because of how stiff the action is. Curious to hear the response.
- Joined
- Apr 25, 2017
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- 50
This is an update from my first impressions and issues posted just above.
Recap: I had an issue with the action. It was screechy, loud and gritty. I have a video posted in the prior comment. It was bad, I could open the knife with one hand. I had contacted massdrop but haven’t heard anything back from them. Anyway, RDO today so I sprayed the hell out of it with WD-40, cycled the action and rinsed with hot water. I then used compressed air to blow it out, dried it eith my wife’s hairdryer and gave it another spray of compressed air. Some 10w nano oil and boom! Perfect. Action is smooth as a baby’s bottom. I’m really really liking the knife a lot. The G10 is grippy and looks great, ergos are fantasti, the blade shape is very utilitarian and great for EDC. I love love the heavy stonewash. It’s the nicest stonewash I’ve seen next to the Boo’s Mini Aero. Great jimping on the Perpetua as well. I did complain about the thumb studs being too short and too close to the handle... now that the action is fixed, it’s not an issue. The studs are nicely designed and catch my thumb nicely. I flick them from across the G10, not underneath the actual stud. The only issues i have is with the small rust/pitting spots on the spine of the blade and the pocket clip. The clip seems flimsy and doesn’t seem it would keep tension.
Overall: I’m really really happy with this knife. It’s a nicely built and designed knife especially for the price point. It’s made to be a user and Millit & TJ did a great job implementing those “worker/user”!design characteristics into the Perpetua. If future runs do happen, I would like to see titanium liners used to reduce a little more weight and a deep carry pocket clip. I would definitely pay extra for these extras.
Video of the now fixed action:
Recap: I had an issue with the action. It was screechy, loud and gritty. I have a video posted in the prior comment. It was bad, I could open the knife with one hand. I had contacted massdrop but haven’t heard anything back from them. Anyway, RDO today so I sprayed the hell out of it with WD-40, cycled the action and rinsed with hot water. I then used compressed air to blow it out, dried it eith my wife’s hairdryer and gave it another spray of compressed air. Some 10w nano oil and boom! Perfect. Action is smooth as a baby’s bottom. I’m really really liking the knife a lot. The G10 is grippy and looks great, ergos are fantasti, the blade shape is very utilitarian and great for EDC. I love love the heavy stonewash. It’s the nicest stonewash I’ve seen next to the Boo’s Mini Aero. Great jimping on the Perpetua as well. I did complain about the thumb studs being too short and too close to the handle... now that the action is fixed, it’s not an issue. The studs are nicely designed and catch my thumb nicely. I flick them from across the G10, not underneath the actual stud. The only issues i have is with the small rust/pitting spots on the spine of the blade and the pocket clip. The clip seems flimsy and doesn’t seem it would keep tension.
Overall: I’m really really happy with this knife. It’s a nicely built and designed knife especially for the price point. It’s made to be a user and Millit & TJ did a great job implementing those “worker/user”!design characteristics into the Perpetua. If future runs do happen, I would like to see titanium liners used to reduce a little more weight and a deep carry pocket clip. I would definitely pay extra for these extras.
Video of the now fixed action:
argyle1812
Gold Member
- Joined
- Mar 6, 2016
- Messages
- 1,725
This is an update from my first impressions and issues posted just above.
Recap: I had an issue with the action. It was screechy, loud and gritty. I have a video posted in the prior comment. It was bad, I could open the knife with one hand. I had contacted massdrop but haven’t heard anything back from them. Anyway, RDO today so I sprayed the hell out of it with WD-40, cycled the action and rinsed with hot water. I then used compressed air to blow it out, dried it eith my wife’s hairdryer and gave it another spray of compressed air. Some 10w nano oil and boom! Perfect. Action is smooth as a baby’s bottom. I’m really really liking the knife a lot. The G10 is grippy and looks great, ergos are fantasti, the blade shape is very utilitarian and great for EDC. I love love the heavy stonewash. It’s the nicest stonewash I’ve seen next to the Boo’s Mini Aero. Great jimping on the Perpetua as well. I did complain about the thumb studs being too short and too close to the handle... now that the action is fixed, it’s not an issue. The studs are nicely designed and catch my thumb nicely. I flick them from across the G10, not underneath the actual stud. The only issues i have is with the small rust/pitting spots on the spine of the blade and the pocket clip. The clip seems flimsy and doesn’t seem it would keep tension.
Overall: I’m really really happy with this knife. It’s a nicely built and designed knife especially for the price point. It’s made to be a user and Millit & TJ did a great job implementing those “worker/user”!design characteristics into the Perpetua. If future runs do happen, I would like to see titanium liners used to reduce a little more weight and a deep carry pocket clip. I would definitely pay extra for these extras.
Video of the now fixed action:
That is certainly encouraging. I have messaged Massdrop about sending mine in since it so stiff. If they do no not reply I will do what you did on yours.
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- Apr 8, 2016
- Messages
- 6,630
You can try to clean that rust up with some bar keepers friend. Then apply edci to it, let it set then rub in/off with micro fiber cloth. Re apply again maybe the next day for best results. You could also use mineral oil, fluid film etc any food grade oil that protects against rust and corrosion.
- Joined
- Oct 7, 2014
- Messages
- 979
You posted in the comments on my video I'm glad to hear that you got it working well I will try to track some of the others and see how they came out. Thanks for the updateThis is an update from my first impressions and issues posted just above.
Recap: I had an issue with the action. It was screechy, loud and gritty. I have a video posted in the prior comment. It was bad, I could open the knife with one hand. I had contacted massdrop but haven’t heard anything back from them. Anyway, RDO today so I sprayed the hell out of it with WD-40, cycled the action and rinsed with hot water. I then used compressed air to blow it out, dried it eith my wife’s hairdryer and gave it another spray of compressed air. Some 10w nano oil and boom! Perfect. Action is smooth as a baby’s bottom. I’m really really liking the knife a lot. The G10 is grippy and looks great, ergos are fantasti, the blade shape is very utilitarian and great for EDC. I love love the heavy stonewash. It’s the nicest stonewash I’ve seen next to the Boo’s Mini Aero. Great jimping on the Perpetua as well. I did complain about the thumb studs being too short and too close to the handle... now that the action is fixed, it’s not an issue. The studs are nicely designed and catch my thumb nicely. I flick them from across the G10, not underneath the actual stud. The only issues i have is with the small rust/pitting spots on the spine of the blade and the pocket clip. The clip seems flimsy and doesn’t seem it would keep tension.
Overall: I’m really really happy with this knife. It’s a nicely built and designed knife especially for the price point. It’s made to be a user and Millit & TJ did a great job implementing those “worker/user”!design characteristics into the Perpetua. If future runs do happen, I would like to see titanium liners used to reduce a little more weight and a deep carry pocket clip. I would definitely pay extra for these extras.
Video of the now fixed action:
- Joined
- Mar 4, 2014
- Messages
- 3,646
Is it just me, or does this knife scream for a scalloped relief on the scales, just below the thumb studs? No offense to TJ (
CarbonHandprint
) as I think it's a decent knife overall. I don't think it would detract from the desired look, but appears that it might improve the action.
I know, I know. It's always easier to armchair quarterback after the fact.
CarbonHandprint
) as I think it's a decent knife overall. I don't think it would detract from the desired look, but appears that it might improve the action. I know, I know. It's always easier to armchair quarterback after the fact.
Last edited:
Blkfrncis
Gold Member
- Joined
- Aug 13, 2013
- Messages
- 208
I received mine yesterday and, like others, the action was stiff. I backed the pivot screw off a very small amount and it’s perfect now, for how I like it (light wrist flick to close but not quite drop shut). If I wanted drop shut, I’m sure I could back it off a hair more to achieve it and still have zero blade play. Lockup is solid all around and the blade is centered.
I agree with the comments about the thumb stud placement, but they work well to rotate the blade out. I haven’t quite found a technique the works to flick the blade out consistently, but maybe with a little more practice.
The clip does seem a bit loose so I might tighten it up a bit. I don’t really feel any hot spots from it or anything else from the handle so ergonically I’d say it’s great. The G10 is some of the best I’ve seen.
The blade shape and finish are fantastic and I love the hollow grind. I’m not a huge fan of large jimping as it always seems a bit aggressive on a bare finger for extended use (insert puss hands joke here). It is functional and well placed though.
Overall, I’d say it’s a pretty good value and a fine user, compared to others in its similar class. Especially with the interesting steel (happy to hear about the higher hardness). Happy camper here.
I agree with the comments about the thumb stud placement, but they work well to rotate the blade out. I haven’t quite found a technique the works to flick the blade out consistently, but maybe with a little more practice.
The clip does seem a bit loose so I might tighten it up a bit. I don’t really feel any hot spots from it or anything else from the handle so ergonically I’d say it’s great. The G10 is some of the best I’ve seen.
The blade shape and finish are fantastic and I love the hollow grind. I’m not a huge fan of large jimping as it always seems a bit aggressive on a bare finger for extended use (insert puss hands joke here). It is functional and well placed though.
Overall, I’d say it’s a pretty good value and a fine user, compared to others in its similar class. Especially with the interesting steel (happy to hear about the higher hardness). Happy camper here.
- Joined
- Dec 16, 2012
- Messages
- 4,437
Wait, are you kidding? If your knife is missing parts you're just SoL? That's kinda laughable customer service right there.
Hilary L. (Massdrop Community Support)
Sep 19, 9:35 AM PDT
Hi XXX,
My apologies for the mistaken screw/spring. Unfortunately, my situation remains the same. I am unable to source individual replacement parts like the missing spring. I do have a few options to offer you.
Sep 19, 9:35 AM PDT
Hi XXX,
My apologies for the mistaken screw/spring. Unfortunately, my situation remains the same. I am unable to source individual replacement parts like the missing spring. I do have a few options to offer you.
- Joined
- Apr 25, 2017
- Messages
- 50
Yeah good idea. I’m glad I got it fixed, the postage back to the U.S would have been expensive.
- Joined
- Apr 25, 2017
- Messages
- 50
Is it just me, or does this knife scream for a scalloped relief on the scales, just below the thumb studs? No offense to TJ (
I know, I know. It's always easier to armchair quarterback after the fact.
I agree, it would be nice. But it’s not a make or break thing for me. I find the Perpetua easier to flick than my Benchmade 940-1501.
BD_01
Basic Member
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- Jun 9, 2016
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What were the options?
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- Apr 6, 2017
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- 1,768
Wow. That is lunacy. I hope they mean that they'll still take the knife back for warranty service.
- Joined
- Nov 14, 2013
- Messages
- 46
I have spoken with Massdrop and Millit in detail about extra parts/warranty work.
I have been informed that warranty requests for any issues with the knife must go through Massdrop's help center.
In addition, Shane at Millit has decided to offer OEM parts virtually at cost to anyone looking for backup components. He can be contacted via Instagram @millitknives or through the contact form on their website.
Thank you all again! I apologize for falling behind a bit in this thread. I'll try to answer your questions:
It's my belief that the stiffness some people are experiencing is a product of the matte texture of the blade finish. This finish extends the break-in period somewhat. As far as the tuning of the pivot goes, it should be no tighter than the very instant the side to side play disappears. When adjusted to this tightness the effects on the smoothness of the action come down to the blade/washer surface finish, both of which will polish during break in. If you are used to the feel of a Benchmade out of the box, please note the difference in blade finish.
Thank you for the question!
I agree, it would not detract from the desired look. To be completely honest, we did not experience any issues with the thumb stud placement and height during our testing. We went through 3 different thumb stud variations before settling on the production version, a consensus between Millit, Massdrop, and myself. The feedback we received from some people on the production version was a surprise. I wonder if it has anything to do with myself and Millit's familiarity with the Umnumzaan and the nature of its thumb stud placement. That being said I am not ignoring this feedback as a designer. I have noted it for future designs I assure you! Reception of a design often has a lot to do with the muscle memory of each individual costumer and how it translates to the new geometry. My takeaway personally would be to place more energy on assuring things like this are more "universal". I have had many people reach out to tell me they think the thumb stud geometry is perfect and they don't understand what people mean. These are the challenges of designing on this level with this broad of an audience.
Thank you for the question!
I have been informed that warranty requests for any issues with the knife must go through Massdrop's help center.
In addition, Shane at Millit has decided to offer OEM parts virtually at cost to anyone looking for backup components. He can be contacted via Instagram @millitknives or through the contact form on their website.
Thank you all again! I apologize for falling behind a bit in this thread. I'll try to answer your questions:
From your standpoint, what SHOULD be the action/stiffness of the pivot? What was the design intention?
It's my belief that the stiffness some people are experiencing is a product of the matte texture of the blade finish. This finish extends the break-in period somewhat. As far as the tuning of the pivot goes, it should be no tighter than the very instant the side to side play disappears. When adjusted to this tightness the effects on the smoothness of the action come down to the blade/washer surface finish, both of which will polish during break in. If you are used to the feel of a Benchmade out of the box, please note the difference in blade finish.
Thank you for the question!
Is it just me, or does this knife scream for a scalloped relief on the scales, just below the thumb studs? No offense to TJ (
I know, I know. It's always easier to armchair quarterback after the fact.
I agree, it would not detract from the desired look. To be completely honest, we did not experience any issues with the thumb stud placement and height during our testing. We went through 3 different thumb stud variations before settling on the production version, a consensus between Millit, Massdrop, and myself. The feedback we received from some people on the production version was a surprise. I wonder if it has anything to do with myself and Millit's familiarity with the Umnumzaan and the nature of its thumb stud placement. That being said I am not ignoring this feedback as a designer. I have noted it for future designs I assure you! Reception of a design often has a lot to do with the muscle memory of each individual costumer and how it translates to the new geometry. My takeaway personally would be to place more energy on assuring things like this are more "universal". I have had many people reach out to tell me they think the thumb stud geometry is perfect and they don't understand what people mean. These are the challenges of designing on this level with this broad of an audience.
Thank you for the question!
SpySmasher
Lead Guitar
- Joined
- Sep 1, 2016
- Messages
- 5,016
Thanks for the answer.
I'm going to treat the knife as you describe, including allowing for break in (which is perfectly reasonable to me). As I said before, I really like the design in terms of size, looks and ergonomics. If the kinetics of mine end up as nice as some others have reported, I'll be more than satisfied.