WE Knives? Another high end Chinese company?

I purchased a WE 617F as well and it's a great knife! Seeing as it's considered a "budget" model of the brand I expected to find some minor issues. I scrutinized the fit and finish and haven't found a single flaw in the blade grind, opening/closing action, locking mechanism, chamfered edges, scales, or even the back spacer and clip. The factory edge on the blade is ground perfectly, matches on each side, and is very, very sharp. Feels comfortable in the hand and blade has no play whatsoever. I'm digging the design touches as well, like the lines down the side of the blade extending from the gimping. The blade's harpoon-shaped tip, when closed, lines up flush with the end of the handle scales. The backspacer continues the subtle curve of the back edge of the handle. Even small things like the butt end of the backspacer's chamfering aligning exactly with the corners of the scales. Heck, even the zippered case that comes with the knife feels well made. Extremely impressed with how everything on this knife comes together in both design and execution.

I've been eyeing the more expensive models for a few months now. The 602C and 606CFC especially. But I wasn't willing to drop $400+ dollars (CDN) to check them out. After handling this 617 I think I'll be picking up more from WE in the future. :)
 
I waited all of a few days then decided to get myself another WE knife. I picked up the 615C (blue anodized scales with black blade). Man, what a great blade! I was already impressed with the smooth action on the 617, but this 615 is just something else. I'm really liking these ceramic bearings WE uses in their knives. My only nitpicks with the knife are the (intentionally designed) light detent and small pocket clip gap (fits tight on jeans, but decent with suit pants). Otherwise, it has the same flawless fit and finish as the 617. This is the only knife besides my ZT 562 that had me ooooohing and aaaaahing as I gave it the once-over right out of the box. I'm certainly not going to "hard use" the WE 615 like I do with my ZT 562, but it'll certainly put a smile on my face every time I open mail, etc. with it. :)
 
I have been lurking around BF since my teens, and have really never felt compelled to register an account. I have a modest collection of Benchmade and Spyderco with some Gerber Plus along with a couple cheaper knives.

I feel compelled to register now that I have a WE 620D shipped on its way to me. I read so much about these knives, with their impeccable fit and finish, interesting designs and most importantly: the price.
From what I can tell without holding one yet, these are rivaling 5-700 dollar "midtech" knives in terms of quality and materials. Place of manufacture means very little to me. The only thing that was holding me back was I couldn't find a design that really resonated with me, mostly because I'm very much not a flipper person. Now with this blue anodized framelock, full Ti hardware, M390 and ceramic ride.. I've never been this excited about a knife purchase before.

Just want to say that without being a member, this forum completely moulded my purchases and tastes and definitely steered me in the right direction when I started getting into blades.
cheers everyone
 
Well after being so impressed with the 608H I felt compelled to buy another. Two days ago I received the 614H and once again I'm blown away by the exceptional fit and finish of this beautiful knife. WE truly does amazing work and their passion for detail and quality is truly refreshing. I can't wait to see what they have to offer in 2017.
 
Received my 620D in the mail yesterday.

F&F is outstanding. Grind is perfect, edge totally symmetrical and a blade perfectly centered right out of the box. Probably the sharpest factory edge I've received from a production knife, the M390 is gorgeous with the beadblast and polished accents.
Wonderful craftsmanship, feels like I'm holding a 600$ dollar knife. So impressed with all the fine machining details, has a liquid smooth action and a perfect detent.

Honestly couldn't ask for more!! totally flawless so far.
 
Their price is stupid high up north. For less $ you got most ZT. For an extra $50 you get a small Sebbie. Someone did not get the WE marketing concept of cheaper in Vancouver...
Mind you, same monopolistic outlet also sell QTRWTFTR at a hefty premium...
 
Hackenslash said:
I feel the same way as you about proprietary hardware, but take a little softer stance when it comes to WE. Their proprietary hardware is part of the design and style of the knife, almost to the point where it's a common thread identifying their various designs...not unlike a spydiehole in a fixed blade. I'm not crazy about it, but I appreciate what they're trying to do with the unique, "star" head hardware. Add to it the colorization that extends through the hardware as an accent tone and I get to where I no longer hate it. On some models the raised, proprietary hardware actually enhance grip in a very interesting way.
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Fyi --

http://knifenews.com/knife-gripes-nick-shabazz-episode-1-screwed-up/
 
FullMetalJackass said:
Their price is stupid high up north. For less $ you got most ZT. For an extra $50 you get a small Sebbie. Someone did not get the WE marketing concept of cheaper in Vancouver...
Mind you, same monopolistic outlet also sell QTRWTFTR at a hefty premium...
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Even in the states most WE knives cost more than a zt. But WE knives have a lot more going on for the dollar spent. Imho quality is quality no matter which country its made in. If zt or chris reeve were to put out a knife similar to what WE is doing it would be double to triple the price and likely a limited edition.
 
PURPLEDC said:
Even in the states most WE knives cost more than a zt. But WE knives have a lot more going on for the dollar spent. Imho quality is quality no matter which country its made in. If zt or chris reeve were to put out a knife similar to what WE is doing it would be double to triple the price and likely a limited edition.
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I would love to check one by myself but considering return policies of this outlet I'd rather not gamble :)
 
Hackenslash said:
Good old Nick. I wonder how long knife gripes runs before he runs out of meaningful input? I do think he missed the boat with WE in terms of the hardware being a design element. I'd rather have proprietary hardware with a free tool than Torx and red loctite :p
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You are welcome to all the proprietary tools your knife drawers can hold.

As Good Ole Nick points out, proprietary hardware on pocket knives have no reason to exist.
 
flash900 said:
You are welcome to all the proprietary tools your knife drawers can hold.

As Good Ole Nick points out, proprietary hardware on pocket knives have no reason to exist.
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I don't really see it to that extreme. If your life "in the field" depends on a folder you can disassemble and service, you're doing it wrong. A folding knife isn't the crux to survival in the zombie apocalypse, regardless of what Nick says. Some of us EDC folders as part of an EDC package and accept the shortcomings of proprietary hardware with a grain of salt. Make no mistake, I'm no fan of propriety hardware, but if that's your Number One Knife Gripe...maybe you should look a little harder at your knife needs.
 
Hackenslash said:
I don't really see it to that extreme. If your life "in the field" depends on a folder you can disassemble and service, you're doing it wrong. A folding knife isn't the crux to survival in the zombie apocalypse, regardless of what Nick says. Some of us EDC folders as part of an EDC package and accept the shortcomings of proprietary hardware with a grain of salt. Make no mistake, I'm no fan of propriety hardware, but if that's your Number One Knife Gripe...maybe you should look a little harder at your knife needs.
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No need to attack or lecture Nick (or anyone else).

Please look to your own knife needs. I'll be fine without any more proprietary tools, thank you.
 
flash900 said:
No need to attack or lecture Nick (or anyone else).

Please look to your own knife needs. I'll be fine without any more proprietary tools, thank you.
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My apologies if you or anyone felt attacked by my comments. I only tried to present an opposing, and for me, rational viewpoint. An exchange of ideas can be a good experience.
 
lets be honest, faboys will disagree, but the custom screws on we-knives is a con. he gives reasons why and they are 100% valid and plausible. it wont affect everyone that buys a we-knife.

honestly i think it makes them look great, however, it would be 100% better if they had a torx bit in the center of the star. or just all together a different design, something else with a torx bit. the colors are what really makes it pop more so than the star design.

edit, video added for those that don't know Nick
https://youtu.be/LvrnSOyPypE
 
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I don't mind the star-shaped screws on the WE knives at all. I've disassembled the 617 and 615 a few times (no issues, just being nosey and testing) and the screws and tool are holding up well. Actually, the ZT 562 with the pivot not being notched on one side gives me more trouble in disassembly having to use 2 tools instead of just one. Not saying it's that much more of a pain, just that I'd rather be able to keep the knife sitting flat on the table. If I were to change any one thing on the 2 WE knives I own it would definitely be the clips though. The 617 has a good enough gap to fit on jeans, but the ramp to get the clip over the edge of the pocket could be better. On the 615 the ramp part of the clip is not tapered close enough to the tip and the gap is too small for that double layer on the edge of some jeans' pockets. I've actually made a couple slight bends in the 615 so it fits better on my jeans. Still, the 615 is my favorite office carry by far (so far). :)

Wouldn't it be easy enough to replace the screws with ones that have whatever screw head you desire. I imagine with all the modding people do on knives, swapping the screws would be simple enough. Just have to match the threading and length. ;)
 
I would recommend buying a WE knife and judge for yourself. You get a LOT of knife for your money and FF is flawless. I prefer a simple proprietary tool above torx screws which are glued so heavily they won't budge, no matter what you do and you end with stripped screws.... Not pointing to any manufacturer here.... :)
 
Is proprietary hardware needed? No, absolutely not. Can it be desired, or liked even? Sure can. On just a straight tool, I would prefer regular hardware that takes regular tools. However, since I consider my high end knives not just tools but as pseudo art pieces as well, if the tool is given to operate the fancy hardware I don't mind. I like it even at that point.
 
I remember my early Kizers from 3 years ago had proprietary pivot but they listened and changed it to torx.

You can still have a decorative pivot with torx.

Proprietary screws have no functional advantages that I know of. The issue with needing loctite (blue and hopefully not red) can apply to any type of srew.
 
Mo2 said:
lets be honest, faboys will disagree, but the custom screws on we-knives is a con. he gives reasons why and they are 100% valid and plausible. it wont affect everyone that buys a we-knife.

honestly i think it makes them look great, however, it would be 100% better if they had a torx bit in the center of the star. or just all together a different design, something else with a torx bit. the colors are what really makes it pop more so than the star design.
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I agree. It's what kept me from pulling the trigger for so long.

I have one WE tool on my keys now, so I always have it on me. I rarely have a torx on me, so it's actually potentially more convenient :D

I know I could just as easily carry a torx, but to be perfectly honest...despite carrying knives every day for many years...I have yet to need to preform "emergency maintenance in the field."
 
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