WE Knives? Another high end Chinese company?

And my video on the WE 611, available since 4 weeks.
[video=youtube;ijoCJXjAfoE]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijoCJXjAfoE[/video]
 
Three exciting new models: 616, 617 & 618.
The 616 is another collab with Simon Crafts.
The 617 is the first in a new line of more budget friendly models.

Just the short first introduction video.
[video=youtube;v7GKg8P4DiM]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7GKg8P4DiM[/video]
 
henkh said:
Three exciting new models: 616, 617 & 618.
The 616 is another collab with Simon Crafts.
The 617 is the first in a new line of more budget friendly models.

Just the short first introduction video.
[video=youtube;v7GKg8P4DiM]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7GKg8P4DiM[/video]
Click to expand...

I have a WE616 inbound from MassDrop. It's the black/gold version and I can't wait to get it in hand. It looks like it might be the one Tanto blade that could break into my EDC rotation!

I just got in a WE615 Cirrus and at this point I'm not sure what to think. I got the gray Ti handles with the bead blast/satin blade version. In some ways it just seems a little "unfinished". The gimping on the top of the scales is VERY overly aggressive. It's almost to the point where if you flip the knife more than a few times you'll make ground meat out of your flipping finger. I'm going to have to do a little file work to tame those serrations. The gimping on the blade spine is fine. I have a similar problem with the gimping on the lock release. You push your thumb into it to disengage the frame lock and the serrations really bite into your thumb. Trust me, I flip and play with knives a lot. I don't have tender hands :p.

The edges of the scales seem a little unfinished too. I think the knife was trying for a more "raw", less polished look...which is fine given the rather ornate appearance of most other WE's...but it could have used a little more work to make it feel better in hand. The blade grind is flawless and the ergos of the knife are perfect, but it is a bit of a lazy flipper. It's perfectly smooth but definitely the laziest of all my WE knives. It's impressive how light and slim it is with a full 3.5" blade! This knife should be very pocket friendly.

I never did really warm up to my WE605, we'll have to wait and see what happens with this 615. If I get a chance, I'll try to post some pictures later.
 
Hackenslash said:
I have a WE616 inbound from MassDrop. It's the black/gold version and I can't wait to get it in hand. It looks like it might be the one Tanto blade that could break into my EDC rotation!

I just got in a WE615 Cirrus and at this point I'm not sure what to think. I got the gray Ti handles with the bead blast/satin blade version. In some ways it just seems a little "unfinished". The gimping on the top of the scales is VERY overly aggressive. It's almost to the point where if you flip the knife more than a few times you'll make ground meat out of your flipping finger. I'm going to have to do a little file work to tame those serrations. The gimping on the blade spine is fine. I have a similar problem with the gimping on the lock release. You push your thumb into it to disengage the frame lock and the serrations really bite into your thumb. Trust me, I flip and play with knives a lot. I don't have tender hands :p.

The edges of the scales seem a little unfinished too. I think the knife was trying for a more "raw", less polished look...which is fine given the rather ornate appearance of most other WE's...but it could have used a little more work to make it feel better in hand. The blade grind is flawless and the ergos of the knife are perfect, but it is a bit of a lazy flipper. It's perfectly smooth but definitely the laziest of all my WE knives. It's impressive how light and slim it is with a full 3.5" blade! This knife should be very pocket friendly.

I never did really warm up to my WE605, we'll have to wait and see what happens with this 615. If I get a chance, I'll try to post some pictures later.
Click to expand...

One of our members here had a similar experience with the 615 in terms of flipping; it could be easily shaken out of the handle. I think they tried to make a concession so that both opening methods were viable, but erred on the light side too much. My personal 601 is evidence that WE can certainly do a detent well, but it disappoints me that the 615 is like that because to me it's the most attractive model they make right now.

That said, I really want one of the new 618's:

618D.JPG
 
I have 2 WE knives......603a and a 606. Both detents are as close to perfect as you can get. The 603 is one of the very best flippers I have.

That 618 is bad ass! Love that blade shape!!!
Joe
 
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palonej said:
I have 2 WE knives......603a and a 606. Both detents are as close to perfect as you can get. The 603 is one of the very best flippers I have.

That 618 is bad ass! Love that. Made shape!!!
Joe
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The designer of the 615 (Simon Crafts) seems to have specified it to have a lighter detent, so it doesn't appear to be a catalog wide issue.
 
Crafts did both the 615 and the 616.

I don't think my 615 is "lazy" because of the detent, and I definitely can't shake it out, it just seems like the bearings are "tight". It could be something that gets better with a little time. I just got the knife yesterday. My big beef with the 615 is that it just feels a little raw...like the final step to mill the handles for comfort was forgotten :(. I love the look and ergos of the knife though, so I'm going to keep at it. I'll carry it tomorrow and see how it breaks in.

All of my other WE's flip great, in fact the 606 is one of the best flippers I own. That knife amazes me sometimes. My 605 detent is actually a little strong.

Still liking everything that WE is doing and seriously excited for the 616. It should be in around the 10th of January.
 
Misanthropia said:
One of our members here had a similar experience with the 615 in terms of flipping; it could be easily shaken out of the handle. I think they tried to make a concession so that both opening methods were viable, but erred on the light side too much. My personal 601 is evidence that WE can certainly do a detent well, but it disappoints me that the 615 is like that because to me it's the most attractive model they make right now.

That said, I really want one of the new 618's:

618D.JPG
Click to expand...

That 618 looks kinda like the high quality Urban Trapper I've always wanted ;).
 
Seilu said:
Wow that 618 looks really sleek [emoji15]
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Exactly what went through my mind Seilu!! Definitely interested in this one!! Just hoping it flips as great as my 603 & 606......those 2 literally could not flip any better!! They fly open and lock up TIGHT!!
I think WE is making some of the best flippers out there! The build quality on my 2 is excellent!!
I also like the fact that they addressed some areas that others haven't. The lock bar releases are textured nicely and are raised up a bit to make unlocking comfortable.
Joe
 
WE definitely makes some nice blades. I don't have one (yet), but I have only heard good things from members here and elsewhere on the web. The 603 would be the model I am most interested in trying. If it is anything like my Reate Horizon (quality wise), it will quickly become a new favorite.
 
Either one of these will definitely become a favorite Rat!!
Excellent knives!!
Joe

f1e5d3314ea42f4c5b13a0eba570efbe.jpg

cee4773a62247248860d1e97439ef95e.jpg
 
Sharp eye my friend!!!! And a REALLY sharp knife!!
I put that cover on because I 'tested sharpness' quite a bit on the wheel!!!!
Joe
 
@Hackenslash: Right now some of my WE Knives are on a Passaround in Germany and Austria...amongst the the 615. So i can't check mine right now on the lazya action and "raw" feeling/gimping. I will do this when it gets "home" again...But based on my memory i can not tell...I thought it might be well one of the most edcable models from WE right now.

The 618 is so sleek....if it wasn't a 4"blade it would be certainly a knife for carrying when in suit, to church, during board meetings :-)

And the 617 is a steal i think. Great value. And the sharpest out of the box of all WE knives up to now.
 
Hey Henkh,
do you have any information on the 612? Will it ever be available at normal retailers(Mesenzo)? That' s the one I' m most interested in currently.
 
Just got this one the other day the gold hardware is much nicer than the purple,and the handles are stonewashed blue with tints of gold.4" blade is m390 this is one great knife .
b8mecj.jpg
 
henkh said:
@Hackenslash: Right now some of my WE Knives are on a Passaround in Germany and Austria...amongst the the 615. So i can't check mine right now on the lazya action and "raw" feeling/gimping. I will do this when it gets "home" again...But based on my memory i can not tell...I thought it might be well one of the most edcable models from WE right now.

The 618 is so sleek....if it wasn't a 4"blade it would be certainly a knife for carrying when in suit, to church, during board meetings :-)

And the 617 is a steal i think. Great value. And the sharpest out of the box of all WE knives up to now.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I'd appreciate hearing your observations on the 615. In terms of EDC friendly, I agree completely. The knife is thin and narrow for the blade size and utility. Maybe I need to just man up and smooth the scales down with some sweat and tears!
 
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