Which folder has the most respected construction and action?

Z

ZTFan

Joined
Oct 6, 2016
Messages
137
Is there a knife out there that just consistently knocks it out of the park with its QC?

Excellent lockbar tension?
Solid lockup?
Perfect centering?
Arrives razor sharp?
Buttery smooth opening?
Godlike detent?
Consistent grind?
Rugged clip?
Ready for abuse?
Actually usable blade shape?
Components that will last a lifetime?

I was just reading a thread about someone’s $1,000 DireWare that had a frame lock failure. Is there anything out there that doesn’t suffer from any sort of inherent reliability issue? What has the longest track record of consistent performance?

Curtiss Knives seem like they may be up there. My Ed Cope is killer as well and does it all.
 
There is a cult around CRK quality and tolerances. Take that as you will.

In the custom world, Todd Redford seems to be extremely highly regarded for his consistent excellence. This is anecdotal. I have no direct experience with his work.
 
Curtiss has had some issues in the past but his more recent stuff is up there.

Out of the knives I've had, I'd say:
Graham Knives
Ochs Worx
Brad Southards
Rocksteads
California Custom Shop Todd Beggs

I've liked some designs more than others but build quality is about as perfect as they come. Owned multiple knives from each and I never had any issues from them.
 
Reading stats concerning the awards given out at the annual Blade Show in Atlanta, it appears that Chris Reeve was commonly voted #1 in Manufacturing Quality...by other blade-makers...a minimum of 15 times...
When your peers say you're the best...I'm inclined to believe them.
Of course I carry a large Sebenza...
 
Sonnydaze said:
Reading stats concerning the awards given out at the annual Blade Show in Atlanta, it appears that Chris Reeve was commonly voted #1 in Manufacturing Quality...by other blade-makers...a minimum of 15 times...
When your peers say you're the best...I'm inclined to believe them.
Of course I carry a large Sebenza...
Click to expand...

You’re referring, of course, to the “Manufacturing Quality Award”, which Lionsteel has also been collecting?

Edited to add: I’m not knocking CRK. Just saying awards don’t always tell a convincing story.
 
Sonnydaze said:
Chris Reeve was commonly voted #1 in Manufacturing Quality...by other blade-makers
Click to expand...
By other blade-makers? Don't you mean by BLADE Magazine? Sorry, I don't think that award means anything. They gave that award to the Lionsteel SR11 too, and I've owned that knife and it was pretty hokey. Meanwhile you have years of newcomers like Koenig pushing the industry to new standards of quality, and none of them ever won the award. Politics.

Yes, CRK is super high quality, but not as good as when Chris was running things.

ZTFan said:
Excellent lockbar tension?
Solid lockup?
Perfect centering?
Arrives razor sharp?
Buttery smooth opening?
Godlike detent?
Consistent grind?
Rugged clip?
Ready for abuse?
Actually usable blade shape?
Components that will last a lifetime?
Click to expand...

In my recent experience, the Ferrum Forge Proline Fortis ticks all the boxes.

ZTFan said:
What has the longest track record of consistent performance?
Click to expand...
Buck 110
 
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vanadium said:
Yes, CRK is super high quality, but not as good as when Chris was running things.
Click to expand...

I don't know about that. For example, my 2016 Inkosi (which, if I'm not mistaken, is post-Chris) is actually better than my first CRK, a large regular Sebenza, which was bought brand new in 2002. I don't own a ton of CRKs, only 5, but TBH I haven't noticed any dip in CRK's quality.

That said, I wish that CRK's out-of-box edges came thinner and flat V-ground instead of convex-ground. I personally don't see any advantage to convex edge bevels on a thin, hollow-ground blade, and feel they would perform even better (and be ground more evenly from blade heel to tip) with flat V-ground edge bevels.

Jim
 
I dont personally have experience but I've never read or heard of anyone not liking their koeing arius. I can honestly see that taking over CRKs throne as the most beloved knife.
 
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How about Jesper Voxnaes (Vox) customs? Every one I've handled has been impeccable. I think his work ticks every box.

docernie said:
full
Click to expand...
 
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