Will I love a Marksman?

R

Roamad

Joined
Feb 1, 2016
Messages
606
I have a Vantage Pro that I love. I tuned it up a bit myself and it's become my favorite EDC blade. I just wish the flipper action was a lot faster and smoother. I've heard the Marksman is a much better flipper and it has many of the same qualities I love about the Vantage. Except for that odd locking mechanism. How much of a pain is it for EDC?

In short, will I love a Marksman as much as I love my Vantage Pro?
 
It's not too bad for EDC, just takes a little getting used to. The flipping action is absolutely next level, the lack of any lockbar pressure once it breaks the detent makes it incredibly smooth. The lock can chew up your thumb a little at first, and it's never going to be quite as easy as a liner lock or such, but it's interesting, fun and not particularly obnoxious. My only warning about EDCing the Marksman is that if you get lazy closing it, it WILL bite you. The blade drops shut like a guillotine.
 
I’d love a Bowie style blade on the Marksman. They’ve done a tanto so who knows.
 
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if you oil the pivot and open and close it a few times your Vantage should open smoothly. You may have the pivot screw too tight. As far as the marksman, after using it a few times you get used to operating the lock and its a nice knife.
 
To close and open. There is a way to hold the knife to do both quickly. Some websites show using your thumb to lift the plate. If you hold the plate with your thumb and middle finger you can flip the blade open but when closing you put your forfinger on top of the blade while still holding the plate with your thumb and middle finger and push down it will lift the plate and close just as fast. A few minutes of practice and your a flippin fool.
 
I purchased the Marksman Inferno from SK Blades, G10 scales are smooth light weight, won’t shred your pocket. Took a little bit of getting used to, but once you do it is fast to open and close, locks up tight, and releases with a slight lift with your thumb. As was mentioned, keep your fingers clear when closing. There is a video posted in the forums of a member trying to get his to fail, check it out if you can find it. I have 2 Vantages haven’t carried them since I bought my Marksman.
 
I tried to get one to fail. It's the one all jacked up looking . Big thumbs up for this knife,
The tanto version I use in my car, I cover Washington, Idaho and Montana and flip the marksman open and shut thousands of times and it still feels new, I still need to pick up the Orange model SK has.
 
Roamad said:
I have a Vantage Pro that I love. I tuned it up a bit myself and it's become my favorite EDC blade. I just wish the flipper action was a lot faster and smoother. I've heard the Marksman is a much better flipper and it has many of the same qualities I love about the Vantage. Except for that odd locking mechanism. How much of a pain is it for EDC?

In short, will I love a Marksman as much as I love my Vantage Pro?
Click to expand...

Yes you will love it.

You will get used to the lock until it is second nature.
 
Makael said:
I tried to get one to fail. It's the one all jacked up looking . Big thumbs up for this knife,
The tanto version I use in my car, I cover Washington, Idaho and Montana and flip the marksman open and shut thousands of times and it still feels new, I still need to pick up the Orange model SK has.
Click to expand...

I remember that thread. Marksman held up admirably. What is the blue model?
 
Thanks everyone. That SK Inferno is the one I've got my eye on. May have to take the plunge!
 
So I took the plunge and got the SK Inferno version of the Marksman -- thanks to all your input. And I must say I couldn't be happier! The flipper action is truly incredible on this knife and I'm very happy with the build quality. It took me a minute to figure out how to close it one-handed as Makael Makael describes. And yes, it did bite me during that minute!

My only gripe is that it's not as pocket friendly as my Vantage Pro. The Inferno is slightly larger in every dimension and also lacks the rounded edges of the Vantage. But the Inferno is actually lighter! (No steel liners like the Vantage.)

Here's a couple comparison pix with my old favorite:

IMG-2148.jpg


IMG-2149.jpg
 
Roamad said:
So I took the plunge and got the SK Inferno version of the Marksman -- thanks to all your input. And I must say I couldn't be happier! The flipper action is truly incredible on this knife and I'm very happy with the build quality. It took me a minute to figure out how to close it one-handed as Makael Makael describes. And yes, it did bite me during that minute!

My only gripe is that it's not as pocket friendly as my Vantage Pro. The Inferno is slightly larger in every dimension and also lacks the rounded edges of the Vantage. But the Inferno is actually lighter! (No steel liners like the Vantage.)

Here's a couple comparison pix with my old favorite:

IMG-2148.jpg


IMG-2149.jpg
Click to expand...
Very nice.
 
Makael said:
It's definitely not a two handed closing knife. It's one handed.

Have you ever handled One? If you have then you would know it's one handed.

Drop it all you want. Want to read a torture test? Or just stop trolling.

Click to expand...

I do have a Marksman and for myself working the lock mechanism in combination with the free pivot is best done with two hands. I have spent some time trying to close my Marksman with one hand and I might do so were I to be wearing cut proof gloves level 5 or higher.

The lock mechanism also has shown itself to be fragile, in my limited experience. Although a very nicely made knife, I do on occasion have something to say. I do try to do so in an appropriate context. That you don't care for what I have to say does not make me a troll.
 
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