Your thoughts on the new Medford ASK

vwb563

vwb563

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Jun 29, 2007
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Hi everybody. I’m kinda interested in the new Medford ASK. I like the modular design and that its made in the USA but it seems a bit over priced to me. Maybe I’m missing something. What’s y’all’s thoughts on this new knife?
 
I agree that the modular design is nice. You can swap out tools on a regular SAK but I understand it can be difficult.

Like Lee, I'm totally content with a normal SAK too.

For $240, I'd buy a SAK (Explorer is probably my favorite) and spend the other $190 on another knife. Quantity doesn't always overrule quality but the ASK just doesn't vibe with me. YMMV.

Have you looked at the Boker tech tool? G10 handles + 12C27 blade are nice upgrade to the normal SAK. Obviously not USA made tho.

EDIT: I'll give Medford credit for entering this arena and offering a modular knife. The price seems high to me too but what do I know...
 
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Lee D said:
NOPE. I’ll stick with my SAKs.
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Well that’s pretty much where I’m at especially for the price. I’m a SAK fan and have carried one faithfully for 35+ years now.
gazz98 said:
EDIT: I'll give Medford credit for entering this arena and offering a modular knife. The price seems high to me too but what do I know...
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The price is what turns me off the most, and the lack of tools as compared to my favorite SAK the Victorinox Deluxe Tinker. I could buy several of them for what the ASK cost.
 
The price is high, but then again how many 100% USA made items aren’t high?! I grabbed one off of DLTtrading using my point. It’s fit and finish are great, but it is beefy. Especially for having only three tools. The tools, they are basic, but I don’t expect much since they are just getting it started. I do with the blade, and the tools were slimmer tho
 
I'd consider it if it were priced at $25. There's no way I'd spend $240 on a Medford product. Victorinox makes very high quality products with many under $30.
 
SC Bushcraft Backwoods said:
The price is high, but then again how many 100% USA made items aren’t high?! I grabbed one off of DLTtrading using my point. It’s fit and finish are great, but it is beefy. Especially for having only three tools. The tools, they are basic, but I don’t expect much since they are just getting it started. I do with the blade, and the tools were slimmer tho
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Is yours in magnacut? They’re listed on DLT as S45 but I thought I heard Greg Medford say in one of his videos that they were gonna be in magnacut.
 
I was interested too until I had the opportunity to handle one at the blade show. For 240 dollars I expected a knife far superior or at least not inferior to an SAK. To my disappointment I found that not only was it blocky and hard to open but that the tools themselves were very poorly designed and not well thought out. It's a great idea that was very poorly executed.
 
Triton said:
I was interested too until I had the opportunity to handle one at the blade show. For 240 dollars I expected a knife far superior or at least not inferior to an SAK. To my disappointment I found that not only was it blocky and hard to open but that the tools themselves were very poorly designed and not well thought out. It's a great idea that was very poorly executed.
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I’ve not handled one yet but this is what I was afraid of. Overpriced and not well executed. I think I’ll just stick with my SAK‘s.
 
It's very hard to beat Victorinox at this game. They can be made cheaper and break/bend, and they can be made out of more premium materials to the point that it defeats the purpose of having a quality tool you don't mind pushing hard when the situation comes up.

The closest I have seen has been the mentioned Boker line. A slight upgrade in steel, really good walk and talk, a nice selection of tools amd nice scales, and they generally come in at about 1.5x the cost of a SAK which isn't bad when you look at what you are getting and the scale Vic operates on.

IMHo, Medford is good at being overbuilt and blocky and being American made, but I'd take a Vic any day.
 
Lee D said:
Does Medford have a large enough following to keep the ASK in production? I’m gonna vote no.
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Good point. And if they don’t and end production then all the ASK owners will be left “holding the bag” as they say as far getting new or replacement tools for their knives.
 
vwb563 said:
Is yours in magnacut? They’re listed on DLT as S45 but I thought I heard Greg Medford say in one of his videos that they were gonna be in magnacut.
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No it’s s45
You did hear that correctly tho. Who knows when the magnacut version will hit. To me, I could care less about blade steel. He says the ASK has been a long time in the making but I feel like it was a little rushed. Not build quality but tool options and abilities.
I personally like it but do wish some changes were made
 
SC Bushcraft Backwoods said:
No it’s s45
You did hear that correctly tho. Who knows when the magnacut version will hit. To me, I could care less about blade steel. He says the ASK has been a long time in the making but I feel like it was a little rushed. Not build quality but tool options and abilities.
I personally like it but do wish some changes were made
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I think I’m gonna wait and watch for a while and see how this new concept goes. Maybe if they do start making these in magnacut and if they introduce more tool options in the future I may eventually try one but I think right now they’re just too over priced for what you’re getting.
 
vwb563 said:
I think I’m gonna wait and watch for a while and see how this new concept goes. Maybe if they do start making these in magnacut and if they introduce more tool options in the future I may eventually try one but I think right now they’re just too over priced for what you’re getting.
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I completely agree! Cost is way to high, but I understand why. It’s 100% usa made. But I used my DLTtrading points for mine so it was basically free ha
 
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