Orion K2 Caper

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conw

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Hey guys,

I'm probably going to ask for this for Christmas:

http://www.orionknives.com/images/k2w_tigereyemaple.jpg

It seems like too good a deal to be true at $80. CPM 154 steel and Tiger Eye Maple.

Is there a catch? Should I jump on it? Any experiences, or even alternative recommendations in the same vein (fixed, ~3" blade, good steel, preferably appealing to the eye)?

Thanks guys.
 
Purty

Very nice.

No experience with Orion.

Our hso may be able to help.

If the quality is there, $80 is not bad.

 
I have actually seen it on sites for $60ish shipped. That really does seem to good to be true. But I'm not complaining if I can pay that for a made in the USA knife that looks that good.

However, the one or two things I've found about them (one member recommended it on this board) seem to be positive. Fairly new company.
 
Some guys on EDC forums seem to like it, and on Bladeforums there was a passaround with it in which everyone liked it and said they'd probably order one. On Bladeforums it has also been recommended before. May 2008 Tactical Knives did a write-up on it, but I haven't seen more than the intro which is posted online.

Other than that, not much is available.

Paging the member who mentioned this knife a few months ago...are you out there?
 
While I haven't handled one, the reviews are positive.

Orion is Reid Tool Design, who has done some OEM blade manufacturing for some of the more interesting auto manufacturers.
 
I'm now trying REALLY hard to decide between the G10 version of this and a 1095 Ontario RAT-3.

Approximately the same price ($70-80) and fairly similar niches...I really like the looks of both...

I decided against a wood handle because KnivesShipFree only has Lacewood and Cocobolo, and I don't think they look anywhere near as good as the Tiger Eye Maple...which ends up around $100 shipped directly from Orion.

Any help deciding? Anyone? :D
 
I'm very eager to decide, and I love the looks of the Orion...

A trusted opinion, or even a hard sneeze, could easily be the deciding factor. So the Orion it is.

But I'm still curious - gotta ask - why not the Ontario RAT? I did find a RAT RC-3 (presumably a more reputable version?) for a similar price online but from a less well known dealer, so I was thinking "why not" for a bit...but all things considered, I could definitely use a more PC knife, and the Orion is more appealing to my aesthetic sense anyway.
 
I pulled the trigger on the Tiger Eye Maple version...anyone interested in a review in time for Christmas? If so, just say what kinds of info you'd like. I've reviewed my Sodbuster Jr but didn't do any cutting tests really...I suppose I'd be willing to do an actual review, describing how it sharpens, the edge it comes with out of the box, take some comparison pics, etc...anyone interested in other types of info, and any interest in this, please respond in the thread.

They said it'd ship the 9th or before.
 
ArfinGreebly wrote:
To which "them" are you referring?

"Them," the RAT knife, or "them," the company Ontario?
Click to expand...

Heh, I didn't read closely and thought you were quoting something from me...I was very confused, like "Wait a minute, I don't remember typing that."
 
Arfin, that was an interesting link you posted. It sucks pretty bad that Ontario is trying to get the RAT name. (On a side note, I LOL'd at all the RAT RAT RAT RAT RAT RAT RAT in the article.)

On the other hand, if the quality of the knives is sound then I can somewhat understand why someone might (unfortunately) overlook the politics of it...glad I decided on another brand though.

coyote, I posted a link under a different thread (JShirley's recent thread) that had a great deal on a RAT RC-3 in D2 I believe. About $30 savings. Check it out if you wanna go the RAT brand over Ontario brand route.
 
advice

The Tiger Eye Maple is attractive, however, let the buyer -beware!

I bought a knife with such a handle and when I did a little wood working to round down some sharp corners, I found the wood underneath the finish to be a foreign softwood of some kind.

And this was a knife "made in the USA;" Michigan. I suppose the manufacturer had their tongue in their cheek when it came to where the handle was made.

I read all the posts this time, and saw that you ordered.
Could I get you to do a little sanding on the wood in an inconspicuous place and post the finding?
 
Hmm, is this the same knife you're talking about? Orion Knives appears to be based in Michigan. Not sure if you were being slightly oblique, or if you were specifically talking about another tiger eye maple knife, made in MI.


Now, I'm not sure how much filing you (I)'d have to do to see if the wood was like you're talking about. Could you perhaps describe more precisely what you mean? I don't know much about woodworking, but it sounds pretty confusing to me that a company would go to the trouble of layering different types of wood to save cost.

Not doubting you so much as asking for more info.

On the other hand, I haven't been charged yet and the knife isn't supposed to ship until Mon or Tues. I can always just request a G10 instead (and perhaps ask the mfr. whether they engage in the practice you're referring to - seems like perfectly fine reason, to me, to request an exchange).

Hoping to hear back from you soon. Thanks for posting.
 
apprehension

The knife I bought was a "Bark River," and supposed to be a limited edition.
-Escabana, MI.

When I received it, I liked it, except I looked at the guard and found it had been cut where the blade joins the handle. Yes, actually splits, with the back of the blade exposed; the guard butting against the blade sides.

I have never come across this type of assembly technique, but my concern is that should I pressure or bear down on the blade edge, the tang within the grip may actually push up through the top seam in the handle! That wood seems very "softwood" in property.
 
Oh, phew. Although I'm sorry to hear you got a bum deal, I'm relieved it wasn't the same mfr. I can almost guarantee these people aren't affiliated with BRKT.

Why don't you contact the company though man? That sounds plain defective. I think I'd take advantage of this:

Lifetime Warranty
All Bark River knives and axes are guaranteed against manufacturing defects for life. If you have any problem with our product, just return it to us and we will repair or
Click to expand...
 
James T Thomas,

Could you post a picture of the area around the guard. I can't envision what you're describing except for a standard guard construction where the guard is "notched" to take the tang and then tightly fitted and made flush with the spine. While not a common guard mounting technique the version I described is one of the standard methods.
 
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