Ganzo fh21

[joneb]

I fixed the liner engagement with the tang the liner now is about 30% engaged with the blade tang, and put about a 17 deg. edge on the blade with a micro bevel. The knife now easily slices through phone book paper.
I made the mistake of showing the knife to my wife and told her another is on the way, that knife is out of my hands now : (
I put on a welding glove and struck the spine of the blade on my work bench repeatably there were no issues.

 

[ugaarguy]

Heh, the description of the fb7651 boasts that it has an axis lock. Pretty sure Benchmade's trademark is still protected regardless of the patent expiration. Nevertheless, I am sure these do exert downward pressure on prices of other makers, earning them no friends in the business.

Ganzo themselves call it a G-Lock. I suspect that the third party seller on Amazon calls it an Axis lock for search hits on the better known name.

 

[joneb]

I received the 2nd Ganzo fh 21 today and I am sending it back. The liner to blade lock up was less than the first, and the detent retention was almost non existent.

 

[Yo Mama]

Garbage company with garbage blades. I dont see why people still buy these.

 

[joneb]

Garbage company with garbage blades. I dont see why people still buy these.

The problem wasn't with blade.

 

[Yo Mama]

The problem wasn't with blade.

Doesn't matter. The blade could cut time and space itself and I would have 0 interest in it. Friends don't let friends buy ganzo.

 

[joneb]

Doesn't matter. The blade could cut time and space itself and I would have 0 interest in it. Friends don't let friends buy ganzo.

One of these knives appears to be serviceable and I am ok with it, The latter was unsafe to me and I'm returning it. Live and learn I guess but one out of two doesn't wreck me the D2 steel on the blades of these knives seems well done. I hope Ganzo can overcome these issues, I think they have potential.
I am not at odds with the Chinese I am at odds with their Government.

 

[Yo Mama]

I dont see why one would want the success for a company that literally built its self by stealing ip from legitimate knife makers.

Let me explain, blades are my thing. I mean I went deep into the hobby a while ago. Supporting legit makers is part of the passion I have for the art they make. The materials are just one part of the equation, how its designed and made is the rest.

China has a few great makers. WE, Civivi, Artisan, Reate, CJRB, just to name a few. Ganzo belongs in the trash heap from which it crawled out of.

 

[hso]

I hope Ganzo can overcome these issues

joneb,

Ganzo's history of theft of intellectual property will be nearly impossible to overcome for many of us. Their poor quality control, as you saw with both your knives, will be another large barrier to acceptance. Their low price is tempting, but their lack of honor and their lack of commitment to quality makes them difficult to support and many folks will find out about the latter that aren't aware of the former.

 

[JShirley]

joneb, Spyderco is my very favorite knife maker, a company with integrity and good QC, and I will always give them my business when I can. I have purchased quite a few Ganzo knives as cheap beaters, most of them I've given to other Soldiers. Knowing that Ganzo is a cheap company with questionable QC, I would only ever buy knives with the strongest possible locks from them.

 

[joneb]

joneb, Spyderco is my very favorite knife maker

I just have one, the Native 5 light weight with cpm s35vn. It is one of my favorite knives to have with me.

It's not D2, but so what? D2 isn't a great small knife steel, anyway

I have a Rat 2 with D2 and while the D2 won't take the edge like the cpm s35vn for the money it's a step up over steels like AUS 8, 440C, and 8cr13mov for edge retention. I use my knives at work, I'm in construction and for me edge retention is a benefit worth having.

 

[joneb]

Well after sending back the 2nd Ganzo I ordered this,https://www.amazon.com/Folding-Mech...qid=1596165349&sprefix=geo+901,aps,207&sr=8-3 maybe another mistake?
As I said before its nice to have a luggage knife, one that won't hurt you if you loose it.

 

[hso]

maybe another mistake?

Liner lock?

 

[joneb]

Liner lock?

Yep.

 

[Yo Mama]

Well after sending back the 2nd Ganzo I ordered this,https://www.amazon.com/Folding-Mechanism-Everyday-Outdoor-Survival/dp/B081L3DXL2/ref=sr_1_3?crid=3G0WV5L3UCRZA&dchild=1&keywords=geo+901+knife&qid=1596165349&sprefix=geo+901,aps,207&sr=8-3 maybe another mistake?
As I said before its nice to have a luggage knife, one that won't hurt you if you loose it.

I would never Amazon a knife anymore. Bladehq, knifecenter, knifedepot, knifeworks, gpknives, are just a few great trusted vendors I would stick to.

It's up to you with it being your money but for some reason you seem to be stuck on D2. I would far rather get a knife from a reputable manufacturer that is well known. If you're looking for budget options there are plenty, either in your price range or you may need to spend a little bit more but you get what you pay for.

Just search threads on knife forums for best budget blades and you'll get a host of other options that would be more reliable.

 

[joneb]

It's up to you with it being your money but for some reason you seem to be stuck on D2. I would far rather get a knife from a reputable manufacturer that is well known. If you're looking for budget options there are plenty, either in your price range or you may need to spend a little bit more but you get what you pay for.

For a budget knife steel D2 works well if done right, I have a Rat 1 and 2 with D2 and it works well for me.
If the Geo 901 has issues mechanically or with the steel I will return it, with Amazon prime it's free returns.
If I need a hard use knife I will use this, https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?attachments/dscn1389-jpg.231429/ or this, https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?attachments/011-jpg.205079/

 

[Yo Mama]

For a budget knife steel D2 works well if done right, I have a Rat 1 and 2 with D2 and it works well for me.
If the Geo 901 has issues mechanically or with the steel I will return it, with Amazon prime it's free returns.
If I need a hard use knife I will use this, https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?attachments/dscn1389-jpg.231429/ or this, https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?attachments/011-jpg.205079/

If it just needs to be d2:

 

[hso]

Finally figured out what the OP knife looked like. A Benchmade Osborne. Not exactly and maybe different enough to pass the 20% design difference, but clearly close.

 

[joneb]

I received the Geo 901 and my first impressions are very good for the $30 price.
I will let you all know how the edge preforms along with a lock stress test.
I noticed the price on the Ganzo fh21 was jacked up about $6 on Amazon.
The Geo 901 is larger and heavier than the fh21 but it for now seems to be a very good value.

 

[Boattale]

If it just needs to be d2:

Of all the knives reviewed in the video, I would personally only consider the SOG. Do not do liner locks here. Thanks for posting.

 

[joneb]

The Geo 901 is larger and heavier than the fh21 but it for now seems to be a very good value.

Well I've had a little time to get to know the Geo 901, at $30 I think it could use some improvements. IMO this knife would be better off in the $20-25 price range. The steel of the blade seems to sharpen and hold an edge almost like my Rat 1 and 2 with D2 steel, the design has some short comings. My major gripe is there is no bearing relief in the blade for the ball bearings, making the knife wider and weaker. The Ganzo FH 21 has a bearing relief in the blade tang and the G10 scales are let into the liners which is a good effort that the Geo 901 knife lacks.
The coating on Geo 901 is not a good thing IMHO, I removed it.
I did wack the spine of the 901 on my wood work bench a dozen times with no issues, so this liner lock seems okay with me.

 

[Blade First]

BTW, I've had several of the original LAWKS and AutoLAWKS CRKTs and thought they addressed the concern about liner locks well.

It was quite natural to engage the LAWKS when using earlier-model knives. The AutoLAWKS changed an easily opened and closed knife with one hand to dictating two-handed operation. Either way, a sturdy system...