ugaarguy
Member
- Joined
- Mar 19, 2006
- Messages
- 13,828
So, SHOT show has been over for a while and the knife manufacturers have updated their websites. There are some new knives that have already hit retailer shelves or that will soon hit the shelves that really interest me, for various reasons. Here's my not so short list:
The Spyderco Manix 2 has finally switched to a full flat grind blade which I find very aesthetically pleasing. They've also shaved a few more tenths of an ounce off the knife. Once I get assurance from Spyderco that they've sorted out their US made knife clip screw issues this on is really high on my list. The caged ball bearing lock combined with the FFG blade are probably enough to let me pretend that this is the Axis Lock Para Military 2 Benchmade - Spyderco Collaboration I've fantasized about The Spyderco Clipitools have really caught my attention. These were shown around this time last year as prototypes, and they've finally starting shipping. They're like $26 Manbugs that don't have locks, but do have stainless steel handles and an extra blade / tool on them. I'm waiting until Amazon gets these in stock or until the blade show in June so I can try to score a deal on one, or at least not pay shipping. I don't like SAKs, but I do like scissors; so the scissor Clipitool is the one that most appeals to me. I just wish the main blade on these locked, but it's probably not a deal breaker on a light duty key ring knife.
The Benchmade Axis 909 Stryker / 904 Mini Stryker take me back to fond memories. A Benchmade Elishewitz Mini Stryker liner lock was first high knife as teenager years ago. It was the knife that made me a knife nerd. Now it's been updated again, this with an Axis lock and a peel ply G-10 handle. As nostalgic as that makes me, the full size Stryker with the standard 154CM blade is priced at $153 on Blade HQ. The rather Stryker - esque new Benchmade HK model 14715 also has the Axis lock and peel ply G10 handle scales. However, the 14715 has as black coated modified clip point D2 blade, and BHQ already has it in stock for $105. That's looking like quite a value. Benchmade has also decided to make a standard production Blue Class 531 rather than making it a limited edition and premium priced Gold Class knife as they have in the past. These are nicer versions of the plastic handles 530 Pardue Axis. I carried a 530 clipped inside the waistband of my PT shorts and pants as my "off duty" knife while I was deployed in Iraq. This is a super thin and super light (1.88 oz) knife. Now for a $35 cost and .22 oz weight premium it's available with much nicer black and light gray herringbone G-10 handles.
As many of you know from reading my comments here and over on www.shootingreviews.com I have a mild infatuation with knives with 2" or less blades that still maintain nearly big knife grip and functionality. Kershaw is tempting that sweet spot with their new Ember. This is another Chinese made frame lock, assisted opening Rick Hinderer collaboration that they're producing with an 8Cr13MoV and steel handles. It looks like a mini Cryo (right down to the deep carry pocket clip), and it also looks to have a much substantial grip than Kershaw's own Chive. BHQ and Knife Center are both taking pre-orders at $22-$23 for this knife. I'm not pre-ordering one, but at that price I'm sure I'll buy one when they become available. Speaking of the Cryo, I kind of consider it and the Thermite as two of the better examples of giving you a cheap taste of their drug to get you hooked so you'll move up to KAI's premium ZT line. Well, KAI seems to be giving a bigger taste of that ZT drug with a couple of more Kershaws. The Nura (3 and 3.5) and Strobe are going to be their first Chinese made knives with their KVT bearing pivots. I've seen pre-order prices on all three under $40.
Last, Buck's new 830 Marksman looks like the beefed up, stronger lock, hard use version of the Vantage that many folks have wanted for a while now. I'll have to wait to try the lock out for myself at Blade in June, but with pre-order prices just under $100 from a few online merchants this looks like it has quite a bit of potential.
I may be knife broke this year
.
What's coming out this year that excites you, my fellow THR knife knuts?
The Spyderco Manix 2 has finally switched to a full flat grind blade which I find very aesthetically pleasing. They've also shaved a few more tenths of an ounce off the knife. Once I get assurance from Spyderco that they've sorted out their US made knife clip screw issues this on is really high on my list. The caged ball bearing lock combined with the FFG blade are probably enough to let me pretend that this is the Axis Lock Para Military 2 Benchmade - Spyderco Collaboration I've fantasized about The Spyderco Clipitools have really caught my attention. These were shown around this time last year as prototypes, and they've finally starting shipping. They're like $26 Manbugs that don't have locks, but do have stainless steel handles and an extra blade / tool on them. I'm waiting until Amazon gets these in stock or until the blade show in June so I can try to score a deal on one, or at least not pay shipping. I don't like SAKs, but I do like scissors; so the scissor Clipitool is the one that most appeals to me. I just wish the main blade on these locked, but it's probably not a deal breaker on a light duty key ring knife.
The Benchmade Axis 909 Stryker / 904 Mini Stryker take me back to fond memories. A Benchmade Elishewitz Mini Stryker liner lock was first high knife as teenager years ago. It was the knife that made me a knife nerd. Now it's been updated again, this with an Axis lock and a peel ply G-10 handle. As nostalgic as that makes me, the full size Stryker with the standard 154CM blade is priced at $153 on Blade HQ. The rather Stryker - esque new Benchmade HK model 14715 also has the Axis lock and peel ply G10 handle scales. However, the 14715 has as black coated modified clip point D2 blade, and BHQ already has it in stock for $105. That's looking like quite a value. Benchmade has also decided to make a standard production Blue Class 531 rather than making it a limited edition and premium priced Gold Class knife as they have in the past. These are nicer versions of the plastic handles 530 Pardue Axis. I carried a 530 clipped inside the waistband of my PT shorts and pants as my "off duty" knife while I was deployed in Iraq. This is a super thin and super light (1.88 oz) knife. Now for a $35 cost and .22 oz weight premium it's available with much nicer black and light gray herringbone G-10 handles.
As many of you know from reading my comments here and over on www.shootingreviews.com I have a mild infatuation with knives with 2" or less blades that still maintain nearly big knife grip and functionality. Kershaw is tempting that sweet spot with their new Ember. This is another Chinese made frame lock, assisted opening Rick Hinderer collaboration that they're producing with an 8Cr13MoV and steel handles. It looks like a mini Cryo (right down to the deep carry pocket clip), and it also looks to have a much substantial grip than Kershaw's own Chive. BHQ and Knife Center are both taking pre-orders at $22-$23 for this knife. I'm not pre-ordering one, but at that price I'm sure I'll buy one when they become available. Speaking of the Cryo, I kind of consider it and the Thermite as two of the better examples of giving you a cheap taste of their drug to get you hooked so you'll move up to KAI's premium ZT line. Well, KAI seems to be giving a bigger taste of that ZT drug with a couple of more Kershaws. The Nura (3 and 3.5) and Strobe are going to be their first Chinese made knives with their KVT bearing pivots. I've seen pre-order prices on all three under $40.
Last, Buck's new 830 Marksman looks like the beefed up, stronger lock, hard use version of the Vantage that many folks have wanted for a while now. I'll have to wait to try the lock out for myself at Blade in June, but with pre-order prices just under $100 from a few online merchants this looks like it has quite a bit of potential.
I may be knife broke this year
. What's coming out this year that excites you, my fellow THR knife knuts?
