Knife Chat: Slicing to the meat of all things sharp

[Moab]

If anyone is interested, after using it a bit more, I can say that I am very happy with that Ganzo Firebird.  It's been my EDC almost exclusively since I bought it, and while I still do like a partially serrated blade for cutting cordage and such, this little knife has impressed me.

It's not quite as razor-sharp as it was when I got it, but it still glides through envelopes and packing tape almost like there's nothing there.  Everything is still good and tight.  It still doesn't feel like a high-quality knife, but its performance is way above its cost.

Bit of a necro reply, but thank you Mr. Monkey.  I got my Ganzo Firebird a few years ago during one of AliExpress's many, many sales (it's the one with the axis lock, which I don't think they make anymore) and have always thought: am I missing something here?  Because this seems like a ridiculously well-made knife for about $20.  Certainly better than anything in that price range from Gerber or Ozark Trails. 

I'll be the first to admit I am no knife connoisseur.  But my Ganzo and Kizer are my two best knives and I am very happy with them.

I made a thread about that knife several years ago. If its the same one its a knockoff of a Chris Reeves Sebenza. I originally got mine on Amazon for $17. They go by several different name brands. But are in the 20s now. Best knife I own. Including my Spyderco's and benchmade.

https://bladereviews.com/chris-reeve-knives-sebenza-25-review/

Sanrenmu Land 911 Pocket Knife Folding Knife 12C27 Blade G10 Handle Liner Lock Pocket EDC Knife (Army Green,G10) https://a.co/d/4KNhAaf

[Moab]

Here's my original thread. Not sure it predates yours tho majorhavoc. Not that it f ing matters. Lol. But some more info:

https://ufozs.com/smf/index.php?topic=367.0

Its literally the best folder I've ever owned. I would not soend a dime more in a Benchmade, Syoerco, Civivi etc. I own those and this thing will be with me till i die or it breaks. Which is unlikely. The breaking part not the dying part 

[12_Gauge_Chimp]

Apparently Swiss Tech has a new line of knives available at Walmart now.

There's three folders, two multi tools (one is a Leatherman Wave clone) and one fixed blade in this new line up.

I'm interested in two of the folders (the Wurdig and Gerundet), the fixed blade (called the Stahlern) and the Wave clone (called the Praktisch) and hopefully my local Walmart will have them. If I can, I'll probably pick up a couple of them and report back here if I do.

[Moab]

Apparently Swiss Tech has a new line of knives available at Walmart now.

There's three folders, two multi tools (one is a Leatherman Wave clone) and one fixed blade in this new line up.

I'm interested in two of the folders (the Wurdig and Gerundet), the fixed blade (called the Stahlern) and the Wave clone (called the Praktisch) and hopefully my local Walmart will have them. If I can, I'll probably pick up a couple of them and report back here if I do.

Have you considered used on ebay? I think I'd take a beat up used Wave over a clone. Or a used fixed blade of known brand and steel type/quality.

I bought three used Leatherman (forget the model. But a nicer one.) For $20 each.

[12_Gauge_Chimp]

Apparently Swiss Tech has a new line of knives available at Walmart now.

There's three folders, two multi tools (one is a Leatherman Wave clone) and one fixed blade in this new line up.

I'm interested in two of the folders (the Wurdig and Gerundet), the fixed blade (called the Stahlern) and the Wave clone (called the Praktisch) and hopefully my local Walmart will have them. If I can, I'll probably pick up a couple of them and report back here if I do.

Have you considered used on ebay? I think I'd take a beat up used Wave over a clone. Or a used fixed blade of known brand and steel type/quality.

Not a big fan of Ebay, but I have been looking at pawn shops and local sales groups on Facebook for a used or beat up Leatherman Blast so I can repair the one I've got.

Leatherman discontinued the Blast back in like 2013 and replaced it with the Rebar, which is a decent tool itself, but I'm not a fan of it.

The Swiss Tech stuff is supposed to be AUS-8 steel (which isn't the greatest, but it's easy to resharpen if it loses its edge.) and the reviews on the current line up is pretty good.

[NT2C]

AUS-8 steel (which isn't the greatest, but it's easy to resharpen if it loses its edge.)

Not sure what you're comparing to but AUS-8 is actually a rather good steel.

https://bladeops.com/blog/review-of-aus-8-stainless-steel

https://www.offgridknives.com/japanese-aus-8-steel-for-knives/

[Moab]

AUS-8 steel (which isn't the greatest, but it's easy to resharpen if it loses its edge.)

Not sure what you're comparing to but AUS-8 is actually a rather good steel.

https://bladeops.com/blog/review-of-aus-8-stainless-steel

https://www.offgridknives.com/japanese-aus-8-steel-for-knives/

I agree. I have not heard bad things about AUS8. And I also like a softer steel that is easier to sharpen. 

[12_Gauge_Chimp]

AUS-8 steel (which isn't the greatest, but it's easy to resharpen if it loses its edge.)

Not sure what you're comparing to but AUS-8 is actually a rather good steel.

https://bladeops.com/blog/review-of-aus-8-stainless-steel

https://www.offgridknives.com/japanese-aus-8-steel-for-knives/

I was mostly going by what some knife reviewers on YouTube were saying about it, but these are also the same guys who think anything less than the newest wonder steels is bad.

Personally, I like AUS-8 steel. I've got several knives with blades made of it.

[12_Gauge_Chimp]

Well, my quest for those Swiss Tech knives was a bust at the Odessa Walmart. Only thing Swiss Tech they had was a couple flashlights.

Looks like I'll have to order them from Walmart's website instead of getting them in store.

[Moab]

Well, my quest for those Swiss Tech knives was a bust at the Odessa Walmart. Only thing Swiss Tech they had was a couple flashlights.

Looks like I'll have to order them from Walmart's website instead of getting them in store.

Write us a review when u get them. 

[12_Gauge_Chimp]

Well, my quest for those Swiss Tech knives was a bust at the Odessa Walmart. Only thing Swiss Tech they had was a couple flashlights.

Looks like I'll have to order them from Walmart's website instead of getting them in store.

Write us a review when u get them.

Roger that, Moab.

[Ghost]

For EDC I always have my gerber truss. Better (IMO) and cheaper my various leathermens I've owned.

For my load out Ive settled on a Gerber Strongarm. Bit more research to go then pulling the trigger.

[12_Gauge_Chimp]

I'm considering picking up one of those Gerber NXT Suspension multitools from Walmart. They're like 35 bucks and the reviews are pretty good.

Most common complaint is the handles not feeling as comfortable in the hand as the ones on the older Suspension did, but folks complain about some Leatherman models not being comfortable either.

And my EDC usually consists of a Spyderco Tenacious and a Leatherman Wingman. I used to carry a Wave, but once I picked up the Wingman stopped carrying the Wave.

[NT2C]

I've been doing far more blade shopping than usual.  In the past 30 days I've picked up a bayonet for my BM59, a Kershaw Seguin, a second Kershaw Chive (pink), an Ontario Rat 2, an Ontario SP1 Combat, a S&W M&P Extreme Ops Karambit, a QSP Penguin, a Kizer Squidward, and a Kizer Vanguard Mini Begleiter.

What have y'all bought recently?

[majorhavoc]

And my EDC usually consists of a Spyderco Tenacious and a Leatherman Wingman. I used to carry a Wave, but once I picked up the Wingman stopped carrying the Wave.

The Wingman is certainly lighter than the Wave. I actually think the scissors on the Wingman are better than those on the Wave.

My understanding is Leatherman no longer carries the Wingman (or the Sidekick, a similar model from LT's more affordable range). That's a shame.

[12_Gauge_Chimp]

And my EDC usually consists of a Spyderco Tenacious and a Leatherman Wingman. I used to carry a Wave, but once I picked up the Wingman stopped carrying the Wave.

The Wingman is certainly lighter than the Wave. I actually think the scissors on the Wingman are better than those on the Wave.

My understanding is Leatherman no longer carries the Wingman (or the Sidekick, a similar model from LT's more affordable range). That's a shame.

As far as I know, the Wingman is still being made. The latest SMKW catalog has them for like 60 bucks, which is about 20 bucks more than I paid for mine a few years back.

Maybe you're thinking of the Leatherman Blast ?

[12_Gauge_Chimp]

I've been doing far more blade shopping than usual.  In the past 30 days I've picked up a bayonet for my BM59, a Kershaw Seguin, a second Kershaw Chive (pink), an Ontario Rat 2, an Ontario SP1 Combat, a S&W M&P Extreme Ops Karambit, a QSP Penguin, a Kizer Squidward, and a Kizer Vanguard Mini Begleiter.

What have y'all bought recently?

So far the only knife I've bought recently is a Civivi Praxis.

If I can swing it this payday, I'll probably order another one. I'm also thinking of getting one of Civivi's Mini Praxis knives too. Midway's got those for 29 bucks and the regular Praxis for 42 bucks.

ETA: I've also been looking at those QSP Penguins too. They look nice and they're pretty well reviewed on YouTube. Soon as I can, I might place an order for one over on Smoky Mountain Knife Works.

[MacWa77ace]

I've been doing far more blade shopping than usual.  In the past 30 days I've picked up a bayonet for my BM59, a Kershaw Seguin, a second Kershaw Chive (pink), an Ontario Rat 2, an Ontario SP1 Combat, a S&W M&P Extreme Ops Karambit, a QSP Penguin, a Kizer Squidward, and a Kizer Vanguard Mini Begleiter.

What have y'all bought recently?

 

Funny story, I bought a Kershaw Misdirect off Amazon for my wife first week of Jan, but USPS delivered to some other address other than to me at my work address. After contacting the seller, and not hearing back from them for 5 days, the 'seller' then emailed me a 'how did we rate' email to which I went off on them. 3 days later they finally responded to that and said put in an A-Z guarantee claim. So I got a refund.

We'll it just arrived yesterday. 

Wifey wanted a smaller EDC folder, her current one has a seatbelt cutter and glass breaker on it so the handle is large for a 3.25" bladed knife and EDC'ing it in her pocket is 'uncomfortable' and cause for her to not EDC it in her pocket.

The Misdirect is a 3" blade with a similar sized grip. Too small for me, but she likes it.



I don't have a lot of 'decent' folders like you have. I just have one decent one of each type.

Liner lock assisted open
Frame lock assisted open
Frame Lock flipper
Backstrap lockblade
Autoknife [but to small and not a namebrand]

I don't have an OTF or decent auto knife yet. I'll might get an OTF knife eventually but not another auto/switchblade, they have that safety lock and that doesn't float my boat.

And I have a 'cheapo' liner lock thumbstud and liner lock flipper, Ozark and Sheffield. But I don't really count those.
What am I missing besides a projectile or gas knife?

[12_Gauge_Chimp]

You have any fixed blades, Mac ?

I want to get an automatic knife, but they're all mostly out of my budget (except maybe the Kershaw Launch series which can be had for around 110 bucks).

[NT2C]

What am I missing besides a projectile or gas knife?

Slingshot?