Happy to see your makin video's again. i need to do the same, Ive got some pretty cool gear to show case. The spydy chef, this is actually the first Ive seen of that knife, so I'll be interested to hear your take on it.
Late to the game, as usual😫 Seems our tastes are very similar, although I'm not an admirer of the Spydiechef (might just be cuz I've never handled one🤔). Purely based on looks and size I would choose the Slysz Bowie instead. But pricewise I guess I'm lucky that neither are readily available😝 When I finally got my Sage5 I found it a little hard to admit to myself that I actually preferred it to the Native5, but I'll admit it to you🤫 I just ordered the Fox TUR a couple of days ago, so I haven't handled it yet but I've been ogling it for quite some time and I fully expect it to be wonderful🤗 The Lionsteel TRE seems awesome. I just can't decide whether I should spend extra for the true TRE or just go for the way cheaper flipper variant, when that might just increase my fatigue🥱 Meanwhile, plenty of awesome knives have come available at a lower price ... so I might never know😟 Likewise, I might never own a CRK. Love the uncomplicated design and I'll readily accept that they have superior quality, but I have several knives with similar thumbstuds and that they don't work well for me ... plus I do like the ambidextrous option, just don't quite understand why manufacturers choose to spare a few grams of steel and make a one-sided thumbstud😣 And ofcourse, for a working man the price is always a deciding factor🙄 I'll be needing another payrise🤑 Anyhoo, enjoyed your viddy!
With the exception of the sage 5, your top five are very similar to each other. Liner / frame lock, no finger choil, decent belly in the blade. Looks like you know exactly what you like at this point. Thanks for sharing.
Hi, likota123. I can't help noticing the parallels in my own collection [perhaps, helpful to other of your viewers]. For 5)... Two Sun Knives TS21 "Update": Though just 3.73 ounces, a circa 3.8mm 3.38" blade (to handle-'point'; but cutting edge is a full 3.5") in satin D2, all titanium, *grippy* "dead leaves" patterned handle, as I call it (wonderful in hand); action is A+ super smooth in all respects, including a most 'civilized', muted but crisp blade engagement sound that complements the semi-dressy and forthrightly stated elegant presentation of this design. Long and slim. Not Sebenza style, but fitting the same occasions (?). Overall, the smooth, neatly balanced action proved far superior to that of a Para 3 compression lock example I had here briefly... really -- *so* much more refined, much more under control & predictable; no fiddly pinching for lock release; no need to develop new skills in timing and coordination to avoid blade bounce back (none, here). For 4)... I had terrible, multiple "hot spot" issues in hand with a Sage 1, personally (which I know you liked when you were carrying one)... which I had no choice but to return. Hence, I downsized that look to a N.O.S. 2011-12 Chaparral 1 in S30V, which suits me to a 't'. I cover the circa 3" blade territory, then, with my 3) and 4) alternatives below and an upcoming Native 5 LC200N "Salt" and awaited Ferrum Forge Gent in the new rosewood over titanium scales. For 3)... Factor Iconic Compact in S35VN with true CF + titanium scales (like a cross between the Giant Mouse you reviewed and a sort of tall blade Voxnaes profile... just with more of a drop point. 2.98 ounces, 3.14" blade length, flat ground; nicely crowned & finished blade spine... a very fast, very reliable flipper despite a well radiused, elegantly small flipper tab -- nice. Faultless for comfort & ergos in my hand; with a useable "finger choil", if not specified as such. The logo on the clip irks me some (maybe removeable). For 2)... Well, SO similarly, a LionSteel T.R.E. G10, flipper-only version (which solves the weak detent issue, for some, with the true 3-way T.R.E. designs -- mine is quite good that way). I personally much prefer the cleaner, non-swedged m390 blade for aesthetics and note that the crowning effect on the blade extends all the way around, inside the handle in deployed position, and throughly encompassing the flipper tab... without the interruptions that break up this continuity on the two more expensive variations. I prefer the texture, visual patterning, sculpting, and feel of *this* G10 (and this particular pattern-engraved, silvery titanium) to the overall effect of any other scales I have handled, and I would wish to change nothing there... apart from thinking that an extra 1/8" of handle wouldn't have left this beautifully realized design compromised in aesthetics or carry weight (2.39 ounces, less than a Native 5 LW or the Chaparral). As you point out, details really help make this design so appealing. For 1)... The "poor man's" Spydiechef, slimline version, I'll suggest: the Two Sun Knives TS51*1 in D2 and titanium. As with all my Two Suns (incl. a 3.8"+ blade TS27 "Camp Knife" folder), balance is a dead-on 50-50 at the index finger fulcrum point, by design. The long, sculptured, matching titanium back spacer makes this slim handle feel like a rock solid one-piece design in hand, a particularly noticeable effect. A strong flipper, despite a circa 3.70", long belly blade, you must not put any pressure at all on the Reeves type frame lock; which takes a bit of practice to get right by habit, given the slim design. I just suspend the knife loosely in hand, blade edge facing straight down or straight up -- this works fine, since the knife balances and settles in the hand so well. Just 4.11 ounces, despite the long cutting edge and circa 3.8 mm blade stock (and lack of much distal taper): very slim in pocket. Another thing: the very small flipper tab is that way for a reason -- it integrates with the broadly extended sharpening choil to create a 100% useable finger choil -- a plus, maybe, over the Spydiechef, since you can choke up for some paring knife -like fine control. As faultless in action and set up as the TS21 Update. Both knives came direct from Two Suns via Hong Kong Post (14-21 days to the U.S., my experience... U.S. eBay auction wins, absurdly cheap). I cannot emphasize enough to those who have not discovered Two Suns, the solid quality of these pieces; and Two Suns' eBay feedback is virtually perfect... just a very few highly suspect comments from, I infer, "confused" buyers, after many years now on eBay. Just set aside reservations based on the budget prices. Check out Two Suns' pretty good studio photos of these two at U.S. eBay, 'Completed Auctions', likota123 and others. FYI, and cheers, all.
They really excel what I have seen of the now popular 'Chinese D2 class' of knives so widely reviewed these days, as far as I can tell. I have a hard time imagining what $200 could buy you here in materials, solid construction, apparently consistent quality control & spot-on set up, and ultra smooth operation -- apart from a somewhat more fashionable and stain resistant blade alloy -- if shopping for a titanium handled folder. Yet I won each for *well* under fifty bucks shipped. These seem to run about $74, give or take a little, bought at retail from the usual far eastern online sources. Still way underpriced by the usual standards for such substantial designs in titanium. They come tightly wrapped and taped up in some sort of stiff, cellophane-like plastic film, heavily oiled for protection (for shipboard distribution to some parts of the world?). But clean up is a breeze, since this is a very 'clean' oil, maybe just mineral oil. Two Sun seem to have maintained a low profile for quite some time despite an apparently long history on eBay here. I noted some language difficulties with English on their end in response to an inquiry, which may have something to do with that (just speculating). They seem to specialize in beefy, weightier blades, typically utilizing around 3.8 mm D2 blade stock. I have some indications they may not heat treat for the highest D2 Rockwell spec or with an intention to max out abrasion resistance; which, given user reports of D2 being chip prone in some cases, I think is all to the good. These are about as heavy duty oriented as a smooth & slick, KVT ceramic ball bearing knife is going to get. These seem to be conservatively minded folks. This note on the three models I specified and purchased: these models had the best blade to carry weight ratio among the knife choices they were listing. I did not think many others stood out quite so much, at least for people who share my personal bias against even moderately overweight designs vis-a-vis logically designated competitors. I'd love to see these folks also offering circa 2-1/2 ounce, ~ 3" ... or just over 3 ounce, ~ 3-1/2" bladed options. They do some in M390 (nominally!), but these seem to be chunky, compact styles, too heavyweight for my tastes. These seem to be original designs, not "copies" or "clones" (though the shape of the TS21 may be closely derivative of something else, to my eye -- the "Update", patterned iteration, though, is apparently their innovation, and this effect tends to obscure any sort of family resemblance to someone else's design, IMO). If you go to eBay's U.S. website, do what I did: go through every neutral or negative feedback (there aren't many -- a tiny percentage); and you'll see, there just aren't any credible looking complaints -- one minor exception... maybe... when I looked -- which, given the total sold, is simply remarkable compared to even pretty good feedback records. The big TS27, BTW, could replace a lot of fixed blade knives for woodsy uses, apart from ill advised batoning exercises. A pet walking blade, in your case? I'm not so confident about feather sticking prowess, given the stout, wedge shaped Wharncliffe profile; but it's work blade, for sure, with a maximum of useable cutting edge. The liner lock is designed to be extra strong, I think, as that side of the liner construction is not skeletonized at all. The opposite steel liner is heavily (and nicely!) skeletonized; so I surmise this asymmetry is there for a good reason. the G-10 here is utilitarian, but I like it better than standard issue black Spyderco, and it feels good in hand. About 4.62 ounces, if I am recalling correctly... maybe slightly less. My net cost was about thirty two bucks, after a 10% eBay Bucks 'rebate'; and this is a lot of knife, though maybe not so useful for everybody. Still... A titanium version of this one is available, but I did not care for the relative weight penalty. Dislike: hot spot atop the thumb ramp; but then, I say that about almost all my similarly ramped up Spydercos! I'm gonna take that ramp down some with my Dremel, an easy mod in this case. I hope you find the advice useful. I couldn't find much on UA-cam by way of reviews which would likely clue anyone in to a fair degree. Regards.
likota123 id say so. Too bad for the distance, I’d send you mine to borrow and review. I also just ordered the knifecenter spyderco positron. When I originally tried the cf version I hated it for the price. For $89 shipped it really is an insane deal. I plan on modding it some and dyeing the orange d-10 dark blue or so.
Lol what a coincidence. I bought the orange Positron when it went on sale. Even with shipping and customs it was a lot cheaper than the regular price here in Europe.
likota123 haha hilarious. We seem to have a lot of the same tastes in knives. I’d say my top five right now and 2017 are my small sebenza, sage 5, boker lancer, helix nano, and my boker model 10. The lil native is getting a lot of pocket time though.
Great collection! I´m looking forward to getting the Fox Tur once it´s available at Lamnia. I´m also thinking of getting the Spyderco Paramilitary 2 or the Manix 2 in S110v steel with G10 handles.
Mauricio Olguín i'm italian and so i support fox cutlery but in this case tur folder is a really good edc knife, mabe the blade less a 1 mm so they improve the slicing capacity....but overall a good edc knife.
strange 5 ...only the crk is great....the rest are good. but thanks for sharing....its your opinion. few would agree with the 4 to the right....on this earth.
Just wanted to say I really appreciate your reviews. I also love that you actually list the info in the description...makes it easy to look things up.
Great video. My top five are all Spydercos.
5. Ikuchi
4. Manix 2 G-10
3. Spydiechef
2. Amalgam
1. Smock
Nice selection mate enjoy.atb paddy🍀👍☺
Wonderful selection of knives - both before and after!
Happy to see your makin video's again. i need to do the same, Ive got some pretty cool gear to show case. The spydy chef, this is actually the first Ive seen of that knife, so I'll be interested to hear your take on it.
That Lion Steel is beautiful.
Late to the game, as usual😫 Seems our tastes are very similar, although I'm not an admirer of the Spydiechef (might just be cuz I've never handled one🤔). Purely based on looks and size I would choose the Slysz Bowie instead. But pricewise I guess I'm lucky that neither are readily available😝
When I finally got my Sage5 I found it a little hard to admit to myself that I actually preferred it to the Native5, but I'll admit it to you🤫
I just ordered the Fox TUR a couple of days ago, so I haven't handled it yet but I've been ogling it for quite some time and I fully expect it to be wonderful🤗
The Lionsteel TRE seems awesome. I just can't decide whether I should spend extra for the true TRE or just go for the way cheaper flipper variant, when that might just increase my fatigue🥱 Meanwhile, plenty of awesome knives have come available at a lower price ... so I might never know😟
Likewise, I might never own a CRK. Love the uncomplicated design and I'll readily accept that they have superior quality, but I have several knives with similar thumbstuds and that they don't work well for me ... plus I do like the ambidextrous option, just don't quite understand why manufacturers choose to spare a few grams of steel and make a one-sided thumbstud😣 And ofcourse, for a working man the price is always a deciding factor🙄 I'll be needing another payrise🤑
Anyhoo, enjoyed your viddy!
With the exception of the sage 5, your top five are very similar to each other. Liner / frame lock, no finger choil, decent belly in the blade. Looks like you know exactly what you like at this point. Thanks for sharing.
I guess that's true. Thanks for the comment.
My Kershaw 3/4 Ton is great
Hi, likota123. I can't help noticing the parallels in my own collection [perhaps, helpful to other of your viewers]. For 5)... Two Sun Knives TS21 "Update": Though just 3.73 ounces, a circa 3.8mm 3.38" blade (to handle-'point'; but cutting edge is a full 3.5") in satin D2, all titanium, *grippy* "dead leaves" patterned handle, as I call it (wonderful in hand); action is A+ super smooth in all respects, including a most 'civilized', muted but crisp blade engagement sound that complements the semi-dressy and forthrightly stated elegant presentation of this design. Long and slim. Not Sebenza style, but fitting the same occasions (?). Overall, the smooth, neatly balanced action proved far superior to that of a Para 3 compression lock example I had here briefly... really -- *so* much more refined, much more under control & predictable; no fiddly pinching for lock release; no need to develop new skills in timing and coordination to avoid blade bounce back (none, here).
For 4)... I had terrible, multiple "hot spot" issues in hand with a Sage 1, personally (which I know you liked when you were carrying one)... which I had no choice but to return. Hence, I downsized that look to a N.O.S. 2011-12 Chaparral 1 in S30V, which suits me to a 't'. I cover the circa 3" blade territory, then, with my 3) and 4) alternatives below and an upcoming Native 5 LC200N "Salt" and awaited Ferrum Forge Gent in the new rosewood over titanium scales.
For 3)... Factor Iconic Compact in S35VN with true CF + titanium scales (like a cross between the Giant Mouse you reviewed and a sort of tall blade Voxnaes profile... just with more of a drop point. 2.98 ounces, 3.14" blade length, flat ground; nicely crowned & finished blade spine... a very fast, very reliable flipper despite a well radiused, elegantly small flipper tab -- nice. Faultless for comfort & ergos in my hand; with a useable "finger choil", if not specified as such. The logo on the clip irks me some (maybe removeable).
For 2)... Well, SO similarly, a LionSteel T.R.E. G10, flipper-only version (which solves the weak detent issue, for some, with the true 3-way T.R.E. designs -- mine is quite good that way). I personally much prefer the cleaner, non-swedged m390 blade for aesthetics and note that the crowning effect on the blade extends all the way around, inside the handle in deployed position, and throughly encompassing the flipper tab... without the interruptions that break up this continuity on the two more expensive variations. I prefer the texture, visual patterning, sculpting, and feel of *this* G10 (and this particular pattern-engraved, silvery titanium) to the overall effect of any other scales I have handled, and I would wish to change nothing there... apart from thinking that an extra 1/8" of handle wouldn't have left this beautifully realized design compromised in aesthetics or carry weight (2.39 ounces, less than a Native 5 LW or the Chaparral). As you point out, details really help make this design so appealing.
For 1)... The "poor man's" Spydiechef, slimline version, I'll suggest: the Two Sun Knives TS51*1 in D2 and titanium. As with all my Two Suns (incl. a 3.8"+ blade TS27 "Camp Knife" folder), balance is a dead-on 50-50 at the index finger fulcrum point, by design. The long, sculptured, matching titanium back spacer makes this slim handle feel like a rock solid one-piece design in hand, a particularly noticeable effect. A strong flipper, despite a circa 3.70", long belly blade, you must not put any pressure at all on the Reeves type frame lock; which takes a bit of practice to get right by habit, given the slim design. I just suspend the knife loosely in hand, blade edge facing straight down or straight up -- this works fine, since the knife balances and settles in the hand so well. Just 4.11 ounces, despite the long cutting edge and circa 3.8 mm blade stock (and lack of much distal taper): very slim in pocket.
Another thing: the very small flipper tab is that way for a reason -- it integrates with the broadly extended sharpening choil to create a 100% useable finger choil -- a plus, maybe, over the Spydiechef, since you can choke up for some paring knife -like fine control. As faultless in action and set up as the TS21 Update. Both knives came direct from Two Suns via Hong Kong Post (14-21 days to the U.S., my experience... U.S. eBay auction wins, absurdly cheap). I cannot emphasize enough to those who have not discovered Two Suns, the solid quality of these pieces; and Two Suns' eBay feedback is virtually perfect... just a very few highly suspect comments from, I infer, "confused" buyers, after many years now on eBay. Just set aside reservations based on the budget prices. Check out Two Suns' pretty good studio photos of these two at U.S. eBay, 'Completed Auctions', likota123 and others. FYI, and cheers, all.
Thanks for the comment nd for poitning out Twosun knives. I heard about them but never actually handled one. Definetively have to check them out.
They really excel what I have seen of the now popular 'Chinese D2 class' of knives so widely reviewed these days, as far as I can tell. I have a hard time imagining what $200 could buy you here in materials, solid construction, apparently consistent quality control & spot-on set up, and ultra smooth operation -- apart from a somewhat more fashionable and stain resistant blade alloy -- if shopping for a titanium handled folder. Yet I won each for *well* under fifty bucks shipped. These seem to run about $74, give or take a little, bought at retail from the usual far eastern online sources. Still way underpriced by the usual standards for such substantial designs in titanium. They come tightly wrapped and taped up in some sort of stiff, cellophane-like plastic film, heavily oiled for protection (for shipboard distribution to some parts of the world?). But clean up is a breeze, since this is a very 'clean' oil, maybe just mineral oil.
Two Sun seem to have maintained a low profile for quite some time despite an apparently long history on eBay here. I noted some language difficulties with English on their end in response to an inquiry, which may have something to do with that (just speculating). They seem to specialize in beefy, weightier blades, typically utilizing around 3.8 mm D2 blade stock. I have some indications they may not heat treat for the highest D2 Rockwell spec or with an intention to max out abrasion resistance; which, given user reports of D2 being chip prone in some cases, I think is all to the good. These are about as heavy duty oriented as a smooth & slick, KVT ceramic ball bearing knife is going to get. These seem to be conservatively minded folks.
This note on the three models I specified and purchased: these models had the best blade to carry weight ratio among the knife choices they were listing. I did not think many others stood out quite so much, at least for people who share my personal bias against even moderately overweight designs vis-a-vis logically designated competitors. I'd love to see these folks also offering circa 2-1/2 ounce, ~ 3" ... or just over 3 ounce, ~ 3-1/2" bladed options. They do some in M390 (nominally!), but these seem to be chunky, compact styles, too heavyweight for my tastes.
These seem to be original designs, not "copies" or "clones" (though the shape of the TS21 may be closely derivative of something else, to my eye -- the "Update", patterned iteration, though, is apparently their innovation, and this effect tends to obscure any sort of family resemblance to someone else's design, IMO).
If you go to eBay's U.S. website, do what I did: go through every neutral or negative feedback (there aren't many -- a tiny percentage); and you'll see, there just aren't any credible looking complaints -- one minor exception... maybe... when I looked -- which, given the total sold, is simply remarkable compared to even pretty good feedback records.
The big TS27, BTW, could replace a lot of fixed blade knives for woodsy uses, apart from ill advised
batoning exercises. A pet walking blade, in your case? I'm not so confident about feather sticking prowess, given the stout, wedge shaped Wharncliffe profile; but it's work blade, for sure, with a maximum of useable cutting edge. The liner lock is designed to be extra strong, I think, as that side of the liner construction is not skeletonized at all. The opposite steel liner is heavily (and nicely!) skeletonized; so I surmise this asymmetry is there for a good reason. the G-10 here is utilitarian, but I like it better than standard issue black Spyderco, and it feels good in hand. About 4.62 ounces, if I am recalling correctly... maybe slightly less. My net cost was about thirty two bucks, after a 10% eBay Bucks 'rebate'; and this is a lot of knife, though maybe not so useful for everybody. Still...
A titanium version of this one is available, but I did not care for the relative weight penalty. Dislike: hot spot atop the thumb ramp; but then, I say that about almost all my similarly ramped up Spydercos! I'm gonna take that ramp down some with my Dremel, an easy mod in this case.
I hope you find the advice useful. I couldn't find much on UA-cam by way of reviews which would likely clue anyone in to a fair degree. Regards.
I just picked up a lil native. It’s great....far better than I thought.
It looks very interesting. I assume it is somewhere between the Native 5 and the Chaparral.
likota123 id say so. Too bad for the distance, I’d send you mine to borrow and review. I also just ordered the knifecenter spyderco positron. When I originally tried the cf version I hated it for the price. For $89 shipped it really is an insane deal. I plan on modding it some and dyeing the orange d-10 dark blue or so.
Lol what a coincidence. I bought the orange Positron when it went on sale. Even with shipping and customs it was a lot cheaper than the regular price here in Europe.
likota123 haha hilarious. We seem to have a lot of the same tastes in knives. I’d say my top five right now and 2017 are my small sebenza, sage 5, boker lancer, helix nano, and my boker model 10. The lil native is getting a lot of pocket time though.
The tre let me quite puzzled about: pocket clip, action. For that price fox or viper made some good models.....spydiechef is nlon my radar.
Welcome everyone to my channel to see my show videos of each knife
Great collection! I´m looking forward to getting the Fox Tur once it´s available at Lamnia. I´m also thinking of getting the Spyderco Paramilitary 2 or the Manix 2 in S110v steel with G10 handles.
Mauricio Olguín the Manxi 2 in S110v is a great blade
Mauricio Olguín i've bought the last one fox tur!
Ces Bma I decided to go for a fixed blade instead. But I will go for this knife in the future for sure
Mauricio Olguín i'm italian and so i support fox cutlery but in this case tur folder is a really good edc knife, mabe the blade less a 1 mm so they improve the slicing capacity....but overall a good edc knife.
Ces Bma I went for the lionsteel M4, so I support Italian cutlery as well. This one is next on my list.
strange 5 ...only the crk is great....the rest are good. but thanks for sharing....its your opinion. few would agree with the 4 to the right....on this earth.
I wouldn't even put my Sebenza in my Top 5 lol. Spydiechef is much nicer.
is your zt0450 for sale? :D
No, but it is still available from most online retailers and you can get the custom clip at mxggear.com