I love that you discuss grip area. To me, it's the most important part of the sizing aspect of a knife. Few discuss it but instead talk about handle length which is definitely not the same. Thanks for the excellent reviews.
My understanding is that Knife Center has the exclusive on the Drop Point/Satin version. I heard that when the K320 came out, it was only available in a coated blade, but Knife Center worked with Hogue to specifically produce the satin version (and hence they have the exclusive with it).
All nice blades represented but the Manix 2 lock back is one of the most underrated models you can buy. It locks up like a vault and is super durable in use. They’ve been discontinued, but if you can find one definitely grab it - you won’t be disappointed.
Man you smoking something. I've been using FRN Spydercos for a donkey's age. I admit they don't look as smooth aesthetically as the G10 scales, but cheap feeling they are not. They actually lock in and function better than some of the G10 scales do with that bidirectional texturing. Not that I've broken the scales many times (like... twice) but I've damaged G10 a lot more than I have the FRN. The FRN scuffs a little, the G10 chips/breaks. Not saying FRN is my favorite but functionally, it works very well. I don't shy away from it when the company that uses it knows what it's making. It's the same mentality that Glock pistols don't work because they're plastic when people complain about FRN.
But why take the cheaper option if many good and better alternatives exist and they THEMSELVES MAKE to a high degree of compitancy. Ie why buy this pos with out houges signature quality. .... I can think of knives that the only reason I bought them was for great g10 or aluminum... And why do i want to pay the gougers at flytanium or others for replacements on 2020 knife that really shouldn't need the help templars were better but still a no buy. BM even offers carbon in the frn... Spyderco and others use to much .iv had plane model kits with wing parts that are more substantial. Even If theyfuking lie and said of its the EXACT same polymer on the sig 320 came of the same factory line and kept the stipling..... something anything I had money to blow ready but after 3 times in hand I just won't and I'll tell anyone else the same. It's not like Frn even got this into the ultra light category. Also I can grip and frame flex poly grip pistols in my hand and while they to come back I'd prefer something I can at least bludgeon some one with .. it's just not the 90s where frn and axis locks were novel.
Wait wait and here's the kicker the reason real reasonwe're even having this conversation about FRN on a premium knife is that the cost of the Sig licence alone most likely tiped the scales (harharhar) so that this after the balance sheet was made and pennys pinched we got frn . Whoopie what a way to go. I'm mean sure if you'd never seen another knifeon my life and didn't know any better I could live with this . But no one should have to not on what should essentially be a premium knife and if there not aiming for that why bother. Iv come at this from so many angles and it's always the same no reason . I'm so "emphatic" on this point on this knife because I really wanted one. (Ever held a bm freak and then a super freak ... Couldn't pay me to touch the other one ever again. ) And this is half the problem your brainwashed because that what came with it so it MUST be good enough but if they had an alu or g10 model you'd never ever give this model another thought. But go ahead blind your self to the possibility of value for money and for once not getting screwed over for what 5 more dollars 8 maybe ? The injection molding frn are something like 15 cents a side maybe a quarter. most of it is lost in the tooling costs for the mould.
@Marc Ridell sooooo are you making my point for me or trying to convince me frn is acceptable and not a rip off for profit ? What was the last from knife you owned that was this expensive and that you like or kept excluding spyderco with frn. I can think of a few but not very many and of those few there were none that wouldn't of benefited further from g10
The Hogue would definitely be better if it was done in G10, but it's much cheaper. I managed to get mine while Knifecenter was running a sale, so I picked it up for $104 for their exclusive stonewashed version. The Benchmade is $191 kast I looked, and a Manix in G10 is only slightly more, and even less if you go for the LW version, so a much more competitive option. The K320 isn't bad considering it's plastic. It feels pretty comfortable in hand. I definitely agree the hole could be bigger, and I'm not overly thrilled with that nub sticking down at the ricasso. It's going to make it a pia to sharpen. I'm thinking of performing a nubectomy on mine like I did on my Shaman. For the price, it's a decent knife, but it's got a couple knocks against it. The hole and that ricasso, the plastic I can live with but would definitely be better in G10 or aluminum.
the Hogue SIG and HK knives have promise....where they fall short is in the type of steel offered currently. Only one choice IIRC CP154...hadh tey offered theier knoes in S30V, S35V...S90V...K390, Maxamet....etc. They already have something no other brand has...afiliations 2ith 2 leading gun companies...which would appeal to guys who EDC with a pisol in addition to a flashlgiht, pocket knife, phone...etc. ALso offer more blade shapes....sheepsfoot, Wharncliffe...etc.
I'm the weirdo who likes the plastic griptilian feel. I own 2 g10 models too as well as a ritter grip with flytanium scales. the plastic versions are lighter and offer more grip. I gravitate towards them for hiking, biking and general use.
Yes there is a great reason to make griptilian with cheap plastic handles. For people who don't like the ridiculously shaped factory handles but who like the blade and want to make a much better feeling knife than benchmade, and most other makers ever have. That can be achieved by adding a "Grip kit" from Applied Weapons Technology. True; they are a little expensive but they are unbeatable and create an almost perfect knife incomparable to little else. Benchmade wildly bloats it's prices while quality slips. I absolutely loathe clones of anything made elsewhere, especially without permission. However, with things being what they are, as with Benchmade, it's getting harder and harder to condemn people for going that route.
No plastic handle scales at this point for me .... Otherwise knife is great all around. I have all the old houges and they all hold up better for being aluminum or g10. Change the scales buy the knife even the dekka has g10. Why cheap out houge made its name on grips. Doesn't make any sense .
The K320 is a companion knife to the Sig Saurer P320 pistol. It is the exact same material as the grip which Hogue makes for Sig. I'll be getting the Knife Center exclusive K320 tomorrow. If you want I get let you know my opinion on it.
@@factorsofjack is it is it actually ? I'm unbelievably sus and even if so still not good enough and besides who wants shit made by the lowest bidder;) the 320 is a low point in Sig fire arms but that's what you get for making a us factory to make more money instead over overpriced quality. I have 3 German SIG's and 2 us and they just don't compare. There fine useable but not the same thing at all
I love that you discuss grip area. To me, it's the most important part of the sizing aspect of a knife. Few discuss it but instead talk about handle length which is definitely not the same. Thanks for the excellent reviews.
My understanding is that Knife Center has the exclusive on the Drop Point/Satin version. I heard that when the K320 came out, it was only available in a coated blade, but Knife Center worked with Hogue to specifically produce the satin version (and hence they have the exclusive with it).
All nice blades represented but the Manix 2 lock back is one of the most underrated models you can buy. It locks up like a vault and is super durable in use. They’ve been discontinued, but if you can find one definitely grab it - you won’t be disappointed.
That’s a flex with that backlock Manix! I wish Spyderco would offer these today.
Man you smoking something. I've been using FRN Spydercos for a donkey's age. I admit they don't look as smooth aesthetically as the G10 scales, but cheap feeling they are not. They actually lock in and function better than some of the G10 scales do with that bidirectional texturing.
Not that I've broken the scales many times (like... twice) but I've damaged G10 a lot more than I have the FRN. The FRN scuffs a little, the G10 chips/breaks.
Not saying FRN is my favorite but functionally, it works very well. I don't shy away from it when the company that uses it knows what it's making. It's the same mentality that Glock pistols don't work because they're plastic when people complain about FRN.
But why take the cheaper option if many good and better alternatives exist and they THEMSELVES MAKE to a high degree of compitancy. Ie why buy this pos with out houges signature quality. .... I can think of knives that the only reason I bought them was for great g10 or aluminum... And why do i want to pay the gougers at flytanium or others for replacements on 2020 knife that really shouldn't need the help templars were better but still a no buy. BM even offers carbon in the frn... Spyderco and others use to much .iv had plane model kits with wing parts that are more substantial. Even If theyfuking lie and said of its the EXACT same polymer on the sig 320 came of the same factory line and kept the stipling..... something anything I had money to blow ready but after 3 times in hand I just won't and I'll tell anyone else the same. It's not like Frn even got this into the ultra light category. Also I can grip and frame flex poly grip pistols in my hand and while they to come back I'd prefer something I can at least bludgeon some one with .. it's just not the 90s where frn and axis locks were novel.
Wait wait and here's the kicker the reason real reasonwe're even having this conversation about FRN on a premium knife is that the cost of the Sig licence alone most likely tiped the scales (harharhar) so that this after the balance sheet was made and pennys pinched we got frn . Whoopie what a way to go. I'm mean sure if you'd never seen another knifeon my life and didn't know any better I could live with this . But no one should have to not on what should essentially be a premium knife and if there not aiming for that why bother. Iv come at this from so many angles and it's always the same no reason . I'm so "emphatic" on this point on this knife because I really wanted one. (Ever held a bm freak and then a super freak ... Couldn't pay me to touch the other one ever again. ) And this is half the problem your brainwashed because that what came with it so it MUST be good enough but if they had an alu or g10 model you'd never ever give this model another thought. But go ahead blind your self to the possibility of value for money and for once not getting screwed over for what 5 more dollars 8 maybe ? The injection molding frn are something like 15 cents a side maybe a quarter. most of it is lost in the tooling costs for the mould.
@Marc Ridell sooooo are you making my point for me or trying to convince me frn is acceptable and not a rip off for profit ? What was the last from knife you owned that was this expensive and that you like or kept excluding spyderco with frn. I can think of a few but not very many and of those few there were none that wouldn't of benefited further from g10
The satin bladed Sig Sauer K320 is a Knife Center exclusive.
I think the stonewashed K320 is a knifecenter exclusive.
I should get mine tomorrow!!!
It is. I have one.
You're right, it is.
The Hogue would definitely be better if it was done in G10, but it's much cheaper. I managed to get mine while Knifecenter was running a sale, so I picked it up for $104 for their exclusive stonewashed version. The Benchmade is $191 kast I looked, and a Manix in G10 is only slightly more, and even less if you go for the LW version, so a much more competitive option. The K320 isn't bad considering it's plastic. It feels pretty comfortable in hand. I definitely agree the hole could be bigger, and I'm not overly thrilled with that nub sticking down at the ricasso. It's going to make it a pia to sharpen. I'm thinking of performing a nubectomy on mine like I did on my Shaman. For the price, it's a decent knife, but it's got a couple knocks against it. The hole and that ricasso, the plastic I can live with but would definitely be better in G10 or aluminum.
When was the manix-2 available as a back lock?
the Hogue SIG and HK knives have promise....where they fall short is in the type of steel offered currently. Only one choice IIRC CP154...hadh tey offered theier knoes in S30V, S35V...S90V...K390, Maxamet....etc.
They already have something no other brand has...afiliations 2ith 2 leading gun companies...which would appeal to guys who EDC with a pisol in addition to a flashlgiht, pocket knife, phone...etc.
ALso offer more blade shapes....sheepsfoot, Wharncliffe...etc.
I own all 3, I like the k320 Tanto however it’s two slippery towards the front of the grip.
I'm the weirdo who likes the plastic griptilian feel. I own 2 g10 models too as well as a ritter grip with flytanium scales. the plastic versions are lighter and offer more grip. I gravitate towards them for hiking, biking and general use.
Yes there is a great reason to make griptilian with cheap plastic handles. For people who don't like the ridiculously shaped factory handles but who like the blade and want to make a much better feeling knife than benchmade, and most other makers ever have. That can be achieved by adding a "Grip kit" from Applied Weapons Technology. True; they are a little expensive but they are unbeatable and create an almost perfect knife incomparable to little else. Benchmade wildly bloats it's prices while quality slips. I absolutely loathe clones of anything made elsewhere, especially without permission. However, with things being what they are, as with Benchmade, it's getting harder and harder to condemn people for going that route.
How about the Benchmade presidio it one of the best bangs for the Buck in my humble opinion in fact I like it better than my spyderco shaman,
No plastic handle scales at this point for me .... Otherwise knife is great all around. I have all the old houges and they all hold up better for being aluminum or g10. Change the scales buy the knife even the dekka has g10. Why cheap out houge made its name on grips. Doesn't make any sense .
Agree with ya, different scales I would buy.
The K320 is a companion knife to the Sig Saurer P320 pistol. It is the exact same material as the grip which Hogue makes for Sig. I'll be getting the Knife Center exclusive K320 tomorrow. If you want I get let you know my opinion on it.
@@factorsofjack is it is it actually ? I'm unbelievably sus and even if so still not good enough and besides who wants shit made by the lowest bidder;) the 320 is a low point in Sig fire arms but that's what you get for making a us factory to make more money instead over overpriced quality. I have 3 German SIG's and 2 us and they just don't compare. There fine useable but not the same thing at all