love my northman an minuteman. put a secondary edge going up about 3/4 way on the swedge of the minuteman. still plenty of room for a thumb too without worry. run the minuteman on my chestrig and northman goes with me everywhere. now I got to get me an X, that slightly longer handle will be much nicer.
After seeing you open a couple boxes (mojave-9 & shooter global) with the minuteman I scolled till i found the name & review. A sick box opener & very serious tool.
I’ve looked at these knives several times over the last last few years. I like the design a lot. The price is just out of line for what it is. I’m a knife guy. $500 for a knife doesn’t scare me if there is good value in that $500. There just isn’t good value in this. What brings value to the table in a knife? Materials, place of manufacture, maker or brand are the big ones. Design also brings value, the little things like handle shape and contours, pocket clip design and placement, blade shape, grind, edge profile. All these things make for value. The Northman gets kudos from me for interesting design. It’s made in Italy iirc, I’m guessing it’s made by Lionsteel. That guess isn’t pulled out of thin air, it’s based on a lot of similarities that the Northman has with lionsteel fixed blades. Grind, makings, placement of markings. Things like that. I have absolutely nothing against lionsteel, I have about 5 knives from them I love. It’s just that an m390 fixed blade knife from them retails for about $150 ish. To me, the value represented by the Northman is $300 at the absolute top end. That’s knife and sheath. Add the trainer and it’s a $350 knife max. Anything more is just too much. For frame of reference I had a similar knife made by a guy on ig. It is very different in a lot of ways, blade has more of a leaf shape, steel is nitro-v, the punyo is a quite a bit smaller. Stonewashed acid finish. Pocket sheath. Came in at about $200. I like the knife and would buy one right this minute in the $300-$350 range. I’m just not going to spend $450-$500 for one.
This is where I’m at with these. There’s really just nothing there that justifies $500. IMO probably not 350 even. I’ll spend money on a blade or gun but it’d better bring a bunch extra to the table.
What'd ya mean?! It's a GREAT value! You can use this $500 knife to to open a bag of *Black Rifle Coffee* and then curl up with this guy's novel about being a navy seal who fights the *DEEP STATE.* Money well spent! I bought Amtec's $300 tactical screwdriver because I had a screw loose when I bought a Northman knife!
There are very few knives in the $350 range that have all the features of the Northman X. The Milmak CCW comes to mind, but that is about it. Until the market catches up he can charge how ever much he wants. You can complain about it and carry an inferior blade system until then.
@@seppukusushi2848 🤣🤣 yeah i didnt know they were $500 when i wrote that. Call it basic if you want, but i do like the style for a self defense knife. Not gonna say its real great as a utility knife. Needs a more comfortable handle and some curve. Someone in another comment mentioned a similar knife at half the price.
This is a beautiful and well thought out blade. I'm definitely going to get one. Quick question. Those pants you are wearing. Where can find those? They look super comfortable and great for everyday wear. Especially for battle
$500...We seem have a $200 knife with a $20 Flint/steel imbedded into the sheath? A $280 upcharge for combining a knife with a fire striker. Seems like an item for the man who already has everything. By everything I mean, no debt, all the guns, gear, vehicles, night vision, other knives, real-estate, big savings account, financial products, food storage, gold, silver. Then buy a $500 knife.
Damn, wish I would have waited and got the Northman X. The handle of my Northman is super small, even with my medium sized hands. If I’m not careful my grip rides up to the serrations.
Have you tried the $300 tactical screwdriver? I'm using mine right now because I had a screw loose upstairs when I bought a Northman. I hope this works...
Had a Northman, sterile, non-ser with the full kit. I do not have big hands by any means but I could never get enough purchase on it to keep my index finger from moving up to the blade and cutting my finger. Sure, sure, sure, training or tech or something. It's very narrow, has little finger guard with a short grip, and the handles look cool but are slick even in "normal" conditions. I really thought it was cool but it was a major disappointment.
I’d like to know why it is that every platform amtac has, when questioned about where the blades are made, bill rapier goes radio silent. Nothing like fighting for your country only to sell out to another. American made. Shame on Amtac.
Love everything about the knife, but i can't find the value at 500$. There is zero justification for the price. Spyderco Ronin2 a third of the price, will perform similarly.
When there are high quality alternatives using comparable materials at half the price or less, it's hard to justify spending $500 on a 3.5" fixed blade.
Out of curiosity, to maybe do a review on one, what would be an analog to this? With the same design considerations with respect to carry and use as well as a carry sheath and trainer?
@@KitBadger For me, the trainer (knife shaped piece of plastic) is not enough to justify a $250+ upcharge, and aftermarket sheaths are not too expensive. That said, the Bradford Guardian series of knives comes to mind - designed for carry, flat handles, premium materials - as do some of Toor knives offerings. Lionsteel, Spyderco, and Tops come to mind as well. They make carry-oriented knives using high quality materials that often come with a carry ready sheath and have flat/slim handles. Armatus makes an array of quality carry sheaths, I'd look at the knives they make sheaths for if carry was a chief concern.
Of those mentioned, none seem to check all of the boxes, even with simple things like a squared bottom on the handle so you can thumb cap. And yes, carry is always a chief concern, unless you collect knives, in which case the sheath is one of the most important aspects. Granted we all come at it from different places. The training knife had no value to me either, until I actually dedicated time to training. Have you taken any formal training in blades?
@@KitBadger The point is not that a trainer is worthless, but that it doesn't justify the custom knife tier price. No knife is going to have all the same features and dimensions unless it's a direct copy cat. The question is whether it can serve the same function. They've done a good job convincing you their design features are essential and irreplaceable, but they haven't convinced me.
That is fine, you aren't the market. Not in a demeaning way. I myself couldn't find value in all the aforementioned until I dedicated time, money and energy into training with blades. Regardless, thanks for watching. :)
Operators carry cheap sturdy things, like a mora. If they loose it or it breaks, no big deal. A few bucks for i new one. If i loose this one, i cry for my mama, i tell ya.
These knives are goofy looking and I mean that from a functional perspective. The price is ridiculous based on the endless other options on the market that offer the same or better materials. The fact that the website doesn’t mention anything about where they’re made is suspect. Also, the fact that the designer is associated with Jake Hoback is also cause for concern because he lied for years about his knives being American made when in fact most of them are made in China.
Why can’t I find a single “country of origin” for these blades on Amtac’s website? You’d think a patriot like Bill would be screaming about “made in USA” if it was. Buuuuuut he doesn’t. These are a terrible value, that’s my only gripe. . Idc about the trainer and extra sheaths. These are good m390 knives, made in Italy at best, China at worst, for $500+. That’s ridiculous. I carry a Dynamis blade, and a Winkler operator. $500 and $350 respectively, but they’re handmade in the US by a master blade-smith with obsessive quality control. I’m sure these are quality tools, but why the need to gouge? It’s insulting.
You can find links here: kitbadger.com/northman-x-and-minuteman-by-amtac-blades/
Where are they manufactured? Their website has no info, and all e-mails inquiring go unanswered.
Is that the Northman HAIRCUT? Jesus...did you use the Northman to cut your hair?
QVC of the gun world
These are hands down the best. Pocket carry perfection. Great ferro rod and easy to sharpen.
expensive for china tho
Love a good pokey sticky stabby thing
love my northman an minuteman. put a secondary edge going up about 3/4 way on the swedge of the minuteman. still plenty of room for a thumb too without worry. run the minuteman on my chestrig and northman goes with me everywhere. now I got to get me an X, that slightly longer handle will be much nicer.
Great video!
I love my Northman, and knowing i have a real tool on me at all times, from the woods to the city.
After seeing you open a couple boxes (mojave-9 & shooter global) with the minuteman I scolled till i found the name & review. A sick box opener & very serious tool.
I wish they would make a minuteman x
I’ve looked at these knives several times over the last last few years. I like the design a lot. The price is just out of line for what it is.
I’m a knife guy. $500 for a knife doesn’t scare me if there is good value in that $500. There just isn’t good value in this.
What brings value to the table in a knife? Materials, place of manufacture, maker or brand are the big ones. Design also brings value, the little things like handle shape and contours, pocket clip design and placement, blade shape, grind, edge profile. All these things make for value.
The Northman gets kudos from me for interesting design. It’s made in Italy iirc, I’m guessing it’s made by Lionsteel. That guess isn’t pulled out of thin air, it’s based on a lot of similarities that the Northman has with lionsteel fixed blades. Grind, makings, placement of markings. Things like that. I have absolutely nothing against lionsteel, I have about 5 knives from them I love. It’s just that an m390 fixed blade knife from them retails for about $150 ish.
To me, the value represented by the Northman is $300 at the absolute top end. That’s knife and sheath. Add the trainer and it’s a $350 knife max. Anything more is just too much.
For frame of reference I had a similar knife made by a guy on ig. It is very different in a lot of ways, blade has more of a leaf shape, steel is nitro-v, the punyo is a quite a bit smaller. Stonewashed acid finish. Pocket sheath. Came in at about $200.
I like the knife and would buy one right this minute in the $300-$350 range. I’m just not going to spend $450-$500 for one.
This is where I’m at with these. There’s really just nothing there that justifies $500. IMO probably not 350 even. I’ll spend money on a blade or gun but it’d better bring a bunch extra to the table.
how come the manufacturer makes us guess about origin? could it be CHYNA?
What'd ya mean?! It's a GREAT value! You can use this $500 knife to to open a bag of *Black Rifle Coffee* and then curl up with this guy's novel about being a navy seal who fights the *DEEP STATE.* Money well spent! I bought Amtec's $300 tactical screwdriver because I had a screw loose when I bought a Northman knife!
There are very few knives in the $350 range that have all the features of the Northman X. The Milmak CCW comes to mind, but that is about it. Until the market catches up he can charge how ever much he wants. You can complain about it and carry an inferior blade system until then.
I was hoping for this vid
Those are amazing looking blades!
*clicks link
HOLY PHUQ!!! Never mind!
Amtac are nice knives. I know a guy that dropped his and it pierced his bladder. That low angle point slides through stuff real easy.
Amtec makes a nice $300 tactical screwdriver. I know a guy who bought one because I told him he had a loose screw because he bought a Northman.
@@seppukusushi2848 🤣🤣 yeah i didnt know they were $500 when i wrote that. Call it basic if you want, but i do like the style for a self defense knife. Not gonna say its real great as a utility knife. Needs a more comfortable handle and some curve. Someone in another comment mentioned a similar knife at half the price.
This is a beautiful and well thought out blade. I'm definitely going to get one. Quick question. Those pants you are wearing. Where can find those? They look super comfortable and great for everyday wear. Especially for battle
$500...We seem have a $200 knife with a $20 Flint/steel imbedded into the sheath? A $280 upcharge for combining a knife with a fire striker. Seems like an item for the man who already has everything. By everything I mean, no debt, all the guns, gear, vehicles, night vision, other knives, real-estate, big savings account, financial products, food storage, gold, silver. Then buy a $500 knife.
Got mine for under 300
@@truthseeker1581 that's like getting a knife and $200. where is the knife made?
Damn, wish I would have waited and got the Northman X. The handle of my Northman is super small, even with my medium sized hands. If I’m not careful my grip rides up to the serrations.
Have you tried the $300 tactical screwdriver? I'm using mine right now because I had a screw loose upstairs when I bought a Northman. I hope this works...
I saw Jack Carr talking about this blade.. interesting. Those Toor guys out of socal make some identical types with better steel imo.
Hey, where did you get that t-shirt you're wearing in this video?? Thanks
Schweet 🤙🏻
Had a Northman, sterile, non-ser with the full kit. I do not have big hands by any means but I could never get enough purchase on it to keep my index finger from moving up to the blade and cutting my finger. Sure, sure, sure, training or tech or something. It's very narrow, has little finger guard with a short grip, and the handles look cool but are slick even in "normal" conditions. I really thought it was cool but it was a major disappointment.
Someone called this a "caveman knife" but that's unfair. The actual caveman knife had much better ergonomics.
I mean for a 100 bucks you sold me with the midnight creeper from black triangle but definitely not this.
I wear I've seen this... is this a reupload?...
I’d like to know why it is that every platform amtac has, when questioned about where the blades are made, bill rapier goes radio silent. Nothing like fighting for your country only to sell out to another. American made. Shame on Amtac.
You can use this $500 Chinese blackops knife to open a bag of Black Rifle Coffee!
Love everything about the knife, but i can't find the value at 500$. There is zero justification for the price.
Spyderco Ronin2 a third of the price, will perform similarly.
That price is stupid .....
nooooo thank you, for a knife that almost costs as much as GLOCK, id rather have the Glock
When there are high quality alternatives using comparable materials at half the price or less, it's hard to justify spending $500 on a 3.5" fixed blade.
Out of curiosity, to maybe do a review on one, what would be an analog to this? With the same design considerations with respect to carry and use as well as a carry sheath and trainer?
@@KitBadger For me, the trainer (knife shaped piece of plastic) is not enough to justify a $250+ upcharge, and aftermarket sheaths are not too expensive.
That said, the Bradford Guardian series of knives comes to mind - designed for carry, flat handles, premium materials - as do some of Toor knives offerings.
Lionsteel, Spyderco, and Tops come to mind as well. They make carry-oriented knives using high quality materials that often come with a carry ready sheath and have flat/slim handles.
Armatus makes an array of quality carry sheaths, I'd look at the knives they make sheaths for if carry was a chief concern.
Of those mentioned, none seem to check all of the boxes, even with simple things like a squared bottom on the handle so you can thumb cap. And yes, carry is always a chief concern, unless you collect knives, in which case the sheath is one of the most important aspects.
Granted we all come at it from different places. The training knife had no value to me either, until I actually dedicated time to training. Have you taken any formal training in blades?
@@KitBadger The point is not that a trainer is worthless, but that it doesn't justify the custom knife tier price.
No knife is going to have all the same features and dimensions unless it's a direct copy cat. The question is whether it can serve the same function.
They've done a good job convincing you their design features are essential and irreplaceable, but they haven't convinced me.
That is fine, you aren't the market. Not in a demeaning way. I myself couldn't find value in all the aforementioned until I dedicated time, money and energy into training with blades. Regardless, thanks for watching. :)
Yah way to much for a knife unless I was an operator
Toor and bradshaw make decent knives for half of the asking price for one of these
Operators carry cheap sturdy things, like a mora. If they loose it or it breaks, no big deal. A few bucks for i new one. If i loose this one, i cry for my mama, i tell ya.
These knives are goofy looking and I mean that from a functional perspective. The price is ridiculous based on the endless other options on the market that offer the same or better materials. The fact that the website doesn’t mention anything about where they’re made is suspect. Also, the fact that the designer is associated with Jake Hoback is also cause for concern because he lied for years about his knives being American made when in fact most of them are made in China.
Schabusiness Approved....
Oh man...I laughed at this, but this was DARK.
Why can’t I find a single “country of origin” for these blades on Amtac’s website? You’d think a patriot like Bill would be screaming about “made in USA” if it was. Buuuuuut he doesn’t. These are a terrible value, that’s my only gripe. . Idc about the trainer and extra sheaths. These are good m390 knives, made in Italy at best, China at worst, for $500+. That’s ridiculous. I carry a Dynamis blade, and a Winkler operator. $500 and $350 respectively, but they’re handmade in the US by a master blade-smith with obsessive quality control. I’m sure these are quality tools, but why the need to gouge? It’s insulting.
It's pretty basic and goes all the way back to the stone age as far as design
The cavemen had better ergonomics on their knives.
Buy a cheap boot knife,,,it will kill just as well
$550. Let me REPEAT. $550. This channel is a JOKE.
Sweet definitely but ouch 500 bucks sweet no .sheath sold separately 😅😅