I have to say I really enjoy your channel. Great job on this video and all the videos you do. Very enjoyable to watch.

Good thing i happened upon this video!. My traveling salesman job in Europe starts Monday !

I guess i can cross that one off my list. Thanks. Great overview

I always enjoy your videos and this is no exception. I bought the Damasteel one and admittedly the action was pretty garbage until I used some nano oil on it but now I love it.

Great review!

Actually, I think you missed the point of this knife. It's meant for people who want a thumb stud / flipper and live in an area where they are unlawful to buy or carry or even own. They can buy the knife in it's barest configuration and add the thumbdisk and flipper after they get it. As I recall, years ago they sold switchblade kits which included a perfectly legal folding knife and a separate spring you were never supposed to install. In the very worst case, your retailer can send you the knife and it's attachments under separate cover. And because the knife is easy to strip down... a person can carry this knife as a two-hander by day and take it home and flip it in the privacy of their own home with no one being the wiser by night. This thing has it's place, for those who would spend the money on it and live in certain places... Otherwise it's an expensive curio. It's a thumb stud / flipper you can buy and own where thumb stud flippers are unlawful. And maybe that's a beautiful thing. Cheers

It's funny hearing that the TRE costs too much in the US. Almost every knife costs substantially more (even disregarding shipping) in the EU.

Thanks as per usual Nick. Was still thinking about this one, but you’re right on... if I spent near $300 for a knife that flipped like a Skyline, I would be very disappointed.

Thank Nick! Excellent review. And what functionally better flipper cost $ 300, you would recommend as an alternative to the TRE ?

Thanks for the awesome content... would love to see your thoughts on the lionsteel ts1

"You have to do a little bit of whacking" sounds like my morning.

That's a damn good review

I really like this knife, mine is the G-10 but has the removable flipper and stud, it's not a lightning fast flipping knife, but it flips good enough to open it every time. Everyone likes different things, for a lightweight edc it's a good knife that is finished off very well, it's pretty good! My 500 dollar Hinderer doesn't flip like a ZT either lol!

hi Nick, what can you tell me about a comparison between this and kizer mini intrepid or t1 two of kizer similar product types ?

What are your thoughts on Maserin knives? Particularly the AM-3. I've heard very little about these.

Nick, I love this knife but I’ve read conflicting reports that the hardness of this particular M390 steel from Lionsteel is around 57 and not 60-61. Have you heard the same? If so, what are your thoughts?

So I just picked one of these up in the cheaper g10 version, can't exchange like it's more expensive counterpart, however. With this in mind I thought that because it's only a flipper than lionsteel would've made the action better. I was wrong. It's tough to open without using the wrist. Do you have any suggestions as to how to make the action smoother. I already took it apart and oiled it up, what else can I do?

Why would anyone consider buying this knife? Thanks for the review and your sense of humor.

It’s a good knife. Very attractive and eye appealing, excellent fit n finish. The flipping action IMO is a 7 of 10. It was over $300, but price has gone down a bit. More along the lines of gentlemen’s knife than a hard use piece. Thanks for sharing.

@Ulixes83

3 жыл бұрын

Cesar I paid 220€ for mine a couple of months ago. Usually knives are way more expensive here than in the US, but not this one.

Nick, you did a really solid job of discussing the handle, lock-up, opening mechanism, and materials for 13 and a half minutes. But, you spent only approximately five or six seconds at the three minute mark discussing the most important part of a knife-the blade! As Sal Glesser once said, "When you select a knife by looking at just the handle, perhaps you are exploring the wrong end of the knife." You briefly overviewed your feelings on the harpoon shape and the steel used, but neglected to mention the symmetry of the plunge grinds, whether the sharpening choil clears the plunge grinds, the symmetry of the swedge, the thickness behind the edge, the thickness at the spine, the slicing capability of the blade, or potential suitable applications for this specific blade shape. Also, while I appreciate your mention of the fault of the interior stop pin design in sandy or linty environments, I've never once heard you complain about the susceptibility of bearings to these same conditions.

@NickShabazz

8 жыл бұрын

+DarthVirtus Good point! When I'm doing reviews, I tend to focus on the parts relevant to decision-making, to avoid the KZread plague of the 45 minute review. Here, the blade was... just fine. Wasn't exceptional for slicing, but wasn't bad. Usually, when I don't say much about the blade, it's because it's just in the middle of the pack. Not going to make you fall in love, but not going to chase you off, either. For this knife, the rest of the knife (and more specifically, the action and TRE stuff) is going to be the decision point for most folks. If you like the rest, the blade's A-OK. If you don't, the blade's irrelevant. But I'm definitely working to talk a bit more about the thickness (particularly behind the edge) after a few recent knives were... surprising... in that way. The stop pin issue is actually something I've struggled with a bit more than bearings. I've had knives get a lint-bunny in the internal stop pin track, but I've never had bearings fail due to lint. I'm also a regular cleaner in a non-sandy climate. This is a great idea, though: a video discussion on bearings vs. washers. Thanks!

@DarthVirtus

8 жыл бұрын

+Nick Shabazz That's exactly what I was thinking. Additionally, I think it has something to do with logical format of your reviews: the good, the bad, and the ugly. The blade specifics generally don't fall into these categories, unless they're "ugly." I frequently work with particulate matter, and I find that grit does get trapped in ball bearing mechanisms. I think ball bearings are far more susceptible to gunk, goo, and particulates than washers; and this is a fact I rarely hear reviewers highlight.

It is a beautiful knife. Still looking for my grail knife I'm leaning towards the unmunzaan but not 100% yet.

@KARNACKz

4 жыл бұрын

3 years later what grail knife did you end up getting?

I love the G-10 version. It's cheaper and without the gimicky removable parts. Can't beat the size, blade steel and value.

@hellcatdave1

8 жыл бұрын

They aren't gimmicky. It's actually a legitimate feature that can be useful, and markets the knife to a larger audience.

@bringbackbigshot

8 жыл бұрын

+DavidMN just my $.02. im a man of simplicity. helluva knife thought

@NickShabazz

8 жыл бұрын

+DavidMN Do you have one and actually use the TRE stuff? If so, where does it come in handy?

@hellcatdave1

8 жыл бұрын

Nick Shabazz No, I don't, but I can definitely see how it could be useful, especially for the reasons you listed in the video.

@nicocolt6652

7 жыл бұрын

It's great for countries with stupid knife laws. In Germany e.g. you risk losing your life, being fined and even prosecuted (plus you might lose your gun license) whenever you carry a knife that is one hand opening and one hand locking. Recently a court ruled that the Böker Griploc is a one hand opening and locking knife. It furthermore held the view that even razor knifes where you hold the blade open with your finger (and thereby friction folders and slipjoints like the Spyderco UKPK too) also are one hand opening an locking knifes because you can open the blade with one hand and then "lock" it by holding it open with your finger. Many cops also deem a removed thumbstud hole is evidence for a one hand opening nature of a knife so you are effectively limited to two hand opening knives with lock or two hand opening slipjoints if you want to be absolutely safe. And thus the TRE concept is appealing to me as it allows removing the flipper and the thumbdisk without making it too obvious. If I could do the same to my Benchmade/Spyderco or ZT knives I would do it in a heartbeat. It sucks using them only at home.

It isn’t the backspace that keeps the knife from standing up on its back; it’s the flipper. With the blade 1/2 open it will stand on it own.

Wish they made a larger version,, also I wish more companies would give you a box with tools like that!

@jeffreeder654

6 жыл бұрын

They do have a larger version of the G10 version (no thumb stud) with Sleipner steel instead of M390 called the Kur

Heard ppl call it lieNsteel. Do they have issues with these m390 ? Saw i video with terrible edge retention tests 2 different knifes and one year in between the two models. Both m390.

What’s lion steel best knife.

Ah, I just ordered the G10 version, this ones about 500 bucks here!

ps great vids man I'm still a fan.

About that hypothetical salesperson in Europe: I don't think there's a place on earth where you need a thumb disk or flipper on your knife, there are only places where those opening-mechanisms are forbidden - so nobody NEEDS to switch the opening mechanism. The two-handed option is enough to back that up. The T.R.E. would enable you to carry the same knife inside and outside of your apartment with different opening mechanisms in Germany though. For that amount of money I'd expect flawless opening action though, just as you're pointing out. I really wanted to get that knife, the price held me back so far and now your review helped me a lot to get away from that. Thanks! Are you planning to do a review on the budget-version as well?

@NickShabazz

8 жыл бұрын

+rontz Nah, I don't see the major difference with the budget version. The action and gimmick are the same, just the materials are lesser. You can decide if the price is reduced enough for it to make sense for you :)

@rontz

8 жыл бұрын

As it's flipper-only I was hoping they optimized the action for this. Sad if they didn't. And the materials definitely aren't worth the prize if the action isn't great.

@NickShabazz

8 жыл бұрын

The action is very "baby's first flipper". Passable, mostly, but way far away from optimal.

@ibnunadzir223

8 жыл бұрын

Is the g10 version really not worth the price considering its materials? Could you suggest other knives with m390 steel and milled titanium within this price range?

@rontz

8 жыл бұрын

If the action is appropriate, it's a great knife for the price. But using a flipper-mechanism for opening asks for a good action - so if it doesn't work properly, it clearly lessens the value, even if it's built from great material. Personally I'd prefer a full-ti (or half ti, half carbon), s35vn flipper in that price range, if the action was better.

is the reviewer groucho marx?

Who was doing Nick's voice back in the day?

I have the same knife you have there and when I recieved it all the screws where lose. I tighted them and the heads wanted to start to strip. They have not come loose again but I thought the screws were cheap. Did you have any problems with the screws? I could be wrong but I would be nervous to take it apart.

@NickShabazz

8 жыл бұрын

+Steve Welborn I didn't have any trouble doing a complete disassembly and reassembly. Maybe you got an earlier or later model, with cheaper screws, but this one had no problem. One other thing to consider: If you're using cheaper screwdrivers, the heads may not be properly sized (or the metal may be bad) which can cause stripping where it doesn't need to be. Could that be the problem?

@stevewelborn8744

8 жыл бұрын

+Nick Shabazz could of been. Since then I bought some WIHA drivers from USA Knifemaker and wish I would have done it soner than later. Thanks.

@NickShabazz

8 жыл бұрын

Good choice! Wiha's pretty excellent.

Same issue with my ZT 0456 and the lock bar but I have learned to hold it where I don't cause issues when flipping... by the way...you're not from NY are you? hahahaha ;)

sorry nick you blew it again! as most of us are knife addicts; I some times don't WANT to have buy all three different knives to scratch this one very small itch. I think this one with its minor flaws' it hit the nail on the head; you just have to get used to the small flipper tab which I have done, and now its not a big deal at all. sure my first couple of EDC outings with this one had me learning to master the different opening methods (but isn't that the fun part?) ,but after that really its a great flipper/side pocket knife carry and yes I like to carry two knives one very small and one larger for just in case reasons. plus its super classy-er than any spyderco delica anyday, unless its the rare spyderco delica Damascus blade with milled ti sclaes... and even then with the milled ti scales? come on man! some times you just have to spoil yourself a little.

Would you prefer this or the zt 808?

@NickShabazz

7 жыл бұрын

+The Knife Life 808

@onpointedc4744

7 жыл бұрын

Nick Shabazz thanks, I'm thinking about getting the blue version

Hi, Nick I'm looking for pocket knife for my wife, she has small hands doesn't know how to open any pocket knife. Can you recommend small pocket knife for women?

@NickShabazz

8 жыл бұрын

A good knife for a woman is the same as a good knife for a man, so any of my videos will apply. But the Spyderco Dragonfly is a very good small knife.

I'm not an hinderer fan boy, but it bug me when ppl compare a bearings flipper action with a standard washers flipper one

@NickShabazz

8 жыл бұрын

+spezz01 Standard washers can do just fine for flipping too. But teflon/plastic washers are just a wreck for flipping, usually.

I can't believe Jim Skelton sent you that knife.

@NickShabazz

8 жыл бұрын

+FOOLS REPLY Nah, different Jim. You can tell because the Titanium isn't Purple-and-sometimes-bronze anodized with timascus zebra-stripes and a 15-way convex grind and a 10 year wait list.

@dawhitecastle

8 жыл бұрын

+Nick Shabazz Somehow, i think he knew that. haha

@deadbeatbillionaires

8 жыл бұрын

+dawhitecastle Yep, I did, plus Jim Skelton would never send a knife to anyone who actually use knives.

@dawhitecastle

8 жыл бұрын

This is true. I would never send my knives to anyone except to maybe ApostleP to get them sharpened with that beautiful mirror edge he does so well.

Damn, you really don't like that knife... I'll take it!!!

Lol, why on earth would u require to set the knife on its back and complain when u can't do that.

Lionsteel > Spyderco > Benchmade

Why the fuck would u wanna sit it on its back

$300.00

And, oh yeah... I'll bet after 7 years that pocket clip is still in good shape. Probably for the main reason that you don't use it!!!

This knife isn't worth the price.

Totally disagree with your review as usual. You seem to have pretty scant actual knowledge. Speaking of things with limited utility, your reviews seem to be geared towards beat males and easily impressionable teens.