Awesome video! Although there are a few things im surprised werent on this list. 1. Over-branding/logos (on scales or blade itself) 2. Specify exact steel used 3. Good edge geometry out of the box 4. If traditional knife make pinch grip opening possible (not just deathtoyournail nicks) 5. If you are going to incorporate another tool to the knife (cap lifter/strap cutter) impliment it correctly! No more strap cutters thats just the steel liner with a dull chisel grind) or a cap lifter on the back that digs into your palm Thank you.

This knife checklist is longer than my Cessna 172 checklist 😂

@mitchelldelmar9682

6 жыл бұрын

Roger that.

Great video. Some knife company should hire you and put you in charge of quality control and pay you a boat load of money.

Nick, It's impossible to "have half of the skills of the guy who makes the z-hunter." You cannot divide by zero.

@MrShankism

3 жыл бұрын

....no but you can divide zero by 2... or multiply it by 1/2... math is hard

Nick: this is one of your best videos. Puts everything for the buyer and knifemaker into perspective. That’s the difference between most (not all) of your reviews and other reviewers, you prepare yourself with a well thought presentation. Good job! ⚔️

From knife reviewer to Professor of Cutlery, my I introduce Professor Shabazz. Nick--a superb video which I'm sure took a great deal of thought and time to plan and produce. Many thanks!

Great video Nick I apreciate the time and effort put into this list. I hope knife makers take note. You have become a voice for us enthusiast and I thank you.

This is *such* a comprehensive guide, very helpful.

This is awesome Nick, really enjoyed this one 👌🏼

Excellent video, thank you for taking the time to make it! 👍

One of your better videos, Nick. You made some very good points.

Very useful Nick. Thanks

Long but it's worth it. You have never steered me wrong. I can't thank you enough for that.

@NickShabazz

6 жыл бұрын

Give it time. But you're welcome.

Hi Nicky, as always thanks for the video. Appreciate ya. Papa bless

Nice video Nick thanks for putting the list together

Bravo! You may not be brilliant but you are meticulous, insightful, thorough and knowledgeable. If only you had normal man’s hands.

Great check list! Thank you!

Brilliant list!

Hallelujah! Preach, brother!

Nick - what about adding your thoughts on weight under the “Carryability” section?

@doomstuff1

2 ай бұрын

Good point. On a similar note maybe carry profile might be worth adding too. For me at least, taking up an undue amount of space as far as volume or along any one dimension is as big a problem as being a bit heavy.

I wish you could work for benchmade..l..thanks for taking the time to do this and make that list hopefully makers will utilize it.

Def agree about the captive pivots. Just scratched the hell out of one of my knives while trying to disassemble it bc of its free spinning pivot lock-tighted pivot.

@tonycanniffe2360

6 жыл бұрын

Julian Williams I tape the female pivot to the scale with a sticky pad thingy (designed to hold fairly heavy stuff). It was on a Shirogorov 95T. No or minimal loctite though.

Hey, Nick- Off topic but I got my first GGBU t shirt today. Great stuff!!!

Information grail achieved 🙏🏻😁❤️

Great work Nick. Guess my Killitron 500 will have to stay in the case!

This list needs to be framed and put it in every manufacturer’s showroom and CEO’s office great list I can’t agree more

Thanks Nick!

Excellent list, everything except "Evidence of sense of humor in design or naming" is important, you get an A+, great stuff!

@NickShabazz

6 жыл бұрын

True. Not everybody needs it, but it's a bonus. Mostly in a world of "HIGH SPEED LOW DRAG OPERATOR DAMNIT!" :)

@jamesrodgers3132

6 жыл бұрын

At last -- something you must give the Z-Hunter points for.

Great video!! Thanks Nick 👍👍👍👍👍🗡🗡🗡🗡

This. Is. Wonderful! I love this list. My only recommendation for change is that, as a Canadian, I would like to see you put USD beside that $30 regarding teflon. A $30 knife for you is a $40 knife for me (and that's assuming our dollar doesn't get any worse) so it might be helpful for international viewers. Often times people remember the number but not the context, unless it is stated.

Love a checklist! Yes you heard me correctly. Also side note, “check” out “The Checklist Manifesto” by Atul Gawande (he’s also done a TED talk). I was wondering how many of the gems scored on the list. Best of the best? Fantastic I’ll go and download a copy and work through mine!

Hmm, spot the things the Spyderco Hanan is going to get wailed on for..

Really nice analysis. It is amazing that what appears obvious (eg sharp parts covered) clearly isn't important to all makers. I would add that the knife edge should be protected from dulling by other items in the pocket. I'm looking at you Chris Reeve. Or the knife edge intruding into the lanyard space, Strider.

@NickShabazz

6 жыл бұрын

Good point on the Lanyard Hole blade thing. It's one of those silly things that I didn't even think to complain about, but is just "Duh" when it happens.

“The MegaSinkevich" God I haven't laughed so hard in a while

@jamesrodgers3132

6 жыл бұрын

They really should do that.

Hey Nick you should do a video on the hitch and timber leather pouches

great second point about point about naming. I never got why so many knife makers tack Bowie onto folding knife names when many states have knife laws calling out Bowie knives specifically as illegal to carry.

Having a locker lockbar insert on ti frame locks is something I look for. I have some without that have held up wonderfully, but I have some that haven't. As a result I really think twice before buying a knife without an insert.

@NickShabazz

6 жыл бұрын

That's one of those things that's nice, but didn't quite make it onto the list. I can't say a knife without is worse, just different.

Good video. I agree that a knife company should hire you. Spyderco would be a good one. You could move to Colorado.

I'll forward this link to the makers of the "Zombie Hunter" !

Well done Nick, all excellent points. I especially appreciate you calling out Benchmade's QC sins and the hyper-masculine garbage branding/marketing (cough Cold Steel cough).

You are so cerebral that it gives me arthritis. Wow!!!! You’re awesome, sir!

It's kind of said already, but just some more detail for the "Blade related issues"... Make sure the knife is ground symmetrical. And that it is sharp out of the box. Even some high end knives need fixing before use.

I have a quality issue with my SPYDERCO PM2. Its a remarkable knife. However: the index finger(choil guard?) hits the tip of my pointer finger such that it doesnt close properly; rebounds off my index finger, when closing the blade/compression lock. It does'nt securely close. Its not a clone, not a fake. Everything about it checks, exept for this one very crucial defect. I own a PM3, also PM3 LW, without this issue. Is this a random flaw, or common with the PM2?

Holly Batman what a list Nick

I agree wth everything you said Nick except 1 thing. My experience with framelocks with the ceramic ball interface is the they have more slip than a flat interface. I would much rather prefer a flat steel insert.

@NickShabazz

6 жыл бұрын

"Ceramic Detent Ball" is not the same as "Ceramic Lock Face" (as on the Large Inkosi and Umnumzaan)

@SkyPhoenixGear-Collectibles

6 жыл бұрын

Oh yea your right sorry i miss read

A few thoughts: 1. Teflon washers are probably fine if large enough in surface area. The compressive strength of Teflon is good enough to handle most loading you can put in a pry fashion and Teflon is easier to make in custom sizes than bronze. 2. T6 is about as small as you get unless you’re moving to an M1.6 screw which has T5 driver. I would think this shouldn’t be a limiter as limiting fastener size can limit the design greatly in terms of material thicknesses. The smaller screws need less threaded length allowing for thinner frame or scale materials which is nice to have available when designing. 3. I think some bonus points should go to improving the classic lock designs (lock back, frame lock, liner lock, etc.). These designs are very common and it would be nice to see some innovations in lock mechanisms without making a gimmick mechanism. It would be nice if more knife manufacturers tried to push for new lock mechanisms so we can get more designers interested in innovation rather than iterative design of classic mechanisms. I don’t know how this industry will continue to be as popular as it is without some new ground being broken.

@Evan_Schaefering

6 жыл бұрын

Hazin For anything over 40$ Teflon washers go from undesirable to a reason not to buy a knife in my opinion. They produce a less smooth action and last a vastly shorter time when compared to bronze.

Can you make a top ten list in the form of commandments???

Also I have been seeing some seriously early lock up lately. 10 percent or so on expensive knives. The lock never wears in it just stays put. But if you have a steel insert the thing * should be engaged. I know for a fact it is done on purpose. But I see it as a flaw.

Expensive spyderco Knives kind of suck. I love how Chris reeve Koenig benchmade zt, allow you to essentially rebuild your knife. For a price. After all they are meant to be used, but at a certain price they are also mini investments.

Every knife company should have framed copies of this hanging on every production line and executive office.

What sort of a car do you have, which turns you upside down when stepping out? Do you have a prototype of those antigravity cars? When is the review of it?

Hi Nick. Thx allot for sharing all your folding knife wisdom with us! 2 questions: How come you know so much about knives, how they are made etc? Mij rat2 D2 tip point when closed can poke mij vinger, will you check your r2d2 for me? maybe its just the one I got. (every time I sharpen it, I try to round the tip more). Thx again and keep up the great videos Kind regards Rene

@NickShabazz

6 жыл бұрын

Hi Rene: I'd argue that I don't know that much about how knives are made. I'm just a guy who's handled a lot of knives, and carried a lot of knives, and (over)thinks about them on a regular basis. My R2D2 is very close to the edge, but I can't quite touch the tip there.

@abrahamsrjs

6 жыл бұрын

thx Nick

Excellent list, thanks for your efforts. While you touched on comparative pricing, I would suggest some kind of value factor. Value is subjective, I realize but something simple like $/oz. For example, a Kershaw Atmos is ~ $11/oz., the ZT 0456 is ~ $36/oz. Both excellent values considering materials/craftsmanship. Then there's the Stedemon Thunderfury that Frankie and Bird are less than pleased with at ~ $92/oz. I'm sure examples could be provided to refute this simple math, but at least it's objective. I really like to buy what I think has "value", whatever that may be. Congrats again on the new Missus and good luck!!!

Also what about lockup specific things? Like using a steel insert or not, and if not using a steel insert, then carbidizing/carborizing to avoid lock stick? Maybe too specific

@NickShabazz

6 жыл бұрын

Lock stick tends to wear in, but it's an issue if it doesn't go away. And lockbar inserts are one of those things that are well and good when present, but also not something absolutely crucial. Like overtravel stops.

@EDCwithAaron

6 жыл бұрын

Nick Shabazz true. What about blade to handle ratio? Or keeping handle shapes simple without insane/horrible ergos/hotspots? Idk just throwing out ideas.

I think the chris reeves small sabenza carbon fiber, should have a black not a grey lock bar side, and the screws and pivot should be black too...but the blade is fine, don't make that black.....half zt it....I bought the carbon fiber 0450 and regular one, so I could put the steel colored blade on the carbon fiber one...it looks great

Nick, send a copy of this to all the the manufacturers.

Name a knife that checks all the boxes. Ready, go!

@gerardopietrantoni6452

6 жыл бұрын

jandlp14 Chris Reeves knives check all boxes. At least the Sebenza with perfect centering, ease of maintenance, customer service, available parts and Inkosi/Umnunzaan/Mnandi from CRK.

I need to get a murderer horn.... That would work well here in NYC.

@neokuji

6 жыл бұрын

JOSE E PEREZ 😂

@doohresarf321

6 жыл бұрын

Damn, NYC sucks man. I have never met a folding knife that couldn't be deployed with just the right cop flick. You can even do it with the delica

@doohresarf321

6 жыл бұрын

Huh, maybe? I don't own one so I'm not sure. That blade is pretty light though.

@The4cp

6 жыл бұрын

They have problems with common citizens with folding knives. Gang bangers have an uzi and a 45........who's the real danger?

Great points Nick, but I disagree with one. Sprint runs. I get what your sayen, but knife guys love limited edition hard to find and fun to trade knives. Collectibles are a lot of fun. And I would think for knife makers there is better margins on theses knifes. I love my Manix2LW in burnt orange in s90v. I love that I have a somewhat unique knife that does not break the bank like a custom.

@NickShabazz

6 жыл бұрын

It's fine to have sprints and limited editions of existing models. Giving people the chance to upgrade and collect in a design they love is great. But if the knife design is *only* available in runs of N (e.g. CKF, Giantmouse), and impossible to get otherwise, that's ugly.

Now that the idea is in my head, I don't think I can watch more of your videos until you get a gravity table and flip yourself upside down to test how well knives stay in your pocket (while wearing a batman mask of course can't have face reveals).

I just had a look at the warranty on Zieba's site. I don't see anything about repeatedly flicking open the knife voiding the warranty. Right now he's got several of my knives for repair and maintenance. Seems to communicate reasonably and he's offered to make finish changes free of charge. He got 2 of my older S1 models and offered to replace them instead of fixing them. Says he'll send me an S1 with silver (material not color) parts instead. Sort of off topic here, but I thought I'd share my experience.

@NickShabazz

6 жыл бұрын

It's on his blog: www.ziebaknives.com/blog/2017/11/27/warranty ... to damage caused by disassembly, accident, abuse, misuse, or other external cause, including damaged caused by excessive and/or aggressive blade flicking (rapid opening and closing of a folding knife);

@HikikomoriZone

6 жыл бұрын

Nick Shabazz that's a shame; I thought he seemed pretty good about warranty work. My mistake. Although, he says in his warranty that knives without COAs or sold by unauthorized dealers aren't covered by warranty, but I told him explicitly that I got some of the knives on the secondary market (and didn't have COAs for some), and he was happy to fix them free of charge. Seems like another case where the warranty looks ugly in writing, but for all intents and purposes you're covered.

What, no charts or graphs this time?

Which would you recommend the ifixit bit set or the wiha bit set

@ClarenceKansas

6 жыл бұрын

I prefer my wiha

@NickShabazz

6 жыл бұрын

Wiha bits, iFixit driver

Whats your definition of a custom,mid-tec and production knife ?

@NickShabazz

6 жыл бұрын

I have a whole video about that, but sadly, it's not easy to draw lines.

In your latest videos there seems to be sound only on the left speaker which makes using headphones a little straining

@NickShabazz

6 жыл бұрын

Not for me

@S3n0rT0ast

6 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the heads up. Tested some more videos and for some reason I get this sound error only on your channel and only with Firefox. Chrome plays fine Weird

I laughed at the names, but the symbol of two lighting bolts (SS) really cracked me up.

@ScottPutman

6 жыл бұрын

Average Joe that's the reason I didn't buy that knife, knife looks great and has some great reviews but I just could not get that out of my head..

@ric84

6 жыл бұрын

Scott Putman What's it called?

@ScottPutman

6 жыл бұрын

Richard Hanjeleer jcape and his current cleaver by something obscene company

what would you call a knife that checks every single box

Gription is a good word.

The Codified List of Gemification. If a maker follows these guidelines, they’re probably going to get my money first. And a community aid like this is a big reason I support the Nick.

Hopefully USA sees this

Many of these things seem to me to be matters of personal taste rather than excellence which I take to be of a more objective kind. I would also note that the more specialized a knife is, the less likely it is to meet all of the criteria.

@NickShabazz

6 жыл бұрын

Which ones do you disagree with? And I agree, specialists are able to violate more of these without it being a problem.

@diatomos8

6 жыл бұрын

‘Homage’ knives are fine with me. This is especially true if the original is out of circulation, very expensive, or otherwise difficult to acquire. I almost always have a knife with me, but I very rarely use it. I may open one or two packages a week, and that's about it. Knives, for me, are objects of aesthetic interest that can also help in rare unforeseen situations. I don't really care about blade thickness, sharpening choils, threadlocker, screws, etc. I am careful with my knives, but I don't otherwise maintain them. The knife fits my needs if it cuts and if it fits my aesthetic preferences. You could argue that the things mentioned above make the blade better even if I don't make use of them, but they often impact prices and limit design choices. As for warranties, I'd be perfectly willing to foregoe having one in exchange for excellent quality control. In a perfect world you'd have both, but a good waranty might make the price go up. Everyone will value this differently--especially if you're unlikely to need it. Lastly, I'll just say that as a lover of language, I love strange, exotic, and unpronounceable names. I also think that symbol usage is a complex thing with different expectations in different settings and regions.

@NickShabazz

6 жыл бұрын

The nice part about this being just one guy's opinion is that a maker can decide "You know what, I'm making art" and grind a prybar with perfectly hemispherical screw heads. They're just as free to make it as I am to not buy it. This will not become universal law! But I do think, as you suggest, that good functionality is a boon for everybody, even if it's not used. That said, you're right on with warranty. But the beautiful thing is that if the quality and quality control are good, the warranty becomes less costly, because people need it. I've noticed that the companies with the best warranties are the ones that don't need them. Don't ship bad knives, and you will rarely need to servce them. And I'll give you that there's a joy in exotic names. But around the 15th time I have to explain "Rake knives, spelled "R-U-I-K-E"...", it gets pretty old. :) Thanks for responding!

Blade length below "legal" lines - well that depends on what the law says and where the cop or DA measures from if it is not clearly stated in the law (which it almost never is) so they get the legal wiggle room to screw people over if they don't like them or they need to meet the monthly quota or they are just having a bad day

@NickShabazz

6 жыл бұрын

Yep, this is why it should be 2.8" rather than 2.98". Much less likely to be vulnerable to angry officer measurement.

Can you send me a PDF?

I Love how Nick roasts benchmade Over and Over again😂

The first point (and most important) should be,, is it a Delica,, ??

i have a nice brand for ya nick try c jul herbertz knives i mean they are relatively cheap but very well made knives the only "bad" thing about it 90% of the steel they use is 420 stainless steel but wonderful german made knives for a cheap price

Running shoes accompanied by a firearm is a good combo.

Excellent list. However, you can't give people a hard time for symbols: lightning has existed for a long time (at least 6000 years) and this symbol was used to represent many other things before being used as a victory symbol, such as... lightening. On a serious note, one other disqualifier for me are makers who express what I consider divisive or hateful opinions. For example, if you refer to "real Americans" on your web page, you're saying those of us who don't believe what you do are somehow less... American? (This one is particularly silly, since the whole point of the U.S. is to allow for differing opinions and beliefs.) Hateful opinions gets you on my "wouldn't take one for free" list.

@Evan_Schaefering

6 жыл бұрын

Andy Richardson Well if you put a Swastika on your knife people are going to associate it, and therefore the designers and the owners, with Nazism. It doesn't matter if it was a symbol long before Nazis, it is immediately associated with them because their use of it was powerful enough to change its meaning. The same idea comes into play with words as well. If you were to try to sell a bundle of sticks using the name "faggot" or cigarettes using the word "fags" people would be upset despite the fact that those words were once used to describe those things.

@andyrichardson6188

6 жыл бұрын

I understand and was making the same point. Hence my "on a serious note" comment. My comment about symbols was sarcasm, and I was poking fun at the people who defended the use of a provocative symbol the last time Nick called it out.

B A C K L O G :) Maybe... show me your damn ring Nick

@bob77953

6 жыл бұрын

This was actually just filmed! The date on the paper is May 2018. Nick is getting his ring resized at the jewelers.

There goes my plane to name my knife super slicer and use only abreviated forms of the name

@NickShabazz

6 жыл бұрын

You could make an all-black version of it, and then call it the Reich, because you can Nazi it at night.

K.I.S.S. - Keep It Simple Shabazz. Simple design is elegant - needless complexity is just a pain.

First Like

Now I want to know what knife checked all of these boxes but you still found a way to hate it.

@NickShabazz

6 жыл бұрын

Oh, I'm sure it's possible.

@Evan_Schaefering

6 жыл бұрын

The problem is that one persons perfect knife according to this checklist may not be perfect for others. For example the Sebenza 21 checks almost all of the boxes on the list for me but Nick doesn't care for it. There is a fair bit of wiggle room for personal preference.

Symmetrical grinds and more importantly having the edge ground down to the center of the blade stock. Anyone who’s used a KME (or a Lansky, etc.) will know why...

@NickShabazz

6 жыл бұрын

Yeah, if the grind is badly off, it can be an issue. Good point.

@hovan2yourjunk

6 жыл бұрын

Nick Shabazz Awesome list buddy!

Alternative title could read, "Nick's reasons on why you should not by any Medford Knife and Tool product". Queue the angry fanatics.

If we create a text to speech with your voice youre absolete now

Just give us light sabres already!

What about POU and SAWC? 😂

As much as the people will love you for this, that’s just how much the “custom” knife maker will hate you (the mass producers will just pretend you don’t exist, maybe not Spyderco). And I’m glad you don’t give a rat’s ass! “Make the world a better place” is a good way to go about life. One knife maker at the time. 😉😋

@NickShabazz

6 жыл бұрын

I think it'll probably end up as a wash. Some custom knifemakers will probably dislike this kind of thinking, particularly the ones who are excellent at making pretty designs from nice materials, but very poor at fit-and-finish, function, and action. But I hope that this kind of thinking will draw attention to the people who are making custom knives which still "pass muster", and which are excellent knives, even if they're one-of-one knives.

@Pew7070

6 жыл бұрын

Nick Shabazz Let’s hope that your reverse psychology technique works! 😋😉😆

Definitely an awesome resource... But now nobody will ever need your "stealth reviews" ever again!

Benchmade sells tools but if you use them it will void your warranty.... This Warranty does not cover normal wear, damage caused by neglect, misuse or the failure to perform normal or necessary maintenance, disassembly of any knife by any person other than Benchmade’s Warranty department,

@chase6428

6 жыл бұрын

benchmade has one of the best warranties out of any knife company i can think of.... They are overpriced and have poor fit and finish, but have a great warranty.

@rossco5995

6 жыл бұрын

Yes. It's a good thing they CURRENTLY don't follow their own warranty policy.

I've always said there are those people who need to use a folding knife for self defense in extreme situations. Military, or Police. Yes some should be designed for that purpose. If anyone outside of that isn't in a literal life or death situation. Just dont do it. Run, eye poke, kick them in the nuts. Just don't stab someone unless you have zero choice not zero tolerance.

I was on board until you got political at the end. Dog whistle? Nick, are you a soy boy? I mean, I still love you, but you kinda put off some SJW vibes.

@Evan_Schaefering

6 жыл бұрын

Joe Perry There is just no reason to draw attention to the world of pocketknives. I'm amazed sometimes in this world of SJWs and safe spaces that we can legally carry them. I'd like to try avoid messing that up if at all possible.