Personally I will never have the kind of money to buy a $500 or $600, etc. dollar pocketknife, I have never had any luck winning the lotto, so these Asian replicas have given me a chance to get some fantasy knives I would have never had otherwise...
Amen, brother. My wife bought me my first $250 knife because she knew I’d never buy it myself. Rex 121 in my pocket lets me know she loves me more than I deserve.
@ sure is… I want to use it for a couple weeks just to see how it goes. Love it so far. It’s not shaving sharp to pop hairs but when you cut something, it cuts clean and easy like it is. Toothy is an understatement of the edge.
I just picked up my first McNees after saving my money. At very first glance it was great, but I felt a bit underwhelmed given the cost. Then I carried it, and actually used it finally. That process really caused me to appreciate how fantastic it really is. There is plenty of competition out there, even in that price range, and everyone has different tastes. For me, I think it’s one of the best EDC’s on the market.
Thanks. I'm definitely going to try that. Just need to dig in & get a close look. I'm not even sure that the steel lock bar insert is even touching the blade. It might still be riding on the titanium (that may not be cut away enough). I'll take a closer look & report back to you. 👍
How can blit be possible to propose a knife with this meterilas at this price ? Okay, that is a copy, or a clone, no publicities, but even with that it is incredible ..! We can imagine the benefits of the real companies ..! ^^
Nice review. I think the lockbar insert is the reasoning for the difference in extra handle length ? Maybe. I would take the false branding off as well, then it's a great knife! Look forward to seeing more.
Any ideas how to get that ink off? I've tried Goo Gone, Goof Off, and Paint Thinner! Nothing seems to work. I'm afraid to let it soak in the paint thinner.
@BladesOnABudget It sounds like a pain! I typically try my hardest to make sure the branding doesn't wear off. You've listed the ways I would've suggested already. Hopefully you don't damage it. Best of luck.
Such a gorgeous knife! Reminds me of if Buck had a frame lock... I'd sand the name off... Never cared about brand names It's a shame about the lock sucking... I'd have to get one if it the lock worked
I need to investigate the lockbar more. It might still be riding on the edge of the titanium (like the steel bar can't get to the blade tang). I'll look closer & report back to everyone. Tried all kinds of paint thinners & can't get that ink off. Any ideas?
American Blade Works knives don't bounce when you close them. Also, they almost feel like there is rubber on the stop pin when you close them hard. You mentioned the 'Mcnees' in this vid almost feels like rubber with no bounce out on the stop pin. I don't know what causes that feeling or sound when you close certain knives, but I knew what you were talking about from your description and honestly I wouldn't know how else to explain it either. I'm sure there will be people who will correct this description. Great channel, I love to see you check out some of these clones, it's crazy how some of these companies can sell these knives for so cheap. It wouldn't surprise me if the company that makes the really good clones also does OEM work for designers or is a sister company of a very reputable Chinese knife maker. 🤔🤫🫣
That looks like a nice knife. The lock bar issue should be easy to resolve. If your looking for a nice non-clone knife to review in the future take a look at the RAT 1.5 in MagnaCut , it can be purchased for less than $90 currently. I have one and it is very nice! I'm not fond of liner lock knives but I made an exception for this one because of it's size and steel selection.
I'd be very embarrassed if a budget Chinese clone was in *any* way superior to my $600 knife that I've had a decade to refine and improve. Not having an overtravel stop and steel lockbar insert at that price in 2025 is pretty lame.
Thank you for this video. This knife/ company is a grail for me. I saw this and I immediately purchased 2 one of each style. I will never be able to afford the actual knife. This option for me is excellent
I do not recommend anyone spine wack there knives I’ll go over y it’s not a smart idea and especially on this knife in particular. The lock bar insert is screwed directly into the titanium which will cause it to strip from the vibrations of spine wracking the knife over and over. Causing the lock bar insert to not seat properly which cause any number of problems. I hope this was a one off and not a wide spread issue. I hate u had a bad experience with the knife.
Well, it is a replica. So I don't exactly have the highest expectations for it. But yeah, its disappointing. But you better believe I'm still carrying it! I just won't be stabbing it into anything hard that might cause the lock to fail. It still feels awesome in the hand & has a very sharp blade. Cuts Amazon packages beautifully! 😂 And thanks for the "no spine whacking" tip!
@ they do come with a crazy good edge on them and it goes through thicker material way better than I ever imagined given the blade stock and short flat grind height.
Have u done or seen that replica of the Chavez rendition or whatever. With the kickstop? I got the original and decided to compare to ok version. In that case I feel like if wasn't for blade steel it be hard for anyone to pick them apart in hand. Not to mention just looking at it. IV always wanted a pm mac. It kinda reminds me of southern grinds bad monkey. I have in copper and 1 of best production knives I seen so far. Two sun has surprised me for what they sell u for the $. I got a few I'd put up against any Chinese knife for quality. The monarch and there's 1 he has with a bowie clip point blade in s90v. Titanium and some best carbon fiber available then. I paid $100 eBay auction. For price two sun is the way to go if u don't want to buy a clonr
I've almost bought that Redencion several times now. But I just keep thinking that it might be just a little too big and "blocky" for my taste. I just keep finding others that I like just a little bit more. I'm guessing that you're saying that you have both & the replica is a pretty good version? And yes, I think Two Sun does have very good knives for the money! Makes me wonder if some of these Chinese cloners may not be making some of theirs too. 🤔
I have a Chaves Redencion 229 Kickstop clone. It is a solid manly knife. 2 thick slabs of TI sandwiching a thick blade, framelock and a cool disappearing rear flipper tab. It is heavy. No weight reliefs on those thick slabs. On mine the kickstop intermittently locks the blade 3/4 closed and you have to hand close it the rest of the way. I took a diamond file to the kickstop where it was catching and it is 90% better. Other's clones did not have the jamming prob.
Hey man. Sorry, I rarely go on instagram. Mostly just to droll over the new knives occasionally. I do think you'll love the real one. I still carry this one more than anything else right now. The real one has to be truly awesome. And thanks for your service! 🇺🇸
![I.N "HALLUCINATION" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/n5B5q1Hwt_U/mqdefault.jpg)
Personally I will never have the kind of money to buy a $500 or $600, etc. dollar pocketknife, I have never had any luck winning the lotto, so these Asian replicas have given me a chance to get some fantasy knives I would have never had otherwise...
Amen, brother. My wife bought me my first $250 knife because she knew I’d never buy it myself. Rex 121 in my pocket lets me know she loves me more than I deserve.
Rex121? Sweet! That's a good wife! Video review coming soon?
@ sure is… I want to use it for a couple weeks just to see how it goes. Love it so far. It’s not shaving sharp to pop hairs but when you cut something, it cuts clean and easy like it is. Toothy is an understatement of the edge.
T8 screws are great ..! ^^
Thanks for the review!
I have the original on my wish list for this year. I think you convinced me to save up for that knife!
If you can buy a real one, I don't think you'll be disappointed at all. I say go for it! 👍
I just picked up my first McNees after saving my money. At very first glance it was great, but I felt a bit underwhelmed given the cost.
Then I carried it, and actually used it finally. That process really caused me to appreciate how fantastic it really is.
There is plenty of competition out there, even in that price range, and everyone has different tastes. For me, I think it’s one of the best EDC’s on the market.
You can fix the spine whack and the drop shut by slightly moving the lock bar over.
Thanks. I'm definitely going to try that. Just need to dig in & get a close look. I'm not even sure that the steel lock bar insert is even touching the blade. It might still be riding on the titanium (that may not be cut away enough). I'll take a closer look & report back to you. 👍
I passed on this because I thought it was only the 3-in. Now that I know there's a three and a half I'm have to buy this one too.😅
Even a half inch makes a difference. Sorry, had to say it. Lol
Don't buy the fake. It isn't helpful for the knife community at all
that's what she said! 😂 😂
@BladesOnABudget kinda walked into that one didn't I? 😂😂
How can blit be possible to propose a knife with this meterilas at this price ? Okay, that is a copy, or a clone, no publicities, but even with that it is incredible ..! We can imagine the benefits of the real companies ..! ^^
Nice review. I think the lockbar insert is the reasoning for the difference in extra handle length ? Maybe. I would take the false branding off as well, then it's a great knife! Look forward to seeing more.
Any ideas how to get that ink off? I've tried Goo Gone, Goof Off, and Paint Thinner! Nothing seems to work. I'm afraid to let it soak in the paint thinner.
@BladesOnABudget It sounds like a pain! I typically try my hardest to make sure the branding doesn't wear off. You've listed the ways I would've suggested already. Hopefully you don't damage it. Best of luck.
Such a gorgeous knife!
Reminds me of if Buck had a frame lock...
I'd sand the name off... Never cared about brand names
It's a shame about the lock sucking...
I'd have to get one if it the lock worked
I need to investigate the lockbar more. It might still be riding on the edge of the titanium (like the steel bar can't get to the blade tang). I'll look closer & report back to everyone. Tried all kinds of paint thinners & can't get that ink off. Any ideas?
@@BladesOnABudget might sound stupid, but have you tried one of those magic eraser sponges?
American Blade Works knives don't bounce when you close them. Also, they almost feel like there is rubber on the stop pin when you close them hard. You mentioned the 'Mcnees' in this vid almost feels like rubber with no bounce out on the stop pin. I don't know what causes that feeling or sound when you close certain knives, but I knew what you were talking about from your description and honestly I wouldn't know how else to explain it either. I'm sure there will be people who will correct this description. Great channel, I love to see you check out some of these clones, it's crazy how some of these companies can sell these knives for so cheap. It wouldn't surprise me if the company that makes the really good clones also does OEM work for designers or is a sister company of a very reputable Chinese knife maker. 🤔🤫🫣
Thanks man! I've heard those rumors too! 🤔
Is that crooked river a clone?
Yes. Almost anything USA made shown on this channel will be a clone.
Now why in the world would you think that I would have a clone of a benchmade knife! I think I'm offended! 😂
That looks like a nice knife. The lock bar issue should be easy to resolve. If your looking for a nice non-clone knife to review in the future take a look at the RAT 1.5 in MagnaCut , it can be purchased for less than $90 currently. I have one and it is very nice! I'm not fond of liner lock knives but I made an exception for this one because of it's size and steel selection.
Thanks for the tip! Didn't even know that existed. I'm checking it out! 👍
I'd be very embarrassed if a budget Chinese clone was in *any* way superior to my $600 knife that I've had a decade to refine and improve. Not having an overtravel stop and steel lockbar insert at that price in 2025 is pretty lame.
Thank you for this video. This knife/ company is a grail for me. I saw this and I immediately purchased 2 one of each style. I will never be able to afford the actual knife. This option for me is excellent
I do not recommend anyone spine wack there knives I’ll go over y it’s not a smart idea and especially on this knife in particular. The lock bar insert is screwed directly into the titanium which will cause it to strip from the vibrations of spine wracking the knife over and over. Causing the lock bar insert to not seat properly which cause any number of problems. I hope this was a one off and not a wide spread issue. I hate u had a bad experience with the knife.
Well, it is a replica. So I don't exactly have the highest expectations for it. But yeah, its disappointing. But you better believe I'm still carrying it! I just won't be stabbing it into anything hard that might cause the lock to fail. It still feels awesome in the hand & has a very sharp blade. Cuts Amazon packages beautifully! 😂 And thanks for the "no spine whacking" tip!
@ they do come with a crazy good edge on them and it goes through thicker material way better than I ever imagined given the blade stock and short flat grind height.
Have u done or seen that replica of the Chavez rendition or whatever. With the kickstop? I got the original and decided to compare to ok version. In that case I feel like if wasn't for blade steel it be hard for anyone to pick them apart in hand. Not to mention just looking at it. IV always wanted a pm mac. It kinda reminds me of southern grinds bad monkey. I have in copper and 1 of best production knives I seen so far. Two sun has surprised me for what they sell u for the $. I got a few I'd put up against any Chinese knife for quality. The monarch and there's 1 he has with a bowie clip point blade in s90v. Titanium and some best carbon fiber available then. I paid $100 eBay auction. For price two sun is the way to go if u don't want to buy a clonr
I've almost bought that Redencion several times now. But I just keep thinking that it might be just a little too big and "blocky" for my taste. I just keep finding others that I like just a little bit more. I'm guessing that you're saying that you have both & the replica is a pretty good version? And yes, I think Two Sun does have very good knives for the money! Makes me wonder if some of these Chinese cloners may not be making some of theirs too. 🤔
I have a Chaves Redencion 229 Kickstop clone. It is a solid manly knife. 2 thick slabs of TI sandwiching a thick blade, framelock and a cool disappearing rear flipper tab. It is heavy. No weight reliefs on those thick slabs. On mine the kickstop intermittently locks the blade 3/4 closed and you have to hand close it the rest of the way. I took a diamond file to the kickstop where it was catching and it is 90% better. Other's clones did not have the jamming prob.
I want a real version of this exact one, but I can never find one. I also sent you a message on Instagram
Hey man. Sorry, I rarely go on instagram. Mostly just to droll over the new knives occasionally. I do think you'll love the real one. I still carry this one more than anything else right now. The real one has to be truly awesome. And thanks for your service! 🇺🇸