Today, we'll take a look at my choice for the best budget, midrange, and high end pocketknife of 2021, and eventually, I'll choose one knife to rule them all.
3rd Year in a row getting 2nd place in the budget realm! We're still incredibly happy to have made it there, but we're gunning for that 1st place spot next year!
The Scoria from your CJRB line is an absolute winner this year. More versions without coated blades, please. Love the uncoated Knifecenter exlcusives but those are exclusives - how about just stock non-exclusive uncoated models?
man seriously you are on another level with your understanding of manufacturing, feel, ergonomics, you articulate your sixth sense for quality, simultaneously taking into consideration price ect honestly your comprehension of design and functionality, just your understanding of every aspect affecting your critique of knives is amazing the you for your videos what’s your day job?
The Drift is such an amazing knife. I live less than a mile from the ocean and do a lot of fishing. The salt series has always been my go to until I got a drift. Aside from being completely rust proof it has amazing action and great blade shape. I love that I can wash it in the sink and not worry about getting it completely dry. Total game changer for me
Me too. I don't have a drift yet (I'm hoping to get one on Friday) but I bought a Waypoint last year and like it a lot. So, I imagine I'll love the Drift just because I like the size, lines, layout, blade shape, looks, etc of the Drift a lot more than the Waypoint. I also live on the coast (South Florida) and fish a lot, so when I first heard about the Waypoint and saw Nick's leave it in the shower experiment and was sold. I'm also glad to see that Spyderco will be selling Salts with Vanax in 2022. I've had a good time with the corrosion/rust resistance of the H1 steel Salt I've had for awhile now, but I'm much happier to have a knife that I don't need to re-sharpen after cutting through some butter. I didn't buy any of the lc200n Salts, although I do have a Spydiechef and I like it a lot.
@@vincentpickett121 you have to get them direct from quiet carry. They only have the black g10 model in stock now but it looks like some of the other ones will be restocked tomorrow
Yes! The Bexar has gotten so much pocket time for me it's easily my most carried knife since purchase. It's so thin it fits in any pocket and cuts and cuts and cuts. My only complaint is I think it should come with a pocket slip but that can be purchased separately with very little effort. Such a great knife and I'm so happy a slipjoint made your knife of the year. As a bonus, it's really fun to say "clip point slipjoint". Excellent contenders all around.
I picked up the Bexar in magnacut and it really is amazing. So thin and if you want to carry something larger it's the perfect second knife. Basically invisible in the pocket and not scary at all to normal people.
Spyderco doesn’t need to release a new model every year. They probably have been struggling to get the supply just for the basic stuff this year. I still haven’t seen a Micarta PM2 on a Canadian online retailer or in store yet for example. Released in the beginning of the year I think. Same for the tanto. A lot of moving parts at that company. Sourcing and shipping steel supply for entire runs for so as many blades as they have must be a headache in 2021. They are quite accomplished.
Very happy to se the Baby Banter get more love. My personal fav of the year, both out of necessity (I live within the Chicago city limits which has a 2.5" blade law), and use and feel. The "biggest" little knife I have held, played with, and used. Great texture and "grippyness" with the G10, great action, and fantastic blade, both in shape and material. A fantastic "spydie-flick" toy when not in actual use.
Respectable choices. Being a knife guy, I have to go with the Arroyo. Dirk Pinkerton is one of my favorite designers, and this particular knife feels so much nicer than its price point would suggest
Regarding the Bugout. Why not just choose the Benchmade Bugout 535BK-4? M390 and artistic aluminum scales. A little heavier, much sturdier and in my opinion looks really good.
It was fun seeing the Ritual on here, I haven't purchased many knives lately, but this has been on my list for "next!" for a while now... I may take the leap today =)
I consider myself more of a slip joint kind of guy these days. More than half of my collection is slippy. While I have to respect Nick's judgement and arguments, this year's winner looks too long for it's slim profile and the idea that a slip joint made out of "modern materials" is better than a traditional doesn't sway me. The mini-banter seems good but I am already a convinced Chaparral user. Frankly, the only knife on the table I would definitely use on a daily basis is the Bugout/Flytanium combo. That works. Without wishing to offend but the runner up in the expensive line looks just like a Ganzo that came out years ago in D2 and costs about 25 dollars. The presence of the Irma-scaring, novelty up-curving knives says more about the design world this year than it does about them.
Update: I am duly impressed. With a beefier foundation, it has that precise, high-end performance-tool feel that I love in a Benchmade. Delicate but tank-like, as with a 940-2.
So far I'm loving my White Mountain Knives exclusive CJRB Swaggs Maileah in red corral contoured micarta and AR-RPM9 steel. Great little (really little) front flipper.
@@Averitt13 Only issue is the liner lock access, but it's not too difficult and for a knife so small, I don't think that could really be fixed without causing worse issues.
Spyderco of the year was definitely the manix 2 in G10 and M390. For 147 bucks it is like one of the last smoking deals out there in a world of price increases. Consider it's like 50 dollars cheaper than an S30V shaman.
I kind a like the Gerber sumo I think that was The most unexpected knife of the year I’m glad to see Gerber turning the corner I remember having Gerber knife’s since my youth and they were always great news I’m glad to see them stepping up and doing the right thing again that was my favorite part of 2021 and the knife community
Judging from the comments, you're just gonna have to give up your day job, personal life, and sleep to make sure everybody's favorite can make it across the desk. Thanks for bringing some joy into another dumpster- fire year!
I'm not gonna get bent out of shape about you missing some good knives this year. You're a busy dude with a full time job, so it makes total sense that you wouldn't have time to look at everything that comes out. That being said, I highly suggest picking up an Artisan Sirius when you get a chance. I know you've been a fan of Ray Laconico's other designs, and I really think they knocked it out of the park with this one. Anyway, thanks for all the great content!
Watching the video, playing with my k390 PM2 with RHT burlap scales - and then the 3:15 comes … a heavy sigh … sadly, you are correct. On top of that they discontinued Schempp Bowie, Brouwer, Mantra 3 and Rhino. Let’s just hope the next year will be better. It is the weird knives that keep me interested in Spyderco, so let’s hope they will come out with some new ones in the course of 2022.
The name Bexar comes from Bexar county in Texas, where San Antonio is. The X in Bexar works a lot like the X in Texas, in that when you say the name in Spanish the X turns to an H sound. So much so that in Spanish you spell Texas as “Tejas” and say it like Teh-HAS”. So with Bexar it’s less “bear” and it’s more “beh-HAR”.
My school had a track and field day, whole school spent like half the day outside Yada Yada, the thing I never understood the majority of the school did NO track and or field.
I know I'm speaking about a knife unrelated but I just wanna say good things about my edc knife. The Spyderco efficient, while made in china, is of the quality you'd expect. this knife is so comfortable in the pocket I accidentally slept with it and the edge retention is unparalleled by any other knife I own save for my expensive chef knife. It's a very simple knife that can perform lots of tasks exceptionally well.
I wish my Bexar would have not arrived with a faulty pivot screw. They were super nice and upfront about making a mistake and promising to ship a replacement asap. Yet - many weeks later still nothing. I guess it might have slipped off the table as they were in the middle of production, but reminder email went unanswered. I know I will make it through eventually, but it did spoil some of the joy (I did came up with a quick and dirty fix, but I would like to get it fixed)
Nick Shabazz has forgotten more about knives than I'll ever know, so I say this with respect - I don't understand how the Bexar is a better knife than the Drift. 1) I have literally lost count of the number of QC issues I've heard about Tactile knives. 2) The non-free-spinning pivot is nice, but given the concentric circles - it looks like a machining flaw. Not a deal-breaker, but not acceptable for the knife of the year! The Drift, but comparison, implements that same feature beautifully. 3) Why implement a non-free-spinning pivot, when the other screws spin freely (again, a feature that the Drift gets right - all 3 screws are NFS). 4) The two-slot design of the nail nick makes no sense. 5) No clip? No slip? In the K.O.T.Y!?! 6) Random placement of screws? 7) I know there are slip-joint fans, and I guess the Bexar is a nice version, but choosing a slip-joint over a locking knife, which provides better action, better safety, better utility, and requires greater knife-making skill and design expertise? That's like awarding someone who walks well over a world-class runner. (There’s a reason every beginning knife maker’s first knife is a slip-joint). I’m sorry - but, IMHO, the Drift is a superior knife in almost every way I can think of.
Yeah I respect nick a whole deal, but there is no way the bexar is a better knife. There are so many pieces of it that are taste specific, while the drift is essentially all-pleasing while compromising nothing. That’s not even mentioning the qc like you said. The bexar looks nice, but the drift is arguably the ideal edc knife. I’d certainly argue it.
I returned two Rockwalls for QC issues, and while the third one isn’t perfect, I decided it was good enough to not bother with another round. Their customer service is top-notch though. Shoutout to Michael Miller.
@@kingofchairs6818 Not to mention... the best thing about the Bexar - its thinness - really only really matters if/when you carry it. But, because it doesn't have a clip - it's not even a particularly great carry! Put it in a nice leather slip - that's fine - except it's now thicker on every dimension than the Drift. Honestly, if he'd picked the Herman, the Rockwall, the Shadow, or even the Barnes - each of those knives has some truly exceptional qualities. But the Bexar? I just don't see it.
You're welcome to disagree there, and it was a very close race. In a lot of ways, it came down to Tactile knocking it out of the park in their first go, and the Drift being a re-make of a prior knife which had a major issue.
@@NickShabazz I mean the part about respect - you're my favorite knife reviewer (and RUclips content creator) by a country mile. I've been looking forward to your "Knife of the Year" review more than any movie out of Hollywood, and I'd happily buy a ticket to watch it. Your reviews are always thoughtful, meticulously considered, full of wit and humor and perspective and wisdom that I appreciate more than I can express with words. This may be the first time I've ever disagreed with you!
To me, 2021 will be most remembered as the Year of Kansept on the production level (as well as the inundation of Civivi), and on the high end the Hoback Sumo (and at the extreme high end, the Shirogorov/Sinkevich collab).
I totally agree with your Spyderco sentiment and while neither of the tactile knives really appeal to me, I am really looking forward to what they do next
The Slim Jim is great for slicing brie and apples. It is easy to keep sharp with a fine ceramic stone and strop. It is on washers so it is rinse and go.
Can attest to the accuracy of that bugout choice. Two years ago I got a set of Rockscale titanium scales and even though they're not anywhere near as pretty as the Flytanium ones, they make the bugout feel like a way more expensive knife than the base cost plus scale cost.
I've got the Protech Runt 5 and the Roxi 3 on order right now. Ive alao got an AD20.5 sitting under the Christmas tree with some RGT micarata scales and a LynchNW clip. Merry Christmas to me.
I bought the Bexar and like it very much. My only complaint is the sound it makes when closing it. The sound is a dull thud instead of the bright sound I like when closing a knife.
Could you either show the names of the knives in the video or add it to the description. If I don't know the brand it is really hard to figure it out after only hearing it.
If my knife was not a tool I would have selected the CRKT Ritual. My knife is a tool first and a slashing weapon less than 1% of the time. But if I still lived in that east coast city of my youth the Ritual would be my EDC.
I have to admit. Coming from the Sneaker world it’s funny hearing you wax poetic about Spyderco. They’re my favorite brand by far. I’ve never owned another brand, so how would I know? I had a Buck as a kid. I know I like 20cv because I use my knife in the kitchen, and around water. I love your channel. You’re definitely responsible for my Shaman purchase. 😂
3rd Year in a row getting 2nd place in the budget realm! We're still incredibly happy to have made it there, but we're gunning for that 1st place spot next year!
The CJRB feldspar is one of my faves. The Centros too. Both really good budget knives. You guys are doing great!
You were robbed. Deserved first.
The Scoria from your CJRB line is an absolute winner this year. More versions without coated blades, please. Love the uncoated Knifecenter exlcusives but those are exclusives - how about just stock non-exclusive uncoated models?
I think the scoria wins for mid range this year too! And I second the satin versions :)
The Artisan Centauri Small was my "dark horse" this year. Such a fantastic little knife!
man seriously you are on another level with your understanding of manufacturing, feel, ergonomics, you articulate your sixth sense for quality, simultaneously taking into consideration price ect
honestly your comprehension of design and functionality, just your understanding of every aspect affecting your critique of knives is amazing the you for your videos
what’s your day job?
The Drift is such an amazing knife. I live less than a mile from the ocean and do a lot of fishing. The salt series has always been my go to until I got a drift. Aside from being completely rust proof it has amazing action and great blade shape. I love that I can wash it in the sink and not worry about getting it completely dry. Total game changer for me
Me too. I don't have a drift yet (I'm hoping to get one on Friday) but I bought a Waypoint last year and like it a lot. So, I imagine I'll love the Drift just because I like the size, lines, layout, blade shape, looks, etc of the Drift a lot more than the Waypoint. I also live on the coast (South Florida) and fish a lot, so when I first heard about the Waypoint and saw Nick's leave it in the shower experiment and was sold. I'm also glad to see that Spyderco will be selling Salts with Vanax in 2022. I've had a good time with the corrosion/rust resistance of the H1 steel Salt I've had for awhile now, but I'm much happier to have a knife that I don't need to re-sharpen after cutting through some butter. I didn't buy any of the lc200n Salts, although I do have a Spydiechef and I like it a lot.
Ware can I get the drift very nice looks good, who has it what retailer, thanks
@@vincentpickett121 you have to get them direct from quiet carry. They only have the black g10 model in stock now but it looks like some of the other ones will be restocked tomorrow
@@DrBlazer50 What will Spyderco be making with Vanax? I noticed that the Native Salt will be getting Magnacut, but I didn’t hear anything about Vanax.
@@FreedomFox1 sorry, you're right. I meant to say MagnaCut.
Yes! The Bexar has gotten so much pocket time for me it's easily my most carried knife since purchase. It's so thin it fits in any pocket and cuts and cuts and cuts. My only complaint is I think it should come with a pocket slip but that can be purchased separately with very little effort. Such a great knife and I'm so happy a slipjoint made your knife of the year. As a bonus, it's really fun to say "clip point slipjoint". Excellent contenders all around.
How about a lifetime achievement award for the Z Hunter? It has made so many people do so much better!
(aside from those who amputated their finger due to lock-fail.)
@@RUclips-Censorship-Police Hey, some lessons come at a high price!
@@billbush1270 true, i know that probably better than 90% of the people on this green earth
Where can I get one?
I absolutely LOVE my Fieldtrekker. It's the most beautiful fixed blade knife I own, great price, gorgeous blade, excellent size.
I picked up the Bexar in magnacut and it really is amazing. So thin and if you want to carry something larger it's the perfect second knife. Basically invisible in the pocket and not scary at all to normal people.
Bexar County is a county in central Texas. We always pronounced it "bear."
The latest drop of Quiet Carry IQ is knife of the year for me. It's damn near perfect.
3 day wait? I'll forget in 20 minutes
He is building drama over time.
@@rebellucy5610 😑
My bet is on Tactile Bexar!
I was right on wasn't I :D
"lots of sprinting, lots of medals, but very few people give a damn" 😂
My traditional Douk-Douk is pleased that a spiritual successor is so highly regarded.
Have given up on all “knife” shows but yours. I appreciate your professionalism and enlightenment
What about the m tech zombie hunter? Lady at the gas station said it was #1.
Spyderco doesn’t need to release a new model every year. They probably have been struggling to get the supply just for the basic stuff this year. I still haven’t seen a Micarta PM2 on a Canadian online retailer or in store yet for example. Released in the beginning of the year I think. Same for the tanto. A lot of moving parts at that company. Sourcing and shipping steel supply for entire runs for so as many blades as they have must be a headache in 2021. They are quite accomplished.
The Micarta Cruwear PM2 just made it to retailers last month.
Blades Canada had Crucarta pm2 but sold out very quickly
@@rocketfish43 When I wrote that I didn’t realize how short of a period it was out. I though it was out nearly a year.
@@REAPER-1xxx no worries. I was on the list for one and hesitated- gone in no time. Happened to me with the Bladehq paramilitary 2 tanto as well👹
Very happy to se the Baby Banter get more love. My personal fav of the year, both out of necessity (I live within the Chicago city limits which has a 2.5" blade law), and use and feel. The "biggest" little knife I have held, played with, and used. Great texture and "grippyness" with the G10, great action, and fantastic blade, both in shape and material. A fantastic "spydie-flick" toy when not in actual use.
Respectable choices. Being a knife guy, I have to go with the Arroyo. Dirk Pinkerton is one of my favorite designers, and this particular knife feels so much nicer than its price point would suggest
100% agree on the Bugout, it suddenly becomes a mid-range contender with new scales
Thanks for fun show. Using Gerber multi tool here at high mountain desert plateau hideout NM.
Shots fired at Spyderco, but i can't disagree and hope they take this as criticism to learn from.
It was meant more as a 'where tf have you guys been?' than shots fired, but yeah. Here's hoping they're back next year!
@@NickShabazz meant that in the lightest sense, sorry Nick, great video!
That “In a world” got me hahahahaha
Great Job Nick. I really appreciate the great content and thought that went into it. Keep up the good work!
WE Seer. Way more than the sum of its parts/specs. A surprise favorite.
Regarding the Bugout. Why not just choose the Benchmade Bugout 535BK-4? M390 and artistic aluminum scales. A little heavier, much sturdier and in my opinion looks really good.
Best bugout so far
Hey Nick, much love, thanks for everything. Any chance of a Knife of the Year playlist? Would be much appreciated 👍🙏
Just got the BHQ AD20.5. It is a fun little knife.
Hooray for the Bear (Bexar) and the Drift!!
It was fun to watch. Thank you Nick!🙏😉 I did not expect Herman Ishtar to be among the knife of the year candidates😁.
Benchmade bugout carbon fiber is great too. And no need to replace the scales. Although it's a little above the mentioned price point.
We all been waiting on this one my man. I speak for everyone when I say I'm glad there is a NS in this strange world 🌎----
My Winner for 2021 is the SPK Shark in Cruwear. One of the most carried knives for this year and it changed me to be open to fixed blades
My top three: tactile rockwall, quiet carry drift, and urban edc f5.5
High end: The Mark Varga - VBR @ $350+ this knife is amazing. Material, fit and finish is one of the best I've seen.
I trust your reviews more than anyone else
"69 bucks. Nice" - the Nick Shabazz expericence. Love it :DD
It was fun seeing the Ritual on here, I haven't purchased many knives lately, but this has been on my list for "next!" for a while now... I may take the leap today =)
Z-Hunter 2022! Putting the green in Soylent Green!
I know it’s old but I recently got a Kershaw Scallion with camo handles and I’ve loved it
I consider myself more of a slip joint kind of guy these days. More than half of my collection is slippy. While I have to respect Nick's judgement and arguments, this year's winner looks too long for it's slim profile and the idea that a slip joint made out of "modern materials" is better than a traditional doesn't sway me.
The mini-banter seems good but I am already a convinced Chaparral user.
Frankly, the only knife on the table I would definitely use on a daily basis is the Bugout/Flytanium combo. That works.
Without wishing to offend but the runner up in the expensive line looks just like a Ganzo that came out years ago in D2 and costs about 25 dollars.
The presence of the Irma-scaring, novelty up-curving knives says more about the design world this year than it does about them.
What slippies you been rocking? I've had a Douk Douk, an SAK Alox Pioneer or a Mercator in my pocket more than any other knife this year
Slip joints suck balls. Sorry
If it weren't for the pain & unobtaniousness, I'd say hi-end would have to be the Roosevelt.
It’s not new for 2021
@@brianjohnson3743 Neither is the Drift 2 other than the stud.
Multiple DBZ references in the same video. You sir, are my hero 👍
Only one I think you missed is the Liong Mah Field Duty EDC. Outstanding.
I been carrying the Chaves CHUB flipper utility knife all year. Really has been favorite
Nicolás grandioso video, you had me on the edge of my seat and couldn't believe what was happening. Genius 👌😁👍
Bexar (bear) is the name of the county in Texas in which San Antonio is located. The X is silent. Threw me off when I first moved there too 🤣
Yes, even putting a set of G10 scales on a Bugout makes it feel like its price.
When I put micarta crossfade scales on my bugout it made it so much better.
I LOVE the Herman. Well, I love that model but not in such a flashy spec. The plain titanium is beautiful.
Finally gave into the Bugout pull and ordered the M390/aluminum version. I’m expecting to be wowed
It’s a good knife imo for what it is. It’s simple and makes. good carry for retail because it’s not terrifying.
Update: I am duly impressed. With a beefier foundation, it has that precise, high-end performance-tool feel that I love in a Benchmade. Delicate but tank-like, as with a 940-2.
So far I'm loving my White Mountain Knives exclusive CJRB Swaggs Maileah in red corral contoured micarta and AR-RPM9 steel. Great little (really little) front flipper.
I agree. The Maileah is great. Easily beats the Baby Banter IMO
@@Averitt13 Only issue is the liner lock access, but it's not too difficult and for a knife so small, I don't think that could really be fixed without causing worse issues.
Spyderco of the year was definitely the manix 2 in G10 and M390. For 147 bucks it is like one of the last smoking deals out there in a world of price increases. Consider it's like 50 dollars cheaper than an S30V shaman.
I can't believe the ritual made it either...
7:40 that knife instantly reminds me of a rhino's horn lol.
If it's not the CRKT Ritual I'm going to be very disappointed Nick
If it’s the Ritual all hope is lost lol
Things more like a Mall Shogun
I'd love the Tactile Bexar, but slip-joints aren't one hand friendly 😭
I kind a like the Gerber sumo I think that was The most unexpected knife of the year I’m glad to see Gerber turning the corner I remember having Gerber knife’s since my youth and they were always great news I’m glad to see them stepping up and doing the right thing again that was my favorite part of 2021 and the knife community
I think the sume was released in 2019 or 2020
@@Vicandiers maybe they blur together
@@dude28405 I meant to say gerber sumo
Good review! Thanks and agree with your #1 pick. I bought one based upon your previous review and it is a great knife.
The spyderco/track and field metaphor was 👌
The Baby Banter sorta looks like a little Strider
Judging from the comments, you're just gonna have to give up your day job, personal life, and sleep to make sure everybody's favorite can make it across the desk. Thanks for bringing some joy into another dumpster- fire year!
I'm not gonna get bent out of shape about you missing some good knives this year. You're a busy dude with a full time job, so it makes total sense that you wouldn't have time to look at everything that comes out. That being said, I highly suggest picking up an Artisan Sirius when you get a chance. I know you've been a fan of Ray Laconico's other designs, and I really think they knocked it out of the park with this one. Anyway, thanks for all the great content!
I've got a Sirius on the table now!
@@NickShabazz excited for your thoughts on this one!
Watching the video, playing with my k390 PM2 with RHT burlap scales - and then the 3:15 comes … a heavy sigh … sadly, you are correct. On top of that they discontinued Schempp Bowie, Brouwer, Mantra 3 and Rhino. Let’s just hope the next year will be better. It is the weird knives that keep me interested in Spyderco, so let’s hope they will come out with some new ones in the course of 2022.
Terrific video. Insightful, entertaining, and well-reasoned.
The name Bexar comes from Bexar county in Texas, where San Antonio is.
The X in Bexar works a lot like the X in Texas, in that when you say the name in Spanish the X turns to an H sound. So much so that in Spanish you spell Texas as “Tejas” and say it like Teh-HAS”.
So with Bexar it’s less “bear” and it’s more “beh-HAR”.
The very best knife reviews on youtube.
My school had a track and field day, whole school spent like half the day outside Yada Yada, the thing I never understood the majority of the school did NO track and or field.
Best Budget Knife Of 2021- Kizer Lan
Best Mid-Range Knife Of 2021- Kunwu Tao
Best High End Knife Of 2021- Oz Machine Co Roosevelt
Babe! Wake up, it’s Knife of the Year, let’s gooooooo!!!!
🤣🤣🤣 there were indeed some very strange things popping up in that fieldtrekker 🤭
I know I'm speaking about a knife unrelated but I just wanna say good things about my edc knife. The Spyderco efficient, while made in china, is of the quality you'd expect. this knife is so comfortable in the pocket I accidentally slept with it and the edge retention is unparalleled by any other knife I own save for my expensive chef knife. It's a very simple knife that can perform lots of tasks exceptionally well.
Here for the Spyderco Pochi
I wish my Bexar would have not arrived with a faulty pivot screw. They were super nice and upfront about making a mistake and promising to ship a replacement asap. Yet - many weeks later still nothing. I guess it might have slipped off the table as they were in the middle of production, but reminder email went unanswered. I know I will make it through eventually, but it did spoil some of the joy (I did came up with a quick and dirty fix, but I would like to get it fixed)
Nick Shabazz has forgotten more about knives than I'll ever know, so I say this with respect - I don't understand how the Bexar is a better knife than the Drift. 1) I have literally lost count of the number of QC issues I've heard about Tactile knives. 2) The non-free-spinning pivot is nice, but given the concentric circles - it looks like a machining flaw. Not a deal-breaker, but not acceptable for the knife of the year! The Drift, but comparison, implements that same feature beautifully. 3) Why implement a non-free-spinning pivot, when the other screws spin freely (again, a feature that the Drift gets right - all 3 screws are NFS). 4) The two-slot design of the nail nick makes no sense. 5) No clip? No slip? In the K.O.T.Y!?! 6) Random placement of screws? 7) I know there are slip-joint fans, and I guess the Bexar is a nice version, but choosing a slip-joint over a locking knife, which provides better action, better safety, better utility, and requires greater knife-making skill and design expertise? That's like awarding someone who walks well over a world-class runner. (There’s a reason every beginning knife maker’s first knife is a slip-joint). I’m sorry - but, IMHO, the Drift is a superior knife in almost every way I can think of.
Yeah I respect nick a whole deal, but there is no way the bexar is a better knife. There are so many pieces of it that are taste specific, while the drift is essentially all-pleasing while compromising nothing. That’s not even mentioning the qc like you said. The bexar looks nice, but the drift is arguably the ideal edc knife. I’d certainly argue it.
I returned two Rockwalls for QC issues, and while the third one isn’t perfect, I decided it was good enough to not bother with another round. Their customer service is top-notch though. Shoutout to Michael Miller.
@@kingofchairs6818 Not to mention... the best thing about the Bexar - its thinness - really only really matters if/when you carry it. But, because it doesn't have a clip - it's not even a particularly great carry! Put it in a nice leather slip - that's fine - except it's now thicker on every dimension than the Drift. Honestly, if he'd picked the Herman, the Rockwall, the Shadow, or even the Barnes - each of those knives has some truly exceptional qualities. But the Bexar? I just don't see it.
You're welcome to disagree there, and it was a very close race. In a lot of ways, it came down to Tactile knocking it out of the park in their first go, and the Drift being a re-make of a prior knife which had a major issue.
@@NickShabazz I mean the part about respect - you're my favorite knife reviewer (and RUclips content creator) by a country mile. I've been looking forward to your "Knife of the Year" review more than any movie out of Hollywood, and I'd happily buy a ticket to watch it. Your reviews are always thoughtful, meticulously considered, full of wit and humor and perspective and wisdom that I appreciate more than I can express with words. This may be the first time I've ever disagreed with you!
Great to see Tactile win, just wish it was the thumby Rockwall.
To me, 2021 will be most remembered as the Year of Kansept on the production level (as well as the inundation of Civivi), and on the high end the Hoback Sumo (and at the extreme high end, the Shirogorov/Sinkevich collab).
Also the Russian Overkill… 🤩
I totally agree with your Spyderco sentiment and while neither of the tactile knives really appeal to me, I am really looking forward to what they do next
The Slim Jim is great for slicing brie and apples. It is easy to keep sharp with a fine ceramic stone and strop. It is on washers so it is rinse and go.
LOL the line about Spyderco Track & Field, you should consider stand-up comedy
Nice! I have all 3 finalist and I cannot agree more.
Thanks Nick, for another Great KOY Award ! Love ya ! I wish You and Ms. Shabazz a Very Merry Christmas !!🌲🎅🤶
The Petrafied Fish Baluga is my top budget pick.
An infinitely better choice than the Baby Bendover.
PM2 Beanie Babies Collectors Club is both accurate and hilarious 😂
The Qvist Variant PE is probably a contender in the budget realm.
Love how you trolled them on the pronunciation of the Bexar. Well deserved and kudos to Will and the gang for Knife of the Yexar.
Thanks for last year’s recommendation! Still happy with my blue Malibu reverse tanto.
Good assortment. Missing the AD20.5 though.
Can attest to the accuracy of that bugout choice. Two years ago I got a set of Rockscale titanium scales and even though they're not anywhere near as pretty as the Flytanium ones, they make the bugout feel like a way more expensive knife than the base cost plus scale cost.
I've got the Protech Runt 5 and the Roxi 3 on order right now. Ive alao got an AD20.5 sitting under the Christmas tree with some RGT micarata scales and a LynchNW clip. Merry Christmas to me.
That CRKT has “mall ninja” written ALL over it! Wow, we all have an opinion but we’ll definitely have to agree to disagree on that choice! 😶😂
Knife of the year is carried with a lanyard? Indeed nothing makes sense anymore.
It's been such a crazy year I wouldn't be surprised if Nick bends a little and picks knives that haven't been ready available?
I bought the Bexar and like it very much. My only complaint is the sound it makes when closing it. The sound is a dull thud instead of the bright sound I like when closing a knife.
Could you either show the names of the knives in the video or add it to the description. If I don't know the brand it is really hard to figure it out after only hearing it.
If my knife was not a tool I would have selected the CRKT Ritual. My knife is a tool first and a slashing weapon less than 1% of the time. But if I still lived in that east coast city of my youth the Ritual would be my EDC.
Man I was rooting for QC
The Bexar is sold out in 20CV, must be the Nick Shabazz bump :)
And now in MagnaCut as well. Most definitely the Nick Shabazz effect.
Anyone from San Antonio will tell you that they live in "bear" county. That is spelled Bexar.
The Qvist Variant PE is the best knife under 100 dollars, and is my knife of the year.
I have to admit. Coming from the Sneaker world it’s funny hearing you wax poetic about Spyderco. They’re my favorite brand by far. I’ve never owned another brand, so how would I know? I had a Buck as a kid. I know I like 20cv because I use my knife in the kitchen, and around water. I love your channel. You’re definitely responsible for my Shaman purchase. 😂