Picked one up in Tan and two tone blade. I agree with all your points, except that I find this to be handle heavy. I'm seeing that it's weight relieved, but still poor balance. Would be nice if it felt more like a Rike V2. You may want to check that one out.... 🔪
I’ve got the swordfish and I love it. Pocket clip came loose after a few months, but tightening it fixed it right up. Stupid sharp and very dependable. I work construction and it’s replaced my razor for most tasks. So worth the $60 I paid
Beautiful knife. I'm not usually a huge tanto fan but this one is done very well. Bestech is super impressive so far, can't wait to get one to try them out. Hopefully soon. Awesome video as always!
This is indeed a beautiful thing. I hope they get their problems in Europe solved soon. You know if this model comes in more bladestyles? Thank for sharing-
I received mine today and carried it for awhile. The most disappointing thing is the action. I specifically asked for a stiff detent and what I got is not adequate as I can shake it open. The actin itself is rather crunchy, you can hear it. I will have to take it apart to see if it just needs a cleaning or if bearings are running on that black coating and need extra time to wear in. Come to think of it I'll just go check your disassembly video. The knife is a great value and there aren't too many other options for a decent tanto at this price.
Follow-up: I spent some time breaking in the knife and it's much better now. Unfortunately I didn't get the knife apart but by stuffing a little paper towel behind the lock bar it helps create a little force to break in the detent ball travel. Happy to say the work has paid off. I just wish I could get it apart, might make a tool but seemed pretty tight and I got some scuffing on my pivot screw already. I do enjoy this knife but might have been better to try one without the blackening.
+Jacob S. Glad to hear it's gotten better, to get it apart own the knife like I did in the What's inside vid and put some pressure on the pivot. A spanner or a set vsnap ring pliers may work too.
depends on where they are at, if they are on the primary bevel, you can use several things, high grit sandpaper, Surface conditioning belt, possibly a buffer. If they are scratched from sharpening, you will need to sharpen the knife again and watch and make sure the scratched from the previous grit are removed, especially before 300 grit. That's where most people mess up and get mad at the KME/Wicked Edge, they use a really rough stone and then don't clean up the upper part of the secondary bevel as they move through the grits. Hope that helps.
What I'd like to see is knife reviewers to do is add the handle grip length. I have XL (glove) hands and some knife handles that are contoured, shaped to provide maximum grip (guards on front and butt) if your fingers fit. My grip area is 3.625" and find knife blade length under 3.5" can be uncomfortable. Just thought.
The one I purchased was a piece of junk. Pretty much the polar opposite of your review. First thing I noticed was how soft the detent was for a flipper. It absolutely could not flip itself open without using your wrist. Makes me wonder if yours has the same "unmentioned" soft detend despite you saying the detent has been done well and the action is good. Because we did see you stumble trying to flip it open a couple times in your review. And there are also others in the comments who mention the soft detent. Second thing I noticed was how rough it felt despite it being on ball bearings. And then the worst of all, It had blade play despite the pivot being cranked down super tight. There are other nitpicks too like the horrible pocket clip and a dull out of the box blade edge, but those I could have lived with. So I quickly sent it back for a refund. No more Bestech knives for me, which is sad, because I really wanted to love this knife.
+Mike no soft detent on the copy I received, if you watched the "What's Inside?" Video I showed the nasty grease that Bestech (and others) to factory lube the knife. That was the cause of the slightly gritty feeling. Sorry that you received a bad one, hopefully your next purchase is better.
I did watch it, and it was not the cause of my gritty action since I was successfully able to do a full tear down and clean out. Re-oiled it with Nano-Oil upon reassembly and the action improved a hair, but the gritty feeling was still there.
Picked one up in Tan and two tone blade. I agree with all your points, except that I find this to be handle heavy. I'm seeing that it's weight relieved, but still poor balance. Would be nice if it felt more like a Rike V2. You may want to check that one out.... 🔪
I have two of these and they are great for everyday carry to use I don't have this model but I will be getting one of these thank you for sharing Zel.
I’ve got the swordfish and I love it. Pocket clip came loose after a few months, but tightening it fixed it right up. Stupid sharp and very dependable. I work construction and it’s replaced my razor for most tasks. So worth the $60 I paid
Beautiful knife. I'm not usually a huge tanto fan but this one is done very well. Bestech is super impressive so far, can't wait to get one to try them out. Hopefully soon. Awesome video as always!
Bestech and Ruike are tied for my Knife Companies of theYear Award. Joint winners!
"Free spinning pivot", what exactly is it, or I guess what exactly is the effect of it? Does that mean you have to adjust the all the time?
Nice knife Zel. Very cool tanto. I'm thinking there's one of those in my near future. Thanks for the great videos.
+Poppy Picker it's a neat one, you'll enjoy it.
Thanks for watching and have a great day!
This is indeed a beautiful thing. I hope they get their problems in Europe solved soon. You know if this model comes in more bladestyles? Thank for sharing-
Problems with a loose clip. Only 1 small screw. Loose. Returned for refunding. Not satisfied.
I received mine today and carried it for awhile. The most disappointing thing is the action. I specifically asked for a stiff detent and what I got is not adequate as I can shake it open. The actin itself is rather crunchy, you can hear it. I will have to take it apart to see if it just needs a cleaning or if bearings are running on that black coating and need extra time to wear in. Come to think of it I'll just go check your disassembly video. The knife is a great value and there aren't too many other options for a decent tanto at this price.
Follow-up: I spent some time breaking in the knife and it's much better now. Unfortunately I didn't get the knife apart but by stuffing a little paper towel behind the lock bar it helps create a little force to break in the detent ball travel. Happy to say the work has paid off. I just wish I could get it apart, might make a tool but seemed pretty tight and I got some scuffing on my pivot screw already. I do enjoy this knife but might have been better to try one without the blackening.
+Jacob S. Glad to hear it's gotten better, to get it apart own the knife like I did in the What's inside vid and put some pressure on the pivot. A spanner or a set vsnap ring pliers may work too.
Got one on the way.Not a fan of tanto blades but this one hits it for me.Great review sir.
Thank you, it's one I wish I still had. It was silly of me to give it away...
I wonder if those slots milled into the scale are deep enough to glue some tritium vials in. That would be cool
That could be cool, don't know though and I don't have the Kendo here any more.
Zelrick well I just ordered one, lol. And I’m pretty sure I have some tritium vials left over from a knife I did a while back. I’ll let you know haha
Do you ever have a problem with your kme scratching your blades?
What would you recommend for removing very light scratches on a M390 blade??
depends on where they are at, if they are on the primary bevel, you can use several things, high grit sandpaper, Surface conditioning belt, possibly a buffer. If they are scratched from sharpening, you will need to sharpen the knife again and watch and make sure the scratched from the previous grit are removed, especially before 300 grit. That's where most people mess up and get mad at the KME/Wicked Edge, they use a really rough stone and then don't clean up the upper part of the secondary bevel as they move through the grits.
Hope that helps.
Thanks for the review. Looks like a quality knife and a good value. BTW, Tanto is pronounced t.. ah.. nto. Not tan as in suntan... Lol
Damn good price for what you get! Great review!
Damn, that is a sweet knife. Reminds me of a kwaiken when closed. Love it
Damn, that is one sexy blade. Beautiful G10, great blade shape and excellent deep carry clip.
What I'd like to see is knife reviewers to do is add the handle grip length. I have XL (glove) hands and some knife handles that are contoured, shaped to provide maximum grip (guards on front and butt) if your fingers fit. My grip area is 3.625" and find knife blade length under 3.5" can be uncomfortable. Just thought.
The one I purchased was a piece of junk. Pretty much the polar opposite of your review. First thing I noticed was how soft the detent was for a flipper. It absolutely could not flip itself open without using your wrist. Makes me wonder if yours has the same "unmentioned" soft detend despite you saying the detent has been done well and the action is good. Because we did see you stumble trying to flip it open a couple times in your review. And there are also others in the comments who mention the soft detent. Second thing I noticed was how rough it felt despite it being on ball bearings. And then the worst of all, It had blade play despite the pivot being cranked down super tight. There are other nitpicks too like the horrible pocket clip and a dull out of the box blade edge, but those I could have lived with. So I quickly sent it back for a refund. No more Bestech knives for me, which is sad, because I really wanted to love this knife.
+Mike no soft detent on the copy I received, if you watched the "What's Inside?" Video I showed the nasty grease that Bestech (and others) to factory lube the knife. That was the cause of the slightly gritty feeling.
Sorry that you received a bad one, hopefully your next purchase is better.
I did watch it, and it was not the cause of my gritty action since I was successfully able to do a full tear down and clean out. Re-oiled it with Nano-Oil upon reassembly and the action improved a hair, but the gritty feeling was still there.
It looks as if you've been cutting off screw heads with that Kendo. ;)