@Shlomo Shekelstein I've been subscribed since there were under 2500 subscribers. I can tell you that the quality of his tests have maintained the same level and attention to detail since day 1 and he wasn't always making money on his videos and Patreon that he was at the beginning. And his testing is worth whatever he's making per video.
Lol and since RUclips is his job. He gets to write off all these tools/knives/etc on his taxes. Talk about a win-win. Get paid for views, get write off on taxes, and get to keep awesome tools that every guy wants
Should there be a round 2 video? If so, please help me select more knives. As always, thank you for the video ideas and for the all of the positive feedback!
If you do a round 2, I'd like to see a less expensive Benchmade, a CRKT that is actually made in the USA (as opposed to one of their imports), and one of Gerber's offerings.
I think so! I'd like to see the see the Kershaw Crown/Crown 2 tested. Think they're discontinued but I'm sure you could find one. Best budget knife I've used. And the CRKT Fossil is also amazing for the price point
Anecdotally, in the early ‘70s while in the Navy, most of us that worked in the engine room had Buck knives like the one in your test. The test specimen, straight out of the box, showed considerable resistance to opening. We worked on our knives a bit to “loosen” them up thereby allowing us to open them single handed using our pinky to depress the lock and a flick of the wrist to open the blade. In fact, if a couple of mate were approaching each other in a passageway or on deck, we would stop, and as our knives always hung from our belt, would see who could “outdraw” the other Matt Dillon style (well, we were young back then…). Of course, arthritis and a small degree of maturity keeps me from attempting it these days though I still have the knife. Thanks for the trip down memory lane…and for your great AND useful videos!
Man you just brought back some memories. Gave me goose bumps. Lol. I just sent my old buck knife back to the factory. I had mine so fast that it was faster than a switch blade. And twice as sharp. That old knife saved my ass a few times out on west pac. I don't care what those test say. When you have a well adjusted buck in a salty sheath. Your golden.
A Buck 110 followed me through Vietnam, and was still on duty25 years later - when it was stolen. I still miss that old Buck. Lots of memories tied up in that beast. (My daily carry now? A Gerber Paul knife. At 76 my needs for a heavy duty tool like the buck simply no longer exist.)
As a knife collector and user my whole form age 10 to age 72 I appreciate how much time and effort went into making this great video and all of our video's. Thank you so much for making these great video's for us.
@@ProjectFarm i do think there needs to be more mention of the steels that the blades are made of. that is something that can affect the decision on buying. also think it is important since there are options in some of those makes like the spyderco knives offering the same design with different steels.
I really appreciate your content bud, many of us laborers have limited funds for tools and your vids allow us to purchase quality reliable tools without breaking the bank. Thank you.
Same reason I watch, great way for those of us in the trades to determine what's worth our hard earned money. I think legit content like this helps to push companies into being more honest about their products.
We carry most of these at the store I work at. It was nice seeing a bunch of brands put through the same tests. It will help when people ask these types of questions.
I've spent considerable time using Kershaw, SOG, Benchmade and Buck as my EDC and I've liked them all for different reasons. My go-to now is Buck. Even though they don't have the absolute best performance, they are sold, well built knives that just so happen to be made in the town I live in, so they are readily available and I get the satisfaction of supporting not just Made in the USA, but people in my community.
Buck has made good EDC blades for a long time. I prefer their classics like the 110, 112, 119, 120, and similar and don't like the light polymer handle designs mostly (have seen a couple of new versions of the 110 and 112 with micarta handles and higher end steel that look very cool). Everyone has a preference, and Buck does a better HT on most knives than some more expensive companies, so definitely worth considering, even if I'd only probably buy a classic.
I purchased a Buck but then immediately asked for a refund when I found out it was entirely made in China. Some digging revealed it had some QC issues where the blade would shatter / break from very light use. It's very misleading as made in USA was used in the description despite the knife not having anything to do with the USA. I considered getting one of their actual made in USA knives, but it left a sour taste.
@@skywardsoul1178 That's a bummer, but I fully understand. They do indeed have an inferior line that is produced in China. It's probably biggest knock on the brand as it isn't always obvious which are which.
Todd, I was in the shop today using the brand new Ryobi Oscillating tool you reviewed recently. I can’t thank you enough for the thorough testing and help for us making informed decisions! It made short work of my tasks. As always, thank you!
Will add to this that I just picked up the channel lock diagonal cutters you recently reviewed and recommended. Work like a charm. I have a folder of your graphs on my phone! Keeps me straight.
My grandfather had the same buck you tested here and handed it down to me after years of tough use. It only needed light sharpening and has held and edge amazing. May be stiff, but absolutely bomb proof. I’ll keep that thing forever. High quality knife! Great tests as well! Love the unbiased ratings!
I have had and used Buck knives for over 40 years. I have one now that I bought in 1981 that still looks good and functions perfectly. I bought a new Buck pocket knife last fall and carefully looked it over and tested it at that time, and so far my indications are that the quality is just as good as it ever was. Buck FTW!
Besides sentimental value,or being a collector.. buck would never get my money....not being negative.....but I've broken way too many..... K Ives that have actually stood up to years of hard use for me has been spyderco,benchmade,zt,strider...
You confirmed in just under 19 minutes what took me years to compile. Very nice work. Consistently getting the sharpness around 125 on all of the blades after sharpening is a testament to your sharpening skill, too.
@@ProjectFarm Yes, it was noticeable how all of the blades were consistently sharp in the 115-125 range after sharpening - probably within the margin of error. Definitely a testament to your skill!
@@CadillacDriver Normal variance of PF sharpening a knife give a person two exactly equal knives to sharpen and you will naturally get a slightly different sharpness.
A couple things to note about a round 2: 1. Type of steel used by each knife. Different types of steel have differing qualities that affect things like hardness, corrosion resistance, and edge retention. 2. Blade movement can be highly variable from the factory. Many knives allow you to loosen the bolt on the hinge to loosen/tighten as desired. A little but of lightweight lubricant and "break-in" period will also significantly change the swing of the blade over time.
The Wicked Edge system is pretty much acknowledged in the knife community as the best you can get. There's many that get close, but not as fast (one side at a time). Many home-production makers use them - Holt Bladeworks for instance - Joe set up a CNC in his garage and they're one of the most successful custom makers out there right now. If you got the money, this is the way to go.
I've got the Benchmade and I love it. I've also used and loved Opinels for years-one of their selling points is that they're exceptionally easy to sharpen. It's also very easy to adjust. Plus, that handle takes a lot of character over the years in a way that a synthetic one never will.
I love my Opinel. I got mine with the stainless blade and olive wood handles. Is it the best knife in my collection? No. But it is small, reliable, and always looks nice. I get a lot of compliments.
I have tried several brands on this list and Benchmade is my favorite (expensive drop point model in their lineup from 5ish years ago). The opening and especially closing is the best (cylinder on the blade & unique pull back in handle for easy one hand closing operation). Hated the hole in Spyderco vs force to open; either had to do a thumb + wrist flick or two hands. Zero Tolerance with it's opening backside quick flick (seen on a several in this test) was returned immediately as a safety hazard; this tab would partially deploy the blade just taking it out of my front pocket. A few near misses in five minutes and treated it as a NCIS gimmick (Gibbs knife is Zero Tolerance model). Side note: Most of these brands have several models; mostly blade shape and type of steel. The types of steel was a large price difference when I got mine. Sharpness longevity vs brittleness supposedly (haven't chipped mine since I use a screw driver on screws).
Another great Opinel benefit is that it's not an intrusive knife, you can easily pull this out in public or restaurant or whatever without anyone thinking negatively like some modern 'tactical' knives. I love my Benchmade but I bring my Opinel to the office.
I always appreciate the consistent quality of your methods and content. Unlike other channels, you’ve never resorted to clickbait or selling out to in-video placements. Keep up the great work!
As an engineer I have to commend you on your scientific approach and repeatability. A ton or effort and thought went into the testing and reporting of the results. Thanks for some A1 content.
Glad to see that Spyderco still makes a nice folder. I've had my Military knife for over 20 years and it still performs well. I've even sent it to Spyderco in Golden Co. and they'll professional sharpen and clean it and send it back to you no charge. Great company.
You are to be commended for the great lengths you go to make the tests fair. Not just on these knives, but for every other product you test. Thank you!
This guy puts so much time into these videos. It’s impressive how thorough and thought-out each test is to ensure there is no bias. I definitely cringed when corrosion testing and drop testing that Benchmade though lol. Great video!
Outstanding review as usual! I've had that exact Buck knife since I was 10 years old and have cleaned dozens of deer and elk with it. My dad has had one since the 80s and it has seen wildly more abuse. It holds its edge outstandingly well in my experience and it looks like it did in your tests as well! Highly recommend it for anyone who hunts.
I had a Buck 110 as a teenager, and to be honest I have no idea what happened to it, but it was my favorite knife ever. Was it the best knife I ever owned? Undoubtedly not, but there is something very satisfying about the weight and heft of it, and it just feels good in the hand.
My grandpa had his buck 110 for his whole life from the time he was a small teen to the time he passed away on his dairy farm in his 80s. A great low cost, american-made, and dependable knife.
Yeah!, old school thinking creates too much sentimental memories and should remain with the old.....but make room for modern technology! Enjoy the latest gadgets while you still have the chance, because how will you know if it will suit your taste until you try it out! Right?!?.......
@@doroteotimtim8854 I'm not sure if you're being sarcastic, but "while you still have the chance?" Huh? The modern style of knives will be available for years to come. They're not going anywhere, and most of us who carry classics have used them, and even own them as well. The classics have held their own for damn good reason, and are still offered next to Buck and friends' more modern options. Fixed blades are a "thing of the past" but my kitchen is full of them, and my pack has one in it too. Buck 110 is the only daily carry I've had that really holds up well to the abuse I put these things through. It's not a screwdriver, and as long as you don't use it as one, it'll last lifetimes. My more modern knives haven't really held up as well, save for the really pricey ones. Too many screws to loosen and locking mechanisms that wear out too quickly.
I’m a full on knife nut, good video! For a round 2 I would say a focus on the different steels. There are SO MANY, and a side by side for edge retention, toughness, rust resistance, and ease of sharpening would be great. Look at the spyderco Mule, it’s a design that comes in a wide range for exactly this reason
One take away from this video is the steel doesn't matter as much as it should. Why would a 420hc buck 110 outperfom an s30v benchmade in the edge durability comparison if the super steel was superior to the old standby?
@@garmbeliblis hello! Edge geometry and heat treat matter, a lot more than the steel itself does (edit:to a certain degree, 7cr17mov is garbage amd you cant change my mind) . Buck does an amazing job at heat treating, and the 940 has a much thinner grind since its more and EDC folder than outdoor use. What I'd like to see is side by side tests of the same knife in a wide variety of steels. The only one I know of that does this is the Spyderco Mule. Its hard to take out all the variables, but its about as close as it comes.
Was watching the edge retention video wondering what steel the Para 3 was. (CPM S45VN from the link) M4 would rust like crazy, but LC200N won't show a smudge.
I find myself coming back to and rewatching various episodes of your show all the time. Thank You for your quality content and attention to detail on these videos. The viewers appreciate you! 🇺🇸
I have a handful of the knives tested. The real bragging point of the Cold Steel is the durability especially the Triad Lock stopping the blade from closing by force (and potentially on the user's fingers). I think a really rough destruction test would show big differences in brands and styles but the downside is of course it would generally ruin the knives. Benchmade's Axis lock and Spyderco's compression lock should be pretty strong as well. Lockbacks such as the Buck 110 and KA-Bar should be stronger than liner locks such as the Ontario and most of the others. A key point of each knife is the steel used and whether or not it's a stainless steel vs carbon. Especially since some of these models like the Ontario come in different steels. Good video.
@@InfernosReaper I think it was Blade HQ who did a destruction test of some of the locking mechanisms. They were all surprisingly strong but liner locks were weaker than lock backs. The liner lock would either bend in or bend out, the lockback usually held until the handle of the knife completely broke apart. Cold Steel's modified lockback the Triad lock is probably the strongest common one and I carry a Code 4 or an American Lawman (I also have a few AD10s but they're a little big for EDC. People comment). I think Kershaw has a lock that was crazy strong one and Spyderco's compression lock was really strong. I think Benchmade's Axis lock is good, definitely really fun to operate, but I've seen it slip in some tests or the spring came out.
Plus the liner locks put your fingers in the path of the blade. I strongly dislike them. My daily carry is a 30-year-old Benchmade (a low-end not fancy model) that has been indestructible. To my shame, I abuse it pretty badly but it never complains.
Yeah, the Ontario results had me scratching my head until I realized he was testing the Aus-8 version instead of the D2. My own experience of Buck 110 vs Ontario R2D2 is quite different than his here, the RAT holds an edge better than any of my Bucks and was also better in terms of factory edges.
The Buck is down right impressive! Thanks to you and anyone else behind the scene that take the time to make such great honest unbiased videos reviews, they are a lot of work I’m sure. There’s a lot of integrity to stay honest and not bought out, it also holds manufacturers responsible like we the consumers should in return for making them all very wealthy.
Buck doers a fantastic job on their heat treatment of their blades. Too heavy to carry for me but a classic knife. Everyone had one in the 70s and early 80s. Buck used to have open house tours and sales before Thanksgiving of the facilities and sell the blems and seconds heavily discounted back when they were by San Diego. I'm not sure if they continued the tradition. I dropped $300 on that tour.They moved because the Democrats pushed energy costs so high that it became hostile to run their business in California. The Governor was recalled over that issue.
I own more than half of the brands tested. I’ve always loved my spydercos kershaws and benchmades, but my zero tolerance knives are quickly becoming my favorite. Even more than my benchmades! Awesome video! Keep up the great work!
About 4 or 5 years ago I remember that AutoZone was selling Smith & Wesson knives for about$6. They came in a blister pack, with minimal packaging. I bought some as gifts. The next year the packaging was changed and the the knives were 14$.
I used to only carry 110’s. Ive got several. Through years of farm use and abuse, I’ve broken a couple in half and broken more tips than I can remember. I decided to try some other brands, SOG was my first attempt but it just didn’t feel good to use and was too small for my hand. I tried a CRKT and loved it but the blade wasn’t tempered right and wouldn’t hold an edge. I tried Spyder and it worked fine but eventually i got tired of its size also. I finally broke down and got a Benchmade 940. I’ve had for a year, sharpened it once, and I don’t think I’ll ever be wanting again. Great video
I’ll agree. Higher end Benchmade knives are some of the better modern tactical style knives. There is that hard to define feeling of a quality product that is recognizable when you have it in hand. Benchmade are pretty expensive for every day carry knives, but for frequently used tools it may be worth spending more to get quality.
@@wtmayhew I work in the construction industry and Benchmades are pretty commonly carried. They're almost too nice I think, I often cringe at people cutting stuff against metal pipes or concrete. They seem to hold up well. I carry a Cold Steel Code 4 which is a little cheaper than most Benchmades, around $75 but still try to take good care of it. Very strong knife and the steel is as good or better than most Benchmades (S35VN vs S30V)
@@DL-ij7tf You must work in a different construction world than I do, I've never seen a Benchmade in the field. I don't think they're worth the price for construction work. I've carried Leatherman for almost 20 years and don't see any reason to change.
I have the Opinel mushroom knife. Its got a horse hair brush on the end, and a hawksbill blade. I'm not big on that blade shape, due to sharpening difficulty. But I figure I only cut thru morels and such, it shouldn't dull too bad. I have a round jewel stick to keep it sharp, it's just a bit more challenging than a typical blade shape on a stone.
The one thing that's always worries me is the side to side play. The big question is - when will the knife break given a rotational force (like when prying a clam open). Also, where should we send more ideas?
Awesome video. As an amateur knife maker I was just into this test. I loved every second. Please do a round two. I hope people don't hound you about how some steels do better with a tooth edge vs other steels do with a polished edge. I know you had to make a standard and believe you made the right call on the sharpening and edge angle. A round 2 would be very much appreciated. I believe this could be one of your highest watched series. Maybe second to your oil testing vids. Those were fantastic. Great job again. I have watched everyone of your videos and look forward to the next one every Sunday. 👍👊
Yeah there's a lot of misinformation about sharpening. Even with "polished edges" at super low micron finishes you want a true up and down sharpening pattern to create even microscopic bite on the edge. Many people make the mistake (even on guided systems) of sliding the lengthwise in a cutting motion which can help get an even edge but erasing that vertical micro scratch decreases the ultimate sharpness. There's a lot to sharpening even high carbide super steels. Check out Michael Christy's channel to see some real sharpening wisdom.
I have to say, this is the most productive content on RUclips. The most relevant info in the least amount of time and delivered with clarity along with logical and fair analysis/ comparison. Great channel. GREAT channel. 👍🏻😎👍🏻
@@TheDragorin - So what makes a knife good or not in your opinion? In my opinion the number one factor is probably how well a knife holds an edge (though I am far from a "knife expert").
@@TheDragorin, don’t just bitch man, PREACH!! It’s easy to discount the observations of others, but make the argument productive and educate us. What makes a good knife?? 👍🏻😎👍🏻
I've had my Benchmade 940 for about a year now and it's hands down the best knife I've ever carried. Holds an edge better than any other knife I've ever owned and it never disappoints any time I have it in my hand Not to mention it just feels great in the hand and fits nicely in the pocket or on the clip without feeling bulky
I don't have a 940, but have handled them and decided that they were a little too small to comfortably use in my hands. I've been carrying a Benchmade Griptillian since 2005, and other than an occasional accidental trip through the clothes washer or sharpening the blade a few times over the years, it's just been used near daily the whole time. No complaints other than that the blade black finish is slowly wearing off.
Excellent test Todd! I'm a knife enthusiast. Results were genuinely surprising. I was impressed with how some cheaper knives performed better than more expensive knives in certain tests. Goes to show that you don't need something fancy to cut something. I like the range of knives you selected. There are literally millions of different models, but you picked a good spread I think.
Which are affiliated w slave-state dictatorships knocking off quality products and jobs so we can save a few pennies while our kids wear chains? I know Benchmade is US.. since that is all I care about feel free to included origin if it means enriching enemies (who themselves openly promise your destruction).
@@Omniseed TRAITORS FAMILES KICKED IN ORGAN HARVESTER just as quickly as those they betrayed, and all sharing sounds of the shrieks of their children in the distance..
Dude..... You deserve to have a rating that companies can pay put on their product if they pass your impartial tests. This is incredibly thorough and I would buy a product if it had a finalist or #1 product certified by you. I mean this seriously. If I had a company that made drill bits or something I'd be reaching out to you right now about aquiring you as head of product testing/consistency.
@@appalachiangunman9589 He didn't use knife lingo in the way I would expect a knife guy to. He did get a fairly good assortment of the usual suspects though.
I carried the buck 110 all through my time in the service. Being a brass bolster means it wears just slightly and the blade gets easier and easier to open. I could open it with one hand and flip it open faster then a friends switchblade. The lock being tough was a positive knowing you can abuse it and it still wouldn't close on your hand. Still got mine and using it (1976)
I carried a Buck 110 in high school. It was too big to put in my pocket so I put the sheath on my belt. That was 1976-1978. Kids can't carry knives in school today. It's part of the dumbed down wussification of America. Knives aren't dangerous, but psychos drugged out of their minds on SSRIs are.
I really appreciate you taking the time to do such extensive testing on knives ! Very interesting results as well . Knife collecting has been a major hobby including selling and trading for over 50 years , although I don’t use this style but own several you listed . But without a Doubt this is the most real life rigorous testing that I’ve seen . I thoroughly enjoyed this episode …. Thank you so much !
Since the Buck knife performed well in every category not related to weight, you may want to include one of their lighter models in your next test, like the slim select 110 or 112. Thanks for the great video!
All your videos are outstanding! The thing I love the most is your cheesy grin while you read the advertising literature for each product. It never gets old!
Finally a review of a product I own. I bought the Spyderco Tenacious as a cheap work knife and fell in love with it. It’s a bit heavy but I find the blade easy to open and close one handed. It has held its edge better than any other knife I’ve owned (mostly CRKT and Kershaw). I am now a loyal Spyderco customer!
For ultimate edge holding capability, try the CPM S35VN Steel bladed model of the Tenacious. Awesome steel. I can use mine for at least a week at work (most of the time much longer) and not need sharpening. I just touch it up on a strop now and then. It's a bit more of an investment at $98 but well worth it.
This was an excellent comparison. Thank you. My dad and one of my older brothers had/have the Buck knife that was tested here. They lasted decades and decades as they used them for every thing during their active lives. They became very smooth and never accidentally opened. My dad passed his knife down to another brother of mine and the first one mentioned still has his. They are great knives. It was nice to see them tested.
@TheCheesePlease it’s a classic American knife made by a great company that uses some of the best heat treating on their blades and is a reasonable price 🤷♂️
Man I have say this was amazingly done and not time wasted. I love how we just want the specs really fast with the price and move on to the next. Great review. Bravo!
I love how quick he moves. I usually watch videos on 1.25 or 1.5x speed and I had to double check my settings because he was faster than most videos even after speeding them up. So much content to provide he has no need for filler.
I was an electrician most of my life, and I carried the same Buck Knife with me every day for about 20 years. At one point, I bought a new knife for my brother's birthday, and it was only then I noticed the blade was about 3/8" thinner due to sharpening all those years. This knife went through it all and was still in good condition when I stopped being an electrician. I poinded on it with hammers, reamed EMT and rigid pipe and even carried it on my 100's of ocean fishing adventures. After watching this video and seeing how it stacked up, I would personally buy the Buck over every other knife tested. It stood the test of time and abuse that I doubt the others would have.
@@9999plato unfortunately, it has been more than 20 years since I used it every day and haven't seen it for years now. I would never reblade it though if it turns up. Part of the vintage quality was the thin blade.
I agree with the Buck choice too. I like the fact that it has a real hard to release lock because it cant be accidentally unlocked. The drop test here wasnt a real world test because of the tube that made it fall in a way it doesnt do naturally. The weight of the Buck makes them fall handle first, saving any blade damage usually. Its a nice heavy duty feeling knife that can take the abuse of everyday use and abuse. This was still a good video, but it wasnt about finding the best knife to use everyday for work.
@@warrenmichael918 Definitely agree. I even said in another comment that having to push hard on the button and/or to close it would be considered by many of us to be a FEATURE not A BUG! I"m with you guys on this. I would take a Buck over any of the others because they have decades upon decades of real world trial and error to have perfected the folding pocket knife over generations. Will some of these companies even be here in another 10 years? I know Buck will be!
love the stress testing, and since any used knife needs maintenance and sharpening I’m mostly indifferent to the starting sharpness but find the sharpness test after dulling/sharpening very helpful. Lock failure safety and corrosion are clutch! I didn’t catch if you measured the distance from axis when measuring opening resistance to control for differences in the moment/lever arm.
For the user, the distance from the axis doesn't matter rally, only the force necessary, as you can only open it from the point meant for it. The distance and ease of opening is different from one knife to another what it is, the user can't change that.
Great test! I own two Spydercos and one Buck alongside many other knives, but the cheap old 'disposable' -(currently 8 year old)Opinel is the one that is always with me while others gather dust in a drawer. Purely individual preference, but I guess the best knife is the one that you have on you when you need it.
@@benisrood and generally I don't need to pry open a door or baton through logs with my pocket knife. If I want something heavy duty and more or less indestructible I'll take a fixed blade over a folder any day. Also, no one flinches or raises an an eyebrow when I take out the Opinel at the dining table because the steak knife is just not cutting it. Excuse the pun.
The way I think about it, the best knife, maybe, is one you actually put through the abuse. I have some nice-ish knives, but I mostly use folding utility knives because I can cut against concrete or anything else if I want to.
Mr Farm does an amazing job designing these tests and gives a 100% un biased opinion -- he spends countless hours of his own time doing an amazing job w all the tests to help all of us decide what to buy - I have made a few purchases based on his results and I am very happy w the items i bought - keep up the great work Mr. Farm !
Have used a Benchmade for 10- 15 years, overall great knife. Light, stays sharp, can open with one hand, and still looks great. Occasionally the blade will need removed and internals cleaned/oiled and reinstalled.
I’ve always liked buck and kershaw for hunting knives because they always seemed to hold a great edge. (Fixed blades) I also love my spyderco endura 4 ffg for carry as it razor sharp and their warranty/customer service is excellent. Looks like your results weren’t too far off from what i have found over the years! Thanks a again for the excellent content!
I love my Opinels. They haven't been super sharp out of the box, but they sharpen really easily and maintain a good edge. I prefer the carbon steel to the stainless, but the stainless is still pretty good.
Got few stainless Opinels. They are made out of 12c27 Sandvik, so it's not hard at all to resharpen, it just takes more time than carbon ones, but edge retention is better which is the reason I went with Stainless Steel. Super cheap and great classic looking knife, just what I like.
Love both their stainless and the carbon. Both cut like laser beams after being sharpened. I usually force patina my carbon steels. Sandvik (their stainless) is one of the best value steels on the market. They're good for light use, but their slicing ability is amazing.
I am a knife snob but totally agree. The opinel's blade geometry is fantastic and they can be some of the sharpest and best cutting knives out there. They are unmatched for food use as well.
@@1980JPA I accidentally "blued" my 40-year-old Opinel when it was new by peeling an apple. I liked the look so I never polished it back. The handle is a bit rough because way back when I had a Jack Russell and she was a puppy, she chewed the handle a bit (the knife was closed).
This was an expensive test. Thank you. The Buck really surprised me given their choice of steel, but their heat treatment process is legendary and now I know why.
I was also surprised by how well that 420 steel held up. I have been happy with my Buck knives, including cheap everyday Bantam knives with the 420 steel and a 110 Slim Pro with S30V steel. Good knives for the price, good warranty, and all the ones I have are made right next door in Idaho
Paul bos definitely did a good job with the heat treatment. My buck quick fire 288 has been my go to beater knife for almost a year and blew Leathermans 420 steel right out of the water. More proof that you don't need some high end steel to get the job done
@Hunter Holder some of my first knives were Buck knives , had a Leatherman multi tool also. Buck's blade is too thick and even when hollow ground it was hard to keep a very sharp edge. I received a very similar Benchmade knife as a gift 10 years ago , I can't say enough how much I like it. I'm a believer.
I’ve been edc that benchmade for 12 years now, I’ve bought many others over the years. Nothing has come close to beating it’s form and function for me. Nice video and I applaud the time and effort it must of taken
I lose knifes at an alarming rate. I just get a Kershaw or Gerber and call it good enough. The couch, under my truck seat, left places after use, the lake bottom are typical places for my collection.
I also have been carrying that Benchmade about that long, but mine is partly serrated. I work at sea in Alaska fishing and find having that little bit of serration on the blade a huge plus that most the other knives didn't have.👍
The locking mechanism for Benchmade is better than any other knife I've tried. So easy to open and close, but no worries at all about it closing accidentally.
Great video! I was most excited to see the post-sharpened blades perform within a very small range of pressure ratings on the test medium. In the knife community we say “geometry cuts”. That test was a fantastic example of how edge geometry directly influences performance
After carrying around my Para 3 for a while, I never leave the house without it. It has quickly become my favorite pocket knife, and I even bought another just to keep in my tool box! Can't go wrong picking one up!
Just subscribed. I value his thorough and credible product testing. He deserves everything cent he makes, and then some. Thank you for this great service.
Some time ago I watched his first vid and was a little irritated by his voice, but after I binge watched his videos for a weekend no matter what he was reviewing, I realized that this man must be protected better than the all the presidents in all the countries in the world.
I remember suggesting this test to you last year and I'm very impressed by the results. I'm a pocket knife collector and some of these knives I've never heard of. Out of all of them was the Buck knife and it was the most recognizable. Seems that the ones made in USA are the most durable. Thanks for doing this test as I will be sharing it with lots of folks. 🔪
I’ve been carrying and heavily using a Benchmade crooked river for a couple years now, and for ~$200 I’m blown away by this knife I’ve used it for everything from gutting deer to scraping corrosion off of battery terminals, and everything in between. It often doubles as a screwdriver. It still looks like the day I took it out of the box. It takes and holds an edge well, and I can see almost no wear on the axis lock surfaces After my last Buck wore out and shut on my hand, I decided to spend a few bucks on a good knife and I don’t regret my decision at all
Do you have a benchmade with a different steal? The one in the test uses a steal you can get at a much cheaper price point from Benchmade and the expense is really in the handle.
@@ouifh4o2ir37 it’s just s30v You can get the same steel* for less money, but that probably means that the steel* has been worked with less care and is lower quality. This is just my experience, ymmv
@@Getitstraightyo maybe they are, maybe they aren’t. I highly doubt every employee is, and they’re still an American company. Would it be better if I bought a knife from a company in a country that is our country’s enemy? Regardless, the $200 I spent on one of their knives wouldn’t be missed. I’m not on their board of directors
I've always dismissed the S&W knives. I am quite impressed with the way it handled your tests. Seems like the biggest weak point was initial sharpness, which is not a big deal as I sharpen all my knives. Thanks once again for your work.
I have the exact smith and Wesson he tested. I don’t have any complaints, and it’s been through many backpacking/camping trips, and abused by punching through a ton of soup cans. For 13 I say you can’t beat it
I bought two of the S&W knives over the last two years. I really liked them initially until one of them literally fell apart in pieces when I tried to open it. I've never had any other knife do that before.
@@tumadre50 yeah that’s no fun. I have another nicer knife that I bring along on trips as a “backup” but I primarily use that one for for actual use and I abuse my S&W if needed since it’s so cheap I don’t feel bad about it breaking
I have the Extreme Ops model - swa2cp (tanto blade). Have had and tortured it through the years, nothing but good things to say about it. I would buy another one in a heart beat. Has never let me down but if it did, I'd just buy another. It's a pocket knife, not a surgical instrument. For price to build quality - hard to beat.
I learned a while back that a dull knife doesn’t always need to be sharpened. Lots of times just a good polish and they are sharp again. You don’t loose as much metal as you would sharpening it all the time. Just my observation and experimentation. Love this channel!!!
@@nsant I sharpen all different ways but any way that you sharpen takes metal off the blade. Polishing doesn’t take off any metal and lots of times is all that needs to be done to make the blade sharp again.
I sharpened my own ice auger blades. They felt sharp but it wouldn’t cut a hole for shit. That’s when I learned about polishing. I polished the blades with the Dremel and it cut holes like butter after that.
Same, I strop far more often than I sharpen. Eventually the edge will sort of fall off and you'll need to sharpen at that point though. Some times you can see the wire like bit of metal on the strop that's fallen off from fatigue from stropping it over and over. If I see that then I run the edge through some wood to take off the rest of the fatigued steel and then sharpen.
Thank you so much I wanted you to make this video for so long and then you replied to my comment saying that you will do it soon and you did. I’m subscribed on both of my accounts and would love to see you hit 3 million. Best of Luck, Jaden Washington
I have had mine for 7 years. It is still like new and I have certainly put it through the paces. Rope, wire, splinters, wood, packages, tape, plastic, fish, rabbit, squirrel, minor 'surgery'...you name it. I love it and take care of it. It fits in the pocket better than any knife I have ever owned. One note, not really a drawback though, is that the blade is made of very hard CPM-S30V stainless steel so it is a challenge to sharpen without good skills or equipment.
In my region of NY we have a type of Ironwood that's known as Hardack. At least that's what a lot of locals calls it. I've been told stories of people getting small batches of it mixed into their firewood and it causing their wood stoves to burn incredibly hot. But as stated they're stories so who knows if they're true. :)
Great video! I know it took you a LONG time to do all of that. If you're ever considering doing it again I would love to see how more premium steels do (like Maxamet, S110v, K390, REX45, S90v etc) You happily earned a sub here either way!
I've never given any thought to a folding blade knife. I don't use them very often, so whatever is around is good enough for me. But now I know the difference! For me, the Smith and Wesson is the best for me. The price is great and I'm not a big user of knives, so it looks like the best bang for the buck! Thanks for another great video!
Definitely avoid the S&W knife. It's pure garbage to use. K-bar Dozier or Opinel (stainless rather than the carbon steel used here) are much better choices. They'll feel better to use and will last much longer. In the $30-40-ish range, Byrd Cara Cara 2 (from Spyderco), Ontario Rat 1, or QSP Penguin are amazing values.' If you don't care about a locking blade and buy it for life, Victorinox alox Farmer or Pioneer X are great tools to carry.
@@mrbigberd Could you suggest a few ultra lightweight budget blades ~2-3 inches with decent corrosion resistance and reasonable hardness? I prioritize weight and longevity for edc and can't seem to find something decent that feels light enough.
@@snafuequals Lightweight is generally considered under 1oz per inch of blade length, so we're looking at something around 3 ounces. I'm also assuming that 2-3" is a legal requirement. I'm considering budget here to be around the $50 mark because inflation has done a number on pricing. In the budget market, the generally best steel (as attested to metallurgist and knife steel nerd Dr. Larrin Thomas) is going to be 14c28n (AEB-I and Nitro-V are basically the same thing). I'm explicitly skipping D2 because it isn't stainless. Neeves Knives channel is probably a great place to look up more in this price range. I'll stick with stuff I'm at least a little more familiar with. Kershaw Leek is very popular, but has an assist spring (not sure how you feel about that). Made in USA too IIRC. QSP Leopard might be worth looking at. Micarta and a flipper make it pretty nice in this range. Spyderco Persistence is a good knife. It's the smaller brother of the Tenacious they show here. I'd note that the 8cr13mov isn't as good a steel, but Spyderco's heat treatment is good which makes up for this somewhat. It's slightly on the heavier side (3.3oz at 2 3/4 inches), but it also comes with nice G-10 scales. Rat 2 in aus-8 is a nice knife though this may be the worst knife steel of the lot (also the cheapest at around $30). If you like, some companies sell upgraded scales and even better blade steel that you can buy later. It's very popular. Spyderco Dragonfly in g-10 is worth a mention. At around $70, it's outside of my stated range, but it's an awesome 2.3" knife that disappears into your pocket. The VG-10 is great in the price range and this is reaching the point where Spyderco's quality control really kicks in. The Delica is a slightly longer knife (2.9") but adds another $10 to that price tag. Both are backlocks and not really fidgety if that matters to you. SOG Terminus XR is worth a mention too. It's a little out of range at $80, but uses S35VN steel which is fairly unusual in that price range. The crossbar lock it uses combined with the flipper tab makes for a very fidgety knife that is also quite light.
@@mrbigberd Thank you for the well thought and detailed response! The size is purely a preference. I've searched bladehq some months back and started learning quite a bit from some reddit subs but I never really came across what I was looking for. I'll look into these now, thanks again! Edit: How do you feel about civivi? I remember seeing them spoken highly of and they seem to have a wide array of products and I've been on the verge of a leek for a while. I have had nothing but good experiences with Kershaw Speedsafe knives. This leopard looks great!
@@snafuequals Civivi makes great quality knives for the price. Brazen is nice. QSP Hawk is also worth a look in that price range. I will point out that if you have a serious interest in knives that one great knife beats several good ones. If you can save up for the $150 range, you get tons of amazing options from companies with lifetime warranties. The new Hogue Deka drop point is the lightweight knife to beat in my opinion. Hogue Ritter mini is the most comfortable small knife on the market with it's hand-filling design. I also like the Bugout and Para 3 Lightweight too. These knives are popular for a reason and I'd bet you would love any one of these that you got as they are all great utilitarian designs that are also rather fidgetable.
I am so impressed with some of the cheap knives, specifically the buck, SOG and Smith and Wesson. The were very sharp and held their edges pretty well! Especially considering that they were cutting wood.
I still carry the SOG I bought in 1986. They no longer make the exact model I have (Air Sog), and most are no longer made in Seki, Japan, but it's nice to see they are still have excellent quality at affordable prices.
FYI: SOG completely sold out last year to the holding company that bought cold steel. They are not a knife company ANYMORE. Not expecting much from them in future.
I've been using the SOG Traction knife for the past few years. A great EDC knife for under $40. With the flood of EDC tools on the market, it's not surprising that so many products get left out. Great, scientific review as always!
This channel never ceases to amaze me with your great content. Would be interested in seeing the same types of tests run on survival knives if it isn't too much money.
I would definitely watch round 2. Thanks for your incredible work! Your unbiased and practical application testing and reviews are groundbreaking, and I don't say that flippantly. I hope people have an idea of how much work goes into your efforts (even though I know you love doing it, lol).
Since I've heard of all these brands and was interested in their quality, I appreciate the testing that you did. I've seen some dedicated knife channels that just talk about how much they love various knives while flicking them open repeatedly. Not that I didn't enjoy those videos, but I really didn't learn much except how the the knives looked and how much they cost.
Listen to them talk about what steel was used & what are its qualities, the utility of the blade shape, the materials used for the scales & the pivot, the feel of the knife in the hand, the locking mechanism, the solidity of the knife when open, whether it is ambidextrous, what kind of locking mechanism there is, how good - and well-placed - detentes are, the weight & other metrics & general comparisons to other knives you might be familiar with. Ignore the fidgeting with the blade - I sit in front of the TV sometimes just opening & closing knives - drives my wife crazy. But even some of the fidgeters will often give good details for comparison while they are mindlessly fidgeting. The factory edge test does NOT tell you a fifth of what you want to know before making a selection for an internet-order knife. Do research on several sites on any knife you are interested in if you don't have a good knife (or sports or gun) store nearby to try the knife out yourself. My new Iridium has rapidly become my daily EDC & only costs from $65 to $77 depending on which of 3 variations you buy. It is very comfortable in my hand, but I would never recommend it for somebody with over-large hands. Horses for Courses!
I have CRKT knives and I'm happy with their one handed operation and ability to hold an edge. Definitely do a round two. There are so many knives on the market to choose from.
I've always had pocket knives since I was about 15. I couldn't bring myself to spend over $100 because I tend to be rough with them and was always afraid of loosing it. About 4 years ago I spent a fair amount on a ZT 0770CF with S35VN steel and absolutely love it. Its my EDC and I beat the hell out of it. The light weight of the carbon fiber makes a difference when carrying it. Two years ago I switched to a Outdoor Edge replaceable blade for hunting and that thing is a game changer. One blade to butcher an entire elk in the field and you don't have to worry about breaking blades like the surgical hunting knives. Keep the great videos coming!
If you live near one, Lowe's licensed out a similar knife to the outdoor edge, but it's a bit shorter for better control, and comes with straight utility style blades in addition to the usual curved ones. Both have been nice to me, and I hold on to the spent blades to resharpen them all at once later
I have the ZT as an EDC and I’m not very impressed with the blade. I actually going back to my all time favorite. The Kershaw Leek and I got a moose quartered up last night with my new outdoor edge. First time I have ever used one. I don’t think I could have been more impressed with a knife. The gut hook was absolutely amazing.
Huge fan of Spyderco here and their Golden, CO factory is local to me. I have a Para 3 and several others from the brand and have zero complaints. Also really easy to disassemble to re-lube the mechanism for super smooth operation. The Spyderco finger hole is also amazing for ease of opening. Glad to see the S30V blade hold up well in testing!
I have 8 spyderco knives in my collection and they're my favorite. K390 stretch 2 ,rex 45 para 3, m4 para3 for edge retention lc200n for corrosion resistance. Waiting for my native 5 with CPM magnacut now. Spydercos are my favorite.
I'll admit to being a long time Cold Steel fan, have some back when they were made in the USA, have some of the Japanese models, plus some Taiwan production. The Tri-Ad lock can't be beat...hanging a weight off the end of the knife like they do is an extreme test, a Cold Steel knife would never close on your fingers. A liner lock is for opening the mail, and Opinels were made to cut grapes off a vine. Any of those knives would be the right tool for the job, depending on the job! Great video, amazing amount of information, concisely put. Thanks!
Maybe the knives are better, but Cold Steel machetes are completely worthless. I tried 2 of them, one broke clean in half when hitting a ~2" thick dry oak branch, the other chipped in several places after less than an hour of regular shrub clearing. By comparison my Tramontina blades can clear brush for an entire day without resharpening and chip only if I accidentally hit some rock or nail.
@@Dr_V The machetes are definitely lower quality stamped steel. So soft I can’t believe it broke! But I’ve had several for many years and have never had a problem. I’ve heard those tramontinas are really nice!
@@asmith7876 The blades themselves are quite good, HRC 56 with great edge retention and good strength/flexibility balance, but the handles are rough and unrefined, so you need to at least polish them properly before use (or replace them, they're all full tang riveted so it's relatively easy if you have the necessary tools). The Cold Steel that broke was a Kukri style blade I received as a birthday gift, very heavy and thick, it snapped right at the angled part. I remember the steel looked somewhat spongy and rough in the split, very different from what I'd expect in a tool blade. I guess it might have been some kind of "tacticool weapon" / sword like wall hanger that I mistakenly used as a machete...
@@Dr_V I suspect you got a fake or simply a defective one. Cold Steel has a lot of silly marketing but they don’t make wall-hangers. Their own over the top videos show that! I hope they replaced it under warranty. Got two kukri machetes for $25 so even if I break one, they’re pretty cheap. Have a nice day!
I've been carrying a couple CJRB knives for the past couple years and I've been amazed at how well they've held up. They're always smooth and I just do a maintenance sharpening every so often.
Dude, you are THE MAN. You use basic scientific principles to repeat conditions that are practical in premise & application in all of your comparisons.
Video idea : testing out rotors / brake pads lineup from local stores like autozone and o Riley’s. Testing them out in certain conditions like daily use and hard braking or seeing which heats up less, less rust overtime, low dusting etc. From there if there’s a lot of interest about that video, test out brands like brembo and power stop , 2 known brands for brakes. As always, thank you for taking your time testing out products for us. I appreciate the effort and time you put into making these videos!
Yea, add ceramic to that. I tried out some akebono brake pads after everyone says there amazing and they had worse performance then oem pads. They were dangerous with how their braking performance was. I took them off and replace with normal pads and was much better.
@@FishFind3000 Im not sure but isnt the ceramic pads intended to be used in a more agressive way like racing where the brakes have time to heat up and be more effective?
@@almaefogo Cold race pads barely brake, they rather just squeal. Many people make these mistakes of thinking race oriented parts are better for their daily cars that will never see the track. In the case of racing pads, the consumer will see the inefficiency sooner than anything bad happens. As for semi-slick tyres, lowering and stiffening coilovers, rotary/boxer engines and so on, the problems show later or at specific situations and when they do, they usually cost a lot of money, the entire car or even a life.
Oh man, I'm a knife collector and knife collectors are one argumentative, opinionated, clannish and knowledgeable group of folks. I haven't even started the video and I'm already impressed at your bravery. (:-) BTW, notice how I did not mention my favorite knifemaker?
Impressive! Congratulations on producing a tight, scientific-based, information-rich review. (also makes me glad I bought a SOG years ago). A superior video - you should direct action films!
Great video, and some pretty cool knives. I have to say I have had a Buck 110 for between 40 and 50 years, I love that knife, stays sharp and is very robust. Lifetime warranty, and made in the good ole USA.
I would absolutely love to see a round 2. Also, i would like to say that i really like what you did in this video with sharpening all to the same point to test edge retention. Really good work as usual.
I own a Benchmade and a Kershaw and in my experience they're great folding knives. I also own a Gerber Strongarm, but that's a fixed blade. Hey, maybe a fixed-blade knife showdown next? I'd love to see how my blade stacks up vs the competition. Great video as always!
Todd, I just want to thank you again for everything you do. Across all of my jobs in the past few years as well as for personal use, nearly all of the products I’ve purchased have been due to your videos. There’s a certain “veil” in front of the claims that all manufacturers make, and your videos give the public an opportunity to see behind that and make informed decisions. I hope that what you have created continues on long after you and I are gone.
Shady companies trying to scam people probably hate this guy. He definitely doesn't get paid enough for these videos tho. The quality of the info here is top notch 👍
Man alive...You do a great job of testing all kinds of things! I really enjoyed watching lots of your test videos. The info we learned from your comparisons is superb! I really appreciate your efforts at teaching us. Thanks Greg
The rat 2 has been my go-to for awhile now, its a great knife and I really like how you can take it completely apart to clean all the grit and pocket lint that inevitably builds up when you carry and use a knife for a long time
As someone who's into knife collecting and was already familiar with all of these knives, I really recommend cold steel. They offer some of the toughest work knives in the world and are relatively cheap. Benchmade, ZT, and Spyderco are great but are usually bought as collectibles instead of hard use tools. But great video as always Todd.
One of my favorite videos. I would love to see another one of these with updated/additional models and more brands like Topps. And also include a second category like multi tools like Leatherman, Victorinox, Gerber, and SOG to name a few.
Here’s the list of products reviewed. More details in the video description. Thank you!
Smith & Wesson: amzn.to/3AXx96u
Opinel: amzn.to/3L8QXbP
KA-BAR: amzn.to/3rC9WUF
Ontario: amzn.to/3AWfVXi
CJRB: amzn.to/3uqRccl
CKRT Endorser: amzn.to/3AYR05c
SOG: amzn.to/3GvAATb
CIVIVI: amzn.to/332huGG
Spyderco Tenacious: amzn.to/3J1FmcM
Buck: amzn.to/34AbsgK
Kershaw Link: amzn.to/3sk9F7S
Cold Steel: amzn.to/3HwrkiS
Splyderco Para 3: amzn.to/3rCaolP
Zero Tolerance: amzn.to/3B3bYjI
Benchmade: amzn.to/32Y9w16
Let’s just take a minute to appreciate this man he uses his own money to buy all the products to give us honest reviews
Thank you very much!!
@Shlomo Shekelstein I've been subscribed since there were under 2500 subscribers. I can tell you that the quality of his tests have maintained the same level and attention to detail since day 1 and he wasn't always making money on his videos and Patreon that he was at the beginning. And his testing is worth whatever he's making per video.
Lol and since RUclips is his job. He gets to write off all these tools/knives/etc on his taxes. Talk about a win-win. Get paid for views, get write off on taxes, and get to keep awesome tools that every guy wants
@@sgtleobella I miss all his old lawn mower videos lol
Absolutely
Thank you for this video! No clickbait, no misinformation, no bullshit, just straight to the point!
Thank you very much!!
Should there be a round 2 video? If so, please help me select more knives. As always, thank you for the video ideas and for the all of the positive feedback!
If you do a round 2, I'd like to see a less expensive Benchmade, a CRKT that is actually made in the USA (as opposed to one of their imports), and one of Gerber's offerings.
What sharpener did you use ?
Morakniv the $8 one ?
Gerber
I think so! I'd like to see the see the Kershaw Crown/Crown 2 tested. Think they're discontinued but I'm sure you could find one. Best budget knife I've used. And the CRKT Fossil is also amazing for the price point
Anecdotally, in the early ‘70s while in the Navy, most of us that worked in the engine room had Buck knives like the one in your test. The test specimen, straight out of the box, showed considerable resistance to opening. We worked on our knives a bit to “loosen” them up thereby allowing us to open them single handed using our pinky to depress the lock and a flick of the wrist to open the blade. In fact, if a couple of mate were approaching each other in a passageway or on deck, we would stop, and as our knives always hung from our belt, would see who could “outdraw” the other Matt Dillon style (well, we were young back then…). Of course, arthritis and a small degree of maturity keeps me from attempting it these days though I still have the knife. Thanks for the trip down memory lane…and for your great AND useful videos!
Thanks and you are welcome!
Man you just brought back some memories. Gave me goose bumps. Lol. I just sent my old buck knife back to the factory. I had mine so fast that it was faster than a switch blade. And twice as sharp. That old knife saved my ass a few times out on west pac. I don't care what those test say. When you have a well adjusted buck in a salty sheath. Your golden.
Sad to see them leave San Diego. Many old sailors carried Buck 110 before the new tactical folders became popular.
Didn't yall stab each other by accident?
A Buck 110 followed me through Vietnam, and was still on duty25 years later - when it was stolen. I still miss that old Buck. Lots of memories tied up in that beast. (My daily carry now? A Gerber Paul knife. At 76 my needs for a heavy duty tool like the buck simply no longer exist.)
As a knife collector and user my whole form age 10 to age 72 I appreciate how much time and effort went into making this great video and all of our video's. Thank you so much for making these great video's for us.
Thanks and you are welcome!
@@ProjectFarm i do think there needs to be more mention of the steels that the blades are made of. that is something that can affect the decision on buying. also think it is important since there are options in some of those makes like the spyderco knives offering the same design with different steels.
Thank's so much for your opinion's. Greeting's from Germany ; )
As a random guy in the comments, thanks for your comment.
@@ProjectFarmyou still have a lot to learn 😉
I really appreciate your content bud, many of us laborers have limited funds for tools and your vids allow us to purchase quality reliable tools without breaking the bank. Thank you.
Thanks and you are welcome!
Well said and point taken, LarkinPaul
So true 👍
Same reason I watch, great way for those of us in the trades to determine what's worth our hard earned money.
I think legit content like this helps to push companies into being more honest about their products.
I always want a great value or the best, it's awesome to get the information he provides!
We carry most of these at the store I work at. It was nice seeing a bunch of brands put through the same tests. It will help when people ask these types of questions.
Thanks for sharing!
I've spent considerable time using Kershaw, SOG, Benchmade and Buck as my EDC and I've liked them all for different reasons. My go-to now is Buck. Even though they don't have the absolute best performance, they are sold, well built knives that just so happen to be made in the town I live in, so they are readily available and I get the satisfaction of supporting not just Made in the USA, but people in my community.
Thanks for sharing.
Buck has made good EDC blades for a long time. I prefer their classics like the 110, 112, 119, 120, and similar and don't like the light polymer handle designs mostly (have seen a couple of new versions of the 110 and 112 with micarta handles and higher end steel that look very cool). Everyone has a preference, and Buck does a better HT on most knives than some more expensive companies, so definitely worth considering, even if I'd only probably buy a classic.
@@krislong9338 You can't go wrong with a classic 110.
I purchased a Buck but then immediately asked for a refund when I found out it was entirely made in China. Some digging revealed it had some QC issues where the blade would shatter / break from very light use. It's very misleading as made in USA was used in the description despite the knife not having anything to do with the USA.
I considered getting one of their actual made in USA knives, but it left a sour taste.
@@skywardsoul1178 That's a bummer, but I fully understand. They do indeed have an inferior line that is produced in China. It's probably biggest knock on the brand as it isn't always obvious which are which.
Todd, I was in the shop today using the brand new Ryobi Oscillating tool you reviewed recently. I can’t thank you enough for the thorough testing and help for us making informed decisions! It made short work of my tasks. As always, thank you!
Awesome! This means a lot to me and keeps me motivated to continue!!
Todd who’s Todd?
@@Grasshopper.80 the guy in the videos you silly goose!
Will add to this that I just picked up the channel lock diagonal cutters you recently reviewed and recommended. Work like a charm. I have a folder of your graphs on my phone! Keeps me straight.
Lol my name is Todd to
My grandfather had the same buck you tested here and handed it down to me after years of tough use. It only needed light sharpening and has held and edge amazing. May be stiff, but absolutely bomb proof. I’ll keep that thing forever. High quality knife!
Great tests as well! Love the unbiased ratings!
Thanks so much!
It's cheap but designed to last.
I have had and used Buck knives for over 40 years. I have one now that I bought in 1981 that still looks good and functions perfectly. I bought a new Buck pocket knife last fall and carefully looked it over and tested it at that time, and so far my indications are that the quality is just as good as it ever was. Buck FTW!
I love my Buck and still made in the usa
Besides sentimental value,or being a collector.. buck would never get my money....not being negative.....but I've broken way too many.....
K Ives that have actually stood up to years of hard use for me has been spyderco,benchmade,zt,strider...
You confirmed in just under 19 minutes what took me years to compile. Very nice work. Consistently getting the sharpness around 125 on all of the blades after sharpening is a testament to your sharpening skill, too.
Thanks!
@@ProjectFarm Yes, it was noticeable how all of the blades were consistently sharp in the 115-125 range after sharpening - probably within the margin of error.
Definitely a testament to your skill!
He uses the top rated knife sharpener.
@@jandal8905 margin of error? For what?
@@CadillacDriver Normal variance of PF sharpening a knife give a person two exactly equal knives to sharpen and you will naturally get a slightly different sharpness.
A couple things to note about a round 2: 1. Type of steel used by each knife. Different types of steel have differing qualities that affect things like hardness, corrosion resistance, and edge retention. 2. Blade movement can be highly variable from the factory. Many knives allow you to loosen the bolt on the hinge to loosen/tighten as desired. A little but of lightweight lubricant and "break-in" period will also significantly change the swing of the blade over time.
Thanks for the feedback.
Absolutely, I agree
13:00 the tests after sharpening just show how consistent that wicked edge sharper is at putting an edge on a blade, impressive!
I think you mean "Very Impressive!" 😂
LOL the real champion of this test!
Thanks!
The Wicked Edge system is pretty much acknowledged in the knife community as the best you can get. There's many that get close, but not as fast (one side at a time). Many home-production makers use them - Holt Bladeworks for instance - Joe set up a CNC in his garage and they're one of the most successful custom makers out there right now. If you got the money, this is the way to go.
It should at its price$$$$$$$$
I've got the Benchmade and I love it. I've also used and loved Opinels for years-one of their selling points is that they're exceptionally easy to sharpen. It's also very easy to adjust. Plus, that handle takes a lot of character over the years in a way that a synthetic one never will.
I love my Opinel. I got mine with the stainless blade and olive wood handles. Is it the best knife in my collection? No. But it is small, reliable, and always looks nice. I get a lot of compliments.
I love my Opinel and I'm not surprised at the rust or drop tests, it being Carbon Steel.
I have tried several brands on this list and Benchmade is my favorite (expensive drop point model in their lineup from 5ish years ago). The opening and especially closing is the best (cylinder on the blade & unique pull back in handle for easy one hand closing operation). Hated the hole in Spyderco vs force to open; either had to do a thumb + wrist flick or two hands. Zero Tolerance with it's opening backside quick flick (seen on a several in this test) was returned immediately as a safety hazard; this tab would partially deploy the blade just taking it out of my front pocket. A few near misses in five minutes and treated it as a NCIS gimmick (Gibbs knife is Zero Tolerance model).
Side note: Most of these brands have several models; mostly blade shape and type of steel. The types of steel was a large price difference when I got mine. Sharpness longevity vs brittleness supposedly (haven't chipped mine since I use a screw driver on screws).
Another great Opinel benefit is that it's not an intrusive knife, you can easily pull this out in public or restaurant or whatever without anyone thinking negatively like some modern 'tactical' knives. I love my Benchmade but I bring my Opinel to the office.
@@soronir3526 exactly what I was thinking. Had it been the stainless version the results would probably have been drastically different
This is absolutely one of the best channels on RUclips. I really appreciate your efforts.
Wow, thank you!
How am I just now seeing this? This is the greatest channel I've ever come across. Where have you been my whole life?
Thanks and welcome!
I always appreciate the consistent quality of your methods and content. Unlike other channels, you’ve never resorted to clickbait or selling out to in-video placements. Keep up the great work!
Thanks, will do!
As an engineer I have to commend you on your scientific approach and repeatability. A ton or effort and thought went into the testing and reporting of the results. Thanks for some A1 content.
You are welcome!
How do you know if someone is a engineer?.. They will always tell you in their first few words.
I was just about to comment that but you beat me to it haha
You are no engineer.
@@CadillacDriver as a Street Engineer I can confirm.
Glad to see that Spyderco still makes a nice folder. I've had my Military knife for over 20 years and it still performs well. I've even sent it to Spyderco in Golden Co. and they'll professional sharpen and clean it and send it back to you no charge. Great company.
Indeed! Greetings from a fellow ‘Spydey’ fan! 👍
i bought some spyderco, but try never touse them, here in europe they get expensive
@@eseseis7251 They hold up man! Use away!
My PM2 took my favorite knife spot after I added some titanium lotus scales. I have more expensive knives but I don't carry them anymore
@@eseseis7251 why purchase a tool not to use it....
You are to be commended for the great lengths you go to make the tests fair. Not just on these knives, but for every other product you test. Thank you!
I appreciate that! Thanks!
This guy puts so much time into these videos. It’s impressive how thorough and thought-out each test is to ensure there is no bias. I definitely cringed when corrosion testing and drop testing that Benchmade though lol. Great video!
Thanks!
Superb testing as always! A time consuming and expensive testing video to make. A++
Thank you very much!!
Outstanding review as usual! I've had that exact Buck knife since I was 10 years old and have cleaned dozens of deer and elk with it. My dad has had one since the 80s and it has seen wildly more abuse. It holds its edge outstandingly well in my experience and it looks like it did in your tests as well! Highly recommend it for anyone who hunts.
My father gave me the same one with my initials engraved in it as my graduation gift. Still my daily carry never fails
I had a Buck 110 as a teenager, and to be honest I have no idea what happened to it, but it was my favorite knife ever.
Was it the best knife I ever owned? Undoubtedly not, but there is something very satisfying about the weight and heft of it, and it just feels good in the hand.
mine cut up a lot of kills great for hunting. I really like the Mora knives the best and they don't break the bank either.
D'oh! I just remembered what happened to it. I stupidly snapped the blade while trying to pry something open with it.
Buck does a great job heat treating. Every buck knife I've ever had, even the cheaper ones with chinese steel can take a razor sharp edge and keep it.
I bought a benchmade 10 years ago and it had never let me down. Love my knife, always useful to have.
Thanks for sharing.
My grandpa had his buck 110 for his whole life from the time he was a small teen to the time he passed away on his dairy farm in his 80s. A great low cost, american-made, and dependable knife.
Thanks for sharing.
Yeah!, old school thinking creates too much sentimental memories and should remain with the old.....but make room for modern technology! Enjoy the latest gadgets while you still have the chance, because how will you know if it will suit your taste until you try it out! Right?!?.......
If it's good enough Longmire, it's good enough for me.
@@doroteotimtim8854 I'm not sure if you're being sarcastic, but "while you still have the chance?" Huh? The modern style of knives will be available for years to come. They're not going anywhere, and most of us who carry classics have used them, and even own them as well. The classics have held their own for damn good reason, and are still offered next to Buck and friends' more modern options. Fixed blades are a "thing of the past" but my kitchen is full of them, and my pack has one in it too. Buck 110 is the only daily carry I've had that really holds up well to the abuse I put these things through. It's not a screwdriver, and as long as you don't use it as one, it'll last lifetimes. My more modern knives haven't really held up as well, save for the really pricey ones. Too many screws to loosen and locking mechanisms that wear out too quickly.
@@doroteotimtim8854i bet you used that same logic with dsting other men too
I’m a full on knife nut, good video!
For a round 2 I would say a focus on the different steels. There are SO MANY, and a side by side for edge retention, toughness, rust resistance, and ease of sharpening would be great. Look at the spyderco Mule, it’s a design that comes in a wide range for exactly this reason
I support this idea
One take away from this video is the steel doesn't matter as much as it should. Why would a 420hc buck 110 outperfom an s30v benchmade in the edge durability comparison if the super steel was superior to the old standby?
@@garmbeliblis hello! Edge geometry and heat treat matter, a lot more than the steel itself does (edit:to a certain degree, 7cr17mov is garbage amd you cant change my mind) . Buck does an amazing job at heat treating, and the 940 has a much thinner grind since its more and EDC folder than outdoor use. What I'd like to see is side by side tests of the same knife in a wide variety of steels. The only one I know of that does this is the Spyderco Mule. Its hard to take out all the variables, but its about as close as it comes.
Was watching the edge retention video wondering what steel the Para 3 was. (CPM S45VN from the link)
M4 would rust like crazy, but LC200N won't show a smudge.
Yes I support
Loved all the testing in this video. Well done as always and glad to see SOG do so well in this testing process,
I find myself coming back to and rewatching various episodes of your show all the time.
Thank You for your quality content and attention to detail on these videos. The viewers appreciate you! 🇺🇸
Thanks so much!
I have a handful of the knives tested. The real bragging point of the Cold Steel is the durability especially the Triad Lock stopping the blade from closing by force (and potentially on the user's fingers). I think a really rough destruction test would show big differences in brands and styles but the downside is of course it would generally ruin the knives. Benchmade's Axis lock and Spyderco's compression lock should be pretty strong as well. Lockbacks such as the Buck 110 and KA-Bar should be stronger than liner locks such as the Ontario and most of the others. A key point of each knife is the steel used and whether or not it's a stainless steel vs carbon. Especially since some of these models like the Ontario come in different steels. Good video.
Speaking of locking mechanisms, that's definitely something I'd like to have seen tested: what it takes to make them fail
@@InfernosReaper I think it was Blade HQ who did a destruction test of some of the locking mechanisms. They were all surprisingly strong but liner locks were weaker than lock backs. The liner lock would either bend in or bend out, the lockback usually held until the handle of the knife completely broke apart. Cold Steel's modified lockback the Triad lock is probably the strongest common one and I carry a Code 4 or an American Lawman (I also have a few AD10s but they're a little big for EDC. People comment). I think Kershaw has a lock that was crazy strong one and Spyderco's compression lock was really strong. I think Benchmade's Axis lock is good, definitely really fun to operate, but I've seen it slip in some tests or the spring came out.
@@InfernosReaper Wasn't Kershaw it was CRKT, the Deadbolt lock.
Plus the liner locks put your fingers in the path of the blade. I strongly dislike them. My daily carry is a 30-year-old Benchmade (a low-end not fancy model) that has been indestructible. To my shame, I abuse it pretty badly but it never complains.
Yeah, the Ontario results had me scratching my head until I realized he was testing the Aus-8 version instead of the D2. My own experience of Buck 110 vs Ontario R2D2 is quite different than his here, the RAT holds an edge better than any of my Bucks and was also better in terms of factory edges.
The Buck is down right impressive! Thanks to you and anyone else behind the scene that take the time to make such great honest unbiased videos reviews, they are a lot of work I’m sure. There’s a lot of integrity to stay honest and not bought out, it also holds manufacturers responsible like we the consumers should in return for making them all very wealthy.
Thanks!
Very true and well said ! He’s helped me make several purchases !
Buck doers a fantastic job on their heat treatment of their blades. Too heavy to carry for me but a classic knife. Everyone had one in the 70s and early 80s. Buck used to have open house tours and sales before Thanksgiving of the facilities and sell the blems and seconds heavily discounted back when they were by San Diego. I'm not sure if they continued the tradition. I dropped $300 on that tour.They moved because the Democrats pushed energy costs so high that it became hostile to run their business in California. The Governor was recalled over that issue.
You wouldn't believe how many purchases I've made based on your tests.
Thank you for all you do.
You are welcome! Thanks for sharing.
I own more than half of the brands tested. I’ve always loved my spydercos kershaws and benchmades, but my zero tolerance knives are quickly becoming my favorite. Even more than my benchmades! Awesome video! Keep up the great work!
Thanks, will do!
About 4 or 5 years ago I remember that AutoZone was selling Smith & Wesson knives for about$6. They came in a blister pack, with minimal packaging. I bought some as gifts. The next year the packaging was changed and the the knives were 14$.
Kids have to pay off those advertising degrees
Was it tanto style and half serrated?
@@handy1014 ya they even had 2 styles to choose from as I recall.
I used to only carry 110’s. Ive got several. Through years of farm use and abuse, I’ve broken a couple in half and broken more tips than I can remember. I decided to try some other brands, SOG was my first attempt but it just didn’t feel good to use and was too small for my hand. I tried a CRKT and loved it but the blade wasn’t tempered right and wouldn’t hold an edge. I tried Spyder and it worked fine but eventually i got tired of its size also. I finally broke down and got a Benchmade 940. I’ve had for a year, sharpened it once, and I don’t think I’ll ever be wanting again. Great video
Thank you!
I’ll agree. Higher end Benchmade knives are some of the better modern tactical style knives. There is that hard to define feeling of a quality product that is recognizable when you have it in hand. Benchmade are pretty expensive for every day carry knives, but for frequently used tools it may be worth spending more to get quality.
@@wtmayhew I work in the construction industry and Benchmades are pretty commonly carried. They're almost too nice I think, I often cringe at people cutting stuff against metal pipes or concrete. They seem to hold up well. I carry a Cold Steel Code 4 which is a little cheaper than most Benchmades, around $75 but still try to take good care of it. Very strong knife and the steel is as good or better than most Benchmades (S35VN vs S30V)
@@DL-ij7tf You must work in a different construction world than I do, I've never seen a Benchmade in the field. I don't think they're worth the price for construction work. I've carried Leatherman for almost 20 years and don't see any reason to change.
@@DL-ij7tf Thank you for the added information. Cold Steel probably have one of the safest blade locks too - at least by my opinion that is. 🙂
I've had a pair of Opinel knives for going on 40 years now. They're meant for cutting food on a picnic. They do an excellent job on salami & cheese.
I have the Opinel mushroom knife. Its got a horse hair brush on the end, and a hawksbill blade. I'm not big on that blade shape, due to sharpening difficulty. But I figure I only cut thru morels and such, it shouldn't dull too bad. I have a round jewel stick to keep it sharp, it's just a bit more challenging than a typical blade shape on a stone.
The one thing that's always worries me is the side to side play. The big question is - when will the knife break given a rotational force (like when prying a clam open).
Also, where should we send more ideas?
I got an opi demo model on a school trip in the 80s.
12 inch blade.
Like a folding machete;-)
@projectfarm should test the knives after 10 passes on cheese and salami.
They typically come out of the box with a burr on them. A light strop makes them razor sharp.
It’s crazy how detailed your reviews are. It definitely helps in making a choice in buying a knife!
Thanks! Glad to hear!
Awesome video. As an amateur knife maker I was just into this test. I loved every second. Please do a round two. I hope people don't hound you about how some steels do better with a tooth edge vs other steels do with a polished edge. I know you had to make a standard and believe you made the right call on the sharpening and edge angle. A round 2 would be very much appreciated. I believe this could be one of your highest watched series. Maybe second to your oil testing vids. Those were fantastic. Great job again. I have watched everyone of your videos and look forward to the next one every Sunday. 👍👊
Yeah there's a lot of misinformation about sharpening. Even with "polished edges" at super low micron finishes you want a true up and down sharpening pattern to create even microscopic bite on the edge. Many people make the mistake (even on guided systems) of sliding the lengthwise in a cutting motion which can help get an even edge but erasing that vertical micro scratch decreases the ultimate sharpness. There's a lot to sharpening even high carbide super steels. Check out Michael Christy's channel to see some real sharpening wisdom.
I can't wait either
I have to say, this is the most productive content on RUclips. The most relevant info in the least amount of time and delivered with clarity along with logical and fair analysis/ comparison. Great channel. GREAT channel. 👍🏻😎👍🏻
Thanks!
This guy puts Consumer Reports to shame.
ALMOST NONE OF THAT WAS RELEVANT TO WHAT MAKES A KNIFE GOOD OR NOT. jesus fuck, why is critical thinking so hard for people?
@@TheDragorin - So what makes a knife good or not in your opinion? In my opinion the number one factor is probably how well a knife holds an edge (though I am far from a "knife expert").
@@TheDragorin, don’t just bitch man, PREACH!! It’s easy to discount the observations of others, but make the argument productive and educate us. What makes a good knife?? 👍🏻😎👍🏻
I've had my Benchmade 940 for about a year now and it's hands down the best knife I've ever carried. Holds an edge better than any other knife I've ever owned and it never disappoints any time I have it in my hand
Not to mention it just feels great in the hand and fits nicely in the pocket or on the clip without feeling bulky
Great to hear!
I've got a 940 as well, the design is just about perfect for my edc usage... blade design is perfect and handles well.
I don't have a 940, but have handled them and decided that they were a little too small to comfortably use in my hands.
I've been carrying a Benchmade Griptillian since 2005, and other than an occasional accidental trip through the clothes washer or sharpening the blade a few times over the years, it's just been used near daily the whole time.
No complaints other than that the blade black finish is slowly wearing off.
I got two, the aluminum handle one and the carbon fiber handle.
My kershaw scallion is better.
Your enthusiasm when you are torture testing things is amazing! I've just started collecting knifes and was amazed finding a knife test by you
Thanks! Thanks for sharing.
Excellent test Todd! I'm a knife enthusiast. Results were genuinely surprising. I was impressed with how some cheaper knives performed better than more expensive knives in certain tests. Goes to show that you don't need something fancy to cut something. I like the range of knives you selected. There are literally millions of different models, but you picked a good spread I think.
Which are affiliated w slave-state dictatorships knocking off quality products and jobs so we can save a few pennies while our kids wear chains? I know Benchmade is US.. since that is all I care about feel free to included origin if it means enriching enemies (who themselves openly promise your destruction).
@@BoycottChinaa take your meds, Francis
I agree, great tests. I want to see some more middle-priced knives on the next one maybe. I love the shape of the Benchmade but sheesh the price!
@@Omniseed TRAITORS FAMILES KICKED IN ORGAN HARVESTER just as quickly as those they betrayed, and all sharing sounds of the shrieks of their children in the distance..
@@BoycottChinaa What do you think we do to 'traitors'
Dude..... You deserve to have a rating that companies can pay put on their product if they pass your impartial tests. This is incredibly thorough and I would buy a product if it had a finalist or #1 product certified by you. I mean this seriously. If I had a company that made drill bits or something I'd be reaching out to you right now about aquiring you as head of product testing/consistency.
Thanks!
As I knife collector, GREAT selection of knives at every price point. Genuinely impressed.
Thank you!
Yeah I’m not sure if he’s a knife guy but if he isn’t he definitely got some input from someone who is “in the know”.
I also appreciate the variety of knives tested.
@@appalachiangunman9589 He didn't use knife lingo in the way I would expect a knife guy to. He did get a fairly good assortment of the usual suspects though.
I carried the buck 110 all through my time in the service. Being a brass bolster means it wears just slightly and the blade gets easier and easier to open. I could open it with one hand and flip it open faster then a friends switchblade. The lock being tough was a positive knowing you can abuse it and it still wouldn't close on your hand. Still got mine and using it (1976)
Navy?
I carried a Buck 110 in high school. It was too big to put in my pocket so I put the sheath on my belt. That was 1976-1978. Kids can't carry knives in school today. It's part of the dumbed down wussification of America. Knives aren't dangerous, but psychos drugged out of their minds on SSRIs are.
@@briand-jfrommasonmi4449 yep!
truly is an owners knife mate love mine as well
🧢
Absolutely mind boggling my man! I can't imagine how many hours, days, weeks of work you had put in to make this video 👍🏾
Thanks for watching!
agreed bro
I really appreciate you taking the time to do such extensive testing on knives ! Very interesting results as well . Knife collecting has been a major hobby including selling and trading for over 50 years , although I don’t use this style but own several you listed . But without a Doubt this is the most real life rigorous testing that I’ve seen . I thoroughly enjoyed this episode …. Thank you so much !
Since the Buck knife performed well in every category not related to weight, you may want to include one of their lighter models in your next test, like the slim select 110 or 112. Thanks for the great video!
You are welcome! Thanks for the video idea.
All your videos are outstanding! The thing I love the most is your cheesy grin while you read the advertising literature for each product. It never gets old!
Thanks!
Finally a review of a product I own. I bought the Spyderco Tenacious as a cheap work knife and fell in love with it. It’s a bit heavy but I find the blade easy to open and close one handed. It has held its edge better than any other knife I’ve owned (mostly CRKT and Kershaw). I am now a loyal Spyderco customer!
For ultimate edge holding capability, try the CPM S35VN Steel bladed model of the Tenacious. Awesome steel. I can use mine for at least a week at work (most of the time much longer) and not need sharpening. I just touch it up on a strop now and then. It's a bit more of an investment at $98 but well worth it.
Indeed! Spyderco were into sharpening before they were into knives. You buy a new ‘Spydey,’ and you can filet the ole copy paper all day! 👍
Thanks for sharing.
This was an excellent comparison. Thank you.
My dad and one of my older brothers had/have the Buck knife that was tested here. They lasted decades and decades as they used them for every thing during their active lives. They became very smooth and never accidentally opened. My dad passed his knife down to another brother of mine and the first one mentioned still has his. They are great knives. It was nice to see them tested.
@TheCheesePlease it’s a classic American knife made by a great company that uses some of the best heat treating on their blades and is a reasonable price 🤷♂️
Man I have say this was amazingly done and not time wasted. I love how we just want the specs really fast with the price and move on to the next. Great review. Bravo!
I love how quick he moves. I usually watch videos on 1.25 or 1.5x speed and I had to double check my settings because he was faster than most videos even after speeding them up. So much content to provide he has no need for filler.
I love your product comparisons so much. Most important thing you could ever watch for any product
Thanks!
I was an electrician most of my life, and I carried the same Buck Knife with me every day for about 20 years. At one point, I bought a new knife for my brother's birthday, and it was only then I noticed the blade was about 3/8" thinner due to sharpening all those years. This knife went through it all and was still in good condition when I stopped being an electrician. I poinded on it with hammers, reamed EMT and rigid pipe and even carried it on my 100's of ocean fishing adventures. After watching this video and seeing how it stacked up, I would personally buy the Buck over every other knife tested. It stood the test of time and abuse that I doubt the others would have.
I think Buck might reblade that knife for you.
@@9999plato unfortunately, it has been more than 20 years since I used it every day and haven't seen it for years now. I would never reblade it though if it turns up. Part of the vintage quality was the thin blade.
I agree with the Buck choice too. I like the fact that it has a real hard to release lock because it cant be accidentally unlocked. The drop test here wasnt a real world test because of the tube that made it fall in a way it doesnt do naturally. The weight of the Buck makes them fall handle first, saving any blade damage usually. Its a nice heavy duty feeling knife that can take the abuse of everyday use and abuse. This was still a good video, but it wasnt about finding the best knife to use everyday for work.
@@warrenmichael918 Definitely agree. I even said in another comment that having to push hard on the button and/or to close it would be considered by many of us to be a FEATURE not A BUG! I"m with you guys on this. I would take a Buck over any of the others because they have decades upon decades of real world trial and error to have perfected the folding pocket knife over generations. Will some of these companies even be here in another 10 years? I know Buck will be!
@@warrenmichael918 fully agree !
love the stress testing, and since any used knife needs maintenance and sharpening I’m mostly indifferent to the starting sharpness but find the sharpness test after dulling/sharpening very helpful. Lock failure safety and corrosion are clutch! I didn’t catch if you measured the distance from axis when measuring opening resistance to control for differences in the moment/lever arm.
He Is defiantly smart enough to know that and is always so fair and unbiased.
For the user, the distance from the axis doesn't matter rally, only the force necessary, as you can only open it from the point meant for it. The distance and ease of opening is different from one knife to another what it is, the user can't change that.
Great test!
I own two Spydercos and one Buck alongside many other knives, but the cheap old 'disposable' -(currently 8 year old)Opinel is the one that is always with me while others gather dust in a drawer. Purely individual preference, but I guess the best knife is the one that you have on you when you need it.
Thanks! Good Point!
@@benisrood and generally I don't need to pry open a door or baton through logs with my pocket knife. If I want something heavy duty and more or less indestructible I'll take a fixed blade over a folder any day.
Also, no one flinches or raises an an eyebrow when I take out the Opinel at the dining table because the steak knife is just not cutting it. Excuse the pun.
The way I think about it, the best knife, maybe, is one you actually put through the abuse. I have some nice-ish knives, but I mostly use folding utility knives because I can cut against concrete or anything else if I want to.
Mr Farm does an amazing job designing these tests and gives a 100% un biased opinion -- he spends countless hours of his own time doing an amazing job w all the tests to help all of us decide what to buy - I have made a few purchases based on his results and I am very happy w the items i bought - keep up the great work Mr. Farm !
Thanks, will do!
Have used a Benchmade for 10- 15 years, overall great knife. Light, stays sharp, can open with one hand, and still looks great. Occasionally the blade will need removed and internals cleaned/oiled and reinstalled.
Thank you for the feedback!
I have 4 different Benchmade knives. Free sharpening by Benchmade about every 4 months, but then I use the hell out of them.
My dad has carried his Benchmade about 16 year's and still counting
I’ve always liked buck and kershaw for hunting knives because they always seemed to hold a great edge. (Fixed blades)
I also love my spyderco endura 4 ffg for carry as it razor sharp and their warranty/customer service is excellent. Looks like your results weren’t too far off from what i have found over the years! Thanks a again for the excellent content!
You are welcome!
I love my Opinels. They haven't been super sharp out of the box, but they sharpen really easily and maintain a good edge. I prefer the carbon steel to the stainless, but the stainless is still pretty good.
Got few stainless Opinels. They are made out of 12c27 Sandvik, so it's not hard at all to resharpen, it just takes more time than carbon ones, but edge retention is better which is the reason I went with Stainless Steel. Super cheap and great classic looking knife, just what I like.
Love both their stainless and the carbon. Both cut like laser beams after being sharpened. I usually force patina my carbon steels. Sandvik (their stainless) is one of the best value steels on the market. They're good for light use, but their slicing ability is amazing.
I am a knife snob but totally agree. The opinel's blade geometry is fantastic and they can be some of the sharpest and best cutting knives out there. They are unmatched for food use as well.
I keep an Opinel in my backpack due to its low cost and low weight. I don't use it that often but it has never let me down.
@@1980JPA I accidentally "blued" my 40-year-old Opinel when it was new by peeling an apple. I liked the look so I never polished it back. The handle is a bit rough because way back when I had a Jack Russell and she was a puppy, she chewed the handle a bit (the knife was closed).
The cold steel tri ad lock can actually hold several hundred pounds of weight, it's likely the "safest" knife on the whole list. Awesome video!
Thanks! Thanks for the feedback.
This was an expensive test. Thank you. The Buck really surprised me given their choice of steel, but their heat treatment process is legendary and now I know why.
I was also surprised by how well that 420 steel held up. I have been happy with my Buck knives, including cheap everyday Bantam knives with the 420 steel and a 110 Slim Pro with S30V steel. Good knives for the price, good warranty, and all the ones I have are made right next door in Idaho
Right? That result made me happy for the old fart.
Paul bos definitely did a good job with the heat treatment. My buck quick fire 288 has been my go to beater knife for almost a year and blew Leathermans 420 steel right out of the water. More proof that you don't need some high end steel to get the job done
It's his job he gets to write all this stuff off on taxes.
@Hunter Holder some of my first knives were Buck knives , had a Leatherman multi tool also. Buck's blade is too thick and even when hollow ground it was hard to keep a very sharp edge.
I received a very similar Benchmade knife as a gift 10 years ago , I can't say enough how much I like it. I'm a believer.
I’ve been edc that benchmade for 12 years now, I’ve bought many others over the years. Nothing has come close to beating it’s form and function for me.
Nice video and I applaud the time and effort it must of taken
Thanks! Thanks for sharing.
I lose knifes at an alarming rate. I just get a Kershaw or Gerber and call it good enough. The couch, under my truck seat, left places after use, the lake bottom are typical places for my collection.
I also have been carrying that Benchmade about that long, but mine is partly serrated. I work at sea in Alaska fishing and find having that little bit of serration on the blade a huge plus that most the other knives didn't have.👍
@@YurrNext the benchmade serration pattern is also super good and doesn't get caught up on anything.
The locking mechanism for Benchmade is better than any other knife I've tried. So easy to open and close, but no worries at all about it closing accidentally.
Great video! I was most excited to see the post-sharpened blades perform within a very small range of pressure ratings on the test medium. In the knife community we say “geometry cuts”. That test was a fantastic example of how edge geometry directly influences performance
Thanks! Thanks for the feedback.
After carrying around my Para 3 for a while, I never leave the house without it. It has quickly become my favorite pocket knife, and I even bought another just to keep in my tool box! Can't go wrong picking one up!
Thanks for the feedback.
Just subscribed. I value his thorough and credible product testing. He deserves everything cent he makes, and then some. Thank you for this great service.
You are welcome! Thanks for watching and subscribing!
Some time ago I watched his first vid and was a little irritated by his voice, but after I binge watched his videos for a weekend no matter what he was reviewing, I realized that this man must be protected better than the all the presidents in all the countries in the world.
I remember suggesting this test to you last year and I'm very impressed by the results. I'm a pocket knife collector and some of these knives I've never heard of. Out of all of them was the Buck knife and it was the most recognizable. Seems that the ones made in USA are the most durable. Thanks for doing this test as I will be sharing it with lots of folks. 🔪
I’ve been carrying and heavily using a Benchmade crooked river for a couple years now, and for ~$200 I’m blown away by this knife
I’ve used it for everything from gutting deer to scraping corrosion off of battery terminals, and everything in between. It often doubles as a screwdriver. It still looks like the day I took it out of the box. It takes and holds an edge well, and I can see almost no wear on the axis lock surfaces
After my last Buck wore out and shut on my hand, I decided to spend a few bucks on a good knife and I don’t regret my decision at all
Do you have a benchmade with a different steal? The one in the test uses a steal you can get at a much cheaper price point from Benchmade and the expense is really in the handle.
Benchmade is anti gun
@@ouifh4o2ir37 it’s just s30v
You can get the same steel* for less money, but that probably means that the steel* has been worked with less care and is lower quality. This is just my experience, ymmv
@@Getitstraightyo maybe they are, maybe they aren’t. I highly doubt every employee is, and they’re still an American company. Would it be better if I bought a knife from a company in a country that is our country’s enemy?
Regardless, the $200 I spent on one of their knives wouldn’t be missed. I’m not on their board of directors
@@Getitstraightyo proof ?
Thanks for performing this thorough test! I was impressed how some of the less expensive knives held up compared to the more expensive knives.
Thank you!
I've always dismissed the S&W knives. I am quite impressed with the way it handled your tests. Seems like the biggest weak point was initial sharpness, which is not a big deal as I sharpen all my knives.
Thanks once again for your work.
I have the exact smith and Wesson he tested. I don’t have any complaints, and it’s been through many backpacking/camping trips, and abused by punching through a ton of soup cans. For 13 I say you can’t beat it
Yeah. I've had a S&W or two in the past and they were not good. Maybe these more modern ones have finally caught up.
I bought two of the S&W knives over the last two years. I really liked them initially until one of them literally fell apart in pieces when I tried to open it. I've never had any other knife do that before.
@@tumadre50 yeah that’s no fun. I have another nicer knife that I bring along on trips as a “backup” but I primarily use that one for for actual use and I abuse my S&W if needed since it’s so cheap I don’t feel bad about it breaking
I have the Extreme Ops model - swa2cp (tanto blade). Have had and tortured it through the years, nothing but good things to say about it. I would buy another one in a heart beat. Has never let me down but if it did, I'd just buy another. It's a pocket knife, not a surgical instrument. For price to build quality - hard to beat.
I learned a while back that a dull knife doesn’t always need to be sharpened. Lots of times just a good polish and they are sharp again. You don’t loose as much metal as you would sharpening it all the time. Just my observation and experimentation. Love this channel!!!
How are you sharpening? I sharpen mine all the time. Never an issue
@@nsant I sharpen all different ways but any way that you sharpen takes metal off the blade. Polishing doesn’t take off any metal and lots of times is all that needs to be done to make the blade sharp again.
Leather strop works well and a Dremel with polishing wheel and polishing compound does amazing!
I sharpened my own ice auger blades. They felt sharp but it wouldn’t cut a hole for shit. That’s when I learned about polishing. I polished the blades with the Dremel and it cut holes like butter after that.
Same, I strop far more often than I sharpen. Eventually the edge will sort of fall off and you'll need to sharpen at that point though. Some times you can see the wire like bit of metal on the strop that's fallen off from fatigue from stropping it over and over. If I see that then I run the edge through some wood to take off the rest of the fatigued steel and then sharpen.
Thank you so much I wanted you to make this video for so long and then you replied to my comment saying that you will do it soon and you did. I’m subscribed on both of my accounts and would love to see you hit 3 million.
Best of Luck, Jaden Washington
Hi Jaden, Thank you very much!! I try to reply to everyone and GREATLY appreciate the video ideas!
I bought this exact benchmade during a killer sale. I haven't put it through it's paces yet, so it's nice to see it perform so well in these tests.
I have had mine for 7 years. It is still like new and I have certainly put it through the paces. Rope, wire, splinters, wood, packages, tape, plastic, fish, rabbit, squirrel, minor 'surgery'...you name it. I love it and take care of it. It fits in the pocket better than any knife I have ever owned. One note, not really a drawback though, is that the blade is made of very hard CPM-S30V stainless steel so it is a challenge to sharpen without good skills or equipment.
@@PlanktoniusRex I think I read somewhere than one can send the knife in to Benchmade for free sharpening.
I have actually never heard of Ironwood before, I just looked it up and it's indeed very impressive
Ironwood makes excellent knife handles - so durable that it doesn't need stabilising before use - and it looks beautiful once sanded and polished.
Theirs different types of trees called iron wood.
There are many kinds of “ironwoods”.
In my region of NY we have a type of Ironwood that's known as Hardack. At least that's what a lot of locals calls it. I've been told stories of people getting small batches of it mixed into their firewood and it causing their wood stoves to burn incredibly hot. But as stated they're stories so who knows if they're true. :)
Ironwood is so dense that it doesn’t float.
Great video! I know it took you a LONG time to do all of that. If you're ever considering doing it again I would love to see how more premium steels do (like Maxamet, S110v, K390, REX45, S90v etc) You happily earned a sub here either way!
Thanks for the video idea. Thanks for watching and subscribing!
I've never given any thought to a folding blade knife. I don't use them very often, so whatever is around is good enough for me. But now I know the difference! For me, the Smith and Wesson is the best for me. The price is great and I'm not a big user of knives, so it looks like the best bang for the buck!
Thanks for another great video!
Definitely avoid the S&W knife. It's pure garbage to use. K-bar Dozier or Opinel (stainless rather than the carbon steel used here) are much better choices. They'll feel better to use and will last much longer.
In the $30-40-ish range, Byrd Cara Cara 2 (from Spyderco), Ontario Rat 1, or QSP Penguin are amazing values.'
If you don't care about a locking blade and buy it for life, Victorinox alox Farmer or Pioneer X are great tools to carry.
@@mrbigberd Could you suggest a few ultra lightweight budget blades ~2-3 inches with decent corrosion resistance and reasonable hardness? I prioritize weight and longevity for edc and can't seem to find something decent that feels light enough.
@@snafuequals Lightweight is generally considered under 1oz per inch of blade length, so we're looking at something around 3 ounces. I'm also assuming that 2-3" is a legal requirement. I'm considering budget here to be around the $50 mark because inflation has done a number on pricing.
In the budget market, the generally best steel (as attested to metallurgist and knife steel nerd Dr. Larrin Thomas) is going to be 14c28n (AEB-I and Nitro-V are basically the same thing). I'm explicitly skipping D2 because it isn't stainless.
Neeves Knives channel is probably a great place to look up more in this price range. I'll stick with stuff I'm at least a little more familiar with.
Kershaw Leek is very popular, but has an assist spring (not sure how you feel about that). Made in USA too IIRC.
QSP Leopard might be worth looking at. Micarta and a flipper make it pretty nice in this range.
Spyderco Persistence is a good knife. It's the smaller brother of the Tenacious they show here. I'd note that the 8cr13mov isn't as good a steel, but Spyderco's heat treatment is good which makes up for this somewhat. It's slightly on the heavier side (3.3oz at 2 3/4 inches), but it also comes with nice G-10 scales.
Rat 2 in aus-8 is a nice knife though this may be the worst knife steel of the lot (also the cheapest at around $30). If you like, some companies sell upgraded scales and even better blade steel that you can buy later. It's very popular.
Spyderco Dragonfly in g-10 is worth a mention. At around $70, it's outside of my stated range, but it's an awesome 2.3" knife that disappears into your pocket. The VG-10 is great in the price range and this is reaching the point where Spyderco's quality control really kicks in. The Delica is a slightly longer knife (2.9") but adds another $10 to that price tag. Both are backlocks and not really fidgety if that matters to you.
SOG Terminus XR is worth a mention too. It's a little out of range at $80, but uses S35VN steel which is fairly unusual in that price range. The crossbar lock it uses combined with the flipper tab makes for a very fidgety knife that is also quite light.
@@mrbigberd Thank you for the well thought and detailed response! The size is purely a preference. I've searched bladehq some months back and started learning quite a bit from some reddit subs but I never really came across what I was looking for. I'll look into these now, thanks again!
Edit: How do you feel about civivi? I remember seeing them spoken highly of and they seem to have a wide array of products and I've been on the verge of a leek for a while. I have had nothing but good experiences with Kershaw Speedsafe knives. This leopard looks great!
@@snafuequals Civivi makes great quality knives for the price. Brazen is nice. QSP Hawk is also worth a look in that price range.
I will point out that if you have a serious interest in knives that one great knife beats several good ones. If you can save up for the $150 range, you get tons of amazing options from companies with lifetime warranties.
The new Hogue Deka drop point is the lightweight knife to beat in my opinion. Hogue Ritter mini is the most comfortable small knife on the market with it's hand-filling design. I also like the Bugout and Para 3 Lightweight too. These knives are popular for a reason and I'd bet you would love any one of these that you got as they are all great utilitarian designs that are also rather fidgetable.
I am so impressed with some of the cheap knives, specifically the buck, SOG and Smith and Wesson. The were very sharp and held their edges pretty well! Especially considering that they were cutting wood.
Thanks for the feedback.
I still carry the SOG I bought in 1986. They no longer make the exact model I have (Air Sog), and most are no longer made in Seki, Japan, but it's nice to see they are still have excellent quality at affordable prices.
FYI: SOG completely sold out last year to the holding company that bought cold steel. They are not a knife company ANYMORE.
Not expecting much from them in future.
Yes I was so surprised as well about that.
Smith and wesson isn't very good, sog and buck are certainly good however
I've been using the SOG Traction knife for the past few years. A great EDC knife for under $40.
With the flood of EDC tools on the market, it's not surprising that so many products get left out.
Great, scientific review as always!
What is EDC ?
Thanks!
@@BigEightiesNewWave Every Day Carry
This channel never ceases to amaze me with your great content. Would be interested in seeing the same types of tests run on survival knives if it isn't too much money.
Thanks! Thanks for the suggestion.
I would definitely watch round 2.
Thanks for your incredible work!
Your unbiased and practical application testing and reviews are groundbreaking, and I don't say that flippantly.
I hope people have an idea of how much work goes into your efforts (even though I know you love doing it, lol).
Thank you very much!
Since I've heard of all these brands and was interested in their quality, I appreciate the testing that you did. I've seen some dedicated knife channels that just talk about how much they love various knives while flicking them open repeatedly. Not that I didn't enjoy those videos, but I really didn't learn much except how the the knives looked and how much they cost.
Thanks so much!
Listen to them talk about what steel was used & what are its qualities, the utility of the blade shape, the materials used for the scales & the pivot, the feel of the knife in the hand, the locking mechanism, the solidity of the knife when open, whether it is ambidextrous, what kind of locking mechanism there is, how good - and well-placed - detentes are, the weight & other metrics & general comparisons to other knives you might be familiar with. Ignore the fidgeting with the blade - I sit in front of the TV sometimes just opening & closing knives - drives my wife crazy. But even some of the fidgeters will often give good details for comparison while they are mindlessly fidgeting. The factory edge test does NOT tell you a fifth of what you want to know before making a selection for an internet-order knife. Do research on several sites on any knife you are interested in if you don't have a good knife (or sports or gun) store nearby to try the knife out yourself. My new Iridium has rapidly become my daily EDC & only costs from $65 to $77 depending on which of 3 variations you buy. It is very comfortable in my hand, but I would never recommend it for somebody with over-large hands. Horses for Courses!
I love and "geek out" on all the details. I love how thorough and detailed you are on everything you test
Thank you very much!
I have CRKT knives and I'm happy with their one handed operation and ability to hold an edge. Definitely do a round two. There are so many knives on the market to choose from.
I've always had pocket knives since I was about 15. I couldn't bring myself to spend over $100 because I tend to be rough with them and was always afraid of loosing it. About 4 years ago I spent a fair amount on a ZT 0770CF with S35VN steel and absolutely love it. Its my EDC and I beat the hell out of it. The light weight of the carbon fiber makes a difference when carrying it. Two years ago I switched to a Outdoor Edge replaceable blade for hunting and that thing is a game changer. One blade to butcher an entire elk in the field and you don't have to worry about breaking blades like the surgical hunting knives. Keep the great videos coming!
If you live near one, Lowe's licensed out a similar knife to the outdoor edge, but it's a bit shorter for better control, and comes with straight utility style blades in addition to the usual curved ones. Both have been nice to me, and I hold on to the spent blades to resharpen them all at once later
I have the ZT as an EDC and I’m not very impressed with the blade. I actually going back to my all time favorite. The Kershaw Leek and I got a moose quartered up last night with my new outdoor edge. First time I have ever used one. I don’t think I could have been more impressed with a knife. The gut hook was absolutely amazing.
Thank you!
Huge fan of Spyderco here and their Golden, CO factory is local to me. I have a Para 3 and several others from the brand and have zero complaints. Also really easy to disassemble to re-lube the mechanism for super smooth operation. The Spyderco finger hole is also amazing for ease of opening. Glad to see the S30V blade hold up well in testing!
Can't beat made in USA knives with those ergonomics and maintanence features. I won't buy anything else.
I bought 2 tenacious for $12 ea definitely best knives for that price I own.
I have 8 spyderco knives in my collection and they're my favorite. K390 stretch 2 ,rex 45 para 3, m4 para3 for edge retention lc200n for corrosion resistance. Waiting for my native 5 with CPM magnacut now. Spydercos are my favorite.
Thanks for the feedback.
@@ProjectFarm thank you sir for all of the in depth testing you do. No one else is coming close to wat u do! Keep em coming!
I'll admit to being a long time Cold Steel fan, have some back when they were made in the USA, have some of the Japanese models, plus some Taiwan production. The Tri-Ad lock can't be beat...hanging a weight off the end of the knife like they do is an extreme test, a Cold Steel knife would never close on your fingers. A liner lock is for opening the mail, and Opinels were made to cut grapes off a vine. Any of those knives would be the right tool for the job, depending on the job! Great video, amazing amount of information, concisely put. Thanks!
Thanks and you are welcome!
Maybe the knives are better, but Cold Steel machetes are completely worthless. I tried 2 of them, one broke clean in half when hitting a ~2" thick dry oak branch, the other chipped in several places after less than an hour of regular shrub clearing. By comparison my Tramontina blades can clear brush for an entire day without resharpening and chip only if I accidentally hit some rock or nail.
@@Dr_V The machetes are definitely lower quality stamped steel. So soft I can’t believe it broke! But I’ve had several for many years and have never had a problem. I’ve heard those tramontinas are really nice!
@@asmith7876 The blades themselves are quite good, HRC 56 with great edge retention and good strength/flexibility balance, but the handles are rough and unrefined, so you need to at least polish them properly before use (or replace them, they're all full tang riveted so it's relatively easy if you have the necessary tools).
The Cold Steel that broke was a Kukri style blade I received as a birthday gift, very heavy and thick, it snapped right at the angled part. I remember the steel looked somewhat spongy and rough in the split, very different from what I'd expect in a tool blade. I guess it might have been some kind of "tacticool weapon" / sword like wall hanger that I mistakenly used as a machete...
@@Dr_V I suspect you got a fake or simply a defective one. Cold Steel has a lot of silly marketing but they don’t make wall-hangers. Their own over the top videos show that! I hope they replaced it under warranty. Got two kukri machetes for $25 so even if I break one, they’re pretty cheap. Have a nice day!
I've been carrying a couple CJRB knives for the past couple years and I've been amazed at how well they've held up. They're always smooth and I just do a maintenance sharpening every so often.
Thanks for the feedback.
Dude, you are THE MAN. You use basic scientific principles to repeat conditions that are practical in premise & application in all of your comparisons.
Thanks!
Video idea : testing out rotors / brake pads lineup from local stores like autozone and o Riley’s. Testing them out in certain conditions like daily use and hard braking or seeing which heats up less, less rust overtime, low dusting etc. From there if there’s a lot of interest about that video, test out brands like brembo and power stop , 2 known brands for brakes. As always, thank you for taking your time testing out products for us. I appreciate the effort and time you put into making these videos!
Yea, add ceramic to that. I tried out some akebono brake pads after everyone says there amazing and they had worse performance then oem pads. They were dangerous with how their braking performance was. I took them off and replace with normal pads and was much better.
@@FishFind3000 Im not sure but isnt the ceramic pads intended to be used in a more agressive way like racing where the brakes have time to heat up and be more effective?
@@almaefogo Cold race pads barely brake, they rather just squeal. Many people make these mistakes of thinking race oriented parts are better for their daily cars that will never see the track. In the case of racing pads, the consumer will see the inefficiency sooner than anything bad happens. As for semi-slick tyres, lowering and stiffening coilovers, rotary/boxer engines and so on, the problems show later or at specific situations and when they do, they usually cost a lot of money, the entire car or even a life.
@@FishFind3000 Ha are you a Scotty Kilmer viewer? He’s always going on about those Akebono pads. Best to stick to buying them from the dealer imo.
@@zeroyon4562 I don't know why but I can't stand that guy
Oh man, I'm a knife collector and knife collectors are one argumentative, opinionated, clannish and knowledgeable group of folks. I haven't even started the video and I'm already impressed at your bravery. (:-) BTW, notice how I did not mention my favorite knifemaker?
You don't have to when you only buy the best knives. No one company could provide the best knife for every occupation or occasion.
@@jonanderson5137 true, and treated reasonably well they all perform quite well.
lol Thanks for watching!
Impressive! Congratulations on producing a tight, scientific-based, information-rich review. (also makes me glad I bought a SOG years ago). A superior video - you should direct action films!
Thanks!
Great video, and some pretty cool knives. I have to say I have had a Buck 110 for between 40 and 50 years, I love that knife, stays sharp and is very robust. Lifetime warranty, and made in the good ole USA.
Thanks! Thanks for the feedback.
I would absolutely love to see a round 2.
Also, i would like to say that i really like what you did in this video with sharpening all to the same point to test edge retention. Really good work as usual.
Thanks! Thanks for the video idea.
I own a Benchmade and a Kershaw and in my experience they're great folding knives. I also own a Gerber Strongarm, but that's a fixed blade.
Hey, maybe a fixed-blade knife showdown next? I'd love to see how my blade stacks up vs the competition. Great video as always!
Thank you for the video idea!
Todd, I just want to thank you again for everything you do. Across all of my jobs in the past few years as well as for personal use, nearly all of the products I’ve purchased have been due to your videos. There’s a certain “veil” in front of the claims that all manufacturers make, and your videos give the public an opportunity to see behind that and make informed decisions. I hope that what you have created continues on long after you and I are gone.
Thanks and you are welcome!
Shady companies trying to scam people probably hate this guy. He definitely doesn't get paid enough for these videos tho. The quality of the info here is top notch 👍
Thanks!
Man alive...You do a great job of testing all kinds of things! I really enjoyed watching lots of your test videos. The info we learned from your comparisons is superb! I really appreciate your efforts at teaching us. Thanks Greg
Thanks and you are welcome!
The rat 2 has been my go-to for awhile now, its a great knife and I really like how you can take it completely apart to clean all the grit and pocket lint that inevitably builds up when you carry and use a knife for a long time
Thanks for sharing.
As someone who's into knife collecting and was already familiar with all of these knives, I really recommend cold steel. They offer some of the toughest work knives in the world and are relatively cheap. Benchmade, ZT, and Spyderco are great but are usually bought as collectibles instead of hard use tools. But great video as always Todd.
One of my favorite videos. I would love to see another one of these with updated/additional models and more brands like Topps.
And also include a second category like multi tools like Leatherman, Victorinox, Gerber, and SOG to name a few.
Thanks! Thanks for the suggestion.