Nick! As always, I love the review. Watching you assemble that knife was joy. Pure joy. Thank you. And I love the criticism too. There was nothing I wanted more on this design than to nest the liners, but you nailed it: the size of the knife didn't allow it. Classic design trade-off. As for the price, I absolutely get it. When we ran the Lander 3 through our pricing model, I did the work several times to wiggle here and there to bring it down. It didn't wiggle well. So, we launched it into the abyss. -Ben
Thank you for explaining this instead of saying "manufacturing is hard". Issues: Pricing, lack of jimping, lack of inset liners. The Lander 2 shows how the jimping and inset liners are possible on a larger frame. Pricing is very complicated and "hard".
I own all three Lander versions, I think Ben is great, and I really like what’s he’s doing with Knafs. That being said, I also agree with Nick about the price.
That’s hilarious but simultaneously that idea with the switch actuating the crossbar lock like a spine lock is actually kinda genius I like the lander but I’m much more a fan of the banter series myself, I have a wharnie WE banter with unlocked composites scales and a milled clip which I absolutely love. I’m also looking forward to the crossbar lock banter and praying for a Wharnie version!
The Wolverine blades had me rolling, this dude made pure art. Also the way sliding skull button is something I'd like to see more of. Makes it kinda similar to a shark lock, but more zombie compatible.
I have been impressed with mine. They did a great job with the heat treat on the s35vn. It is hard and gets razor sharp which is all I want out of my knife.
They look damn good, I have the WE Banter Wharnie with unlocked composites scales and a milled clip and I love it so I hope they do wharnie crossbar lock banters!
The guy who made those scales is awesome. I just bought a lander 2, and when I saw the total price, it was a little hard to swallow. I didn't have a knife in s35vn, so i pulled the trigger. I will say if they've done a phenomenal job on the lock (like the drop bear) and the heat treat (unlike the drop bear), it will be enough for me to justify keeping it. However, if they don't get those two things perfect, I won't be able to justify keeping it.
I have a question: at 8:03 you put in the first omega spring back in place, on top of the knife, and, suddenly, it appears under the knife, as if magically. What am I missing?
I like Ben and Knafs Co they just seem like good quality humans. I love the banter and baby banter but the landers designs I just don't like them. I really would love to support them buying their new releases on knives but so long as they maintain similar designs to the other landers i can't as I can't stand that design lol.
Great review, and oh man those scales are a doozy. I second the price concern, although it’s nothing new as the Lander has always struck me as a bit overpriced, and I’m someone who considers the Lander 1 m390 limited edition as my favorite small edc ever. I don’t understand the price creep as it’s getting dangerously close to the Mini Bugout.
Yeah....at that price I can create lists of knives I'd buy first. Just not worth considering at that cost imo. $89 would be the absolute most and that's being generous I'd spend on this.
I like the variable omega spring. Some crossbar lock knives come with way too much spring tension. I'd have to disassemble and bend the spring. That always made me nervous. It also seens easier to reassemble.
One thing we should understand… Trump’s tariffs will make Chinese knives (Kizer, Reate, Rike, Knafs, etc.) cost 2X what they cost right now, in the US.
so judging by the additional holes for the omega spring, ben either stole the idea from the kizer drop bear (which i hope he didn't and honestly doubt), or it was made in their factory and part of the deal. anyway, i'm pretty sure it was made in the kizer factory and not by civivi / we, which means the fit'n'finish isn't that impressive and as a result, the charged price is quite up there. i paid about 110 bucks for my original banter in s35vn which was made by we and had fantastic fit and finish and a great action. i'm honest, this doesn't really thrill me, i don't think the design offers enough to justify the higher price tag, especially considering where it was made.
I had a couple kizer knives in the past and I was very unimpressed. However, after handling the lander 2 at a local knife shop I bought it. It is make by kizer, and the quality is pretty good. Alot better than the older kizers I had. Their slightly modified axis lock is great and the ease of disassembly is amazing. If you have ever disassembled an axis lock type knife you know the pain. That is gone with kizer's clutch lock knives. I have the lander 2 and the drop bear and I love them. WE is still probably a little better but kizer isn't far off.
Inside baseball: We've been very transparent about Kizer being the OEM, and they gave us permission to use their Clutch lock, which was super cool of them. -Ben
The price is too high for what it is. Why anyone would buy this when for the same price you can buy a usa made kershaw bel air is beyond me. Magnacut is better than s35vn and I rather give my money to US manufacturers than China.
@@benbantersthanks for respondig, option is to make that begining of the grind to be angled, but hey, you are designer and you better know your idea :) . Thanks for taking your time and reading coments. All the best Ben.
@@EvilBambo0 Ontario rat model 2, QSP penguin are $30. You could even get 14C28N crossbar locks for the same as the d2 variant and 20-30 less than the 14C28N version. They’ve only recently dropped the price on them, and it’s still not competitive.
Yes, but have you considered the love we put into them? ;) I hear you. And I'm doubtful we're ever going to be the most competitive on price, especially when there are knives like the $10 Ozark Grail. We can't compete with the volume and price there. Ain't happenin'. So, as a small business we'll work around what we've got and put a lot of passion into it. So, maybe you are buying the love we put into it? Thanks for the feedback. -Ben
@@knafs_co I personally have no issue with your products and have purchased multiple myself. For people that can’t afford to buy multiple knives that are similar, the Knafs isn’t competitive. For people that are budget minded, there are better values than a Knafs.
Sorry nick but I really don't get the price criticism. The bugout which has slightly less nicer materials is now 170. Even if we go back to a time when the bugout was 125, this price for these materials would still be a step up from the OG bugout
@@burchie1224 but why though? Why does where it comes from matter instead of quality and price? If a US company charges a lot but the thing is not up to par, why does a cheaper alternative overseas that is better not preferred?
@@AhmadRiyal Some people just like to know their money is going to their fellow countrymen and countrywomen, and they feel pride in possessing and using tools made in their home country. I don’t think this is just a USA thing, although it has become highly politicized due to tense US/China tensions. Regardless, US labor just costs more. Benchmade kinda justifies their high prices with their Lifesharp warranty service, but they still should improve their qc because at those prices such inconsistent production is unacceptable.
Nick! As always, I love the review. Watching you assemble that knife was joy. Pure joy. Thank you. And I love the criticism too. There was nothing I wanted more on this design than to nest the liners, but you nailed it: the size of the knife didn't allow it. Classic design trade-off. As for the price, I absolutely get it. When we ran the Lander 3 through our pricing model, I did the work several times to wiggle here and there to bring it down. It didn't wiggle well. So, we launched it into the abyss. -Ben
Thanks for putting this out there.
Ben, let's talk about the elephant in the room: that those Wolverine claw scales aren't the factory default!
Thank you for the explanation
Thank you for explaining this instead of saying "manufacturing is hard". Issues: Pricing, lack of jimping, lack of inset liners. The Lander 2 shows how the jimping and inset liners are possible on a larger frame. Pricing is very complicated and "hard".
Those scales remind me that WE NEED A TERRIBLE KNIVES LIVE!!!
Yes, please!
I was just about to comment this!!
Was lost as to why the nice knife warranted this. Now I know. 😮
I own all three Lander versions, I think Ben is great, and I really like what’s he’s doing with Knafs. That being said, I also agree with Nick about the price.
Thanks for the feedback! -Ben
If nothing else, I appreciate the commitment to the bit.
That’s hilarious but simultaneously that idea with the switch actuating the crossbar lock like a spine lock is actually kinda genius
I like the lander but I’m much more a fan of the banter series myself, I have a wharnie WE banter with unlocked composites scales and a milled clip which I absolutely love. I’m also looking forward to the crossbar lock banter and praying for a Wharnie version!
That spring is looking very tough.
What a brilliant example of the survival knaf!
It's Nick! I was watching a birdshot Iv video. I started watching them because of you. I was just thinking where is Nick.
The Wolverine blades had me rolling, this dude made pure art.
Also the way sliding skull button is something I'd like to see more of. Makes it kinda similar to a shark lock, but more zombie compatible.
I’m glad to see people having fun with the scales for this knife . 👍
I love my Lander 1. A simple knife for everyday carry that suits my needs.
I have been impressed with mine. They did a great job with the heat treat on the s35vn. It is hard and gets razor sharp which is all I want out of my knife.
Did you see the We Banter 2 with a cross bar lock?
They look damn good, I have the WE Banter Wharnie with unlocked composites scales and a milled clip and I love it so I hope they do wharnie crossbar lock banters!
Nicholas! I love hearing from you. Keep'em coming.
The guy who made those scales is awesome. I just bought a lander 2, and when I saw the total price, it was a little hard to swallow. I didn't have a knife in s35vn, so i pulled the trigger. I will say if they've done a phenomenal job on the lock (like the drop bear) and the heat treat (unlike the drop bear), it will be enough for me to justify keeping it. However, if they don't get those two things perfect, I won't be able to justify keeping it.
Howdy Nick! Thank you for the look!
I have a question: at 8:03 you put in the first omega spring back in place, on top of the knife, and, suddenly, it appears under the knife, as if magically. What am I missing?
Those scales are sensational!
I like Ben and Knafs Co they just seem like good quality humans. I love the banter and baby banter but the landers designs I just don't like them. I really would love to support them buying their new releases on knives but so long as they maintain similar designs to the other landers i can't as I can't stand that design lol.
Just curious… what don’t you like about the lander design?
Thanks
Great review, and oh man those scales are a doozy. I second the price concern, although it’s nothing new as the Lander has always struck me as a bit overpriced, and I’m someone who considers the Lander 1 m390 limited edition as my favorite small edc ever. I don’t understand the price creep as it’s getting dangerously close to the Mini Bugout.
Hey, Nick... I LOVE 💕 those scales!
Any hotspots?
14:52 (loud sigh) “…they’re held in by the wolverine blades” 😂😂😂
This model has always reminded me of the Ka-Bar Dozier but improved in a way. Still just too small for my taste.
More like a kizer drop bear
Off topic, but what’s the background you set the knives on?
Yeah....at that price I can create lists of knives I'd buy first. Just not worth considering at that cost imo. $89 would be the absolute most and that's being generous I'd spend on this.
I agree, was thinking maybe even $ 99, I did buy it however from the kickstarter with spare scale
The knafs, looks good. I like it. Little edc, perfect for the city pocket ..! ^^
Nice knife/knafs !
I like the variable omega spring. Some crossbar lock knives come with way too much spring tension. I'd have to disassemble and bend the spring. That always made me nervous. It also seens easier to reassemble.
i fucking died with the wolverine reveal. oh man that was peak comedy.
Definitely for the serious knife collector 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 thanks Nick!
Can I request that you put a jump to the overview after disassembly?
Really feels similar in uncanny ways to the drop bear…even in the disassembly and the general geometry
Looks really cool !
i’ve been waiting for this one thanks daddy
Somebody went the full Monti with them greens scales and wolverine blades . That’s great . Yeah it’s not practical , but fun .
It’s Nick!
Hey Nick 👋.
Those scales are so good. It's the knife nu metal would carry if it somehow became a person.
Thanks.
Omg I’m crying I’m laughing so hard. 😂😂😂😂
They could made two of them. The normal small one. And the big and full size one ..! ^^
WTF,,, it's an Halloween knife !! ^^
15.26 cali legal wolverine claws
Knaffs failed to stick the landing, and crashed on Nick's disassembly mat.
OH. MY. GOD.
One thing we should understand… Trump’s tariffs will make Chinese knives (Kizer, Reate, Rike, Knafs, etc.) cost 2X what they cost right now, in the US.
i have to admit, i sat and giggled just the same.......and then, pocketable, right.....
so judging by the additional holes for the omega spring, ben either stole the idea from the kizer drop bear (which i hope he didn't and honestly doubt), or it was made in their factory and part of the deal.
anyway, i'm pretty sure it was made in the kizer factory and not by civivi / we, which means the fit'n'finish isn't that impressive and as a result, the charged price is quite up there.
i paid about 110 bucks for my original banter in s35vn which was made by we and had fantastic fit and finish and a great action.
i'm honest, this doesn't really thrill me, i don't think the design offers enough to justify the higher price tag, especially considering where it was made.
I had a couple kizer knives in the past and I was very unimpressed. However, after handling the lander 2 at a local knife shop I bought it. It is make by kizer, and the quality is pretty good. Alot better than the older kizers I had. Their slightly modified axis lock is great and the ease of disassembly is amazing. If you have ever disassembled an axis lock type knife you know the pain. That is gone with kizer's clutch lock knives. I have the lander 2 and the drop bear and I love them. WE is still probably a little better but kizer isn't far off.
Kizer is the OEM for Landers 2 and 3, hence the use of the Clutch Lock
Kizer was the OEM and had the idea in their dropbears, still prefer the dropbears than this however
Inside baseball: We've been very transparent about Kizer being the OEM, and they gave us permission to use their Clutch lock, which was super cool of them. -Ben
Somewhere an English journalist is losing their mind
Can't wait til you review DJT's $100k watch..
probably just a $500-1000 watch billed at 100k, he sold digital images people could get online easily for $100
No problem with the pricing or the company.... I just hate the way they look.
When you can get a ganzo crossbar that takes a beating for 30 bucks I mean. Come on.
LMFAO, 😂
First.
You just dug a ditch and threw the bar in it.
The price is too high for what it is. Why anyone would buy this when for the same price you can buy a usa made kershaw bel air is beyond me. Magnacut is better than s35vn and I rather give my money to US manufacturers than China.
I agree. The Bel Air is very fairly priced!
Knauf 😂
Grind should be full flat, not saber. I dont see reason not to be full flat.
You have to have a flat for the thumb stud. 🤷♂️
@@benbantersthanks for respondig, option is to make that begining of the grind to be angled, but hey, you are designer and you better know your idea :) . Thanks for taking your time and reading coments. All the best Ben.
Every knafs knife has been terrible in terms of competitive pricing.
1 was priced reasonably imo
@@EvilBambo0 Ontario rat model 2, QSP penguin are $30. You could even get 14C28N crossbar locks for the same as the d2 variant and 20-30 less than the 14C28N version. They’ve only recently dropped the price on them, and it’s still not competitive.
Yes, but have you considered the love we put into them? ;) I hear you. And I'm doubtful we're ever going to be the most competitive on price, especially when there are knives like the $10 Ozark Grail. We can't compete with the volume and price there. Ain't happenin'. So, as a small business we'll work around what we've got and put a lot of passion into it. So, maybe you are buying the love we put into it? Thanks for the feedback. -Ben
@@knafs_co I personally have no issue with your products and have purchased multiple myself. For people that can’t afford to buy multiple knives that are similar, the Knafs isn’t competitive. For people that are budget minded, there are better values than a Knafs.
I won't be getting one.
The stupid name is enough to keep me away.
Y U no like Lander?
Looks awful close to a Civivi Elementum
If Benchmade produced the Baby Banter...........
Sorry nick but I really don't get the price criticism. The bugout which has slightly less nicer materials is now 170.
Even if we go back to a time when the bugout was 125, this price for these materials would still be a step up from the OG bugout
While overpriced, by a lot, the Bugout is at least made in the US, which is a genuine preference for many people.
@@burchie1224 but why though? Why does where it comes from matter instead of quality and price? If a US company charges a lot but the thing is not up to par, why does a cheaper alternative overseas that is better not preferred?
@@AhmadRiyal Because I like to support businesses which employ people in my community.
@@AhmadRiyal Some people just like to know their money is going to their fellow countrymen and countrywomen, and they feel pride in possessing and using tools made in their home country. I don’t think this is just a USA thing, although it has become highly politicized due to tense US/China tensions. Regardless, US labor just costs more. Benchmade kinda justifies their high prices with their Lifesharp warranty service, but they still should improve their qc because at those prices such inconsistent production is unacceptable.
Nick has jumped the shark, used to be somewhat interesting but djeez