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I have both the F3 large and F3 medium. I really like them both. Interestingly, they both are much snappier on deployment than your video would suggest. Also much better detent than on my XM-18 or Eklipse. Never had a problem with lock rock or any issues, with one exception: you need to use Loctite on the pivot, or it will slowly loosen up.
I love f3 medium. Your right it's not a high polished end knife. But it's worth getting if u have a chance. It's a awesome knife. And it's sharp out of the box....
The Curtis overall profile is much better looking than the Hinderer to me. I do wish the blade was 1/2 longer and open up the forward choil. Cool knife 👍
Ok, so all the Curtiss knives on DLT have the X on the pivot so you can use a screwdriver, but the knives on his site all have a star in the middle. Now he has a special tool use can buy that fits in all the little holes around the pivot for 50 bucks. I'm not sure if the knives on his site are somehow different from the ones on DLT, but I still don't think I'd pay $650, especially after watching what you had to say. Thanks MC 🤘🤘
The fact they had enough sense to put the lock bar relief inside vs out like the xm18 makes it so much more enjoyable to carry, it's a small thing but the xm18 relief catches my pocket every single time, putting it out of rotation for me. The flipping action is a little muted but my first experience with them in 04'-05', long before Hinderer finally corrected his action, the meh flip was far more reliable. These small details and how they come together during daily use has always been what makes me feel like the F3 slightly edges out the xm18 as a tool IMO.
Hopefully the relief cut becomes standard on the F3 in the future, but they still seem to be producing knives where tbe cut is on the outside of the knife.
Ive got the exact same basic knife . And I love it not the most amazing fit and finish for 650 but dang its tuff . Ive beat the crap out of it and it gets smoother ... best magnacut Ive had so far outta four others?
I agree with you on all points. I have a medium non flipper wharncliff. Out of the box, it had both lock rock and side to side play. As it came with loctite, I assumed the pivot was not cinched and left for the buyer to cinch and adjust and loctite. Once I did that the lock rock, side play and centering were dialed in; however, as you stated, blade deployment was rough and sluggish. I added some KPL and still no joy for about two weeks of fidgeting open and close. I still do not like the deployment, but I can accept it. The knife is rough finished looking, but I like that. But the price point is a little high for what you get.
The bearings do not have washers to separate them from the titanium scales. So it ends up feeling kind of sluggish/muffled. I bought one brand new and it had horrendous side to side blade play, along with some other issues. I was not very happy at the price point of $650.
The Curtiss F3 is undeniably meant to be a Large format. I love the large one it is balanced great and it definitely feels finished, it's not meant to be a hinderer it's meant to be a Curtiss.
yes sir, I am a carpenter and my skin is rough (tough), without proper chimping it´s no good at all. hinderer chimping is allmost slippery for my hands ...but this is the thing, there is a right kind of knife for everyone ,right? :D
I noticed on the Aero I got some finish issues as well. The Aero is a discontinued front flipper. The jimping on the blade was actually a little sharp. It’s not a deal breaker. I’m sure a file would fix it. The detent is perfect for front flipping. I messed up though and got one with a traditional flipper tab as well. The detent isn’t so well tuned for traditional rear flipping and the flipper tab just impedes front flipping. I may ask Dave to delete it.
Oh no. Not at that price. Let me tell ya something about CNC Machining...one of the toughest things to do is get the chamfer programmed correct. When the programmer is also the machine operator, what you are seeing is out of frustration. What I used to tell my programmers was to re-run or add a finish pass to the flat and the edge behind or After the chamfer tool or plan on taking that edge to a proper finish by hand. I don't know if he outsources those pocket clip blanks or does them himself. Maybe his tolerances or a little big for that price. Maybe he can learn more about what is expected for that price. All that jimping looks like the work of a tiny ball nose EM so maybe the pivot hole should be drilled and reamed and the pivot tolerances tightened up. MC did you say if it was running on bearings? I didn't hear it mentioned or maybe I just missed it. There is a reason some knives cost $500~$600, fit and finish. Thanks for sharing this video us!
I had one and would've kept it if the large finger cutout in the handle fit my hand. My middle finger landed right where the point is. I don't really know why it's meant for 1.5 fingers instead of 1 or 2. I certainly couldn't complain about the build quality though and Curtiss customer service is incredible.
Seems so, so I guess we can call them Curtiss 'Still learning how to make knives properly, and overcharging customers for the crap we make until then' knife company.
I had a Curtiss..bought it new. The pivot was machined poorly and the thing came apart in NY hand after a couple flips. Cut me up. Zero response from Curtiss..so glad the store had a return policy. Sent it back and will never get another.
If you think yours feels unfinished, mines arrived like it was just out of the acid tank, oil residue every around the knife. In addition to the rough edges, I had one where the blade grind lopsided on a compound grind. I didn't get internal milling on mines. There is a entrance marks where the waterjet starts, near the lock bar. It probably the most unfinished knife I ever handled ($30+).
I think he outsources the hardware. Not sure if a USA manufacturer or not. Just that his website says he does. I have this very knife. Sent back once for off center pivot. Returned centered, but detent doesn’t line up with ramp. Knife is ok but def not worth the money new. Can find them used for 350-400 in XHP
David Curtiss does make the knives in the USA in his shop. He's been pretty open about letting people look. His explanation including the tools he's made and the outsourcing of hardware was in the beginning of the video.
@@GenericAssUsernameI was only referring to the hardware being unclear if USA made or not. Not the whole knife. I know he manufactures the scales and blades in house.
The newest batch seems to be much better on QC. I have a non flipper and it’s absolutely perfect!! I have the og version, the first run of the new style, first fun when he used MagnaCut and now my latest one is just a perfect specimen! 👌🏼🔥🔥🔥
They are definitely copying something, so it looks like a knife where the company/builder decided they were going to make something better and got bored with the cosmetic portion of the process because they are engineers, not designers and figured it was good enough because only the engineering really matters and if you don't like it, we don't care. (they probably have no talent or experience in that arena and are too cheap to hire somebody)
Yea the 'style' of this knife reminds me of all those internet ads you see for overpriced gaming PC's, where the only thing they actually do is add a ton of RGB LED lighting, and a high end GPU to otherwise low-end garbo PC's in frilly cases covered in dragons and call them best in the business world- beaters. MEH
My Amazon page! The gear I use here on the channel! - www.amazon.com/shop/metalcomplex
Thanks so much for watching! You can support my channel on Patreon here - www.patreon.com/metalcomplex
MC stickers! - www.redbubble.com/people/metal-complex/shop?asc=u
I have both the F3 large and F3 medium. I really like them both. Interestingly, they both are much snappier on deployment than your video would suggest. Also much better detent than on my XM-18 or Eklipse. Never had a problem with lock rock or any issues, with one exception: you need to use Loctite on the pivot, or it will slowly loosen up.
I love f3 medium. Your right it's not a high polished end knife. But it's worth getting if u have a chance. It's a awesome knife. And it's sharp out of the box....
The Curtis overall profile is much better looking than the Hinderer to me. I do wish the blade was 1/2 longer and open up the forward choil. Cool knife 👍
I hate how Hinderer knives look they just look cheap then you see the price I just don't like them
Ok, so all the Curtiss knives on DLT have the X on the pivot so you can use a screwdriver, but the knives on his site all have a star in the middle. Now he has a special tool use can buy that fits in all the little holes around the pivot for 50 bucks. I'm not sure if the knives on his site are somehow different from the ones on DLT, but I still don't think I'd pay $650, especially after watching what you had to say. Thanks MC 🤘🤘
The fact they had enough sense to put the lock bar relief inside vs out like the xm18 makes it so much more enjoyable to carry, it's a small thing but the xm18 relief catches my pocket every single time, putting it out of rotation for me. The flipping action is a little muted but my first experience with them in 04'-05', long before Hinderer finally corrected his action, the meh flip was far more reliable. These small details and how they come together during daily use has always been what makes me feel like the F3 slightly edges out the xm18 as a tool IMO.
Hopefully the relief cut becomes standard on the F3 in the future, but they still seem to be producing knives where tbe cut is on the outside of the knife.
Ive got the exact same basic knife . And I love it not the most amazing fit and finish for 650 but dang its tuff . Ive beat the crap out of it and it gets smoother ... best magnacut Ive had so far outta four others?
I agree with you on all points. I have a medium non flipper wharncliff. Out of the box, it had both lock rock and side to side play. As it came with loctite, I assumed the pivot was not cinched and left for the buyer to cinch and adjust and loctite. Once I did that the lock rock, side play and centering were dialed in; however, as you stated, blade deployment was rough and sluggish. I added some KPL and still no joy for about two weeks of fidgeting open and close. I still do not like the deployment, but I can accept it. The knife is rough finished looking, but I like that. But the price point is a little high for what you get.
The bearings do not have washers to separate them from the titanium scales. So it ends up feeling kind of sluggish/muffled. I bought one brand new and it had horrendous side to side blade play, along with some other issues. I was not very happy at the price point of $650.
The Curtiss F3 is undeniably meant to be a Large format. I love the large one it is balanced great and it definitely feels finished, it's not meant to be a hinderer it's meant to be a Curtiss.
So, in other words, "Missed it by that > < much." I do think that the finish on various edges is a style choice.
I've never handled a Curtis but I think that back spacer is cool looking and it won't slip when you flip the knife opened I'm guessing.
yes sir, I am a carpenter and my skin is rough (tough), without proper chimping it´s no good at all. hinderer chimping is allmost slippery for my hands
...but this is the thing, there is a right kind of knife for everyone ,right? :D
I noticed on the Aero I got some finish issues as well. The Aero is a discontinued front flipper. The jimping on the blade was actually a little sharp. It’s not a deal breaker. I’m sure a file would fix it. The detent is perfect for front flipping. I messed up though and got one with a traditional flipper tab as well. The detent isn’t so well tuned for traditional rear flipping and the flipper tab just impedes front flipping. I may ask Dave to delete it.
Oh no. Not at that price.
Let me tell ya something about CNC Machining...one of the toughest things to do is get the chamfer programmed correct. When the programmer is also the machine operator, what you are seeing is out of frustration. What I used to tell my programmers was to re-run or add a finish pass to the flat and the edge behind or After the chamfer tool or plan on taking that edge to a proper finish by hand. I don't know if he outsources those pocket clip blanks or does them himself. Maybe his tolerances or a little big for that price. Maybe he can learn more about what is expected for that price. All that jimping looks like the work of a tiny ball nose EM so maybe the pivot hole should be drilled and reamed and the pivot tolerances tightened up.
MC did you say if it was running on bearings? I didn't hear it mentioned or maybe I just missed it.
There is a reason some knives cost $500~$600, fit and finish.
Thanks for sharing this video us!
My brother has a ton of experience in this stuff and he said pretty much the same thing as you.
I really want to like it , just seems they yanked it off the production line for a quality check......then sold it.
I had one and would've kept it if the large finger cutout in the handle fit my hand. My middle finger landed right where the point is. I don't really know why it's meant for 1.5 fingers instead of 1 or 2. I certainly couldn't complain about the build quality though and Curtiss customer service is incredible.
Hi Complex. I noticed your using your other person voice as your self. Lol. I’m excited, ordered the Quiet Carry Drift.Thumb stud version. Sweet.
Feel the same way about the F3’s…. HOWEVER, my Eklipse has pivot lash and rattlers like a maraca!😂😭
Hinderer, Medford, CRK have all upped their refined qualities. Not sure Curtiss has kept up.
Reminds me a bit of the Arno Bernard iMamba
Do Curtiss knives still have a tendency with lockstick or lock rock?
Seems so, so I guess we can call them Curtiss 'Still learning how to make knives properly, and overcharging customers for the crap we make until then' knife company.
Neat little knife!
I owned one a felt exactly the same.
Cool design
I had a Curtiss..bought it new. The pivot was machined poorly and the thing came apart in NY hand after a couple flips. Cut me up. Zero response from Curtiss..so glad the store had a return policy. Sent it back and will never get another.
If you think yours feels unfinished, mines arrived like it was just out of the acid tank, oil residue every around the knife. In addition to the rough edges, I had one where the blade grind lopsided on a compound grind. I didn't get internal milling on mines. There is a entrance marks where the waterjet starts, near the lock bar. It probably the most unfinished knife I ever handled ($30+).
I need a piece in magnacut. For.. reasons.
Hey M. C Good morning. Question Not necessarily going on cash value but more of emotional value what is your knife of choice ?
Hinderer XM-18 3.5
Dave Curtiss claims his knives are still made by him alone.
Am I crazy or were there a few glitches in the matrix in this video?
A few edits because my dogs were very upset with the UPS man lol.
@@metal_complex Dogs are good, they add style and substance to the creator(you), leave them in.
I think he outsources the hardware. Not sure if a USA manufacturer or not. Just that his website says he does. I have this very knife. Sent back once for off center pivot. Returned centered, but detent doesn’t line up with ramp. Knife is ok but def not worth the money new. Can find them used for 350-400 in XHP
David Curtiss does make the knives in the USA in his shop. He's been pretty open about letting people look. His explanation including the tools he's made and the outsourcing of hardware was in the beginning of the video.
@@GenericAssUsernameI was only referring to the hardware being unclear if USA made or not. Not the whole knife. I know he manufactures the scales and blades in house.
The newest batch seems to be much better on QC. I have a non flipper and it’s absolutely perfect!!
I have the og version, the first run of the new style, first fun when he used MagnaCut and now my latest one is just a perfect specimen! 👌🏼🔥🔥🔥
Wow not one version of this knife is in stock lol
They are probably too busy fixing the ones they already sold.
@@TCK-9 hold up, are they having issues with the design or is it quality? Or something else? Thanks
Let’s play a drinking game. Every time MC says “right?” we drink. Our livers are going to explode.
They are definitely copying something, so it looks like a knife where the company/builder decided they were going to make something better and got bored with the cosmetic portion of the process because they are engineers, not designers and figured it was good enough because only the engineering really matters and if you don't like it, we don't care. (they probably have no talent or experience in that arena and are too cheap to hire somebody)
Especially when you realize they’re asking nearly $800 for this mid bs
I want something for about $1,000 that I can finish at home.
???
irst to comment baby
Not for me don’t trust their work or warranty practices
How hard does the steel need to be when it’s stored in a case. Another overpriced knife review.
Yea the 'style' of this knife reminds me of all those internet ads you see for overpriced gaming PC's, where the only thing they actually do is add a ton of RGB LED lighting, and a high end GPU to otherwise low-end garbo PC's in frilly cases covered in dragons and call them best in the business world- beaters. MEH
ita a good looker tho, n thats the troof!