I remember 3-4 years ago when you excitedly showed us one of these on your tablet. You said something like, "most likely, we'll never have one on this channel but oh, man, would I like to!" And here we are today!
I have to agree. Being a relative noob when it comes to knife makers, my bias wasn't affected when Nick started this review. I was thinking the blade looked similar to the Kizer Kane (Matt Degnan) flipper, the Vanguard version, and I was thinking, "What is so special about this thing?" Then I saw the unique opening design and the smoothness and the small things that are really big things, and the fact that this is a hand-made folder. It is a beautiful piece. However, I would have to have a lot of disposable income to consider owning one of these.
Please steel test this bad boy. Spine whack test, baton test and pry test. I dont know, your the guy with the TH-cam channel. I can't figure it all out for you. You're the man for this job Pete. Were all counting on you.
fun fact, Stan never intended for the NFF to be dressed. He designed it to be just ss blade, ti bolsters, and cf scales. The high end collectors just went crazy on them with the materials. Also, these start around $5500 now. I suspect it'll probably go higher in the future. When I got mine, it started at $3400 and that was several years ago. There's no detent ball in there. The detent is actually from the cutout on the bottom of the blade. He realized that the cutout provided plenty of detent where as the additional ball is superfluous. Stan's work is simply incredible. I'm fortunate enough to visit Stan in his shop a few times and watch him work. He is incredibly meticulous and skilled. The only automatic machine he has in his shop is his surface grinder. Everything is manual. If anyone ask, I do use mine. Mine has plenty of carry marks and scratches from use. No sense in spending that kind of money without fully enjoying it.
draco00 ...I’m glad you were able to get one when the price was down. It’s inflation you know. The prices rarely go down, or you just find a deal somewhere. And it’s true...having payed a bit less makes it easier to use out in the world as an EDC sort of tool, that’s really what they should be, something you use on a regular basis.
And can always be refinished later. If you buy it to keep pristine..... that’s only gonna bring stress. Use as intended, send it out for spa in a few years.
I loved this review. Nick was clearly impressed beyond belief with what is obviously the pinnacle of folding knifecrafting excellence, and I enjoy that in the same way that I enjoy listening to a well respected film critic discuss an exceptional piece of work. Call him pretentious if you want, but that's why we love him. He breaks things down piece by piece, and explains the details that too often go overlooked, and clearly enjoys doing it, so to you Mr. Nick Shabazz, I say bravo.
Hey nick, you're right in that there is a detent ball. It's actually located on the back lock itself. If you are really interested, there were photos of thr internals of this knife on bladeforums which really show just how mich of a genius Stan Wilson is.
You should see his autos with an invisible button blade release. Jaw dropping workmanship and technical design. Stan's work in is a different class of edged art. So great to see a Shabazz review of out of reach stuff like this. Do more like this. I think most of us would dig that! 👍
I thought for sure there was some hidden flipper in the gap, because the alternative was frankly unbelievable, until you revealed it. Amazing! Thanks Nick and Stanley!
Hi from Germany! That's a "Grailknife"! It's a fantastic thing, to hold such a knife in your own hands! But to own it? No? Tooooo expensive! Would i buy it, when i'm rich? YEEEEEES!!!!!! :-) All the best from Germany! I love your channel! Jörg
I've seen bolster releases for automatics, very similar ... but with a very short throw to release a spring. This is the first flipper implementation of a bolster release I have seen, and I thank you, Nick, for bypassing your "no customs" policy to bring us a view of this exceptional knife.
Protech has their Magic series, and the lock systems between that series and this knife seem similar. Protech seriously needs to collaborate with Stan Wilson to do a mass produced version of this knife (or something similar). They already proved they could do manual bearing knives well with the Massdrop Mordax. That or Spyderco could work with Stan to turn this into a new permutation of their Phantom Lock. They worked with Smock to produce a different realization of the Compression lock, so this wouldn’t be too much of a stretch for them. Both would be exciting.
OUTSTANDING review and Subject Nick! LOVE your point about the matching bevel over the unsharpened section of the blade. That observation would have slid right past me. The call-out to companies not just to produce the NFF mechanism, but to do so rightfully in league with Stan, was a great move. You contextualized and justified a purchase of an NFF with its top-shelf price perfectly. Thanks to you and of course Stanley for this review! 💎💎💎💎
The grinds are GORGEOUS. The scale/bolster relationship reminds me a bit of the Microtec Lightfoot. I think the auto version was a bolster release as well. This one's just a bit out of my price range but, yeah, that's how you make a knife.
Thanks for introducing us to this work of art. What a truly unique design with incredible craftsmanship. Interesting you would do a review on such an exclusive and highly priced knife and passed on the CKF Sencx Terra collaboration I offered to send you which had the disassembly tool incorporated into the design.
Nick, the SOG Pendulum had somewhat of a similar design where the mechanism is more or less the same as far as turning the thing to close it. The knife is now discontinued, but check it out. Cheers.
What was more impressive? The seemingly mechanical excellence of this knife, or the amazing headfake of Nick about to sharpen its blade on a coffee mug? The coffee mug wins, that was amazing man. So is this knife. I would drop 3k on it if I was in that position. Thanks for the video!
Hey nick, I’m looking at getting a benchmade Bugout, but I want to put some Aimfront aftermarket scales on it, however that voids the benchmade warranty. That being said is it possible to simply put back on the original scales on it when I need to send it back to Benchmade for service?
If you pull the bolster back very slowly will the blade still come out? If it does than a leaf spring is involved and it is essentially a bolster activated automatic with a weak spring. If it doesn’t then Stan truly has a unique opening mechanism. Let us know.
The most interesting knife on your channel ive seen! Simply amazing craftsmanship. Production wise maybe the closest would be the protech magic whiskers? Great vid!
Reminds me of a minigrip, handle shape, bolster radius, blade shape.... I don't know why it's not recognized as one of top 10 modern folders, I'm sure it carried the company for years. I've given them away as gifts
If anyone's interested, there is a video on Jim Skelton's YT channel where he visits Stan Wilson's workshop and shows how this knife works and you can see some of the internals and the tools used. Very very cool, check it out guys.
Wow, what a knife! Just went to the site and the mammoth ones are amazing! New to knives, planing to get a Feldspar (watched your review), and there's something I've noticed among you knife reviewers: everyone mentions that the reviewed knife has held very well... against opening cardboard boxes. And if you happen to have a premium knife, then you don't even dare putting it against such hard task. What's with that? I want a knife to cut whatever there is to cut, to use it as what it is: a tool.
It would be amazing to see a frame lock or liner lock of this. Not saying I don’t like the way it works. I live it just the way it is lol. I’ve been a huge fan of Stan Wilson since I got into knives 3-4 years ago. His knives are amazing pocket art.
On this, the weight vs blade-length ratio is superfluous. You go by weight vs dollars. In other words, it’s heavy because you pay $1000 per ounce. I’d pick up two in Mokuti but I work in a public school and already eat ramen noodles.
LOVE Stan Wilson and his neighbors the Fischer's, Todd Fischer Arch Angel. These knifes are the top of the top. They are asking $17,000 to $21,000 for the NFF at E Boss Hoss. 🤑🤑
I forgive you for doing a review that is against your principal. But heck. It's a Stan Wilson!! I want to hear something more that Hell Yea. Its a beauty.
Beautifully made, wondrous lock/flipper mechanism, but that's really the only reason why I'd want one. The aesthetics and design, for me personally, just aren't stand out enough. Some of Stans other designs are much more wild, and I prefer them. But dang, this lock...
Cool knife...just amazing...I think, but since I’ve never handled a knife of this caliber, I can’t say for sure. I mean it looks like a great knife, and with that tricky flipper thing, well that’s pretty cool. But then there is that appropriately named “cost carry curve”. People collect all sorts of things...knives, guns, classic cars...etc. and never have any intention to using them in any other way than to show their friends, or the community, or the world...what they have achieved. I don’t have a trophy case just yet but when I do, I think this is a knife I need to put in it.
I am lucky enough to get tontalkntonstan every year at blade, and have talked about nff's a bitnof that, hes a master and an absolutely incredibly nice guy!
Shabazz power being put to the test. Production knife please! Very intriguing knife. Lots cool stuff here but just like a Lamborghini I can’t afford so why bother looking?
This is an investment piece in my opinion, like how people buy watches that are bound to go up in value. You buy this and let it live in a safe, only to take out occasionally to admire your precious like Golum.
Hey Nick! Thanks for another video... and a big Thank you for bringing such a special knife to the table for us to enjoy. With all his shameless fuckery, I really don't like having to refer new knife people to that freshly-guilded sheister's video about this knife, so it's cool to have a new option for a decent and informative video about this almost legend-status knife. As far as the mechanism goes, I humbly and respectfully offer that this is more than a gimmicky tweak to overall flipper design. Apparently production companies (the few that have tried at least) haven't been able to pull it off which has to say something about this change in flipper mechanics. I personally find the NFF to be way more compelling of a development than either the Lee Williams' Kickstop or GTC's SLT mechanism... I'm inclined to think that if it really was just a novel change that more people including our beloved Kevin Jon out in China would have released knives with the same mechanism by now. And hey. All that smoothness and that beautiful action but it runs on on teflon washers! That's gotta count for something, right?
This is pure knife porn. I usually take function first to it's illogical extreme but the craftsmanship of this knife is jaw dropping. Getting the bolsters to fit that perfectly against the scales and then make the bolsters move? Wizardry indeed.
I remember 3-4 years ago when you excitedly showed us one of these on your tablet. You said something like, "most likely, we'll never have one on this channel but oh, man, would I like to!"
And here we are today!
A wonderful look at something worthy of the knife history book
I really hope nobody has written a knife history book. The world isn't ready for that yet.
I have to agree. Being a relative noob when it comes to knife makers, my bias wasn't affected when Nick started this review. I was thinking the blade looked similar to the Kizer Kane (Matt Degnan) flipper, the Vanguard version, and I was thinking, "What is so special about this thing?" Then I saw the unique opening design and the smoothness and the small things that are really big things, and the fact that this is a hand-made folder. It is a beautiful piece. However, I would have to have a lot of disposable income to consider owning one of these.
Please steel test this bad boy. Spine whack test, baton test and pry test. I dont know, your the guy with the TH-cam channel. I can't figure it all out for you. You're the man for this job Pete. Were all counting on you.
fun fact, Stan never intended for the NFF to be dressed. He designed it to be just ss blade, ti bolsters, and cf scales. The high end collectors just went crazy on them with the materials. Also, these start around $5500 now. I suspect it'll probably go higher in the future. When I got mine, it started at $3400 and that was several years ago. There's no detent ball in there. The detent is actually from the cutout on the bottom of the blade. He realized that the cutout provided plenty of detent where as the additional ball is superfluous. Stan's work is simply incredible. I'm fortunate enough to visit Stan in his shop a few times and watch him work. He is incredibly meticulous and skilled. The only automatic machine he has in his shop is his surface grinder. Everything is manual. If anyone ask, I do use mine. Mine has plenty of carry marks and scratches from use. No sense in spending that kind of money without fully enjoying it.
draco00 ...I’m glad you were able to get one when the price was down. It’s inflation you know. The prices rarely go down, or you just find a deal somewhere. And it’s true...having payed a bit less makes it easier to use out in the world as an EDC sort of tool, that’s really what they should be, something you use on a regular basis.
thistubeisfucked so glad you get it...
💯
And can always be refinished later. If you buy it to keep pristine..... that’s only gonna bring stress. Use as intended, send it out for spa in a few years.
TH-cam just gave me a survey for this video asking me how I feel about it lol, I gave ya 5 stars from a fellow knife enthusiast
Whut, no lanyard hole..... clearly he took shortcuts!: )
JP Stone...yes, it needs a nice 1/4 “ hole somewhere on the knife hand grip.
😂😂😂😂😂😂
I loved this review. Nick was clearly impressed beyond belief with what is obviously the pinnacle of folding knifecrafting excellence, and I enjoy that in the same way that I enjoy listening to a well respected film critic discuss an exceptional piece of work. Call him pretentious if you want, but that's why we love him. He breaks things down piece by piece, and explains the details that too often go overlooked, and clearly enjoys doing it, so to you Mr. Nick Shabazz, I say bravo.
Hey nick, you're right in that there is a detent ball. It's actually located on the back lock itself. If you are really interested, there were photos of thr internals of this knife on bladeforums which really show just how mich of a genius Stan Wilson is.
An absolute masterpiece, and to think that such perfection was achieved by hand. Thank you Nick for an amazing review.
You should see his autos with an invisible button blade release. Jaw dropping workmanship and technical design. Stan's work in is a different class of edged art. So great to see a Shabazz review of out of reach stuff like this. Do more like this. I think most of us would dig that! 👍
I thought for sure there was some hidden flipper in the gap, because the alternative was frankly unbelievable, until you revealed it. Amazing! Thanks Nick and Stanley!
Hi from Germany! That's a "Grailknife"! It's a fantastic thing, to hold such a knife in your own hands! But to own it? No? Tooooo expensive! Would i buy it, when i'm rich? YEEEEEES!!!!!! :-) All the best from Germany! I love your channel! Jörg
I've seen bolster releases for automatics, very similar ... but with a very short throw to release a spring. This is the first flipper implementation of a bolster release I have seen, and I thank you, Nick, for bypassing your "no customs" policy to bring us a view of this exceptional knife.
Protech has their Magic series, and the lock systems between that series and this knife seem similar. Protech seriously needs to collaborate with Stan Wilson to do a mass produced version of this knife (or something similar). They already proved they could do manual bearing knives well with the Massdrop Mordax.
That or Spyderco could work with Stan to turn this into a new permutation of their Phantom Lock. They worked with Smock to produce a different realization of the Compression lock, so this wouldn’t be too much of a stretch for them. Both would be exciting.
Agreed!!
Oh my God this is an amazing idea!
Only way this is gonna happen is if you send what you just wrote to ProTech. Do it!
Protech got the Magic series from Mike Whiskers Allen. I do believe there is not enough of these out there.
OUTSTANDING review and Subject Nick!
LOVE your point about the matching bevel over the unsharpened section of the blade. That observation would have slid right past me.
The call-out to companies not just to produce the NFF mechanism, but to do so rightfully in league with Stan, was a great move.
You contextualized and justified a purchase of an NFF with its top-shelf price perfectly.
Thanks to you and of course Stanley for this review! 💎💎💎💎
That is beautiful. I love the lines from the blade in to the bolsters. Simply stunning!
So happy you got a chance to see one of these. Truly a masterpiece.
Nice video Nick!! Do you think you might do a review of the Civivi Elementum? I’d love to see it!
Spyderco Sage 6 with Ti bolsters and micarta handle. Would love to see that.
Dude this blew my mind... masterclass of knife making
The grinds are GORGEOUS. The scale/bolster relationship reminds me a bit of the Microtec Lightfoot. I think the auto version was a bolster release as well. This one's just a bit out of my price range but, yeah, that's how you make a knife.
Thanks for introducing us to this work of art. What a truly unique design with incredible craftsmanship. Interesting you would do a review on such an exclusive and highly priced knife and passed on the CKF Sencx Terra collaboration I offered to send you which had the disassembly tool incorporated into the design.
Grail alert! There is no way I would be able to own one either, but my lord I would love to. That was a good review Nick.
How the hell did I miss this?!?!?!?! That knife is BEAUTIFUL.
Nick, the SOG Pendulum had somewhat of a similar design where the mechanism is more or less the same as far as turning the thing to close it. The knife is now discontinued, but check it out. Cheers.
Hey Nick! Say it, don’t spray it! Love your channel immensely!
What was more impressive? The seemingly mechanical excellence of this knife, or the amazing headfake of Nick about to sharpen its blade on a coffee mug? The coffee mug wins, that was amazing man. So is this knife. I would drop 3k on it if I was in that position. Thanks for the video!
NotthemugnotthemugNOOOOOOO!!! 😂
You would drop $3k on this? Then you're a sucker.
Any chache there will be a Spydie hole on the blade any time soon? Collab? At least one can hope. Thank's such an awesome knife an mechanism.
Been waiting ages for you to get one of these good stuff
“Bad Stan!” I can envision you striking the old timer on the nose with a rolled up newspaper! You’re sick man!!!!!!
Any Stan Wilson made is on my Grail Knife List. Mr Wilson is a true Master Craftsman who creates heirloom quality cutlery.
When you said Reate, I had JUST said that they could pull it off. This knife is extremely interesting.
Hey nick, I’m looking at getting a benchmade Bugout, but I want to put some Aimfront aftermarket scales on it, however that voids the benchmade warranty. That being said is it possible to simply put back on the original scales on it when I need to send it back to Benchmade for service?
So this does beat the master knife?
If you pull the bolster back very slowly will the blade still come out? If it does than a leaf spring is involved and it is essentially a bolster activated automatic with a weak spring. If it doesn’t then Stan truly has a unique opening mechanism. Let us know.
No spring.
You got the vid🤙
Nicely done!
I was hoping to watch and laugh along with you as you fumbeled through the disassembly😂.
That piece is a real gem
This Knife, Design, and Concept is well beyond what i thought even possible.
The most interesting knife on your channel ive seen! Simply amazing craftsmanship. Production wise maybe the closest would be the protech magic whiskers? Great vid!
I just remember watching The Nick's video on diminishing returns.
A lot of wisdom in that video
So, I can't get one in AUS-8?
Reminds me of a minigrip, handle shape, bolster radius, blade shape.... I don't know why it's not recognized as one of top 10 modern folders, I'm sure it carried the company for years. I've given them away as gifts
The tolerances must be amazing on that thing.
If anyone's interested, there is a video on Jim Skelton's YT channel where he visits Stan Wilson's workshop and shows how this knife works and you can see some of the internals and the tools used. Very very cool, check it out guys.
thanks for sharing this marvel of knifemaking. what an incredible action
Wow, what a knife! Just went to the site and the mammoth ones are amazing!
New to knives, planing to get a Feldspar (watched your review), and there's something I've noticed among you knife reviewers: everyone mentions that the reviewed knife has held very well... against opening cardboard boxes. And if you happen to have a premium knife, then you don't even dare putting it against such hard task.
What's with that? I want a knife to cut whatever there is to cut, to use it as what it is: a tool.
1:47 I'm sure that gesture is obscene in some Countries
The rotational aspect of the gesture that is Mr. Shabazz's unique contribution is unsettling and definitely obscene in any locale
Stan wilson is my favourite custom a knife maker, by a long way! The Stan Wilson Advisor 3 is my fave knife ever
It would be amazing to see a frame lock or liner lock of this. Not saying I don’t like the way it works. I live it just the way it is lol. I’ve been a huge fan of Stan Wilson since I got into knives 3-4 years ago. His knives are amazing pocket art.
On this, the weight vs blade-length ratio is superfluous. You go by weight vs dollars. In other words, it’s heavy because you pay $1000 per ounce. I’d pick up two in Mokuti but I work in a public school and already eat ramen noodles.
If this were "Trading Places", Bo Diddley would offer you $50 for it.
5th Arch Nice reference btw. "...in Philadelphia, it's worth fifty bucks....
LOVE Stan Wilson and his neighbors the Fischer's, Todd Fischer Arch Angel. These knifes are the top of the top. They are asking $17,000 to $21,000 for the NFF at E Boss Hoss. 🤑🤑
I almost shit when the price was said!
The Bear were you in the woods?
@@Iammightymeaty Nah, I have been trained.
That is a lot of money for a knife
@@thomash4578 it isn't just a knife it honestly seems like a work of art. Truly...
Amazing knife , amazing engineering !
i own one and use it often. i wish more people could have the chance to use this knife, especially all the people who already own one too!
I forgive you for doing a review that is against your principal. But heck. It's a Stan Wilson!! I want to hear something more that Hell Yea. Its a beauty.
I knew it had to've opened with the bolsters, you can hear the click of the bolster going back into place and the blade locking.
Please do a spine whack test.
I think the recurved blade would slice nicely through pig carcasses.
Dr. frunkbazz! Am I on the right channel? Just kidding, nice knife.
This is like another level, im honestly amazed and im a jaded knife person.
Beautifully made, wondrous lock/flipper mechanism, but that's really the only reason why I'd want one. The aesthetics and design, for me personally, just aren't stand out enough. Some of Stans other designs are much more wild, and I prefer them. But dang, this lock...
The only thing I don’t like about this knife is the thickness. The mechanism is amazing and the clean-ness is beautiful.
The holy grail of grail folders!!
So do you like it
There is the Buck paradigm that does something similar actually
8:51 he was so happy to have it he was drooling😂😂
Of all the knives out there that’s the custom icon to me.
Custom maker Mike Whiskers Allen has been doing the same thing for a while in autos. That's where Protech got their Magic series.
Cool knife...just amazing...I think, but since I’ve never handled a knife of this caliber, I can’t say for sure. I mean it looks like a great knife, and with that tricky flipper thing, well that’s pretty cool. But then there is that appropriately named “cost carry curve”. People collect all sorts of things...knives, guns, classic cars...etc. and never have any intention to using them in any other way than to show their friends, or the community, or the world...what they have achieved. I don’t have a trophy case just yet but when I do, I think this is a knife I need to put in it.
Beautiful piece, excellent review.
Nick got so passionate he started spitting on the table 20:05
If I'm gonna get Wilson Finger at least those cutouts could be used for exterior stop pins ;)
Ingenious design.
Ok I don't know about you guys but I definitely plan on owning one of these or maybe a William Henry. Sometimes you just have to YOLO.
Stan is a Genius knife maker. My Favourite maker of knives.
Great engineering. Very cool. Thanks Nick. 😎👍Now to get ready for a hurricane.
I'm lookin' at you CKF👍👊
This may seem like an extraordinarily expensive piece but for a watch as exquisite and rare as this it makes it look almost budget friendly
Wow, I am such a fan of the mechanics on this!!! 😲😲😲
One full shipping container straight from China of Z hunters = the cost of that knife.
Yeah this has been my Grail for a while
I am lucky enough to get tontalkntonstan every year at blade, and have talked about nff's a bitnof that, hes a master and an absolutely incredibly nice guy!
Excited for this one!
Oh my god. When the bolster rotated... Damn.
A Stan Wilson, Chris Reeve combination would set this babe out of the park!!!!!
I think it belongs only custom because it's not a practical knife. Form over function ,art knife. Definitely amazing.
Shabazz power being put to the test. Production knife please! Very intriguing knife. Lots cool stuff here but just like a Lamborghini I can’t afford so why bother looking?
9:43 for the explanation on how it works
Nice review Ollie .
lets say hypothetically somone actually wanted to use this, ehat are the chances of disengaging the lock?
Very slim in my estimation
maybe z hunter could come up with a budget very budget version of this bump the price all the way up to thirty dollars to make a quality piece
Holy sweet baby Jesus! Someone make a production version of this very cool knife!! 🙏👍👌
This is an investment piece in my opinion, like how people buy watches that are bound to go up in value. You buy this and let it live in a safe, only to take out occasionally to admire your precious like Golum.
Nice review, I,ll stay with budget blades 😀😂
Definitely the art is in the operation. Brilliantly novel action.
Wow really nice knife!!! :D
Wow that thing is thick.
Hey Nick! Thanks for another video... and a big Thank you for bringing such a special knife to the table for us to enjoy. With all his shameless fuckery, I really don't like having to refer new knife people to that freshly-guilded sheister's video about this knife, so it's cool to have a new option for a decent and informative video about this almost legend-status knife.
As far as the mechanism goes, I humbly and respectfully offer that this is more than a gimmicky tweak to overall flipper design. Apparently production companies (the few that have tried at least) haven't been able to pull it off which has to say something about this change in flipper mechanics. I personally find the NFF to be way more compelling of a development than either the Lee Williams' Kickstop or GTC's SLT mechanism... I'm inclined to think that if it really was just a novel change that more people including our beloved Kevin Jon out in China would have released knives with the same mechanism by now.
And hey. All that smoothness and that beautiful action but it runs on on teflon washers! That's gotta count for something, right?
Stan Lee, Stan(ley) Kubrik, Stan Turrentine, Stan Wilson. All Masters of their crafts.
Stan Peck, Paki-stan, Stand by Me, Ben E. King, King Solomon, King of pop, Popsicle, Hammer and Sickle, COLLUSION?
Who knew it went so deep...
Kind of hate that sweeping plunge... but it’s Stan Wilson... he plays by his own rules 😂
This is pure knife porn. I usually take function first to it's illogical extreme but the craftsmanship of this knife is jaw dropping. Getting the bolsters to fit that perfectly against the scales and then make the bolsters move? Wizardry indeed.
I really do believe that if you found yourself having to use this knife it would perform beautifully.
14:53
Idk if such a "boring" looking knife has ever been so beautiful...