The James Brand Carter Pocketknife: A Classic Mild Mannered Review (and a few extra throughts)
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 24 ก.ค. 2024
- I'll say this for James Brand, they have the marketing game nailed. Does the marketing translate into a great product... you be the judge.
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Featured Product:
James Brand Carter Pocketknife: thejamesbrand.com/stories/the...
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Stay safe out there, be mild mannered to one another and all the best!
#jamesbrand #jamesbrandcarter #edc #knife #pocketknife #foldingknife #knafs #knives #everydaycarry #mildcarry
It's so hard to find a knife like this that's minimalist without being 8CR or 9CR, or come with the price of a sebenza. I've been trying to find a minimalist knife worthy of EDC for years now and I've had griptillians, bugout, barrages, elementums, etc in too many shopping carts to count but could never hit the "buy" button for one reason or another. This knife hits all the marks for me and that alone is worth the extra price.
The main difference between it and the bugout is the handle. The bugout is very flat and square comparatively where the Carter is more ergonomic, as well as being under 3". I prefer VG-10 for an EDC because its easier to sharpen and you can hone it on a stone once or twice a week and when you want to sharpen it you can do it quickly without sitting down for an hour trying to put a new edge on something like s35v.
I feel like a lot of knife enthusiasts love to call brands out for actually thinking about good design aesthetic and label them as hipsters or idiots with too much money, when in reality they also spend way too much on knives like a benchmade 940 that are half the EDC this thing is and double the price. The same kind of people will spend $45k on a Ford F350 they don't need and make fun of someone for driving an efficient daily driver like an electric or hybrid. It's just a way for people to compensate and say "Oh yeah well I have a *real* knife* blah blah blah".
From someone who has had countless low-end and high-end knives over the last two decades, and even made a few knives myself, I am blown away anytime someone tries to show off their $300 edc that can either snap in half with the slightest prying force or is one inch thick and three inches wide and feels like a brick in your pocket (looking at you ZT) all because they paid a lot for it.
the quality on these videos is amazing keep up the good work man im loving this channel !!!!!
Hey Mike, thanks very much for the kind words!! So happy you're enjoying the content, it's a lot of fun making it. Appreciate you taking the time to watch and comment. All the best!
A fine review, Brad. For what it's worth, I have the XL version of this knife -- available through Blade HQ -- that solves nearly all of the problems you (correctly) bring up about the standard version. The blade is 3.25 inches instead of 2.8, and the entire knife is 8 inches rather than 6.75. It completely fills my large hands, yet remains very light. Another benefit of the larger size is that the clip now doesn't seem so big; in fact, it doesn't even reach the halfway point of the handle. Finally, the rippled micarta (and no neon green thumb disc!) makes the knife at once more interesting in appearance and less showy. So for knife enthusiasts who liked the lines and look of the knife, but were put off by its small stature and big clip, the XL version may be a good solution. And it's still under $200, which by TJB standards is inexpensive!
🤟🏻 first knife I purchased when I started collecting again back in March. Got the grey handle version.
Great review! I was interested in the knife when I first saw it, then I saw the price, and then I saw the materials, and then I looked at a different knife haha If it was quite a bit cheaper, I’d give it a chance, but not at this price. Thank you for biting the bullet for us and saving some of us from the marketing hype!
Great review. I've been wondering about this brand. I really like their designs though
You are a better man than I am. You went through the whole review without saying the words "hipster brand." Great honest review and awesome intro music.
Lol. It was harder than you think! Appreciate you watching my friend!!
and its a hipster knife why? i could pick any newer knife company and just say oh thats a hipster brand.
Appreciate you checking out the review. I didn't use the word hipster in the review, but within the knife community, right or wrong, that is the reputation many have of the brand. My gripe with TJB is that they are over marketed and over priced. Take their knife The Chapter: 2.75" S35VN blade, ti scales, and stainless steel clip for $295. That's simply not in line with other better looking, better built and better spec'd Chinese brands out there. All that said, to each their own, that is the fun of the hobby, everybody has different likes and dislikes.
@@mildmannerededc comment was directed at the poster not you.
Ha! So it was... my apologies for butting in!
Awesome review dude
Good to see another truly honest review of James brand. Nick shabazz has a review of one of their slip joints. His commentary of their website is spot on: it looks like “everything Portland” 🤣
nice review. it looks nice
I’ve always said TJB has SUUUUPER clean lines! This is definitely in that category. It’s definitely too small for me to appreciate it. The pocket clip is absurdly big...almost comical. I would say it’s over priced as much as the Bugout is...we have all said the Bugout should be around $110...maybe the same for this knife?? VG-10, G10, Chinese made....probably $110 + $30 for the logo, fair?? You’ve done such a good review I will not be buying this knife hahaha
Great review. 😊👍 Honest yet done appropriately.
Appreciate the feedback. I try to keep my reviews as honest as I can, no agenda on this channel. Thank you for watching and commenting! Take care.
@@mildmannerededc Keep it that way and you'll have a loyal sub for the long run in me and I bet in many many others.😊👍
@@profesorEDC 🙏🏻🙏🏻 Much appreciated! I'll be doing my best to keep it honest and real, and hopefully a bit funny. That said, if I hit a million subs I may consider selling out... but until then... Lol. 🤣😉
@@mildmannerededc 🤣🤣🤣we both wil think about itl🤣🤣🤣
Excellent review Brad. I was tempted at first by this knife but then felt like the actual target that they are after is probably non knife addicts. It ticks most boxes and to someone who has a little interest in knives it is appealing and “safe”.
Maybe the good thing about this knife could be that it might encourage “noninifenuts” to look more into our world... what do you think?
Thanks I was curious about the brand.
Cool, glad the review was helpful. Thanks for watching!
Have seen these for a while and they seem great. Thumnb disk...not mynthing but looks cool.
You nailed it when you said "your buying the brand" it's that $135 price point because someone has to pay for the marketing somehow. EDC of the year 😮🤣🤣
In an uncharacteristic move, I bought this knife before reading/watching any reviews. Looks like I definitely overpaid but I think I'll be happy with it after I get over the buyer's remorse. Thanks for the honest feedback
Hey, we all buy stuff we end up being a little remorseful about now and again. This may not be my favorite knife, but it's a perfectly well made knife and is a fine option for EDC. My gripe is more the marketing this brand does. I do my best to call 'em like I see 'em. Thanks very much for checking out the review.
I really like it ,especially the blade shape for some reason but like you said it's nothing special that deserves that price. If it was 90 bucks for the micarta I'd probably already have one.
I’m glad you’ve got a mind of your own. Unless it’s priced right, we’re clearly not the market for this one.
From what I’ve seen, Asher knives (I know it’s different aesthetic) has more for your dollar.
Asher knives are a bit too try hard for me.
I really like the aesthetics of many of the James brand knives. However their pricing is totally insane. The have a button lock in S35VN for $450. You can buy a button lock from protech (the Malibu) in 20CV for $200. I don’t think I would ever support this company. Good review. Thanks for the vid
No you actually can't buy a button lock from Protech called the Malibu for 200 be my guest go try I'll give you the $200 you let me know when you get it...
😂
I agree with your whole comment I'm just messing with you because the Malibu is absolutely impossible to find and sells out in 5 minutes some places entire stock...
Cheers
Reminds me of buck vantage force pro line
Automatic like for that James Taylor intro music.
Ha! Thanks very much for checking out the review!
Terrific review brother! Looks like a decent enough knife but that clip....hmmmm! In my opinion, I think people "buy the brand" all the time! Happens with the big boys like Spyderco and Benchmade all the time!!
Liked the review. For 137 do I think it is worth it? Not really. Materials are not bad VG10 sharpens well. I like the clip going above the knife but think it looks odd. Looks stamped I guess. Am I going to pay that unfortunately no. It may very well be what someone else is looking for just not me.
lol how is the Bugout boring?
I agree with you on this one. I've always thought this way about the james brand. This knife is not worth 130. Its 80-100 maybe.
Looks nice but man VG10 and nothing special for $140? Not for me. nice thorough review.
I´m a bit late with this comment, but as a consumer I never heard of the brand bevore I bought it. I just liked the classical minimal style - wich I could not find find with all the other super sofisticated other brands, wich are overdone, and overspezialised. Simple and straigt forward knive wich cought my attention without knowing the company wich it comes from. - still its a noname for me . I watched some reviews to know if this knife is any good, and it seems to be. The only thing, most of the reviewers had to mock about - was the "brand - branding" not marching along with the communety, wich I, as a consumer care very little. I might learn this from you and others ... but its a damn pretty knive! it´s like wizh rock and roll and the white stripes - seems to be the same problem ....
Never too late. Appreciate you checking it out and sharing your thoughts.
Old people also like James Taylor
This intro has betrayed me... Wanna see my Perry Como CD collection?
I wanted a Carter knife so bad but VG10 steel and made in China is not worth the high dollar they are asking. Made in the USA then maybe.
More marketing than quality.
This knife could be better if they spent less on the package, and upgraded the steel. Looks like a decent design otherwise.
Agree with your sentiments. Thanks for watching!
VG10 blade, G10 scales, axis lock, great action and ergonomics.....
So for 49 dollars on Drop, or a bit more at a dealership, you can buy a great knife.
Amare Fieldbro.
One off my alltime favourites.
Not this overpriced result of marketing.
I'd buy one for 75 dollars.
Nobody I know in the knife community buys James Brand blades, Obviously way overpriced. Thanks for video
Yeah, they are an interesting brand out there. Not necessarily my jive either. Thanks for checking out the review!
I just bought this knife "carter" a good steel, great lock. I got it with free shipping and $111.
To me, simple is beautiful. However, many internet brands are sheer crap. "Designed" anywhere is VERY misleading as it means NOTHING.
I saw where this knife won and immediately thought it was a farce. I know a lot of better knives that are actually carried and used in the EDC community. I know of 1 TH-camr that gave this knife a good review and got some sold to his blind followers. Now he's on to $1k knives, $500 pens and $500 flashlights. He got his for free so I'm sure he thought it was a good deal.
Carryology definitely seems a tad sketch, I had even more questions after looking them up. This is not a bad knife, but it is certainly not a great knife and the price... yeah not doing it for me. Glad I checked it out, confirmed what my gut was telling me. Thanks for watching and commenting.
The is good, but not a 130.00 good it would've been better at 75.00 maybe.
Yeah, it's a $100 knife at most, depending on scale materials. You're buying the Brand as much as the knife. Thanks for watching!
A*cough cough* Deejo *couch cough*
If they gave you free ones, would that change your impression??? You claim they do a lot of marketing, I’ve never heard of them until this video.
Ha, uh, no. I pay for virtually everything I review, unless it's on loan from a friend. In rare instances I've been sent knives by manufacturers. If I agree to review it, I'm clear it won't affect my opinion, this channel is a hobby, I'm not interested in getting cozy with manufacturers or retailers (nor do I do Patreon or have revenue driven links in my descriptions)... there are plenty of those channels out there. The James Brand has a large following (nearly 70k followers on Instagram for example)... I generally find their knives over priced and over hyped/marketed. However, that's my opinion, if you like them and are cool with the price, have at it. Thanks for watching.
I do like the design a lot. I agree with it being overpriced
Seems just kind of plain Jane really nothing to special. Seems well made just nothing to write home about. Great review 👍
Horizontal blade play tells me that this knife is low quality and bad quality control, definitely not well made. You are much too kind to this knife, given how many problems it has AND is overpriced. Thank you for saving me money, will give this company a hard pass.
A loose pivot will cause most knives to have blade play. If you tighten the pivot these knives will lose the play.
Potassium
Good marketing etc to hide the fact that they're knives are Chinese made
Fantastic review (as always). Seems like a great knife for the fedora-wearing Starbucks crowd. Let them enjoy their generic, overpriced hipster garbage. I'll stick to more exciting Chinese blades from brands I actually trust. 🤣
Lol. 🤣 Thanks very much for checking out the review and for commenting, really appreciate it. I agree this brand seems to be marketing to a different crowd. Take care!!
Everything I've seen from the james brand is absurdly overpriced. They are definitely going after the "more money than brains" crowd. Just look at their pike knife- a 12C27 slipjoint with a micarta handle made in China. Bladehq has it for $120. That is a batshit crazy price in my opinion.
With all the stuff from brands like Kizer, WE, CJRB, Artisan, CIVIVI, etc. I don't understand why anyone would piss their money away on anything from james brand.
Way to expensive for a non USA made knife and not so great materials.
I tend to agree.
Video... way to long. Why can't you guys just get to the damn point. We have things to do:-)
I'll keep the feedback in mind. Thanks for watching! 👍🏻🤙🏻
James Brand knives are overpriced and their marking is incredibly cringe-worthy. Some of their design choices are nice looking, like their wood-covered ones, and I might have purchased one if I wasn't so turned off by their pricing and marketing. Seriously, they come off as the yacht-rock hipsters of the knife world. haha These are the knives that people in gated communities buy when they want to go glamping at high-end "adventure" resorts.
Not sure I disagree with you... thanks for watching and commenting. Appreciate it.
@@mildmannerededc Hopefully my tongue-in-cheek tone came across in that comment. Really, if these tick the boxes for someone, I'm sure they'll be a great knife and after a year or so, the high price will have been forgotten.
@@ryejack Ha! It did indeed. As I say in my review, they are perfectly fine knives, and if somebody likes what JB is putting down and doesn't mind the price, they'll likely be very happy with the purchase. That's the beauty of this hobby, there's something for everyone... buy whatever gear makes you happy!