To me, the Spyderco Manix looks better than those sparkly, freaked out customs you showed at first...they look like something out of a novelty store. I much more prefer the standard, utilitarian look of a Spyderco.
great video, Jim. I'm like this, although the manix would be my saver and really dirt cheap knives like Leatherman Craters and Kabar Dozier folding hunters. Because I'm poor! Haha
Thanks Jim. You've always been an inspiration and I hope to have a collection like yours one day. I still have the first knife i ever got and I'll never forget where it all started.
Man I honestly enjoy your vids. You are a very down to earth guy. You have great information and appeal to a wide spectrum of people. Thanks for sharing.......
Me. Skelton I'm at the baby stages of my folder collection. I have a spyderco paramilitary 2, a quartermasters qtr-tt, and a benchmade griptilian!!! And I have an assortment of fixed blades.. I love your Ramon Chaves Redención and also your Direware, even the tuff thumbs Tanic, and also your Brous ultimate flipper in carbon fiber!! I'm super excited to move into the upgraded custom knife world! You have just jewels!! I love your channel! I'm definitely a fan!!!
I love this video, keep watching and thinking how far you have come along in such a short time. I wish my pockets where deeper, but this vid has made me appreciate my knives all the more. I don't own anything over $200 but dam I love my knives.
It's videos like this that make me love your channel, man! Down to earth and appreciate both sides of the knife world; form and function. Keep up the good work! You've got a regular viewer right here! PS: That Praetorian you have only makes me want one even more...
8:25 I recently purchased a Rainbow Leek. I find that the lock release on the frame lock is not raised enough and it is has no jimping on it to be able to safely close the blade one handed with 100% results. The Leek is small and slippery in the hand. I should not have to worry about dropping it as I try to unlock it. The frame lock should either be raised higher or the opposite side should be lowered. 12:15 I also own a Tenacious. Let's use the Spyderco Tenancious as a reference to a knife that is easy to open and easy to close. The liner lock is raised about 1/4 of an inch higher than the surrounding area, making it easy to unlock. This is the amount of rise that all knifes should have to make them easy to close one handed with wet and cold hands.
I really do love my Dlc/s30v manix. I lined it up right next to a hinderer soon after I got it and realized the ergos on the handle are pretty much identical. Of course they're two different knives entirely but they share a lot of handle geometry
Awesome vid Jim, enjoyed seeing some of your older pieces. Those lower priced pieces can be a good way to get a fix in without having to spend the big bucks. Sometimes, in between big purchases, just the process of getting something new in the mail is all it takes.
Hi Jim just subscribed to your channel would've done it along time ago but one of my buddies at the PD turned me onto you, knives have always been one of my great loves keep up the good work brother and I look forward to more videos
recently the likes of the Steel Will Cutjack (C-22 M390) has become my 'beater' knife, cost was AUD$190 and I use it in lue of my other more expensive EDC's (I don't have any customs or midtechs, but several Reate's, WE, ZT's and Real Steel "S" classes that I regularly EDC)
I recently got the ZT 0350 with tiger stripes and I love this knife. It is my go to carry everywhere. Own a few Kershaw as well. just got Kershaw 1870 olblk and it is a great knife as well. Enjoy your videos.
Hey Jim: I used to watch you on whats Evine now and then another watch show after that. Good to see you back and talking knives. I was very sorry to hear that you wanted out of Evine, you were really good on both shows. I wanted to say that I also really like Ken Onion style of knives and have a few. Knives are like watches, you just can't get away with having just one. I am getting my first Spyderco today for my brother who is a pro athlete in the water so I got him a H-1 from Spyerco. I have really tried to avoid this brand for some reason over the years but I guess like all knife guys you end up having to have a few in your collection. All the best to you and your family. I enjoy your videos, keep them up! Thanks for sharing!
This Spyderco Manix II is my EDC. I paid $75 for it and I love it. I purchased it based upon Jim's review in this video. Unfortunately I could never find a cool lanyard though. Another of my favorite EDC is a Benchmade Griptilian. It comes with a lifetime free sharpening from Benchmade which is hard to beat.
It's funny how those Kershaw knives (specifically the two Centofantes, the Shallot, and the Junkyard Dog) are all discontinued collectable knives now and are worth a lot more than their original retail prices. Regular Kershaw Shallots (without that design) can range up to $100 now. The regular Centofante goes for around $160 now and a signature Centafante goes for around $250 now. Then there's the titanium Kershaw Junkyard Dog which is worth almost $500 now. Just another reason to love collecting knives.
TH-cam recommended your channel to me and ,I said I'll give it a shot. It's fun to look at nice knives I can't afford .haha . I want to give you credit because you can tell you're a knife lover. It doesn't matter how much you use them, it's the appreciation of the artistry. I hard use all of my knives but I spend no more than say $125 on one. That doesn't mean it's wrong that my Para Military 2 is more beat up than your ZT,it's just we have different uses. This rhetoric is mostly for other commenters . You have a good attitude and demeanor sir and I will enjoy catching up on your past videos .
Thank you for doing something a bit different. I love all of your customs but that's a far cry from where I'll be for a long time haha. I did just get a rat worx mini as a gift and I am enjoying it completely. Anyway, thank you for giving your 2 cents on some good production folders.
Great vid! It's always fun and enlightening to dig into the collection and find the true hall of famers that got us started. Helps remind me how much I love the Manix series, especially the XL. Price vs. materials and performance, you are going to have a hard time trying to beat it!
Love the Manix 2. It is my EDC and has been for some time. I have tried going to other things (Benchmade, etc.) but nothing works as well for me. Now, particularly with the Sprint Runs that Spyderco does, you can get something with some high end feel as well as drop some weight for carrying. The basic manix 2 is my opening boxes after a move knife, and the sprint runs are my EDC personal protection knives that never get used for anything else.
Sometimes I am scared to use my more expensive knives, but once I've gotten over the "honeymoon stage" and chipped it, I see it as adding character. Still love to carry my Endura 4 too! Awesome videos and insights man
I know what you mean about the Ken Onion designs. I usually see a knife and say to myself "That is a good looking knife." then it turns out to be a Ken Onion design. The storm 2 is one of my favorites from Ken. I use all my knives very hard and won't spend a pretty penny.... However, I completely understand how someone can spend a ton of money on a knife to admire and use moderately. That Bengal you have is awesome knife! Love the videos and the way you present. Keep up the good work.
I'm with you on this philosophy of use. I work in an office indoors and don't hunt or camp. Do you have different ways of caring for or sharpening the wide variety of blades in your collection?
I personally own a manix 2 and an 0350 and they are literally my go to knives to use, usually i have to decide what knife i will carry on any particular day but if i know im going to use my knife pretty hard i just grab one of the two without even thinking
I think that spyderco first used the ballbearing lock on d'allara and i totally lucked out and got it. Action is really butter smooth. You've got a really great collection.
Hey Jim, loving your videos. I went back and watched a majority of your videos and I drool at every knife that I have seen. Finally grew the balls to pull the trigger on a Spyderco Manix 2 XL (around $100). If it's anything like the Manix 2, which it should be, this knife is going to be kickass.
I agree with you on the manix 2, especially now that it's S30V! And for 2014 it is going to be a full flat grind! Wonder if the FFG will be under $100 too, I hope so...
Thanks Jim you have a very informative way of presenting your knives please keep the reviews coming.On a personal note I like Kershaw folders for their durability and price.
Id be interested to see you revisit this video topic Jim, be interesting to see what youve added and subtracted from your "hard use" collection. I use a full flat ground Manix 2 XL in CPM S30V everyday, a coworker has the same ZT but with partial serrations and he's all about ZT now. I'm more of a microtech kind of guy myself to be honest though
I like my zt 0350, most people don't like the recurve but I have never had an issue and I've beat the crap out of this knife for I think almost 3 years. I even dug a few screws outta the asphalt with it and it's still holding up like a beast. Better then my bemchmade nimravus did when I was deployed, and this thing folds.
As a knife guy i have never spent over 200 dollars on a blade. And I don't think i'll ever get into customs. I always want my blades to be practical. I think functional like a nice Benchmade or a sabenza is so much sexier and cool than customs.
Same here maybe when I'm older I'll get a Medford TI but I'm 17 I have more better things to buy right now my limit is $100 I like to use my knives hard not lightly.
marshalllaw123 sorry to crush your dreams man but i was talking price range of benchmade spyderco zt....sebenzas are twice as much i think that would be the absolute highest i would ever spend on a knife.
+Thesurvivalist that was kinda the whole point of the joke dude... your 1st comment made it sound like you were lumping the sebenza in with BM and spyderco in that under 200.
i actually just bought a tenacious about a week ago to replace my crkt vasp which is a great knife in my opinion i've been carrying it for about a year now using it for everything from cutting open mail to using it to work on cars to cutting rope to moor a submarine hell it even has a chunk out of the blade from when i arced it from my buddies alternator
totally agree with you on the Manix 2! it's one of the most perfect knives that's in the affordable range. I think the translucent blue variety is even better than the G10, imo. Love your channel, btw. i've been subbed for a couple of months, and i love your perspective on high end knives. thanks so much!
Spyderco is my absolute favorite EDC for real life use. Great ergonomics, steels, engineering, and performance for my money. In my honest opinion, I just consider them the best bang for the buck going. Been considering getting the Domino, to see how they've interpreted the flipper. I love Spydercos 154-CM and ATS-34 possibly even more than their VG-10 offerings that I have. Sharpen easy with respectable edge holding. Fixed blades, imo again, go for anything from the Busse Family. I've literally been amazed with their performance and toughness. Great point on the sharpening. I'm probably well above average in skill, and would still be very concerned with any of your customs.
i LOVE...the Kershaw Junkyard Dog...and the limited Ti version you have is on my "must have" list....what do you think of Tim Galyean's work overall??....it's my impression that he is a very low volume knife maker, and his customs bring serious money from what i can see
I love your videos, you make me laugh and your voice is so soothing. I love listening to you talk about the knives you love. it's awesome. have you seen the Kershaw Kuro Tanto with Speed Assist? I have it and it's a sweet little EDC for me. I'm a woman with smaller hands and don't want to carry a knife very much bigger than 3.0-3.5" and I swear it looks like it has rosettes on the scales. I think it's as ladylike a knife you can get while still looking badass.
Can you do a video on the CRKT Ikoma Fossil to make another affordable knife. It looks amazing, and it works very good for edc. Plus it has silky smooth action.
Jim I would love to see you take a look at the new CRKT Ken Onion Hootenanny. Bolster lock with IKBS for $40. I have Direware knives and this is what I've been carrying day to day since I got it. I would just love to see you check it out and get your thoughts. Take care.
My budget allows me typically to purchase knives in the $25.00 - $100.00 range in regards to collecting. There are a some knives I will buy over my budget $150.00 - $250.00 now and then, and at least two knives that are $600.00+ that I will have to save for, but as a general rule I collect the cheaper production knives. I've noticed, most knives $25.00 and higher are when you start seeing a little more or tiny bit of quality in knives, most of the stuff below that is of poor quality I don't want.
its nice to see you hear jim rather than on NBC and with the knifes no less ! i never did care for the watches on NBC any way,please keep up the good work,and thanks.
I've been carrying a Leek of some sort for almost a decade. Wonderful "gentleman's" knife for all the reasons you mentioned. My current one is the composite D2 blade. I modified the factory clip for deep pocket carry and shined up the knife body, but other than that, it's stock, and been in my pocket every day for, geez, I guess 5 years. Kershaw will service it free, and if you ask them, they will even include a couple of extra torsion bars so you can make repairs on the spot if it becomes necessary. Fantastic little knife, fantastic company.
love the composite blade my only problem is the safety. not only is it dumb to have but i kept breaking the zitel safety. the first time i broke it i dropped it, it hit the ground on the flipper and broke through the zitel safety bar
I'm definitely not afraid, i have a strider sng with custom cascade scales so i spent a total of 512$ on the knife and I whip it out and cut tape,boxes,zip ties,wood,aluminum, tin, and even light batoning with sticks maybe 2 inches wide, but that is the only folding knife i own.
Ok, got to have that knife now!!! Where did you get the lanyard or more specifically if you made it, where did you get the skull? Thanks for the info and I am now a subscriber!!
Hey Jim good stuff we have actually spoken a few times i work for a large watch retailer near you . Nice to see your a knife nut also subbed ! tuff is the man !
Please cut to the chase a little quicker on the subject of the video. Sorry, but 3:50 to start discussing the knife is too long. Nice review on the Spyderco.
This is one of my shorter videos. You're really gonna go nuts when you see the others. I have the following that I do because I don;t just spit out specs that anyone can read on a website. I talk about the things many of us think and feel when we make these purchases, and I do my best to go more in-depth than other people do on the knives. What you may find superfluous, others may find succinct.
At the moment I'm loving the value and usability of my Enlan/Bee's and SanRenMu's. Probably just a phase but they mean that I can add decent knives to my collection for very reasonable prices. Funny you should mention about the multiples, I've got two of a couple of my Chinese knives because they are genuinely good knives, SanRenMu GB-704 and Enlan EL-04MCT. Thanks for the videos and regards from the U.K.
So I just watched your explanation or rant of unboxing and what the presentation is like for a nice custom knife. Just an idea, maybe you could start showing us what its like unboxing some of your expensive custom knives, even if it isnt the first time you are opening it - you should put it back and make it feel like it is! haha just a thought. Love your videos Sir.
Jim 15:30. Yes. Yes I would cut the fish or cardboard box with a crazy expensive knife, and you know what? I'm gonna look good doing it! The reason being that I learned how to sharpen a knife. EVERY knife owner should learn how to sharpen a knife if they are going to buy and carry one. It's just part of owning a knife! It's kind of like buying a gun and not knowing how to field strip it to clean it! Just silly. Knives are tools, period! They are meant to be used and sharpened, and used some more. The biggest honor you could do for a knife is to use it so much that you eventually wear it out... Don't be afraid to use your expensive knives because you can't take them with you when you're dead so what's the point of preserving them? You think your going to receive some sort of award when your on your death bed and declare you have an essentially unused $500 knife? It's just irrational if you ask me. Too many people have this irrational fear when it comes to buying something very expensive and then not wanting to use it because it's expensive.... After all you worked so hard to save the money to buy that expensive knife, you deserve to use every stinkin' bit if it! Ok, I'm done now. I'll get off of my soap box. =)
I'm buying a $1,200 custom knife, the only one I'm ever going to buy, it will probably never be used by me. It's so badass that I'm actually buying it as a family heirloom to pass onto my grandkids (long story).
for me personally i love to beat on my striders and my hinderer. i think that striders just look so much better with a bunch of wear on the blade and handles. i have no intention of selling them so resale value doesnt mean much to me. the more scratches the better cause all they are, are a bunch of stories i get to tell of how i put them there whether it was stupidity or otherwise. i loved the vid keep them coming have a good one.
Like the leak for edc, but slippery. Always though Sebenza was crazy price, until I got one. Was gonna keep it pristine and not use it but use and abuse it everyday. My Sebenza forced me to learn how to sharpen. Sharping is the " other" side, the underbelly of real life knife owning. Totally understand you not using your super pricey knives and using more practical knives for carry. Nice Vid.
It always comes down to how much money you have. I don't have a lot, but I have a lot of things I want to spend it on. Paying a grand for a folding knife is out of the question for me. However, if I were rich I'd probably own a few and probably abuse the hell out of them them as well...
Hey man, love your vids, and a suggestion: you should really do more videos like these...about more viable, realistic edc options for the everyday man (or in my case, student) who can't afford to spend his money on midtechs or customs. I'd just love to hear your 2 cents about these types of affordable knives....
You should really check out the Kershaw Skyline it's a great edc i generally carry it over a spyderco persistance as it isnt nearly as bulky. also seeing as your are a fan of leeks check out the s30v model with g10 scales and liner lock instead of frame lock
Johan Holmqvist Have a search on TH-cam for Paracord knots (the one in the vid is called a round crown sinnet) they are real easy to tie and you can customize your own with skull beads etc as you want and if you get bored you can take it apart and make another one.
I'm trying to like Spyderco...but all I see when I look at that blade is Spy vs Spy and then it just looks goofy to me. I think my favorite "affordable" knife is the Kershaw Link with aluminum scales.
You know what, I finally did buy one on Veteran's day. I went to my LKS to buy a ZT 0456, but they were closed. I was going to buy *something*, dammit, so I went to Wally World where I found a Spyderco Tenacious. People kept telling me, "don't knock it til you try it." so I tried it. Much nicer in person than on video. It's wide in the pocket, but fit and finish is surprising for a $35 knife. I'm carrying it right now, actually. Only thing I really didn't like was that after a few days, it started to squeak when I'd open it. The thing came pretty much dry and, frankly, kinda dirty from the factory. Had to disassemble, clean, and lubricate it. Also, muscle memory wasn't equipped for a blade this much taller than my other knives, and I cut my thumb closing in in the first hour of ownership. :P It's not my favorite, but it's a decent slicer, and I won't care if I beat it up. Sorry to be long-winded.
Ian Snyder I've never seen a spyderco at my walmart. I bought mine at a gun show. Its been over 2 years and is still works great. No squeaking or anything. I wish my walmart sold them though.
I bought a Schrade Viper OTF Automatic Knife for 42$ is that a mistake. I’m still waiting on it. Man there’s a whole world of bad ass knifes & knife collectors.
One of my "affordable" knives, saved me from losing my job; or going to jail. I started allowing one of my co-workers, who aspires to become a knife maker, to handle and examine my knives, for educational purposes. To familiarize him with Ken Onion's Speedsafe mechanism; I let him handle one of my Kershaw's. I warned him, in advance, that the blade opened with authority. He hit the flipper, seemed to be totally surprised when it did exactly what I said it would do; and dropped my knife on the concrete in the parking lot! If that would have been even a Zero Tolerance; I don't think I could have restrained myself. Affordable knives will always have space in my gun cabinets.
To me, the Spyderco Manix looks better than those sparkly, freaked out customs you showed at first...they look like something out of a novelty store. I much more prefer the standard, utilitarian look of a Spyderco.
Agree 100% 🤘🏻
Hell yeah, nice to see someone else who uses their knives, regardless of cost. That's the best way to enjoy them, thanks for the feedback!
where did you get that lanyard
great video, Jim. I'm like this, although the manix would be my saver and really dirt cheap knives like Leatherman Craters and Kabar Dozier folding hunters. Because I'm poor! Haha
Hey, I watch your videos sometimes! What a blast from the past this video is huh? I came here from Nicks review of that custom Pena front flipper....
Thanks Jim. You've always been an inspiration and I hope to have a collection like yours one day. I still have the first knife i ever got and I'll never forget where it all started.
Man I honestly enjoy your vids. You are a very down to earth guy. You have great information and appeal to a wide spectrum of people. Thanks for sharing.......
Me. Skelton I'm at the baby stages of my folder collection. I have a spyderco paramilitary 2, a quartermasters qtr-tt, and a benchmade griptilian!!! And I have an assortment of fixed blades.. I love your Ramon Chaves Redención and also your Direware, even the tuff thumbs Tanic, and also your Brous ultimate flipper in carbon fiber!! I'm super excited to move into the upgraded custom knife world! You have just jewels!! I love your channel! I'm definitely a fan!!!
IMHO the Manix 2 is the most ergonomic knife I've ever felt, absolutely love this knife.
Jim, I have 5 boys and we are all knife addicts. We love your reviews. They are intelligent and to the point. Great work and Thank you.
I love this video, keep watching and thinking how far you have come along in such a short time. I wish my pockets where deeper, but this vid has made me appreciate my knives all the more. I don't own anything over $200 but dam I love my knives.
I agree with you completely a custom knife has a very different feel which is awesome,but I still love my production knives.
It's videos like this that make me love your channel, man! Down to earth and appreciate both sides of the knife world; form and function. Keep up the good work! You've got a regular viewer right here!
PS: That Praetorian you have only makes me want one even more...
8:25 I recently purchased a Rainbow Leek. I find that the lock release on the frame lock is not raised enough and it is has no jimping on it to be able to safely close the blade one handed with 100% results. The Leek is small and slippery in the hand. I should not have to worry about dropping it as I try to unlock it. The frame lock should either be raised higher or the opposite side should be lowered.
12:15 I also own a Tenacious. Let's use the Spyderco Tenancious as a reference to a knife that is easy to open and easy to close. The liner lock is raised about 1/4 of an inch higher than the surrounding area, making it easy to unlock. This is the amount of rise that all knifes should have to make them easy to close one handed with wet and cold hands.
Scratching the carbon fiber puts chills down my back.
I really do love my Dlc/s30v manix. I lined it up right next to a hinderer soon after I got it and realized the ergos on the handle are pretty much identical. Of course they're two different knives entirely but they share a lot of handle geometry
Awesome vid Jim, enjoyed seeing some of your older pieces. Those lower priced pieces can be a good way to get a fix in without having to spend the big bucks. Sometimes, in between big purchases, just the process of getting something new in the mail is all it takes.
Hi Jim just subscribed to your channel would've done it along time ago but one of my buddies at the PD turned me onto you, knives have always been one of my great loves keep up the good work brother and I look forward to more videos
recently the likes of the Steel Will Cutjack (C-22 M390) has become my 'beater' knife, cost was AUD$190 and I use it in lue of my other more expensive EDC's (I don't have any customs or midtechs, but several Reate's, WE, ZT's and Real Steel "S" classes that I regularly EDC)
Great vid.I think you should consider running your own design in folders.look forward to seeing more of your knives.Pete
I recently got the ZT 0350 with tiger stripes and I love this knife. It is my go to carry everywhere. Own a few Kershaw as well. just got Kershaw 1870 olblk and it is a great knife as well. Enjoy your videos.
Hey Jim: I used to watch you on whats Evine now and then another watch show after that. Good to see you back and talking knives. I was very sorry to hear that you wanted out of Evine, you were really good on both shows. I wanted to say that I also really like Ken Onion style of knives and have a few. Knives are like watches, you just can't get away with having just one. I am getting my first Spyderco today for my brother who is a pro athlete in the water so I got him a H-1 from Spyerco. I have really tried to avoid this brand for some reason over the years but I guess like all knife guys you end up having to have a few in your collection. All the best to you and your family. I enjoy your videos, keep them up! Thanks for sharing!
I think it is your easy to Listen to voice that makes your videos so good to watch, well done mate from Aus.
This Spyderco Manix II is my EDC. I paid $75 for it and I love it. I purchased it based upon Jim's review in this video. Unfortunately I could never find a cool lanyard though. Another of my favorite EDC is a Benchmade Griptilian. It comes with a lifetime free sharpening from Benchmade which is hard to beat.
It's funny how those Kershaw knives (specifically the two Centofantes, the Shallot, and the Junkyard Dog) are all discontinued collectable knives now and are worth a lot more than their original retail prices. Regular Kershaw Shallots (without that design) can range up to $100 now. The regular Centofante goes for around $160 now and a signature Centafante goes for around $250 now. Then there's the titanium Kershaw Junkyard Dog which is worth almost $500 now. Just another reason to love collecting knives.
Oh, and that spider web design Kershaw Leek goes for around $175 now.
TH-cam recommended your channel to me and ,I said I'll give it a shot. It's fun to look at nice knives I can't afford .haha .
I want to give you credit because you can tell you're a knife lover. It doesn't matter how much you use them, it's the appreciation of the artistry. I hard use all of my knives but I spend no more than say $125 on one. That doesn't mean it's wrong that my Para Military 2 is more beat up than your ZT,it's just we have different uses. This rhetoric is mostly for other commenters .
You have a good attitude and demeanor sir and I will enjoy catching up on your past videos .
Thank you for doing something a bit different. I love all of your customs but that's a far cry from where I'll be for a long time haha. I did just get a rat worx mini as a gift and I am enjoying it completely. Anyway, thank you for giving your 2 cents on some good production folders.
Great vid! It's always fun and enlightening to dig into the collection and find the true hall of famers that got us started. Helps remind me how much I love the Manix series, especially the XL. Price vs. materials and performance, you are going to have a hard time trying to beat it!
Love the Manix 2. It is my EDC and has been for some time. I have tried going to other things (Benchmade, etc.) but nothing works as well for me. Now, particularly with the Sprint Runs that Spyderco does, you can get something with some high end feel as well as drop some weight for carrying. The basic manix 2 is my opening boxes after a move knife, and the sprint runs are my EDC personal protection knives that never get used for anything else.
Sometimes I am scared to use my more expensive knives, but once I've gotten over the "honeymoon stage" and chipped it, I see it as adding character.
Still love to carry my Endura 4 too!
Awesome videos and insights man
I know what you mean about the Ken Onion designs. I usually see a knife and say to myself "That is a good looking knife." then it turns out to be a Ken Onion design. The storm 2 is one of my favorites from Ken. I use all my knives very hard and won't spend a pretty penny.... However, I completely understand how someone can spend a ton of money on a knife to admire and use moderately. That Bengal you have is awesome knife! Love the videos and the way you present. Keep up the good work.
I'm with you on this philosophy of use. I work in an office indoors and don't hunt or camp. Do you have different ways of caring for or sharpening the wide variety of blades in your collection?
I personally own a manix 2 and an 0350 and they are literally my
go to knives to use, usually i have to decide what knife i will carry on any particular day but if i know im going to use my knife pretty hard i just grab one of the two without even thinking
I think that spyderco first used the ballbearing lock on d'allara and i totally lucked out and got it. Action is really butter smooth. You've got a really great collection.
Just joined you maybe 2 weeks now and besides the gorgeous knives I see on your channel is your voice that would be perfect on radio or tv land.
Thanks! Might explain why I've been a TV host for over 10 years lol
Jim Skelton After a little research found where I've heard that voice-- selling watches and such, ok.
Hey Jim, loving your videos. I went back and watched a majority of your videos and I drool at every knife that I have seen. Finally grew the balls to pull the trigger on a Spyderco Manix 2 XL (around $100). If it's anything like the Manix 2, which it should be, this knife is going to be kickass.
I agree with you on the manix 2, especially now that it's S30V! And for 2014 it is going to be a full flat grind! Wonder if the FFG will be under $100 too, I hope so...
i just bought one a week ago and its great! all the new features you mentioned and it came in @ $101.02 CAN. Great EDC!
Thanks Jim you have a very informative way of presenting your knives please keep the reviews coming.On a personal note I like Kershaw folders for their durability and price.
Id be interested to see you revisit this video topic Jim, be interesting to see what youve added and subtracted from your "hard use" collection. I use a full flat ground Manix 2 XL in CPM S30V everyday, a coworker has the same ZT but with partial serrations and he's all about ZT now.
I'm more of a microtech kind of guy myself to be honest though
I like my zt 0350, most people don't like the recurve but I have never had an issue and I've beat the crap out of this knife for I think almost 3 years. I even dug a few screws outta the asphalt with it and it's still holding up like a beast. Better then my bemchmade nimravus did when I was deployed, and this thing folds.
Cannot agree more. Great video. Love my high end customs and my production knives. My proto of choice for EDC is Caly 3.5 and good old Sage 1 or 2
As a knife guy i have never spent over 200 dollars on a blade. And I don't think i'll ever get into customs. I always want my blades to be practical. I think functional like a nice Benchmade or a sabenza is so much sexier and cool than customs.
Let me know where I can find a sebenza for under $200, that would make my day!
Same here maybe when I'm older I'll get a Medford TI but I'm 17 I have more better things to buy right now my limit is $100 I like to use my knives hard not lightly.
marshalllaw123 sorry to crush your dreams man but i was talking price range of benchmade spyderco zt....sebenzas are twice as much i think that would be the absolute highest i would ever spend on a knife.
+Jesus Christ Medford knives are the beats by DRE of the knife world.
+Thesurvivalist that was kinda the whole point of the joke dude... your 1st comment made it sound like you were lumping the sebenza in with BM and spyderco in that under 200.
For the price, I've kinda been blown away by Kizer. The Pinkerton Rogue looks amazing.
Everything is for sale for the right price ;-) Shoot me a message if you really want it...
i actually just bought a tenacious about a week ago to replace my crkt vasp which is a great knife in my opinion i've been carrying it for about a year now using it for everything from cutting open mail to using it to work on cars to cutting rope to moor a submarine hell it even has a chunk out of the blade from when i arced it from my buddies alternator
I like the new carbon fiber background. Manix 2 looks like a good one for under $100. I still don't have a Spyderco yet.
totally agree with you on the Manix 2! it's one of the most perfect knives that's in the affordable range. I think the translucent blue variety is even better than the G10, imo. Love your channel, btw. i've been subbed for a couple of months, and i love your perspective on high end knives. thanks so much!
Excellent vid. I enjoy your comments. My compliments on your collection.
knives are fascinating to me , knife and fire , man's best friends
Spyderco is my absolute favorite EDC for real life use. Great ergonomics, steels, engineering, and performance for my money. In my honest opinion, I just consider them the best bang for the buck going. Been considering getting the Domino, to see how they've interpreted the flipper.
I love Spydercos 154-CM and ATS-34 possibly even more than their VG-10 offerings that I have. Sharpen easy with respectable edge holding. Fixed blades, imo again, go for anything from the Busse Family. I've literally been amazed with their performance and toughness.
Great point on the sharpening. I'm probably well above average in skill, and would still be very concerned with any of your customs.
The Kershaw Blur is a great one too. I've got one and I have beat the hell from it, and it still works just fine.
Its awesome to see a leek in a random knife video i decide to watch while i take apart and clean my leek.
i LOVE...the Kershaw Junkyard Dog...and the limited Ti version you have is on my "must have" list....what do you think of Tim Galyean's work overall??....it's my impression that he is a very low volume knife maker, and his customs bring serious money from what i can see
Just bought my first Manix 2 a week ago. The price has crept up, but the quality is still there.
I love your videos, you make me laugh and your voice is so soothing. I love listening to you talk about the knives you love. it's awesome. have you seen the Kershaw Kuro Tanto with Speed Assist? I have it and it's a sweet little EDC for me. I'm a woman with smaller hands and don't want to carry a knife very much bigger than 3.0-3.5" and I swear it looks like it has rosettes on the scales. I think it's as ladylike a knife you can get while still looking badass.
Can you do a video on the CRKT Ikoma Fossil to make another affordable knife. It looks amazing, and it works very good for edc. Plus it has silky smooth action.
Jim I would love to see you take a look at the new CRKT Ken Onion Hootenanny. Bolster lock with IKBS for $40. I have Direware knives and this is what I've been carrying day to day since I got it. I would just love to see you check it out and get your thoughts. Take care.
My budget allows me typically to purchase knives in the $25.00 - $100.00 range in regards to collecting. There are a some knives I will buy over my budget $150.00 - $250.00 now and then, and at least two knives that are $600.00+ that I will have to save for, but as a general rule I collect the cheaper production knives. I've noticed, most knives $25.00 and higher are when you start seeing a little more or tiny bit of quality in knives, most of the stuff below that is of poor quality I don't want.
its nice to see you hear jim rather than on NBC and with the knifes no less ! i never did care for the watches on NBC any way,please keep up the good work,and thanks.
I just got a s30v manix 2 yesterday and I'm in love with it! Great video!
Manix 2 is fantastic. I agree that you can't really find a better knife for the price. Especially since they keep upgrading it. It now has S30V.
I've been carrying a Leek of some sort for almost a decade. Wonderful "gentleman's" knife for all the reasons you mentioned. My current one is the composite D2 blade. I modified the factory clip for deep pocket carry and shined up the knife body, but other than that, it's stock, and been in my pocket every day for, geez, I guess 5 years. Kershaw will service it free, and if you ask them, they will even include a couple of extra torsion bars so you can make repairs on the spot if it becomes necessary. Fantastic little knife, fantastic company.
love the composite blade my only problem is the safety. not only is it dumb to have but i kept breaking the zitel safety. the first time i broke it i dropped it, it hit the ground on the flipper and broke through the zitel safety bar
jason matt Yeah, the safety was removed almost immediately. You're right, it's a bad design.
i will soon send it back too kershaw to fix up or replace my knife i wish it where at least metal or they just took it off
jason matt Just take it off yourself. It's a little torx bit, a t8 I think. Even the right sized Allen wrench will work in this case.
yeah i did but i kept it if i ever wanted to sell the knife
TH-cam recommended your channel to me and after watching One video.. I'm subscribing!
Love that lanyard on the Manix. Where can I get one? Btw it's the Shallot not Scallion ;)
Those leeks are gorgeous. Were they limited runs or custom jobs? Wish I could get my hands on one.
I'm definitely not afraid, i have a strider sng with custom cascade scales so i spent a total of 512$ on the knife and I whip it out and cut tape,boxes,zip ties,wood,aluminum, tin, and even light batoning with sticks maybe 2 inches wide, but that is the only folding knife i own.
Ok, got to have that knife now!!! Where did you get the lanyard or more specifically if you made it, where did you get the skull? Thanks for the info and I am now a subscriber!!
where did you get that awsome hanging thing from your knife
Thats awesome he hooked you up with all those subscribers man.
Cool vid.
Hey Jim good stuff we have actually spoken a few times i work for a large watch retailer near you . Nice to see your a knife nut also
subbed ! tuff is the man !
Please cut to the chase a little quicker on the subject of the video. Sorry, but 3:50 to start discussing the knife is too long.
Nice review on the Spyderco.
first time watching a youtube video? see that bar under the video, its called the scrub bar, you can skip through the video ON DEMAND!
YoitsDro
No. I watch a lot of TH-cam videos and I never knew when he would get to the subject of the video. Most rarely take this long.
This is one of my shorter videos. You're really gonna go nuts when you see the others. I have the following that I do because I don;t just spit out specs that anyone can read on a website. I talk about the things many of us think and feel when we make these purchases, and I do my best to go more in-depth than other people do on the knives. What you may find superfluous, others may find succinct.
Jim Skelton keep on keeping on
Jim Skelton
I've watched several.
At the moment I'm loving the value and usability of my Enlan/Bee's and SanRenMu's.
Probably just a phase but they mean that I can add decent knives to my collection for very reasonable prices. Funny you should mention about the multiples, I've got two of a couple of my Chinese knives because they are genuinely good knives, SanRenMu GB-704 and Enlan EL-04MCT.
Thanks for the videos and regards from the U.K.
So I just watched your explanation or rant of unboxing and what the presentation is like for a nice custom knife.
Just an idea, maybe you could start showing us what its like unboxing some of your expensive custom knives, even if it isnt the first time you are opening it - you should put it back and make it feel like it is! haha just a thought. Love your videos Sir.
you had a lot of chance to have a spiderco which open that way !! mine doen't
Jim 15:30. Yes. Yes I would cut the fish or cardboard box with a crazy expensive knife, and you know what? I'm gonna look good doing it! The reason being that I learned how to sharpen a knife. EVERY knife owner should learn how to sharpen a knife if they are going to buy and carry one. It's just part of owning a knife! It's kind of like buying a gun and not knowing how to field strip it to clean it! Just silly. Knives are tools, period! They are meant to be used and sharpened, and used some more. The biggest honor you could do for a knife is to use it so much that you eventually wear it out... Don't be afraid to use your expensive knives because you can't take them with you when you're dead so what's the point of preserving them? You think your going to receive some sort of award when your on your death bed and declare you have an essentially unused $500 knife? It's just irrational if you ask me. Too many people have this irrational fear when it comes to buying something very expensive and then not wanting to use it because it's expensive.... After all you worked so hard to save the money to buy that expensive knife, you deserve to use every stinkin' bit if it! Ok, I'm done now. I'll get off of my soap box. =)
No thanks! I'd rather use it.
i agree. at least a little use.
Lol
Exactly! What's the point of buying a knife with an incredibly strong high quality steel if you aren't going to use it?
I'm buying a $1,200 custom knife, the only one I'm ever going to buy, it will probably never be used by me. It's so badass that I'm actually buying it as a family heirloom to pass onto my grandkids (long story).
my kershaw leek is basically just a regular flipper because the spring is completely worn out
Wow,that skull lanyard is tuff! Where did you buy that from?
Thanks man, I appreciate that! I'm guessing you're in Aventura... right?
for me personally i love to beat on my striders and my hinderer. i think that striders just look so much better with a bunch of wear on the blade and handles. i have no intention of selling them so resale value doesnt mean much to me. the more scratches the better cause all they are, are a bunch of stories i get to tell of how i put them there whether it was stupidity or otherwise. i loved the vid keep them coming have a good one.
Very great video, and so true !! thanks..
Like the leak for edc, but slippery. Always though Sebenza was crazy price, until I got one. Was gonna keep it pristine and not use it but use and abuse it everyday. My Sebenza forced me to learn how to sharpen. Sharping is the " other" side, the underbelly of real life knife owning. Totally understand you not using your super pricey knives and using more practical knives for carry. Nice Vid.
Did u ever get it pimped out? If so, where's the video of the reveal? Would love to see how it came out.
great channel I'm a gun guy
but this world of high end custom knives is fascinating........
It's weird seeing the original manix 2 before the s30v and the ffg
It always comes down to how much money you have. I don't have a lot, but I have a lot of things I want to spend it on. Paying a grand for a folding knife is out of the question for me. However, if I were rich I'd probably own a few and probably abuse the hell out of them them as well...
Hey man, love your vids, and a suggestion: you should really do more videos like these...about more viable, realistic edc options for the everyday man (or in my case, student) who can't afford to spend his money on midtechs or customs. I'd just love to hear your 2 cents about these types of affordable knives....
God bless you.. You actually know what you're talking about
Manic 2 I gotta try that one. I carry my Sebenza , it needs to be sharpened.LOL
hey jim i was wondering if you ever send that spiderco knif to jeff to remake and if you have a video about it i would love to see it
You should really check out the Kershaw Skyline it's a great edc i generally carry it over a spyderco persistance as it isnt nearly as bulky. also seeing as your are a fan of leeks check out the s30v model with g10 scales and liner lock instead of frame lock
Hi Jim
Where can you buy the type of nice looking cord with the skull?
Best Regards
Johan
Johan Holmqvist Have a search on TH-cam for Paracord knots (the one in the vid is called a round crown sinnet) they are real easy to tie and you can customize your own with skull beads etc as you want and if you get bored you can take it apart and make another one.
eBay or amazing for $4 or make you're own you just need to find the skull beed.
Where d'you get that awesome large Skull Bead?
Great video Jim. I agree with you 100%.
I'm trying to like Spyderco...but all I see when I look at that blade is Spy vs Spy and then it just looks goofy to me. I think my favorite "affordable" knife is the Kershaw Link with aluminum scales.
i love kershaw knifes .but if you collect them ,its good to have comparisons
Ian Snyder I thought the same thing about spyderco until i bought one, now they're my favorite knife to carry while at work.
You know what, I finally did buy one on Veteran's day. I went to my LKS to buy a ZT 0456, but they were closed. I was going to buy *something*, dammit, so I went to Wally World where I found a Spyderco Tenacious. People kept telling me, "don't knock it til you try it." so I tried it. Much nicer in person than on video. It's wide in the pocket, but fit and finish is surprising for a $35 knife. I'm carrying it right now, actually.
Only thing I really didn't like was that after a few days, it started to squeak when I'd open it. The thing came pretty much dry and, frankly, kinda dirty from the factory. Had to disassemble, clean, and lubricate it. Also, muscle memory wasn't equipped for a blade this much taller than my other knives, and I cut my thumb closing in in the first hour of ownership. :P It's not my favorite, but it's a decent slicer, and I won't care if I beat it up.
Sorry to be long-winded.
Ian Snyder I've never seen a spyderco at my walmart. I bought mine at a gun show. Its been over 2 years and is still works great. No squeaking or anything. I wish my walmart sold them though.
Neither have I, bro. But they had ONE, so I snatched it. :)
hey jim, I would really love to see a video on just custom spydercos, that you have, keep up the awesome vids!
You sir earned a sub, keep up the awesome work!
The LEEK will always be a Classic ,any collector must own one
hey jim ! what was the knife that started it all for you ? also keep those vids coming gotta get my fix !
I bought a Schrade Viper OTF Automatic Knife for 42$ is that a mistake. I’m still waiting on it. Man there’s a whole world of bad ass knifes & knife collectors.
Question, where did you get that skull bead on your Spyderco Manix 2?
U make awsome vids and hopefully more subcribers come love the vids
One of my "affordable" knives, saved me from losing my job; or going to jail. I started allowing one of my co-workers, who aspires to become a knife maker, to handle and examine my knives, for educational purposes. To familiarize him with Ken Onion's Speedsafe mechanism; I let him handle one of my Kershaw's. I warned him, in advance, that the blade opened with authority. He hit the flipper, seemed to be totally surprised when it did exactly what I said it would do; and dropped my knife on the concrete in the parking lot! If that would have been even a Zero Tolerance; I don't think I could have restrained myself. Affordable knives will always have space in my gun cabinets.