Knives – Page 5

Shinola + Zieba New York MS3 Manhattan Special Pocket Knife review

Along with gadgets and tech-toys, I’ve been a watch guy forever. Shinola is a US watchmaker that I have had my eye on for years. They are based out of Detroit and create fine timepieces and other luxury items. In this case, Shinola has partnered with New York based knife maker, Michael Zieba to create a high end pocket knife, the New York MS3 Manhattan folder. I’m looking forward to seeing if it has what it takes to make my EDC gear short list.

Note: Photos may be tapped or clicked for a larger image.

The New York MS3 Manhattan Special pocket knife is made from high-quality titanium and M390 stainless steel held together with blue anodized screws all hand assembled. Every part of this flip-folder pocket knife is perfectly machined, featuring a solid minimalistic design with a nearly instantaneous deployment/flip mechanism.

A Bit of Background:

About SHINOLA:

Shinola is an American manufacturer based in Detroit creating everything from watches, clothing, bikes, to fine leather goods. Their goal is to “…create a community that will thrive through excellence of craft and pride of work. Where we will reclaim the making of things that are made well. And define American luxury through American quality.”

About ZIEBA KNIVES

Michael Zieba is a knife maker based in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, New York’s industrial Park. With a long tradition and experience in high end metal work and custom knife making, all knives are made by Mike by hand.

The New York MS3 Manhattan pocket knife comes in a rugged, padded, protective case designed for shipping and storage.

Specifications:

BLADE — 2 5/8 in | 6.7 cm
CLOSED — 4 1/6 in | 10.7 cm
OPEN — 6 3/4 in | 17.1 cm
WEIGHT — 2.2 oz.

The handle is crafted from a lightweight, matte titanium with blue anodized screws that stands out nicely against the flat gray metal. The handle measures just over 4 inches, with an overall length of 6.75 inches when the blade is extended.

The MS3 Manhattan pocket knife features an M390 stainless steel  blade. At 2 5/8 inches, the blade is relatively short (and very pointy) but nicely shaped and wickedly sharp. As you can see, the Zieba Knives logo is engraved into the left side of the blade.

The flip mechanism and frame-lock are both simple and easy to operate one-handed. With minimal moving parts and high quality materials, this pocket knife is definitely engineered to stand the test of time. The belt clip has the Shinola logo etched in it.

The precision frame-lock secures the blade into the open position with zero blade wiggle and little chance of the blade accidentally closing.

There are ridges machined into the backspacer, thumb ramp, and blade flipper for added grip-ability. The beltclip is stiff and does a good job of keeping the knife securely on your belt or in your pocket.

As mentioned above, when closed, the New York MS3 Manhattan pocket knife measures just over 4 inches and weighs 2.2 ounces. It has a very dense, solid feel with good heft to it.

The Shinola + Zieba New York MS3 Manhattan pocket knife has an excellent material/build quality and weight to it. Its matte finish, form factor, and overall size both open and closed feel awesome in the hand. Being the smallest knife I have reviewed thus far, I find it very pocketable and choose to carry it in the watch pocket of my pants vs keeping it in my EDC bag. This high quality flip-folder is currently my favorite knife in my collection. Its overall craftsmanship, size, and weight makes it ideal (at least for me). The Shinola + Zieba MS3 Manhattan pocket knife is without a doubt an expensive, luxury item but if you’re looking for a great splurge holiday gift, it is definitely worth your consideration.

One more thing: a good friend (Hi Dave) at my day job is quite the knife connoisseur. Whenever I receive a new high end knife to review, I bring it into work for us to analyze (aka play with) and discuss. He is very knowledgeable and often critical but definitely knows what he likes (and dislikes) in a knife. Well when I showed him the MS3 Manhattan, it was love ❤️ at first sight. Like me, he thought the feel, form factor, and build/material quality were without a doubt top-shelf. So much so, he kept holding/futzing with it for a VERY long time (almost awkwardly so ) and I was wondering if I was going to have to tackle him while trying to escape with it. All that said, just another testament on just how very nice this knife is…

Source: The sample for this review was provided by Shinola. Please visit their site for more information and to order.

Product Information

Price:	$295
Manufacturer:	Shinola + Zieba
Pros:	Excellent craftsmanship Premium materials Nicely sized with solid feel/weight Engineered to last a lifetime Smooth opening and closing action Stiff, secure pocket clip
Cons:	Expensive

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Tagged: EDC, Knives

Shinola + Zieba New York MS3 Manhattan Special Pocket Knife review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 27, 2017 at 10:00 am.

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One look and you might automatically love the Kershaw Launch 4 Automatic pocket knife

If you are anything like me, finding something to use as an EDC isn’t always the easiest task. Often I go through multiple options before finding the device, gadget, bag or in this case pocket knife that works for me. I have drawers full of failed EDC ideas that didn’t work for me for one reason or another.

Now I really like pocket knives but I am not a huge collector of them. I buy blades that I intend on using and like having one with me most of the time. My day job is in a corporate setting where slacks and wingtips seem to be the unofficial uniform, making the search for an understated yet useful pocket knife a difficult task. I have a plethora (for all you Three Amigos! fans out there) of knives that are right at home with a pair of jeans and boots but was never happy with them as an EDC to the office.

Recently I came across the Kershaw Launch 4 automatic knife. Before running out and buying one of these, please check your state’s knife laws for automatic knives. The overall length is just 5.10″ and the blade length is 1.90″ making this legal in the state of California. The action is incredibly fast and precise and the blade and handle are much sturdier than you would expect from such a pint sized piece. The blade is made from CPM-154 and the handle is solid aluminum. It is a right-hand carry knife that blends right in with my daily attire and is now one of the items that I never leave home without. Available in a myriad of colors the MSRP is about $130 but most every knife dealer or store has them for around $75. A real bargain for such a useful little knife in my opinion.

This knife is available in a myriad of colors with an MSRP of about $130, but most every knife dealer or store has them for around $75. A real bargain for such a useful little knife in my opinion.

Source: The knife in this article was purchased with my own funds. Please visit Kershaw for more info.

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Tagged: EDC, Knives

One look and you might automatically love the Kershaw Launch 4 Automatic pocket knife originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 1, 2017 at 9:00 am.

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If your favorite color is black, you’re going to love the Swiza Swiss army style knife

Nine times out of ten, when we get offers to review cases, bags, ear buds, etc, that come in more than one color, the male members of The Gadgeteer always choose black. Are guys afraid of a little color because it’s not considered manly? If that’s the case, then the Swiza D03 ALLBLACK knife has OD’d on testosterone.

Designed and manufactured in Switzerland, the Swiza knife features an admittedly cool looking matte black polytetrafluoroethylene (otherwise known as Teflon) coating on all the parts.

It has a 440 steel 75mm (2.95 in) locking blade, a corkscrew, a punch, an awl, tweezers, a bottle opener, a flat-head No. 3 screwdriver, a wire bender, a can opener, and a No. 1 flat-head screwdriver.

The Swiza D03 ALLBLACK is priced at $77.85. For more info visit www.swiza.com and you can check out their non-ninja black knives on Amazon.

Filed in categories: News

Tagged: EDC, Knives

If your favorite color is black, you’re going to love the Swiza Swiss army style knife originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on August 9, 2017 at 4:54 pm.

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No 8 Opinel X Topo Designs limited edition folding knife review

Topo Designs, makers of unique outdoor gear and apparel, has collaborated with Opinel, the venerable French knife makers, to bring us a new collaborative project. It’s a limited-edition version of the classic Opinel knife, combined with a sheath custom-made by Topo Designs for the collaboration. How cool is that? Let me tell you about it!

A Bit of History

Based in Savoie, France, Opinel has been manufacturing knives since 1890 and has a worldwide reputation for simple, functional knives used by working men and women. The iconic design has been recognized for years for its simplicity and elegance and is considered a design masterpiece on par with legendary designs like the Porsche 911 and Rolex watches.

Topo Designs is based in Colorado that’s built a reputation for outdoor-oriented gear & apparel that emphasizes practical design with a distinctive, funky aesthetic. All of their products are made in the USA at their LEEDS-certified facility with rock-solid construction and materials. They feature unique color combinations and material choices that highlight their rugged, adventurous style. They are also known for collaborations with other outdoor-oriented companies like Woolrich and Chaco, creating new and interesting products that combine the best of both companies.

Given the history and reputation of the two brands, this project is a natural fit for a collaboration. Let’s have a look at how it all comes together.

The Knife

The design of the collaboration is based on the Opinel No. 8, their most popular model. The handle is made from French beech wood and measures 4-3/8”. It’s a round handle, gently contoured, that features a simple flare at the base to enhance grip. A locking collar is affixed where the blade meets the handle and is twisted to lock the blade in either open or closed position. The blade itself presents a curve on the cutting edge, is 3-3/8” long, and folds into the handle when closed. Total length when opened is 7-3/4”, which is just about the perfect size for a multipurpose pocket knife.

There are several subtle but significant enhancements to the No. 8 design included in this collaboration. Opinel handles are typically left natural, but this model includes a Topo-inspired band of bold color here that gives the knife a distinctive look. The blade itself is made of stainless steel coated with titanium nitride to enhance corrosion resistance and durability. You’ll also find the addition of a 1.5 mm para cord loop (attached at the base) for additional carry and handling options. We have a traditional Opinel No. 8 in the house I recently purchased for my son, so I have included a comparison picture below for reference:

With all that said, the No. 8 Opinel X Topo Designs knife is a pleasure to use. Opening and closing the knife is a two handed operation, which is a good thing in my mind to ensure that the blade doesn’t open accidentally in your bag. The locking collar setup is brilliantly simple: rotate to lock the blade in open or closed position, and it’s not going anywhere. The grip is substantial & comfortable in your hand, encouraging confidence for both light cutting work (like slicing an apple) and more difficult jobs (like cutting rope). It’s also wicked sharp out of the box, slicing paper and cardboard with virtually no effort.

I really don’t have any significant criticisms about the knife. The paracord loop is handy, but you might want something a bit longer if you weren’t using the Topo-designed sheath (see below). In that case, you could easily replace the cord with a new one. It’s also a working knife, so it’s a bit bigger to carry around than a typical light-duty pocket knife. Note that this could be an issue depending on local regulations… you definitely want to check into that before you start carrying any knife around, especially if you’re flying!

The Sheath

The collaboration also includes a custom-made sheath designed by Topo specifically for this project. Measuring 5.25” by 2” by 1”, the sheath is made from a green Cordura pack liner. It uses a single YKK zipper that runs the length of the sheath, including a para cord zipper pull that matches the one on the knife. For attachment options, you have two choices: a paracord loop at the top of the sheath, and a wide bit of webbing on the back of the sheath to secure it to your belt or the strap on your bag.

As with all Topo products, construction is excellent. You won’t find any flaws in the stitching or assembly and it’s perfectly sized for the knife. Topo Designs uses the best zippers around, with smooth operation and chunky construction for long-term use. With multiple attachment options, it’s easy to find a place to keep you knife handy.

I really enjoy using the sheath in conjunction with the knife. I typically keep my knife in my bag, and it’s great for protecting the knife when it’s banging around with the rest of my gear. I can also hook it to a carabiner, attach it to my belt, or hang it from a cord around my neck if I am working in the yard. It’s also great if you’re keeping it in your toolbox or with your camping gear, protecting the knife from dirt & water when it’s not working.

Conclusion, Pricing, and Availability

Topo Designs is known for smart, well-designed collaborations; I think they have knocked it out of the park with the Opinel project. The whole package pays respect to a classic, functional working knife while providing nice enhancements that complement its functionality. At a retail price of $49, it’s a great item to add to your collection.

Here’s the catch: it’s a limited edition, with only 500 units produced in the initial run. Both Opinel’s and Topo’s web sites are currently showing this as unavailable, but the Topo Designs web site does indicate that some may be available in their brick and mortar stores. I would highly recommend you keep an eye out, and grab one if you can!

Source: The sample for this review was provided by Topo Designs. For more info visit their site. You can also check Opinel on Amazon and Topo Design on Amazon.

Product Information

Price:	$49.00
Manufacturer:	Topo Designs
Retailer:	Amazon
Pros:	Great multipurpose knife Unique take on a piece of history Useful, functional sheath allows for multiple carry options Coated stainless steel prohibits corrosion
Cons:	Limited edition – may be hard to get!

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Tagged: Knives

No 8 Opinel X Topo Designs limited edition folding knife review originally appeared on on July 16, 2017 at 8:47 am.

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Deal: Save 15% off SOG knives including new BladeLights which have LEDs built into the handle

For those of you who like to be prepared by carrying both a knife and a flashlight, the fine folks at SOG have just made your EDC a bit lighter and less bulky with their new BladeLight series of knives. Available in both folding and fixed blade styles, BladeLights feature 30-45 lumen LED flashlights directly into the knife’s handle.

Why would you want or need a knife with a built in flashlight? One word folks: zombies! If it’s dark and you’re in a horde, you need some light so you’ll know exactly where to aim the blade.

Seriously though, BladeLights are available a folding style knife that has a 3-inch stainless steel blade and a glass reinforced nylon and aluminum handle.

There is also a fixed blade BladeLight like you see above and a filet style BladeLight not shown. All of the BladeLights are powered with easy to find batteries like CR2032 coin cell and AAA batteries depending on the knife style.

Today only, you can save 15% off all SOG & Tool Logic knives and flashlights with coupon code ‘SOG15X’. Hurry though because the sale ends at midnight tonight!

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Tagged: deal, Knives

Deal: Save 15% off SOG knives including new BladeLights which have LEDs built into the handle originally appeared on on July 14, 2017 at 12:27 pm.

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