Razor
Senior Forumite
Posts: 1,880 
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Post by Razor on Oct 3, 2017 2:01:53 GMT
The Italian isn't overweight as such, but has other minor problems... and IMO its proportions just look bad, ungainly and slightly off in every way. The Hand-and-a-Half, on the other hand (and a half :D ), seems to have gotten rid of the structural issues that cropped up early in the run (mostly the same old poorly welded tang extension) and has found considerable popularity as a good and affordable entry level sword for competitive cutting. I like the look of "stabby" pointed longswords (I forget what the Oak...what's his name chart designation type), and the Italian is both longer and lighter (with longer handle), so a winner with me. But I do hear that people like the hand and a half, probably for the reasons you mentioned. Cold steel and Windlass are the entry categories for people too poor, cheap, not quit interested enough in, etc...to get the better stuff. The newer CS Italian isn't as pointy as it used to be. It's wider now and handles like crap. This is what it looks like now.  |
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Post by howler on Oct 3, 2017 2:13:39 GMT
I like the look of "stabby" pointed longswords (I forget what the Oak...what's his name chart designation type), and the Italian is both longer and lighter (with longer handle), so a winner with me. But I do hear that people like the hand and a half, probably for the reasons you mentioned. Cold steel and Windlass are the entry categories for people too poor, cheap, not quit interested enough in, etc...to get the better stuff. The newer CS Italian isn't as pointy as it used to be. It's wider now and handles like crap. This is what it looks like now. Evidently shorter as well. |
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Post by MOK on Oct 3, 2017 5:30:30 GMT
Oh, I'm big fan of long, stabby swords myself, that's not the problem. It's just the proportions of this one in particular that I don't like at all. The blade is too narrow at the base and the tip too abrupt, the grip way too chubby, the grip is too long for the blade length and the guard too short for the grip, the pommel shape is just weird, and so on.
Much of this could be improved simply by refitting it with a proper grip instead of the crude blocky thing it comes saddled with, of course.
And yeah, Oakeshott type XVa - or rather a loose superficial approximation thereof by people with zero actual understanding of how swords work and why any particular type was designed the way it is...
PS. Alright, so the MAA version has somewhat better looking grip and pommel, at least. But the blade still looks too short for the hilt, among other things (and the whole MAA thing). And it seems to have some performance issues...
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Post by AndiTheBarvarian on Oct 3, 2017 5:46:51 GMT
A new XVa folder project?
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Post by MOK on Oct 3, 2017 5:52:51 GMT
A new XVa folder project? Ooh, way to bring this back on topic!  A four-foot switchblade would be a cool conversation piece, at least. "That's not a knife..." |
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Ifrit
Member
More edgy than a double edge sword
Posts: 3,284
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Post by Ifrit on Oct 23, 2017 8:58:34 GMT
Kukri house, Condor and Cold steel are at battle for me, still, after having a few products to debate between
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Post by randomnobody on Oct 23, 2017 12:26:04 GMT
I really need to buy another JJ Martinez... Manly's nice and all, but I miss my clicks.
I'm still carrying around my Citadel Trapper, though it's gotten a bit rusty since the one time I used it as a steak knife...
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Post by wlewisiii on Mar 31, 2018 23:44:48 GMT
CRKT. I find them the best compromise of quality vs price for me.
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Post by howler on Mar 31, 2018 23:55:48 GMT
I like the look of "stabby" pointed longswords (I forget what the Oak...what's his name chart designation type), and the Italian is both longer and lighter (with longer handle), so a winner with me. But I do hear that people like the hand and a half, probably for the reasons you mentioned. Cold steel and Windlass are the entry categories for people too poor, cheap, not quit interested enough in, etc...to get the better stuff. The newer CS Italian isn't as pointy as it used to be. It's wider now and handles like crap. This is what it looks like now. I heard the MMA batch were indeed heavier, and that there are variances per batch. |
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Post by howler on Apr 1, 2018 0:03:26 GMT
CRKT. I find them the best compromise of quality vs price for me. Sometimes there is a sale price that whatever name brand company offers which is too good to pass up, if the steel and reputation are indeed good. That is really how I purchase a blade. I wish CRKT used better steel for some of their offerings, which have great fit and finish. I bought a few Ken Onion Skinner fixed blades, for instance, which had very good steel and were interesting, well made, and a very good price point. |
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christain
Member
It's the steel on the inside that counts.
Posts: 2,835
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Post by christain on Apr 1, 2018 0:56:16 GMT
I have an ANCIENT-OLD Valor Bowie knife that is, as far as I'm concerned, priceless. It was inherited to me by a dear Uncle, whom I loved very much. I've never had it appraised, but I'm sure it's worth well over $800-$1000. Doesn't matter though...It'll never leave my display case. The steel is so sharp and hard, it'll scuff even the best of my swords. It's acid-etched on one side with Indians(Excuse me...Native Americans) using lassos to capture buffalo. Valor is a forgotten brand. If you see one at a flea-market or garage sale...buy it.  Other than that, give me a CS, Schrade/Old Timer, or Buck. They's the ones I'll take hunting with me!  |
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Post by jonessteave on Jan 3, 2022 9:51:24 GMT
Hi guys, Looking for decent knives at the moment. Saw this Berlinger Haus but I see they are Chinese ones that don't really seem to last long. Any recommendations that won't break the bank and can be added to japanese knives? |
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khomini
Member
kitchen knife
Posts: 14
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Post by khomini on Jul 15, 2022 12:31:19 GMT
I collect knives for the kitchen. I have several kitchen knives. There are German, Japanese, American, and Chinese knives. Knives from all these countries are durable and sharp.
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Post by Lord Newport on Jul 15, 2022 14:23:55 GMT
Fixed:
Gerber
Buck
Folders
CRKT
Benchmade
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Zen_Hydra
Moderator
Born with a heart full of neutrality
Posts: 2,538
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Post by Zen_Hydra on Jul 15, 2022 16:24:28 GMT
I don't really have any specific brand loyalty, but my EDC is still the 20+ year old Benchmade 9100 Auto Stryker I've toted around since my Army OEF days. It's pretty much the perfect size, weight, and functionality for me. If I ever find myself shopping for a replacement, I'll either find a comparable modern Benchmade folder, or maybe try a ceramic and carbon fibre number.
As far as fixed blades go, I've been pretty happy with my smattering of KA-BAR, Lonely Wolf Forge, and Tod Cutler knives and daggers I've purchased, and I have no problem purchasing more from these makers in the future. I also have a handful of well used antique hunting and skinning knives I've inherited from my father, uncles, and grandfathers. Most of them have so much wear that they are extremely difficult to identify any maker/forge/reseller marks.
At some point I hope to order a couple different custom blades based on some ideas I've toyed around with for functional weapons inspired by Fremen crysknives, and taking cues from several different historical weapons.
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Post by howler on Jul 15, 2022 20:39:37 GMT
Since my last post, among other knives, I purchased (all were 1/2 price, so good deal) five different LT Wright fixed blade of various type.
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Post by eastman on Jul 16, 2022 1:50:26 GMT
Microtech
I'm a big fan of their DA-OTF knives
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Post by pellius on Jul 16, 2022 5:46:08 GMT
JL (L Driggers)
and
Lonely Wolf Forge (Wes Beem)
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Post by whitefeathers on Jul 16, 2022 23:42:37 GMT
CRKT .
First time ever dealing with customer service went well a few days ago. I have a couple of the operation Iraqi freedom folding knives ( i thought I lost one and bought a second one, then found the first one ) I noticed the pivot screw was missing on one of them. I went on the website to order parts last Saturday. I put in the order, got the new screw today. They didn't charge for it.
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Post by eastman on Jul 17, 2022 0:27:48 GMT
CRKT . First time ever dealing with customer service went well a few days ago. I have a couple of the operation Iraqi freedom folding knives ( i thought I lost one and bought a second one, then found the first one ) I noticed the pivot screw was missing on one of them. I went on the website to order parts last Saturday. I put in the order, got the new screw today. They didn't charge for it.
CRKT introduced a lot of innovative designs when they started. Many never really caught on, but they were an interesting concept. I am a little disappointed to see that most of their products now come from (mainland) China, since originally they were from Taiwan with better quality steel.
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Other than that, give me a CS, Schrade/Old Timer, or Buck. They's the ones I'll take hunting with me! 
