Welcome to my YT-channel! The main focus here is high quality knives and axes from makers all over the world. I try to alternate between simple overviews, reviews, in-detail/full reviews and comparisons of different kinds.
Hallo, I enjoy your reviews, so well done! You're fortunate to have bought your M311 when you did because it's a 1st generation. ANV have now changed the design slightly but in doing so they have made the M311 a much less user friendly knife. They altered the finger choil that you mentioned and described so well. They extended the ricasso and made the finger choil more shallow which sadly means the blade now can easily bite into the index finger and inflict a deep cut on a very inconvenient part of the finger. They also altered the design of the swedge. They made it thicker which make an insignificant amount stronger although I really do think the difference will be negligible. They also changed the design of the sheath. The new sheath has more slots so that the knife can be attached in a different way. Again it seems a relatively insignificant alteration, but it also allows the knife to rattle which is certainly not an improvement. The sharpening on the 2nd generation model I had was inaccurate compared to the first generation. The 1st generation M311 had extremely symmetrical grinds but the 2nd gen did not. The packaging is also different. The 1st gen because shrink wrapped in plastic to it's support frame, the 2nd gen has more appealing inner packaging but sadly none of this helps the fact that in the slight alterations they made to the finger choil has ruined the knife unless you are a person with very thin and small fingers, and then the thickness of the handle will become a big problem. The handle Micarta of the 2nd gen is of a slightly better quality than the 1st gens, but the difference is negligible. The handle is easily made more comfortable by sanding the sides of the handle scales, flattening them a little and then the knife fits much better in a large hand. I sent my 2nd gen back when I saw the design changes, so once again we are very lucky to have first gen M311's. Good health to you and your family my friend and thank you for your time and your effort in making your great knife reviews! Velien Danke!
Just got mine the other day, was unable to get it out of the kydex sheath lol, started watching this video and gave it a tug and out it came, to say it was a tight fit is an understatement.
I think the first production run engraving on new Bark River models is unsightly myself, I think it’s possible to make that definition in a more artistic, less obtrusive fashion.. Although I do have several first production models myself. A simple FPR on the tang would do the same thing or perhaps an emblem or something less obvious.
I don't mind the "1st Production Run"-text, as long as it's put on straight/symmetrical (which is not always the case). That being said, I do find your suggestion for a more artistic and less obtrusive emblem of sorts to be intriguing!
I really enjoy the design, both handle and blade, of the fixed Elementum. I was also surprised by the high quality of the leather sheath, which is thick and sturdy. I think I'll pick up a few more CIVIVI fixed blades this year to test out, but I don't think any of their other models will appeal to me the way this one does.
@@malthus101 - And that's totally ok with me. Not every knife design will be for everyone. I love the Kitsune, and I'd love it even more with a slightly thinner blade stock. My favorite Japanese tanto-design is actually the Bark River 2009 Custom Tanto. If I owned a Rockstead DON-ZDP or Rockstead UN-ZDP, then they would probably be my favorite Japanese tanto. Made by a Japanese knife company, too.
@@PinkG10 yeah Rockstead are OK but even they feel like sort of Western versions of Japanese blades.. made by Japanese! Like using ultra modern steels and techniques etc. I dunno.. whenever I go down this path I always think, I'd be better off just buying a traditional tanto made the traditional way!
Oh, my. Those are all spectacular...especially the cross cut mammoth molar one. That has to be one of the most beautiful knives I've ever seen. Thanks, Fredrik.
Thank you! I love all of them, but the mammoth-Kitsune is indeed my favorite. I also have a very special Mini Aurora with mammoth-scales that I should show here on the channel some day. Right now I'm eagerly awaiting my six Aurora 3 pre-orders (the production started Friday last week). I love that model, and I'll be sure to make a comprehensive Aurora 3-video when I get them. As always, thank you for taking the time to leave a comment!
CPM-154 is indeed a great steel! I do appreciate the other steels you listed as well, but variety is a good thing. Btw. I just, a mere minute ago, published my "Kitsune follow-up video".
The WE Knife Cybernetic was a limited release and is probably sold out at most places. There's one version of it still available over at Lamnia though: www.lamnia.com/sv/p/81253/knivar/we-knife-cybernetic-black-titanium-black-stonewash-we22033-1
Ah, good stuff, Fredrik. Nicely done quick review of those 9 knives. I know people considering buying one of those would be smart to check out your video. That fixed blade looks quite usable in a variety of jobs. I really like it. Thanks for the great look at these knives. As an aside, strangely enough (as English tends to be), stormhowl pronounced in English is "storm-hal", as in a howling wind in a storm.
Thank you, Rick! One should not underestimate certain knives because they're cheap and/or made in China, but reading up on steel properties and other materials is ofc always a good thing! And the fixed blade Elementum sure has a nice look and feel to it. I only wish it could have been made in another, slightly higher end, steel. Oh, I had a feeling I didn't pronounce that name, and perhaps others too, correctly. I'll try to remember that for the full review-video of it!
Spelther looks like a great shaped knife. The handle, even though it’s ergonomic looks too thick and bulky in the palm and butt-end area. The compact version handle looks more nimble! Needs a Tec-Loc.
Not everyone has Large to XL sized hands, some end users have Small and Medium hands 🙌🏻. So the standard handle is just too bulky in the “girth” for complete and safe control.
Holy moly, what an incredible collection! I'm speechless. Good thing my fingers still work. Thanks, Fredrik for the wonderful show. Great photography, too!
Thank you, Rick! I'm pretty proud of my Olamic-collection. Some of the knives shown in this video are my most prized folders out of all of my folders, regardless of maker/origin. Still, I don't think I can make a top 10-video. The competition between all knives from all makers/companies will be quite stiff ... I do hope to be able to post more videos in general, though. I've so much stuff I want to make videos of and share my thoughts about! If only time wasn't an issue, and sometimes energy too ... ;)
Im not sure why ive never tried a wayfarer classic. I'd probably love it, and they were cheap as hell for a while. I have no interest whatsoever in all the spam knives that have been getting dumped on up the last few years, so it may be time to track one down. Always nice to see a new video from you!
I was late with the Wayfarer Classic, but I truly love it (especially the japanese tanto-versions seen in this video). It's on the heavier side, though. No lockbar inserts, but not a big problem, imho. And thank you! I have hundreds of videos to make, so many new knives (folders and fixed blades) and axes etc., but sadly not a whole lot of time to make videos of them. :/
My mates told me silky’s are garbage.. “blades are weak and snap”.. They eventually got quiet watching mine cut our firewood the whole trip 😂. Silky’s have hard blades but if you treat them right they’ll last, and replacement blades are only like $30.
