Medford 187 DP Full Review. I might have a new least favorite knife. 

Thank you so much for giving your thoughts on this knife to everyone. The knife world is a funny thing and everyone is different. That is why i love this hobby and community. You are so great at what you do and people really appreciate the honesty. If someone is offended by an opinion that is on them. It is my knife and i thought it was a great video. You are the man brother.

I think Medfords are love'em or hate'em knives!

The 187dp is my first and only Medford so far. Your criticisms are fair. It's not very ergonomic. It's heavy and chunky. But yet there's something about it that appeals to me. Maybe it's the gnarly, overbuilt nature. Is it overpriced? Yep. But even if I agreed with everything you said, I'd still dig it. It may not make sense logically, but somewhere in my psyche, I love it. I do plan on getting another Medford. I honestly don't know why anyone would be hating on you for your subjective opinion on a knife. I guess the extreme fanboys feel personally insulted if someone disagrees with them. I enjoy your reviews, whether I agree or disagree, because you stay true to yourself. That's an admirable quality.

I feel like if Fred Flintstone build a folder - this would be it

Hello there! First of all u are my favorite knife reviewers in youtube sincerely! I usually dont make comments just watch the videos but in this case i will make a small exception because i also do not like medfords in general BUUUUTTTT a few months ago an opportunity found in my way from one of my favorite dealers (i live in europe but i buy usa made knives from a specific us dealer a small one that with years has become a friend and person of trust) to buy a brand new medford praetorian slim in a price that i could not say no ( under 400$) so i said ok lets give it a try!! I own many many knives from many us knive companies (spyderco, zero tolerance, hinderer, olamic etc) and guess what this specific medford the praetorian slim is now one of my favorites not the best the best is a very different conversation but one of my favorites and a knife with its own personality that is very different than anything else i own. As i see the knife u review the 187DP i agree 100% with u i really dont like it also but the slim models of medford i believe from the knife i own that are a completely different story in many of the things that u speak in this video as negatives. So i write this message to tell u that maybe simply u have in your hands the wrong medford and u should try one of the slim ones.

The review of the knife begins at 5:10

Fantastic video, Jake!! I am a Medford fan and it is what drew me to this video. Your intro, candid delivery and authenticity is why I love your content. We all have different opinions (likes & dislikes) and those differences should be embraced. Whether is is Steel Differences, country of manufacturing, manufacturer opinions, etc…….we are all entitled to our opinions (likes & dislikes). What makes us a “community” is we are all kinda on the same “hike” and drawn to the same hobby. My wish is we can quell the negative and embrace what we have in common. Debate is great, to rhyme, is on time……but Jake got no time for Hate!!! #StandWithJake✊🏼🙌🏼

I love the 187, I own two of them. We all like different things. No body should be offended if you like something different from them. You have the right to say how you feel.

appreciate your honesty. I just got a medford smooth criminal, and it is an awesome knife. fantastic ergos, shaman knife thickness in a small 3" blade. small for edc, but overbuilt for hard use. button lock is great, better than axis.

I am really glad you gave it an honest opinion especially since it came from someone you know. I saw his remark and I agree with both of you it isn't a personal thing. You aren't saying if you like the knife you are wrong or worse then I would have an issue. I am sure you are going to like some knives I don't and the opposite. I can't speak about Medford knives never held one. I agree with some comments I would like to see what you think of the Midi or the Smooth Criminal ( I think ). Thank you for honesty.

Great review. For me, there's some models that I like and some that I don't like. Speaking for myself, this holds true for all knife manufacturers. I have a MKT Slim Midi as my most often daily carry and absolutely love it. I have a MKT smooth Criminal that I somewhat regret purchasing. I'm not a one brand fan and as a result I have a very diverse collection.

Dear oh dear, this knife has to be a garden implement with a pocket clip stuck onto one end. That doesn’t have to be a bad thing as a few friends love em but I’m definitely not in that category. I suppose you just have love em to get (this one) it. ‘An unwarrantable departure from the laws of visual harmony’ 😉 Love your take on this piece Jake 👍

Great review!

please review some of the slims that have came out

Appreciate your reviews.

I was late to blade show last year got to meet Greg and look over allot of Medford's on the tables I think they where picked over pretty well Hope to experience them again soon and maybe just maybe change my mind on them. The ones I got to try out at Blade last year I wasn't impressed with the action but that might just be how they are when new. Very cool of Kyle to send this amazing knife for you to check out Thanks for your honest opinion 🇺🇲✌️ Come on Blade show 2020

Thanks for the review. I like the knife .

Cool video! I’ve never handled a Medford but I do like the looks of how they leave the grind lines on their blades. But I definitely don’t care for the shape of that handle!!

I love the 187Dp in s90v. It’s my go to hard use knife. I don’t like coatings at all on any knife. I think they are useless. We have so many amazing stainless steels to choose from. I really scratch my head when the cost a stainless blade.

Good video. I’ve never had that particular model and totally get your point on the gimping on the handle. I also don’t like the look of this model. It’s likely PVD coated as that is their go to coating, and YES they used to forbid disassembly hence the proprietary hardware on the pivot. However...a #14 spanned bit will do the trick 😉. You are currently allowed to take them apart without voiding their warranty.

i agree with you i would not want this thing for free! ( to sell maybe ), i ordered the bombshell! cant wait for it to arrive tommorow

I really appreciate this review. And I don't have a Medford knife, nor am I interested in buying one. For knives that are overpriced, Medford takes the cake. Their knives just seem like a burden lol. Excellent review!

I really like the Medford 187DP but I appreciate your input.

# 12 spanner bit pops it right off. They use to prevent their customers from disassembling their knives but finally came to their senses.

It’s design is that of simplicity. It’s a tough knife that’s ment to be used not pocket jewelry . Differing ,tastes for different people. Enjoyed the review , thanks

I've watched quite a few of this guy's videos and have come to the conclusion that he takes himself way too seriously and really loves to hear himself talk. I bet he loves editing his videos just because he gets to hear himself sound so important. There are too many knife reviewers who think that the knife community would fall apart without them.

I like it personally. It kind of reminds me of the KLR650 that I ride. It’s not pretty or elegantly designed but it’s a reliable brute that will get the job done should you need it when things go sodeways

I've never handled this particular knife, and don't think I would like this one. I also don't really love his super overbuilt knives, but he has several slimmer/sleeker options. Try to realize you have only reviewed one knife out of many that Medford makes. I love benchmade knives, but there are several of their models I think are absolutely awful. I have collected knives for a long time, and owned pretty much all of the brands that are widely considered the absolute pinnacle of knifemaking, the right Medford competes with the best out there. You should try a slim midi marauder sometime, it seems to solve many of the issues you mentioned with the 187. Always enjoy your videos, keep it up.

You are wrong, your opinions are wrong and let me tell you why...JK. I agree with JB I think Medford knives are a love or dislike brand. Great review as always. Don't feed the haters.

This knife proves capitalism works.

Love the honestly Brother! Like u said it's your opinion it shouldn't offend anyone Thanks for your TRUE thoughts 💪🏻👊🏻

Since you like the nicknames, can you refer to the naysayers and blocked people as “the ex wives club”? That would be great. You know, because they want to argue all the time and won’t stop talking until you agree with them. 😝

I don’t know why but Medfords feel like less good fixed blades. I would rather carry a fixed blade for that matter, great video!

Another honest opinion. They’re definitely not for everyone, particularly me. Keep the great content coming. But maybe dial back the ad frequency 😜

I happen to Love The Medford 187 even after hearing your opinions! You never said the knife was shit, you just didnt care for certain things about it.. theres nothing wrong with that!! the important things you said they did well. Great point on the Pivot !! how would you adjust or deal with that? taking MOST knives apart voids the warranty

"you're not going to make me like Medford by calling me an A-hole". That's a really simple thing to say, but man that was hilarious.

Damn, that was pretty rough.😆 I wouldn't buy that particular model, but I think it looks kind of cool. Praetorian T. Hope you get a chance to review another model from MKT. Thanks.

I just noticed , you have the ERIC GLESSER haircut...did i misspell his name? But great video, you call a spade a spade, not many do..

Don’t judge all Medford’s by that one. Try the Slim Midi. The Midi, the Smooth Criminal.

I really like the Praetorian. Not the ergos or cutting performance, but the pure fun of it. All variations, too. But most of the other Medford designs I am not crazy about.

To be fair to Medford that is literally their bare bones most basic Knife in its most basic form.

I’m the same way. I just don’t get Medford knives. I guess that’s what makes the world go around.

If I want over the top, I prefer the Cold Steel 4-Max (Italian Version 20CV) or even a tad smaller like a Cold Steel Demko AD-10 S35VN. Another one of my new favs I picked up... the Sniper Bladeworks LPC - wow. These are all beastly but with functionality - not to mention a hard to beat price points.

"I need a knife but I also need a sledgehammer" seems to be their design philosophy. :) I've held a couple Medford knives and they are for sure not for me but I'm glad they exist. They just seem absurd and over-the-top but in a good way. Good review and excellent points all the way around. Haters gonna hate and you should absolutely stay true to yourself.

The reason you dislike it are the reason I like it mostly. Neither opinion is wrong and the world could do with a lot more respect.

The pronunciation of words can usually be deciphered by looking at the letters used to spell the word. Like asterisk, for example.

Well said. Nice that you respect your viewers opinions and preferences. Other reviewers insult their viewers for a different opinion. I said for example in the comments of a video of Metal complex that I think the ad 20.5 is overpriced for aus10a grivory made in taiwan and to small. He said I would lack intelligence because I would not know the "immense" production costs😄. At least you are not that arrogant👍

A non-contoured 187dp is bulky in the hand. Medford is definitely a love it or hate it brand. I like them but have friends that are collectors also that can't stand them.

I like the 187, but you feel how you feel. We are all different. It’s your right to like what you want. Anyone who offended, well that’s too bad.

Glad you made the video! I feel the same way. I guess Medford's are great for people who like expensive overbuilt knives. For the money I personally prefer a Hinderer because it is in my opinion and extremely comfortable hard use knife but I guess it all comes down to personal preference.

The thing with jimping is without a version wothout it how do we know if it's any good on a particular knife. I'd like a no jimping version of all knives. Jimping or no jimping would be a great option. Jimping with a J because jimping for the most part sucks.

A few of the meds are pretty sweet. Over priced 100%. But that 187 is a $600 rock.

With their big ass knives Medford needs to make their knives lockbacks so they can take a smacking because frame locks tend to get effed up under heavy use in my experience

Nevermind the knife, just watching a video of Greg Medford and his personality was enough to tell me they aren't for me.

Nailed it, Jake... the slim midi you will like better! but I doubt @ this point you will really like any Medford...

I’ve never really understood the “specs” crowd, myself. I truly don’t care how thick blade stock is or PRECISELY how heavy it is. Getting the blade length for legality purposes is obviously important but dude, it takes two seconds to look that up yourself. “Reviews” should be qualitative…what makes you enjoy this? Why does it suck? Why is it awesome? Put the calipers away, man…

I’m with you on Medfords man... That particular model’s handle seems to have been inspired by the video 2 guys 1 horse, if you’re picking up what I’m throwing down there. 🐴🍆😂 To be fair though, I have heard that while they all initially leave the factory with a sluggish/tight action, they eventually do break in and become incredibly smooth..

I’m with you on the comparison with CRK...I HABE been one the Medford groups awhile now and know a little something about them I think and I’ve NEVER heard anyone compare them to CRK and YES they generally always use multiple washers 🙄. I’m with you I don’t feel that’s exacting tolerances. But that’s just me 🤔

I love that knife

Do you have one of the Greg Medford's "Chi-Com" tee shirts (Chinese Communist) as seen at Blade show 2022 ?

Nuts how you had to give 5 mins of disclaimers to try to get the Medford fanboys off your butt. Thanks for the video!

I like how you show your hands. They tell a lot about what kind of person you are. NO callus anywhere. The gimped handle is to much for you.

Perhaps the handle is the cutting portion and the blade is the handle?

The more opinions you can get you have more points to compare to your own and more room to come away with what you like and dislike about a knife or a knife maker. None of this should be personal because even the highest ranked knives will have its haters because although great machine work and fit and finish can’t be contested the use for a particular person my not be fitting and thus might not be interesting to them. ❤

One thing which seems to be a common denominator in criticism of MKT design and function is ignorance of his stated position on both. It's not a secret. He is very open and specific about it yet reviews like this ignore it. That said, a review from the 'unknown' zone' ( ie. I don't know what Medford was going for here but here's what I think about it and some hypotheticals in case I hit on fact) is perfectly valid and can be useful. But that aspect of it becomes the focal point of my take away of 'unknown zone' criticism... that the person speaking is working hard to guessing about things he doesn't know about. Knife reviews just can't seem to judge from the perspective of EDC compatability, size, and weight. Shabazz for example thinks the world would be fine without big knifes, or at least it would be better if they were made to be smaller. Im not a cheerleader for MKT but his knives are made to ( in his words more or less) bust through a skull and scramble brains. Do I want to justify buying a knife with that utility in mind? No. Are they cool? F@ck yes. ! Let's not just a sledgehammer's ability to nail picture frames together.

I just wonder what he thinks of the jimping

I appreciate your honest opinion and review. It's silly for anyone to get bent out of shape over a knife review. lol I've never understood the appeal of medfords, but to each their own. I just feel like for that kind of money, cause those things sure as hell aren't cheap, I could buy any number of knives I would rather own and use on a daily basis.

It’s an Americanevery blade to hold you over for better times, I guess?

Medfords just have a feel and look I don't like, almost as if the are unfamiliar with the human hand. Combine that with the well documented horror stories of trying to get anything warrantied by them has steered me away from his knives.

Medford makes their knives for people who also use gloves hence the large gimping. To understand medfords knives, is to step out of your personal box. If I'm cutting boxes, I'm using a box cutter.

I still can't get into Medford knives... Every knife except the Praetorian looks like a toddler designed it. Plus the soft steel and high prices. Meh

I’m quite unaccustomed to seeing a knife shaped Medford. They usually look like trenching tools. I agree about the Jimping, that looks like a tree saw not grip enhancement.

It’s interesting that Greg has made his point about the action, saying he doesn’t like drop shut knives, and that the blade should stay where you leave it, rather than it accidentally close all the way when you disengage the lock. But then he came out with button lock models like the smooth criminal which are very fun and drop shut, but contradicts his previous argument. That being said, they are diversifying their options, not everything is big and clunky, you have the Smooth Criminal, dress Marauder, Gentleman Jack, Praetorian slim (auto and flipper versions) and probably a few more I’m forgetting. ZT’s are nice, I have a few, but you rarely see the face behind the designs, that personal touch matters to some people; like that zt308, I bet you can’t name who designed it off the top of your head. Medford puts a lot out there on RU-vid that explains the processes and the people involved behind their product. Again I like ZT but they have a very corporate feel, especially when you watch their commercials. Again that matters to some people. Great points on the video, I would not be interested in that particular model for the same reasons.

Yesssssss ZT is the best

I'd wager that at least half of all people who give you a ration of shit for not liking Medford, don't even own one. I bet that happens.

DLC is a type of PVD coating..

Medford uses PVD coating

If you don't care for that, try the Medford smooth criminal

asterisk

These blades and craft are better then you can find anywhere. Good luck with trying.

None of the Medfords ever appealed to me. And even looking at the knife makes me feel, uncomfortable. Heavy, chunky, cant cut well, poor action. Have you handled a Specter by Holt? I think I want you to review that one. I want to see your impressions on the Specter.

Is it weird that I always want to see how these knives will cut some meat? 🔪 🍖

🤷‍♂️

I have both CRK and Medford knives. The quality of the Medford’s in my opinion are far better then the CRKs. I recently purchased a Midi Marauder from Medford, it’s smoother then my CRKs. Just my opinion.

Greg Medford has a military background and I could be wrong but I think the idea behind the large overbuilt design of the knife and it’s features has a lot to do with being able to index, open and close, and hold on to the knife while wearing gloves that’s what I’ve heard anyway and if that’s true it would explain a lot. Personally I like MKT knives but one man’s junk is another man’s treasure either way good video no reason to not respect your opinion.

Dang after 5 mins of you talking about how you don’t care what people say in the comments, you almost convinced me that you care a lot. Good reviews though!

The opinion of a guy who buys clones.

Damn five minutes in and not one bit of information on the knife ,you tend to ramble sometimes

First

This knife is stupid. Lmao. You had me rolling brother.

Less yapping...more reviewing. Your exhausting

Medford definitely makes cool looking knives. Great American company

Yo Dude, it took you 29.5 minutes to say you didn't like the Medford. You compared a Spyderco to a Medford. Your a really funny reviewer, really funny!

Medfords are wayyyyy overpriced and overrated! 👎🏻

Waste of data Hit the Do Not recommend this channel button !

Foolish mortals.... My old Cold Steel Carbon V Trail Master with more recent AUS10A 4 Max Scout, and S35VN SR1 Tanto, has all of my "hard use" bases covered, all under the cost of one overpriced and overrated Medford. SUCKERS! 🤣🤣🤣🤣

Luv ur page.. but.. Medford b4 ZT all day.. imho🫡👍