Winkler Knives, Why I didn't Buy One Sooner 

His process for heat treating and sculpting the knife is why it costs more than the cheap one you saw online. The same steel has nothing to do with it.

I love my Winker blue ridge hunter. I edc it all the time.

I just got the belt knife not too long ago, best sheath I’ve ever tried. Still need to test the blade more, but for ergos and size its hard to beat.

Great video!!

Funny you bring up the ESEE-3. I've ordered a bare-bones, slab handled, 1095 carbon steel ESEE-3 and I'm now looking up Winkler knives. I gotta at least wait for my ESEE to arrive before I start looking for a new knife. It will do the same thing as a Winkler Blue Ridge Hunter. I've got the sickness.

Happy Thanksgiving brother

I like my Winkler belt knife and I picked it up used plus the leather sheath is outstanding compared to others. It’s my hiking knife and for self defense. I do have a Chris Reeves Pacific and Green Beret but just too big to wear for day hikes and long walks.

I own the Blue Ridge Hunter myself and really like the ergo's of it, especially the scalloped handle scales. I do wish they had a flat spot somewhere on the spine and also a forward choil. I haven't used my Blue Ridge Hunter much at all as I have other blades I prefer over it. I am torn on the sheath, it is nice but it is really big for my liking.

Agree 100%.

Your only measure of a knife’s value was on the blade steel. You admitted the puko you compared doesn’t have as nice handles and sheath, which plays a part in the overall value. You’re also paying for Daniel Winklers decades of experience and the work he put into his designs. I’m not saying you’re off in your determination of whether it’s worth it, especially for you since that’s a personal opinion. However, you may want to consider more than blade steel in your evaluation on how much a knife should be worth.

I completely agree. One of my main complaints is that winklers in my experience have terrible primary grinds and edge bevels with crazy warping in the blades sometimes. I know the warping has something to do with the way they heat treat but still for over 350 bucks the blade should be perfect not all lopsided with like 32 degrees on one side and 20 on the other. Not to mention there are way better steels out there now. Look at delta 3v for example ive beat the shit out of that steel and it holds up extremely well and guess what hasn't rusted on me at all. I cant say the same for the 80crv2 that shit will rust in short order. Modern stainless steels can compete with carbon steel in toughness and surpass them in corrosion resistance and edge retention. I dont get it.

The brand thing makes no sense to me. I have a Randall Model 1, and a Blackjack Model 1-7. It's just a knife...and the blackjack didn't have a 4 year wait list.

This video is a bit confusing. There are many knives of varying pricing across brands using similar materials. I liken your reasoning to saying “why would I buy a Sebenza when I can get the same materials from Kizer for half the price”. That kinda doesn’t make sense in that, materials are not the full sum of the finished product. Yes you are paying for the Winkler name, but Daniel is a highly regarded master Bladesmith. The design and pedigree ARE part of what you’re buying. Of course you can get 80CRv2 for cheap. You can also buy a knife with S45VN for a hundy too. Or you can buy a CRK or Hinderer at that price.

All the guys in the comments talking about the 80crv2 blade steel being “low end” and winkler knives are overpriced garbage etc etc are genuinely laughable. I’m not sure if you guys are just trying to make yourselves feel better about not being able to justify spending the money, or if you’re honestly just that ignorant. Plenty of special forces use winkler knives and breaching tools for good reason. The only thing there is to complain about with the steel is it’s lack of corrosion resistance but if you’re competent that’s a non issue. Winkler is an expert bladesmith and has been for like 30 years. That’s part of what you’re paying for when you buy a knife from him, his lifetime of experience. Not to mention his sheaths are 2nd to none in my opinion but to each their own. Then again his knives aren’t made from some pixie dust super steel with shiny sweet glittery handles. Hahahahah give me a break.

because they are expensive, excellent knifes though ✌️

I love mine, but I don’t think it would throw sparks

Mora winns all day long

I don’t really understand why you are choosing a dedicated bushcraft knife as a comparison to this knife. The winkler is clearly a lot different in its philosophy of use.

For those who slam Daniel Winkler for using 80CRV2 steel - exactly where do you come up with the nonsense that 80CRV2 is not a high quality carbon steel?? "Daniel Winkler, an ABS master bladesmith and owner or Winkler Knives, uses 80CrV2 steel in many of his designs, "because of the performance level I require for our knives and axes." According to Winkler, 80CrV2 steel is extremely hard and can be heat treated to have extremely strong properties, while still being serviceable in the field. The sweet spot 80CrV2 steel occupies in terms of hardness and toughness makes for a blade with incredible lateral strength, shock resistance, and wear resistance. In Winkler's workshop, shock resistance for 80CrV2 tested as well as S7 steel but with better edge retention. Winkler says "A knife that holds an edge for an extended period of time is worthless if it chips or can't be re-sharpened." Winkler attests that he can heat treat his 80CrV2 knives to an HRC of 60 without resulting brittleness or chipping. Part of this is due to a salt-based heat-treating method which allows for extreme, consistent temperatures while eliminating oxygen, which eliminates carbon loss. Winkler also heat treats his blade stock after grinding to get the best results for performance and long field life. Chromium is one of the key ingredients of stainless steel, due to its reactivity to oxygen. Though 80CrV2 contains chromium, it is not considered to be in high enough quantities to be called a true "stainless" steel. 80CrV2 steel can rust unless you are properly maintaining it. The addition of coatings or finishes can help prevent oxidation. Winkler utilizes a Caswell finish to help prevent oxidation and produces a dark matte finish for his blades. All tool steels require some kind of care and maintenance. Cleaning, sharpening, and oiling your 80CrV2 knife (or any other knife for that matter) is par for the course for any steel. Other knife makers which have used 80CrV2 steel include RMJ Tactical, and Varusteleka because of its toughness, hardness. According to Daniel Winkler, however, "If I find a better steel, I will use it. Right now, 80CrV2 is the best I have used." Source: www.knifeart.com/80crv2-steel.html So you think Winkler Knives are crap and 80CRV2 steel is crap. That means that RMJ Tactical knives are crap, too. I call absolute bull shirt on all three claims. If you research 80CRV2 steel, you will find that it is above reproach. As with any steel, PROPER HEAT TREATING technique is absolutely crucial. Daniel Winkler is an ABS certified Master Bladesmith, receiving that certification 30 years ago, in 1993. Do you really think the American Bladesmith Society is going to certify someone as a Master Bladesmith who doesn't know how to heat treat a knife??

I bought one solely because they are made in my home state and daniel winkler makes navy seals knives

He pick the wrong fuckin knife he should of went with the the woodsman if he was looking for bushcraft element winkler perfected the heat treatment for 80crv2 his blade are made for utility they do hold up I’ve invested a ridiculous amount on knives in the past 10 years spent the cash on some winkler blades & axes there became my go to for edc & outdoor tools they can take a beating my buddy just posted a new video at the lake beatin the fuck out of his belt knife demolished a pallet the edge made some real contact with the nails & that thing was unscathed

Did you know?? The same named steel types from different makers are actually different?? Imagine that… heat treat and temper is a thing! Come on dude… you’re posting judgy, incorrect garbage.

As a user and collector, I have no desire to purchase a Winkler. Just MY opinion but it is ugly and appears very bulky (horrible ergonomics). And 80crv is a cheap steel ( there are so many better steels for a 300 dollar plus knife). Just like many of these over hyped knives, you get a few military users and then everyone hops on the bandwagon and hype the brand to no end. I do believe these knives are well made but I do not see these knives being very practical to actually use long term. Bark River knives are a much better buy than a Winkler.

You need to read and study more to make meaningful knife reviews. You can't compare a custom knife maker with products from mass production companies (bark river excluded). Costs for knives have increased drastically and Winkler knives have stayed the same. That doesn't make it better or worse, but the treatment means everything, which is based on experience. When special forces use these, it means they stand up to serious use and requirements. Use 3v the way you describe and see how many products really hold up, it all depends on the heat treat and how the steel is produced. I have had several 3v chip and get damaged to the point of having to reprofile them, because the heat treat and grinding wasn't done that well (and not from cheap companies, these were all above 250 USD).

You are buying more than a name when you buy a Winkler Knife. Special ops forces wouldn't be using this knife if it wasn't a tool they can depend on and possibly save their lives. Also Winkler grinds their knives before heat treating it to get the best performance for the life of their product. Just because the same steel is used doesn't mean the final end product is the same. Also the quality of the sheaths alone would be worth at least $100 . If you don't like Winkler knives that's fine but to call them the same as another just because the same steel is used is factually incorrect.

I’ve never before seen a content creator that has been more wrong on sooo many issues Like I have with your channel.. So much information that’s being twisted and missing data points.. almost like you “watch” the info there places then regurgitate it… I’m basing this across many many of your videos… do better.. coming across as a typical judgy millennial that’s working on very basic logic… TikTok brain maybe?

Wingler knives is just a waste of money, low end steel for 400 bucks its just ridiculous

Good morning from PAPUA NEW GUINEA.