I dont own any model from Artisan, but I did play with a few of them a few weeks ago at BladeHQ, and I'm almost certain I handled a 4" tanto, so this would probably be it. Nothing stood out from the others, but since there were something like a dozen models on the counter, and all of them felt tight and well-made, not standing out is a good thing.
I remember thinking: take off the logos and mix them up, and I wouldnt be able to tell you if they were Artisan, or budget Bestechs or We's. Again, thats a good thing, for the most part. I cant unequivocally give my endorsement, but unless they hired the QC team from Boker, or their D2 blades are coming exclusively from a forge run by Viper, I think if you like the style you'll be satisfied with the quality.
One thing I'll say for Arisan that sets them apart from geographically similar competitors, at least a little: Artisan is making use of more diverse materials while still managing to keep prices down. Case in point was the knife that got most of my attention, called the Apache (I think), which had a big-but-not-huge wharncliffe blade, aluminium body, and carbon fiber scales, yet still cost <$60.
I used to be highly skeptical of carbon, but lately I've come around on it. I finally realized--it's just decorative. Marketing copy always talks about it being light, strong, etc., as if it has magic space-age powers but the most drab, boring G10 has the same characteristics; and a little paper-thin scale isnt going to improve the overall tensile strength of a knife handle anyway. But carbon does adds color, depth, texture, light refraction--it's more fun to look at than G10. And "fun to look at" is a good enough reason to spend a few extra bucks, I think.
I remember thinking: take off the logos and mix them up, and I wouldnt be able to tell you if they were Artisan, or budget Bestechs or We's. Again, thats a good thing, for the most part. I cant unequivocally give my endorsement, but unless they hired the QC team from Boker, or their D2 blades are coming exclusively from a forge run by Viper, I think if you like the style you'll be satisfied with the quality.
One thing I'll say for Arisan that sets them apart from geographically similar competitors, at least a little: Artisan is making use of more diverse materials while still managing to keep prices down. Case in point was the knife that got most of my attention, called the Apache (I think), which had a big-but-not-huge wharncliffe blade, aluminium body, and carbon fiber scales, yet still cost <$60.
I used to be highly skeptical of carbon, but lately I've come around on it. I finally realized--it's just decorative. Marketing copy always talks about it being light, strong, etc., as if it has magic space-age powers but the most drab, boring G10 has the same characteristics; and a little paper-thin scale isnt going to improve the overall tensile strength of a knife handle anyway. But carbon does adds color, depth, texture, light refraction--it's more fun to look at than G10. And "fun to look at" is a good enough reason to spend a few extra bucks, I think.