**UPDATE**
I've added an additional review in the actual review section. The comment here still contains more details, but the review gives more explicit opinions on a couple things after having a little more time with the knife. Worth reading both if you're seriously considering and interested in my opinions.
Another Bestech review time
Out of the box:
Blade centered, even grinds, smooth action, drops shut with a single shake, ALMOST shaving sharp (i mean, it'll cut hair, just not without tugging. Very passable for a factory edge)
Fitment of the G10 spacer is flawless, can't feel the seam between spacer and handle.
G10 is very smooth though. I'd normally prefer a little texture for grip, but this doesn't feel like a hard use knife to me, so I don't mind that in this case
Only 2 complaints right off the batt:
-The G10 is sharp on the inner edges (noticeable on the fingertip when flipping, but 100% fixed in 5 minutes with a fine file)
As I mentioned in one or two other Bestech reviews, this applies to the lanyard hole as well, feels sharp enough to wear anything you might run through there, if lanyards are your thing.
-The detent on this one is too weak. The blade can be shaken/whipped open easily without touching the flipper. Unfortunately I wasn't able to change this by adjusting lockbar tension (and not willing to try messing with the detent hole at this time)
Note: as others have mentioned, the blade is close to the spine when closed, but not close enough on mine to be able to cut myself.
On disassembly:
I still don't like the metal used in these Bestech Knives where the liners are hidden by the G10. It's cheaper stamped steel, which isn't a big deal for the most part... But i feel it makes for a weaker lockbar. I don't mean to say I think the lock will fail or anything, but I don't think it's coincidence that both I have that are like this have a weak detent?
Bearings are set in molded plastic on this model. They work fine, but I still think their metal caged bearings feel just SLIGHTLY smoother.
D shaped pivot with matching hole to keep the pivot pin aligned π
Note: If you dismantle, keep track of which screw goes with the pocket clip, it's just slightly longer
All in all, another nice knife that I'm very happy with on initial inspection.
Though still planning on that nice red dye job as recommended by @ThermalAdvancement
KavikThanks for the thorough review. I was about to buy, but your analysis on the construction and weak detent made me change my mind.
It's a shame too, tanto profile and g-10 scales have been the Hallmark of a few of my favorite folders over the years. I was hoping for this one to be a diamond in the rough.
drawksDetent strength has really become my biggest pet peeve lately. Have seen way too many stories of weak detent flippers being labeled "gravity knives" under New York law (and worse in NYC, where over 5,000 people per year are arrested based on the ambiguous wording of the laws around gravity knives, and the ridiculous 'stop and frisk' laws there) which, in certain circumstances, can wind up being charged as a felony.......for a pocket knife....seriously... π³ππ
It's a law many people have been trying to change the last couple years... Last year, proposed changes to the law "passed the Legislature by overwhelming margins,136-1 in the Assembly and 61-1 in the Senate", but for the second year in a row gov Cuomo vetoed the bill π
I find it both ridiculous, and infuriating.
Like, the Raidops Blue Shark i bought, with a freaking 2.3" blade, would get me arrested if I traveled 2 hours south and a cop saw the pocket clip while I was walking down the street being an otherwise law abiding citizen.
It's insane, but it's something that has to be considered carefully depending on your local laws
KavikMy bad, I guess I've been misinformed and its my fault for not checking sources. I see your point but can't you just link/show the knife's specs to police if asked?
CracktowerSpecs aren't going to matter, nothing in there is going to tell them if the blade does or doesn't open with centrifugal force, they'll take the knife and shake it open to check that.
As far a length laws go, online specs won't matter for that either. If they have the knife in hand they'll just measure it
(which then gets into a whole other debate about where to measure from, which is never consistent in manufacturer specs anyway)
What I'm saying is regardless if it's 6" (illegal in this state), or 2" (legal just about everywhere), if a cop can shake the knife open without touching the blade, it's technically not legal to carry here.
I've never personally had a problem, but it all depends on the mood of the cop on the day he stops you.
I forget the exact numbers, but I read a report saying they were averaging something like 4-5,000 arrests a year in New York city for just this over the past few years.
Luckily I'm further upstate where it's less common, but still, like I said, all depends on their mood and if they want to find a reason
Another Bestech review time
Out of the box: Blade centered, even grinds, smooth action, drops shut with a single shake, ALMOST shaving sharp (i mean, it'll cut hair, just not without tugging. Very passable for a factory edge) Fitment of the G10 spacer is flawless, can't feel the seam between spacer and handle. G10 is very smooth though. I'd normally prefer a little texture for grip, but this doesn't feel like a hard use knife to me, so I don't mind that in this case
Only 2 complaints right off the batt: -The G10 is sharp on the inner edges (noticeable on the fingertip when flipping, but 100% fixed in 5 minutes with a fine file) As I mentioned in one or two other Bestech reviews, this applies to the lanyard hole as well, feels sharp enough to wear anything you might run through there, if lanyards are your thing. -The detent on this one is too weak. The blade can be shaken/whipped open easily without touching the flipper. Unfortunately I wasn't able to change this by adjusting lockbar tension (and not willing to try messing with the detent hole at this time)
Note: as others have mentioned, the blade is close to the spine when closed, but not close enough on mine to be able to cut myself.
On disassembly: I still don't like the metal used in these Bestech Knives where the liners are hidden by the G10. It's cheaper stamped steel, which isn't a big deal for the most part... But i feel it makes for a weaker lockbar. I don't mean to say I think the lock will fail or anything, but I don't think it's coincidence that both I have that are like this have a weak detent?
Bearings are set in molded plastic on this model. They work fine, but I still think their metal caged bearings feel just SLIGHTLY smoother.
D shaped pivot with matching hole to keep the pivot pin aligned π
Note: If you dismantle, keep track of which screw goes with the pocket clip, it's just slightly longer
All in all, another nice knife that I'm very happy with on initial inspection.
Though still planning on that nice red dye job as recommended by @ThermalAdvancement
It's a shame too, tanto profile and g-10 scales have been the Hallmark of a few of my favorite folders over the years. I was hoping for this one to be a diamond in the rough.
It's a law many people have been trying to change the last couple years... Last year, proposed changes to the law "passed the Legislature by overwhelming margins,136-1 in the Assembly and 61-1 in the Senate", but for the second year in a row gov Cuomo vetoed the bill π
I find it both ridiculous, and infuriating. Like, the Raidops Blue Shark i bought, with a freaking 2.3" blade, would get me arrested if I traveled 2 hours south and a cop saw the pocket clip while I was walking down the street being an otherwise law abiding citizen. It's insane, but it's something that has to be considered carefully depending on your local laws
As far a length laws go, online specs won't matter for that either. If they have the knife in hand they'll just measure it (which then gets into a whole other debate about where to measure from, which is never consistent in manufacturer specs anyway)
What I'm saying is regardless if it's 6" (illegal in this state), or 2" (legal just about everywhere), if a cop can shake the knife open without touching the blade, it's technically not legal to carry here. I've never personally had a problem, but it all depends on the mood of the cop on the day he stops you.
I forget the exact numbers, but I read a report saying they were averaging something like 4-5,000 arrests a year in New York city for just this over the past few years. Luckily I'm further upstate where it's less common, but still, like I said, all depends on their mood and if they want to find a reason