Tashi Bharucha Rowdy HiTech CPM-154 Frame Lock

Sep 3, 2018

Dang that's unfortunate, T! I have the Bestech Warwolf and it's supposed to be the same size and I like it so here's hoping this one will have a similar feel.

T.willy

463

Sep 3, 2018

BknguyenActually I didn't get too hurt in the long run. After all the math was done it cost me around $35 and some of my time to get to experience The Rowdy and now I want to get a smaller model made by Gerry Mcginnis probably something from his proline series. Actually it would have to be something from his proline series because I could never afford the price of his customs lol.😲

Vextos

Jan 27, 2018

I just got one the other week and the action is among the best I have ever experienced. But the lack of steel lockbar insert and over travel stop make me scared to use this knife all the time.

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Axeguy

1372

Jan 31, 2018

I regret my harsh tone with you. Challenging discourse is part of why this forum is so interesting. I apologize for my words and appreciated your apology to Unwisefool. I also concede the point that it is silly to reject advances in safety and technology. Not being willing to change points-of-view based on facts is a sure sign I’m at risk of becoming the crusty old guy I never respected or wanted to be. We are all Brothers (or Sisters) in our knife enthusiasm. I hope your week turns around, Vextos. Cheers, all!

14themoney

1395

Jan 14, 2019

AxeguyI have a love/hate relationship with the Grumpy old man Group. ((I have met the chronological qualifications.

Clutch_Cargo

206

Oct 20, 2017

This is a no-brainer for anybody wanting basically a custom-built Gerry McGinnis & Tashi Bharucha designed collaboration. At the starting price it's close to $200 less than what is being asked at some retailers, and $60 less than the lowest price I've seen.
I suppose if one had to complain, the CPM154 isn't going to go over too well with some; in fact one would typically expect a slightly higher grade at this price-point, at least in a production blade.
https://youtu.be/2dKijgeBwMo https://youtu.be/BUVQWIdSTVg

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Clutch_Cargo

206

Oct 22, 2017

This is the kind of crazy comments I see - this from one of my favorite trolls:
"The whole world of people thinking that these touch and go steels Damasteel, CPM-154, 154CM, RWL-34, ATS-34, 440C, N690(Co), VG-10 are superior to S30V, S35VN, S90V, S110V, 20CV/204P/M390, Etc. need to disappear as they charge astronomical pricing for a blade that won't hold an edge longer than a modern steel... "
That's why I say it won't go over with some. "Touch and go steel"? WTF? This was an argument over Todd Begg. I actually like the regular old CM just fine, and also have had people freak out on Reate using the CPM equivalent RWL-34. Then again, I like D2. Being able to sharpen easily is a bit more important than ultimate edge retention, I've never been in a life-or-death situation when it comes to that!

Axeguy

1372

Jan 28, 2018

I have a GTC with cpm154 with a full polish. This fine-grained steel polishes so very well!

(Reflection of some of Bruce Shaw‘s engraving on Keith Ouye’s “Swords” knife—which itself is cpm154...)

Dalamar

114

Jan 27, 2018

$375 is a huge ripoff for the properties of this steel. You can get equal/better for half the price with titanium handle.

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JubilantBear

100

Jan 18, 2019

Drop points aren't my thing so much, if it was a different play shape it might be. Also it is so hard to pick a favorite.

Jan 18, 2019

JubilantBearI’m still on the fence with the Rowdy. Only two days to make up my mind.

Feb 20, 2019

Got my knife in and noticed on the box that only 240 of these were made. I also noticed a hand engraved number "092" on the inside handle beside the milled model name/steel. Does anyone know if this is a serial number? Here it is, kind of hard to see:

And here's my current Tashi collection. Might have to add the Heatseeker when it drops tomorrow!

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Feb 20, 2019

Shoutout to @DougFLA123 for the suggestion

Feb 20, 2019

Bknguyen👊🤓

Jun 13, 2018

Friendly Northern neighbour here, I'm glad MD has our backs with regards to the CBSA, as I missed the last one.... Now bring this drop back!

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Aug 5, 2018

That's so true. And unfortunate. I'm glad there's Massdrop. Giving us wide access to knives we wouldn't and shipments not getting tagged by CBSA

T.willy

463

Aug 5, 2018

BknguyenYes your right. Also I feel the fact Massdrop has your back if something goes wrong at the border is worth alot to us Canadiens.

Jan 14, 2019

@DougFLA123 you get in on this?

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Feb 20, 2019

So, a lot of patience and 34 CAD in customs later, I got the knife. It's a very nice knife but I'm honestly a little disappointed. For reference, I'm comparing it to my other higher end Tashi knives, the Prism and the Starboy. I know we're talking about production vs. midtech, but I'll elaborate why below: Pros:

Amazing action; took a few flips to break in but it keeps getting smoother and smoother
Nice, solid, heavy feeling flick
Good ergos

Cons:

Huge billboard logo that looks cheap and a bit bled out up close. Here it is compared to the crisp logo on my Starboy; the disparity in detail is disappointing to say the least:

Uneven blade sharpening
Sharp edge at the end of the lockbar that can be a hotspot depending how far pushed up your hand is
Lack of hardened lockbar insert. I was aware of this when purchasing, and I've yet to see any lockstick, but still a disappointing thing at this price point

Overall, a very nice knife. Solid feel in hand, heavy blade, and great action. However, some of the details are disappointing for a midtech, especially compared to the Reate production knives aforementioned. I was hoping this thing would blow them out of the water but it's really just reinforced in my mind that Reate is a great manufacturer.

(Edited)

Vote

https://youtu.be/2dKijgeBwMo https://youtu.be/TkKJNynLO5M https://youtu.be/ICZEpydWT38

Feb 20, 2019

BknguyenIt’s always disappointing when you have high expectations that aren’t met. I think the thing that would bother me the most would be the uneven blade sharpening, but if it still passed the effortless paper slicing test along the entire blade, I think I’d be happy. It’s still a great looking knife that I’ll be tempted to buy the next time it gets dropped. The only problem is that all my favorite handles are gone and the pickings are getting pretty slim. Anytime I see a price tag of $300, I think, “Hmmm, I could get a Reate with that money”.

MaxwellDemonic

838

Jan 28, 2018

Steep price for the materials and the lackluster design. It's yet another bearing driven titanium framelock. I guarantee the price comes from designer name recognition and US manufacturing. My Bestech Tercel is comparable materials for 1/3rd the price.

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MaxwellDemonic

838

Jan 29, 2018

Yeah, it's not a great name, but the product is quality.

14themoney

1395

Jan 14, 2019

Or Edsel?

boortmiser

Jan 27, 2018

I'm very much in the market for a high end (150-250$) large folder, and I've really done a lot of searching and has a pretty good idea what you can get for that kind of money. Based on specs and appearance i would say this knife is a terrible terrible value. CPM-154 is toward the bottom of the high end steals and at this prices you should get something considered top tier.
Im sure their priced this way because their produced on such a small scale, so if that strikes your fancy go right ahead. but as far as what you get in your hand for $$$ paid i think this might be one of the worst knife drops i can remember.
Edit: OK, Im being overly critical. what you get with the quality of execution and craftsmanship from McGinnis Knives seams to be truly exceptional. I certainly don't think 154 is a bad steel, its just at the price i would expect some other steel purely as a selling feature.

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Clutch_Cargo

206

Jan 27, 2018

boortmiserI'm really not sure where you're looking or what your overall knife experience is. CPM-154 is a fantastic steel. There's a lot more to steel than simple edge retention. This steel is favored by many top-tier makers because of the incredible finish that can be obtained. Want a mirror finish? Don't be looking to M390 for that. Yet I see people complaining about this all the time, and mentioned it on the first drop - saying people were going to grip. Case in point.
McGinnis and Bharucha are famous for a reason. This knife is a bargain at the price it's offered at here, I would buy it again in a heartbeat. Is the original list price (over $600) too high? Probably, yes. Especially if exotic materials, intricate machining and milled clips are of greatest value to you. But for the price of a Reate or ZT, this is a crazy bargain. This is one of the smoothest knives I've handled, period. Hydraulic. The blade grind is fantastic, a nice, high flat grind. What I like most about this knife is it's a user. This probably gets more pocket time than any other knife I have. In fact, I'm sending mine off to a YouTube reviewer who I know will love it, and just saw on IG this is being dropped again. I will be telling lots of people who missed it the last time.
The image attached is my family portrait. Missing are a Jason Guthrie Ranger and Ferrum Forge Gavko Spinner, returning from FF for repairs after 3 months. And a few Kizers. I would pick this knife over most everything here and rate it in the top 10. Not the most beautiful, not the most exotic, and certainly nowhere near being the most expensive. But the ergonomics, action and handling are second to none. To say this is one of the worst knife drops you can remember is just painful. There's been a few drops here where the value is questionable, maybe even overpriced.
I can guarantee most everyone who participated in the last drop is glad they did. As with any hand built knife there's going to be an occasional issue pop up, but Gerry will make good on it.