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Drop + Ferrum Forge Dao Titanium Frame Lock
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Drop + Ferrum Forge Dao Titanium Frame Lock
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Product Description
Our sixth collaboration with custom knife shop Ferrum Forge, the Dao (which means “knife” in Chinese) is balanced, streamlined, and effective—like any good cutting tool should be. It features the same premium materials found in other Ferrum Forge knives, including an S35VN blade, titanium handle, and an ambidextrous titanium pocket clip Read More
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Customer Reviews
4.4
(139 reviews)
5star(78)
4star(45)
3star(8)
2star(5)
1star(3)
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keyboard_arrow_downhatman
362
Mar 21, 2019
checkVerified Buyer
I was ready to order my second Dao but when I started reading some of the comments I wondered if we were talking about the same knife.
The Dao compares favorably with anything in my collection. That includes customs from Ferrum Forge and others, Chris Reeve Knives, and many of MD's earlier productions, including the Gent, Falcon, Crux and Terzuola.
The Dao is a terrfic design by the Ferrum Forge guys. It is light and thin and carries easily in hand and pocket. The flipper is equally excellent. Just large and grippy enough for easy use without some reviewer calling it a "pocket-pecker."
I can even open the blade manually using thumb and blade hole. Fat thumbs may not be so lucky.
These days, I prefer stonewashed blades and lengths of 3-inches or under. But the Dao's ergos, light-weight and thin body are enough to make it one of my favorite folders.
So, yes, I will be ordering a second Dao as a backup. The Dao is a terrific, top-of-the heap knife at a bargain price.
(Edited)
SmCaudata
64
Feb 10, 2019
checkVerified Buyer
Thistle may be my favorite collaboration yet. Has a former engineer I obviously love the circuit pattern. The green and the bronze are both pretty awesome.the blade shape is great, and while I just got it and haven't been able to use it, it looks to be a very useful shape. It looks to have a very good grind it is a fairly wide stock across the back. It won't be the best slicer but for all around EDC use I think it'll be pretty good.
the number of people have commented that the flipper tab is just too small. I actually really like the tab. It doesn't stick out in your pocket. In addition the flat surface seems to give my finger a bigger purchase area so it pokes into my finger much less. I do have to be a little bit intentional about getting my fingers on the clip as to not push in the lock bar. I think this is just one of those knives that you have to develop a little bit of a skill to open, but once you get it it'll be pretty reliable. there's the sweet spot where you push the tab and instead of firing out like a rocket it's slides open like it's on ice and locks into place. It's pretty awesome. I'll have to clean it and oil it to see if I can get it to smooth out even more.
Follow up.
I still love the looks and feel. I cleaned it. The inside was gritty with a black dust. It is definitely smoother, but sadly this will never be a 100% reliable flipper with the current weak detent.
Last update:
This knife was thirsty. I ran some more nano oil into the bearing and pivot and onto the detent ball. I think it's now nicely coated and runs nearly flawlessly. As I said before I have a weak detent and the knife will actually bounce out of the closed position if I swing it shut too hard. I can make it fail to flip if I try really hard, but absent minded pushing on the button seems to be 100% now. This knife isn't going to do well dry or with gunk, but I'd never subject it to that abuse. I have better tools for those jobs. Back up to 5 star.
(Edited)
Mr_4nd3rs0n
9
Nov 13, 2019
checkVerified Buyer
I've had this knife for over six months now. For the majority of that time, it's been in the included pouch, in my desk at work. I ordered the gray circuit board model, and I was happy when it arrived. The fit and finish was excellent, the action is smooth as butter and almost feels hydraulic. The only issue I had was that the gray finish (that I chose) didn't bring along the wow factor that I was subconsciously hoping to receive.
I now have the equipment to anodize titanium at home, so I took the liberty of making it my own. Now, I can't seem to keep it out of my pocket! The light blue and burnt bronze have a shine that gives this knife a pop, and that really makes me happy.
(Edited)
Recommends this product? Yes
Omniseed
1972
Feb 27, 2019
checkVerified Buyer
The Dao is great. It's more EDC focused than the Buc, but feels different enough to justify keeping both. The Buc has a hilarious action that feels irresponsible, while the Dao has an addictive action of its own that just doesn't have the blade mass to pull off the same kind of weird tricks that the Buc likes to do.
I like the smoother, low-profile machined backspacer, it is more comfortable in the pocket throughout the day, though I like the feel of the Buc backspacer as well. They have their own feeling in the hand, like obvious twins that have distinct aesthetics from each other.
I'm bringing up the Buc so much because it's largely the same people who bought the Buc who will be interested in the Day, and they are undeniably similar knives. If you have a Buc and love it, I would say there is no reason to pass on the Dao if you have the budget for it. If you are choosing between the two, I would pick whichever you prefer at first glance or the Dao if you want to be sure you get one that will carry nicely. The Buc carries perfectly well, but the pronounced geared machining on the backspacer can occasionally catch your hand in ways the Dao backspacer hasn't so far.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BuXfuadhyi5/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=16mpj0w27sbrm
(Edited)
Onefreeman
16
Mar 14, 2019
😄 !
Right on !!
Seems you’ll most likely keep us posted!
... and, I definitely look forward to hearing about it!!
Ghostimpala
46
Aug 4, 2020
OmniseedThanks for taking the time to compare the 2. I have a Buc and love the action but never considered it the way you have. It’s true, maybe that’s why I love to fidget with it. It’s incredibly tip heavy which provides a gratifying “thunk” when deployed using the middle finger flick. I was on the fence with the Dao, especially since I picked up a twosun Bowhead in July and feel like the blade shapes are similar enough. I’ve been told my collection is starting to look the same. Anyway, thanks for the unique review; I believe I will be picking up the Dao now.
SomeInternetGuy
6
Feb 9, 2019
checkVerified Buyer
I will update this if anything changes but as of right now the knife looks great. Nice and sharp great ergos, middle finger flick works great.
I knocked a star off because the flipper is really small and the lock bar is very exposed making it really easy to put your finger on the bar and basically lock the knife closed. Hopefully I'll get used to it and it will become a non issue. The clip also makes this knife stick up out of the pocket quite a bit, up to you if that's negative or positive.
Only other thing to note was that mine was very gritty, particularly the detent ball on the blade for some reason, cleaned it and now it's nice and smooth.
1 week and alot of fidgeting update: now that the detent has broken in, the flipper tab works much better, no issues with it anymore. I've also gotten relatively used to avoiding the lockbar and only put my middle finger on it every so often, when I do it's easy to readjust then flip. I'd say it's more of a 4.5 star now.
(Edited)
DougFLA123
1404
Feb 9, 2019
I do think if they made the flipper tab just a tiny bit larger it would have made it much easier to open.
mkwong
10
Feb 19, 2019
checkVerified Buyer
This had the potential to be great and on paper it does. However, due to design and/or execution, there is a major short coming, it's almost impossible for me to open my knife one handed. I can't using my thumb on the opening in the back of the knife, due to the size and location of that opening the way I do on any Spyderco. There is simply not enough leverage. Similarly, for the flipper tab, a really high effort is required to use it, which I don't seem to be able to provide. This is about the only knife in my collection that I need to open 2 handed.
I think Ferrum Forge can fix this by providing a thicker stop pin, the pin by the pivot they use to stop the closing of the knife, if the diameter of that pin is bigger, then it should just move it enough to lessen the effort to flip open the knife.
mkwong
10
Feb 25, 2019
Thanks.
I know how it supposed to be done, but the inertia on mine is just high enough that I can't.
Again, this is the only knife in my collection that prevent me from doing so.
CherryPoppins
0
May 15, 2019
mkwongI experience the same, it is not comfortable to open one handed. You literally have to hold if by the edge of the frame to open with the spine and forget opening one header using the blade frame.
xeroberts
4
Oct 9, 2019
checkVerified Buyer
Good but not great
I absolutely love the size, design and materials of this knife. This would be my EDC knife of choice if it were not for one thing. It's really tough to open with one hand... The flipper tab is small and has sharp jimping. You have to keep your fingers off the lock bar or the knife simply won't open with the tab. Keeping your fingers off the lock bar is difficult because the frame is so narrow. In addition to this, the blade cutout intended for thumb opening is too narrow for my thumb to open. I have to use my thumb and middle finger in conjunction to open the blade with one hand. It's not impossible but when compared to opening something like a Spiderco with one thumb, it's frustrating. If FF could just improve the flipping action and the thumb cutout I'd give this a perfect score. Also, FF could reposition the pocket clip a few centimeters down and back on the handle allowing the knife to sit deeper in the pocket, which I for one would appreciate.
Recommends this product? No
bsterling430
22
Mar 7, 2019
checkVerified Buyer
I love everything about the knife. The fit and finish. The size. The color.... everything. The only problem I have is that my blade hits the Titaium backspacer from inside of the knife .. constantly causing S35VN to hit the titanium and dull the blade...other than that flaw, I'm pleased..... Massdrop please help?
AdamSN
59
Mar 8, 2019
bsterling430Yikes! Has anyone else had this issue? Hopefully if you contact Massdrop they’ll replace it.
bsterling430
22
Mar 8, 2019
AdamSNYes they are replacing it. They contacted me the next day and are sending out a new knife and a return box and label for me to place my old one with. I absolutely love my DAO.....Thanks a million massdrop for the amazing customers service. 👍🏽
(Edited)
Knifelife
3
Mar 31, 2019
checkVerified Buyer
I shouldn't complain about this knife. The good price, looks, egos(open), sharpness, detent, and it will even fall shut have me wanting to leave 4or5 stars. The opening of this knife has me bummed out. If you even have a part of a finger on the lock bar it will not deploy. This causes awkward finger acrobatics and a feeling of nearly dropping the knife once you find the sweet spot. Always wanted a FF designed knife and my other WE mfg knifes have superior deployment. Seemed like a no brainer but I'm in limbo on it being a value. I don't see it landing in my pocket often. If you like to fidget with your knifes don't get it, if you just use a knife to cut and like high end value and a good cutting tool...I would spend $50 more and get something else.
Update: I have opened and shut this knife probably 1000 times and the lock bar issue seems to have gotten alot better. That and some nano oil in the detent hole did the trick. It's either that or it just feels natural now. Regardless I'm taking this up to 4 stars. Seems to just take alot of breaking in. Failure to fire rate has went down alot also. Feeling much better about the purchase.
(Edited)
A community member
Mar 1, 2019
checkVerified Buyer
Originally gave it a two star rating - now matter how aesthetically pleasing a knife is, how can one say it is above average if it is unpleasant to use? However, only one handed open is dysfunctional (at least for me), not the lock up, handle ergonomics or blade characteristics.
the handle is too slim to be able to get a good grip for opening the blade with a digit of the same hand, without somewhat of a struggle. In my case, large hands and the effects of osteoarthritis (the common kind of arthritis) may be my undoing. But I must say this is an issue with any of my several other framelock pocket knives. So, I can recommend the knife for looks and all functions except one-handed opening.
gimleteye
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