Massdrop x Ferrum Forge Dao Titanium Frame Lock
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Massdrop x 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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JonasHeineman
5779
Collaborations
Aug 28, 2018
Stickied
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Hey everyone,
If you were among the 1250+ members who joined the pre-order drop for our Massdrop x Ferrum Forge Buc, then this knife may look familiar. The Buc has just finished shipping to members, and so far it’s getting 5-star reviews from nearly every member who has posted - thanks, we’re glad you like it!
The Buc and Dao share a nearly-identical handle frame design, with a few subtle differences - namely, the Buc has a lanyard hole while the Dao does not, and the backspacer on the Buc protrudes from the spine slightly while the Dao’s backspacer sits flush. The big difference between the Buc and the Dao is the blade shape; the Buc’s oversize cleaver / saber blade has a spine that continues to rise from the handle, while the Dao’s drop-point blade has a spine that mirrors the handle curvature, creating a very balanced look and feel.
For our sixth collaboration with Ferrum Forge, we kept many of the design cues that have been popular in the community - titanium frame lock, S35VN steel, blue and bronze anodizing. Based on the popularity of milled patterns on the Crux (which were not available during the first / pre-order drop), Elliot came up with some great designs for this handle. The Tech Saber pattern already had a name, but when I saw the pattern with lines and circles it reminded me immediately of a circuit board. We spent a long time working with Chris Williamson and the WE Knife team on a way to get two-tone anodizing in green and gold that recalls the tones found on a real circuit board - what you see here is the result of a multi-stage process in which the whole scale is anodized green at a higher voltage, then have the top surfaces polished clean, and finally are re-anodized gold at a lower voltage.
Thanks for checking this out! It’s hard to believe this is already our sixth project with the Ferrum Forge guys - thanks to everyone who has joined drops for the past five models and made this possible!
Carry On! -- Jonas
(Edited)
g_browne
1
Mar 25, 2019
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is there any way for me to get a replacement lockbar insert for my ferrum forge falcon?
Smisekj
11
May 11, 2019
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Love my Dao and would buy another, just wish the distressed green and gold was available in the slab sided version. I am not all that into pretty milling on my knives but I do like that color. If MD would release more colors I probably would even get more than just one.
bsterling430
13
May 1, 2019
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How can we complain? I've purchased these two beauties for less than the price of a Sebenza. How am I losing? Blade steel.....nah.... Lock-up....nah.... thank you Drop.com
ecoleman
376
May 2, 2019
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The Dogtooth is really nice, got mine in the rosewood. Unfortunately my Dao is a dud.
Illinois_knife_guy
225
Apr 30, 2019
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Make this in a mini version and I'll be all over it.
2.8 inch blade at 2.5mm or 3mm stock. that would be sweet
Icepick8008
4
May 17, 2019
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This knife would be unusable if it were smaller. Unless you have child hands. For having a 3.4in blade, I was very surprised how small and compact it feels in the hand. I love it, but it's definitely a light carry knife.
Illinois_knife_guy
225
May 19, 2019
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Cool bro, I'm glad you like it. But I still think the knife would sell better if it were smaller.
I own a few knifes and this is similar in length (3.5") to the Warwolf, the Cutjack, and the HK Blitz. I own all these knives, and with my large hands they fit pretty damn well. But I never use them. Why? they are too big for practical purposes in day to day life.
What I carry with my large hands (8" wrist to fingertip, 9" thumb extended to pinky extended, 5" across closed fist) are the much more practical Chaparral at 2.8" blade, the FF Gent at 3" blade, or the Victorinox Spartan at 2.75" blade.
This is a 'pretty' knife that I would actually want to carry around with me. I never need more than 3" to ever need to open a letter, or cut an apple, or open a box, or just about anything I need to do on my daily activities. This IS a big knife. I would never take this with me anywhere, I wouldn't take it out of my pocket at a coffee place, I would just never use it and would likely dump it in a drawer. When I take a knife to work (in a steel industry) i use either a fixed Mora Pro S or my cutjack because those two knifes are possibly the greatest utilitarian knives on the market.
Lastly, there is absolutly no reason a pocket/EDC/show knife should ever be 4mm thick! The Para 2 is 3.5mm and that is thick! Why in God's good name does FF and WE make these knives in 4mm!? 4" to 3" knives have no business being larger than 3.5mm unless it's an outdoors knife.
TL;DR: This knife, and most Drop knives, are too damned thick (4mm). It's too long for a daily light-use knife. If you don't believe me, pick up a Victorinox Spartan and try out a smaller blade. You will most likely see my point after a week.
keiferr
1
Apr 19, 2019
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having some trouble with slow deployments and missed deployments. the pivots are as loose as they can be and any tighter and it misses like half the time. the detent is really strong, i feel like this knife should be rocketing out. anyone else? do i have a bunk knife?
(Edited)
ecoleman
376
May 2, 2019
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Really!? They told me a replacement wasn't possible, how'd you get one?
hatman
286
Apr 6, 2019
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Just received my second Dao.
Same as the first -- flipping is perfect.
rob-okray
171
Apr 5, 2019
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Still like any other we/ff/md knife better than the Dao. Currently, the Crux is my fav.
awoodby
34
Mar 27, 2019
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Received knife 3/20/19 and flipper plain will not open knife.
The detente is an overperformer, will just plain not open via flipper unless you push so hard 2 handed you have a dent for half an hour. I have a half dozen flippers in front of me right now and this is waaay harder. Unusably.
I've manually opened and closed it 100x but no change. Once you get past the detente the action if hella smooth and it's a great knife, truly.
First thing I tried was turning the liner bar screw, in then out, and it appears to be stripped now (soft stainless, i wasn't turning very hard)
so now, any tips on where to get small head 2-56 screws? The usa knife maker ones have big heads.
awoodby
34
Apr 12, 2019
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Well, no comments, but I have some to add.
I finally drilled it to get purchase, and used a torch to get some heat to release the threadlock, and got the crossthreaded screw out.
I ordered several batches of 2.5mm screws (these are NOT 2-56), found a match, and screwed the bar back together well.
Now, the SUPER tight detente ball. I used a conical stone by hand and spun it in the drilled hole for the detante ball, just a little bit, and now the knife is openable! Still stiff, as soon as the finger heals it'll be usable (right now a damaged finger and pushing that flipper is a pain)
SO, if you want to fix it, you Can take it apart, use a lighter or be gentle with a torch to release the threadlocker! That stuff's thread glue. Then just smooth out the detente ball hole a LITTLE bit, and try. you can always to more, but you can't add it back!
hatman
286
Mar 25, 2019
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The Dao is a joy to flip.
I own multiple copies of the Falcon and Crux and I wish they had the same flipper as my Dao.
Chris_Ng
4
Mar 22, 2019
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I'm curious... Why is the base model dao 25 dollars more expensive than the buc?
TheTaggerung
122
Mar 22, 2019
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Probably because the aesthetics are what's currently desirable in the hobby. Modified sheepsfoot, small flipper tab (pocket pecker), stylized cutout in the blade, etc...
Fernando22
3
Mar 15, 2019
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Love the size, ergonomics and blade shape on the Dao. My main criticism of the knife is that even the slightest (and I mean slightest) pressure on the lock bar renders the knife inoperable.
rob-okray
171
Mar 14, 2019
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So I take out my beater knife, a cheap LAPG with S35VN, G10 scales, and a steel liner. I upgraded the stock bearings with Boca ceramics and have less than $50 into it all told. I flip it open, slice open a package with no drama and then wonder if titanium and pretty was worth the extra hundred bucks and occasional missed flips. Starting to think not.
rob-okray
171
Apr 24, 2019
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I'll check out the video. Video says it's real sv35, but is only about 50 HRC. So good steel bad heat treat.
(Edited)
azraelsblade
72
Mar 12, 2019
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The Dao is an excellent cutting tool. The blade is nicely thin behind the edge despite the thicker-than-absolutely-necessary blade stock. It is comfortable in hand with no major hot spots. The lock-up is solid. The fit and finish are excellent, especially considering the price point.
My one complaint: the flipper tab needs to by 25-33% larger. Finger-flick deployment is fine but that flipper tab eats my finger almost every time.
rob-okray
171
Mar 12, 2019
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At this point I am calling it as unflippable. It's a shame too. Everything else seems well done, but the flipper tab. So sad. Why Ferrum Forge? Why? Now 10-15 % non-flippable. American made ceramic bearings, oil, proper pivot torque.
(Edited)
rob-okray
171
May 2, 2019
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Next time I will look very closely at the pic before hitting the buy icon.
ecoleman
376
May 3, 2019
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The pictures are what convinced me to buy it, I love the looks, and based on others' feedback on their knives having good action it seems like a few bad eggs slipped through QC. It's unfortunate and I really would love to see Drop stock a few extras as replacements for this exact scenario. Apparently another customer was able to get a replacement but I was told they only ordered the exact amount!?
rob-okray
171
Mar 12, 2019
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Is it me or is this flipper tab on the small side? This is not as flippable as other FF/WE/MD knives.
rob-okray
171
Mar 8, 2019
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Have a green circuit board on the way. Now If I can only find my wing and buc. Found my gent and crux a few days back, so maybe there is hope.
BrokenLinx
16
Mar 1, 2019
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Anyone know which gray version has the bronze clip and backspacer?
It's the 3rd from the top in the pic of all.
Doesn't seem to match the descriptions.
Davidsh331
143
Feb 28, 2019
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Didn't I only just received this one recently from its last drop? And now it's back again already? Wow...
TheTaggerung
122
Feb 28, 2019
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That's how "massdrop-made" stuff works. The initial "drop" is an interest check to initiate production. From then on it goes permanently in stock for the foreseeable future.
Hob-nob
0
Feb 16, 2019
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Mine is a green/gold tech saber. Its on eBay now if anyone would like it.
Threat_Level
10
Feb 16, 2019
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How much were these?
I had someone trying to sell me a blue/bronze Dao for $215 in plain scale.....I definitely declined.
Were these that much more than the Buc?
AtticusVulpes
64
Feb 12, 2019
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This one needs to come back. And hopefully with some new options.
Iron-Buddha
31
Feb 11, 2019
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Just got mine today in bronze titanium.
- Narrow handle, nice balance between ease of carry and grip.
- Longer, more functional blade than the Falcon.
- Strider SNG x Burnley Kwaiken = Ferrum Dao.
- WE Knives build quality and materials is amazing for this price point. Wasn't long ago that a knife like this would be $300+. Blade is perfectly centered. Very sharp out of the box.
- Stonewash finish will wear better than satin finish on Falcon.
- Very high blade to handle ratio.
- Larger choil.
- Larger flipper tab.
- Pocket clip mounted at far end of handle so rides deeper.
- Backspacer to protrude a bit to show the blue (this is purely cosmetic) and increase grip a bit.
- More lock-face contact. The slim handle design has tradeoffs, although it locks up nice and solid out of the box.
MadCadder
77
Feb 11, 2019
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FF Dao CN 108 checking in. Latest addition to my Empire of Dirt. Sending my FF Dao and Gent to @Gunmonkey1974 for sharpening and customization
MadCadder
77
May 10, 2019
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@Gunmonkey1974 did it. Check out his youtube channel. His contact info is at the start of the videos https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCPhlfjjibHcgIfcG68mCxPg
Threat_Level
10
Feb 10, 2019
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About how long before we see the leftovers posted?
So bummed I missed out on the original drop.
Hob-nob
0
Feb 17, 2019
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The buy it now must be 20% more than the bid. The starting bid is the price I paid for the knife $150. Thanks for looking, and the reply have a good one.
Arie001
29
Feb 21, 2019
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I'm surprised they haven't showed up yet. I'm holding out on buying anything else on Massdrop until the Dao drops.
pigsydney3
35
Feb 9, 2019
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I have the Grey Circuit Board Dao and just love it.The knife feels good in the hand and has great fit and construction.
DougFLA123
1088
Feb 9, 2019
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I got the Circuit Board Green and Gold...I’m glad it’s more of a Bronze than a Gold. The Bronze makes the pattern look like an actual circuit board land/trace.
burygems
18
Feb 8, 2019
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CIRCUIT BOARD DAO TRADE??
Hi MD folks,
Got the Dao yesterday.
Got the green circuit board one. I’m so glad it’s not gaudy gold but rather a classy bronze.
Love it!
One thing I did not consider before purchase...I’m left handed. When I flip the clip to the other side, I’m concerned the great millwork will eventually start to tear up my pockets.
Anybody out there in the community interested in trading a plain bronze one for a circuit board??
(Edited)
burygems
18
Apr 19, 2019
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Hey there. Thanks for the offer. Sorry, but. I have already sold it. I’m sure they will do another run of these soon. Thanks again! Cheers!
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