Anyone have experience with Curtiss Knives?

Z

ZTFan

Joined
Oct 6, 2016
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The more I try to talk myself out of it, or even distract myself with other knives, I seem to always come back to the Curtiss F3. I don’t know what it is about it... but I want one.

I’ve watched YouTube reviews, browsed his website, read testimonies... I’d say the overwhelming majority of things I’ve seen are positive, both about Dave Curtiss and his products.

Does anyone own one? Are they worth the price? Is it a good first custom knife for someone who’s only ever bought production knives? Which size do you like, Compact Medium or Large? How does it compare to other knives in its price range?

I kinda want you to talk me out of it, but I kinda don’t.
 
Supposed to be awesome flippers. Little out of my budget but they sure look nice.
 
Great action and well built. At the end of the day, it’s another titanium frame-lock flipper with a too thick blade...Ho-hum...
Not really a “custom” knife either, unless you count requesting some anodization work.
 
Great knives. I evolved from production to midtechs to semi-customs and through that range I'd say that Curtiss is my favorite.

I prefer the F3 medium. It compares favorably to an XM18 3.5" in size and IMHO has onsiderably better action than the XM.
 
ScooterG said:
Great action and well built. At the end of the day, it’s another titanium frame-lock flipper with a too thick blade...Ho-hum...
Not really a “custom” knife either, unless you count requesting some anodization work.
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Isn't it considered a custom because nothing is outsourced?

I had one and loved it minus one or two minor details. It was one of his earlier models and it showed. No lockbar insert but there wasn't any issues with lock up or stick. Flipped like a dream & if it ever got dirty, just a drop of oil would have it back to lightening fast.

My biggest complaint with it was the lockbar jimping was a little sharp but with enough use my thumb was hardened up a bit.

Also like how he is a Veteran. Once I get back to the point that I'm comfortable spending that much on a knife, Curtiss will be one of the first options I look at.
 
A true custom, IMO, is a knife built to your specifications and there is only one of those knives. Bonus if it’s at least partially done by hand and not completely automated by CNC/water-jet. Opinions will differ widely here...

If you like the knife and you’re comfortable with the price, no matter how the knife is classified, go for it.
 
ScooterG said:
A true custom, IMO, is a knife built to your specifications and there is only one of those knives. Bonus if it’s at least partially done by hand and not completely automated by CNC/water-jet. Opinions will differ widely here...

If you like the knife and you’re comfortable with the price, no matter how the knife is classified, go for it.
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By that reasoning all 400 of the custom knives on Knifecenter are actually mid-techs. Just because something wasn’t built to the customer’s specific specs doesn’t make it not a custom. If one person is building and assembling all the parts in one location, regardless of manufacturing technique, I think that certainly qualifies as a custom, and keeps the price in the range of not completely and utterly insane.

Out of curiosity, who is your favorite fully custom knifemaker?
 
ZTFan said:
By that reasoning all 400 of the custom knives on Knifecenter are actually mid-techs. Just because something wasn’t built to the customer’s specific specs doesn’t make it not a custom. If one person is building and assembling all the parts in one location, regardless of manufacturing technique, I think that certainly qualifies as a custom, and keeps the price in the range of not completely and utterly insane.

Out of curiosity, who is your favorite fully custom knifemaker?
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You are taking him too literally.

Those Knife Center customs are (mostly) what is considered a "custom". They are usually made for a dealer with the maker choosing the materials and add ons based on the dealers price requests. Or they get picked up at knife shows to resell.
To most of us those type of knives fall into custom status.

Curtiss falls into the same category as Grimsmo knives, or Olamic Cutlery. High-end production would be a better way to describe them. You can get some of it customized with ano, fullers, inlays, etc. but an F3 is an F3.
As an example. Dave will not even move the clip on a Nano for lefty carry (Fact. He told me himself when I asked) because it would mess with his machining process, and is not worth his time to write all that code. A custom maker would just make a full lefty version of whatever model requested.

I could go on for pages. Categorizing Makers is highly subjective and a very hot button topic here. It can completely sidetrack a thread. So I'll leave it at that. I don't want to hijack the thread with this.
 
ZTFan said:
By that reasoning all 400 of the custom knives on Knifecenter are actually mid-techs. Just because something wasn’t built to the customer’s specific specs doesn’t make it not a custom. If one person is building and assembling all the parts in one location, regardless of manufacturing technique, I think that certainly qualifies as a custom, and keeps the price in the range of not completely and utterly insane.

Out of curiosity, who is your favorite fully custom knifemaker?
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I said opinions would vary widely :) - By the same reasoning Hinderers and CRKs might all be customs ;)

Check out KC Gray Knives, CMFTW or some of our great makers here on the forum.
 
I have an F3 medium. It’s built well, very sharp, ergonomic ( for me ), one of the better flippers I own ( very smooth and quick ). I like the clip. Plus it’s a good looking knife. I’d recommend one. I carry it often. And yes, it’s sort of comparable to a Hinderer XM, but with better action.
 
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I also have a Curtiss...the Cruze model. Action is amazing, and the f&f is top notch. I have also spoken with Dave several times at shows....great guy. Last year i mentioned needing a new clip for my knife due to a mishap;-) He took my address there at the table and by the end of the week i had a new clip in my mailbox.
 
Rival1314 said:
I also have a Curtiss...the Cruze model. Action is amazing, and the f&f is top notch. I have also spoken with Dave several times at shows....great guy. Last year i mentioned needing a new clip for my knife due to a mishap;-) He took my address there at the table and by the end of the week i had a new clip in my mailbox.
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That’s awesome, I’d love to support his business cuz he seems like a great guy. It’s between that and this beautiful Ed Cope Custom
 
If it's between a Curtiss and a Cope and price difference doesn't matter?
I say without hesitation, in all caps and with many exclamation points..... GET THE COPE!!!!!!!!
 
NorthernSouthpaw said:
If it's between a Curtiss and a Cope and price difference doesn't matter?
I say without hesitation, in all caps and with many exclamation points..... GET THE COPE!!!!!!!!
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Haha I can’t find any of his stuff for sale anywhere else online, is he just on Knifecenter? Such a beautiful model
 
I have a Curtiss f3 medium warnie, it’s stinking awesome it’s the only Knife that can jump from a safe queen to a beater , and it can take it !! Such good detent, cutter, compact , soooo sweet I just sent mine in to a sharpening job , and to get a re-ano ! He answers your calls cool guy
 
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