jstn
Gold Member
- Joined
- Jun 27, 2012
- Messages
- 3,688
I've been waiting the try out the Ant lock for years now. I am a sucker for innovative new locks and I dislike flippers, so this blade is right down my alley.
I've never had a Steel Will before, but I am super impressed with this knife, especially at the $170 price point with M390 steel. Fit and finish are excellent, no blade play at all, and it is a really good looking knife. I think the Bowie-style blade is the highlight aesthetically, but the handle is really nicely contoured as well; it fits my hand perfectly.
As for the Ant lock, it is quite different in use from the Axis lock. At first I kept wanting to pull back to disengage the lock, but after ten minutes of playing with it, pulling up instead of back became very intuitive. I also suspect this lock will be very strong, and the way it is constructed allows Steel Will to leave the knife linerless, so it is nice and light.
The ergos on this are perfect for me, with no hotspots, and the clip is really unobtrusive. The orange backspacer adds a nice touch of color to the handle.
The only negative for me is that the handles aren't super grippy. They do have some texturing to them, but I prefer more. I think for many this will be a positive, however, and the ergos really lock it into my hand.
For price, materials, fit and finish, and aesthetics, I would almost have to give this knife a 10/10 right now. I think it will be a perfect EDC.
I've never had a Steel Will before, but I am super impressed with this knife, especially at the $170 price point with M390 steel. Fit and finish are excellent, no blade play at all, and it is a really good looking knife. I think the Bowie-style blade is the highlight aesthetically, but the handle is really nicely contoured as well; it fits my hand perfectly.
As for the Ant lock, it is quite different in use from the Axis lock. At first I kept wanting to pull back to disengage the lock, but after ten minutes of playing with it, pulling up instead of back became very intuitive. I also suspect this lock will be very strong, and the way it is constructed allows Steel Will to leave the knife linerless, so it is nice and light.
The ergos on this are perfect for me, with no hotspots, and the clip is really unobtrusive. The orange backspacer adds a nice touch of color to the handle.
The only negative for me is that the handles aren't super grippy. They do have some texturing to them, but I prefer more. I think for many this will be a positive, however, and the ergos really lock it into my hand.
For price, materials, fit and finish, and aesthetics, I would almost have to give this knife a 10/10 right now. I think it will be a perfect EDC.
