First impressions...

[Sharp & Fiery]

Looking for your first thought when you see this new knife...

I was excited...then dissapointed.

Edit to add: this is NOT my knife. Its a new model for preorder from a certain company.
I comandeered these fotos from the world wide web. Also, i am in no way affiliated with this company, or trying to “market” this knife.

 

[b00n]

Thought 1: Probably too small for my hand.
Thought 2: The pivot screw looks like an after thought on the lock side.

 

[WValtakis]

First impression...that's a loooong pocket clip

 

[Sharp & Fiery]

@boon apparently the screw is just to hold it together for the picture. There will be a nicer screw.

 

[gazz98]

First impression...that's a loooong pocket clip

My first thought as well ... I also like the option of removing the pocket clip too.

My second thought, I'm not a fan of metal handles.

Overall, it is a nice and clean design.

 

[goldie]

pocket clip is too long that's for sure might be a sign this knife is the size of a peanut ?...

 

[blades&wrenches]

First impression...that's a loooong pocket clip

The pivot screw looks like an after thought on the lock side.

Two of my first thoughts as well. Clip is way too long and pivot screw looks like an afterthought. Also looks like someone based their design largely off of a Shiro NeOn.

 

[Sharp & Fiery]

blades&wrenches

That was my thought...looks like a softened Shiro design...not sure how i feel about that.

 

[specgrade]

It kinda reminds me of my Kershaw Shallot. I really don't like frame locks. Seems boring to me...

 

[evilgreg]

It does look like a Shiro clone at a glance, though the clip is baffling altogether--makes you double take to figure out if the knife is tiny or the clip is huge.

 

[Sharp & Fiery]

evilgreg

Would this be considered a clone? Or a homage? Or an original design in your opinion?

 

[Ajack60]

Very first impression, it’s a Shirogorov knock off. Change a few things and there you go.
IMO,Definitely not an original design, maybe too much difference to be a clone. I guess you’d label it a homage??

 

[Sharp & Fiery]

Second time tonight ive agreed with you Ajack60 . My thoughts exactly.
I dont know what conclusion to draw.
I like this blade, but its not made by Shirogorov, and i love my Shiros. Its different enough, but still so similar to me.

 

[evilgreg]

evilgreg

Would this be considered a clone? Or a homage? Or an original design in your opinion?

Assuming it's not some unlabeled Shiro prototype? Hmm, I eyeballed the photo before reading the thread and it screamed Shiro to me, reminds me a bunch of the original (and sort of blah) Neon design, so I'd lean towards clone. That said, there are only so many ways to shape the handle and blade of a folding pocket knife so there's going to be some overlap. I wouldn't feel right producing this if I was a knifemaker, though, for whatever that's worth.

 

[Sharp & Fiery]

I agree with you evilgreg
There will be some overlap...but handle shape and blade shape?
Too much of a coincidence.

 

[evilgreg]

I agree with you evilgreg
There will be some overlap...but handle shape and blade shape?
Too much of a coincidence.

Yeah, even the description on their page sounds like the description you'd read for a Neon (I reverse image searched your pictures and found the maker--I've never heard of them before, incidentally):

Ever since I started making knives, guys have asked me to do a light weight slicer - and here it is.

Specs:

Blade: 3mm full flat grind, M390 stainless steel

Lock Bar Insert: M390 Stainless Steel, weight relived

Detent: Ceramic Ball, pressed into the titanium spring side

Handles: Fully 3D - Machined 6AL4V Titanium, back-side pocketed

Pivot: 3/16 diameter 416 Stainless Steel with bearings and stainless thrust washers

Back Spacer: 6AL4V Titanium, 3D Machined

Pocket Clip: 6AL4V Titanium, 3D-Machined on both sides to match body contours

Dimensions:

Closed Length: 4.75"

Open Length: 8.00"

Height: 1.25"

Width, with pocket clip: less than 0.5"

Weight: 2.85 ounces.

IMO, it's a shady gray-area clone. Enough small differences for those who want to buy it to justify it to themselves, and similar enough to make others call it a copy . . .

 

[miso2]

Looks like Shiro/Southard hybrid.

 

[Henry Beige]

An homage.

 

[Sharp & Fiery]

evilgreg
You’re sneaky. Lol. I hadnt heard of them before either...my buddy asked if i had and i hadnt so i googled them. First thought was...that looks like a Shiro.

 

[K.O.D.]

Boring. Too many plain metal handled knives out there already. The Ti flipper market is already oversaturated.

That pocket clip...it's long enough to be a porn star.