Hah, thanks for the kind words, Nico! Three quick responses: [...]
It's absolutely true that my audience is mostly American, but I really hope I'm not coming across as being a "American knives are the only good knives" sort of guy. I try to keep an open mind, and very firmly believe that although I don't mind supporting folks from my home country, quality is about effort, not geography. But honestly, I just haven't been as impressed with Italian makers lately. Fox does nice work, but many of the other makers seem to have QC and detent issues (Viper), or crazy thick grinds (Lionsteel and Viper). I'd love to be blown away, but I've had too many so-so knives from the major Italian companies, even on great designs (Giant Mouse or Anso Orso), so I've been pretty reluctant to put down the cash. Any companies you can recommend that are really cranking out gems that I might be missing
No problem.
I think it might be worth to check out some of the new MKM knives since they won Cooperation of the year at Blade last year and reviews have been promising so far.
Other than that I have some ideas:
1. Lionsteel KUR.
The image shows a "KUR Wood" with added clip, but I think the original KUR is farout better to disassemble: Flat ground, slightly thinner blade makes this a much better slicer than the SR-1. It probably is my favorite Molletta designed Lionsteel knife.
2. Lionsteel TS-1 TiSpine
I never handled one but apparently it was designed by the DPx guy and I wonder why it isn't more popular. Looks slicey?!
3. Lionsteel Big Daghetta.
The Lionsteel Big Daghetta is a design by MAX (Massimo Salice Sanna). Some people called it an "Italien Valet" but while the knives have some similarities they were developed independently at roughly the same time. Note: That isn't an AXIS Lock but a Lionsteel TOL (Tactical Operation Lock). A bit murdery but I used the black G10 one as my EDC for quite some time and it did a good job. Blade and grind behind the edge is relatively thin but ofc the spear point blade prevents it from being a great slicer. I just love how the titanium version feels in hand.
4. Lionsteel Mini
Picture shows my older front flipper only version without thumbstud. The proof that Lionsteel can make incredible slicey blades...
5. Bastinelli Dragotac Compact
Don't let the name fool you, this knife isn't small. It's also a bit murdery but a good thin slicer and a perfect foldable kitchen knife. This ancient first version of the Dragotac Compact features a lot of stuff in the bad / ugly department as well (e.g. AFAIK there were virtually no knives from the first run that had a centered blade because the lock bar presses down on it in closed state). But since Bastien Cove (Bastinelli) improves his designs it might be interesting to take a look at a recently produced Dragotac. He also has other knives that might be worth a look as well.
6. Atelier Perceval Le Francais
A modern french gentlemen folder. Great slicer with great finish. Under the scales are more screws so you can disassemble it.
7. Extrema Ratio BF2-Series
I'd really love to see a Nick Shabazz review of the BF2-R (the one on top) or BF-2 (second from top). Extrema Ratio is pretty much the Italian Emerson Knives: A lot of professionals carry them and love them. There also is a huge number of collectors that love them. But at the same time a lot of people just hate them or at least think that they are outdated and overpriced.
One of the classic Extrema Ratio designs is the BF2. IMO it still is very interesting, because I never know if someone likes it or not. I somehow became a fan, but still see the problems they have and therefore won't necessarily call them a gem by objective standards. They are the equivalent of owning an Italian 1980s supercar. They are somewhat great: Relatively thin grind (BF-2), super deep carry clip, good ergonomics, probably best coating of all knives, great reliability, great quality control, available in a lot of variations. And yet at the same time they made some really questionable choices: lack of choice of steels (all are N690), poor closed position stop pin placement (who'd think that the opening pin could double as the pin that prevents the blade from hitting the standoffs at the BF2? Why does it need to be this way when they managed to solve this problem in a propper way at the very similar BF2-R?), questionable innovations (razor style front flipper opening at the BF2-R).
NickShabazz
I enjoy your videos and they've been helpful with some of my purchases (e.g. G&G Hawk Deadlock). But man, you gotta stop confusing hawkbills with recurves.
