Post by Lobster on Mar 31, 2016 1:01:00 GMT 3
I bought this fake in 2013 from AE for under 17$. In appearance, the fake is extremely close to the original, the only visual differences I can make out is that on the fake the liner lock is chrome plated instead of black, the pivot screw on the fake is flush with the handle while the original is a slight dome.
For a 24cm knife it is remarkably light, weighing in at 136 grams. The secret is that the knife has no liners, 2 G10 slabs and a thin liner lock is all there is in the handle. The Handle feels nice and well made with a good fit & finish, no sharp edges or points. With 13.5cm length, this handle is huge but comfortable even in the largest hands. The right side tip down only clip is allows for about 25mm of the knife to protrude when carried in a pocket, there is a lanyard hole.
The 3.5mm thick clip point blade is advertised as 9Cr13MoVCo steel despite the S30V marking. A 9.2cm long cutting edge combined with the full flat grind and taper make this knife an excellent slicer. It came quite sharp out of the box and takes a very keen edge that requires regular honing. The blade opens and closes smoothly and the large opening hole makes it a joy to operate. The lock is solid but very early. There is no play in any direction but the blade is slightly off center. The jimping on the thumb ramp and finger choil is well made and provides a very good grip in any position.
Despite the performance and looks I never really warmed up to this knife. While I like large knives, this one's handle is somehow too long for my taste and the light weight makes it feel flimsy. But in all fairness i have to admit that it has performed well at the tasks I put it through, just recently I used it on a 4 hour diving job in sea water where it did everything I expected and after a thorough rinse and lube it still looks and works fine. But unlike most of the Chinese knives I own, this fake Military feels cheap. It is certainly not representative for what Chinese manufacturers are capable of producing. Also, there are most likely different manufacturers making this particular model and others may be of better quality. I'll never know, I would not buy this one again.
For a 24cm knife it is remarkably light, weighing in at 136 grams. The secret is that the knife has no liners, 2 G10 slabs and a thin liner lock is all there is in the handle. The Handle feels nice and well made with a good fit & finish, no sharp edges or points. With 13.5cm length, this handle is huge but comfortable even in the largest hands. The right side tip down only clip is allows for about 25mm of the knife to protrude when carried in a pocket, there is a lanyard hole.
The 3.5mm thick clip point blade is advertised as 9Cr13MoVCo steel despite the S30V marking. A 9.2cm long cutting edge combined with the full flat grind and taper make this knife an excellent slicer. It came quite sharp out of the box and takes a very keen edge that requires regular honing. The blade opens and closes smoothly and the large opening hole makes it a joy to operate. The lock is solid but very early. There is no play in any direction but the blade is slightly off center. The jimping on the thumb ramp and finger choil is well made and provides a very good grip in any position.
Despite the performance and looks I never really warmed up to this knife. While I like large knives, this one's handle is somehow too long for my taste and the light weight makes it feel flimsy. But in all fairness i have to admit that it has performed well at the tasks I put it through, just recently I used it on a 4 hour diving job in sea water where it did everything I expected and after a thorough rinse and lube it still looks and works fine. But unlike most of the Chinese knives I own, this fake Military feels cheap. It is certainly not representative for what Chinese manufacturers are capable of producing. Also, there are most likely different manufacturers making this particular model and others may be of better quality. I'll never know, I would not buy this one again.