Mantis Friction Folder?

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Anyone have one of these yet?

http://www.heinnie.com/-UK-Legal-Carry-Knives/Mantis-UK-Legal-Knives/Friction-Folder/p-641-666-8292/

[nuphoria]

Looks uncomfortable.

But no, I don't have one!

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

I dunno, it looks quite comfy, and hand filling to me

[nuphoria]

Well, I don't know what you're used to having in your hand

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Well, I don't know what you're used to having in your hand

Far too much since I stopped being single

[jekostas]

I'd probably skip Mantis, they don't really have a very good reputation.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Really?

That is disapointing

[jekostas]

Really?

That is disapointing

They've been caught outright lying about materials in their knives before.  Also, a few years back when there was some negative reviews on a few Mantis knives on BF, the owner apparently got a bunch of people to sign up and spam the forums.

Also, well, there's this:

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Oh dear

Well I'll give it a miss then

Thanks for the heads up mate

[shecky]

Really?

That is disapointing

They've been caught outright lying about materials in their knives before.  Also, a few years back when there was some negative reviews on a few Mantis knives on BF, the owner apparently got a bunch of people to sign up and spam the forums.

Also, well, there's this:

I would regard bladeforum's reviews with a grain of salt. Mantis was caught lying about steel the way that Sal Glesser was caught lying about the steel on his Byrd knives when they came out. Basically, it looks more like a spec change that happens between the concept and implementation.

The biggest sin was that Mantis had the spamming contest, which got key bf members steamed. They are a very sensitive bunch, and hurt feelings seem to have a very long life there. This promotional gimmick has zero to do with the quality of the knives. Almost everyone who slams Mantis on the forum has not handled the knives, and has vowed to never handle the knives. Of the few actual negative reviews, they have a tendency to be suspiciously and unbelievably negative. As in set-off-the-bs-meter negative. Positive reviews are generally shouted down by the self appointed bf police, doing their best to make sure Mantis gets their proper spanking for breaking bf rules.

Like any clique, bf has insiders and outsiders. And for a bunch of self proclaimed outdoorsy tough guys, they have the thinnest skins I've ever observed among people over the age of about 12. There is some wisdom to be found there, only if one can recognize the chaff for what it is.

As for the video, I don't see how that could be spun as a negative. It looks like an interesting concept that I have little use for. But it doesn't appear to be something that is objectively bad.

The closest person I can think of regarding perception on bf to Jared West is Lynn Thompson, who himself has been the butt of much derision on bladeforums, for offenses that are too often imagined, and almost always overblown. I always thought the biggest reason he was hated so much is that it hurts see oneself in the mirror, especially when that image looks like the fat, nerdy fetishist that is Thompson. Whatever sins West committed seem to have been sins that really only count in the realm of bladeforums. That he seems to get a great deal of enjoyment running his company is like salt in the bladeforum wound, only creating more hurt and hate.

I can say that I own a Mantis knife. I was an early adopter of one of their small multitools, the B-4 Buzzard. It was advertised as a 420HC knife with a bottle opener/combo tool. It performs like 420HC. And as I have reviewed on bf when I got it, the fit and finish of the tool is flawless. The implementation is clever and generally well thought out. My criticisms back then and now are that the edge bevel was thicker and not as acute as I think it could have been, and the blade has a chisel grind. These flaws are a matter of personal taste, and do not reflect on the integrity of Mantis.

Mantis products are carried by several reputable dealers, the lineup has steadily expanded, and until now, I haven't purchased more simply because they mostly don't appeal to me. The appearance of the friction folder may change that, and I would not hesitate should the bug bite me when I see one.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Thanks for the informative post mate, I appreciate it

I'm still wavering over that, or an OH slippy as we speak

[AimlessWanderer]

Pssst Mike .... Byrd Tern 

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Well it's ordered

Hopefully it'll be a good bit of kit

The Byrd was really in the running, as was the Spydie Squeak, and the Boker Nano 42...

[Steinar]

Remember to tell us about it when you have used it a little. I have considered that knife myself.

[trey]

Wow, shecky, great post.  You nailed bladeforums. 

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Remember to tell us about it when you have used it a little. I have considered that knife myself.

Will do mate

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Well it arrived today, and so far I'm impressed