Big name knife maker collaborations equal great value

[Aloha]

The more I look around at knives I see how the easier it is to get caught up ( for some ) in everything out there regarding knives.  Blade steels, lock styles, material junkies, brand loyalist, designers, etc.  I am pretty new when it comes down to all that.  I rarely hear a grumble when it comes to Victorinox blade steel or materials, I know its a different type of knife buyer but still. 

I do love to read all the discussions regarding these topics.  Its very interesting and some of the debates can get quite passionate.  I have recently been watching videos on custom knives in the mid 1k ( US )  price range and wow.  The craftsmanship is just outstanding to say the very least.  I can understand the asking price because these knives are works of art IMO. 

What I am happy to see is the collaborations of well known knife makers and mass producers.   Emerson,  Wiilumsen, Hinderer come to mind to name just a few who have healthy custom/semi custom knife companies partnering to bring affordable knives to the mass market.

I'd like to get my hands on more of these collaborations so if any of you have them please share.  I'm not talking about knock offs or clones btw, I'm talking about legitimate collaborations. 

   

[comis]

I think there is something admirable about Victorinox than just good performance vs price point.  What I like Victorinox as a brand is that they are a responsible brand whom knows well the act of balance, certainly their huge volume allows them to bring their prices down, but I often think they also are kinda taking care of their customers by asking for a fair price and offering lifetime warranty.  And they also take care of the locate town by offering employment even thru their hardest financial times, recycle materials and try to leave as low carbon footprint as possible by efficiency use of energy.


Back to topic of collaboration, I think zero tolerance does a pretty good job as a brand to work with different famous designers.  Most of these designers might have products at 1K+ range, but ZT collaboration with them make the price point more accessible to general public, while still attain some semi-custom factors:

For more expensive collaboration folders, I have the following:

               ZT560 = Hinderer + ZT
               ZT801 = Todd Rexford + ZT
               ZT350 = Ken Onion + Mick Strider + ZT
               CRKT Ken Onion Hi Jinx (just got it very recently)
               Benchmade Bone Collector (It has a spydie opening hole, and really open my eyes to welcome more Spydie products)
               Doug Ritter Orange Bencemade MK1 (I think the drop point S30V was later made popular because of this, IIRC)

 

[Breezy12]

I have a couple of the Hinderer + ZT collaborations, the 0560 and the 0566.

both are top notch knives that simply ooze quality and have impeccable fit and finish, but were at a price point considerably lower than most custom knives... which was kind of the point of Aloha's post.

I'll try to get some pics up later.

[Styerman]

A ZT/Hinderer is the only chance I'd ever get at a Hinderer . Most of his primary sales go to Police and Emergency services . On the secondary market , his folder are pretty close to a grand .

Framelock Emersons are uncommon and high priced , the Emerso/Kai collabs. are well priced .

CRKT does some verey inexpensive collabs .

ZT has about the best build quality of any of the collabs I've seen . My only kick , is that I prefer 2.5-3" blades .

Spyderco also has superb Collabs .

Chris

[jekostas]

CRKT does *only* collaborations.  They have no in-house designers.

[Kampfer]

I like the Kershaw / Emerson series.

[sawman]

I like the CRKT M16 series.

[bmot]

I think Spyderco has some nice collaborations, as well. Love my Pingo Pin, which was a collaboration with Jesper Voxnaes and Jens Anso

[sawman]

Let us not forget what a mess Buck made with their Strider collabs. years ago. That IMO was a disaster... 

[jekostas]

Let us not forget what a mess Buck made with their Strider collabs. years ago. That IMO was a disaster... 

Wait so you're telling me that bolting a blade on to a brick doesn't make a very good knife?

Strange.

Anyways, on topic I really do like CRKT does with their collaborations.  I think they, beyond any other company, are willing to try the wacky, weird and wonderful.  I mean, what other company would've taken the chance on stuff like the Kiss or the Razel?