>>307970I've had mine for a couple of years now.
They make a nice little project as they're not very well finished. (hence the ridiculously low price)
Pros:
Cheap as chips/Very good value
The wooden handled one is easily reshaped to be comfortable and it has a nice old-school look to it once reshaped and stained.
Sturdy as fuck once customised.
Extremely easy to open/close with cold hands or while wearing gloves
Holds an edge well
Good all rounder
Infinitely customisable. (I keep meaning to make a new set of scales out of some Cherry I've got stashed in the garage)
Cons:
Horrible to use straight out of the box. Handle is very uncomfortable and pinches the skin on your palm.
The blade HAS to be refinished when you get it.(I actually had to use a file before the stones to get the grind even on both sides)
You're essentially buying a blank rather than the finished article.
The tang locking/opening mechanism means you save virtually no space over a fixed blade. (You couldn't keep it in your jeans for example. Mine's in a neck sheath)
Feels flimsy and bites you until you make some kind of spacer for the back rivet and get it tightened up to your preference. (I made a washer out of a piece of boot leather)
I really like mine but I wouldn't recommend them for everyone.
I can't think of any situation where I'd choose carrying it over a 4" fixed blade and an Opinel.
As long as you're prepared to finish the thing yourself and don't mind customising it a little then go for it.
At those prices you can afford to take the risk.
