Medford On Belay first impressions

[ToolAA]

I’ve been wanting a Medford for a little while like Rick Hinderer’s Knives Medford seems to really treat his knives like the fusion of Engineering for function and artistic design. A dealer offered me one this week in trade for some work. It turned out to be a good deal for both of us.

Greg Medford is former USMC vet and current podcaster. You can check out his knives at www.medfordknives.com


This is the Medford On Belay MK038DP-02TM. Its a 4.13” flipper D2 S35VN blade with PVD coating. The Titanium handle has a tumbled finish. The hardware has a few upgrades as well. https://medfordknife.com/product/build-an-onbelay/

The knife comes in a waterproof case along with some swag.

The knife is solid it feels every bit as heavy as the 9.6oz. Even though it’s a folder this knife feels more solid than some fixed blades.

The machining and finish are pretty nice. I can see some machine marks but not many. The blade is very sharp.

I did find one flaw. Right at the tip of the blade there is a 0.2mm chip.

 

[MaxVO2]

****That's a beautiful knife. A fantastic example of high end knife work. Great pics as well.

 

[Xshot]

$550 for that!!?!? That's hysterical.

 

[ToolAA]

$550 for that!!?!? That's hysterical.

That is their price, but my cost was about 3-1/2 hrs of shop labor so I’m cool with the deal.

 

[FrankOceanXray]

That is their price, but my cost was about 3-1/2 hrs of shop labor so I’m cool with the deal.

Bartering can be awesome.

I'm no knife guy but that looks cool.

 

[outrider58]

I still don't see how a pocket knife can be worth $550. Albeit, I'm just a poor boy. I bet I can break that blade just as fast as I can break my Chynee Kershaw hinderer...

 

[MaxVO2]

I still don't see how a pocket knife can be worth $550. Albeit, I'm just a poor boy. I bet I can break that blade just as fast as I can break my Chynee Kershaw hinderer...

*****I dunno, I mean they make unbreakable combs that are sold at some barber shops, and when I was a kid I really wanted one but they cost $1 and I didn't have a $1. My parents took me there and paid for my haircut. No money for combs.

Lotta work goes into making that knife. High quality hand made stuff isn't cheap. Nighthawk, Wilson Combat versus a plastic Glock - both shoot, but no comparison in terms of quality, finish, and just plain awesome-ocity (that *should* be a word btw...)

Edged weapons, high end cutlery - some people use them as tools, but for others it's about holding something really really nice in one's hands that is well made, balanced, and functional. I'm just about to put something really really nice in my hands now, as I have to pee...

That is a really nice knife though. The steel in that blade is very expensive on its own and it holds an edge for a long time with very little touch ups needed.

 

[outrider58]

*****I dunno, I mean they make unbreakable combs that are sold at some barber shops, and when I was a kid I really wanted one but they cost $1 and I didn't have a $1. My parents took me there and paid for my haircut. No money for combs.

Lotta work goes into making that knife. High quality hand made stuff isn't cheap. Nighthawk, Wilson Combat versus a plastic Glock - both shoot, but no comparison in terms of quality, finish, and just plain awesome-ocity (that *should* be a word btw...)

Edged weapons, high end cutlery - some people use them as tools, but for others it's about holding something really really nice in one's hands that is well made, balanced, and functional. I'm just about to put something really really nice in my hands now, as I have to pee...

That is a really nice knife though. The steel in that blade is very expensive on its own and it holds an edge for a long time with very little touch ups needed.

True, all true. BUT, at the end of the day, it's a pocket knife.

As far as kitchen cutlery goes, my cheapest knife(a small paring knife) was around $175, so I do have an appreciation for fine cutlery. I'm never gonna need to try and 'jimmy' a door lock with my paring knife, I can almost bet you.

 

[dannyp]

that's a beautiful knife that i will never own , i'm more of a 20 dollar kind of a pocket knife guy. that way when i break or loose it , i don't cry a river . fred carters or the like for me .

 

[joppaj]

I have the Medford EOD knife. It's damn near a sharpened pry bar. I like the Praetorian line but they're out of my practical price range.

 

[Alea Jacta Est]

Damned fine knife.

Appreciate you sharing it.