MKC Alternative

[jhenry34]

Seconded on Argali Serac - very sharp on delivery and I find I can get traction with a variety of grip angles

 

[WRO]

I have both a MKC and a benchmade, both are great knives. MKC has a great program with the drops (I do not participate in them) but it allows them to sell what they make quickly instead of having a multiple knives on back order for an indertermined amount of time.

 

[Fever Buck]

Following this as well. Even though MKC is local to me there's no way I'm playing that drop game. I joined an MKC Facebook group and had to bail quickly. The fanboyism with those guys is the stuff of legends.

I bought a Benchmade Hidden Canyon hunter last year and used it on a couple of deer. Insanely well designed blade shape and held an edge wonderfully. Also, easy to buy anywhere.

Plus 1 for the Hidden Canyon Hunter. Really like that knife.

 

[Montana Matt]

A high quality custom made knife can often be bought for similar money as some of the knives being discussed.
Educate yourself on the good steel and go to a knife makers show. Beware of the 'knife kit assemblers' that frequent a lot of gun shows with cheap steel. Find a makerusing the higher quality steel and either buy one you like that he has in stock or order one to your own specs. That makes a super quality knife that you can use hard and pass down in your family.

 

[hunterjrg]

Argali
White River
Deer Rock
TRC
Chris Reeve Inyoni or Backpacker

 

[wowzers]

Made in USA Old Timer Sharpfingers are eBay.

 

[Darryle]

Not sure why people keep recommending anti 2a companies, such as benchmade…

Because that is a falsehood

Recoil Benchmade Interview

 

[Marbles]

It really depends on what you are looking for. Does spine thickness matter to you? Does steel? Does handle material? Does blade shape?

Benchmade has some nice knives, but I don't like any of the steels they use (having used them and been disappointed). But, only the Magnacut is better in MKCs offerings from a steel perspective.

White River makes some nice knives in Magnacut, but there spine is too thick for my liking.

Grohmann Cannadian Belt knife is a great shape, but they don't specify the stainless steel used (I'm in a costal environment, so for me stainless is important, if I lived in ID/MT/WY it would not be).

North Arm Knives are Magnacut with a great spine thickness, but the over all shape is not to my liking.

Survive Knives has great looking knives, but the company is run horribly and your 3 month quoted lead time might turn into 5 years and they never respond to calls/emails.

For me, the MKC Jackstone comes the closest to matching what I want after a little grinding and file work. If I could get a Magnacut Grohmann and a Magnacut Benchmade Flyaway I would be very happy, but neither exist.

 

[tony]

ESSE, Becker, Tops
This guy is local to me.

Mobile – Siembida Custom Knives

siembidacustomknives.com

 

[LostWapiti]

I have been using a bench made altitude for 6 years and I’m very happy with it. Can easily do a whole elk without needing to sharpen. It and it’s shockingly comfortable. I can’t imagine using a knife with paradors or it as it would just get gross.

I also carry an outdoor edge that can have the blades replaced just in case but much prefer the fixed blade.

 

[LostWapiti]

I have been using a bench made altitude for 6 years and I’m very happy with it. Can easily do a whole elk without needing to sharpen. It and it’s shockingly comfortable. I can’t imagine using a knife with paradors or it as it would just get gross.

I also carry an outdoor edge that can have the blades replaced just in case but much prefer the fixed blade.

I will add to this that seeing the current price of the bench made made a my jaw drop. I think I got mine for $100 at a show special and it also gave me a raffle ticket to win a rifle that I won. I’m not sure if I can say any knife is worth $300.

 

[Gingerbeardman26]

Extrak® Fixed Blade

SPECS + Blade Length: 3.3” + Overall Length: 7.375” + Weight: 1.9 oz BLADE + Profile: Clip Point + Thickness: 0.094"+ Material: CPM M4 Tool Steel+ Hardness: 62-64 HRC + Treatment: Cryogenically Heat Treated + Finish: Hunter Orange Cerakote® + Flat Grind -

www.hogueinc.com

I picked up one of these on a whim last year. I think I paid 149. I was pretty impressed by the factory edge. Broke down a blacktail with it last fall and it held up great. I’m a fan of M4, but it’s not for everyone.

 

[jolson]

Esee is a great durable all purpose knife. The coating makes them virtually indestructible and super easy to add an edge to. I really like them albeit they are not the lightest usually. For deboning and prying they are hard to beat. Long reputation of quality and often copied

 

[intunegp]

It really depends on what you are looking for. Does spine thickness matter to you? Does steel? Does handle material? Does blade shape?

Benchmade has some nice knives, but I don't like any of the steels they use (having used them and been disappointed). But, only the Magnacut is better in MKCs offerings from a steel perspective.

White River makes some nice knives in Magnacut, but there spine is too thick for my liking.

Grohmann Cannadian Belt knife is a great shape, but they don't specify the stainless steel used (I'm in a costal environment, so for me stainless is important, if I lived in ID/MT/WY it would not be).

North Arm Knives are Magnacut with a great spine thickness, but the over all shape is not to my liking.

Survive Knives has great looking knives, but the company is run horribly and your 3 month quoted lead time might turn into 5 years and they never respond to calls/emails.

For me, the MKC Jackstone comes the closest to matching what I want after a little grinding and file work. If I could get a Magnacut Grohmann and a Magnacut Benchmade Flyaway I would be very happy, but neither exist.

Survive! knives is a Ponzi scheme and the only reason they're still around is they keep tricking people into sending them money. There are far too many good and reputable makers to consider supporting someone with their horrid reputation. Their lack of response to calls/emails will also include when you inevitably ask for a refund because you haven't received your knife. They have open orders dating back to 2015.

Not affiliated with any knife companies and never been burned by Survive, just like to spread the word and try to save others the headache and loss of hard earned money.

 

[Marbles]

Survive! knives is a Ponzi scheme and the only reason they're still around is they keep tricking people into sending them money. There are far too many good and reputable makers to consider supporting someone with their horrid reputation. Their lack of response to calls/emails will also include when you inevitably ask for a refund because you haven't received your knife. They have open orders dating back to 2015.

Not affiliated with any knife companies and never been burned by Survive, just like to spread the word and try to save others the headache and loss of hard earned money.

I agree, I was able to get my money back only by calling the credit card company.

Well, technically it is not a ponzi scheme, just a schmuck that takes money and doesn't deliver the promised product. Commonly called a thief. My most charitable interpretation is fraud (knowingly promising what cannot be delivered).

 

[sr80]

Tanner at Frontiersman Gear out of british columbia makes some real nice knives, he also does do some "drops" but also keeps stuff in stock as well.

Home - Frontiersmen Gear

Handmade Gear Built to Use

frontiersmengear.ca

 

[flyboy214]

Pick up an argali carbon and don't look back.
Edge retention has been great through 2 whitetail and one mule deer. The size is perfect for fine work, but won't hold you back when making long cuts along the back straps.

Another bonus is you can take the whole thing apart and scrub it down. And the weight is extremely competitive.

 

[intunegp]

I agree, I was able to get my money back only by calling the credit card company.

Well, technically it is not a ponzi scheme, just a schmuck that takes money and doesn't deliver the promised product. Commonly called a thief. My most charitable interpretation is fraud (knowingly promising what cannot be delivered).

I think it goes deeper than thievery though, whether or not Ponzi is the correct term.

Within the past few days they were selling "factory 2nd" GSO 5.1's on the website...in stock and will ship within one week supposedly. There are people out there waiting on the GSO 5.1 that they pre-ordered over a year ago. He's selling the same knife twice, but only one buyer actually gets the knife.

You took money for a preorder 15 months ago and all you have to show for it are some factory 2nds? I call BS.

 

[flyfisher117]

MKC is nice, but nothing they are hyped up to be. Just nice little knives. Their latest "small batch" and other limited edition drops are insane. Not sure why people are paying what they pay. I enjoy my speed goat and mini speed goat. I want a stoned goat or stonewall just not sure I'm going to buy new. Only if I can find used.

Screw Benchmade. They have been a shitty company lately. They are or were suing MKC and one of their own engineers for non compete and "breach of NDA" . Waiting to see how that pans out.

I'm simple I enjoy Buck. My favorite knife is a silly little $12 Buck Paklite caping knife. Bought it 10 years ago in college because I forgot my knives at home one year and it's been in my pack since then.

 

[Marbles]

Screw Benchmade. They have been a shitty company lately. They are or were suing MKC and one of their own engineers for non compete and "breach of NDA" . Waiting to see how that pans out.

I would need more details than that to pass judgement. In general I'm not a fan of NDAs, but if it pertains to trade secrets, I view them as reasonable and depending on the details it could lower my opinion of MKC.