Comes for the king, doesn’t quite hit: Tactile Mariner 2 Review
Published: 1 week ago
(Video description assisted by Gemini AI)
This video presents a detailed review of the Tactile Knife Company Mariner 2. Positioned as a modern tribute to Bob Terzuola's classic 1987 Mariner design, this knife aims high. However, this review argues that while the Mariner 2 is a very good knife, its premium pricing places it against exceptional competitors, making it fall slightly short of the excellence required at its price point, particularly when compared to benchmarks like the Chris Reeve Small Sebenza.
Tactile Knife Company Mariner 2 Specifications:
Designer Heritage: Based on Bob Terzuola's 1987 Mariner 2
Manufacturer: Tactile Knife Company (Made in Texas, USA)
Blade Steel: Magnacut (Heat Treated to 63-64 HRC)
Blade Length: 2.985 inches (Just under 3")
Blade Thickness: 0.100 inches
Blade Shape: Sheepsfoot
Blade Grind: Flat Grind (~20 thousandths behind the edge @ 17 degrees per side from factory)
Handle Length (Closed): 4.175 inches (Just over 4")
Handle Materials: Titanium Liner Lock; Variations include Full Titanium, Carbon Fiber, G10, Vintage Micarta show sides
Weight: ~2.99 oz (Full Ti model closer to 3.5 oz mentioned in script, specs page says 2.99oz for CF model - note potential discrepancy)
Opener: Two-tiered Thumb Disc
Pivot: Bearings
Price: Starting at $399 (G10), $429 (Full Ti, CF, Micarta), up to $529+ (DLC)
This analysis evaluates the Mariner 2 not just on its heritage but primarily on its performance and value as a modern EDC knife.
Key Aspects Reviewed:
Design, Heritage & Finish: Explores the connection to Bob Terzuola's original design, noting modern updates like the smaller size, machined clip, and finger scallop. Praises the classy, restrained aesthetic, the excellent handle finishing (smooth blasting, chamfers), flush hardware, and the intricately designed two-tiered thumb disc.
Ergonomics & Utility: Assesses the knife's feel in hand, noting the subtle curves, effective chamfering, and added finger notch contribute to solid, intuitive ergonomics. The classic sheepsfoot blade shape is deemed suitable for common EDC tasks like opening packages and precision cuts, fitting easily into a pocket.
Cutting Performance: Critiques the blade's performance. While the Magnacut steel and thin 0.10" stock are promising, the relatively thick-behind-the-edge flat grind results in cutting ability that is merely adequate, not exceptional, falling short compared to knives like the Small Sebenza, Spyderco Delica, or TRM Neutron. The factory edge is also noted as unimpressive.
Action & Mechanics: Discusses the liner lock mechanism running on bearings. While the thumb disc deployment is effective, the action is described as initially gritty, requiring break-in, and never achieving top-tier smoothness ("shake-shut"). The tendency for the pivot to loosen without Loctite is mentioned as a drawback. A preference for a well-tuned washer system on such a classic design is noted.
Price & Value Proposition: Directly tackles the $429+ price point, comparing it head-to-head with the similarly priced Chris Reeve Small Sebenza ($425). The review concludes the Sebenza offers superior fit, finish, tolerances, blade grind performance, action smoothness, and ergonomics for the money, making the Mariner 2 difficult to recommend purely on value unless one is a dedicated Terzuola fan or specifically prefers the Mariner's design.
This review concludes that the Tactile Mariner 2 is a well-crafted knife with a significant design heritage, but its performance and action don't quite reach the "great" level implied by its premium price, especially when compared to established benchmarks in the same category.
Official Links:
Tactile Knife Co. Mariner 2 Collection: https://tactileknife.co/collections/mariner-2
Bob Terzuola Design (Designer's Website): https://terzuola.net/ (Note: Availability on linked pages may vary. Links provided for informational purposes.)
Share your experiences or opinions on the Tactile Mariner 2 in the comments section below.
This video presents a detailed review of the Tactile Knife Company Mariner 2. Positioned as a modern tribute to Bob Terzuola's classic 1987 Mariner design, this knife aims high. However, this review argues that while the Mariner 2 is a very good knife, its premium pricing places it against exceptional competitors, making it fall slightly short of the excellence required at its price point, particularly when compared to benchmarks like the Chris Reeve Small Sebenza.
Tactile Knife Company Mariner 2 Specifications:
Designer Heritage: Based on Bob Terzuola's 1987 Mariner 2
Manufacturer: Tactile Knife Company (Made in Texas, USA)
Blade Steel: Magnacut (Heat Treated to 63-64 HRC)
Blade Length: 2.985 inches (Just under 3")
Blade Thickness: 0.100 inches
Blade Shape: Sheepsfoot
Blade Grind: Flat Grind (~20 thousandths behind the edge @ 17 degrees per side from factory)
Handle Length (Closed): 4.175 inches (Just over 4")
Handle Materials: Titanium Liner Lock; Variations include Full Titanium, Carbon Fiber, G10, Vintage Micarta show sides
Weight: ~2.99 oz (Full Ti model closer to 3.5 oz mentioned in script, specs page says 2.99oz for CF model - note potential discrepancy)
Opener: Two-tiered Thumb Disc
Pivot: Bearings
Price: Starting at $399 (G10), $429 (Full Ti, CF, Micarta), up to $529+ (DLC)
This analysis evaluates the Mariner 2 not just on its heritage but primarily on its performance and value as a modern EDC knife.
Key Aspects Reviewed:
Design, Heritage & Finish: Explores the connection to Bob Terzuola's original design, noting modern updates like the smaller size, machined clip, and finger scallop. Praises the classy, restrained aesthetic, the excellent handle finishing (smooth blasting, chamfers), flush hardware, and the intricately designed two-tiered thumb disc.
Ergonomics & Utility: Assesses the knife's feel in hand, noting the subtle curves, effective chamfering, and added finger notch contribute to solid, intuitive ergonomics. The classic sheepsfoot blade shape is deemed suitable for common EDC tasks like opening packages and precision cuts, fitting easily into a pocket.
Cutting Performance: Critiques the blade's performance. While the Magnacut steel and thin 0.10" stock are promising, the relatively thick-behind-the-edge flat grind results in cutting ability that is merely adequate, not exceptional, falling short compared to knives like the Small Sebenza, Spyderco Delica, or TRM Neutron. The factory edge is also noted as unimpressive.
Action & Mechanics: Discusses the liner lock mechanism running on bearings. While the thumb disc deployment is effective, the action is described as initially gritty, requiring break-in, and never achieving top-tier smoothness ("shake-shut"). The tendency for the pivot to loosen without Loctite is mentioned as a drawback. A preference for a well-tuned washer system on such a classic design is noted.
Price & Value Proposition: Directly tackles the $429+ price point, comparing it head-to-head with the similarly priced Chris Reeve Small Sebenza ($425). The review concludes the Sebenza offers superior fit, finish, tolerances, blade grind performance, action smoothness, and ergonomics for the money, making the Mariner 2 difficult to recommend purely on value unless one is a dedicated Terzuola fan or specifically prefers the Mariner's design.
This review concludes that the Tactile Mariner 2 is a well-crafted knife with a significant design heritage, but its performance and action don't quite reach the "great" level implied by its premium price, especially when compared to established benchmarks in the same category.
Official Links:
Tactile Knife Co. Mariner 2 Collection: https://tactileknife.co/collections/mariner-2
Bob Terzuola Design (Designer's Website): https://terzuola.net/ (Note: Availability on linked pages may vary. Links provided for informational purposes.)
Share your experiences or opinions on the Tactile Mariner 2 in the comments section below.