Review: Artisan Cutlery Arion (WMK Liner Lock Variant) 3.61" AR-RPM9 Blade with Micarta Scales
Published: 1 year ago
I recorded the video on this quite a while back from when I'm writing this description... Of course for mainly review channels, it seems like it's only used for a resource for affiliated links rather than giving people information... especially when it's next to impossible to view on mobile...
Anyway, I love this damned thing. They did a great job with the rough texture on the micarta while still having it feel like good quality. Also nesting liners on both sides of the scales is great, and not always a given when a company converts a titanium frame lock down to these.
It's a fairly aggressive drop point. That puts the tip of the blade close to what most modified wharncliffe's do, so utility cuts are easy to do, while still giving you the power that a large belly can provide.
Blade stock is also thin and comes with a high flat grind, so the geometry is great, and you still have a flat portion that makes it easy to sharpen on a fixed angle system.
The version without the blacked blade is still available. Outside of a funky G10-CF laminate version, this is about the only affordable version, as the other variants are Ti frame locks, or are using other exotic materials mixed with S35VN to keep the price at $200.
Specs:
3.61" (91.7 mm) AR-RPM9 blade with 3.2 mm stock thickness
4.07 oz / 115 gram weight
0.42" (10.7 mm) handle thickness (micarta)
Nested Liner Lock
Ceramic bearings & detent ball
Link Where Purchased: https://whitemountainknives.com/arriving-in-november-wmk-exclusive-artisan-cutlery-arion-liner-lock-folding-knife-olive-drab-green-micarta-black-dlc-coated-ar-rpm9-blade-1843p-odg/
Anyway, I love this damned thing. They did a great job with the rough texture on the micarta while still having it feel like good quality. Also nesting liners on both sides of the scales is great, and not always a given when a company converts a titanium frame lock down to these.
It's a fairly aggressive drop point. That puts the tip of the blade close to what most modified wharncliffe's do, so utility cuts are easy to do, while still giving you the power that a large belly can provide.
Blade stock is also thin and comes with a high flat grind, so the geometry is great, and you still have a flat portion that makes it easy to sharpen on a fixed angle system.
The version without the blacked blade is still available. Outside of a funky G10-CF laminate version, this is about the only affordable version, as the other variants are Ti frame locks, or are using other exotic materials mixed with S35VN to keep the price at $200.
Specs:
3.61" (91.7 mm) AR-RPM9 blade with 3.2 mm stock thickness
4.07 oz / 115 gram weight
0.42" (10.7 mm) handle thickness (micarta)
Nested Liner Lock
Ceramic bearings & detent ball
Link Where Purchased: https://whitemountainknives.com/arriving-in-november-wmk-exclusive-artisan-cutlery-arion-liner-lock-folding-knife-olive-drab-green-micarta-black-dlc-coated-ar-rpm9-blade-1843p-odg/