FreeTiger FT2101 & FT2103: HEAVILY inspired by Kershaw & Benchmade...
Published: 2 years ago
I didn't particularly think ahead of time with these. They were two new FreeTigers that piqued my interest at first glance.
It wasn't until they showed up that I realized that they HEAVILY borrowed from Benchmade and Kershaw/Ken Onion designs.
The Axis lock knife is their take on the Bugout. The blade is nearly identical (which is just a thin drop point). The handle is pretty different though. Thicker, and heavier with G10 and liners.
The bottom one I had NO idea about until it came. Opened it and noticed the Kershaw Leek/Blur clip going on. Then opened it and realized it's a torsion bar spring assist knife. It's not copying any particular design, but it's very reminiscent to all of Ken Onion's original "SpeedSafe" knives he did for Kershaw. Because it's spring assisted, it only uses nylon washers. I tried to take the spring out, and it just doesn't work.
FT2101 (Kershaw) Specs:
3.34" D2 blade with 2.7 mm stock thickness
3.66 oz / 103.5 gram weight
0.50" handle thickness (G10)
Liner Lock
Nylon Washers
FT2103 (Benchmade) Specs:
3.27" D2 blade with 2.3 mm stock thickness
3.67 oz / 104 gram weight
0.48" handle thickness (G10)
Crossbar Lock
Steel bearings & detent ball
It wasn't until they showed up that I realized that they HEAVILY borrowed from Benchmade and Kershaw/Ken Onion designs.
The Axis lock knife is their take on the Bugout. The blade is nearly identical (which is just a thin drop point). The handle is pretty different though. Thicker, and heavier with G10 and liners.
The bottom one I had NO idea about until it came. Opened it and noticed the Kershaw Leek/Blur clip going on. Then opened it and realized it's a torsion bar spring assist knife. It's not copying any particular design, but it's very reminiscent to all of Ken Onion's original "SpeedSafe" knives he did for Kershaw. Because it's spring assisted, it only uses nylon washers. I tried to take the spring out, and it just doesn't work.
FT2101 (Kershaw) Specs:
3.34" D2 blade with 2.7 mm stock thickness
3.66 oz / 103.5 gram weight
0.50" handle thickness (G10)
Liner Lock
Nylon Washers
FT2103 (Benchmade) Specs:
3.27" D2 blade with 2.3 mm stock thickness
3.67 oz / 104 gram weight
0.48" handle thickness (G10)
Crossbar Lock
Steel bearings & detent ball