Mid-tech is a term that’s been floating around the knife world for some time now and usually represents knives made in small batches by custom knife makers or even production knife companies. Essentially, these knives feature upgraded materials, hardware, or may even be hand-built. Ultimately they bridge the gap between custom and production knife classifications, filling a niche quite nicely. But just like anything else that’s cool, these knives have a tendency of getting gobbled up as soon as they’re announced and we end up seeing them a couple of years later online or at a knife show for double the price that they originally sold for. In essence, mid-tech knives are the Heady Topper of the knife world. But just like Heady Topper, there is an inside line in getting your hands on one – it’s just not a guy who sells them out of the back of his Volvo. Instead, it’s KnifeArt.com.
Started in 1998, KnifeArt.com carries knives, tools, and accessories by makers like Chris Reeve, Rick Hinderer, and Jason Brous as well production knives by brands like Southern Grind, LionSteel, and Microtech. Within those lines, they carry select models that have been cherry picked based on their popularity. By keeping their inventory trimmed and free of bloat, KnifeArt’s operates with a low overhead and in turn, keeps the price we have to pay down too. Now, that’s not to say that you may pay upwards of $500 and beyond for a knife, but you should take comfort in knowing that the same knife might be going for $750 somewhere else – if it is available at all.
Additionally, KnifeArt.com carries an expanded line of Benchmade, Emerson, and Zero Tolerance knives, along with as a few other brands that are in stock and fairly priced too. This makes it a good one-stop shop when looking for a specific model or simply browsing to add something new to your collection.
<a href=”http://www.knifeart.com/wibekn4.html“>Winkler Damascus Belt Knife</a>
My take away from my own dealings with KnifeArt.com is that these folks are knife people to the core. They not only know that what they’re offering on their site is generally hard to get, but that the struggle to get them anywhere else is quite real. They’re not the only online outlet offering a service like this, but they are one of the few that actually has the stuff on their site in stock so that you can rest assured that your instant gratification tanks will be filled, and you will have one of these quality tools in your hand before you know it.
So go check out KnifeArt.com. I think you’ll be pleased with what you find. And while you’re at it, take a look at the Southern Grind Knife lineup while you’re there. That’s Zac Brown’s knife company and he is offering up some seriously sweet looking blades. Just keep your paws off of that Bad Monkey in OD Green G10 with the Satin Drop Point 14C-28N blade. That one’s mine.