The Monterey Bay Knives River Otter Pocketknife: Disassembly and Quick Review KarambitKnives,com
qcreek11
Aug 05
Today, we’ll take a look at Monterey Bay Knives’ Made-in-the-USA River Otter pocketknife, and talk a bit about what makes it exceptional, despite being quite simple.
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KarambitKnives.com
The blade is a little thicker than the Cerbenza? Am I the only one who thinks the blade looked demonstrably thinner than the Cerbenza in that comparison?
@Nick – thank you for another great review! I'm always grateful for a new Shabazz video! I know your time is precious these days, but I've got my fingers crossed that you'll do a review of the TRM Bulldog! Either way, I hope all's well!
Is that a fifty fathoms on ur wrist I see or what is that?
Great review Nick. Everything you said is spot on. I was lucky enough to score a MBK Sea lion. Despite the price to feature drawbacks in comparison to similarly priced overseas knives, there's just some intangible quality to the US made MBKs that give them a certain charm or "soul". You can tell that Sanford, Ray etc. put a lot of love into producing the knife, and that intangible quality is apparent when holding/ flipping/ using it. I thought about selling it a few times, but I know I would regret it. It's a special knife in a sea of mass produced products.
You know..At first I just thought you were a pretentious bastard..a knife Karen..but over time I realize you’re on another level with knives..a aficionado..you tell it how it is..I appreciate that..great video..Thank you for sharing..not that you’ll ever see this comment lol
This looks like a lovely lil knife, but geez for $400 I feel like it should have an over travel.. would still think about it over the Sebenza 21
Love to see your videos!
I must be ignorant, I can't see what makes this worth the price or what makes the Sebenza worth its price. If you have one and love it, that's great, but I just don't get it. If I'm spending $400 on a knife like this, I would feel like the majority of that is me "tipping" the maker for keeping their business in the US.
Seeing as I live in Ireland the knife is being made overseas respective to my angle and so I can laugh about the price without hinderence.
600 miles down the road is not considered "local" on our little island.
I love the sillouette, but that’s about it.. Price talk is often tiresome, but I’m truly struggling to see the value here. I guess as you suggest it’s closer to a custom. The brutal simplicity is super attractive, but I would expect that to be paired with perfection
I like the gray color.
I like ray’s design language, and I like MBK, but the sebenza 31 is an objectively finer made knife, with a lock bar insert, and tons of options and better availability, backed by by far the best warranty I have ever used, not to mention it is also made in the US. I can honestly not see a reason to buy this knife besides preferring a quick action or already owning a Seb.
Nice review. Are you going to review the mini-Rosalinda? And what brand of ruler are you using? Machinist’s ruler?
Nick, did metal complex contact you to review his knife with Kunwu?
400 plus = CRK. Not this !!!
nice, Thanks!
No Lockbar insert, no countersunk screws, mediocre finishing, no bearing. Why would anyone pay extra money for a knife of this spec just because it's made here? In the US, the idea is that people are being paid more to make a better knife, which is not the case here.
Hi Nick! Thanks for the review. I've been wondering what do you think of cheap Scandinavian knives..
I know that's not your thing, but classic fixed blade Hultafors is very good at what a knife needs to be good at, and Mora is getting better recently, too. And there are a lot of traditional knives with a long history of craftsmanship, like the Finnish Puukkos from Kauhava and other towns as well.
Excellent review Nick. Not my style @ $425, but obviously a nicely made piece. I certainly “get it”, the production costs run higher here, but still feel like this price point is high. Thanks as always.
Thanks for the breakdown and walkthrough! This one and the Sea Otter evade me, but not for long! Enjoy the MBK products!
I absolutely love this knife, but they are rarer than hen's teeth over this side of the pond. No-one seems to sell them here.
Hey knife manufactures? It's 2024, could you possibly start cutting the relief for the lock bar on the inside of the frame? Ya know, where I won't feel it every time I use the knife.
Shabazz posts, i upvote
Always enjoy your reviews, Nick.
I'm seeing a lot of things that make me wonder how it commands a $400+ price tag.
I bought one and like it. It is a bit pricey but worth it. Good honest review.
Most laconic Laconico knife
At that price it needs a captive pivot, shouldered standoffs, and a lock bar insert at bare minimum. US made or not.
Is there is way to get this in Bulgaria?
Welcome back Nick! Hope you are well!
Do they make a left handed one like CRK does?
Wanted to get the river otter but now after the review, I. Rethinking that. the shortcomings in quality are hard to ignore. I'd pay an extra $50 bucks if they put a lock bar insert and made the stand offs more secure. Lack of a lock bar insert is a deal breaker.
i like the knife, but honestly, after buying an all us made ti-framelock with a magnacut blade from sharps bros. for 220 bucks this feels…very steep.
I really wanted one of these,unfortunately you can't buy one.
cool knife