Experience the wood-paneled future with this delightfully retro blade.
Remember when pocket knives were fun? At the risk of sounding like an old man, it feels as though the EDC (everyday carry) community is mired in a bit of a lull.
Spyderco, Benchmade, and many of the stalwart brands are releasing uninspired or minor revisions, leading reviewers, myself included, to the following conclusion: At least for now, practical knife innovation has moved about as far as it can go.
So instead, what if we took a look backward? That’s exactly what Finch Knives, a small company out of Stilwell, Kansas, is aiming to do. Its marriage of traditional designs and current tech is a source of interest in a sea of boring, framelock flippers.
I learned about Finch during my review of the Raven Airfield, as some of the same people work behind the scenes. So powerful was the Airfield’s retro-future charm that, after a quick exchange of emails, I was able to line up a review sample of Finch’s Model 1929 ($135). It arrived soon after, bearing the following motto:
“Inspire Your Sense of Wonder, And Keep Life From Getting Dull.”
Well, that sounds like just the ticket.
In short: Do you like the look of traditional pocket knives, but enjoy modern touches like pocket clips and flipper tabs? Then do yourself a favor and pick up a Model 1929 from Finch. It’s perfectly sized, beautifully wrought, and as capable as it is gorgeous.
Finch Knives Model 1929 Review
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Specs
- Overall length – 6.0″
- Blade length – 2.5”
- Blade thickness: 0.119”
- Knife weight – 3.1 oz.
- Blade steel – 154CM
- Lock type – Liner Lock
“Welcome,” reads Finch’s product description, “to 1929, the year Grand Teton National Park was founded. Model 1929 is inspired by the magnitude of the Tetons and the virtue of the park rangers who protect them. It will scale 14,000 feet, explore 310,000 acres, and even kayak down the Snake River.”
This sort of journey would indeed be nothing new for the knife, as each one is well-traveled by the time it reaches the customer. Finch’s designs may originate in Kansas, but the knives themselves are manufactured on the opposite side of the Pacific, where QSP handles fabrication and assembly before shipping them back to the states.
Now, if you know much about high-end Chinese knife makers, you’ll likely know QSP. The company does good work and produces blades for several popular brands in the hobbyist knife community.
Design and Details Carry the Day
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What Doesn’t Work
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Conclusion: Finch Knives Model 1929 Review
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