The Knife Guy Episode 123: Do You NEED A "Grail Knife"?

[@metal_complex]

My Amazon page! The gear I use here on the channel! - www.amazon.com/shop/metalcomplex Thanks so much for watching! You can support my channel on Patreon here - www.patreon.com/metalcomplex MC stickers! - www.redbubble.com/people/metal-complex/shop?asc=u

[@BMfins]

You should review the SOG Kiku XR LTE. I’m amazed how far SOG has come. You may be surprised.

[@immortis_]

I have a suggestion for you. Make a discord for all of us knife nuts to talk and show off our knives, trade info about knives and recommendations. Also to possibly talk with you regularly.

[@lucasfontana9824]

I'm glad you talk about these subjects because right now I'm 17 and as deep as my budget allows witch is about the $600 dollar ranch but it's sad knowing that the knives I'm wanting now are going to be long gone when I have a steady budget but it's nice to have something to work for even if you never get your grail

[@CultureStress]

For me, about 50% of the joy in a material object comes from the anticipation

[@ericmack001]

Knife collecting is an amazing hobby. There are a lot of creative and really talented makers. When you see amazing custom knives you will want to experiment them. To take your collection to another level

[@matthubert5798]

This is definitely a flex. Metal Complex, keep flexing! Love it. Can’t afford them, but you give us close enough access. Beautiful Grails. Yes. They are Grails.

[@TheMooseinaTree]

I'm surprised these videos don't get more love, they're some of my favorite parts of the channel

[@pioong7443]

Entering MCs giveaways gives me the feeling of buying a ticket for the powerball. But right until he announces someone elses name HAHA

[@SomeVagrant]

Mate that Tempest has me wanting to sell my damn car, hunt down the knife and spend the rest of my life going full Gollum over it.

[@klaassiersma4892]

I am getting my CRKT D2 pilar 3 tomorow.😁 It's always the next knive wich is the grailknive for me. ( i own Hinderers and striders and Medford's too)

[@AudibleVisibIe]

Love budget knives, even if I have others that cost hundreds

[@Inukai2003]

Going through my knives, sharpening some, just sitting and enjoying the ones I have, while listening to MC rambling about grails. The perfect Saturday morning. Thanks for the awesome content. A shout-out from Spain

[@ssunfish]

I've got my grail set. The last came Saturday while I was at work. For years I've been wanting these 3. Spartan Blades Harsey Difensa in S35VN, TRC Apocalypse and Bark River Bravo Tope Recon.

[@David-vi9mm]

After acquiring customs, I’ve realized USERS bring me the most joy. Rick on Brother!

[@immortis_]

For me personally I love all of those knives but for me my holy Grail is the 1095 and 15N20 265 layer Damascus steel fixed blade with a cross between a wharncliff and a sheepsfoot blade. Think long like a wharn but not a sharp drop to the tip or extremely pointed. With a “purple haze” color resin handle with blue glow powder in the lightning pattern on the handles. I made it myself and by far it’s my fav knife.

[@Cahwai]

My grail currently is a Brad Zinker FR custom. Also; Mr. MC i was watching your top 10 overbuilt knives the other day and you said you’d rebuy a Benchmade Adamas. Figured i’d remind you and help with finical irresponsibility.

[@justhereforgear3441]

I took a job a few months ago that didn't give me a huge pay raise, but the work environment is much healthier and incredible benefits. It's not always about the immediate pay out. Sometimes you gotta stick around for the long haul.

[@profesorEDC]

Totally agree my friend. Remember I had to wait over a year for my XM to get here...the wait was absolutely worth it 😁👌 great vid

[@ssunfish]

I waited so many years for grails. I'm making my own. Can't get GEC and some times it's better to do it myself.

[@pioong7443]

GRAIL THREAD ill start: Chris Reeve Umnumzaan and Demko AD20.5

[@AudibleVisibIe]

Hinderer eklipse full Ti. (harpoon spanto or bowie) Microtech combat troodon hellhound BBM v2 Shiro quantum Full Ti ad20

[@landontreinen3062]

I definitely have the “what if I won the lotto” list for many different things. Knives, cars, watches, houses. It’s fun to think about that stuff, but it also helps with setting goals for yourself. For instance, it’s my goal to be wearing a Hamilton day date on my wedding day, and I want to own a Rolex Sub Date when I retire.

[@ixlatif]

Seems fitting that this is episode 123. GO!

[@dbass1955]

Hey MC! I know last night on the live you were saying that you didn't want to come across as being a "flex channel". You definitely aren't, and I really appreciate the videos with custom/grail knives. I can't afford one, so I get to see these custom/grail knives through you MC! Keep up the great content and don't stop the custom/grail videos!

[@generalesdeath8180]

I love your analogy with the lotto and cars. Your giveaways are a lot like that for me, it's crack for my knife addiction to get me that high, that "what if" of owning that cool smock m4 or that zt or whatever cool stuff is in that dang mystery box bc it could be anything! His shaman could be in there, or one of his Hinderers(riiiiiiight, sure) or the A.D. 20.5, it could be anything! It's Schrodinger's cat that mystery box it's all your knives and none of them until it's opened!

[@ericmack001]

After you experience high level knives that belong to other collectors you aspire to improve your own collection. I would love to own an engraved mirror polished Sebenza like Scott. Or some crazy full dress model by Kirby Lambert , or Todd Begg. There are truly amazing knives out there. There is always something new to chase

[@brocksamson4250]

I just downloaded Diablo II Resurection😊👍 You've come a long way, there's no Hinderer on that table! Nice blades, I hope you really enjoy them.

[@randallkelley3599]

Back in the early 90's it was Chris Reeve Sabenza, which I got for $250ish? Then like a dummy I sold it for $300 to a friend, (some friend). Then for a decade it was Henderer when they were a grand or more. I swore I would never pay that, so I waited and a whole lot of people lost $500 or more when Mr. H went more stream lined and reduced prices to $425. PETER CAREY. Peter's brother is a friend of mine, we shoot together every Friday. He got me a Spydie CAREY for a screaming deal. Mr. Carey's last one. Had to promise never to sell it, so to the grave it goes with me, in me pocket.:>)

[@TheReasonableSkepticist]

I love these videos, i feel like the community can assemble around them.

[@lukepaulson3428]

Am I wrong to think that off loading the Rockstead is on the back of your mind?

[@nickedcr2320]

Every morning I wake up and have a smoke. Then every smoke after that in my day is me just trying to get that same feeling from the first smoke ... In 2017 I bought my first real knife, a mini grip. Got addicted and every other knife after that was me trying to get that same feeling again It’s never about looking for the grail It’s about trying to get that same feeling that hooked you in the first place

[@ssunfish]

I waited over four years for Bravo Tope Recon, jealous when people posted it on Facebook and watched the same KZbin video on it. I finally came home to it after midnight last night. It's like I never had a knife before! I have the "first good knife" feeling again. Doesn't mean I'm throwing away everything else.

[@ericmack001]

I need Grails. Knife making is an art. It is not just about having a tool that cuts. If it was just about having a tool I could have stopped collecting a long time ago. I love buying interesting band cool pocket knives. I am limited by the amount of money I have to spend on knives. There are amazing knife makers and it’s exciting trying to own samples of their work.

[@floridamanknives]

A Large Sebenza was my lifelong grail. Bought one this year and sold it recently because I did not carry or use it and prefer my Slysz Bowie. Then again I can’t justify or afford keeping too many knives I don’t use regularly. The experience really was interesting on the topic of a “Grail”, as now I actually don’t necessarily have a “Grail Knife” anymore. Will that change in the future though? Probably.

[@ericmack001]

If a person really enjoys collecting production knives they owe it to themselves to have a custom knife made. To pick the materials you want on a knife. As a collector it’s exciting to experience new finishes, and materials. To own a knife with a mirror polished blade. Or to experience a beautiful Damascus blade. Or to own a knife that is rare. Copper mixed Damascus is an awesome new new combination I would like to experience. I would love to own a beautiful dragon skin blade, and knives made by Kirby Lambert, and Todd Begg.

[@charleswood2182]

Hogue Trauma First Response, blunt tip, but 8 inch blade and pruning scissors instead of strap cutter. In other words, a folding weeder for the yard with scissors.

[@josephb3024]

I said in your dragonfly unboxing video that if you keep this up I would Lose my marbles Well there gone and I won’t be finding them any time soon. Also question do you have any grail fixed blade knives?

[@axelignite9916]

My grail knife would be the adv pitboss 2. Can't afford it at the moment but i will be able to soon than i'll start seriously looking for it.

[@cdewitt1234]

I don't need a grail because I enjoy using them. But it is great to see whats out there and the current trends manufacturers are on

[@slick_slicers]

I always think that the point of calling something a Grail is that it’s all about the quest for the unattainable. It is the seeking of perfection, not the attainment or acquisition of it. In fact, attaining your grail may not be a very attractive thing. Where would you go next?

[@michaelstinson8047]

Right now I am Excited that I was able to get one of the sharp by design apexes

[@henryg683]

MC it was so cool 😎 to see your reflection in that awesome blade during this video!!!!!! ME WANT SHINY ✨!!!!!!

[@MiRo-d3y]

I have hyperhidrosis, can't hold metals scales or handles without losing grip. G10 is my go to, even micarta works but they get nasty quick.

[@MiRo-d3y]

@Paul Smith I do at work but not outside of work. EDC gloves might be my new thing I guess

[@MayhemMechanic]

Thanks for giving me something to listen to on my way tonight MC. I'm not home yet so I'm gonna go see if your collection video is fixed🤣🤙🍻

[@1804unclesam]

Need? No. That hasn’t stopped me from getting them. Retail therapy and sheer joy are a thing.

[@teddyperkins3406]

these grail knives are to knife guys what expensive designer purses are to some women. after a certain point youre just paying for the name

[@CarmineCross]

MC's Higo II is my new grail knife... yes yours in particular, because well it's yours XD

[@AudibleVisibIe]

I blame gas station knives for ruining timascus and timascus variants. I also think Damascus is "ricey" to keep with the need for speed theme. Thus, those specific customs are not for me, but I can acknowledge their beauty. And I'd love to handle one The AD20 custom, arch nemesis and Shiro however 😍

[@metal_complex]

Believe it or not, the reason gas station knives look the way they do is because they've been imitating the exotic look of customs since nearly the beginning. The look came from the high end first 😉

[@kyalex3680]

My "grail" knife is the William's blade design Shobu zukuri 001...

[@ssunfish]

How about when your grail knife is one you had but got stolen and is discontinued? That's rough!

[@mainlyoctober]

You know MC’s collection has went above and beyond when the dark horse and full Ti Hinderers aren’t on the table

[@justinhorn2864]

Nice video. Your microtech should be there to? No

[@argyle1812]

I just bought my grail. A Hinderer Jurassic. Well see if its amazing

[@andrewlim7487]

I didn't know knife talk can be so philosophical.

[@danieltucker1681]

This channel is just so damned good.

[@rustyknifelover4463]

I have several higher priced or hard to get knives on my grail list.

[@Deibodese]

I’m gonna be “that guy,” but I would absolutely EDC any grail knife I get in the future. What’s so funny to me about knife enthusiasm, whether expressed as a user or a collector, is that the single least important aspect of a knife winds up becoming the one thing that determines which knife a person buys- the looks. I myself gloss right over extraordinarily high quality knives because I don’t like the way they look. I get excited about $10 knives if I like their look. But in addition to the old “You should use your knives, they’re tools” argument, I have another perspective. I know nothing about knife making, but I got into paracord crafting last year as a side gig. I’m no pro, but I put a lot of time and attention into each item I make. I have spent an hour adjusting each braid of a complex braid, moving each strand 1/64th of an inch at a time so that the sides lined up flawlessly from the top to the bottom. I sell mostly to friends, and it always brings me a little joy to see someone wearing a bracelet I made or using a key chain. It breaks my heart a little when someone buys something from me, then never wears or uses it. I want my customers to get satisfaction from whatever they get from me. The money is there out of necessity, but I want people to actually enjoy what they get from me. I imagine knife makers feel the same way. Somebody out there would probably die on the spot if they saw me EDCing an antique slip joint made in the 1880’s, but just imagine the over-the-too pride the original maker would feel if he found out his knife was still functioning 140 years later. (No, I don’t own any antiques that old. Yes, I’d probably use it, albeit gently.)

[@metal_complex]

I get that, but people don't usually buy things to make the designer happy. They buy it because they want it. Once they own it, they can just do whatever they want with it. It's great if the designer gets joy out of someone actually using the item they created, but the buyer is under no obligation whatsoever. On the flip side, some knife makers create knives knowing all too well that the buyer will simply display it as a piece of art. This brings the maker just as much joy if that was the intention when they made it.

[@Deibodese]

Of course. Totally agreed. Rereading my comment, I realize it may have come across as a guilt trip “How dare you?!” kind of sentiment. Definitely not what I intended. A person’s possessions are theirs, and as such they have full right to use it or not use it any way they want, as long as it isn’t harmful. And obviously there are some art knives out there that simply weren’t designed for use. Kinda like you’ve said, there are as many approaches to this hobby as there are people.

[@verpine3534]

While beautiful, none of the knives MC has on his table would be a grail knife for me. I'm honestly not fond of metal grips for my use knives, and if a knife is exceptionally aesthetic to the point where I don't want to use it for fear of marring it in some way, I'm happy to leave it for someone else's desires. In truth, I don't have a 'grail knife', and I share Slick Slicers' interpretation for the term 'grail'. I appreciate MC covering this topic. It's always interesting to hear what brings joy to people, especially collectors of X-things, and I appreciate that many will find the knives presented above as targets for their collecting goals. Cheers!

[@lobotomite9767]

Honestly I wouldn't be able to carry any of those. If it's over 200$ I have a tough time carrying something. I've lost a 230$ lionsteel before and I won't repeat that

[@zellbieberle9611]

Kinda weird that you didn’t have the Tufflite out with those other knives. 🤣

[@theofficialobama5434]

This guy has the biggest flex

[@scottmurdock1393]

Another great episode but I have no idea about all those games you were talking about..

[@mikeflamion7915]

2nd down on right the blade

[@HopsAndLead]

Timascus and all that is fine to look at (especially when I didn't pay for it) but I am a cheapskate. I like budget users under $100 and honestly not in my price range or interest to want to spend THAT much money on knives. Do you, whatever makes you happy

[@disgrace69600]

What class do you play? (Tank, dps, healer) And have a great Sunday.

[@metal_complex]

In wow? I was DPS DK

[@anthonysupplee858]

The more knives I own the more I get into the blade shape and grinds. Sure I like Titanium and Carbon Fiber but if the blade looks like the Mel Pardue Griptilian I don’t want it-The Griptilian is my favorite EDC in full size. REK-Razoredge knives has ruined me. I need a Kershaw Barenuckle with a titanium handle and hollow grind.

[@jamesfair9751]

I need one I need that Jack 1.5 like super bad.

[@jamesfair9751]

I’d love the rocksted also but that zircuti/mocuti has me in a trans

[@JustAnotherDayToday]

What!? Not a single Hinderer XM-18 from the collection on this list MC. Seriously?

[@metal_complex]

This isn't really a list. It's a discussion. I just laid random knives out

[@JustAnotherDayToday]

@@metal_complex Hey MC-just messing with you. We all know you love Hinderers. I have a few myself.

[@ldotters]

You know, I don’t need that particular Demko. I just want to own and experience the Shark Lock.

[@AudibleVisibIe]

Just get a 20.5. It's awesome

[@little2826]

Yes, yes i need several grail knives. Those are all awesome.

[@CarmineCross]

*"Ooh It'S bEtTer DefiNED tHis wAY"*

[@CarmineCross]

XD

[@tscdoggz4879]

Dam 26 minutes and no yellow shirt cameo Edit: thanks for pointing my comment on the livestream, it was amazing

[@JakeLH22]

I thought my "grail" was my Eklipse, and its a "never sell" for sure. Now I've been looking at Shiros and Todd Begg and I've been browsing on Recon 1, looking at their pre-owned custom pages (just pipe dreaming, my max budget is still around $500-$800 unless I wanted to sell half my collection, and I won't do that) It will never stop!!! Bahahahahahahaha *I agree with you, the term grail is so ambiguous and there will never be a "best knife ever." At least not to satisfy me.

[@Deibodese]

My first comment was my initial thoughts right at the start at the video, but now that I’ve seen the whole thing I have something else to say. In answer to the question “Does a person need a grail knife?” I’d say there are too many factors to just give a blanket “Yes” or “No” answer to all cases. But in general, yes, a person should have a grail knife. Just like you said, the whole range of kinds of experiences- from first seeing it and the initial wow factor it creates, to hunting one down, to saving up for it, to finally buying it, and then receiving it for real and being able to handle it in person. Each of these experiences bring their own kind of pleasure. The analogy you gave of an RPG is perfect. There is something of a little quest involved in acquiring a grail. And really, all of life is structured around the idea of setting goals for the future and working toward them. As far as owning a knife that’s too fancy to use, my dad used to always say “There’s nothing wrong with owning nice things.” The only case where owning a grail would be bad is where a person is neglecting other responsibilities they have in order to feed an addiction. But that scenario certainly doesn’t apply to everyone who owns or is trying to get a grail knife. Each person, being an individual, is going to express the same basic urges in their own unique way. Some people drop thousands and thousands of dollars on guitars, or fishing rods, or bowling balls, or shoes. As you said, as long as it remains within the realm of enthusiasm and doesn’t stray over into an unhealthy obsession, it’s perfectly fine. Life is all about creating pleasant experiences for ourselves and others, so might as well do what makes you happy.

[@hinklehymer6893]

Do you need a grail knife? Maybe not, but I still NEEEED one!

[@FREAKCROW]

Uhgghghhh that table is loaded

[@ryanthatoneguy5797]

Idk but that giveaway probably would have been a grail knife I’m quitting my job if i miss another one of those

[@studdaman420]

Man that Deadlock is my grail knife! Some day I will have one. For sure!

[@zeromalice9981]

You could say Need for Speed is a.... CarPG.... Ok I'll leave now....

[@wupwop]

I love and hate Dark Souls. I got the final boss doors unlocked and then went up a ladder, and my Xbox froze every time I went up the ladder. I am dead

[@metal_complex]

Oof 😖

[@wupwop]

Lol

[@pioong7443]

Who doesnt need a grail knife HAHA everyone does

[@mikeflamion7915]

yes

[@lylebaker]

RPG's all the way :)

[@CHUCKIT]

The best kind of ridiculous

[@CoordinatedCarry]

What’s goin’ on Metal Complex, KZbin here.

[@JakeLH22]

If anyone had a desire for absolutely none of these I'd want to have them involuntarily committed to a mental institution. Maybe that individual was watching a "how to make southern style coleslaw" video and somehow ended up here. (I was watching those coleslaw videos the other day cause I wanted some dank-ass slaw to go with my grilled tri-tip sandwiches)

[@Keith_the_knife_freak]

You're grail knife is the dollica. Why don't you just admit it !!

[@cameronclark8416]

Straight fucking grails😈

[@mcsquirgle]

Morning MC. First

[@Abby_Normal_1969]

Grail backwards is Liar-G.

[@MightyRude]

Or Li Arg Great guy barely knew him

[@Abby_Normal_1969]

@@MightyRude - Li Arg sounds like a liar-g.

[@472344665182]

s35vnice from Instagram that's a Great comparison to building up to the Grail buddy #💥👈-😎-👍🔪

[@813johnnfla]

Bruh what the fuck... I skipped to the part you were rambling off what I assume are video games I've never fucking heard of lol

[@metal_complex]

You haven't? Lol. Those are some of the biggest titles in existence

[@jamielahugh8316]

Complete ruined the vid with the face reveal! Lol