The Monterey Bay Knives Fieldtrekker Fixed Blade Knife: A Quick Shabazz Review

[@kevinmadrigal9090]

I need a video of Nick in the woods with a batman costume batoning and carving. bushcraft batman would undoubtedly be a hit

[@SinistralCitizen]

I wasn't expecting you to be reviewing a fixed blade. Very nice!

[@adamgreene831]

I am so proud of Nick. I remember when he was less than 1K subscribers. Look at him now! Within the course of around 4-5 yrs he is now the #1 knife reviewer on KZbin.

[@Barryhatchet]

Rustification! lol :-D I own this knife and some points I would like to add. The hole is distracting only till you add a tightly woven lanyard which is essentiall for deployment in several methods using the lanyard to grip it. It is almost dangerous to not have one if you drop it while needing to deploy in less than ideal situations. I can’t stress this enough. With the deep cary sheath, you need this. With the right lanyard, it completes the system as intended. I often just have it in my pocket and push off with the thumb on the sheath after gripping the lanyard. because of its overall small size with sheath, it is actually pocketable. I instantly knew I would buy this after it was in my hand. you just know when a knife is good. The pinch scallops would have been nice but would have detracted from his design philosophy. The sheath is amazing but I intend on getting a bolteron or kydex sheath made for it for backpacking. it is a classy bushcrafter that you can go to nice places with and not seem too out of place. It is a solid hunk of 3V and not lightened with skeletonizing which adds to the strength so you could hammer it into a tree and use it as a step. The 3V convex and thin behind the edge combo is ultra rare. This is not a “Me too” knife. The convex edge is not for everyone but is a big plus for those who hand sharpen and want the strongest edge support. the convex edge is preferable for many bushcraft uses. The grind is still slicey for paring knife uses and I have been able to cut foods see through thin. This is a niche of a niche knife that is a must for me and I will use it over a lifetime with much enjoyment. It is so practical and yet as a design object, beautiful. you have to inspect up close to see the subtle design aspects that make this wonderful as a whole

[@Owens_Racing]

I’m so glad when I read your name in FB knife group and googled you. Been enjoying your videos. The bad knife shows are my favorite.

[@jasonb5817]

Would Uncle Randy be upset that this was not a Buck 110 with 420hc?

[@teddysthaiadventure2534]

Minimalist design is never simple Love the sheath

[@craigwilliams7046]

Love my Fieldtrekker! Feels like a great value. Nice review.

[@theprimallorechannel5637]

I am stoked to see you review a fixed blade. Great video.

[@bahjinelson3986]

Love Ray Laconico design. This looks like a great companion knife.

[@eric_in_florida]

Great action, secure lockup!

[@stephenbarone4053]

Yes, I think the price is good. I was thinking it would be in the high 200’s or even 3.

[@Barryhatchet]

If made in the US, it would guess $300+ knife for sure but I would ask Sanford. It feels quality throughout

[@TheRyanPowers1]

Why did the Scarecrow get promoted? ... Because he was outstanding in his Fieldtrekker!

[@GeorgeOrwell-yz6zx]

Nick, you have a crazy sense of humor. New sub 😀

[@RobinJamesEricBond]

I love that you're doing more Fixed blades! I am currently carrying a Boker plus PryMini in D2 steel, it's more pocket friendly. Maybe give it a chance/look!

[@GuyInAHotdogSuit69]

1:57 - Every knife's a folding knife if you're strong enough.

[@finnmcool2]

But this one will only fold ONCE.

[@joelhansen7373]

KME makes a curved rod designed to sharpen convex edges using their fixed angle sharpening system. Works perfectly.

[@Barryhatchet]

Great advice!

[@klaassiersma4892]

I like the knive, but i am more of a folder dude. But what i am curious about is how compares this in use to something like a Cold steel 4 max wich is 4" too.

[@speckledjim_]

So many of the knives you review are either impossible or difficult to acquire here in the UK. I do enjoy salivating over some of them though (in a very non-creepy way).

[@ranger5281]

Nice review! Appreciate knowing this knife exists. You brought out all the salient points... maybe add/emphasize these: 1) Simple handle shape is good and fairly ergo, but personally I prefer some moderate "reverse hourglass" ergos for a usin' knife (palm swell, handle belly) 2) This nice design is reminiscent of L.T. Wright's often relative crude blades near this price, HOWEVER Ray Laconico's subtle design lines here are visually a lot more appealing with the subtle curves, nice index finger guard, plus you get CPM 3V. 3) You have to really want convex over a flat grind... you sacrifice "slice-itude" for robust. That sheath is beautifully finished at this price! CPM 3V at HRc60 is a great choice, consistent for a convex ground blade... and that nice blade finish should help make this 3V easy to maintain. See Carother's new Basic 5" for stiff competition that's made in USA (see also alternatives: Fallkniven F1, S1 and Lionsteel B35, M4, and T5). Which Batman mask do you prefer and recommend?

[@traviswrigg5158]

You might be interested in LT Wright or Bark River Knives if you are taking an interest in "classy" fixed blades

[@kevola5739]

A high end bushcraft knife to spread your Dijon ketchup on your hotdog.

[@GeorgeOrwell-yz6zx]

I thought the niche for this knife was feathersticking hotdogs? I'll see myself out ...

[@brucemcintyre2383]

You can probably find a lanyard-hole filler that is textured on both sides for additional tactical gription on deployment.

[@Alexander210]

Nick in 2025: Do NOT get into fixed blades!

[@Owens_Racing]

Fixies are the best!

[@GeorgeOrwell-yz6zx]

@@Owens_Racing folding knives are toys. 😇

[@mostmuscular619]

I've considered buying this guy for a few months now but instead went for the full size Pro-Tech Rockeye fixed blade and SBR that just arrived yesterday. Still want this one, just a sweet looking knife. Some jimping on the spine and maybe around the bottom of the handle would be nice. Not too concerned about the pinch grip.

[@unknownriderinbound]

Just another ordinary, run of the mill, super-hero-mask-wearing high- end knife collector with all the top makers on speed dial. Yep, we are all Nick Shabazz! 😄

[@Foxholeatheist]

If you like that, I think you'd like some of the Bark River line. Check out the Canadian Special.

[@WillEDC]

Understated beauty

[@mcsquirgle]

who is the oem for monterey bay knives

[@Joshua-kw4oq]

Have a leather guy add a snap release danger loop and this could be a fantastic yard and garden knife.

[@Elslemmo]

Looks simple and useful in all the good ways

[@antny5705]

Great way to plug the shirt!

[@tibbydillinger3069]

It does have a nice finish, my fixed and folder collection is probably 2 fixed to 1 folding. I like jumping but I'm definitely interested in that blade. I'm making a comment before I actually hear what the steel is but I'm sure its quality. Might be editing idk

[@Barryhatchet]

I polished mine more with 3000 grit sandpaper for more mirror finish.

[@mikeking6686]

THE FUTURE, GOOD JOB

[@Aegir616]

Reminds me a lot of a Lionsteel M1...but then again I haven't held mine in over a year and there's nothing new under the sun

[@ncsEsper]

Nick- In Detroit automotive speak, when an item appears to have several different colors - depending on the viewing angle - it is called “flop.” Like this: “That fixed blade handle looks like snakeskin…or denim…or gray micaeta. It has lots of flop.” Flop is good. 🦇

[@jolness1]

At 190, This is a pretty solid deal, the Bradford guardian series in 3V is substantially more expensive

[@alexanderbertallo1995]

Sweet piece.

[@EldenLord84]

For some reason fixed blades just don’t drive me to collect the way folders do. I have 50-60 folders, but only one fixed blade - an ESEE 6. I’m no bushcrafter, but it’s a damn fine yard work sword and camping knife.

[@MrSpenceju]

Great video!

[@Nyelands]

What do you use these knives for?

[@Barryhatchet]

EDC fixed carry for most uses and bushcraft is what I use mine for.

[@dlrmon1]

First thought was Italian made until you pointed out the lanyard hole. Looked like a great deal for a US company...til I saw it was made in China...Under priced for US manufacturer...over price for China...MBK’s US made folder is priced like a Hinderer or Chris Reeves blade to give you an idea...

[@marcusott5054]

"That's what I would have said...if I spoke the English" got me... XD

[@stoneblue1795]

Nice looking rig. In that price point (or any price point) if makers are going to insist on drilling for paracord lanyards, they should be "tubed" in either brass or stainless or titanium or they just look unfinished, and the lanyard is gonna be snaggy in that hole. Not a big lanyard guy myself, I would rather they offered some with no hole.

[@garyfrombuffalo]

Beautiful blade

[@mtargetproduction]

Nick. I'm trying to stop buying fixed blades. Nick please.

[@Abby_Normal_1969]

Yeah, just bought one. Thanks Nick.

[@Barryhatchet]

If you like one and don’t buy one, you would have regretted it. I snapped one up right away before I had out of stock remorse

[@Abby_Normal_1969]

@@Barryhatchet - yeah, not buying remorse is worse than buying remorse.

[@clintonlewis1261]

Looks pretty good!

[@YanDoroshenko]

What the hell are you talking about, Nicolas? How does one craft bushes?

[@paulmedrano440]

Hi nick

[@GuillotineStare]

Man, once you see the lanyard hole. It’s just a hole.....

[@iansclone]

Folding fixed blades: the final frontier

[@soundknight]

This is a proper knife.

[@wupwop]

Heck yeah

[@bahjinelson3986]

This might trigger some people, but when a knife is exactly at a legal limit when you measure it, it might be over a legal limit when someone else measures it. Rulers aren't all marked the same and can give you different measurements. Also, people measure using different techniques which can change the measurement.

[@NickShabazz]

That’s why I often talk about proximity to the line and measurement variation as a function of how much the cop likes you 😂

[@bahjinelson3986]

@@NickShabazz That definitely plays the biggest role!

[@Barryhatchet]

Just sharpen it a few times and you are under 4”. I would check the local laws but If you are camping most places are ok with it

[@fanofactionflicks]

hmm looks to be too short for disassembling deer, my grandfather, rest in peace, would like this blade shape for skinning/jointing a deer, my uncle, his son, would like this an inch longer and thinner, I'd can't judge this until i've tried it.

[@strongside4565]

You can portion out an elk with a Benchmade Hidden Canyon and a bonesaw. There are no cuts you should need to make where you require a 5" blade.

[@greekveteran2715]

This looks like the PERFECT knife! Simple designe, angles as they should be, drop poimnt full flat grind, small ricasso area, sharpening choil and not stupif finger choils, micarta handles without holes... perfect blade and handle size.. I can't find any single negative detail on this knife design. That seems to be, the closest knife to perfection, literally! Only con, is that it's probably a US made knife ,which means, that it wont be availiable on Europe.. Is there any European delear, who sells this?!!! Anybody knows something??Thanks in advance

[@sharamkh]

montereybayknives.com/product/fieldtrekker

[@sharamkh]

Made in China. Some people care. I don’t give a shit. Looks like a nice knife for the price!

[@YanDoroshenko]

Wow, it looks awesome, I think I'll pick it up some day.

[@hasukumori]

I'm not convinced that Nick Shabazz is not John Ross Bowie. 🤷‍♂️

[@YanDoroshenko]

Is this what kids call "reasonably good action" now? You couldn't close it to save your life! Although if you attempted to close it, you're less likely to save your life as a fixed blade is a tool that might actually assist in life saving situation, but only until you close it.

[@WilliamWallis]

Looks dead-centered. No discernible blade play.

[@emeraldplatypus9870]

did you test the edge retention? A mate got one of these and its edge retention was shite. Absolute garbage, to the point where it made the knife is worthless. They had completely smoked the edge grinding after heat treat. After cutting a bit of wood it was basically serrated. That's how bad it was. Well done o1 will do better than that. On top of this they where terrible to him with the customer service. It scared me off this knife and the company all together.

[@NickShabazz]

It seems to be just what I’d hope in my limited use. But I’m sorry to hear. Hope they made it right

[@MontereyBayKnives]

Hi Emerald, we didn't test the HRC on every single knife (That would be crazy!) so it's possible something was off, but we did rockwell test them sporadically and found very little discrepancy, about 0.5 HRC difference between some knives. Apologies for the customer service, if the customer in mind is the one you are referring - There was an issue trying to identify the problem sight unseen, and the transporting the unit back to me. Very hard to tell what's going on with a photo! I have a buddy, Todd, who works for me at the shop. Big outdoorsy-type. Loves feathersticking, batoning, yada yada. He's owned and used a lot of O1, 1095 and 3V fixies on the market. Def someone I respect and trust the opinion about blade performance especially for the type of hobbies he is into. He loved his, and gave me a strong approval. The downside for him was the "small" size. Hope I can further resolve the issue your buddy is having. This project was purely a passion, Ray and I (Sanford) love fixed blades! Fixed blades got us hooked on knives in the first place. Please trust that we wouldn't intentionally balk on the heat treat. It's such a crucial part of the process.

[@Barryhatchet]

Look up videos on it but it seems more than a few knives from premium companies retain their edges better after three or four sharpenings. This may be due to loss of heat threat on the bleading edge. I would do a cardboard cut test after you sharpen it and see how it does on successive sharpenings

[@Abby_Normal_1969]

No disassembly 😂😂😂

[@moobcars6490]

Comment for the algorithm

[@OTG414]

$200 bucks for a Chinese made knife? Nope