So you can't afford a Medford? Try the Artisan Proponent!

Maybe you like the idea of a massive folding knife that is engineered by a famous knife designer, using quality materials, that can get you to hell and back, but you don't have $450-$800 to spend?
I might have you covered. Similar materials, similar dimensions, similar construction, and it has a surprise that even the Medford doesn't have.
What is it? The Artisan Cutlery Proponent. It's a legit BEAST, that doesn't break the bank.
Link to the Amazons:
amzn.to/3Q9SMqp
D2
Wharncliff Blade
Dirk Pinkerton Design
G10

[@brennanclifton3316]

I'm a Cold Steel collector. I couldn't walk away from this knife. It's up there with the most enjoyable knife I own. Also the clip works which is huge.

[@georgecostanza2695]

If the shtf, I’d reach for the Proponent over that Praetorian without a second thought. I’ll take two steel liners over a slightly thicker one any day! It doesn’t take much to break a thin slab of G10 like that (I’ve done it with bare hands), I’m actually shocked Medford cheaped out there. Very disappointing. The real question isn’t how the Artisan is so cheap, but why is the MKT so expensive? With the same blade material, same scale material, same liner material… at the end of the day, what are we really paying for? Are we getting anything of extra value or are we just contributing to Greg’s boat fund?

[@subspaceanomaly]

they're just ornamental toys for bored men to play with while they're watching tv

[@georgecostanza2695]

@@subspaceanomaly …and while sitting around fantasizing about stupid stuff like what they’d do if the shtf😂

[@jerrydonquixote5927]

​@subspaceanomaly you got that right I wouldn't buy one of those $450 ugly ass boat anchors!😂 not to mention that Medford says if you buy Chinese knives you're colluding with the Enemy! Lmao

[@blueeyeswhitedragon9839]

I agree that so-called hard use knives that have metal on one side, and G10 on the other side cannot be considered true hard use knives.

[@blueeyeswhitedragon9839]

Bought the Artisan Mini Proponent and agree with you completely. My other hard use knives stay in the drawer, the mini is perfectly pocketable. (The Proponent also has that screw in pin that totally blocks the knife blade from closing.

[@RR137G]

Hands down 4 Max scout & Becker BK2.

[@Hungrybird474]

The proponent and Xl sheepdog are must haves imo . The proponent s edge can be laid back and the bevel gets almost 1/4” but shiny and even . Cuts like a dream , sheepdog hasn’t been sharpened yet but it’s thickness is different . The proponent stropped into a concave edge and it’s actually amazing .

[@drob8267]

I'm getting the Artisan. I've been hearing about it and seeing it. Your video made up my mind

[@Daves_Man_Cave]

It's a beast.

[@jerrydonquixote5927]

It's a $450 piece of crap 😂

[@omarrodriguez377]

This is exactly the video I needed

[@slayingrn]

Excellent review and comparison. I heartily agree. I own a titanium, CF and G10 Proponents. I keep one in the car, at home and in the pocket.

[@turtlewolfpack6061]

That back up screw lock is an amazing idea, why don't we see it more on heavy duty use folders??

[@Daves_Man_Cave]

Not sure. But sometimes the most brilliant innovation is right in front of us. haha That simple screw being inserted, increases the locking strength by at least 10X.

[@turtlewolfpack6061]

@@Daves_Man_Cave no doubt! I think Fox in Italy does something similar with one of it's folders and Extrema Ratio may as well. Those, however, are not inexpensive!

[@justapatrolman4246]

Just a note:Medford has titanium liner

[@Daves_Man_Cave]

On the Scout model though? Its the cheaper version, so wasn't sure it would have Titanium...

[@justapatrolman4246]

@@Daves_Man_Cave im about 80% sure. So not 100, but pretty darn 😂

[@timothyruth4980]

Good comparison video! Thanks. ✨😺

[@r6f09]

Thanks definitely getting one

[@Daves_Man_Cave]

It's a quality, beast of a knife. They have a mini version that's still large, but a bit more EDC friendly...

[@Swiss-Yoghurt]

Very good review! Really enjoyed watching it. Keep up the good work!

[@lobotomite9767]

If I had to fight to hell and back I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be choosing a D2 liner lock... And if you can baton with that without absolutely destroying the lockup please demonstrate

[@Daves_Man_Cave]

So what folder would you suggest for the highly hypothetical and supernatural fight to hell and back?

[@Altrender_vr]

I own this knife and personally it works great for making "the scallywags runneth thy holes in pantaloons in the streets of ye old London" (Proponent) (but seriously it is an amazing knife and I would always recommend it)

[@truthbetold06]

Did this guy just say earth being round is a conspiracy!?! 😂 13:54

[@Daves_Man_Cave]

I was making a joke, clearly... lol

[@truthbetold06]

@@Daves_Man_Cave Oh ok…..I definitely laughed that’s for sure. Great video. I have the proponent and I have a SOG Seal XR on the way. I really want a PMP Beast though by Midgard messer.

[@fareedingram4626]

Thank you !! The way things are going !! With high gas ⛽️ & high food .. The hardworking man that has to keep the car parked an take the bus to work , because gas an food is so high should be able to afford a good protection knife on the walk home 4am 🕓 !! Medford does make a knife for the hard working American man !! 😅

[@macthesmac]

Might be my birthday present

[@deeboy5588]

For $75 I'll go with the COLD STEEL 4Max Scout!!

[@Daves_Man_Cave]

Not familiar with it. I like their Code 4, and my Tuff Lite 2 is awesome.

[@deeboy5588]

​@Dave's Man Cave Really hope you pick up the COLD STEEL 4max Scout. If you like chunkers you could skin a rhino with, you'll be happy with this big boy

[@jeffkodiac]

The proponent is really interesting ! Almost the same quality as your Medford while costing 4 or 5 times less. I must say anyway that the Medford is really beautiful. I just find it a bit distressing that a $400 knife is equipped with just a liner lock

[@Daves_Man_Cave]

Yeah, that Medford was $450, and is the cheapest of the Praetorian line... They are now $500

[@timothyruth4980]

Get rid of the Proponent's over size thumb studs?!? Nooo! 🙀 Actually mine is tuned perfectly for the thumbs. I can easily back flip it from either hand. On mine the back flipper tuning is light. It generally does require just a little wrist to positively hit. That said it deploys sweet with that little wrist. It really has great action for such a big knife with massive moving parts. ✨😺

[@Daves_Man_Cave]

I am one of those guys where I like the knife to know what it wants to be. I don't need multiple deployments... I want them to just pick one, and I will either buy it or I won't... haha

[@Lonewolfmike]

I have a version of this knife with brass scales.

[@nameless5r]

Does anyone know where I can get a sheath for this knife? I want to carry it on my belt

[@Daves_Man_Cave]

If Medford doesn't sell one then I would measure the knife dimensions, and look on Amazon for a generic one that would fit, either leather or nylon?

[@oak6845]

I spent 25-years in the US Army with five of those in Special Opts. Ranger Brigade in combat theater and that type of cutlery would be useless, just a lot of unnecessary weight.

[@Daves_Man_Cave]

First, thanks for your service. Second, from an actual operator's perspective, what kind of knife would, or did you take into combat? That's why I refer to a lot of today's knives as "tacticool", because while they look badass, I always wonder if they are actually what you would want in that situation...

[@jerrydonquixote5927]

That's absolutely right no man is going to carry a Medford knife into combat for one E1 or E4 below couldn't afford that much that would be their whole month's pay did anybody above 86 with no better than buy something that crappy that weighs more than their ammo pouch lol

[@Justthemow]

That screw part comes from heeter knife works

[@Daves_Man_Cave]

Its a cool option, if you had to really punish that knife...

[@Justthemow]

@@Daves_Man_Cave yea I have a heeter and Medford both are very hardy knives might pick this one up to daily as I can’t exactly beat on a 1k dollar knife their more like pocket jewelry

[@Daves_Man_Cave]

And that's where I think the clones make the most sense. If you actually want to beat on a knife, do you want to do it on the $500-$1k knife, or the $50 knife? I know the expensive one is made to do it and take it, but most people don't want to take that kinda money and beat the crap out of it. I do track days from time to time on my street bikes, but we are talking 1 or 2 a year. If I was gonna do 10 a year and beat the crap out of it like that, I wouldn't do it on a new $17k street bike... I would go get a used, older $6k track bike and beat the snot out of that...

[@Eddie-uf8oo]

You shouldn’t be prying anything with a folding knife. If you have no choice you have to do what you have to do just know the chances are you are going to fuck your knife up.For that matter most fixed blade knives aren’t that great for prying either. If you insist on using a knife for a pry bar you might want to look at something like the Hoffner beast. Designed for just that purpose.

[@Daves_Man_Cave]

Sure, but I am thinking of worst case scenarios... where you had that as your own tool, and you really needed to use/abuse it...

[@Eddie-uf8oo]

@@Daves_Man_Cave I did like the review, I want to check out the Big artisan myself.For the kind of things I use a knife for I think it just might be very practical. Awesome blade

[@kylerailey8508]

Sorry but there is no way I could spend 400 on D2 😵‍💫

[@Daves_Man_Cave]

$500 now! haha

[@gregvanderlip7726]

Thumbs studs are removable

[@Daves_Man_Cave]

Yeah, and I ended up taking them off, but the holes it leaves don't look great, but I can live with it I guess...

[@NickWestfalls]

It is $70 now😭

[@Daves_Man_Cave]

Still $600 cheaper than the Medford. haha

[@freddybusa2006]

Listen, you don’t have to justify it. These guys are making a killing on these expensive ass knives. I’ve been buying clones ever since I found out that they were as good if not better than the knife they’re copying at a fraction of the price no-brainer. And even if the metal is not as good, it’s still a much better buy. You’re not gonna use this knife every day. This is a show knife. The price is so good that if something was to happen to the knife, throw it away by another one can’t do that with a $400 knife.

[@Daves_Man_Cave]

There are a ton of people that attack me and others for saying that some Chinese knives are good. Even been accused of being as Communist and a traitor to America. It's kinda crazy...

[@АлмазМ-ь4д]

Для диванных критиков порассуждать пойдет. А так все ножики на любителя. Ножеманам крепких и резучих ножичков.

[@Daves_Man_Cave]

Согласованный. На рынке есть ножи на любой вкус. Некоторым нужен Medford за 600 долларов, а другим - Artisan за 50 долларов, отвечающий их потребностям и бюджету. Всегда хорошо, когда есть варианты!

[@jerrydonquixote5927]

Nice review but I sure don't like medford's knives, they look like shit, nobody's going to carry something that heavy into combat, it's 3 inches long and 1 inch thick it just makes no sense😂 the Pinkerton now he's making some cool stuff, and working with the Chinese companies so people can afford his knives, and I appreciate that!

[@Daves_Man_Cave]

Yeah, I ended up giving my Medford away to my brother in law. I was never gonna carry a knife that size, so I passed it on to someone that would.

[@jerrydonquixote5927]

@@Daves_Man_Cave I completely understand. Again nice review brother.

[@craigb7217]

I can afford a Medford and the Praetorian Scout is a cool design , but I refuse to purchase one, because 1) I’m not a fan of Greg Medford, 2) they’re over priced, and 3) I refuse to buy knives that don’t allow for left hand carry, and 4) again… they’re over priced.

[@Daves_Man_Cave]

They are absolutely overpriced for what you get. It's nicely made, but the action is stiff, and its D2 and G10... Its bargain knife materials with an exotic price tag... because... 'Murica.

[@craigb7217]

🇺🇸 I love it!

[@southside1975]

Chinese knifes are way better then they use to be but I still have issue's trusting them. I find it wild when someone hears something like I just said and acts like there isn't 50+ years of them deceiving us. You said you don't know how they do it so cheap well it's almost forced labor mise well be when your paying your workers almost nothing.

[@Daves_Man_Cave]

The government, sure... But I have a hard time believing that everything that a person in China does is to deceive us... Chinese people have a lot of the same goals and interests as us. Some are knife geeks, just like us. The name brands at least, are putting out good products.

[@southside1975]

@@Daves_Man_Cave You have no clue just like I didn't.

[@Daves_Man_Cave]

@@southside1975 About what? Most of the name brands... WE, Civivi, CJRB, Artisan, Vosteed, Reate, Rike, etc... have all been amply tested by many channels and independent 3rd parties, and the steel has been verified as legit... As for the unknown "Amazon brands", I would agree... until someone puts a good sample of them to the test, we don't truly KNOW if they are as good as they say they are...

[@southside1975]

@@Daves_Man_Cave Legit Stanless yeah lol

[@ahilbilyredneksopinion]

Hahahah I bet Medford is upset about this vid.wish I could watch him watch this.....

[@Daves_Man_Cave]

Pretty sure a small potato like me isn't even on Greg's radar... lol I like his products. If you want a "take me to hell and back" knife, get a legit Medford. If you just want a knife that is a beast, will probably hold up to anything a normal person would ask of it at a budget price, get the Proponent. Or be like me and get one of each. haha

[@ahilbilyredneksopinion]

@@Daves_Man_Cave everything is on that nuts radar....I love yer vid.i can't stand with someone who makes me feel like a trader because I can't afford one of his 500 dollar knives a Chinese company can make for 50......

[@Daves_Man_Cave]

@@ahilbilyredneksopinion Yeah, he's a bit over the top, but he takes pride in his work and he does make a good product. Can China make one just as good for a fraction of the price? Yup. But, I bought one of his and love it, but not everyone is gonna, or can drop $500 on a pocket knife... And so that's why I made this video, to show that you can get that kind of knife for not a lot of money...

[@ahilbilyredneksopinion]

Love and appreciate it for sure.

[@jerrydonquixote5927]

​@@ahilbilyredneksopinionexactly I guess you seen his video too that we're colluding With the Enemy if we buy Chinese knife😂

[@subspaceanomaly]

Why do you have lots of 'hard use' knives that you've never used for anything? Looks like you need to go and mash them up a bit to get your money's worth

[@Daves_Man_Cave]

I mean, I live in the suburbs... It's not like I am in a combat zone. I would probably have to go out of my way and invent something to do, to take advantage of some of these knives...

[@subspaceanomaly]

@@Daves_Man_Cave a girlfriend of mine's little brother got pistol whipped in the suburbs at his friend's house after school because they had this kind of stuff lying around and felt like using it, his cheek bone was fractured. I would suggest selling it all and buying a guitar or something more useful, woo some women. Hoarding weapons seems like maybe a waste of resources. That's not to say it isn't interesting how things are designed

[@Daves_Man_Cave]

@@subspaceanomaly Dude, I have a house full of knives and guns. I won't be selling them for a guitar... lol Most of my knives are EDC friendly. But, I wanted to see what all the hype was about with the Medford... And then I saw the Proponent and wondered, is the Medford really 10x the knife? So I picked one up... Some things are just cool to have... and who knows, maybe one day I will find a use for them. I am certainly not going to get rid of them because someone once got pistol whipped with one...

[@subspaceanomaly]

@@Daves_Man_Cave if you're happy then great. I guess it just makes no sense to me but that goes for collections of anything. I only mentioned the pistol whip story as that was suburban weapons with no use. The sad recent news of a 3 year old shooting and killing their 4 year old sister will hopefully be a wake up call to some. But yes hopefully one day you can make use of all of these things you've collected, civil war or selling them all if they hold their value for some future change in circumstances, or admiring then on display. I just feel like we need to be careful about hoarding things in a world with finite resources. Some nice knives though!

[@Daves_Man_Cave]

@@subspaceanomaly I carry a knife and gun every day. Some are good for hunting, others for carrying, others for plinking... Of course there will always be accidents, but if I am not about to sell my bikes and cars and start walking everywhere... Lol

[@GlockSigSauer]

The Medford cost more because it’s made in America, not China. It also cost more because all the hardware on it is titanium, including the the pocket clip and the single liner lock that is kept being referred to as steel. The two knives may look the same but they are worlds apart from one another. Lastly, even though they’re both D2 blade steel, due to the way Medford heat treats and produces the blade, it’ll outperform the Chinese made blade in all areas of testing.

[@Daves_Man_Cave]

Everything that you said is true. But it's still not a $500 knife. It's just isn't. I ended up giving mine away. Never carried it.

[@jiggamanog]

Just from your name I can tell you're a complete bozo.

[@barbarosa1158]

Medfords a scam

[@Daves_Man_Cave]

Scam might be a bit of a stretch... But I don't know that they are worth what he is asking. They are VERY well built knives... But for the average person, I don't see where they are worth $500 and up...

[@barbarosa1158]

@@Daves_Man_Cave I mean premium materials I would understand but for d2 and g10 $350 is crazy imo.

[@Daves_Man_Cave]

@@barbarosa1158 Well, that knife with D2 and G10 is $500 today... haha