Manly Patriot D2 Guayacan 18

The blade is is of nice quality and just what I wanted in terms of size and feel etc. However in the photos it shows what looks like a stonewash or acid etch finish but what arrived was a polished blade. The packaging could be greatly improved (clear plastic bag in a plain cardboard box) it felt cheap and nasty. The knife should have been checked before dispatch as well, because all the areas of jimping were rusty in the grooves so I had to clean and polish it. The handle pins/ferrules were also quite badly corroded so had to be cleaned and polished also. Sheath is okay, but belt clip can't be turned and used for horizontal carry as the holes in the sheath are at a weird angle. So another belt clip must be used, I'm still trying to find a comfortable one that fits the sheath nicely.

I purchased this knife as I wanted a compact fixed blade to be my EDC working tool. I didn’t want a show piece. I have a Manley Wasp folder so know Manley can make very decent knives. The patriot hasn’t disappointed. It comes with a very secure kydex sheath, that can be belt mounted, lashed to anything using numerous holes, or carried as a necker, although possibly a bit on the large side for that carry option for me personally. Anyway the knife. It will last for years . Solid construction, great D2 blade. I have medium size hands and it fit really well. I just keep picking it up. So did my knife enthusiast friend. He s ordered one. It was very sharp out of the box, but as always it got a diamond stone, ceramic, and leather strop touch up. The D2 blade steel was easy to work with and the result was one kin sharp blade edge. Time will tell how long the edge lasts but D2 is by all accounts fairly tough in that department. It is a knife on the smallish side for a fixed blade, but blade thickness suggest it can handle heavy work . The overall fit and finish are spot on. It has a tang protrusion to the lower rear. Of the handle. Maybe a point to strike stuff without impacting the wood. The wood itself is has a pleasing appearance without being flash or exotic. May get a make over to darken it a little. I’m am sure that the G10 scaled version would be more grippy in wet situation, but I like the more classic wood look . For the price this little knife is punching well above it’s weight. If looking for a dedicated work tool buy one, if looking for a versatile camp/ bush craft knife seriously consider this Patriot. Heinnies service just as expected. Ordered Friday. With me Saturday morning.

So pleased with this knife. It just oozes quality, from the secure Kydex multi-carry sheath to the 'hungry' D2 steel blade (flat grind, really slicey but with enough length and heft to it for light wood processing duties. Easy to sharpen too...) and the super-hard lignum vitae scales. It's also just beautiful to look at and handle, pleasing in its simplicity and lack of pointless embellishments. The jimping on the blade top and bottom gives good grip enhancement without rubbing your thumb raw, and the handle is a perfect size for my hand in both front and chest/rear grips. Great for notching and carving, but also a joy for food processing in both the veg and meat departments. It also butters toast beautifully. Think about that for a moment. The only thing that has me slightly baffled is the pointy tang protrusion on the butt but it's not an inconvenience for me, just a design mystery. A very good all-round performer; all knives (or most) please for a day or so, but this one will be my go-to for years to come, whether it's a night in the woods or a picnic with the family. Don't be put off by Manly's recent appearance; these guys really can cook when it comes to knife making. Recommended.