Lotta people have that reaction at first. It’s the same grind they use on the Freeman 451, which is extremely well rated. I love mine.

Near as I can tell, the effect is the same as grinding hollows in a nakiri – it keeps things from sticking to the blade and it reduces weight a bit. I can tell you that it hasn’t been a problem to use on either knife.

You can probably ask Jeff if you’re really curious. https://www.freemanoutdoorgear.com/pages/contact-us

Depends which side you’re coming from. It makes a very ergonomic thumb ramp when you’re gripping the knife. But the short answer is, ‘if you like it, you get used to it, if you don’t, you don’t’.

In terms of being a draw opener, I don’t think it’s going to change anyone’s minds about whether or not they like draw openers; you either like them or you don’t, and this is no different. Out of all the wave implementations I’ve seen on the market this one resembles the Spyderco implementation the most; I find those quite easy to use but there are certainly folks who find the look too jarring and weird or awkward to bother with.

flip it upside down so that you can see the unglazed ring around the base. just swipe flat across that ring like it was a whetstone.

Opinels are the sliciest folders most people will ever have in their hand.

If you’ve got an Opinel and a Mora you’re got your bases covered for, like, $30 USD. Both cheap, both well made, both very good knives and can be made razor sharp with improvised sharpeners like coffee mugs and river rocks and leather belts. The Mora has the heft for heavier work and the Opinel’s thin blade stock is perfect for precise cutting.

don’t get me wrong, I love my expensive, finely machined customs and midtechs and high end production knives for what they are. But there’s something about excellent budget knives that you’ve just gotta love. That’s what it’s really about in terms of tools being put to work in the real world. Just about anyone can afford 'em, anyone can learn to sharpen them, and people aren’t afraid to actually use them lest they damage an expensive purchase.

There was a really good budget knives sub over at the place not to be named. Hope we get something like that going over here.