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A Large Field Grade Folding Tanto, with Black Micarta by a Japanese collector just sold on Ebay for $1225. It appears to be an early version given the Spyderco'esque clip. Not a bad price considering the US market price for a similar folder would be a little more. Item #370401112307 for reference.

Here are the comparison pictures promised of the new LFTi as compared to the previous iteration, the Blackwater Folding Tanto II. I was able to obtain one of the R&D Prototypes to judge the development of the knife to it's current release. As you can see, aside from the hole treatment/pattern in the handle, the three major changes made to the LFTi are 1) a new lock bar, 2) change of placement of the clip, and 3) the addition of the Lum Chop logo. Otherwise, the folders are identical. Interesting item to note is the shape of the tanto tip from the R&D Proto to the released BW Folding Tanto II. The tip became more angular. Not sure what prompted the change. However, the tip, just like Spyderco's Lum Folding Tanto, lacks the Appleseed grind commonly found on the custom models. For the Spyderco model, the cause was a lack of manufacturing ability to replicate it. I suspect that may be one of the reasons that also limited the Benchmade models.

Benchmade has released two new versions of the Onslaught. BM 741BK with a black blade. BM 741BKS with a serrated black blade. With the regular bladed 741, and the serrated 741S, this make a total of 4 models of the Onslaught released to date.

Pictures of the new Spyderco Chinese Folders: Reposted with permission from Spyderco. These were taken by Wouter at the Amsterdam Meet.

Spyderco will be releasing two new Chinese Folders. A version with Carbon Fiber Handles. And more exciting for me, a new Large Chinese Folder. When Sal Glasser first decided to make a production version of the Chinese Folder, he chose the Medium model to produce. I've always felt the Medium was a little small for a good general purpose cutter, and suggested the Large Chinese Folder. It's been a long wait, but now it's finally here. I'll have pictures once I have permission from Spyderco.

Looks like the Pre-Production run of the Onslaught has sold out, and the model has now enter regular production. Model 741 LUM Onslaught AXS. Hopefully it will be a good seller for Benchmade.

Below are some comparison pictures of the Benchmade Production Onslaught and a custom Forrester by Bob. Bob had always admired the AxisLock designed by Benchmade, and wanted to license it for use. He even went as far as producing a Stalker blade to fit into an existing AxisLock handle. There are some slight differences: * The handles are set up for ambidextrous opening with the hole cutout, and the Pinkie slot in the lower handle, in both sides of the handle. Yet, the clip can only be installed on the right side. * The clip is based on Bob's version. But whereas Bob hand form each one to match the folder, the Benchmade clips are stamped. * The swedge on the custom is beautifully hollow ground, as compared to the flat ground swedge on the Benchmade. * The Benchmade is slightly longer. Most likely due to changing the pivot geometry to accommodate the AxisLock. Overall, the execution is outstanding, and I think Bob would have been pleased with the result. Except for the choice of mode...