The new Milwaukee Hardline EDC knives that we previewed last year are nearly here!
It looks like a few minor style changes have been made as Milwaukee engineers continued to develop the knives, but the essence is the same. These new Hardline folding pocket knives are designed to be everyday carry solutions that are carried both on and off the jobsite.
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The new Milwaukee Hardline knives aren’t meant to replace your utility knife, at least not for specific tasks you would use a utility knife for. Even so, they’re designed to endure rough and demanding jobsite use and handling.
To start, the Hardline knife blades are made with D2 tool steel, a very hard and wear resistant alloy. The blades are finished with a stone-washed black oxide coating for corrosion resistance.
Each is opened via a bearing-based flipper system that allows for quick and smooth one-handed opening. The locking mechanism is a frame lock, similar to what we saw in the prototype knives last year.
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The final version of the knife also has an overtravel stop.
The pocket clip is positioned for tip-up carry, but is reversible for left or right side carry. This is a little different from the prototype, which allowed for tip-up or tip-down carry.
There will be 4 styles available:
- 2-1/2″ plain edge drop point blade, 48-22-1997 ($59.99)
- 3″ plain edge drop point blade, 48-22-1994 ($69.99)
- 3″ tanto-tip serrated blade, 48-22-1998 ($69.99)
- 3-1/2″ plain edge recurve blade, 48-22-1999 ($79.99)
The handle material is stainless steel, on the lock side, and glass-filled nylon on the front.
ETA: July 2016
Buy Now(via Home Depot)
Buy Now(3-1/2″ via Acme Tools)
First Thoughts
Milwaukee is no stranger to utility knives, and they’ve come out with Fastback folding pocket knives before, but this is new territory for them.
In the months since the prototypes were revealed, there were a few changes that I can tell, at least judging from product images. The most striking difference is that the new Hardline knives seem to lack the thumb studs of the prototypes. The flipper tab is also more pronounced. The frame lock looks to have been refined, and now sports a stabilizer, and the pocket clip is a little less adjustable.
I’m quite optimist about the new Hardline knives, and it won’t be long until we can all get our hands on one.
Even seasoned knife makers occasionally come out with designs that aren’t quite right, and so I’m curious to see how well Milwaukee engineers did their first time around.
fred
I wonder if these will be legal in NY – where gravity knives are banned (at least for now – although there is a move to amend the law) ?
Stuart
I heard that NY is reexamining what is determined to be a gravity knife.
By definition, flipper knives, even ones with assisted opening mechanisms, are NOT gravity knives, but it has been up to interpretation, often inaccurate interpretation a lot in recent years.
Flippers often have ball detents that provide closing pressure, and so you cannot simply flick the knife open with your wrist. Downwards pressure must be applied at the flipper tab.
These aren’t any less legal than knives that open with thumb studs or thumb holes.
That said, dealers might have some trouble selling these in NYC – for fear of fines resulting from misinterpretation of current laws – until the regulation language is reformed.
Doresoom
Can confirm that these will NOT open without using the flipper. They have a ball detent that keeps that from happening.
pete
i don’t know if i would spend that money on a milwaukee knife. i love knives and would rather spend that on a kershaw where i can get more for my money.
Diplomatic Immunity
Spyderco 🙂
Pete
I dont like plastic.
Diplomatic Immunity
Uh so buy a G10 handle one. o_o
KokoTheTalkingApe
Spyderco’s made-in-China line, Byrd, has some really good prices. The Cara Cara has a 3 3/4″ blade and costs about $20, and gets good reviews. With G10 scales, it still only $33. But it is made in China.
Alan
There are too many other/better options than these, to even consider them.
FishStick
Going to be a tough sell for the price. They might totally be worth it once tested but I’m looking at Buck or Kershaw for that pricing. I think they might have actually made more on cheaper knives that they already had since people weren’t expecting much for under $20.
Matt J
Yeah, once you break the $50 ish mark you’re usually looking at people with high expectations of knives, that don’t exactly associate Milwaukee with a high quality blade.
abnormalist
D2 steel keeps me interested especially at this price point, but I HATE tip up carry for a pocket clip. Leads to stabbing yourself in the hand or slicing yourself open putting your hand in your pocket. Make the clip reversible and they’ve sold me.
RC WARD
Yeah got to say spending that much on a knife that is “branded” Milwaukee is not high on my list. Those look like about 29 dollars knives. At best. Try living in California where you can’t even carry a pocket knive in your pocket.
Ohr
I live in California and carry a pocket knife in my pocket all the time. Generally a Cryo II or Thermite (both are assisted-opening deep-carry Kershaws). Never encountered a problem or assumed I would. Should I?
conan
I love the fact that they are using D2 steel. It would have been decent of them to give the rockwell hardness?
reshata
Anything on whether these are D2 or “D2”? Of many milwaukee tools I’ve never seen one with decent steel including their “Cobalt” bits that were softer than HSS.
Jay
Rather spend the money on another Spyderco Dragonfly. Why buy one when you can get two for twice the price? But seriously, no way I pay that for a Milwaukee when a Dragonfly (my favorite EDC blade) can be had for less money.
Michael
Pretty much what everyone else said plus I like both sides of my knives to look as close to the same as possible
Larry
What country are these knives made in?
KokoTheTalkingApe
The HD website says the lock side of the handle is stainless steel. These knives will likely be pretty hefty. And I’d prefer a flat grind, so the blade has a triangular cross-section. You lose a bit of prying strength (as if you would ever use your knife that way) but gain slicing ability. The blade doesn’t bind up as much when cutting semi-rigid things, like cardboard.
Stuart
So does the post above. =P
“The handle material is stainless steel, on the lock side, and glass-filled nylon on the front.”
I wouldn’t expect them to be substantially heavier than other metal-framed knives. Aluminum and titanium are lighter, but stainless steel handles can be made a little thinner without sacrificing strength.
Koko the Talking Ape
Actually I meant to say YOUR site. 🙂
Yep, a steel scale might not be MUCH heavier, but an ounce can make a big difference subjectively, especially if that weight is in the handle.
And yes, stainless steel is stronger for the same cross section, so the scale can be thinner. Thin scales feel good in the pocket, but they can be uncomfortable in actual use.
So I’ll have to see.
G10 is lighter, grippier and more than durable enough for me. It might even be cheaper. As with the Estwing knives, I don’t know why they didn’t go that way.
Koko the Talking Ape
Oops, I forgot the knife is a frame-lock, so one side HAS to be metal. Never mind!
I personally prefer lockback knives, but maybe I haven’t played with frame locks enough.
CiscoK
I have one… the best folder in my colection. I have Spyderco, Buck, Booker, Victorinox, Opinel, Cold Steel, Leatherman. In the constuction is a tank, a sharpen tank.