“Making the best knife of 2016 at the very top of 2020 price bracket” Grimsmo Knives summed up

$600 Norseman? A babied daily carry. No zip ties etc $900 Norseman? Would never leave the house. WAY above the cost/carry-comfort curve.

Unpopular opinion: the Grimsmo's have priced themselves out of the market. If I were them I would up the steel to CPM S110V and drop the price to about $750.

Nick ought to get stock in this company I think his review probably helped give them the ability to double the price.

I know this is a preference thing, but I truly hate the blade shape. It includes the things I loathe most in blade shapes: tantos and recurves. Only way I could dislike the blade shape more would be if they added serrations.

Nick, it is your unwavering objectivity and candor which make you the most relevant knife reviewer around today. As you mentioned, the Norseman is iconic for your channel, but even so, you did not allow yourself to be swayed by it. It is this characteristic of yours that compels so many of us to depend on your opinion before making our next knife purchase.

Saved up over a year to buy one only to realize they raised the price over 300 heck with them

"usually a box containing the next knife" ... Too true...

If they can sell these at $900 a pop and demand is high then the old adage "if it ain't broke don't fix it" applies. Chris Reeve has been selling the same overpriced Sebenzas for years and it's worked out pretty well for him.

$900 Knife, adios!

Last summer I discovered this channel where I first saw and fell in love with the Norseman. I had no idea they were $600 at one point! I still want it but it’s now towards the bottom of my $200+ wishlist

yeah, no new production pocket knife is worth $900, especially if it isn't really custom.

This should be 500$ max. These are production knives at this point. 80% hype 20% value. And at that price your steel should not be “grocery store” steel. It nice but uh,... 1k?

I gotta say this video is one of the best reviews out there on the Norseman knife and for Nick’s review videos. It is emotionally good! I will surely watch it again but with a box of tissue.

Very honest and very critical review, of a knife/company that has ALWAYS been considered a GRAIL of mine...Thanks Nick Shabazz.

Yes....you are completely right...one can spot a Norseman miles away (btw a smaller version of the Norseman could be great)....but that is precisely why I think they don't want to take the risk of changing anything that could jeopardize interest in their most succesfull design towards other directions before they can make profit from all the new hi tech machines they have bought. But something has changed deep in the Grimsmo strategy and client aproach . Five days ago I was finally drafted from the Grimsmo BUYERS CHOICE list so I entered the link and I was really surprised of all the options they gave me to customize my Norseman. Unfortunately I didn't find the exact anodization pattern on both scales nor the finish I wanted for the pocket clip. Being a little bit disapointed, I sent John an email with my very own request but I have to confess I had low expectations regarding his response. Almost immediately he sent me an email with specific questions about my knife and, after bouncing back and forth emails we finaly got there. During the process, he legitimately was trying (always with such a good humor) to comply with the very smallest detail of my request. I was really impressed. I expect this knife to be produced in the following two weeks so this whole situation gives me a renewed interest in what for sure will come next...

You are so damn good at this . Thank You for everything you do for the knife community .

I hope the Grimsmos can find a new path forward I really want to see them have continued success. I absolutely love my Norseman and dont regret the purchase one bit but they need to add some variety to that lineup, I'd love to buy a smaller knife from them, mainly.

The Grimsmo stuff has always been executed well, but the Rask was a way better design and the lack of availability leaves it all kinda meh.

Nail on the head with me being also a recent owner of a Norseman. It simply is not a justifiable price other than you’re paying for grimsmo’s growth so they can go back to producing amazing pieces at competitive prices for what you get.

Thank you sir. Best review of any knife I've ever watched.

I owned one briefly and never got the hype behind them. I went with Shirogorov instead, although I do have a Koenig Arius on order

I love the knife but I don’t understand how a CNC machined knife can cost as much as it does.

I have number #3083 and had the same issue with you.. flipping thumbstud etc.. the detent was a bit hard! Adjust the screw etc. and it works like a beauty..

I could have sworn you said that “some have gotten cocky horsing around” with this peculiar yet somehow extremely familiar blade shape. I simply relish in the Shabazz trademark double intendres.

Chris figured this out after winning best folder forever at the Blades Show awards. Several new models later the Idaho Made Reeves Knives brand was back with some modern classic designs. I hope John takes a similar look at his range and flexes a bit to produce some new stuff befitting his talents. Thoughtful review Nick.👍

Can you do a hard use review??... maybe some battoning, rock smashing or sand digging?

Iv been wanting a grimsmo for years. 925 i can wait a few more years...

It's funny because as you're describing how seeing the grimsmo make something and then having it in your hand, I'm watching nick Shabazz review the exact same norseman configuration I have and how cool it is. Guess nobody can escape that irrationality (=

I think it's important to keep up the makers choice lottery because theres a low incremental gap in pricing. You can get a plain norseman with no extra designs or anodizing for $925, but for $940 you can get a two tone handle with amazing milling details. The inventory is where the less impressive Norsemans wind up and you join the makers choice hoping you get picked for a good one. I would love if they brought back Damasteel or did some more fancy inlays

I agree to some extent about your point on pricing into the hype, but at the same time, there’s always the law of supply and demand. The hype combined with their limited numbers means that it makes sense for the price to shoot up. Only way to bring down the price is to bring down the hype, and with it the demand.

The price should have gone down, not up. RWL-34 is a great steel if it has a good HT.

Your best review to date!

I think I can speak for [almost] everyone here when I say that your brutal honesty is mighty refreshing. Fantastic review as always, Nick.

Just subscribed. Was selected for "buyer's choice." Have till tonight to order should I choose to. This video is helpful. Thanks.

i just received "buyers choice" from Grimsmo I've been on the waiting list for a few years.. received email to purchase a full purple one, i passed. its been a year and finally another shot....got it!!!!!

That is a disgusting price. Period.

I got notified that I was eligible for a Norseman of my design 5 times in two years and once for their pen. I have a feeling that not many are sending in their email addresses to be chosen. I did buy two. One to carry and one for my display case. I also bought the pen and I really like it. Use it every day. Will not buy anymore. I have got into Microtech OTF knives and almost have every model they make. I have a CCW permit so I can legally carry them. I like the large Sebenza as it makes for a good EDC knife. The OTF knives are carried on my left side in case of someone trying to grab my gun in my right hand. I started my collection with Spydeco when they first made knives and sold them to jewelry stories who stamped their name on them. The knife community hated them. I still have a few of the early ones and about 15 other models. Used to be my primary EDC knife, but not anymore. I also got into Emerson knives and love the older ZT knives too. I have always carried a knife for the last 50 years. I use them daily. Have original Cold Steel and Puma knives and the knife I carried in Vietnam.

I got over wanting this knife like I did with the long list on the North Arms Skaha. Other great knives came out and were more readily available that took my money.

"This detente is too hard." I may be wrong but I don't believe I've ever heard you say that before. I think I need to go for a sit down and a drink somewhere quiet just to let it sink in.

I've had mine 3 years and 8 still find myself gravitating back to it ,I love the precision of CNC work ,like my Herman's they are very similar in the way they go about it ,Herman makes his own bearings ,pivots etc but Herman does seem to be pushing a little harder ie more designs , options for full dress and so on grissmo needs to catch up and not rest on their laurels before they get forgotten but even if that goes happen I will still love my Norseman

While I love my Norseman and it’s not going anywhere I completely agree with you’re GGBU. Of all the high end production knives I own the action on the Norseman is that 1% better that is so hard to achieve.

Good review on the esthetics that we have all grown used to. Would you mind making a review video on the performance of the knives. I just like Most people who watch knife reviews are interested on the performance of these tools so enlighten us nick.

With titanium scales how much can a lockbar insert matter? Wouldn't it takes years of hard use to start lock sticking, and even then the steel would wear into the titanium, and not the other way around? Especially if it's carbadized at the tip. You've said it yourself, simple (when possible) is better.

I want one of these so damn bad, but I can’t justify the price.

That blade shape reminds me of my Tops Tac-Raze friction folder. Another over priced knife (relatively anyway!) and equally ‘sort of’ functional, but not more than that, but quirky and fun none the less!

I’m just a random jackass but even if I wanted to spend/had that amount of money to spend on a knife - I would go Rockstead, it’s just absurd amount of money for what you get imho...🤷🏻‍♂️

I just got my Norseman in the mail a he goes before you posted this video. I can see what all the hype has been about

Where did the point by point review of the two prior knives with this new one go? Interested in seeing the design changes/evolution from the 2016 knives to 2020, other than the price evolution.

I’ve often wondered what Mr. Grimsmo was going for when he selected the RWL-34. Everything I’ve seen of him talking about it leads me to believe that it’s his passion project, the knife he needed but couldn’t find anywhere. Just about every knife nut has a favorite steel (K390 for me); I wonder if RWL-34 is just his?

I get the price hike. They kept seeing the knives they worked hard on being sold for at least 2-3 times what they were charging. Blame the people that paid $1000-1500 or more for a $600 knife

When are they going to use a replaceable liner lock? I was a fan of the Rask, but I gotta have a replaceable liner lock up.

So you admit that your main use for a knife is to open the packaging on your next knife. That made me grin.

I have a hard time picturing someone scraping with the blade of their $900+ Norseman

It's amazing industrial art. Do they made knives too?

at this point the Grimsmo Norseman is just a flex piece. If you have it and love it good for you, but if you're drooling over this knife, thinking that this is the holy grail let me tell you right now; it's not

They could breathe new life into the Norsemen by simply making a carbon fiber model with under the scale spacer. Or make it a bolster lock. Then offer a host of different scales as well as make extra scales available to folks. Offering different blade steel should also be an option.

Look!! Its ..another..framlock..flipper...Sorry I could not resist. I know I'm going to knife hell for it.

I’m probably in the minority but I’ve always liked the blade shape even if it isn’t practical. I’ve always wanted one of these but can’t justify the cost. I’ve been on the wait list for a long time and have turned them down 4 different times due to $$$.

I just got #3096. I don't disagree with any of your points, especially the detent...but I still love it.

I think this is a perfect example of how these knife production companies aren’t held accountable on their price points anymore, total materials and labor cost can’t be more then 500$ Yet they charge almost twice that for a knife while unique yes, really isn’t anything new

I’ve carefully watched every Nick Norseman review/reference/comparison since “gems” became a thing. I can see that the Norseman’s action is “a beautiful thing.” But I just can’t get past my heartfelt abhorrence of the Norseman’s butt-ugly blade shape. I’ve tried and tried, but no matter how much I‘be squinted my brain, and no matter my respect for Nick’s perspective, this knife flat out fails to inspire even a twinge of knifelust in my heart. Admittedly, given the sky-high regard that many have for the Norseman, this no doubt reveals a deficiency in my knifetude, but so it goes. I guess the end result is that there‘s just one more Grimsmo for the rest of the loyal to revere and consume, so there’s that.

“Cocky horsing around” 😂😂

Is the Norseman / Viking logo not centred on the pivot? It looks like there is less space on the left of it than on the right. Or is that just a trick of the camera angle or a figment of my imagination?

Nick can you make a video of you sharpening your Norseman?

Laughed maybe a little to hard at 5:35 in to the video 😂 when he says this point is good for opening a box which is usually contain your next knife 😂

The value was never! There. Scamming people with a lottery for a buying option was also pretty disgusting. Its so funny how many people went into the hype despite the unuseful bladeshape and pricepoint. Also.... at this pricepoint there is basically no real user experience out there. Safe queen for cult followers. At arround 500 it still woudn't be a good bang for the buckfor a production knife falling out of a CNC. But marketing and slow supply made it possible. Worse then any limited edition scam

Great review. Thank you for calling the price ugly. It takes guts to do so. In your estimation, what separates a (undesirable) "non-committal recurve” from something like what we see here, which you put on the "fine" side? P.S. "They've been making the best knife of 2016 for three years now.” 💀

Off topic but how do you feel about all of the announces sprint runs from Spyderco at Shot Show? Will you be reviewing them or staying away per your previous videos?

I think Norsemen are worth the money. If you've been watching the channel for years the story is a big part of it. Agree the clip needs updating to a crosshatch texture.

I really like the knife, but what makes it better than Chris Reeve's Umnumzaan? maybe much smoother mechanism .. more fun to play with, but not better in use for sure. That's 450$ knife. As long it's CNCed, they should try to push, as Nick said, bit further .. Ti backspacer, thicker 20CV or M390 or so .. Bold or fatty version of it will be welcomed. For business continuity and sustainability, they need to rethink the pricing again .. wish John and Erik all the best.

Considering the price and collectability of this knife I wouldn't cut tissue paper with it. Be honest this has become a non user in all reality. This is the chateau neuf du pape of knives at this point. The world of knife nerdery has takin control of the future of this "knife" love the channel Nick.

I was going to buy one of these a few years ago, but they didn't have any. Didn't feel like paying the asking price AND having to wait.

And why are they not using 20cv or 204p? 🤷🏼‍♂️

Here’s the thing, there are a whole lot of $100 - $200 knives that will do literally everything this knife will do, many in better steels, so the “value” of knives like this is unicorns & tooth fairies. This pastel coloured jewellery most customers will put carefully in a draw and never use because it’s to expensive & “special” to get a single mark on is way, way to far along the curve of diminishing returns to make sense and knives like this are for suckers who get suckered in by the hype & secretly regret spending the money on what is at the end of the day just a pocket knife.

I think for $600 I'd buy one, but $900 is more than I'm comfortable with for a knife that's a new phone right there

What’s the knife at 2:00 you used to compare didn’t catch your pronunciation. Looks beautiful

"Usually a box containing the next knife." Yep

I wonder how much this review cut demand for this knife. It's 2020, and I'm looking at giant mouse ace iona's, with M390, for 99 dollars...

Holy crap, for some reason I thought the blades on these were S35VN. RWL34 for almost a grand?! Nothing short of solid platinum hardware and jeweled handles justifies >$900 for an RWL34 blade. It's essentially the same as CPM154.

Do they still fetch a premium on the 2nd hand market, or can you get one for below retail now?

I was chosen to pick from the Norseman lottery today and was THRILLED at first. Then I saw the prices. Roughly $1,050. That's just an obscene price, I'm sorry. Really wish I could afford it.

For $925, it’s an ugly duckling.

It looks like a lamprey eel.

You could either buy that knife or 61 Opinel No. 7s.

Norseman or Shirogorov Hati R?

Interesting! When Nick purchased his second Norseman for around $600 he was happy with his purchase!! He would often show it on his videos and state that it was one of his favourite knives that he owns. Now just recently he purchased his third Norseman that had a bit of a different shaped handle for over $900. I guess he thought that for the increase in price over the years that there should be such an improvement in the knife that would warrent the increase in price. But however he could find only a few improvements and not enough to justify the price increase. He is an example of an educated consumer who has set certain guidelines for himself that were not met with the increase in price!!! For others who are purchasing the knife for the very first time who do not have the same guidelines as Nick then the knife is worth every penny because the knife is still a gem. That part has not changed!!! It is just a question of whether your money is of the same value as Nicks money!! We are all different!!! Money is worth more to some of us!! That is a fact!! And you really should not bash the knife unless you have one or have held one and even then base your decision on how you feel about it and not how Nick feels about it!! After all it is his 3rd Norseman!! The knife will sell for what ever the market will bear. You can not bash the manufacturer either because they have to test the price as well to judge what the market will bear!!! Anybody would do the same thing and if the price is too high then they will find out quick enough and lower their price. It’s called supply and demand!! Having one in my hand and paying top dollar for it I can say that I am very happy with it and it is truly a gem in my collection! No matter what others say!!!!!!! (Oh ya it is my very first Norseman and my most expensive knife as well!!!)

That is one fancy chisel

Even at $925 they sell out, consistently

After reading all the comments. Grimsmos need to rethink their market strategy.

Is the hardware gold or bronze?

Love that handle

Do they still make the Rask? im actually more interested in that

They should have called it the Hippo.

Clips that lay that flat are meant for gossamer thin pants. I wear basic office dress pants and even they would likely bow that clip out. Maybe I’m wrong, The Nick probably wears office dress too with all them fancy watches! I tend to like the looped deep carry ones. Props to Lynch clips, great clips Casey. I have bent similar clips to the Norsedude, however... ugly.

Grimsmo is like the Apple of knife brands now

It looks like a platypus

I just got one off the secondary market for 640 lnib with a make date of 20230707. I have to say that im not disappointed at all for that deal. The quality and action is butter smooth, absolutely worth it. On the other end, 1K plus for it isn't worth it. If grimsmo used a better blade steel, possibly worth it. I was at the 2024 blade show in DFW, found one for a whopping 1.3K, I just walked away.

If a knife exceeds the cost of every carry pistol I own, it's too expensive to carry and probably more than I'd be willing to pay anyways to even own. I picked up a Lionsteel ROK and a We Knife Co Peer and for now those are about as high as I'm willing to go ATM for a knife.

900 dollars of okay.