One thing to note: North Arm has told me that the blade rock is fixed in later production. More importantly, a trusted buddy of mine received one he ordered last week, and his is 100% solid when closed, and another viewer confirmed the same for one received last week. So, the “bad” just got a bit less bad. Well done, North Arm!

Nick, you've done it again. Copied from their website: The Skaha is on back-order at the moment. We’ve experienced a spike in orders since Nick Shabazz released his maintenance video. We’re working hard to fill orders in a timely manner. We’re expecting to ship any back orders within about 2 weeks of the order date. Thank you for your patience!

As a Canadian (from B.C. too!), I must say, it gives me the warm-fuzzies to hear Nick sing some pretty high praises for this pocket knife from a small family-owned Canadian business in my neck of the woods. Keep up the good work Nick and North Arm Knives!

What a small world. I bought a pocket knife a month ago, a Chaparral knowing nothing about knives. I then discovered your channel and have learned a ton over the past month. Like the fact that this knife is made by a company that is a block away from me here in Vancouver. I just ordered one a few minutes ago and noticed that they have a notice saying that because of your channel the wait is now 4 weeks. Keep on doing this, excellent learning opportunities for some of us.

Great review. I have one on the way. I can add a little to your review even before I get my Skaha in my hand haha. The team at NorthArms has great customer service. I've ordered more knives through the years than I want to admit (wife may read this). John at NorthArms has been as helpful as any knife maker or company I've purchased from, and far better than most. It's refreshing to order a knife and feel that your purchase was appreciated. I'm done with begging big names to take my money and then waiting around for weeks or months for them to get around to sending me the product I already paid three times too much for, all while giving me the silent treatment. I much prefer to support a business that appreciates their customers. Thanks again, Nick! You are always a gem.

I'm really happy you presented this knife on your channel. This is really cool

My skaha has held up to tonnes of hard use and is great shape still. Love this knife

I love the review and I ordered one after watching the disassembly video. I tried to order the Tan G10 as in the video but there were all gone and I was told they would not be made again so I ordered a purple one. Then I received an email from the owner, Mike, stating that there was such a demand because of Nick's video for the Tan ones that the company decided to make them again and I could change my order to include a Tan G10. Can't wait!

Great review!!! I live in BC about 30 minutes from North Arm's office. I bought 2 fixed blades from them last November and love them!!! Great quality and decent price range. I looked at the Skaha last November but couldn't pull the trigger for all 3... going to get one soon though!

How can something so hi tech and contemporary in design have such a traditional vibe? I love that makers mark surrounded by the CNC lines.

Nick, needed to thank you for a small but special gift under the tree for me today -- my own Skaha. After watching your review the first time, I put it on my wish list! The action is as you describe -- incredible. You may be happy to know that mine at least has no blade shake and the "pocket pecker" seems more chamfered than the one you reviewed here.

Have one and agree with your review. Glad you reviewed this one - I was starting to think I was missing something since there seemed to be no reviews. Can confirm that mine is an excellent flipper. I will often flip it just for the sake of flipping it. Clip is not my favorite part of the knife. It's perfectly usable but I prefer deep carry. On the pry issue to disassemble, very minor given how easily it goes back together with no issues. It's a no-brainer to assemble. I didn't notice the maraca issue and probably never would have. Glad you called that out. Have to agree on the pecker flipper tab. Could be better. When I first got mine I wasn't overly impressed. I questioned using a knife that's really just scales. Where's the frame? It seemed too light. After carrying it I'm questioning why my other knives are so heavy and why I need all the extra metal. Even more impressive to me since this is their first flipper. Eager to see what else they'll do. This has displaced most of my other knives for EDC - it's a pleasure to carry and I really enjoy using it.

Had a feeling the review would go this way after watching the disassembly. Nice!

Mine finally arrived today. Very pleased!

Thanks.Sounds like it's worth the wait I'm gonna go head and put my preorder in

Just purchased my first over $100 knife to start my collection, the Skaha Shabazz special (tan G10 handles with extra rattle). Thanks man.

Thanks Nick. So many "tells" in your disassembly video informed me/us of the future "gem" status!

Finally got my Skaha today! Very happy 😊! It has a very hard detent, I am pleasantly surprised. It flips like a rocket right out of the box, light weight and the g10 is contoured perfectly. Also, sharp out of the box. They sent it out the 11th and I just got it today, took twelve days. Thanks Nick! Oh yea, no blade rock.

I'm glad I bought mine prior to this review. Great job, and I agree on this little gem.

Great review Nick! Thanks

Thanks Nick! Just went to North Arms website and bought one. I chose the day glow colored handles 😏

great review, and great little knife

I can see why they're back ordered! Probably need to add this one to my Christmas list! BTW, glad to you made a comment about the glove; for a moment there I thought you were channeling Michael Jackson -- just lost some sparkle in the translation -)

These guys are a dealer on Blade Forums. They seem like really great guys......very happy for them!! Trying to decide on a color at the moment.

Deep red skaha ordered....thanks for bringing this one to light Nick.

BC resident here, gotta say that knife is just a beautiful as the lake it's named after.

Nick finds Canadian makers i have never heard of and i actively search for Canadian makers.

Just got a Rat 1 with the D2 steel and was wondering what your thoughts were about cold blueing the blade.

It definitely worth looking into.

It would be nice to see a review of their fixed blade Lynx model, looks pretty sweet!!!

I'm curious to experience an action like this. I have a well-broken in ZT0452 and I don't understand how this or the Norseman could top it.. once my thumb is off the lockbar, it drops shut without any further assistance.

I kept waiting for him to mention the action on it. I heard it snap open the first time and was like holy shit..... that sounded really REALLY good!

I have a Skaha ll in blue. It's a safe queen, and has only been flipped a few times. I waited for this what seemed like forever, but just before I received it I took a stroke, and have a FEW knives to sell, which are all in great shape. My Skaha has som Blade bounce when the blade is allowed to close free fall. I suppose it doesn't ? hurt it but IU do worry that it may dull on the tip.

My bank account keeps dwindling after subscribing to you channel. Thank you for the review.

Great review. Good to see you channelling Michael Jackson in the glove department...

Nick, they don't offer it in blue, so would love to see you do a G10 dye treatment video. Thanks for the great review and disassembly!

I was able to order the 2nd version before they sold out. I should have it in a few weeks.

Actually wanted to see this knife reviewed too

The flip tab seems to be chamfered on mine, which I just got

But can you get it in Z hunter green?

Now on my own radar. I watched your breakdown vid and could see and hear the difference. Can't pass this one up.

I love the full flat grind, most knife makers are going nuts on recurves and compound grinds with giant flats and almost no cutting surface. Their kitchen knives look compelling too. We need more random jackasses building knives. BTW, I'm a southpaw but just carry right because that's reality. Why switch when it will only be a fraction of the knives?

The only ugly thing I see here is the fact that I cant decide what color I want.

This one reminds me of the we 703. Wish they'd make a titanium version.

Hey nick ever considered a Benchmade 904?

The red one caught my eye. I hope, like you said, that yours is not a fluke and that they are all like this.

Live 40 min away from these guys. I'll check them out!

Classic lines... "Blade Length Monitor", "Overpants", "Tactical Maracas"

Thanks to your review, they are out of stock now

You are correct, blade rattle is gone, sharp edges on pocket pecker are gone and pecker is smaller. Logo on blade is not as deep. just got mine today

Can you get it in carbon fiber?

Is this the natural g10.color?I don't see a tan on their website?

You can't resist horseing around can you lol . I hope they're ready for a Tsunami of orders now that they've hit Gem status . Maybe they'll send you their next prototype folder for a secret review .

Would you recommend that knife or the zt 450

Nick, my wallet hates you. I have one of these and a boos smoke in the mail

its very close to my shirogorov blade shape and I can't argue with that.

What's the deal with Canucks and CNC knife excellence? No blue handle scale option? Well, they might as well be on backorder then! (harrumph!) (sigh) I guess I could go for ANOTHER black handled knife. I just ain't ready for the Geiger-counter green or Ikea Paring-knife orange yet.

Which one has the better action the Skaha or the zt 0452cf

Update: North Arm was supposed to be accepting new orders for the Skaha today. The website crashed from too much traffic in seconds. The Shabazz effect. ;)

If you are in to knifes, watch Nick Shabazz, he's the best!

Great review as always! Graduated to only Ti-handled knives that provide better balance in hand; otherwise - sounds like a nice knife. Thanks, -Sid

I really want to try this. It's rare that we get to support our country's knifemakers at this price point 🇨🇦 (No disrespect to John & Eric 😀)

Yeah knifenuts recently talked about blade rock and how it's caused by a misdrilled detent hole. Wonder if they're all like that

like the very defined stamping on this knife and Grimsmo's do the same.

Nice

Did the tac yogurt end up winning a place in that contest? or the pencil? haha those were really funny

Up to over four months before it will ship!

Tatical maraca! Thank you for the laugh.

Actually, I think the lengthwise CNC pattern on the blade would help, not hinder with cutting sticky substances like cheese. It should stick less.

"This brings me joy"..... I could tell you liked this knife by your vocal tone the entire review. You should just buy it off the original owner LOL.

Backordered till August ? Come on !

This would be a beautiful knife in carbon fiber!

tyfs

since when 150 dollars is "low end"?

Imagine if they did carbon fiber. What do you think?

Hey nick where can I buy one you know? Thaks.

Hi nick

Just orderd We knife for that superior flipping action, and now you give me this?? In black that is nice. Shame about the logo though.

Blade to handle ratio is a let down

At 1:27 Nick turns into a door

And forgot to say ceramic bearings

Best flipper action for the money is still the Buck Marksman.

Just to grip the core message of the video: you eat very sticky cheese with your Norsman? (A cheesy comment, sorry)

BC joke: 10/10.

that b.c. joke man....smh

When is she not going to be a fiancé? And what knife are you wearing during the wedding?

Crazy how similar this knife is an many ways to the Kizer Gemini yet is a gem where the Gemini is a miss. I do not understand how you come to the conclusions that you do. A lot of inconsistency in your reviews of late.

🎵sorry lefties🎵

tell you what though, the nick: if you live somewhere with 77% average humidity (afternoon) and quite near the coast like i do, any indentations, pits, cnc-lines, stonewashes... anything other than a >600grit satin polish on the blade, and your knife will self-destruct in about 6 months. verified with stonewashed s30v.

jimmy dean meat lover breakfast bowl

Wish the company would invest in a good custom typography designer to redo their logotype. The current version is butt ugly - bland font and bad kerning made worse by the curved path.