I received mine yesterday. This knife is everything that I expected: very good quality, very sharp, feels good in the hand, nicely balanced, and lightweight. It's been worth the wait.

Even though I'm thoroughly impressed with it, this knife won't see any use except in an extreme emergency. It will take its place in my collection next to my Mk 1 and Mini-Mk1, all first production runs with matching serial numbers. I've already resigned myself to purchase another one from the next production and put it into regular use, just as I have the Mk1 and Mini-Mk1. Not a cheap way to go, but these ARE limited production run knives.

I'm a happy camper!

Ditto all. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I like mine too.

It is rather uncomfortable to hold if you wrap your thumb around the grip... But if you place your thumb on top it becomes very comfortable...

I plan to order one soon but unlike some people, it will be put to more use than just an emergency kit. To me, a knife is meant to be used and if I'm going to put down $165 for one - I am certainly going to use it. [Pardon me, but I don't want to come across as being super-critical of the other users, I just wanted to express my opinion.]

I will probably keep it in my vehicle on a full time basis and take with me on camping/outdoor trips. I have a smallish EDC folder which is always with me while camping but I often wish I had something heavier to split smaller blocks of wood or knock of branches off a pole.

PS. I also keep a Gerber multi-tool and a full size axe in the trunk and a Leatherman in my briefcase and a Squirt on the keychain. They all get used when needed. I've got a few older knives in the camping box but those are "retired" knives or have been replaced with what I use now.

I agree that knives are meant to be used. The Mk3 is a knife that you'll want to use often. I will - as soon as I purchase my second one. The first one was purchased as a collector's item as were the first-run Mk1 and Mk1 mini that I have. I now have a collector's set of all three knives with matching serial numbers. I'm usually more frugal than this, but I really like these knives.

I also have a "working" set of Mk1s that I use often. The mini is my EDC. The larger Mk1 goes with me any time I go outdoors. Once I purchase another Mk3, It will see plenty of use.

Okay, I admit that I like knives but that I'm lacking a bit of understanding here. Is there a big market for collectible knives? Forgive my presumption here, I checked eBay, and only a handful of collectible knives had bids, and the most expensive one I saw was in the $70 range. I'm not trying to rain on anyone's parade... just trying to understand if this is a wise investment (I think my wife would use one of those knives on me if I spent $900 on 2 complete sets <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> )

I do plan on getting at least 1 or 2 of these knives as I save my "survival nickels" but I'd like to understand the whole first run/numbered/collectible aspect if anyone cares to take the time to educate. <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Well, it's a personal thing in my case. I collect things because "I" value them. Knives, uncirculated coins, signed and numbered lithographs, and Burmese jade sculptures are a few of the things I have collected over the years. I didn't purchase them for the price they might bring in five, ten, or fifty years. I purchased them because they please me. Whether they're hanging on my walls, sitting on shelves, or gathering dust in a drawer, they have value to me.

If I were to offer my unused and identically numbered DR knives for sale, I'm sure that I could get more for the set than for their individual values. But, I don't care about that - they're not for sale. I will reap far greater value from these knives, in time, when I give them to my grandson and see the look of gratitude in his wide eyes.

Was this a wise investment? I think so.

P.S. I have no fears that my wife would use one of the knives on me - one of them was a gift from her. <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Now, collecting for oneself without future thought to value seems reasonable to me. I was wondering if there is this big market of collectible knives or if it was more of a "Franklin Mint" thing. I can see these knives have real value as working tools and certainly some antiques and such are bound to be worth money. I was just wondering if I should collect a numbered knife and set it aside as an investment.

Unfortunately, I'm not in a position to give an accurate response or advice. Perhaps we have some knife dealers who could shed some light on this. Any takers?

To be fair, my wife may become dangerous if I purchase another flashlight in the next six months. Some things i can justify easier than others.

Well, I might be harsh saying she'd use it on me, but justifying anything when I already have a ton of nice equipment is hard. You can't exactly use 4 flashlights and 3 knives simultaneously. Though I've tried. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />