I recently purchased a yellow runtly, a few things really stand out .... first I’m a huge fan of the design and color, I really like the brilliant yellow paired with the knife. I am not a fan of any coatings on blades, so this was a cinch out of the gate. The blade was well centered and the liner lock achieves a positive, firm lock and the release is smooth. There is just the right amount of relief in the scale to side your thumb over and disengage the lock. At first I wasn’t sure if there was enough space, but as I have played with the knife, I’ve come to quite like it. Another great feature is how smooth the knife opens. This was something I really loved on my first finch knife the 1939. The action on my runtly is almost as smooth as my 1939... which is one of my favorites. The runtly is just as smooth but has a slight amount of drag in comparison. That is by no means a criticism, it’s an easy open, one finger flick; it’s just ever so slightly slower than my beloved 1939. What would I change? Make a runtly XL for those of us with larger hands, make the scales a 1/2” longer, change nothing else. The purchase on the 1939 is close to perfect, the runtly is just a tiny bit wanting for big and tall... it really is a matter of fractions of an inch and personal preference. That would also give you space for a lanyard hole ... which in my daily world is a requirement, but I get from a design perspective where they were coming from, I do love the aesthetics the way they are. I’d love to see this knife made in Maniago, Germany, the US, etc. I don’t have anything against China made knives, however at $140, you just start to enter into a class of knives with better steels and better pedigrees. 154CM is a fine steel .... for a few bucks more you can step into a higher grade steel, made in the USA in other brands. That sentiment is tempered by the finch design and really good execution. They are unique and the fit and finish is superb. I do like the novel, inlaid emblem and that yellow and silver just does it for me. If they ever make a red or Orange version with a silver blade, I’d have to bite. Overall a great knife, I love the design, I love the color, smooth action, easy open and it always strikes a conversation during a pocket check. I am happy with my purchase, and while the runtly will always take second against my 1939, I’m glad I bought it and owning it and carrying it has been fun. Having two great finches now leaves me greatly looking forward to the Holliday, the Harvester and future color varieties of all the above.
