In this detailed review of the MKM (Maniago Knife Makers) MAXIMO find out if you would trust this knife to have your back. The MKM Maximo is a robust pocket knife designed by Bob Terzuola and includes many of the design features Terzuola uses on his handmade knives.
The blade is made from 4mm Böhler M390 known for incredible wear-resistance, edge retention and stain resistance. Grip is enhanced by a cross-hatch pattern milled into the scales. This version of the MKM Maximo has bronze finish titanium handles. The deep-carry pocket clip screw includes a glass breaker point and Maximo uses a ball bearing pivot to provide silky-smooth one-handed opening action with either the flipper or thumb stud openers. Join me in this MKM Maximo Review for all the details.
What’s in the box?:
Having been an exhibition / show knife, this particular Maximo has none of the standard packaging, well, none at all, so we go straight in to viewing the knife.
A good look round the folded Maximo – Things to look out for here are:
Our first detailed look is at the knife with blade folded. Starting at the butt of the handle and the tungsten-carbide tipped glass-breaker in the screw that holds the pocket clip in place. The lanyard hole goes through both titanium handles and the spacer. A single-sided pocket clip spans the lock spring cut-out, resting just on the handle so avoiding pressing on the lock bar. Handle bolts have a screw head only on one side, with the other being a plain headed barrel nut. Around the low profile flipper tab the handle is slightly bevelled to give a little more access to the tab when flipping. Surrounding each pivot bolt is a decorative bushing. For increased wear resistance and reduced titanium/steel binding, the lock bar has a steel insert. Twin thumbstuds sit next to a section of thumb jimping on the blade spine.
A good look round the open Maximo – Things to look out for here are:
Though described as a drop-point, to me the Maximo blade is more of a spear-point as its curving bevelled swedge virtually mirrors the cutting edge. Lock engagement has plenty of room to wear-in and settle as you use it more. With the blade open we now clearly see the handle shape. The milled cross-hatch pattern provides grip and a classic look to this integral-lock folder. A well radiused plunge line and sharpening choil provide functional finishing touches.
The Blade and Handle – Detailed Measurements:
For full details of the tests and measurements carried out and an explanation of the results, see the page – Knife Technical Testing – How It’s Done.
The blade is made from M390 steel.
The Factory edge up close:
Followers of Tactical Reviews will know my views on factory edges, but to recap:
Anyone using a knife will need to sharpen it. That first factory edge is just like the first tank of fuel that a new car comes with (or first charge of the battery).
A good factory edge is a ‘nice to have’ but not a ‘make or break’ for a good knife, as you will be putting your own edge onto it soon enough.
The factory edge does however indicate the care a knife maker has put into the final finish.
It is for this reason Tactical Reviews measures factory edge sharpness and specifications, and includes this information in the detailed technical testing.
As a further look at the factory edge, this section has been added to include some high magnification photos of the factory edges.
These edge close-ups show a well used factory edge, so do not think for one moment this is factory fresh! In fact I think this has collected DNA from a few ‘accidents’ by exhibition visitors finding out it is sharp, and also shows signs of a few knocks. I did resharpen for my own testing to remove the damage, but include these initial edge images for interest and entertainment.
MKM Maximo Review – What is it like to use?
Elegant, classic, enduring and timeless, the Maximo seen here bathed in golden hour light.
But this knife is there to be used, and well used it will be. A very comfortable size to carry and to hold. With the blade spine being a good thickness, having a rounded profile, and the perfectly placed thumb jimping, you can really work the Maximo hard and push into the cut with ease.
My hands take an XL size glove and Maximo has enough handle length to cater for my hand, though when leaning into a cut, I do have the glass breaker pressing into my hand. I believe a new Maximo has a smooth bolt you can swap out for the glass breaker if this bothers you.
I do have a tendency to start whacking knives, including folding knives, with a baton, but wasn’t preparing firewood when carrying the Maximo so didn’t subject it to this (at least not yet), instead just going with the flow and whatever cutting tasks presented themselves. The fresh cutting edge slides effortlessly through a variety of packaging (that I didn’t photograph), and the hardwood shaving cuts were just for getting a feel of harder materials and how well the new edge was working. 17.5 DPS is my preferred working edge; the M390 took a very nice edge, and as you can see, the edge bevel is not overly wide at this angle.
Clearing overgrown ivy, the cut shown here was a flicked tap-cut of the free hanging stem.
Pocket clip pressure is good, and the proximity of the clip’s end to the corner of the lock bar cut out, makes for a grabby clip (as the fabric bunches into the lock bar cut-out).
Maximo gives you the reliability and strength of a full metal build (for the two titanium versions), a slim handle making it easy to carry, and a really strong flat grind blade. Despite the nearly 11 degrees primary bevel angle, once given a 35 degree inclusive edge, Maximo has been a very eager cutter. It’s got my back.
MKM Maximo Review Summary
The views expressed in this summary table are from the point of view of the reviewer’s personal use. I am not a member of the armed forces and cannot comment on its use beyond a cutting tool or field/hunting knife.
Something that might be a ‘pro’ for one user can be a ‘con’ for another, so the comments are categorised based on my requirements. You should consider all points and if they could be beneficial to you.
_______________________________________________
What doesn’t work so well for me
_______________________________________________
Single sided clip.
Glass breaker can dig into your hand.
Pocket clip can be a bit grabby with your pocket edge.
_______________________________________________
Things I like
_______________________________________________
Very robust 4mm blade stock.
M390 blade steel.
Thumb open or flipper.
Comfortable and effective thumb jimping.
Steel reinforced lock bar end.
Superb fit and finish.
Choice of handle materials, Titanium, Micarta and Carbon Fibre.
Classic cross-hatch grip pattern.
Excellent size for general purpose EDC use.
Integral-lock reliability.
MKM Maximo Review Videos
Starting with a short format sixty second review:
Onto a full video review covering many more details:
Discussing the Review:
Something new – will it work? A Tactical Reviews Subreddit.
TacticalReviewsChat on Reddit
Please visit there and start/join the conversation.
