SRM, Bee, Enlan, Navy and knives Fan post

[TheBishop]

I paid $16 delivered for the Inron 803. A stinking great price.

Unfortunately, not a great folder. I was taken in by the organge version, which looked great -- but only in the photo.

This is not a terrible folder by any means. But the workmanship and f&f simply don't live up to the best of my SRMs and Enlans.

I violated my own rule and didn't order two of these to see if one turned out to be ok.

Speaking of the best models -- I just received the Enlan Bee EM01. It's a very nice EDC-size folder, with an under 3-inch blade. I'd rank it with the 710, 763, L02 and M25.

Bottom line: I'm still batting about 50 percent on these imports.

Agree on the Inron. F&F is not up to Enlan or Ganzo spec.
Way better quality is in the Enlan EL-01.
Goon order some studs and find a friend with a press, drill a hole, and make up the difference.
The liner lock on the EL-01 seems beefier than the 803's framelock anyway.

[M1K3Z0R]

So I finally decided to register and post, after reading many posts here, and going through this entire thread!

My first purchase was a 710, which blew me away and got me hooked on these cheap (but quality!) knives. I wasn't really into knives before learning about the 710, but I recently got a EL-01KH and have both the Aluminum and G10 versions of the SRM 763 on the way, in addition to a black SRM 939 that I could't resist, knowing it is discontinued ( and has an interesting design/blade profile).

Here is a quick picture comparison of the Enlan EL-01KH and SRM 710. I apologize for the picture quality, I took these pics quickly using my old camera and then resized them some more. Pics and some of this content has already been posted at another forums I frequent, but I thought it would be better suited and more relevant here

I tend to baby my knives and likely won't be using them for any intense tasks, but should the need arise I feel reasonably confident that both the 710 and EL-01 can perform. Proprietary screws and minor issues aside, the EL-01KH has grown on me, particularly after cleaning, lube, and some wear. The size and weight isn't actually that bad, and I could see myself making it my EDC blade if I required the blade length and ruggedness of this knife for daily tasks.



love the swedge, ergonomics and the flipper/finger guard. If you have knife opening OCD, this feature won't cure you at all :P




The 710 has a finer grind to the blade, all in one direction while the EL-01 appears to have slight variations in grind as you go towards the tip. Nothing a minor polish and touch up can't fix, and both come super sharp



The 710's clip feels much stronger, while the EL-01 clip is weaker - a good thing, otherwise the g10 scales may shred your pockets.




^ The evil triangle pivot. Quite shallow too, but enough to grind a slot into it if needed. Torx T6 screws with orange loctite hold the scales, liners, and standoffs together.



On mine, the blade is off-center while closed, but it actually doesn't touch the liner. After much tinkering and measuring, I have come to the conclusion that it may actually be the strong leaf spring of the liner lock pushing the blade off center while the knife is closed. I ran into a post somewhere that it may actually be due to the asymmetrical swedge near the tip, which upon closer examination is indeed longer on one side. I have tried to reassemble/lube it and wear it in, but doesn't seem to help. Otherwise no blade play and I can't see the liner lock disengaging by accident, it requires deliberate force.



I used a standard 3/4 keyless drill chuck to get at the pivot screw. Got this idea from a youtube comment in one of Joben's vids.



It takes some minor back and forth adjusting to get the jaws of the drill chuck to grab onto the shallow pivot screw. I found it best to press the knife against the chuck, otherwise it slips off easily. I can see this being a potential issue with the EL-01D, as the ring of the chuck might scuff up the rosewood with all the pushing and twisting. A larger chuck that has the jaws extend outward more may be better in that case, but I don't have one to try it out.

I must say, this forum and SrJoben's youtube reviews played a huge part in helping me pick out the knives that are the right fit for me. I find myself buying more and more, but probably for the better as I've already lost my other 710 to a friend who really liked it. I never told him how much I paid for it, he probably thinks he got a $50 knife :P

[Elian_BHZ]

I want to share with you a quick overview on the Ganzo G704
Greetings from Argentina

[flatblackcapo]

I used my enlan EL-02 on a 4 day backpacking trip , I would like to report that this knife is freakin awesome! It did everything I asked of it including carving some very hard dry wood.That hard wood did roll the edge a liitle but I was take it out with that same piece of wood. When I got home I tested the edge on some phone book paper and it did cut .It didn't push cut but I was surprised at how clean it did cut.I orderd another this time with the micarta scales.

[vortex]

The micarta version looks more elegant definitely.

[gkeenang]

does anyone know how durable the coating on any of the black coated enlan blades are? Like do they hold up okay to wear? or are they basically just paint that chips right off? thanks.

[vortex]

The black paint turned into dark grey after a few weeks of light use on the blade of my EL01.

[Art_Vandeley]

I ordered the Srm 730t a couple of days ago. Love the design of that one.

[jmsodpc]

check out the handy work on our very own dcmartin
just received this from him today.
FANTASTIC.
great grip and great finish.
now its a perfect 710

[drbobguy]

check out the handy work on our very own dcmartin
just received this from him today.
FANTASTIC.
great grip and great finish.
now its a perfect 710

WOW. Amazing, love both the color and the texture pattern. Does he take orders or was this a one-time deal?

[Morrow]

i believe he will take orders.

dcmartin member

dcmartin would need a Knifemaker/craftman/service provider membership to do business so we shouldn't be sending business his way on the site.

He should think about upgrading though...his work looks great.

[vortex]

My new Leen 1203-2 folder:


I think this will be the new rival for the Sanrenmu 710. Here is my short review with additional pics.

[Tylorg]

So, who knows what this picture is on handle of the black 710?
Just a fanciful nothing, or jellyfish, or ????



- OS

hello ohshoot, the logo on the handle is a fireball with a leaping panther.

[OhShoot]

My new Leen 1203-2 folder:


I think this will be the new rival for the Sanrenmu 710. Here is my short review with additional pics.

Dang nice looking, but wow, yet now a third screw type that nothing conventional will fit!

Another of your own pics:



- OS

[flash900]

My new Leen 1203-2 folder:


I think this will be the new rival for the Sanrenmu 710. Here is my short review with additional pics.

Thanks for the review and photos -- this looks like a great little folder!

But what is it with designers and their proprietary pivot screws?

Incredibly, the dealer told me he has no idea how to get the proper pivot tool.

Maybe the manufacturer thinks the product is cheap enough that you could just buy a new one when it needs adjusting.

[vortex]

I agree that this new type of pivot screw is quite annoying although it looks cool. I tried to adjust it with a round nose pliers but that's not the best tool for it. Fortunately the folder came with smooth opening and zero blade play.

[TheBishop]

I agree that this new type of pivot screw is quite annoying although it looks cool. I tried to adjust it with a round nose pliers but that's not the best tool for it. Fortunately the folder came with smooth opening and zero blade play.

Just got the other tools for the 2 other styles.
Wonder if the 3 prong would work on that?

I can see it won't work on both sets

[flash900]

Just got the other tools for the 2 other styles.
Wonder if the 3 prong would work on that?

I can see it won't work on both sets

Eh, what tools -- and where did you find them, please?

[OhShoot]

Eh, what tools -- and where did you find them, please?

Guess we're not supposed to say, even though I only know one place to get them.

Google "Enlan Knife Tool", first hit.

- OS

[TheBishop]

Its on one of the main sites
I don't know the rules on posting so one of the main places lets say.
Also, they want too much for them, but if you look, it's cheaper if you buy certain knives.

They work ... long term? Don't look the sturdiest but time will tell.

@vortex ... did you ever get the 08?

I will eventually line up all mine and do a review, but so far out of all, besides the bargain 710, the EL-02 in micarta ... outstanding ... and the el-08 ... heavy strider like feel are the shiners in the heavy weight group.

Is it my imagination that the el-01 and the inron 803? are hinderer knockoffs?

Did not know this, just saw one, thought it was an inron, and lo and behold, a pretty blatant copy. Down to the screw.