These two unusual slipjoint folders have been in my possession for about a month now. Both very similar construction, painted skeletonized handles, riveted construction, lanyard hole occupied by a split ring. These were purchased from a infamous Hong Kong based internet retailer, both for well less than $10. Packaging is simple, indicating these are Hongjie Super Knife, with some engrish copy printed along with some undecipherable photos that are presumably some kind of instructions. The only identification on on the knives themselves are some blade etchings, a logo that looks like an "h" in a circle, and presumably model numbers, HJ-115, and HJ-112.
As you can see, these are very thin knives, easily pocketable. Nothing revolutionary here, just basic solid design. Overall blade shape reminds me of a higo knife, very similar to some SRM slipjoints, but one with a novel addition of a bottle opener. I haven't seen a feature like this since my long lost Imperial fish knife of my youth. Opens bottles well enough, though there is a small tendency for the corner of the blade to pierce the top of the cap in the process. The blades sit high enough that a nail nick is not necessary. Backsprings have perfect amount of snap. Out of the package, the edges are sufficient , but could be improved greatly. Mystery steel, including the handles. Blades only have a little bit of wobble, about the same as my Case slimline trapper. Full flat grind, with coarse grind lines left behind, though look to be tumbled before sharpening and assembly. The blades thinned out and sharpened up nicely, and seem to perform perfectly well. The steel on the non bottle opener model seems unusually harder than what I'd expect. The most obvious odd thing about these is the paint job, looking vaguely like wild feline patterns. One of the most curious things is not only the paint design but that they were painted before assembly. Which explains why the backsprings are not perfectly flush, but they're not really out of whack, either. As crudely finished as they are, the fit is really pretty decent.
These knives carry very well, sharpen up and maintain well, and cost very little even delivered over to the US. I'm guessing they may provide a little peek into the Chinese domestic market for pocket knives.
As you can see, these are very thin knives, easily pocketable. Nothing revolutionary here, just basic solid design. Overall blade shape reminds me of a higo knife, very similar to some SRM slipjoints, but one with a novel addition of a bottle opener. I haven't seen a feature like this since my long lost Imperial fish knife of my youth. Opens bottles well enough, though there is a small tendency for the corner of the blade to pierce the top of the cap in the process. The blades sit high enough that a nail nick is not necessary. Backsprings have perfect amount of snap. Out of the package, the edges are sufficient , but could be improved greatly. Mystery steel, including the handles. Blades only have a little bit of wobble, about the same as my Case slimline trapper. Full flat grind, with coarse grind lines left behind, though look to be tumbled before sharpening and assembly. The blades thinned out and sharpened up nicely, and seem to perform perfectly well. The steel on the non bottle opener model seems unusually harder than what I'd expect. The most obvious odd thing about these is the paint job, looking vaguely like wild feline patterns. One of the most curious things is not only the paint design but that they were painted before assembly. Which explains why the backsprings are not perfectly flush, but they're not really out of whack, either. As crudely finished as they are, the fit is really pretty decent.
These knives carry very well, sharpen up and maintain well, and cost very little even delivered over to the US. I'm guessing they may provide a little peek into the Chinese domestic market for pocket knives.
