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- May 14, 2012
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*disclaimer: Although I know Josh
REK Knives
personally, this does not affect my review. I strive to make unbiased reviews and a truthful look at the knives REK makes. I am not reimbursed nor do I receive free/discounted knives for review. The Sparrow I am reviewing today is NOT mine. I did, however, buy the prototype for myself.*
The REK SPARROW
Here we go.
After almost two years in the making, I am so very excited to be able to review REK’s new folding knife offering, the “Sparrow.”
This has been a wild and fun ride, and the time has finally come for it to be introduced to all you knife knuts. I need to slow down here, but I’m just so excited!! …let’s start at the beginning.
Roughly two years ago, I was approached by Josh from REK with a question…”What folding knife should I make next.” One of my suggestions, being an avid front flipper fan, was a 3 1/8” front flipper.
After a few (lots)of conversations regarding specifications, action, size, pocket clip design and shape, Josh went to work on an idea he had in his mind. His design is well executed and beautiful.
A few months into the project, I had a plastic prototype in my hands!!! Our goal here was to make a front flipper with amazing action, and silky smoothness, all on phosphor bronze washers.
I have been extremely lucky to have a Sparrow prototype for testing and trouble shooting for almost a year now. What a privilege and an honor. Thank you, Josh.
Over the last few months, the Sparrow prototype has been tweeked and improved. (Some features that were improved include blade shape, softer jimping, no scallops, detent, lockbar tension and lockup percentage.)
The Sparrow is now ready to make it’s debut!
I hope I still have your attention and excitement. This was a long intro, so I’ll just dive right in to the good stuff!
*I will be reviewing the first custom version of the Sparrow (not the prototype), which is on loan to me. I will include photo’s of the prototype at the end of the review for your viewing pleasure.
This is REK’s second folding knife design to date, and did Josh ever nail this one!
Let’s start with the blade. It is 3 1/8” of Bohler M390 goodness. It is hand rubbed and executed perfectly. I’ve said this before, and I hold fast to my stance, Josh’s grinds are a work of art. From the crisp symmetrical grinds to the literal “razor sharp” edge, his skill shines through. The Sparrow’s blade is ground and sharpened for maximum cutting performance and its drop point shape lends to most all EDC cutting tasks. A sharpening choil has been incorporated for ease of sharpening.
The blade’s cutting ability is unhindered by other opening mechanisms and is purely a front flipper. The blade’s cutting path is clean and without “extras” to get in the way of utilizing the blades full edge.
It has the M390 etch stylishly positioned on the lockside of the blade, visible when closed and hidden when open. A beautiful touch.
The jimping on the blade, a must for front flippers, is well thought out and designed. It is “soft” to the touch when deploying the blade in all manner of opening choices. Very, very impressive.
Moving on to the scales. The scales on this Sparrow are sculpted titanium and boast lightening pockets on their interior. A working stonewash finish and vibrant blue hardware top it all off, wonderfully. There are no, NO, sharp edges on the Sparrow’s scales and the chamfers are done exceptionally well.
In hand, the scales feel great and allow for my hand to “choke” up to the blade for more controlled work and tip control.
The lockbar has been equipped with an insert which also doubles as an over-travel stop.
I appreciate the contouring and sculpting on these scales, as they allow the handle of the Sparrow to be slimmer and still have a great grip purchase. Overall, it just feels fantastic in hand.
One thing I absolutely love about working with REK knives is Josh’s design mind. He has added some very cool custom touches on the Sparrow.
One excellent feature is the pocket clip. A totally new design for REK and constructed for ease of use and unhindered lockbar/detent performance. It is a milled titanium one piece clip. It sports a milled line down it’s center and two-tone finish. The pocket clip also has an off-center retention nub which sits away from the lockbar.
It has “soft” scallops on its upper sides to aid in opening control with various opening methods. The clip sits in a milled pocket in the scales and is solid.
With this clip, I am so happy to report that it slides in and out of the pocket with ease, and its retention is great!!
Another fantastic touch is the backspacer. Josh has designed the Sparrow with a hidden lanyard hole. This is one of my favorite features, as it controls the fob, keeping it out of the way for blade deployment. The backspacer is also chamfered and looks snazzy.
Let’s talk about ACTION!!
To me, this is the heart and soul of a great front flipper. The pivot is a sort of hybrid bushing style pivot. The stop pin is internal and the blade glides on PB washers.
The Sparrow is perfectly balanced for front flipping, neither front nor back heavy.
Josh has ABSOLUTELY nailed the action on the Sparrow. After many chats, and much back-and-forth idea’s, the way Josh has executed the detent pressure is a work of art. Just phenomenal.
The detent is in-between light/medium pressure and is superbly intuitive. It snaps open with authority. The blade’s detent holds the blade firmly when in the closed position, a feature that has impressed me, as this is hard to obtain on a light/medium action.
I have zero issues flipping the Sparrow with all opening techniques, and it is a pleasure to operate.
I can’t say enough about how impressed and pleased I am with the Sparrow’s action. Closing is pleasurably smooth, and care must be taken to keep one’s fingers out of the blade’s path when closing.
In conclusion, the new “Sparrow” front flipper from REK Knives is a home run, outta the park, win win for front flipping enthusiasts. The Sparrow is so intuitive that even a “beginner” will overcome the learning curve quickly. It is truly a very wonderful knife.
The Sparrow’s snappy, crisp detent is a joy and the smoothness of the pb washers is phenominal.
Josh’s attention to detail and his drive for perfection has produced a wonderful medium sized front flipper that, IMO, rivals all others.
I am so very excited to have been a part of this build, included in the process, and I am astonished by the outcome of the Sparrow.
Josh, it has been an absolute pleasure. You nailed this one right on the nose. Looking forward to other projects in the future.
Sparrow Specs
Blade Length - 3 1/8 inches
Blade Steel - Bohler M390
Handle Length - 4 1/4 inches
Handle material - Titanium/internal milled pockets
Overall length - 7 3/8 inches
Hardware - Anodized titanium
Lockbar Features - Insert with over travel stop
Weight - 3.2oz
Action Video -
A couple of comparisions shots…proto vs. custom
Top to bottom: Shirogorov Neon Zero, REK Sparrow, Burger LEXK
REK Knives
personally, this does not affect my review. I strive to make unbiased reviews and a truthful look at the knives REK makes. I am not reimbursed nor do I receive free/discounted knives for review. The Sparrow I am reviewing today is NOT mine. I did, however, buy the prototype for myself.*The REK SPARROW
Here we go.
After almost two years in the making, I am so very excited to be able to review REK’s new folding knife offering, the “Sparrow.”
This has been a wild and fun ride, and the time has finally come for it to be introduced to all you knife knuts. I need to slow down here, but I’m just so excited!! …let’s start at the beginning.
Roughly two years ago, I was approached by Josh from REK with a question…”What folding knife should I make next.” One of my suggestions, being an avid front flipper fan, was a 3 1/8” front flipper.
After a few (lots)of conversations regarding specifications, action, size, pocket clip design and shape, Josh went to work on an idea he had in his mind. His design is well executed and beautiful.
A few months into the project, I had a plastic prototype in my hands!!! Our goal here was to make a front flipper with amazing action, and silky smoothness, all on phosphor bronze washers.
I have been extremely lucky to have a Sparrow prototype for testing and trouble shooting for almost a year now. What a privilege and an honor. Thank you, Josh.
Over the last few months, the Sparrow prototype has been tweeked and improved. (Some features that were improved include blade shape, softer jimping, no scallops, detent, lockbar tension and lockup percentage.)
The Sparrow is now ready to make it’s debut!
I hope I still have your attention and excitement. This was a long intro, so I’ll just dive right in to the good stuff!
*I will be reviewing the first custom version of the Sparrow (not the prototype), which is on loan to me. I will include photo’s of the prototype at the end of the review for your viewing pleasure.
This is REK’s second folding knife design to date, and did Josh ever nail this one!
Let’s start with the blade. It is 3 1/8” of Bohler M390 goodness. It is hand rubbed and executed perfectly. I’ve said this before, and I hold fast to my stance, Josh’s grinds are a work of art. From the crisp symmetrical grinds to the literal “razor sharp” edge, his skill shines through. The Sparrow’s blade is ground and sharpened for maximum cutting performance and its drop point shape lends to most all EDC cutting tasks. A sharpening choil has been incorporated for ease of sharpening.
The blade’s cutting ability is unhindered by other opening mechanisms and is purely a front flipper. The blade’s cutting path is clean and without “extras” to get in the way of utilizing the blades full edge.
It has the M390 etch stylishly positioned on the lockside of the blade, visible when closed and hidden when open. A beautiful touch.
The jimping on the blade, a must for front flippers, is well thought out and designed. It is “soft” to the touch when deploying the blade in all manner of opening choices. Very, very impressive.
Moving on to the scales. The scales on this Sparrow are sculpted titanium and boast lightening pockets on their interior. A working stonewash finish and vibrant blue hardware top it all off, wonderfully. There are no, NO, sharp edges on the Sparrow’s scales and the chamfers are done exceptionally well.
In hand, the scales feel great and allow for my hand to “choke” up to the blade for more controlled work and tip control.
The lockbar has been equipped with an insert which also doubles as an over-travel stop.
I appreciate the contouring and sculpting on these scales, as they allow the handle of the Sparrow to be slimmer and still have a great grip purchase. Overall, it just feels fantastic in hand.
One thing I absolutely love about working with REK knives is Josh’s design mind. He has added some very cool custom touches on the Sparrow.
One excellent feature is the pocket clip. A totally new design for REK and constructed for ease of use and unhindered lockbar/detent performance. It is a milled titanium one piece clip. It sports a milled line down it’s center and two-tone finish. The pocket clip also has an off-center retention nub which sits away from the lockbar.
It has “soft” scallops on its upper sides to aid in opening control with various opening methods. The clip sits in a milled pocket in the scales and is solid.
With this clip, I am so happy to report that it slides in and out of the pocket with ease, and its retention is great!!
Another fantastic touch is the backspacer. Josh has designed the Sparrow with a hidden lanyard hole. This is one of my favorite features, as it controls the fob, keeping it out of the way for blade deployment. The backspacer is also chamfered and looks snazzy.
Let’s talk about ACTION!!
To me, this is the heart and soul of a great front flipper. The pivot is a sort of hybrid bushing style pivot. The stop pin is internal and the blade glides on PB washers.
The Sparrow is perfectly balanced for front flipping, neither front nor back heavy.
Josh has ABSOLUTELY nailed the action on the Sparrow. After many chats, and much back-and-forth idea’s, the way Josh has executed the detent pressure is a work of art. Just phenomenal.
The detent is in-between light/medium pressure and is superbly intuitive. It snaps open with authority. The blade’s detent holds the blade firmly when in the closed position, a feature that has impressed me, as this is hard to obtain on a light/medium action.
I have zero issues flipping the Sparrow with all opening techniques, and it is a pleasure to operate.
I can’t say enough about how impressed and pleased I am with the Sparrow’s action. Closing is pleasurably smooth, and care must be taken to keep one’s fingers out of the blade’s path when closing.
In conclusion, the new “Sparrow” front flipper from REK Knives is a home run, outta the park, win win for front flipping enthusiasts. The Sparrow is so intuitive that even a “beginner” will overcome the learning curve quickly. It is truly a very wonderful knife.
The Sparrow’s snappy, crisp detent is a joy and the smoothness of the pb washers is phenominal.
Josh’s attention to detail and his drive for perfection has produced a wonderful medium sized front flipper that, IMO, rivals all others.
I am so very excited to have been a part of this build, included in the process, and I am astonished by the outcome of the Sparrow.
Josh, it has been an absolute pleasure. You nailed this one right on the nose. Looking forward to other projects in the future.
Sparrow Specs
Blade Length - 3 1/8 inches
Blade Steel - Bohler M390
Handle Length - 4 1/4 inches
Handle material - Titanium/internal milled pockets
Overall length - 7 3/8 inches
Hardware - Anodized titanium
Lockbar Features - Insert with over travel stop
Weight - 3.2oz
Action Video -
A couple of comparisions shots…proto vs. custom
Top to bottom: Shirogorov Neon Zero, REK Sparrow, Burger LEXK
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