Here's another review for you, and it's another design from our very own Daywalker (Chad Los Banos). It's the G-4, a quality Chinese-made folder. You can find it for $22-$27 in stores. It's model 575, and weighs in at 5.4 ounces. Let's take a closer look...
Left side...
Right side...
The Handle: The G-4 is 5" closed and 1/2" thick (not counting the pocket clip). It's beefy. The handle scales are black G-10, and they're textured quite nicely; not too aggressive and not too slick. I did find that when inserting (or removing) the G-4 from my pocket, the G-10 would snag and make pocket inertion or removal difficult. I solved this by removing the pocket clip, lightly sanding the are where the clip contacts the G-10, and reinstalling the clip. You'll see this sand mark in the photos; they're my own doing and do NOT represent how the knife comes out of the box.
The G-10 handle scales are held on with four (two on each side) black Torx (T-6) screws. Underneath the scales are full stainless steel liners. The right liner acts as the lock, and it's jimped nicely.
Also notice on the photo above the word "CHINA" on the blade base; that's a good place for it, in my opinion. Country of origin is required for U.S. import, and I like that it's not on the blade itself.
Lock-up is solid with no blade play. You can adjust the pivot pin screw with a Torx (T-8) bit if deployment is too tight or too loose. I found that mine was perfect out fo the box; I could open the blade into the locking position with a simple wrist flick.
I should also add that the 550 cord-and-skull pull (inserted in the lanyard hole in the photos) is my own addition and isn't included with the G-4.
The pocket clip is a gun metal grey color, and is adjustable in any of the four corners; tip up or down, left or right-handed. It's held in place with three Torx (T-6) screws.
Retention in the pocket was a bit rough (see above) but is easily solved. I found that tip-up is a more practical (for me) way of carrying the G-4; deployment just seems faster.
The G-4 rides deep enough in the pocket not to worry me (or the sheeple)...
The knife is an open-build design, allowing debris to be blown out or removed with a Q-tip.
The back also has those nice "hourglass" pillars that I prefer over the standard flat spacers...
The Blade: The G-4's blade is made of 440C, and is 4" long (3-3/4" cutting edge). It's 1/8" thick and has a nice gun metal grey color. Markings are as shown below.
Left side...
Right side...
The blade is hollow ground from 3/4 to the top, and came out of the box dull (for me). It qwouldn't slice paper without tearing it. No problem though, as it quickly became a razor-sharp tool after only a few minutes on a ceramic stick and strop. Edge retention is good, but not great. It required a touch-up after some whittling, but I fully expected that. For everyday chores, I wouldn't worry about it.
Opening the knife is accomplished with thumb studs, and there's one on each side of the blade. They're ramped (they look like a pyramid) and provide a nice balance of location and size. You can snag the thumb stud on your pocket for an Emerson-style "wave" opening as well (when carried tip-up). The blade also opens smoothly thanks to the white nylon bushings. Yes, I prefer phosphor bronze, but the nylon washers work quite well for a smooth opening.
The wharncliff style blade is easy to sharpen and easy to use. Although this look much like a defensive knife, it has served me well in an EDC role for about two weeks.
The blade, when closed, is pretty well centered...
I like the G-4; for a $25 knife, it's a really nice tool. The quality you can get from overseas now is outstanding, and Boker seems to get it. As always with my Chad Los Banos knife reviews, I'm very happy.
Left side...
Right side...
The Handle: The G-4 is 5" closed and 1/2" thick (not counting the pocket clip). It's beefy. The handle scales are black G-10, and they're textured quite nicely; not too aggressive and not too slick. I did find that when inserting (or removing) the G-4 from my pocket, the G-10 would snag and make pocket inertion or removal difficult. I solved this by removing the pocket clip, lightly sanding the are where the clip contacts the G-10, and reinstalling the clip. You'll see this sand mark in the photos; they're my own doing and do NOT represent how the knife comes out of the box.
The G-10 handle scales are held on with four (two on each side) black Torx (T-6) screws. Underneath the scales are full stainless steel liners. The right liner acts as the lock, and it's jimped nicely.
Also notice on the photo above the word "CHINA" on the blade base; that's a good place for it, in my opinion. Country of origin is required for U.S. import, and I like that it's not on the blade itself.
Lock-up is solid with no blade play. You can adjust the pivot pin screw with a Torx (T-8) bit if deployment is too tight or too loose. I found that mine was perfect out fo the box; I could open the blade into the locking position with a simple wrist flick.
I should also add that the 550 cord-and-skull pull (inserted in the lanyard hole in the photos) is my own addition and isn't included with the G-4.
The pocket clip is a gun metal grey color, and is adjustable in any of the four corners; tip up or down, left or right-handed. It's held in place with three Torx (T-6) screws.
Retention in the pocket was a bit rough (see above) but is easily solved. I found that tip-up is a more practical (for me) way of carrying the G-4; deployment just seems faster.
The G-4 rides deep enough in the pocket not to worry me (or the sheeple)...
The knife is an open-build design, allowing debris to be blown out or removed with a Q-tip.
The back also has those nice "hourglass" pillars that I prefer over the standard flat spacers...
The Blade: The G-4's blade is made of 440C, and is 4" long (3-3/4" cutting edge). It's 1/8" thick and has a nice gun metal grey color. Markings are as shown below.
Left side...
Right side...
The blade is hollow ground from 3/4 to the top, and came out of the box dull (for me). It qwouldn't slice paper without tearing it. No problem though, as it quickly became a razor-sharp tool after only a few minutes on a ceramic stick and strop. Edge retention is good, but not great. It required a touch-up after some whittling, but I fully expected that. For everyday chores, I wouldn't worry about it.
Opening the knife is accomplished with thumb studs, and there's one on each side of the blade. They're ramped (they look like a pyramid) and provide a nice balance of location and size. You can snag the thumb stud on your pocket for an Emerson-style "wave" opening as well (when carried tip-up). The blade also opens smoothly thanks to the white nylon bushings. Yes, I prefer phosphor bronze, but the nylon washers work quite well for a smooth opening.
The wharncliff style blade is easy to sharpen and easy to use. Although this look much like a defensive knife, it has served me well in an EDC role for about two weeks.
The blade, when closed, is pretty well centered...
I like the G-4; for a $25 knife, it's a really nice tool. The quality you can get from overseas now is outstanding, and Boker seems to get it. As always with my Chad Los Banos knife reviews, I'm very happy.
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