A few months ago someone posted a review of a Brother knife. I was maybe too negative, because a different model that I have, 1503, is a complete disappointment. Made useless because of very thick edge. But I like the general design and the model reviewed there looked like it has a thin edge, so I thought maybe check what else they have and try again.
I got this Brother 1507. I thought about posting some first impressions, but after a couple of weeks of use, it might be big enough for a review.
It came in a simple brown cardboard box and in a canvas bag. I haven’t seen any other company that include a bag made of this material. It is not bad and probably provides some protection during shipping, but after that I don’t think I will have any use for it.
Manufacturer’s specifications:
Steel: VG-10
Handle: Carbon fiber
Bolster: Steel
Weight: 82 grams
Specifications that I measured:
Blade length: 8.3 cm 3.26 inch
Cutting edge length: 7.5 cm 2.95 inch
Blade spine width: 0.3 cm 0.11 inch
Handle length: 9.7 cm 3.82 inch
Handle width: 1.2 cm 0.47 inch
Overall length: 18 cm 7.08 inch
Blade
The blade is a satin finished clip point with a long pull and a swedge. Factory sharpness was very good, shaving arm easily, but cutting edge grind wasn’t even. It was higher on the pile side, but started to get even after a few sharpenings. On the mark side, the last few millimeters of cutting edge near the choil looks poorly done or unfinished, but it didn’t have a noticeably negative impact on cutting ability.
The blade has thin, flat grind and cuts good. I tried with food, mostly meat and fruits, boxes, letters, packages, receipt paper and “whittling” some sticks I found in the backyard. It all went fine.
I had no problems with sharpening, like I had with 1503 that didn’t want to take even a barely usable edge. Sharpening and bringing it back to shaving edge was quite easy and quick, or at least not longer than I expected. I tried with a water stones, Lansky turnbox and a ceramic rod from Ikea. They all got it to shaving sharp.
The steel they claim is VG-10. I can’t check the composition, but I did a test cutting a large cardboard box into stripes. Edge retention was between 14C28N and D2. So far there are no chips or rust.
Company logo looks a bit faded near the last few letters. It came like that. My cutting and cleaning didn’t cause that and didn’t made it more faded.
Mechanism
The locking mechanism is a backlock. It is quite strong, definitely above average. Opens with a nice, loud click and closes with a decent snap when it gets to around 25-30 degrees. It isn’t hard to pull open, the spring pressure makes the opening and closing smoothness average, but not bad for a backlock. The manufacturer says it has copper washers. I was able to see the washers on 1503 but I can’t see them here. But it doesn’t feel like if they are missing.
There is no horizontal or vertical blade play. Blade centering is good, especially for a pinned construction.
Handle
The handle is pinned, steel frame and bolsters and carbon fiber scales. Carbon fiber is full, not a sticker and looks nice. The scales aren’t slippery, have soft corners and are slightly rounded. When moving a finger along the scales there are two spots between carbon and bolster and the tip of the shield where the difference can be felt. Pins and other parts are flush.
On the pile side there is a small, maybe 2mm long, and shallow nick in carbon fiber. I noticed it now while taking photos. I can’t say if it came like that or if it happened during my use. At least it is barely noticeable and can only be felt with a fingernail, not when holding the knife during normal use.
The gap at the end of the backlock button is noticeable, but doesn’t catch on finger or in pocket. If you look against the light you can see a gap between backspring and frame, but it isn’t noticeable without the light.
For a larger hands the handle feels OK and neutral, doesn’t feel like it suggests where to put fingers. No annoying hot spots but also not especially comfortable, mainly around rear bolster.
I don’t care about these things, but there is no clip, place to mount it or included clip pouch.
There is a stop pin inside the handle for the blade to rest on when closed.
Final thoughts
One of the main reasons I got it is the design, traditional look with more modern materials is hard to find where I live.
After a very bad experience with disappointing 1503 I wasn’t sure if I should try another one of their products, but I don’t regret I did. This 1507 turned out to be good quality, nice looking and cutting knife. It was my almost only EDC knife in the last couple of weeks. I had no problems, it did what I needed. It has some flaws, but they are mostly minor and cosmetic.
I got it on a sale for $35. I think that is a good price and it is better than majority of knives I can get in my local stores for that price, but probably wouldn’t pay more than $50.
I’m not sure how pinned construction will work after a longer period of time. No problems so far. If it won’t develop blade play or other issues in the future, I think I will try my luck again and get a different model, maybe a slipjoint.
Link to rest of the pictures I took:
https://postimg.cc/gallery/pX23Pfp
I got this Brother 1507. I thought about posting some first impressions, but after a couple of weeks of use, it might be big enough for a review.
It came in a simple brown cardboard box and in a canvas bag. I haven’t seen any other company that include a bag made of this material. It is not bad and probably provides some protection during shipping, but after that I don’t think I will have any use for it.
Manufacturer’s specifications:
Steel: VG-10
Handle: Carbon fiber
Bolster: Steel
Weight: 82 grams
Specifications that I measured:
Blade length: 8.3 cm 3.26 inch
Cutting edge length: 7.5 cm 2.95 inch
Blade spine width: 0.3 cm 0.11 inch
Handle length: 9.7 cm 3.82 inch
Handle width: 1.2 cm 0.47 inch
Overall length: 18 cm 7.08 inch
Blade
The blade is a satin finished clip point with a long pull and a swedge. Factory sharpness was very good, shaving arm easily, but cutting edge grind wasn’t even. It was higher on the pile side, but started to get even after a few sharpenings. On the mark side, the last few millimeters of cutting edge near the choil looks poorly done or unfinished, but it didn’t have a noticeably negative impact on cutting ability.
The blade has thin, flat grind and cuts good. I tried with food, mostly meat and fruits, boxes, letters, packages, receipt paper and “whittling” some sticks I found in the backyard. It all went fine.
I had no problems with sharpening, like I had with 1503 that didn’t want to take even a barely usable edge. Sharpening and bringing it back to shaving edge was quite easy and quick, or at least not longer than I expected. I tried with a water stones, Lansky turnbox and a ceramic rod from Ikea. They all got it to shaving sharp.
The steel they claim is VG-10. I can’t check the composition, but I did a test cutting a large cardboard box into stripes. Edge retention was between 14C28N and D2. So far there are no chips or rust.
Company logo looks a bit faded near the last few letters. It came like that. My cutting and cleaning didn’t cause that and didn’t made it more faded.
Mechanism
The locking mechanism is a backlock. It is quite strong, definitely above average. Opens with a nice, loud click and closes with a decent snap when it gets to around 25-30 degrees. It isn’t hard to pull open, the spring pressure makes the opening and closing smoothness average, but not bad for a backlock. The manufacturer says it has copper washers. I was able to see the washers on 1503 but I can’t see them here. But it doesn’t feel like if they are missing.
There is no horizontal or vertical blade play. Blade centering is good, especially for a pinned construction.
Handle
The handle is pinned, steel frame and bolsters and carbon fiber scales. Carbon fiber is full, not a sticker and looks nice. The scales aren’t slippery, have soft corners and are slightly rounded. When moving a finger along the scales there are two spots between carbon and bolster and the tip of the shield where the difference can be felt. Pins and other parts are flush.
On the pile side there is a small, maybe 2mm long, and shallow nick in carbon fiber. I noticed it now while taking photos. I can’t say if it came like that or if it happened during my use. At least it is barely noticeable and can only be felt with a fingernail, not when holding the knife during normal use.
The gap at the end of the backlock button is noticeable, but doesn’t catch on finger or in pocket. If you look against the light you can see a gap between backspring and frame, but it isn’t noticeable without the light.
For a larger hands the handle feels OK and neutral, doesn’t feel like it suggests where to put fingers. No annoying hot spots but also not especially comfortable, mainly around rear bolster.
I don’t care about these things, but there is no clip, place to mount it or included clip pouch.
There is a stop pin inside the handle for the blade to rest on when closed.
Final thoughts
One of the main reasons I got it is the design, traditional look with more modern materials is hard to find where I live.
After a very bad experience with disappointing 1503 I wasn’t sure if I should try another one of their products, but I don’t regret I did. This 1507 turned out to be good quality, nice looking and cutting knife. It was my almost only EDC knife in the last couple of weeks. I had no problems, it did what I needed. It has some flaws, but they are mostly minor and cosmetic.
I got it on a sale for $35. I think that is a good price and it is better than majority of knives I can get in my local stores for that price, but probably wouldn’t pay more than $50.
I’m not sure how pinned construction will work after a longer period of time. No problems so far. If it won’t develop blade play or other issues in the future, I think I will try my luck again and get a different model, maybe a slipjoint.
Link to rest of the pictures I took:
https://postimg.cc/gallery/pX23Pfp
. Depending upon where you live, you also may be paying for higher import duties due to a reaction to Trump's duties.