- Joined
- Feb 4, 2006
- Messages
- 562
Just received a Camillus Cuda EDC in 154CM today, which I got off ebay for what I think is a great price ($32 shipped). First thing I noticed when I opened the package is that it's a small knife. Most of the knives I have are fairly big, all having around 5" handles and 4" blades (except my Paramilitary). This knife however, is about the same size as my $6 Schrade lockback (which happens to see the most use of all my knives). It is, however, much heftier than the lockback, since the handles are steel vs plastic. It is by no means heavy, but it is weighty for its size (feels about the same as my Paramilitary).
The second thing I noticed is that the fit and finish is superb. The blade is centered, has no noticeable play, no jagged edges, and generally on par with (if not better than) my Spyderco, Benchmade and Al Mar. The finish on the blade is like nothing I've seen before. I'm not sure if it's some sort of very light coating or a polished stone wash. The finish isn't as dull looking as stock pictures make it seem, but it isn't as bright as a satin finish either. I would prefer satin, but then I would be afraid to scratch it up. Strangely, though, the pocket clip has some coating wear even though it was "NIB". Nothing else on the knife has any noticeable sign of wear either. No biggie and probably not like that from the factory, but just something I noticed.
The blade isn't the sharpest, but it can shave and pushcut paper. I would say it's a bit sharper than my Benchmade 710, but not nearly as sharp as my SERE 2000 (my folders in order of factory sharpness go like this: Schrade lockback, BM 710HS, EDC, SERE2000, Paramilitary, Rat Trap). The serrated portion of the knife can also push cut. I would have preferred a plain edge, but can't be choosy for such a deal. It was the only 154CM version on ebay and there wasn't much interest in it.
The blade locks open with a satisfying click and is very solid. It locks closed with a satisfying click of the secure, but smooth detent. The blade does move a little horizontally when closed and probably does move a tiny bit when open, but it isn't noticeable when open. All my other folders do the same when closed so it doesn't seem like a problem. The cutout on the lockbar is quite deep and looks pretty thin there, but the entire knife is pretty small and slim, so it doesn't seem so bad. The lock engages a bit more than 1/3 of the tang and has a good amount of wear left in it. When flicked, the tang engages almost halfway and sticks a little from all the pressure from the lock. Similarly, cutting some cardboard forced the lock to almost halfway and again sticks a little. I experience this with my other liner locks, so it doesn't seem out of the ordinary.
The pocket clip seems a little rough on the pants due to cutouts in both the clip and the handle. It isn't too tight or too loose though. One problem for some people may be the position of the clip. There is only one mounting position for right hand, tip down carry. Personally, I don't have any preference for which way the tip points and I am a righty, problem solved. The handle is comfortable, though a bit smaller than what I'm used to. The cutouts do seem to aid a little in grip. This is my first framelock so I'm not used to having no scales, but I would say I prefer the feel and grip of G10. Then again, on a knife this size, I don't think I'll be doing anything that would make me lose grip of it. Speaking of size, sometimes carrying my larger knives is a little noticeable to me, especially when sitting down since I carry iwb. This knife is almost completely unnoticeable.
Overall, I feel it was an excellent purchase at a great price. Good steel, amazing fit and finish, functions very well and a nice size for carrying. Overall superb quality with well designed (kudos to Darrel Ralph for that). May not be the best choice if you like multiple clip positions or you're a lefty though. The whole Camillus situation is a real shame if this is what all their knives are like.
I'll try to get some pictures up later.
-Jon
The second thing I noticed is that the fit and finish is superb. The blade is centered, has no noticeable play, no jagged edges, and generally on par with (if not better than) my Spyderco, Benchmade and Al Mar. The finish on the blade is like nothing I've seen before. I'm not sure if it's some sort of very light coating or a polished stone wash. The finish isn't as dull looking as stock pictures make it seem, but it isn't as bright as a satin finish either. I would prefer satin, but then I would be afraid to scratch it up. Strangely, though, the pocket clip has some coating wear even though it was "NIB". Nothing else on the knife has any noticeable sign of wear either. No biggie and probably not like that from the factory, but just something I noticed.
The blade isn't the sharpest, but it can shave and pushcut paper. I would say it's a bit sharper than my Benchmade 710, but not nearly as sharp as my SERE 2000 (my folders in order of factory sharpness go like this: Schrade lockback, BM 710HS, EDC, SERE2000, Paramilitary, Rat Trap). The serrated portion of the knife can also push cut. I would have preferred a plain edge, but can't be choosy for such a deal. It was the only 154CM version on ebay and there wasn't much interest in it.
The blade locks open with a satisfying click and is very solid. It locks closed with a satisfying click of the secure, but smooth detent. The blade does move a little horizontally when closed and probably does move a tiny bit when open, but it isn't noticeable when open. All my other folders do the same when closed so it doesn't seem like a problem. The cutout on the lockbar is quite deep and looks pretty thin there, but the entire knife is pretty small and slim, so it doesn't seem so bad. The lock engages a bit more than 1/3 of the tang and has a good amount of wear left in it. When flicked, the tang engages almost halfway and sticks a little from all the pressure from the lock. Similarly, cutting some cardboard forced the lock to almost halfway and again sticks a little. I experience this with my other liner locks, so it doesn't seem out of the ordinary.
The pocket clip seems a little rough on the pants due to cutouts in both the clip and the handle. It isn't too tight or too loose though. One problem for some people may be the position of the clip. There is only one mounting position for right hand, tip down carry. Personally, I don't have any preference for which way the tip points and I am a righty, problem solved. The handle is comfortable, though a bit smaller than what I'm used to. The cutouts do seem to aid a little in grip. This is my first framelock so I'm not used to having no scales, but I would say I prefer the feel and grip of G10. Then again, on a knife this size, I don't think I'll be doing anything that would make me lose grip of it. Speaking of size, sometimes carrying my larger knives is a little noticeable to me, especially when sitting down since I carry iwb. This knife is almost completely unnoticeable.
Overall, I feel it was an excellent purchase at a great price. Good steel, amazing fit and finish, functions very well and a nice size for carrying. Overall superb quality with well designed (kudos to Darrel Ralph for that). May not be the best choice if you like multiple clip positions or you're a lefty though. The whole Camillus situation is a real shame if this is what all their knives are like.
I'll try to get some pictures up later.
-Jon
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