Gary W. Graley
“Imagination is more important than knowledge"
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
- Joined
- Mar 2, 1999
- Messages
- 27,479
I stumbled across this knife a week or two ago, was torn between this and the larger version, but, I think a small short bladed wharncliff blade would be handier for a lot of things, more control of the tip in the case of the Mini so that's what I went for, if I were more well off I'd have gotten both, in case I was wrong 
but, I'm not that well off so one it was.
Closed it measures about 3" so it's not a large folder, hence the Mini in it's name I suppose.
Blade, well the metal exposed when open is 2" from handle to tip
Opening the knife one handed does work well with that cutout, but I'll warn you, you may want to lessen the keen edge that was left from the tooling, along the cutout it is pretty sharp, so I took my SAK awl and scraped around the edge to knock down the keenness. Also you can pinch grip the blade, I grab it with my thumb and index finger and use my middle finger to push the handle back, catch it with my pinky to bring it into the open position.
Cutting Edge is about 1.3", it does have that nuisance of a notch there, Cold Steel claims it's there to make sharpening easier, for me, I'd rather have cutting be easier and less worry on the sharpening, those notches are my number one pet peeve
Now the lock, they used their Triad lock system even on this small a knife, and I've owned a couple Cold Steels and that is a very stout lock, nary a wiggle or movement when locked up, pretty impressive stuff.
And for those that are curious about such things, when closed the blade is perfectly centered as well...nice touch
The cutouts for the finger placement work well, some people have compared this to the Spyderco Kiwi but at least for me, the Kiwi was more a gentlemen's style knife and the cutouts left a narrower handle to grip, this has a bit wider purchase for you to grip, you don't feel as if it will slip while in use.
From the top of the cutout to spine is about 3/4" of blade/handle on both of them.
Steel used is AUS-8 while not a super steel, this folder did arrive razor sharp, shaving hair sharp, and push cutting paper sharp, impressive for such an inexpensive folder. I've also used their rendition of AUS-8 and others have agreed they seem to have the heat treat done right for that steel, they do use enough of it so you would expect them to have it under control by now.
I've used it only for a short while but find that it's very handy for opening boxes, cutting out patterns using that very sharp tip.
Here are some photos taken today, pardon the images, I'm a bit layed up so these were shot at the kitchen table in a quick setup
a shot of the Triad lock back
I'm liking it for a handy everyday kinda tool, at the price and strength, it's hard to beat I think.
G2
Edited to add this comparison photo, a friend asked what was this comparable to size wise, closest thing I have on hand is the Spyderco Pingo which is also an excellent folder in it's own right;
but, I'm not that well off so one it was.Closed it measures about 3" so it's not a large folder, hence the Mini in it's name I suppose.
Blade, well the metal exposed when open is 2" from handle to tip
Opening the knife one handed does work well with that cutout, but I'll warn you, you may want to lessen the keen edge that was left from the tooling, along the cutout it is pretty sharp, so I took my SAK awl and scraped around the edge to knock down the keenness. Also you can pinch grip the blade, I grab it with my thumb and index finger and use my middle finger to push the handle back, catch it with my pinky to bring it into the open position.
Cutting Edge is about 1.3", it does have that nuisance of a notch there, Cold Steel claims it's there to make sharpening easier, for me, I'd rather have cutting be easier and less worry on the sharpening, those notches are my number one pet peeve
Now the lock, they used their Triad lock system even on this small a knife, and I've owned a couple Cold Steels and that is a very stout lock, nary a wiggle or movement when locked up, pretty impressive stuff.
And for those that are curious about such things, when closed the blade is perfectly centered as well...nice touch
The cutouts for the finger placement work well, some people have compared this to the Spyderco Kiwi but at least for me, the Kiwi was more a gentlemen's style knife and the cutouts left a narrower handle to grip, this has a bit wider purchase for you to grip, you don't feel as if it will slip while in use.
From the top of the cutout to spine is about 3/4" of blade/handle on both of them.
Steel used is AUS-8 while not a super steel, this folder did arrive razor sharp, shaving hair sharp, and push cutting paper sharp, impressive for such an inexpensive folder. I've also used their rendition of AUS-8 and others have agreed they seem to have the heat treat done right for that steel, they do use enough of it so you would expect them to have it under control by now.
I've used it only for a short while but find that it's very handy for opening boxes, cutting out patterns using that very sharp tip.
Here are some photos taken today, pardon the images, I'm a bit layed up so these were shot at the kitchen table in a quick setup
a shot of the Triad lock back
I'm liking it for a handy everyday kinda tool, at the price and strength, it's hard to beat I think.
G2
Edited to add this comparison photo, a friend asked what was this comparable to size wise, closest thing I have on hand is the Spyderco Pingo which is also an excellent folder in it's own right;
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