- Joined
- Jan 14, 2007
- Messages
- 268
Hello all I just though I just thought is write a word about the Combative Edge X9. I really couldn't find much online about this knife when I was pondering it. This is my first review so please be gentle. I am on my phone but I'll post some pics later on. Here goes:
The x9
Blade length-3.25"
Thickness-.15"
Handle length-4.5"
Thickness-.44"
Handle material-Titanium (both scales)
Blade Marerial-s30v
Weight-4.45oz
Made in USA
So this is their smaller offering, the other being the M1 which is a beast of a knife. The M1 is made in Italy. This is my first knife of this brand.
I got it second hand like new and I got it for half of retail so I figured not much to lose, I am happy with my choice. It has been my edc for a few weeks now. Packaging is a Reeves style box and a white felt sleeve, nothing fancy at all. First thing I noticed was it was larger and more stout than I thought it would be. Not a bad thing I guess.
It is a non spring loaded flipper and the pivot screw was set quite loose and there was a tiny bit of play so I tightened it up a bit and got to playing. The detent is very stout and isn't problematic upon opening but when going to close the detent bearing is pretty hard to get ramped back up on the blade. It is a smooth operator though, if I hold it tip down it will flip open with a push on the flipper. It has non caged bearings, which I didn't know because there was no info I could find about that. They work nicely but be careful if you take the knife apart.
The blade stock is .15 so thick for a 3.25"er but flat ground harpoon style and overall I like the geometry. It's s30v and performs as such, I hand convex all my knives down to strop with very fine paste. Takes a great edge but doesn't keep it long but holds the 3/4 edge well. I haven't noticed any heat treat issues.
Lockup is 45% and good, not sticky. Uses Hinderer style stabilizer.
The Clip is a low ride style and does not rest on the lockbar (pet peeve of mine) but sits on the stabilizer. It sticks out more than I like but I'll get into that. It's stout and has good tension.
My take and I'm very picky, overall I like it. I will beat the piss out of it and for what I paid I won't think twice. This retails for $350 I believe. That puts it close to a Sebbe, Beast, and SnG, production knives of that caliber will have better finish. The fit is as tight as all 5 Sebenzas I have and much tighter than the SnG. I do recommend letting another pay retail. I paid 165 and it's by far the best knife I've gotten in that price.
Cons, small finish details. One standoff seems polished and the other is rough. The inside edge of the scales there is a fine machining line that should have been ground down. Blade spine is a bit rough. Now this is a utility knife not a gentlemans folder and I get that but for asking price they should address these things. The blade is coated with a "stonewashed" finish. The coating is very grippy and creates drag on deeper cuts. My personal preference is more blade to handle ratio like a sebenza but I'm ok with this one. Last would be the pocket clip, I will be taking it off and crimping it down a little. It sticks too far off the knife and creates a hot spot in the hand. Detent is stiff but not sure it's in a negative way just more than I'm used to. This is a great hard use knife, and I'd say if you can get one for under 300$ you won't be disappointed. This isn't a fine slicing knife, it's a hard use cutting prying type deal. I do think they should make an offering in a non coated and an easier field sharpening steel. S30v is not field sharpening friendly.
Thanks for reading my garble and overall I am impressed, as I said I'm picky and can find things (preference) that bother me about all knives but it is tank like stout, smooth, zero play when locked and great for the price. Thanks all.
The x9
Blade length-3.25"
Thickness-.15"
Handle length-4.5"
Thickness-.44"
Handle material-Titanium (both scales)
Blade Marerial-s30v
Weight-4.45oz
Made in USA
So this is their smaller offering, the other being the M1 which is a beast of a knife. The M1 is made in Italy. This is my first knife of this brand.
I got it second hand like new and I got it for half of retail so I figured not much to lose, I am happy with my choice. It has been my edc for a few weeks now. Packaging is a Reeves style box and a white felt sleeve, nothing fancy at all. First thing I noticed was it was larger and more stout than I thought it would be. Not a bad thing I guess.
It is a non spring loaded flipper and the pivot screw was set quite loose and there was a tiny bit of play so I tightened it up a bit and got to playing. The detent is very stout and isn't problematic upon opening but when going to close the detent bearing is pretty hard to get ramped back up on the blade. It is a smooth operator though, if I hold it tip down it will flip open with a push on the flipper. It has non caged bearings, which I didn't know because there was no info I could find about that. They work nicely but be careful if you take the knife apart.
The blade stock is .15 so thick for a 3.25"er but flat ground harpoon style and overall I like the geometry. It's s30v and performs as such, I hand convex all my knives down to strop with very fine paste. Takes a great edge but doesn't keep it long but holds the 3/4 edge well. I haven't noticed any heat treat issues.
Lockup is 45% and good, not sticky. Uses Hinderer style stabilizer.
The Clip is a low ride style and does not rest on the lockbar (pet peeve of mine) but sits on the stabilizer. It sticks out more than I like but I'll get into that. It's stout and has good tension.
My take and I'm very picky, overall I like it. I will beat the piss out of it and for what I paid I won't think twice. This retails for $350 I believe. That puts it close to a Sebbe, Beast, and SnG, production knives of that caliber will have better finish. The fit is as tight as all 5 Sebenzas I have and much tighter than the SnG. I do recommend letting another pay retail. I paid 165 and it's by far the best knife I've gotten in that price.
Cons, small finish details. One standoff seems polished and the other is rough. The inside edge of the scales there is a fine machining line that should have been ground down. Blade spine is a bit rough. Now this is a utility knife not a gentlemans folder and I get that but for asking price they should address these things. The blade is coated with a "stonewashed" finish. The coating is very grippy and creates drag on deeper cuts. My personal preference is more blade to handle ratio like a sebenza but I'm ok with this one. Last would be the pocket clip, I will be taking it off and crimping it down a little. It sticks too far off the knife and creates a hot spot in the hand. Detent is stiff but not sure it's in a negative way just more than I'm used to. This is a great hard use knife, and I'd say if you can get one for under 300$ you won't be disappointed. This isn't a fine slicing knife, it's a hard use cutting prying type deal. I do think they should make an offering in a non coated and an easier field sharpening steel. S30v is not field sharpening friendly.
Thanks for reading my garble and overall I am impressed, as I said I'm picky and can find things (preference) that bother me about all knives but it is tank like stout, smooth, zero play when locked and great for the price. Thanks all.
