Lenny
Gold Member
- Joined
- Oct 15, 1998
- Messages
- 2,488
Just got it in the mail today and couldn't wait to play with it.
Keep in mind, that, to me, all folders will be compared to my standard, the Paramilitary 2.
I think the Para 2 is one of the best knives ever manufactured, certainly the best knife I've ever owned.
So, keep this all in mind as I go thru my impressions.
- Fit/Finish: very good; coating on blade is smooth and black with only 1 or 2 smudge marks in the finish; all handle eges nicely rounded for comfort; G10 is uniform and very grippy; clip is nicely finished in black but rather small and plain looking (haven't tried it in my jeans yet); thumb studs are utilitarian, but well finished; and finally, all the screws are smooth, and well finished. It should be noted that all the hardware is the same black color in a satin finish. The clip and blade coating are also the same black, but with a much glossier finish. The tang of the blade sticks out like a big eyesore when closed. Wish CS could've found a way to blend it in with the lines of the knife; finally the blade centers perfectly when closed.
- Ergonomics: this is a chunky handled knife, thick and boxy; definitely not as comfy as my Para 2; I do love the big choil though; when choked up, the feeling of security in the grip is very reassuring; that coupled with the aggressively textured G10 should let you cut with confidence even if your hand is covered in goose crap; opening the blade is not as smooth as the Para 2, but surprisingly good considering no washers are used in the pivot; placement of the thumb stud is perfect for me and opening is easy; the spike of the choil cutout hit my thumb every time I opened it, though; 30 seconds with the Dremel took care of that; unlocking is a hassle as are most lock backs; I wish CS could've positioned the choil so that you could release the lock and let the blade swing down having the choil hit your finger instead of the back of the blade edge.
- Blade: nice standard drop point with a relatively thin grind at the edge; nice point and great belly; it was pretty sharp out of the box, but not up to my standards; 1/2 hr on the Edge Pro at 36 degrees inclusive put a killer edge on it; the AUS 8 seemed to sharpen up pretty easily; looking at the open knife from the side shows a short blade coupled to a longish handle; it gives it a tough, purposeful look, but I think CS could've easily squeezed another .5 inch out of the blade; not sure, though as it looks like the Tri Ad look takes up quite a bit of real estate inside the knife.
- Lock: this thing locks up very solidly, with a loud reassuring thwack; easily the equal of the Compression Lock on the Para 2; if I gave you the knife while you were blind folded and asked you to flex the blade against the handle, you'd swear it was a fixed blade; I'm sure those chunky G10 handles help; I can't ever see this lock failing or becoming loose with use
Bottom line; for about half the price of the Para 2, this folder gives great bang for the buck.
I fully intend to use it for all the hard stuff I'd rather not use the Para 2 for.
Give me a month or so and I'll report back with a use review.
Later all,
Lenny
Keep in mind, that, to me, all folders will be compared to my standard, the Paramilitary 2.
I think the Para 2 is one of the best knives ever manufactured, certainly the best knife I've ever owned.
So, keep this all in mind as I go thru my impressions.
- Fit/Finish: very good; coating on blade is smooth and black with only 1 or 2 smudge marks in the finish; all handle eges nicely rounded for comfort; G10 is uniform and very grippy; clip is nicely finished in black but rather small and plain looking (haven't tried it in my jeans yet); thumb studs are utilitarian, but well finished; and finally, all the screws are smooth, and well finished. It should be noted that all the hardware is the same black color in a satin finish. The clip and blade coating are also the same black, but with a much glossier finish. The tang of the blade sticks out like a big eyesore when closed. Wish CS could've found a way to blend it in with the lines of the knife; finally the blade centers perfectly when closed.
- Ergonomics: this is a chunky handled knife, thick and boxy; definitely not as comfy as my Para 2; I do love the big choil though; when choked up, the feeling of security in the grip is very reassuring; that coupled with the aggressively textured G10 should let you cut with confidence even if your hand is covered in goose crap; opening the blade is not as smooth as the Para 2, but surprisingly good considering no washers are used in the pivot; placement of the thumb stud is perfect for me and opening is easy; the spike of the choil cutout hit my thumb every time I opened it, though; 30 seconds with the Dremel took care of that; unlocking is a hassle as are most lock backs; I wish CS could've positioned the choil so that you could release the lock and let the blade swing down having the choil hit your finger instead of the back of the blade edge.
- Blade: nice standard drop point with a relatively thin grind at the edge; nice point and great belly; it was pretty sharp out of the box, but not up to my standards; 1/2 hr on the Edge Pro at 36 degrees inclusive put a killer edge on it; the AUS 8 seemed to sharpen up pretty easily; looking at the open knife from the side shows a short blade coupled to a longish handle; it gives it a tough, purposeful look, but I think CS could've easily squeezed another .5 inch out of the blade; not sure, though as it looks like the Tri Ad look takes up quite a bit of real estate inside the knife.
- Lock: this thing locks up very solidly, with a loud reassuring thwack; easily the equal of the Compression Lock on the Para 2; if I gave you the knife while you were blind folded and asked you to flex the blade against the handle, you'd swear it was a fixed blade; I'm sure those chunky G10 handles help; I can't ever see this lock failing or becoming loose with use
Bottom line; for about half the price of the Para 2, this folder gives great bang for the buck.
I fully intend to use it for all the hard stuff I'd rather not use the Para 2 for.
Give me a month or so and I'll report back with a use review.
Later all,
Lenny
