Daaaaaaaang, Steel Will @ Shot show 2017 straight killing it, best in show IMO!

The Steel Will Cutjack Mini made by Viper Knives of Italy are in stock at KnifeCenter. These are liner lock bearings flippers with 3" flat grind blades of M390 that's just 0.12" thick and weigh 3.7 ounces. It has jimping on the blade and backspacer. Left or right side carry. You have a choice of blue or black G-10 for $145. Mine is the blue G-10 one (something different) which should get to me next week. This should be a handy and practical EDC.

https://www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store_store.html?usrsearch=Cutjack Mini M390&

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I liked the feel of the Spyderco Stop Lock and the Steel Will Ant Lock more than an Axis lock by far.
 
They are also coming out with a modified Wharnclffe version, they call it "Modus" for those that prefer a more pointy tip.
 
Got mine yesterday, took about 30 flicks to smooth it out, but it's super smooth now and feels amazing ergonomically
 
Got mine yesterday, took about 30 flicks to smooth it out, but it's super smooth now and feels amazing ergonomically
Pics or it didn't happen ;)

Seriously, I'd love to see some more pictures of this thing in the wild!
 
Received my Steel Will Cutjack Mini made by Viper Knives of Italy. It has great size and ergos. The G-10 has medium texture. M390 blade is sharp, centered, no play at all and solid lock up. The action is the best of any Italian made flipper I've had. It will deploy no matter how you hold it. They're all individually numbered and mine is serial# 272. I like the placement of the lanyard hole so that the clip is placed as far back as possible. The jimping on the backspacer is very nice but the jimping on the blade spine, flipper tab and liner lock are a little too aggressive. The one that bothers me the most is the flipper tab jimping not for deployment but for when you hold the folder because it rubs on your index finger. By the way, the blade and handle choils are spot on for solid grip. Very good value at $145 for an Italian made bearings flipper with M390. It weighs in at 3.43 ounces (the steel liners have been skeletonized) with a blade length of 3.00" that's 0.115" thick. They could do with less writing on the blade.

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Thanks for the pics! I'm very tempted (especially now that it's at dealers with a discount), but I'm interested in the FRN washer version too... I'm trying hard to wait for that one to drop.
 
I took a filer to the blade spine and flipper tab jimping and now it's not too aggressive. However, metal shavings ended up in the action making it gritty. Took it apart fairly easily (the middle scale/backspacer screw was real tight), cleaned everything, lubed the pivot area and caged bearings with Nano-oil 85 Weight, reassembled and now perfect. Blade still centered and no blade play. It's even smoother. The detent is strong enough that the blade will not open in your pocket or flicking your wrist. Plus, it still deploys via flipper tab no matter how you hold it. The lock bar is easily accessible due to extra cutout from the opposite scale. I dig it!
 
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Well after much anticipation my SW cutjack OD green frn showed up today. I must say holy shit. For 44.99 this thing is fantastic. I'm not much of a reviewer but I'll give you a layman's opinion.

Mind you my edc is a zt0562cf. For my purposes this is one of the best all around edcs or there. Stout, but fine enough to slice my tomatoes with. I just can't leave it at home. But this cutjack is highly impressive. If you dislike flippers well then it won't be for you, if you want to try a flipper then this is the one to get without breaking the bank.

Ergos are on par with my zt, any grip is comfortable, the clip providers no noticeable hot spots in my hand. Yes it doesn't lock into my fingers like the 562 but has a positive purchase non the less.
The frn texture is grippy without being overdone but the pattern leaves a little too be desired. Granted this knife won't wow people or win a beauty pageant but is functionally pleasing in its looks and lines.

The blade is d2 with a perfect even grind. Seems well shaped and suited for normal EDC task from cardboard to slicing up some food and beyond. Not a fan of all the branding on the blade but oh well. I especially enjoy the jimmping. It is spaced just perfect for your thumb and is great in its tactile feel. The thing that really impressed me is the slight upsweep of the spine where the jimmping is that really allows your finger to lock in on it. Great little attention to functional detail there. The choil is nice and subtle with no aggressive edges.

Now the action. Can't say I have ever messed with a frn flipper. Is it ZT or higher brand quality, no, let's remember this is a sub 50$ knife. Yet for its price it's better than, and here is some blasphemy, my Mantra and domino. Yes I said it. Hate on if you will but it is the truth. I have since sold those and while fine knives this thing is leaps above them in its action. Guess what it flips on......phosphor bronze washers. That's it. No ball bearings or other crazy inventions just good old PB washers. Hear me Spyderco( think advocate)? The detent is strong yet at no point over bearing. The blade flings out in any position and drops free when the lock is disengaged. You will have to break her in a little for everything to smooth out though. The flipper tab is unobtrusive and well shaped. No rough edges on mine. It came centered with a nice early lock up.
The pocket clip..Hmmmm. I'm still getting used to it. It's nothing fancy and serves it's purpose well but I think it will be a pocket destroyer. The knife is stupid light and you will hardly notice it's there. It carries well and is thin in your pocket so reaching for your keys or whatever your hands moves right past it. Oh and it is lefty friendly.

So that's my little review for a sub 50.00 knife.For that price you can have one hell of a cutting tool. Great flipping action, skeletonized liners, d2 steel, light and ergonomic for under fifty. Hell what's not to like. Will it knock my 562 out of my pocket, hell no, but it will find its way into my back pocket or my gym shorts. I feel Steel will made a game changer here. You get great materials for a unbeatable price. Hell look at the premium version with the G10 and m390steel and the price they are charging. I hope that this can make a small change in the industry and show that quality can be made at a reasonable price. But hey this little write up is just one knife users opinion. Hope this helps anyone one the fence about buying it. It's 45$ well spent..later
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Got the black G-10 mini today. The absolute first thing I thought was, is this a mistake? Blue backspacer?
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Upon rechecking the photos on Knifecenter, looks like thats the way they come; blue scales with black backspacer, or black scales with blue backspacer. Not 100% certain if I like it or not yet.
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Pretty early lockup, but has excellent flipping action. The clip is extremely tight, no worries on that front!
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Number 37, probably the lowest serial# I've had on a knife to date.
 
Having a black backspacer with blue scales and a blue backspacer with black scales just doesn't look right.
 
I really like the potential of this one. More than a Kizer or Spydie. Thinking some custom CF scales would really round it off nicely. :)
 
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