Halbie
BANNED
- Joined
- Jun 20, 2008
- Messages
- 1,047
I hesitated to bring up the brand, considering some of the hullabaloo it has caused on this forum and others. However, after collecting a number of good tactical folders - including the Mission MPF1-A2, Boker Turbine, SOG Arcitech, Emerson Commander - I found a great deal on the Stratofighter and thought, what the hell. Be clear, though: I am not here to debate the whole DO/ER issue.
Sure, the ad copy is goofy, but the blade size, shape, materials, and back-lock design are attractive enough on their own. The packaging is just as quirky as the ad copy. If they would tone it down a bit, I think they wouldn't get bashed as much.
This is a BIG tactical folder, coming in over 10" and more than 9 ounces. The blade is 1/4" thick. As noted in the copy, though, it's not meant to be a typical utility knife.
The 4.5" spear point partially serrated blade is TiCN coated and made from something referred to as "CTV2" stainless with special cryo treatment. There is no such thing as CTV2 steel designation, so it's likely a high carbon steel like 154CM (58 HRC). It arrived very sharp but I usually make a few passes on the sharpener with nearly all new knives. The blade pivot appears exceptionally robust.
The handles are 6160 aircraft aluminum and have somewhat odd but effective grip inserts (sort of like big grit sandpaper with a special coating). The design includes what appears to be a good glass breaker with a lanyard hole. Overall, it is well balanced and very solid in the hand. For such a large knife, the handle is comfortable, something one with medium-sized hands can use all day. The clip is way too tight and could use some bending.
The back-lock - a big plus in my book - is very secure and requires quite a bit of pressure to release. The blade locks firmly in place with absolutely no play. I tried whacking the back of the open blade on a tree stump a few times to see if it could be dislodged, but it held absolutely tight. One note: The cross-bolt safety can be safely removed. It is largely unnecessary and is more likely to prove an annoyance when trying to close the knife, as it is easily engaged. I removed it.
I remember seeing a review of this knife a few years ago with pictures of the back-lock mechanism which was claimed to be inadequate. I disassembled the knife and found nothing that would indicate this to be true. This type of locking design is pretty simple and typically very, very secure. In fact, I would have a hard time choosing between this back-lock and a good frame lock, like the one of my Mission MPF1.
I have not cut (or cut into) anything more interesting than rope, small tree limbs, and sections of telephone books with it yet, but so far it performs on par with my Mission, Boker, and Emerson. It also sharpens up very quickly. I hesitate to test the thrusting power of this knife - as I am with any of my knives - but the blade design and thickness would seem to guarantee pretty good performance.
I have only a couple of qualms with the knife.
As mentioned above, the cross-bolt safety is unnecessary. I just can't imagine what it adds to the functionality of the knife, other than being an annoyance when it slips into engagement when trying to close the knife. The type of action required to engage it is exactly the action required to disengaged it, but in the reverse direction. So, in a tough or confusing situation, one could engage it and then accidentally disengage the thing just as easily. I remember reading a review where the guy used some loctite to secure it. Just remove it, put it back in the strange green box with the big, oh-so-serious eyes starring out at you, and forget about it.
When it arrived, there seemed to be some remnants of the quartz grip inserts floating around inside the knife. I knocked them out, but I have also found a few on the table on which I was working. Given the very narrow tolerances used in this knife's construction, I would think sand to be its natural enemy - odd, when you consider some of the ad copy. Quirky, to say the least. Quite frankly, a simple roughened finish on the aluminum handles would work better.
Overall, this is a very tough and serious tactical folder, well built and (for the most part) well thought out. The Stratofighter is quite large and I would think hardly concealable. They do make smaller versions, including one with a modified tanto point. These may suit some better, and if they are made like this one, they will be sure to be pleased. In terms of price, the MSRPs seem a bit high to me, but there are always good deals out there. I paid about $170 for this one. You can get the smaller version for around $160.
It's not as well thought out as my Mission, and the A2 blade on that knife probably exceeds whatever DO uses in this one. But, make no mistake, this DO is just as "purpose-driven" in design and function. The Stratofighter reminds me more of my Boker Turbine in terms of feel and handling, but is much heavier - something I don't mind, but others may. Also, I would trust its hefty back-lock more than any liner locking mechanism.
Bottom line: tough, functional, serious (maybe too serious), and a bit quirky
http://s353.photobucket.com/albums/r389/Halbie1999/
Sure, the ad copy is goofy, but the blade size, shape, materials, and back-lock design are attractive enough on their own. The packaging is just as quirky as the ad copy. If they would tone it down a bit, I think they wouldn't get bashed as much.
This is a BIG tactical folder, coming in over 10" and more than 9 ounces. The blade is 1/4" thick. As noted in the copy, though, it's not meant to be a typical utility knife.
The 4.5" spear point partially serrated blade is TiCN coated and made from something referred to as "CTV2" stainless with special cryo treatment. There is no such thing as CTV2 steel designation, so it's likely a high carbon steel like 154CM (58 HRC). It arrived very sharp but I usually make a few passes on the sharpener with nearly all new knives. The blade pivot appears exceptionally robust.
The handles are 6160 aircraft aluminum and have somewhat odd but effective grip inserts (sort of like big grit sandpaper with a special coating). The design includes what appears to be a good glass breaker with a lanyard hole. Overall, it is well balanced and very solid in the hand. For such a large knife, the handle is comfortable, something one with medium-sized hands can use all day. The clip is way too tight and could use some bending.
The back-lock - a big plus in my book - is very secure and requires quite a bit of pressure to release. The blade locks firmly in place with absolutely no play. I tried whacking the back of the open blade on a tree stump a few times to see if it could be dislodged, but it held absolutely tight. One note: The cross-bolt safety can be safely removed. It is largely unnecessary and is more likely to prove an annoyance when trying to close the knife, as it is easily engaged. I removed it.
I remember seeing a review of this knife a few years ago with pictures of the back-lock mechanism which was claimed to be inadequate. I disassembled the knife and found nothing that would indicate this to be true. This type of locking design is pretty simple and typically very, very secure. In fact, I would have a hard time choosing between this back-lock and a good frame lock, like the one of my Mission MPF1.
I have not cut (or cut into) anything more interesting than rope, small tree limbs, and sections of telephone books with it yet, but so far it performs on par with my Mission, Boker, and Emerson. It also sharpens up very quickly. I hesitate to test the thrusting power of this knife - as I am with any of my knives - but the blade design and thickness would seem to guarantee pretty good performance.
I have only a couple of qualms with the knife.
As mentioned above, the cross-bolt safety is unnecessary. I just can't imagine what it adds to the functionality of the knife, other than being an annoyance when it slips into engagement when trying to close the knife. The type of action required to engage it is exactly the action required to disengaged it, but in the reverse direction. So, in a tough or confusing situation, one could engage it and then accidentally disengage the thing just as easily. I remember reading a review where the guy used some loctite to secure it. Just remove it, put it back in the strange green box with the big, oh-so-serious eyes starring out at you, and forget about it.
When it arrived, there seemed to be some remnants of the quartz grip inserts floating around inside the knife. I knocked them out, but I have also found a few on the table on which I was working. Given the very narrow tolerances used in this knife's construction, I would think sand to be its natural enemy - odd, when you consider some of the ad copy. Quirky, to say the least. Quite frankly, a simple roughened finish on the aluminum handles would work better.
Overall, this is a very tough and serious tactical folder, well built and (for the most part) well thought out. The Stratofighter is quite large and I would think hardly concealable. They do make smaller versions, including one with a modified tanto point. These may suit some better, and if they are made like this one, they will be sure to be pleased. In terms of price, the MSRPs seem a bit high to me, but there are always good deals out there. I paid about $170 for this one. You can get the smaller version for around $160.
It's not as well thought out as my Mission, and the A2 blade on that knife probably exceeds whatever DO uses in this one. But, make no mistake, this DO is just as "purpose-driven" in design and function. The Stratofighter reminds me more of my Boker Turbine in terms of feel and handling, but is much heavier - something I don't mind, but others may. Also, I would trust its hefty back-lock more than any liner locking mechanism.
Bottom line: tough, functional, serious (maybe too serious), and a bit quirky
http://s353.photobucket.com/albums/r389/Halbie1999/
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