DPX folder - joy...

Peroni1973

Peroni1973

Joined
Mar 25, 2010
Messages
707
Okay so I haven't had this little guy for that long but I like the blade shape, the handle ergos and the overall dimensions of this knife...

...I didn't enjoy the fact that despite loosening the pivot and lubing the knife so much it could have drowned it was still slow to deploy the blade no matter what I tried. There is certainly no 'flicking' open going on here. All that was really, detracting from the overall package for me until I realized the the 'bottle opener' isn't a bottle opener. It is a wave feature.

Now I've never had a wave knife of any kind, so forgive me if you're an expert but his was all new to me. It was kinda doing it on it's own when I pulled the knife from my pocket and then I twigged what was going on. 2-3 practices later and it is an entirely natural and crucially, speedy way of deploying this blade. I love it! I might just wear out my pocket doing it...

A simple solution to fast deployment which I'm delegated to find and use now.

Cheers,

Ben
 
I have heard there is a definite break-in period for those, so don't give up hope about super smooth buttery opening.
 
Pro tip for waving--rather than drawing off the edge of the pocket, give the knife a quarter turn counter clockwise in the pocket before drawing and then pull straight up. The bunching of the fabric caused by the slight twist very positively engages the wave, and allows you to reliably draw it with minimal motion.
 
DerekH said:
I have heard there is a definite break-in period for those, so don't give up hope about super smooth buttery opening.
Click to expand...

Very true. I was hesitant to get a 2.0 after hearing about all of the problems. (and RYPs antics)

I am happy to say that I thoroughly enjoy my HEST/f, and after over 2000 open/close cycles the lock is still as it was NIB. They run their D2 hard, and it holds it's edge like crazy. I really do love this knife, and if you watch my YT channel you know I'm pretty critical. Oh yeah, the bit driver in the handle is actually very useful.


Anyway, the knife definitely does get MUCH smoother after breaking in. I ran mine under a faucet while opening and closing, then lubed it with a TINY amount of break free CLP. Don't use much, it will make the lock sticky if the oil gets on the tang. If that happens, just run it under the faucet again.
 
Thanks Guys,

DerekH and CrimsonTideShooter - I will not give up hope on a smoothing out of the opening of this little cracker. I appreciate your input.

I will try the counter-clockwise quarter turn FortyTwoBlades - always happy to learn new techniques. For now I am simply delighted that I can deploy this knife fast.

CrimsonTideShooter, I know you were counselling me toward the ZT0550 and it remains on my list (we always knew it would, didn't we?) but this DPX is definitely pocketable and for such a stout blade I think it makes a pretty impressive package. Like you said I'm also inclined to disregard the BS around the knife and RYP and simply enjoy a well put together folder. I know spending money can be interpreted as a form of endorsement but really - we're just talking about knives here.

I'm happy to own this mini-tanks even if it slices like a spoon!!

Cheers all,

Ben
 
Sounds like the DPX is a great knife! I love it when it takes a while for a knife to break in. This reminds me of my CRK Umnumzaan, sucker still is hard to open after 1000+ deployments.

I'm considering buying one of these DPX hest 2.0. The only thing that's making me hesitate is the Spyderco lionspy, and the Lion Steel Knives SR1-Al.

All three of those knives are made/collaborative with Lion steel so I shouldn't be disappointed either way.
 
Hey Zookie,

I am glad to own the DPX no doubt and it is indeed nice when you get to know your way around a knife over time. I've polished the edge up to 6000 grit on my waterstones and only lightly stropped it but it now has a much smoother, less toothy edge.

The LionSpy is a little bigger with overall length at 8.43" (vs. HEST at 7.63") interestingly the LionSpy is listed at 3.625" total blade length vs. 3.67" on the HEST with a thickness of 0.18" (vs. HEST at 0.197") and a weight of 5.9 oz (vs. HEST at 5.1 oz)...

...not too sure about the SR1-Al but for me the appeal of the HEST was a lot of knife in a small, pocketable package.

Interestingly, (for me at least) this folding knife length is absolutely my sweet-spot. I love my Spyderco Junior: 7.25 "(vs. HEST at 7.63") , total blade length at 3.218 " (vs. 3.67" on the HEST) - I like that just over the 3" length (I know many dumb-ass places limit blade lengths to 3.0" or less...) as it gives just a bit more cutting edge but allows me to do fine work with my finger on the point of the blade yet still allows me to full, four-finger grip that sucker should I need stronger cuts or (God forbid) need it in a self defence role. On that matter, for me being just over 3.0" as opposed to just under it make the world of difference in how the knife handles in contact situations. I just feel happier with a little bit more blade but interestingly when you step up to 3.5" it often feels like a handful and a bunch bigger in the pocket (ZT, Ontario, Lone Wolf, etc.)

Forgive the extended commentary - I just enjoy these blades...

Anyone else enjoying circa 3.25" blade folders?

Cheers,

Ben
 
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I just bought one and agree that the overall layout of the knife and ergos are great. Mine was superstiff at first but after only a week it opens much nicer after backing off of the pivot screw an 1/8th of a turn and lubricating, not buttery smooth, but, easily opens. I expect better results with time. My problem is with closing, is it me or it the lock bar super stiff on closing. I look at a few of my other frame locks and notice that the relief cut on the back, presumably a pivot or bending point for the lock bar, is cut much deeper on my other knives... ZT 0550 and Boker 67. I also notice a lot of friction when the blade tang first contacts the lock bar prior to getting to the ball detent ( hope I named this right ) where the blade tang glides on the ball in the lockbar. Do you find the knife hard to close?
 
DerekH said:
I have heard there is a definite break-in period for those, so don't give up hope about super smooth buttery opening.
Click to expand...

Indeed Derek. I can break mine out as fast as humanly possible from the two different deployment positions. Just takes a little time. You don't really have to throw oil etc. on it - - hit it with some graphite is all you need really.
 
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