Elan EL02 Micarta - Amazed...

Peroni1973

Peroni1973

Joined
Mar 25, 2010
Messages
707
On a whim, I ordered this knife yesterday (and it arrived today! Thanks to the team at Handyniknaks in the UK...)

Peroni1973
[/URL][/IMG] [Stock image from their website]

I have to say that I prefer the feel of this knife to the BM Griptilian. Now I know that it is 8Cr13MoV vs. BM's 154CM and that it is made in China, and that causes issues for a lot of people, but in terms of bang for my buck this thing is incredible.

It is quite hefty but to me that makes it feel substantial. It seems well put together with the F&F being really pretty good. The only thing is that the blade centreing is off a bit but it isn't anywhere near making contact with the liner.

Over all, whilst I am late this the Enlan product, I'm pleased that I bought it...

Ben
 
It's definately a really good knife. I've gotten a lot of use and pleasure of use out of it already. It dulls, but it takes a razor edge in no time. On top of that, it looks good too. I do think it's quite heavy. I might try to drill some holes in the liners eventually.

You made a good choice!
 
Nice choice for a blade! I picked up the EL-02B a few weeks ago and absolutely love it. I chose that model over the one above because I prefer G-10 and the stonewashed blade was something different. Plus, the G-10 made the overall handle a bit slimmer. How do you like the micarta? I am considering picking up either the EL-02 or EL-04 in micarta sometime this year.

EnlanEL-02B2.jpg
 
Thanks Chris "Anagarika", I guess I should have posted this in that forum and to be honest it was working my way through those posts that tipped me over the edge into ordering the EL02! Nice work, 'Enabler' ;)...

Singularity35, whilst I can't attest to the longer term use the way Galeocerdoshark can, I can tell you that I love the way this knife feels in hand and the way it looks. It really does feel like a knife work ten times it's price - literally.

Galeocerdoshark, good to hear your thoughts on this knife too. I had a Spyderco Tenacious and still have a Spyderco Persistance in this steel and like you I find that whilst it does need touching up, that it is really easy to do so.

I guess you can guess that I am really pleased to add this into my folder rotation...

Cheers all! :)

Ben
 
Hey Ninja Ryder,

Likewise the EL-02B looks like a cracking blade!

I picked up the EL-02 precisely because it was a bit different from black G10. I actually really like the micarta, although it is very smooth. It feels classy. Not that I've ever said that about micarta, if anything I spec micarta on my beater fixed blades and decent woods on my others!

Good to hear that you're enjoying it your EL-02B. That is a great shot of it too - thanks for posting it!

Cheers,

Ben
 
Folks,

I put this folder to use this evening, processing small game and then just a little wood work and I have to say I am really impressed.

The handle shape which I thought was unnecessarily sculpted on the underside actually turns out to support a variety of grips. This is more considered out than I first thought.

I am really happy with this knife...

Ben
 
Just FYI, I went out and bought some #60 O-rings and placed those around the thumb studs of both my EL-02B and my SRM 710. This makes them much more comfortable to flick open and IMO, does not look half bad either...

EnlanandSRMOrings.jpg
 
Ninja Ryder,I have both the Micarta and G-10 versions of the EL-02 and EL-04.What I've found is the G-10 ones are definitely slimmer and classier looking.While the Micarta ones are thicker and roughly in appearance and texture.

Of all the different versions,I've found that I like the EL-02B the best.
 
I only have the micarta, it's a bit slippery, so I added some stair tape to it. Now it's perfect!

Also put a wave on it (still need more work to lower the spine in front of the wave) ala Joben (srjoben on youtube)

Ben,

Can you describe more about the sculpted handle? Some removed it or made it less sharp (the middle finger protrusion). I've been thinking of doing the same, as it has annoyed me on normal use. I guess processing game is not my normal use. ;)

Suzuki,

The O ring makes it even nicer!:)
 
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I'll try to take some shots of how it fits my hand in the morning but suffice it to say that the sculpting helps to secure the knife in my grip. Whether I have it in a saber grip or have it reversed.

I suspect the G10 is more practical due to the additional traction but I can't help liking this micarta. I might take some abrasive to it to try to 'rough' it up a bit...

Either way, I have a bunch of much more expensive knives but in feel like this knife deserves some pocket time.

Ben
 
Reeek said:
Where is the safest and best place to order these from the U.S.?
Click to expand...

Not supposed to discuss that sort of thing on BF.

But can safely answer this one: nowhere stateside that I've found keeps a substantial supply of SRM/NAVY/Enlan/Ganzo, and the occasional ones I see are MUCH more expensive.

- OS
 
Those axis lock Enlans look pretty nice, but I've heard they aren't nearly as well executed as the Benchmade ones. The EL-01 seems to be the best-made of these Chinese knives according to the people who collect them, so I'm looking forward to receiving mine.
 
Tsujigiri said:
Those axis lock Enlans look pretty nice, but I've heard they aren't nearly as well executed as the Benchmade ones. The EL-01 seems to be the best-made of these Chinese knives according to the people who collect them, so I'm looking forward to receiving mine.
Click to expand...

i myself would disagree on the el-01 being the best of the bunch. in the batch i own....my el-02's shine above the el-01. guess it's random, and maybe the random might side towards the el-01, but....... i think it's more folks feel the el-01 is an "original design" and they just feel better owning one versus the el-02 with it's copied,pirated,patent infringed axis lock. that might influence their decision somewhat? can't say i blame 'em.

the biggest thing outside of fit and finish which i'm not talking abut now, rather talking design...one thing i truly dislike about the el-01 is the lack of a hole shape or thumb stud. if the flip doesn't engage fully your going to a second hand to finish it, or if your lucky and it flies out enough....your sticking a finger under the flipper to finish the opening action. it's a massive design flaw, imho.

of course maybe that's why i side towards the el-02's on fit and function.;)

as always folks ymmv, i get that.
 
I have a pair of each EL01 and EL02.

The ones EDC'ed are broken down and very smooth. The EL01KH NIB is still rough, same as the EL02 NIB.
EL01:No issue on the flipper not working fully. I tried flipping it on various vertical angle, with firm push, no wrist movement, it always engages fully.
Improvement can be done by changing the flipper a little bit (see Joben's wave video, he mentioned it).

EL02 has it's own flaw: slight vertical play, that I suspect due to pivot tolerance. Some other reported the same. No impact to lockup, it still locks solidly.

Don't think either is stronger, as this isn't axis vs liner lock thread.

Grip: EL01 is much more comfortable for hard work.
 
my two el-01's both flip well when pushed with no wrist movement, when aimed downward. when aimed upward or sideways...it's hit and miss. i admit i might have the only 2 out there that suffer from this issue....but the lack of a way to continue opening it other than i described above in my post is not a great design, imho. other than that it's a great heavy duty folder.

interesting on the el-02's. my 2 versions lock up tight with no vertical play. if i open it lightly one has a very slight feel of play, can't say it's actually play though....what you said makes sense on that one. the way i solved that issue was opening it hard to get the lock bar (calling it that for a lack of a better term) to seat deeper and feeling of play is gone.

mind you i dont' flip them open though,. i ride the thumbstud up to the open position hard. so i don't get any feedback that might unseat the bar if that is a possiblity, and i have no idea if it is or not. think when i'm done here i'll head home and play with 'em and see what happens. thanks your, Sir, for the tips, info!
 
If your EL02 has no play, you're lucky :D! I haven't checked the NIB one though.
The play is more down (press the blade spine) with no movement from axis bar. So it's likely the blade moves against the pivot. Might have to add a shim around the pivot bar ;) or just leave it, as it doesn't affect the lockup at all and only noticeable when tested, not when using it (cuting with edge as we always say lol :) )

My EL01 EDC flip well in any position, and after being waved, the best in waving among all my EDC.
By the way, you can always add stud (kwik stud or something) that people add to their buck 110. Or put some stair tape in the area where stud should be, for traction and it will help continuing the opening by pushing the blade.
 
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