Entrek Lynx? (or alternate suggestions)

MatthewVanitas

MatthewVanitas

Go Army, Beat Navy!
Joined
Oct 6, 2004
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467
Been looking for a 6-7" OAL small fixed-blade, just to have something cool, and to strap on a flack jacket should I ever get called up.

I like the Spyderco-Perrin Streat Beat, but it's a tad pricey for me personally, and a little narrow.

I have a general mental picture of what I want, and a recent trip to Smokey Mountain Knife Works (en-route to Nashville) showed two good options: the OKC RAT-3, and the Entrek Lynx.

http://www.ennis-entrekusa.com/index2.htm

The RAT-3 gets plenty of press here, but the Entrek had little mention on BFC. Any good word on these? Someone mentioned 400C steel; is that for the whole line, or just certain models?

The Lynx is notably smaller than the RAT-3, seems just about ideal for my purposes. I'd like it a little more if it had more hilt, but that may be just nitpicking.

Any competing models I've overlooked (besides Bark River)?

Anyone own an Entrek, especially a Lynx, who has an opinion to share?
 
I have an Entrek Cobra...not sure if it's still available. It is one great knife. You won't be sorry getting an Entrek. I'm not a big fan (at all) of 440C, but let me tell you something, Entrek's heat treat of 440C is excellent. Keeps an edge like you wouldn't believe. The best 440C that I have ever come across. One tough knife.
 
I don't own an Entrek knife myself, but everything I have ever read about them is positive. Entrek owners speak very highly of their knives.
 
That's what I want to say also; never read a bad review, or anything for that matter, about the Entrek Knives. Woould have to think they are good. Btw, I'm in Ga. and will be making a trip up to Pigeon Forge this summer sometime, already saving up some spending cash for Smokey Mountain!!
 
Troop said:
I have an Entrek Cobra...not sure if it's still available. It is one great knife. You won't be sorry getting an Entrek. I'm not a big fan (at all) of 440C, but let me tell you something, Entrek's heat treat of 440C is excellent. Keeps an edge like you wouldn't believe. The best 440C that I have ever come across. One tough knife.
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I own an Entrek Companion.......and I will concur that the knife is well-built, rugged, and reasonably priced. At the time I purchased mine, the knife came with a functional but rather crude plastic sheath. Hopefully they have upgraded them since. Entrek blades are all on the thick side and their geometry is not optimal for slicing or dressing game....but very useful for general woods carry. The finish is bead blasted and I did experience a light rust issue after an extended canoe trip...something that I would not expect from 440C......but the knife was repeatedly exposed to damp conditions for extended periods of time; the surface rust was easily removed with some Flitz and has not reappeared.

- Regards
 
Gramps said:
The finish is bead blasted and I did experience a light rust issue after an extended canoe trip...something that I would not expect from 440C......
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Bead blast is not a good fiinish for corrosion resistance. Mirror polish or stonewash is better: less micropitting to hold moisture.
 
Esav Benyamin said:
Bead blast is not a good fiinish for corrosion resistance. Mirror polish or stonewash is better: less micropitting to hold moisture.
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Hi Esav ! Yes...I have thought of sending it off to Bark River to have the blade polished and convexed...then I think it would be something special.

-regards
 
Good idea. Some environments, it makes no real difference, but if you're going to be around water, why take the chance? Especially when you have a knife tough enough that you want to carry it! :D
 
I have an Entrek Badger.


I am nearly startled at the super high quality of this knife. Very well designed handle, great proportions, 3 3/8 drop point.
A thick, heavy piece of beautifully ground 440C; Micarta scales bolted on with stainless hardware, lined lanyard hole, Kydex sheath. Looks and feels like a custom.

Has quickly become one of my favorite knives, and I recommend it highly.
 

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Gramps said:
I own an Entrek Companion.......and I will concur that the knife is well-built, rugged, and reasonably priced. At the time I purchased mine, the knife came with a functional but rather crude plastic sheath. Hopefully they have upgraded them since. Entrek blades are all on the thick side and their geometry is not optimal for slicing or dressing game....but very useful for general woods carry. The finish is bead blasted and I did experience a light rust issue after an extended canoe trip...something that I would not expect from 440C......but the knife was repeatedly exposed to damp conditions for extended periods of time; the surface rust was easily removed with some Flitz and has not reappeared.

- Regards
Click to expand...
Yes, you are right about the crappy sheath, and I, too, had some rust develop on the blade; nothing serious, a little WD 40 and steel wool, and it's gone. I threw mine into a leather sheath I had lying around; threw out the crappy plastic sheath. You know, I think that because their 440C holds such a terrific edge, and because I did have a little spot of rust develop, I'm thinkin' that it's not "standard" 440C....I think it may have some type of "secret ingredient" in it. It doesn't behave like any other 440C that I've come across. Kind of like when Jerry Busse says that SR-101 is 52100 with "added Kryptonite." (He was kidding.)
 
ONLY downside are his knives are relatively heavy. But above posters are right on... they cut and cut and cut....
 
Sounds pretty good. I think I'll be ordering a Lynx at the end of the summer. Retail is like $120, but various suppliers have them at $89, and as low as $69 in one or two places. I'll have to sort out the reputable sites, and see what the good deals are.

I was somewhat apprehensive about the small hilt, but it seems big enough for a small utility knife. The BM Snody/Resistor is really cool, but has too much handle for the blade size (for my niche purposes)
 
Sorry to bring this old thread back, but does anyone know about when the changes took place for Entreks knives as far as the btter sheath, thumb grooves on spine, and "ENTREKS USA" logo on the blade?

thanks
 
That's good news if they improved the sheaths. The only complaints I have ever seen about the Entrek knives have been concerning the sheaths.
 
I bought an Entrek Silhouette recently and I don't see any improvement on the sheaths--they'll keep the knife from cutting you and hold it in as long as you don't turn it upside down and shake. The thin kydex seems to fatigue easily, though--based on some older Entreks I have whose molded sheaths have a lot more rattle now than the used to. It really is a shame, because it's one definite downside to what is otherwise a "best kept secret" in the knife world---for the price their fit and finish is absolutely incredible and they're certainly robust tools. By the way, I have thinned the edge down on all of mine and they do just fine in terms of durability, while cutting a great deal better.

Old as this thread is, I'll go ahead and throw it in anyway---I have a lynx that I've had for a few years now. It's by far the heaviest neck knife I have, but it is meaty enough that you can work with it and not worry. At 3/16" thick, though, it certainly won't replace a doctor's scalpel anytime soon. The sheath that came with it is easily the best Entrek sheath I've seen---probably because they knew it was going to be carried upside down and so had better be able to hold on. Anyway, the lynx is just cute...disproportionately thick for its size, but it kinda gives off the feeling of a combat knife with little-man syndrome, or a baby rhino. :)
 
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