ESEE Avispa_test (pics heavy)

[martineden]

Intro
Hi everybody,
few times ago I received the knife AVISPA from ESEE knives. I have carried the Avispa averyday for three weeks, using it both at home and outdoors. What’s follows is the result of the test I made.

Note: the Zancudo and Avispa folders are manufactured in Taiwan for Blue Ridge Knives. These folders are not manufactured by ESEE, nor do they carry the ESEE logo. The round Randall's Adventure & Training logo was licensed to Blue Ridge for use on these knives. Both folders were designed and are fully endorsed by Mike Perrin and Jeff Randall. ESEE does not warranty, market or sell these folders. For more information, contact Blue Ridge Knives.


The knife
Avispa is a medium size folder, designed both for light and medium heavy tasks. Blade geometry is spear-point, grinded full-flat. Textured nylon handle, frame lock systems and a double thumb-stud are the other features of this knife. The name “Avispa” came from the spanish word “avispa” wich means “wasp”. Great fit and finish, thinking we are speaking about an industrial knife that cost around 30USD. There are different versions of the Avispa, with different colors for the handle (black, sand, coyote) and different blade treatment.
Specs of the knife:
Blade Length: 3.5 in. (215mm)
Overall Length: 8.5 in.
Cutting Edge: 3.26 in. (89mm)
Blade Thickness: 0.11 in. (2,8mm)
Blade Material: Flat Ground AUS-8 Stainless Drop Point Blade
Handle Thickness: 0.36 in.
Lock Mechanism : Frame Lock
Handle Length: 5.00 in.
Textured nylon handles
Weight 126 grams
Pocket Clip: Right Hand, Tip-Up/Down
Design by Mike Perrin & Jeff Randall
Country of Origin: Taiwan

First feelings (score 7,2/10)
Handling the Avispa my initial feeling was about a good design and ergonomics. Handles are nicely rounded, blade it’s deadly centered. Smooth opening, no blade play at all. The frame engage the talon very well, the jimping on the blade spine it’s smooth. The pocket clip it’s placeable in 4 different positions, anyway if you place it tip-up way, the clip push straight on the frame making the opening of the knife a bit difficult. So, I placed the pocket clip tip-down, this way the blade opening it’s just nice. On the blade, you have a lot of information (model, country of origins, steel, ecc.). Handle it’s well designed and shaped, very comfortable, and the pocket clip doesn’t impact uncomfortably on your palm hand. The spear-point blade seems’ to be versatile and functional. In summary, first feelings are very good.

The test
The Avispa test was made by 3 weeks of daily use. I used Avispa for light tasks, as cutting rope, cardboard, food, and for most heavier task sas carving wood, outdoors. I also used Avispa for some precise tasks, as realize an emergency alcohol stove by a beer can.

 

[martineden]

Cutting paper, cardboard, ropes (score 7,5/10)
As I said, Avispa comes with a nice sharp edge. The spear point helps a lot also, so cutting these materials it is never a problem, Avispa cut them like butter. Very good result.

Cutting food (score 7,5/10)
Being Avispa an everyday knife, always clipped to my pocket, I had several chances to use it for preparing food. Once again, Avispa had a great performance: precise cuts on both vegetables, fruit, meal, bread. The handle has a good grip so it’s safe also with wet hands, the spear point blade it’s very versatile. Excellent result.

 

[martineden]

Making stuffs (score 7,3/10)
I realized an emergency alcohol stove from a beer can using Avispa. I made also an emergency bag to carry water from a … Actually Avispa it’s great for making stuffs like these, cause of the sharp blade, the spear point, and the ergonomic handle. Having just the alcohol you may find in a very small glass, I boiled half a liter of water in 20 minutes early. Not bad at all.

Here the video showing the entire process and the result:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t77Hj1CycN4

Carving wood (score 7,3/10)
Avispa its’ a very good tool to carve wood. As usual for the folding knives with pocket clip, the handle it’s a bit too thin to be comfortable as should it be, anyway the Avispa handle it’s enough comfortable also in long term carving. Avispa perform very well also in making feathers, you may obtain fine, long feathers, easy to be lightening.

 

[martineden]

Holding edge (score 6,0/10) and resharpening (score 7,4/10)
Avispa blade steel is AUS-8, not the best on the planet. Avispa lost the edge fast, anyway it’s easy to resharpen. I have resharpened Avispa , razor sharp I mean, just using a stone in few minutes.

Conclusions
The average score for Avispa is 7,2/10. Avispa it’s an interesting folder, the look it’s not the best I saw, but the efficiency is great, has a great ergonomics, and the cost is really low for a knife like this. Avispa is a well-designed knife, fit and finish is not bad at all. I suggest Avispa to the peoples looking for an affordable knife, to be used w/o issues everywhere every time.

Alfredo Doricchi

 

[fz1boxer]

im hungry now thanks
great writeup
did you plant this one on the esee forums

 

[Mikel_24]

How does this avispa compare to the RAT1 or RAT 2 folders? They all seem to fit in the same category (full flat ground blades, syntetic handles, cheap, etc.).

I own a RAT2 and I wouldn't mind having one of these!

 

[C_Becker]

IIRC they are made in the same factory as the RAT folders. The materials are the same, the difference is the lock and the blade shape.

 

[Mikel_24]

Thanks a lot for the clarification! I would probably include one of those in my next overseas order!

 

[chiral.grolim]

Very nice pictures, and thank you for the review :thumbup:

 

[IUKE12]

Great job with the review and photos. I have the Rat-1 and Avispa and prefer the Avispa due to the slimmer design and slightly lighter weight. I am a bit puzzled by your opening statement suggesting the knife does not sport the ESEE logo. That skull on the blade looks like the logo to me.

 

[rycen]

Excellent review, well done.

 

[Mikel_24]

Great job with the review and photos. I have the Rat-1 and Avispa and prefer the Avispa due to the slimmer design and slightly lighter weight. I am a bit puzzled by your opening statement suggesting the knife does not sport the ESEE logo. That skull on the blade looks like the logo to me.

It is stated just like theese in the ESSE official website, you can check it out right here: http://www.eseeknives.com/avispa-zancudo.htm

 

[Luger1952]

Great review and nice photographic journal of your exploits with the Avispa. I bought one liked it so much I bought a second one. A lot of knife for the price. Both of mine lock up rock solid and the blades come adequately sharp. One has perfect centering the second one with brown scales is off center slightly to lock side but does not touch or rub. Agreed that changing the pocket clip to blade tip up position on the lock side makes disengaging the fame lock a little more difficult so I switched back to tip down. AUS-4 is adequate but doe not hold an edge long in heavy and extended use but very easy/quick to sharpen and restore edge to very sharp. All in all a wonderful knife for the price.

 

[untamed]

As always, molto bene for another great review signor!

 

[bruno_go]

Thank you very very much. One of the best reviews I ever saw.