- Joined
- Aug 7, 2007
- Messages
- 2,588
With many favorable testimonies and review in the web I decided to splurge and it arrived at my doorstep yesterday.
First impression is that it is fat. Not big overall like my Rajah 1 but it is noticeably fat in the closed position. It came in a black sheath which the knife can be stored folded or opened. The sheath and the diamond sharpener is kinda neat.
Few thing to notice.
The pivot size is too small.
It's the same size as for my smaller folders. Like the Kershaw JYDII, CS Ti-lite and my American Lawman. For something that came out of the ER line I expected a pivot size which is larger. Also there is a very high chance of the allen key hole to be stripped. I do not expect this folder to outperform my ZT301. The pivot of the ZT folders especially is very much more sturdier built.
Handle is uncomfortable and weirdly designed.
Gripping it is uncomfortable with sharp edges especially the recessed index finger area. The grooves on the back are super weird since it is around an inch apart which means I can never (I also think there are not too many gorrila palms people out there) be confortable and the edges are sharp here too.
Basically it is not ergonomic. Frankly speaking the Dark Ops folders have better shaped handles (gotta compare these two you know).
Lockbar spring is too weak.
ER prides itself on their locks for the Fulcrum and similar lines. There is no thunk here. The spring is too weak to the point where I need to forcefully open it to get the lock to nicely lock. Soft openings results in the bar not entering deep and that is risky.
Backspacer screws are too few and aluminium handle to soft.
I had to change to a larger screw since I buggered the screw hole. All I did was loosen, put loctite then moderately tighten. I kid you not. I had to change to larger screw (I have lots of spare parts). The aluminium handle is too soft. I noticed also when I filed smooth the sharp edges that the aluminium was too easy to file.
Only a total of 3 screws holding this together. They should have followed Cold Steel on their Recon 1s and put more. The handle may be rigid to hold but any impacts or high stresses are concentrated to too few components. For the money they should have used at least 7075 (I'm unsure about the number) aluminium instead of this soft material.
-finished for now, got more but these are main issues for now-
The folder has some plus points. It's blade heavy for chopping and has a pretty small angle edge for potentially good chopping (tests will commence in future when I get out of my lazy phase). Sheath is interestingly designed and has good potential. The lock (when it does lock under some forceful opening) feels solid/strong. Although they should have ditched the straight portion (the handle straight side between the blade and handle when opened) and made it wider in the lock and pivot area. A 1cm thick area is too small and although looks cool it is theoretically weak when stress concentrates.
PS: Get a CS Rajah, Espada, Black Rhino, Rukus, Manix, etc if you want a good overall design. ER and Dark Ops folders are not worth the money. Get a Tri-Ad design for total peace of mind and Tri-Ad knives are really tanks in the market today. Espada withstands 600++ pounds of closing force you know!!!
PSPS: Most is my opinion. If anyone is offended then please understand it is not my intention to offend.
PSPSPS: Especially the Zero Tolerance line, they are actually very very good. My Mudd and ZT0301 are my pride and joy. I feel warm inside when I use/open my ZT0301 (although smallT6 torx is only weakness). To the point I'm getting new ZT200 in the mail!!!
First impression is that it is fat. Not big overall like my Rajah 1 but it is noticeably fat in the closed position. It came in a black sheath which the knife can be stored folded or opened. The sheath and the diamond sharpener is kinda neat.
Few thing to notice.
The pivot size is too small.
It's the same size as for my smaller folders. Like the Kershaw JYDII, CS Ti-lite and my American Lawman. For something that came out of the ER line I expected a pivot size which is larger. Also there is a very high chance of the allen key hole to be stripped. I do not expect this folder to outperform my ZT301. The pivot of the ZT folders especially is very much more sturdier built.
Handle is uncomfortable and weirdly designed.
Gripping it is uncomfortable with sharp edges especially the recessed index finger area. The grooves on the back are super weird since it is around an inch apart which means I can never (I also think there are not too many gorrila palms people out there) be confortable and the edges are sharp here too.
Basically it is not ergonomic. Frankly speaking the Dark Ops folders have better shaped handles (gotta compare these two you know).
Lockbar spring is too weak.
ER prides itself on their locks for the Fulcrum and similar lines. There is no thunk here. The spring is too weak to the point where I need to forcefully open it to get the lock to nicely lock. Soft openings results in the bar not entering deep and that is risky.
Backspacer screws are too few and aluminium handle to soft.
I had to change to a larger screw since I buggered the screw hole. All I did was loosen, put loctite then moderately tighten. I kid you not. I had to change to larger screw (I have lots of spare parts). The aluminium handle is too soft. I noticed also when I filed smooth the sharp edges that the aluminium was too easy to file.
Only a total of 3 screws holding this together. They should have followed Cold Steel on their Recon 1s and put more. The handle may be rigid to hold but any impacts or high stresses are concentrated to too few components. For the money they should have used at least 7075 (I'm unsure about the number) aluminium instead of this soft material.
-finished for now, got more but these are main issues for now-
The folder has some plus points. It's blade heavy for chopping and has a pretty small angle edge for potentially good chopping (tests will commence in future when I get out of my lazy phase). Sheath is interestingly designed and has good potential. The lock (when it does lock under some forceful opening) feels solid/strong. Although they should have ditched the straight portion (the handle straight side between the blade and handle when opened) and made it wider in the lock and pivot area. A 1cm thick area is too small and although looks cool it is theoretically weak when stress concentrates.
PS: Get a CS Rajah, Espada, Black Rhino, Rukus, Manix, etc if you want a good overall design. ER and Dark Ops folders are not worth the money. Get a Tri-Ad design for total peace of mind and Tri-Ad knives are really tanks in the market today. Espada withstands 600++ pounds of closing force you know!!!
PSPS: Most is my opinion. If anyone is offended then please understand it is not my intention to offend.
PSPSPS: Especially the Zero Tolerance line, they are actually very very good. My Mudd and ZT0301 are my pride and joy. I feel warm inside when I use/open my ZT0301 (although smallT6 torx is only weakness). To the point I'm getting new ZT200 in the mail!!!
