Fallkniven PXL Folder
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I want to preface this review with the following; (1) I just got this yesterday so this will more of an initial observation, and (2) I tend to go overboard at times with my praise for a new knife that really strikes my fancy, and the PXL definately struck my fancy, so you might want to take some of what I say with a grain of salt. (3) I can not do pics at present. My cousin, whose computer I frequently post from (posting from it right now) has promised to help me set up a photo account and to let me use his camera for the pics, but so far that is as far as we have gotten.
Starting from the beginning. I was a little surprised at the packing for the PXL. It was a simple, medium stock, rectangular shaped box, the size of the knife. Mine had no insert at all about the PXL or about Fallkniven as a company. Now this probably sounds nit-picky, and it is, but I would have thought it would come in fancier packaging and some product info. But after opening the box and sliding the PXL out, the packaging was immediately forgotten.
The first thing you have to notice is the heft, or weight, of the knife, as this is a SOLID knife, along with being a thick knife. Some may not like the weight, 6.2 ounces, for a knife that is 7.83" in overall length, but I love it and count it as a plus. Handle this knife and there is no doubt you have a solid knife in your hand! The stainless steel liners are .060" thick, and the bolsters are probably twice that at their thickest point, as they are rounded towards the edges. All this steel makes for a solid, very solid, area around the pivot. The back of the bolsters are curved and the ivory micarta is well fitted with no gaps or high/low spots. Fit of the handles to the liners also show excellent workmanship with a seamless fit.
The blade is 3.46" and is .140" thick. I did mic it and came up with a reading of .139" so it is very close. The grinds on the blade are even on each side out to the point. The top grind is also even on both sides and centered. There is a number stamped in the top of the blade at the back which I assume to be the serial number on mine it is #362. I think I posted a different number elsewhere, but after wiping the blade down it was easier to see the number. It is extremely sharp out of the box and shaves hair and slices newsprint with very little effort. The line where the metals meet is visible and even on both sides.
The action out of the box was just plain out smooth. It required very little effort to get it to lock up. The blade is smooth throughout the entire opening arc. I had to tighten it a little to get my desired action, and though tighter, it is still smooth throughout the entire range. Lockup is solid. the liner comes over and locks up on the left edge so that the outside of the liner and the outside of the blade tang are flush with one another. The bend in the liner lock is placed so that you have a short but stiff locking action. I don't think you will have to worry much about the lock allowing the blade to close accidently as the stiffness of the lock precludes it. Another thing I like about this knife is that the blade tang is built so that you have a top overhang that blocks the liner from being pressed upwards and causing the blade to loosen in a tight grip. Once the lock engages it is surrounded by the blade on two of it's three sides.
The overall fit and finish of the PXL is excellent, and at it's price it needs to be. The only faults I could find, for me, are, it is awfully slippery. The satin finished steel bolsters, smooth micarta, and the polished pocket clip don't give a lot of hold. To fix that I removed the pocket clip, three small phillips screws, and covered it with some of the 3M Stair Step tape that I put on most of my pocket clips. This made all the difference in the world. I can now pull it from my pocket, spin it, and get my thumb on the thumb stud to open it without it slipping any. The second thing is the pocket clip. It sticks out from the bolster, and in thin pants pockets may not hold tight enough.
Both are minor gripes, and easily remedied.
All in all the PXL lived up to what I was hoping it to be, a medium sized folder with a heavy duty build. I look forward to using the PXL in the near future!
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I want to preface this review with the following; (1) I just got this yesterday so this will more of an initial observation, and (2) I tend to go overboard at times with my praise for a new knife that really strikes my fancy, and the PXL definately struck my fancy, so you might want to take some of what I say with a grain of salt. (3) I can not do pics at present. My cousin, whose computer I frequently post from (posting from it right now) has promised to help me set up a photo account and to let me use his camera for the pics, but so far that is as far as we have gotten.
Starting from the beginning. I was a little surprised at the packing for the PXL. It was a simple, medium stock, rectangular shaped box, the size of the knife. Mine had no insert at all about the PXL or about Fallkniven as a company. Now this probably sounds nit-picky, and it is, but I would have thought it would come in fancier packaging and some product info. But after opening the box and sliding the PXL out, the packaging was immediately forgotten.
The first thing you have to notice is the heft, or weight, of the knife, as this is a SOLID knife, along with being a thick knife. Some may not like the weight, 6.2 ounces, for a knife that is 7.83" in overall length, but I love it and count it as a plus. Handle this knife and there is no doubt you have a solid knife in your hand! The stainless steel liners are .060" thick, and the bolsters are probably twice that at their thickest point, as they are rounded towards the edges. All this steel makes for a solid, very solid, area around the pivot. The back of the bolsters are curved and the ivory micarta is well fitted with no gaps or high/low spots. Fit of the handles to the liners also show excellent workmanship with a seamless fit.
The blade is 3.46" and is .140" thick. I did mic it and came up with a reading of .139" so it is very close. The grinds on the blade are even on each side out to the point. The top grind is also even on both sides and centered. There is a number stamped in the top of the blade at the back which I assume to be the serial number on mine it is #362. I think I posted a different number elsewhere, but after wiping the blade down it was easier to see the number. It is extremely sharp out of the box and shaves hair and slices newsprint with very little effort. The line where the metals meet is visible and even on both sides.
The action out of the box was just plain out smooth. It required very little effort to get it to lock up. The blade is smooth throughout the entire opening arc. I had to tighten it a little to get my desired action, and though tighter, it is still smooth throughout the entire range. Lockup is solid. the liner comes over and locks up on the left edge so that the outside of the liner and the outside of the blade tang are flush with one another. The bend in the liner lock is placed so that you have a short but stiff locking action. I don't think you will have to worry much about the lock allowing the blade to close accidently as the stiffness of the lock precludes it. Another thing I like about this knife is that the blade tang is built so that you have a top overhang that blocks the liner from being pressed upwards and causing the blade to loosen in a tight grip. Once the lock engages it is surrounded by the blade on two of it's three sides.
The overall fit and finish of the PXL is excellent, and at it's price it needs to be. The only faults I could find, for me, are, it is awfully slippery. The satin finished steel bolsters, smooth micarta, and the polished pocket clip don't give a lot of hold. To fix that I removed the pocket clip, three small phillips screws, and covered it with some of the 3M Stair Step tape that I put on most of my pocket clips. This made all the difference in the world. I can now pull it from my pocket, spin it, and get my thumb on the thumb stud to open it without it slipping any. The second thing is the pocket clip. It sticks out from the bolster, and in thin pants pockets may not hold tight enough.
Both are minor gripes, and easily remedied.
All in all the PXL lived up to what I was hoping it to be, a medium sized folder with a heavy duty build. I look forward to using the PXL in the near future!
