Photos Got this interesting knife "Russian" knife from Ebay.

D

Dinocamo

Joined
Nov 23, 2017
Messages
3
Hello everyone,

I'm new here. However, I have browse the Bladeforums for a long time (since 2010ish) as a source for information concerning the cutlery, like swords for example. I live in a city so my need is not so great and my knives are for EDC and handyman works with friends.

So, recently, I put my faith on Ebay and purchased a knife from Russia for 25 CAD (about 20 USD). It's arrived a few days ago and is indeed shipped from Moscow. I also learned that Russia still use stamps for shipping package...

The knife is branded "Track <Steel>" B210-40, sub-brand of "Track", from Splav (Splav.ru), a know Russian group specialized in sport and military gear. If you can't find much information about them, I'm not surprised, I only know about it from people I meet on the Internet and not from the Internet itself. The blade is said to be 440A.

According to the official page, it should cost only about 7 CAD (5 USD?), but considering Russia doesn't have any free trade contract with Canada, it's understandable. My only disappointment is that the knife is made in China and not Russia as the seller on Ebay advertised, but it doesn't bother me, it's still designed by Russian. For the price and the interesting design, it's totally worth it in my opinion.

I also made this thread because I want to know about Russian stuff.

Normally, I go with the simple and minimalist designs with good value for money. I expected this to be an exception with its tacticool look with some possible unnecessary feature, but it's surprisingly not!

https://i.imgur.com/xEjFZHf.jpg?3
https://i.imgur.com/OpM4Nnu.jpg?1
https://i.imgur.com/lpwdoeM.jpg?1
https://i.imgur.com/7U5InoB.jpg?1
https://i.imgur.com/PZ713xX.jpg

Compare to my Opinel No.8:

https://i.imgur.com/oEKSaZd.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/UWZ4lPq.jpg

The locking mechanism works exactly as other lock blade pocket knives, like the Buck knives and Otter-Mercator. The interesting thing about this knife is that it's a lock blade knife that consist of 3 pieces (4 if you count the crews as 2), the handle, the blade and the screw/s. They integrated the mechanism to the handle itself, which explain the cut on the handle. It's really ingenious from Russian designers.

Closer look to the mechanism:

https://i.imgur.com/HWs1EIx.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/mqVU7Ae.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/12TX5li.jpg

The knife is advertised EDC pocket knife and not a hunting pocket so I don't expect it to be able to do hard work, I live in a city anyway. And about the steel, the 440A, I have no complaint at all, I don't care about the steel that much, anything from 420HC and up is fine. I don't know about the hardness of the blade, but again, doesn't matter for me. The knife is very sharp and I was able to cut some half inch wooden stick very easy. The lock will likely get worn off by time and usage, but for the price, it's still worth it. I have a SAK Huntsman as my main EDC, this "Russian" knife is really for curiosity.

By the way, this knife is perfectly import legal in Canada as it doesn't have spring nor can be open by flicking at all.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
This knife is the same Russian, as I am American. China. The packaging of this knife written - made in China. In Russia it costs less than $ 10.
 
It's a knock-off of a Klecker lock design. A little different than the models he produced with CRKT, but not by much.
 
Fondled one of those early all bare stainless steel crkt PRC forgeries.
Attempted to test the locking mechanism.
Well, even with its lock supposedly engaged
These was little if no resistance at all
as it folder over like a slip joint!
The problem was that this clever 3-piece design
(Namely the blade, pivot screw, and stamped out handle with integral spring locking bar)
Requires an exact level of material springiness and stiffness
In order for such a lock to withstand any applied force.
These PRC copies just didn't have it in them...
 
Very close to a Klecker lock, anyway. This one is fully integral. All the Klecker's I've seen have a lock pin. Probably falls under Klecker's patent but it is an interesting design. Even if:
GIRLYmann said:
Well, even with its lock supposedly engaged there was little if no resistance at all as it folded over like a slip joint!
Click to expand...
I don't doubt it!
 
SpySmasher said:
Very close to a Klecker lock, anyway. This one is fully integral. All the Klecker's I've seen have a lock pin. Probably falls under Klecker's patent but it is an interesting design. Even if:
I don't doubt it!
Click to expand...

The CRKT ones didn't.

CR-5185.jpg
 
OP, you might want to remove the link to the vendor, as its presumably not a BF supporting vendor.

No opinion on the knife.
 
Dinocamo said:
Hello everyone,

I'm new here. However, I have browse the Bladeforums for a long time (since 2010ish) as a source for information concerning the cutlery, like swords for example. I live in a city so my need is not so great and my knives are for EDC and handyman works with friends.

So, recently, I put my faith on Ebay and purchased a knife from Russia for 25 CAD (about 20 USD). It's arrived a few days ago and is indeed shipped from Moscow. I also learned that Russia still use stamps for shipping package...

The knife is branded "Track <Steel>" B210-40, sub-brand of "Track", from Splav (Splav.ru), a know Russian group specialized in sport and military gear. If you can't find much information about them, I'm not surprised, I only know about it from people I meet on the Internet and not from the Internet itself. The blade is said to be 440A. (Link to the producer page (in Russian): http://www.splav.ru/goodsdetail.aspx?gid=20141006125954634620)

According to the official page, it should cost only about 7 CAD (5 USD?), but considering Russia doesn't have any free trade contract with Canada, it's understandable. My only disappointment is that the knife is made in China and not Russia as the seller on Ebay advertised, but it doesn't bother me, it's still designed by Russian. For the price and the interesting design, it's totally worth it in my opinion.

I also made this threat because I want to know about Russian stuff.

Normally, I go with the simple and minimalist designs with good value for money. I expected this to be an exception with its tacticool look with some possible unnecessary feature, but it's surprisingly not!

https://i.imgur.com/xEjFZHf.jpg?3
https://i.imgur.com/OpM4Nnu.jpg?1
https://i.imgur.com/lpwdoeM.jpg?1
https://i.imgur.com/7U5InoB.jpg?1
https://i.imgur.com/PZ713xX.jpg

Compare to my Opinel No.8:

https://i.imgur.com/oEKSaZd.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/UWZ4lPq.jpg

The locking mechanism works exactly as other lock blade pocket knives, like the Buck knives and Otter-Mercator. The interesting thing about this knife is that it's a lock blade knife that consist of 3 pieces (4 if you count the crews as 2), the handle, the blade and the screw/s. They integrated the mechanism to the handle itself, which explain the cut on the handle. It's really ingenious from Russian designers.

Closer look to the mechanism:

https://i.imgur.com/HWs1EIx.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/mqVU7Ae.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/12TX5li.jpg

The knife is advertised EDC pocket knife and not a hunting pocket so I don't expect it to be able to do hard work, I live in a city anyway. And about the steel, the 440A, I have no complaint at all, I don't care about the steel that much, anything from 420HC and up is fine. I don't know about the hardness of the blade, but again, doesn't matter for me. The knife is very sharp and I was able to cut some half inch wooden stick very easy. The lock will likely get worn off by time and usage, but for the price, it's still worth it. I have a SAK Huntsman as my main EDC, this "Russian" knife is really for curiosity.

By the way, this knife is perfectly import legal in Canada as it doesn't have spring nor can be open by flicking at all.
Click to expand...
:) Welcome ! Interesting first post . I sometimes buy cheap but intriguing knives on Fleabay , but my expectations are very low and often I spend excessive amounts of time and energy resolving disputes with bad sellers . Some great deals to be found , but it's definitely "BUYER BEWARE" ! :eek:
 
SpySmasher said:
Really? Interesting! Did they work any better that the clones GIRLYmann was talking about?

Also, why does CRKT, with their crappy materials and questionable fit & finish, put out so many interesting locks?
Click to expand...

CRKT uses subpar materials usually but I haven't had an issue with fit and finish on any of the knives I've bought. The Otonashi is an incredible folder IMO, just needs a steel upgrade.

I admittedly bought a crkt sakimori, and that knife showed me crkt can make a badass blade. But at almost $200 the fuchi was plastic and samé aswell, whoever is the designer at CRKT gets so damn close on some of these but just always misses the mark.

Sorry OP didn't mean to derail :)
 
I am not a fan of lock backs when the tab is located at the rear of the handle. I find the heel of my palm can press the unlock portion of the tab... A Spyderco mid-lock is located in a better spot for my preferences (being the middle of the palm).

I feel that this lock may be prone to disengaging during usage where higher hand or cutting pressure is applied to the handle.

I hope this isn't an issue or a concern for you. Best of luck with your knife.
 
I like that idea of a 3 piece design, but I'd be more interested in a dedicated slip joint style version. edit: found out some more about the lock. Looks like it might work better than I thought.
 
Last edited:
First, welcome to the forum!

Second, please remove the link to the non-supporting seller. That is against the rules.
 
Link removed.
That was a link to a store site, not a manufacturer site.
 
It's Long discontinued...
" Columbia River 5180 Klecker NIRK 3.125"
Take two pieces of stainless steel, cut, grind and bend them just right, and you have Glenn Klecker's "irreducible complexity" NIRK folder from CRKT.
Intelligent design advocate Michael Behe coined the term "irreducible complexity," which means "a single system composed of several well-matched, interacting parts that contribute to the basic function of the system, wherein the removal of any one of the parts causes the system to effectively cease functioning."
It certainly describes this Columbia River Knife & Tool (CRKT) folder by Glenn Klecker, award-winning knife and tool designer from Silverton, Oregon. He has named it after his son: Nathan's IRreducible complexity Knife, or NIRK. There are just two well-thought out pieces, plus a blade pivot screw.
The innovation is Glenn's use of a single sheet of stamped and folded stainless steel to serve as the folder frame, back spacer, spring and lock, resulting in a solid lockback folder. The geometry of the cutout areas is critical, carefully calculated to provide just the right spring action when the rear of the spine is pressed.
At the front of the frame, the lock tab mates with a notch in the blade to provide safe lockup. The tighter the grip on the handle, the tighter the lockup, making this an exceptionally safe design. It is very difficult, if not impossible, to accidentally release the lock, and it is very, very strong.
When the blade is closed, the same lock tab ramps over a rounded detent to hold the blade in the closed position..."
 
GIRLYmann said:
It's Long discontinued...
" Columbia River 5180 Klecker NIRK 3.125"
Take two pieces of stainless steel, cut, grind and bend them just right, and you have Glenn Klecker's "irreducible complexity" NIRK folder from CRKT.
Intelligent design advocate Michael Behe coined the term "irreducible complexity," which means "a single system composed of several well-matched, interacting parts that contribute to the basic function of the system, wherein the removal of any one of the parts causes the system to effectively cease functioning."
It certainly describes this Columbia River Knife & Tool (CRKT) folder by Glenn Klecker, award-winning knife and tool designer from Silverton, Oregon. He has named it after his son: Nathan's IRreducible complexity Knife, or NIRK. There are just two well-thought out pieces, plus a blade pivot screw.
The innovation is Glenn's use of a single sheet of stamped and folded stainless steel to serve as the folder frame, back spacer, spring and lock, resulting in a solid lockback folder. The geometry of the cutout areas is critical, carefully calculated to provide just the right spring action when the rear of the spine is pressed.
At the front of the frame, the lock tab mates with a notch in the blade to provide safe lockup. The tighter the grip on the handle, the tighter the lockup, making this an exceptionally safe design. It is very difficult, if not impossible, to accidentally release the lock, and it is very, very strong.
When the blade is closed, the same lock tab ramps over a rounded detent to hold the blade in the closed position..."
Click to expand...
If I come across one, I think I will buy it. I have one Klecker lock knife -- the one he sells himself on his website -- and as much as I like the concept, I don't much like the reality. You never know, though, I might like the chintzy one better. :)
 
Gotta admit, was pretty intrigued, and compelled to look out for it then.
But the handle's shape and dimensions itself
As it turned out, was not going to be too comfortable for extended use.
I dunno maybe the latest reincarnation might be perhaps better
With its dare I hope, improvements?
https://www.crkt.com/nirk-tighe.html
But it's msrp is the scariest thought ...
 
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