Joe Caswell EDC Folder review

MORIMOTOM

MORIMOTOM

Joined
Oct 29, 2005
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just received, and pretty much all i can say is, WOW!

made by bfc knifemaker, j. caswell.

fit/finish are superb, and it is very sharp! bolsters are ti, and scales are orange g10.

game warden for size comparison:

caswell002.jpg

caswell005.jpg


the signature feature is the "in line retractable clip". in a world of superb makers this is truly an innovative design. simple, functional, secure. it snaps in and out with an audible click, and sits nicely in the pocket.

caswell006.jpg

caswell007.jpg

caswell008.jpg


also, this is my first damascus knife. i was wary of the performance expectations, but at 61rc and heat treat by paul bos, i think my reservations are laid to rest.

caswell004.jpg


lastly, the liner is VERY thick, at 2mm (.0785"). lockup is solid, the action very smooth.

caswell001.jpg


i love the clean and simple lines, and particularly the cutout for the thumbstud. nothing to hang up on a pocket. even though the sides are straight, it feels very secure in hand, and the cutout almost acts as a small choil.

enjoy!

caswell003.jpg

 
Last edited:
Hey Mark, is this a linier lock or frame lock? Beautiful work. Please explain more about the clip concept. Thanks, brother.
 
it is a liner lock.

the clip retracts in to the scales. not sure if there is a detente, but feels as though there is.

the positioning is different, along the spine instead of on the scales, so it tends to 'crease' the pant pocket a bit. but it is quite secure.
 
That is a beautiful knife! Thanks for the great pix, and the review!! It is a bigger than I thought it was. CONGRATS on the beautiful knife!!

 
Very nice! I've had my eye on one of these after picking up a Caswell CK-1 fixed blade. The quality seems very high and I love those orange G-10 scales!
 
I have looked at those several times myself. Nice knives. Joe hit one out of the park with that clip idea too. Nice touch and I hear its really precision. From the looks of the folder everything else is also. I would probably already own one because it reminds me of the same lines as the Ouparator I make and I lilke all folders along those lines personally. I've bought others that way also. The Martin folder and Bill Vinings DPOJ when he still made knives for just two.

I backed out for the liner lock but didn't realize it was so beefy. For some reason I thought it was .050 thickness not the .080 it is. Thats good to know. I like the stainless damascus blades he uses at least as far as looks go. I was wondering about the performance myself on those. I'd still like to see Joe make a frame lock in that one and if and when he does I'll probably order one from him personally at that time. Hint hint Joe> :D I also like the unique texturing he is using on his G10. Makes it really stand out from the crowd with that. I imagine just from the blade magazine article that Joe's shop is more than likely busy as all get out with orders for that one now so my guess is you snagged that one at a good time.

Thanks for the review. I often look at Joe's EDC folder and was glad to see the close up of the lock and recess made to access the clip action. I had not seen those areas close before. Looks like a fine user if I've ever seen one.:thumbup:

One question. Forgive me if you posted it and I missed it. How much does it weigh? Any idea? Also, the overall stats. OAL, blade etc etc. Thanks.

STR
 
hi str,

i didnt post the specs. blade length is 3.25.

for the rest ill have to get back to you. i dont recall seeing the weight on joe's sight, either.
(ho

i would also love to see an all ti framelock! (hint, hint) perhaps with some texturing or graphics ala the sebenza.

i would also not be surprised to see joe's knife making career really take off this year and next, and to see the in line clip starting to influence other makers (and im sure joe will get due credit/royalties).
 
Nice score Morimotom. Only thing I don't like is the orange scales. But he makes them in other colours also, so not a problem.

Kind regards,

Jos
 
I have one of these as well (G10 bolsters and scales), it's a great knife. Weight on mine is about 4.5 oz.
 
I need to make a correction. I said Blade magazine earlier. It was Tactical knives Sept. 08 issue the EDC was written up in for a nice intro to it.. Not Blade. My bad.

STR
 
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