- Joined
- Mar 13, 2005
- Messages
- 2,026
Overall Length: 8 5/8" Blade Length: 3 3/8" (edge 3.15 inches) Closed Length: 4 7/8"
Blade Shape: Modified reverse Tanto blade, straight edge Blade thickness: ~3/16 inches
Blade Stamp: KA-BAR/FIN Steel: 8cr13 SS Grind: Flat
Lock: Lockback Handle: Black G10 Made in China Weight: 6.2 oz
Price: ~USD $22-$28 before shipping.
More of construction or fit/finish review than a using review. Haven't used it too much.
First Impressions:
Blade to handle length ratio is okay, about average for lockbacks in my experience (~ 1.5 inches difference). Fairly handle heavy - balances right between my index and middle finger. The "tacticool" looks kind of work for the knife, kind of a combination tactical future tech look. The blade shape is basically like an elongated kiridashi IMO. While both edges look straight, the edge near the tip does curve slightly upwards.
Fit and Finish
Tried disassembling and cleaning. Various dirt and rust marks on underside of bolsters and liners. Two of the MANY screws (see photo below) were stripped beyond use, others were mildly damaged. Blade was off-centered, but the tolerances seem fairly low (good? bad?). Seems quite complicated to put together - the miniscule differences in screw length affect action and how well fitted it is. The backspring is housed in the metal spacer on the back and was somewhat difficult to put back in place.
Performance
Did food prep (sandwiches from sliced whole roast chicken), the balance and angle of the front edge works fairly well. Seems to get dirty easily and in the many crevices and spaces in the design.
Broke down two flatscreen-sized cardboard boxes into strips about 1.5 inches wide and 8 inches long. Factory edge was VERY dull (and gummed up) and was ripping midway through the second box.
Steel
Sharpened it on my DMT double-sided (400/800 grit) small diamond-coated plate. Steel felt far softer than the 8Cr13 steel I've used in the Spyderco Tenacious and a bit softer some of the new China-made Kershaw's I've used. Lost a LOT of steel even on the higher grit ceramics (~1200 grit). Edge was fairly even apparently, but after sharpening noticed the actual secondary bevel is slightly wavy.
Pros:
+ Feels heavy-duty - blade, handle feel quite overbuilt and thick.
+ Edge angle and steel is fairly easy to sharpen
? Looks cool
Cons:
- Blade is off-centered and rubbing against the liner.
- The "corner" where edges meet will get rounded over time as you sharpen.
- Steel seems to have been heat-treated fairly soft.
- Complicated construction.
OVERALL
Consider other high-value folders UNLESS you're looking for a heavy-duty lockback. It's not necessarily NOT worth the money and much of the issues are fixable with some elbow-grease, but there are better choices out there for an EDC.
Blade Shape: Modified reverse Tanto blade, straight edge Blade thickness: ~3/16 inches
Blade Stamp: KA-BAR/FIN Steel: 8cr13 SS Grind: Flat
Lock: Lockback Handle: Black G10 Made in China Weight: 6.2 oz
Price: ~USD $22-$28 before shipping.
More of construction or fit/finish review than a using review. Haven't used it too much.
First Impressions:
Blade to handle length ratio is okay, about average for lockbacks in my experience (~ 1.5 inches difference). Fairly handle heavy - balances right between my index and middle finger. The "tacticool" looks kind of work for the knife, kind of a combination tactical future tech look. The blade shape is basically like an elongated kiridashi IMO. While both edges look straight, the edge near the tip does curve slightly upwards.
Fit and Finish
Tried disassembling and cleaning. Various dirt and rust marks on underside of bolsters and liners. Two of the MANY screws (see photo below) were stripped beyond use, others were mildly damaged. Blade was off-centered, but the tolerances seem fairly low (good? bad?). Seems quite complicated to put together - the miniscule differences in screw length affect action and how well fitted it is. The backspring is housed in the metal spacer on the back and was somewhat difficult to put back in place.
Performance
Did food prep (sandwiches from sliced whole roast chicken), the balance and angle of the front edge works fairly well. Seems to get dirty easily and in the many crevices and spaces in the design.
Broke down two flatscreen-sized cardboard boxes into strips about 1.5 inches wide and 8 inches long. Factory edge was VERY dull (and gummed up) and was ripping midway through the second box.
Steel
Sharpened it on my DMT double-sided (400/800 grit) small diamond-coated plate. Steel felt far softer than the 8Cr13 steel I've used in the Spyderco Tenacious and a bit softer some of the new China-made Kershaw's I've used. Lost a LOT of steel even on the higher grit ceramics (~1200 grit). Edge was fairly even apparently, but after sharpening noticed the actual secondary bevel is slightly wavy.
Pros:
+ Feels heavy-duty - blade, handle feel quite overbuilt and thick.
+ Edge angle and steel is fairly easy to sharpen
? Looks cool
Cons:
- Blade is off-centered and rubbing against the liner.
- The "corner" where edges meet will get rounded over time as you sharpen.
- Steel seems to have been heat-treated fairly soft.
- Complicated construction.
OVERALL
Consider other high-value folders UNLESS you're looking for a heavy-duty lockback. It's not necessarily NOT worth the money and much of the issues are fixable with some elbow-grease, but there are better choices out there for an EDC.
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