- Joined
- May 13, 2015
- Messages
- 841
Hi there! So, I got myself this new pocket buddy 
. Frankly, I was eyeing the T.R.E. since some times. It just falls within the type of folders Im attracted to and which I really pocket and use on a regular base as EDC. Perfect size for me (I know for many guys definitely on the small side 
), function-oriented design, appealing shapes, modern materials, good workmanship, solid construction and, in this case, also very light weight. At the time of its launch, I had other priorities for my gear small budget so I let the hype around that calm down a bit (it won a Blade Show edition, after all ) and managed to get a good price for a new one. This knife is with me since almost a couple of months now and gained a place in my rotation. I have used this quite much lately as EDC blade (it always happens to me with my newest acquisitions) and I just want to share some personal thoughts, impressions and few pics, as a week-end hiker and knives hobbyist, not expert at all (bear with me) .
I opted for the simple fixed flipper version (not the interchangeable flipper, thumb stud or nothing model). Already on papers, so to say, I was a bit sceptical about that version; too many options which I probably would have never used and a bit too pricey for my budget. I also thought it to be a bit gimmicky for my real use and didnt like so much that very pronounced swedge on the blade spine. Im a simple man, so I went for a simple flipper, even if, in this configuration, theres nothing to exchange rapidly
. Actually, believe it or not, this is my very first flipper! I am not really a flipping knife type of guy (and, unfortunately, round here still this is associated with street-thugs types and petty crimes perpetrators preferred EDC), but I wanted to try to own and use one, after reading many enthusiastic comments.
So I picked up this one, with the green G10 scale and a black G10 spacer (available colours for G10 scales, at the time of my purchase, just after Xmas time, were also black, orange and pink, the back spacer is always black, for what I understood). The green is, in reality, a green/grey shade, which I like. My first impression has been this knife is very neat, polished and gentlemanly. The handle, in the very beginning, gave me the impression of being a bit thin and squared, but, once adapted my grip on it, I find it comfortable, with a full four-fingers purchase. To be fair, I consider and use this as a pure EDC, so I havent really processed wood for hours, nor I handled it for very prolonged tasks. Nevertheless, I dont really report any hot-spot or discomfort from my use. During these two months (+/-), it has been mainly: flip it open, cut stuff around (different materials, from cardboards to polymerics, different food and various type of cordages, whittled some shavings off a few sticks, etc.), close it and put it away in my pocket. Its easy to get a good grip on the T.R.E., the pronounced milling and grooving on the Ti scale and the rough texture and 3D machining of G10 provide a lot of traction for EDC tasks, even when wet, bare hands :thumbup:.
Fit and finish its very good, in my opinion. Of course this little knife speaks "industrial product", but in the good way! I can appreciate the flawless CNC machining rather than the manual work of the craftsman, so to say. Anyway, in its coldness, its superb. Its a tool speaking volumes about advanced engineering solutions and mass production machinery automation. I like it a lot! I can compare this sensation to the one I have towards my Mcustas, or Chris Reeve folders (which I dont own but only handled few times). Someone called this the flipping Sebenza and thats not wrong (even if Id rather say the flipping Inkosi
)!
This knife also, for me, behaves great in the pocket. Actually, I find it to be definitely light-weight and I had to pat myself a bit more than usual (like it has been for the Southern grind Spider Monkey and Mcustas). Its a discreet presence I become aware when I need it, but disappears in the pocket if I am not paying attention to it. To me, the pocket clips is very nice aesthetically but just a tad on the fragile side. I normally would prefer a more robust clip. In the beginning, I had the sensation that it could bend, deform or even break with my daily, multiple careless clipping/unclipping of the knife on blue jeans or cargo pants, so I was more careful. But it didnt happen. The clip clamped and still clamps properly, with no issues and no deformation at all. One good thing is I found the clip really unobtrusive during use. Honestly, I have to say that, due to this extra care I had to have in clipping/unclipping the knife and due to its weight and size, most of the time, it ends up sitting loose in the bottom of my pocket, unclipped . It doesnt disturb at all!
The knife came literally shaving sharp from the factory :thumbup:. About the steel I cant say too much yet, from a personal experience point of view and Im not an expert to venture in a real steel proprieties review (there are many in the web anyway!). Its the first and only knife I have with M390. I havent yet sharpened it properly simply because its still sharp! So, empirically, I consider edge retention good! I have touched up the blade with my now (in)famous IKEA ceramic sharpener only once, after some heavy cardboards cutting day at work. The experts claim M390 to be relatively easy to sharpen despite being hard and very corrosion resistant. I will maybe come back on this in few months. I also have a new Lansky sharpening system now, I will put it through! The blade shape got me, its my type, so to say! A clean, classic drop point, perfectly designed and executed. If it was a woman, in my mind, she would be a small stature, lean, elegant, preppy-style blonde with classy highlights . The flat grind is very well executed. Also here this knife got me, what shall I ask more? A simple, utilitarian, classic full flat grind, which makes this tool an excellent cutter in a beautiful (for my taste) shape. Exactly what I need (well not really
I cant say Im short of folders, but you know how it goes ).
What about the flipper, my first one? Well let me say its fun! For the rest
to be very honest, I am not 100% satisfied. I dont have any comparison really, as said, but I can maybe say this: it isnt so snappy and crisp as I was expecting, if compared to what I see among flippers
on YT videos . I need to use a certain amount of force to flip it open and lock the blade in place. Sometimes, I need to add a slight wrist flick to lock the blade in place in one shot. Maybe its just me being still a bit clumsy with my first flipper and need to practice! Or maybe it has a rather long break-in period; still my fault, I dont flip knives open the all day long. Or maybe I just had too high expectations, cmon its not an auto! Lately I have improved my deployment technique, but still
Anyway, I think the appreciation of this feature really depends on personal preferences. Some guys appreciate a super smooth and snappy action with maybe just that little weaker detent, others prefer a bit stiffer flipper with a stronger detent. I dont know, I have just this one for now and, besides this minor remark, I am overall OK with this feature. IKBS seems to work for what it is intended. The blade deploys securely, the frame-lock is rock solid, I find it easy to engage and disengage and there is absolutely no blade play and no lock stickiness whatsoever (didnt expect any major, given the steel against steel solution) :thumbup:.
Overall, after this period of use, I consider this a great EDC knife for my tasks; the T.R.E. turned out to be a great asset in my pocket. Also, it comes from my country, which is a plus for me. Its simple, elegant, compact, somehow stylish (as Italians can be) and cuts like a laser beam. Really, whats not to like? One whish of mine, maybe for a future re-styled edition could be to add a moderate jimping on the blade spine, where my thumb would rest for detailed work. It can be very helpful for wood carving types of work, today I find the blade spine very slippery.
About its impact on the public, given its gentleman size, shape and details (like the artistic milling and grooving on Ti scale and the refined pocket-clip) my experience in using it has been fairly painless. I got no nasty glares, no sharp remarks except the usual ah, you have a knife thing, in urban/working environments. The flipping action, as said, still causes some eyebrows to raise but, I would say, its decently accepted. The green/grey scale Ive chosen is somehow more tactical (what a bad word ), compared to e.g. the pink one, thats true, but I have a purple Mcusta already and, with that, I consider I have challenged enough my maleness . Orange can also be a good choice anyway, if this is the issue!
Specifications
Total length: 175 mm. - 6.89 in.
Blade length: 74 mm. - 2.91 in.
Blade thickness: 3.5 mm. - 0.14 in.
Weight: 74 gr. - 2.61 oz.
Handle: G-10 green/Ti
Blade steel: M390 (Stone Washed)
Some pics
. Frankly, I was eyeing the T.R.E. since some times. It just falls within the type of folders Im attracted to and which I really pocket and use on a regular base as EDC. Perfect size for me (I know for many guys definitely on the small side ), function-oriented design, appealing shapes, modern materials, good workmanship, solid construction and, in this case, also very light weight. At the time of its launch, I had other priorities for my gear small budget so I let the hype around that calm down a bit (it won a Blade Show edition, after all ) and managed to get a good price for a new one. This knife is with me since almost a couple of months now and gained a place in my rotation. I have used this quite much lately as EDC blade (it always happens to me with my newest acquisitions) and I just want to share some personal thoughts, impressions and few pics, as a week-end hiker and knives hobbyist, not expert at all (bear with me) . I opted for the simple fixed flipper version (not the interchangeable flipper, thumb stud or nothing model). Already on papers, so to say, I was a bit sceptical about that version; too many options which I probably would have never used and a bit too pricey for my budget. I also thought it to be a bit gimmicky for my real use and didnt like so much that very pronounced swedge on the blade spine. Im a simple man, so I went for a simple flipper, even if, in this configuration, theres nothing to exchange rapidly
. Actually, believe it or not, this is my very first flipper! I am not really a flipping knife type of guy (and, unfortunately, round here still this is associated with street-thugs types and petty crimes perpetrators preferred EDC), but I wanted to try to own and use one, after reading many enthusiastic comments. So I picked up this one, with the green G10 scale and a black G10 spacer (available colours for G10 scales, at the time of my purchase, just after Xmas time, were also black, orange and pink, the back spacer is always black, for what I understood). The green is, in reality, a green/grey shade, which I like. My first impression has been this knife is very neat, polished and gentlemanly. The handle, in the very beginning, gave me the impression of being a bit thin and squared, but, once adapted my grip on it, I find it comfortable, with a full four-fingers purchase. To be fair, I consider and use this as a pure EDC, so I havent really processed wood for hours
, nor I handled it for very prolonged tasks. Nevertheless, I dont really report any hot-spot or discomfort from my use. During these two months (+/-), it has been mainly: flip it open, cut stuff around (different materials, from cardboards to polymerics, different food and various type of cordages, whittled some shavings off a few sticks, etc.), close it and put it away in my pocket. Its easy to get a good grip on the T.R.E., the pronounced milling and grooving on the Ti scale and the rough texture and 3D machining of G10 provide a lot of traction for EDC tasks, even when wet, bare hands :thumbup:. Fit and finish its very good, in my opinion. Of course this little knife speaks "industrial product", but in the good way! I can appreciate the flawless CNC machining rather than the manual work of the craftsman, so to say. Anyway, in its coldness, its superb. Its a tool speaking volumes about advanced engineering solutions and mass production machinery automation. I like it a lot! I can compare this sensation to the one I have towards my Mcustas, or Chris Reeve folders (which I dont own but only handled few times). Someone called this the flipping Sebenza and thats not wrong (even if Id rather say the flipping Inkosi
)!This knife also, for me, behaves great in the pocket. Actually, I find it to be definitely light-weight and I had to pat myself a bit more than usual
(like it has been for the Southern grind Spider Monkey and Mcustas). Its a discreet presence I become aware when I need it, but disappears in the pocket if I am not paying attention to it. To me, the pocket clips is very nice aesthetically but just a tad on the fragile side. I normally would prefer a more robust clip. In the beginning, I had the sensation that it could bend, deform or even break with my daily, multiple careless clipping/unclipping of the knife on blue jeans or cargo pants, so I was more careful. But it didnt happen. The clip clamped and still clamps properly, with no issues and no deformation at all. One good thing is I found the clip really unobtrusive during use. Honestly, I have to say that, due to this extra care I had to have in clipping/unclipping the knife and due to its weight and size, most of the time, it ends up sitting loose in the bottom of my pocket, unclipped . It doesnt disturb at all!The knife came literally shaving sharp from the factory :thumbup:. About the steel I cant say too much yet, from a personal experience point of view and Im not an expert to venture in a real steel proprieties review (there are many in the web anyway!). Its the first and only knife I have with M390. I havent yet sharpened it properly simply because its still sharp!
So, empirically, I consider edge retention good! I have touched up the blade with my now (in)famous IKEA ceramic sharpener only once, after some heavy cardboards cutting day at work. The experts claim M390 to be relatively easy to sharpen despite being hard and very corrosion resistant. I will maybe come back on this in few months. I also have a new Lansky sharpening system now, I will put it through! The blade shape got me, its my type, so to say! A clean, classic drop point, perfectly designed and executed. If it was a woman, in my mind, she would be a small stature, lean, elegant, preppy-style blonde with classy highlights . The flat grind is very well executed. Also here this knife got me, what shall I ask more? A simple, utilitarian, classic full flat grind, which makes this tool an excellent cutter in a beautiful (for my taste) shape. Exactly what I need (well not really
I cant say Im short of folders, but you know how it goes ).What about the flipper, my first one? Well let me say its fun!
For the rest
to be very honest, I am not 100% satisfied. I dont have any comparison really, as said, but I can maybe say this: it isnt so snappy and crisp as I was expecting, if compared to what I see among flippers
on YT videos . I need to use a certain amount of force to flip it open and lock the blade in place. Sometimes, I need to add a slight wrist flick to lock the blade in place in one shot. Maybe its just me being still a bit clumsy with my first flipper and need to practice! Or maybe it has a rather long break-in period; still my fault, I dont flip knives open the all day long. Or maybe I just had too high expectations, cmon its not an auto! Lately I have improved my deployment technique, but still
Anyway, I think the appreciation of this feature really depends on personal preferences. Some guys appreciate a super smooth and snappy action with maybe just that little weaker detent, others prefer a bit stiffer flipper with a stronger detent. I dont know, I have just this one for now and, besides this minor remark, I am overall OK with this feature. IKBS seems to work for what it is intended. The blade deploys securely, the frame-lock is rock solid, I find it easy to engage and disengage and there is absolutely no blade play and no lock stickiness whatsoever (didnt expect any major, given the steel against steel solution) :thumbup:. Overall, after this period of use, I consider this a great EDC knife for my tasks; the T.R.E. turned out to be a great asset in my pocket. Also, it comes from my country, which is a plus for me.
Its simple, elegant, compact, somehow stylish (as Italians can be) and cuts like a laser beam. Really, whats not to like? One whish of mine, maybe for a future re-styled edition could be to add a moderate jimping on the blade spine, where my thumb would rest for detailed work. It can be very helpful for wood carving types of work, today I find the blade spine very slippery.About its impact on the public, given its gentleman size, shape and details (like the artistic milling and grooving on Ti scale and the refined pocket-clip) my experience in using it has been fairly painless. I got no nasty glares, no sharp remarks except the usual ah, you have a knife thing, in urban/working environments. The flipping action, as said, still causes some eyebrows to raise
but, I would say, its decently accepted. The green/grey scale Ive chosen is somehow more tactical (what a bad word ), compared to e.g. the pink one, thats true, but I have a purple Mcusta already and, with that, I consider I have challenged enough my maleness . Orange can also be a good choice anyway, if this is the issue! Specifications
Total length: 175 mm. - 6.89 in.
Blade length: 74 mm. - 2.91 in.
Blade thickness: 3.5 mm. - 0.14 in.
Weight: 74 gr. - 2.61 oz.
Handle: G-10 green/Ti
Blade steel: M390 (Stone Washed)
Some pics
) when they get to know I carry a knife, even a pocket one. Why you need a knife?, I hear very often. Of course there are many others tools which can perform the tasks, even better sometimes 
