Lone Wolf Harsey T1 first impression

[gustavosal]

This is a really nice looking knife. I bought it largely out of curiosity, and because it's a relatively cheap S30V blade, even though it is a liner lock and has a clip set for tip-down carry, neither of which is a feature I like all that much.

Factory edge on the knife is shaving sharp. The blade is about 3 3/16" long, and the cutting edge is just under 3".

The G-10 handle feels nice. The handle is a little shorter than a Spyderco Delica and a quarter inch longer than a mini-grip at 4 inches. That 1/4" makes a difference; the LW feels better than the BM 555. The handle on the Lone Wolf is half an inch thick. In general, this is a comfortable knife that sits well in the hand.

The action is a bit stiff and clunky. A lot stiff compared to the Axis locks, and not as nice out of the box as my Spyderco Endura or Delica. The pivot bolt uses a larger torx driver than I've got, but I don't know that I'd want to loosen it up, since there's a little bit of play in the blade as it is. I'll see if the action improves over time. As far as the play in the blade, it isn't major, but I would say that it is not up to the standards of US made Benchmades.

The liner lock is very positive, and seems to stiffen the side to side play in the blade, but that could be an optical delusion on my part. In any case, this is a nice fitting and easy to work liner lock.

I'd say the fit and finish on the Lone Wolf is at about the same level as my Spydercos (Seki) or maybe the US-made CRKT Wild Weasel, if that comparion helps and if you don't count the totally crap assisted-until-it-breaks opener on the CRKT. The Lone Wolf T1 (at least this one) is not up to the quality of Benchmades.

Top marks for the edge, and it's a blade shape and grind I find really useful. I like the feel of the G-10, and the handle ergos are good. Jury is out on the action and the overall reliability of the knife until it sees some use. For a production S30V blade in this size, I think a RitterGrip, a Mini-Manix, or a Mini-Skirmish might be better bets, but I'm still happy to have this.

Thanks for reading.

Gus

 

[jaislandboy]

good review gus!....I've got a C.F. T1.....small cracks were present on each carbon fiber scale...at the sites of pins/screws.....that aside, my T-1 is a great EDC user blade....mine with nil bladeplay....all in all a decent knife but truth is for the money i'd rather buy two Spyderco Delica4's instead...

 

[rprocter]

i have a CF T1 as well. the liner lock barely moved over so i sent it back and it looks like they took it apart (torx heads slightly rounded) and replaced the liner lock. my handles are shiny with a checkerboard pattern a bit like a hologram. i thought carbon fiber would be dull ? mine is combo edge. i think plain would give more usable blade for majority of chores.
rolando

 

[gustavosal]

This knife has grown on me. The action is improving with use and a bit of lube, and it overall feels really good. I still prefer tip-up carry, but this carries like a much smaller knife, which is nice. It takes and holds its edge well (I've got it at 30 degree inclusive with a 40 degree micro-bevel). I think this is a very good offering in a reasonably-priced S30V blade, although it does sound like quality varies more than it should in individual examples. I'd certainly consider the T2.

Gus

 

[JSR]

I recently picked up a CF T1 and love it. I was looking for a 4" folder with a very good blade to handle ratio, nice scales, and appealing aesthetically to me. The BMs I liked are all >$100 and most Spydercos are wider than I prefer (due to the hole-open) and have too short a blade and cutting edge for the length of the knife (have a few spydies already). The T1 seemed to fit the bill with good materials, attractive, and lower cost than the BMs. I was originally going to get the G10, but when I saw good pictures of the CF scales, I fell in love w/ the CF. The CF clearcoat (not the CF itself) does have some cracks around the drill holes and screws, but nothing drastic. Mine was also quite stiff when I first got it. I didn't notice any blade play though. I lubed it with some teflon lubricant and adjusted the pivot a bit. It smoothed out a lot immediately. Blade play is still minimal (you really have to stare at it and move the play quite hard to notice any play). After a day of the lube setting in, it's smoother smooth now! Liner lock (which is quite thick) engages completely and is rock solid. The blade is a bit off center, but that doesn't really bother me. I still have the factory edge, which looks to be quite a wide angle, but damn does it cut! I barely put any pressure on it opening a package and it sliced through the hole package and cut my couch cushion! So far, I'm loving the T1. The combination of the nice scales, very long blade for it's size, solid lockup, great blade steel, and price really make it a total package for me. I could've gotten a Calypso Jr ZDP-189 for a bit less, but then it'd be wider in my pocket, have a much shorter blade, and the plasticy handle that I don't really like of my other spydies (no problem for use, just feels cheap).

 

[gustavosal]

Yeah, the longer I have this the more I like it. I finally got a big torx driver for the pivot (T15--I guess LW just has to be different) and adjusted the knife. Not only is the blade play gone when locked, the liner is just left of center on the tang now, with plenty of room for the future. This is definitely a winner (but I'd still rather have a lock back).