The Full Review
3 5/8" Eureka Jack in African Blackwood; stainless hardware; CPM 154 blade steel; spear shield.
The dimensions of this knife are excellent. It is narrow like a #15 boys knife where the bolsters are, but the swell at the butt gives nice purchase in hand. The humpback makes for a comfortable grip in the reverse position. This knife feels great in any position! The weight is surprisingly light. I don't have the exact numbers, but it feels as light as a single blade GEC Boys knife in all steel.
The fit and finish are outstanding. I cannot find any flaws in the transitions, and the shield fit is perfect. The blade is well centered and there are only the tiniest of gaps in between the back spring and liners--we're talking barely any light coming through when held up to the light. The lines on the bolster are very well done--they are equally spaced, straight, and even terminate on the sides in almost perfect alignment. Pins are perfectly flush. The swedge is killer and the position of the nail nick makes for both a pleasing appearance and an easier pull. The hollow grind is flawless--no noticeable variations in the grind at all from the plunge to the tip. The edge was very sharp from the maker and the secondary bevel grind is very clean from choil to tip. The only flaws I can find are blade rap (so I don't snap it shut) and the tiniest of side to side play in the blade when opened. The liners are mill relieved, so perhaps that plays a roll in the play, you cannot see any movement, but just the slightest feel when holding at the blade tip and trying to move the blade.
The action is superb. The opening pull is a smooth 5 to half stop and maybe a 5.5 from half stop to open. The snap is crisp but doesn't quite have that recoil bounce you get with some GECs that are really dialed in. Closing snap is just as good, though I don't let it snap shut after the half stop due to the blade rap.
Overall this is a wonderful knife at a very good price point from my limited experience (I've only owned La Combre, K'roo, and Roland Lannier customs). Please ask any questions if I left out details you'd be interested to know about.
