Handle
The handleshape is a simpel one but well functioning. It measures around 4.5" in length with sides made out of black G10 mountad on a stainless steel frame. *At the back you find a simple backspacer also made out of G10. Nothing extraordinary so far. But there are some details that make it stand out a bit. There is only two screws including the pivot holding the construction together for instance.
This version features scales in G10
E771 is a closed construction with a backspacer made out of G10
The screws are a special but nice chapter. The sturdy oversized heads give extra strength to the construction while being decorative. They look proprietary but are however equipped with hidden standard allen key heads for easy maintenance. I haven't dissambled the knife so I can't speak for the quality of the hardware.*
The frame is the most drilled piece of steel I encountered for a knife handle. In fact so much that the expression "frame" on a knife has seldom seen more apropriate. In this case it makes for a knive that feels very light considering size and materials used. I mean it isn't exactly titanium we are talking about.
The steel liners are heavily milled out
The sides is made of a rather slick G10 wich incidentally is something I appreciate and my jeans even more so. They are not pocketshredders. But I think they will become rather slippery as they wear. Something you should be aware of and take into consideration. The frame is standing proud of the sides which makes for a more rounded feeling in hand. It also makes the handle look a bit more processed and therefore *a tad bit more luxurious.
Every detail on the handle is well rounded and polished and that goes for the inside of the lockbar and frame as well. Another detail that elevates the overall impression is the recess in the frame that makes for a soft landing for the fingertips when using the flippertab. Not often seen on a knife in this price range.
A cutout makes for a nice landing for your fingertip
The handleshape is obviously inspired by Shirogorov even though it's certainly not a blatant copy. This heritage is a good thing since it makes for excellent ergonomics. The knife handles beautifully and works in every grip. A proper hammergrip works as well as saber, fillipino, pinch, icepick and reverse grips. The flow between grips is also good which makes the knife easier to work with and a good balance contributes to make the knife feel lively in hand.
There is some well executed "jimpings" on the thumbramp. They give some bite without shredding your skin. Other than that the handle lacks grip improving details. Something that I appreciate since I'm not a fan of elaborate traction plans. I prefer if it is the handle shape itself that provides grip.
I might add that there is no dedicated laynyard hole. If one feels very optimistic there is a possibility to put a lanyard through the hollow screw at the back of the handle. But it has to be thin, so all you loyal 550-fans beware.
Deployment and Lockup
The flipper of this knife is rather small and unobtrusive. To speed up the Eagle the blade is running on bearings. The feeling is a soft one but not entirely without friction. It isn't as smooth as say my Kizers but the good thing is that it tend to save your fingertips. It doesn't transform into a guillotine when the lockbar is released. Despite the bearings this is not the fastest flipper I encountered. Mainly due to two things. One is the rather large blade and the mass that brings. And the other is detent related.
A unobtrusive flipper that works fine but could need some traction
The detent on this knife is rather weak for being a flipper. You can shake the blade out in open position with a wristflick if you want to. So far I haven't noticed any unintentional openings. But the detent could definitely be a little stronger.
The knife makes a very special and most satisfying sound when opened. Since the frame is heavily drilled out and the sides are rather thin the handle acts a bit like an integral knife and forms a sound box. It enhances the sound from the lockbar and makes for a large "klack" with a faint echo effect when opening.
The lockup is a bit late but solid
In the deployed position the blade is held firmly by a rather thick linerlock. The lock is well made and there is no vertical or horisontal play detectable even when provoked rather harsh.
The lockbar is not very stiff and it's therefore pleasantly nice to close the knife. Maybe a bit too easy even. If I were to suggest improvements a bit sturdier feeling in the lockbar would be one. I'm considering to take the knife apart and fix that part myself.
The steel framelock means that there is no need for an insert and that the life expectancy should be good.
to be continued...
/ J
The handleshape is a simpel one but well functioning. It measures around 4.5" in length with sides made out of black G10 mountad on a stainless steel frame. *At the back you find a simple backspacer also made out of G10. Nothing extraordinary so far. But there are some details that make it stand out a bit. There is only two screws including the pivot holding the construction together for instance.
This version features scales in G10
E771 is a closed construction with a backspacer made out of G10
The screws are a special but nice chapter. The sturdy oversized heads give extra strength to the construction while being decorative. They look proprietary but are however equipped with hidden standard allen key heads for easy maintenance. I haven't dissambled the knife so I can't speak for the quality of the hardware.*
The frame is the most drilled piece of steel I encountered for a knife handle. In fact so much that the expression "frame" on a knife has seldom seen more apropriate. In this case it makes for a knive that feels very light considering size and materials used. I mean it isn't exactly titanium we are talking about.
The steel liners are heavily milled out
The sides is made of a rather slick G10 wich incidentally is something I appreciate and my jeans even more so. They are not pocketshredders. But I think they will become rather slippery as they wear. Something you should be aware of and take into consideration. The frame is standing proud of the sides which makes for a more rounded feeling in hand. It also makes the handle look a bit more processed and therefore *a tad bit more luxurious.
Every detail on the handle is well rounded and polished and that goes for the inside of the lockbar and frame as well. Another detail that elevates the overall impression is the recess in the frame that makes for a soft landing for the fingertips when using the flippertab. Not often seen on a knife in this price range.
A cutout makes for a nice landing for your fingertip
The handleshape is obviously inspired by Shirogorov even though it's certainly not a blatant copy. This heritage is a good thing since it makes for excellent ergonomics. The knife handles beautifully and works in every grip. A proper hammergrip works as well as saber, fillipino, pinch, icepick and reverse grips. The flow between grips is also good which makes the knife easier to work with and a good balance contributes to make the knife feel lively in hand.
There is some well executed "jimpings" on the thumbramp. They give some bite without shredding your skin. Other than that the handle lacks grip improving details. Something that I appreciate since I'm not a fan of elaborate traction plans. I prefer if it is the handle shape itself that provides grip.
I might add that there is no dedicated laynyard hole. If one feels very optimistic there is a possibility to put a lanyard through the hollow screw at the back of the handle. But it has to be thin, so all you loyal 550-fans beware.
Deployment and Lockup
The flipper of this knife is rather small and unobtrusive. To speed up the Eagle the blade is running on bearings. The feeling is a soft one but not entirely without friction. It isn't as smooth as say my Kizers but the good thing is that it tend to save your fingertips. It doesn't transform into a guillotine when the lockbar is released. Despite the bearings this is not the fastest flipper I encountered. Mainly due to two things. One is the rather large blade and the mass that brings. And the other is detent related.
A unobtrusive flipper that works fine but could need some traction
The detent on this knife is rather weak for being a flipper. You can shake the blade out in open position with a wristflick if you want to. So far I haven't noticed any unintentional openings. But the detent could definitely be a little stronger.
The knife makes a very special and most satisfying sound when opened. Since the frame is heavily drilled out and the sides are rather thin the handle acts a bit like an integral knife and forms a sound box. It enhances the sound from the lockbar and makes for a large "klack" with a faint echo effect when opening.
The lockup is a bit late but solid
In the deployed position the blade is held firmly by a rather thick linerlock. The lock is well made and there is no vertical or horisontal play detectable even when provoked rather harsh.
The lockbar is not very stiff and it's therefore pleasantly nice to close the knife. Maybe a bit too easy even. If I were to suggest improvements a bit sturdier feeling in the lockbar would be one. I'm considering to take the knife apart and fix that part myself.
The steel framelock means that there is no need for an insert and that the life expectancy should be good.
to be continued...
/ J