- Joined
- Sep 1, 2011
- Messages
- 52
Picked this knife up around fall 2011. I was attracted to the traditional Chinese leaf design and wanted to test out the mystery steel Hanwei/Rock Creek are using
Specs
Overall: 7 1/8"
Blade Length: 3"
Handle Length: 4 1/8"
Weight: 3.52 oz
Blade Steel: HWS-2K
Blade Thickness: 3mm
Handle Material: Stabilized leather
price around $45 and up
Some may not favor the wide blade design but I'm a fan. Rock Creek also offers a clip point drop point and this leaf shape with either rosewood or leather handles. The wood handled clip and drop point have nailnicks instead of thumbstuds and nailnick is also offered with leather handles too. Full lineup for view here http://www.casiberia.com/prod_List.aspx?cat=6200
Overall i like this knife but there are some design and fit and finish issues.
My biggest gripe would be sharp edges. The blade back sticks out when closed. The spine is also very flat all the way to the tip. This whole area of the front of the knife when closed has many squared areas. A covered and more rounded area like the spyderco lum design would be much better. In hand it isn't much of an issue since your grip follows the curve.
My next gripe as seen above is the finish of the leather against the frame. In some areas it looks perfect and well molded so I believe they have the capacity to make it better but at least on my knife there are a lot of rough dry looking parts. The leather has consistent checkering pattern and there are no issue with the screw holes keeping them in place.
In hand the handle nicely fits my palm. The checkering offers OK traction. The bail hasn't caused any discomfort no matter its position. I've used the knife to do many chores from food prep to whittling and can't complain. Again i like the design and when open it looks nice and doesn't suffer from those square edges. Only 1 thumbstub not sure why lockbacks should always be more ambidextrous but you can easily do a spyder drop with the wide blade
Onto the steel their description: Hanweis HWS-2K steel, which has excellent anti-corrosion and edge-holding capabilities. Blade hardness is 58HRc.
Given China's copy and counterfeit market Hanwei uses this steel in a number of their knives and swords. What can i say about it? Well a magnet will stick to it
i have yet to sharpen it but it seems to perform similar to any aus8 or 440c blade i have. Haven't chipped or dented and while it currently isn't shaving sharp it isn't butterknife dull yet. That flat ground and belly lend its self to alot of cutting task that i think other knives would have trouble with after losing their edge.
more pics
Specs
Overall: 7 1/8"
Blade Length: 3"
Handle Length: 4 1/8"
Weight: 3.52 oz
Blade Steel: HWS-2K
Blade Thickness: 3mm
Handle Material: Stabilized leather
price around $45 and up
Some may not favor the wide blade design but I'm a fan. Rock Creek also offers a clip point drop point and this leaf shape with either rosewood or leather handles. The wood handled clip and drop point have nailnicks instead of thumbstuds and nailnick is also offered with leather handles too. Full lineup for view here http://www.casiberia.com/prod_List.aspx?cat=6200
Overall i like this knife but there are some design and fit and finish issues.
My biggest gripe would be sharp edges. The blade back sticks out when closed. The spine is also very flat all the way to the tip. This whole area of the front of the knife when closed has many squared areas. A covered and more rounded area like the spyderco lum design would be much better. In hand it isn't much of an issue since your grip follows the curve.
My next gripe as seen above is the finish of the leather against the frame. In some areas it looks perfect and well molded so I believe they have the capacity to make it better but at least on my knife there are a lot of rough dry looking parts. The leather has consistent checkering pattern and there are no issue with the screw holes keeping them in place.
In hand the handle nicely fits my palm. The checkering offers OK traction. The bail hasn't caused any discomfort no matter its position. I've used the knife to do many chores from food prep to whittling and can't complain. Again i like the design and when open it looks nice and doesn't suffer from those square edges. Only 1 thumbstub not sure why lockbacks should always be more ambidextrous but you can easily do a spyder drop with the wide blade
Onto the steel their description: Hanweis HWS-2K steel, which has excellent anti-corrosion and edge-holding capabilities. Blade hardness is 58HRc.
Given China's copy and counterfeit market Hanwei uses this steel in a number of their knives and swords. What can i say about it? Well a magnet will stick to it
i have yet to sharpen it but it seems to perform similar to any aus8 or 440c blade i have. Haven't chipped or dented and while it currently isn't shaving sharp it isn't butterknife dull yet. That flat ground and belly lend its self to alot of cutting task that i think other knives would have trouble with after losing their edge.more pics