SRM, Bee, Enlan, Navy and knives Fan post

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Got this one in the mail yesterday, an Enlan el-02.
enlanel-02-3.jpg


Great folder to say the least... Came extremely sharp out of the box, cut magazine paper with ease. The jimping is really grippy and the blade handle is very ergonomical. It's the biggest folder I've got at the moment and I immediately realized why, it's made for people with large hands and a little bit too big for me. Although the handle does feel good in my hands, someone with slightly larger hands would be more comfortable holding this one. The blade shape and grind is great. It looks good, it cuts good, what more would I want?
The pocket clip has a very good retention, but not as stiff as the one on my Vantage Pro.

The few cons:

- "Axis" lock is somewhat stiff but it has already loosened up by playing around with it, so give it a few weaks and this "con" will be gone.
- There the tiniest bit of up and down play (no side to side) and I'm still figuring out how to fix this. Would it be better by tightening the pivot? If so, I'd still have to figure out a tool to adjust that crazy pivot screw... Not sure if this is common in axis locks? It's about the same as in some of my lockbacks that I've used so it might not mean much, but it bothers me from a safety standpoint.

All in all I'm very happy with this purchase. I'm thinking of purchasing the el-02B for more heavy duty tasks (I would care less of scratching a stonewashed blade).
 
There're some info on the pivot tools few pages back. Exduct now also sells them (currently out of stock though).

EL02 is nice, but I found so far, Spyderco designed Navy k631 is the most comfortable to hold during use, i.e. when cutting a lot of cardboard.
My experience is based only on EL01 (next after Navy for comfort), Navy k631 and EL02.

The Enlan EL02 I have also has a bit of up & down bladeplay. I think it's inherent to the execution of axis lock. IIRC some people on forum reported that BM axis lock also has a number of them with some plays.
 
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Thanks for the reply! I like the blade very much though. I think the bladeplay might be resolved by inserting a wider metal 'tube' that serves as the blade stop (the thing held in by the torqz screw right above the axis lock". I've seen a similar problem on a Boker that tuffthumbz pimped, it might be the solution here as well.

Have I already said how much I like the el-02? And its looks?:D. Really, that is one good looking knife. It will fit well with my orange cadet that is on order:).
 
I have dismantled the pivot & blade, as I suspected it was due to pivot-blade being lose, because I saw the up down happened at the pivot area. Pivot-liner fit was checked, turned out both are not the case.

The stop pin in theory should not be the culprit, as the axis bar should simply move forwar to take up the slack.

Haven't figured out exactly why :)
 
I like wharnies and under 3-inch folders in general and the Enlan EL-025 is my new favorite cheapy. It's a great pocket-EDC.

In size, it's similar to but just slightly longer than the SRM 710 or the Enlan 738 and M017. It feels just a bit heavier than a Kershaw Skyline.

This liner lock folder feels good in my hand: it has a modified choil, G10 scales, a 2.8 inch blade, and (mercifully) the pivot screw takes an ordinary No. 8 torx tool.

It just feels substantial without being too heavy. Mine arrived sharp out of the box. Steel is the same Chinese variant used on most Enlans.

Nits: No jimping and only a single thumb stud. (All knives should come with dual thumb studs, IMO.)

The clip on the Enlan M025 is advertised as a money clip. It's kinda crummy so I removed it. At this size and weight you really don't need it.

I cleaned and lubed the pivot screw, per instructions here, and opening and closing is smooth, comparable to folders at many times the price (roughly $10 - $15.50 shipped.)

I've only seen this model offered by a couple of Chinese dealers.

I ordered three more to keep in various rooms for minor chores and likely will order more as gifts.

Sorry, no photos -- Google Enlan M025 for one.

I like it a lot for the price. As always, I'd love to see an upscale version with better parts but there's really little to complain of. Nice job, Enlan -- highly recommended for those who like under 3-inch folders.
 
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Chris "Anagarika";10519288 said:
I have dismantled the pivot & blade, as I suspected it was due to pivot-blade being lose, because I saw the up down happened at the pivot area. Pivot-liner fit was checked, turned out both are not the case.

The stop pin in theory should not be the culprit, as the axis bar should simply move forwar to take up the slack.

Haven't figured out exactly why :)
Click to expand...

I came to the same conclusion. The self-adjusting nature of the axis-lock would eliminate the stop pin problem.
 
My current EDC. Each blade profile, size, grind turns out to be unique. Carry them all to learn the differences.
Enlan EL01, Navy k631, Enlan EL02, SRM 763

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The 763 is for thin slices, backed up with larger EL02. Both shaves easily too, I use them to shave my face as well.

Heavier duty will be Navy k631, this one is new, rebeveled to 30 inclusive, not as thin as previous one (sold that one). Backup is EL01, longer edge and thicker spine, it'll stand up to abuse better. Added bathroom tape to the spine so it catches the pocket & acts as wave without changing the blade spine shape at all. It works quite well, with the heavy blade & liner lock ball detent as only retention, the action is almost 100%.

Comfort in use (grip) : 763 and k631 on par. Followed by EL01. EL02 has problem with the sharp hump between index & middle finger. If this is taken down or rounded up, it might be on par with EL01.
 
Chris "Anagarika";10523074 said:
Comfort in use (grip) : 763 and k631 on par. Followed by EL01. EL02 has problem with the sharp hump between index & middle finger. If this is taken down or rounded up, it might be on par with EL01.
Click to expand...

I don't seem to have the problem you describe with the EL-02. For some reason, the up and down play I mentioned earlier has also diminished by opneing/closing the blade. The only problem I have with the blade at the moment is that the axis lock is still too stiff and too sharp. It rips my thumb and index finger open. Not pleasant at all.
 
After further comparing grips, the straight portion of the back of handle is the main reason. All 3 others are curved to certain extend meeting the palm. On the sharp protrution, try stabbing the knife hard. It will 'bite' to the finger resting upon it while stopping the hand sliding forward.
Warning though: if your hand slides forward, you'll be cut badly :eek:

On others, some of the forces are transferred to the palm due to the curve. On EL02, it's purely friction on the grip vs the force, which is transferred mostly to the protrution.
Having said that, grip is really individual, depends on hand size, the way one holds it, etc. So you might not have same issue as I do. ;)

The axis button needs sanding down. Be careful not letting the dust going into the spring chamber, or stick to the bar. It'll make the part grinding each other. I did by using pocket ceramic sharpener over it, angle the handle so the dust falling off away from the parts.
 
The only one I really like is the SRM GB-763. I think it is one product which can truly say "Proudly made in China".
Apart of the Axis-lock™, the knife is an original creation, and a pretty good one, I may add.
Too many other Chinese creations have elements borrowed from well established knives (The Enlan EL4 is a de-humped Spyderco Manix, the Navy K631 is a hybrid between a Byrd Cara-Cara with a Spyderco Police blade, the Navy K628 is obviously a Spyderco Native, not to mention the ubiquitous Sebenza variations, and many, many more) but the SRM GB-763 is a breeze of fresh air.
 
Chris "Anagarika";10523220 said:
The axis button needs sanding down. Be careful not letting the dust going into the spring chamber, or stick to the bar. It'll make the part grinding each other. I did by using pocket ceramic sharpener over it, angle the handle so the dust falling off away from the parts.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tip, I'll give it a try. I could also wait until my fingers grow some harder skin, lol.
 
@dialex,

More or less, I do agree that 763 is quite unique, EL01 as well.

Never thought EL04 as manix :)
If resemblance is looked for, any knife can be matched to another. IIRC found one custom or semi custom of which 763 is modelled after. Some might say EL01 is X-18 copy.

However, using STR's method, except for certain Navy, Ganzo and SRM 723, none of them are similar enough. This kind of debate has been going on forever, each with his / her own opinion.
Lastly, k631 blade is more Military inspired than Police, due to the belly being more curvy ;) IMHO.

@razorburn,

Found the edges of EL02 handle a bit more squarish compared to EL01, it makes gripping EL01 hard feel more comfortable than EL02. Not sure if flatter EL02B will be in this case. YMMV though.
 
You are correct. What I wanted to emphasize is that the SRM 763 is an original product, and this is a good sign. :)
 
Started with the SRM 763 in both the aluminum and G10 Scales. Just received two Black SRM 710 the other day (not pictured). Does anybody know a good place to find the stainless steel SRM 710?
SRM763frontopen.jpg

SRM763BackOpen.jpg
 
The new EL-08 large Enlan framelock is now for sale on a certain auction site for about 30 bucks. Here are the specs:

LOCKING MECHANISM Locking Liner
BLADE STYLE & OPENER Drop Point, Right-Handed Thumb Stud
BLADE STEEL 9Cr13MoV Stainless Steel (58-60HRC)
HANDEL SPEC Dual Stainless Steel Liner, G10 Handle Scales,Tip-Up Clip, Lanyard Hole
BLADE LENGTH 3.78" 96mm
OPEN 8.62" 219mm
CLOSE 4.90" 125mm
Blade Thickness 0.137" 3.5mm
Weight 6.5oz 184g
Click to expand...

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For those who like the SRM 763 and similarly sized folders, check out the Enlan M015.

It's a drop-point, liner lock with 2.8 inch blade, a nice belly, and ebony scales. The scales make it a bit chunkier in width but not terribly so. It feels good in the hand. Has jimping but no clip. Weight is an easy to pocket 3.3 oz.

Out of the box, much smoother opening and closing than the Enlan M025 wharnie I enthused about above. One of the smoothest that I own, import or otherwise.
 
Just received EL-01KH another Navy k-631, and SRM T21 (2012, newer version).

The T21 is the sharpest out of the box from all I got so far. I could and did shave with it without touching up the edge at all. Perhaps due to the recurve, the one tasked to sharpen it was a more skillful one :D.

I like the ergos of 763, but I like this T21 even more! All parts are rounded and the texturing is very grippy without being rough. This one is also a unique design and not a copy of anything.

Will post a bit of comparison & photo later on EL-01KH and Navy, regarding quality and consistency.
 
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