rje58
Gold Member
- Joined
- Dec 21, 2013
- Messages
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Steel Will F25-11 Modus (Liner Lock D2 FRN)
MSRP: $59.99
Street price: around $45
First Impressions:
Comes nicely packaged, in a cardboard box that also contains a warranty insert that states “this knife includes a lifetime warranty, for warranty information, please visit our website.” It also includes a small card with the model number and “inspection date”. The example I received had an inspection date of 7/8/2017 - about six months before I purchased it.
The Modus F25-11 comes in several different color combinations. I chose the black scales with blue backspacer and it looks good. The Modus is a flipper that doesn’t have thumb studs or another method of opening. The blade extends beyond the scales far enough that there’s no problem “pinching” it open, if you are in a situation where flipping it open might attract unwanted attention. The detent is strong enough to keep the knife from opening inadvertently - at least in the limited testing I’ve done so far - but not so strong that it impedes opening the knife.
The blade steel on this model is D2, and mine came very sharp out of the box - noticeably sharper than most new knives I’ve had experience with. I really like the shape of the blade, and it performed well in the cutting tasks I put it through. There is some light jimping where you can place your thumb - enough to keep it from slipping, but not enough to be uncomfortable, and certainly not sharp. The grind appears even and well done. Blade centering is near perfect when closed. Blade is satin finish.
One of first things I noticed out of the box was that the flipping action was fast, smooth and easy - but my example had some side-to-side blade wobble. I adjusted the pivot as best I could to minimize blade wobble, while still having a reasonably fast and smooth opening. It took me a little while to find the best compromise - and it is a compromise. I wanted to get most, if not all, of the side-to-side play out, so what I ended up with is not the fastest nor smoothest flipper in my collection, but acceptable to me - more acceptable than side-to-side play. I can still flip it open with one finger and no wrist or arm movement, but it requires a little more thought and effort than some of my other flippers. That said, I’m glad it’s not assisted, as I am not a fan of assisted opening knives, generally speaking.
There’s no vertical blade movement when open, in my example, and the lockbar has good early lockup - just the right amount, in my opinion. The lockbar looks a little thin, but as long as it works I will reserve judgement to see how it performs long term. The FRN scales have steel liners.
The backspacer is nicely done and looks good to me. It is ridged and those ridges also make the knife feel more secure in my hand when I’m using it. The backspacer provides a lanyard hole, which is a nice touch.
The pocket clip is silver, making it more visible in the pocket, but the good news is there’s no paint or coating to wear off. The clip offers a good balance - firm enough to hold it securely in the pocket, without being so firm as to make it difficult to deploy. The clip can be moved for right-or-left hand carry, but is tip-up only. The clip is securely attached with three clip screws
The scales are textured FRN, which was a slight concern to me, but it needn’t have been. I am a big fan of G10 scales, but these FRN scales are nicely textured and provide for secure grip. I’m still undecided if I like the look of the texturing or not - either way, not a big deal.
Here are the factory specs along with my independent measurements (in parentheses):
Weight - 3.35 oz (spot on with my electronic scale)
Blade length - 3.27 inches (3.2 inches)
Closed length - 4.41 inches (4.44 inches)
Overall length - 7.68 inches (7.8 inches)
This model is also available with green scales/black backspacer, or blue scales/orange backspacer, in addition to black scales/blue backspacer.
Steel Will also produces premium versions of this knife:
F25-71 - M390 blade steel with Carbon Fiber scales
F25-30 series - M390 blade steel with G10 scales
Summary: I really like this knife!
I’m going to carry it on a daily basis for a week or two, and will update with any new information that experience provides.
Please ask questions or provide feedback to me. I know my cell phone photos are lacking.
MSRP: $59.99
Street price: around $45
First Impressions:
Comes nicely packaged, in a cardboard box that also contains a warranty insert that states “this knife includes a lifetime warranty, for warranty information, please visit our website.” It also includes a small card with the model number and “inspection date”. The example I received had an inspection date of 7/8/2017 - about six months before I purchased it.
The Modus F25-11 comes in several different color combinations. I chose the black scales with blue backspacer and it looks good. The Modus is a flipper that doesn’t have thumb studs or another method of opening. The blade extends beyond the scales far enough that there’s no problem “pinching” it open, if you are in a situation where flipping it open might attract unwanted attention. The detent is strong enough to keep the knife from opening inadvertently - at least in the limited testing I’ve done so far - but not so strong that it impedes opening the knife.
The blade steel on this model is D2, and mine came very sharp out of the box - noticeably sharper than most new knives I’ve had experience with. I really like the shape of the blade, and it performed well in the cutting tasks I put it through. There is some light jimping where you can place your thumb - enough to keep it from slipping, but not enough to be uncomfortable, and certainly not sharp. The grind appears even and well done. Blade centering is near perfect when closed. Blade is satin finish.
One of first things I noticed out of the box was that the flipping action was fast, smooth and easy - but my example had some side-to-side blade wobble. I adjusted the pivot as best I could to minimize blade wobble, while still having a reasonably fast and smooth opening. It took me a little while to find the best compromise - and it is a compromise. I wanted to get most, if not all, of the side-to-side play out, so what I ended up with is not the fastest nor smoothest flipper in my collection, but acceptable to me - more acceptable than side-to-side play. I can still flip it open with one finger and no wrist or arm movement, but it requires a little more thought and effort than some of my other flippers. That said, I’m glad it’s not assisted, as I am not a fan of assisted opening knives, generally speaking.
There’s no vertical blade movement when open, in my example, and the lockbar has good early lockup - just the right amount, in my opinion. The lockbar looks a little thin, but as long as it works I will reserve judgement to see how it performs long term. The FRN scales have steel liners.
The backspacer is nicely done and looks good to me. It is ridged and those ridges also make the knife feel more secure in my hand when I’m using it. The backspacer provides a lanyard hole, which is a nice touch.
The pocket clip is silver, making it more visible in the pocket, but the good news is there’s no paint or coating to wear off. The clip offers a good balance - firm enough to hold it securely in the pocket, without being so firm as to make it difficult to deploy. The clip can be moved for right-or-left hand carry, but is tip-up only. The clip is securely attached with three clip screws
The scales are textured FRN, which was a slight concern to me, but it needn’t have been. I am a big fan of G10 scales, but these FRN scales are nicely textured and provide for secure grip. I’m still undecided if I like the look of the texturing or not - either way, not a big deal.
Here are the factory specs along with my independent measurements (in parentheses):
Weight - 3.35 oz (spot on with my electronic scale)
Blade length - 3.27 inches (3.2 inches)
Closed length - 4.41 inches (4.44 inches)
Overall length - 7.68 inches (7.8 inches)
This model is also available with green scales/black backspacer, or blue scales/orange backspacer, in addition to black scales/blue backspacer.
Steel Will also produces premium versions of this knife:
F25-71 - M390 blade steel with Carbon Fiber scales
F25-30 series - M390 blade steel with G10 scales
Summary: I really like this knife!
- blade is sharp from the factory
- it’s lightweight and easy to carry without resorting to a sub-3-inch blade
- scales provide good grip, are not slick or slippery
- fit and finish are very good for this price range
I’m going to carry it on a daily basis for a week or two, and will update with any new information that experience provides.
Please ask questions or provide feedback to me. I know my cell phone photos are lacking.
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