- Joined
- Jan 28, 2005
- Messages
- 2,154
Got a few new knives lately and one of them is the new Volli. This is a spring assisted knife with S30V blade steel. I just got it yesterday and have been playing with it trying to figure out what I like/don't and how it fits into my current lineup of standard carry knives.
I used to be a guy that liked to carry a big beefy blade. But the more I carry the more I am starting to appreciate a lighter/slimmer knife but can still perform most daily tasks. So stay with me if I tend to drift talking about the blades I'm comparing the Volli to, as I think it will give you some reasoning to my impressions. Gripes with knives I'll compare it with:
Mini-Grip - a bit too short for my hand and some cutting tasks. Small lanyard can fix one of those gripes.
Full size Grip - Feels cheesy/flimsy and too thick in the grip, I prefer a slimmer knife for EDC
940 - narrow, thick blade doesn't make for a great slicer but still slices tomatos fairly well, so still at the top. Excels at every other category so far for my EDC needs (weight/size/durability/materials)
Para2 - Takes up pocket space b/c of height when closed with the spyder-hole. Tip is super thin. Compression lock is solid but a little hokey to close. I prefer an Axis or liner/frame lock.
Out of the box..
Heavier than I expected but feels solid with the G10 scales. The scales look and feel great. I'm not a big assist fan, but it works well. I think over time the way the scales are cut will wear out pants as you pull it in/out. The blade is thin (same thickness as the mini-grips at .100") but is as wide as the full size grip. Blade length is 3.25 which is right between the two grips. Weight feel feels about like the full size grip but a little denser b/c of the thick liners (which are drilled out). Open and closed length of the Volli vs. the full size Grip are just off (that .25" blade difference, as not much in the grip length difference. Lock on the back is a bit stiff. Tip up only (my preference).
Quick Compare Notes:
Blade Thickness: Same as Mini-Grip
Blade Length: In between Mini and full size Grip
Weight: Similar to full size Grip
Length: Similar to full size Grip
Handle Width: Slightly thinner than the full size Grip but not by much physically. In the hand it feels much thinner.
Likes:
Blade steel
Blade length
Blade shape/grind
Blade grid
Build quality
Handle thickness - though not much, if any, thinner than the full size Grip, it feels MUCH slimmer in the hand
Looks
Dislikes:
Weight - I don't hate the weight, but it could obviously be much lighter. There is no need for super thick liners with a .100" blade. G10 is strong and the liners could probably go altogether.
Assist - I don't hate this either, I just much more prefer a manual folder. That thwack when opening could get some odd glances from the sheep.
Handles under the clip - Will wear pockets out
Jury out on (trade-offs):
Blade thickness - It will be a great slicer and should handle 95% of what a folder will ever need to do. Is that enough?
Knife height closed (spine to back spacer) - I'm really loving the thinness of the 940, it just hides in your pocket, so this feels a bit bulky. But I can still get to everything in my pocket.
Jimping - There is none anywhere on this knife
To make this knife as good as it could be (in my opinion for me):
Remove the Axis-Assist
Remove the liners (or just put thin ones in)
Flat spot under clip (if could make look decent on non-clip side).
Remove lock
Remove back spacer and replace with stand-offs for flow-through design (at best have a different color spacer to give it some aesthetics)
Jimping on the grip for thumb (maybe).
I may try a few of these mods myself, if I decide to keep it. It has potential but I think the weight is the biggest knock for this knife. I'll post some pics with comparisons this weekend.
I used to be a guy that liked to carry a big beefy blade. But the more I carry the more I am starting to appreciate a lighter/slimmer knife but can still perform most daily tasks. So stay with me if I tend to drift talking about the blades I'm comparing the Volli to, as I think it will give you some reasoning to my impressions. Gripes with knives I'll compare it with:
Mini-Grip - a bit too short for my hand and some cutting tasks. Small lanyard can fix one of those gripes.
Full size Grip - Feels cheesy/flimsy and too thick in the grip, I prefer a slimmer knife for EDC
940 - narrow, thick blade doesn't make for a great slicer but still slices tomatos fairly well, so still at the top. Excels at every other category so far for my EDC needs (weight/size/durability/materials)
Para2 - Takes up pocket space b/c of height when closed with the spyder-hole. Tip is super thin. Compression lock is solid but a little hokey to close. I prefer an Axis or liner/frame lock.
Out of the box..
Heavier than I expected but feels solid with the G10 scales. The scales look and feel great. I'm not a big assist fan, but it works well. I think over time the way the scales are cut will wear out pants as you pull it in/out. The blade is thin (same thickness as the mini-grips at .100") but is as wide as the full size grip. Blade length is 3.25 which is right between the two grips. Weight feel feels about like the full size grip but a little denser b/c of the thick liners (which are drilled out). Open and closed length of the Volli vs. the full size Grip are just off (that .25" blade difference, as not much in the grip length difference. Lock on the back is a bit stiff. Tip up only (my preference).
Quick Compare Notes:
Blade Thickness: Same as Mini-Grip
Blade Length: In between Mini and full size Grip
Weight: Similar to full size Grip
Length: Similar to full size Grip
Handle Width: Slightly thinner than the full size Grip but not by much physically. In the hand it feels much thinner.
Likes:
Blade steel
Blade length
Blade shape/grind
Blade grid
Build quality
Handle thickness - though not much, if any, thinner than the full size Grip, it feels MUCH slimmer in the hand
Looks
Dislikes:
Weight - I don't hate the weight, but it could obviously be much lighter. There is no need for super thick liners with a .100" blade. G10 is strong and the liners could probably go altogether.
Assist - I don't hate this either, I just much more prefer a manual folder. That thwack when opening could get some odd glances from the sheep.
Handles under the clip - Will wear pockets out
Jury out on (trade-offs):
Blade thickness - It will be a great slicer and should handle 95% of what a folder will ever need to do. Is that enough?
Knife height closed (spine to back spacer) - I'm really loving the thinness of the 940, it just hides in your pocket, so this feels a bit bulky. But I can still get to everything in my pocket.
Jimping - There is none anywhere on this knife
To make this knife as good as it could be (in my opinion for me):
Remove the Axis-Assist
Remove the liners (or just put thin ones in)
Flat spot under clip (if could make look decent on non-clip side).
Remove lock
Remove back spacer and replace with stand-offs for flow-through design (at best have a different color spacer to give it some aesthetics)
Jimping on the grip for thumb (maybe).
I may try a few of these mods myself, if I decide to keep it. It has potential but I think the weight is the biggest knock for this knife. I'll post some pics with comparisons this weekend.
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