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Pros: Weight, Handle Material, Pocket Clip, Blade Material, Overall Quality
Cons: None
An outstanding value
I just couldn’t resist this item. It's a $50.00 knife, yet it came in a sturdy box, enclosed in a black velvet bag trimmed with gold lettering and drawstrings, and a complete set of manufacturing specifications tied to the exact model, including the Rockwell hardness of the D2 blade. So the introductory experience was pleasant. The mechanics of this sleek knife are excellent, with a well-centered blade that flipped smoothly on ceramic bearings. The detent is relatively stiff, and the knife occasionally becomes difficult to open for a time or two. But I expect that this will smooth out with use. The blade locked up nicely, without blade play in any direction. The blade stock is relatively thick and spine has no swedge, making for a sturdy cutting instrument overall. The blue anodizing on the stainless liner and the other hardware was attractive and well-executed. Overall, the knife is eye-catching. The D2 blade had a perfectly symmetrical bevel, tapering down to a perfect point. The edge was shaving sharp, but not quite as sharp as some factory edges on knives at triple the cost. I could not find any scratches or manufacturing flaws anywhere on this piece. The pocket clip is tight enough to hold the knife safely in my pocket, and yet it is easy to deploy. This balance is difficult to achieve with G-10 scales. Only one quibble— I would like some jimping on the flipper tab and on the top of the spine for my thumb. But I'm almost ashamed to raise this issue, considering the overall package quality and the price tag. To me this knife is an amazing value—I now own two of them, both of which have the identical quality in finish and operation. I liked them so much that I also purchased the upgraded carbon fiber version with the S35VN blade, which I have reviewed separately.