Pros: Handle Material, Overall Quality, Blade Sharpness
Cons: Pocket Clip
Great value, nice EDC
Well-ground blade, arrived nice and sharp. AUS-8 is not a high-end steel, but it's perfectly fine for an EDC; I'm not using it as a shop knife! The deployment takes a little getting used to, but not much. There is a locking mechanism incorporated into the little disk you push with your thumb to activate the assisted opening. Once you get used to it, it opens very easily, but not overly hard. I would prefer a stonewash finish , or even blackwash, to the very shiny blade I have here. It will definitely show wear, but I don't really care that much. The blade is nicely centered, the workmanship is excellent, and and there is just enough variety in the surface of the scales to give you a decent grip. I have very large hands, and I can get all four fingers on the handle. There is also a little choil at the bottom of the blade, to allow you to move your index finger forward of the handle for more control of the tip. There is no jumping for your thumb, but you actually do catch the ridges on the disc, and it kind of works the same way a bit. My only real complaint is that the clip, while small and reasonably unobtrusive, flips up fairly sharply at the end. This thing is asking to be hung up on furniture, snagged on fabrics in chairs or caught on bumps on the center console of your car, and so on. I am completely unimpressed with the clip, although it does keep it still in my pocket and is reasonably secure. It's actually similar to a Kershaw "(oh so) sweet" folder-- but that Kershaw is a much less expensive and much smaller knife. I am very careful about not catching it on furniture and the like when I am carrying this knife. I'm actually considering bending it down a little bit, at the tip. For the money, this is a nice folder. It's a decent value, but not a fantastic one, because you can get better steel at this price point. All in all, given the overall quality and the design, it's earned a place in my EDC rotation.
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