(
Pros: Weight, Handle Material, Pocket Clip, Blade Material, Overall Quality, Blade Sharpness
Cons: Lock Type
Great build quality, hard to open
I'm left handed and this is my first purpose-built left handed pocket knife. I have several Benchmades that have served me well by flipping the clip and leveraging the ambidextrous thumb nubs to open. I'm happy with Benchmade but wanted to try a higher end build to rotate in as my EDC. The overall quality of this knife is excellent. The materials and the build leave little to no room for criticism. The size is great for an office jockey who needs a blade for general everyday tasks. My criticism of the knife is in function. The knife is extremely difficult to open with my left thumb given how much force it requires to lift the blade. I'm left handed and have reasonably strong thumbs. I also play guitar so my hand strength is above average, especially my left. Opening this knife with my left thumb requires so much force that, when I can get it open, it leaves a dimple in my thumb. Multiple opening operations in a short period of time leaves my thumb sore. I would have expected smoother operation and user experience from a knife priced in this range. Not sure if it needs adjusting or what, but as it stands, I'm not able to leave this knife in my regular rotation. A lesser but still big issue is that, the way the blade is designed, a one-handed close operation exposes the user to being cut. The blade is very sharp and there is no space between where the blade and the edge start. Many of knives of this design leave a little space so that, if you get your thumb between the blade and body, you don't slice it open. This knife lacks that design consideration. Overall it's a real looker and feels like a solid build, but given I can't easily open it and safely close it with 1 hand, it means I can't rely on it as an EDC option.