Pros: Blade Material
Cons: None
A better Bugout and a terrific price
Thin stock, thin behind the edge, but feels very solid for such a light knife. This is the perfect companion knife. Magnacut steel is tough like 3V and M4 (won't chip easily, it's more likely to roll, which is easily fixed), with edge holding and stainlessness like M390/20CV. It disappears in your pocket, won't rust on you, and came from the factory just perfect. Great factory edge, perfect centering, smooth action, and a deep carry clip comes stock. The polymer handles do feel "cheap", but the weight savings are significant ... the multiple standoffs and partial steel liners make it sturdy. I'm not worried about any handle failures. My normal "go-to" blade is a Bradford Guardian 3.5 fixed (also in Magnacut). The steel has already proven itself to me in edge retention, toughness, and ease of sharpening. I was waiting for months on my pre-order for a good companion folder in Magnacut with a slicing profile, and that's exactly what this is. A thin slicer with a tool steel that lets you push the angle or work harder than yours think a knife this light could handle. No batoning or striking for this one, but as a cooking, woodcraft, cordage, and precision knife, I can't imagine doing any better at twice the price. Hogue, well done. You've convinced me not to pay the butterfly tax on folders. The ABLE lock feels more solid than the AXIS, and the price, quality control, and steel used makes this one hell of a bargain.
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