Author: Subwoofer

Knife Review: Studio Blade Rambler

3 November, 2026

The RAMBLER is a short run production knife from the Owner & founder of Studio Blade, Dimitri Turcott. The Rambler is based on his “HUBERT” fixed-blade hunting knife and features a titanium framelock folding design with a Elmax stainless steel blade.

You may be lucky enough to get hold of a truly unique version of this knife, as Dimitri has held back a very limited number for custom collaborations. Check https://www.studio-blade.com/ for these as well as the standard Rambler.

Rooted in a hunting heritage, the Rambler is perfect for skinning game, deboning, and cleaning fish. It also shines in the kitchen, making food preparation effortless. The slight downward curve at the tip is a small yet significant feature, designed to prevent cutting into the insides of whatever you’re working on. The continuous curve of the blade ensures that the point of contact consistently maximises force, delivering superior cutting performance compared to straight blades, which distribute force over a longer length and are therefore less effective. The narrow, pointed blade allows for detailed cutting and carving, much like a scalpel, making it ideal for intricate work in confined spaces. The ball-bearing system enables the knife to flip open smoothly with one hand, and the guard doubles as the flipper tab.

Join me in this detailed Studio Blade Rambler review to find out if it could be the ideal knife for your daily adventures.

Just a quick note before immersing ourselves in the Studio Blade Rambler review, which is to mention that this specific knife was a demonstration model at IWA 2026, so is not ‘new’ and may show some signs of use and handling.

What’s in the box?:

Simple and elegant, the Rambler is presented to you smartly but without excess. In the box are a plaster (a warning to be careful) and a certificate. This is a working knife ready to be put to good use.

A good look round the folded Rambler – Things to look out for here are:

This gallery ended up a bit bigger than I intended as it is meant to show the finesse and attention to detail Dimitri has packed into the Rambler’s design. This first set of photos are with the knife folded.
Constructed from thick 4mm titanium all the gentle curves are focussed on ergonomics and function. This knife is from a limited first production run of 300 pieces, and this numbering is engraved on the handle spacer and blade. We can hope there will be further production runs to come.
The prominent flipper tab’s main function is to be a finger guard. There to prevent your hand slipping onto the blade when using the knife for dressing game, at night, in all weather, and when tired; a vital safety consideration.
The Rambler’s pocket clip follows the curve of the handle and sits on the handle rather than onto the lock bar. Details of the milled lock bar spring, along with the hardened steel lock bar insert are shown. The lock bar insert is also an over-travel stop preventing the lock-bar being pushed too far open and being bent outwards. As will be explained later in the review this is a vital design aspect.
There is a single-sided pivot bolt, and you can just make out the caged pivot bearings plus the lock bar blade retention detent.

A good look round the open Rambler – Things to look out for here are:

Swinging out the Rambler’s unusual blade brings this working knife to life. The strange, curved, narrow-tipped blade is ideal for detailed cutting and carving, almost scalpel like in its abilities. That curve ensures maximum cutting pressure at all times by focussing the force onto a smaller contact area.
A generous flipper tab is actually primarily a finger guard, to protect you from accidental slips when tired, or with slippery / cold hands. A full flat grind makes for a slicy blade profile, aiding the cutting prowess.
When opening via a firm flip the gallery also shows the initial lock engagement position. We’ll need to refer back to this later in the review.

Explained by the Maker:

The reasons for certain design choices may not be clear when simply looking at an object, so this section is intended to give an insight into the thinking behind a design by speaking to the designer themselves.

I was fortunate to meet Dimitri at IWA 2026 and have the opportunity to talk about the Rambler face to face. The following notes are intended to cover some of the points we discussed while not being direct quotes.

The Rambler is a full production knife and has not had any post production finishing by Dimitri. This first limited production run consists of 300 numbered pieces. A few of these have been held back without the prehistoric figure engraving (so no engraving at all) to allow for a few very special custom collaborations with unique handle designs. In fact the first batch of these have all sold and at the time of writing a second batch of custom collaborations are now in progress.
The prehistoric figure design was found in an ancient cave in France; For Dimitri this symbolises that a knife is a tool, a very old tool. Humans first had a stick, then a silex stone (flint) tool, and then we had the knife; it is a tool, not a weapon.
The Rambler’s DNA is in Dimitri’s hunting knife design, the Hubert, the blade shape is peculiar as you don’t see many knives with a small narrow tip like the Rambler has. It also has a small curve upwards at the tip. If you are dressing game and have the knife in reverse grip, the curve helps avoid cutting the intestines. It also has the same form and function as a petty knife (a kitchen knife) for fine cutting work. Dimitri found inspiration in an old traditional Austrian hunting knife he inherited, which has a very small tip, unlike most modern knives that have drop points and broad blades. But the very fine tip is so useful and extremely functional for cooking, preparing game and fish.
Ergonomic considerations are an important part of the design process, it has to hold well in many different ways, the reverse grip, choking up on the blade and more.
Dimitri is a designer of knives that are to be used, not to be fidget toys, but real working tools. One example of this being that the Rambler has a big guard which is essential for a working knife, if you are in the dark, wet hands, tired, out in the woods, an accident can happen really quickly, so a guard is critical as the consequences of an accident can be very bad when out in the wild.
The gap around the lock bar, and the lack of pocket relief inside the handle scales for weight reduction, are intentional features to make the Rambler easy to clean. Designed liek this to keep the knife strong, simple, and reduce places where dirt can build up. Doing any serious work with a folding knife, and it is usually disastrous to clean afterwards, but the Rambler is made to be easy to flush out, and only needs three screws removed to fully strip it down if it is really dirty.
Most titanium folding knives use 3mm thick scales, but Dimitri specified 4mm for extra strength and solid feel.
As a working knife and tool, the Rambler has been designed with the expectation that the owner will take the knife apart for maintenance. The bearings are intentionally a standard size so that the owner can swap them out or upgrade them themselves.
And a final thought; someone who walks around every day with a tool in their pocket is someone you can count on.

The Blade and Handle – Detailed Measurements:

For full details of the tests and measurements carried out and an explanation of the results, see the page – Knife Technical Testing – How It’s Done.

The blade is made from Elmax steel. Below is the Studio Blade Rambler Review parameters table:

The Factory edge up close:

Followers of Tactical Reviews will know my views on factory edges, but to recap:

Anyone using a knife will need to sharpen it. That first factory edge is just like the first tank of fuel that a new car comes with (or first charge of the battery).
A good factory edge is a ‘nice to have’ but not a ‘make or break’ for a good knife, as you will be putting your own edge onto it soon enough.
The factory edge does however indicate the care a knife maker has put into the final finish.
It is for this reason Tactical Reviews measures factory edge sharpness and specifications, and includes this information in the detailed technical testing.

As a further look at the factory edge, this section has been added to include some high magnification photos of the factory edges.

The factory edge on the Rambler is an excellent working edge with a eager micro-serration from the grit used to create the cutting edge. As you look over these magnified edge images you can see there are clear coarse grit scratches mixed into the edge which enhance the micro-serrations. This type of edge is a great all round cutter.
Remember this was a demo knife at IWA 2026, so there are a few areas that may be showing a little rolling (or possibly a slight residual burr from the sharpening), but even so this edge shaves arm hair and cuts really well.

What is it like to use?

The Rambler is definitely ergonomic and this is obvious from the moment you pick it up. Take a look through the handling gallery (remembering I have XL glove size hands). The extra handle thickness, 4mm being used instead of the more standard 3mm, really makes a difference to the feel in your hand. Combined with the fact that the handles have been left full thickness and flat inside, they are both stronger and a touch heavier than most titanium handled knives.
All the edges were you will be applying force are well rounded (only the pocket clip has some crisp edges) to help remove any hotspots for heavier work.
There is no thumb stud or other manual opener, and though I prefer to thumb-open a blade, it keeps the Rambler very streamlined, and with no obstructions on the blade during cutting or sharpening. If you don’t quite flip it strongly enough, you can use your thumb on the blade to swing it fully open easily thanks to the slick ball bearing action.

As Dimitri intended, the Rambler is a real all rounder. During the ‘carry’ phase of my testing, unfortunately there were no game prep opportunities, which I really was hoping to report on; another time. Instead I had to make do with a variety of jobs round the home and a bit of food preparation. Moving onto some outdoor cutting tests including a 1″ manilla rope cut. The rope is very tough and unpleasant to cut as it resists even the sharpest of blades demanding a lot of pressure and effort.
Usefully, the rope cut did bring to light a characteristic of the Rambler, and that was for the lock engagement to increase significantly under load. The gallery image, after the rope cut, shows the much greater lock engagement after gripping the handle very tightly and applying a lot of cutting force. Like this it did require considered application of force to release the lock using both thumbs. This also highlighted a very useful design feature, which is that the hardened steel lock bar insert is also a lock-bar over-travel stop, meaning even as you give it a good bit of pressure to unlock it, you won’t then over stress the lock bar when it does release.

This final gallery is just a bit of fun, some pumpkin carving. The Rambler is capable of much finer and more detailed work, but this was intentionally rough and ready, as it is a copy of the 1978 Halloween movie credits pumpkin.

Only needing three screws removed fully disassemble the knife for maintenance, doing this is not a chore at all. The pivot screw uses a T8 bit and the handle spacer has T6. I would prefer if the handle spacer screws could also have been T8 as the T6 is not going to stand up to repeated disassembly as well as a T8, and if they were all T8 you then you only need one size screwdriver instead of two.

For the full take-down process, and to see the construction inside, see the full review video at the end of this written review.

If you want a completely unique version of the Rambler look out for the very limited number of individually customised knives available from Studio Blade.

The Rambler just feels at home in your hand and is definitely made to be used. A genuinely versatile working knife. I hope there will be further production runs so as many people as possible can get a Rambler into their pocket.

Studio Blade Rambler Review Summary

The views expressed in this summary table are from the point of view of the reviewer’s personal use. I am not a member of the armed forces and cannot comment on its use beyond a cutting tool or field/hunting knife.

Something that might be a ‘pro’ for one user can be a ‘con’ for another, so the comments are categorised based on my requirements. You should consider all points and if they could be beneficial to you.

_______________________________________________
What doesn’t work so well for me
_______________________________________________
T6 handle spacer screws may not be very durable for repeated disassembly.
Lock engagement increases under heavy load/grip, needing both thumbs to release.

_______________________________________________
Things I like
_______________________________________________
Extremely ergonomic design.
Feels ‘right’ in the hand however you hold it.
Thicker than usual, 4mm handle material.
Super versatile blade capable of heavy or delicate tasks.
Curved blade maximises cutting force.
Only three screws needed to fully take apart the knife.
Wide lock-bar slot for easy cleaning.
Standard size pivot bearings for easy replacement or upgrade.
Elmax blade steel.
Lock-bar over-travel protection.
Large finger guard.

Studio Blade Rambler Review Videos

Starting with a short format sixty second review:

Onto a full video review covering many more details:

 
Discussing the Studio Blade Rambler Review:
Something new – will it work? A Tactical Reviews Subreddit.
TacticalReviewsChat on Reddit
Please visit there and start/join the conversation.

Light Review: Streamlight Sidewinder Stalk

24 September, 2026

In this detailed review of the Streamlight Sidewinder Stalk, find out why this multi-fuel light might be your EDC / Prepping saviour, and favourite illumination companion. Join me in this Streamlight Sidewinder Stalk Review for all the details.

Designed to minimise the number of lights an operator must carry, the low-profile Sidewinder Stalk not only has a flexible gooseneck stalk to aim the beam, but features Multi-Fuel capability allowing it to accept more than one battery type.

The Stalk does it all, incorporating white, IR, red, blue, and green LEDs – all located in its head that is mounted on a flexible stalk, providing complete beam manoeuvrability – each with low, medium, high, and strobe modes along with an additional IR/IFF beacon. A separate Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) switch lets you use both the main light and IFF when needed. Operation is simple with rotating tactical switch allowing quick mode changes even with gloves. The robust military standard polymer housing is IPX7 certified, water resistant and shockproof. All of this and multiple mounting options too.

The Stalk joins the other Sidewinder models.

What is in the box?:
Streamlight offer the Stalk, and many other lights / flashlights in two types of packaging, a full retail package, that uses a lot of plastic for a better presentation, and a plain cardboard box version. Both are show here so you can see the difference.
Both the coyote and black versions are the Arc Rail mount kits. These include the Stalk, an AA alkaline, a CR123 battery, the Arc rail adapter plus velcro helmet mount adapter, the instructions and a couple of stickers.

A good look round the Sidewinder Stalk – Things to look out for here are:
As the Stalk is packed full of design details, I’ve had to split this into two galleries. In this first one it’s more of a general look around before we really dive into the finer details. Note the multi-fuel capability with the include AA and CR123 cells.

Taking a more detailed look at the controls and operation:
Here we are zooming right in on the functional aspects of the Stalk. Starting with the ‘stalk’ part, the flexible gooseneck, allowing the easy adjustment and alignment of the light head.
A four-position rotating control dial / switch sits just behind the power button. Between the battery door and the rotary control dial is the protected IFF switch. This has a metal cover clipped over it to ensure there isn’t an accidental activation. Pulling this metal cover down allows the IFF switch to be moved in either direction to activate the infra-red strobe.
Securing the battery door is a wire clip. Flipping this clip away from the battery door allows it to swing open, revealing the negative contact spring and metal pads that complete the connection to the main body. Looking inside the tube shows the sliding-plunger positive contact, which accommodates the different cell lengths.

Taking a more detailed look at the mount:
The review versions of the Stalk are those that include the Arc rail mount. The Stalk, as standard, comes fitted with the Sidewinder steel clip mount. This standard clip allows belt, MOLLE, or helmet mounting via the Sidewinder helmet mount (14055).
Swapping the standard clip to the ARC rail is a simple job, only requiring a single screw to be taken out and refitted. Also included is a velcro backed ARC rail adapter that can be used on any headwear with velcro pads.

Streamlight Sidewinder Stalk Review – The beam

One head, five beams colours, white, blue, green, red and infra-red the last of which I can’t photograph so you’ll see the four others in the gallery. The bobbly looking beam diffuser does create noticeable artifacts at the edge of the beam, especially visible on the white beam on its lowest output (as shown here).

Please be careful not to judge tint based on images you see on a computer screen. Unless properly calibrated, the screen itself will change the perceived tint.

The indoor beamshot is intended to give an idea of the beam shape/quality rather than tint. All beamshots are taken using daylight white balance. The woodwork (stairs and skirting) are painted Farrow & Ball “Off-White”, and the walls are a light sandy colour called ‘String’ again by Farrow & Ball. I don’t actually have a ‘white wall’ in the house to use for this, and my wife won’t have one!

Batteries and output:

The multi-fuel Sidewinder Stalk runs on CR123 or AA Alkaline, or AA Lithium. And unofficially I’ve also run it on AA NiMh, AAA Alkaline, AAA Lithium and AAA NiMh!!!

Please note, all quoted lumen figures are from a DIY integrating sphere, and according to ANSI standards. Although every effort is made to give as accurate a result as possible, they should be taken as an estimate only. The results can be used to compare outputs in this review and others I have published.

For full details of the tests and measurements carried out and an explanation of the results, see the page – Light Testing Information.

* Beacon and Strobe output measurements are only estimates as the brief flashes make it difficult to capture the actual output value.

There is parasitic drain, which is significant (though nowhere near the worst I’ve come across). As shown in the table, either cell type would be fully depleted after two years. But, critically, the parasitic drain current increases as cell voltage decreases, so this drain accelerates and won’t take two years to drain the cells, more likely around half that.
So what is a usable amount the remaining charge? Even 50% is not ideal, and that is where you would be after six months on standby.
The bottom line here is as long as you are regularly using the Stalk, its fine to leave the battery in it. If you are not going to use it for a week or more, take the cell out.

When comparing the runtime from AA and CR123, there is a clear winner. CR123 will give you significantly more output and runtime. Being able to run from CR123 or AA or even unofficially AAA makes this a super flexible light.

The Streamlight Sidewinder Stalk in use
I first experienced Streamlight’s multi-fuel capabilities in the Sidewinder Compact II, and while understanding the disadvantages of a control circuit that has to deal with all the different input voltages (which leads to the higher than ideal parasitic drain), the huge advantage it gives you is ‘cell harvesting’ from whatever you have to hand. This is a true headline feature, as you might go out stocked with CR123s, but if pushed, you will be able to find AA or AAA cells to use. As a single cell light, it doesn’t matter about finding matched cells, as you only use one at a time.
This gives you great confidence in the Stalk being able to keep running when others won’t have a suitable battery to use.

Most of my testing has been with the Stalk hand-held, mainly so I could get more time using it. It is very lightweight and with CR123 can be easily used even clipped onto a baseball cap. I’ve had the colour output almost exclusively on red for night time use when the lowest white output level is too bright, and in terms of output I’ve also almost mainly used it on the default low level. In general use, the low white and low red levels cover 99% of my daily needs. Consider that runtime graph with the output set to maximum, so if only using a lower level, your runtime increases enormously.

It isn’t always an option to use a head torch, depending on headwear. Yes, the stalk is designed to work with helmets, at which point it is a headlamp, but it’s also a practical task light. Anyone working with their hands to do something physical will know a fixed torch is not that useful; do you want to be biting on the tailcap to hold it in your mouth? Or placing it on a surface hoping to won’t roll away or move at the wrong time? A light that has an articulating or moveable head transforms its usefulness. Place or fix the light and aim the beam just where you need it.

All bendable gooseneck extensions have a bit of backlash, that is they ‘recover’ slightly from where you position them. This is just a characteristic so you learn how much to over adjust so it springs back to where you want it.

In the original Sidewinder, Streamlight managed one of the lowest parasitic drain figures I’ve ever measured, 0.2uA, which is negligible as the cell’s own internal losses are more than this. The Stalk’s superbly useful multi-fuel capability is a real challenge for the driver circuit having such different input voltages, so as a trade-off for the ability to use CR123, AA and even AAA may be worth this extra drain. Cracking open the battery door when putting it away stops this, as long as you remember.

Streamlight’s Sidewinder collection is rounded off nicely with the addition of the Stalk, and it may be worth adding to your own lighting line up, even if only for the multi-fuel capability.

Streamlight Sidewinder Stalk Review Summary
The views expressed in this summary table are from the point of view of the reviewer’s personal use. I am not a member of the armed forces and cannot comment on its use beyond that covered in the review.

Something that might be a ‘pro’ for one user can be a ‘con’ for another, so the comments are categorised based on my requirements. You should consider all points and if they could be beneficial to you.

_______________________________________________
What doesn’t work so well for me
_______________________________________________
Beam diffuser produces a lot of artifacts.
Parasitic drain quite high.

_______________________________________________
Things I like
_______________________________________________
Multi-fuel capable – CR123, AA and even AAA.
Five light colours in one – White, Red, Green Blue and IR.
Flexible gooseneck head adjustment.
Tactile Rotary selector switch.
Swappable mount types.
Ambidextrous mounting.
Black or Coyote options.
IFF strobe protected safety switch.
No detectable PWM.
Lightweight.

Streamlight Sidewinder Stalk Review Videos

Starting with a short format sixty second review:

Onto a full video review covering many more details:

 
Discussing the Review:
Something new – will it work? A Tactical Reviews Subreddit.
TacticalReviewsChat on Reddit
Please visit there and start/join the conversation.

Gear Review: MetMo Fractal Vise (Vice)

6 September, 2026

Get ready for the most detailed review of the MetMo Fractal Vise (Vice) you will ever find! It is impossible to do justice to the ‘ultimate in clamping flexibility’ without showing everything I’ve included in this MetMo Fractal Vise Review.

Don’t Panic – Even if you are someone that might say ‘TLDR’ there are plenty of pictures to look at too, so even if you just browse the galleries you’ll see what it is all about.

The MetMo Fractal Vise, invented in 1913 and refined in 2025. Six independent movements allow you to perfect your clamping game.

Inspired by a historic patent, this overengineered desktop vice features reversible interchangeable jaws, modular accessories, and a clampingly clever design. Built for the makers who think outside the box — and like to clamp it too.

Find out if it could be the ideal companion for your ‘making’ lifestyle and join me in this MetMo Fractal Vise Review for all the details.

Just before we get started, you may notice I’m using ‘Vise’ and ‘Vice’ interchangeably. Though MetMo is a UK based company, it has adopted the US-English word ‘Vise’ instead of the British-English word ‘Vice’, for this clamping tool. The choice was for a more international stance on the naming of this amazingly engineered fractal vice (there I go again); MetMo’s Fractal Vise.

What’s in the Fractal Vise box?:

Just before we break into the first of the many boxes for the core part of this system, this is the full set of boxed components including the fractal vice, all the optional jaws and the desk clamp mount with quick release.

Unexpectedly slim but satisfyingly heavy, the Fractal Vise’s box was a surprise. I genuinely had not expected this one to contain the vice.

Lifting off the lid there is an instruction card, under which the components are laid out.

Celebrating the pure engineering, it is entirely fitting that the Fractal Vise comes partly disassembled. The base consisting of the handle, screw, guide rods, slide and jaw mounting holes. Then next to this, the two sets of fractal jaws, plus a box’o’bits with Allen and Torx wrenches, spare grub screws, and the jaw mounting bolts.

A good look round the Core element, the Fractal Vice – Things to look out for here are:

Now it’s time to really take in everything about each of the main parts. Starting with the base we can pick up on those brass highlights; the caps on the handle, as well as the main screw bushing.
The gleaming screw thread sitting between the substantial guide rods. For the front jaw there is one usable mounting point as the other holes have the guide rod retaining grub screws. The base then has four possible mounting positions for the rear jaw.
Underneath the base is a plate with inset rubber pad (more on that later).
And now the magic that is the Fractal jaws themselves. Remember to watch the review videos as well to see these in motion. Here we can just admire the mechanism and see the extreme position the jaws can move to, as well as anywhere in between. As a last step the jaws are shown being fitted.

A good look round the Fractal Jaw Options – Things to look out for here are:

Jaws – not the shark, or even a Bond villain, but a variety of optional jaws for the Fractal vice to take its versatility to yet another level. The standard vice has plain stainless steel jaws. The clamping surface is smooth so generally safe to use for most work pieces, but you might then want to use masking tape or something else to protect the work piece.
But given the range of jaws MetMo offer, you need not worry. The three additional fractal jaw types are a black nylon jaw, a brass jaw, and a rubber lined steel jaw. Each of these lets you match the jaw to the work piece.
Fitting the fractal jaws is a simple process of removing a pin bolt and swapping the jaw before replacing the pin bolt. You can mix and match or keep them all the same.

A good look round the Parallel Soft Jaws – Things to look out for here are:

Jaws II – no, not a movie sequel, but the MetMo Parallel Soft jaws for the fractal vice. Although fitting these jaws means the vice is no longer ‘fractal’. ‘Soft’ is all relative; typically brass jaws or tools are used to prevent marring of harder metals when clamping or working them, so these precision parallel jaws to add to your clamping capabilities. Do not overlook the fact that you can use a flat jaw with a fractal jaw if the job is made easier or more stable by doing so.

A good look round the Desk Clamp – Things to look out for here are:

MetMo’s Fractal Vise can be used on its own on your desktop. It can be clamped in a larger vice to provide the precise clamping the bigger vice doesn’t have. MetMo also make a workstation base that the vice can be fitted to.
The natural progression from desktop use is to have a table mount, and that is exactly what this is; the MetMo Fractal Vise table mount. Not just any mount, but a ball head mount allowing you to angle and twist the vice to the best position for you. Constant readjustments are simple and easy as you work on the task at hand.

A good look round the Quick Release Mount – Things to look out for here are:

You could argue that this is simply essential and not optional; OK, you ‘can’ fit the vice directly to the Desk clamp mount using four bolts. You can then disassemble this and use the vice separately, and reattach it to the desk clamp when needed. But with the Quick Release Mount, this is achieved with a couple of twists of the knurled adjuster; locking the fractal vise in place securely, or releasing it to use elsewhere. It is really one of those ‘why wouldn’t you’ accessories. Solid construction, and using brass, non-marring jaws, to grip the base of the fractal vice.

A good look round Everything Assembled – Things to look out for here are:

Bringing everything together with the Quick Release Mount fixed to the ball head on the Desk Clamp, and the Fractal Vise secured to this. It’s ready to deploy into action; a sight to behold and admire before putting it to work.

What is it like to use?
I must admit that somehow I expected the MetMo Fractal Vise to be a bit larger, but you then as you handle the vice, you immediately realise MetMo got the size of it just right. The Fractal Vise is pocket sized, but satisfyingly heavy and solid. A real jewel of a tool, in fact the EDC term ‘Pocket Jewellery’ would be appropriate for this superbly engineered vice. It’s size actually increases its versatility, allowing it to be used in different ways and keeping things compact for fine craft work and model making.

My experience of the fractal jaws is that these need a little encouragement to settle fully into place. The pressure the work piece places on the jaw surfaces can mean they don’t turn and accommodate the shape of the work piece straight away, so might appear not to adjust themselves as effortlessly as you see in the marketing videos. However this is easily overcome by gently tapping the work piece into each set of jaws as you tighten the vice, and while doing this the jaws do accommodate perfectly.

Do NOT be tempted to put any oil on the fractal jaws; doing so would capture dust and filings and gum up the motion of the jaws. They need to stay ‘dry’ and reasonably clean. You can easily disassemble the entire jaw and use an ultrasonic bath to give them a deep clean from time to time.

This gallery shows a variety of different objects in the jaws. The jaws are fitted ‘conventionally’ – gripping inwards, but remember to check the video which includes the jaws configured to grip outwards fitting inside the work piece to be gripped.

With the MetMo Fractal Vise’s special trick being the fractal jaws, that is the focus here. The parallel jaws allow the Fractal Vise’s base to be used as a conventional soft-jaw precision vice and you know what parallel jaws look like so have not been included. Each and every image here has the fractal jaws in a different position as they will be for every object you hold with them.

When you see the summary below, I’ve included a slight negative on the standard jaws being stainless steel, so I will explain myself. Being a compact precision vice, I would not use it to apply a clamping force that would need the steel jaws. Just like the only parallel jaws available come with ‘soft’ brass faces, brass is still a metal and is not actually soft in a way that would wear out. So if I were to be ultra-critical, I would say the standard jaw should be brass. Of course the Stainless steel jaw, when used on the full stainless Fractal Vise looks clean as a single material colour and finish apart from the brass handle ends and screw bushing. It isn’t a product or design error, but I find the steel jaws to be redundant.

As I write this I’ve opted to keep the rubber lined jaws as my ‘standard’. Time will tell if I switch to the nylon or brass longer term, but those steel ones are unlikely to get used again.

Like all specialist quality tools, the MetMo Fractal Vise is not cheap; what it is is an investment in your crafting experience, and the quality of tools you are using. The MetMo Fractal Vice is Engineering Heritage! This is a tool to pass down the generations.

MetMo Fractal Vise Review Summary

The views expressed in this summary table are from the point of view of the reviewer’s personal use. I am not a member of the armed forces and cannot comment on its use beyond a cutting tool or field/hunting knife.

Something that might be a ‘pro’ for one user can be a ‘con’ for another, so the comments are categorised based on my requirements. You should consider all points and if they could be beneficial to you.

_______________________________________________
What doesn’t work so well for me
_______________________________________________
Standard Jaws being steel.

_______________________________________________
Things I like
_______________________________________________
More compact than expected.
Multiple Fractal Jaw options (Brass, Nylon, Steel, Rubber lined).
Parallel Jaws also available (Brass faced).
The entire system can be fully user-disassembled.
Reversible jaws for internal clamping.
Impeccable Engineering fit and finish.
Clamp any shape that fits between or over the jaws.
Desk Clamp with locking ball head mount.
Quick Release Mount.
Precision made for precision use.
Possibly the most versatile vice you can buy.

MetMo Fractal Vise Review Videos

Starting with a short format sixty second review:

Onto a full video review covering many more details:

 
Discussing the Review:
Something new – will it work? A Tactical Reviews Subreddit.
TacticalReviewsChat on Reddit
Please visit there and start/join the conversation.

Knife Review: Spartan Blades Soter

21 February, 2026

In this detailed review of the Spartan Blades Soter find out why this knife might just be your EDC saviour and favourite daily companion. Join me in this Spartan Blades Soter Review for all the details.

Named after Soter, the Greek “protector” and provider of salvation, the Spartan Blades Soter Folding Knife, designed by Curtis Iovito, uses Spartan Blades exclusive RaceLock. The RaceLock is a spine-mounted locking mechanism engineered for fast, smooth, one-handed deployment and a rock-solid lockup, providing safety and reliability when you need it most.

Soter is designed for everyday carry, readiness, and utility, the Soter features a 3.25-inch CPM S35VN steel harpoon point blade, delivering the reliability and performance you expect from Spartan Blades.

What’s in the box?:
A simple presentation with a cardboard box, and inside, the knife with a sticker in a bubble wrap bag.

A good look round the folded Soter – Things to look out for here are:
Starting with the Soter folded, there is a lot to see. This is the Carbon Fibre version of the Soter, and unusually the main flats on the handles have been left with the semi-gloss top layer giving the handles a sheen that contrasts with the machined, bevelled and shaped edges. Even folded, the pronounced hump at the thumb studs and visible swedge hint at the purposeful blade shape lurking within. Almost steampunk style, the RaceLock immediately adds interest. Distinctively Spartan Blades, the monolithic pocket clip is machined from a solid piece and fitted with concealed screws. A matching blanking plate covers the mounting point if you swap the side the clip is fitted (but you would need to take the knife apart to do this). The pivot bolts, handle screws, pocket clip, thumb studs and RaceLock lever are all in a matching finish.
Slim steel liners provide support just around the RaceLock mechanism, but are kept to a minimum.

A good look round the open Soter – Things to look out for here are:
Opening the blade you can watch the RaceLock coil spring compress as the lock pin slides through its guide block; at the same time the lock button moves backwards. With the blade fully open and the lock engaged, the spring can bee seen fully extended again.
Now, with the blade open, we see the ergonomic sweep of the handle towards the narrow harpoon-point blade. Just behind the thumb stud hump, there is jimping in both the blade and handle giving you the ability to exert significant forward pressure.
Even without the logo, the blade shape has to be a Spartan Blades blade; slim, pointy, with harpoon point, and the very matt finish. A large radius sharpening choil full exposes the heel of the cutting edge for sharpening, but also reduces the chance of hanging-up on deep cuts.

The Blade and Handle – Detailed Measurements:
For full details of the tests and measurements carried out and an explanation of the results, see the page – Knife Technical Testing – How It’s Done.

The blade is made from S35VN steel.

The Factory edge up close:

Followers of Tactical Reviews will know my views on factory edges, but to recap:

Anyone using a knife will need to sharpen it. That first factory edge is just like the first tank of fuel that a new car comes with (or first charge of the battery).
A good factory edge is a ‘nice to have’ but not a ‘make or break’ for a good knife, as you will be putting your own edge onto it soon enough.
The factory edge does however indicate the care a knife maker has put into the final finish.
It is for this reason Tactical Reviews measures factory edge sharpness and specifications, and includes this information in the detailed technical testing.

As a further look at the factory edge, this section has been added to include some high magnification photos of the factory edges.

This edge is a 52 degree inclusive and average BESS of 250, but actually cuts much much better than those numbers would suggest. I was going to re-profile to 17.5 DPS but found I didn’t have to. A nice eager edge.

Spartan Blades Soter Review – What is it like to use?
Before I even took this knife out of the box, Spartan Blades were in touch about the smallest first production run issue I’ve come across. Amazing customer service offering to replace / refund the knife. And that first production run issue?; it was if you slammed the blade shut, the cutting edge might contact a small screw in the RaceLock. I’ve come across plenty of knives that the cutting edge can knock inside the handle, and never before an offer from the maker to rectify. Spartan Blades proving how honourable they are and how important it is to them to get it 100% right for their customers.
I did not want to take up this offer, and in normal use I’ve not encountered this potential issue, but I’d like to thank Spartan Blades for their honesty and immediate offer of action.

Compared to other Spartan Blades folders I’ve handled and used, the Soter is a much slimmer knife, both folded and open. The curve of the handle encloses most of the blade making it nicely compact while still having a very useful length of blade and handle.

In my XL glove size hands, the handle is plenty long enough, and the thumb stud hump on the blade provides a very comfortable thumb ramp for powerful forward pressure. I’ll admit I love a harpoon blade, so the Soter scores many style points for me on that, and the dip in the blade spine that creates the high harpoon shape, happens to give you the ideal position to put your thumb to apply pressure directly behind the cutting edge. The last couple of photos are for a two handed close, with my thumb being used to unlock the blade; this style requires the other hand to close the blade as otherwise you would be swinging the blade into your fingers. One-handed-close is easy with a different grip to keep the blade path clear, and using your first finger to pull back the RaceLock button.

I’m in two minds about the pocket clip. I really like the fact it is machined from a single piece and has concealed screws; this looks really refined and strong. But those concealed screws mean to swap sides is a major job as you have to disassemble the entire knife to access those screws. I’ve also found the clip a bit stiff and harsh with the contact point a bit sharp. That in itself is both a pro and con as it will stay put on your pocket, but be harder to put on and off.

While testing I never seemed to have my camera with me so the variety of jobs it took in its stride is not represented here, but in all cases that eager factory edge breezed through everything with ease.

This carbon fibre version is unusual with the flats of the handle left in the semi-gloss stock finish. As the light reflects from this is gives and interesting two-tone effect, and combines well with the slightly stiff pocket clip, as any other texture might drag too much under the clip.

Of all locks of this type I’ve used, Spartan Blades RaceLock has the most comfortable lock buttons to operate, and I like that steampunk styling with the visible spring and guide rod. Purposeful and full of Spartan Blades spirit, the Soter will certainly look after you.

Spartan Blades Soter Review Summary

The views expressed in this summary table are from the point of view of the reviewer’s personal use. I am not a member of the armed forces and cannot comment on its use beyond a cutting tool or field/hunting knife.

Something that might be a ‘pro’ for one user can be a ‘con’ for another, so the comments are categorised based on my requirements. You should consider all points and if they could be beneficial to you.

_______________________________________________
What doesn’t work so well for me
_______________________________________________
Stiff pocket clip.
Full disassembly needed to swap pocket clip to left handed.
I’d prefer a deep carry pocket clip.
Thumbstuds are slightly long and sharp.

_______________________________________________
Things I like
_______________________________________________
The RaceLock’s steampunk styling.
Very comfortable lock release button.
Narrow harpoon blade.
Excellent thumb ramp.
Very secure pocket clip.
Multiple grip positions for power cuts.
Effective grip provided by handle profiling.
Super smooth operation.
Fully unified and matching hardware.
Excellent fit and finish.
Spartan Blades customer service.

Spartan Blades Soter Review Videos

Starting with a short format sixty second review:

Onto a full video review covering many more details:

 
Discussing the Review:
Something new – will it work? A Tactical Reviews Subreddit.
TacticalReviewsChat on Reddit
Please visit there and start/join the conversation.

Knife Review: MKM Maximo

18 February, 2026

In this detailed review of the MKM (Maniago Knife Makers) MAXIMO find out if you would trust this knife to have your back. The MKM Maximo is a robust pocket knife designed by Bob Terzuola and includes many of the design features Terzuola uses on his handmade knives.
The blade is made from 4mm Böhler M390 known for incredible wear-resistance, edge retention and stain resistance. Grip is enhanced by a cross-hatch pattern milled into the scales. This version of the MKM Maximo has bronze finish titanium handles. The deep-carry pocket clip screw includes a glass breaker point and Maximo uses a ball bearing pivot to provide silky-smooth one-handed opening action with either the flipper or thumb stud openers. Join me in this MKM Maximo Review for all the details.

What’s in the box?:
Having been an exhibition / show knife, this particular Maximo has none of the standard packaging, well, none at all, so we go straight in to viewing the knife.

A good look round the folded Maximo – Things to look out for here are:
Our first detailed look is at the knife with blade folded. Starting at the butt of the handle and the tungsten-carbide tipped glass-breaker in the screw that holds the pocket clip in place. The lanyard hole goes through both titanium handles and the spacer. A single-sided pocket clip spans the lock spring cut-out, resting just on the handle so avoiding pressing on the lock bar. Handle bolts have a screw head only on one side, with the other being a plain headed barrel nut. Around the low profile flipper tab the handle is slightly bevelled to give a little more access to the tab when flipping. Surrounding each pivot bolt is a decorative bushing. For increased wear resistance and reduced titanium/steel binding, the lock bar has a steel insert. Twin thumbstuds sit next to a section of thumb jimping on the blade spine.

A good look round the open Maximo – Things to look out for here are:
Though described as a drop-point, to me the Maximo blade is more of a spear-point as its curving bevelled swedge virtually mirrors the cutting edge. Lock engagement has plenty of room to wear-in and settle as you use it more. With the blade open we now clearly see the handle shape. The milled cross-hatch pattern provides grip and a classic look to this integral-lock folder. A well radiused plunge line and sharpening choil provide functional finishing touches.

The Blade and Handle – Detailed Measurements:
For full details of the tests and measurements carried out and an explanation of the results, see the page – Knife Technical Testing – How It’s Done.

The blade is made from M390 steel.

The Factory edge up close:

Followers of Tactical Reviews will know my views on factory edges, but to recap:

Anyone using a knife will need to sharpen it. That first factory edge is just like the first tank of fuel that a new car comes with (or first charge of the battery).
A good factory edge is a ‘nice to have’ but not a ‘make or break’ for a good knife, as you will be putting your own edge onto it soon enough.
The factory edge does however indicate the care a knife maker has put into the final finish.
It is for this reason Tactical Reviews measures factory edge sharpness and specifications, and includes this information in the detailed technical testing.

As a further look at the factory edge, this section has been added to include some high magnification photos of the factory edges.

These edge close-ups show a well used factory edge, so do not think for one moment this is factory fresh! In fact I think this has collected DNA from a few ‘accidents’ by exhibition visitors finding out it is sharp, and also shows signs of a few knocks. I did resharpen for my own testing to remove the damage, but include these initial edge images for interest and entertainment.

MKM Maximo Review – What is it like to use?
Elegant, classic, enduring and timeless, the Maximo seen here bathed in golden hour light.

But this knife is there to be used, and well used it will be. A very comfortable size to carry and to hold. With the blade spine being a good thickness, having a rounded profile, and the perfectly placed thumb jimping, you can really work the Maximo hard and push into the cut with ease.
My hands take an XL size glove and Maximo has enough handle length to cater for my hand, though when leaning into a cut, I do have the glass breaker pressing into my hand. I believe a new Maximo has a smooth bolt you can swap out for the glass breaker if this bothers you.

I do have a tendency to start whacking knives, including folding knives, with a baton, but wasn’t preparing firewood when carrying the Maximo so didn’t subject it to this (at least not yet), instead just going with the flow and whatever cutting tasks presented themselves. The fresh cutting edge slides effortlessly through a variety of packaging (that I didn’t photograph), and the hardwood shaving cuts were just for getting a feel of harder materials and how well the new edge was working. 17.5 DPS is my preferred working edge; the M390 took a very nice edge, and as you can see, the edge bevel is not overly wide at this angle.
Clearing overgrown ivy, the cut shown here was a flicked tap-cut of the free hanging stem.
Pocket clip pressure is good, and the proximity of the clip’s end to the corner of the lock bar cut out, makes for a grabby clip (as the fabric bunches into the lock bar cut-out).
Maximo gives you the reliability and strength of a full metal build (for the two titanium versions), a slim handle making it easy to carry, and a really strong flat grind blade. Despite the nearly 11 degrees primary bevel angle, once given a 35 degree inclusive edge, Maximo has been a very eager cutter. It’s got my back.

MKM Maximo Review Summary

The views expressed in this summary table are from the point of view of the reviewer’s personal use. I am not a member of the armed forces and cannot comment on its use beyond a cutting tool or field/hunting knife.

Something that might be a ‘pro’ for one user can be a ‘con’ for another, so the comments are categorised based on my requirements. You should consider all points and if they could be beneficial to you.

_______________________________________________
What doesn’t work so well for me
_______________________________________________
Single sided clip.
Glass breaker can dig into your hand.
Pocket clip can be a bit grabby with your pocket edge.

_______________________________________________
Things I like
_______________________________________________
Very robust 4mm blade stock.
M390 blade steel.
Thumb open or flipper.
Comfortable and effective thumb jimping.
Steel reinforced lock bar end.
Superb fit and finish.
Choice of handle materials, Titanium, Micarta and Carbon Fibre.
Classic cross-hatch grip pattern.
Excellent size for general purpose EDC use.
Integral-lock reliability.

MKM Maximo Review Videos

Starting with a short format sixty second review:

Onto a full video review covering many more details:

 
Discussing the Review:
Something new – will it work? A Tactical Reviews Subreddit.
TacticalReviewsChat on Reddit
Please visit there and start/join the conversation.

Knife Review: Spyderco PITS 2

29 January, 2026

In this detailed Spyderco PITS 2 review, find out if this state-of-the-art non-locking folding knife could be your ideal EDC companion.

Mike Read, aka “Pie in the Sky” (and hence the model name ‘PITS’), is a British knife-maker and engineer who approaches knife design in a unique way, completely re-thinking and re-designing mechanisms, and not being constrained by convention.

The Spyderco PITS 2 is Mike’s second collaboration with Spyderco and takes his custom knife, the ‘Alien’, and makes it available to a wider market. Though an evolution of the PITS, as a UK EDC legal slip-joint folder, the PITS 2 is a completely different concept. In the PITS 2 the idea of a back-spring has been transformed into two integral spring arms machined within the handle scales. The free end of these arms support the blade pivot, and flex as the blade is opened to provide pressure between the notch in the blade tang and the stop pin, creating the slip-joint action.

The handle scales are meticulously crafted from solid 6AL-4V titanium with a matt finish. The PITS 2 has a satin full flat grind blade, and is made from Böhler-Uddeholm’s M398 particle metallurgy stainless steel. The PITS 2 has a symmetrical design that includes a fully accessible Sypderco opening hole in the blade and a reversible tip-up pocket clip, ensuring that every aspect of carry and operation is entirely ambidextrous.

Join me in this Spyderco PITS 2 Review for all the details.

What’s in the box?:

All exactly as you would expect for a Spyderco folder. The slip-cover box housing the knife in a plastic bag, along with information leaflet and sticker.

A good look round the folded PITS 2 – Things to look out for here are:

Absolutely fresh out of the box and there is a plastic protector disk under the pocket clip to ensure there are no marks should you wish to remove the clip altogether, or swap it to the left handed configuration.
Immediately you see this is a unique and special design having sprung pivot arms within the handle scales themselves. The pocket clip is deep carry, and removable / reversible with a single screw into the titanium spacer.
Looking at the pivot you can see how it is fully floating on the integral sprung arms that are one piece with each of the handle scales. The stop pin holds the front of the handles together as they are actually separated from the pivot. This unique design removes the back-spring and allows a slip joint with fully open handle. The Spyder-hole opening hole is completely exposed for easy opening.

A good look round the open PITS 2 – Things to look out for here are:

Swinging out the full-flat grind rounded drop-point blade, and you get your first look at the integral spring arms flexing. With the open-back handle and cut through handle scales the PITS 2 is definitely different. Featuring a very slicey and useful blade geometry with the Spyderco opening hole in M398 steel.
Unlike the PITS, there is no flipper-like finger guard, however there is a low profile feature which is sufficient to prevent the blade being able to close on your fingers while you have a firm grip.

A Special look at the other PITS folders – Things to look out for here are:

To see where the PITS 2 hails from, this gallery is to give a direct side-by-side comparison of the PITS 2 with the original PITS. I’m also lucky enough to own a custom Mike Read PITS MK5 which gives you an insight into how Mike’s original design was “Spydercoed” and the evolution into the PITS 2.

Explained by the Maker:
The reasons for certain design choices may not be clear when simply looking at an object, so this section is intended to give an insight into the thinking behind a design by speaking to the designer themselves.

Mike kindly agreed to speak to me about the PITS 2 design, and here is a summary of that conversation:

The PITS 2 actually came from a test piece Mike was working on for a double-detent slip-joint folder where the detent balls were mounted in the frame and used a cut out though each handle to form a sprung arm so the whole frame bent out and in as the detents engaged and released. The idea being that if you gripped the sides of the handle it would hold the detents in place. But once the test pieces were made up Mike didn’t like it so dropped the idea as it was. However, the cut-outs were something he did like, so he wanted to use the idea somehow. Fortunately for us, Spyderco approached Mike for another knife design following the success of the PITS.
Compared to Mike’s custom knife there is a slight difference in the blade tang’s cam shape and the lock pin, both of which affect the action and resistance to closing, but of course a custom maker can fine tune these details in a way a production knife maker cannot.
Safety was designed into the PITS 2 by using a finger choil, but a much smaller choil than used on the UKPK to maximise cutting edge length, and to allow you to keep four fingers on the knife handle rather than one fully in a choil. By carefully positioning the choil and mini-guard of the blade sufficiently forward of the pivot, it gives your finger more leverage on the blade, so more protection from it closing, and even if it starts to close it will safely press on your finger and not cut you.
Going back to the original PITS, to be able to include the finger guard an open back design was crucial. Though not required for the PITS 2 design, this open back was a carry-over of a feature Mike likes, so wanted to keep.
For all of Mike’s designs he always puts the largest blade he can fit in the handle. In fact his custom version has a blade that is a couple of millimetres longer, and he offered buyers two different blade shapes. For the Spyderco PITS 2 the less ‘pointy’ version of the blade was chosen as a more friendly overall look.
For the handle design, Mike was basing this on his own use of smaller EDC knives where you take it out of a pocket to make a cut, then fold and put back, and so on. This is not intended for large heavy jobs, but just all the small general cutting tasks, so the PITS 2 was designed around this type of use, and not heavier cutting. The curves and shaping of the handle is intended to give you immediate indexing and a variety of grip options and dexterity without having to look at it.

The Blade and Handle – Detailed Measurements:

For full details of the tests and measurements carried out and an explanation of the results, see the page – Knife Technical Testing – How It’s Done.

The blade is made from M398 steel.

With the PITS 2 being a slip-joint folder, the resistance to closing (and related stiffness of opening) is an important factor, so for this I carry out Torque measurements for opening and closing.

And the torque measurements for the PITS 2 (for further reference values check the Technical Testing link):

Of note are that these are the lowest opening and closing torque figures I have ever measured. Strangely it doesn’t feel that way in use, but these are the actual measured values.

The Factory edge up close:

Followers of Tactical Reviews will know my views on factory edges, but to recap:

Anyone using a knife will need to sharpen it. That first factory edge is just like the first tank of fuel that a new car comes with (or first charge of the battery).
A good factory edge is a ‘nice to have’ but not a ‘make or break’ for a good knife, as you will be putting your own edge onto it soon enough.
The factory edge does however indicate the care a knife maker has put into the final finish.
It is for this reason Tactical Reviews measures factory edge sharpness and specifications, and includes this information in the detailed technical testing.

As a further look at the factory edge, this section has been added to include some high magnification photos of the factory edges.

Spyderco’s typically immaculate factory edges.

What is it like to use?
As a true one-handed-opener slip-joint, the PITS 2 is already somewhat unusual. Add in the unique integral sprung pivot, that not only looks intriguing, but allows for the open back design; then on top of this the finely crafted all Titanium handles, and you have a really special knife. This is all before you even open the blade.
As is befitting of an EDC slip-joint, the PITS 2 is a supremely easy to carry size. When I drop it into a bag without using the clip I sometimes find myself hunting for it and worrying I’ve lost it. Using the clip has been secure without being overly abrasive as some can be,
I find that most naturally I use a pinch grip to hold the knife with thumb and finger opposite sides of where the pivot is.

Earlier in the opening/closing torque section, you might have noticed me mention that the PITS 2 has the lowest torque readings I have so far measured. However, oddly, it does not feel too light, and does snap into position. Using slip-joints safely does rely on correct technique, and used correctly, this is no issue at all. In fact the crisp edges of the Spyder-hole (which was designed to be used with various types of lock, not really a slip-joint) could become too sharp if the spring resistance was higher, so the balance is just right.

To reassure you further though, here is a photo showing how, when you grip the knife firmly, if the blade does start to rotate closed, it pinches onto your finger and this prevents the blade closing any further. This demonstration photo was to intentionally illustrate what would happen if you got the cut direction and pressure wrong, and so far I’ve never actually had this happen.

Of course, I’m not going out into the woods and batoning the PITS 2 or processing firewood. It’s a small EDC knife for all those every day tasks. Being (currently) UK EDC legal, I’ve had it with me all day every day and enjoyed removing plastic injection molding flashing, opening boxes and food packaging, and trimming whatever needs a trim.

The edges of the opening hole are almost too crisp. This does give the opening hole grip, but combined with winter dry hands, and one job after another, was starting to cut into my thumb. I might ‘ease’ this at some point, as the hole is very accessible when the blade is closed so a slight reduction in grip should not be a problem. Something for future-me to decide. Using an opening hole instead of a thumb stud keeps the whole design much thinner and sleeker, so is a great choice.

Pocket carry with the clip is comfortable and has been secure. With the overall length being short enough not to get pushed off your pocket edge when sitting and moving about. Personally however, losing a knife that has popped off a pocket edge at some point during the day is just too frustrating, so I’ll only use the pocket clip during a job where I’m using the knife on and off for a while. Then once finished I’ll move it off my pocket edge and into a safer location.

Another observation, if it matters for your use, is that general reactions to the PITS 2 are much more positive than the original PITS. I love the PITS and it is a fantastic tool (which is also UK EDC legal) punching well above its weight, but despite being UK EDC Legal many comments about ‘are you allowed to carry that’ are simply not there with the PITS 2. The rounded blade tip profile and slightly smaller dimensions seem to have brought this into more poeple’s comfort zone and makes them curious about a design unlike anything they have seen before.

Spyderco PITS 2 Review Summary

The views expressed in this summary table are from the point of view of the reviewer’s personal use. I am not a member of the armed forces and cannot comment on its use beyond a cutting tool or field/hunting knife.

Something that might be a ‘pro’ for one user can be a ‘con’ for another, so the comments are categorised based on my requirements. You should consider all points and if they could be beneficial to you.

_______________________________________________
What doesn’t work so well for me
_______________________________________________
Opening and Closing Torque is low.
Spyder-hole edges are bit too sharp.
Polished pocket clip seems slightly out of place (Stonewashed might have been better).

_______________________________________________
Things I like
_______________________________________________
Totally unique integral sprung pivot arms.
Open back handle.
Secure but non-abrasive pocket clip.
Mini finger guard prevents blade closing onto your fingers.
Slim and light.
UK EDC Legal.
Slicey full-flat grind blade.
M398 steel.
Movable/removable pocket clip.
Fully ambidextrous.

Spyderco PITS 2 Review Videos

Starting with a short format sixty second review:

Onto a full video review covering many more details:

 
Discussing the Review:
Something new – will it work? A Tactical Reviews Subreddit.
TacticalReviewsChat on Reddit
Please visit there and start/join the conversation.

Knife Review: Extrema Ratio Numen

17 January, 2026

In this detailed review of the Extrema Ratio Numen, Tactical Reviews presents a detailed look at Extrema Ratio’s latest super-versatile survival knife. Join me in this Extrema Ratio Numen Review for all the details.

Extrema Ration named this survival knife after the ancient Roman concept of numen, an invisible force that guides and protects in crucial times. It is not an anthropomorphic god with a definite personality, but a discrete power that exerts its influence in every situation.

The version featured in this review is Numen Satin – made of Böhler N690 (58 HRC) steel for reliability and corrosion resistance. Also available in an S600 steel version (64 HRC) that has greater wear resistance and toughness.

Designed in collaboration with Daniele Dal Canto, AIGS Guide (Italian Survival Guide Association), Numen is a sturdy, versatile and highly functional knife, designed to be a silent but powerful companion, made to deal with the toughest challenges with a full tang construction, making Numen ideal for cutting down, pruning, batoning, chopping and woodworking.

The design of the blade makes it perfect for heavy-duty work, but the versatile handle also allows for more precise cuts.

Could Numen be your ideal companion and loyal ally for all your adventures? Join me in this Extrema Ratio Numen Review to find out.

What’s in the box?:

Or, “What’s in the BIG box?” as this is a substantial knife (and I may be repeating that comment a few times). Simply put it is the sheathed knife in a plastic bag along with the quality control card. Then, for scale, I’ve put my XL glove-size hand on top, which doesn’t quite do justice to the size.

A good look round the Numen’s Sheath – Things to look out for here are:

Extrema Ratio always give you a super-functional, tough and reliable sheath to carry the knife, and the Numen has exactly that. Lots of thought has gone into this ambidextrous sheath to make sure it stands up to heavy use alongside the Numen. This gallery has had to be quite large to show all of the features.
The main body of the sheath has webbing on both sides for securing the hanger and providing additional load carrying options. The tip of the sheath has a good size drainage hole next to the leg tie loop. Retention straps are always at risk of being cut when sheathing and unsheathing the knife, so to counter this Extrema Ratio have used a flexible solid plastic strip for the strap. The visible side of the strap has fabric sewn onto it to make it look completely in keeping with the rest of the sheath, but that plastic will resist cutting for a very long time, much more than a fabric strap.
Typical for Extrema Ratio; as well as the standard retention strap, there is a handle retention strap that ensures the knife stays completely stable when not actively in use by preventing the handle flapping about, and reducing the chance of anything getting caught over the handle. This has two press studs, the inside surface of which have a plastic caps, to avoid any metal contacting the G10 handle.
Now onto the removable, reconfigurable hanger. At the very top of this is a cord channel and flipping to the back there are two separate belt loops. Both the belt loops has a full Velcro lining so that once fitted to whatever belt/web you choose, the loop locks down to hold it tightly reducing slipping and flapping.
The hanger itself fits to the webbing on the sheath body using a flap with two press studs; this allows you to remove it or reposition it to suit, and to go between right and left handed configurations. Hand in hand with this, the retention strap is fitted with a press stud on both ends, so when changing handedness of the sheath, the retention strap is popped off and swapped round.
This level of function is exceptional and characteristic of Extrema Ratio’s designs.

A good look round the Numen – Things to look out for here are:

Possibly the most notable feature (apart from overall size) is the length of the Numen’s handle – almost half the entire length of the knife. Handles are of course ‘hand’ sized, so for smaller knives, this is expected, but a large, long-bladed knife, the size of handle is usually much shorter than the blade. We’ll come back to the benefits of this later.
Numen’s blade is made to take seriously heavy use. Thick blade stock and a tapering flat grind sweeping towards a strong tip. The plunge line is well radiused to reduce stress concentrators, and a sharpening choil allows for full length edge sharpening with the choil being large enough to also not focus stresses.
G10 handles with complex shaping that includes the distinctive Extrema Ratio first and second finger grip groove, are precisely finished and fit perfectly to the blade tang. Texturing all along the handle edges enhances grip wherever you position your hand. For the fully choked up grip there is also a section of thumb jimping on the spine for stability.

The Blade and Handle – Detailed Measurements:

For full details of the tests and measurements carried out and an explanation of the results, see the page – Knife Technical Testing – How It’s Done.

The blade is made from N690 steel.

The Factory edge up close:

Followers of Tactical Reviews will know my views on factory edges, but to recap:

Anyone using a knife will need to sharpen it. That first factory edge is just like the first tank of fuel that a new car comes with (or first charge of the battery).
A good factory edge is a ‘nice to have’ but not a ‘make or break’ for a good knife, as you will be putting your own edge onto it soon enough.
The factory edge does however indicate the care a knife maker has put into the final finish.
It is for this reason Tactical Reviews measures factory edge sharpness and specifications, and includes this information in the detailed technical testing.

As a further look at the factory edge, this section has been added to include some high magnification photos of the factory edges.

The Numen’s edge actually proved more challenging than most to get close-up images of. The factory edge was very sharp and had plenty of bite.

What is it like to use?

It is not the biggest or heaviest knife I’ve carried, so I don’t want to overplay that aspect of the Numen, but the more you carry larger blades, the more you understand when it is worth the extra size and weight, and when it starts to become a burden. So, yes, it is a commitment to decide to carry the Numen, as you will be aware of it at times. However, that awareness of its presence is rewarded with complete confidence in this versatile, robust tool which is capable of jobs you would otherwise have to carry a hatchet to be able to do. As well as heavy tasks, this workhorse of a tool is also capable of fine control and precision cutting thanks to its handle accommodating so many different grip positions.

The gallery shows overall scale with my XL glove-size hand, then working through the finer grip positions to the heaviest chopping grip all the way at the butt. Thanks to the excellent handle grip design, this extreme hand placement felt absolutely secure during all the heaviest chopping.

At the time of writing I didn’t have any suitable green wood for testing the chopping. Instead a trusty pallet chop test, which, as it happens, was an Italian pallet, and one made of an unknown hardwood which is well seasoned. So a suitably tough chopping test, not green wood, not softwood, but seasoned hardwood.

Clearly visible are the large steps in the cut from the power of the Numen’s strikes, easily finishing off the board and into the next one. Kindling and feather sticks easily processed. Despite the size of blade, I still prefer to baton kindling due to the improved control when more than one hit is required to split the wood.

Following the heavy chopping tests, I happened to have some 1″ manilla rope out for some other cutting tests. The wide wedge of the Numen’s blade would not be well suited to this type of cut, but I gave it a go anyway. The bite from the now used factory edge was excellent, only stopping in the cut due to the hardness of the new rope. Positioning the rope on the cutting block edge to give relief during the cut, and the Numen gave a really clean cut through this tough fibrous material. (Now wishing I’d had a hanging rope cut test set up, but didn’t.)

Of course, with a blade stock of 6.1mm, the Numen cannot be the best slicer, but understanding this and using technique to provide relief when cutting harder materials, it does really well. The length of handle giving you great purchase to apply force with control, and be able adjust your grip position to best effect.

A good sheath is as important as a good knife, and Extrema Ratio reliably give you a great sheath to carry the knife. Even a detail as small as the cut-resistant retaining strap elevates the reliability of the Numen’s sheath. With a modular assembly and adjustments (like the movable position of the secondary retention strap) you didn’t know you needed until you realise you have them, it is possible to fine tune how you carry the Numen. Most importantly, thanks to the quality of the sheath, you know Numen will still be there when you need it.

Extrema Ratio Numen Review Summary

The views expressed in this summary table are from the point of view of the reviewer’s personal use. I am not a member of the armed forces and cannot comment on its use beyond a cutting tool or field/hunting knife.

Something that might be a ‘pro’ for one user can be a ‘con’ for another, so the comments are categorised based on my requirements. You should consider all points and if they could be beneficial to you.

_______________________________________________
What doesn’t work so well for me
_______________________________________________
Blade thickness impedes slicing ability.
Velcro in belt loop slows down fitting and removal from your belt.

_______________________________________________
Things I like
_______________________________________________
Extended handle provides a range of grip positions.
Powerful chopping action.
Flexible mounting due to modular sheath.
Ambidextrous sheath.
Anti-cut retention strap.
Super-tough full tang blade.
Balanced even for finer work.
Very secure grip.
Choice of N690 or S600 steels.

Extrema Ratio Numen Review Videos

Starting with a short format sixty second review:

Onto a full video review covering many more details:

 
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Knife Steel: Spyderco CPM SPY27

26 December, 2025

Spyderco SPY27 Steel Test – This time it is the steel in focus, not the knife.

Specific steel testing isn’t something I normally do, so this is more of an informal test and a look at a steel that was specifically designed for Spyderco – CPM SPY27. For the ultimate in technical analysis of steels please make sure to visit Knife Steel Nerds; for something lighter read on here.

In terms of composition, it is similar to CPM S30V and CPM S35VN, with comparable edge retention and toughness. More notable is that due to the changes in certain elements SPY27 is considered to be easier to maintain with a strop and to sharpen.

CPM SPY27, is a particle metallurgy stainless steel produced exclusively for Spyderco. SPY27 is intended to deliver an excellent balance of edge retention, toughness, and corrosion resistance.

Join me in this Spyderco SPY27 Steel Test for an overview of this steel.

What’s in the box?::
This really is a by-the-by section, as the knife is not the focus of this article. It happens that the SPY27 blade being tested is in the excellent Shamen knife previously reviewed in detail here Spyderco Shaman – The knife that nearly passed me by.

Two Shamen, the previous review knife, and the one featuring the SPY27 blade.

The test knife:
To distinguish those knives using SPY27 they are fitted with cobalt blue colour handles.

The Factory edge up close:

Followers of Tactical Reviews will know my views on factory edges, but to recap:

Anyone using a knife will need to sharpen it. That first factory edge is just like the first tank of fuel that a new car comes with (or first charge of the battery).
A good factory edge is a ‘nice to have’ but not a ‘make or break’ for a good knife, as you will be putting your own edge onto it soon enough.
The factory edge does however indicate the care a knife maker has put into the final finish.
It is for this reason Tactical Reviews measures factory edge sharpness and specifications, and includes this information in the detailed technical testing.

As a further look at the factory edge, this section has been added to include some high magnification photos of the factory edges.

In particular here, as we are focusing on the steel, the intention of the magnified edge images is in relation to the refinement of the edge that the steel allows.

Spyderco’s consistency of factory edge and edge finishing is excellent, and these images confirm that the steel supports this very well.

CPM SPY27 Composition:

Carbon (C):1.25
Chromium (Cr):14.00
Cobalt (Co):1.50
Copper (Cu):–
Manganese (Mn):0.50
Molybdenum (Mo):2.00
Nickel (Ni):–
Niobium (Nb):1.00
Nitrogen (N):0.10
Phosphorus (P):–
Silicon (Si):0.50
Sulphur (S):–
Tungsten (W):–
Vanadium (V):2.00

How did the SPY27 perform?:

It is difficult to quantify true steel performance without a lot of specialist equipment, so as a basic and easy to understand test, I opted for a 1″ manilla rope cut test with sharpness measurements.

Once of the features of SPY27 that has been commented on is ease of maintenance, including with a strop, so while blunting it during the rope cut test, this would be followed by restoration of the edge by only a compound-loaded strop.

The videos included below run through some of the stages of the test and the sharpness measurements. The videos also illustrate the cleanliness of cut and also show TV guide paper test cuts.

Summarising the progression during the test, out of the box we have a BESS 178 edge (typically excellent Spyderco). This has become BESS 381 after 5 cuts, and after a total of 15 cuts measures BESS 378. Of note is that the BESS measurement is a spot check so repeated measurements can fluctuate slightly.

The used edge was then worked on a strop loaded with a fine metal polishing compound, and without any re-sharpening, just using this strop, the edge was brought to BESS 179. A complete recovery of the used edge to the original sharpness level.

Spyderco SPY27 Steel Test Summary

To carry out a definitive steel performance test would require many more blades with full re-sharpening stages, and ultimately be somewhat subjective. Being the first article dedicated to a steel, I can only conclude that the results of the testing employed for this article will give us a reference result for edge stability to compare others to. The figures show the degree of blunting from a common cutting test, and that after the initial blunting the blade continued to cut well.

Perhaps the most pleasing result was the full edge sharpness recovery by stropping alone. Of course most blunting is caused by rolling the edge apex, so stropping is effective to realign this, but here we have a perfect recovery after 15 1″ manilla rope cuts.

Review Videos

This mini series consists of three short form videos showing a 1″ manilla rope cut test with sharpness measurements:

 
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Light Review: Olight Javelot Turbo 2 (Kit)

18 December, 2025

In this detailed review of the Olight Javelot Turbo 2 a long-range torch / flashlight, Tactical Reviews presents a close look at this super-thrower search light. Join me in this Olight Javelot Turbo 2 Review for all the details.

Included in the review is the ‘kit’ which includes coloured filters and magnetic gun / weapon mount.

The Javelot Turbo 2 is a full-size, long-range torch/flashlight designed for hunting or search-and-rescue applications. At maximum output, it can throw a focused beam of 1,800 lumens up to 1,500 meters away (as per Olight’s product specifications). Furthermore, the light can pair with a wireless remote, allowing control from 8 meters away. The magnetic dock on the torch secures the remote control and simultaneously charges it.

Powered by a 5,000 mAh battery pack, it offers up to 272 hours of runtime on the lowest level and can be easily replaced by unscrewing the tail cap. With both USB-C and magnetic charging capabilities, the Javelot Turbo 2 provides charging flexibility. It can also be mounted using the X-WM03 magnetic mount, transforming it into a super long-range Weapon Mounted Light.

What is in the box?:
In fact this section should be called ‘What is in the waterproof protective case?’ as the Javelot Turbo 2 comes in a nice quality rugged case with pressure equalisation valve. Something you can either keep the Javelot Turbo 2 in, or re-purpose for anything else you would find more useful if the torch is constantly in use.
Opening the case you initially find the torch, instructions and remote in plastic bags. This is the Kit form of the Javelot Turbo 2 so the case also houses a magnetic gun mount (or ‘weapon’ mount, depending on your preference), along with two coloured glass filters for hunting.

A good look round the Javelot Turbo 2 Kit accessories – Things to look out for here are:
Before looking at the light, there are a number of Kit components to look at. Starting with the wireless remote switch, which has a wrist lanyard and a watch strap style switch holder. Included with these parts is a bag of self-adhesive rubber spacers that are intended to be used with the magnetic gun mount.
The wireless remote has a single elongated textured button. There is a lanyard hole on one end and flipping it over shows the three pin contacts for it to leech-charge from the main light. For gun and wrist mounting a silicone watch strap holder is also included that the remote can be slotted into. Here I fitted it without removing the lanyard, but you would normally remove the lanyard if using the wrist holder.
Also included are Red and Green coated glass filters with a elastic TPU lens cone holder that ensures it will stay in place. The coating of the glass appears to be a dichroic filter giving the mirror like appearance until you look directly through the filter when the colour filtering can be seen.
Finally we have the magnetic gun mount. This has a flip-top gate clamp with thumb screw for quick, easy, tool free fitting. Dense closed cell foam lines the inside of the clamp to protect the surface finish of the light. Underneath the mount has three long magnets which have heat shrink tubing on them to protect the gun from direct contact. The large central thumb wheel moves the middle magnet up and down so you can adjust it for different size barrels.

Taking a more detailed look at the Javelot Turbo 2:

And now onto the main feature; the Javelot Turbo 2 itself. Straight out of the box, the front lens has a yellow plastic protector in place. Make sure you remove this before turning the light on, unless you like smelly melted plastic film over your main lens. And now we see that wide, deep reflector that gives the Javelot lights their fantastic beam range. At the heart of this light is a 27.5W LED, oddly otherwise not given a specification.
However, you can’t accidentally turn on the light right out of the box, as an insulator is fitted to prevent accidental activation of the light during transport, so you need to unscrew the tail-cap and take out the battery fully to remove this safety insulator. While doing so you can admire the contacts and battery, as afterwards you will most likely not see them again thanks to the built in USB-C charging.
Featuring blue highlights for the main bezel and side switch surround to give Olight’s signature look. The side switch has four battery level indicators and a remote switch activity indicator.
On the opposite side of the light to the side switch is the remote switch dock, using three contacts to charge and pair the remote switch.
A hinged metal flap covers the USB-C port when not in use. Lastly in this gallery, the tail-cap switch, which has Olight’s magnetic charging contacts, but this cable is not included.

The beam

Please be careful not to judge tint based on images you see on a computer screen. Unless properly calibrated, the screen itself will change the perceived tint.

The indoor beam shot is intended to give an idea of the beam shape/quality rather than tint. All beam shots are taken using daylight white balance. The woodwork (stairs and skirting) are painted Farrow & Ball “Off-White”, and the walls are a light sandy colour called ‘String’ again by Farrow & Ball. I don’t actually have a ‘white wall’ in the house to use for this, and my wife won’t have one!

Any long time followers of Tactical Reviews might be familiar with the outdoor beam shots, but a new perspective has become necessary from a higher vantage point; the fence is at a distance of 32m.
The same exposure is used for the coloured filter beam shots to show the relative light levels for indoors and outdoors.

Batteries and output:

The Javelot Turbo 2 runs on a proprietary battery which needs to be charged in the light.

Please note, all quoted lumen figures are from a DIY integrating sphere, and according to ANSI standards. Although every effort is made to give as accurate a result as possible, they should be taken as an estimate only. The results can be used to compare outputs in this review and others I have published.

For full details of the tests and measurements carried out and an explanation of the results, see the page – Light Testing Information.

Measured output correlated incredibly well with the official specifications, including the beam range.

* Beacon and Strobe output measurements are only estimates as the brief flashes make it difficult to capture the actual output value.

The runtime trace is equally impressive with 1200lm maintained for 1h 30m, and plenty of warning provided with the step downs, so you won’t be let down.

Troubleshooting

This section is included to mention any minor niggles I come across during testing, in case the information helps anyone else.

The only issue I encountered was with the switch mount / wrist strap for the remote switch. The post provided to allow the strap size to be set was very difficult to fit, and on the first attempt to remove it broke. I will be cutting off the broken post and fitting a metal Sam Browne stud in its place (a leatherworking fixing). Hopefully Olight will update this design.

As per the description of this section, this information is provided in case anyone else finds a similar ‘issue’ that might be fixed in the same way.

The Javelot Turbo 2 in use

For a super-thrower, the Javelot Turbo 2 is easy to handle and combines its large reflector, and long battery tube into a practical package. Yes, it is long, but this makes it easy to hold and gives it excellent balance too.

Three completely different switching options adds to the versatility immensely. The side switch is one of the most natural controls when holding the Javelot Turbo 2 normally. Move into a tactical-grip with your thumb over the tail-switch, and again more intuitive control. And then yet another option, the bluetooth remote switch.

I’ll admit, that initially I thought this was a gimmick. However, I am now a convert for a couple of reasons; firstly, yes gun / weapon mounting and not having a wire to activate the light is very convenient. The switch mount can be used for gun mounting or as a wrist strap, or you can keep the switch in a pocket or hanging from the lanyard. What I found really useful too was having the Javelot Turbo 2 set up to be used hands free and then remotely controlled. Something I even did for lighting up the garden at night, leaving the Javelot Turbo 2 outside and being able to turn it on and off from inside the house. A really useful option to have.

I did not use the magnetic gun mount; convenient it might be, but secure and stable it is not. Olight’s own videos show the mount moving under recoil. This means you have only a couple of shots before needing to re-adjust. It also means the mount rubbing over the gun’s surface finish (which I normally keep lightly oiled) and any grit or dirt that happens to be on the surface. So I chose not to test this or show it. The mount would be useful for other fixed lighting tasks.

On this basis I also did not use the switch mount strap on a gun. I’m not keen on strapping a switch to a gun, usually using an adhesive strip to fit the switch as this allows precise placement anywhere, but with the Javelot Turbo 2, the remote switch needs to be fitted to the torch to recharge, so you can’t stick it to the gun. You could used some stick-on hook/loop fixings, as long as you ensure you don’t prevent the docking of the remote switch on the light. The switch holder also needs the size adjustment post issue sorted. A stick-on, rather than strap-on, holder would be a good addition if Olight decide to include it in future.

A quick check of the charging rate, and it’s taking 2A at 5V off my normal charger, so a healthy charge rate as specified. Having the coloured filters is crucial for hunting use as all animals are spooked by white light. Different species respond far less to red or green which makes these critical options. The filter mount is a flexible TPU that grips the head firmly and provides additional bump protection. I’m actually tempted to pop the green filter glass out and use the TPU holder as a bump cushion (for my use, the red is much more important).
Olight have always done an excellent job with the beam focus on the Javelot range, and I still have the original Javelots with de-domed LEDs. The Javelot Turbo 2 keeps this excellence and you can see from the lightsaber-like beam how strong this focus is. It measured right on specification, with my own measurements coming in at a beam range of 1510m; it certainly cuts a swathe through the darkness.

Olight Javelot Turbo 2 Review Summary
The views expressed in this summary table are from the point of view of the reviewer’s personal use. I am not a member of the armed forces and cannot comment on its use beyond that covered in the review.

Something that might be a ‘pro’ for one user can be a ‘con’ for another, so the comments are categorised based on my requirements. You should consider all points and if they could be beneficial to you.

_______________________________________________
What doesn’t work so well for me
_______________________________________________
Remote switch mount adjuster broke on first use.
Magnetic gun mount moves under recoil.
Olight did not include the magnetic charging cable.

_______________________________________________
Things I like
_______________________________________________
Wireless remote switch.
1510m beam range measured and confirmed.
1850lm Turbo output measured and confirmed.
Three switching options (side switch, tail switch, remote switch).
Remote switch charges directly off the light.
Good balance and handling.
Strong waterproof case included.
Quality red/green coloured filters.
Useful 15lm Low mode.

Olight Javelot Turbo 2 Review Videos

Starting with a short format sixty second review:

Onto a full video review covering many more details:

 
Discussing the Olight Javelot Turbo 2 Review:
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TacticalReviewsChat on Reddit
Please visit there and start/join the conversation.

Knife Review: Mercury Luc

11 December, 2025

In this detailed review of the Mercury Luc, Tactical Reviews presents a close look at Mercury’s modern take on the slip joint folding knife. Join me in this Mercury Luc Review for all the details.

The Mercury Luc is inspired by the classic hunting pocket knives from the 1960s; a traditional design, but now fitted with an Elmax stainless steel clip point blade. The handle is made from 6061 aluminium with choices of black or green anodising, and optional micarta/G10 inlays.

Of course the slip joint knife dates back far earlier than the 1960s, generally considered to have emerged in the 17th Century with the introduction of a back spring that revolutionised the folding pocket knife to create a simple, reliable and practical tool; popularised as the ‘penknife’ for shaping quills. For good reason this traditional design of knife mechanism remains popular and useful today.

What’s in the box?:
For this section there is no box or packaging to include, as the specific knives featured were ‘show knives’ at IWA Outdoor Classics 2025 (and possibly other exhibitions). It also means that in the following galleries, any imperfections will be due to each knife being handled by a lot of people during the trade fair.

A good look round the folded Mercury Luc – Things to look out for here are:
Starting off with a lot of different views round the folded knife to see it from all directions. The lanyard hole is ingeniously incorporated into an exposed section of the backspring, making it very accessible and easy to tie into. One side of the pivot bolt has the Mercury logo engraved into it, the other side is a domed torx screw head with decorative fluting. Peeled G10 is used for the orange handle insert, held in place the two screws. In keeping with the simple reliable design we have phosphor-bronze pivot washers.
As another option, the insert can also be micarta, a much softer feeling material, but one which will take on a patina through use.

A good look round the open Mercury Luc – Things to look out for here are:
Swinging out the Luc’s clip-point blade shows the modern touches on this classic. Elmax as the blade steel, an angled milled slot as the nail nick, and high tolerance finishes with the H clearly displaying this precision. A flat grind, clip-point blade, with bevelled swedge and stonewashed finish showcase its modern construction.

The Blade and Handle – Detailed Measurements:
For full details of the tests and measurements carried out and an explanation of the results, see the page – Knife Technical Testing – How It’s Done.

The blade is made from Elmax steel.

With the Mercury Luc being a slip-joint folder, the resistance to closing (and related stiffness of opening) is an important factor, so for this I carry out Torque measurements for opening and closing.

And the torque measurements for the Mercury Luc (for further reference values check the Technical Testing link):

The Factory edge up close:

Followers of Tactical Reviews will know my views on factory edges, but to recap:

Anyone using a knife will need to sharpen it. That first factory edge is just like the first tank of fuel that a new car comes with (or first charge of the battery).
A good factory edge is a ‘nice to have’ but not a ‘make or break’ for a good knife, as you will be putting your own edge onto it soon enough.
The factory edge does however indicate the care a knife maker has put into the final finish.
It is for this reason Tactical Reviews measures factory edge sharpness and specifications, and includes this information in the detailed technical testing.

As a further look at the factory edge, this section has been added to include some high magnification photos of the factory edges.

What is it like to use?
Mercury’s Luc reinforces why the slip joint folder pocket knife has been so popular and successful since its inception around 400 years ago. It is a daily tool for all the smaller every day cutting tasks that don’t need a larger, stronger and heavier cutting tool. A type of knife that allows quick, intuitive opening and closing without a lock, but with a spring to provide enough resistance to make it safe to carry and use. Just quickly unfold and fold as needed without having to unlock.
There are those who take the view that non-locking slip joint knives no longer have a place due to being ‘unsafe’ to use, and liable to close unexpectedly on your fingers. However this ‘problem’ with slip joint folding knives is due only to incorrect cutting technique, or inappropriate use of the tool for a cutting job it is not suitable for, and nothing to do with the design at all. Used correctly and appropriately, the slip joint is absolutely relevant and the ideal tool for most smaller cutting tasks. As long as you ensure the cutting force is applied in the direction that pushes the blade open, it cannot close on you, and is perfectly safe to use.

Shown here in my XL glove sized hands, the Mercury Luc is not an insignificant knife, but also not overly large. Easy to handle and comfortable to use for appropriate jobs (those not requiring heavy cuts), the Luc is extremely practical. When taking on slightly heavier cuts the spine is comfortable to press on with your thumb for that extra control and pressure.

Modern urban life, and those directing how we live, seem intent on diminishing the importance of every day tools, but even the tear-open packaging is much better when cleanly cut open. Let’s make the pocket knife an even more common every day tool, and use it how it should be used, to give us back control and provide choice for how we shape our experience in life.

The Mercury Luc gives us a simple, reliable, tool that just does what you need of it; no more, no less.

Carrying both the G10 and micarta versions on me constantly, despite this only being a difference in handle insert, the experience is quite distinct. The G10 has a crisper, brighter look, not just as it is orange, but the G10 has a sharpness. Peeled G10 is very grippy, but also abrasive and this can be fatiguing. With the canvas micarta, this material feels softer (despite also being resin based), warmer and much less harsh to hold. Though not really natural, the micarta has a more natural feel, and like a natural material is more likely to change in appearance through use. Personal preference will dictate your choice.

Mercury Luc Review Summary

The views expressed in this summary table are from the point of view of the reviewer’s personal use. I am not a member of the armed forces and cannot comment on its use beyond a cutting tool or field/hunting knife.

Something that might be a ‘pro’ for one user can be a ‘con’ for another, so the comments are categorised based on my requirements. You should consider all points and if they could be beneficial to you.

_______________________________________________
What doesn’t work so well for me
_______________________________________________
The sharpening choil is too small to fully access the heel.
Peeled G10 can be a bit harsh and abrasive.

_______________________________________________
Things I like
_______________________________________________
Elmax steel provides excellent edge retention.
Firm backspring and open/close action.
Nail ‘nick’ slot gives really good grip.
Handle width is both comfortable and slim.
Reliable and strong phosphor-bronze washers.
Choice of G10, micarta, or plain handles.
Super accessible lanyard hole.
Clean, modern, clip-point blade design.

Mercury Luc Review Videos

Starting with a short format sixty second review:

Onto a full video review covering many more details:

 
Discussing the Review:
Something new – will it work? A Tactical Reviews Subreddit.
TacticalReviewsChat on Reddit
Please visit there and start/join the conversation.