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Knife Review: lionSTEEL T6

8 February, 2025

T6 is the newest addition to the lionSTEEL
fixed blade family, it sits in between the M7 and the T5 in terms of size. Join me in this detailed review of the lionSTEEL T6, the biggest of the T-series. Featuring a strong CPM 3V steel blade and a lionSTEEL SOLID handle; milled out of a single Canvas micarta block, ensuring a firm and safe grip.

A design by Molletta, the T6 has an aggressive profile and is ideal when you need a robust and easy to handle heavy duty knife. From making a fire to food preparation, the LionSteel T6 has got you covered.

Supplied with its Kydex sheath that has a reversible Cordura structure with MOLLE system for secure and easy mounting.

What’s in the box?:
Nice and simple, just the T6 and a leaflet.

A good look round the T6 sheath – Things to look out for here are:
There is a lot to see here, with an excellent combination of a hollow rivet construction Kydex sheath, with a highly functional MOLLE hanger and leg-tie cord. Though the Kydex retention is all you need to secure the knife, there is a removable retention strap which adds extra stability when needed. A good size drainage hole in the base of the Kydex, will help look after the blade, especially with this being a non-stainless steel. The multi-functional mounting platform is attached to the Kydex sheath with four Chicago screw-bolts and means you can remove it completely, swap it round for left handed carry, or tweak the position. Straps for PALS / MOLLE mounting can also be configured as a belt loop. A super flexible sheath and mount.

A good look round the T6 – Things to look out for here are:
It has been love at first sight for me. The T6 has a really powerful, purposeful look, and does not disappoint. Just take in those lines.
With lionSTEEL’s ‘SOLID’ handle, the T6 has a single piece of micarta milled to perfectly sit over the blade’s full tang. Both the blade and handle have an incorporated finger guard, with the blade’s just slightly protruding to better protect the micarta, which protects you. The tang also slightly protrudes at the butt to form a striker, or striking surface. Simple flowing lines in the micarta create an ergonomic and comfortable handle, a perfect for connecting you to that wide strong blade.

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 CPM 3V 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 factory edge is a great cutter, even better than the good (but not great) BESS sharpness figures. These magnified images of the edge explain this as you can see the micro-serrations in the 3V steel.

What is it like to use?

It is one thing to see and just hold the T6, and another to really put it to use. In use, the T6 really surprised me as it feels like a much smaller and more nimble knife than it should for its size. It is a large heavy, wide-bladed, knife, it is. I have to remind myself and if you just pick it up to look at it and not use it, it still feels exactly that.

Then you start to work with it, and it just seems to work with you.

A quick check of the edge before getting on with the tasks at hand. Popping the sheath on my belt, and fitting the leg-tie cord (which I leave a little slack as this cord has no give in it). I’ll probably add in some elastic to the leg cord so it has some give and won’t restrict movement. The sheath sits very flat to your body and re-sheathing needs a quick glance when you have clothing partly in the way.
I keep thinking it looks like the muscle car of the knife world, and wants to be admired as much as to cut.
The blade geometry, and weight, get behind each cut. Combine this with an amazingly comfortable handle, and the cuts become so much easier than you expect. Making a type of feather-cut on a board and before I knew it I’d gone through the entire board.
Batoning for splitting, and if anything it had a tendency not to follow the grain and instead to bite in and cut in the direction you strike it. Either way, the wide blade’s depth means the wood usually splits before the spine reaches the top of the wood being split, so you can just strike straight down onto the split and don’t have to fight against each strike trying to twist the knife.

Onto pallet cutting, and the first image showing an initial single strike. The depth of cut is good, and after this, nice sized chunks of timber fly out as the T6 cuts and ejects – you can see the ‘steps’ formed in the wood during this board chop.
Last in this gallery is the T6 being batoned into a pallet board, the depth achieved here with medium effort, is about double a single chop, but the wedge effect then prevents further progress due to the thickness of the blade stock. In this case the overall effort is lower if just chop into the board compared to batoning.

So far, lionSTEEL’s stance on the T6 is to go with ultra-tough super-carbon steels, with the first run being K490 and this next production run in CPM 3V. 3V is not a stainless steel and will form a patina and rust if not maintained, but its virtual indestructibility means you will forgive it this minor weakness. For me, however, with the choice of great stainless steels, I do not like having to maintain a knife against rust, so I have been asking lionSTEEL to make the T6 in a stainless…I will continue to nag. Unlike myself, many will see the 3V as a massive positive, and as a working steel it will do you proud.

The love for the T6 is still as strong as from my first sighting of the prototype, looks and performance, plus that ability to feel lighter and more nimble than it should, mean the T6 makes you want to keep picking it up.

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
_______________________________________________
Not stainless steel. – Yeah, I think that is all I’m less keen on.

_______________________________________________
Things I like
_______________________________________________
Incredibly comfortable and stable in the hand.
SOLID micarta handle has no ‘hotspots’.
Feels light and nimble (for its size).
Super tough CPM 3V.
Purposeful looks.
Wide blade adds control.
Highly functional sheath.
MOLLE / PALS compatible.
Firm (but not too firm) Kydex retention.

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 Military 2

6 February, 2025

Spyderco’s Military 2 – The 2024 Update of a Classic. The original Spyderco Military Model was designed in 1996, and is a tried and tested knife, proven to be a robust and reliable tool. Building on the strengths of the original design, the Military 2 is refined and updated, bringing in improvements where they make a real difference. Larger stainless steel liners give the knife increased structural strength and also allow the addition of four pocket clip fixing positions. A major switch has been made away from a liner lock and to the signature Spyderco Compression Lock improving safety and handling. Join me in this detailed review of the Spyderco Military 2.

Is the ‘New and Improved’ Spyderco Military 2 actually an improvement? Read on to find out.

What’s in the box?:
This Military 2 comes in the familiar Spyderco box. Included with the knife is a sticker and a leaflet about the exact model of knife.

A good look round the closed Military 2 – Things to look out for here are:

Some of the more obvious updates are easy to spot straight away. The extra pocket clip fitting positions, and compression lock on the back of the handle. Notably missing is the liner lock handle cut-out that normally affects the grip, as the Military 2 now uses a different lock. There is no longer a hole in the clip mount to access the pivot bolt; should you continue to use the clip in a tip-down position, you may need to take it off to adjust the pivot. Next to the compression lock lever, the liners include some thumb grip jimping. Having a choice of all four pocket clip positions is a massive improvement, as clip position is quite a personal choice, and depending if you pocket carry or put onto webbing, you might want to swap this around from time to time. Phosphor-bronze washers; my favourite for stability and reliability.

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

Opening up the blade to reveal that long, eager edge. This is a Large folder, no mistaking that. Now we have the blade open you can see the compression lock engaged in the locked position. Thanks to the change of lock, the handle shape can be optimised for grip instead of incorporating the liner lock cut out, so we have improved first-finger grip shaping. Large blade – Large opening hole.

Explained by the Maker:
Spyderco describe the Military 2 as follows.

Designed by Spyderco co-founder Sal Glesser as the perfect knife for forward-deployed military personnel, the original Military Model is one of the cutlery industry’s most iconic designs. More than 25 years after its original release, the eagerly anticipated Military 2 builds on that hard-earned reputation while incorporating several significant design improvements. Instead of a LinerLock, the Military 2’s full-flat ground CPM® S30V® blade is supported by Spyderco’s signature Compression Lock® mechanism, which offers greater strength and even safer one-handed operation. The stainless steel liners that form the foundation of the lock are larger, giving the knife increased structural strength and anchoring its four-position pocket clip, which is configurable for left or right-side, tip-up or tip-down carry. The skeletonized liners are nested within peel-ply-textured G-10 scales to maintain a slim profile and complement its open-backed construction to reduce the knife’s overall weight. A proud successor to a legendary design, the Military 2 is ready to serve.

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 S30V 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.

Spyderco’s factory edges are reliably excellent.

What is it like to use?

We all know what ‘New and Improved’ typically means for our favourite products…it normally means ‘cheaper to manufacture and worse’. Typically.

What about the Military 2, what have Spyderco done to our beloved Military? Well, they have, in fact, made it better. This is not to say the original Military, if Spyderco continue to make the classic, no longer has a place; it is still the classic liner lock it always was. If you pick up the Military and swap to the Military 2 and back, fundamentally they are the same with a long pointy blade, long handle, and powerful cutting ability. Instead it is in the more subtle refinements that the Military 2 shows it improvements, those small differences in regular actions and handling that start to shine through.

General handling makes a couple of those updates all the more apparent. The forward choked-up position now has the proper first finger shaping and grip; it just fits and sits better. Open and close, open and close, and the ease the Compression lock brings also shines through. One-handed closing becoming a breeze with the lock released, and the blade falling closed under its own weight, made safer as you do not need to put your hand in the blade’s path to unlock it.

I absolutely love a big folder, and the Military 2 just wanted to get to work, so who am I to stand in the way! The blade reach is excellent, making all the jobs I deployed it for quick and easy. Over and over those two biggest changes, the lock and improved grip shape making the knife itself almost disappear and the jobs complete themselves. For me the Tip-Up clip position and right-handed side means that as I draw the knife out of my pocket, the handle is already in the right orientation and my thumb finds the opening hole immediately, so I have swapped the clip over to this location from the factory position.
Though it is a heavy duty knife, the fineness of the blade has always made me wonder a little. Personally I’ve never had a Spyderco full-flat blade (or any other) fail on me in use, but it is just with the Military 2, the blade is very long. For part of the testing I decided to baton it through pallet wood cross-grain, cutting not splitting. That slicey blade shape just falls through the boards, and comes back out as easily. No gentle tap here, I was full swing pounding on it, and no concerns at all. Obviously it is easy to actually abuse a blade, and I was not trying to do this, but instead just work it hard. It took all this in its stride.

Is the Military 2 true to the original Military model? – Yes.
Is the Military 2 an improvement over the original Military model? – I certainly say Yes.

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
_______________________________________________
No sharpening choil.
The peeled G10 is very abrasive to your pocket.
It makes me want all the different versions of the Military 2.

_______________________________________________
Things I like
_______________________________________________
Compression lock.
It is a Large folder.
Very slicey and pointy blade.
Improved grip shaping over its predecessor.
Phosphor-bronze pivot washers.
Four-position pocket clip.
Full length steel liners.
Excellent factory edge.
‘New and Improved’ – Yes it is.

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: Aitor Commando

4 February, 2025

The Legendary AITOR Commando – a Detailed Review of the Aitor Commando knife, taking a fresh look for 2025.

The Aitor Commando was originally developed together with the German manufacturer Mauser for the German Army. Designed to be a powerful, durable and reliable fixed blade knife. Ready for any situation, the robust blade is made of MoVa, and features a saw back. The lightweight and textured aluminium handle holds a comprehensive survival kit inside: Fishing set, sewing kit, tweezers, plasters and a scalpel blade.

This style of knife may have fallen out of favour for those demanding the most robust, full-tang blades made with super steels and other exotic materials, but there was a time when a well made hollow handle knife was king (and in fact even the poorly made copy that ended up giving them all a bad name). The reason they were so popular was because they are fun, and I have a feeling knife enthusiasts have forgotten about having fun with interesting designs that don’t need to be strong enough to survive being run over by a tank. I’m letting my hair down (all 3mm of it), shaking loose and letting myself enjoy picking up and using this classic design.

What’s in the box?:
Nice a simple, the knife is in the box. Nothing unnecessary, just a box to deliver the knife to you in.

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

I’ve found the next two galleries in this Aitor Commando review have ended up quite a bit larger than usual, as there are many details to see. It is these details that all add to the overall interest and make the Commando a different experience.
At the base of the sheath there is a simple, adjustable, quick release leg strap cord, with the same cord used for the basic wrist lanyard. The knife retention strap uses a military style quick release pull tab closure. Pull the tab out, and the buckle opens freely. The same quick release pull-tab closure is used for the belt loop, allowing you to fit the sheath to your belt without undoing your belt.
Within the sheath is extra storage, (originally for small flares), allowing you to add whatever is most useful to you.
A length of cord wraps the lower section of the sheath, which covers up an integrated sharpening stone.

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

Out of the box, the blackness of the blade finish is striking, making the whole package very ‘dark’. The Commando has presence, and overall the package is substantial. Unlike most traditional hollow handle knives, the Commando’s handle is a molded metal casting that allows for complex shaping, and includes three finger grooves, an integrated guard with thumb ramp, grip texturing panels and the fittings for the blade tang and the cap for the storage inside the handle. Recessed into the butt, and low profile, the screw-fit tail-cap can be gripped either side and unscrewed to access the handle storage compartment. With the tail-cap unscrewed, a survival capsule pops out and you find the tail-cap has a small compass in it. To both prevent rattle and to make access easy, a spring is fitted at the bottom of the handle compartment.
With a subtle weight-forward blade shape, spear point and saw back, the Commando has a purposeful appearance.

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

The survival capsule…usually this is opened straight away and then quickly lost, or just never touched. Of course the idea is to pack in as many useful things as possible, which might help you or make some survival tasks easier. Aitor’s survival capsule contains two standard plasters, a sterile No. 23 scalpel blade, tweezers, fire-steel, two small safety pins, two sewing needles, some thread, plus a fishing kit consisting of three pre-tied hooks, a longer piece of line and three split shot. (Plus, don’t forget that they can sometimes oddly useful, the two staples that closed the bag containing the fishing kit.)
All these things are better to have and not need, than to need and not have.

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 MoVa steel. MoVa is identical in composition to the German blade steel 4116.

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.

Though just about serviceable, this factory edge was immediately re-profiled and a 17.5 DPS edge put on for testing. Also included in this gallery are close-ups of two of the saw teeth.

What is it like to use?

Straight away, picking up the Commando, its all metal construction gives it a feeling of solidity. It might indeed have a hollow handle, and it might have a short roll-pinned tang, and so may not be as strong as a similar sized full tang knife, but frankly who cares? Unlike many of the cheap clones (the clones giving the entire concept a bad name), the Aitor Commando is all-metal, so it is strong, certainly strong enough.
In the hand, the metal handle is cold (which is definitely noticeable in cold weather). The cast handle is however, very comfortable and ergonomic, at least in hands the size of mine. Smaller hands might find it less well fitting.
The molded finger grips help with stability, and the integrated thumb ramp in the guard works well. It helps that the handle is a generous length, as you do need to back-up along the handle to be able to place your thumb on the ramp.

The Saw-back – Anyone who has used a saw-back on a knife knows that these are really only a notching tool. You can’t get much downward pressure and the teeth are not set, so once you cut down enough to have the blade stock in the notch it becomes progressively harder to cut.
Here I’m showing a cut which has started to bind up on the blade, followed by showing the cut before and after tapping the saw and notch clean. The notch sides are nice and crisp, and this is useful for easily creating flat-sided notches, just not for full depth saw cuts.

Earlier I spoke of the deep black finish on the Commando’s blade. Following my initial sharpening, I use acetone to remove any stropping compound residue and generally clean up the blade. Of course this stripped off all the oil on the blade and shows the underlying matt black blade finish. Like any surface finish, oil always deepens the colour and once stripped off you see the true blade coating. You might also spot here where the forward part of the blade rubs more on the inside of the sheath where it is a tight finish, and has some rub marks in the blade finish. So don’t expect that deep deep black to last once you start using the Commando, but I actually prefer the ‘old black’ look.

Before testing the Commando, I wasn’t happy with the factory edge, so re-profiled to 17.5 DPS and stropped. The factory edge would not cleanly cut paper and card, but now I have a ‘telephone directory’ (or TV guide) slicer, which requires a saving sharp edge to cut without tearing.
Aitor’s Commando is a short tang hollow handle knife – can it chop? I gave it no quarter, and went for it chopping a tough pallet. Being a hollow-grind the depth of cut on each strike is slightly limited, but it still powered through without any concern. With a metal handle and metal roll pin, and a steel that has been left at the tougher end of hardening, the overall construction means this chopping was a walk in the park for the Commando. The new edge showing clean cuts all the way through.
It may be relatively weighty due to the all metal construction, but still lacks slightly on impact weight. As another test, I’ve switched to batoning the blade into the same type of wood, and am showing how once the blade gets past the shoulder of the hollow grind it stops making much progress. Viewed from above you can see how the blade is forcing apart the board and getting wedged in.
Not strictly feather-sticking, but making a tight series of cuts and the Commando outperformed my expectations. The large handle giving plenty of grip and the blade is long enough to allow it to be rested onto a cutting surface for extra control, and the Commando was slicing though this seasoned wood almost too easily.
At the end of testing the ‘telephone directory’ result was the same without any touch up or stropping, which was also beyond expectations.

Can you spot the deliberate mistake when getting my bearings? (The compass is pointing at the knife blade, not to the north.)

Times change, technology moves forward, and designs become outdated, preferences change, and for many this style of knife is a thing of the past. Hollow handle knives gained a poor reputation due to the vast number of cheap, horrifically-badly made hollow handle knives that quickly broke or bent, wouldn’t hold and edge and had dangerous sheaths. But this is not true of Aitor; The Aitor Commando quickly proves it is worthy of a place in your collection, a collection that are hopefully all ‘users’.
Aitor, established in 1939, have vast experience making hollow handle knives that are strong, hold an edge and make this style of knife worth adding into your lineup to give you something different and interesting to use, and the Commando happens to be a true classic.

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
_______________________________________________
By current standards it is on the heavy side.
No visible drainage holes in the sheath.
Tight fit in the sheath (could have issues with a dirty blade).
Saw back cuts into the sheath (true of any saw back).

_______________________________________________
Things I like
_______________________________________________
Fun to use.
All metal construction.
Large ergonomic handle.
Generous storage in knife handle and sheath.
Survival capsule included in handle.
Integrated (backup) sharpener.
Includes emergency cord neatly wrapped on the sheath.
Pull-tab quick-release closures for retention strap and belt loop.
Saw-back works well for notching.
Takes and holds an edge well enough despite low hardness.
Lower hardness makes field maintenance easier.

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: Silky Saw Teeth

28 January, 2025

Silky have a reputation for high quality saws that cut cleanly and have a long life, making them especially sought after and popular with those in the know. With a great saw, the secret is in its teeth, the size and shape of those teeth making all the difference. Silky produce a dazzling array of different saws with many types and size of teeth. Join me in a Detailed Review of four examples of Silky saw teeth. Silky Saws – It is all about the Teeth.

This review features four different saws, with three main teeth spacings (20, 14 and 8 Teeth per 30mm), that manage to span Silky’s major categories of teeth which are as follows:

Extra Large Teeth – Typically, this saw will be for use in forestry or heavy duty arborist work. The teeth configuration will range between 3 and 7 teeth per 30mm and will give a very aggressive cut. In general you will be surprised by the smoothness of the cut.

Large Teeth – A saw with large teeth will be ideal for use in heavy/medium pruning tasks, root cutting and construction. The number of teeth will range between 7 and 8 teeth per 30mm. An aggressive and smooth cut will be achieved.

Medium Teeth – Ideal for pruning work or construction, a medium teeth configuration usually has 10 teeth per 30mm and will give a cleaner finish when compared to larger teeth saws.

Fine Teeth – These saws are likely to be used for gardening and woodworking. A fine teeth configuration typically comprises of 13 to 20 teeth per 30mm and will achieve a clean finish.

Extra Fine Teeth – These saws will have very fine teeth ideal for woodworking. Ranging between 20 and 32 teeth per 30mm, a very smooth finish can be expected.

What’s in the box?:

Before getting right in to the teeth, a quick overview of all the saws on test. This is the test group all together.

The Pocketboy 130mm 342-13:
As with all of the models shown, there are typically many options for each, including handle colour, and actual blade specifications. This is the 20 teeth per 30mm Pocketboy.

The F180 180mm 141-18:
Fitted with one of the finer blade options of the F180, this example has 14 teeth per 30mm.

The Super Accel Z1 210mm 728-21:
For the Z1 it has the coarse curved blade with 8 teeth per 30mm.

The Outback Gomboy Curve 752-24:
With a thicker ‘Outback Edition’ specification blade, the Gomboy is the mid-sized Outback saw rated for wood and bone.

The Factory edge up close:

Followers of Tactical Reviews will know my views on knife factory edges, but for a saw, the quality of this is critical and is what makes a good saw great. Most modern saws can’t be re-sharpened, and those that can require a different skill. Silky sell replacement blades for all these saws, so when looking at these it is as disposable blades.

In these close up images, the saw teeth are at the same scale, and with a millimetre (with half millimetre divisions) ruler in shot. The gallery has the images in the same order as they have been shown above.

It is all about the Teeth and how they cut;

There are several standard factors you would consider for any saw and the specific cut you need to make, in order to get the best result. Teeth spacing needs to be appropriate for the hardness of material being cut, the size of the workpiece, and the required finish. Another important aspect is if there grain in the material, and if so, is the cut along or across the grain. Teeth will also be oriented for cutting on the pull stroke or the push stroke, with all the Silky Saws included in this review article being a pull cut.

One saw blade may also include teeth with different functions. In this review the Super Accel Z1 and Gomboy Outback edition, both have four different teeth; right and left hand cutting teeth, plus right and left hand swarf clearance teeth, that help clear the dust from the cut.

The accompanying review videos clearly show the cutting actions of each saw in green wood and seasoned wood, at normal speed and slow speed. What photos can’t show well, but the videos do, is the swarf clearance, speed of cut, and how smoothly the blade runs, so to really understand that for each of the teeth types being tested, please take a look at the section in the video. The video shows the F180 having a tendency to judder in both the green and seasoned wood; despite this the cut quality is excellent, completing with the PocketBoy for the cleanest cut thanks to the ultra-sharp teeth.

Knife serrations are effectively saw teeth, and just as for serrations, the tooth spacing affects the size of material you can comfortably cut. If the material is thinner than the tooth spacing it will catch in the teeth as they can’t ride over it smoothly. Cutting technique can overcome this (speed and angle of approach), but it is best to have an appropriate tooth spacing for the job.

As well as the smaller material size it can be used on, the smaller the tooth spacing, the finer the cut finish is. In the gallery below this is most clearly shown with the seasoned wood test cuts and the finest teeth giving the smoothest cuts.

There is no absolute right and wrong choice, only better or worse choices. Frequently the best choice being the one you have with you. Better understanding the characteristics of each type of saw tooth will help you have the best option with you more of the time. In these tests I was pleasantly surprised at the usability and effectiveness of the coarser teeth in seasoned wood with impressive speed of cut, and Silky’s quality saw teeth making an excellent job of it.

Review Videos

Starting with a short format introductory sixty second review:

Onto a full video review covering many more details and cutting examples of Silky Saw Teeth:

 
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: Casström No.14 SFK and Lars Fält Slip Joint

25 January, 2025

I decided to pair up a fixed blade and folder for this detailed review; the Casström No. 14 SFK and Casstrom Lars Fält Slip Joint. The No.14 is a new knife designed by Casström to tackle the toughest challenges nature throws your way. Built for rugged outdoor use, bushcrafting, survival skills training, or hunting. With its full-tang construction, the No.14 SFK’s large blade is great for those bigger more demanding jobs, like splitting wood but also just as happy carving too. This example features green Linen Micarta handles and A8Mod steel, and is supplied with a vegetable-tanned leather sheath.
The Casström Lars Falt Slip Joint was created in collaboration with world-renowned Swedish survivalist Lars Fält, and was designed to meet UK EDC legal requirements by virtue of having a non-locking folding blade under 3 inches with a sturdy opening and closing mechanism. The handle is crafted from beautiful Scandinavian curly birch, offering a secure and comfortable grip, and the blade steel is cryo-quenched Alleima (formerly Sandvik) 14C28N, a recycled Swedish stainless steel.

What’s in the box?:
Both knives are presented in cardboard boxes with the minimum of fuss.

The No. 14:

A good look round the No. 14’s sheath – Things to look out for here are:
A beautifully made, traditional friction/gravity leather sheath (vegetable tanned leather). Construction is from one folded piece of leather, plus the double welt insert to protect the stitching and stabilise the blade. Each end of the stitching is riveted for extra strength and the lower rivet is hollow so you can add a leg tie if you want. It also includes a good size drainage hole in the design.

A good look round the No. 14 – Things to look out for here are:

Though the handle shape and size, and the knife’s overall form are typical for this style of scandi-grind bushcraft knife, the extra ruggedness is clear from the longer blade and extra-thick blade stock.
The review sample is fitted with green linen micarta handles, nicely showing off the ergonomic shaping as contour lines in the layered micarta. Both handle rivets and the lanyard tube are brass. Somehow the blade steel looks thicker than the 4mm stock used, and really shows its robustness.
As delivered, the No. 14 has a full zero grind scandi edge.

The Lars Fält Slip Joint:

A good look round the Lars Fält Slip Joint belt pouch – Things to look out for here are:

Really this pouch is too good an option not to get. The beautifully crafted leather belt pouch (also using vegetable tanned leather), is a perfect companion to the Lars Fält Slip Joint. In this case it is a two piece construction, with the belt loop and flap being one piece which is riveted onto the stitched main pouch body. There is a welt allowing for a small drainage hole to complete it.

A good look round the Lars Fält Slip Joint – Things to look out for here are:

Casstrom’s folders (locking and non-locking) are only made with Curly Birch handles (no micarta option) which adds to their character and unique look for each knife. Liners, blade and back-spring are all stainless steel, and the remaining fittings, rivets, and lanyard tube, are brass. The sturdy blade has a large nail nick and a scandi grind; this time with a micro-bevel rather than full zero edge.

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 blades are made from A8 Mod and 14C28N 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 No. 14’s Edge:

Once you move onto the next gallery with the Lars Fält Slip Joint’s Edge, you will see the clear difference between this knife’s zero grind edge, and when there is the extra bevel.
Casstrom advise you to add a micro-bevel if you intend to subject the No 14 to heavy chopping to help stabilise the edge and prevent chipping. Having given this zero grind edge a beating to intentionally see if it would chip, so far it has remained intact.

The Lars Fält Slip Joint’s Edge:

Yes, these are magnified, and are showing a 1mm scale, but even so I feel this is more than a micro-bevel, and more into the realms of a small edge bezel. The mini-bevel shown clearly here, when checked with the laser edge bevel protractor, is found to be convexed to a final edge angle of 60 degrees (30 DPS).

What is it like to use?

For this review the fixed blade and folder have been specifically partnered as an elegant traditional pairing. The only time you will catch me out and about with only one knife is if I’ve lost all but the one I still have, so I am always partnering up knives. This is to have different knives to better suit the various cutting tasks, which is more comfortable and helps you do more work with less effort. So, although specifically partnered as a Casstrom pairing for this review, it is a partnership I would happily make for function and looks, any day.
To best show their relative sizes, this gallery includes each knife in my XL glove sized hands. You can clearly see the extended blade of the No. 14 and versatility of the smaller folder.

In my overall edged tool use, I’ve been finding where the No. 14 best fits. With the blade grind and thickness, I’ve found it struggles with outright cross-grain chopping. That thicker blade and wide wedge grind retards the penetration of each strike, ending up almost bouncing back when using a chopping action, combined with a relatively slim handle and the No. 14 wasn’t working for me as an outright chopper. Where this limitation suddenly becomes a benefit is with splitting tasks. Batoning the knife into end grain to split, and it becomes a doddle. The extra blade length giving you more room to strike it, and the wedge-shaped grind being excellent at splitting along the grain.
If the diameter of the wood being struck with a chopping action is thin enough, the wedge effect of the thicker blade is no longer a problem, so cleaning up bigger branches by whipping off the side shoots works well with the No. 14’s longer and heavier blade; this type of chopping action does work well. It is more a matter of knowing the characteristics and working with them than trying to make the knife do something it is not good at.

Despite the suggestion of adding a micro-bevel to protect the edge, I wanted to test the toughness of Casstrom’s A8 Mod and heat treat, and despite going full whack on the blade, so far I’ve seen no edge chipping; a great outcome. I prefer the zero grind edge so as far as I am concerned I’ll take that risk and stick with it.

On the subject of zero grinds, I fully intend to take the Lars Fält edge to a zero grind, but as this will take a bit of work due to the mini-bevel on the factory edge, haven’t got it done in time for this article. This will be a super fine edge, especially compared to the factory bevel at 30 DPS, so I might end up putting the micro-bevel back on.

For a slip-joint the firmness of action makes a big difference to the experience. If the action is too stiff, it can be difficult to use and worrying to close. This Lars Fält is reassuringly firm in action, almost verging on too stiff. In fact having asked people less familiar with edged tools to try it, they struggled to open and close this knife safely (I had to intervene). Due to the stiffness, the nail nick doesn’t work for me and I have to use a pinch grip on the blade, carefully taking it to the half stop and readjusting my grip to fully open the blade. In use it has certainly instilled confidence that the blade will stay where it should (with correct technique of course). Being able to chose a UK EDC Legal slip-joint with a scandi grind is a really nice addition to my carry options, and one I can carry without having to worry if I should or shouldn’t have it on me.

Casstrom give you beautiful traditional designs made with sustainable materials, that look as good as the perform.

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
_______________________________________________
No. 14 – Geometry not suited to cross-grain chopping.
No. 14 – Semi-stainless steel (needs some maintenance).
No. 14 – Handle too slim for chopping.
Lars Fält – More of a mini-bevel than micro-bevel
Lars Fält – Opening action too stiff for many people.

_______________________________________________
Things I like
_______________________________________________
No. 14 – Excellent for splitting wood.
No. 14 – Super tough steel.
No. 14 – Extra blade length makes batoning easier.
No. 14 – Zero-grind edge.
No. 14 – Quality leather sheath.
No. 14 – Sleek and easy to carry (despite longer blade).
Lars Fält – Very firm slip-joint action.
Lars Fält – Scandi grind in a folder.
Lars Fält – High quality leather belt pouch available.
Lars Fält – All brass fixings.
Lars Fält – Sturdy blade.
Lars Fält – EDC legal (where local laws allow).

Review Videos

Starting with a short format sixty second review of the No. 14:

Starting with a short format sixty second review of the Lars Fält Slip Joint:

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: Civivi Sentinel Strike and Vision FG

11 January, 2025

The Vision FG and Sentinel Strike are two of Civivi‘s best sellers. In this detailed review of the Vision FG and Sentinel Strike we are taking a close look at two versions of these knives featuring Civivi’s genuine Damascus steel blades. The Vision FG, designed by Snecx Tan, is equipped with the ‘Superlock Mechanism’. The ‘Superlock Mechanism’ is a lock design Snecx and WE Knife worked on together develop. For this lock, the back of the handle has a titanium bar which hinges just below the pocket clip. The bar is spring loaded and pushed into a cut-out between the blade and the stop pin – the lock gets stronger the more pressure you apply. Push the bar backwards and the blade unlocks easily.
The Sentinel Strike has a reverse-tanto blade shape. Its straight edge makes it an ideal knife for so many cutting tasks. The knife is easy to open with the thumb studs, flipper or large hole in the blade, and it has a very smooth opening action. The blade is locked in place with a button lock.

Join me in this review of the Vision FG and Sentinel Strike to see why these Civivi knives are so popular.

What’s in the box?:

These are in the 2024 10th Anniversary boxes, with WE Knives / Civivi becoming 10 years old in 2024. Both knives use the same packaging and have the same contents apart from the knives themselves. Considering the price point, the fact they include a nice zip up storage case is a bonus. Also included are a few stickers and a cleaning cloth.

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

Mainly as it was the first of the two I picked up, we are starting with the Vision FG. Featuring a genuine Damascus steel blade, the composition of which is included later in the review, also happens to be different to the Damascus used in the other knife in this review and makes for a very distinctive look.

This version of the Vision FG has the black Micarta handles on top of the steel liners; there is a black G10 as well, so you can choose the feel of the scales you prefer. This gallery focuses closely on details like the handle texture, thumb-stud, and pivot fixings including Civivi’s branded bolt head.
The pocket clip is a tip-up position and can be fitted to either side of the handle.
For the Vision FG, it uses the ‘Superlock Mechanism’, designed by Snecx. Without the literature, I would have continued referring to this as a recoil lock, as in operation it is very similar to this. On closer inspection, the locking process involves inserting a bar between the blade locking surface and the stop bar (much like a compression lock). As your hand pushes this into place while gripping the knife, it becomes even more secure as you use it, yet easy to disengage.

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

Next we have a recent addition in the Sentinel Strike range where the combination of handle colour and Damascus was added to the original Strike line up (there is also a Strike II with drop point blade).

This time the handle is a combination of aluminium (with a choice of colours) and the integral spacer, made from FRN which helps keep the weight down. It is also fitted with a stainless-steel pocket clip incorporating a glass breaker into the head of its fixing bolt.
The Sentinel Strike has a flipper tab, thumb stud and opening hole in the blade, plus it is a button-lock mechanism, giving you a multitude of ways to open it.
As with all Civivi folders, the pivot bolt head is branded to confirm its identity.

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 Civivi’s Damascus steel.
For the Strike, according to the information from Damascus supplier, the base materials of the Damascus is compound by 10Cr15CoMoV and 9Cr18MoV.
For the Vision FG, the Damascus steels used in this knife are 10Cr15CoMov steel in its core with 316 and 5Cr15Mov steel in layers.

For comparison the measure parameters are shown side by side here.

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.

Vision FG’s factory Edge – Starting with a close up of the engraved text, just for the sake of interest.
NOTE: these are of a used edge, not factory fresh.

Sentinel Strike’s factory Edge – following use, there is some micro-chipping showing in some areas instead of rolling.
NOTE: these are of a used edge, not factory fresh.

What is it like to use?

Both of these Civivi bestsellers are a good size, but I was surprised by just how much of a hefty EDC knife the Sentinel Strike is (in length if not weight); with its blade length of 91 mm, it is up to more demanding cutting tasks.
It is not that the Vision FG is small, but you can see the Sentinel Strike is substantial in my XL Glove sized hands with the handle clearly visible either side of my hand.

Shown with the knives are a couple of my favourite Civivi EDC extras, the tiny pry-bar, and precise folding tweezers (in case you wondered what these were).
Both of the knives were just put to use on a variety of jobs around the home and garden. Entering the constant battle against encroaching ivy and hacking this back wherever it pops up. No mercy (but also no abuse), for the blade tip, which is quite fine and pointy on the Sentinel Strike, and no problems.
Though the Vision FG is also a reverse-tanto / Wharncliffe style blade, it is less pointy, and for many jobs makes it a bit easier to handle and control. The micarta handle is ‘softer’ to grip (without being soft, but this is a way in which micarta feels gentler and easier to hold compared to G10), and though the handles are slab like in shape, it is comfortable enough to hold.

The close-up edge images included in this review are, unusually, ‘used’ rather than factory fresh. Of the two, the Sentinel Strike has starting to show some micro-chipping, but without noticeably blunting. Of the two, this blade was probably given the harder tasks, so this isn’t unexpected, and the characteristic of this edge damage means a strop won’t help (as the edge isn’t rolled) but also the micro-chipping creates a micro-serration which can actually be very effective.
Altogether, the edge performance has been good with these factory edges.

Both knives have a large sharpening choil; so large it might be confused for a finger choil on the Sentinel Strike. I would not use either of these knives’ choils as a finger choil. There may be a design reason for this, perhaps to prevent the heel of the edge hitting part of the locking mechanism, or stop pin, so there may be no other option. The problem for me is that it takes the closest part of the cutting edge further from the handle, and so loses mechanical advantage for heavy cuts. If even a mm or two could be added to the cutting edge, it would improve them for me, but it might not be possible.

What is apparent on real hands-on use of these knives is that for the price point the quality is surprising. Both the knives are using mechanisms that are much more complex than a liner lock, and that give a great user experience (I do especially like a button lock). We all have different preferences and budgets for our ‘users’ and Civivi have hit a great sweet spot in pricing, performance and user experience.

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
_______________________________________________
Sentinel Strike – Long hole in blade accumulates dirt.
Sentinel Strike – Overly large sharpening choil wastes edge space.
Sentinel Strike – Thin pocket clip is a bit sharp.
Vision FG – Overly large sharpening choil wastes edge space.
Vision FG – Thumb stud a little too recessed.

_______________________________________________
Things I like
_______________________________________________
Sentinel Strike – Well executed button lock.
Sentinel Strike – Very easy to open, by flipper, blade hole or thumb stud.
Sentinel Strike – Very easy one-handed close.
Sentinel Strike – Comfortable thumb jimping.
Sentinel Strike – Low weight for a large knife.
Sentinel Strike – Super smooth bearings.
Sentinel Strike – Damascus blade.
Sentinel Strike – Ambidextrous tip-up pocket clip.
Sentinel Strike – Long slim blade has great reach.
Vision FG – Intuitive and easy to use ‘Superlock Mechanism’.
Vision FG – Very easy one-handed close.
Vision FG – Super smooth bearings.
Vision FG – Damascus blade.
Vision FG – Locking force increases as you grip the knife.
Vision FG – Ambidextrous tip-up pocket clip.

Review Videos

Starting with a short format sixty second review of the Vision FG:
NOTE: The Vision FG uses the ‘Superlock Mechanism’, designed by Snecx, and throughout the video I refer to this as a ‘recoil lock’ which isn’t strictly correct. I wasn’t going to re-record the video to correct this, so please take this as the correction.

Starting with a short format sixty second review Sentinel Strike:

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: Viper Twin

4 January, 2025

In this Viper Twin review we will be taking a detailed look at this new knife. The Twin is a small and elegant slipjoint gentleman’s pocket knife, especially suitable for every day use. It was designed by Fabrizio Silvestrelli who has been collaborating with Viper for years in the development of new knives.

Each of the Twin’s handles are made from one piece of titanium formed into the body, liner and bolsters, making it very strong, and it is offered with a choice of different colours of scale inserts. You can choose from Dark Matter Gold carbon fiber and the ivory G10 or as shown here, the green Canvas micarta. The Twin also comes with a leather slip case.

The blade is made from M390 stainless steel, an excellent combination of edge retention and corrosion resistance. It is non-locking slipjoint design, and the cutting edge is under three inches long making the knife friendly carry in many places.

What’s in the box?:
This is more of a ‘what would have been in the box’ as I don’t have the box. This knife was a display piece at IWA 2024, so you may see a few marks that would not be there on a new knife, and I have only the slip case and knife.

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

This gallery is quite a large one, covering all the main aspects of the Twin. Starting with a detail of the pivot bolt in the integral bolster, moving to the other end of the handle with rear integral bolster and lanyard hole. The spacer/back-spring of the Twin is polished making for a stand out feature next to the matt titanium. The fit of the handle scale, and the one-piece construction of each titanium handle can be seen. My personal preference of phosphor-bronze washers are used for the blade pivot.
Swinging out the blade, initially to the half stop. A drop-point with long swedge gives this a powerful look. Focusing in on a few smaller details on the M390 blade, and into the handle. The final image is of the blade tip with factory edge.

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.

Being a slipjoint, the blade’s resistance to opening and closing is a key feature. One of the Tactical Review’s tests is to measure the torque required to open and close the blade, and in here including the half stop. This is done using a force meter and applying it to the blade at a set distance from the pivot.

The final measurements are as follows. A crucial factor you can see in these results is that the closing force is significantly higher than the opening force, making the blade stable during use even though it is non-locking.

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.

There are a few more images than I normally include as I found this knife, despite being a show knife, still had some burrs from the factory sharpening. A quick strop would remove them quickly and this edge was very good, so this is out of interest more than anything else.

What is it like to use?

As a non-locking knife I’m able to properly EDC it, and have been carried this knife for a considerable time. My nails don’t like nail nicks, and I always pinch-open the blade of the Twin, which is reassuringly firm in its action. The size is both easy to carry but also substantial enough you don’t feel it is lacking, certainly not for typical EDC use. The wide flat ground blade makes light work of various jobs and slices well.
This gallery shows it in my XL glove-size hands.
In the last two images in this gallery (one of which is included full size at the end of the review) you can just make out the modification I have made, which for me completes the Twin, and that is adding a sharpening choil. I find that small point detail incredibly useful when I’m doing certain cuts so I’ll often add this feature if it isn’t there.

You might have noticed the review ‘feature image’ makes the blade appear very dark, and then in the review introduction, another similar image with the blade full of light. And just below here is another version somewhere between. Of course the blade is very reflective and the changing light gives very different character to the blade. Though the feature image is absolutely real, it is not really representative of how you see the Twin most of the time, it was however striking and interesting looking, so I put it as the headline feature image for that reason.

With the minor modification I made (adding the sharpening choil), the Twin is a firm favourite of mine and will be difficult to displace from my daily EDC.

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
_______________________________________________
No sharpening choil (but I added one).

_______________________________________________
Things I like
_______________________________________________
Reassuringly firm blade retention torque.
Stable construction.
Polished back-spring detail stands out.
M390 steel giving excellent edge retention.
Slim and easy to carry.
Strong wide blade.
Leather slip case included.

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: Puma Automesser (2024 update)

28 December, 2024

Now with a 2024 update, this is a look at a classic design dating back to 1956. Join me in a detailed review of the Puma “Automesser” model; but not quite as you know it, this is a new variant first made available in 2024. The Automesser model is a classic knife that has been proving capable of withstanding the most demanding use for over 60 years. Basically the same knife as Puma’s White Hunter (which was created in 1956), the Automesser uses the same blade but has a wooden handle and was introduced in the 1960s.

Despite loving them, there was always one small detail that prevented me embracing them fully – the gristle saw. After discussions with Puma, I’m thrilled to announce that this has now been updated as an option so you can choose! In this new variant, you can opt to have a full plain edge instead of having to have the gristle saw which has always been positioned at the exact point I most want a plain edge for precise carving and cutting.

The blade shape is carefully thought out to be capable of a wide range of tasks. The sturdy tip is robust enough to open cans or pry open crown bottle caps. A hatchet edge is ground into the back of the blade for rough work such as splitting firewood or chopping bones. The “Automesser” is equipped with plum wood scales, which are firmly riveted to the full tang, and this classic model is just as relevant today as it was when first produced.

What’s in the box?:

This exact knife was the first Automesser without the gristle saw so has been to various exhibitions, the last being IWA 2024. I believe this is the full normal presentation, but it is possible you might see something slightly different.
The sheathed Automesser is accompanied by a certification leaflet.
In the last photo in this gallery I have placed a White Hunter promotional paper flier, in the exact (and to scale) outline of this original model, to show the direct relation of the two models that share the same blade.

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

A classic leather sheath for a classic knife. The Automesser sheath has an unusual waisted design, gently following the shape of the blade. A braided leg tie cord is included and is fitted through a hollow rivet. Rivets are used to further strengthen the ends of the heavy duty stitching. Overall the sheath is constructed from a single piece of leather, but does include welts in the main part of the sheath for shaping and to protect the stitching from being cut when sheathing and unsheathing the knife. The main retention strap has a Puma branded press stud fastening.
You might also note the loop of braided cord in the belt loop; this is an additional retention option (when looped over the handle) which you can use for extra security or if the press stud has become loose.

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

Puma’s blade design is a work-of-art, with a weight-forward reinforced tip and sweeping curves. Each new Puma also has a Rockwell sticker on the blade pointing to a small testing mark. This is the actual, individual, hardness check indentation, with each and every single blade tested to verify the hardness.
For the Automesser, Puma use Plum wood handle scales riveted to the full tang with brass rivets. A well defined grip hook is incorporated into the butt of the handle to make the chance of the knife slipping out of your hand very unlikely.
A half guard protects your fingers from slipping forward onto the blade, and allows the thumb to be positioned onto the thumb ramp that sits above the ricasso and heel of the cutting edge.
At the tip, the blade widens to put weight and strength where it gives most advantage. The swedge shape is flat enough for batoning, meaning you can chop into wood and then easily finish the split with a baton strike to the swedge. The main spine of the blade is given a ‘hatchet’ grind for chopping and splitting, but if you do use this, you can’t really baton onto the main cutting edge.

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 1.4116 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.

With all the curves on the Automesser, the factory edge varies quite a bit, so a few more images are included here just to give a better impression of this edge.

What is it like to use?

For a general purpose knife, the Automesser is a great fit. I take XL size gloves, and you can see here there is room between the guard and grip hook for me to also wear gloves (this is quite important – more on that later). Excellent grip provided by the jimping on the thumb ramp, make this super useful for finer work or when you need that extra pressure behind the cutting edge, the edge which is now a plain edge.

You’ll want to take this knife with you, it longs to be out in the woods. For me, with this full plain edge, I’ve now got the power and control where I work a blade most. Here, some seasoned oak is shaved with ease using the prime cutting zone of this hollow ground edge.

With an obvious weight-forward blade, though this broader tip also leans towards skinning tasks, it also gives the blade much more chopping power than another of the same length. Rather than the much softer green wood, I’m testing here on tough pallet wood. The first strike binding slightly, as you would expect with a hollow grind, but chips then start flying and the final strike splitting the board (mainly due to the board fixings not holding securely enough to support the chopping force).
You might notice I am wearing a glove for this cutting test. I found the handle grip hook a little sharp and when chopping, its corner was digging into my little finger, so I went with gloves. Once wearing a glove, the knife remained secure and I was comfortable too. For any hard chopping I would definitely want to wear gloves. Being hand made, the grip hook detail varies slightly and is more pronounced on this example than others I’ve seen.

Before I explain the final gallery, I wanted to mention a minor aspect of the sheath I’m not so keen on; the waisted design. Over time and after more sharpening sessions this is going to ease, but in the example I have, the blade jams once the wide tip reaches the narrowed waist. Particularly after giving the Automesser its first full re-sharpen, I can feel it bite into the welt and maybe even the main sheath itself as the blade bulge passes this narrowed area. The ‘bite’ is what worries me, and I then tend to back off and try again, so making the insertion and removal of the knife not smooth.
With some flattening out of the sheath at this point (as shown below I’m squeezing this area) and general wear, it is going to improve, but I would definitely have preferred a straight shape to the sheath. Perhaps not as elegant looking, but more reliable for dropping the knife back in and taking it out again. Of course this does mean the knife is less likely to fall out if the press stud is not secured, so this might be a plus to other people.

In this last gallery I wanted to show the additional knife retention system Puma include, which is unusual and not often seen. If you want to stabilise the handle when carrying it, or in case you accidentally damage, or cut off the retention strap, which is a danger on any sheath with this type of strap, or the press stud gets worn and no longer holds as securely as it used to, you have a backup option. I would consider this a backup as it can be a bit fiddly to use, but faced with possibly losing the knife, it is a great option.
On the front of the belt loop is a cord loop. You can pass this cord over the handle, twist it and bring it back over the handle, twist it and pass it back over the handle a final time.
Even with the retention strap not done up, the knife can then only come out of the sheath partially.

Puma’s Automesser, now with the option of a full plain edge, has made this much sought after classic blade all the more useful. I would always have been working around the gristle saw, and though this is a good feature for many, for me it always left this beautiful blade a second place – not any more. Classics are classics for good reason, and the Automesser/White Hunter aesthetics stand out along with proven functionality. This optional minor change lifts the usability of this knife to new levels and I can’t wait to carry this more.

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
_______________________________________________
Grip hook ‘bites’ a little when chopping.
Waisted sheath makes sheathing and unsheathing catchy.
Slightly blocky handle.

_______________________________________________
Things I like
_______________________________________________
Timeless classic design.
Traditional leather sheath.
Excellent chopping power in a compact blade.
Blade has been individually hardness checked.
Materials used are steel, aluminium, brass, wood, cotton and leather (no plastic).
Full plain edge now available (from 2024).
Tried-and-tested design dating back to 1956.
Secondary retention strap/cord.

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 Manix 2 Salt

20 December, 2024

I’m a huge fan of Spyderco’s (ultra-low maintenance) Salt series; join me in a detailed review of the new Spyderco Manix 2 Lightweight Salt. The Manix 2 Salt combines classic signature Spyderco design with MagnaCut blade steel and super-corrosion-resistant handle components and fixings. Using a fibreglass-reinforced co-polymer (FRCP) handle ensures high strength and low weight. This model features a high visibility yellow handle that includes Spyderco’s signature Bi-Directional Texture grip pattern for a very secure grip in all conditions.

What’s in the box?:
This Manix 2 Salt comes in the familiar Spyderco box. Included with the knife is a sticker and a leaflet about the exact model of knife.

A good look round the Manix 2 Salt – Part 1 – Things to look out for here are:
Starting with this gallery showing details of the Manix 2 when folded. The bright yellow handle making this Salt series knife really stand out. So often this high visibility can actually be one of the best safety and survival features, as you are much less likely to lose the knife, and can always spot it quickly when you put it down.
Spyderco have covered the handle with textured grip features, from the signature bi-directional texturing on the main flats of the handle to molded in jimping in several areas.
Also featuring another Spyderco signature design element, the tip-up wire spring pocket clip that can be fitted on either side of the handle. The Manix 2 Salt uses Spyderco’s Ball Bearing lock, and this has a black slider that contrasts against the yellow handle. Ending this gallery as the blade is opened.

A good look round the Manix 2 Salt – Part 2 – Things to look out for here are:
Opening the blade to reveal yet another Spyderco signature design – the full-flat-grind leaf-shaped blade with large opening hole. The lock slider shown at its maximum position, before it springs forward to engage the ball bearing; the coil locking spring is clearly visible.
Jimping has been added on the blade next to the handle for both the first finger and thumb to ensure a rock solid grip. This Salt series knife comes in CPM MagnaCut, and when you look at the engraving it is quite different in appearance to most Spyderco’s, even leading some who have seen this knife to question its authenticity. This is not in question as it was handed to me by Spyderco at IWA 2024, so is without question the real deal.

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 CPM MagnaCut 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.

Spyderco reliably produces exceptional factory edges, and this Manix 2 Salt is true to form.

What is it like to use?

Manix 2 is a generous sized knife, but the FRN handle and lack of steel liners keeps the weight right down, and despite the size is an unobtrusive carry, almost too easy to forget you are carrying it.

You can see how substantial it looks in the hand (I take XL sized gloves), substantial, but light and comfortable to hold. With the choked up grip position, the knife almost seems to shrink when you adjust your grip for more precise work.

The large leaf-shaped full-flat-grind blade is very very ‘slicey’ and eager to part materials. Just the geometry wants to cut, and partnered with a great factory edge it cuts with ease right out of the box.

Putting it to good use for a couple of plumbing/bathroom jobs, but not even starting to test the corrosion resistance. Speaking of which I have previously carried out a sea water soak and exposure test on a Salt model, giving amazing results, as the knife was completely untouched by this. I wasn’t set up for this sea water test, so haven’t completed a similar corrosion test, but am confident from previous experience, and the fact this knife uses MagnaCut, that is will also be a waste of time.

Not only does this ‘Salt series’ make a great choice for highly corrosive environments, but it also allows you to have a virtually maintenance-free knife.

An ideal outdoor companion, with that high visibility handle making it a challenge to lose in the woods. Highly usable, and a real work-horse of a knife that is eager to get on with the next job.

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
_______________________________________________
No sharpening choil. (might be a ‘pro’ for some)
Sides of the blade jimping are a bit sharp.

_______________________________________________
Things I like
_______________________________________________
Completely corrosion free.
Lightweight without sacrificing strength.
Large full-flat blade cuts with ease.
Great size for all-round use.
Secure Ball Bearing lock.
High visibility.
MagnaCut steel.
Ambidextrous pocket clip.
Very accessible large opening hole.
Excellent grip all over and around.
Top-notch factory edge.

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: lionSTEEL Skinny

12 December, 2024

Join me in this lionSTEEL Skinny review (new for 2024), to take in all the details of this EDC folding knife. Made using lionSTEEL’s SOLID technology: the frame is made by milling a single solid piece of titanium or aluminium, producing a handle that is incredibly strong.
Skinny is very light and strong with the benefit that it fits into the pocket easily. Featuring a CPM MagnaCut steel blade in either stonewash or OldBlack finish.
The specific knife featured in this review was a display model used throughout IWA 2024, so might show a few imperfections.

What’s in the box?:

lionSTEEL use packaging like this for many of their folders. Made out of cardboard, but constructed so that it has structure and substance, and becoming more like a case than simple box.
Inside this box are the Skinny and a small bag containing the U-Tool and a blanking screw. The U-Tool includes a spanner to fit the pocket clip bolt and a torx bit for the removable flipper tab (and fitting that blanking screw).

A good look round the Skinny Part 1 – the handle – Things to look out for here are:
For the detailed galleries I’ve split this into three parts to cover a main overview of the folded knife, then with the blade open and details of the blade, and finally the REF (Removable flipper) system.
Skinny is a Molletta design, and has a deep carry steel pocket clip which can be fitted on either side of the frame using the “U-Tool” included in the box.
The handle is a lionSTEEL SOLID (milled from one single piece of titanium). In this version it has a Fat Carbon inlay on one side (and the integral lock bar on the other side).

A good look round the Skinny Part 2 – the blade – Things to look out for here are:
Pivoting out the long and slim MagnaCut blade really explains the reason for the knife’s name. Despite being slim, the Skinny is still a good sized knife overall and doesn’t feel ‘slight’.
The lock bar is reinforced with a hardened steel insert with an over travel stop, and the blade pivots on an IKBS ball bearing.

A good look round the Skinny Part 3 – the REF (Removable flipper) system – Things to look out for here are:
The Skinny is equipped with the lionSTEEL REF (Removable flipper) system, so if you don’t want the flipper you can unscrew the tab using the T6 torx tool and fit the second screw you find in the box to cap off the hole.
This slims the Skinny down even further, and the ‘nail nick’, which is actually a milled slot, then gives you the purchase to grip the blade and open it manually.

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 MagnaCut 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.

Remember this was a demo knife at IWA 2024, so in a couple of these photos you can see some handling related edge damage, which you would otherwise not expect to see on the factory edge. It is shown out of interest that the edge damage is in the form of rolls and not chipping.

What is it like to use?

lionSTEEL are well known for their overbuilt folders including the TM-1 shown in the gallery for comparison. The Skinny is just as long as these larger folders, but significantly slimmer. This makes it so much easier to EDC, as it becomes very low profile in your pocket.
Shown here (in a hand taking an XL size glove), the Skinny is still a good sized knife and handles well. The fine blade is quite ‘pointy’ and is well suited to deep piercing cuts. One of the advantages of flipper tabs is that they act as a finger guard during use. This is true with the Skinny, but the shaped handle also incorporates a finger guard, so that even with the REF removed, grip and safety are not affected.

There are a couple of minor criticisms/observations that I’ll mention. The pocket clip, when mounted on the lock bar side, unfortunately lines up with the edge of the lock bar spring cut out. When you try to push the Skinny over the edge of your pocket, the cloth is pushed into lock bar spring cut out and jams, not allowing the clip to slip onto the pocket edge. This only affects fitting it to your pocket, not taking it out, and only when the clip is on the lock bar side. I have fitted the clip to the inlay side.
Shorter than most clips, the Skinny’s deep carry pocket clip is however, just right for grabbing the top edge of your pocket securely; no need for more, it is just right.
Something I have never experienced with any other integral lock folder, and that I believe has been noticeable with the Skinny only due to the slim handle and slim lock bar (perhaps the lock bar tension), was a squeak and vibration that could be felt when opening and closing the blade slowly.
A tiny drop of oil where the lock bar detent rides on the side of the blade immediately stopped this and it become slick again, but over time this does need a further drop of oil. Using a precision watch maker’s needle oiler allowed a very targeted application.

The final image here marks the end of an uninterrupted 38 years of me being a pescatarian. Friends and followers might know I have a chronic health condition, and with recent fresh inspiration to take a holistic new look of all aspects of my health and possible therapeutic changes I can make, I am taking a significant step by re-introducing meat into my diet.

This is no small change to make after 38 years, so required a ceremony of using a knife with a Magnacut blade, made by my friends at lionSTEEL, to prepare this first meal of meat. Meaningful to me at least, and the reason for including this here.

With the Skinny lionSTEEL have added nicely to their line up with a much slimmer locking folder that is very practical and usable for EDC tasks.

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
_______________________________________________
Pocket edge catches in lock bar spring cut out.
Lock bar tension seems very high.

_______________________________________________
Things I like
_______________________________________________
SOLID construction (one piece handle).
REF (removable flipper system).
Deep carry pocket clip.
MagnaCut blade.
Hardened steel lock bar insert with over travel stop.
Versatile drop-point blade shape.
IKBS bearings
Titanium with Carbon Fibre inlay.
Slim and easy to carry.

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.