Category: Knife Review

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.

Knife Review: TRC M-1SL

6 October, 2024

Join me in this detailed review of the stunning new TRC Knives M-1SL; a carefully considered evolution of the TRC Mille Cuori.

Adding to the “M” line from the Lithuanian manufacturer, the M-1SL is designed to meet the needs of a wide range of users involved in various outdoor activities. A sturdy tool that is well suited to bushcraft, camping, hunting and much more. It’s similarity to the Mille Cuori or M-1SLG, is because it is a development of that knife.

The spine has edges sharp enough to strike sparks from a ferro rod, but not sharp enough to cut you. Like all knives in the “M” line, the handle has deep jimping / grooves on the handle for excellent grip and handling. Made from premium BÖHLER M390 MICROCLEAN steel, the blade is highly corrosion resistant and really holds its edge.

(Review Videos now at the end of the review.)

What’s in the box?:
Setting the theme of ‘attention to detail’ from the first moment, TRC start as they mean to go on with the M-1SL’s presentation box. You already know this is going to be good.
As well as the sheathed knife, there is a specification card, metallic sticker and rubber patch.

A good look round the M-1SL’s sheath – Things to look out for here are:
As important as the knife it carries, the sheath manages an understated simplicity, yet is packed with features and functions that allow it to do its job brilliantly.
It is a rare thing to not be able to find an unfinished edge or corner. TRC Knives have delivered this, with every edge, corner, joint, bend, and fixing being smooth and refined. I have not found a single part of the sheath that could benefit from a tweak or shave; TRC have done all of this without missing anything.
If I had to be picky, I feel the drainage hole may not be as free flowing as if it ran downwards instead of sideways. However, where it is positioned is very neat and keeps the lower edge of the sheath streamlined.
The hollow rivets used to hold the two sheath halves together are completely smooth on both sides, so there is no wear to cord threaded through them. It comes with an elastic cord in place that is ideal if you want to secure the end of the sheath to your leg, as the elastic allows you to move freely.
Designed into the sheath is a fully adjustable knife retention, on both sides, not just one. This tension was set just right out of the box, but will wear in over time, and if ever needed, you can tighten it. If you prefer less of a grip on the knife you can also back it off to suit.
To swap to left-handed, you need only remove two bolts and pop the belt loop hanger on the other side of the sheath.

A good look round the M-1SL knife – Things to look out for here are:
Yes you might well recognise that distinctive blade shape from the TRC Mille Cuori, and in the M-1SL it is brought to you in a lighter-weight version. A drop point blade with bevelled swedge, plus thumb rest on the spine just forward of the handle, all combine to give this blade its identity.
Again the attention to detail doesn’t stop, the finishes are crisp without being sharp. The corners of the swedge bevels are just a little sharper than the corners of the thumb rest. Those slightly sharper corners on the swedge will scrape a fire steel very well yet are completely safe for your hands or gloves.
With the edge finishing in a sharpening choil next to the finger guard, not only does this complete the cutting edge, but provides you with the ‘fine work point’ (that I use this end of the cutting edge for).
The very front of the handles are angled to guide the knife into the sheath, this also gives good access to the cutting edge for all types of cutting task.
There is plenty of grip from the G-10 handle scales, that also combines with the jimping at the front and back of the handle to ensure a firm hold on the knife. Flared hollow rivets secure the handle scales and provide lanyard/lashing points.

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.

What is it like to use?
I may have said ‘refined’ and ‘attention to detail’, or words to those effect, a few times in this review; this seems to be a feature TRC Knives are widely recognised for, and is clearly evident in the case of this M-1SL.
This doesn’t happen by accident, and is only as a result of hard work and caring about your products. When meeting Andrius Tricius (founder and head designer at TRC Knives) to talk about the M-1SL, his passion for the design and quality of finish came across immediately. He was listening closely to any and all comments I made about the knife, genuinely interested in understanding how his designs work for all users; clearly someone passionate about making the best possible knives.
Fitting into a general utility knife size category, the M-1SL is a super practical knife that is big enough for most tasks and small and light enough to be easy to carry – a no-brainer when it comes to picking out a daily use fixed blade.

With 4mm blade stock and a full tang the M-1SL is seriously robust so can take on tougher tasks as well. Chopping and batoning are no problem with the blade length just needing good technique and knowing when not to over-reach and risk the blade getting stuck.

For me, one thing I would prefer would be for the sheath to be smaller. With the typical two piece Kydex construction you end up with a slab of sheath which increases the overall carry size. The knife is a great EDC utility size (and super strong), but the bulk of this type of sheath does make me think twice on occasion. Could you still have such a functional sheath with retention tension adjustment and tying points with less bulk?
Perhaps a small detail, but worthy of further mention, the dedicated thumb rest on the spine; this allows you to comfortably put your thumb directly behind the cutting edge and apply maximum cutting force directly towards the cut. The power and control this cutting method provides is important, and though you can do this with all sorts of knives, the M-1SL has the thumb rest designed into the spine of the blade. Having this feature increases comfort and control exactly because there is a specifically shaped section on the spine.
Frequently, when living with a knife, I find something that is a bit ‘off’, a sharp corner, or something I want to tweak; so far with the M-1SL I’ve not found anything I want to tweak – I’d say this speaks volumes.
It also is certainly a difficult knife to put down, being pleasing to hold as well as use.

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
_______________________________________________
Slightly bulky sheath for the size of knife.
Nothing else – so this is a short list.

_______________________________________________
Things I like
_______________________________________________
Incredible attention to detail.
Adjustable sheath retention tension.
Ideal size for general utility.
Capable of heavy duty tasks with 4mm blade stock.
M390 steel (proven reliability and performance).
Thumb rest designed into blade spine.
Outstanding level of finish with not a single flaw found.
Excellent grip without being abrasive to bare or gloved hands.
Ambidextrous sheath (when swapping the belt hanger to the other side).
Includes a sharpening choil.
Flared hollow handle rivets cannot come loose.
Full tang.

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 FRAME ROCK XXV Anniversarium

31 March, 2024

Extrema Ratio have been celebrating their 25th Anniversary in style with a number of limited runs of new and old models.

In this review we are looking at the XXV Anniversarium Limited Edition of the overbuilt folder, the FRAME ROCK. If you do miss out on the limited edition, most of the content here is perfectly valid for the standard FRAME ROCK, so limited or standard, you can get one of these ROCK solid folders.

This review of the Extrema Ratio FRAME ROCK includes an in depth video with overview and detailed measurements, plus image galleries and more.

Review Videos

Starting with a short format sixty second review:

Onto a full video review covering many more details:

What’s in the box?:
Included with the Anniversarium Limited Edition, is a special numbered presentation case and Anniversarium challenge coin. In this section, instead of unboxing we are looking at that special presentation case.

The Anniversary Coin:
Before we move on, here are both sides of the Anniversarium challenge coin.

A REALLY good look round the FRAME ROCK – Things to look out for here are:
Unprecedented in size, this gallery contains more photos of details than ever before, to take in as much of this special edition as possible.
Folded or not, the FRAME ROCK is unmistakably Extrema Ratio with its grip pattern. The FRAME ROCK has presence even though it is relatively compact. On the plain head of the pivot bolt there is an engraving of the anniversary logo with a further XXV Anniversarium engraving just above this. Immediately you can see the 6mm thick blade stock with heavy jimping. An integral lock, the FRAME ROCK has a steel insert on the end of the lock bar to increase lock life and it can be replaced if needed.
Extrema Ratio folders use a pivot bolt with locking screw that prevents loosening. Unusually, the deep carry clip wraps completely over the end of the handle, fixed onto the opposite side’s handle. As it wraps over it has a slot to allow the glass breaker to protrude through the clip (this can be fitted on the opposite side).
Waisted spacers hold the handles in place, and give the FRAME ROCK its open back layout.
As the glass breaker is fixed in the solid handle (not the lock bar side), to accommodate this, should you swap the clip side, there is an extra slot in the clip.
Looking right into the pivot, what is visible are the ball bearing cups for the pivot bearings that give the blade a smooth action.

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.

What is it like to use?

A compact, heavyweight, overbuilt knife, it almost seems a contradiction, but the compact size actually allows for a relatively light weight for such a robust knife.
Featuring a beautiful spearpoint blade with fuller, using the same blade shape as the Contact and Contact C fixed blade models. The blade shape adds to the unique look the FRAME ROCK brings.
The more you handle it, the more you understand the allure of the unusual robustness for a knife of this size. Typically, overbuilt folders are much larger, but the FRAME ROCK fits within the hand, while having an incredible solidity – hugely satisfying.
Somehow it also belies belief that such a wide spearpoint could fit into the handle, looking all the more impressive as you swing it open.

For larger hands, the compact handle does mean the clip tends to dig in if you are working the FRAME ROCK hard, and in the left hand, the glass breaker can dig into your hand when taking a tight grip. But trade this off against the overbuilt strength you are carrying, a blade that will take on heavy tasks and not break a sweat.

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
_______________________________________________
Glass breaker digs into hand when used left-handed.
Thick blade reduces slicing ability.

_______________________________________________
Things I like
_______________________________________________
Incredible robustness for its size.
Stunning spearpoint blade with fuller.
Deep-carry ambidextrous clip.
Replaceable steel lock bar insert.
Pivot-bolt locking-screw to prevent loosening.
Smooth ball-bearing blade pivot.
Thick Titanium frame.
Special numbered presentation case.
Anniversarium challenge coin.

 
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: ANV M311 COMPACT

17 March, 2024

The M311 COMPACT is a scaled down version of the excellent M311 Spelter. The reduction is 13%, bringing the overall length down to 235mm and blade to 110mm, while completely retaining the M311’s distinctive characteristics.

With the M311 Spelter being one of my favourite knives, the announcement of the M311 COMPACT had me sitting on the edge of my seat waiting to get hold of one and try it out.

Join me in this detailed review of the ANV – ACTA NON VERBA Knives M311 COMPACT to see what it is really like.

Before we properly embark upon the full review of the M311 COMPACT, lets see what that 13% scaling down looks like compared directly to the original M311 Spelter.

Including the sheaths initially as this is the package you carry.

Then the knives themselves next to each other. 13% doesn’t sound much, but it makes a big difference. The original M311 Spelter is a substantial knife. With a 13% reduction, the M311 COMPACT becomes much more EDC than expedition.

Review Videos

Starting with a short format sixty second review:

Onto a full video review covering many more details:

A few more details:

What’s in the box?:
The ANV packaging has had a slight update where the knife is held in a liner which stretches a clear plastic film over the knife to keep it firmly in place.

A good look round the M311 COMPACT’s Sheath – Things to look out for here are:
With the scaling down, all the parts ANV make are reduced, but the MOLLE straps are not, so become relatively more prominent features. Looking beyond these, we have a Kydex sheath with hollow rivets holding it together. A generous free running drainage hole at the tip of the sheath ensures easy flushing if needed, and the number of hollow rivets and slots give you lots of attachment points.

A good look round the M311 COMPACT – Things to look out for here are:
ANV’s distinctive swedged blade never disappoints on the looks front, giving it immediate appeal. It may be scaled down, but all the proportions and details are still spot on.
3D milled scales, finger guard and first-finger groove, all provide excellent grip, and then there are also three sections of jimping in the full tang. The M311 has a shaped thumb rest on the blade spine to allow for powerful cut control and pressure to be applied directly behind the 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 Elmax 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.

What is it like to use?

Local laws may or may not allow a fixed blade to be carried as an EDC. Unfortunately where I live you need ‘good reason’ to carry a fixed blade in a public place, however on private property and when I do have good reason, my preference is for a compact fixed blade. The M311 COMPACT has muscled its way into my top carry spot, the closest a fixed blade can be to being my EDC.

Take a look at it in the hand. (I take XL size gloves.) It is not small, but it is also not a large knife, instead finding a really efficient and effective sizing that gives you great cutting power without great size.
Multiple grip placements allow you to find the one that gives you the best advantage for any task.

Though the M311 COMPACT is a scaled down M311 Spelter, one observation I have is that oddly it feels ‘crisper’ in terms of its handle finish, and this makes it a little more abrasive to hold and use. Excellent grip, but oddly a touch more fatiguing to use purely from the roughness of the handle. This is a ‘feel’ more than anything really tangible, and for the tasks I tend to use it for, not a problem at all.

Wanting to be carried, the M311 COMPACT has made itself a go-to blade, patching up some air conditioning ducting, trimming down a mouth guard, and splitting up pallet wood are only some of the varied jobs it demanded to be used for.

As I mentioned earlier, with the smaller scale M311, the MOLLE straps became larger, and I decided to drop these in favour of (at the moment) a single Ulti-Clip. The bare sheath allows the M311 COMPACT to slip easily into a pocket or bag, and adding an Ulti-Clip for pocket carry then makes it so easy to pick up the knife and re-sheathe over and over.

If you look at the position of the Ulti-Clip, this was settled on after trying several positions. Deeper carry makes the re-sheathing more difficult, with the finger guard often catching on the pocket edge. If the clip is fitted to the other side, the sheath twists away as you re-sheathe it, so this was the position that worked best for me. If you needed more stability, a second Ulti-Clip would lock it in place; this is just a personal preference.

Local law allowing I would carry this knife much more, I do however carry it as much as a possibly can. EDC or backup blade the M311 COMPACT demands to be picked up and used.

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 handle finish is a little too ‘crisp’ and abrasive.
MOLLE straps seem oversized.

_______________________________________________
Things I like
_______________________________________________
Everything else!
Ideal size for general utility and EDC.
Elmax steel.
Excellent grip.
Slim blade slices well.
Blade thick enough to be very strong.
Easy to fit different mounts to the sheath.
Light enough to forget you are carrying it.
Excellent handling.

 
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: Sandrin Knives Torino

17 February, 2024

A Tungsten Carbide bladed knife! The Torino from Sandrin Knives features a blade made from Polyhedral Tungsten Carbide (PTC), a flexible grade of tungsten carbide that has superb edge retention and measures HRC 71 on the Rockwell scale.
The Torino’s blade also has a unique ‘raw carbide’ finish, giving it its striking appearance. Pivoting on ceramic ball bearings provides a super smooth opening and closing action, with the blade held securely open by a Recoil Lock mechanism.
Join me in this review of the Sandrin knives Torino for a thorough look at the knife.

Review Video

A thorough look at the Sandrin Knives Torino with the Tactical Reviews detailed technical specifications and close up view over the entire knife.

A few more details:

A good look round the Torino – Things to look out for here are:
Using red, high visibility, milled G10 for the handles and a reverse-skeletonised design to reduce weight gives a very distinctive look to the Torino (even before you see the blade).
A black PVD coated pocket clip can be fitted on either side or removed completely.
The Polyhedral Tungsten Carbide blade’s raw TC finish adds further to the distinctiveness of this knife combined with the fact the Torino’s blade is super slim at a maximum of only 1.2mm thick!
Sandrin Knives have used a Recoil Lock for the Torino with a sliding back spacer lock lever on the back of the handle.
PTC, being super-hard at HRC 71, gives the Torino’s blade a very different look on the primary and edge bevel grinds.

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 Polyhedral Tungsten Carbide.

Explained by the Maker:

With the unique material used for this knife blade, I’m including the manufacturer’s own description here for ease of reference.

An advancement in the science of blade materials, Sandrin knives are crafted from our patented Polyhedral Tungsten Carbide (PTC), a flexible grade of tungsten carbide that outperforms steel in edge retention. Measuring HRC 71 on the Rockwell scale of hardness, Torino retains its razor-sharp edge far beyond steel knives. We call this StaySharp Technology™. New for Torino is the blade’s raw carbide finish – its striking appearance is achieved by grinding the PTC with fine diamonds. Unlike steel, the Torino blade is completely rustproof making it suitable for both fresh and saltwater conditions. The blade’s thumb ramp features carefully executed jimping, while the rest of the spine and finger choil is chamfered for comfort.

Torino’s ceramic ball bearing action provides for a smooth opening and closing experience. A robust thumb stud provides for one handed blade deployment. But what really makes the Torino a modern marvel is a completely redesigned mechanism we call the Recoil Lock. This ingenious locking system is a gift to the knife community by knife wunderkind Snecx Tan, who refers to it as his PowerLock. Thank you, Snecx, for this remarkable innovation. The beauty of Tan’s recoil lock is the simple yet efficient design. The ambidextrous action delivers positive force (grip) to secure the blade in its rock-solid open position. Closing the knife is accomplished by sliding the backspacer to the rear, eliminating accidental blade unlock.

High-visibility red G-10 handles provide for quick acquisition in emergency situations. Stylized pockets serve to both reduce weight and add tactile feel for positive grip engagement. A reversible titanium pocket clip enables right- or left-hand carry and features our Fibonacci hole sequence design, a distinctive mathematical trademark of Sandrin Knives.

At only 2.29 ounces, Torino is so lightweight it practically disappears in your pocket. And, with a blade length of 2.95 inches, it’s also legal to carry in most jurisdictions.

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 magnified images of the edge show the Torino’s blade’s different look. They also show what appears to be a micro-serration from the grinding process, which aids the cutting ability of this special material.

What is it like to use?
One of the most noticeable features of the Sandrin Knives Torino when you use it is the super-slim, super-slicey blade. The sharpness measurements for the factory edge, are in this case more important than most knives, as I suspect the PTC blade may be difficult to sharpen, and will almost certainly want diamond sharpeners.
Sandrin have supplied the Torino super sharp with the very impressive average BESS measurement of 165. I tend to sharpen a knife to less than 200 BESS, so this is sharper than my normal target sharpness.
Actually with it being so so hard, I’ve not yet worn the edge enough to want to sharpen it, so this aspect of using the PTC blade is to come later.
It certainly is lightweight and easy to carry.
The jimping on the spine of the blade is useful, but with the blade being only 1.2mm thick, I find it quickly becomes uncomfortable to apply a lot of force directly onto the blade spine.
With the forward placed finger groove, choking up on the blade is natural and makes finer work really accurate.
For me, the only aspect that lets the Torino down somewhat is the spring pressure on the recoil lock combined with the finish on the lock lever – together these make unlocking with the pad of your thumb uncomfortable and not entirely reliable. I find I tend to have to curl my finger or thumb over and use my nail to get sufficient purchase to release the lock. If the lock bar protruded a little more and the spring pressure was slightly less, I think this would come together nicely.
However, that said, the recoil lock does allow the Torino to remain slim and gives a reliable lock-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
_______________________________________________
High spring force on the recoil lock.
Lock lever too low profile.

_______________________________________________
Things I like
_______________________________________________
High-tech blade material – Polyhedral Tungsten Carbide
Fantastic factory edge with BESS of 165
Incredibly long lasting sharpness.
Blade is only 1.2mm thick!
Lightweight design.
Reverse-skeletonised G10 handle.
Low profile recoil lock.
Slick blade movement on ceramic bearings.
Double-sided thumb studs.
Ambidextrous deep-carry titanium pocket clip.

Knife Review: Benchmade Bugout 535-3

4 February, 2024

An even lighter, premium version of the already ultralight Benchmade Bugout, yes, that’s right. Join me in this is detailed review of the Benchmade 535-3, the special super-ultralight Bugout. Now, you say Carbon Fiber, I say Carbon Fibre, but let’s not worry about that (I might use either or both), and this is why the 535-3 is even lighter, as it has Carbon Fibre handles with the minimal steel inserts milled into them. The 535-3 is the Benchmade Bugout – Plus!

Review Videos

Starting with a short format sixty second review:

Onto a full video review covering many more details:

A few more details:

What’s in the box?:
Very well presented in a foam lined box, the Bugout comes in a cloth bag that you can use to help keep the pocket fluff at bay. A clip/handle protector card also gives you information about the Benchmade Axis lock that the Bugout uses.

A good look round the Bugout 535-3 – Things to look out for here are:
The Bugout uses a mini deep-carry steel pocket clip, that is removable and can be fitted on either side. Blue highlights on the spacer/lanyard hole and thumb stud, play beautifully off the black Carbon Fibre adding to the premium feel of this version of the Bugout.
Ultralight construction means there is only the one spacer and otherwise clear space through the handles.
One side of the pivot bolt is capped, and the torx screw head on the other side only. Torx screws are used throughout for the construction.
Looking in closely at the axis lock bar and how it moves as the blade is opened. The Bugout, despite being a lightweight knife, is also known for being tough, and the use of phosphor bronze washers adds to the robust and reliable build.
There is something about this particular blue and how it sings on the ambidextrous thumb studs.
And then we have the Bugout’s slim, flat ground blade. No weak points, and very ‘slicey’ (should be a word if it isn’t) with a very useful shape. The smooth plunge line ensures maximum strength and exposed heel-edge provides easy maintenance and a useful rear-point (there isn’t a sharpening choil, but the end of the edge closest to the handle is unobstructed and easy to sharpen). This detail is something I look for in all knives, but especially an EDC knife.

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 S90V 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.

Please be aware that these images were taken with the knife straight out of the box without any stropping and they do have some manufacturing residue visible on the edge.

What is it like to use?

The Bugout is a modern classic and has gained much favour and recognition. This is actually the first Bugout I’ve owned (not the first I’ve handled), so prior to this period of review testing I did not have much experience of using a Bugout. I’ve not been disappointed at all, quite the opposite.
With the 535-3 being the lightest Bugout to date, an already ultralight knife, it sits like a feather in your hand. The Carbon Fibre feels so light, comfortable and warm to the touch, you don’t want to put it down. How can it be so strong and so light?
Benchmade have also got the blade geometry spot on. Using a thinner blade, but not too thin, makes it slice exceptionally well. The exposed heel of the edge (similar to when a sharpening choil is used) makes sharpening of the entire edge easier. I find this secondary ‘point’ a very useful feature for fine work.
Shown here in my XL-glove-size hands, there is enough handle for a firm grip, while the overall knife is compact enough (and very slim) to forget you are even carrying it.

It’s proven its worth with all sorts of random jobs. Here a chandelier replacement candle tube being trimmed to length, and then its been out with me dealing with anything and everything else life has presented.
This edition with the Carbon Fibre handles has been making it so difficult to put down. It want’s you to carry it, it wants you to use it.
I hope this will remain a permanent part of the Benchmade Bugout line-up as it really is superb.

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
_______________________________________________
Nothing to see here.
(There is no such thing as the ‘perfect’ knife, but I have nothing to complain about.)

_______________________________________________
Things I like
_______________________________________________
Super-Ultralight and slim.
Smooth, warm, comfortable Carbon Fibre handle.
Slim, strong blade.
S90V steel.
High-end fit and finish.
Deep carry clip.
Ambidextrous.
Demands to be handled and carried.