Smaug
Gold Member
- Joined
- Jun 30, 2003
- Messages
- 1,797
Grip: 9/10. It is thin, so it can't be a 10/10. But let me just say that I don't miss the thickness for the type of cutting I do. (Daily stuff, mostly one cut at a time)
Action: 10/10. Smooth and bank-vault lock-up, as usual.
Blade Steel: 9/10. No complaints about well-tempered S35VN! I won't knock it for not being a Super Steel, because it's so well-rounded.
Edge Grind: 10/10. Cold Steel NAILED it. The edge was ground kind of shallow, and perfectly even. It only took a few minutes to put a fine 40° micro-bevel on it with my Sharpmaker. I'm betting the factory grind is between 15-17°.
Flickability: 5/10. It always takes me a bit of getting used to, to go back to a thumb stud after having become accustomed to a flipper or big hole. Once re-calibrated, it's as slick as can be. -5 points for the always-awkward one-handed closing of a back lock. It's just the price we pay. With a wrist snap and just a bit of forearm inertia, the blade flies open with a satisfying snap.
Value: 9/10. Due to the good materials, excellent fit & finish and outstanding overall execution, this gets the 2nd highest grade. Only reason it doesn't get a 10 is because knives like the Steel Will have raised the bar a bit for value. But from an American company and Taiwanese build? It doesn't get better.
Fit & Finish: 10/10. Perfect execution. Bravo!
Clip: 9/10. Very tight at first, but this means it can be tuned to suit anyone's preference. Since the handle doesn't abrade the pants, I like it to where I'm still able to slide it on the pocket with one hand. But tight enough that if I'm swinging upside down on the monkey bars with my daughter, it doesn't drop out. (like my first Spydiechef did, with its much-lauded wire clip...) One other thing worth pointing out is that the smallish pocket clip doesn't give away how big the knife is. It's not "deep carry", but you probably wouldn't guess I'm packing a knife with a 3-5/8" blade from a glance at the clip and the bottom end of the knife.
Looks: 9/10. Love the looks of this knife, both in the pocket and out.
Cutting: 9/10. This S35VN took a screaming sharp edge, with just 5 minutes on the Sharpmaker @ 40°. I grabbed it by the wrong choil one time while disengaging the lock. The blade gently guillotined down on my finger. Just the slightest tap and I was bleeding before I knew it. I chopped some apples, sliced up some boxes and a few zip ties. It's not a great slicer, but it's not bad either. The blade is long enough that the thumb stud would only get in the way when using 100% of the sharpened edge.
Overall: 10/10. I couldn't be happier. It's a good value, good steel, flawless execution. The only thing I'm left wanting is a smaller version to go with it.
Who is this for?: A fellow who likes a blade on the longer side for EDC, but who doesn't want an overly chunky knife or grippy handles or scales. It works surprisingly well in business casual (slacks). Hides in the pocket and curves away from a hand reaching in next to it. It also is a great choice for the man who likes to be able to use his knife to cut straight across an apple in one fell swoop. It's fun to play with because it's so smooth, but of course it doesn't flick closed so gracefully.
Here's a companion YouTube video:
Action: 10/10. Smooth and bank-vault lock-up, as usual.
Blade Steel: 9/10. No complaints about well-tempered S35VN! I won't knock it for not being a Super Steel, because it's so well-rounded.
Edge Grind: 10/10. Cold Steel NAILED it. The edge was ground kind of shallow, and perfectly even. It only took a few minutes to put a fine 40° micro-bevel on it with my Sharpmaker. I'm betting the factory grind is between 15-17°.
Flickability: 5/10. It always takes me a bit of getting used to, to go back to a thumb stud after having become accustomed to a flipper or big hole. Once re-calibrated, it's as slick as can be. -5 points for the always-awkward one-handed closing of a back lock. It's just the price we pay. With a wrist snap and just a bit of forearm inertia, the blade flies open with a satisfying snap.
Value: 9/10. Due to the good materials, excellent fit & finish and outstanding overall execution, this gets the 2nd highest grade. Only reason it doesn't get a 10 is because knives like the Steel Will have raised the bar a bit for value. But from an American company and Taiwanese build? It doesn't get better.
Fit & Finish: 10/10. Perfect execution. Bravo!
Clip: 9/10. Very tight at first, but this means it can be tuned to suit anyone's preference. Since the handle doesn't abrade the pants, I like it to where I'm still able to slide it on the pocket with one hand. But tight enough that if I'm swinging upside down on the monkey bars with my daughter, it doesn't drop out. (like my first Spydiechef did, with its much-lauded wire clip...) One other thing worth pointing out is that the smallish pocket clip doesn't give away how big the knife is. It's not "deep carry", but you probably wouldn't guess I'm packing a knife with a 3-5/8" blade from a glance at the clip and the bottom end of the knife.
Looks: 9/10. Love the looks of this knife, both in the pocket and out.
Cutting: 9/10. This S35VN took a screaming sharp edge, with just 5 minutes on the Sharpmaker @ 40°. I grabbed it by the wrong choil one time while disengaging the lock. The blade gently guillotined down on my finger. Just the slightest tap and I was bleeding before I knew it. I chopped some apples, sliced up some boxes and a few zip ties. It's not a great slicer, but it's not bad either. The blade is long enough that the thumb stud would only get in the way when using 100% of the sharpened edge.
Overall: 10/10. I couldn't be happier. It's a good value, good steel, flawless execution. The only thing I'm left wanting is a smaller version to go with it.
Who is this for?: A fellow who likes a blade on the longer side for EDC, but who doesn't want an overly chunky knife or grippy handles or scales. It works surprisingly well in business casual (slacks). Hides in the pocket and curves away from a hand reaching in next to it. It also is a great choice for the man who likes to be able to use his knife to cut straight across an apple in one fell swoop. It's fun to play with because it's so smooth, but of course it doesn't flick closed so gracefully.
Here's a companion YouTube video:
