I've been carrying a ProLite clip point exclusively for about a month straight and I am beginning to really appreciate this knife not only as an amazing value but actually a very, very good EDC folder. Forgive the awful photos please!
Pocket clip
With 3 screws in a triangle pattern holding the clip in place as well as the fixing plate sunk into the handle this clip is not going to slide or move at all! I have really begun to love this clip. It holds tight but is the right shape to easily attach to the pocket edge with no fuss or second tries. Excellent!
Blade edge, sharpness and retention
The grind on the edge was slightly more obtuse on one side than the other when I first bought it but after a few sharpenings on the sharpmaker the profiles are much more even than before. A few strops and it's back to hair shaving sharp, and a few swipes on the sharp maker and it will whittle hair. It will chop boxes with ease but won't hold its edge as well as S30V or M390. Fortunately, it could be sharpened easily on a rock if I were stranded in the wild. Just an added bonus, the swedge is dead even on both sides and adds just a little bit of flair...very nice looking! The stonewash will scratch easily but does a decent job hiding them. Of note, it's smoother than my M390 mini grip was! Blade centering? Absolutely perfect--icing on the cake!
Weight, balance and scales
Since there are no liners, just thick slabs of FRN, weight is held down to just 3.2 ounces. With the index finger held in the choil just aft of the blade tang the knife will balance perfectly. It feels light but sturdy. I can squeeze the FRN handles inward slightly but not very far at all...they'll never touch. The texture is grippy but not overdone and the jumping, while chunky and minimalistic, actually does hold the thumb a bit, more so than my recon 1 did. I think this is because the FRN sticks up a micron above the metal lock bar. FRN does not easily scratch in every day use but I suspect it would if dropped on concrete or purposely scraped with something metal.
Lock mechanism
The dead horse that is the triad lock has been beaten bloody, but its still noteworthy how strong it is both in strength and sturdiness. Zero blade play up, down, left or right, and virtually zero chance of it closing on your digits unwontedly, even when being abused (this IS a $30 folder after all). For the first few weeks it was difficult to open and close, but worked in quickly and is now easy to actuate. The thumb stud is well placed and grippy enough for easy use.
All in all
At $60, this would be a bargain knife, especially if compared with the various FRN clad knives in this segment (you know which ones). But at $30 this is beyond bargain territory, this is a hall-of-famer grand slam from cold steel. Thanks for looking [emoji18]
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Pocket clip
With 3 screws in a triangle pattern holding the clip in place as well as the fixing plate sunk into the handle this clip is not going to slide or move at all! I have really begun to love this clip. It holds tight but is the right shape to easily attach to the pocket edge with no fuss or second tries. Excellent!
Blade edge, sharpness and retention
The grind on the edge was slightly more obtuse on one side than the other when I first bought it but after a few sharpenings on the sharpmaker the profiles are much more even than before. A few strops and it's back to hair shaving sharp, and a few swipes on the sharp maker and it will whittle hair. It will chop boxes with ease but won't hold its edge as well as S30V or M390. Fortunately, it could be sharpened easily on a rock if I were stranded in the wild. Just an added bonus, the swedge is dead even on both sides and adds just a little bit of flair...very nice looking! The stonewash will scratch easily but does a decent job hiding them. Of note, it's smoother than my M390 mini grip was! Blade centering? Absolutely perfect--icing on the cake!
Weight, balance and scales
Since there are no liners, just thick slabs of FRN, weight is held down to just 3.2 ounces. With the index finger held in the choil just aft of the blade tang the knife will balance perfectly. It feels light but sturdy. I can squeeze the FRN handles inward slightly but not very far at all...they'll never touch. The texture is grippy but not overdone and the jumping, while chunky and minimalistic, actually does hold the thumb a bit, more so than my recon 1 did. I think this is because the FRN sticks up a micron above the metal lock bar. FRN does not easily scratch in every day use but I suspect it would if dropped on concrete or purposely scraped with something metal.
Lock mechanism
The dead horse that is the triad lock has been beaten bloody, but its still noteworthy how strong it is both in strength and sturdiness. Zero blade play up, down, left or right, and virtually zero chance of it closing on your digits unwontedly, even when being abused (this IS a $30 folder after all). For the first few weeks it was difficult to open and close, but worked in quickly and is now easy to actuate. The thumb stud is well placed and grippy enough for easy use.
All in all
At $60, this would be a bargain knife, especially if compared with the various FRN clad knives in this segment (you know which ones). But at $30 this is beyond bargain territory, this is a hall-of-famer grand slam from cold steel. Thanks for looking [emoji18]
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
