Enigma Knives US2000 slip joint knife

[miso2]

Hi all,

I got a slip joint knife from Enigma Knives in Poland, about a year ago.
I have not reviewed it nor actually used it because it has had some issues, which made me reluctant to carry.
I will describe them later.

Enigma Knives are already a well-known manufacturer now.
They set their mission to make simple pocket knives with high-end materials at affordable prices.
This knife is just that.

According to their web site, the knives are made using CNC and finished by hand grinding.
They make knives in small batches with various cover materials, particularly with vivid colors.
Mine is with nice blue linen Micarta.

The specs

                         Enigma               Lionsteel Barlow      Proper Krein regrind
  Overall length:        178 mm (7.00")       168 mm (6.61”)        170 mm (6.69")
  Closed length:         102 mm (4.02")       95 mm (3.74”)         97.8 mm (3.85")
  Blade Length:          76 mm (2.99")        74 mm (2.91”)         72 mm (2.83")
  Blade thickness:       2.05 mm (0.08")      2.54 mm (0.1”)        2.04 mm (0.08")
  Primary grind angle:   7.2 inclusive        7.4 inclusive         6.4 inclusive
  BTE at 15 DPS:         0.38 mm ( 0.015")    0.64 mm (0.025”)      0.25 mm (0.01")
  Edge angle:            21 DPS               20 DPS                20 DPS
  Blade material:        US2000 (Cruwear)     M390                  S30V
  Blade grind:           Flat                 Flat                  Flat
  Handle thickness:      11 mm (0.43")        11.85 mm (0.47”)      11 mm (0.43")
  Closed width:          26 mm (1.02")        24.64 mm (0.97")      30 mm (1.18")
  Handle material:       Linen Micarta        Natural Micarta       Canvas Micarta
  Weight:                54 g (1.9 oz)        60 g (2.12 oz)        57 g (2 oz)
  Nail nick:             Single               Double                Single
  Stops:                 N/A                  One                   One
  Pull (5 for SAK):      7~8                  5~6                   5~6
  Pinchable:             Yes                  Yes                   Yes
  Pocket clip:           No                   No                    No
  Lanyard hole:          No                   No                    Yes
  Internal stop pin:     No                   Yes                   Yes

 

[miso2]

There are known design issues or specs, to lower the manufacturing cost.

First, there are clear gaps between the liner and spring.
This is because they put washers without reducing the tang thickness.

Second, they say a knife may come with an off-centered blade.
Mine was exactly that.

I know these are just aesthetic issues.
But the last one is an actual flaw.
The blade hits the spring very badly.

Edge was flattened near the tip (the shiny area)

I have had a few traditional slip joint knives, which had this same issue.
But after several sharpenings, it tends to go away.
For Enigma, it has not.
I have sharpened it a dozen times, and I still get a big ding.

*Sigh*

I got over with the gap issue quickly, but the other two really bothered me.
So, these are the reason why I had not used it until recently.

 

[miso2]

Then, thanks to this forum, I learned a way to remedy the blade kissing problem.
First, I should not drop shut the blade but close it with grace
Second, I put a piece of cork on the spring where the blade kissed.
It is not a permanent solution, but it is OK for now.

Again, thanks to the forums, I learned that I can center the blade by "crinking" it.
But whether a novice like me can and should do it, and exactly how to do had been elusive.
Yesterday, I stumbled upon a couple of Youtube videos, in which knife users, not makers, perform the process (with narrative).

So, I jumped on it.
In the video, they use traditional knives with presumably annealed tang.
I was not sure if it works for the 62 HRc blade, but I did it anyway.
Voila!

I am so happy now and start carrying it.
So, this is not yet a review of the knife.
I will post an actual review when I use it sometime.

 

[miso2]

I have carried the knife for about a week now.
Below is my impression so far.

Blade:
Nicely thin blade stock.
The grind is nice but not as deep as I would like.
I may thin it down at some point, but it is quite slicey as is.
Edge retention seems quite good, presumably because of the steel at high hardness (62 HRc).
Sharpening and touching up are easy with silicon carbide and diamond stones.

Handle:
Very nice linen Micarta on mine.
Smooth but grippy enough.
The extra handle length for the blade size and the contouring provide comfortable hold.
Pins are all flush to the cover.
The mosaic pivot is aesthetically pleasing.

Fit and Finish:
OK, but not excellent.
Comparing to GEC knives and Lion Steel knives I have, this department is a major weakness of the knife.
The uncentered blade is one issue.
Also, there are some sharp corners and burrs left.
The back spring is not flush with the liners.
Oh, and there is a very slight blade play, which might be a result of my centering adjustment, though.
After correcting the centering, I can live with the others.

Action:
This knife has a cam-type pivot like Case Sod Buster.
The action was very stiff and gritty at the beginning.
I performed a forced break-in procedure, and it is now silky smooth.
The stout spring makes the blade very snappy.
Nice.

 

[miso2]

I think the Enigma knife is comparable to GEC #71 in size and cutting ability.
Superior fit and finish for GEC, way better edge retention on Enigma.

Comparison with GEC #71 Bullnose

                         Enigma               Bullnose
  Overall length:        178 mm (7.00")       173 mm (6.81”)
  Closed length:         102 mm (4.02")       98 mm (3.86”)
  Blade Length:          76 mm (2.99")        76 mm (2.99”)
  Blade thickness:       2.05 mm (0.08")      2.25 mm (0.087”)
  Primary grind angle:   7.2 inclusive        7.5 inclusive
  BTE at 15 DPS:         0.38 mm (0.015")     0.36 mm (0.014”)
  Edge angle:            21 DPS               20 DPS
  Blade material:        US2000 (Cruwear)     1095
  Blade grind:           Flat                 Flat
  Handle thickness:      11 mm (0.43")        13.91 mm (0.55”)
  Closed width:          26 mm (1.02")        24.95 mm (0.98")
  Handle material:       Linen Micarta        Linen Micarta
  Weight:                54 g (1.9 oz)        68 g (2.4 oz)
  Nail nick:             Single               Single
  Stops:                 N/A                  One
  Pull (5 for SAK):      7~8                  7~8
  Pinchable:             Yes                  Yes
  Pocket clip:           No                   No
  Lanyard hole:          No                   Yes
  Internal stop pin:     No                   No

Conclusion:
It is a reasonably priced slip joint knife with good edge retention, modern materials (steel and titanium), and beautiful cover options.
The blade is ground well and cuts well like a traditional knfie.
If you want a traditional style slip joint knife with "super steel" but without being a pocket wedge, it is a good option.
But if you value a good fit and finish for the price ($125) over other things, this knife may not be for you.
I am so far satisfied with its sliceyness and edge retention, and may buy a second knife in the future.

 

[brownshoe]

Thanks for the review. You are very forgiving. For a $125, it shouldn’t hit the backspring or rub the liner. In my eyes it should also have a shinier blade finish.

 

[miso2]

Yeah, I guess.
Probably because their knives are unique.

When you look for a slip joint knife, which is as slicey as GEC knives and sports a high wear-resistant steel, you don't find many options outside custom knives.
Most of modern slip joint production knives I found are typically thick at the stock and behind the edge.
It is really beyond me why a sub 3" slip joint needs 0.12" or thicker blade.

So far, Enigma Knives is the only production shop I have found so far providing a traditonal-thin slip joint knife with a "super steel".
That is why I am forgiving.

I hope they raise the bar for F&F (relief milling, blade centering, spring position, and kick adjustment) even at a higher price.
If they provide a same knife at a higher F&F standard at $250, I will buy a few without hesitation.
It's gonna be like having a GEC knife with exotic covers, titanium liners, and a M390 or Cruwear blade!!

 

[lambertiana]

I hope they raise the bar for F&F (relief milling, blade centering, spring position, and kick adjustment) even at a higher price.
If they provide a same knife at a higher F&F standard at $250, I will buy a few without hesitation.
It's gonna be like having a GEC knife with exotic covers, titanium liners, and a M390 or Cruwear blade!!

I have three of these with different covers, and I must be lucky because none of them have the QC issues that yours does. And mine are thinner behind the edge, too. They are all 2000MC.

 

[miso2]

Lucky you!
I have seen a YouTube video showing his second one has a off center blade.

 

[brownshoe]

Yeah, I guess.
Probably because their knives are unique.

When you look for a slip joint knife, which is as slicey as GEC knives and sports a high wear-resistant steel, you don't find many options outside custom knives.
Most of modern slip joint production knives I found are typically thick at the stock and behind the edge.
It is really beyond me why a sub 3" slip joint needs 0.12" or thicker blade.

So far, Enigma Knives is the only production shop I have found so far providing a traditonal-thin slip joint knife with a "super steel".
That is why I am forgiving.

I hope they raise the bar for F&F (relief milling, blade centering, spring position, and kick adjustment) even at a higher price.
If they provide a same knife at a higher F&F standard at $250, I will buy a few without hesitation.
It's gonna be like having a GEC knife with exotic covers, titanium liners, and a M390 or Cruwear blade!!

I understand and agree.