Review Short review: Surge Panchenko production slip joint

[miso2]

I've got a new modern slip joint knife!
M390 blade and Ti handles!

This is from a Ukraine knife maker, Surge Panchenko, as a production version of his custom.
According to his web site, it is made in China and different from his US-made midtechs.
Currently, this Wharncliffe version, the Persian blade version, and the Cleaver version are available from distributors.
There is also a liner-less G10 version of the same knife.


The specs

                         Serge Slippie        Lionsteel Barlow      Proper Krein regrind
  Overall length:        160 mm (6.30")       168 mm (6.61”)        170 mm (6.69")
  Closed length:         92 mm (3.62")        95 mm (3.74”)         97.8 mm (3.85")
  Blade Length:          69 mm (2.72")        74 mm (2.91”)         72 mm (2.83")
  Blade thickness:       2.8 mm (0.11")       2.54 mm (0.1”)        2.04 mm (0.08")
  Primary grind angle:   8.8 inclusive        7.4 inclusive         6.4 inclusive
  BTE at 15 DPS:         0.50 mm (0.02")      0.64 mm (0.025”)      0.25 mm (0.01")
  Edge angle:            21 DPS               20 DPS                20 DPS
  Blade material:        M390                 M390                  S30V
  Blade grind:           Flat                 Flat                  Flat
  Handle thickness:      9 mm (0.35")         11.85 mm (0.47”)      11 mm (0.43")
  Closed width:          20 mm (0.79")        24.64 mm (0.97")      30 mm (1.18")
  Handle material:       Titanium             Natural Micarta       Canvas Micarta
  Weight:                55 g (1.94 oz)       60 g (2.12 oz)        57 g (2 oz)
  Nail nick:             Single               Double                Single
  Stops:                 One                  One                   One
  Pull (5 for SAK):      6                    5~6                   5~6
  Pinchable:             Yes                  Yes                   Yes
  Pocket clip:           Yes                  No                    No
  Lanyard hole:          No                   No                    Yes
  Internal stop pin:     Yes                  Yes                   Yes

Overall, it is a great modern slippie with excellent fit and finish, good materials, and action for the price.
I think it is in the same ball park with Lionsteel slip joint knives in these departments as well as the price point.

 

[miso2]

1. Blade
M390 is a great choice. It is relatively easy to sharpen as a "super steel" and takes a keen edge.
Unfortunately, blade is quite thick for a small slip joint knife.

The original grind was little deeper than lion steel slip joints, Shuffler and Otnat.
It was not still deep enough, as the thickness behind the edge was around 0.02" after reprofiling to 15 DPS.

At the end, I decided to sand the blade to reduce the edge thickness to ~0.01".
It cuts a lot better now.

With my modded Shuffler at <0.01" BTE.

2. Design
The blade shape is modified Wharncliffe with slight curvature, which I really like.

It has a stop pin like the other modern slip joint knives I have.
However, the pin is slightly short and therefore rattles.
I had to put some grease to stop it.

One thing I find interesting is the blade tang design.
It is not flat but has a dent.
I don't know what the benefit of this design is.
You can see the line-shaped hit mark of the spring.

 

[miso2]

3. Size
Size-wise, it is between GEC #15 and Shuffler.
Really good for my EDC.

The best thing about the size is its thinness and narrowness when closed.
Also vert light (<2 oz).
It does disappear in pocket.

4. Fit and finish
Dead centered blade.
Everything is chamfered or rounded.
There is no gap between the handles and the spring.
It feels like $150 knife or even better.
The only gripe so far is the rattling stop pin.....


5. Action
Very smooth out of the box and snappy.
On par with Lionsteel knives.


Conclusion:
It is a beautiful knife, which is also fun to play with.
Streamlined design and desirable modern features.
Superb fit and finish.
I would wholeheartedly recommend this knife, if the blade and edge are as thin as GEC knives.

But if you are fond of Lionsteel slip joint knives, and if you like Ti handles, you would not be disappointed with this one.

 

[miso2]

Oh, I forgot to add that the knife came with a pocket clip, which I took off immediately.

 

[J D Wijbenga]

Excellent review! i agree, pity modern slip joints do not always have the traditional thin grinds.