Dan Jackson

Dan is the creator of BladeReviews.com. He founded the site in 2010, and for the first 5 years Dan wrote all of the reviews and recorded all of the video reviews. He grew up using pocket knives, and the decision to start the website stemmed from his fascination of all things sharp combined with a deep passion for writing. At this point he has personally reviewed almost 300 knives of all shapes, sizes, and price points. He is widely recognized as an authority on daily carry knives and has consulted with knife companies on product design and has been featured on national media outlets including the WireCutter. In 2016 Dan decided to branch out and experiment with the website by reviewing watches, flashlights, and multi-tools. Today BladeReviews.com features a number of expert authors reviewing a wide range of daily carry gear. He is proud to write detailed long format reviews with original photography. The website remains largely independent with the vast majority of the products reviewed being purchased by Dan personally. When he isn't writing knife reviews from his home in Southwest Florida, or talking about himself in third person, he enjoys practicing law, reading, fishing, cigars, and weight lifting.

At this point he has personally reviewed almost 300 knives of all shapes, sizes, and price points. He is widely recognized as an authority on daily carry knives. He has consulted with knife companies on product design and his opinions on pocket knives have been featured on national media outlets including the WireCutter. In 2016 Dan decided to branch out and experiment with the website by reviewing watches, flashlights, and multi-tools. Today BladeReviews.com features a number of expert authors reviewing a wide range of daily carry gear. He is proud to write detailed long format reviews with original photography. The website remains largely independent with the vast majority of the products reviewed being purchased by Dan personally.

When he isn't writing knife reviews from his home in Southwest Florida, or talking about himself in third person, he enjoys practicing law, reading, fishing, cigars, and weight lifting.

Benchmade Griptilian 551 Review

by Dan Jackson 29 Comments

Last Updated: November 30, 2019
The Benchmade Griptilian is a household name in the knife world. It is one of Benchmade’s most popular designs and it appears in countless variations.

Buy the Benchmade Griptilian at BladeHQ

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For many, this will be their first “real knife”. A gateway blade into the world of high end pocket knives. It was one of my first nice pocket knives, so it holds a special spot in my heart. What’s interesting, is that I still have and use this knife almost a decade later. I originally wrote this review back in 2011, so this is a very long term hands-on review of the Benchmade Griptilian.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The full size Griptilian has an overall length of 8″, a 3.45″ blade, weighs 3.25 ounces, and is made in the USA. This isn’t a small knife, but Benchmade has managed to keep the weight down. By way of comparison, the Mini Griptilian has a a 2.9″ blade, an overall length of 6.78″ and a weight of 2.56 ounces.

If you are at all like me, you may be on the fence about whether to get this full size Griptilian or the Mini Grip. I actually purchased a Mini-Grip first, but I ended up swapping it out for a full size because I wanted something with a full size handle. I know a lot of people who prefer the Mini-Grip for an EDC knife. It’s all a matter of preference.

Depending on whether you are looking at the thumb hole version or the thumb stud version the knife will have either a sheepsfoot blade with a thumb hole or a drop point blade. Both blade shapes come in 154CM stainless steel and both blade types will have a long hollow ground edge with plenty of belly. The drop point edge is very attractive to me, so that is what I ended up purchasing. It has a swedge that finishes in a fairly stout tip – good for piercing tasks. The knife was extremely sharp out of the box. All in all this is a very nice blade which is great for EDC chores.

The standard Grip comes with a blade made of 154CM stainless steel. 154CM is a highly regarded stainless steel manufactured by Crucible Industries in the USA. While fancier (more expensive) steels have come on the market in recent years, I still appreciate 154CM because it takes a nice edge and is easy to sharpen. I actually prefer 154CM over S30V in many applications because 154cm is so easy to sharpen, while S30V can be stubborn to sharpen. 154CM is a proven steel and is a good fit for a working man’s knife like the Griptilian.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The handle of the Griptilian is made of Valox, which is an injection molded high density resin. It’s plastic. I know some people don’t care for the Valox handle because it has a lightweight and the plasticy feel. Personally, I think it is a practical choice for the handle as the material is both lightweight and tough, but I understand how fans of more substantial knives could be turned off by the product.

After years of people complaining, Benchmade finally issued a G-10 version of the Griptilian and Mini Grip in late 2015. I still like the original plastic handled version, but the G-10 version is beautiful and definitely an upgrade. Check out my review of the G-10 Griptilian here.

This handle has a closed back design, which means it is a little more difficult to clean than a knife with pillar construction. The handle is held together with screws and everything is nicely finished. Benchmade makes a ton of these knives and they seem to have their manufacturing and quality control protocols dialed in.

As far as ergonomics are concerned, the handle is chunky and covered with texturing. I would expect no less from a knife called the “Griptilian”. There is a run of jimping on the spine of the blade, and little jimping in the plastic placed strategically around the handle. The knife feels good in the hand and there is no lack of traction. I have used my Griptilian for years now and it continues to be a solid performer.

The Griptilian comes with Benchmade’s standard steel pocket clip. The clip is a classic no-nonsense design that has stood the test of time and can be found all over Benchmade’s lineup. The handle is drilled and tapped for ambidextrous tip up carry. All in all this is one of my favorite clips. It has great retention, buries deep and looks normal. The only potential issue is that the black finish will quickly began to wear like mine has. That is not an issue for me, and if you send the knife in for sharpening, Benchmade will include a new clip.

How does the Griptilian carry? While the Griptilian is lightweight for its size, this is a thick knife. At over half an inch thick you will likely notice it in the pocket. All said, it carries well. The standard clip is not a deep carry pocket clip, but it buries most of the knife into your pocket. Here is a pocket shot:

Deployment and Lock

Whether you opt for the version with thumb studs or the thumb hole, the Griptilian deploys with alarming speed. Seriously, this is one of the fastest deploying and smoothest opening knives I own and it’s one of my favorite features of the knife. I’ve taken mine apart for cleaning a couple times, and Benchmade has installed some of the biggest phosphor bronze washers that I have ever seen on a folding knife. No doubt this is part of the reason why deployment is so smooth.

The Griptilian uses Benchmade’s axis lock which I have written about quite a bit in the past. It’s an excellent lock and it really works well with the Griptilian. There is a lot of weight in the blade which makes it easy to really flip the knife out fast and it makes for a solid lockup. Also, the axis lock gives you a variety of ways to open and close the knife. I find myself playing around with the deployment of this knife a lot. It’s a durable locking system that allows the knife to easily be open and closed with one hand.

Benchmade Griptilian 551 vs. Benchmade 551-1 G10 Griptilian

As I mentioned in the handle section, Benchmade released the 551-1 G10 Griptilian in 2015. This was after years of people complaining about the plastic handles of the original 551. I have both the G10 and regular version, and wrote an in-depth review of the G-10 Griptilian.

Here is a picture of the original Griptilian, the 551-1, and a Doug Ritter Griptilian with Wilkins GRIP aftermarket G-10 handles:

The G-10 version is awesome, but it’s also about $100 more than the regular version. Naturally, people want to know if the G10 version is “worth it”. I can’t really answer that, because everyone is different and value is relative. Some people will see the value in the G-10 version, some people wont, and some people won’t even see the value in the regular FRN Griptilian.

I will say that the 551-1 is immaculate. Benchmade did an absolutely beautiful job with the knife, and I can easily see where the extra money went. They didn’t just slap on some G10 handles, they considered every aspect of the original Griptilian and tweaked it when building the 551-1. It’s a wonderful knife. If you have the money and interest, then my suggestion is to spring for the G-10 version. With that said, the original 551 is still as serviceable as it ever was, and remains one of my all time favorite pocket knives.

Benchmade Griptilian vs. Mini Griptilian

Ok, so you have decided that you want some sort of Griptilian. Often the hardest part is choosing between a full size and a mini. I recorded a comparison video for you to help make the decision a little easier:

At the end of the day, both the full size and Mini Grip are excellent knives. I can easily justify having both in my collection. With that said, if you have to pick one, then my blanket advice would be to buy the mini-grip if you plan on carrying it in a suburban environment (ie, if you plan to use it at work, and you work in an office). The full size Griptilian is a good size knife, and some will consider it threatening if you use it in public.

Here is a size comparison with the Mini Grip:

If you can get away with carrying a bigger knife and like bigger knives, then go for the full size Griptilian.

A Few More Comparisons…

Since the Griptilian is such an iconic knife, people can’t help but compare it to other knives. I’ve used it as a reference piece in a number of articles.

One obvious comparison is with the Spyderco Paramilitary 2. I actually wrote an entire article comparing the Para 2 with the Griptilian. Since I went into such detail in that article, I won’t re-hash it here, but it’s worth checking out if you want to compare the 2 knives.

Another interesting comparison is with the Benchmade Bugout:

I like the comparison because in many ways the Griptilian was the original lightweight folding knife, and the Bugout can almost be considered a refinement. The Bugout came out at least a decade after the Griptilian, and it benefits from a lot of refinements. It’s thinner, lighter, with blue anodized standoffs and a super thin blade.

The Bugout is a more expensive knife, but I really like it. I think it’s worth the extra money. Of course, there is room in my collection for both knives.

Benchmade Griptilian Review – Final Thoughts

The Benchmade Griptilian has a well deserved reputation of being both an outstanding pocket knife, and a modern classic. Benchmade started with a timeless and functional design, and built the knife to be lightweight, fast, and functional. The thickness of the handle and choice of plastic for the handle material will be turn offs for some, but personally I like how the the knife feels in hand, and have no problems with the choice of handle material. And these days we have the G-10 551-1, so if you don’t like the black plastic, go for the G-10.

My Griptilian has seen years of use, and it still finds a lot of time in my pocket. This is my highest form of endorsement. I have owned my Griptilian since 2011, and I still have it in my regular rotation. This is after reviewing hundreds of pocket knives. Over that course of time I have bought and sold dozens and dozens of knives. I still have my Griptilian and I still use it. That alone should tell you something.

I recommend the Griptilian if you are in need of a larger EDC knife or utility knife. If you are looking for a smaller knife, then check out the Mini Grip. Both are great. If you want something higher end, then go for the 551-1, or the 556-1. At this point there is something for everyone in the Griptilian lineup. You can’t go wrong with the Griptilian.

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I recommend purchasing the Griptilian from Amazon or BladeHQ. Buying anything through any of the links on this helps support the website at absolutely no cost to you. Any and all support is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.

Kershaw Leek Review

by Dan Jackson 20 Comments

Last Updated: December 1, 2019
The Kershaw Leek is a popular EDC knife designed by legendary custom knife maker Ken Onion. Between his designs for Zero Tolerance Knives, Kershaw, and CRKT, Ken’s work has received a lot of attention on this site. This is for good reason as he is highly regarded as a knife designer.

Buy the Kershaw Leek at BladeHQ

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The Kershaw Leek is firmly planted in the Every Day Carry (EDC) category. In fact, this is something of a gold standard for EDC. It comes in a great size and is a durable design, perfect for daily carry. Additionally, the Leek has been offered in wide variety of colors and finishes, including some limited edition versions over the years. This makes the Leek a collectable knife. For these reasons the Leek has become a favorite of both hardcore enthusiasts and casual pocketknife users.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Leek has an overall length of 7″, a 3″ blade, weighs 3 about ounces, and is made in America. Like the vegetable it was named after, this is a sleek and slim design. This lightweight folder is aimed directly at the Every Day Carry (EDC) market.

Here is a size comparison with the Leek in between my Kershaw Skyline and Kershaw Chive:

The Kershaw Leek features a modified wharncliffe style blade. The Leek’s mostly flat edge is almost completely devoid of belly. This makes the knife well suited for tasks that involve the tip of the blade. The Leek’s blade comes to a very fine tip and it makes the knife great for piercing tasks and detail work. Stuff like scoring boxes and clipping coupons is a breeze with a wharncliffe. It’s also easy to sharpen a wharncliffe blade like this relative to a knife with a curved edge. Another advantage of the wharncliffe design is that pressure is applied uniformly to the edge. This allows you to place a good amount of leverage into a cut.

On the flip side, folks may not like the wharncliffe blade because it has no “belly” or forward curvature to the blade. Belly is especially useful when preparing food (think, rocking a kitchen knife back and forth) or skinning game without piercing the hide. And that tip, while very precises, is somewhat fragile. You don’t want to drop any knife, or pry with any knife, but the tip of the Leek is especially delicate.

Another argument against the wharncliffe is that it looks funny. It lacks the traditional elegance of something like the Loveless Drop Point Hunter. This wharncliffe blade may take some getting used to if you come from a traditional hunting knife background, but that’s part of what folks find endearing about Ken Onion’s work.

Here is another size comparison with the Spyderco Endura and the Delica 4:

The Leek is a perennial in Kershaw’s catalog. The design is at least 10 years old, and probably is closer to 20. Accordingly, Kershaw has offered the knife in a number of steels over the years. But if you are going to buy one new one today, it will most likely come in 14C28N.

14C28N is developed by Sandvik, a Swedish company that made the steel exclusively for KAI USA/Kershaw Knives. 14C28N is a high quality stainless steel and is a choice for the price. I have found that 14C28N is a practical steel. It takes a fine edge easily, holds that edge for a decent amount of work, and is easy to sharpen. It also has good stain resistance. I prefer it over 8Cr13MoV and Aus8, the Asian budget steels, as it holds an edge longer. I also like it more than D2, a semi-stainless steel that can be found at similar price point as 14C28N, because 14C28N is easier to sharpen and isn’t as prone to staining.

It’s an excellent all round steel, and is appropriate at this price point.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The handle of the Leek will come in either full stainless steel with a frame lock (shown here) or aluminum scales with a liner lock. Both models feel good in the hand for a smaller knife. The solid steel handled version has a nice heft to it. Both handle types are constructed with screws rather than pins, so if you need to disassemble the knife, then it can easily done with a T6 torx bit.

Fit and finish on this handle is excellent. All the parts line up. The finish work is good with no tooling marks or anything like that. It’s simple design, but Kershaw has it dialed in.

This is a comfortable little knife that is geared towards light to medium use. I found I was able to get a 4 finger grip on the knife without much issue and my thumb found the thumb ramp easily. There is a little bit of jimping on the thumb ramp. The jimping isn’t supper aggressive, but it does grab the skin a little. Otherwise, there isn’t much of a “traction plan” on this knife, so you won’t want to skin a deer with it or take it into the shower, but for a small knife I liked the ergos.

The pocket clip of the Kershaw Leek is pretty good. Ken Onion is known for designing some pretty “out there” pocket clips, but the clip on the Leek is relatively normal looking. It is long, and offers good spring retention. It is reversible for tip up or tip down carry, but it is not ambidextrous.

The clip rides pretty low if you mount it tip down, but for tip up carry a good half inch of the handle sticks out. That said, this is a small and light knife, it still carries well and is unlikely to draw much attention. Here is a shot of the Leek in the pocket:

Deployment and Lockup

The Leek is an assisted opening knife, which means you start opening it manually, but then a spring kicks in to flip the blade open the rest of the way. Ken Onion designed the assisted opening system, which Kershaw calls the “SpeedSafe” deployment system. This assisted open technology is robust, and is used on a lot of Kershaw and Zero Tolerance knives. The Leek deploys quickly with a slight amount of pressure on the thumb studs or flipper. The knife opens with a satisfying “snap”, even after thousands of flips. Having owned a number of SpeedSafe knives over the years I can vouch for it’s reliability. It’s a good assisted opening mechanism.

There is a second optional safety lock to keep the knife from opening accidentally. Out of the box, this secondary safety is loose, and will invariably move around when you don’t want it to. Thankfully, this safety can be tightened down, or even removed completely if you decide not to use it.

Additionally, for those that don’t care for the SpeedSafe, it’s possible take the spring out and use this as a non-assisted opening knife. There is a ball bearing detent inside on the lockbar, so the knife still functions de-assisted. But primarily the Leek was designed as an assisted opening knife.

The blade on my knife locks open with a stainless steel frame lock. The lock is solid, and without blade play in any direction. It should be more than adequate for the typical EDC chores you will put this knife up to, like breaking down boxes and opening mail. My Leek has seen substantial use over the years, and the lock still engages early, and securely without blade play. When it’s time to release the lock there is no stick.

The Leek was designed to be a “1 hand” knife, which means you can open and close this knife with one hand. I’m left handed and found it easy to both open and close this knife with one hand. For a small EDC knife this is handy, and it’s almost a requirement for my EDC knives.

Here is a parting size comparison with another EDC classic, the Benchmade Mini Griptilian:

Kershaw Leek Review – Final Thoughts

The Kershaw Leek has most of what I look for in a small EDC knife. It’s light, slim, sharp, and fast. I like the solid lockup and quality blade steel. The pocket clip is secure, and the knife feels good in the hand. The fact that this Kershaw is made in the USA certainly does not hurt either. I think the quality is better on Kershaw’s USA made knives than their imported blades.

The biggest potential issues with the Leek are that there is not much texture on the handle, and the tip is thin and can break if you are not careful with the knife. It’s a little “fiddly” and is more of a light duty knife. It will accomplish most typical urban or suburban EDC chores, but if you have harder use in mind I’d look elsewhere. Also, the secondary lock is annoying unless you tighten it down or remove it.

However, for a little EDC blade I think these are minor issues. You just have to keep your intended use in mind. The sleek design makes this something of a gentleman’s folder, and I could see this knife doing just as well in an office as it would in a more demanding environment.

Perhaps the greatest test is the test of time. I originally wrote this review back in 2011. Back then, there were a lot less knife manufacturers and knives to choose from. As I update this review in late 2019, the Leek is still relevant. Kershaw still makes it, and it still sells well. My review sample has held up well over the years. It’s a high quality knife and is designed to last. And at well under $50, the Leek is an affordable USA made option. I’d say it has aged well and passes with flying colors.

Personally, I prefer the Kershaw Skyline over the Leek, but if you like the design then I think you will be pleased with the build quality and practicality of the Leek. Much like the Skyline, this is a modern classic for good reason. Recommended.

Kershaw Leek Pocket Knife, 3" 14C28N Stainless Steel Drop Point Blade, Spring Assisted Knife, Folding EDC

KERSHAW LEEK POCKET KNIFE: The Kershaw Leek might just be your new favorite EDC. Not too big, not too small, the 3-inch blade and slim design make it capable of fulfilling a wide range of cutting tasks. Made in the USA.
DROP POINT PLAIN EDGE BLADE: Made from high-performance Sandvik 14C28N stainless steel, the blade resharpens easily and holds its edge. The bead-blasted finish provides a clean, matte look.
410 STAINLESS STEEL HANDLE: The corrosion-resistant, stainless-steel handle is contoured for a comfortable grip while in use. Silver, bead-blasted finish. Includes reversible pocketclip for right, tip-up/down carry.
DESIGNED WITH SAFETY IN MIND: Equipped with Kershaw’s SpeedSafe assisted opening for easy one-handed release with flipper. Frame lock secures blade open while in use and Tip-lock slider keeps blade locked closed when folded.
SIZE SPECIFICATIONS: Blade Length: 3in. Closed Length: 4in. Overall Length: 7in. Weighing in at 3oz. Backed by Kershaw’s Limited Lifetime Warranty.

I recommend purchasing the Kershaw Leek at Amazon.com or BladeHQ.Please consider that buying anything through any of the links on this website helps support BladeReviews.com, and keeps the site going. As always, any and all support is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.

An interview with Steve “STR” Rice – Custom Knifemaker

by Dan Jackson 2 Comments

This is the first of a series of interviews I will be conducting with with custom knifemakers and craftsmen, exploring the world of custom knives and the people who make them. If you or someone you know would be interested in being interviewed by BladeReviews please contact me.

STR is a veteran and custom knife maker out of Oklahoma who specializes in creating low rider pocket clips and hand made titanium pry bars. I first learned about STR’s craft when I was looking for custom replacement pocket clips. His story of creativity and resourcefulness is quite interesting and I think you will enjoy hearing about how he has evolved a life long passion for knives into a legitimate business that reaches around the globe. It is with great pleasure that I welcome STR as the subject of BladeReview.com’s first Custom Knife Maker Interview.

BR: Steve, what initially got you into working with knives?

STR: My grandfather gave me his old pen knife when I was very young. He had sharpened down the blades so much by the time I got it that it really wasn’t a knife anymore but more a pipe cleaner which was all I did with it for him when he asked me to.

From an early age I was always pretty good with my hands. One of my first spankings was from taking apart a knife my dad gave me all in effort to see what made it tick! He came home from work and saw that old Kabar he gave me out there on the table in parts and just gave me a whopping right quick that day! I think he felt a bit bad when he later saw that I put it back together but later on like a week or so after that I got another whoopin’ when he discovered that while I had that knife apart I had used his spark plug gapper tool as a parts contributor to make my own folder based on the inner workings of that knife by trying best I could to copy it. I took that spark plug tool apart too. The thicker spacers made dandy handles and one of the others didn’t take long to grind down to a cutting edge and it already had a pivot pin!

Frankly after the initial pain brought on by my daddy back then its a wonder I ever went back to knives but the addiction took hold early on. They say for every ounce of pleasure in life it must be paid for with an equal amount of pain so I guess I’ve had ample of both at this point.

BR: Very cool, you can really say this has been a life long ambition. At what point did you decide to share your craft with the world?

STR: I guess I decided when I realized someone would buy it. Earlier in life I worked with a lot of wood. I didn’t make furniture or anything, not fine furnishings anyway, but more the rough sawn and log type work. It was never fancy but what I made sold and people liked it. Mostly I did crafts type work with small things I could easily tote from show to show. It could be anything from a door stop made to look like a cat carved from a solid block of pine that my wife painted giving it a look and size that was pretty cool or it could be a band saw box made from a log that fell off someone’s truck on their way home. Usually if I was making a band saw box it was found or picked up along side the roads I traveled back then and I’d pull over and get it when it was convenient to stop.

It was hard to turn down a free log for me back then. To me that was almost like finding a $20 bill on the ground! I’d take it home and turn it into some kind of fancy box using my band saw for a minimum amount of effort or materials and when glued all back up the bark covered my glue lines and once it set it was like easy money. To me selling something that was found on the ground that I had next to nothing in kind of gave me a buzz. I set up at flea markets and that kind of thing selling those things for years. Knives were something I messed with too back then though. Knives have always been a favorite hobby of mine. At the time though I saw no money in knives even though I did enjoy them and work on them when the opportunity presented itself. I just didn’t see how I could make that kind of work steady. I dreamed of it but it was destined to remain a hobby really.

BR: So what made that dream of working on knives into an actual business?

STR: Around 2004 I joined blade forums and the rest is history really. Thanks to the internet and blade forums I am pretty much international and I don’t even have to leave my own property! I can do this today but just ten years ago, maybe eleven years ago you’d have been hard pressed to pull this off I think. Now its not really a problem to do something low key like a specialty custom fit pocket clip to any number of knives thanks to being able to access a great many more people. Some of my old habits with the craft sales, like turning something of little value into something someone would buy just kind of drifted into my knives and pocket clips and basically its the same zoo just different animals so to speak. I simply focus my energies in a different area and I’m much more focused now but the routine is about the same.

BR: Where do you get your inspiration for your custom pieces?

STR: I’m not sure where my inspiration comes from. I am a moody maker for the most part. I have to be in the mood to make a knife or it just won’t happen. Once the mood strikes though watch out!

BR: In addition to doing completely custom pieces, I’ve noticed that you like to modify production knives. Tell us about that.

STR: I used to do a lot of production knife work yes. As of early 2010 though I quit doing a lot of the jobs like those posted in my blog and forums. These days most of my focus is on my low rider pocket clips, mini ti pry and my hand made folding knives which have taken a back seat to production knife work for far too long. For the last ten or more years I’ve worked as a field repairman for Kabar. They handed out my contact info to many customers over the years. Kershaw has sent me boxes of parts for their knives and I’ve worked closely with several other manufacturers that ask for privacy who I can’t mention really.

I’ve since given that type of work up mainly due to the fact that the companies including Kabar have changed so much since I started working with them. Also, at least as far as Kabar is concerned it was due to the fact that most of what they were sending my way for work and repairs these last few years had been pinned together slip joint type folders which I do not particularly care for working on. I was referring most of those to a friend when I was asked about those and have basically handed over the reins of Kabar contact info to him since he likes working on the type of knives they were sending me more and more frequently.

In the mean time I’ve field tested new products and proto-types for some of the companies making and manufacturing knives and I’m quite proud of the fact that some models made it to the hands of users with changes made based on my input. I have some rather unique knives from some of those relationships which I was allowed to keep. Some never even made it to production.

BR: I’ve also noticed that you do a good deal of work with titanium, what attracted you to this exotic metal?

STR: Titanium. Just the word practically sells itself! People like it. They are drawn to it. Most don’t even know why they are drawn to it they just like it. Truthfully it does bring a lot to the table. Generally speaking people don’t like spots or rust on their knives. The corrosion resistance and toughness of Ti combined with the optional color schemes you can get by anodizing as well as lighter weight really add up to a win win situation for knives and particularly folding knives. For me the fact that it can be worked and used without needing to be heat treated was another plus. In my opinion its the perfect choice for pocket clip and spring mechanisms of all kinds. When I’ve built lock back folders of my own I used titanium for the springs for the lock rocker arms and never had a single issue with one of them.

BR: Tell us about your low rider pocket clips – they strike me as a great idea, and are really unique.

STR: Its all thanks to the internet. At first I started out just making my own for the knives I owned and made. It always puzzled me why makers would spend countless hours on a design making a knife of their own and then in the end slap a generic store bought pocket clip on there almost as an after thought. It occurred to me that if I was going to make the knife I may as well make the clip for it too and thats what happened. I posted pictures and before long makers and end line users were asking me if I’d make some for them as well. One thing lead to another and here I am. I really could not have done this just a few years ago. The access to the world the internet provides makes it possible and thanks to Blade Forums and KnifeDogs forums I’ve become international from my backyard shop. Go figure!

BR: What got you into making custom titanium pry bars?

STR: My mini ti pry is something that started out much like the band saw boxes of yesteryear. At first when I was approached by a forum member about making a mini pry bar I loved the idea and jumped on it because it allowed me to use what I was deeming a bucket of scrap end cuts of titanium. These scraps lay in that bucket for years and were too small to use for folding knife parts. It was like finding a log on the road all over again only it was a bucket of titanium and to me that was just a high to turn that trash into some money.

I used to dig my neighbors used side walk edger blades out of his trash just to do that same kind of thing by turning trash into $. People bought both the old blade the little knives came from and the knife itself usually made with a dangle sheath of some kind that was most always made out of something otherwise deemed scrap also. That old saying that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure was true for me in this regard I guess. 🙂

BR: What knife are you currently carrying?

STR: I never know what I’ll have on me from day to day. Sometimes I’ll wake up to orders for a pocket clip for a particular knife and just use that as a sign that this is the one I’ll carry today. Today it was a Spyderco Para Military 2. Tomorrow it could be something else! 🙂

BR: Thanks so much for the interview, is there anything else you would like to add?

STR: I wish you and your site all the best. I hope its a success.

BR: Thanks again Steve, hope to see you back here soon.

You can learn more about STR and his work by visiting his blog or by checking out his forum on bladeforum.com.

Spyderco Gayle Bradley C134CF Review

by Dan Jackson 13 Comments

Last Updated: August 26, 2019
The Spyderco Gayle Bradley (C134CF) is one of those knives that was built for use and abuse, but is so nice I wasn’t sure if I could bring myself to really scuff it up. I guess the only reasonable answer is to buy two of these, one for carry and the other to keep pristine in the bowels of the collection.

Buy the Spyderco Gayle Bradley at BladeHQ

Buy on Amazon

The knife was named after its designer, Texas custom knifemaker Gayle Bradley. Mr. Bradley has been making custom knives out of his shop in Weatherford, Texas for over 22 years. He also has the distinguishment of winning BladeSports International Cutting competition in 2008 (he had the most points for the 2008 season).

The Spyderco C134CF is Bradley’s first production knife collaboration. The knife is made from heavy duty M4 steel – the same steel Mr. Bradley uses in his competition cutting knives. With Mr/ Bradley’s credentials and the use of such a high end steel you know that this knife has the potential to go the distance.

General Dimensions and Blade Steel

The Gayle Bradley has an overall length of 8.078″, a 3.438″ blade, weighs 5.5 ounces, and is made in Taiwan. This is a large and thick folder with graceful lines and a rock solid feel. The knife is manufactured in Spyderco’s Taichung Taiwan factory. Sure, I’d love to see this knife made in Golden Colorado, but I can’t deny that some of Spyderco’s best knives, from a fit and finish perspective, are currently coming out of Spyderco’s Taiwanese factory.

The Gayle Bradley has extremely high build quality – it’s difficult to describe on paper but the moment you handle this knife it all comes together. The dimensions and feel of this knife make it slightly large and heavy for EDC, although it would certainly work in that role. This knife is a work horse and it’s intended use is heavy cutting tasks.

The blade is a modified drop point with a high hollow grind and a sloping swedge. The blade has been given a beautiful satin finish that gleams in the light. This blade is a thing of beauty from any angle. Blade thickness is right at 3mm. It is thick enough for tough tasks, but is still ground thin enough to be a capable slicer. This blade is almost all edge and the long curving belly provides tons of room for cutting.

The blade is made from Crucible CPM-M4 steel. M4 is a high quality tool steel and Crucible’s version uses their Crucible Particle Metallurgy (CPM) manufacturing process to enhance the toughness and ensure the M4 has a consistent grain. What this means is that the knife will really hold an edge and is capable of getting extremely sharp (sharp enough to win Mr. Bradley a couple world records in cutting competitions). This is not a stainless steel so you will need to take care to keep the blade dry and (preferably) oiled.

Handle, Ergonomics and Pocket Clip

The knife has a flow through, pillar construction handle made of textured carbon fiber and full-length steel liners. The liners have been milled out in an attempt to reduce the weight, but this is still a substantial folder. The handle is bolted together (rather than pinned) which is great if you ever have the desire to take this knife apart (perhaps you want to try and mill it out yourself). If you are thinking of milling the liners out I want to wish you good luck because these are some of the thickest liners I have seen. This is a very heavy duty handle.

The carbon fiber Spyderco selected is the textured version used on the Spyderco Sage (review coming soon). This has a “weave” like texture that provides decent grip considering it’s carbon fiber, a traditionally smooth material. There is light jimping on the lock bar and on the thumb ramp, which combined with the finger choil and flowing handle make for a very comfortable and ergonomic grip. This all helps to make the knife a great work knife. For those that intend to use this knife heavily I think the handle design and ergonomics will be great for that.

The pocket clip is also quite interesting. It has a smokey gray black finish that almost looks anodized although the clip is definitely steel. It is a unique looking finish that I really like and is another detail that makes this a special knife. I also like how the clip can be mounted on all four corners of the knife. The knife rides low in the pocket and the blackened clip won’t attract much attention (unless you are around a bunch of knife knuts).

Deployment and Lock

The Gayle Bradley uses an extra large (1/2″ diameter) Spyder hole and phosphor bronze bushings for deployment. This knife is very easy to open and it is super smooth. The deployment feels just as good as the rest of the knife which is great news indeed. The ultra thick liner lock sits snugly on the blade. This knife is constructed very solidly and with that extra thick liner lock I think this knife is capable of taking some abuse. Really the lock-up and deployment are both very impressive; it’s hard to put it into words.

Spyderco Gayle Bradley Review – Final Thoughts

Mr. Bradley said that he was very pleased with the way the knife came out, and he gave it his full endorsement. I have to say, the knife has my endorsement too. The beautiful design, the high quality materials and the excellent construction make this a great knife in my book. It also is a great value. The knife has a $225 MSRP but I am seeing it retail for right around $130. At that price I think it is a steal. Of course, this knife isn’t for every one. The weight may be an issue, and it may be on the large size as well, but overall I think this is a great knife and I look forward to more Gayle Bradley collaborations.

Spyderco Gayle Bradley Folder Carbon Fiber PlainEdge Knife

Made using the highest quality materials
Tested for quality and durability
The most trusted name in you cutlery needs
Carbon fiber handle. Screw-together construction.
4-way hourglass steel clip. Full-length internal liners.

I recommend purchasing the Gayle Bradley at Amazon or BladeHQ. Thanks for reading.

ESEE Izula II Review

by Dan Jackson 10 Comments

Last Updated: September 22, 2018

The ESEE Izula is one of the most iconic small fixed blade knives of our time. Named after an infamous South American Ant, the Izula was designed to be a small, sharp, and incredibly tough blade for outdoor and everyday use. In practice, the knife is just that. The simple design and solid build catapulted the Izula into fixed blade fame in very short order. More recently ESEE released the Izula II, a version of the knife with a slightly longer handle. Having larger hands I went with the Izula II, but 95% of this review applies just as well to the original Izula.

Buy the ESEE Izula II at BladeHQ

Buy on Amazon

As for the intended use (and my overall perspective of this knife for purposes of the review) I have carried my Izula II extensively as both a suburban EDC and as an outdoor knife. The Izula is a great size for the pocket and is something I have no issue pairing with a larger fixed blade, a folder, or just carrying it by itself.

General Dimensions and Blade Specifics

The main differences between the Izula and Izula II are the handle length, weight, the color selection, and the fact that the Izula II comes standard with micarta handle scales while the scales are optional with the original Izula. The handle of the Izula II is exactly half an inch longer than the Izula, giving the knives a total length of 6.75″ and 6.25″ respectively. Both have a blade length of 2.75″. The Izula II has a weight of 3.2 ounces and the Izula has a weight of 2.0 ounces. Both knives are made in the USA.

Both knives are forged from a single piece of 1095 High Carbon steel (the same steel used in all ESEE knives). 1095 is a very tough tool steel that is great for outdoor and survival knives because it is very tough (less likely to chip or break), sharpens easily, and takes a very nice edge. The biggest disadvantage to 1095 is that it is not a stainless steel and will rust if you aren’t careful. In order to help combat rust ESEE coats the knives in a textured powder coat. 1095 is a proven steel that I have written at length about, and Rowen (the manufacturer for ESEE) knows how to heat treat this steel (to 57 HRC).

The Izula and Izula II share the same drop point blade shape. This is a great shape for all around utility, with plenty of belly, a stout tip, and a full flat grind. What impresses me the most is how thick the blade is at .156″ (~4mm). The thick steel holds up well to batoning, tip torture tests, and everything else I could throw at it. “Indestructible” is a word that readily comes to mind when I ponder the Izula II’s blade. Of course the thick geometry means that this won’t be your best slicer – it’s no chef’s knife for sure. But the Izula does a good job cutting and will make quick work of most EDC tasks, camp chores, basic food prep, and carving.

Handle and Ergonomics

The regular Izula comes “naked” without any kind of handle material. The skeletonized 1095 is perfect for wrapping paracord around it, or you may opt for the canvas micarta handle scales ESEE sells separately (they can be had for around $15). The scales beef up the knife a bit and it provides a great feel to the knife. Even without any kind of handle scales the Izula is a reasonably comfortable knife. A paracord wrap is an attractive and inexpensive option that will add additional comfort to the handle and also allow you to carry a couple extra feet of cord on you with the knife.

The Izula II comes with canvas micarta scales that feel good and wear well. They are attached to the handle with two sets of allen bolts – making them fully removable. Having used the knife hard in the outdoors I do wish the bolts were flathead bolts. That would make them much easier to service with something like a multi-tool, coin, or even the spine of another knife. That is probably my biggest complaint with the Izula II, and I generally feel they did a great job with this handle. The micarta is lightly textured, and it provides a good comfortable grip in wet or dry conditions. One thing about canvas micarta is that it will soak up sweat, oils and moisture and it will darken over time. I happen to think this looks cool and adds a little character to the knife.

As for overall ergonomics, you will want the Izula II if you have larger hands. I take a large glove and the Izula II fits me perfectly. In my opinion anything less would feel cramped. I also really like having micarta scales on this knife, it fills the hand well and makes for an extremely comfortable tool. Both knives have a nice spot for your index finger and functional jimping on the thumb ramp. It gives you good control over the knife and feels very natural. If you are the kind of person with smaller hands, in need of a neck knife, or want to take a crack at making your own handle scales then the original Izula might be a better choice.

Sheath

Both knives come with black injection molded plastic sheathes. These are lightweight sheathes made of a dense polymer that is very durable. Blade retention with these sheathes is excellent – the knife locks into the sheath with a very satisfying audible “snap.” The fit is nice and tight (no rattle), but it is not impossible to pop the knife out with your thumb. This is about perfect in my book because the knife is secure but it is also easy to get at when you need it.

The sheath on the Izula (and Izula II) allows for multiple mounting options. The sheath has 2 smaller eyelets for paracord, a slot for belts or webbing, and a large eyelet near the tip of the sheath for a lanyard. My favorite way to carry this knife is in my pocket. I’ll sometimes loop a largish (18″ or so) lanyard through the large eyelet of the sheath and secure the other end to my belt. It makes retrieval of the knife easier and you don’t have to worry about misplacing your sheath.

All in all I am extremely pleased with the versatile and durable sheath that comes with the Izula / Izula II. This is easily one of my favorite small fixed blade sheaths.

ESEE Izula II Review – Final Thoughts

The Izula II is a great little knife. The simple design and sturdy construction make for a very versatile tool that works just as well around the house as it does out on the trail. If you need a small no-nonsense utility knife then I would say to look no further. The sheath is excellent, the handle is comfortable, and the 4mm blade stock holds up to even the toughest tasks.

The Izula goes for around $55 for the knife and the sheath ($16 more for handle scales) while the Izula II can be had for around $65. I’d say these are fair prices. Remember that these knives are made in America and that ESEE has a no questions asked lifetime warranty so if anything happens to the knife (besides rust) ESEE will replace it. Some will argue these knives are expensive. I think in this case you get what you pay for.

Finally, if I could go back in time and pick between the Izula and Izula II again I would stick with my Izula II. I like the standard micarta handle scales, and greatly appreciate the slightly larger handle of the Izula II. That said, if you are looking to make your own handle scales, have smaller hands, or want to keep the weight down then the regular Izula is probably your best option.

Sale

ESEE Knives Izula-II Fixed Blade Knife, Micarta Handle, Molded Sheath, Clip Plate (Black)

Overall Length: 6.75″
Blade Length: 2.63″
Steel: 1095 High Carbon, 55-57 Rc.
Weight: 3.2 Oz. w/o Sheath
Molded Sheath & Clip Plate

I recommend purchasing the Izula II at Amazon or BladeHQ. Please consider that purchasing anything through any of the links on this website helps support BladeReviews.com, and keeps the site going. As always, any and all support is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.

Zero Tolerance 0550 and 0551 Review

by Dan Jackson 10 Comments

Last Updated: August 3, 2019
Today I am taking a look at the Zero Tolerance 0550, a special collaboration between ZT and Rick Hinderer of Hinderer Knives. Rick has been making knives and self defense weapons for over 20 years. He started out specializing in Damascus and art knives, but over the past decade has made a transition into heavy use knives. These knives are extremely popular with military and law enforcement due to their uncompromising quality and extreme hard use durability. Naturally, knife collectors, enthusiasts and general consumers also became very interested in these knives and they have become a benchmark for quality among the knife community.

No products found.

Mr. Hinderer is also known for his various knife innovations, the most famous being his “Lockbar Stabilizer,” which is used on his titanium frame-lock knives to prevent over-extension of the frame-lock when you are disengaging the lock. Over the years Mr. Hinderer has been involved in several other collaborations with Gerber and Benchmade, designing various production knives.

The Rick Hinderer and Zero Tolerance Collaboration

What excites me about his latest collaboration with Zero Tolerance, is that ZT is really taking Hinderer’s hard use philosophies to heart by combining premium materials with USA craftsmanship to build the 0550 series of knives. The end result appears to be a knife with a lot of the qualities people lust over in Hinderer’s very rare and expensive custom and semi-custom knives at a price that many collectors can afford.

The 0550 series currently contains 2 knives. The 0550 is the regular production version of the knife and the 0551 (shown here) is a special edition limited to only 1000 pieces. The 0551 differs from the 0550 in that it uses a different type of steel and has a special pattern on the G10 handle scale. Rumor has it that ZT may make more of the 0551.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The ZT 0551 has a blade length of 3.5″, a closed length of 4.5″, a blade thickness of 0.156″ and a weight of 5.8 ounces. I know for some that the words “5.8 ounces” will be a deal breaker, and I can understand that if weight is a concern, but that doesn’t stop this from being an excellent knife if you enjoy heavier blades. As for purpose here, the ZT 0550 is a hard use tool all the way. Every aspect of this knife has been overbuilt and the Hinderer pedigree shines here at every angle.

The on blade the 0550 is a modified drop point made from thick stock and features a high flat grind. If you run your fingers behind the edge you can feel how thick this knife is. The blade steel actually thickens out as you reach the tip – it’s pretty crazy. I never recommend prying with a knife, but if you had to use a knife for prying, I think the 0550 would hold up better than the average knife. The caveat to this kind of design is that the knife is not the best slicer. That’s the trade off.

The 0550 features CPM S35VN. S35VN was designed to be a successor to the wildly popular S30V blade steel. The knife community has met S35VN with some skepticism so I took it upon myself to really cut with this knife, and I sharpened the blade a couple times. I feel like S35VN is really good stuff. It sharpened easily, held a nice edge and I had no issues with rust or corrosion. I also feel like the steel exhibited good toughness, as the blade never chipped out or warped in my use. Of course, this is just one knife (with a very thick blade) and I am only one guy. It’s going to take a lot more experience to fully appreciate S35VN. If my opinion ever changes, I’ll be sure to update the review. For the time being I’ll continue to use and enjoy my 0550.

Handle, Ergonomics and Pocket Clip

The 0550 has a handle made of G10, stainless steel, and titanium. The non-locking side has a thick piece of G10 over a painstakingly milled out stainless steel liner. The locking side is made of a solid slab of 6AL4V titanium and features a Hinderer lockbar stabilizer to prevent over-extension of the lock. The knife has a flow-through design with thick pillars securing the two handle pieces together. Hinderer also makes aftermarket G10 scales for both the 0551 and 0550 in pretty much any color you want. This is a really cool way to add some style and make this knife your own.

The 0550 has solid ergonomics and the knife works in a variety of grips. Starting things off, we have a nice finger choil and a thumb ramp with coarse, but very purposeful jimping. This gives you great control over the blade and really fits my fingers well. The handle itself is thick and it fills the hand nicely. It’s a boxy handle, but the corners have been slightly rounded for comfort. I find the 0550 to feel very nice in both forward and reverse grips and I’m pleased with the amount of traction this design offers.

The pocket clip is a piece of steel with the Zero Tolerance logo lightly milled onto it. Like many other Zero Tolerance knives, this is the same clip found on the Kershaw Skyline. For some that might be a turn off, but I’m pleased with the great retention and deep carry of this design. I also am a huge fan of how ZT drilled and tapped this handle for 4 corners carry.

Deployment and Lockup

The 0550 features chunky ambidextrous thumb studs. There is plenty of room to get your thumb behind it and give the knife a nice flick. ZT selected thick phosphor bronze washers, and the knife is extremely smooth. This is a heavy blade, and it takes a little effort to get it moving with any speed, but I’ve found deployment on the 0550 to be incredibly smooth and reliable.

The 0550 features an ultra thick titanium frame lock. This is one of the thickest pieces of titanium I have ever seen used for a lock. The lock engaged early and provides a solid lockup. I am extremely impressed not only by the thickness of the lock, but by how well the lock has been designed. I typically don’t flick open framelock knives, but the 0550 seems to like it. Having flicked the knife open knife hundreds of times the lock still engages as early as it ever did. To me this is a great achievement and is a testament to how well this knife has been made.

The Hinderer lockbar stabilizer ensures that you will not over-extend the lock bar as you disengage it. This will prolong the life of your lock and is a really nice feature to see. In my video I said that the stabilizer was the cherry on top of this delicious ice cream sundae of a knife. I don’t typically have a sweet tooth, but I still stand by that statement.

Zero Tolerance 0550 Review – Final Thoughts

The ZT 0550 is an absolute home run of a knife. I love pretty much everything about this knife. The materials are great, the level of fit and finish is phenomenal, it features an awesome Rick Hinderer design, outstanding options for carry, excellent ergonomics and the best frame lock I have ever seen in a production blade. Given everything you get, it’s difficult to believe that the 0550 retails for only $200.

For some the only reasonable criticism here is the weight (and perhaps that the blade is so thick it doesn’t slice particularly well). But fans of big knives, fans of hard use knives, and fans of big hard use knives made in America will absolutely love this offering from Zero Tolerance. I am walking away extremely impressed by this knife and can easily recommend it if big tactical folders are your thing.

Zero Tolerance has truly raised the bar with this one providing a great knife and outstanding value to the consumer.

Zero Tolerance 0550 – $199.95
Retail Price: $250.00
You Save: $50.05
from: BladeHQ

I recommend purchasing the ZT0550 from BladeHQ or Amazon.com.