Travis Pike

Zero Tolerance 0308 Review

I got a little silly with my knife purchases in the last few years. If it wasn’t an automatic knife, my purse strings got tight. I’m not saying I’m a cheapskate, but I was ignoring some great knives in the premium market if they didn’t have a button to flip them into action. A friend told me I needed a Zero Tolerance because I had never owned one, and he sent me the Zero Tolerance 0308, and upon my reception of the knife, I saw how silly I was being.

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The ZT 0308 is a sweet knife that’s designed for heavy-duty work, and it doesn’t have that fancy button I love to press to deploy a blade. I’ve always known that Zero Tolerance makes great knives but never had one I could personally experience. I quickly figured out how much I’ve been missing out on when it comes to ZT knives.

The Zero Tolerance 0308 is a new knife in the ZT line up and is a good choice for those who prefer a bigger knife for everyday carry.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The 0308 has a 3.75-inch blade that is 1.375 inches wide, and .16 inches thick. The overall length of the knife is 8.875 inches long, with the blade open. The ZT 0308 weighs 7 ounces and is a big, beefy knife. This big knife is certainly not for everyone, and it may be a bit much for many looking for an EDC knife.

The 0308 is an excellent knife for those in the first responder field who need something a bit bigger than the standard pocket knife. This does offer those in that role a knife with a big, thick blade, a superbly secure lock-up system, and a grip that’s perfect for gloved use. I work in a field that takes me in and through the woods at times, so I do prefer a bigger knife for my daily carry.

The big, beefy blade does provide a very nice belly that gives you 4 inches of cutting edge and a drop point tip. The upswept drop point design does give you the ability to slice deeply and cleanly. The swedge on the top of the blade certainly helps when cutting straight through soft materials. It also reduces weight and does give the blade an eye-pleasing appearance.

Speaking of eye-pleasing, the stonewash finish is evenly applied and looks fantastic. It’s not overtly bright or eye-catching, but quite handsome. The top of the blade is jimped for texture, and the flipper is also jimped to ensure your finger latches on as you press the edge into service. At the bottom of the blade, we have a sharpening coil, which is a nice touch.

The 0308 steel is made from CPM-20CV steel, which is a Crucible Industries creation. This is very high-quality knife steel that is hard and extremely durable. It’s not difficult to sharpen and seems to stay sharp for absolutely forever. The CPM-20CV is an excellent all-around steel that stands up well to abuse. I batoned wood with it and have yet to see a cheap or bend, or anything else. Batonning wood is typically a function of hard, heavy-duty fixed blade knives, but the ZT 0308 is also up to the task.

During my quarantine blues, I’ve been setting up a bit of a home gym, and to hang a punching bag, I strung up some 10mm climbing rope. The ZT 0308 chewed through that thick rope without any difficulty. It just cut and sliced through that material exceptionally smoothly.

For more traditional cutting, the 3.75-inch blade chewed through cardboard, 550 cord, envelopes, heavy-duty clamshell packaging, and even fabrics including thick 5.11 Tactical pants.

I had a spare pair of work pants with blown-out knees, and I wanted to see how fast I could cut through them. This would replicate what a first responder may have to do to access a wood, cut through a seat, and more without stuttering the ZT 0308 cut right through them.

It’ll also cut right through chicken for my famous chicken fajitas.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

As a guy with big hands, I love a big grip. The ZT 0308 has a significant grip that is a must for such a big blade. One side of the handle is a G10 panel, and the other is titanium. Both sides are textured aggressively but comfortably as well. Hot spots are only an issue at the area where the pocket clip sits. Loosen that grip a bit near the rear, and the knife comfortably works and works hard without rubbing you raw.

The texture is also well suited for glove use, which many first responders will undoubtedly be wearing. With my thick and heavy fire rated gloves, the ZT is still easy to wield, and both deploy the blade and put it away. Once the flipper is locked into place, it also acts as a tiny finger guard.

The pocket clip is broad and clings tight to the knife. This prevents it from catching on an armrest when you sit down, and as someone who does that all the time, I appreciate it. The pocket clip is reversible, and according to the ZT website, the knife is compatible with aftermarket pocket clips as well. On top of that is a lanyard loop, which is another good option for military and first responders.

Deployment and Lock-up

I was surprised by how fast and how easily and smoothly the blade deployed. A big heavy blade would be seemingly slow and rough to deploy. It’s just physics, right?

ZT utilized KVT Ball bearings in the action, and the blade slides out incredibly smoothly. It locks into place with a loud and satisfying thwack. The jimping in the flipper is also a must-have for gloved use, and ZT was smart to include it.

The titanium frame lock is beveled for smooth engagement, and you get plenty of real estate for pressing it inwards and allowing the blade to close. The frame lock is outfitted with a hardened stainless steel lock bar insert to protect that always wonderful titanium.

The lock-up is remarkably strong, and the blade doesn’t budge in any single direction. I can’t force this thing to give.

Zero Tolerance 0308 Review – Final Thoughts

The ZT 0308 is a very well made knife. It’s designed to be a big, hard-working tool with a big belly and a lot of power. It can take some serious abuse and still keep kicking. It’s big, and some will feel like 7 ounces is a boat anchor, but it gives me a feeling of confidence. The ZT 0308 showed me that my obsession with expensive automatic knives made me ignore some very well made and designed flippers. The ZT 0308 is my work and field knife for here on out, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon.

Zero Tolerance 0308 Folding Knife, Premium CPM 20CV Blade Steel, Manual KVT Opening, Coyote Tan G10 Handle, Made in the USA, 3.7 Inch

Large 3. 7 Inch razor sharp blade, premium CPM 20CV Steel provides exceptional hardness, wear resistance, and edge retention
Coyote Tan G10 Handle on the front scale with a titanium back - above average weight at 6. 9 ounces
Stonewashed blade finish helps hide use scratches while a titanium framelock holds the knife open while in use
KVT opening mechanism is manually opened with a flipper; the blade glides smoothly open on ball bearings. Pocket clip is reversible and compatible with many aftermarket pocketclips.
Made in the USA - All Zero Tolerance Knives are produced in our Oregon facility

Zero Tolerance 0308 – $300.00
From: BladeHQ

Editor: I recommend purchasing the Zero Tolerance 0408 at BladeHQ or Amazon. Thank you for reading.

Spyderco Moran Drop Point Review

by Travis Pike 3 Comments

I’m always amazed by what I don’t know. For example, before I got my hands on this Bill Moran and Spyderco collaboration, I never knew who Bill Moran was. That sounds like sacrilege on a knife website, but I’m being honest. This isn’t an article on the greatness of Bill Moran, but he makes some beautiful knives that go for a small fortune. He helped found the American Bladesmith Society, and has been making knives for decades. The Bill Moran and Spyderco collaboration seems to blend the simple but effective Moran designs with an affordable price tag.

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The Moran Drop Point knife is mass-produced, unlike Mr. Moran’s knives, and are made for heavy-duty use and not so much for collecting. This isn’t a wall hanger but a reliable and well-made working knife. I’ve had it most of hunting season, but sadly I’ve been an unsuccessful hunter. In the many months, I’ve been carrying it, and I’ve gotten a good bit of use out of it.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

Bill Moran’s designs are mostly known for their simple and elegant designs, and the Spyderco collaboration is no different. The blade is 3.875 inches long with an edge length of 3.375 inches. The blade is a standard .125 inches thick. The knife has a ¾ tang and the handle is molded directly to it. If you can’t tell by the knife’s name, it is a drop point design.

The stainless blade is quite shiny, but also very rust-resistant. The handle is made from FRN, and the overall length of the knife is 8.063 inches. It’s also one of the lightest fixed blade knives I’ve ever picked up. It weighs 3 ounces. 3 freaking ounces, holy crap is this thing light. I loved strapping it to my belt and never worrying about causing my pants slowly slide downwards on one side. I didn’t have to tighten my belt to an uncomfortable level to easily carry this knife.

From Spyderco, this knife was razor sharp. I always love it when companies send their knives out with a sweet edge, but get sad because I can’t replicate it. The Moran Drop Point is made from VG 10 steel, which is a very common kitchen knife steel. The main reason why is that it’s super resistant to corrosion. It’s stainless steel, but a solid and tough one. It’s perfectly suitable as a woods knife or a lightweight EDC blade for those working in more outdoor professions.

VG-10 proved to be a little challenging to sharpen for me, but to be fair, I suck at sharpening knives. Once you get it sharp, it stays sharp for quite some time. I only sharpened it, so I would have some perspective on sharpening it for this review. It’s also an ultra-sharp knife, and with a fine stone, you can get it very sharp.

I’ve used this knife for filleting trout, cutting chicken up for my famous chicken tacos, and doing typical knife work cutting tape, cordage, wire, boxes, and more. When it came to cutting up fish and chicken, I found the knife to be a delight. For the precise cuts required for cleaning trout, the knife was perfect. FOr cutting 4 pounds of chicken breasts into small chunks, it was a comfortable tool that made the task easy.

The same goes for your routine tasks. Admittedly when Christmas came and went, this knife got a lot of work. Why are toys so well secured in boxes? Holy crap, the number of cords, zip ties, and cardboard I had to cut before the day was over. The Moran powered through it with ease, though.

Handle and Ergonomics

What’s impressive is that the handle and the knife as a whole weigh about the same. This creates a super balanced knife that’s easy to control. The handle is made from fiberglass-reinforced nylon or FRN. This is a robust and lightweight material that provides a bit of grip to it. Spyderco is a master with FRN and uses it in some of their folding knives.

The FRN grips have non-removable Kraton panels. These are ultra-sticky panels that allow for a sure grip when working. Unlike most knives these days, there is no aggressive texturing. The combination of FRN and Kraton is enough to give you a no-slip grip under most conditions. I can testify that the grip is still strong even when your hands are wet and covered in fish slime.

Besides giving a sure grip, it’s also very comfortable. Aggressive texturing is excellent, but it tends to create hotspots. You’ll find no of those here. The grip is rounded off and ultra-comfortable in hand. The handle gives you excellent control of the blade and allows you to make fine cuts with little difficulty.

Sheath

The sheath is a lightweight boltaron model that comes with a multi-purpose G-Clip fastening system. The sheath’s G-Clip system is a polymer belt attachment with a sharp hook that connects under the belt to keep the knife in place. The system is reversible for lefties, and you can move the clip around quite a bit.

The angle of wear can be moved around for your comfort, and this includes wearing the knife horizontally if you so choose. The sheath comes up right over the blade and the knife locks in positively. It’s a good solid hold, and the knife stays put without the need for an active retention device.

The handle is also left with enough room for a good grip and an easy draw. The belt clip does its job well and hangs onto the belt without a hair of movement as the knife is drawn. The sheath is quite robust but keeps the theme of being lightweight, which keeps the entire knife system lightweight.

Spyderco Moran Drop Point Review – Final Thoughts

While the name Moran might not have meant anything to me before owning this knife, I can certainly see why Mr. Moran was such a popular bladesmith. This simple knife is far from tactical or high speed, but entirely practical. The ultra-lightweight and well-balanced design makes it an excellent tool. It’s one you can strap on and forget about, but when you need it, it’s there and razor-sharp. Plus, this is the only Moran knife I’ll ever be able to afford.

ESEE Knives 6P Fixed Blade Knife w/Molded Polymer Sheath

Editor: I recommend buying the Spyderco Moran Drop Point at BladeHQ or Amazon. Thank you for reading.

5.11 Operator Axe Review

by Travis Pike 4 Comments

The military tradition of a tomahawk or axe, is quite long. To this day, the military still issues a tomahawk with individual units as a smash and escape tool. SEAL Team 6 famously carried the Winkler tomahawks, and they are often bought as personal items by troops heading downrange. From my own experience, I remember tomahawks and small axes being quite popular with Marines in my unit. Overseas they were used for just about everything. They served as knives, hammers, pry bars, wood splitters, and even breaching tools.

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Find a locked box buried with what’s likely weapons inside? Chop the top off. Encounter a padlock? Chop it off. Making fire to cook the chicken you bought from the market? Split the wood and slaughter the chicken with a tomahawk. The long tradition has turned tomahawks and axes into multi-use tools. The 5.11 Operator’s Axe is an excellent example of a multi-use axe or tomahawk. Kyle Lamb of Viking Tactics and former Delta Force operator designed the Operator Axe off of a tool he carried overseas.

5.11 must-have jumped on the opportunity to produce them, and they are currently producing this full-sized model and a slightly more compact option. The 5.11 Operator’s Axe is designed with military and police use in mind but is a convenient tool if you adventure and explore. It’s just as much an outdoor tool as it is an urban tool.

Tool breakdown

The 5.11 Operator Axe has quite a few tools to it, and I wanted to count those off before we jumped into the review. We get the following:

● Axe Head
● Hammer
● Pry bar
● Metric and Standard Hex Drivers
● Small and large socket drivers
● ¼ inch bit driver
● Built on ruler
● Sheet metal cutter

It’s handy for field conditions and gives one tool that can do quite a bit.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The head of the 5.11 Operator Axe is split into three different tools. First and foremost, we have the axe blade that features a long beard. The rear side of the device has a rather large hammer head. In the middle and at the top we have a pry bar with a nail puller cut into it. On the opposite side, at the very bottom of the tool, is a sheet metal cutter.

The axe head can cut and smash through wood and thin metal doors, and it can split wood and clear brush when necessary. It’s also a great tool to have when digging and running into roots. The Operator Axe has a very long beard that gives you a good solid hook, as well as a place to choke up with your hand for more delicate cuts. The beard of the axe is excellent if you need to pull something that you don’t want to touch or can’t safely grip. The axe head is also decently sharp, not razor-sharp, but it will cleave on through thin trees without an issue.

The hammer is another smash tool but also drives nails very well. The pry bar at the end of the Operator axe gives you an excellent tool for breaking into doors, windows, and getting in and out of nearly anywhere. The foot-long handle gives you plenty of leverage to pry.

The total length of the Operator Axe is 15 inches, and it weighs 1 pound and 10 ounces. It’s a bit large compared to most tomahawks, but still rather compact for easy carry. The Operator Axe is a real smash and crash tool with its primary tools.

The 5.11 Operator Axe is made from SCM 435 stainless steel. I will admit I know nothing about this steel, and I can’t find much information on it. As a tool made to smash and slice stainless steel makes sense. It’s less brittle, less like to chip, and will retain an edge longer. It’s harder to sharpen, but since only one of the many tools on this axe are bladed, it seems like strength is a more critical requirement. Here is a link to a material sheet on SCM 435.

The hammer head is welded on, but the rest of the axe is made from one piece of solid billet stainless steel. The tool is 7mms thick, which makes it over a quarter-inch thick in Freedom units.

The steel is finished with a subdued black oxide coating to improve the axe’s overall durability and corrosion resistance. Stainless steel is quite rust-resistant as is, but every little bit helps, right?

Handle and Ergonomics

The ergonomics are simple. It’s a straight line of a handle that is ribbed for a better grip. There are no added handles, it’s just steel. The downside is this rectangular shape gets uncomfortable quickly when using the axe head for doing typical axe tasks. Splitting wood and chopping down trees gets uncomfortable fast. It tires and pains the hand. This type of handle could benefit from some panels, or you should invest in half-decent gloves.

Using the hammer to drive nails is comfortable, but using to smash things is like using the axe head. It gets uncomfortable fast. The pry bar works wonderfully and will yank nails out and is thin enough to get into a door jam and rip it open. The sheet metal cutting tool is easy to use and quite comfortable to cut long strips of tin. There are lots of compromises with this design.

The handle of the axe has to be flat to allow you to use the variety of drivers milled into the handle. These drivers are handy and do work, but as you can imagine, they are a little unwieldy on axe. In a pinch, they are convenient, and I doubt most of us carry a socket or hex wrench with us everywhere we’d take an axe. I do wonder if scaled handles to improve comfort would be more valuable than these drivers.

Sheath

The sheath is very dynamic and made from molded kydex. It covers the axe head, the pry bar, and leaves only a small portion of the hammer exposed. A leather thong goes around the sheath and keeps the axe secure. There is a lot of friction in the design, so it’s not just relying on the leather strap. The sheet metal cutter also has a friction fit sheath that sticks on nicely and doesn’t come off with a good tug.

The main sheath is equipped with MOLLE or belt compatible clips. These can be swapped for left or right-hand use and for mounting at different angles on your gear. It’s incredibly handy. It’s just as easy to carry on a pack as it is on your belt or on your plate carrier.

5.11 Operator Axe Review – Final Thoughts

The 5.11 Operator Axe isn’t for everyone, and to be honest, even as much as I love the outdoors, this axe is more suited for military, police, and fire-rescue personnel. That doesn’t mean I don’t like it. It’s tough, rugged, and packs a lot of tools in a lightweight, 15-inch package. The steel is a little mysterious, but after clashing, smashing, and splitting a variety of materials, it seems to hold up alright. The sheath is very well made, and I’m a big fan of the modularity it offers, as well as the various ways it can be carried.

The main downside is the discomfort in using the main tools for more extended periods of time. The rectangular design gets downright painful after a little bit of work. Admittedly the design is sleek, slim, and lightweight. Plus, the flat design gives you access to more tools. The 5.11 Operator Axe allows you to knock down doors, cut through car doors, split wood, smash windows, as a destructive tool. At the same time, it can be used to drive nails, loosen, or even tighten all sorts of screws. It’s a versatile tool, and it’s reasonably priced. I’m happy to have it just because it’s America and I can.

5.11 Operator Compact Tactical Axe, Style 51144, Black

COMPACT SIZE - 10 inch length. We have reduced the size and weight without compromising the utility.
TACTICAL UTILITY - This operator axe comes with benefits featuring a dual Hex Bit (#2 Phillips + Flat Head), Pry bar/nail puller & notches for paracord wrap handle.
FOR CHOPPING AND POUNDING - The 5.11 compact operator axe features a waffle textured-hammer head, ideal for various survival or utility tasks.
MOLDED HARD SHEATH INCLUDED - Keep your axe secure and safe with the included mold sheath with retaining strap.
WHY 5.11 - Apparel that is built for your environment. 5.11 creates products for both professionals and consumers that embody our mission to create purpose-built tactical gear for the most demanding missions. Always Be Ready

Editor: I recommend buying the 5.11 Operator Axe at Amazon. Thank you for reading.

Gerber Key Note Review

by Travis Pike 5 Comments

Guns may be the main draw the SHOT Show, but there is a healthy amount of knives at the Show. One I saw at 2019’s SHOT Show that caught my eye was the Gerber Key Note. I loved the unique look, small size, and how lightweight it was. I saw it at SHOT, and after that never saw another hair of it until it popped up in my recommended items on Amazon. It was only 20 bucks and some change, so I promptly ordered it.

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Even if it were a total piece of crap, I’d only be out 20 bucks. Luckily it’s not a complete piece of crap. The Key Note is a teeny tiny knife that lives up to its name. It’s almost the same size as my car’s key fob. As far as EDC knives go, this is about as small as it gets. The Key Note currently comes in both black and FDE, and as you can see, I have the FDE variant.

The Key Note is designed to be versatile and easily carried. The Key Note comes equipped with a key chain ring that’s hefty and well made. There is also a pocket clip that’s long enough to fit over a belt as well. The Key Note is a neat little knife, and it’s one that’s small enough that there is never an excuse to leave it at home.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Key Note sports a sloping blade that is 1 inch long at it’s very longest and a little over half an inch at the shortest portion. The blade is a stout 1.125 inches wide and .15 inches thick. The knife weighs only 2.33 ounces and is 3 inches longer overall.

It’s a small, but stout little blade. The blade is made from 5Cr15MoV. On a 20 dollar knife with an edge this short I wasn’t expecting 154 CM or S30V.

5Cr15MoV is cheap stainless steel. It is effortless to sharpen and resistant to rust. It won’t hold an edge very long. It’s not like you’ll be batoning wood or cleaning game with this little guy anyway. With a blade as short and as thick as this, you are unlikely to break it with regular use.

I’m not sure what to call this type of blade or point. It’s an exaggerated tanto that looks almost like a chisel with a weird lower level edge. Gerber classifies the blade into two different edges. The longer edge is a scraping edge, and the short bottom edge is the cutting edge. Both edges are sharpened, and both cut through everyday materials.

The Key Note’s blade size is a big limiting factor in its ability to do serious work. However, for the most common EDC tasks, the Key Note is entirely sufficient. It can cut through plastic, tape, cardboard, 550 cord, and similar cordage. The ledge like design gives the Key Note a little bite, and it can punch above its weight. The Key Note is sufficient for most mundane cutting tasks, and that is just about it.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The handle is made from two aluminum panels connected by several different Hex head screws. The Gerber Key Note is a little knife, with a petite handle. The handle is textured with small serrated indentions on each side. The handle has an integrated finger groove that allows for easy access to the blade and to accommodate your pointer finger while gripping the knife.

The rest of the grip is pretty simple and is relatively unadorned. It’s short, won’t fill the hand, and is only 2 inches long. It’s 1.25 inches wide and .45 inches thick. The Key Note’s handle is comfortable enough. It doesn’t poke or jab, but don’t expect Emerson level ergonomics and comfort.

The pocket clip and keychain loop give you multiple ways to carry the knife. The keychain loop is removable to reduce the overall length and even weight of the knife. I’m tempted to remove the keychain loop. I don’t like the way it feels in my hand when using the knife, but I like being to connect it to my key fob. The big keyring is just awkward and more than a little annoying when using the knife to cut.

The pocket clip cannot be reversed, but it’s not a big deal. The knife isn’t designed to be quickly drawn and deployed, so it doesn’t matter which direction it faces in the pocket. The clip is 1.5 inches long and will fit over most standard belts.

This opens up the ability to wear the knife on your belt, but will only efficiently work for right-handed owners. It’s a stiff and strong pocket clip and its made from stainless steel. At the bottom, the steel rolls upwards allow it to hook onto the belt and prevent it from sliding off.

This is a big and beefy pocket clip. It’s thicker than most pocket knives, and it feels quite sturdy.

Deployment and Lock-Up

Opening the Key Note requires the use of a small nail nick built into the blade, but there is a built-in starter tab to push the blade out just a little. This little tab is a lifesaver when the knife is brand new or if you’re the type who has naturally short nails. It’s easy to deploy, but it’s not quick. I doubt you’d ever need to deploy this knife quickly enough to worry about it. You’ll need a few seconds and both hands to deploy the Key Note’s blade.

The blade is locked in place by a simple liner lock. It locks it nice and tight, and there is no noticeable play as you move the blade. It’s tight, but you can push it in with little effort overall and close the knife. The liner lock isn’t jimped for texture, but it seems to close just fine without it.

Gerber Key Note Review – Final Thoughts

The Key Note is a cool knife. It’s not a very versatile or handy knife, but for 20 dollars, you’re buying a unique design. An unconventional design that makes carrying a knife easy. It’s one you can toss on your keychain and never leave behind. Ultimately it’s somewhat of a novelty in its design. I’m sure a Gerber Airlift would serve you just as well for the price, but the Key Note has a sense of style and design that pushes it past boring.

Speaking of design, I spotted something about the look of the Key Note. If you take a quick look at Gerber’s symbol you’ll see a Sword and Shield make up the G in Gerber. If you close the blade, the Key Note most certainly looks like the Shield portion of that logo, and I thought this was a nice touch. If I feel Ho-Hum about a knife, I give it away and have gained an office reputation for it. The Key Note’s neat design keeps me from feeling Ho-Hum about this cheap little folder.

The Key Note is 20 bucks worth of cool, and I’m planning on holding onto mine and passing a few out for Christmas. It’s not a great knife, the design isn’t innovative, but it’s not a bad knife in any way. If you look at it and like the design from a nerd’s perspective, then buy it. You’ll be satisfied. If the looks and design don’t grab you, I’d pass on it.

Gerber Gear Key Note EDC Pocket Knife Keychain, 1" Plain Edge Mini Pocket Knife - Coyote Brown

QUALITY CRAFTED EDC KNIFE: Features a dual-purpose 1" plain edge blade for cutting and scraping, liner lock, nail nick, starter tab, pocket clip, and removable keychain for versatile everyday carry
DURABLE SURVIVAL GEAR AND EQUIPMENT: Ergonomic handle with aluminum scales for corrosion resistance; lightweight, portable knife keychain designed for convenience and reliability
COMPACT EDC DESIGN: At just over an inch, the key note offers slim and secure portability; carry this pocket knife keychain on your belt, in your pocket, or with your keys
VERSATILE CAMPING AND HIKING GEAR: Great for outdoor enthusiasts, tradesmen, and everyday carry; perfect addition to camping essentials, hiking gear, your toolbox, work wear, and fishing accessories
COMPACT AND CONVENIENT: 1" blade length; 3.98 oz weight; backed by the Gerber guarantee, a limited lifetime warranty

Editor: I recommend buying the Gerber Key Note at BladeHQ or Amazon. Thank you for reading.

Victorinox Hiker Review

by Travis Pike 3 Comments

The Swiss Army Knife is likely to the most well-known knife in the world. Something about its name, distinctive red handle, and the fact it was one of the first successful multi-tools has cemented its place into our cultural collective. Swiss Army Knife is even a misnomer because American GI’s couldn’t properly pronounce the German phrase for Officer’s Knife. However, the new name stuck. The Swiss Army knife became an icon that went to the moon, gave MacGyver a favorite tool, and became a Boy Scout’s best friend.

Buy the Victorinox Hiker at BladeHQ

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The Swiss Army knife is more than a knife, as I mentioned above it’s a multi-tool. It contains anywhere from three to a dozen or so different tools. The Swiss Army Knife I have from Victorinox is called the Hiker and packs 9 tools in a pocket-sized package. The Hiker’s size, price, and tools make it one of my favorite Swiss Army knives. The Victorinox brand is the only real Swiss Army Knife and the Hiker is a great representative of the brand.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Hiker is a mid-size Swiss Army Knife with a long and short blade. The long blades is roughly 2.5 inches long and the short blade is 1.5 inches long. The handle is 3.5 inches long if you just measure the handle, with the lanyard attachment ring it’s about 4 inches total. The blade is a drop point that’s not exceptionally pointy.

Pointy enough to poke things and to open up cardboard, paper, and plastics. There is no lock on this model and this is a traditional slipjoint style knife. The blade has a nice fat belly to it for cutting deep with a short blade. Perfect for cutting up oranges nice and clean during a picnic, or cutting through thin rope and cordage. It’s a blade well suited for 99% of the tasks I put knives through. 95% when hunting season is in play.

Victorinox doesn’t advertise its steel type, but it’s nothing fancy. On a sub 30 dollar multi-tool, you can’t expect 154CM. The blade can get pretty darn sharp and it’s also really easy to sharpen. You can get it licked up in about 3 swipes per side on a wet stone. The downside is that it gets dull fast.

Not like after a day of work, but like an hour’s worth or even less. It dulls quick, one day while stocking the office printers I dulled it cutting through the plastic wrap around the paper boxes and the plastic straps holding their lids on. If you carry a pocket sharpener you can quickly get your edge back though. You can also swap to the smaller blade and keep going should the larger get dull.

Corrosion wise the knife holds up. Summers in Florida are no joke and they make me sweat a ton. Anything in my jeans pockets is going to be exposed to sweat, and this knife has never rusted. Living in a coastal air the salt is in the air and still it’s never seen a lick of the red death.

Handle and Ergonomics

The Hiker is a small, but a somewhat fat knife. The total length of the handle is 3.5 inches, but it’s also a little over half an inch thick. It’s thick because have to contain 7 folding tools, a tweezer, and a toothpick.

Five tools fold in the front and two in the rear. In total, you get three different drivers, a can opener, a bottle opener, a saw, a reamer, and the aforementioned tweezers and toothpick. While thick, the iconic, red plastic grip scales round it out for a comfortable overall grip.

The grip allows you to employ every tool comfortably. It’s thick and supportive nature does make it easy to work with and avoid pain and fatigue when doing something that takes time, like opening a can. As a side note, I’ve only used it once to open a can of Hormel chili and it works, just slowly. That thick handle is a must-have for opening cans or using any other leverage-based actions. It’s thick and isn’t going to bend, break, or slip.

The grip is texture free and doesn’t necessarily grip your hand. If your hands are wet you may not be able to keep a great grip when doing heavy work. While the tools all stick out just a hair from the handle I don’t find their presence uncomfortable when gripping the Hiker. My only discomfort is that key chain attachment piece hitting my pinky and annoying me when I use the blade.

The Hiker is a very light tool and only weighs 2.7 ounces. I often forget which pocket I put it in because I can hardly feel it. The smooth handles certainly make a comfortable to carry knife since nothing pokes or rubs your leg throughout the day.

Deployment and Lockup

The slipjoint system makes sure the tools and blades all stay in the handle until you force them out. There is never a worry of a tool or blade deploying in your pocket. The tools are all relatively easy to pull out, but you will need both hands to do so.

Once a tool or blade is out it takes a fair bit of force to put it back. However, you can close the tool with a single hand. Many of the tools are combination types and the lock-up and deployment work just as well when you are opening a can as it does when driving a screw.

Victorinox Hiker Review – Final Thoughts

The Victorinox Hiker is a handy little knife for everyday carry or the occasional trip to the woods. This little Swiss Army knife packs a ton of capable tools in it’s small and easy to use package. The Hiker is also a great choice for keeping a knife in a bug out bag, or in a car in case of emergency. It covers all your basics whilst still being relatively cheap and affordable.

It could also be a great choice for a young boy or girl responsible enough to own a knife. The Hiker is the absolute last knife many would compare to a weapon, and it’s short blades and lack of a lock ensures it’s legal across the board. Additionally, the somewhat dull point and easily dulled blade limits a young person’s ability to hurt themselves. The need for a good fresh sharpening will also hone their skills with a whetstone.

Whatever reason you choose the Hiker you can know that it’s a great knife at a low price.

VICTORINOX SWISS ARMY Hiker Pocket Knife

Editor: I recommend buying the Victorinox Hiker at BladeHQ or Amazon. Thank you for reading.

SOG Instinct Mini Review

by Travis Pike 3 Comments

After growing up with 80s action movies and 60s and 70s westerns I thought boot knives would be more of a thing. However, it seems like boots knives aren’t as big of a category as my 12 year old mind imagined. The SOG Instinct Mini is the first ever I’ve seen that advertises boot carrying potential. The SOG Instinct Mini also advertises the ability to carry on your belt, around your neck, or really anywhere else you want to.

Buy the SOG Instinct Mini at BladeHQ

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The SOG Instinct is a superbly small fixed blade knife that comes with a modular sheath system for easy and convenient carry. As a company SOG needs no introduction. They make any and every knife you can think of. They even provide a knife the Navy for SEALs canidates going through BUD/S. I was actually given the SOG Instinct Mini as a door prize at a SHOT event and only recently have I gotten around to taking a long look at. To be specific this is the Instinct Mini G10, which comes with G10 grips.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Instinct Mini sports a teeny-tiny 1.9 inch blade with an overall length of merely 4.8 inches. This is a fixed blade knife that weighs a mere 1.6 ounces and is made in China. This is a full tang fixed blade made from 5Cr15MoV steel. This is a stainless steel known for being an affordable blade steel. This makes sense because the Instinct Mini is an affordable knife.

The steel is rather soft and will dull quickly, add on the fact that this is a small blade and you’ll find yourself sharpening it often. The Instinct Mini went dull on me after cutting four chicken breasts into strips. Admittedly this isn’t a kitchen knife, but if I can make both dinner and test a knife at the same time I’ll take that opportunity. After chicken breast number 3 the knife was starting to bulldoze a bit, but I pulled it through.

The good news is, it’s easy to sharpen. I used a Smith’s pocket sharpener and spoofed it right up. The Instinct Mini has a clip point which is also a handy and versatile point type. Perfect for a variety of different tasks. The clip point gives you a good belly that allows for quick and deep cuts, and this proved perfect for cutting those chicken breasts. It digs in and glides through. The point is quite pointy and gives you a nice stabbing implement.

The steel is also very corrosion resistant and that’s something to appreciate if you carry the nice as a necklace or close to the body it will likely be exposed to sweat eventually. Outside of that this makes it a low maintenance knife overall.

Overall the blade design is very simple, and that makes it easy to maintain. The downside is I’m not sure what the knife is designed for? It’s not necessarily a purpose built weapon, and the small blade and small overall design makes it limited in how handy it is.

Handle and Ergonomics

As you’d imagine this is a full tang knife with G10 grips bolted to it. These G10 grip panels are not removable. The grip itself is very small and also deeply scalloped for a three finger grip. The grip is just large enough to accomodate my own three fingers and nothing more. These deep scallops are comfortable and do allow the knife to sit in your hand comfortably. The G10 grips are textured to provide a better grip and to keep your hands from sliding while they are working.

The Instinct Mini fits comfortably in the hand, but during the time I was cutting that chicken up my hand got tired and pained. No hotspots, but it takes a lot of effort for such a little knife to do big knife work. The jimping on the back of the blade is nicely textured and well suited for a little thumb leverage.

The pinky in particular cramps a bit as it rubs on what appears to be a lanyard eyelet while you cut. Additionally you have to hold the knife very tight because the grip is very small and the knife can easily get away from you. The thin handle presses into your fingers a bit and it becomes uncomfortable. It’s a knife that’s better suited for small, everyday tasks.

Sheath

The Instinct Mini sheath is absolutely fantastic. It’s a molded kydex sheath that features four slots around the outside of the sheath to allow you to use a chain for carrying it, or you could lash it to another piece of gear if you choose. On the sheath is a clip, very similar to the pocket clip you’d see on a folding knife.

This clip is held in with a single Allen key screw and this screw can be loosened and the pocket clip can be rotated 360 degrees around a textured sprocket. You can carry the knife in almost any angle you want. There is a sprocket present on both sides and you can swap the clip to either side.

The clip is like a standard clip, but much bigger and wider. The clip allows for it to clip over a belt, or inside the waistband. This allows you to carry it discreetly, which can be invaluable in a setting where discretion is wise.

The knife also locks into the sheath and stays there. It takes a bit of force to get it out, but it still draws smoothly.

SOG Instinct Mini Review – Final Thoughts

The Instinct Mini is an “OK” knife that doesn’t seem to have a solid purpose or to fulfill a niche. It’s not designed to be a weapon like many other ultra small knives, or at least not a good one. The best purpose I could see is for a compact EDC fixed blade knife. It’s small size, and lightweight design makes it comfortable to carry if you want a very small and lightweight fixed blade. It could serve as a backup knife for duty use, or an affordable neck knife for easy daily carry.

It’s not a bad knife. It’s very easy to sharpen and maintain. The blade design allows for some excellent cuts for such a small knife, and I did carve up that chicken with an excellent degree of precision. It’s just not a great knife, but it’s affordable and that’s always a plus.

SOG Instinct Mini Small Fixed Blade Knife- 8.75 Inch x 1 Inch x 4 Inch Full Tang Adjustable Clip Belt or Boot Knife with Tactical Knife Sheath and Neck Knife Lanyard (NB1002-CP)

1.9 INCH SMALL TACTICAL KNIFE WITH SHEATH: The SOG Instinct Mini is a small fixed blade knife for your EDC gear and protection knife kit; tactical knife measures 4.8 inches in total length
EDC NECK KNIFE: 1.4 oz. lightweight knife is a great everyday carry; use this full tang knife as a belt knife or boot knife with swivel sheath clip, or as a neck knife with the included neck chain
SATIN 5CR15MOV STAINLESS STEEL: Straight-edge clip point with durable steel construction can handle hard use as a back-up hunting knife or military knife; full tang blade makes the knife more solid
TEXTURED G10 HANDLE: G10 handle with finger grooves and jimping enhances the ergonomics, grip, and blade control of this compact tac knife; get maximum control from the Instinct Mini
SOG CARE: SOG knives and tools are built to last but may require initial tuning adjustments along with regular cleaning, lubrication and sharpening; we consider all repair and replacement requests

Editor: I recommend purchasing the SOG Instinct Mini at Amazon or BladeHQ. Thanks for checking out the review.