EDC Knives

Spyderco Paramilitary 2 Left Handed C81GLE2 Review

In 2009 my house was broken into while I was living in West Nashville. This caused me to do two things in quick succession. First, I adopted a huge Irish Wolfhound mix named “Apple,” and secondly, I bought a handgun. Now, since I tend to dive headfirst into anything that I get myself into… I began to research handguns, and that inexorably led me to the EDC community. I think that everyone has a story about their relationship to carrying a pocket knife. Mine is wrapped up in EDC videos on YouTube, and hours spent scouring BladeForums threads. One of the knives that struck a chord for me, and has endured since the very first years of my collecting, has been the Spyderco Paramilitary 2.

Now, my handedness (being left handed) has limited me in several areas when it comes to knives, and it ultimately forced me into buying primarily custom knives that I could have made for me. Whenever I see a company offer a production knife in, specifically, a lefty configuration I always try to buy at least one to support that effort they went to. The Left Handed version of the PM2 (model number C81GPLE2) was a no brainer for me. After all, this is arguably Spyderco‘s most popular knife.

Editors note: It is worth noting that the only difference between this left handed version of the Para 2 and the original PM2 is that the locking liner side and non locking liner side have been swapped. This lefty version is literally a mirrored version of the original Paramilitary 2. I can’t help but think of my days studying biology when I consider the Lefty Para 2. It’s the same concept of chirality that they teach in the introductory organic chemistry course.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Paramilitary 2 Left Handed has an overall length of 8.3″, a 3.4″ blade, weighs 3.75 ounces. Just like the original Paramilitary 2, this left hand version is made in the U.S.A. out of Spyderco’s Golden, Colorado factory.

The thing that DOES stick out about the PM2 blade, and is worth talking about, is how universally great it is. The leaf blade shape that Spyderco has championed for years is one of the more useful blade shapes out there. This, paired with their full flat grind on S30V steel gives you a strong but surgical tip for delicate operations, and long sweeping primary cutting edge. Now, I’ve used this blade for a LOT; opening packages, slicing apples, I even chopped up a cream filled cronut the other day. The Paramilitary 2 is a versatile and capable blade that will carry out day to day tasks, from the campsite to the kitchen without hesitation.

As a footnote, I’m not gonna go in depth about S30V. It’s a knife-specific allow that was developed by Chris Reeve and Crucible for folding pocket knives. At this point, we should all be at least a little familiar with it, it performs well, it’s very stainless, and it’s at least reasonable to sharpen. They make PM2’s in a variety of steels these days, but not the left handed version… and I’m not a steel snob, pretty much anything from VG10 nicer is okay for me, as subjective as that might be.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The Paramilitary 2, true to it’s name, was designed for LEO and Military use. Now… in reality that most likely means that it’s 99% bought and used by people like you and I, and 1% make it into the gloved hands of actual military users. But it’s intended purpose did inform some of it’s design decisions. The handle is slightly oversized with a pronounced shape to seat and lock your hand in place. There’s an alternate grip position with the knife open and your index finger inside the front choil that would allow you to “choke-up” on the knife for finer control. The handle slabs are peel ply black G10. That is very grippy. It’s not shred-your-jeans-grippy, but grippy all the same. Last big detail that is instantly apparent when you hold the knife is the thumb ramp. It’s steep, and it’s jimped. This serves as just another step in locking the knife into your grip when you hold it.

The pocket clip is one of Spyderco’s typical “spoon” pocket clips. Not a lot to say here except that they are functional and nicely designed. Tension is perfect and the knife carries well. There are a few other people that make deep carry clips for the PM2, so if you wanted another option you could find that there.

Deployment and Locking Mechanism

In keeping with the Spyderco trend, the PM2 utilizes a “spydie-hole” opening method. This is a distinguishing feature of the Spyderco line of knives. This is basically a .5” diameter hole in the blade that serves as the opening method. It’s something that Spyderco has been doing for a long time, a lot of you are likely familiar with it so I won’t belabor that particular point.

The PM2 utilizes Spyderco’s patented compression lock. For a long time I thought of this as sort of a “reverse liner-lock,”— that it just had the release on the back of the knife instead of on the bottom like a normal liner lock. Operationally and aesthetically this is true. However, in terms of use and strength that’s a bit of a misconception. The compression lock snaps into place between the blade tang and the stop pin. This “traps” the blade between those two forces. It’s not a matter of lockup “geometry” as much as it is two lateral forces holding the knife open. To use the compression lock, it DOES work like a reverse liner lock, you just have to push the liner the opposite direction of the spring and the blade will swing free.

Spyderco Paramilitary 2 Left Handed – Final Thoughts

Well… the Paramilitary 2 is my go to knife when people ask for a recommendation for what knife they should buy. I love the size, I love the grind, and I love the steel. Priced around ~$100 it packs a TON of pound per pound capability. The blade will preform equally well in the kitchen as it would on a construction site. The handles are comfortable to hold, and will stay grippy in almost any conditions. Lastly, the lock is one of the most solid out there, easy to disengage, and simple to operate.

Before I completely button up this review, I think I need to address the backwards elephant in the room. Spyderco released one of the most successful models in a left handed version, and it occurred to me (and my editor Dan), that I should touch on that fact. I think the best way to describe this would be the following: My experience with the Lefty PM2 is likely exactly the same as the right-handed world’s experience with the original PM2. Now, this is worth spending some time considering, the PM2 has a 4-way placeable clip, so most southpaws carried it lefty and just operated the lock the best that we could. The compression lock when operated with the opposite hand that it was designed for is awkward, incredibly, and can be borderline dangerous. Spyderco fixed that problem for us. As I stated earlier, whenever a company released a left-hand specific I typically buy it to support that gesture. This is a great example of that.

Spyderco 2160206 C81GPLE2 Para Military 2 Left Hand Folder Blade Knife, 3.42"

List Price: $139.25

Current Price: $125.97

Price Disclaimer

I recommend purchasing the Paramilitary 2 at Amazon or BladeHQ. Purchasing anything through any of the links on this site helps support BladeReviews, and keep this review train running. As always, any and all support is greatly appreciated.

Spartan Blade Works Pallas Review

by Dan 2 Comments

Most of us who have been following Spartan Blades know the company started with high end fixed blade knives. A few years ago they launched the Akribis, a carbon fiber clad titanium framelock folder. I always appreciated the lines of the Akribis, but never got around to acquiring one. Although some of their old stock is still for sale on select retailers, Spartan Blades has since moved on from the Akribis and ventured into a number of different folder offerings.

Perhaps their most notable new folder is the Pallas. This strikes me as their every man’s model: a sub 4″ blade, anodized aluminum handles, sturdy button lock, and your choice of flipper or thumb studs to get the blade open.

This is a less exotic folder designed for daily carry and use, and could be considered their version of a Griptilian or Para 2. I have always had a soft spot for utility knives in this size range, and have many in my permanent collection. How does the Pallas stack up against everything that has come before it? Lets find out.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Pallas has an overall length of 8.75″, a 3.75″ blade, weighs 4.9 ounces, and is made in the U.S.A. With an almost 4″ blade, my guess is that Spartan Blades wanted the Pallas to flex both into utility and folding combat knife roles. It is about as big a folder as I can realistically carry. Any bigger, and it would be more of a novelty for me, but a 8.75″ inches I can comfortably carry it and use it as a weekend warrior EDC here in Southwest Florida. I’ve used it extensively in that role. It has accompanied me on trips to fix up my rental house, and plenty of forays into the yard trimming back our “jungle”.

The blade of the Pallas is a modified drop point. This is a simple and functional design, but Spartan Blades has added their signature harpoon tip to give it a twist. At just under 4mm thick, the blade stock is substantial, but the knife is ground thinly behind the edge with a high hollow grind. When you add a fine tip and plenty of belly, you are left with a versatile and functional blade. Spartan Blades also took the extra steps of adding a long swedge across the harpoon tip, chamfering the spine of the blade, applying a nice stonewashed finish, and installing custom thumb studs.

Spartan selected S35VN blade steel for the Pallas. As I have mentioned in countless other reviews featuring S35VN, this is a great choice for a high end folder due to it’s ease of sharpening, corrosion resistance, toughness, and edge retention. It’s a great all round steel. It won’t hold an edge indefinitely, but it’s easier to sharpen then its older brother S30V. It’s no wonder companies like Chris Reeve Knives choose S35VN almost exclusively as their blade material.

The only downside I see to S35VN is that it forces knife reviewers to the very fringes of their creative writing capabilities as they tackle their XXth review featuring this now common blade material. As always you can find a deeper dive into blade steel in our blade steel section

In practice I found that the Pallas is a solid cutter. Thanks to a generous handle, you are able to make full use of the substantial blade. It came razor sharp out of the box, and I have spent a good amount of time breaking down boxes, carving, and even performing some mild food prep with this knife. This knife cuts for days, and the performance is impressive. While it’s not the most unique or beautiful blade I have worked with, you can’t argue with the results. The Pallas performs.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The Pallas comes with a hard anodized aluminum handle, held together by 3 custom standoffs and the pivot. The handle is mostly flat. It has been chamfered around the edges, features 2 grooves for your index finger, and a series of diagonal cuts towards the butt for traction, but there is no 3-D milling. Overall, handle construction is neat and solid. Even the lanyard hole has been given extra attention.

That said, this handle loses style points in a few areas for me. First, I don’t care for how the logo and “U.S.A.” have been applied to the handle. I realize that this branding and source of manufacture information needed to be placed somewhere, and there is only a limited amount of real estate on the knife. I also know some have criticized companies like Zero Tolerance for putting too much text on their blades, distracting the eye and complicating the design. Still, I think the placement of the logo and “USA” on the handle looks a little random.

Also, I think a more generous decorative pivot would have looked nicer here then just a body screw. This choice was likely made so the end user doesn’t confuse the button lock with the pivot in the heat of the moment. Plus a decorative pivot does nothing for the performance. But many knives these days feature a decorative pivot. Finally, when you peer into the internals of the knife the pocket screws are a millimeter or proud of the handles. Screws poking out from inside the handle/liners are a pet peeve of mine, and I would love to see the screw length adjusted slightly so they don’t poke out like that.

Aesthetic quibbles aside, the simple handle designs provides ample room for your hand and fingers while the hard anodized aluminum provides you with that familiar fine texture. There is light jimping on the spine of the blade, and more aggressive jimping towards the butt of the handle. The end result is a knife that functions naturally in the hand. While hard anodized aluminum isn’t as grippy as peel ply G-10, I find there is plenty of traction here for all the tasks I put the Pallas up to.

The Pallas benefits from a simple pocket clip that has been thoughtfully executed. This is a humble spring clip, but it has been elevated with Spartan’s arrow motif cut into the clip. I vastly prefer this kind of branding over a “billboard” style pocket clip. The clip has been sunk into the handle and secured with 2 screws. It’s not likely to go anywhere. However, the handle is configured for right side tip up carry only. This happens to be my preferred placement for carry, but it may pose an issue for some.

In practice the Pallas carries nicely. It’s a bigger knife, but is relatively thin and light. I don’t notice it much in the pocket. It stays out of the way, but doesn’t carry super deep. When I’m ready for the knife the combination of handle and clip make for an easy retrieval. What else can you ask for?

Deployment and Lockup

The Pallas comes with a combination of flipper and thumb studs to get the blade open.

Lets start with the flipper. Because this is a button lock, there is no detent. Instead, the button lock is engineered to offer some resistance, and that friction in the lock allows you to pop the knife open. In practice the flipper works most of the time, especially if you are careful to pre-load it. Still, this knife will not flip open like a well tuned framelock or liner lock flipper. I would assign it a “4” on my arbitrary 1-10 scale of flipper performance, placing it slightly below my Spyderco Domino. It usually gets the job done, but nothing to write home about.

The thumb studs are ample, custom made, easy to access, and placed for ambidextrous access. These thumb studs are what you would want to rely on in a stressful situation. I’m glad Spartan Blades included them. They compliment the workman like nature of this knife.

Either way you choose to open the Pallas, the blade rides on caged bearings. The action is smooth and fluid.

Spartan Blades selected a button lock for the Pallas. The button looks similar to what you would find on a Hogue, and I can’t help but place the knife next to my EX-04 (shown above).

Button locks have the potential to be sticky, but the lock on the Palls is extremely smooth. I have yet to have the lock stick or bind up. I have owned this knife for several months now and it’s just as easy to operate as the day I got it. A nice benefit to a button lock is that it is a strong lock. Although every folding knife has its breaking point, I do not hesitate to use my Pallas for tough jobs. There is no blade play or wiggle in my knife. Also, I should note there is no secondary lock like you find on the Hogue series.

Blade centering is perfect on my knife.

Spartan Blades Pallas – Final Thoughts

The Pallas is a no-nonsense tool in the same vein of many of my favorite utility knives. This includes fan favorites like the Para 2 and Griptilian, but also some of the unsung heros in my collection like the American Lawman, Buck Marksman, and Hogue EX-04. I don’t hesitate to carry and use the Pallas just like those other knives. The practical design, excellent tolerances, and quality materials, mean that the knife works, and it works well. If I’m in a rush I can grab the Pallas knife knowing it will do everything I need it to do – no questions asked.

Where the Pallas falls a short for me is with some of the aesthetic details like the placement of the logo on the handle. The flipping action also leaves something to be desired. For a knife you are going to use hard I can look past these issues, but would not be so forgiving if I was buying a collectible.

Also, at nearly $300 the Pallas isn’t cheap. It’s a serviceable design, nicely made, and performs beautifully, but it doesn’t have any mind blowing properties to it, and the materials are not particularly exotic. I realize that Spartan Blades is a boutique company that is offering a USA made product, and they likely lack the economies of scale that the bigger manufacturers can tap. Still, the Pallas is an expensive knife, and the price will prevent it from obtaining the mass appeal of a Paramilitary 2 or Griptilian.

In closing, I like this knife, but think the Pallas is for a narrower market. I recommend it if you are a fan of Spartan Blades, a fan of the design, or are looking for a high end and high performance tactical knife that is made in the USA.

Spartan Blades Blacked Out Pallas Folding Flipper Knife Button Lock Black SF3

List Price: $290.00

Current Price: $290.00

Price Disclaimer

I recommend buying the Spartan Blades Pallas at Amazon, BladeHQ or KnifeArt. 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.

Spyderco Roadie Review

by Benjamin Schwartz 10 Comments

Enthusiast culture is the weirdest thing. At the far end of five years of talking, thinking, and fretting about knives, knowing more now than I ever have about steels, grinds, locks, etc., in a way I’ve never been further away from what first drew me to pocket knives in the first place. Originally, I just liked the idea of carrying something useful with me every day, for the small, unexciting cutting chores I might run into. But now, as a collector with more knives than I can possibly use in a lifetime, the question is usually “What’s next?” instead of “What’s enough?”

Looking at it honestly, every blade I’ve ever owned, loved, even hated, is overqualified for the job of being my EDC. Which makes reviewing knives like the Spyderco Roadie a bracing experience. You expect a knife this small to have limits. And it certainly does. But for me – domesticated, deskbound, and suburban – it did everything I asked of it for a whole month without issue, and made me question the wisdom and value of owning so damn many knives.

But side-by-side with this access of regret, there was a familiar surge of knife nerd pleasure at experiencing an interesting new design from one of my favorite companies. The Roadie can do all that I need it to, but is it good enough to merit a spot in the permanent collection? Let’s take a look.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Roadie has a 2-1/8” blade counting the finger choil and a cutting edge of 1-3/4”. Handle length with the choil is 3-5/16”, and 2-7/8” without. Overall length is about 5” and it weighs just under an ounce. It is made in Maniago, Italy.

Some knives have different ‘regions’ along their cutting edge, but Roadie’s consists of a single continues run of gentle belly. It functions nearly like a straight edge, but the slight curve imparts muscle in certain chores like cutting zip ties. The small blade excels at small tasks: opening letters, cutting tape on boxes, nipping stray threads. It’s airy and nimble, but thanks to the thick stock it still feels substantial enough to use with confidence.

I would like a more acute tip, personally. And notably, the Roadie can’t do food prep, so if that’s a central cutting chore for you, be warned that this knife will not cope. But outside of these complaints the Roadie gets a lot done with very little.

Being a Maniago-born Spyderco the Roadie has N690Co steel. This is superb stuff. It can be sharpened to a fine, clean edge, and stays sharp for a long while – significantly longer than VG-10, and a smidge longer 154CM. Moreover as it dulls it doesn’t fall through the pronounced ‘steps’ of baser steels like 8Cr13MoV or 420HC. That is, it doesn’t go from ‘screaming sharp’ to ‘semi-dull’ with no apparent transitional phases in between. Its wear pattern is much more gradual. In this regard it reminds me of S35VN, albeit not quite so long-lived. It does, however, have top-tier stain and corrosion resistance.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Carry

The Roadie’s handle consist of two pieces of FRN, lightly textured and slightly contoured. A standout feature is the half and half finger choil. The choil itself and the base of the blade spine are both covered in jimping.

The ergonomics are good. Despite having a handle not much longer than a toothpick, the Roadie is quite accommodating. I don’t hear angels singing when I hold it but I never felt cramped, even with my large hands – which is quite a feat. The choil seems like a great idea and works fine, but it is (obviously) undersized compared to a standard Spyderco finger choil. It also isn’t really necessary on a knife this small. You’re going to have plenty of control over the blade just by virtue of the Roadie’s overall size.

Instead of the choil, I’d like to see the handle thickened up a bit because the Roadie almost feels too thin. Most traditional knives in this size class are a little more ample, and better in the hand for it. More pronounced texturing on the scales would be great too. As it is I have cut myself a couple of times while closing the knife because my fingers slid around.

No pocket clip here – but obviously you don’t need one. Loose in a full-size pocket, the Roadie is invisible. The only downside is that it can get tangled up in your keys, or slip out and slide down between the couch cushions without you knowing it. One time I pulled out my keys and the Roadie went flying out of my pocket, taking a pretty nasty ding as it landed. All of this is a function of its Lilliputian dimensions and a not a mark against the knife, but worth knowing if you plan on carrying the Roadie in your main pocket.

But here’s my pro-up: carry it in your watch pocket. I’ve never been an advocate of the watch pocket carry; I always thought it was one of those weird Knife Nerd affectations, like pocket sheaths or whipping out your folding knife to cut steak in a restaurant. But the Roadie is perfect carried that way. It’s readily accessible, stays in place, and doesn’t peek out of the top like most folding knives would. Non-believers, give it a try.

Lockup and Deployment

Although it’s a slipjoint, the Roadie is not a traditional knife in any real sense; it wasn’t made with considerations of walk and talk or pull weight in mind. It isn’t meant to ‘feel nice’ in the way a GEC or a Case might. There’s nothing poetic or soulful about this knife’s lockup or deployment – but it undoubtedly works.

There’s a watery half stop before the blade snaps fully into the open position. The spring tension when open is about where I like it: easy to intentionally overcome, but stout enough to preclude accidental closure in all but the most extraordinary circumstances. Combined with the half-and-half choil, there isn’t much need to worry here.

We get a Spyderco original for deployment, the Double Dent: a shallow concave ‘dent’ on either side of the blade that you pinch to open the knife. These dents have been left with a little rougher finish than the satin on the rest of the blade to aid in grip. They work great, definitely better than the average nail mark. Like the Round Hole, they do dictate the knife’s profile to a greater degree than other two-hand knife opening methods, but the extra width on a knife so small is not a problem.

A secondary, although welcome, advantage of the Double Dent is that it is easier to clean out than a nail mark. I find nail marks to be a common problem area when it comes to rust and that’s largely because they are so hard to properly clean out. You won’t have any issues like that here.

Spyderco Roadie – Final Thoughts

The Roadie did everything I asked of it with aplomb. If you live a relatively undemanding life it’s a fun way to cover all your bases in as small a format as possible. Even if you ask for more out of your EDC it’s a great backup knife or a people-friendly option for delicate situations. It may not be able to with you on an airplane right now, but it can go anywhere else without scaring anybody and without making you feel unprepared.

A note on price: at $50, the Roadie is expensive for what you’re getting. But it’s so friendly and fun, I can’t really crack down too hard on it for this. My particular Roadie originally came to me on loan from Gear Geeks Live After Dark co-host Mike Rixman. Within ten minutes of opening the package I made an attempt to buy it off him. I got mine for a little less than $50, but even at full price I would have already gotten my money’s worth in terms of carry and use. I think you’ll be surprised how often you reach for the Roadie, and I recommend it highly.

Spyderco C189PBL Roadie Folding Knife, Blue, 2.09-Inch

List Price: $54.24

Current Price: $47.92

Price Disclaimer

I recommend purchasing the Spyderco Roadie at Amazon. 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.

KA-BAR Dozier Folding Hunter Review

by Benjamin Schwartz 6 Comments

The KA-BAR website tends to be pretty laconic with its product descriptions in general, but the terse, colorless description they provide for the KA-BAR Dozier Folding Hunter would make the editor of technical manuals nod off mid-sentence:

“Award-winning lock back designed by Bob Dozier is an affordable, practical all-purpose knife appropriate for daily tasks. Features a reversible pocket clip and thumb stud.”

I can certainly sympathize with the KA-BAR copy editor. On a superficial level, what is there to say about the simple Dozier Folding Hunter? It was originally released in 2003, and as far as I can tell it has hardly changed at all since then, submerged in the nearly-empty waters of the sub-$20 big brand knife bracket like one of those ancient fish that have kept their prehistoric forms for millions of years.

On the other hand, such longevity without change is virtually unheard of, especially in the budget realm, where we’ve already forgotten that the Spyderco Tenacious used to be the absolute cutting edge under $40 just a few years ago. Like the Tenacious, the Dozier won Best Buy at Blade Show the year it released. Unlike the Tenacious, the Dozier remains relatively unchallenged at its price point. It’s still one of the original freaks of the knife world, a sui generis offering that nothing much really directly compares with.

It was a knife I have been meaning to try out for a long time. So I picked up a trio of Dozier Folding Hunters to see what there was to see. Is it still a watermark in the budget realm, or a fossil from a different age? Let’s take a closer look.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Dozier has a blade length of 3”, a handle of 4-3/16”, and an overall length of 7-1/4”. It weighs 2.4 oz and is made in Taiwan. There is a smaller Dozier but I think the full-size model is the one you should go with. It still weighs nothing and you get a jump up in utility with the increased blade size.

A fit and finish note: while general fit and finish was good across all three Doziers I purchased, there was some variance between the blades grinds. The blue one fared the worst, with a noticeable recurve. The olive green sample was better, albeit with an uneven edge grind – the sharpened edge goes down farther on side than the other. Leslie’s Zombie Green model was far and away the winner, with a truer edge and clean, consistent grind.

I don’t like playing the “What do you expect for $20” card because, even when I shell out $20, I expect a good knife made to consistent quality standards. So it’s definitely a mark against this knife that there is so much variance here. However, I would be fibbing if I said it made the slightest bit of difference in cutting or sharpening.

Depending on where you go this model’s blade is called a “spear” in some places, a “hunter” elsewhere, and a “drop point” in still others. Hairsplitting aside, it’s a great blade shape; there’s not much you can’t do with it, and the 3” length is just right. It’s also another exhibit in the case for hollow grinds in mid-size blades: I think they perform better overall, especially outside of food prep tasks. Even with a fairly narrow blade profile, the Dozier zips through material effortlessly.

It’s easy to get repetitive in describing steels, but to be brief: AUS-8 is just great. Highly corrosion resistant, easy to sharpen, and offering good edge retention, I think it is demonstrably better than 8Cr13MoV. It’s the perfect steel for a first-time knife user or for someone who doesn’t really care about knives and just needs something that will work for a long time. One of these Doziers went to work with my girlfriend every day and she appreciated that it held up well to regular use. Even for us enthusiasts it holds plenty of appeal.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The Dozier’s handle is stripped of all embellishment. A simple bow shape, designed to accommodate the curvature of the human hand. Construction is equally simple, a two-piece Zytel build, with the partial backspacer integral to the off-side scale. Diamond texturing molded into the Zytel imparts a decent amount of grippiness here.

The handle’s simplicity works in its favor. One issue with ergonomic details like finger choils is that they always mean the knife favors a certain grip. Even a wonderfully comfortable knife like the Strider PT CC works better in the forward grip than in reverse or pinch grips because of its famous double finger grooves. The Dozier’s simplicity may not be as immediately gratifying, but it is never problematic, never less than accommodating. Try and find an uncomfortable grip on this knife: if you manage to do so, you’re probably holding it by the blade.

The reversible pocket clip is long and slender, and recessed into the handle like a Sebenza clip – a nice detail because it prevents side-to-side wiggle. Although thin, it is made from a fairly thick piece of steel – mostly a good thing as it is extra durable, but it does mean that retention is pretty tight. Things should loosen up over time (and thankfully the clip’s retention point is on a non-textured surface in the center of the handle), but even out of the box, it’s far from unusable. The knife itself is nice and thin in addition to being lightweight – an easy carry in almost all circumstances.

Deployment and Lockup

For deployment the Dozier utilizes a single, reversible thumb stud. I’ve always like the single thumb stud idea – just seems like a more efficient use of material, which of course is in keeping with the generally efficient, streamlined design of this knife.

As with any lockback there’s friction during deployment, but the blade can be flicked out or slow rolled with relative ease after a little break-in. One interesting element of the Dozier is the complete absence of washers or bearings: instead, the blade pivots on raised, washer-shaped areas of Zytel. Even with this rudimentary construction, the primary sensation during opening is one of smoothness. This was consistent across all three review samples.

The Dozier’s lockback has some definite spring to it. It snaps into an open position and disengages with an audible pop. Lockup is sound: there’s no side-to-side play, although a slight up and down movement can be detected. Almost all lockbacks I’ve owned exhibit this to greater or lesser degrees so I’m not worried about it. I’m confident in saying that the Dozier could withstand a fair bit of hard cutting before you’d notice any issues with the lock. And along with the clip and thumb stud, it means the Dozier is 100% ambidextrous.

KA-BAR Dozier Folding Hunter – Final Thoughts

The Dozier is a knife from a different age. It predates our modern obsessions with lock types, flipping action, celebrity designers (Bob Dozier may be a legend but his name doesn’t have the current cachet of a Jesse Jarosz or Rick Hinderer) and all other knife nerd fallalery. There’s nothing wrong with enjoying these things, but there’s something bracing about carrying a knife that ignores so much of them and still functions so well. It’s a real tonic for today’s overexposed, oversaturated, overanalyzed knife world.

After fourteen years on the market, the Dozier is still one of the best deals around. It makes no real compromises and has no real weaknesses other than a lack of visual appeal. An enthusiast would never want this to be his only blade, but realistically it does all that you should ask of a folding knife. It won’t be my last knife – and it won’t be yours – but it could be if we ever shake the knife collecting bug.

KA-Bar Dozier Folding Hunter Knife

List Price: $22.91

Current Price: $18.99

Price Disclaimer

I recommend purchasing the Ka-Bar Dozier Folding Hunter at Amazon. 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.

Spartan Blades Metis Review

by Grayson Parker 1 Comment

Few companies have the pedigree that Spartan Blades does. I rarely hear them pop up in conversation among gear geeks, but that hasn’t stopped them from accumulating a small hoard of Blade Show awards. Between the aforementioned awards and the extensive Special Forces resumes of the two founders, I’m surprised they don’t get more chatter. Maybe they do, just not among folks I know.

As Dan covered in his review of the Horkos, Spartan’s reputation is firmly grounded in its fixed blades and (though I hate the overuse of the term) “tactical” folders. This reputation was so entrenched that when I was offered a Metis in trade, I had to triple check the dimensions. There was no way Spartan made a sub-3” blade…right? Curiosity piqued, I went ahead with the trade. How would an everyday carry knife designed by former Special Forces handle mundane tasks? The short answer: better than I expected, given recent trends among overbuilt folders.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Spartan Blades Metis is close to my ideal size for a pocket folder. It features a 2.7” blade housed in a 4” handle, and the entire package (sans clip) weighs in at 2.79 ounces. Those numbers look pretty good, especially when you consider the all metal construction. A knife this size is well suited to a range of everyday tasks, from opening packages to light food preparation. It’s also legal to carry in a wide range of jurisdictions, as it falls under the common 3” blade limit.

If there is one aspect of the Metis that grabs my attention, it’s the blade shape. Most folks would probably call it a drop point, but the dip along the spine gives it something akin to a harpoon’s profile. Whatever the nomenclature, it’s fantastic. There’s enough belly for slicing cuts, but not so much that the edge slides out of the cutting medium during push cuts. The harpoon-ish profile – in addition to reinforcing the tip of the blade – leaves a dip in the rounded spine that’s a perfect resting place for a thumb.

For enthusiasts, Crucible’s S35VN is no longer news. In fact it pretty much serves as a benchmark against which we compare other steels. It has a proven track record as a “do-everything” steel: it chips less and is easier to sharpen than its predecessor S30V, with comparable or better edge retention and rust resistance. I didn’t strenuously test the steel in this case, but I was mostly using it as a gentleman’s folder, and it hasn’t needed any maintenance in the few months that I’ve had it.

When I did use the Metis, it outperformed my expectations. No, it didn’t pass the apple test, but it did well enough that my insensate pinky never started twitching nervously. It behaved similarly while breaking down cardboard boxes: not the best, but good enough to flex into the role. The old saying “jack of all trades, master of none” is appropriate here.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Carry

There’s not much that can be said about the handle of the Metis. Like so many of its competitors, it’s another slab-handled, titanium-on-titanium knife. So what makes the Metis stand out in a crowd? That’s difficult to answer. The show side of the Metis is beautifully simple; between the milled backspacer and the singular visible screw, it seems almost hewn from titanium. The lock side couldn’t be more different. Every screw that was hidden on the show side is plainly visible, and the milling for the lock bar in conjunction with the overtravel stop give it an aesthetic not far off from a circuit board. With that in mind, it’s arguable that Janus is as fitting a namesake as Metis.

Ergonomically, the Metis ranges from unoffensive to pleasant, depending on the task. It never stood out as being great, but neither did it stand out as being horrible – which surprised me given the odd placement of hard angles. If the knife is resting in your fingers, chances are you’re not gripping it so tightly that the angles will have an impact on the ergonomics. By contrast, if you’re gripping it so tightly that the angles would matter, you’re probably holding it farther back in your palm where the angles won’t cause any hot spots. At least, that was my experience. The generous chamfering and subtle curve of the handle are certainly factors here.

The best I can say about the pocket clip on the Metis is that I understand some of the design impulses behind it. It’s attractive and fits the overall aesthetic. The screws for the pocket clip are hidden (meaning they screw in from the interior), which is a nice touch, though it makes removal inconvenient. In slacks, dress pants, or particularly thin jeans, this pocket clip works fine. Beyond that, the news isn’t as nice. The clip doesn’t have much spring to it, so to compensate it doesn’t make contact with the handle scale. Ultimately, this restricts the number of ways to comfortably carry the Metis.

Problems with the clip aside, the Metis is a pretty quiet pocket companion. Most of the time I carried it in the leather slip I use for traditional knives, and while it was a bit of a tight fit, the slip ensured that the Metis didn’t slide out of my pocket or roll to the bottom and cause discomfort. I’d have preferred to carry this with a clip, but it wasn’t onerous to forego it. My CRK Mnandi has a great pocket clip, but I still carry it in a pocket slip more often than not.

Deployment and Lock-Up

The blade of the Metis is deployed solely by the flipper tab. As the entirety of the blade is housed within the handle, there is no pinch point which would facilitate two-handed opening. Though slightly disappointing – it’s always a feature I like to have on a “dress” knife – I can’t fairly complain, as a wider blade wouldn’t carry as well. This flipper is meant to be pulled (like a light switch) rather than pushed. Deployment is thoughtless, reliable, and doesn’t generate discomfort, even if you’re using the Metis as a fidget toy.

The ease of deployment is in part thanks to the caged bearings the blade rides on. I’m of two minds regarding the use of bearings in folding knives: on one hand, they allow for silky smooth pivots, but on the other they’re far more susceptible to grime and grit than traditional washers. (Addendum: I’ve been informed that I may be wrong on this account. More information is welcome in the comments.) On a knife like the Metis caged bearings are fine. A knife this size is clearly in the “EDC/gentlemen’s” category, and not intended for hard use.

At this point, there’s not much that can be said about a well-executed framelock, and the lock on the Metis certainly qualifies as such. The lock face consistently engages 50% of the blade tang, disengaging the lock is easy, and there’s only a fraction of a hair of wiggle in the lock, which vanishes in use. A steel lock insert could fix that, but the only titanium framelock I’ve ever handled that doesn’t have that slight amount of play is the Mnandi, and that knife certainly isn’t being flipped open like the Metis.

Spartan Blades Metis – Final Thoughts

Currently, it’s difficult to find a Metis in stock anywhere. My understanding is that this design hasn’t been discontinued, Spartan just hasn’t released any batches recently. Hopefully when Spartan comes back to it, they do so with an eye towards improvement, because there are a few changes that I’d like to see. The bones of a truly great knife are here, and it wouldn’t take much to flesh it out.

First, the pocket clip needs to be redesigned. A nondescript spring clip with outside accessible screws would be far more functional. Second, eliminate the overtravel stop by incorporating a steel lock face into the frame lock. This would eliminate the scant play there is and clean up the lock side of the knife. Those two changes would improve the function and form of the Metis, and (designing and retooling costs aside) I can’t imagine it costing more to produce than the current design. By moving away from a sculpted clip, it may actually cost less.

When they were available, the Metis sold for $340. That’s quite a bit of money – especially for a pocketknife – and the competition is stiff. The obvious comparison is the Small Sebenza. I can’t make a direct comparison (I’ve never owned a Sebenza) but I do own an Mnandi. The best way I can describe it is that if the Metis is practically flawless, the Mnandi is flawless. Of course, no Chris Reeve knife has a flipper, so Spartan is ahead of the game in that department.

Is the Metis still worth buying in the meantime? If you can find one, and if the design speaks to you, I’d say yes. It’s well made, attractive in its own right, and can flex into a number of different roles. If my complaints dissuade you, I’d recommend keeping an eye on Spartan Blades in the meantime.

Spartan Blades Metis Folding Flipper Knife Titanium SF4SWXX

List Price: $340.00

Current Price: $340.00

Price Disclaimer

I recommend purchasing the Spartan Blades Metis at BladeHQ, KnifeArt, and Amazon. 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.

Buck 505 Knight Review

by Dan 3 Comments

When we think of Buck lockbacks, our first thought goes to the 110. That’s the knife that launched a genre, and started thousands on their journey as folding knife collectors. The 110 remains one of the most iconic and popular folding knives today. At least on paper. In practice it’s a bit of a boat anchor, and by today’s standards you can see that we have come a long way from the 110.

If you are looking for some of the old school charm of the wood and bolsters of the 110, but want something more practical, then I think the Buck 505 “Knight” may be a better option.

The 505 shares the 110’s aesthetic, but is a fraction of the size. It’s slim, light, yet polished up enough to wander into gentleman’s folder territory. And it’s also well under $50. Frankly I was surprised to learn about this knife, and picked up after a reader asked me to review it. I figured it would have come up more in the circles I frequent. At any rate, the 505 shall be a mystery no longer, and I look forward to sharing a review of this sleeper blade with you today.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Buck 505, aka the “Knight” has an overall length of 4.6″, a 1.875″ blade, and weighs 1.35 ounces. The Knight is made in the USA. The 505 Knight is one of the smallest knives in my collection. It’s tiny, even when compared with my Spyderco Dragonfly. It may be too small for some, or relegated to the role of a backup knife. Still, it’s a capable little blade and has performed admirably as an EDC knife.

The 505 has a simple drop point blade with a high hollow grind. It is simple with a belt satin finish. The tip is not particularly fine, and when they put the edge on this knife they bumped the plunge line with the belt grinder. The edge is almost a continual belly. It has been neatly applied, and came razor sharp from the factory.

Predictably this knife comes in Buck’s 420HC steel. I was actually pleasantly surprised with how this little knife cut. It still shaved hair after breaking down a good size cardboard box. It does fine with opening letters and packages, slicing fruit, and performing other light duty EDC chores. I have been able to maintain the edge with light stropping. Maybe that Bos heat treat is more than mere marketing.

Handle, Ergonomics and Carry

The 505’s handle is made of stainless steel. There are no liners, and the handle is milled from 2 slabs of steel that sandwich a stainless steel backspacer and lock bar. Stabilized Rosewood handle scales are riveted on. Handle construction is simple but solid. The bolsters and rivets have been buffed to a high polish, and the transition between the scales and the bolsters is baby bottom smooth. The end result is a knife with gem like qualities. This attention to detail elevates the 505 from humble tool to more of a more refined piece.

The downside to such a small knife is you have less to grip onto. With the 505 you are afforded a 3 finger grip, maybe a 3.5 if you choke up onto the blade. However, you can still get a lot done with the Knight. I have no issue breaking down boxes, cutting string, and using the 505 for other light duty tasks. I wouldn’t recommend the knife to a rancher or police officer, but the 505 makes for a capable backup knife, a light duty EDC, or even a gents folder.

Although it would spoil the lines, I can see the advantage to having a lanyard hole on this knife. It might make the 505 a little easier to retrieve from the pocket and provide something for your pinky to grab onto a la the CRKT Minimalist. That said, I’ve never been a fan of lanyards on folding knives, and I don’t miss having one on the Knight.

There is no pocket clip on the 505, so I can only comment on how this knife carries loose in the pocket. The Knight is the kind of knife that disappears into the pocket. That should come as no surprise as it’s a slim sub 2 ounce knife. You may want to consider carrying the 505 in a slip sheath if you can find or make one small enough. Another option could be or carrying the 505 in the coin pocket of your jeans.

Deployment and Lockup

This is traditional lockback, and the 505 comes with a nail nick to open the blade. It’s a generous nail nick, and that combined with the saber grind gives you plenty to grip on to as you grip the knife. The backspring is mild. There is no chance of the knife opening accidentally, but it won’t take much effort to manipulate the blade open either.

That same mild backspring makes the lockback mechanism easy to disengage. The tab is placed at the very end of the knife, so there is no danger of accidentally releasing the blade in your hand, but when you are ready to close the 505 it will not be a chore. Lockup is tight and free of blade play. The 505 performs just like you would expect from a good lockback. Blade centering is perfect on my example.

Buck 505 Knight Review – Final Thoughts

The 505 Knight may be the surprisingly good little lockback that you have never heard of. Or maybe I’ve been living under a rock. Regardless, I am glad I came across the 505 as I think it represents an interesting value proposition. This is a more practical alternative to the 110 for the urban EDC crowd, and is an all around nice knife.

The biggest potential issue is whether the 505 swings too far in the opposite direction of the 110. While the 110 is a big and bulky knife, the 505 is diminutive. It is probably the smallest knife I have reviewed. You can’t get a full 4 finger grip on it, and the absence of a pocket clip or lanyard hole increases the likelihood of misplacing the knife. Personally, I haven’t been bothered by the small size, but there are limitations to the 505 and they may be too great for you to seriously consider this as your daily carry. In that instance the 505 may still be appealing as a backup EDC option or a dress knife.

Another option may be to jump up to the 501 Squire or the 503 Prince. There aren’t any particularly good size comparisons on these knives, but here is a link to an old BladeForums thread with some pictures and opinions. Maybe I need to pick some up for a proper comparison?

For under $40 you get a solidly built folder that is made in the USA and nicely finished. The cutting performance is surprising given the 420 HC steel. That said, the Knight is not perfect. I wish a little more care was taken when they put the edge on it, but for the money I’m not sure I can complain. And the handle construction and performance make up for it. I say buy it if you like it.

Buck Knives 0505RWS KNIGHT Folding Pocket Knife

List Price: $35.58

Current Price: $34.09

Price Disclaimer

I recommend purchasing the Buck 505 Knight at Amazon. 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.

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