Gentleman's Folder

DPx Aculus Review

The first time I noticed a gear company use the words “executive protection,” I was browsing the Goruck website. I was in the market for a backpack (my Jansport had succumbed to a combination of heat, dirt, and heavy loads) and saw that Goruck had recently released a sleeker bag that was stripped of the exterior MOLLE webbing. Their product literature claimed that these design changes were meant to appeal to individuals working in high-end private security. While I thought the justification was a little silly, the design was still attractive to me – all the moreso because I am (contrary to what you may have heard) not working in executive protection.

Some time passed, and I had entirely forgotten about it. Then it cropped up again: Triple Aught Design had finally gotten around to releasing a pair of jeans, but marketed them to the corporate security crowd. I can tell you from personal experience that the jeans are awesome, but again the marketing was confusing.

Enter the DPx Gear Aculus: another lust worthy piece of gear that was apparently designed with undercover operations in mind. While I can’t speak for its effectiveness in that regard, I can tell you that it’s what I would expect Robert Young Pelton’s version of a “gentleman’s knife” to look like. If you believe the rumors, the Aculus was first designed on a napkin – though with R.Y.P.’s reputation, that doesn’t sound like a tall tale. The design was then licensed to LionSteel, who produced it as the TiSpine. Under the terms of the agreement, DPx would sell the Aculus in limited quantities and only sell it directly from their website.

DPx sells the Aculus as their “gentleman’s knife”; and, compared to the rest of their product line, that makes sense. However, when you are not comparing it to blades that are ¼” slabs of tool steel, that claim falls apart. I can’t presume to be a gentleman, but I’ve found myself in a suit on a few occasions, and none of them were situations where a knife like the Aculus would be appropriate. Does that mean that the Aculus is a bad knife? Far from it, but there are some caveats you need to be aware of.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Aculus has a blade length of 3.35”, a closed length of 4.33”, and weighs 3.53 oz. Overall, it’s a bit smaller than a Spyderco Paramilitary 2, but has a cutting edge about as long. Although I can’t quite see the resemblance to a scorpion tail (the namesake of the knife), I have to admit the blade shape is very attractive. There is plenty of belly, but not so much that the blade slips during fine cutting tasks. The swedge takes away a moderate amount of steel—not enough to compromise the tip geometry, but certainly enough to help with piercing tasks. It adds a nice aesthetic touch to boot.

Sadly, that durability makes the Aculus a poor slicer. It handled cardboard just fine, but food prep was challenging. This was disappointing, as picnic lunches seem to be one of the few true occasions where a “gentleman’s knife” is warranted. For some reason I had always assumed the Aculus featured a hollow grind. While that wouldn’t make it an insane cutter, it would be a big help. If you have an Aculus and feel that the blade is too thick behind the edge, I’d look into having it reground. However, that’s assuming that you do a lot of slicing. Many of today’s cutting tasks are just that: cutting. Breaking down boxes, opening packages, and other utility jobs don’t often require a thin blade, and in some cases it can even be a liability. As for me, I use my knives at lunch frequently and would prefer a hollow grind.

This was my first experience with Niolox steel, and online research provided confusing and often contradictory information. In this iteration, the steel was very impressive. I used the Aculus to prepare food, break down cardboard boxes, and even shave some drywall. It handled everything I threw at it, kept a working edge for a long time, and stropped easily. From what I saw online I expected corrosion to be an issue, but that hasn’t come up. DPx loves their tool steels, and I can’t see any reason why they shouldn’t.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Carry

Of course, the handle is the draw of the Aculus. Integral frame locks (especially at the production level) are technical marvels and a sign of how far the cutlery industry has advanced in recent years. DPx and LionSteel knocked it out of the park. The diamond pattern is striking – almost like corrugated steel brought to a high polish. Between the attractive curves, slight contouring, and aforementioned machining, the Aculus is quite pleasant in the hand. The handle is a bit slim, but the traction from the 3-D machining makes up for that. It’s comfortable in just about any grip, including when the knife is closed.

The Aculus is slim, contoured, and features an over-the-top pocket clip. Said pocket clip meets the butt of the handle at an angle, and while it does increase the rate of pocket wear in jeans, it nestles pleasantly in slacks and suit pants. Honestly, the only complaint I can make about the clip is that DPx etched their skull logo on the clip. I’m not one for logos, especially on a knife that’s supposed to be unobtrusive. It’s not that the logo is garish or without charm; it just feels out of place. I’d like to see the same approach they take with the ‘Triple Black’ series applied here, where most of the branding is hidden or left off. Robert Young Pelton’s design motif speaks for itself – you won’t mistake his style for someone else’s.

Deployment and Lockup

After doing some research on the internet, I was under the impression that the Aculus was – despite the cut out for the thumb – a two-handed opening knife. For the first three weeks that I had the Aculus, it was tricky to open it with one hand. It wasn’t until I saw a video on DPx Sean’s Instagram page that I realized the Aculus could actually be ‘coin-flipped’ open. Opening it that way is a little unintuitive, but once you get the hang of it it’s pretty easy, even addictive. I don’t know if that’s something I would recommend on a knife this nice, but if the folks at DPx can get away with it, I think the end user can too.

Throughout the testing period, the lock-up was fine. I didn’t have a problem with a sticky lock (which has plagued other DPx models) and the lock-up is stable at 70%. There is no blade play in any direction, and I never thought it would give. Still, integrals make me nervous. I can’t help but feel that if something goes wrong, you are up a certain creek without a paddle. A lock-bar insert (as featured on the LionSteel SR-1) would do a lot to put my mind at ease, but for whatever reason one wasn’t included here. Because of this, I have trouble with the “hard use” moniker. Bear in mind DPx has a stellar warranty service, so my fears are likely unwarranted.

DPx Aculus – Final Thoughts

I can’t refer to this as a “gentleman’s knife” or a “hard use” knife, much less both. The former because there is really no use for such a tool at an academic conference, at a cocktail party, a political function, or a courtroom. In some of those cases the Aculus would even be confiscated on the way in. If you’re the one doing the confiscating (for instance, working private security), then you probably need this knife for reasons that a twenty-something graduate student can’t relate to. As for the “hard use” claim, I’m skeptical enough of normal frame-locks in that role. Besides, the Aculus is really too pretty to shunt into rough tasks.

For modern knife enthusiasts, the Aculus pushes a lot of buttons. It is fun to fidget with, easy to carry, and drop-dead gorgeous. It doesn’t slice very well, but for most people that won’t be a big deal. Ultimately, even though the Aculus isn’t a “gentleman’s knife,” or a “hard use” knife, it’s quite impressive and undeniably attractive. For collectors and folks that don’t mind thicker blade grinds, I’d recommend this knife. However, if you regularly use your knives for food prep, this is one you might want to pass on. In either case, I’m excited to see what DPx will do in the future, even if I have to endure a bit of unnecessary marketing.

DPx Aculus – From $350.00
From: dpxgear.com

Note: The Aculus has been discontinued, so if you are looking to buy one at retail I think you will have a hard time. You may be able to snag a used one off the forums. I recommend buying other DPx knives at Amazon and BladeHQ. Please keep in mind that purchasing anything through the links on this website helps support BladeReviews.com. Thank you very much!

Editor’s note – having reviewed the TiSpine myself, I thought it would be fun to get Grayson’s take on the Aculus. I think he makes some valid points. Not my first choice for a gent’s folder, or a hard use tool, but it’s undeniably a beautiful knife and a marvel of engineering and craftsmanship. Well worth considering if you are at all intrigued by the design.

Opinel No. 8 Review

by Benjamin Schwartz 31 Comments

Do you want to hear another “the knife that got me into knives story?” No? Alright, I’ll spare you and just say that, a few years ago, it was the lines and material of the Opinel knife that caught my eye when I was wandering around labyrinthine hardware store/Boulder landmark McGuckin’s, and to this day I’m still plummeting headfirst down the rabbit hole.

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There are certain objects whose design is so complete that they have an innate, immediate appeal to the mind; the Opinel is such an object. And even now, years down the road, after many permutations in personal taste, I still carry and use my first real knife, the Opinel No. 8.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Opinel No. 8 is made in France. Each knife in the main Opinel line is given a number that is the approximate length of the blade in centimeters: the No. 8 is historically the most popular size. My No. 8 has a blade length of 3 3/16”, a handle length of 4 3/8”, and an overall length of 7 5/8”; it weighs just 1.6 oz.

The No. 8 is comprised of just five pieces: the blade, the wooden handle, a steel collar around the pivot, a pin to keep that collar in place, and the rotating Virobloc locking ring, which fits over the steel collar. It’s a hoary old quote, but since it’s from a French writer and we’re talking about a French knife, it seems appropriate: Antoine de St-Exupéry once said that “A designer knows he has achieved perfection not when there is nothing left to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.” The five parts of the Opinel are all integral to its function; a single addition would be superfluous, and a single subtraction would impact performance. The smaller Opinels (nos. 2-5) lack the Virobloc ring, but with a blade as large as the one on the No.8, I think the lock is necessary.

That blade is a beautiful, sweeping clip point, with a glorious full flat grind, unadorned save for a nail mark, the words “Opinel Carbone,” and the famous main couronnée logo stamped close to the pivot. The length of the No. 8 allows for excellent food-slicing capabilities; generally I don’t cut food with my pocket knives, but the ease with which the No. 8 does it is impressive. Beyond food prep, although it doesn’t look the part, the No. 8 can perform medium-duty EDC tasks like breaking down boxes with grace: I used it to cut up a ton of cardboard and, besides a white-hot blade, I had no issues. It is also wonderful for whittling. It has been said in a thousand different places, by myself and others, but simple blade shapes are the best, and the Opinel is a textbook example of this fact.

This is a carbon steel model, made from XC90 steel. This a soft, durable carbon steel, and like all carbon steels can rust easily. It also sharpens easily-easier than any other steel I’ve ever used, in fact, including the famously easy-to-sharpen Victorinox steel. XC90 responds to the stones with a plasticity that is shocking if you’re used to more ornery modern steels: the No. 8 will go from dull to super sharp in ten minutes. XC90’s softness also means that it recovers from abuse quite well, tending to roll instead of chip. It also means, of course, that it doesn’t stay sharp for all that long, but with how easy it is to put an edge back on I find it hard to complain.

I will say, though, that when I pick up another Opinel, I will opt for a stainless steel model. Opinel’s stainless steel of choice is 12C27N, an excellent steel, especially when you consider how inexpensive an Opinel is ($15ish), that will significantly lessen rust issues, as well as eliminate the weird taste carbon steel imparts to food (I’ve had my No. 8 for years and I still notice it). And it will still sharpen up readily when the time comes. Carbon steel has its place in the knife world, but in my opinion that place is in big fixed blades; on an EDC folding knife, I think it’s a suboptimal choice.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Carry

The standard Opinel handle material is wood, and the standard wood is Beech, which is (I believe, correct me if I’m wrong, woodsmen) what mine is made out of. It offers decent traction without any sort of gimping or other modern considerations. The handle is a sort of piscine shape, with a gentle curve instead of aggressive scalloping or finger grooves, and this, along with its round shape, make for an excellent knife in the hand. It’s really a ‘grip-neutral’ knife: it works equally well in all grips. The spine of the blade is flat, allowing for a place to put your thumb for extra control, and the flat butt-end of the knife creates a good spot for your thumb in a reverse grip.

There is no clip, of course. And you probably knew this the minute you saw the knife, but its round, hand-filling shape, although great from an ergonomics perspective, is less than stellar in the pocket; this knife will take up quite a bit of room if you want to EDC it. I don’t have an issue with it, but I generally go pretty light on pocketables, so your experience may differ. The good news is that it is made out of durable materials and won’t get dinged or scratched up by your keys and other paraphernalia, and at 1.6 oz. is very light.

Deployment and Lockup

The nail mark tells you that this will be a two-hand-opening knife. I know that some two-hand knives (like the Pingo) can be kind of ‘cheesed’ into opening with one hand, but you’ll have no such luck with the Opinel No. 8: the blade buries deep in the handle, so there isn’t any place for your thumb to gain traction.

The good news is that the No. 8 is a smooth, effortless opener. Unlike a slipjoint, it has no spring putting tension on the blade, and so it comes out without a struggle; indeed, I rarely use the nail mark, instead just preferring to pinch the blade and pull. The only time I’ve had issues with it is when the wooden handle has swollen some; this creates some tightness, but it’s temporary and doesn’t render the knife unusable regardless.

The No. 8’s blade comes out so smoothly, in fact, that I would feel uncomfortable using with without the Virobloc locking ring. This is a proprietary Opinel feature, and is basically a ring around the pivot collar of the knife that, when the knife is either opened or closed, can be rotated around until it meets up against the tang of the blade and locks it either open or closed.

I like the Virobloc a lot. As with deployment, locking it is a two-handed endeavor, but speed isn’t something you should come to the Opinel looking for. I can only guess how it would stack up in strength against other locks, because I’ve never had a lock of any sort fail on me, but if you use the No. 8 for the tasks it was designed for, I don’t think you’ll ever have any issue with the Virobloc.

One interesting historical note: there is a traditional opening method for the Opinel, called the Coup de Savoyard. You tap the beak of the Opinel’s handle on a table so the blade jumps out a bit, and then open it. Not any faster than just opening it normally, but undoubtedly classier.

Opinel No. 8 Review – Final Thoughts

The Opinel No. 8 is a great knife. It has one of the best blade shapes in the world, and a comfortable, attractive handle. The two major issues I have with it-the choice of steel and the bulky carry-can be addressed by getting a stainless steel model in a smaller size. But even as it stands, years after I first picked it up, and after a hundred other knives have passed through my hands, I still come back to the No. 8, and every time I do I am pleasantly surprised-although maybe I shouldn’t be; great design doesn’t get outmoded after all, and I think the No. 8 is one of the inarguable masterpieces of our hobby.

Sale

Opinel No.08 Carbon Steel Folding Pocket Knife with Beechwood Handle, Brown (2540089)

This essential tool is unchanged since 1890 and is a must have for outdoorsmen and handymen alike
The Stainless Virobloc safety ring has two sections, one fixed and one sliding for secure locking
Opinel's carbon steel is extremely hard, thereby guaranteeing excellent cutting quality
Handle is made from hard, durable Beechwood from France
Opinel products are guaranteed under normal use and exchanged in case of manufacturing defects

If you are thinking of buying an Opinel knife, I please consider purchasing it at Amazon.com. 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.

Fallkniven U2 Review

by Dan Jackson 6 Comments

They say less is more. That is, until, less becomes less. That is the question with the [U2, an ultra minimalist blade from Fallkniven. The U2 is about as simple of a knife as you could ask for. A slim, refined folding lockback with plain black handles, a gleaming laminated blade, and just enough hardware to hold it all together.

Buy the Fallkniven U2 at BladeHQ

Buy on Amazon

I’m no stranger to Fallkniven’s minimalist approach. I have found it works wonderfully in the context of a fixed blade and I have enjoyed their A1 and F1 tremendously. So the time has finally come to examine this little U2, which is arguably the brand’s most popular folding knife, and is marketed as the first folding knife with a Super Gold Powder Steel (SGPS) blade.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The U2 has an overall length of 5.9″, a 2.52″ blade, weighs 1.5 ounces, and is made in Japan. This knife is made for Fallkniven by Moki. There really is not much to this knife. Oddly enough, when the U2 first arrived I was most surprised with how small the box was. It was not much more than a matchbox. Needless to say, but the U2 is extremely lightweight and eminently pocketable.

The blade of the U2 is a simple drop point with full flat grind. There is no swedge or distinguishing feature, save for the ambidextrous nail nicks, laser etched Fallkniven logo, and demarcation between the steels of this laminated blade. This is about as simple as it gets. The tip is capable enough for household chores and there is a slight belly to the blade.

Fallkniven selected a laminated blade with VG10 cladding, and a Super Gold Powder Steel (SGPS) core. I discussed this steel a little in my review of the F1, but this is my first experience with it. On paper SGPS is a very interesting steel. It is heat treated to 62 HRc, and is sold at a serious premium on the F1 series.

In practice my initial reaction to the cutting ability of the U2 was underwhelming. This is a thin and sharp blade out of the box. I expected laser like performance on cardboard, but my knife was hanging up on something when I tried to cut with it. Don’t get me wrong, it cut, but it wasn’t the silky smooth performance I was expecting from a knife like this. In performing a little research for the review I realized that I was not alone, and the knife benefited greatly from a re-profiling.

I’m no expert at re-profiling, but I first attempted to “relieve the edge” a little with the 30 degree feature of my Sharpmaker. That didn’t give me the result I was after, and I ended up running it on the diamond stones of DMT Aligner. Now the U2 responds a lot better to cardboard, paper, and other fine slicing tasks. The blade stock is very thin, and so is the grind, but for whatever reason I needed to spend some time tweaking the edge before I could realize the knife’s full potential.

I found edge retention to be merely “OK”. I’d say it was a step up over VG10 and AUS8, but not leaps and bounds ahead. When it came time to touch up the edge on the rods of my Sharpmaker, it came back without a ton of work. I would place this steel above VG10, but I would not put it on the same level as ZDP-189 (at least in terms of edge retention). I had zero issues with corrosion resistance.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Carry

The handle of the U2 is injection molded Zytel, a high density plastic resin. It is lightweight, strong, and functional. However, fans of more substantial knives (including those that dislike the “plasticy” feel of the handles on the Griptilian) will likely not be a fan of the U2’s handle. Personally, I don’t mind the plastic feel of the handles. I have owned a number of zytel handled knives in the past, and have never had a problem.

However, this is one aspect of the knife that is tough for me to describe, and I don’t think pictures do a great job conveying the feel of the handle either. I will say the handle is nicely finished. The edges (save the inside edges) are nicely chamfered. There is as generous lanyard hole, and the pivot screw and single rivet give the knife a clean appearance.

The handle of the U2 is just big enough for me to get a full 4 finger grip on. Any smaller and this would become a 3-finger knife. I take an XL glove, so this handle should work for most people. There is no jimping to speak of on this knife. Not a bad thing if you ask me. The inside edges of the handle are a little sharp, but I otherwise found the U2 to be comfortable. The handle itself has a light texture to it. This isn’t a high traction handle, but it’s fine for normal tasks.

The U2 doesn’t have a pocket clip. The nice thing about the plastic handle, is that I have absolutely no reservations in dropping this knife into my pocket with my keys, loose change, etc. It wears well and I have zero concerns of marring the finish. At 1.5 ounces it is like carrying an Alox Cadet. You don’t notice the knife until you need it.

Deployment and Lockup

The U2 is equipped with dual nail nicks. These are generous nicks and they make it easy to open the knife. It is possible to open the knife one handed with a little finger gymnastics, but this was designed to be a 2 hand opener. At any rate, I have no issue with the nail nicks, but I did have an issue with the gritty and noisy pivot. I thought that was strange. I couldn’t see if there were washers inside the handle, so I ended up disassembling the knife and found that there were no washers. It’s metal on plastic.

I don’t need each knife in my drawer to be “Sebenza Smooth” but even my $20 Swiss army knife is smoother than the U2. For me that is a bummer and is one of my least favorite aspects of the knife. Bronze or even teflon washers would be welcome here like WD-40 on the hinge of a squeaky door.

For lockup we have a tried and true lockback mechanism here. The lock on the U2 is sturdy, although this isn’t a knife that I am going to start prying with. The blade snaps crisply in place, is free of play, and disengages with a press of the thumb. The lockback is perfectly fine for this kind of knife. I will say that the tang of the blade and the backspring of the lock do not have a particularly good transition. There is a noticeable “jump” between the 2 pieces of metal. Not a big deal for a user knife, but this is something I usually notice on a slip joint or lockback folder.

My blade is just a touch off center. Nothing rubs.

Fallkniven U2 Review – Final Thoughts

Frankly I am a little torn with the U2. Having had good results with Fallkniven’s fixed blade knives I was excited about finally acquiring the U2. It has generally received good feedback from Amazon and several other reviewers I respect, and I have been enjoying traditional knives and gentleman’s folders. So I thought I would really take to this one.

While I appreciate the practicality of it, I was disappointed by some aspects of the finish work of the knife. The edge required a good amount of tweaking to cut the way I wanted it to, I wasn’t blown away by the Super Gold Powder Steel, and the pivot and action of the knife is gritty thanks to the washer-less design.

On the plus side, it’s lightweight, pocketable, and cuts well once you get it profiled correctly. I think that it can be good as an urban carry or back up piece. So it really depends on what you care about. If you trend towards being anal retentive, then there are quirks with the U2 that may make it a deal breaker. If you are looking for an ultra-light, no-frills, EDC knife without a pocket clip, then it could be the perfect tool.

For my money, I would recommend either the Spyderco Dragonfly, Pingo or the Victorinox Cadet before the U2. I honestly like them more than this knife, and they are all significantly less expensive.

3D Peep Sight Fallkniven U2 Gemini Folding Knife

Closed length: 3.85 inches
Blade length: 2.52 inches
Blade material: lam.Sgps
Blade edge: plain
Point: drop point

With that said, if you are in the market to buy a U2, I recommend purchasing it at Amazon or BladeHQ. Please consider that buying anything through any of the links on this website helps support BladeReviews.com, and keeps the site going. As always, any and all support is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.

Great Eastern Cutlery #73 “Cody Scout” Review

by Grayson Parker 8 Comments

Last Update: August 11, 2019
Just a few years ago, it seemed that fans of traditional pocket knives and modern “tactical” folders didn’t intersect. Enthusiasts of modern designs (myself included) were often leery of the carbon steel, clipless carry, and two-handed opening. Before the days of Instagram, the most popular way for people to show off their everyday carry was via forum posts; and while it wasn’t uncommon to see something akin to a Case Peanut pictured alongside a Paramilitary 2, traditional knives were largely relegated to a back-up role. It didn’t help that more than a few of the companies producing traditional knives were bought out and had their labor outsourced to China, which meant that (at the time) quality of materials and manufacture plummeted.

Buy the the GEC Cody Scout at KnivesShipFree

However, over the last few years, companies like Great Eastern Cutlery and Queen have been taking up a larger share of the market for pocket knives. One of the first patterns produced by Great Eastern was the #73, which is based on the two-bladed trapper pattern, one of the classic American traditional knives. I went with a single blade pattern in green micarta. The blade pattern sacrifices some traditional flare in favor of greater utility, while the scales avoid some of the wear problems associated with the natural materials more often used with this type of knife.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The “Cody Scout” has a single clip point blade, measuring at 3 1/8 inches of 1095 high carbon steel, with a closed length of 3 ¾ inches, an open length of 6 15/16 inches, and weighs in at 2.25 ounces. Oftentimes, clip points come with an exaggerated top swedge, but fortunately Great Eastern chose a sleek, useful blade profile. The already thin stock is taken down to a very fine edge, though yours may need some reprofiling. Evidently Tom Krein is offering regrinds of several GEC knives. Personally, the stock is thin enough that I can’t see the value in having the blade reprofiled, but if anyone can do it right it’s Tom Krein.

Once I had the edge established on mine, it performed with aplomb at slicing tasks, though the 1095 needs regular touch ups. I’ve had better luck with my Sharpmaker than I have with my strop but your mileage may vary. 1095 is frequently seen on traditional folders, and all knives produced by Great Eastern under the Tidioute Cutlery brand make use of it. This steel tends to deform rather than chip out, so those of you who are tired of dealing with S30V’s chipping problems may be intrigued.

As for rust resistance, the steel on my #73 has performed admirably. If needed, I wipe down the blade after use. A dark patina has developed, which helps prevent the iron-like taste high carbon steels can leave during food preparation, and also protects the knife from the more serious red rust. It may sound odd, but I’ve had more problems with rust on 440c and Aus8a blades (both of which are technically stainless). This iteration of the #73 lacks most of the branding typically seen on knives produced by Great Eastern Cutlery. Apart from a tang stamp on each side of the blade, there are no markings, even on the shield inlay.

Handle, Ergonomics and Carry

Many traditional knives feature natural materials such as bone, stag, or wood as the covers (for you modern knife guys, scales). These materials are beautiful, warm to the touch, and offer an additional element of refinement over the usual selection of G10 and carbon fiber. However, as natural materials, they are more subject to warping and deformation, which may or may not be a concern to you. I live in what is essentially a desert, complete with triple digits, extreme aridity, and the occasional dust storm (a la The Mummy), and felt more comfortable with micarta. It is a material I never tire of, as it has an organic appearance (similar to bone or wood) but with most of the rigidity and resilience of synthetic materials.

Here, the green linen micarta has been sanded down to a smooth polish. The chamfering on the handles combined with the simple trapper frame makes the knife a pleasure in the hand. I’ve never had hot spots develop in use, and the blade is finished so well that it makes a fantastic worry stone (though I can’t advise that in public). Apart from a hairline gap between the back spring and the brass liner (which is only detectable by holding it up to the light), the quality of manufacturing is immaculate. The #73 is a popular pattern in the GEC line-up, so you will likely be able to select the cover material that suits you best.

I purchased a leather slip case along with the #73. Prior experience with traditionals and large Swiss Army Knives has shown me that clipless knives (barring exceptionally odd dimensions) tend to roll around in the pocket in the course of a day, and quickly become a hassle. The leather pouch is made by KnivesShipFree and distributes the weight of the knife in pocket. While it does add a step to accessing the blade, it makes a knife that I would normally consider unpocketable quite pleasant. Besides, if you are interested in quick access, a traditional is likely not the correct call to begin with. The quality of the slip case is excellent, but one of the nylon stitches (melted together) came loose. Quick application of Fabri-Tac solved the issue, though it’s something to be aware of. I opted for the weatherproof finish for this pouch, but that costs extra.

Walk and Talk

The pull on the Cody Scout is smooth, snappy, and very stout. Many reported that the #73 (not the Cody Scout in particular) was a “nail-breaker,” though mine isn’t nearly as tough. It’s worth noting that many of my friends have a hard time opening this knife. If you are acclimated to slip joints, you should be fine, but keep in mind this knife has a reputation for being a bear to open. I prefer to get the pull started with my thumbnail and pinch the blade from that point, as I find the extra purchase helps me open the knife in a more secure fashion. The half-stop doesn’t jerk the blade away from your fingers, which is a concern for some. I prefer slip joints with a strong pull, but that doesn’t mean this knife is safer because of it. As always, use knife sense and exercise caution.

GEC #73 Cody Scout – Final Thoughts

Traditional folders also exist in a space that many knife companies are leaving behind. As framelock flippers have taken over the market, we’ve seen a massive spike of options in the $200 plus range, while the options at less than $100 have stagnated. The average knife from Great Eastern Cutlery will cost you between $70 and $100, which undercuts many of the new offerings from Spyderco, Benchmade, and Zero Tolerance. Although the materials are not bleeding edge, they are from an era when knives were used much more frequently.

One of the reasons folks tossed a small traditional in their pockets on top of the modern knife they were carrying was that traditional knives have a very nonthreatening appearance. Modern folders can attract funny looks in the wrong environment, but traditional folders and multitools don’t seem to suffer from the same problem.

Whether due to clever marketing, an oversaturation of titanium framelock flippers, or a good value proposition, traditional knives are making a comeback. The tight manufacturing tolerances of companies such as Great Eastern and Queen lead me to believe that the resurgence of traditional knives will last.

I’ve been more than satisfied with the #73 in the month or so that I’ve owned it. The 1095 requires regular maintenance, but apart from that, this is close to my ideal everyday carry knife. If you’re the type to fuss over natural materials but want to give traditional knives a try, consider this blade. Personally, the “Cody Scout” seem more timeless than many traditional knives in production, which appear to be thoroughly grounded in the early twentieth century. Even if you’re only looking at traditionals as back-ups to more modern pocketknives, I’d point you to the #73. It possesses enough charm to put all but the most fervent of anti-knife folk at ease, but also wouldn’t be out of place next to a Sebenza.

GEC #73 Cody Scout – From $82.53
From: KnivesShipFree

Editor: I recommend purchasing the Cody Scout (and any of its derivatives) at KniveShipFree. 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.

Northwoods Knives Indian River Jack Review

by Dan Jackson 13 Comments

I have been interested in traditional slip joint knives for a while now. I am not alone. Many have come to enjoy the pocket friendly lines of a simple slip joint, and the thinly ground blades cut like nothing else. Some might find the absence of a lock unnerving, but in my experience most of the time a slip joint is more than enough knife for normal utility tasks.

Buy the Northwoods Indian River Jack at KnivesShipFree

As I wandered down the slip joint rabbit hole I eventually came across the Northwoods Knives Indian River Jack. Here is a simple single blade pattern, but with an upgraded blade steel (in this case, CPM-154). No other bells or whistles to speak of. Some might refer to this as an ever elusive “perfect EDC knife”.

The Northwoods Knives brand was purchased by Derrick Bohn of KnivesShipFree sometime around 2010-2011. Northwoods were originally made by Great Eastern Cutlery and Queen Cutlery (2 American companies specializing in traditional folders), and Derrick has continued the tradition of having the knives made in the USA by these manufacturers. The knife in this review was made by GEC, although the current version of the knife is made by Queen (at the time of writing this article, mid 2015). IRJ’s are released in small batches. Due to the limited supply and unique selling proposition of a 154CM blade, demand for the IRJ is out of control. The knives quickly sell out every time a batch hits Derrick’s website.

I was fortunate enough to snag one of the 2014 GEC manufactured IRJs, and have been carrying the knife for many months now.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The IRJ has an overall length of approximately 6.25″, a 2.5″ blade, weighs 2.2 ounces, and is made in the USA. This knife has a similar footprint to my cherished Victorinox Cadet, and is an ideal size for every day carry (EDC) in my book. Certainly, this makes for a fine gentleman’s folder. And given the limited quantities of the IRJ I would classify this as a collectible as well. As I try to compare the IRJ with other knives in my collection, I would almost classify this as a cross between the Cadet and CRK Mnandi.

The blade of the Indian River Jack is a simple drop point pattern. Again, it reminds me of the blade on the Cadet. Just dead simple. In this instance there is a very slight swedge. Still very simple. The blade has a full flat grind with satin finish, and is thin behind the edge. It is a beautiful slicer. Perfect for light tasks like opening mail and cutting up fruit, but certainly capable of tougher chores. It slides through cardboard, cuts rope, and whittles wood with ease.

My version of the Indian River Jack came in CPM-154 stainless steel. As much as I enjoy the charm of the high carbon steel blade on my GEC Viper, there is something to be said for the ease of maintenance of stainless steel. I can ride this knife hard, put it away wet (sometimes literally), and not have to worry about rust or heavy oxidation. I have been guilty of occasionally not cleaning and oiling my high carbon bladed slip joints as well as I should have, and coming back to find the blade covered with rust. Plus CPM-154 is just excellent steel. It takes an edge easily enough and holds it for a long time. Combine that with the super thin geometry of the IRJ’s grind, and you are left with almost unmatchable slicing performance.

Handle, and Ergonomics

The handle of the Indian River Jack is a simple pill shape, with nickle silver bolsters and brass liners. The handle comes in a variety of “covers” (handle scale materials). Mine happens to have jigged bone for the handle material, which is a handle material that I don’t have a lot of experience with. It certainly fits the traditional aspects of the knife. The nickle silver bolsters are highly reflective and lend a touch of class (and extra heft) to the IRJ.

Everything has been riveted together. Fit and finish is pretty good on my knife. The transition between backspring and spine of the blade on my example could be better, and there is a tiny gap between the liners and backspring. But beyond that the pieces line up and the finish work is nice. Given the price I am not disappointed.

In hand the Indian River Jack is a capable little knife. There is no jimping, no finger choils, no lanyard hole, no skull crusher pommel, no rubber inserts, or skateboard tape. Yet still the IRJ seems to work just fine. There is plenty to hold onto and I have enjoyed using the knife for a multitude of basic chores. As with any folding knife, it needs to be treated with care and respect.

While there is no pocket clip to speak of on the Indian River Jack, KnivesShipFree does include a leather slip case with the knife. The leather on the slip case is thick, and carrying the knife in the case is akin to carrying a small secondary wallet. Slip cases prevent the knife from getting beat up in your pocket, and I am a fan of these kinds of cases – especially for dressier pieces like this. It’s a nice touch and a great option for the IRJ, especially if you want to preserve the knife as a collectible.

Walk and Talk

I have disbanded with the usual “Deployment and Lockup” section since this is a slip joint. Instead, lets discuss the “walk and talk” of this modern traditional folder. The IRJ features a slim nail nick to access the blade. It is cut sharply and the knife is easy enough to open and close with two hands. This will never compare with the easy opening of a thumb stud, thumb hole, or flipper, but that is part of the charm of these older patterns.

The backspring on the IRJ is pretty snappy. I won’t proclaim to be an expert on the walk and talk of slip joints, but compared with some of my other slippies, I’d say it’s a on the strong side. The blade opens and shuts with a satisfying snap. There is no hard half stop, but the blade does seem to naturally rest in the half position. There is a little pinch of resistance there as you push the blade open or closed. All said the action on this slip joint is smooth and satisfying.

Indian River Jack – Final Thoughts

It should come as no surprise that I really like the Indian River Jack. The classic design, good fit and finish, and CPM-154 blade all serve to make it a winner in my book. Despite being somewhat rare and coveted, this is still a working knife at the end of the day. It isn’t perfect, but that makes it all the more endearing. Compared with the fancy folders of today, the $130 price tag is relatively modest.

In a way I have struggled to write this review. This knife is understated, but excellent. I wanted to give it the respect and appreciation it deserves without being over the top, because doing so would be incongruous with the knife. But maybe I should be over the top. This knife is worthy of the praise.

For those on the quest for the “perfect EDC knife”, the Indian River Jack could be a contender depending on your preferences. If you are like me, and gravitate towards small sleek knives for daily carry, then the IRJ checks a lot of boxes. Perhaps the limited availability is the biggest detractor to the IRJ. You have to scour the secondary market or keep an eagle eye on KniveShipFree (the only purveyor of Northwoods Knives) for when they get new shipments in. Regardless, the IRJ makes my list of best EDC knives. Highly recommended for fans of minimalist and traditional folding knives.

Indian River Jack – From $130.00
From: KnivesShipFree

I recommend purchasing the Indian River Jack at KnivesShipFree. 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.

Benchmade 485 Valet Review

by Dan Jackson 16 Comments

Last Updated: February 2, 2019

2013 and 2014 marked pretty quiet years for Benchmade. Not a whole lot of interesting stuff rolled off their shelves. The Volli was my favorite and has proven itself to be an excellent knife. Beyond that there wasn’t a whole lot to report.

Buy the Benchmade Valet at BladeHQ

Buy on Amazon

Benchmade’s 2015 SHOT Show releases actually looked pretty strong. The 485 Valet was one model that caught my eye. Perhaps most surprising was that the knives became available about a week after the show. Gone are the days of lusting over pre-production tools at SHOT only to find them released sometimes years later. Initially I was going to hold off on acquiring a Valet, but all it took were a couple positive affirmations from Tony regarding his knife and I had a Valet en-route to my office.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Valet has an overall length of 6.69″, a 2.96″ blade, and it weighs 2.18 ounces. The knife compares favorably to the Benchmade Mini Griptilian although it’s much sleeker. The low profile handle and spear point blade were innately appealing. This is a slim every day carry (EDC) piece that easily doubles as a gentleman’s folder with a more modern flair.

The Valet’s packs plenty of cutting edge, a high flat grind, and a sturdy tip all into a sub 3″ blade. The blade is ground thin and it almost cuts like classic slip joint (not a bad thing). I had no trouble zipping through boxes, bags, and all the little stuff that comes across my path. Everything from sliding between the folds of an envelope free a cable bill to de-boning chicken thighs for a stir fry.

Benchmade went with Bohler M390 stainless steel for the Valet. I have been putting M390 through its paces between this Valet and my ZT 0620. Heat treated to 60-62HRc, M390 is a super steel with superior edge holding abilities, yet it is still easy to maintain. I have been putting the Valet through it’s paces, and I’ve been happy with the results. I sliced up a big stack of cardboard in an informal “cut test” and managed to wear the edge down a bit after a while. I ended up sharpening the knife on the fine stones of my Sharpmaker. After just a few passes I could tell the edge was coming back, and I was able to quickly restore the edge to hair shaving, paper slicing performance. M390 is also very corrosion resistant.

M390 is apparently very expensive (on a podcast Tony and I determined that it appears to sell for 3x as much as a more normal steel). Given the option I would have selected a S30V or 154CM version if it meant a substantial reduction in purchase price, but I appreciate that Benchmade is interested in offering a premium product.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The Valet has a sleek gray handle with smooth G10 over milled out stainless steel liners, and a gray G10 backspacer. Handle construction is typical Benchmade quality. The G10 is contoured (3D machined) has been nicely finished. The steel liners are flush, and the backspacer sits solidly in the middle. I like the gray. It’s different, but nothing crazy. This isn’t a big handle, but it’s well made.

The Valet is a small knife and it feels like a small knife. I’m able to get a full grip on it, but there isn’t much room beyond that. It’s perfectly fine for little EDC tasks. There is no jimping, or much in the way of notable ergonomic features. The little knife sits in your hand well enough, and is more than adequate for normal use. I did not find the smooth G10 to be “slippery” and did not have any issues using the knife normally.

The pocket clip is a nice stainless steel deep carry clip. It buries almost completely into the pocket and is discrete. The handle is drilled and tapped for ambidextrous tip up carry. I like this clip and I think it works well.

The Valet also carries really well. At under 3 ounces and you quickly forget the knife is in your pocket. Perfect as either a discrete primary EDC or a lightweight backup knife.

Deployment and Lockup

This is an axis lock knife, with thumb studs. Usually, that would be all I need to hear, but I am concerned that this time Benchmade may have tried to do too much with too little. The positioning of the thumb studs and axis lock feels cramped. The axis lock is smaller than on other axis lock knives, and the thumb studs sit very close to the handle. The knife looks cool, and it certainly works, but it isn’t the most comfortable knife to open and close repeatedly. I’ll be curious to see if anyone shares that opinion with me.

Lockup on my knife is good. Out of the box there was a tiny bit of horizontal blade play, and a little more developed after a month of use. Pretty much all of my axis lock knives have a little play in them unless I tear them down and loctite the pivot. I know some people aren’t fans of the axis lock (too many moving parts and small springs to break), but I have always liked them. This one is smaller than I’m used to, but it still works.

Benchmade Valet Review – Final Thoughts

I am a little divided on the Valet. On one hand, it is a really slick little folder. I have been getting more and more into gents folders for daily carry, and visually this one ticks a lot of boxes for me. I like the smooth G10 handles, and the thin flat grind and spearpoint blade are excellent. My knife came well finished, and I didn’t run into any major QC issues that some folks have reported on first run Benchmades.

But a couple things turn me off on the Valet. The fiddly “landing gear” (small thumb studs placed very close to the knife and small axis lock) is my biggest concern. I would not recommend this knife for people with larger hands. I’m not Andre the Giant, but the position of the lock and thumb studs seems too tight for repeated use (or the mindless flicking open and closed of pocket knives while watching TV). Certainly this could be a “Your Mileage May Vary” thing. This is a beautiful knife, but I think BM leaned a little into far into “form over function” territory on this one.

I also think the price is also worth mentioning. $170 is a large sum for a small knife. I would have loved to see the Valet on the tail end of $150, and not on the tail end of $200. I realize that M390 is expensive material, and I think that folks who really appreciate a premium steel will have an easier time justifying the cost. Personally, I am not convinced this steel is worth the extra money.

But I don’t mean to end this review on a down note. The Valet potentially has a lot to offer. If it fits your hand well then there is little left to complain about. The Mini Griptilian is still my go to small Benchmade, but the Valet could be a worthy upgrade if it fits your hand and budget.

Benchmade - 485 Valet Knife, Drop-Point Blade, Plain Edge, Gray G10 Handle

HIGH-QUALITY: The M390 premium stainless steel blade offers exceptional cutting ability, wear resistance, and corrosion resistance. The G10 handle is durable, impervious to moisture, and stable under extreme temperatures.
WELL-DESIGNED: Benchmade's AXIS lock is exceptionally strong and fully ambidextrous. The 485 is a manual knife that can be opened and closed with one hand.
COMFORTABLE: The 485's lightweight design and contoured handle make it comfortable to hold and use. The reversible pocket clip offers ultimate accessibility.
VERSATILE: The Valet 485's drop-point, utility blade style and all-around functionality make it ideal for everyday carry and use.

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