Gentleman's Folder

CRKT Eros SS Review

Last Updated: August 7, 2019
It is cool to see the trickle-down effect at work. 5 years ago, if you wanted to buy a bearing equipped manual action framelock flipper you either forked over the dough for a custom knife, or it simply didn’t exist. 3 years ago, if you wanted one you had to shell out the $225 for a Zero Tolerance 0560. Today, you can get into bearing equipped manual flippers for as little as 30 bucks.

Buy the CRKT Eros at BladeHQ

Buy on Amazon

I must admit that I was a touch skeptical when I purchased a CRKT Swindle. I figured at that price something definitely had to give. I was wrong. What an awesome blade. So when CRKT announced the release of a plain stainless steel handled Eros I was pretty confident that it would be worth my while. I wasn’t so crazy about the baroque handle or the $100 price tag of the original Eros.

At around $45, this plain version is much more in line with knives like the Skyline, Leek, Zancudo, and Rat II… all blades I would consider to be rockstar budget knives.

Like the Swindle, the Eros SS is a manual action flipper designed by Ken Onion and equipped with an IKBS bearing system. Where it departs from the Swindle is that it’s a little more traditional in its design and appearance.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Eros comes in two sizes: large (the subject of this review) and small. The large Eros SS has an overall length of 6.94″, a 2.84″ blade, and weighs 3 ounces. The small Eros SS has an overall length of 4.96″, a 2.03″ blade, and weighs 1.5 ounces.

For me the large Eros is the way to go. Frankly I can’t imagine using a smaller version of this knife, as this size is about perfect for me to easily manipulate the blade open and get a full grip. The small version is, well, really damn small. That is fine I suppose for some applications, but since the Eros is such a delicate knife to begin with I really appreciate the larger version. CRKT bills these as gentleman’s folders and every day carry (EDC) knives, and I used mine for light EDC work.

The blade of the Eros is a almost a sliver of stainless steel. This is among the most delicate of blades I have handled, which is fine if you mostly use the knife for letters and boxes as I have. My Eros has sat on my desk at work for months now and gets plenty of work opening the daily deluge of mail. The ultra fine tip and gentle curve to the belly is perfect for getting under the fold of an envelope. CRKT went with a thin hollow grind with a long swedge and deep satin finish. Just like on the Swindle, the spine of the blade has been rounded a la Chris Reeve Knives.

I love the extra attention CRKT has spent on the blade. It’s hard for me to capture in photos, but this is a beautiful little blade and is perfect for light use. Of course great care needs to be taken with the tip. This isn’t something you will want to process a deer with or use to remodel a kitchen.

The Eros SS runs AUS8 blade steel, which is par for the course for a small knife at this price point. I haven’t done anything too extreme with my Eros, but the blade has busted open plenty of boxes, cut lots of paper, and it holds up well to that kind of use. It is extremely easy to sharpen and maintain and is heat treated to 57-58 HRc. The satin finish should hold up better against rust better than the bead blasted finish we often see this steel come in. No complaints here.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The Eros has full bead blasted stainless steel handles, leaving the knife with a faux titanium appearance. This is a simple handle design with 2 stainless steel standoffs, a slender lockbar cut out, and screw together construction. There is a lanyard hole, which could be useful if you decide to remove the pocket clip. All said handle construction is great. CRKT did not get fancy 3-D machining the handle like on the Swindle, but the simple handles function well and allows the eye to wander to the beautiful blade.

The Eros is a small but comfortable knife to use. I am able to perch all 4 fingers on this handle, with maybe a 1/4″ or so to spare, so it should accommodate most people. There is no jimping or texture to speak of, save for 4 notches on the flipper tab. Some may bemoan the lack of texture on this handle, but for light duty this is fine. I have had no trouble using this knife for light EDC tasks around the house and at my office.

The Eros has a pocket clip situated for right side tip down carry only. I have complained pretty heavily about most of Ken Onion’s funky pocket clip designs in the past, and this Eros clip still leaves something to be desired in my book. It isn’t terrible, but I would prefer a more standard clip. That said, this clip functions fine. It feels somewhat thin but is actually very secure slipped to the pocket of a pair of dress pants. Although the Eros isn’t ridiculously heavy, being a solid steel framelock it is a denser knife and I do notice it a little in pocket.

Deployment and Lockup

The Eros SS is an IKBS equipped manual action flipper. The detent is well tuned, and the blade pops open reliably with the push of a finger. CRKT has done a great job with their IKBS flippers and I am no less impressed by the action of the Eros than I was on the Swindle. Today we may take stuff like this for granted, but I think the fact that for $45 or so you can get a nice bearing equipped manual flipper designed by a world renown custom knife maker is just incredible.

For lockup with have a stainless steel frame lock. Mine engages about 95%, and is very secure. There is no blade play. There is not much as far as a relief in the handle to disengage the lock bar, although there is a little scalloping for your thumb to grab on to. This isn’t a problem, but is another reason why I prefer the Large Eros over the Small version. Any smaller than this and it just gets kind of futzy to deal with. It is worth mentioning that the blade is perfectly centered.

CRKT Eros SS Review – Final Thoughts

I can’t help but compare this knife with the stainless steel Leek. As many of you know, Ken designed the Leek for Kershaw many years ago, and it has endured as a top budget friendly EDC choice to this day. It is also a stainless steel framelock flipper (although it does come in a liner lock version as well). I like the Eros a little more than the Leek. The addition of a satin finished blade with a slight belly and slightly reinforced tip is nice. I also much prefer the unassisted opening of the Eros over the spring assisted Leek. I like how the Leek is made in the USA, and would say that the build qualities are close to on par.

Another obvious comparison would be the acclaimed CRKT Swindle. Perhaps my favorite knife from CRKT to date, I think the Swindle is a little more interesting than this knife with its 3-D machined handles and swayback styling. Functionally, the Swindle is actually a little bigger and stouter than the Eros, although both should be considered EDC / gent’s folders.

All said, the Eros SS is a winner. This is more of a classic design from Ken, but it still has some of his flourishes. Those pesky pocket clips can always be complained about, but beyond that I have a hard time finding fault with the Eros SS. The tip is very delicate, and for that reason this is not a budget knife that can take a beating like my Zancudo or Rat II.

If you are looking for a more traditional gentlemanly high value framelock flipper then the Eros SS is well worth considering. Mine has performed admirably and I am impressed with how well made it is. For $45 you really cannot go wrong.

CRKT Eros EDC Folding Pocket Knife: Gentleman's Knife, Everyday Carry, Satin Blade, IKBS Ball Bearing Pivot, Frame Lock, Stainless Steel Handle, Pocket Clip K456XXP

Fast Opening: IKBS ball bearing pivot deploys the blade fast
Fast Opening: The flipper deploys the blade fast
Ultimate Durability: Stainless steel handle withstands hard use
Designed by Ken Onion in Kaneohe, Hawaii
Limited Lifetime Warranty covers any defects in materials or workmanship, see company site for details

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

GEC #47 Viper Review

by Dan Jackson 12 Comments

Last Updated: August 5, 2019
I have recently seen a resurgence of interest in classic slipjoint knives. Maybe folks are getting tired of shelling out $200+ for the latest framelock flipper. Or maybe they like the idea of carrying something their grandpa may have carried. Who knows for sure.

Buy the GEC Viper at KnivesShipFree

Personally I know over the past couple years my carry tastes have trended toward the traditional. I still enjoy the latest and greatest, but 2 of my favorite EDC folders in recent memory have been the Victorinox Cadet and Chris Reeve Mnandi. I loved the slim utility of the Cadet, and the leather ensconced classiness of the Mnandi. They are such excellent knives for my basic daily purposes.

Then reading Tony’s review of the Indian River Jack piqued my interest in GEC knives. I view some of these GEC slip joints as almost a cross between a Cadet and Mnandi: simple tools matched with higher end materials and finishes.

So today’s review is of the GEC Viper. Or the #47 as some call it. I don’t know what it is exactly about the classic swayback slip joint pattern, but I really dig these traditional wharncliffes. The Viper is a newer model, and it’s garnered a fair amount of enthusiasm amongst the traditional knife crowd, so I figured it would be a nice model to acquire for review.

I don’t proclaim to be an expert on these traditional knives. Heck I’m not an expert on knives at all (just ask Kershaw Thomas). But I enjoy cutlery and will do my best to share my opinion of this fine folder from Great Eastern Cutlery.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Viper has an overall length of 6.81″, a 3″ blade, and it weighs 2.7 ounces. I must not have researched this knife very carefully because when it arrived in it’s cardboard tube I was surprised at how big it was. This is a good size slippie, especially when compared to something like a Cadet. I grew to enjoy the size of the 47. After all, it was originally designed to be a working knife. It is also fine as a suburban EDC.

The Viper comes with a beautiful 1095 carbon steel warncliff blade. Mine has a high flat grind and swedge. The edge is very fine. It’s more of a microbevel than anything. The high carbon steel has been given almost a mirror polish. It looks good and I imagine it helps cut down on rust and corrosion. 1095 is not a stainless steel, and I have had it rust on a few of my fixed blades. By giving the blade a polish there is actually less surface area for rust.

But the cool thing is that the polished 1095 will patina. On my Sod Buster JR I decided to play around with a “forced” patina by slathering the blade in mustard. With the Viper I want the patina to form naturally, so I’ve just been using the knife as I normally would, and resisting the urge to dip it in a vat of honey dijon. So far the results have been cool. I like the character it has developed over the past couple months, and look forward to seeing how things progress.

One small complaint is the amount of branding that GEC etches onto the blade. In my pictures the etching has faded, but from the factory it comes with a very overt “NORTHFIELD UN-X-LD” logo smack dab in the middle of the beautiful blade. Yeah… no thanks. Mercifully, most of the logo rubbed off after an application of Barkeeper’s Friend, a cleaning product that should consider sponsoring the website given how much I talk about it.

The 1095 isn’t just good to look at. The blade of my Viper has been given a super keen edge, and the cutting performance has been really nice. The blade easily tracks through paper, and I’ve also used the knife for mild food prep, opening packages, etc. But the other weekend I really put the knife through it’s paces. I was tasked with cutting up a large quantity of cardboard with drywall joint compound on it that wouldn’t fit into a trash can. These slip joints are usually ground thin, and the Viper is no exception. It is a keen slicer and made easy work of the cardboard. At the end of the the edge had slowed down a little, but 1095 is very easy to touch up on a strop or corner of my Spyderco Sharpmaker.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Carry

GEC offers the Viper in a variety of handle configurations. Mine is bolstered with Che Chen Rosewood scales over brass liners. This is my first knife with rosewood. It’s a beautiful wood and I have seen it on many high end guitars. I love the fine cord-like grain and deep shimmering quality of the wood when you hold it up to the light. The handle has been beautifully finished. The edges are nicely chamferred, there are no gaps in the liner or backspring, the pins and lanyard tube are meticulously sanded down, and the silver medallion inset into the handle is flawless. When you turn the knife over to examine the back of the handle there is no gap or bump in between the back spring and spine of the blade. It’s a really nice and well made handle.

In hand the Viper feels like a spacious work knife should. Don’t let the wood handles fool you: this is still a high performance tool. Back before the days of titanium, G10 and stainless steel, these were the kinds of knives folks used every day. Working with the Viper you can understand why these kinds of handles have stood the test of time. They are basic and comfortable. You can definitely whittle some sticks, cut cardboard, or handle most other daily tasks with ease.

The Viper is without a pocket clip, but it came with a leather slip sheath. I enjoyed using a slip sheath with my Mnandi, and use a slip sheath with my Fantoni Dweller as well. This sheath is wider and thicker than I’m used to, but it’s sturdy and feels good in the pocket. I like this kind of carry – especially when working in an office. If the sheath is too bulky you could always throw the knife directly into your pocket.

Deployment and Lockup

I should probably change this section to “Walk and Talk” to fall more in line with the idiosyncrasies of traditional folders. After all, this is a slip joint with a nail nick. The knife doesn’t “deploy” and there is no lock up. The nail nick is easy to get at, and the backspring on the slip joint is surprisingly strong. This is a purposeful two handed opening knife. There is a dedicated half stop, and the backspring is almost flush at the half stop.

When closing the knife you need to use some level of care due to the strong back spring. There is a half stop, but if you aren’t careful there is still room for the meat of your finger to get pinched in between the ricasso and handle. The slip joint is sturdy and reassuring, and inspired enough confidence for me to take on tougher jobs. The spring itself is tempered high carbon steel. Still, you need to use some care when working with a knife like this. It’s not a locking folder, and it sure as heck isn’t a fixed blade. Make sure you are using the right tool for the job.

GEC Viper Review – Final Thoughts

The Viper has been a wonderful introduction to higher end US made slip joint knives. I really like the look of single bladed slip joints, and traditional wharnies, so it was easy to pick this one out of the GEC lineup when thinking of my first knife.

That said, I was still surprised at how much I have enjoyed the 47. This is a larger folder, but it is still innocuous enough to bring to work. It carries well, cuts cleanly, and is satisfying to open and use. The materials are great, the fit and finish are on point, and the price is reasonable. The knife is also made in the USA. At the end of the day I have an extremely hard time finding any kind of fault with the Viper. I could do without the lanyard hole, but I see why they included it. I am also not a huge fan of the amount of branding GEC etched onto the blade. Thankfully, that faded with cleaning. Beyond that I have no complaints.

I highly recommend the Viper if you are looking for a traditional folder or just an excellent EDC.

GEC Viper – From $82.36
From: KnivesShipFree

I recommend purchasing the Viper 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.

LionSteel TiSpine Review

by Dan Jackson 7 Comments

Last Updated: July 27, 2019
Especially astute readers may note that I debuted a review of the LionSteel SR-1 a while back, and then published the world’s first review of the TM-1 not so long ago, but I conveniently skipped over the other folder in their SOLID lineup – the Ti-Spine. Rest assured it wasn’t because I wasn’t interested in the TiSpine. It was one of those instances of too many knives, too little time (or money… or both time and money). I am pleased to report that I have finally scrounged up both the time and the money to pen a review of this blade, and I am very excited to be able to do it.

Buy the LionSteel TiSpine at BladeHQ

Buy on Amazon

Oddly enough this almost delicate looking knife was designed by globe trotting gonzo reporter Robert Young Pelton, who is perhaps best known in the cutlery world for designing the hard wearing DPx HEST. Thankfully the bottle opener and wire strippers were left out of this model, allowing us to revel in the 4-axis machined goodness of this titanium beauty.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Ti-Spine has an overall length of 7.68″, a 3.35″ blade, and weighs 3.5 ounces. Out of the SR-1, TM-1, and TiSpine, the TiSpine is the most EDC friendly of the group. Although the blade is well shy of 3.5″, this knife still feels full sized, and I like how it doesn’t feel overweight. By way of comparison, I found the SR-1 a little ponderous in hand and pocket. The TiSpine is much more of a true EDC option for me. It would also make for a great special occasion / gent’s folder.

The drop point blade on the TiSpine is long and pointy, with a curving belly and potent tip. This classic blade shape has been treated to a high flat grind and swedge. The high flat grind will certainly cut stuff, although I have seen thinner grinds on other folders. My blade has been given a satin finish. It looks nice, although I do wish the transitions between the grinds were a little crisper.

LionSteel went with Elmax stainless steel for their blade material, and it’s a choice that I have seen pop up a few times on their blades. I have found Elmax to be a reliable choice for knife steel. It isn’t too difficult to sharpen, but it still has high hardness (here 59-60HRc) and holds an edge well. No problems with rust or corrosion either. A knife this pretty won’t get a lot of use in my collection, but it’s nice to know that they went with a quality steel.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

Lets be real: most people will buy this knife for the handle. And what a handle it is. The 4-axis machined handle is so slick that it looks like it was cast from molten titanium. The way the handle catches the light and shimmers along its hundreds of grooves is tough for me to describe. It’s a gem of a handle. In this case, it has been further accentuated by a high polish and brilliant violet anodization.

Compared with the SR-1 it looks like LionSteel has further refined their manufacturing process. Being a monolithic handle, there isn’t much else in the way of hardware, but the pivot and stop pin are custom made and beautifully polished. The only downside to this pretty handle is that it picks up finger prints and scratches very easily. If you are looking for a “user” variant, I might suggest going with one of their less flashy matte finished options.

The handle of the TiSpine doesn’t just look good. This is also a comfortable knife. I doubt many will select the TiSpine for a month long trip to the amazon, or use it on a construction site, but this little knife feels good in hand and is capable of getting work done. I broke down boxes and opened mail without any issues. There is a short run of jimping which my thumb tended to pass over, and I found that I put most of my pressure directly on the rounded spine of the blade. Still, I was able to get a comfortable and secure grip on this knife.

The TiSpine features a long curving deep carry pocket clip. Mine has been given a bright polished finish to match the hardware and accentuate the almost jewelry like quality of the knife. This clip, while large, carries the knife discretely and I am not sure if many people would think you are carrying a pocket knife by looking at the clip alone. It is right side tip up only, but is completely removable if you want to and even more discrete option for carry. In pocket the TiSpine feels nice. It’s slim, flat, and relatively light weight. I had no problem carrying it.

Deployment and Lockup

The TiSpine makes use of an angular thumb hole for deployment. This low profile thumb hole looks great, and matches the sleek styling of the knife, but it is not particularly friendly for lefties. I had some trouble easily opening the blade with one hand, but I know that most people won’t have an issue. Inside there are teflon washers. The action is smooth and the tolerances are tight.

For lock up we have a sturdy titanium framelock. This is a nice titanium frame lock. My knife locks up early, and there is no blade play in any direction or lock stick. The monolithic construction makes for a super solid knife. Blade centering is a little off, but is no where near rubbing. I understand that is a common issue on both the TiSpine and the SR-1.

LionSteel TiSpine Review – Final Thoughts

I am sure many have fallen in love with the TiSpine at first sight. I know I did. I am pleased to report that the knife is even more impressive in person. This is a knife you need to handle to truly appreciate. The design is seductive and the craftsmanship is exceptional. I can find few faults with the TiSpine. I will say it’s not the most lefty-friendly knife. I’d prefer phosphor bronze washers and slightly crisper grinds. Beyond that it’s a beautiful knife and I wouldn’t change a thing. LionSteel has once again shown us that they are a company to be respected, and the sleek look of the TiSpine adds character and depth to their lineup of monolithic knives.

When contemplating the purchase of a TiSpine the real question is whether you are in the market for a high end collectible like this. It wont be to everyone’s taste, but if the TiSpine does appeal to you I definitely recommend it.

LionSteel TiSpine – From $385.00
From: BladeHQ

Lion Steel TiSpine Folder with Violet Handles

Violet color Titanium Integral handles
Elmax Steel with Satin Finish
Made in Italy

Lion Steel TiSpine Folder with Bronze Handles

Bronze color Titanium Integral handles
Elmax Steel with Satin Finish
Made in Italy

I recommend purchasing the TiSpine at BladeHQ or 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.

Chris Reeve Mnandi Review

by Dan Jackson 13 Comments

Last Updated: January 10, 2018
When I think Chris Reeve Knives, I first think of the Sebenza, their flagship blade. Then my mind wanders to the Umnunzaan, their amped up tactical offering. Only after sampling both of those knives did I take a genuine interest in the Mnandi. It was one of those knives that I knew that I wanted to check out, but would have to get around to it eventually. My guess is that frame of mind holds true for a lot of collectors, especially those getting into knives within the past 10 years like I did in the middle of the tactical knife boom.

Buy the CRK Mnandi at BladeHQ

And that is a shame because the Mnandi is a really nice knife. Before moving forward with this Chris Reeve Mnandi review, I need to disclose that my Mnandi was built in 2011. Chris Reeve has since made some subtle refinements to the knife. Most notably, the pocket clip has been changed to a hidden hardware design, and the blade steel has been upgraded to S35VN over the S30V model shown here. Finally, the nail nick has been changed slightly. Some prefer the old style nail nick show.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Mnandi has an overall length of 6.375″, sports a 2.75″ blade, and weighs 1.5 ounces. The knife is firmly in the EDC or gentleman’s folder segment. I carry mine to the office no problem and prefer it over a bulkier knife for EDC. It could easily fall into the collectible market given the wide range of inlays available, although I do believe that this is a knife that was made to be used.

The blade shape is a modified clip point design. I like the lean, aggressive profile of the blade, and the angular nail nick further accentuates that low slung profile. The short belly terminates at a fine upswept tip, and the hollow ground blade has been given a nice satin finish. Like the other CRKs I have handled, the spine is nicely rounded. This blade shape is fine for EDC, easily opening mail, breaking down packages, and taking care of other minor chores around the house and office.

Blade steel on this particular knife is S30V, although if you were to buy a Mnandi new today it would likely come in S35VN. I was surprised to get a little flak in my large Sebenza review for reviewing an old model of the knife with S30V instead of S35VN. Practically speaking there is very little difference between the two steels. At higher hardnesses the S35VN will be a little easier to sharpen, but beyond that most people won’t notice much of a difference. I found the S30V on this knife very easy to maintain. Chris Reeve Knives is known for heat treating their blades on the softer side to aid in ease of sharpening. I don’t have a problem with that when it comes to my EDC knives, but edge retention junkies would prefer a harder heat treat.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The handle of the Mnandi is where things really start to get interesting. The knife is available with a large number of exotic wood inlays and is even offered with mammoth ivory bark and bone. My knife happens to have an African Blackwood inlay. Underneath the wood scales is full titanium construction. One thing I never really noticed about the Mnandi until I got one in my hand is that the titanium is actually two-toned. The flats have been given a satin finish while the edges are media blasted. It’s a really nice detail. On the back side of the knife you have a very nice flow through design. There is a single decorative standoff and a stop pin.

The Mnandi is a small knife but the handle offers plenty of room for a full grip and the knife is surprisingly comfortable to use. The arced handle supports your fingers much in the same way the Spyderco Dragonfly does, and you have some excellent jimping on the spine of the blade as well. CRK really knows how to get jimping right. It’s not thumb-shreddingly aggressive, but it provides enough traction to keep you in the game. Between the wood onlays, titanium handles, and 3d machined pocket clip you have a decently thick and comfortable handle. I wear a large glove and for a small knife, the Mnandi really works ergonomically.

The pocket clip is one of my favorite details of the knife. It is a 3-D machined stainless steel clip. It buries the knife in your pocket, is very secure, is discrete, but also has a nice decorative element to it. I’ve reviewed well over 100 knives on this site, and this is definitely the nicest clip I have come across so far. Chris Reeve recently updated the clip, making it a hidden hardware (no visible screws) design. It’s impressive that they figured out a way to improve on this already awesome pocket clip.

With all that said, my favorite way to carry the Mnandi is in the little leather slip sheath it came with. I haven’t tried to hide my love affair with the Victorinox Alox Cadet, one of my all time favorite EDC knives. A big part of the reason why I like that knife is because it’s perfect for pocket carry. Well, the Mnandi is also great for pocket carry, and if you use the leather sheath it helps protect the knife from getting beat up in your pocket. I highly recommend buying the leather slip sheath if yours doesn’t come with one.

Deployment and Lockup

The Mnandi relies on a stylized nail nick for opening. Visually, the nail nick really suits the design, and it works fine for one hand opening too. It’s ambidextrous, and I am pleased to report that I can open the knife left handed without much trouble. The action on my knife is super smooth. Like all of the other CRK offerings, this blade rides on phosphor bronze washers, and it has a smooth, glassy action that I find extremely satisfying. This is what owning a CRK is all about. It’s also worth mentioning that the pivot hardware is all custom, with the Chris Reeve logo engraved on the show side, and a collared pivot on the other.

For lockup you have a Chris Reeve Integral lock. My particular knife locks up late, but it’s very secure and there is no stick or issues with it. There isn’t much else to say although I will mention that blade centering is perfect.

Chris Reeve Mnandi Review – Final Thoughts

The Mnandi is the third model I have sampled in the CRK lineup, but it may very well be my favorite. Everyone is different, but these days I really get a lot of mileage out of small EDC knives that I can pocket carry. The Mnandi is about as good as it gets in that department. This knife is perfectly executed, has a lot of interesting details, and has been very satisfying to own. I can’t think of much to complain about, although I fully appreciate that for many, the $375.00 price tag will be a non-starter.

It’s small and expensive, so I’m not saying this one is for everyone, but if you have any interest in the Mnandi do yourself a favor and buy one. I have really enjoyed mine.

Chris Reeve Mnandi – From $375.00
From: BladeHQ

I recommend purchasing the Mnandi at 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.

CRKT Swindle Review

by Dan Jackson 15 Comments

I have been on a bit of a high value folder kick recently, focusing especially on the $30-40 segment. I’ve neglected this part of the market over the past year or two, favoring fixed blades and higher end folders, but a good deal of interesting stuff has come out in the $30-40 arena, hence the recent reviews of the Ontario Rat II and ESEE Zancudo, and I have a few more in the works.

Buy the CRKT Swindle at BladeHQ

Buy on Amazon

While the knives I have handled at this price point are solid and very functional, they are somewhat formulaic, and have a heavy emphasis on being tools rather than design objects. There is nothing wrong with that, as many seeking out a $35 folder want a good tool knife, but something has to be said for interesting design.

That is definitely not the case with today’s knife, the CRKT Swindle. Designed by Ken Onion, the Swindle pays homage to the classic swayback jack pattern, but features many modern touches like 3-d machined handles, a flipper, IKBS, a framelock, and a very interesting pocket clip. Ken and CRKT have definitely pushed the envelope in what is possible with a $30 folding knife, and we are all the better for it.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Swindle has an overall length of 7.5″, has a 3.2″ blade, and weighs 3.3 ounces. The long thin design really stretches out the blade and the end result is a practical gentlemanly type folder that works well for EDC, but also stretches into dress knife territory as well.

The full steel handles (gun metal gray with a matte texture to look like titanium) give the knife some extra heft, but it is still very carryable. And while it isn’t a “tactical” knife by any means, the long narrow blade comes to a very fine tip. It’s plenty stabby and I wouldn’t want to be on the business end of it.

The blade is an elegant modified wharncliffe design. Again, it’s a throwback to the swayback jack pattern of yore, with a high hollow grind, neatly applied edge, subtle belly and needle fine tip. Out of the box the Swindle came screaming sharp and ready for work. The narrow blade is plenty capable when put up against cardboard, and it makes for an ideal letter opener at the office. I also used the knife with some success when breaking down a chicken carcass. The upswept tip requires some extra flexibility, but it is fine for detail work. I really like that CRKT went ahead and rounded the spine. That’s a high end finish that I really like. I also like how they went for a satin finish over a cheaper bead blast. It shows off the nice even grinds and is more resistant to rust.

CRKT offers the Swindle in 2 blade steels: 8Cr14MoV on this model with the plain handle scales, and 12C27 Sandvik on the more expensive grooved version. I’d prefer 12C27 on the plain handled version honestly, but this 8Cr14MoV isn’t bad for the price. Similar to AUS8, this is a proven steel found on other budget folders like the Spyderco Tenacious. It’s a softer steel but it sharpens easily, takes a nice satin finish, and holds a reasonable edge. At this price point it’s hard to find much else, and I do like how they give you the option of 12C27 if you want to spend a little more money.

Handle, Ergonomics and Pocket Clip

The handle is plain stainless steel finished gunmetal gray to resemble titanium. I love how the handles are 3D machined, and I am impressed with how well made this knife is. CRKT has all their product manufactured in Taiwan, and the Taiwanese manufacturers really have their act together. 3 screws hold the handle together: one for the pivot, one for the pocket clip, and one for the backspacer. The end result is very elegant. Even the lockbar cutout arcs gracefully, and when the knife is closed the blade tucks completely inside the handle. This kind of stuff you just don’t find on $30 folding knives. Compared to my clunky Tenacious, Ken Onion and CRKT have thrust the value folder into rarefied air.

From an ergonomic perspective the Swindle works very well for an EDC knife. The handle is large enough to accommodate a 4 finger grip, and the curved shape fits naturally in the palm. I’m not usually a big fan of jimping, but CRKT found a great balance of grip and comfort in the jimping on the spine of the Swindle. The jimping here very much reminds me of the jimping found on a Sebenza’s, and the rounded spine furthers the connection. If you throw the knife in reverse grip a second run of jimping on the backspacer catches your thumb nicely.

The pocket clip is quite unique, and is more something you would find on a pen than a pocket knife. It sits on the back of the handle, kind of like an extended backspacer, and is spring loaded to provide tension. I won’t go so far as to say it’s my favorite pocket clip (because it isn’t), but it works, and it fits well with the theme of the knife. No doubt this will be a polarizing point for some folks. I think it’s a bold touch on an equally bold knife, and it has been well executed and further distinguishes this knife.

Deployment and Lockup

For deployment you have a flipper on IKBS bearings. The detent is well tuned and the blade flies out with the push of a finger. The action is very nice. The flipper is a low profile design, but it’s jimped to provide a little extra traction. Again, CRKT has managed to find a sweet spot in cutting jimping that is practical without being over the top aggressive. I am still not sure if bearings are 100% necessary on a knife, but here it has been well implemented and I certainly am not complaining. The Swindle, with its relatively light blade, flips with the best of them.

For lockup you have a stainless steel frame lock. It locks up early and securely and I did not experience any play in my knife. Lockup has settled in right around 25%, which shows that they paid attention to the tolerances and geometry of the frame lock, and suggests that it will hold up for a long time. Blade centering is also dead perfect, which, while not a requirement on a $30 knife, again elevates the sense of pride of ownership, and my overall appreciation for this tool.

CRKT Swindle – Final Thoughts

I have had a number of really nice high value folders cross my desk these past few weeks. Knives that I enjoy and recommend. The Swindle is truly something else. Not only is it functionally a very solid knife, it has so many details and little upgrades that I find myself examining it from the perspective of a higher end folder. I haven’t loved all of Ken Onion’s designs, but this one truly deserves accolades. It’s outside his typical work, and has allowed him to showcase his talent as a designer. The pocket clip may not be “perfect” by everyone’s standards, but it works well in the context of the overall knife. Barring that I find very little to complain about the knife.

I decided to photograph my Swindle next to my Kershaw Cryo on purpose, to show what is possible for a $30 folder, and two steel framelock flippers at that. Both knives feature big name designers, but beyond that the knives quickly diverge.

With the Swindle you have a graceful and balanced knife, whereas with the Cryo you have a stubby little brick. The Swindle features a rounded spine and 3-d contoured scales, while the Cryo is slab built with sharp edges. With the Cryo you get an off-center blade and shitty assisted opening. With the Swindle you get a manual action knife with a beautiful detent and an IKBS bearing system. With the Cryo you get a coated blade, with the Swindle you get a nice satin finish. The Swindle is an exercise in minimalism and restraint, while the Cryo is pockmarked with holes and screws.

I don’t mean to turn this into Cryo bashing, after all, I felt that the Cryo was an OK knife for what it was (although disappointing in many respects). But next to the Swindle there is no comparison in my mind; the Swindle is a superior EDC knife, and CRKT has redefined what’s possible with a $30 folder.

The design of the Swindle may not be for everyone, but if the knife interests you at all I suggest buying it. I wish I jumped on mine earlier. Highly recommended.

Columbia River Knife & Tool Columbia R Swindle Knife COLUMBIA RIVER KNIFE & TOOL Swindle Folder, One Size

Fast Opening: IKBS ball bearing pivot deploys the blade fast
Brute Strength: Frame lock utilizes a thick lock bar to secure the blade
High Tech: Tensioned clip secures knife to the pocket
Designed by Ken Onion in Kaneohe, Hawaii
Limited Lifetime Warranty covers any defects in materials or workmanship, see company site for details

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

Case Sod Buster Jr Review

by Dan Jackson 27 Comments

Last Updated: July 20, 2019

I recently reviewed the Victorinox Cadet. This is a time honored knife, but frankly I was unsure whether many people would be interested in reading a review on it. The feedback was actually really good. So much so that it has encouraged me to write a review on another classic slip joint in my collection, the Case Sod Buster Jr.

Buy the Sodbuster Jr. at BladeHQ

Buy on Amazon

I got into the Sod Buster Jr after realizing how much I enjoyed carrying the Cadet, and wanted to venture further into the world of traditional slip joint knives. I’ve been into modern EDC and Tactical knives for 5 years now, but really know very little about traditional slip joints. So when I knew that I wanted to try another slip joint out it wasn’t long before I stumbled across the Sod Buster Jr. Three things really drew me to this knife: 1. It’s made in the USA 2. It’s under $25 and 3. it features a nice carbon steel blade (although you can get the knife in stainless steel if you want). Throw in the fact that it’s made by Case, a company that I know has a serious pedigree in the world of traditional American knives, and I figured it was a great starting point.

I have to say though, I’m not much of a historian. If you are looking for a definitive history of the sod buster pattern then this won’t be the place for it. My understanding is that the pattern or style of knife is anywhere from 100-130 years old, and emerged from Germany as a kind of a folding butcher’s knife or a clasp knife. It can be loosely classified as a type of peasant or farmer’s knife. Case apparently associated the name “sodbuster” with their knife design in the 1960s. If any historians want to correct me or drop some knowledge in the comments section, by all means be my guest. I’ll be approaching the knife purely from a utilitarian/general knife enthusiast’s standpoint.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Sod Buster Jr has an overall length of 6.45″, sports a 2.8″ blade, and weighs 2.19 ounces. For a mild mannered suburbanite these are great numbers. Much like my trusty Cadet, I can easily slip this knife into a pair of slacks and not miss a beat. Of course if you are looking for something a little larger, Case does offer the full size Sod Buster, and it could easily be carried as well.

The blade is a classic drop point design with a short belly and tough tip. The knife was designed to be used as a utility blade, and it certainly functions that way in the 21st century. The grind is a full flat grind, or something close to it, and it gets nice and thin behind the edge. It is a tool knife and it cuts quite well.

Case actually offers the knife with 2 distinct steel choices. You have their “TrueSharp Surgical Stainless Steel” and their Chrome Vandium (CV) high carbon steel. I opted for the high carbon steel version as the thought of a pocket knife with a carbon steel blade was intriguing (and, believe it or not, is actually a first for this website), and what little preliminary research I did do before buying the knife suggested that the CV steel superior to the TrueSharp stainles steel in the arenas of sharpening and edge retention. Whether that is true in practice is impossible for me to say at this point, but I did notice a good deal of info floating about the web comparing CV to TrueSharp, if that sort of question tickles your fancy.

In practice the CV steel exhibited a lot of the qualities I like about carbon steel. It was easy to sharpen and it held a decent edge. It’s not a super steel in the edge retention department, but for my purposes it got the job done.

I will say that the CV steel does patina (and will rust if you aren’t careful). The knife arrives from Case with something of a mirror polish to it. My blade started to get some color after cutting up an apple, and I actually noticed a couple little spots of rust forming on my knife when I left it in a drawer for a few weeks (without oiling it first). At that point it wasn’t the nicest knife to photograph so I tried my hand at forcing a patina with some mustard. My results were interesting. The knife definitely darkened and I think it looks pretty cool. It would be even nicer to “earn” that patina over decades of use, but I guess there is still plenty of time for that.

At the end of the day for a $20 slip joint the performance of the blade and steel definitely surpassed my expectations. This is a nice little cutter and you will have a hard time finding much else that will exceed it’s performance given the price tag.

Handle and Ergonomics

My Sod Buster Jr came with yellow synthetic handles. They offer the knife with black plastic handles, but there is a bunch of writing on the blade, and that didn’t appeal to me. The synthetic yellow material is actually quite dense and has a quality feel to it. The yellow has some old school charm to it, almost as if it were made of bone or ivory, and I enjoy that aspect of it. The handle is of pinned construction with brass pins and pivot and brass liners. The backspacer / spring is stainless steel.

Ergonomically, the chunky yellow scales fill the hand nicely and there is just enough room for a 4 finger grip (with large hands). There is no jimping or texturing anywhere on the knife. I wouldn’t call the handle slick, but it’s not a traction machine either. I was able to comfortably accomplish normal EDC tasks including opening my mail, cutting up fruit, and breaking down boxes. If I had a rocking chair I could easily spend an afternoon whittling on the porch with a corn cob pipe and a fat slug of whiskey.

While we are discussing the handle, it’s worth noting that the handle is pretty thick. For example, it is way thicker than my Alox Cadet:

This also isn’t a bad time to point out that the blade centering on this $25 knife is dead nuts center.

Deployment and Lock Up

For your “deployment” you have a nail nick, and the knife doesn’t have a lock, so this section once again proves to be a little off point. The action or, “walk and talk” as slip joint aficionados call it, seems pretty good. I don’t have enough slip joints to form a frame of comparison, so I won’t attempt to rank it on a 10 point scale (slip joint enthusiasts sometimes rank the pull or strength of the spring on a 1-10 scale). I will say that this knife sure as heck isn’t opening up by accident, and the blade makes a satisfying snap when it pops open. There is no half stop on this knife.

The lock up is pretty good considering that there is no lock. I didn’t have any issues with the knife closing on my hand, but I was careful in using it. If you mind your p’s and q’s and use the right tool for the job then you should be able to get a fair amount of work done with this knife.

Case Sod Buster Jr. Review – Final Thoughts

I am frankly very impressed that they can still make these in the US and sell them for under $25. Little details like a centered blade a sharp even edge bevel are present at a price point where these kinds of details often cant be found. Case in point, I bought a little plastic handled Buck lockback knife a couple years ago, and the thing was such a piece of junk that I didn’t even bother reviewing it. The Sod Buster Jr is legitimately a nice knife. Much like the Cadet, this would also make a great gift knife.

What else can I say? The Case Sod Buster Jr is an absolute classic. There are folks who have dedicated their collections to traditional slip joint knives, and could lend far keener insights than I have. So I hope I didn’t do it too grave of an injustice with this review. I still wanted to take an opportunity to talk about it, because I can appreciate the knife even as a relative outsider to the world of traditional folders. It’s a nice gateway knife, and a safe starting point for a traditional collection. I like and recommend it.

Case Sod Buster Pocket Knives, Yellow, Small

Chrome vanadium (CV) steel blade
Skinner blade; smooth yellow synthetic handle
Great everyday pocket knife for projects around the house, the outdoors, and hunting
Length: 3.63 inches closed and 2.1 ounces
Limited Lifetime Warranty

Editor: I recommend purchasing the Case Sodbuster Jr. 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.