Tactical Knives

Al Mar Mini SERE 2000 Review

Last Updated: August 9, 2019
The SERE 2000 is one of the more iconic folding tactical knives of our time. The knife was originally designed in the 80s by Al Mar and Colonel Nick Rowe for the Army’s SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape) school. The fact that you can even still buy the knife is a testament to the efficacy of the design.

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As an enthusiast of modern folding knives, I have had my eye on the SERE 2000 for some time. It’s one of those “cornerstone” tactical knives like the Paramilitary 2 and Benchmade 710 that I feel almost obligated to try (twist my arm).

So why the hell would you buy the miniature version? Good question. I guess if you want “tactical” but are forced to be a little more “practical” then the Mini SERE 2000 (or MS2K) could be the knife for you. This is taboo in some circles, kind of like buying a 4 door Porsche. But I’m a sucker for compromise, and I got a good deal on this MS2K, so that’s why the mini version is the subject of today’s review.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The MS2K has an overall length of 7″, a 3″ blade, and weighs 3.5 ounces. Compare that with the full size SERE 2000 with an overall length of 8.5″, a 3.6″ blade, and weighing in at 6 ounces. I have enjoyed the Mini SERE 2000 as an every day carry (EDC). Having never attended SERE school, I couldn’t really tell you the merits of this folder in a Survival, Evasion, Resistance, or even an Escape capacity. I helped a couple hot dogs escape from their package the other weekend with the MS2K, if that counts for anything.

The SERE 2000 has a modified drop point / spear point blade with a mid height flat grind and a large flat ground swedge. This is a classic Al Mar profile that has shown up in a variety of their offerings, including the Eagle and Falcon lines. This simple blade shape is a good all round performer, combining excellent piercing capability with strength and slicing performance. Al Mar offers the blade with a satin finish or a black ceramic coating. I really like my satin finished blade – it has been beautifully done with crisp grind lines, an even finish, and a neatly applied edge.

The SERE 2000 comes in VG-10 blade steel. This was probably a great choice when the knife came out 20 years ago, but is only OK by today’s standards. These days there are a number of higher end steels, especially at the price point the MS2 is offered at. The SERE 2000 is made for Al Mar by Moki Knives in Japan, and VG-10 is made in Japan, so that makes sense.

Practically speaking, the knife is capable of getting screaming sharp and it slices well. The tip strikes a nice balance between strength and precision. VG10 is very easy to maintain. I tend to strop my MS2K and I occasionally run it on the fine stones of my Sharpmaker. I have had zero issues with corrosion or chipping. However, I would not complain if they upgraded the steel to something more wear resistant, especially given the price of this knife.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The SERE 2000 features a no-nonsense handle design with black, O.D. green, or digi-cam G10 handle scales over full steel liners with a combination of stand offs and a small stainless steel backspacer. The handle is immaculate. The finish work is seamless, replete with satin hardware and lightly chamfered edges. I can’t feel a single crack or seam as I run my thumb over the backspacer that bridges the G10 scales and steel liners – a hallmark of excellent finish work and a close attention to detail. Although the liners are not skeletonized, the knife feels light and reasonable for its size. All told I am very impressed with the build quality of the handle.

The MS2K was originally designed to be a much larger knife. I am guessing the mini version was an afterthought to appeal to a broader audience, and it is simply a scaled down version of the full size SERE 2000. I am pleased to report that the ergonomics of this design translate well to a smaller knife – another testament to the universal appeal of the original SERE 2000.

There is just enough room for me to get a full four finger grip, and my thumb perches nicely on the spine of the blade. This is a relatively thick knife, and it fills the hand. The chamfered edges are extremely comfortable and melt into your skin. The flared handle contributes to the MS2K’s signature profile, and also helps ensure your fingers don’t slide around on the knife. There is no jimping, but the thumb perches nicely on the spine of the blade. The knife is also comfortable in a reverse grip. I found this to be a good working knife, and had no real issues with hot spots even after a couple intense encounters with rope and cardboard. This handle ascribes to a KISS (Keep It Simple, Stupid) mantra, and the end user is all the better for it.

The deep carry pocket clip has been given a glossy black coating. It allows for ambidextrous tip up carry. I like this relatively discrete clip design. It is a really tight clip and butts up to high traction G10. There is definite potential for pocket tearing, so keep that in mind. The clip provides very good retention and generally functions well. Being a knife with a relatively thick blade, full steel liners, and thick G10 handle scales, it’s a little thick in the pocket. Still, the knife carried fine for me, and I didn’t really notice it.

Deployment and Lockup

The Mini SERE 2000 has ambidextrous thumb studs, teflon washers, and a liner lock. The thumb studs are accessible on both sides of the handle, but the knife is designed primarily for right hand users. The teflon washers make it impossible to flick open, but it’s a very smooth knife.

The liner lock engages early and securely. Like my Sage 1, the MS2K makes a distinctive “chirp” as you snap the blade into the open position. There is no blade play in any direction at all. Blade centering isn’t perfect on my knife, but it’s close.

I also like how the tang of the blade has been rounded off at the spine, so the knife looks just as good closed as it does open. It’s this attention to detail in the design and execution of the knife that gets me excited about the SERE 2000.

Mini SERE 2000 Review – Final Thoughts

When it comes down to my final thoughts on the Mini SERE 2000, I am a little conflicted. On one hand it’s a beautiful knife. It’s well made, balanced, with decent materials, and it’s very practical. It is an excellent knife. But on the other hand we are talking about a Japanese linerlock with G10 handles and VG10 steel with a retail price at $200+. For $150 I would recommend it without reservation. But at an actual retail of $200+ it is much harder to give this the fullest of endorsements. This isn’t because the SERE 2000 is a bad knife – it isn’t. It’s a wonderful knife. My problem with it is that I think that there is more out there at a better value.

Case in point, the Spyderco Sage 1 is another linerlock folder with 3″ blade, similar fit and finish (maybe not quite as good, but close), and better blade steel. The Spyderco Caly 3 is a beautiful Japanese folder with laminated ZDP 189 blade, real carbon fiber handle scales, and equally impressive fit and finish to the MS2k. At nearly twice the price of both the Sage 1 and Caly 3, I have a real hard time recommending the SERE 2000 carte blanche. It’s still a beautiful knife, just spendy.

It is also worth noting that the full size SERE 2000 is only a couple dollars more than the Mini. It might also be easier to justify spending the money on the full size version, especially if you are going to rely on it every day as a member of the military or law enforcement.

If you can get past the price the SERE 2000 is worth acquiring. It’s a timeless folding tactical knife, and fans of the genre owe it to themselves to at least check it out eventually.

Al Mar MS2K Mini Sere 2000

4 inch closed linerlock
Satin finish VG-10 stainless spear point blade with dual thumb studs
Textured black G-10 handles with black finish Reversible stainless pocket Clip
Lanyard Hole

I recommend purchasing the Mini SERE 2000 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.

Cold Steel Rajah III Review

by Dan Jackson 17 Comments

Last Updated: July 28, 2019
I almost entitled this review “confessions of a mall ninja”. Yup, your buddy Dan has something of a dirty secret: I’m a fan of ridiculous knives from Cold Steel. You may have guessed as much after reading reviews of the Spartan and XL Voyager. I just didn’t talk openly about it.

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The truth is I think some of these more outlandish Cold Steel knives are fun, and some are also legitimately good knives. And let me add that there is something about buying a folding knife knowing you can blast through a side of beef with it (whilst rocking out to heavy metal music) that lends a certain pride of ownership that I don’t quite get with my Delica. There is a je ne sais quoi, if you will, with select Cold Steel products. It keeps bringing me back.

The Rajah series is among their more mall ninja-y folders, but, as with most things, there are shades of gray. If you want to go full ninja then check out the oversized Rajah II. If you are secure, but not quite Open-Carry-Bear-Mace-On-Your-Web-Belt secure, then there is the more middling Rajah III, which also happens to be the subject of today’s review.

Some might argue the Rajah III is small enough for normal people to carry. Some might argue it’s not for mall ninjas at all. Some might argue I’m a jerk for even implying that the knife may be for mall ninjas. Regardless of your personal proclivities, I’ve had my eye on it for some time.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Rajah III has an overall length of 8-3/8″, a 3-1/2″ blade, and weighs 4.4 ounces. Despite being the smallest version in the series it is still a big knife. It’s not totally ridiculous for me to carry, but at close to 3/4 of an inch thick, this is one I feel in the pocket. Definitely an after hours carry for me. The Rajah II with it’s 6″ blade is a dedicated outdoor tool, or perhaps a mostly a folding novelty.

The Rajah series was designed by Andrew Demko, who has designed a number of great folders for Cold Steel. Apparently, the classic Nepalese kukri was the inspiration for this design. Cold Steel waxes poetic about the “dramatic power of the kukri as both a tool and weapon” in their product literature. I can attest that kukris make for great choppers, but here we are talking about a 4.5 ounce folding knife.

The blade is kukri shaped. I guess that could be described as a modified clip point with a recurve if you wanted to try and get technical. It has the big kukri belly and a deep recurve. The recurve isn’t quite as crazy as the Spartan’s, but it is still pretty serious. The 4mm thick blade tapers down to the tip, and has been given a full flat grind. It slices well – especially with that recurve. The knife carves aggressively too. I was very pleased with how this blade performed, and think there is some truth to the Cold Steel sales copy regarding kukris. Sharpening can be a chore, but there is truth to this being a high performance blade shape.

Cold Steel initially offered the Rajah III with a bead blasted blade finish (shown here). Not my favorite choice, but it works. They have since updated the knife to feature a stonewashed / tumbled finish. I prefer that finish over the beadblast as it is not as susceptible to rust and I think it looks a little nicer.

Cold Steel originally offered the Rajah in AUS8. They changed the steel to BD1 in 2015-2016. Both AUS8 and BD1 are softer steels. Cold Steel got a lot of feedback from customers wanting something with better edge retention than AUS-8, so they upgraded their premium line of knives to CTS-XHP (and then S35Vn in 2018), and their more budget oriented knives they upgraded to BD1.

I don’t have a lot of experience with BD1, but it’s a softer steel. Easy to sharpen, and presumably holds a better edge than AUS-8. I think it was a good option for the Rajah series as the price is still reasonable.

On the subject of sharpening, I sharpen this knife with the rods of my Spyderco Sharpmaker. Rod style sharpeners are best for curved blades like this. You will have an extremely hard time trying to sharpen this with bench stones or paddle sharpeners.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

Much like the Spartan, the Rajah’s handle is grivory (high density plastic) over full nested steel liners. The back spring is hardened steel, and the backspacer is more grivory. Everything has been screwed together for your convenience. This is a lightweight yet strong handle design that has been meticulously crafted. This knife is made in Taiwan, and like virtually every other knife from Taiwan that I have handled, it has been really nicely finished. They even included a lanyard hole.

Andrew Demko is a man who clearly understands ergonomics. His designs are among the most comfortable I’ve handled, perhaps only second to Ernest Emerson. Although the Rajah III is a scaled down version of the Rajah II, you aren’t sacrificing a comfortable grip. I take a large glove and there is just enough room for a good full grip. You can move up on the handle for more detailed work, and lean back into the handle for light chopping. The Rajah III also feels very at home in reverse grip. There is no jimping, and the scales have been given a very light texture. I’d say its pretty much perfect for my applications.

Like on many of their other designs, Cold Steel has included two pocket clips: one for each side of the curved handle. They also included 2 sets of screws, which is a nice touch. These clips don’t allow for super deep carry, but it is still a fairly discrete package. The clips are simple but they work well. They have been given Cold Steel’s trademarked crappy black teflon coating, so don’t expect them to look new for long.

As far as carry is concerned, this is a thick knife and you will feel it in your pocket. It isn’t very heavy for its size, so it has that going for it, but I can’t deny that this is a bulkier knife. If you are looking for a very discrete slim line EDC knife then I would look elsewhere.

Deployment and Lockup

The Rajah makes use of a large thumb plate for deployment. You can push the blade open with your thumb, or the plate can function similarly to an Emerson Wave, allowing you to open the knife from your pocket. With a little wrist action I can flick the knife open with my thumb. The strong backspring gives the closed blade a healthy “detent” (resistance to opening). I will say that the action of this knife is extremely smooth. Smooth to the point where the blade will fall freely on it’s own upon disengaging the lock.

Cold Steel has equipped the Rajah III with their tri-ad lock. For the uninitiated, the tri-ad lock is an improved back lock strengthened by the inclusion of a hardened steel stop pin between the tang of the blade and the lock bar. This stop pin absorbs much of the shock that would otherwise transfer directly to the locking mechanism and potentially compromise the lock.

In my experience these tri-ad lock knives are tough. My knives have held up well over the years without failing, developing blade play, etc. In addition to normal use as an EDC knife, I did beat on this knife a bit in my back yard. I chopped through some bamboo and hacked away at firewood – stuff I wouldn’t normally do with a folding knife. The knife held up beautifully. The way I see it, the only downside to the tri-ad lock is that it can be tough to disengage – especially with one hand.

Cold Steel Rajah III Review – Final Thoughts

Is the Rajah III a realistic EDC option, or is it going to be on the cover of next month’s “Mall Ninja Monthly”? I think the truth lies somewhere in between. While the Rajah III is aggressive looking and somewhat impractical for your average suburban/urban EDC, I cannot deny that this is a solid tool that is capable of getting real work done. It may not be the most convenient choice for an armchair general like myself, but I still respect and the Rajah III for being well made, and enjoy how it is a little different than the rest of the knives in my collection.

Also, the fundamentals to the Rajah are solid: the tri-ad lock is extremely sturdy, the knife is lightweight yet strong, the handle is comfortable, the blade slices and dices with the best of them, the fit and finish is extremely good, and the price is very attractive.

If you want a no-nonsense, high performance Cold Steel lockback folder with a 3.5″ blade then I suggest checking out the American Lawman. The Lawman continues to be one of my favorites. It is slimmer than the Rajah III and less intimidating. In my mind it is clearly a more practical EDC choice. But if you are looking for something a little further out there, and like the lines of the Rajah series, then check out the Rajah III. For $45 this is a tremendous value and an excellent knife. I like mine a lot.

Cold Steel (CS62KGCM-BRK) Rajah III Plain BD1 Steel Stone Wash, Black

Blade length: 3-1/2 inch
Overall length: 8-3/8 inch
Steel: carpenter CTS Bd1 alloy with stonewash finish

I recommend purchasing the Rajah III 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.

Spyderco Tuff Review

by Dan Jackson 10 Comments

Ed Schempp’s designs are something of an acquired taste. The man isn’t afraid to try new things, and his “function over form” design philosophy aligns nicely with Spyderco’s credo. He has worked on a series of ethnic folders with Spyderco which have intrigued me, although never to the point of acquisition. I have always found his designs to be a little strange.

Buy the Spyderco Tuff at BladeHQ

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That said, the Tuff slowly grew on me. Not so much from a visual standpoint, but from the idea of designing a knife that is such an unapologetically hard use folding knife. We often see “hard use” folding knives that fit inside a lot of the tropes of well established knife design. The Tuff looks more at home in a scene from Aliens than it does sitting in the display case of a cutlery shop. The Tuff is extreme. That is what drew me to this knife.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Tuff has an overall length of 8.85″, a 3.7″ blade, and weighs 6.3 ounces. This ain’t no normal EDC knife. Surprisingly, it feels lightweight for its size, and carries most of its weight in its 4mm thick blade. I am not sure who this is good for as a daily use knife. It would be good for a camp site, a farm, or maybe if you were 350 pounds and rode in a motorcycle gang for a living.

As for self defense applications, I certainly would not want to be stabbed with this knife… for whatever that is worth. I have enjoyed carrying the Tuff on the weekends and for purposes of putting this review together, and wouldn’t mind having one in my pocket while traversing a dark alley, but I can’t say that I need a knife like this to accomplish my basic daily tasks.

The blade of the Tuff is almost like a beak. The tip is insane. It’s a thick piece of 3V steel, with a dramatic fuller running almost the entire length of the blade. The fuller looks cool, lightens the blade up a little bit, and offers an alternate means of opening the knife. The flat grind is thick, but that’s par for the course with this kind of knife. It still cuts pretty well for what it is. The large forward choil leaves you with a mere 3 inches of cutting edge, not a ton given it’s overall size. What else can I say? It’s a brutish blade. The satin finish is handsome and lends almost a surgical appearance to the tool.

3V steel is a high carbon tool steel known for it’s combination of edge retention and extreme toughness. This is actually my first knife in 3V, so I was especially interested in examining its performance. I know that Strider has been using 3V on their toughest folders and I have seen it showing up in a lot of custom and mid tech offerings as well. It has been received very well by the knife community as a hard wearing no-nonsense premium steel for those wanting extreme toughness and good edge retention.

There are folks on YouTube using 3V knives to bust up cinder blocks. I’m not nearly that hardcore. But I ran the knife through a series of tests with cardboard, rope, and wood, and even did some light chopping with it. The edge (and lock) held up well. The edge seemed toothy and cut very aggressively – kind of like M4.

While this is a thick blade and the geometry isn’t ideal for fine slicing (forget cutting up an apple with it), the knife cut surprisingly well. Much better than say, my SnG, which also is a very stout blade. When it came time to sharpen I did not have any issues with a strop and fine Spyderco Sharpmaker stones. Like many high carbon steels, 3V felt like it wanted to take an edge. No issues with rust or corrosion either, although this is not a stainless steel knife and you need to exercise some care with it. I found M4 on my Gayle Bradley took a patina faster than this 3V.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The Tuff’s handle features a black G10 scale over a full stainless steel liner, a partial G10 backspacer, and a thick titanium framelock. Oh, and there are dimples all over the handle. The dimples are visually interesting, lighten the knife up a little bit, and are well executed. This knife has come from Spyderco’s Taiwan-based manufacturer, and the fit and finish of this handle is immaculate. The stainless steel liner has been drilled out to keep the weight down, the oversized pivot is a custom piece, and all the pieces line up perfectly. This is what I have come to expect from Taiwanese Spydercos, and I’m pleased to say I haven’t been disappointed.

The Tuff is a surprisingly comfortable knife. Or maybe that isn’t a surprise given how ugly this thing is. Regardless, it’s comfortable. With the forward choil the handle is so big I can almost get 2 hands on it, so you have options as to hand placement. You can choke up on the blade for more precision work. You can also lean far back on the handle for light chopping. The knife is almost like a folding kukri. There is a run of jimping on the spine, choil, and lock relief. All of the jimping works well without being overly annoying. The handle design itself has a strong negative angle, which has a way of putting the blade on target. Overall I found the Tuff to be comfortable and easy to work with.

The pocket clip is a 4-position blackened stainless steel spoon clip. It has good tensile strength, and is planted in place with three fasteners that fit over the pivot or lanyard hole. The clip has been finished with something of a black chrome look, and it gives the clip some depth and character. It isn’t an ultra deep carry clip. I suspect it has been designed to be strong and easy to access. In pocket the Tuff carries well for it’s size. It’s a flat knife and is relatively lightweight give its size. For a working knife like this I think they did a good job with the pocket clip.

Deployment and Lockup

Spyderco included a generous thumb hole with the Tuff. I can flick the knife open but it usually involves shaving off a good portion of my thumb nail. The heavy blade, strong detent, and sharp thumb hole do not make this the easiest knife to flick open – but it is possible. I tend to prefer using the fuller to push the blade open. It catches the thumb nicely and gets the job done. The action of the knife was very smooth straight out of the box thanks in part to generous phosphor bronze washers.

For lockup the Tuff is equipped with a short throw titanium frame lock. It’s a sturdy lock further reinforced with a stainless steel lockbar insert. The lock bar insert also doubles as a hidden lockbar stabilizer. The stop pin on this knife is about as thick as I have ever seen. It’s a really impressive stop pin.

In an earlier version of the knife I handled, I recall the lock being real “tuff” to disengage. I bought my personal knife a few months ago, and this version is easier to disengage. I realize that this is a knife designed for he man alpha males, but I appreciate that this lock bar is easier to disengage. Also, the knife is very smooth. The blade will fall close when you disengage the lock.

As for lock strength, I haven’t taken this knife to the moon or entered it into a robot fighting competition (yet), but so far it has held up well under normal use and a few trips to the back yard to beat around with some heavy cardboard, rope, and fire prep. So far so good.

Also, as an aside, I love the sound this blade makes when opening. Opening the blade slowly makes for a very satisfying “ker-thunk”.

Spyderco Tuff Review – Final Thoughts

The Spyderco Tuff lives up to it’s name. Next to the Hinderer XM-18 this is one of the most heavily built folders I have reviewed, although the Benchmade Adamas and ZT 0550 are pretty damn beefy too. Compared with a run of the mill production folder this a huge difference in build. If overbuilt is what you are looking for then check out the Tuff. For $200.00 is a serious piece of hardware.

Of course a knife like this is not for everyone. I can’t seriously EDC this thing, and I’m guessing most readers won’t. Also some people will be turned off by the looks of it. Between the dimples, huge fuller, and elongated shape I am sure it doesn’t appeal to everyone’s design tastes.

Spyderco Schempp Tuff G-10 Plain Edge Knife, Black

Flat-ground drop-point Crucible CPM 3V steel blade
Black G-10 scales
Dimpled texture pattern
Oversized pivot assembly and hardened steel lock interface

I recommend purchasing the Tuff at at Amazon.com and BladeHQ. Thank you very much.

Buck Marksman Review

by Dan Jackson 12 Comments

Last Updated: December 2, 2019
You may have noticed a lack of reviews of Buck knives. I have nothing against Buck. I reviewed the Vantage a couple years back, and haven’t gotten around to reviewing anything else because nothing else in their lineup interested me that much. That is, until I saw the Marksman.

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The Marksman is a collaboration with Grant and Gavin Hawk. Grant and Gavin are known for pushing the envelope with unique designs and locking mechanisms. They have done a number of collaborations with Kershaw, Chris Reeve, and Zero Tolerance. I think it was especially cool that they teamed up with Buck, because Buck is so well known as a traditional brand, and Grant and Gavin are so well known for re-imagining the folding knife. It is an interesting juxtaposition, and it definitely got my attention. Toss in a 154CM blade, bearings, “made in the USA” quality, and a retail price of under $100, and I’m thinking there might be room for another Buck review on this website.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Marksman has an overall length of 8.25″, a 3.5″ blade, and weighs 4.3 ounces. This full size knife feels surprisingly lightweight thanks to the aluminum handle. I have mostly been using the Marksman for yard work and weekend chores, and it has made a great carry for those heavier duty applications. I have cut down bamboo, busted open zip ties, broken down boxes, and performed mild food prep. The Marksman cuts well and is lightweight and functional.

It’s the kind of user knife like the Benchmade Volli, Hogue EX04, and Cold Steel American Lawman, that manages to remain in my collection. For whatever reason, most of my fancier knives end up getting sold, but I have a hell of a time parting ways with a good user.

The blade shape of the Marksman is classic Buck drop point. It has the oval thumb hole that they seem to favor, and the design is mild mannered when compared to the handle. It’s also a functional blade shape with a sturdy tip and high hollow grind. The blade has been left with a matte finish which isn’t anything too spectacular. You can still see some rough grind lines and the finish will pick up scuffs and scratches. The laser etched logos on the blade also has shown signs of wear and have faded after the occasional application of Bar Keepers Friend (a metal cleaner). I photographed the knife after using it regularly for a couple months and you can see how the black laser etching has been scrubbed away. I consider this a “happy accident” as I’m a big fan of sterile blades.

Buck went with good ole 154 CM stainless steel heat treated by Paul Bos. The edge has held up well and the Marksman is a fantastic cutter. I have mentioned earlier how I have been using this knife pretty hard (for me at least) and I have been pleased with the performance. It keeps a good edge yet remains easy to sharpen. I have always been a fan of 154CM so I am not particularly surprised by my experience. I will say that I have had 154CM rust on me a little on more than one occasion, so you need to keep an eye on it, especially if you are going to use the knife for food prep and not clean it like I have on several occasions. If you don’t let the knife get too crusty, a little of that Bar Keepers Friend will bring it back to new.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The Marksman has a black anodized aluminum handle with a steel backspacer. This makes for a lightweight and strong handle. The anodization on the aluminum has held up well and there are grooves milled into the handle for a little texture and visual interest. The backspacer integrates with the strap lock (more on that below) so you have something of a “closed construction” design. While aluminum isn’t the most sexy of handle materials, it is very practical. I think it suits the design of this knife. Although it first appears as if there is a lot going on with this knife, at the end of the day construction is simple and sturdy. All the pieces have been nicely finished and the handle has been well executed.

The Marksman is a full size knife. Ergonomically it is straightforward and performs like you would expect. What impresses me most when I use the Marksman is how nice and light it feels in hand. I will say that the strap lock is uncomfortable to use repeatedly – at least until you build some callouses up on your hands. The serrations on the lock are no joke, and they tore up my thumb at first. Having used the knife for months now I don’t feel anything uncomfortable, but it took some getting used to.

Buck went with a deep carry reversible pocket clip mounted on the butt of the handle. This is a lot like the clip found on the LionSteel SR-1. The clip itself is simple and sturdy. It buries the knife discretely into the pocket. I like the clip and the way the Marksman carries. It’s worth mentioning that the knife is fully ambidextrous.

Here is your pocket clip shot:

Deployment and Lockup

Grant and Gavin really know how to shake things up in the deployment and lockup section. Sometimes I find myself starting to yawn when I put this part of the review together, but the Marksman really gives me something to talk about.

So you are probably already aware that the Marksman uses a “strap lock” to lock the blade in place. Chances are you have never encountered a strap lock on a knife before. It’s a big strip of stainless steel that runs the length of the back of the handle and snaps into place over a protrusion on the back of the blade. What makes it cool is that in the closed position, it serves as a big spring, and when you hit the flipper the knife launches open effortlessly.

Here is a size comparison with a Spyderco Delica and Spyderco Endura:

I have never been a huge fan of assisted openers, but the action on the Marksman is really cool and satisfying. It’s unlike any other spring assisted knife I have handled, to the point where I am reluctant to even identify it as an assisted opening knife. Closing the blade is kind of like setting a bear trap, and the trigger takes only a very light touch. It makes a very distinct tinny sound when you deploy it. Even my girlfriend could pick up on the fact that something was different with this knife. If the novel deployment system wasn’t enough, Buck also included a caged bearing system. The bearings work great and the action is so smooth that the blade just falls shut. This is a knife that you can easily open with the flipper or the thumb hole.

To disengage the blade you have to pull up on the strap with the serrations on the side of it. The serrations are rough and your thumb will get chewed up when you first start using the knife – especially if you obsessively open and close it like I did. The initial pain is definitely a negative, but overall I found the strap lock mechanism endearing, and like it more than I thought I would. With some practice you can learn how to open and close the knife one handed. It takes some tough thumbs and a little finesse but even this southpaw has managed to figure it out.

Another interesting aspect about the lock is that it is fully adjustable with a set screw on the pommel. I have used the knife for months and have opened it thousands of times. I have yet to notice any blade play, but if some were to develop you could tune it out with the set screw and pivot.

Here is a parting shot with my Spyderco Para 2:

Blade centering is perfect on my knife.

Buck Marksman Review – Final Thoughts

The novelty of the Marksman is what made me buy it. The thoughtful design, solid build quality, and excellent performance are what made me keep it. I would have never guessed that I would like the Marksman as much as I do. I wrote this review back in 2014, and as I update it in 2019, the Marksman is still part of my rotation. It’s a truly excellent knife. Perfect for those looking for a workhorse EDC that’s different.

The knife definitely has some novel features to it, and it doesn’t disappoint in that respect. But at the end of the day what impresses me most about the Marksman is that it’s actually a really good knife. The strap lock is unique, and I love how the blade deploys. The knife is also lightweight, tough, and functional. The materials are all high quality and it’s nicely put together – especially at the price point and considering that it is USA made. It carries well, cuts cleanly, and is a lot of fun to open and close. The Marksman has really grown on me. I would go so far as to say this is one of my favorite designs in 2014. I am glad I gave it a chance.

With all of that said I realize that this knife isn’t for everyone. The futuristic design is bound to polarize people, and the strap lock and it’s sharp edges could be a deal killer as well. But if you are in the market for something different and like a good user blade, then the Buck Marksman should definitely be on your radar. I liked it so much it earned a spot on my recommended EDC knives page.

Buck Knives 830 Marksman Folding Knife with One Hand Opening Action

RAZOR SHARP BLADE- 3-1/2" Drop Point 154CM Steel Blade delivers excellent edge retention, corrosion resistance, and is suitable for heavy cutting applications. Closed Length 4-3/4" Weight 4.0 oz.
AMBIDEXTROUS ONE HAND OPEN - Opens with the flick of a finger. The unique SLS Strong Lock System is one of the strongest locking mechanisms on the market. Once deployed, it offers the strength of a fixed blade knife
SAFE AND SECURE GRIP - The Black anodized aluminum handle provides a comfortable and secure grip while you work. This tactical knife will hold up in the most demanding situations
CONVENIENT CARRY - Includes a removable, reversible, tip-up discreet deep pocket carry clip for easy attachment to your belt, pocket, or in your bag
MADE IN THE USA - FOREVER WARRANTY - Since 1902 Buck Knives has offered a lifetime warranty on our knives because we believe in the integrity of our products. This knife is proudly made in the USA.

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

Rick Hinderer Knives XM-18 3.5 Review

by Dan Jackson 16 Comments

Last Updated: June 23, 2019
In the past I have compared knife collecting to mountain climbing. Certainly there isn’t the element of physical accomplishment, as the only thing that really gets a workout is your wallet, but there is that spirit of pursuit and of course the ascent up a pile of incrementally more expensive knives. When considering the “summit” in the realm of production knives three big players in the US market come to mind: Chris Reeve, Strider, and Hinderer.

Buy the Hinderer XM-18 at BladeHQ

Buy on Amazon

I have been tooling away at this website for the better part of 4 years now, and have already covered multiple Chris Reeve and Strider products, but I’ve yet to review a Hinderer. That is because I had yet to purchase a Hinderer until 6 months ago.

The reason it has taken me so long to review a Hinderer is the same reason why many people get so hung up on Hinderer knives in general. They are difficult to purchase unless you win a lottery at one of the knife shows Hinderer goes to, happen to qualify for Hinder’s active military / first responder program and buy directly from Hinder, or want to pay a substantial mark up for a Hinderer on the secondary market. With a retail price from Hinderer of $385, these knives were selling for $700, $800, $900+ on the forums. We could get into a huge debate as to whether they are “worth” the money. At the end of the day, they are worth what you will pay for them.

Over the past few years I have seen the secondary prices creep down a little, and was able to snag this new XM-18 3.5″ for $550. At that price I was comfortable buying the knife knowing that I could eventually sell it and recover most if not all of my money. Your mileage will vary.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The 3.5″ XM-18 has an overall length of 8.25″, weighs 5.6 ounces, and of course it sports a 3.5″ blade. This is a very substantial tool. It is over half an inch thick, and was definitely not designed for desk jockeys like myself. Rick comes from a firefighting background, and built the XM with first responders in mind.

It’s a big and heavy knife designed to perform under the hugely demanding situations first responders run into. I run a small law office on the coast of Florida. The closest thing I come to being a first responder is responding to the office manager’s announcement that someone dropped off a dozen donuts in the break room. On weekends I mow the lawn, go to the beach, and occasionally write articles about pocket knives. Some might suggest the 3″ XM for someone like myself, but I have always wanted to check out a 3.5″ flipper slicer. So here we are.

The blade of the XM is Rick’s classic drop point shape. We have seen something similar to it in the myriad of KAI/Hinderer collabs that I have covered over the years. My particular XM has been given Rick’s “slicer” grind, which is his leaner more cutting oriented grind. Contrast this with his thicker reinforced “Spanto” grind. Even though this is the slicier of the two grinds, it’s still quite thick behind the edge and favors durability over raw slicing performance. I’m okay with that as it seems to suit the beefy, reinforced nature of the rest of the knife.

Hinderer offers their knives in a number of different blade finishes, and even a wharncliffe version now. Mine has been given a nice tumbled finish although you can also get them beadblasted, coated, or even hand ground by the man himself if you have the cash.

Over the years Hinderer has offered the XM in a proverbial cornucopia of different steels. The blade steel of this particular XM is S35VN which is probably what most of them are being made out of these days. S35VN is a good steel and has been adopted by Chris Reeve and Spyderco. The blade is heat treated to 60-61 HRc. This is a touch harder than what Chris Reeve has been heat treating his S35VN to, and the result is better edge retention, but it’s theoretically a little harder to sharpen. In use I have found that the edge stays keen, and I have only had to strop it to maintain sharpness. I haven’t had issues with rust, chipping, or anything else. No complaints here.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The handle of the XM is very well done. You have a G10 scale over titanium liner on one side, and then a full titanium frame lock on the other. Holding everything together is a bunch of custom hardware. This handle is beautifully made and you can really get to understand the quality of the XM by closely examining it. The parts are all overbuilt, but wonderfully finished. My titanium locking side has been completely stonewashed and this nice hard wearing finish compliments the blade nicely. It really is a beautifully made handle.

In hand the XM 18 is all business. Again, Rick designed this knife with firefighters and military in mind, and it’s a no-nonsense tool that works in a variety of grips. I have always been a fan of forward finger choils, and even without the choil there is plenty of room on this handle for large gloved hands. This is also a thick knife, and it really fills the hand. I can only imagine what the XM-24 is like. It’s probably akin to driving around in an S-Class Mercedes all day – solid and roomy. There is jimping on the spine, lock release, and pommel, but it’s wide soft jimping and doesn’t tear up your skin. I’d say the ergonomics are pretty solid with this one.

Hinderer equips the XM 18 with a reversible pocket clip. It’s not a deep carry clip and favors ease of access over concealment. It’s a big heavy knife, so you will feel the XM-18 in your pocket, but it carries alright for what it is. The clip sets into a recess in the handle so it’s a very sturdy design. I think it’s interesting that they include a “filler tab” for the clip mounting position you don’t use.

Deployment and Lockup

Hinderer offers these knives in flipper and non-flipper variants. Here of course I have the flipper version. Many view this as the knife that got the titanium frame lock flipper craze going, and the ZT0560 collab really brought that front and center to the masses.

What is sort of ironic about the XM-18 is that it’s not a particularly good flipper. Back when these first came out I am sure the flipping action was considered to be fine, but these days even my $30 Swindle out flips this knife. There are teflon washers inside and while I can pushbutton the blade open it isn’t a rocket launcher flipper by any stretch of the imagination. But that isn’t necessarily a kiss of death. This is still a very nice smooth knife with good action, and reliable deployment. You just need to decide whether you are looking for a really fast flipper or not. I will say the thumb studs work fine on this XM.

Lockup on this knife is the stuff of legends. The thick titanium lockbar engages early against the tang of the blade and there isn’t even a hint of play. The thumb studs double as blade stops and the stop pin is sleeved to avoid peening. There is zero stickiness to the lock despite not having a stainless steel lockbar insert. Also, lets not forget the inclusion of the Hinderer lockbar stabilizer. I’ve mentioned it in scores of other reviews, but this is where it all began. Lockup is just super duper good.

Hinderer XM-18 Review – Final Thoughts

Politics and price points aside, this is an impressive knife. I feel that there is a substantial bump up in beefiness and build quality when compared with a Strider or Chris Reeve offering, and it’s a big jump from Spydercos, Benchmades, and even new ZTs.

When I compare the XM to everything else I have reviewed before, I have to say that the XM is a different knife. It’s difficult to put into words, but it feels like every piece of this knife was first carefully contemplated, and then overbuilt and meticulously finished to a fanatical degree. This is an extremely solid knife and I am glad that I have finally been able to acquire one for long term testing.

That said, the 3.5″ XM-18 does have its potential draw backs. The fact that it’s heavy, and doesn’t flip very well are the biggest draw backs that come to mind.

This XM has been in my collection for several months now, and I’ve tried my best to approach the review cautiously given the enormous amount of hype built into these knives. While I can’t say I would spend $800 for one of these, I do think they are easily worth the $385 MSRP. At $550 I am less enthused, but still respect the knife for what it is. Like any other luxury good, some will love it while others will blast it as a ridiculous extravagance. Those that don’t like it can simply vote with their dollars and spend their money elsewhere.

Personally I view this as either a dedicated tool or a collectible. It’s not a daily carry item for me. But again, I don’t work as a first responder. I “need” this knife for work much like I “need” a Hummer to accomplish my 20 minute suburban commute every day. That said, I realize there are plenty of people who may actually need, or want, an over built knife like this. And if that’s the kind of knife you are looking for, Hinderer delivers in spades.

I can say without hesitation that the XM-18 is a beautiful knife, and I recommend checking one out if you are at all interested in it. I am glad I did.

Rick Hinderer Knives XM-18 3.5 – $550.00
From: BladeHQ

RICK HINDERER XM-18 3.0 SPANTO-WORKING FINISH

KnifeArt has a great selection of Hinderer XM-18s, and they pop up on BladeHQ as well. And lately Amazon has been stocking them as well. I recommend purchasing them at these retailers. 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.

Cold Steel American Lawman Review

by Dan Jackson 27 Comments

Last Updated: March 9, 2018
When I hear the words “hard use folder” it’s often accompanied by a mental image of dollar signs. For whatever reason, we have equated hard working blades with titanium, super steel, and triple digit price tags. Those knives are cool, and I am sure some are capable of getting work done, but not everyone has that kind of cash – and even if you do it can be hard to really buy a knife like that and drive it like you stole it.

Buy the Cold Steel American Lawman at BladeHQ

Buy on Amazon

That’s why I like the Cold Steel American Lawman. For around $85 you get a rock solid knife that you aren’t afraid to beat on. After all, what’s the point of a hard use knife if you can’t actually bring yourself to hard use it? I have thrashed on my review sample for years. Lets take a closer look at one of my favorite every day working tools.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The American Lawman has an overall length of 8-1/8″, a 3.5″ blade, weighs 4.5 ounces, and is made in Taiwan. This is a nicely proportioned medium sized folder designed by Andrew Demko. I found it reasonable enough for every day carry, but could definitely see this as a dedicated work knife or tactical blade. The “Lawman” designation seems to fit well.

The Lawman features a simple drop point blade with a high hollow grind. The knife is thinly ground, making it an aggressive slicer, and the tip is reinforced to hold up against hard use and thrusting. I like the blade shape. It’s not as aggressive as many of Cold Steel’s other offerings but is still very useful. There is plenty of belly, the tip gets nice and sharp, and the knife generally cuts really well.

Originally, Cold Steel used AUS8a for the blade steel, which is basically the same as AUS8. AUS8 is known as a softer steel and a lot of people don’t like it. I like AUS-8 because a couple swipes on a Spyderco Sharpmaker restores the knife back to hair shaving sharpness.

In 2015 Cold Steel updated their lineup of knives to include CTS-XHP steel, an American stainless steel forged by Carpenter. This is a superior steel to AUS-8, although it adds approximately $30 to the price tag of the knife. I have experience with CTS-XHP with other knives, and have had hands on experience with the Cold Steel Ultimate Hunter in CTS-XHP. CTS-XHP will hold an edge longer than AUS-8, and it is still easy to sharpen.

Cold Steel also upgraded to blade coating from a cheap black teflon coating, to a high end DLC coating. DLC is probably the best coating there is, so it’s a great upgrade.

Handle, Ergonomics and Pocket Clip

The handle of the American Lawman is made primarily of two thick pieces of black peel ply G10. There are no liners of any kind inside the handle and the G10 screws directly into a black aluminum backspacer and stainless steel lock bar. In practice the handle is quite strong. The G10 is thick and I was not able to flex the handle at all – so I would not worry that this handle will not be up to hard use. Fit and finish is nice too. All of the edges have been nicely rounded and everything lines up well. This is a strong and well put together handle.

I really like the ergonomics of the Lawman. The handle is plenty large and allows for a comfortable grip. There is some shallow jimping on the top of the handle. It’s not aggressive but provides some texture and feedback for your thumb. The G10 is extremely high traction and provides a good deal of grip. One of my favorite ergonomic features is the forward choil. Much like the Spyderco Sage or Paramilitary 2, this forward choil allows you to choke up and really get some detail work done. I am a huge fan of the forward choil. Cold Steel usually doesn’t include this feature so I think it’s worth mentioning. Finally I want to say that the knife also feels comfortable in a reverse grip.

The pocket clip is standard fare for Cold Steel. It’s small black coated stainless steel clip. It’s very tight. The tight clip combined with the aggressive G10 means it can tear up your pants if you aren’t careful. The clip is reversible (they actually include 2 clips since it’s a curved design) and it allows for tip up carry only. In pocket the American Lawman carries well. The small clip buries the knife deep, so it’s a discrete carry, and the slim profile and relatively light weight makes for an easy carry.

Deployment and Lock

The CS Lawman uses a thumbstud and a half to get the blade out of the handle. The thumbstud is not entirely ambidextrous out of the box, but it is swappable. This is not the fastest deploying knife and it will require some wrist action if you really want to snap the knife out. This is mainly due to the strong backspring of the triad lock. I don’t mind the slow and purposeful deployment of the American Lawman, but if you are one to habitually flick your knife open and closed the Lawman be advised that this isn’t really that kind of knife.

The lock on this knife is quite interesting. It uses the Cold Steel Triad locking system. The Triad is a modified lock back system that utilizes a “stop pin” to redistribute pressure placed on the knife and lock and in theory it provides for a stronger lock. My experience with the Triad lock suggests that it is in fact very strong. Lockback knives are very strong in general and the Cold Steel version is at least as strong as a regular lockback. I like how this lock is designed to break in with the knife so it won’t require maintenance. The lock feels very crisp and nice and secure.

American Lawman or the Recon1 or the AK-47?

Chances are, if you are interested in the American, you may also be interested in the Cold Steel Recon 1 or the AK-47. If that is the case, I recorded a video where I do a detailed comparison of these 3 models that you may find useful.

Cold Steel American Lawman Review – Final Thoughts

If you are in the market for a hard use folding knife and have around $50 to spend, the American Lawman should be on your short list. This is an extremely rugged knife that feels good in hand and is capable of some serious cutting. The relatively light weight design and non-threatening blade make this a good choice for EDC, although the knife could definitely flex into a more “tactical” role. No doubt this is why Cold Steel has marketed the knife toward law enforcement.

The biggest gripe with this knife was always the sub-par AUS-8 blade steel and cheap teflon coating. Cold Steel blew those complaints out of the water, when they upgraded this knife to CTS-XHP and a DLC coating. At this point, the only grievance I can raise is that the pocket clip can be a little small / tight for some. It’s not my absolute favorite clip, but it’s not that bad either.

All said this is one of my favorite folders from Cold Steel. They don’t make a ton of stuff in the 3.5″ blade length and the subdued looks really gels with me. I highly recommend the American Lawman if you need hard a wearing utility knife and don’t want to shell out a ton of cash.

Cold Steel American Lawman Black Folder

Blade thickness: 3.5 mm
Blade length: 3 1/2 inch
Handle: 4 5/8 inch long. G-10

I recommend purchasing the American Lawman 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.