Tactical Knives

Emerson Horseman Mini CQC-8 Review

Last Updated: August 4, 2019
I have bought a number of Emerson knives under the guise that they were going to be my next EDC. Ernest’s blades have an American bravado to them that I really enjoy, and on several occasions I’ve found myself say, “Oh yeah, I’m going to EDC the heck out of this thing,” as my cursor hovers over the buy button. When the knife arrives it’s usually about twice as big as I imagined. The unfortunate truth is that while I enjoy the knife for what it is, it never ends up staying in my pocket.

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I have (presumably) learned from this mistake several times now, and purchased my latest Emerson, the Horseman (aka the mini CQC-8), because it is a smaller knife.

Ernest calls this scaled down version of the CQC-8 “the Horseman” because it was designed to be carried while riding a horse. I haven’t been near a horse for at least a decade, so unfortunately I will not be providing any commentary on the blade’s equestrian capabilities. That said, I do hope to answer whether the knife is a worthy urban EDC.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Horseman has an overall length of 8.35″, sports a 3.54″ blade, and weighs 4.8 ounces. Compared to previously reviewed Emersons like the Super Commander and CQC-13 this is a much smaller knife. That said, this is still an Emerson, and it still has a blade over 3.5″ inches long. It’s got a pleasant thickness to it, a reassuring heft, and generally isn’t what I would call a small knife. While it is definitely more pocketable than some of their other offerings, it’s no gentleman’s folder either.

It’s hard for me to determine what exactly the blade shape would be classified as – perhaps a modified clip point? Some call it “the banana blade,” and to me that is as good a classification as any. The curved edge comes to a very acute tip thanks to a finely ground swedge. Like all of my other Emersons I have handled, the blade has been beautifully ground. I once again opted for the stonewashed version. I love the way stonewashed version is finished with it’s sparkling flats and satin grinds.

Like most Emerson knives this blade has been V ground, but is left with a chisel ground edge. Ernest claims this is done for ease of sharpening, and I must say that the edge was very easy to maintain. The steel is 154CM: a well-balanced blade material that should be no stranger to regular readers of this blog. 154CM sharpens nicely and holds a good edge.

I tested the Horseman out on a variety of materials. I started with a 6-foot length of 1/4″ thick sisal rope and had no issues cutting it inch long sections. I then moved on to a piece of 3/4″ thick manilla rope – a pretty nasty material – and the Horseman once again cut cleanly and with confidence. I found the jimping on the spine of the blade a bit aggressive under repeated hard cutting, but for normal work I think you will find it is alright.

I touched the chisel edge up on a strop and then moved along to several pieces of cardboard. The Horseman cut without issue although I do prefer a more conventional V ground edge over a chisel edge for cardboard. I find that a V edge tracks through cardboard a little easier, but that could just be due to my relative inexperience with chisel edges. I will say that the chisel edge is capable of getting razor sharp with very little effort. Ultimately I was satisfied with how the Horseman worked on cardboard.

I rounded things out with a little carving on a piece of pine 2×2. The fine chisel edge made for an aggressive carver, and I was pleased with how quickly the knife removed material. I have to admit that I found the handle pretty uncomfortable under this kind of use, and resorted to wearing a glove to finish the job. That is pretty much par for the course with most folders, but I felt it was still worth mentioning.

Ultimately I found the Horseman to be a capable cutter well suited to a variety of tasks. As expected, the 154CM held onto its edge, and was easy to keep sharp. I had no issues with rust or corrosion either.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The Horseman’s handle follows the same formula of all of Emerson’s other knives: black G10 scales over a steel non-locking liner and a titanium locking liner with a black G10 backspacer. Everything is held together with Phillips and flat-head hardware. If you have seem one Emerson handle, you have pretty much seen them all. My Horseman came well finished. All of the parts are well lined up, there are no tooling marks on the liners, and everything is very solid. It’s simply constructed, but also well done.

From an ergonomic standpoint, the Horseman benefits from Ernest’s decades of knife design and martial arts experience. The Horseman feels very natural in both forward and reverse grips. The deep finger guard makes it difficult to slip forward on the knife, and the thick handle provides plenty of support for your palm. The jimping on the thumb ramp provides good traction, but it can get uncomfortable under extended use. For normal use I think most will find the thumb ramp to be comfortable.

The pocket clip is the same clip found on all Emerson knives. It’s a simple black parkerized clip and is very similar to the standard Benchmade clip. This isn’t an ultra deep carry, but the Horseman rides reasonably low and carries discretely in the pocket. Despite being a “mini” Emerson, this is still a thicker knife, and it still weighs 4.8 ounces. I definitely felt it while carrying it around, but there are certainly bulkier knives on the market. It carries better with jeans and thicker fabrics.

Deployment and Lockup

The Horseman makes use of Ernest Emerson’s patented wave feature for deployment. For the uninitiated, this is a tried and true method of rapidly opening a folding knife. They also included a thumb disk on this model, which is easy to access and suits the lines of the knife. My model came a little stiff, and could probably stand to be taken down, cleaned, and reassembled with some tuf-glide or other high end lubricant.

For lockup we have the aforementioned titanium locking liner. It is a bit thicker than the steel non-locking liner, and engages nice and early. There is a little stick on the lock of my knife, but it isn’t obnoxious. There is no blade play in any direction. There is something very purposeful about the way this knife was manufactured and assembled, and the solid lockup adds to that feel.

Emerson Horseman Review – Final Thoughts

The Horseman is another well contemplated offering from Emerson, and I think it will satisfy fans of Emerson’s products that want something a little more manageable for carry on a daily basis. It has the same features and design quirks of its bigger brothers, but it doesn’t compromise in ergonomic or cutting performance. That said, this is still a thick knife, and at 4.8 ounces I definitely feel it in my pocket. Whether it will make a practical EDC knife for you is entirely subjective.

I will say that this is a sturdy no-nonsense knife, and I was surprised with how much I have enjoyed it. My particular knife is immaculate, and it has been fun to carry. If you can find one as solid as this I think you will like it.

I recommend purchasing the Emerson Horseman at BladeHQ. Purchasing anything through any of the links on this website helps support BladeReviews. As always, any and all support is greatly appreciated! Thank you very much.

Emerson Horseman
From: BladeHQ

Emerson Knives Horseman SF

I recommend buying the Emerson Horseman at BladeHQ or Amazon. Thanks for checking out the review.

Spyderco Southard Flipper C156GBN Review

by Dan Jackson 17 Comments

Last Updated: July 30, 2019
If you have been following the production knife scene the past couple years, then you know that titanium framelock flippers have gotten extremely hot. This has a lot to do with custom and mid-tech makers that often set the trends, which eventually trickle down into production knives. Larger companies have finally taken notice, and now they want their piece of the framelock flipper pie.

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This has resulted is something that Andrew and I refer to as the “framelock flipper arms race.” When Zero Tolerance released their 0560 model not too long ago, it upped the ante in terms of materials selection, build quality, and technology. ZT loaded their knife to the gills with features like a caged bearing system, 3D contoured handles, and even going so far as to pocket out the titanium to lighten the knife. The 0560 continues to be a technological marvel as far as the production knife industry is concerned, but other companies, including Benchmade and Spyderco, have stopped to take notice – to the point where both companies have released their first models featuring a flipper in 2012-2013.

In this case we have Spyderco’s addition to the framelock flipper arms race: the Spyderco Southard Flipper. They decided to damn the titanium torpedoes and embark on a high-end collaboration with acclaimed custom knife maker Brad Southard. Known for his practical and well engineered designs, Brad has slowly carved a name for himself since he started making knives full time in 2009. Brad subscribes to the ideology that form should follow function, and he ultimately believes that good design is a marriage of aesthetics and performance. Technology also plays a key role in his knives, and this collaboration with Spyderco is a veritable cornucopia of the latest and greatest. Unfortunately for the consumer the price tag reflects this as well, with the knife arriving with a whopping $399.95 MSRP.

Does the fabled Southard Flipper deliver enough bang for the buck to make it worth adding to your collection? How does it stack up to something like the ZT 0560? Lets find out…

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Southard Flipper has an overall length of 7.96″, features a 3.46” blade, and weighs a solid 4.1 ounces. This is a jewel of a knife, beautifully manufactured for Spyderco in Taichung, Taiwan. Proud Americans may dismiss the knife offhand for having both a $250 retail price and the words “Taiwan” laser engraved on the blade, but I assure you the quality is 100% there. The knife is beautifully made and has a reassuring heft to it – made possible by thick slabs of steel, titanium, and G10.

As for the knife’s intended use, I mainly see the Southard Flipper as a collectible or high end EDC option. I have mostly been carrying mine on the weekends, as I find it a little too chunky to be paired with slacks in an office EDC. Your mileage will certainly vary.

The blade is a signature Brad Southard modified drop point design. Cut from a thick piece of Carpenter CTS-204P stainless steel, the profile swoops and slopes into an abrupt tip. The partial hollow grind terminates at a neatly applied edge, and the entire blade has been given the ever popular stonewashed finish.

CTS-204P is apparently the latest in a line of high performance steels from Carpenter. According to their data sheet this steel has been specifically formulated for high end cutlery applications. This is the part of the review where more sophisticated reviewers would spend a few moments to wax poetic about the chemical structure and technical merits of the steel, but I have neither the time nor the inclination for such diversions. Instead, I elected to simply start cutting stuff. Hey, at least I’m honest.

My knife came with an extremely sharp and aggressive edge. It almost reminded me of the M4 on my Gayle Bradley in how razor sharp and aggressive it was out of box. I actually moved to a new house in the middle of my testing phase, so the Southard Flipper got a chance to open up many cardboard boxes. It zipped through cardboard with alarming speed and efficiency. I decided at this point I wanted to try a more formal cut test to get a better feel for the knife and the steel.

I started out with a 6″ length of 3/8” sisal rope. I made cuts every inch. In some cases this is a difficult and painful test for me to get through. The Southard Flipper crunched through the rope without even blinking. It was one of the easier rope cut tests I have done, and the knife could have easily handled 2-3x as much rope.

I then moved on to some more cardboard boxes. The Southard flipper once again worked with impressive speed and agility as I cleanly cleaved a couple pieces of 3-ply commercial grade cardboard into confetti. At this point in the test I felt the edge could use some help, so I stropped it briefly. The 204p came back to factory sharpness with little effort – surprising considering how the blade has likely been heat treated to well over 60 hrc (Spyderco does not list the actual hardness of the steel).

I wrapped things up by whittling some 2x2s. It worked through the wood, but I was not super impressed with the carving performance of this knife. This shouldn’t be too surprising as the blade is 4mm thick and features a partial hollow grind. I found it was not the most efficient tool for cutting up apples either.

At the end of the day I was pleased with the performance of both the knife and the 204p steel. The steel is capable of taking an amazing edge, I had no issues with rust or corrosion, and the edge held up well. It’s a nice knife and is well suited for EDC tasks.

Handle, Ergonomics and Pocket Clip

The handle of the Southard Flipper is primarily comprised of titanium and g10. On the locking side you have a full titanium frame lock with a G10 overtravel prevention mechanism. On the non-locking side there is a brown G10 scale over a thick titanium liner. Everything is screwed together, and features flow-through (pillar) construction.

The knife is immaculately finished. The hardware gleams, every corner has been meticulously finished, and the knife feels like an absolute gem. The titanium liner has been drilled out to reduce the weight somewhat, but this is still a knife that I feel in my hand and in my pocket.

One thing to note is the asymmetry of the thickness of the handle; the non-locking side is noticeably thicker than the locking side. I am not sure if this was a conscious design decision, or if Spyderco was not willing to have the G10 side 3d machined like on the ZT0560. Since the knife is equipped with an internal stop pin and captured ball bearing system, it is necessary to have a metal liner of some sort. At any rate the asymmetry is interesting. In my video review I talk about the character of the knife and the odd juxtaposition of high end materials and meticulous finish next to the somewhat quirky and almost primitive design. I think it’s an interesting contrast, although I’m sure the asymmetrical handle will drive some people nuts.

Moving to ergonomics, I find the Southard Flipper to be extremely comfortable. A rope cut test is always a good workout for the handle of a knife, and hard carving / whittling can also quickly reveal hot spots and ergonomic issues. I found that the Southard performed fantastically in the rope cut, and was decently comfortable when carving. The knife is pretty thick and that chunkiness serves it well when putting some extra force behind the edge. The jimping on the spine of the blade is damn near perfect in my book. It’s got a little bit of traction without being obnoxiously sharp or painful. It’s just a comfortable knife.

In contrast, the pocket clip is a little underwhelming. Stylistically it looks cool, and is plenty sturdy / well made. However, I find it’s a little sharp on the tip, doesn’t exactly run with the lines of the handle, and doesn’t carry particularly well. I think a thick and heavy knife like this could benefit from a deeper carry clip. Although none of this strikes me as a deal breaker, I’ll openly confess that I feel the pocket clip is the weakest link.

Deployment and Lock

The more reviews I write the more I wonder how painfully obvious this section is. Of course what we have here is a flipper mechanism, and Spyderco’s first at that. I find it generally works pretty well.

When you have a firm grip on the flipper the detent is strong enough to easily pop the knife open. That said, I’ve flubbed the flip many many times, and wonder if an even stronger detent would be appropriate here. I’ll be the first to admit that this is me being nit picky, but on a knife of this caliber I might as well provide the entire story.

The knife does open nicely however, and the blade rotates smoothly around an over-sized pivot and caged bearing system. There is also the “trademarked” Spyderco thumb hole on the blade, but it’s impossible to use with your left hand, and a challenge to actuate with your right, so I find myself not having a whole lot to say about it.

Lockup is exceptional. My lock engages around 40-50%, and has been like that since the day I bought it. The lock engages easily, has no stick at all, and the knife is absolutely rock solid in every direction. The pivot must have some industrial strength [easyazon-link asin=”B0043EK14O” locale=”us”]loctite[/easyazon-link] on it, because I have been opening the knife obsessively for weeks and have yet to have a need to adjust it.

There is also a small g10 lock bar stabilizer inset into the framelock that matches the G10 scale on the opposing side. It looks interesting and does a good job of preventing the lock bar from over-extending. All said and done I am impressed with the lockup on this knife.

Spyderco Southard Flipper Review – Final Thoughts

So, Spyderco’s first flipper… did they nail it or fail it? I have to say, I like the knife a lot. Brad’s design is sexy and sophisticated, and the Taichung factory has once again produced an amazingly well built knife. Say whatever you want about overseas manufacturers, but the Southard Flipper is immaculately made.

The Southard Flipper also performs. It’s comfortable, balanced, and cuts nicely. I had a blast working through rope and cardboard. It’s not the keenest slicer, so chores like cutting apples and carving wood won’t be it’s forte, but overall the Southard Flipper is a capable tool.

If I had to point out the weaknesses of the knife, I’d say the pocket clip could use a little work, the flipper could benefit from a stronger detent, and I could live without the lanyard tube. Aside from that I find little fault with the knife. I will say once again that this is a heavier knife and in my pocket it is more appropriate for jeans or casual clothing – this is not a gentleman’s folder.

And lets spend a moment on the “value proposition” of the Southard Flipper. Some will balk at the $220 price tag, and I can appreciate that – this is an expensive knife, and it isn’t for everyone. But frankly, discussions about value don’t interest me much. Sure, I appreciate a good deal, and understand the value of a dollar, but much like a Chris Reeve Sebenza or a Strider SNG, we are looking at luxury items. No one ‘needs’ a Southard Flipper.

As someone who owns a wide range of folding knives I think the Southard Flipper will be well worth it to fans of high end Spydercos, and fans of titanium framelocks / flippers. It’s a beautiful knife.

And where does it stand next to the ZT 0560? Personally, I prefer the Southard. The 0560 is a cool knife, but I prefer the size of the Southard more and the knife has this wonderfully solid and well balanced feel to it. Practically speaking I find it more comfortable to cut with too. Sure, the 3D machining on the 0560 is nice, and it’s great to see the 0560 being made in the USA, but I still prefer the Southard more. Have an opinion? Feel free to leave it in the comments section below.

Spyderco Southard Folder G-10 Plain Edge Knife, Brown

Made using the highest quality materials
Tested for quality and durability
The most trusted name in you cutlery needs
Flipper blade opening device
CTS 204P hollow-ground blade

I recommend purchasing the Southard Flipper at Amazon, or BladeHQ. Purchasing anything through any of the links on this website helps support BladeReviews. As always, any and all support is greatly appreciated! Thank you very much for reading.

Strider SnG Review

by Dan Jackson 15 Comments

Last Updated: February 13, 2018
For many knife collectors the Strider SnG is a holy grail of sorts. Much like the Chris Reeve Sebenza, the Strider SnG represents the top of the line for production grade folders. Toss in a Hinderer XM, and you have what many knife collectors like to call “the holy trinity” of high end production blades.

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I am by no means an authority on Strider, but if you are unfamiliar with the brand Strider was founded some time in the mid 90’s by custom knifemakers Mick Strider and Duane Dwyer. The company is headquartered in San Marcos, California, and their designs draw heavily from the strong military background at Strider. They make a number of fixed blade and folding designs, and have fulfilled contracts for the U.S. Military in the past.

Strider knives aren’t cheap, but the company has built a reputation on quality and has gained an extremely loyal following. I have always found the bold lines of their folders intriguing, and the rugged nature of the knives further piqued my interest. The SnG is their mid size folder, resting comfortably between the large SMF and the small PT.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The SnG has an overall length of 8.25 inches, a 3.5 inch blade, and a weight of 4.4 ounces. The SnG could work well as a larger EDC, or as more of a large utility / tactical (self defense) knife. I will say that I was surprised at how lightweight the knife felt. With the SnG’s reputation as a hard use blade I expected some sort of folding brick to show up in my mailbox. Instead, I was pleasantly surprised with how manageable the knife felt. It quickly found its way into my pocket.

The blade on the SnG is a modified drop point design. My particular SnG happens to be flat ground, but I have seen hollow ground blades and tanto versions as well. Of course there are custom versions of the knife in every grind imaginable. Blade thickness on this knife is just over 4mm thick (.165″) and tapers down to a stout tip. Despite being a near full flat grind the SnG is quite thick behind the edge, and I found the cutting performance underwhelming. This is surprising considering the $400 price tag (intuitively, I would somehow expect the knives to cut better as the price went up), but when you consider the hard use nature of the blade it does make sense – this knife is designed to stand up to more than just cutting. The signature Strider tiger stripes are a result of a black oxide coating that has been partially sandblasted off. The tiger stripes are optional, but it’s a unique feature that is distinctively Strider.

Blade steel on this particular model is S30V. S30V is interesting because it was formulated specifically for knives, and is something of a collaboration between Chris Reeve and Crucible. S30V is a proven steel, and my experience with the steel has generally been very favorable. S30V sharpens without too much trouble, holds a nice edge, and is resistant to rust and corrosion. Strider’s heat treat for S30V was originally formulated by Paul Bos, an innovator in the world of heat treating who is perhaps best known for his in-house work with Buck (Strider used to collaborate heavily with Buck). Again, the thick geometry of the blade didn’t make this the most exceptional cutter, but S30V got the job done whether it was rope, cardboard, or wood.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The handles of the SnG are special because they feature a one-piece G10 scale and backspacer mated to a titanium integral lock. You do get a choice of color with the SNG (green, black, and brown are standard – various other colors are occasionally available), and Strider also offers them in concealed carry and Gunnar grip configurations as well. What is shown here is their standard “lego” style handle with brown G10 and a flamed titanium locking side. Everything is nicely cut out, well finished, and perfectly mated together. Oddly enough, what really impressed me about the handle of the SNG is the hardware. The body is held together with over-sized black domed screws, and the pivot is an equally beefy proprietary piece. However, I did notice one issue with the handle. The blade partially blocks the lanyard hole. C’est la vie if you want a Strider SnG.

From an ergonomics standpoint the SnG is a good size knife packed with features. I had plenty of room to maneuver my larger hand around this knife, and it accommodates a good number of grips. In the traction department the SnG is loaded down with jimping on both the spine and pommel for a secure hold in both forward and reverse grips. This is great if you plan on putting the SnG into a more “tactical” role, but I found the jimping extremely uncomfortable under hard cutting. Plan to wear gloves if you want to seriously test the SnG. The forward finger choil is great for choking up and does give you some versatility under use. All in all I found the SnG reasonably comfortable for a folding knife, but it’s not my first choice for sustained cutting.

Strider includes a removable right side tip-up carry pocket clip on every SnG. The clip is made of titanium, features good retention, and slips in and out of the pocket with relative ease. It’s a nice secure clip – a must when you are toting around a $400 folder. I’m sure many southpaws would prefer a reversible clip as lefty SNGs are quite rare and expensive.

All in all, I found that the SnG carried really well. The pocket clip doesn’t carry the knife very deep, but the knife itself is slim and feels light for its size. While it isn’t my first choice for school or the office, I do not mind having this as my primary EDC, and didn’t find it overly bulky or uncomfortable in the pocket.

Deployment and Lockup

The SnG uses an oval thumb hole for deployment. The thumbhole is easy to get at and the knife opens fast and smooth. It’s not a knife that flies open, but with a little wrist action I can get it done. Inside there are two bronze washers surrounding that massive pivot. The action is smooth and very pleasant. There are what appears to be thumb studs on the blade, but they are actually stop pins and don’t work super well as thumb studs. The ball detent on this knife is very good and it’s fun to watch the blade get “sucked in” upon closing.

Lockup is of course established via a beefy titanium framelock. This particular knife is a 9th generation SnG, and benefits from newly redesigned flat cut lock geometry. I have heard stories about Striders developing blade play, but this knife has held up really well. I have a very slight amount of side to side play, and no up and down. I’d tune up the pivot, but it requires a proprietary wrench that I haven’t acquired yet (really, it should come standard at this price). Lockup is pretty early and the titanium lock bar doesn’t stick at all. It’s also worth mentioning there is a small Hinderer lockbar stabilizer on the handle to prevent over extension of the lock.

Strider SnG – Final Thoughts

For many knife collectors the SnG will be something of a final destination in their knife collecting journey. It is an iconic American hard use folder with bold lines, contrasting finishes, and that kind of rough and tumble bravado that pairs well with a low slung Harley Davidson, a strong cigar, and several fingers of really good bourbon. I can totally see the appeal, and it’s been a lot of fun carrying, using, and admiring this really sweet folding knife.

However, I gotta be real here for a moment. If you are looking at knives from a purely practical perspective the SnG is functionally no better than something like a Spyderco Paramilitary 2. It’s not going to cut any better, the lock isn’t going to be any stronger, and it won’t feel any better in hand. But that’s ok, this is the nature of a luxury good. My $40 Casio keeps better time than a $5,000 Rolex – but I’ll be damned if I don’t own a Submariner one day. You buy a knife like this because you want it, and have a few extra dollars to spare.

That said, as a collector and an enthusiast I do think you get something more with the Strider. The G10 backspacer seamlessly integrated with the handle scale, the beefy custom hardware, the flamed titanium lockbar – these are a few details that make the SnG stand out in a crowd. You get something unique, tough, capable, and strangely refined. The only issue I could spot was the partially blocked lanyard hole – besides that this is a really meticulously executed knife. When it comes to titanium framelock hard use folders the guys at Strider know how to do it right, and the quality, materials, fit, finish, warranty, and U.S. manufacturing are all there. Simply said, it’s a great knife.

So if you want to buy an SnG, I say buy an SnG. I don’t think it’s perfect, and it’s definitely a luxury item, but at the end of the day it’s a really nice knife. While it may be the first Strider in my collection, I guarantee it wont be the last.

Strider SnG – $400
From: BladeHQ

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

Blackwater Grizzly 6 Review

by Dan Jackson 6 Comments

The Blackwater Grizzly 6 is another knife in a new line up by California-based cutlery company Blackwater Knives. The Grizzly 6 is designed by Robert Young Pelton and Tom Novak, and is manufactured for Blackwater by LionSteel in Maniago, Italy. The end result is a sleek Italian fighter packed with rugged features.

Buy the Blackwater Grizzly 6 at BladeHQ

The Grizzly 6 shares many similarities to the previously reviewed Blackwater Ursa 6. Both knives are approximately the same size, and share similarities in both their aesthetic and practical considerations. That said, the Grizzly 6 is very much it’s own knife, and deserves it’s own equally thorough examination.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Grizzly 6 has an overall length of 11.18″, features a 6″ blade, and weighs 10.23 ounces. The knife was designed specifically for SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape) training. SERE certification involves survival training for the U.S. military, and involves the intersection of a number of different disciplines important in overcoming both the physical and mental challenges of a survival situation.

Ultimately, for a knife to perform well in this kind of situation it needs to be versatile, and I see the Grizzly 6 as something that would work well as a combat knife, a camp knife, and a survival knife all rolled into one. The knife is strong without being overweight, has enough size to be used in both a defensive and offensive role, and can be easily thrust into a utility role as well.

The blade on the Grizzly is a robust modified drop point design. I really like the bold lines and aggressive belly, it makes for a very striking profile as well as a useful tool. The blade has been given a high flat grind that is reinforced through the tip, and bolstered with a swedge. The 5mm thick piece of steel is ground thin enough to get work done, but also holds up nicely to light chopping, prying, digging, and general use and abuse. Blackwater included serrations on this model, not my first choice personally, but apparently serrations are very important / desirable to the military personnel ultimately using this knife. Consider the DPx HEFT 6 if you like this size and style of knife, but prefer a completely plain edge.

Blackwater went with Niolox steel for the Grizzly 6. This is a stainless German tool steel that I am slowly gaining more experience with. It’s manufactured by Bohler Uddeholm, and I generally characterize it as a tough steel that takes a nice edge and holds onto it over a good amount of use. I cut leather, rope, cardboard, and wood with this knife and the edge held up well. I experienced no issues with chipping, bending, or rolling – even after prying the knife through a 2×4.

I sharpened the Grizzly on some ceramic stones from my Spyderco Sharpmaker and found that the Niolox quickly came back to life – a must if you happen to be in the field potentially miles away from the creature comforts of modern sharpening equipment. I had no issues with staining, and noticed that the black PVD coating Blackwater used held up well. All in all I think Niolox was a nice choice for this knife, and I am starting to develop a healthy amount of respect for this steel.

Handle and Ergonomics

The Grizzly features a 5mm thick full-tang handle sandwiched between two generous slabs of black peel-ply G10. This is an impressively rugged handle that also has a good deal of refinement. For example, the spine of the handle has been capped (rounded) for comfort. Capped spines are a feature typically reserved for high end knives like the Chris Reeve Sebenza, so it is awesome to see it here. The handle scales are fully removable with a flat head driver, and reveal a hollow handle perfect for the storage of small survival items. The pommel features an extended striking portion that can be used as a “non-lethal” defensive option as well as a pry bar, bottle opener, and lanyard hole.

In hand the Grizzly feels fast and comfortable. The balance point is right where the handle meets the blade giving the knife easy control with the turn of a wrist. The peel-ply (roughly textured) G10 provides good traction while aggressive finger grooves lock your hand in place. I was concerned that these grooves would be too aggressive to accommodate all hand sizes, but in practice I found the Grizzly quite comfortable in a variety of tasks.

There is a short run of jimping on the thumb ramp. In reviewing the Ursa 6 I found this style of jimping (that doubles as wire stripper) to be uncomfortable under harder use. Here, I don’t have the same issue because I can always put my thumb on the spine of the blade itself. The Grizzly 6 also feels very comfortable in reverse grip. All in all, the ergonomics on this knife are quite nice.

Sheath

The Grizzly 6 arrives with a heavy duty cordura sheath. It’s a lightweight sheath, ideal for weight conscious SERE Specialists, yet fully functional and very versatile. There is a fully reversible plastic liner allowing for left or ride side carry. There are multiple mounting points on the top and bottom of the sheath and the fully MOLLE compatible backing integrates with both MOLLE gear or a regular belt. There is an external pouch for extra storage, and a secondary retention strap to insure your blade stays where you want it. In practice I found this to be a well thought out sheath and was nicely executed by the folks at LionSteel.

I carried the Grizzly on my belt and had no issues with with the sheath. Blade retention is good, and I like how the secondary retention strap is mostly made of plastic – that makes the strap ultra durable and unlikely to get badly cut under use (especially when quickly drawing the knife from the sheath). Sure, a heavier kydex sheath is always an option, but I think this sheath gets the job done without a lot of excess weight or baggage.

Blackwater Grizzly 6 Review – Final Thoughts

The Grizzly 6 is an attractively made tool, and I don’t doubt that many will initially be drawn its bold lines and thick proportions. I’m happy to report that the knife performs just as good as it looks. The materials here are of exceptional quality. I am starting to really appreciate Niolox tool steel, while both G10 and Cordura have become industry standards. The fit and finish is outstanding. LionSteel is capable of making some amazing stuff, and this is a beautifully made knife that could work well in a collection, but is ultimately designed for real world use.

In practice I found that the knife cut well and felt comfortable. The balance lends itself to self defense and utility more than heavy chopping, and I found the Grizzly to be capable in many different tasks. The sheath is lightweight and durable – it should fit the needs of most people without issue.

I don’t have any military or SERE experience, so it’s very difficult for me to recommend a knife specifically for that role, but if you are in need of a capable fixed blade knife, a knife that is of high quality and is well rounded, then I can safely say that the Grizzly 6 is an awesome tool that should hold up really well in a wide variety of roles. When you toss in Blackwater’s 2 year insurance policy for active duty U.S. military, the value becomes even more apparent. This is another winner from Blackwater in my book with their bold take on the classic combat knife.

Blackwater Grizzly 6 – $250
From: BladeHQ

I recommend purchasing the Ursa 6 at Amazon, or BladeHQ. As always, thanks for reading. Please let me know if you have any comments or questions in the comments section below.

Blackwater Ursa 6 Review

by Dan Jackson 6 Comments

Blackwater Knives has recently released a cadre of new tools that caught my eye – both visually, and from a specification standpoint. The Ursa 6 is one of those tools, with an uncompromising design geared towards high speed professionals.

Buy the Blackwater Ursa 6 at BladeHQ

The Ursa 6 was designed by Robert Young Pelton, the same man behind the designs for DPx Gear. The knife is manufactured by Lionsteel in Maniago, Italy – a company known for high end offerings like the SR1. Upon arrival everything about the Ursa just reeked of quality. Even the box was cool, complete with iridescent embossed sleeve and black tissue paper lining. Inside was a something long and lean, yet full figured and deadly. My heart was already racing, and the blade wasn’t even out of the box – it was like a cross between a high school fantasy and comic book noir. Needless to say, if looks could kill I’d already be in the ground. But can she cut? Lets find out…

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Ursa 6 has an overall length of 11.1″, has a 5.95″ blade, and it weighs 11.10 ounces. The spine is an extremely thick 6mm. I spent a good amount of time going over the intended use of this knife in the video, and I think it’s worth mentioning again here. This is a dedicated combat knife, designed for soldiers. It’s not a camp knife, bushcraft knife, or even your typical survival knife. It’s a purpose built tool for self defense (and in many cases, offense) as well as hard use utility work. The 6mm thick blade doesn’t make for the best slicer or the lightest backpacking knife, but it ensures that it will hold up against the demanding situations often thrust upon soldiers.

The blade itself is a modified drop point design. It sort of resembles a spear point or dagger blade shape, but it’s definitely a drop point of some sort (not that the semantics particularly matter here). One of the first features people will notice is the run of serrations along the spine of the knife. I like this feature because it keeps the main edge plain – leaving plenty of room for fine cutting. The primary edge is partially flat ground and the 6mm thick blade carries a good deal of steel all the way out to the tip. This is definitely a knife that can get some stabbing / thrust cuts in without a problem. The thick grind means it is not the best slicer, but I had no issues cutting through rope, cardboard, and wood. The entire knife has been given a PVD coating, which generally held up great, only scratching a little when I used the Ursa 6 to open up a can of potatoes.

Blackwater selected Niolox steel for this knife – a steel that I have previously had zero experience with it. Apparently it’s made in Germany by Bohler Uddeholm, and it has been well received. This particular piece of Niolox has been heat treated to 59 HRC, which is supposedly on the low end of what it can take.

In my cutting tests I found that Niolox was extremely tough, held a nice working edge, and sharpened easily on basic stones. The edge it took was extremely keen. I liken it to a high carbon steel such as 1095, but it’s stainless steel and seems to have better edge retention. It may not be quite as tough as 1095, but then again I didn’t have any issues at all with chipping or rolling. I also drove the blade through a 2×4 in a fairly extensive tip test without any issues. Based on that experience I think the Ursa 6 has the potential to be a good breaching tool.

I’m still relatively inexperienced with the steel, but so far I like it a lot. I think it’s a good choice for a combat knife because I found it very tough and extremely easy to sharpen – a must when you are out in the field, miles away from your regular sharpening equipment.

Handle and Ergonomics

The handle of this knife is extremely impressive. The ultra wide piece of steel is flanked by 2 thick pieces of black peel ply G10. It really beefs up the handle and provides this rugged overbuilt feel that can’t help but inspire confidence. The spine of the handle is gently rounded and flows perfectly into the G10 scales. The scales themselves have been wonderfully finished with a series of finger grooves milled into the handle. All the corners have been meticulously rounded and everything is held together with 2 sets of flat head bolts. The bolts are easy to take down with a multi-tool or coin, and you can lash the knife to a piece of wood for a spear, or store small pieces of survival equipment in the hollow handle. Rounding things out are a generous lanyard hole, and an exposed striking pommel for hammering, prying, or using as a “non-lethal” defensive option.

Ergonomically speaking the Ursa 6 is well thought out and executed. The knife is well balanced, and the fat handle is extremely nice; providing excellent grip and a comfortable purchase. The knife feels solid in both forward and reverse grips.

My only gripe has to do with the jimping. Blackwater installed this interesting wirestripping jimping – it works as jimping but also can strip wire. It’s a cool idea, but I found the jimping irritated my thumb under hard use. If you are wearing leather gloves I doubt you would feel it, but it could tear up fabric gloves and can certainly eat into bare flesh. My advice would be to tweak the jimping so it isn’t quite as abrasive. Then again, perhaps I was using the knife differently from how a real professional would. All things considered I like how the Ursa 6 feels in hand.

Sheath

The Ursa 6 comes equipped with a full featured cordura sheath. There are multiple attachment points at the top and bottom for paracord and webbing. The back of the sheath is fully MOLLE compatible and can also accept a belt. There is a good sized pocket on the front of the sheath for a sharpening stone or whatever else you want to cram into it.

Inside the sheath is a molded plastic insert. It provides good retention for the blade, and is fully reversible for left or right side carry. There is a strong secondary retention strap with a metal snap. I like this style of retention strap because it is made of thick plastic that can be bent out of the way, and also will resist abrasion if you do happen to nick it when you withdraw the knife from the sheath. The metal snap is strong and does a great job further securing the knife.

All in all this is a well thought out sheath. It’s lightweight, secure, and you have multiple mounting options. I think for most people this will work very well.

Blackwater Ursa 6 Review – Final Thoughts

The Ursa 6 is a tank of a knife. Everything about it is overbuilt with durability and utility in mind. The 6mm thick backbone and tough tool steel make this knife practically indestructible. I beat the Ursa 6 though a 2×4 and it didn’t even blink. While I have zero military experience I think this is a robust design that will hold up well to the rigors of aggressive daily use.

Also, the folks at Lionsteel did an exceptional job realizing Blackwater’s design. The construction as well as fit and finish is outstanding. Everything from the cardboard box to the rounded spine oozes quality and attention to detail. The knife is so pretty I initially cringed at the thought of plunging it into a tin can – but I know this is a tool that was meant to be used, and I thought the very least I could do was give it a thorough test drive.

It’s also worth mentioning Blackwater offers an extended warranty for military personnel who register their knife. Under this policy the knife is protected against loss, breakage, defects, theft or any other issues for 2 years (and additional coverage can be purchased). This is another awesome detail that has me walking away from the Ursa 6 extremely impressed.

In closing, I definitely recommend the Ursa 6 if you need a high quality tool that will hold up well under hard use.

Blackwater Ursa 6 – $260
From: BladeHQ

I recommend purchasing the Ursa 6 at BladeHQ. Buying the knife though the links on this site earns me a small commission and helps support the website. As always, thanks for reading – please let me know if you have any comments or questions in the comments section below.

TOPS HIT-5 Review

by Dan Jackson 2 Comments

Last Updated: August 23, 2019
The TOPS Helo Insertion Team 5 (“HIT 5”) is a new fixed blade design by Chad Los Banos and manufactured by TOPS Knives. Chad is a Hawaii based designer who has made a name for himself with popular small folding designs like the Boker Subcom and Spyderco Lava. A corrections officer by day, Chad is also an avid martial artist, shooter, husband, and family man. His wealth of practical experience is what inspires his designs, and the HIT 5 is no exception.

Buy on Amazon

The HIT-5 was designed with Helicopter Insertion Teams in mind. These are the first responders of the military world – flying in to unknown locations carrying out dangerous and unpredictable missions. With that in mind he focused on developing something slim, relatively lightweight, and versatile enough to excel at everything from common utility tasks, to urban and outdoor survival, to hand to hand combat. Although I have never set foot in a helicopter, and am a far cry from an edged combat expert, I did spend a lot of time carrying and using this knife in an outdoor setting. Hopefully that will at least give us enough data to draw some meaningful conclusions about the knife.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The HIT 5 has an overall length of 11”, features a 5-1/2” blade, and weighs 8.7 ounces. From a size perspective I think the knife strikes the balance between fighting knife and utility blade well. The 1/16” thick steel is heavy enough to hold up to hard use, yet the knife isn’t overweight or bulky. There is a well placed choil for utility work, but still plenty of reach and an acute tip for thrusts. You can tell a lot of thought was put into striking a balance with this knife in effort to account for the unpredictable needs of a person flying in to unknown terrain.

The blade is a classic clip point, forming a stout but sharp tip, reinforced by a swedge along the top. The blade is pretty thick so even the relatively fine tip has good strength and held up well to tests in wood. The knife is partially flat ground, and sports a broad edge, strong enough for outdoor use, but able to cleanly slice paper from the factory. This isn’t a dedicated chopper, but I had no problems taking small limbs off trees, working through thick pieces of rope, and batoning. The entire knife has been given a black powdercoat finish, lightly textured and simply adorned.

TOPS went with 1095 high carbon steel for the HIT 5, heat treated to 56-58. 1095 is tough stuff and is among my favorite steels for outdoor use. TOPS did a nice job heat treating this one and the edge kept plenty of “bite” even after extended use. 1095 will rust if left neglected but the durable powdercoated finish does a great job protecting the steel – even having spent a couple weeks a stone’s throw from the Atlantic.

Handle and Ergonomics

The HIT 5 has a “naked” handle with several slots and holes drilled out for a cord wrap. I’m no Stormdrane, but even I was able to figure out a way to weave a little 550 cord around this knife. It made the hard handle a little more comfortable, but this knife is primarily designed to be slim, so it simply will not offer the comfort of a bulky handle. For that reason I wouldn’t recommend this as a dedicated camp or bushcraft knife.

In practice the handle offers a number of different grips for self defense. The lanyard hole on the back of the handle provides for extra leverage, and the thumb ramp keeps you from slipping forward. A forward choil gives you a little versatility allowing for more detailed work like carving. And the knife feels comfortable in a reverse grip, a detail that I am sure Chad spent great attention on given his heavy martial arts background.

Sheath

The HIT 5 comes with a rugged kydex sheath that follows the same thin minimalist lines of the knife itself. It’s a simple fold over design, nicely finished and held together with 4 torx bolts. For mounting options you have several holes for weaving in cordage, and a sturdy steel belt clip. This clip allows for quick and easy attachment to belts and straps. The sheath pivots around the clip so the knife can be positioned for horizontal and vertical carry (and every angle in between). The HIT 5 spent a lot of time on my belt, and I liked how easy it was to position the sheath as well as add and remove it from my belt. As far as retention goes, the knife slides into the sheath with a firm “thwack” and feels very secure. A drainage hole is included to help prevent rusting.

The only issue I was able to uncover is if you wrap the entire length of the handle with cord, it interferes with the retention in the sheath. You will not want to run cord through the hole closest to the blade if you plan to use the included sheath. In reality this is not a huge deal, as you can still wrap a majority of the handle, but it is something to note. This is especially important to note if you have your heart set on a paracord wrap or decide that you want to make your own handle scales for this knife.

TOPS HIT 5 Review – Final Thoughts

The HIT 5 is a quality tool that does exactly what it was designed to do; perform reliably in unreliable situations. It is a versatile knife – light, slim, and unobtrusive, yet strong enough to take some real abuse. I don’t doubt in the hands of a capable user it would be highly effective for self defense and utility work alike. Everything is very well made, with great attention taken to the fit and finish. It’s also worth noting that the HIT 5, like all TOPS Knives, is 100% made in the USA. I also thought the price was excellent given the materials, fit and finish, and USA construction.

That said, the scope of this knife is fairly narrow. I found it uncomfortable for extended cutting and see it as more of a fighter. But if you are in need of a slim line combat knife, I can attest that the HIT 5 is well made, tough as nails, and extremely capable. Chad’s latest creation is a far cry from the tiny folders that put him on the map, but the design is just as robust and inventive as everything else in his portfolio.

TOPS TPHIT05-BRK Hit 5 Helo Insertion

Category name: knives
Country of origin: USA
Brand name: TOPS

I recommend buying the TOPS HIT 5 review at Amazon or BladeHQ. Thanks for checkin’ out the review.