Tactical Knives

Emerson Mini CQC-7 Review

Last Updated: August 3, 2019
As Dan wrote in his review of the full-size model, the CQC-7 is one of the very first and most influential tactical knives in the world. Ernie Emerson’s influence on the perception and use of folding knives for self-defense is incalculable. I had wanted an Emerson knife for a long time, but my general reluctance to carry a blade over 3” meant that most of their standard models, the CQC-7 included, were a no-go. I had my eye on the Mini CQC-7 for a long time before it came back into production and I was able to pick one up.

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History aside, my thoughts on this design are mixed. I think that the CQC-7’s pedigree has made EKI loathe to futz with the design of the knife, and users loathe to criticize it. This is a shame, because I think there’s a lot of room for improvement. Like the Delica, the Mini CQC-7 is an outdated knife. When it first released, it must have seemed like a revelation, but in 2016, it is neither the best design around, nor worth the price it is being sold at.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Mini CQC-7 has a blade length of 2.9”, a handle length of 4 1/8”, and an overall length of 7.25”. It weighs 4.4 oz. This is a fat knife, but one that feels quite balanced in the hand. The exact weight of a knife isn’t as important as the distribution of that weight: that’s why some light knives, like the Clipitool, can feel heavier than they are, and chunky knives like the Mini CQC-7 lighter.

The 2.9” blade, on my Mini CQC-7, is a chisel ground tanto. This is a real one-two punch in terms of things I have grown to dislike. There’s an unwarranted reverence for the tanto blade shape. I appreciate a run of straight edge on my blades but I want some belly too, and the stylized, angular shape of the American tanto lacks any at all.

Of course, it’s the tanto’s reputation as an ideal tactical blade shape that gives it its cachet. And it is a good piercer, with a quite a robust tip. But a good drop point or clip point blade would have excellent piercing capability and more than adequate tip strength, as well as a significantly more useful overall shape. I don’t carry a knife with the intention of using it for self-defense, but even if I did, I would prefer another blade shape: the tanto doesn’t do anything significantly better than a drop point or a clip point, and many things worse.

The Mini CQC-7 is chisel ground. The argument for the chisel grind is as follows: better strength, better edge retention, and it’s easier to sharpen. There have been long and articulate counterpoints made against these arguments, but for me it comes down to the simple fact that a chisel grind just cuts worse.

So much control is lost. Cuts track terribly through material. Approaching thin material like paper is a chore. I understand that some knives are made for hard use, and in these cases durability is more desirable than finesse, but here’s the thing: you can have both. The well-executed, traditional v-grind of the Paramilitary 2 can take a beating and slices like a dream.

Maybe, maybe, in the vacuum of theory, a chisel grind can withstand more abuse than a traditional V-grind, but I would bet it isn’t much more, and in what real-life scenario is it going to matter? And as far as sharpening goes: well, I guess it takes less time to sharpen one edge bevel than two, although you still need to maintain the unsharpened side of a chisel-ground knife, so you’re only saved a modicum of effort.

The steel on the Mini CQC-7 is 154CM. This is one of my favorite steels, and one I think can compete with N690Co for the title of Most Underrated Steel in the World. It is a solid upper-mid-tier steel that responds to sharpening as well as something like 8Cr13MoV, but holds an edge longer. No complaints about 154CM itself.

But the Mini CQC-7 costs about $165. As much as I’m sad to see the middle of the market drop out, one good thing that’s come from it is that we can expect a lot from knives in $150 – $200 price point. The Benchmade Valet costs $170 and has M390. The Zero Tolerance 0770 comes in Elmax for $120. You can get the Spyderco Mantra comes in M4 for $167. The Native 5 LW is half the price of the Mini CQC-7 and comes with S35VN.

This segment of the market is so competitive that I feel alright harping on the price a bit. Amidst such company, at such a price, 154CM is unacceptable – even more so when you consider that CPM-154, the powder metallurgy variant of 154CM, has been around for a while now. I think that, like the chisel grind and the tanto blade, EKI’s steel choice has been given a pass because of the historical significance of the brand and its blades, and the Mini CQC-7 suffers as a knife for it.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Carry

The Mini CQC-7’s handle is wonderful. The thickness of the knife and the swell in the middle of the handle work to make the Mini CQC-7 very comfortable in hand. The jimping is mild, really better for indexing than for locking your hand in place. The real grippiness comes from the G-10, which is very coarse without being overly aggressive like Cold Steel G-10. Superbly executed all around.

The clip is the same clip you see on almost every Emerson, and like the ergonomics it is an unqualified win. And, as thick as the knife is, I don’t mind it in the pocket. It stays out of the way and isn’t so bulky as to be noticeable when I’m walking around – again, showing how important distribution of weight is with pocket knives.

The Mini CQC-7 isn’t tapped for left hand carry. Emerson can tap it for you, but A) you have to get the knife from EKI or send it in, and B) it will cost you $25. There are a lot of knives with non-repositionable clips, even at this price point, but given how integral the wave opening is to the design of the Mini CQC-7 it should come drilled for righties and lefties out of the box. For reference, the Emerson/Kershaw collabs are all drilled for both.

Deployment and Lockup

The Mini CQC-7 can be deployed via two different methods: either by the thumb disk or by the Emerson wave opener.

The thumb disk works but is slow – pretty smooth, admittedly, but slow. It almost feels like the knife is pivoting between two layers of cloth. From what I understand the Nylatron washers here are another Emerson standby. I don’t mind them, and if they are supposedly lower-maintenance than phosphor bronze or Teflon washers then that’s fine. Just know that you’re never going to flick this knife open.

Of course, the way you’re supposed to deploy the Mini CQC-7 is with the wave opening feature. The wave is a small hook on the end of the thumb ramp that, when you pull the knife from your pocket, catches on your pants seam, opening the knife as you are retrieving it. It’s…fine, I guess? I’ve had multiple wave opening knives and I don’t really buy into the utility. I’m not good at it. I get a lot of misfires. It makes traditional retrieval a bit complicated; the wave will catch a lot of the time and half-open the knife; I’ve cut myself more than once because I pulled a half-open Mini CQC-7 out of my pocket.

It’s also not a ‘polite’ way of opening a knife around folks who may not be comfortable around edged tools. I wouldn’t fault it for that if it were a larger, more distinctly tactical knife, but even the Emerson literature implies that the Mini CQC-7 is something you can take with you anywhere. If subtlety or politeness is a concern, then you may find the wave opening method a little theatrical for the non-knife people around you.

The Mini CQC-7 has a titanium liner lock. It works. Like any lock made of titanium, I worry about wear over time, but the worst thing I can say for it over two years of ownership is that it doesn’t always lock up at the same point against the tang. If I deploy it hard it travels far across, but if I roll it slowly it just barely slides underneath. To be expected? Probably. I don’t recall noticing this happening on any steel liner lock knives I own, but regardless lockup is very good.

Emerson Mini CQC-7 Review – Final Thoughts

I’ve been hard on the Mini CQC-7. I want to stress that, in a vacuum, it’s a fine blade. But it doesn’t exist in a vacuum, and not even years of accreted Emerson mythology and reputation can save it from looking hopelessly out of step and overpriced in today’s market.

A Mini CQC-7 with CPM-154, a slimmer handle, a conventionally-ground drop point blade, and tapped for both left- and right-handed carry would be an interesting proposition at the price it’s being offered at.

But that isn’t the knife we have. We have the same blade, more or less, that Emerson was selling a decade ago, and probably the same blade they’ll be selling five years from now. I know that Ernie Emerson and his team are probably working on new designs instead of trying to update old ones, but if there were one in the lineup that deserves an update, it’s the CQC-7. This pioneering tactical knife has been left in the dust. I’d like to see it be at the vanguard again.

EMERSON MINI CQC-7 2.9 inch SATIN Plain

I recommend purchasing the Emerson Mini CQC-7 at Amazon or BladeHQ. Thanks for checking out the review.

Editor’s Note: This is a fairly critical review from Ben, but I think it is well reasoned and ultimately fair. The value proposition for knives like this Mini CQC-7 continues to shrink in light of all the advancements in the marketplace. Also, the price point of these Emersons are just painful. If this was a $100-120 knife, I think a lot of the CQC-7’s perceived shortcomings could be overlooked. Still, the CQC-7 remains a classic, and if you are curious about Emerson knives or can find a nice deal then I think this is a good place to start.

Zero Tolerance 0452CF Review

by Chad McBroom 15 Comments

When it comes to folding knives, I am extremely selective in what I choose to carry, especially if it is a blade that I am going to carry for self-protection. It has to be light, reliable, sharp, and geometrically efficient. These are just a few of the qualities I look for in a folder. After all, a folding knife is already at a disadvantage over a fixed blade, due to the fact that it has to rely on mechanical functions.

Buy the ZT 0452CF at BladeHQ

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I had been a fan of Zero Tolerance’s quality and construction ever since they came on the market a few years ago, but I wasn’t crazy about their designs. They built tanks, but I wanted something that was as tough as a tank, but as sleek as a Ferrari at the same time. Finally, I discovered the 0452CF.

The 0452CF is a streamlined, mass production version of the award-winning 0454, designed by Dimitry Sinkevich, who is an artist in the realms of both beauty and function. I was instantly drawn to this knife because of its long, narrow blade and slender profile. I had finally found a Zero Tolerance that would suit my personal needs. It was destined to become one of my favorite EDC knives.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The 0452CF has a blade length of 4.10”, a handle length of 5.17”, an overall length of 9.27”, and is made in the USA. The knife weighs in at 4.64 ounces, which is extremely light considering the size of the knife. In fact, if it were any lighter, it would probably be too light. This knife has just the right amount of weight to it. Plus, it is perfectly balanced right at the first finger grove.

The blade of the 0452CF is a flat-ground, drop point design with a satin finish. The blade is constructed of 0.16” CPM-S35VN. This is an excellent steel made by Crucible and designed specifically for knife making. This steel has excellent properties in the areas of edge retention, toughness, and corrosion resistance, which make it an excellent choice in for an EDC blade.

One of the primary reasons I chose this particular knife as an EDC defensive blade is the blade geometry. The long, narrow drop point with the ¾+ false edge is an excellent thrusting blade. Of course, it does a fine job cutting as well and came razor sharp right out of the box. The 0452CF is just a great all around defensive blade.

The first thing I did when I took the knife out of the box is do some cutting tests. First, I did a paper test and the blade sliced off slips of paper with laser precision. Then I set up a couple of full 12-ounce water bottles and slashed away at them one at a time. The knife cut almost completely through each water bottle. Very impressive for a 4.1” folding knife!

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The handle of the 0452CF is carbon fiber on one side and titanium on the other side, which is the reason this knife is so light. It has a slender profile with very subtle finger groves where the index and pinky fingers rest. The curvature at the back causes the handle to sit comfortably in the hand, giving it a subtle forward cant for perfect wrist alignment. When closed, the blade sits so deeply inside the handle that it adds very little to the handle’s profile, resulting in a slender package that tucks nicely along the seam of the pocket.

One of the things I love about Zero Tolerance is their deep pocket clips. This knife is no exception. The deep pocket clip mounted low on the handle allows this knife to sit almost completely concealed inside the pocket. The clip on this knife has a very small signature as well, causing the knife virtually to disappear in the pocket.

Deployment and Lockup

The 0452CF has a flipper mechanism for quick, one-handed opening. Unlike its 0454 predecessor, the flipper mechanism on this model has some nice jimping to ensure positive finger contact with the flipper. A strong detent system not only locks the blade in place when it is in the closed position, but also adds counter resistance so that the blade launches open when the pressure on the flipper breaks free of the detent.

When I first got the knife, the detent was pretty stiff. I had to use a hard wrist flick to open the knife. During the 2016 SHOT Show, a product rep stopped me and asked if he could demo some of his micro-particle oil on my knife. He put a small drop on the detent pin using a needlepoint dropper, and that was all it took to make the blade deploy with a simple flip of the index finger. It has been silky smooth ever since.

The 0452CF employs the KVT (Kershaw Velocity Technology) ball bearing system, which rotates around a large, beautiful five-spoke pivot pin. The titanium side of the handle provides a durable frame lock. Combined with a hardened steel locking bar, the titanium frame lock ensures a solid lock up. I feel very confident with this knife’s locking system.

Zero Tolerance 0452CF Review – Final Thoughts

I am not at all displeased with my Zero Tolerance 0452CF. This knife is everything I expected it would be and more. It has become a regular part of my Every-Day Carry kit. I typically carry multiple knives, but this is the one knife that always goes with me. I have been carrying this knife every day for about 4 months now. It has held its edge like a champ, and the opening has only gotten smoother over time.

I cannot say enough good things about this knife. If you are looking for a high-quality, tactical folder, then you would be doing yourself a favor by purchasing the ZT0452CF. I’m very glad that Zero Tolerance decided to run this production run of the Dimitry Sinkevich collaboration. In fact, not to diminish the artistic beauty of the 0454 in any way, but I would even go so far as to say that some of the features of this production run (i.e. the jimping on the flipper) are upgrades over the original. I have no doubt that others will enjoy this knife as much as I have.

Zero Tolerance 0452CF; Pocket Knife with 4.1” Dual-Finished S35VN Steel Blade, Carbon Fiber Front and Titanium Back Handle Scales, KVT Ball-Bearing Opening, Frame Lock, Deep-Carry Pocketclip; 4.6 OZ.,Large

4.1-inch S35VN steel blade shows amazing toughness and resistance to edge chipping, with improved edge retention
Handle features carbon fiber front and titanium stonewashed back for comfortable in-hand feel, increased strength and excellent size/weight proportion
Handsome, dual blade finish with a non-reflective satin finish on the grind and stonewashed finish on the flats and blade thickness is 0.156 inches
Great companion for hunters, business professionals, wilderness guides, survival experts, first responders, military, law-enforcement and more
Ideal gift for any special occasion such as birthdays, holidays, graduations, anniversaries, promotions, weddings and more

I recommend purchasing the ZT 0452CF 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.

Cold Steel Large Espada Review

by Benjamin Schwartz 12 Comments

Last Updated: July 28, 2019
Although knife collecting, like any hobby, is a mild form of mania, I like to think that within this gentle madness I am a reasonable man. My uses for my tools are reasonable. My knife preferences are reasonable: I prefer simple handles, simple blades, and I generally like those blades at 3” or less. No one could look at my collection of knives and think me anything but a very reasonable individual – unless their eyes by chance fell on my Cold Steel Large Espada.

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How did I end up with such a ludicrous knife? Well, even though most of my purchases come after much consideration, reading, and weighing of pros and cons, every so often I like to impulse-purchase a knife that is out of my comfort zone, just to counterbalance the homogeneity in my collection that my preferences tends to create. But when I ordered the Large Espada late one night, I wasn’t just stepping out of my comfort zone; I was taking a flight to a location on the other side of the planet.

No knife I can think of offhand (outside of some particularly egregious customs) so flamboyantly violates every edict of utility I’ve set for myself over the years like the Large Espada does. But, going beyond that, I don’t think that it’s a practical choice even for the applications for which it was ostensibly designed. The Large Espada is impractical. It is unreasonable.

So this is going to be an odd review: an unreasonable knife reviewed by a reasonable man. But I like to imagine that even the palest, milquetoastiest accountant likes to cut lose once in a while. Sometimes you want to listen to Electric Wizard, not Glenn Gould. Sometimes you want to carry a giant, unwieldy tactical blade instead of a reasonable and non-threatening tool. And when those sometimes strike you, there aren’t many knives I know of that can scratch that itch quite like the Large Espada.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Large Espada has a blade length of 5 ½”, a handle length of 7 1/8”, and an overall length of 12 1/2”. It weighs 9.8 oz. – almost as much as four Benchmade 940-1s. The Espada is made in Taiwan.

Of course, when you’re dealing with a knife of this size, it doesn’t make sense to get hung up on weight – after all, the 5 ½” blade folding knife isn’t exactly a crowded category, is it? Even very big knives like the Benchmade 710 or some of the Hogue knives aren’t really in the same size class. The only other reasonable competition for the Large Espada is the more affordable, all G-10 Large Espada, which weighs about 1 ½ oz. less.

The Large Espada’s blade is a dramatic, theatrical, aggressive clip point. The tip is somewhat strengthened by the swedge, and will pierce material, even thick material, quite easily, but it gives the impression of relative delicacy. The edge is all belly, dipping out right after the ricasso. This, coupled with the (excellent) hollow grind and the wide edge bevel, give the Large Espada considerable cutting ability, at least on the macro level: cardboard, wood, plastic, metal, all can be separated cleanly and easily by this monster.

Cleanly and effortlessly for a while, at least. The steel, AUS 8A, simply wasn’t the right choice here. If you want to use your Large Espada in roles other than self-defense, you’re going to use it for the macro cutting tasks I mentioned above, and when you do, you’ll find that AUS 8A dulls quickly. Editor’s note: in 2015 Cold Steel finally upgraded these to CTS-XHP steel, and then to S35VN. I have had some experience with Cold Steel’s CTS-XHP and their S35VN and both steels have been excellent. S35VN is a meaningful upgrade over AUS-8A. It holds an edge better and is tougher. It’s a better choice all around.

I could deal with poor edge retention if it were the only problem, but, on this blade shape, with this grind, the steel is also fragile. When I first got my Large Espada a couple years ago, I took it out on the patio to cut up some water bottles, cardboard, and boxes of frozen peas (yup), both to test it and to participate in the time-honored tradition of goofing around with a knife (what are the Absolute Proof videos if not footage of people goofing around with knives?). During one cut I happened swing down and hit the balustrade – not hard enough to bite into the wood, even, but when I looked at the blade I saw that it had chipped, in multiple places and quite badly:

I’ve sharpened the Large Espada since then, and managed to reduce the chipping a bit, but it’s still visible, and I don’t think I was abusing the knife when it happened. I think it comes down to that wide edge bevel; AUS 8A isn’t tough enough to be run that thin at the edge. I understand that in the self-defense role, such issues are less likely to matter, but I still think that Cold Steel could, and should, have chosen a better blade steel than AUS 8A. Let us not forget that we’re talking about a $130 knife here.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Carry

The Large Espada’s handle is comfortable no matter which way you hold it: forward, with your index finger in the choil, or in a pistol grip with the lower scalloping between your middle and ring fingers, reverse grip: it’s all good.

The handle is composed of two parts, almost in the style of a traditional knife: the aluminum ‘bolsters,’ which are integrated with the liners and the sort of grommet at the end of the knife, and the polished G-10 scales or inserts. Everything is decently if not artfully contoured, and all the edges are chamfered. I feel like a good portion of that comfort would be lost on the pure G-10 models: Cold Steel’s traditional unpolished G-10 is famously aggressive, and I don’t like it at all. It ruins your pockets, makes the knife uncomfortable to hold, and, let’s face it, looks a hell of a lot less classy than the original Espada’s set-up. If you’re going to get the Large Espada, get the original set-up. It is very comfortable in hand.

In the pocket? Not so much. I can fit the Large Espada into the pocket of my jeans, but just barely, and even though it doesn’t feel as heavy as I was expecting, it sure doesn’t disappear. And this is where I take issue with the Large Espada in its intended role as a self-defense tool: issues of legality aside, it’s almost too big to carry around every day, even as a dedicated tactical blade, to use the Nutfancian term. I know a lot of smart guys who carry multiple blades, but I am a one-knife man, and I don’t have enough pocket space for a second knife of any size, let alone something as elephantine as the Large Espada.

Maybe I’m doing it wrong, though; Tool carries his in in a kydex boot sheath. Might be worth looking into.

Deployment and Lockup

More problems arise with the deployment methods on the Large Espada. There are two, although they both utilize the thumb plate on the spine of the blade. The first method is your traditional roll/flick open. Either is difficult to do reliably or quickly because of the size of the Large Espada. Rolling it out requires your thumb to stretch quite a bit, so it isn’t comfortable or fast. Flicking it takes a lot of wrist momentum, as well as careful placement of your thumb on the plate.

The disk is also designed to be wave deployed; that is, you can draw the Large Espada from your pocket in such a manner as to cause the plate to catch on the corner of your pocket, deploying the blade as you pull it out. Wave openers, to me, aren’t handy enough to compensate for the awkward stares and for the accidental half-openings that can occur, but this one is particularly finicky.

In my last review I wrote that every big blade I’ve had has some bladeplay. I guess I have to eat a little crow because that isn’t true: I had forgotten that my Large Espada has none, whatsoever, in any direction. It did when I first got it, but earlier this year I took it apart, cleaned everything, and put it back together a little tighter, and it was totally gone.

The Tri-Ad Lock truly deserves every accolade thrown its way. As ambidextrous as the Axis Lock, but with less moving parts, and tougher than a frame lock, it is a marvel. A weak lock on a knife this big would be an absolute disaster, but with the Tri-Ad Lock in place I have absolute confidence that my Large Espada will only close when I want it to.

Cold Steel Large Espada Review – Final Thoughts

So I’ve spent 1,500 hundred words enumerating all the ways in which the Large Espada is an impractical purchase. It’s huge, the steel is iffy, it’s huge, the design is aggressive and off-putting to those around you, the deployment methods are a bit of a pain, and it’s huge. I never carry blades for reasons of self-defense. I don’t think it’s a silly thing to do, but it’s just not something I’m interested in doing. However, even carried as a self-defense knife, I think there are better options out there than the Large Espada; even in that role it is impractical.

But, hey (and turn up the metal for this next bit), sometimes you just want a huge, badass knife. Something for the collection, something that looks rad, is made well, and never fails to make you smile (maybe a little self-consciously), when you take it out to show somebody, thwacking it open and watching their eyes go wide.

I bought the Large Espada on a impulse. It wasn’t cheap. I hardly carry it. I usually only take it out every couple of months, and even then just for a few minutes. I forget that I own it for months at a time. It’s ludicrous. It’s impractical. It’s unreasonable.

I’ve never regretted buying it.

Cold Steel Espada with Polished G10 Handle, Large

Blade Length: 5-1/2"
Handle: 6-3/4" Long, Polished G-10 with Polished 7075 Aluminum Bolster and Frame
Steel: Japanese AUS 8A stainless
Blade Thick: 4 MM
Overall Length: 12-1/4"

I recommend purchasing the Cold Steel Espada 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.

Southard Knives Tolk Review

by Dan Jackson 5 Comments

Midtechs. If there was a single thread that bound Blade Show 2015 together for me, that thread would be midtechs. Specifically, midtechs offered directly from custom knife makers.

Midtechs are nothing new, and have been in the knife enthusiast’s vernacular for several years now, although it is admittedly a fuzzy term to define. But at the 2015 show it seemed like any custom maker worth his salt had a mid tech offering of some sort, and whenever I gathered with fellow show-goers it seemed like everyone had acquired at least one midtech at the show.

I don’t think this is a bad thing. I think this is an attempt to resolve an interesting problem in the market. Custom “tactical folding knives” are as hot as they ever were, and still show no sign of slacking off. While the concept of production company collaborations with custom knifemakers is nothing new, it seems like the bulk of the profits go to the manufacturer, and depending on the collaboration the knifemaker’s design is limited by the budget for the production knife. In some cases the result can be spectacular, but the flip side is that the product might be a watered down design with sloppy fit and finish, and inferior materials.

The advantages of producing a direct to consumer midtech is that the knife is more accessible than a full custom, allows the knifemaker to exercise greater control over materials and production quality, and builds in a bigger margin for the maker by virtue of the offering being higher end and the lack of middlemen. In a typical collaboration model with a big brand the production company takes a cut, the manufacturer takes a cut, a wholesaler takes a cut, then a retailer takes a cut. There isn’t much meat on the bone left for the designer.

But now it is possible for a custom knifemaker to essentially private label high end production knives, and offer them directly to the consumer. 10 years ago the technology wasn’t there to make this a viable business model. Today, the midtech model clearly has legs, and you don’t need a crystal ball to predict we will only see more of these hit the market – especially as custom makers take their designs overseas and offer there wares at lower and lower price points.

I was not immune to the powerful draw of the midtech phenomena, and ended up walking off the show floor with this Southard Knives Tolk midtech. Let me start by saying that Brad is a hell of a guy, and was a pleasure to meet and deal with. His custom offerings are among the most popular at the show, and between that and his tremendously successful collaboration with Spyderco might make a lesser man aloof. Not the case with Brad. He was warm, approachable, and it was clear he was proud of this midtech offering. I am happy to offer up this review today.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Southard Tolk has an overall length of 8.75″, a 3.87″ blade, weighs 4.7 ounces, and is made in the USA. This is the second midtech offering from Brad, the first being the Avo. He is dubbing his midtech line the Performance Series. The Tolk is a big knife with it’s near 4″ blade. Definitely a bit outside of what I usually gravitate towards, but given the length of the knife I will say it is lightweight and manageable. This could be an every day carry (EDC) piece for some folks. For me it’s a collectible.

The hump backed blade of the Tolk is reminiscent of the Spyderco Southard Flipper, and has been given a high flat grind and a bright satin finish. Brad also offers the Tolk with stonewashed flats if you care for a little more contrast. Blade thickness is about 3.5mm, which is generous for a thin profiled folder. There is a decent amount of steel traveling out to the tip, and the blade is thinly ground. There isn’t much belly and I find that the Tolk is well suited to slicing.

Southard went with CTS-XHP stainless steel for the blade. This is a proven steel in my book and I am happy to see it on this premium offering. I must confess that my Tolk has not seen a ton of pocket time (or cutting time). It has held up well under the light use I have put it through.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The Tolk has a full bead blasted titanium handle. Subtle grooves have been milled into the face of the handle while deep lightening pockets have been milled on the inside. The hardware on this piece is especially interesting, with the show side featuring a decorative pivot and decorative hardware. The non-show side has a high domed pivot and oversize body fasteners. Rounding things out are blue anodized titanium standoffs. They compliment the lockbar stabilizer and thumb studs nicely. Fit and finish is everything I would expect from a high end custom knifemaker like Brad. The knife is highly refined.

I like the way the Tolk feels in hand. This is a generous knife and my fingers had no problem spreading out over the curves on the handle. Like a Cadillac sedan, there is room to spare, and the chamferred edges sink into your palm like a velour seat. The spine jimping stands in sharp contrast – literally – to the rest of the handle. It is aggressive and toothy. It is not as bad as the jimping on the SnG, but under sustained use it will irritate the skin. The jimping on the butt of the blade is even more aggressive, but since I rarely if ever use my knives in reverse grip I view it as decoration more than anything.

The pocket clip is relatively pedestrian compared to the rest of the knife. It is a simple bent titanium clip, and it integrates nicely with the handle. It is drilled and tapped for right side tip up carry only, and there is a recess milled into the handle like an XM-18 or Large Sebenza. The clip of the Tolk has good retention and is set up for relatively deep carry. It carries well in the pocket and is thin and manageable given its length.

Deployment and Lockup

The Tolk is equipped with both a flipper and ambidextrous thumb studs. The thumb studs are set close to the handle and I am unable to use them to flick the knife open. It is a good option for slowly rolling the blade open, but most people will be gravitating towards the flipper. And the flipper is definitely a good choice. The ceramic ball detent is dialed in and the blade pops open with a satisfying snap. The pivot is on bearings and the action is smooth.

For lockup, we have a titanum framelock. Like the Odino, the last framelock knife I reviewed, the Tolk bucks the trend of stainless steel lockbar inserts. I don’t have a problem with this provided that the titanium framelock works well, and I am pleased to report that is the case here. Lockup is early and solid. There is no blade play or lock stick to speak of. This is a titanium framelock done right. Rounding things out is a blue anodized titanium lockbar stabilizer. Blade centering is perfect.

Southard Tolk – Final Thoughts

The Tolk is basically everything I would expect from a high end midtech offering: top flight materials, exceptional fit and finish, and hand tuned details. The Tolk has all these qualities in spades. The packing is also worth noting. The knife comes in a foam lined embossed box and includes a certificate of authenticity signed by the man himself. This has been a fun knife to own and it is obvious that a lot of thought and care went into every detail of the experience.

Some scoff at the notion that this is “as close as you can come to buying a custom offering.” I think that subject should be explored on a case by case basis. The Tolk is obviously not a custom knife, but I think that in this case Brad has put a lot of time and thought into these. He and has apparently even created some of the parts (like the pivots). He was selling them personally, including each with a signed card of authenticity, and he was proud to do it. While this obviously isn’t a custom offering, in this case I believe it is a couple steps closer than a collaboration with a production knife company.

When I turn back to the practicality of the Tolk, the knife is a bit large and expensive to be a true daily carry for me, but I had a fun time meeting Brad at the show and walking away with something he had a hand in. Perhaps one day I will trade it in for something a little smaller, maybe even put the money towards a custom piece. Until then, this will be the closest I have come to owning a Brad Southard custom knife.

The Tolk is currently unavailable. If it were available I’d recommend purchasing it at BladeHQ or Amazon. I’d follow along on Brad’s website and perhaps he will release more models there. 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.

Shirogorov 95t Review

by Dan Jackson 12 Comments

I have had folks occasionally confess that they live vicariously through my reviews of high end pocket knives. I have handled some nice stuff over the years, but for the most part my wallet and I have been able to resist the renaissance of mid tech and custom knives. This is despite the deluge of eye candy on Instagram, which seems to suggest that everyone acquires $750+ knives and $100 titanium bottle openers at the same rate I buy a loaf of bread and some eggs at the grocery store. Well, I finally gave in, joined the masses, and grabbed this Shirogorov 95t.

Buy the Shirogorov 95t at BladeHQ

But this didn’t happen overnight. I have lusted after a Shirogorov for several years before eventually getting one. I actually had the chance to buy one directly from the maker at the 2014 Blade Show. I was one of the few to get their ticket called in their lottery. The problem was the knives started at $1,000+, which was more than I was willing to spend. I scored this gently used 95t off the forums while recording an episode of Gear Geeks Live.

For those unfamiliar with the maker, Shirogorov is a Russian knife company operated by the Shirogorov brothers. There isn’t a ton of info on the company (at least in English), but this is a growing manufacturer focusing on high end production and custom knives. They might be categorized as pioneers in the recent trend of high end production knives coming out of Russia and Asia. They are known for sleek designs, fanatical attention to detail, and exceptional fit and finish.

The 95 is one of their more popular models, and the 95t is a full titanium handled version with their signature “turtle” pattern (hence – a 95 “t”). This review has been a long time coming, and I’m pleased to finally be able to share some thoughts on this exclusive knife.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The 95t has an overall length of 8.75″, a 3.75″ blade, and it weighs 5.2 ounces. This is a large knife, and is not well suited for my style of every day carry (EDC). To me this is more of a self defense knife or large utility knife. Given how expensive it is, it has largely remained a collectible for me, but I did carry and use it a little. Mostly for purposes of putting this review together.

The 95t’s drop point blade is about as simple of a shape as you can get. Just 3.75 inches of flat ground and lightly tumbled steel. Of course, the devil is in the details, and the 95t has some nice ones on its blade. The edges have been slightly chamferred up by the jimping and the plunge lines are very clean. I wasn’t able to examine the factory edge on this particular knife (the previous owner attempted to sharpen the knife on a [easyazon_link asin=”B006WRH198″ locale=”US” new_window=”default” nofollow=”default” tag=”brdfkdfk-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”default” popups=”default”]Wicked Edge[/easyazon_link]), but as it stands it cuts very cleanly. The finish is very fine and the knife glides through cardboard.

My 95t came with Elmax steel for the blade. Elmax is a higher end stainless steel by Bohler Uddeholm. Shirogorov offers the Model 95 with several other blade steels as well, including S30V. I’ll be the first to confess that this 95t has not been a real heavy “user” for me. First of all, at $700+ I have plenty of less expensive knives to beat up on, and secondly, with a near 4″ blade the 95t is well outside my normal range for daily carry – even on evenings and weekends when I’m not working in an office. I will say the 95t tracks through paper effortlessly, and opens boxes with the best of them. Anecdotally, the full flat grind and finely finished blade seemed to aid with slicing performance.

Handle, Egonomics, and Pocket Clip

The 95t has a full titanium handle. As previously mentioned, this particular model has Shirogorov’s signature “tortoise shell” design carved into it – hence the 95t. The handle really is a thing of beauty. The titanium has been masterfully milled. The edges are contoured and the single stand off is sunk into the titanium frame. There are a number of nice details to explore, from the “channel” behind the flipper tab for your finger to fall into, to the polished edges of the custom hardware. Speaking of custom hardware, while the slotted hardware is pretty, it easily mars if you try to adjust the pivot or remove the clip. The titanium itself has been given a thorough tumbling. This helps hide wear and contrasts nicely with the bright stainless blade and accents.

The 95t is a large folding knife and it feels very good in hand. There are no sharp edges to speak of, save the cutting edge of course, and the simple handle shape allows your fingers to fall in place. There is a short run of jimping on the spine which reminds me a little of a Sebenza, but isn’t quite as sharp. The turtle pattern provides some additional traction without being overbearing, and the stonewashed titanium has a texture of its own. This simple handle will fit most people well.

The pocket clip is a 3-D machined piece of titanium, and is a miniature work of functional art in its own right. Drilled and tapped for right side tip up carry only, the clip compliments the lines of the knife. It also works well, affording secure and reasonably deep carry. The pommel just peeks out over your pocket when in place. The 95t is a large knife, but carries nicely considering. It has some heft to it, but isn’t over the top heavy. It carries well for its size.

Deployment and Lockup

The 95t flips fantastically. While it isn’t as much of a rocket launcher as the Zero Tolerance 0454, it’s still a pretty damn good flipper. The action is crisp and the blade kicks open easily with the push of a finger. My particular knife runs on a single row bearing system, however, I know that Shirogorov also offers knives in a fabled multi row bearing system (MRBS). I have never handled one of their MRBS knives, so I can’t comment on that feature. I can say this single row bearing knife is very smooth. The blade shoots open and falls closed easily.

For lockup we have a frame lock with a steel insert. Lockup is early and extremely solid. There is no play in any direction, and the lock is easy to disengage. Blade centering is perfect.

Shirogorov 95t Review – Final Thoughts

I have had the privilege of checking out some damn cool stuff over the years. So far I have largely resisted the temptation to venture in to mid tech and custom knife territory, but the Shirogorov was too hard for me to resist. I am very happy I got a chance to check this knife out. It’s beautiful and amazingly well executed. Every aspect of the knife has been meticulously considered, and the end result speaks for itself. This is one heck of a knife, and if you have the money and desire to own one, I do not think you will be disappointed.

Here is a shot of the 95T next to another beautiful knife, the Fantoni CUT Flipper:

I won’t deny that this is an expensive piece. I am unsure what these retail for exactly, as they don’t stay on the retail market for long. I would guess anywhere from $750 to $1000. Either way you are paying a lot of money for this knife. So certainly this is not a knife anyone “needs”. I’ll never be able to answer for you whether it is “worth it”. Only you can make that decision. When I compare the 95t to a large Sebenza or a Hinderer XM-18, I think you are getting something more for your money. I’d have a hard time deciding between this and the ZT 0454, but I think the 95t is made just a little bit better.

I usually sell off many of the expensive knives that land in my collection. I’m not made of money and I need to do this to check out new stuff. I have been sitting on this 95t for at least 6 months now. I think the fact that I have stalled writing this review for so long says a lot. I am having a hard time letting it go, and just might convince myself to keep it. As someone who has had a lot of knives pass through his hands that’s about as glowing of an endorsement as I can offer.

Shirogorov 95t
From: BladeHQ

Occasionally Shirogorov knives find their way to BladeHQ, and I recommend purchasing them there. 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.

Zero Tolerance 0620CF Review

by Dan Jackson 13 Comments

Last Updated: August 3, 2019
I have given Zero Tolerance over the past year. So I actually had to pause and think when my pre-order for the 0620CF popped into my inbox. I try to feature a variety of knives from different manufacturers. Would I purchase and review this knife? I slept on it for a few days, and decided that this collaboration with Ernest Emerson was special enough to justify another Zero Tolerance review.

Buy the Zero Tolerance 0620CF at BladeHQ

Buy on Amazon

I’m glad I made that decision, because when this knife arrived I could immediately tell it was significantly different from the other ZT offerings I have sampled.

General Dimension and Blade Details

The 0620 has an overall length of 8.5″, a 3.6″ blade, and weighs 6.2 ounces. While the Kershaw / Emerson collabs are scaled down offerings, the 0620 more like a full size Emerson. This thing is large and in charge. It suits the nature of the collaboration well, but relegates the knife to a more dedicated defensive role or collector’s item. At least for me. I don’t doubt some will every day carry (EDC) this knife, and there is nothing wrong with that if you can manage the size and weight.

The blade has always been one of my favorite aspects of an Emerson. The crisp grinds and beautiful finishes of the blade contrast oddly with the often crudely finished handles. I am pleased to say that ZT did Ernest right by the 0620. This is an immaculate American tanto complete with Emerson’s 2 tone finish: satin bevels and stonewashed flats. The multi-faceted grind has been beautifully done and the blade catches the light almost like the real deal.

Where this collaboration departs from a real Emerson is that ZT decided to V-grind the edge. Say what you will about chisel edges… easier to maintain “in the field”, cut better, blah blah blah – I’ll take this standard V-grind edge any day.

I have never been a huge tanto fan, but this version features a subtle curve between the tip and secondary point. It speaks to me the same way the Lum Tanto did – a tanto blade for guys who don’t prefer tantos.

The natural geometry of a tanto blade is excellent for stabbing, and this one with its clipped point is no different. While this is a beefy slab of steel, the flat grind is lean enough to make this a reasonable slicer, and the edge has been expertly applied.

If you aren’t a modified tanto guy, ZT is releasing the 0630, featuring a modified clip point blade, much like the CQC-8 Horseman that may be more to your liking. Personally, I have been enjoying the tanto as I currently don’t have a lot of tantos in my collection.

Much like the 0562, ZT is offering the 0620 in two flavors: M390 blade with a carbon fiber handle scale (shown here), and an Elmax blade with a G10 handle scale. M390 is a super steel and I have always treated it with a little apprehension because super steels have a reputation for being difficult to sharpen. I put my big girl panties on for this review and have been actually, like, using both my 0620 and my Benchmade Valet which is also in M390. Edge retention is exceptional and so far the steel has responded well to light stropping. This is all I have had to do over the past 8 weeks or so of use. This is excellent stuff and I look forward to continuing to evaluate M390 in earnest.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The 0620 has as thick titanium locking side and the show side is carbon fiber (or G10) over a full stainless steel liner. Construction is robust, to say the least. This is an extremely solid knife and it’s difficult to describe the feeling you get in handling the 0620. Each edge is rounded, the liners and carbon fiber are seamless. Beefy hardware sits securely in the handles. The heft of the thick titanium lock side adds to the gravitas of the knife. It is impressive.

While ZT didn’t include Emerson’s signature flat head pivot and Phillips head body hardware, they did borrow the oversize hex head pivot from the 0300 and included some beefy torx hardware and stand offs. They also included a lanyard post, which seems redundant placed next to the two stand offs, but looks to be removable.

In hand the 0620 feels like a beefed up Emerson – not a bad thing at all. The simple handle design is Emerson ergonomics at its finest. A forward finger groove indexes the finger nicely, and the wide thumb ramp is gently jimped for control and tactile feedback. The rest of the handle is simple and accommodates a wide variety of hand sizes. The 0620 is a pretty thick knife – not amazing in pocket, but excellent in hand. After working with the 0620 for several months I haven’t noticed any hot spots. Job well done by both Ernest and ZT.

The pocket clip looks almost as if it were plucked from the Emerson parts bin – it’s a carbon copy of what you would find on the real deal, except of course for the Zero Tolerance Logo emblazoned on it. It is a blackened steel clip, much like what you would find on a Benchmade Griptilian if you have never handled an Emerson. The handle has been drilled and tapped for ambidextrous tip up carry. It’s not super deep carry, but fairly deep. The 0620 is neither small, thin, nor light, but the sturdy clip holds the knife securely in pocket. It carries well for what it is.

Deployment and Lockup

Like a real Emerson, the 0620 makes use of both a Wave and thumb disk. Perhaps the most notable point regarding the deployment is the detent – it’s very strong. While it’s possible to flick it open with the thumb disk, the detent is so strong that flecks of my thumbnail often depart with the blade. The wave works well, although frankly waves have never graduated beyond a novelty for me. ZT went with classic phosphor bronze washers for the 0620. Bronze washers are all well and good, but it would have been cool to see them put KVT bearings in like on the 05620.

I have said it before and I’ll say it again, ZT has really dialed in the lockup on their frame locks. Like the past few titanium framelocks from Zero Tolerance I have reviewed, this one comes with a stainless steel insert. Lockup is early (~30%), rock solid, and without stick or blade play. It’s perfect. The 0620 in particular inspires a lot of confidence. The blade slides in to place with a satisfying snap and I wouldn’t hesitate to use the 0620 for harder tasks if necessary. Blade centering is perfect.

Zero Tolerance 0620 Review – Final Thoughts

The 0620 is arguably the best “Emerson” ever. The 0620 is built better and finished better than a real Emerson. It lacks quirks like chisel edges, and a right side tip up carry only pocket clip, but it has been upgraded with carbon fiber, M390 blade steel, and a beefy titanium frame lock. Most astonishing is that the 0620 is still made in the USA and priced for about what a similar size Emerson would cost. Case in point: the Emerson Roadhouse, probably one of my favorite Emerson patterns retails for around $230. This ZT collab comes in a at $240, and is right at $200 if you opt for the less-fancy version with Elmax blade and G10 handle scale.

There is little to nothing I would change about the 0620. In a perfect world I’d mill out the titanium frame lock to try and lighten the knife, and possibly add bearings to make this indulgent piece even more over-the-top. These are minor quibbles. Sure, it is big and impractical for normal person daily carry, but so is a real Emerson.

Zero Tolerance has once again delivered a superior product: high quality materials, beautiful construction, and designed by a legend in the industry. I highly recommend the 0620 for Emerson fans and fans of big, well made folding knives.

Zero Tolerance 0620CF Emerson Tanto Knife

Made in the USA; Wave shaped opening feature; Thumb disk for manual opening
Reversible clip (left/right); Frame lock, hardened steel lockbar inserts
Steel: Carpenter CTS-204P, stonewashed and satin finish
Handle: Carbon fiber front, bead-blasted titanium back
Blade Length: 3.6 Inch (9.1 cm); Closed Length: 4.9 Inch (12.4 cm)

I recommend purchasing the ZT 0620 at Amazon and BladeHQ.