Knives By Purpose

Kershaw Launch 4 Review

Regular readers may recall I’m attempting to step outside of my comfort zone and review more automatic knives. I started with a couple high end Microtechs, swung down to the Boker AK-74, and have now changed course towards something resembling the middle ground: The Kershaw Launch 4.

Buy the Kershaw Launch 4 at BladeHQ

The Launch 4 is one knife in a series of Kershaw Launch automatics. The Launch series was released a few years ago. These are simple, USA made knives with clean lines, and aluminum handles that come in a number of colored anodization choices in addition to a more standard matte black offering. The knives in the series appear to hover in that $75-$125 price point. So it’s a premium offering, but won’t break the bank.

I selected the Launch 4 due to it’s unique size and profile. It’s unlike anything else in my collection. Kershaw has plenty of Launch knives with 3-3.5″ blades, and I may check one of those out later on, but there was something about the diminutive Launch 4 that caught my eye.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Launch 4 has an overall length of 5.10″, a 1.9″ blade, weighs 1.98 ounces, and is made in the USA. The Launch 4 is a “Cali Legal” automatic with its sub 2″ blade. Cali Legals are an interesting class of automatic knives, that feature blades that are 2″ long or less. This is a category I wouldn’t mind exploring further.

At any rate, this small knife, suitable for daily carry, assuming it’s legal for you to do so. As always, please check your local laws before purchasing an automatic knife. In many places these sorts of knives can be either illegal to own or carry. Be careful.

Here is a size comparison with the Spyderco Dragonfly 2 so you can see how small this knife is:

The spear point blade is stout, and made from blade stock that is just over 3mm thick. Adding to the ruggedness is the partial hollow grind and partial swedge. The end result is a knife with a sharp yet meaty tip. Kershaw offers this knife with both a black DLC coated blade as well as uncoated versions.

Blade steel on this knife is CPM154, a tried and true American blade steel I have grown to both know and love over the years. CPM-154 is easy to sharpen and holds a nice edge. It’s the powder metallurgy version of the classic. The powder metallurgy process results in a finer grained steel, and is an upgrade over standard 154-CM. I have noticed some of my 154CM blades will rust on me if I’m not careful, so I’m kind of glad I got the coated version here. At this price point I’m glad to see CPM-154 stamped on the blade. That’s not a steel I recall seeing Kershaw or ZT work with before. It’s a nice surprise and a great choice for this price point.

In practice I have had the chance to use my Launch 4 as a daily carry utility knife. I bought this knife around Christmas, and like most households we received a lot of packages during that time period. The Launch 4 has gotten a lot of work with cardboard. It cuts cardboard capably. Not the absolute best slicer with its short stout blade, but it gets the job done. It’s not my choice of knife for cutting apples, or for food prep in general, as the blade is too short and the juices end up flowing into the pivot area, but then again this knife probably wasn’t designed for preparing apple slices.

I’m pleased to say the DLC coating has held up really well. DLC is my favorite blade coating because it is so durable. Cardboard is highly abrasive and can mar up the look of a coated blade easily. Here, there are a couple micro scratches on the finish but that’s it. Also, I found the knife easy to sharpen on my [easyazon_link identifier=”B001JL1I6Y” locale=”US” tag=”brdfkdfk-20″]Spyderco Golden Stone[/easyazon_link].

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The Launch 4 features beautifully machined aluminum handles that have been given a brilliant royal blue hard anodization. This is a two piece handle with an integrated backspacer. I am impressed with the handle of this knife. The design is extremely clean and thoughtful, the engineering is top notch, and I love the contrast with the black hardware and blue handles. The handles have an almost iridescent quality to them, shimmering in the light. However, the ultimate beauty lies in the simplicity of this knife.

That same simplicity carries over to the ergonomics. The coffin shaped handle clocks in at 3.2″. There isn’t much to grab, but the knife still manages to fill the hand and disappears into your palm. You can comfortably hold the knife in both forward and reverse grips. The knife probably does best in a reverse ice-pick grip. In that way it feels very shank like. But you can also hold the knife normally and it will certainly open a letter.

There is no jimping on this knife, or any aggressive texturing. However, the hard anodization has a light texture that provides some nice tactile feedback, and the Launch 4 doesn’t feel slippery. Still, those actively seeking out knives with “traction plans” may want to stock up on skateboard tape, or pick something else to shower with.

The pocket clip dominates the back handle of this knife. It’s a standard Kershaw clip given a black parkerized finish. The handle is drilled and tapped for right side tip up carry only, but you can hardly fault Kershaw for that given the diminutive size of this knife. Really, that’s the only place where you can place a clip and not interfere with the deployment button.

In practice this is a discreet knife. Kershaw has pushed the clip as far back to the pommel as they could without opting for a full on deep carry clip. I think the knife is small enough as it is, and I’m not sure having it completely buried in the pocket is a good idea. That said, if you get the all black version of this knife my guess is that it would be pretty stealthy. Especially if paired with some black leather pants for a black on black on black effect. Just sayin’.

The Launch 4 is easy to carry. Sub 2 ounces and tiny, it’s a little thicker than a Dragonfly 2, but in practice I didn’t notice it much.

Deployment and Lockup

This is a push button auto with a coil spring. It’s just like the Microtech Stitch and Boker AK-74 I have reviewed in the past. A tried and true design that should offer years of trouble free use. The action is stiff and snappy. Not quite Microtech levels, but pretty damn good. You need to pay attention or the knife could fly out of your hand whilst deploying the blade. I haven’t taken this one apart yet, but it appears to be a washerless design where the aluminum frames act as integral washers. That is similar to some of Hogue’s designs.

There is no safety of any kind, but the button requires a good deal of travel to open the blade. Opening the knife accidentally is unlikely, but like any knife you need to treat this tool carefully and with respect.

Lockup is secure and play free thanks to the stout button lock. The one nice thing about reviewing autos is that you do see a lot of button locks with this category. I’ve warmed up to good button lock knives over the years. They aren’t as in vogue as frame locks, but done right they are strong and practical. This Launch 4 is no exception.

For our parting shot, I have selected a size comparison with the Benchmade Bugout. My streak of buying blue knives has continued…

Blade centering is perfect on my knife.

Kershaw Launch 4 Review – Final Thoughts

The Launch 4 is dialed in. The clean design, tight tolerances, and excellent choice of materials give the knife a premium feel.

In an age where you can spend a lot of money on exotic materials and design flourishes, there is something refreshing about buying a knife that strikes that perfect balance of form and function. Kershaw didn’t go super cheap, and they didn’t gild the lily either. They managed to find that sweet spot and allocated their budget to good blade steel, tight tolerances, and durable finishes. The end result is a rock solid small format auto for well under $100.

If you are looking for a premium Cali legal auto, then I think the Launch 4 is an excellent option. It’s reliable and durable. I can see why this is a popular choice.

Kershaw Launch 4 – From $79.95
From: BladeHQ

I recommend purchasing the Kershaw Launch 4 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.

Emerson Mini CQC-15 Review

by Travis Pike 4 Comments

The Emerson CQC line of folding tactical knives are downright legendary. Mr. Emerson’s knives were the first folding tactical knives and are common to see among the armed forces, with police, and of course average Joes like me. CQC stands for ‘close quarters combat,’ and these knives are designed to be used as weapons as well as useful EDC tools. This particular model is the Mini CQC-15.

Buy the Mini CQC-15 at BladeHQ

Buy on Amazon

The Mini CQC-15 is a compact option that retains the legendary quality and reliability of Emerson’s knives. The CQC series is quite expansive these days, and the knives come in various sizes, colors, and configuration. The Mini CQC 15 is a hybrid of the two most popular knives in the CQC line, the Commander and the CQC-7.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Mini CQC-15 is smaller than the CQC 15, but it isn’t a small knife by any means. It’s an average size EDC knife with a 3.5-inch blade. The overall length with the blade deployed is 7.9 inches, and total weight is light 4 ounces. The blade is .125 inches thick and is made from 154 CM.

The Mini CQC 15 sports the piercing tanto point of the famed CQC-7B and the recurve blade of the Commander. This odd combination does give you a versatile knife blade that stabs and slices easily. The belly isn’t as prominent as the Commander, but it’s still enough to make it a good choice for skinning deer. You also get that extra cutting edge in a shorter profile. The tanto blade is, of course, a great piercer. If used as a weapon in a military scenario it will make quick work of clothing, web gear, or uniform shirts.

The blade is made from a durable and corrosion resistant 154 CM steel. Its Emerson’s steel of choice for these knives and is a good steel for these knives in particular. It’s tough, but not hard to sharpen. The blade is a chisel grind which has some strengths, but also weaknesses. It’s very strong, easy to sharpen and the edge lasts a good while. A chisel grind is a rough cutter and feels like it catches and jumps when you are trying to do precise cuts.

In my time as a Marine, I carried an Emerson CQC-7BW. At that time I knew nothing about knives, but I knew the CQC-7BW was ‘the’ tactical knife. Over time I grew to appreciate 154CM steel and the chisel grind as something that was easy and quick to sharpen in the field. Often I had nothing more than the sharpening rod on my bayonet sheath.

Getting the Mini CQC-15 ready can be done quickly with minimal tools, time, or effort. In the tactical world, you might not have the tools and time to get a nice sharpening in. Your day patrol may turn into a three-day mission, and all you have is what’s on your back and in your pockets. You also want the edge to last and the blade to be strong. If it breaks in country, you can’t exactly go online and order another

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The Mini CQC-15 is a fat bottom girl, and I love it. The handle is wide and fills my paws well. The knife has a palm swell, and a decent jimping for the thumb. The handle fills my hand very nicely, and I have no complaints about its design or shape. The grip design reminds me of a more subtle version of the ancient Greek kopis handle. It’s designed to aid in retention when cutting or stabbing.

The G-10 grips panels are aggressively textured, and some people might find it uncomfortable. You should bear in mind that by order gloves are part of the personal protective equipment of the uniformed services. Gloves can challenge grip, so this aggressive texturing is a must have for a knife like this.

The clip is nice and straightforward. It’s robust and has never bent or accidentally grabbed my chair as I go to sit. It’s tight, so the knife stays planted in the pocket. As the mini variant, it’s a bit more pocket-friendly. I never noticed any discomfort when carrying the knife. I never notice its even there until I need it. Unfortunately, it’s for righties only, but left-handed models of these knives are available. Seems a little ridiculous not to tap the knife for lefties

Deployment and Lockup

The Mini CQC-15 has a titanium liner lock that’s strong, but the knife seems to lock-up at different points. This is especially true if you use the wave method of opening these knives. Sometimes it goes extremely far and other times barely at all. However, I have never had the lock fail me in any way. I will admit I find myself subconsciously checking to make sure the blade is locked before getting the work.

Deployment can be done through a top thumb disk that’s ambidextrous, well textured and feels strong. It’s a slow deployment method, but a functional one. If you want to go a little faster, you have the wave method. The wave is based on that little hook on the thumb rest that is supposed to catch on your pants and open the knife as you draw it.

It’s a neat feature, but it doesn’t always work. It seems to work better in some pants than others. Pulling the knife like that is not dependable enough to trust in a self-defense scenario. I will say it works way better in jeans than in the typical material uniform pants is made of, which is odd seeing as who these knives are designed for. I may also be bad at opening a knife this way. The utility is there, but I can’t seem to master the wave.

Emerson Mini-CQC 15 Review – Final Thoughts

The lens you view this knife through is likely going to significantly affect your opinion on it. It’s not a graceful tool, and for the cost, you can get a knife that cuts smoother, features an ambidextrous pocket clip, and a more natural method of deploying the blade.

The Mini CQC-15, as well as the rest of the CQC series, is designed for folks in uniform. They have a broad set of features that make them an excellent knife for those in uniform. I still love it, and my CQC-7BW, but I am aware of my own bias and nostalgia. That being said its an objectively good knife, and one I would suggest if strength and simplicity are your main desire.

Emerson Mini CQC-15 with Plain Black Blade

If you are thinking of buying an Emerson Mini CQC-15, please consider purchasing it at Amazon or BladeHQ. Thanks for reading.

Cold Steel Golden Eye Review

by Dan Jackson 8 Comments

One visitor to the site commented that we are “a little biased towards Spyderco”. It’s probably because we have reviewed a lot of Spyderco knives over the years. More than any other brand. I like Spydercos and so does Ben, Grayson, Josh, and pretty much everyone who has written for the site. We all like their knives and consequently Spyderco has gotten a ton of air time over the years. If reviewing Spyderco knives is wrong, then I don’t want to be right.

Buy the Cold Steel Golden Eye at BladeHQ

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Perhaps more controversial is my attraction to Cold Steel Knives. I have reviewed a bunch of them over the years. I’m a big fan, although most of them are too big and impractical for me to truly carry and use. I think I may have a fetish because none of the other authors appear to share the desire to review C.S. stuff. Ben reviewed the Large Espada and the Pro-Lite, so I suspect he may also have a little Lynn Thompson in him, and Chad reviewed the Kudu, but that’s it.

Me? I’ve reviewed 15 Cold Steel knives. 16 if you include this Golden Eye. Yeah… that’s an addiction. I blame it mostly on their excellent marketing videos. Also Cold Steel keeps coming out with stuff I want to review. Andrew Demko keeps turning out hits, and I keep buying them. The Golden Eye is no exception. It looked cool, and slightly different from the other Cold Steel knives with it’s golden thumb hole. Had to have it. Sorry (not sorry).

General Dimensions and Blade Details

For some reason I thought the Golden Eye would be smaller. Maybe that’s because Tony wrote a quick review on it a few years back, and he typically picks out smaller more practical knives. Who knows. This is not a small knife. It has an overall length of 8.375″, a 3.5″ blade, and weighs 4.3 ounces. It’s made in Taiwan like most of Cold Steel’s other folders.

This is a bigger knife. The handle in particular is pretty large, but that’s OK as we will soon learn it is comfortable. That said, it feels light for its size and will make a great work knife. Not a great urban EDC option.

The blade is a big beautiful drop point. The overall profile reminds me of the Terzoula Slipit with its angled thumb ramp extending into a swedged drop point blade. It’s the kind of no-nonsense blade shape that will serve you well in virtually any task. The blade is ground thin with a deep hollow grind, has been given a two-tone satin finish, and is finished with a neat and evenly applied edge.

Cold Steel selected S35VN for this knife. These days the vast majority of their premium folders come in S35VN, replacing CTS-XHP, which replaced AUS-8. S35VN should need little introduction at this point. It is an American made steel designed as a follow up to S30V. It is specifically formulated for knife steels and is great stuff. It takes a good edge, has good edge retention, doesn’t rust or stain easily, finishes nicely, is reasonably tough, yet is easy to sharpen. It’s an excellent blade steel.

And the S35VN really sings on the Golden Eye. I was borderline shocked with how well this knife performed. It slices cardboard with aplomb. It absolutely zips through the stuff. No issues with rope. Great for slicing fruit and other work in the kitchen as well. This is a sturdy knife but it’s ground to slice and has performed phenomenally well in my use and testing.

I’ve been touching up the Golden Eye on my [easyazon_link identifier=”B001JL1I6Y” locale=”US” tag=”brdfkdfk-20″]Spyderco Golden Stone[/easyazon_link], and the edge stays freaky sharp that way. Must be all the gold. No complaints with the blade or blade steel on this knife.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The Golden Eye uses Cold Steel’s tried n’ true method of thick linerless G-10 handle scales. I’ve reviewed many of their knives with similar construction, and this knife works just as well as the others. The G-10 is thick and sturdy. There is very little flex when you try to squeeze the handle slabs together.

Fit and finish on the handle is excellent. Everything has been neatly finished. The parts are all flush and the handle screws together so the knife can be taken apart and maintained. The choice of forest green for the handles is a nice touch. It’s a little different without being too far out there, and contrasts with the gold hardware.

I wasn’t sure how the ergonomics would be on the Golden Eye. I guess that’s true for every knife I order, but the Golden Eye in particular had me guessing thanks to the multiple finger scallops. Complicated finger grooves can be a mistake if they force your hand into an awkward position. Here the groves are generous. They feel comfortable and work well for me. I think that most people will find this knife comfortable to use, but I haven’t taken a poll on this. Let me know in the comments section if you have this knife but don’t like the way it feels in hand. Personally, I’m a fan.

In addition to the finger grooves you have peel ply G10 for grip, and some light jimping along the back of the handle. These features provide a good amount of texture without going over the top. Overall I find this to be a comfortable knife to hold in forward and reverse grips. I’ve used this knife extensively and find it to be comfortable to cut with.

The Golden Eye comes with a large gold colored pocket clip and is configured for ambidextrous tip up carry. The clip appears to be designed for strength. You have milled recesses in the handle for the clip along with 3 screws. Spring strength is excellent and the knife is kept firmly in place.

In the pocket the Golden Eye carries well for what it is. It’s a bigger knife, so I tend to notice it, but it’s also a thin handled knife and it’s relatively light for its size. Not a boat anchor, but not a feather either. The strong clip keeps the knife firmly in place. All said I think the Golden Eye behaves nicely in the pocket for a larger knife.

Deployment and Lockup

This knife uses a stepped thumb hole to get the blade open. Cold Steel calls this the “Hollow Thumb Ramp” (HTR), and that acronym is pretty accurate. In practice the HTR works well and is a cool idea. It’s kind of a hybrid between a thumb hole and thumb stud. There is a lot for your thumb to grab onto, and this knife can be opened with gloves as well. The serrated thumb hole is held in place with a set screw, which is kind of interesting. It’s a nice design and one I wouldn’t mind seeing on more knives.

It’s worth noting that the gold plating on the thumb hole has worn off. I bought this knife off BladeForums in “Like New” condition, and it clearly was not like new. Disappointing, but given the price I paid and the fact I was going to use this knife I ultimately decided to keep it. However, the pictures you see here demonstrate that the gold finish is subject to wear.

The action of this knife is smooth thanks to a large pivot and phosphor bronze washers. Like most Cold Steel Tri-Ad lock knives, a good amount of force is required to open and shut the blade. This isn’t a blade you will be able to flick open. But you will find the action to be smooth and reliable, and that’s what I would expect from a rugged utility knife like this.

For lockup we have the aforementioned Tri-Ad lock. I’ve reviewed a dozen or so knives featuring this knife of lock, so forgive me if this sounds a little repetitive, but the Tri-Ad lock is a lock back reinforced with a stop pin. It’s an extremely strong lock design. The Tri-ad lock on the Golden Eye knife is no exception. You can’t muscle blade play out of this even if you try to move the blade out at the tip.

Here is a size comparison with another workhorse in my collection, the Buck Marksman. Still rocking the Marksman:

Disengaging the lock requires a good amount of force, but it’s not as bad as something like the 4-Max. Actually, I find the amount of effort it takes to open and close this knife to be reasonable. That said, this knife has been used quite a bit. Out of the box these can be stiff to open and close, so you may need to break your knife in.

Blade centering is perfect on my knife.

Cold Steel Golden Eye Review – Final Thoughts

Cold Steel has done it again. This is a strong and practical utility knife. It handles well, cuts like a beast, and features the strongest lock on the market. The “Golden Eye” (Hollow Thumb Ramp) works great. The HTR combined with the unique profile, gold hardware, and green handles help distinguish this knife in Cold Steel’s lineup. With so many great Demko designs on Cold Steel’s roster you would think that they cannibalize each other. The Golden Eye is a unique knife, even if it follows Cold Steel’s formula in many ways.

Where the knife may fall short is that this is another large folding knife from Cold Steel. It’s a great performer if you can carry and use this knife, but this isn’t a knife I can pull out at the office or the grocery store. It’s just too big. If I worked on a ranch or something this would be a great choice, but as a mild-mannered couch commando I usually carry a smaller knife. Also, the finger scallops in the handle won’t work for everyone.

That said, I found this to be an impressive knife. Especially the way it cuts. It’s a joy to cut things with this knife. Andrew Demko knows what he is doing and Cold Steel has a track record of executing his designs to brilliant standards. The Golden Eye is no different. Well worth seeking out if you like the design or are an unabashed Cold Steel fan like me.

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If you are thinking of buying Cold Steel Golden Eye, please consider purchasing it at [easyazon_link identifier=”B019RSXKXO” locale=”US” tag=”brdfkdfk-20″]Amazon[/easyazon_link] or BladeHQ. By purchasing things through any of the links on this website you support BladeReviews.com and help produce future reviews. Thank you very much.

Gerber Flatiron Review

by Travis Pike 3 Comments

What’s with the rise in popularity with cleaver knives? It just seemed like one day they were everywhere. We had options from Spyderco, Boker, Kershaw, CRKT, and of course the Gerber FlatIron. The FlatIron made a big showing at SHOT, and it makes sense why. Gerber is a massive company, the FlatIron looked cool as hell, and Gerber promised a low price tag. Once the FlatIron hit the streets, they were tough to find, and in December I got my hands on one. For 31 bucks I didn’t have massive expectations, but I have plenty of budget knives that perform beyond their price tag.

Buy the Gerber FlatIron at BladeHQ

Buy on Amazon

The Gerber FlatIron comes in two different grip styles, a hunter green aluminum grips and FDE colored G10 grips. The knife is a folder and pushes full size to its limits. Gerber makes lots of knives at lots of different price points, some hit, some miss, but how does the FlatIron come out?

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Gerber FlatIron gains its unique name from the flat, cleaver blade it has. The blade is 3.8 inches, with an overall length of 8.5 inches. It’s a big knife and weighs 5.6 ounces. That’s a bit heavy for a folding knife. As a cleaver the blade is quite broad, it sits at 1.125 inches wide and is .15 inches thick. It’s a big knife, and a cleaver has to be.

Cleaver knives have become quite popular these days due to their robust blade design and just how thick they are. The cleaver blade is designed for cutting, slicing and chopping and the Gerber FlatIron has a very sturdy blade. The lack of a point is a downside to some and limits the knife’s versatility. The benefit is the knife less aggressive looking and lower profile in case that is a concern. In some situations, you may not want a point. I know a few first responders who carry Sheepshead blades to cut and slice near people while reducing the chance of stabbing someone if the knife slips.

The blade is made from the always fun to type 7Cr17MoV steel. This is cheap steel, and the FlatIron is an affordable, Chinese produced, knife. It dulls relatively fast but sharpens easily. This is good because Gerber has dull blades when purchased. I’ve put it through my Smith’s Pocket Pal a time or two, and it edges right up. From what I’ve read this steel is pretty tough and resists corrosion well.

Once sharpened it cuts well. My use for a cleaver has always been the kitchen, and the FlatIron separated meat from bone pretty easily. It cuts smooth and deep through meat and might make an excellent field kitchen knife. Additionally, as a cutting blade, it does excel when sharpened for cutting through tougher materials like thick cardboard, and plastic straps. The FlatIron was my go-to for opening Christmas present boxes for the kids this year.

The blade has a worn, stonewashed finish that’s plenty attractive from a purely aesthetic standpoint. The whole knife looks cool, and that’s likely one of its most significant selling points. It’s like a straight razor that locks.

The knife has a hollow grind, which isn’t a problem itself. However, the grind is very uneven. Looking down the tip of the blade shows a highly irregular and crude grind.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The FlatIron sports an odd, but comfortable handle. One side features a grip panel, either aluminum or G10, and the other side is stonewashed aluminum that incorporates the frame lock and pocket clip. It’s a big handle that fills the hand which I do enjoy. The G10 grips provide more of a gripping surface, and the aluminum grips are smoother and better looking.

The blade has a large choil that allows you to choke up on the knife for increased control and leverage for tougher cuts. It’s certainly deep enough to keep your finger from slipping out. The handle is also completely open. This makes it easy oil and clean. It is a small, but a nice feature I appreciate it living around sand and salt water. The rear of the blade has zero jimping which is odd.

The pocket clip has a lot of good to it, but a bit of bad to go with it. First off, I like the short, but thick design. It’s low profile and also subtle. Best of all it doesn’t get in the way of your grip on the knife. It looks good too. It’s pretty tight though, and it’s difficult to get onto my jeans. Also, its right side, tip up only. You can’t reverse it in any way due to handle’s design. A bit of a downside in my book.

Lock and Deployment

The frame lock is simple, and in my experience, these locks are robust and handy. When you squeeze the grip, the lock is reinforced which means its a safe knife for hard work. Once opened the blade is locked in solid. There is no play left to right or back and forth. The frame lock is robust and does its job well with the big blade. The lock has a full inch of texturing where the thumb naturally falls, and this makes it easy to defeat the tight lock and fold the blade.

The blade opens via a thumb hole. This design isn’t bad, but the blade is a bit tight when new. A little blade oil helped as did some use and now I can flick it open with ease. The blade will open smoothly, even when stiff. There is no grit or stop and go feeling as the knife opens. The thick blade makes the thumb hole easy to use. It’s a deep hole, so your thumb isn’t likely to slip out.

The Gerber FlatIron Review – Final Thoughts

The Gerber FlatIron’s greatest strength is its looks. It’s not particularly special outside of looking nice. You can’t demand much from a 30 dollar knife, but I’d expect at least an even hollow grind. I do see one solid purpose for this knife, and that would be for a younger, new knife owner.

Follow my logic here:

The blade lacks a point which reduces the risk for young and new knife users.
The 7Cr17MoV steel is sturdy and corrosion resistant, so it can take the abuse, and since it dulls fast they’ll be learning to sharpen it, and it sharpens easily enough.
The frame lock is very safe for heavy or clumsy work.
While the knife can be flicked open it’s still slower than a Kershaw with speed assist or anything crazy. It’ll never be accidentally opened.
The FlatIron is tough and robust so it will resist abuse.
It’s easy to clean.
It’s affordable in case it is lost or broken.

For people who are used to nice, high-end knives, the FlatIron might be a disappointment. I like the knife personally, but that’s because of my inner mall ninja. It doesn’t do one any one task well, but it is affordable, safe and tough.

Sale

Gerber Gear 30-001495N Flatiron Folding Pocket Knife Cleaver, 3.6 Inch Blade, Desert Tan

DURABLE EDC GEAR: The Gerber Flatiron folding pocket knife features a plain edge cleaver style blade, thumb hole for one-hand opening, finger choil, frame lock, aluminum handle scales, and pocket clip with clip for secure EDC
INNOVATIVE DESIGN: Features an upgraded D2 steel blade, which provides impressive toughness and edge retention, designed for hard-use applications and survival gear needs
OUTDOOR ESSENTIALS: The Flatiron pocket cleaver knife is great for any hunter, tradesman, and everyday carry; perfect addition to camping essentials, toolbox, work wear, and hiking and fishing gear
COMPACT AND CONVENIENT: 3.6" blade length, 8.5" overall length and 3.9 oz weight make the Flatiron folding pocket knife an essential addition to your EDC gear and outdoor tool collection
GERBER GUARANTEE: Backed by a limited lifetime warranty, ensuring quality and reliability in all Gerber essential hunting gear

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

Review of the Spyderco Ouroboros (and a review of reviews)

by A Sharp Guest Contributor 2 Comments

Spyderco released Paul Alexander’s Ouroboros in 2016, and they discontinued the model last year. I waited until now to review it because I’ve carried and used the knife as my primary every day carry for several months—the only worthwhile review comes from someone who has actually cut something with the knife. Knife unboxings are fun to watch but they aren’t valuable reviews. And although the claim seems counterintuitive, I’m also reviewing the Ouroboros now because Spyderco discontinued it. Many reviews are nothing more than unwanted advertisements disguised as friendly advice. The Ouroboros provides an excellent option for a small EDC blade, and the reason you can be certain is that you can’t buy it from a retailer anymore.

An EDC blade should have a good steel in a versatile blade shape, and the Ouroboros has both. Even though VG-10 no longer excites steel junkies, its balance of toughness, corrosion resistance, edge retention, and ease of sharpening make it a solid all-round steel. There are better steels on the market, for sure, but VG-10 takes a mirror edge and holds it fairly well. Under light use such as slicing paper and cutting packing tape, VG-10 can hold an edge of 15 degrees per side, but the 20-degree factory bevel on my Ouroboros gives it the extra strength needed to push through cardboard and carrots. I wouldn’t try to baton through kindling with it but the blade has been tough enough for everyday use, and I haven’t seen a spot of rust.

Sharpening VG-10 with machine-guided stones followed by hand stropping has been about as easy as 440C, and much easier than notoriously hard steels such as ZDP-189 or S90V. The blade’s leaf shape and deep finger choil allow for a number of secure grips: you can rest your thumb on top of the blade with your forefinger behind the choil, pinch the thin tang near the Spyder-hole for kitchen tasks, or pinch-grip the handle just behind the tang to use the whole blade (just under 3 inches). The blade design also aids sharpening by avoiding Spyderco’s dreaded plunge grind where the edge bevel gets close to the ricasso, making it difficult to sharpen the blade along the entire edge.

The Ouroboros uses Spyderco’s patented compression lock, one of the most secure locking mechanisms on the market. We expect a folding knife’s lock not to fail, but the compression lock offers something that others don’t: it’s just plain fun to use! I Spyder-flick the blade with my middle finger and then press the liner tab to let the blade drop freely back into the handle. I hold the tab down and wrist-flick the blade back out. I shoot the blade back out with my thumb… It’s addictive.

The lock’s tab is the only visible part of the nested liners. The handle scales are grippy, but they aren’t the pattern of G-10 that shreds denim as you pull the knife out of your pocket. The Ouroboros fits snugly into the watch pocket of jeans because its handle is under a half-inch wide and it is just over 4 inches long. Once it’s clipped into the pocket, the lanyard hole and the paperclip-style pocket clip (the same size as the Dragonfly 2’s) are all that’s visible.

The knife’s specs and features make it a solid EDC choice, but it’s the subtle aesthetic details that make it not just my favorite knife to carry but also my favorite to admire. When it’s closed, the Ouroboros looks like it was designed to stay closed. Resting upright on a table, the knife balances on a few millimeters of G-10 behind the lock’s tab. Blade and handle look like an elongated oval, with the base of the blade’s spine emerging smoothly from the top of the handle, and the blade’s ample tip concealed within the narrow swirl at the handle’s base. The G-10 dips at the center of the handle, and a grind line—the transition from the thicker spine to the blade’s flat grind—cuts through the opening hole and across the blade at an angle that matches the handle’s sinuous line.

When the knife is open, it’s hard to believe that the tall blade came out of the narrow handle. The knife uniformly curves from tip to handle base, as if it were a few degrees taken from a large circle. In the hand, the spine’s curve rests comfortably along your palm. The balance point sits just below the lock’s tab, about where your middle finger rests in a standard grip. The curve and the balance point make an already light knife (just over 2.5 ounces) seem to be a weightless extension of your hand.

The Ouroboros is, for me, a perfect EDC. No two users will completely agree, but the foregoing review was my honest opinion, taken from months of enjoyment. Reviewers during the initial marketing push following the knife’s release had some fair criticisms: the knife was priced too high ($289.95 MSRP) for a small knife with a VG-10 blade, and Spyderco skimped when they used Teflon rather than phosphor-bronze
washers. In my experience, the washers have felt smooth and have been durable. The price kept me from buying the knife initially; I waited until the street price was well under 50% of MSRP before I bought one. With that said I’d pay full MSRP to replace it, if I had to.

New reviews all but disappeared shortly after the marketing phase, as they usually do. Some people reviewed the Ouroboros because they enjoy collecting or using knives and they wanted others to experience the same. They also might have done it because they hoped that attracting subscribers to their social media accounts would eventually allow them to quit their 9-5 grinds. Both are noble causes. But it has become more difficult to sort honest knife reviews from disguised advertisements.

I found myself confused during the time that I was reading and watching reviews, trying to decide whether to spend my hard-earned money on an Ouroboros. I struggled to answer simple questions: Is this a good knife, or have I just read an “advertorial”? A portmanteau of advertisement and editorial, an advertorial is a way for marketers to deliver ads that appear to be friendly advice. Search for a review online and you’ll encounter advertorials that conveniently offer a link to purchase the knife. Watch video reviews and the reviewers might mention that a manufacturer or a retailer provided the samples, or they might not. The most valuable PR is a consumer’s endorsement of a
product on social media, which appears to be unsolicited but is often just the opposite.

Knife addicts, steel junkies, edge snobs… all of us are susceptible to nefarious marketing schemes when we’re researching a potential purchase. One way to make a clearer decision is to avoid reviews of knives still available for purchase, or at least to maintain a healthy skepticism. Consider the reviewer’s or the website’s ethics. Does the reviewer pull the knife out of a box and tell you how great it is, with a few detractors added for credibility, or has the reviewer already carried and used the knife? Does the reviewer disclose who provided the knife and how that might influence the review? Does the website explain why there are links to purchase the knife within an article, or just following it? If you can’t answer those questions, then you should move on to another review.

My review of the Ouroboros arose from a deep enjoyment of the knife, and I wanted to share that with like-minded people. If you’d like to purchase any of the Ouroboroses that I’ve stockpiled since it has been DISCONTINUED, click on the link below to check out my online auctions…

Author: Christian Zawojski

Note from the Editor: Christian wanted to submit this as a guest review for publication, so I thought “why not?” It’s interesting knife and commentary on knife reviewers. Thank you, Christian for the entertaining and thought provoking article!

Reate Kirby Lambert Crossroads Review

by Dan Jackson 2 Comments

I saw this knife on the cover of Blade Magazine and had to have it. That’s the short version at least, but the story goes back way further than that.

Buy the Reate Crossroads at BladeHQ

I’ve been a fan of Kirby Lambert’s work for years. He was one of those makers that captivated me with his crisp lines and clean work. The knives seemed to belie human intervention. I also remember when Andrew got a Kirby Lambert Wharn. It was late 2012 I think. It actually inspired me to get on Kirby’s books to try and order a Snap. I was on his books, but must have fallen out of line as I never got the follow up email when it was my turn. But that’s OK, a custom Kirby Lambert knife is an object I enjoy lusting over more than actually owning.

But when I saw the Reate Crossroads on the cover of that magazine, and realized it was a collaboration with Reate that could be had at production level prices. Well, its like I said… I had to have it.

And Reate making a knife I “had to have” is kind of interesting. Reate hasn’t gotten much love here. Beyond the Todd Begg Steelcraft Bodega, we haven’t featured a single Reate knife. That isn’t for lack of wanting. It’s more a lack of direction. Their stuff looks great, but their product line seems so deep and expensive that it’s hard to figure out where to begin. If you had to buy one Reate knife, which knife would be “the” Reate to buy? There is no easy decision, but feel free to make a suggestion in the comments. I think it’s the paradox of choice.

In contrast, the Crossroads was a no brainer. That makes it a smart move for Reate. If they can impress the consumer with their collaborations, people will be more likely to try out their OEMs.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Crossroads has an overall length of 8.375″, a 3.625″ blade, weighs 5.31 ounces, and is made in China. This is a hefty knife, with a lot of the weight focused around the pivot, so I can’t sit here and say this knife has been a strong daily carry for me. It’s more of a collectible. The knife looks like a pristine custom piece with its two tone blade, custom hardware, and marble carbon fiber hand scales. I’m having time using it hard. But for some this will make a great EDC piece. Others I suspect will baby the knife and keep it more as a collectible. I fall into the latter category.

Here is a size comparison with a workhorse from my collection, the Spyderco Paramilitary 2:

The blade is either a drop point, or a reverse tanto. Hard for me to tell. Or care, if I’m being completely honest. At any rate, there is a blade, and it’s a beautiful blade with a two tone satin finish. The blade has been given a deep hollow grind, and there is a long angled swedge riding most of the blade length. The end result is a functional blade shape with sloping belly, and needle fine tip. But it’s also a unique and somewhat unusual blade shape with what appears to be a broad sweeping shoulder, or a bull neck of steel that meets the top of the bolster.

One odd complaint is that although there is a large sharpening choil, the blade is not sharp all the way down at the heel. There is maybe a quarter inch of unsharpened blade. Hopefully my knife is an exception, but this is an odd omission on a knife that appears to have otherwise been lavished with attention.

Reate chose M390 stainless steel for the blade material. Readers of my various reviews of high end knives will know and love M390 for it’s ability to hold a keen edge, to be relatively easy to sharpen, and resist rust and corrosion. It also takes a nice finish as shown by this beautiful blade.

Despite the heel of my blade being unsharpened, the Crossroads otherwise came exceptionally sharp out of the pouch. Blade stock is relatively thick, but the knife still slices cleanly thanks to that deep dish grind. Can’t say I’ve run this knife hard, but my light duty has shown that the Crossroads is a capable cutter.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The Crossroads is a bolstered knife, with your choice of handle scale material over titanium. The bolstered look is a Kirby Lambert signature, and it has been executed beautifully on this knife. You can barely feel the seam as you run your finger over the transition between the handle scale and titanium bolster, at least with this marble carbon fibered version. The hardware is all anodized titanium. The pivot in particular is a striking dual anodized affair. A floating titanium backspacer and lanyard pin rounds things out.

All said this is a beautifully rendered handle and it captures the essence of what makes Kirby’s work so special: his unique aesthetic coupled with an eerie level of fit and finish. There are superb details on this knife and the materials are all top notch. Check out that marble carbon fiber. You can get lost in this stuff:

By and large the Crossroads is a comfortable knife. First of all, the handle is generous and will accommodate most people. The finger choils are large and allow for plenty of room. Sometimes finger choils can constrict the user, but I didn’t find that to be an issue here. There is no jimping, yet the broad spine of the blade provides plenty of room for the thumb.

But I also found that my thumb caught on the tang of the blade. I’m talking about where the spine of the knife meets the stop pin. It’s shaped like a hook, and I wonder if something could have been done to ease that edge. One commandment of knife design is that the only sharp edge should be found on the blade, and in a way this knife violates that cardinal rule.

The Crossroads utilizes a titanium sculpted pocket clip. Some people won’t like this, but I think the titanium clip works great, and compliments the aesthetics of this knife perfectly. The clip has good spring action, and it does a decent job of holding the knife in your pocket. The smooth titanium and smooth marble carbon fiber won’t give you the pocket shredding traction of a Cold Steel or Emerson folder, but I suspect it will get the job done for most people, especially given the dressy nature of the knife.

The Crossroads is a big and bulky knife. There is no way around that, and you will feel the Crossroads in your pocket> Plus, the nature of the the bolstered design puts a lot of weight towards the pivot, so you will get some “pendulum” action if you aren’t careful. Not the best knife for daily carry, but if every knife was as practical as my Native 5 lightweight I wouldn’t have a whole lot to write about.

Deployment and Lockup

The Crossroads is a flipper with a multi-row ceramic bearing system. This is my first multi-row bearing system (MRBS) knife, and part of me is tempted to take it apart to see what that looks like (and show you). The other part of me doesn’t want to dick up the anodized titanium hardware. Been there, done that with my Fantoni CUT Flipper. I still regret the day I tried to take that knife apart and stripped the screws.

Here is a shot of the Crossroads next to my Olamic Wayfarer 247:

I searched online for a picture of the internals of the Crossroads and couldn’t find anything. For now we will all have to use our imaginations and figure that inside there is some sort of MRBS. It appears to be a caged bearing system as I peek into the knife. And I’d believe it given the glassy smoothness to this knife. The blade falls shut easily.

The detent is also ceramic with a crisp and punchy action. There is a detent ramp that adds to the fluidity of the action like the Wayfarer 247, but it still feels different from the 247. The action of the Reate is still sharper and hydraulic. The jimped flipper tab is also sharper, easily grabbing the pad of your index finger. I’d rate the action as a strong “9” on a 0-10 scale. It’s good. Damn good.

For lockup we have a bolster lock. Really, it’s a titanium framelock, but the marble carbon fiber overlay distinguishes this knife slightly from your typical full titanium framelock. Something different.

Lockup is bank vault tight. No play in any direction. The lock is easy to disengage thanks to a small chamfer on the inside of the lock bar. One thing I will note is that the edge of the carbon fiber, where it meets the lock, comes to a sharp point at the peak of the finger choil. I don’t think there is much they could have done beyond changing the design of the knife, but it’s there.

Blade centering is perfect on my piece. As I would expect on a knife like this.

Reate Crossroads Review – Final Thoughts

The Reate Crossroads is a beautiful piece. As someone who has pined for a Kirby Lambert custom for the better part of a decade, the Crossroads had the potential to let me down given the hype and anticipation of owning a Lambert for so long. But I’m pleased to say the knife doesn’t disappoint. It’s a beautiful piece featuring top shelf materials, next level fit and finish, and a dynamic design from Kirby.

But it’s not perfect. In some ways it is finished so crisply it’s uncomfortable. There are a couple sharp edges, namely on the back of the blade where the tang meets the stop pin, and where the carbon fiber bolster meets the lock bar. The knife doesn’t carry that well thanks to all the weight at the pivot. Also the heel of the edge is unsharpened. That may just be an issue with my particular knife.

In a perfect world I’d like to see those issues addressed somehow, but I still see these as relatively minor complaints given the overall splendor of the Crossroads. More of a collectable than an a user, but it’s as close as I’ll probably ever come to owning a custom Kirby Lambert.

Reate Crossroads – From $355.00
From: BladeHQ

I recommend purchasing the Reate Crossroads at BladeHQ or GPKnives. 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.