Knives By Purpose

Spyderco “S” – Discontinued But not Forgotten

Jealousy is often referred to as the Green-Eyed Monster. Being a little sister, I am all too familiar with this emotion.

As a kid, my big brother always had the nicest and newest gadgets. He is also incredibly smart, so he had the best grades. I looked up to him and was inspired to think that maybe someday day I’d have the nicest and newest things. Maybe I would be even smarter than him…

That last one didn’t come to fruition, but to this day, I strive to get something nicer and newer This determination peaked one summer day before my freshman year in college.

On that day a window was opened into the world of extraordinary pocket knives when my brother showed me his newest purchase. It was a Spyderco “S” Black. When I saw it, my hazel eyes turned to green.

This knife didn’t have a solid metal handle, it was intricately carved out like a web. Once the blade was revealed, I was blown away. The whole knife was one incredible black and silver web. I had never seen anything that strong look as though it might fold under the slightest pressure.

How was this possible for Spyderco to combine a delicate façade with such interior strength? Well, that’s easy to explain. The almost 2.5” long blade has been shaped, not cut out, to look like a web by a process called metal injection molding.

Basically, there are four ingredients, steel (which is Taiwan produced 440C steel), a binder, metal powder, and heat. The first three ingredients are mixed together and then molded to shape. Once in the shape the ingredients are sintered, or heated, to combine into a solid material.

The “S” was produced with option to choose between two different handle colors, black or silver. Both are made of anodized aluminum that has been cut with the same web pattern as the molded blade. It should come as no surprise that the entire knife weighs only 2 oz.

A wire clip is attached to carry in the tip-up position only but can be changed for left or right-handed carry. It’s a great length at 3.5” but the wire clip is positioned somewhat low on the handle so the top is visible when carried in a pocket.

Opposite of the blade in the handle is a Compression Lock. This incredibly strong lock has been developed and patented by Spyderco. It compresses just behind the blade and pops into place once open. The lock releases by pushing in on the tab and folding the blade back down. With four finger grips, you can be assured of a secure hold when cutting.

Fortunately, my eyes didn’t stay green for long. A few years later I was able to purchase my very own shiny, and new, “S” Silver. By far the best purchase I’ve made and one of my top five favorite knives of all time.

Even though the “S” isn’t an everyday use knife for me, it’s perfect for a special occasion or when you want to impress your friends. Unfortunately, Spyderco no longer makes the “S”, but if you want one bad enough, you’ll find it. Don’t let that Green-Eyed Monster get the best of you.

Editor: I hope you enjoyed this guest post from Jennifer Wood. As the PocketKnifeHousWife, she definitely brings a different perspective from your average knife reviewer. Jennifer and her reviews can be found at PocketknifeHousewife.com. Follow her on Instagram @Pocketknifehousewife or Twitter @PktHousewife.

Schrade Frontier SCHF52 Review

by Josh Wussow Leave a Comment

Sometimes, you just need a big, dumb knife. Thus was the rationale behind my purchase of the Schrade Frontier SCHF52, a tool designed “with extreme wilderness survival situations in mind.” While I don’t consider myself an extreme sort of guy, I do certainly enjoy both the wilderness and the thought of surviving.

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I tested this full-tang terror over a few blustery days in New Mexico, tackling fallen trees and dry timber on the banks of the San Juan River. It was, like many of the best things in life, a truly surprising experience. Let’s dive in.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

As always, we begin with some stats. This is one of the larger offerings in Schrade’s Frontier line, with a reach of 13-inches overall. Seven of these make up the coated blade, with 6.25-inches worth of sharpened surface. The handle adds another five, with the downward sweep of the pommel rounding out its foot-plus length. As expected on a survival-minded knife, the blade stock is wide across the shoulders – 0.23-inches, to be exact. The grip is fairly substantial, with 0.83-inches of girth where the rubber meets the palm. All told, your $30-$36 buys just over a pound of drop-point, hollow ground 1095 steel. That’s a heck of a lot of tool for not a lot of money.

Here’s something you’ll hear echoed a few times throughout this review: I did not expect the SCHF52 to slice worth a damn. I figured chopping, cleaving, and other brute force tasks would be the Frontier’s forte. But the first time I swiped its edge across a branch, I was shocked to see a long, thick strip of wood go flying through the air. The hollow grind bit deep beneath the bark, leaving a flattened swath of wood in its wake. I did this over and over until I’d completely stripped a foot-long stick. Then I picked up another and did it again.

Once this initial delight wore off, I set to testing the tasks for which the Frontier was ostensibly designed. As expected, its substantial weight and durable steel make it an excellent chopper. The heft of the blade and security of its rubber grip allows you to generate impressive force on the swing, and the edge bites hard into fallen timber. The hollow grind also proved to be surprisingly durable. After bashing through a log or two, I was still able to generate some pretty fine wood shavings.

Next up was every internet troll’s favorite use for an outdoor blade – Batoning. While I generally avoid this with smaller blades, the SCHF52 is built for these sorts of tasks. So, driving it through a three-foot length of dead timber should be no problem, right?

Right.

So, what can’t the 52 do? Well, it’s not going to be the greatest asset when it comes to food prep. The hollow grind will do better than others, but the overall thickness isn’t terribly helpful at the cutting board. And, as you can see, the blade coating will rub off when driven through slabs of wood. But overall, the performance of this sub-$40 knife blew me away. I expected it to be good, but not this good.

Handle and Ergonomics

The overall ergos on the SCHF52 are excellent. The texturing on its rubber cladding locks into the palm, inspiring confidence through a variety of uses. The pistol-grip style forward finger choil is excellent for delicate maneuvering, and the downward curve of the pommel fits well against the heel of my hand. You can even use this area for increased chopping leverage, wrapping your ring and middle fingers against its gentle hook. This allows for a bit more force on the swing, though the impact can be rough on gloveless hands.

Speaking of rough, the lone sore spot here is the jimping just aft of the upper blade guard. It works fine during light carving work, but it bites at the webbing of my thumb during heavy use. It’s not the end of the world, but I’d recommend wearing gloves for impact tasks.

In addition to my rubber model, Schrade offers the Frontier 52 in Micarta, as well. Personally, I think the slightly spongy texture of the rubber is better suited to impact tasks, while being more attractive to my particular eye.

Sheath

Sheaths tend to be the weakest point on most budget fixed blades. Happily, I found Schrade’s sheath to be markedly better than expected. The nylon strap and body hold the knife securely, with a surprisingly comfortable ride for such a hefty blade. The knife slides in and out effortlessly, once you find the narrow slot in the integrated plastic sleeve. This takes a bit of attention, so be careful until you’ve developed a feel for it.

The biggest weakness I see here comes from the belt loop. It’s secured by what amounts to two pieces of folded over Velcro, pressed together around the pass-through. I think anyone who’s ever had a long-term pack, pouch, or pair of shoes with this sort of closure can see where this is going. Eventually, those sticky surfaces attract dust, fabric, and all sorts of material to their tiny claws. This limits the lifespan of the material, especially on what I consider to be a hard-use tool. If you’re looking to the Frontier as long-term companion, you may want to fuse these strips together somehow.

Other than this one issue, however, the sheath appears to be up to snuff. Even the little leg-loop at the bottom works well despite, as my wife and her friend put it, looking “really silly.” They’re right – Walking around with a boot lace tied around your thigh does look kinda dumb. But in the wild (or your own back yard) who really cares?

Let’s quickly touch on the included ferro rod and sharpening stone. In truth, I expected both of these add-ons to be junk. And while I was half right (the included striker steel is garbage), I was able to make fire using the ferro rod and the back of the blade. The spark output isn’t massive, but it was enough to catch the dry tinder I pulled from the side of a fallen tree. The rod is pretty thin, though, so don’t expect it to last for more than a handful of trips.

As to the sharpening stone, I haven’t had occasion to test it. The 1095 held its edge quite well, and a quick visit to the strop set it back to hair-shaving sharp. While it may not generate the polished edge of a bench stone, I have no doubt it’ll be serviceable in the field.

Schrade SCHF52 Review – Final Thoughts

This is a knife I expected to like from the get-go. It wasn’t, however, one I expected to love. But from the first slice across its very first twig, I really fell for this blade. It’s a simple, straightforward, and eminently capable design, backed with materials that walk the line between durability and disposability like no tool I’ve ever tested.

What I mean is this – I’m confident that the 1095 can hammer through a log. But, should it fail, I also know that I’m only out $30. This sort of confidence is very liberating, allowing you to focus on the fun of your outdoor adventures without babying the blade. I even brought along my Steel Will R300 Roamer for comparison, a D2-bladed knife costing twice as much. And you know what? I think I actually prefer the Schrade.

Overall, the SCHF52 gets an unqualified recommendation from me. It plays the part of the big, dumb knife to perfection, while packing just enough smarts to keep things interesting. At this price point (or even twice that), you’d be hard pressed to do any better.

Schrade Delta Class Bedrock High Carbon Steel Fixed Blade Knife with 7in Drop Point Blade for Buschcraft

DIMENSIONS:Blade Length 6” - Handle Length 7” - Overall Length 13” - Weight 23.4 oz
MATERIALS: AUS-8 steel drop point style blade
SECURE: Overmold handle for confidence in your grip
BE PREPARED: Injection molded sheath for convenient carry
WARRANTY: This knife includes a limited lifetime warranty. If you have questions or concerns please contact Schrade Customer Service

$45.40
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Editor: I recommend purchasing the Schrade SCHF52 at Amazon or BladeHQ. Please consider that buying anything through any of the links on this website helps support BladeReviews.com, and keeps the site going. As always, any and all support is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.

Mora Garberg Review

by Josh Wussow 7 Comments

Last Updated: July 15, 2019
You’re familiar with the concept of being “fashionably late,” right? It’s the idea that, by showing up to a party well after the festivities have begun, you’ll gain coolness-points by joining in just as the fun hits its stride. While no one has ever accused me of being either fashionable or cool, I am a bit late to the coming-out bash for the Mora Garberg.

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But, when Morakniv offered to send me a sample for review, I knew I couldn’t pass up the invitation. This party of two took me from the dry winter of New Mexico to the snows of Colorado, with food, fire, and woodworking along the way. Now that the festivities have faded, here are my thoughts on the Mora Garberg.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

There are two major differences between the Garberg and its more budget-minded cousins like the Companion. First is the main thrust of its existence – That glorious, full tang construction. See that bit of metal peaking from the back of the pommel? Wonderful!

Then there’s the steel. While most of Mora’s lower lines employ carbon blades (yes, I know you can get the Companion in stainless), the Garberg utilizes Sandvik 14C28N. According to the maker’s website, this is a steel intended for situations placing “Very high demands on edge sharpness, edge stability and corrosion resistance such as chef’s knives, pocket knives, hunting and fishing knives.”

Mora has put 4.25-inches of Sandvik’s finest into the Garberg’s clip point blade, 4-inches of which are sharpened. The square-edged spine is fairly broad, with a lateral measurement of 0.12-inches. Add in 4.75 for the handle, and you’re left with an overall length of 9-inches. It’s a pleasing, medium-range design from the Swedes, weighing in at a hair under six ounces.

So, how does it perform in the field? In short, it’s a Mora. Carving, spine scraping, and wood shaving are an absolute breeze. And, thanks to its full tang toughness, I had no trouble batoning through small and medium sticks. This knife was a pleasure to use in the field.

One important note – While most Mora’s come with a scandi edge, they’ve opted to include a tiny micro-bevel on the Garberg. It’s an interesting departure from their usual MO, but not one that causes a whole lot of concern. Anyone looking to remove the bevel can do so with relative ease, given enough time at the sharpening stones. Plus, look at these ultra-fine shavings I was able to get. This, ladies and gents, is a precision instrument. Full scandi or not, the edge gets the okay from me.

Out of the dozen or so fixed blades to come across my review table, the Garberg is one of the two best fire starting implements I’ve tested. The other is the Cold Steel Finn Wolf, which I jokingly referred to as the “Finn Dragon” due to its ability to draw fire from a ferro rod by essentially breathing on it. The Garberg is the only other knife I’ve used capable of generating this sort of spark shower.

There are a few weaknesses here, however. As good as the Garberg is at striking a cooking fire, it’s not much help when it comes time to prepare your dinner. Slicing onions and other produce was a rather unpleasant experience, in fact. But, this is a known quantity with scandi grinds. Even with the microbevel, the Garberg’s edge geometry and thickness are ill suited to the kind of delicate slicing needed to produce evenly-shaved foodstuffs. It’ll do the job, but it’s happier squaring off against branches as opposed to brie.

Speaking of kitchen nightmares, I did encounter one issue with the microbevel. When rinsing the blade in the sink, I tapped its edge ever so slightly against the faucet. This produced a tiny, tiny roll that I’ll try to capture below.

Now, this is purely my fault. The knife still cuts with no noticeable difference, and I’m sure I can buff this right out. But if you’re using the Garberg in the wilderness, be sure your woodworking area is free of rocks.

Handle and Ergonomics

Per the folks at BladeHQ, the Garberg features a “polyamide handle with textured TPE inserts.” That’s a fancy way of saying “This is a $90 knife with a plastic handle.” And I’ll be honest – That choice of materials doesn’t exactly thrill me. I understand the reasoning (mass production, durability, lifespan, etc.), but I actually prefer the slightly softer and grippier handles on the Companions.

The ergonomics, however, are just fine. Its gentle ovoid swell fits my medium/large hand like a glove. And speaking of such, the polyamide handle actually works well with gloves. Cold weather testing for knives is a relatively new thing for me (despite growing up in the frozen tundra of Wisconsin), and the Garberg performed significantly better than the Condor I tested a while back.

Let’s briefly revisit the blade or, more specifically, the tip. It held up fine during a stab/pry test on wood, but the lack of a forward finger guard makes this a somewhat risky process. Grip is great for carving and other lateral cutting, but the impact of direct thrusts could slide your finger down onto the edge. This is especially true if you’re wearing gloves, because of the slight tactile buffer between the hand and handle. I’m not overly concerned about this, however. 99-percent of the time, the Garberg’s grip is solid.

Sheath

In standard trim, the Garberg arrives with two options – an unobtrusive leather belt loop and a MOLLE-compatible multi-mount setup. I didn’t test the more military minded option because, well, I’m not that hardcore. Truth be told, I don’t think I own a pack with MOLLE webbing, unless you count my Vanquest organizer pouch. But affixing the MORA to my backup kit would look a little strange.

The ride on the Garberg’s plastic sheath and belt loop is light and effortless. So much so that, when I got home from the woods, I left it on my belt for the rest of the day. While I’m not sure about the longevity of the leather loop (the material is a bit thin), it’s going to be great while it lasts.

The hard, plastic profile of the Garberg’s stock stowage fits the knife pretty well, and I enjoy the reverberating clack on the draw and return. It’s a sound I associate with Mora as a brand, so that’s part of the charm for me. Blade retention is only okay, however. Given a medium-strength shake, it will pop out of place. Part of the multi-mount system includes a leather fold-over clasp, but this slide-on accessory occupies the same space as the belt loop. So, you choose one or the other.

Mora does offer a full leather sheath for those willing to pay a slight premium. This option has a more substantial fold-over flap with snap closure and a belt loop. I didn’t get a chance to sample this option, but it certainly looks interesting. If you’re after a more traditional outdoor aesthetic, you may want to give it a go.

Morakniv Garberg Review – Final Thoughts

My three-word summary of the Garberg is as follows: Confidence in hand. From the moment I drew it from its sheath, I knew this was going to be a solid tool. While I’m not the biggest fan of the handle’s material, its shape and performance eventually won me over.

The biggest knock on the Garberg isn’t the microbevel, or the sheath, or its lack of foodprep prowess. It’s the price, plain and simple. Most folks are used to paying $15-$30 for a Mora, and this model costs at least three times that. Personally, I can see where the angst comes from. Steel Will and Buck make blades that are almost as good functionally, while costing substantially less.

But what it boils down to is this – Of all the fixed blades I’ve tested, the Garberg is the one I’d want to take with me into the wilderness. It’s an all-around performer from a storied company, perfect for buyers who are looking for a single, do-it-all bushcraft blade.

Do I think it costs too much? Absolutely. But in the field, far away from your bank and bills, this is an excellent knife.

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

Zero Tolerance 0450CF Review

by Dan Jackson 17 Comments

I don’t know about you, but sometimes I lust after knives for months, or even years, before pulling the trigger. That was the case with this Zero Tolerance 0450CF. The original 0450 was cool, but the carbon fiber version put me over the top. It’s a little lighter and sleeker, and the choice of green anodized accents isn’t something you see on a lot of knives. I decided I wanted one, but could never find a decent deal on it.

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Fast forward a couple years later, and I received a trade offer that included this 0450CF. Right on. I immediately responded back that I was interested, and a few days later the knife was at my doorstep.

By way of a more formal introduction, the 0450 series is a riff on the original Dimitry Sinkevich designed 0454CF that I reviewed back in 2014. Chad McBroom reviewed the mass marketed 0452CF and Ben reviewed the shrunken down full titanium 0450. I’ve got the ultra light 0450CF for your consideration today.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The 0450CF has an over all length of 7.375″, a 3.25″ blade, and weighs a mere 2.45 ounces. Like all Zero Tolerance knives, the 0450CF is made in the USA.

The 0450 and the 0450CF are reactions to the knife market. Zero Tolerance is know for large overbuilt knives, but they received feedback that everyone didn’t want to carry around a big honking pocket knife. So the 0450 hit the scene, and then this 0450CF took that even further by replacing the titanium show side handle with carbon fiber. This shaved over almost half an ounce off the already lightweight 0450. This, my friends, makes for an ideal EDC knife in my book.

The 0450CF shares the same low slung blade that made us all fall in love with the 0454CF when it hit the scene. It’s a long, sleek, modified drop point blade, featuring a little belly and plenty of tip. The knife has a high flat grind and a decorative swedge. The blade has been given a semi-glossy black DLC coating. The edge has been uniformly applied, and there is a sharpening choil so you can easily sharpen this blade from tip to heel.

ZT opted for S35VN for the blade steel. Regulars to the site or high end knives need no introduction to S35VN. It’s a high performance stainless steel from Crucible designed specificaly for pocket knives with the help of Chris Reeve. It’s an excellent all round blade steel and a good choice for small pocket knives like this as it offers a good balance of edge retention, toughness, and ease of sharpening. I like S35VN generally, and they did a great job with the heat treat on this 0450CF. As always if you want to dive deeper into blade steel check out our steel section for all sorts of additional info.

Practically speaking this little 0450CF is a capable cutter. The blade shape is perfect for getting under envelopes, breaking down boxes, cutting fruit, and performing all the little odd ball chores I require of my EDC knives. That said, I must agree with Ben that this knife is not the best slicer. The partial flat grind binds up in material. While it cuts, it’s no Alox Cadet. This is probably my biggest gripe with the knife.

The S35VN blade has held up great, and so has the Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC) coating. DLC coatings are among the best money can buy, and unless you scrape this knife on concrete or metal it will hold up well.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The handle of the 0450CF is a solid piece of carbon fiber on the show side, and a black DLC coated titantium framelock on the reverse. The knife is held together with two green aluminum standoffs and an oversized pivot. Construction is simple yet elegant. All the hardware is black save for the green anodized standoffs. The fit and finish is exceptional. The screws are all the right length, the parts line up perfectly, and the finish work is excellent. The carbon fiber is lightly textured, and shimmers slightly in the light. This handle has been beautifully done.

The 0450CF is a small knife, but it doesn’t compromise in the ergonomics department. Dimitry’s design is simple and it should work well for most people. I take an “XL” size glove and have no problem getting a full four finger grip on this knife.

There is a short row of jimping on the spine that provides you with a little traction and something to index your thumb on. Beyond that there is not much in the way of texture. That’s fine by me as I don’t think this knife needs aggressive texturing. It works well as is.

The pocket clip is a standard parkerized black spoon style pocket clip. It’s relatively discreet and unobtrusive. While it’s not a true deep carry clip, it buries the majority of the knife in your pocket and keeps the 0450CF tucked away. The clip is swappable for right or left side tip up carry. A deep carry clip would have been nice.

I have carried this knife quite a bit. The 0450CF is a knife that you forget you are carrying. At just under 2.5 ounces this is not going to pull your pants down. The clip has great retention and the knife stays where you want it to in your pocket.

Deployment and Lockup

This is a Dimitry Sinkevich designed flipper made by Zero Tolerance, so the flipping action is outstanding. The detent is perfectly tuned for crisp, snappy flipping action each and every time. I’ve never “flubbed the flip” with this knife and I’d say the action is a solid “8” on the 0-10 scale. It’s good. Inside you have a caged bearing system. It is exceptionally smooth and you can shake the knife closed easily.

Please note I’m a lefty, so I don’t have any issues with putting my fingers on the lock bar when flipping the knife. I tried flipping this 0450CF with my right hand. Beside it being incredibly awkward for me, it works fine. No issues flipping open this knife. I think ZT fixed the issue that plagued their earlier knives.

Here is a shot of the 0450CF next to another excellent EDC knife, the Spyderco Sage 1:

For lockup we have a titanium frame lock with a stainless steel insert. Zero Tolerance does such a good job with these, that I almost feel that writing this section is unnecessary. The lock bar engages early and securely. The lockup is rock solid with zero blade play in any direction. The lock is smooth and easy to manipulate with no lock stick. This is titanium frame lock perfection and continues to be something of a gold standard in my world.

Blade centering is dead nuts center on my knife.

Zero Tolerance 0450CF Review – Final Thoughts

Ben was a little lukewarm on his 0450. He didn’t like the way the knife cut, the ergonomics, and he had issues with the action. Aside from that Mrs. Lincoln tells me the play was OK.

I think Ben raises valid points. A little knife like this should zip through stuff, but the combination of narrow blade and partial flat grind impacts the 450CF’s slicing performance. It still cuts, but it could be better. Personally, the ergonomics were spot on for my hand, and I found that the 0450CF flipped great. Ergonomics will vary from person to person, and I think ZT addressed the flipping action.

All in all, I am glad I picked up this little 0450CF. It’s as cool in person as I always hoped. I like the look of it over the standard 0450 and how it’s even lighter with this carbon fiber handle.

The 0450CF is an excellent little EDC knife in my book. With a retail price at close to $200 it’s not cheap, but I’m glad I went for it. The 0450 is probably ZT’s most practical EDC offering for the average person. This carbon fiber version takes things up a notch.

Zero Tolerance 0450CF Folding Knife, 3.25" DLC S35VN Blade, Carbon Fiber & Titanium Handle, KVT Ball-Bearing Opening, Frame Lock, 2.45oz

3.25-inch S35VN steel blade shows amazing toughness and resistance to edge chipping, with improved edge retention. Blade Thickness: 0.121 inches
Handle features a carbon fiber front and sturdy titanium back for comfortable in-hand feel, increased strength and excellent size/weight proportion
DLC-coating on the blade gives sleek matte-black look and enhanced performance characteristics
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

$193.33
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I recommend purchasing the Zero Tolerance 0450CF at Amazon or BladeHQ. Please consider that buying anything through any of the links on this website helps support BladeReviews.com, and keeps the site going. As always, any and all support is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.

Condor Swamp Romper Review

by Josh Wussow 4 Comments

Quick – What’s the first name that springs to mind when someone mentions “budget blades?” For me, the response is usually “Morakniv.” But there’s another answer out there in this Pictionary of the mind – Condor.

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Though generally known for the Bushlore knives, this El Salvador-based manufacturer offers a wide line of outdoor blades, most of which clock in around $50. This puts them well above the plastic and partial-tanged Mora Companions, but in the same neighborhood as the Kansbol and Bushcraft Black. Add in their full tang construction and leather sheaths, and the Condors become quite the value proposition.

But that’s just the bird’s eye view. I recently got up close and personal with the Condor Swamp Romper, a scandi-ground model operating in the $50-$60 realm. Here’s how it held up in the kitchen and on the trail.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

When dealing with budget knives, my first question is always the same – “What’s the steel?” In the case of the Condor, we’re looking at 4.5-inches of 1075, which is a lower-carbon version of the 1095 found on ESEEs and other popular outdoor knives. It’s easier to sharpen (which is saying something, if you’ve ever breezed through a touch-up session with 1095) and less prone to chip. On the downside, it’s also more rust prone and doesn’t have the same edge retention.

Speaking of edges, the Swamp Romper’s scandi grind runs the length of its drop point, satin blade. Width across the squared-off shoulders is 0.12-inches, a nice medium-size for both splitting and slicing. The overall length and weight come to 9.5-inches and 5.34-ounces, respectively. It’s a fairly lightweight tool, considering its full tang and the scope of its cutting edge. There’s even a sharpening choil at the back end, a welcome addition for do-it-yourselfers like me.

Here is a shot of it next to the Benchmade Bugout for reference:

Let’s talk about performance. Though it may hail from the Swamp, I found this knife to be a Romper in the kitchen, as well. Tomatoes, onions, carrots – It handled foodstuffs with ease. The tallness of its scandi grind and the thinness of its blade made it a surprisingly excellent culinary tool – Better than most of the Moras I’ve used.

Field testing was a different affair. There aren’t a whole lot of wetlands where I live in New Mexico, but an hour’s drive north to Colorado yielded a snowy canyon trail and frozen river banks. After finding a dry spot, I gathered some small timber to make a fire. The Swamp Romper proved to be an admirable cutting companion, feather-sticking and batoning with no issues to speak of. The rough spine is capable of striking a fire steel, though perhaps not quite as well as I’d expected.

Now, the downside. I knew the 1075 would be rust-prone, but I wasn’t prepared for just how rust prone it was. It discolored almost immediately, showing marked stains by the time I returned home. Now, this isn’t something I necessarily mind in a field-use tool. Patina tells a story, and I like it so long as there’s no structural weakness behind the pretty picture. But I am a little concerned, given that I don’t think the blade actually touched any snow during testing. Whatever moisture that came into contact with the blade was probably from some slightly damp wood. A quick cleaning, stopping, and application of mineral oil brought it mostly back, but it did take some of the bloom off this particular rose.

Handle and Ergonomics

Here’s where things get muddy. The Swamp Romper’s ergonomics are solid overall. Its 5-inch long and 0.85-inch thick handle resembles the broomstick-style found on some of my favorite outdoor knives, and the knife fits my medium/large hands very well. The scales themselves are made of contoured walnut. And what are walnuts famous for?

That’s right – They crack. Somewhere along the line (I think when I was gently chopping at a dead branch), a piece of the handle sheered completely off. You can see the glue marks where it broke free, leaving me without a finger guard on one side of the knife.

For me, this was the turning point of the review. Up until this failure, I’d been generally pleased with the rugged, tool-first aesthetic the Condor was projecting. But when I say I was gently chopping, I mean it. Is the knife still usable? Sure, but who wants to carry a broken tool? It was a disappointment, akin to flushing a $50 bill down the toilet.

Sheath

You know what makes things worse? I really like the sheath. One of the main things that brought the Swamp Romper to my attention was the firesteel loop on its leather carrier – Something you don’t get on the more popular Bushlore. It’s not the best-finished leather I’ve ever owned (Steel Will’s Druid series beats it pretty handily), but it had that same rugged quality that I found in the knife itself.

Retention was good, if a little tight at first. There was also a strange swipe of what looked like fresh paint on one side. Again, nothing I was concerned about at this price point. But once the handle broke, the knife began to move a bit more freely when stowed. What would you expect, right? Half of the widest point is now missing. The worst part about this, however, is that this altered ride geometry brings the blade into contact with the interior leather. Each time I draw it, the edge is now covered in tiny brown fragments. Not good.

Condor Swamp Romper Review – Final Thoughts

In the beginning, I was fairly pleased with this knife. It performed well in the kitchen and around the campfire, leaving me with positive vibes. But then it broke. Next, it rusted. And then, thanks to its newly misshapen nature, it started to eat its own sheath.

So, is it worth $50? Man, I just don’t see it. It’s a roughly finished knife comprised of materials I’d call slightly below average. The nicest thing about the whole package is the firesteel loop. And even the sheath came with a strange stain. So, where exactly is the money going here?

In the end, the Condor Swamp Romper is a knife that inspires little to no confidence. The steel rusts quickly, the handle is fragile, and its rough-around-the-edges charm turned out to be, well, just rough. It’s good in the kitchen, sure, and it’ll strike fire. But none of this justifies the price point. This is one swamp I’d steer clear of.

Condor Tool & Knife Swamp Romper - Camping Fixed Blade Knife - 1075 High Carbon Steel - Walnut Handle - Hand Crafted Welted Leather Sheath - Bush Crafting Knives - 4.5in Blade | 5.6oz

FULL TANG CONSTRUCTION: The blade of this full tang knife with sheath extends through the handle, enhancing its strength, balance, and reliability for frequent use. Its full tang construction ensures durability, strength and minimizes breakage risk.
ELEGANT WALNUT HANDLE: The grained walnut handle is a blend of aesthetics and ergonomics providing a comfortable and secure grip, enhancing the pocket knife’s ease of use. This bushcraft knife's overall design makes it highly functional and a joy to wield.
HANDCRAFTED WELTED LEATHER SHEATH: Handcrafted with attention to detail and a traditional aesthetic in mind, this field knife facilitates safe and convenient carrying during activities, effectively protecting the sharp blade from accidental exposure.
POCKET SIZED: This bush knife is prized for its portability, ready to use for emergencies, and outdoor bushcraft activities. They are also cost-effective and can potentially be used for self-defense such as a military combat knife when necessary.
VERSATILITY: The flat grind with second bevel is a deliberate design choice of this bush knife that makes it excel at tasks such as hunting for skinning, hiking, camping for cutting rope and food preparation and is also essential for bushcraft activities.

$66.81
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Editor: I recommend buying the Condor Swamp Romper, or perhaps something else, at Condor Swamp Romper or BladeHQ. Please consider that purchasing anything through any of the links on this website helps support BladeReviews.com, and keeps the site going. As always, any and all support is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.

Spyderco Chaparral FRN Lightweight Review

by Benjamin Schwartz 6 Comments

The word ‘refinement’ is one of those bits of critical shorthand that gets people nodding their heads without, most of the time, meaning anything. But in the case of the Chaparral FRN, the latest, least expensive entry in a series that began in 2011, we know it’s been worked over, thought about, maybe even agonized over. Sal himself has alluded to the Chapparral FRN project’s particular specialness to him and the company’s drive to get it done and get it right.

Buy the Spyderco Chaparral Lightweight at BladeHQ

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And the Chaparral series itself is part of a longer lineage. There’s a kind of “Ur-Spyderco” design at which many of the company’s most successful releases originate. Utility-oriented blade, friendly size, ergonomic handle with a half-and-half finger choil…this is the starting point for many seminal Spyderco knives. The Caly, Sage, Cat, Native, Dragonfly, and Stretch series all originate here, and so does the Chaparral – and it may, possibly, be the best of all those knives in terms of pure EDC.

Yeah, I don’t like to bury the lead like this, but it’s no use withholding the obvious truth here: the Chaparral FRN is a great knife. It’s probably perfect, and I knew that before I even got one. This is the rare case where there was little difference between imagining what a knife was like before I owned it and discovering what it was actually like after carrying and using it. There’s not a thing I would change about this knife and I think it would please anyone in the market for a knife of this size and use category.

But then again, knives aren’t like books or games, where each one offers a different experience you can’t find elsewhere. All knives fundamentally do the same thing. Is the Chaparral FRN’s Platonic perfection worth your attention and your dollars? Let’s take a look.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Chaparral has a blade length of 2.8”, with a cutting edge of 2.2”. Handle length is 3.5” without the finger choil, and with it is right at 4”. Overall length is 6.3” and weight is 2.0 oz. The Chaparral is made in Taichung, Taiwan.

In terms of size, the Chaparral falls between the Dragonfly 2 and the Delica 4. It has about .4” more cutting edge than a DF2 – enough to boost it into wider cutting capabilities – and compared to the Delica it’s more compact, albeit with .3” less cutting edge (not as crucial a size increase).

This will be a recurring motif with the Chaparral FRN, but the leaf shape blade does most things well and nothing poorly. And when it comes to detail work and surgeon-like snipping in particular, the blade really sings due to a thin, precise grind. Edge geometry and blade thickness rarely make or break a knife for me, but the Chaparral FRN’s configuration was noticeably optimized.

The Chaparral FRN marks my first long-term encounter with CTS-XHP. I’ve been so long acclimated to the solid performance of modern steels that it had virtually no chance to wow me, but that doesn’t mean it was bad. Edge retention and sharpening seemed about on par with S35VN, and maybe due to the generous edge bevel and thin blade it responded eagerly to stropping.

Now of course, seeing this kind of steel on an $80 knife plays into the value proposition with the FRN Chaparral, but I’ll discuss that further down.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The gentle central handle swell, the narrow butt-end, the forward half-and-half choil – any knife enthusiast knows these elements like the words to his or her favorite song. And as with a favorite song, familiarity has failed to breed contempt. I’m not tired of this handle design at all. Each time I returned to the Chaparral FRN after a day with something else, I was pleasantly surprised. It just feels right.

This is a very thin-handled knife, and thin handles don’t always make for good ergonomics. Narrow knives can twist and turn in hand or dig into your palm during hard cutting tasks. Thankfully the Chaparral FRN avoids these problems, with chamfered edges all along the perimeter, adding dimensionality and softening the places pressed against your palm and fingers. A subtle and smart detail that makes a world of difference.

Yes, the bi-directional texturing pattern here is new, but not really different. Spyderco opted for a hexagonal motif, but otherwise the new texturing provides the same sure grip (and fires off the same trypophobia if you look at it too long) as previous FRN-handled Spyderco knives.

The deep carry wire clip is here, and yes, I admit, it is good. I’ve overcome my distaste for this clip. It hides the Chaparral completely in the pocket, which is a nice, people-friendly flourish for a knife as urbane as this. Still, I think the method of securing the clip, a screw that goes over two little prongs laid into cutouts in the handle, is weak, susceptible to knocks and scrapes in a way the standard clip screws aren’t – but not everyone is as klutzy as I am and a little care will go a long way here.

Deployment and Lockup

The opening hole is, as always, great. Accessible, ambidextrous, able to be opened one- or two-handed. It’s a winner.

But take a moment to pity the poor lock back. Wrongly neglected, it does so much right and very little wrong. It’s strong, self-adjusting, innately ambidextrous, and keeps your fingers out of the blade channel when you close the knife. Why does it have this reputation as a stodgy, cumbersome contrivance of yore, in the days before the twin lights of Michael Walker and Chris Reeve brought us out of the dark ages?

Well if you’re looking for a good argument in 2018 for the lock back, the Chaparral FRN is it. Glassy smooth, it snaps into place with authority and holds the blade dead still, with nary a millimeter of play in any direction. The overall narrowness of the knife makes repeated disengagements slightly uncomfortable, but that’s only if you’re sitting there opening and closing it for extended amounts of time.

Spyderco Chaparral FRN Review – Final Thoughts

The Chaparral FRN is a great knife. But yeah , there are tons of great knives out there right now. What, if anything, makes the Chaparral stand out?

It comes down to price. Delivering real value in the crucial sub-$100 bracket takes doing. Real value comes from innovations, not sacrifices. A knife with bad steel and cheap materials is not a good value, it’s simply cheap (whether or not it’s a good knife). The Wharncliffe Delica 4, the Polestar and Alcyone, even the Byrd line upgrades all reflect attempts at real value, and so does the Chaparral FRN.

It may be more expensive than those others, but it goes further than they do, too, bringing excellent steel, perfect size, and as much pure Spyderco design excellence as you could wish for, all while hitting a price point within spitting range of the Delica – and that’s a pretty big deal. It won’t ever dislodge the Delica/Endura lines in terms of popularity, and there’re many knives from many manufacturers to consider, but there’s a distinct chance that for anybody in the market for a pure EDC knife, the Chaparral FRN is now the sub-$100 entry to beat.

The particular Chaparral FRN under review is a special one, a Christmas gift from my girlfriend Leslie that came engraved on the show side (hence why you only get pictures of the back throughout this review). It’s part of my permanent collection on that ground alone. But in addition to sentimental value it also happens to be a perfect knife that I unreservedly recommend. I think it’s the best version of the Chaparral to get, unless you crave the pizzazz some of the pricier versions offer.

Yeah, but is it better than the Delica? Only time – and a possible Showdown – will tell.

Spyderco Chaparral Lightweight Prestige Knife with 2.80 CTS XHP Steel Blade and Gray Durable FRN Handle - PlainEdge - C152PGY

An Improved Classic: One of the newest additions to this best-selling family is the Chaparral Lightweight, which offers the same design theme and functionality as its brothers, but with a simple, reliable, and affordable injection-molded handle.
Iconic Design: Spyderco's unique Chaparral series of gentlemen's folding knives expresses the same basic design platform with a variety of unique handle materials and treatments.
Superior Blade Steel: Like the other versions of the Chaparral, its defining features include a full-flat-ground CTS XHP Stainless Steel blade.
Ergonomic: The tough FRN construction minimizes weight and offers the high-traction advantages of our Bi-Directional Texturing pattern.
Superior Steel: Nested in the handle are skeletonized Stainless Steel liners ensure excellent structural strength and precise alignment of all key components.

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