Knives By Purpose

Hinderer MP-1 Review

It seems like every time I write a review of a Hinderer knife I can’t help but open with a commentary on the state of the Hinderer market. Maybe it’s the finance degree talking. At any rate, a few years ago a Hinderer XM-18 would sell for well north of retail. Some were selling for close to $1,000.

Buy the Hinderer MP-1 at BladeHQ

[easyazon_cta add_to_cart=”default” align=”center” asin=”B0773W7LPG” cloaking=”default” height=”42″ key=”tall-orange” localization=”default” locale=”US” nofollow=”default” new_window=”default” tag=”brdfkdfk-20″ width=”120″]Amazon[/easyazon_cta]

Those prices slowly began to drop from their peak, and when I wrote my review of the XM-18 3.5″ back in October 2014, I paid around $550 for the knife. Still about $150 above retail, but a far cry from the $800+ they were commanding when I was seriously getting into knife collecting in 2011-2012.

Fast forward to October 2015 when I reviewed the XM-18 3″. I paid $385 for that knife, which is right around retail.

And oddly enough I bought my MP-1 right around the fall of 2016, and I paid $450 for it on the secondary market. It retails for $695 on Knife Art. Things sure have changed. Who would have guessed that you can buy a Hinderer for below retail on the secondary market? Probably not the guys that paid $1,000 for their XM-18s.

Regardless of the reason I won’t complain. It allowed me to pick up the MP-1 at a nice price for this review. And the MP-1 is an interesting piece that I might not have checked out at full retail. It shares a lot of similarities to the XM-18, but it’s stockier in build. This knife also comes with a new feature. MP-1 stands for Modular Platform-1, and this knife’s selling feature is a removable backspacer that can be swapped out with various other backspacers. I am not sure if the replaceable backsapcer on its own it would be reason enough to buy the knife, but the rest of the MP-1 was intriguing.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The MP-1 has an overall length of 8″, a 3.5″ blade, and weighs 5.9 ounces. This knife was designed by Rick Hinderer and is made in the USA. The MP-1 a substantial knife and is about half an ounce lighter than a G-10 handled XM-18 3.5″. Personally, this is not the most practical Every Day Carry (EDC) knife, but it’s beautifully made with lots of detail. The workmanship is unmistakable and I have spent many evenings admiring this knife. While I have carried and used my MP-1, my ideal EDC knife is usually about the size of a Sage 1. I am sure some carry theirs religiously, but must confess this is more of a collectible for me.

The MP-1 has a modified sheepsfoot blade, not dissimilar to the Benchmade Triage rescue knife. This lends a friendlier profile to the MP-1 and gives it a workmanlike feel. Sort of like the orthotic sneakers old people wear. Its much less aggressive than the original XM-18 line. While there are some design flourishes to elevate the MP-1, at the end of the day this is a comfortable and practical knife if you can get over the weight and thickness of it. This blade cuts well with a high flat grind. The tip is a little lower on this knife but is still surprisingly fine. You can easily pierce materials with it without it being needle sharp. The edge has been ground perfectly.

The MP-1 comes with S35VN blade steel. S35VN isn’t super high end stuff, but it’s totally adequate here. I don’t necessarily need this thing to come in S110V, although I suppose that would be interesting. S35VN is a great higher end working steel. Easy to maintain, yet it holds a good edge, is reasonably tough and corrosion resistant. It has become one of my favorite steels for an EDC knife. Similar to CTS-XHP in that it’s just a good all round steel and you won’t need a diamond stone to bring an edge back on it.

These days I tend to gloss over the knife steel part of the review unless it’s a new steel or I really have something to say (beyond my practical observations and a few general words on the steel itself). If you want a deeper dive into blade steel, chemical composition, etc., then I suggest checking out the knife steel section of the website.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

This is a full titanium framelock flipper made by Hinderer. That is to say, it’s both beautifully built and totally overbuilt. They started with two thick pieces of titanium for the frame, and sandwiched it between oversize custom stand offs and a large custom pivot. Fit and finish is exceptional. The titanium has been finished to a buttery smooth texture. The edges have been chased with decorative chamfering while the diamond pattern found on the G-10 scales of the XM-18 have been machined in little reliefs on the handles. The blade, backspacer, pocket clip, and handle all have been stonewashed while in contrast the hardware is satin finished, leaving you with a dramatic monochromatic knife.

The handle may be overbuilt for most normal people, but you can’t deny the beauty of it. I especially like the extra details found on this model. The quality of the workmanship reminds me of my old Shirogorov 95-T. We are talking about the higher end of the production pocket knife section. No one “needs” a knife like this, but enthusiasts of high end knives appreciate these in the same way you would appreciate a nice watch, high end leather goods, or any other type of luxury product.

Since this knife was apparently named after a Hinderer’s new Hinderer Modular Backspacer System (H.M.B.S.), I better spend some time to talk about it. This is a backspacer that can be removed with a single torx screw rather than disassembling the entire knife. The backspacer wraps around the stand offs and the torx set screw holds it all in place. The stock backspacer is a geared affair that comes with an oversized lanyard loop, but RHK offers a variety of backspacers that include bottle openers, impact tools, various anodized options, etc. In practice it works as advertised. Its easy to take it out with the turn of my WiHa driver.

Here is a video by Rick Hinderer himself explaining the H.M.B.S. in more detail. I think looking at the below picture will save you the 10+ minutes. It’s pretty straight forward.

Whether it is something you want to play around with is an entirely different story. Some get a kick out of modding their Hinderers with anodized parts, after market filler tabs, new scales, etc. No doubt the MP-1 is designed to cater to that crowd. Personally, I like the stock backspacer, and the knife seems a little empty without it. I probably won’t be buying any additional backspacers, but I can see the appeal. All in all I think they did a good job with the execution.

As I mentioned earlier, the MP-1 is a comfortable knife. You would hope so given how thick it is. While the knife has some ornate flourishes, at the end of the day the handle is simply shaped. It’s comfortable and will accommodate a variety of hand sizes and grips. There is a small forward choil behind the edge that gives you extra options and control. There is flat top jimping on the spine of the blade and backspacer, and the milled handles also provide a little traction. The titanium has a great feel in hand, and overall the MP-1 is a pleasure to hold and use.

The MP-1 features the same spoon style pocket clip of the XM-18 series. That’s nice because it’s a good pocket clip design. Retention is excellent and the MP-1 stays in place when clipped to your pocket. This isn’t a deep carry clip, and the MP-1 isn’t the most discrete of carries, but the knife mostly buries into the pocket. Being a thick and heavy knife, it isn’t going to EDC like a Dragonfly, but it does stay in place and out of the way. This carries as well as any other 6 ounce knife I have owned.

Also, just like with the XM series, the MP-1 is ready for right side tip up or tip down carry. There is a “filler tab” screwed in place near the pivot.

Deployment and Lockup

The MP-1 has an odd combination of thumb studs and flipper. I say “odd” because the thumb studs do not work unless the blade is partially open. I suppose it’s used in the event the flipper does not completely deploy the blade. That’s a real potentiality on the XM-18, which has a notoriously weak detent, but here the detent on the MP-1 is pretty good. The blade opens reliably and I’d say this flipper is a solid “6” on a 1-10 scale (with a 10 being something like the ZT 0454). Action is crisp, but it is possible to occasionally “flub the flip” and get a partially deployed blade. The knife uses teflon washers. Action is smooth and the knife flips open, so I can’t complain.

With the XM series the thumb studs are technically blade stops, so it could be argued that they don’t “need” to work as thumb studs. Here, the MP-1 actually features a set of hidden blade stops that travel underneath pockets milled out in the handle, so the non-functional thumb studs are a little more puzzling. They do come in handy if the blade doesn’t fully open with the flipper. Beyond that I don’t see the point to them.

For lockup we of course have a titanium framelock. This is just bare titanium against the steel tang of the blade. No steel inserts, although you do have the Hinderer lock bar stabilizer peeking out from behind the pocket clip. My lock has been executed beautifully. The lock face is generous and lock up is around 30%. There is no stick, and absolutely no wiggle, lock rock, or blade play of any kind. The MP-1 is rock solid.

Blade centering is perfect on my knife.

Hinderer MP-1 – Final Thoughts

I like the MP-1 and can appreciate it for what it is. It’s high end pocket knife that is unapologetically overbuilt. This will only appeal to a certain type of knife enthusiast: one who appreciates overbuilt knives, and has a fair amount of disposable income. The thing is, the MP-1 has been beautifully executed. Some high end hard use knives are mere “me too” products that boil down to being janky rip offs. Here it’s obvious that quite a bit of thought and skill went into putting the MP-1 together. It may not be office friendly, but it’s beautifully made. It certainly isn’t a janky rip off.

Similar to the Eklipse, I don’t think the MP-1 will enjoy the success of the XM-18 series, but there was something oddly compelling about this knife. Sure it’s heavy and impractical for mere mortals like myself, but it will appeal to those seeking a full titanium Hinderer. And this is a more premium knife than the XM-18. There is extra work here. Extra detail. I obviously can’t speak for everyone, but it drew me in.

Perhaps the customizable nature of the knife will appeal to people as well. I never got into the knife customization thing, but there are guys that are really into that. Although Modifiedz hasn’t posted a video in years, people still seek out “knife pimpers”, and customized Hinderers regularly find their way onto the secondary market. Buying a Hinderer and then buying different hardware and handle scales to make it your own is a thing. The MP-1 could serve as a blank canvas of sorts and takes the concept of making the knife your own one step further.

If this was released a few years ago there would likely be a lot more fanfare. After all, this is a full titanium framelock flipper straight from the Hinderer factory. This is previously the stuff of legends. Even 3 years ago people would have crapped their pants for the chance to buy one at a knife show lottery. Today it’s another option if you are seeking out a high end folder. A lot more options have come onto the market recently, and while I think the MP-1 has been well done, I’ll be the first to admit that this knife is not for everyone.

[easyazon_block add_to_cart=”default” align=”center” asin=”B0773W7LPG” cloaking=”default” layout=”top” localization=”default” locale=”US” nofollow=”default” new_window=”default” tag=”brdfkdfk-20″]

I recommend purchasing the MP-1 at Knife Art, BladeHQ, or [easyazon_link asin=”B0773W7LPG” locale=”US” new_window=”default” nofollow=”default” tag=”brdfkdfk-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”default” popups=”default”]Amazon[/easyazon_link]. 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.

DPx Gear HEFT 4 Assault Review

by Chad McBroom 4 Comments

Last Updated: August 11, 2019
Robert Young Pelton is a journalist, author, and documentary filmmaker with a reputation as an adventurer with an uncanny ability to enter into violent and deadly areas of the world return with a stunning story. Pelton’s experiences led him to create his own brand of knives after much frustration with the inadequacy of other knives on the market. As a result, Pelton founded DPx (Dangerous Places Extreme) Gear, Inc. in 2011, to create a line of gear based on his own “specific needs for equipment in hostile and deadly environments.”

Buy the DPx Gear HEFT 4 at BladeHQ

Buy on Amazon

Touted as the big brother to the DPx HEST, the HEFT 4 (Hostile Environment Survival Tool), designed by Italian knife designer Tommaso Rumici and Robert Young Pelton, is one of the newer models in the DPx Gear lineup.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The HEFT 4 Assault has a four-inch “sword-ground” blade made from 0.19-inch (4.83 mm) German Lohmann Niolox® 1.4153.03 steel, which has been cryo-hardened to a hardness of 61 HRC. Niolox® is a niobium-enhanced, high-performance stainless blade steel produced in Germany by Lohmann Stahl (Steel). Niobium is one of the best stable carbide formers, aiding in the formation of martensite, a crystalline microstructure of iron atoms that is formed during quenching and what gives a blade its hardness.

Although my HEFT came extremely sharp out of the box, I have read complaints by others who have said theirs were not sharp enough. I don’t know how to answer to that. All I can say is that this was not an issue for me. Even after spending some time in the field cutting away at wood and other common materials, I have yet to find the need to re-sharpen this blade. That being said, I would not be at all surprised if it takes a lot of elbow grease to put an edge back on it (if you ever need to), considering the hardness of this blade.

The HEFT 4 weights 6.95 ounces with an overall length of 9.05 inches. The length and weight makes the knife very manageable. In fact, I expected the knife to be much heavier at first glance, but it is surprisingly light given its beefy design.

The Stonewashed version of the HEFT 4 Assault has a matte black TiCN PVD coating that is tumbled for a grey stonewashed look. The result is an intimidatingly beautiful finish that is as functionally durable as it is aesthetically pleasing.

Handle and Ergonomics

The HEFT’s ergonomic handle and black G10 handle scales are hollowed out to offer a mini storage cavity for carrying fire starter, cordage, fish hooks, a button compass, or whatever survival necessities you deem worthy of residing inside. The handle scales are secured in place with 304 stainless steel hybrid slotted/Allen screws. These screws can be removed with a standard screwdriver, 3mm Allen wrench, or even better, the DPx Mr. DP Skull Tool. A ¼” magnetized hex driver is located on the right side of the handle near the pommel, adding even more functionality to this awesome piece of hardware.

The HEFT features a bottle opener/pry bar that also functions as a striker pommel (read skull crusher) at the end of the handle. This innovative pommel design has an integrated lanyard hole, which no survival knife would be complete without. The most unique feature on a knife loaded with “extras” is probably the wire-stripper “jimping” on the thumb ramp. These three wire-sized cutouts that provide thumb traction during cutting are also, in fact, wire strippers. It is a subtle addition that is easily overlooked if you are not in the know.

The handle fits very nicely in the hand, providing an angle and grip similar to that of any one of the ESEE® brand knives (interestingly, several of DPx Gear’s knives are made by Rowen Manufacturing, the company that manufactures ESEE Knives), but with a bit more purchase area. The upward sloping thumb ramp mentioned earlier provides a convenient backstop that aids in cutting and penetrating tasks alike. If you lose control of this blade, it’s because you weren’t holding on to it.

Sheath

The HEFT 4 comes with a black CORDURA® sheath that has a hard plastic insert. A single MOLLE attachment point is present on the back of the sheath, which allows it to be mounted to the outside of a MOLLE equipped pack or vest. The addition of two grommet holes at the bottom and plastic D-rings at each end of the sheath allow for quite a few mounting configurations. A retention loop with a button snap holds the knife securely in place when housed inside the sheath. There is also an outside pocket that can be used to carry a sharpening stone, ferro rod, hex bits, or whatever small item(s) you may find convenient to have around while in the brush.

DPx HEFT 4 Assault Review – Final Thoughts

I highly recommend the DPx HEFT 4 Assault as an all-around, hard-use knife. Its array of unique features lends it to be a fixed-blade multi-tool with pry-bar durability. It is the total package when it comes to beauty and functionality—the Land Rover of knives if you will. For the price of this knife, you can’t go wrong.

The HEFT 4 Assault is made in Maniago, Italy by LionSTEEL. The Italians have a pretty solid reputation when it comes to making knives, and LionSTEEL, owned by Gianni Pauletta and family, is one of the most reputable knife-making companies in Italy.

DPx Gear offers a lifetime, no-questions-asked warranty on their knives, so you can buy in confidence, knowing that if anything happens to your knife, they’ll have you covered, and you won’t have to tear you house apart looking for that warranty card that you actually threw away with the box.

DPX Heft 4 Assault Fixed Blade Knife

Matte black PVD TiCN coated Niolox stainless tool steel
Wire strippers jimping
1/4" magnetized hex driver in scale
Hollow scales
Lifetime warranty

I recommend purchasing the DPx Gear HEFT 4 Assault at Amazon or BladeHQ. Thanks for reading.

Benchmade 530 / 531 Review

by A Sharp Guest Contributor 8 Comments

Last Updated: July 28, 2019
Shopping on Amazon for knives is a dangerous endeavor. Not only can you find a nearly endless variety of blades, but your account also has a nasty habit of learning your interests. You might not notice it at first. A simple suggestion, “I noticed you like Spyderco. Have you heard of Benchmade?” and suddenly your limited understanding of quality production knives enters a larger world.

Buy the Benchmade 530 at BladeHQ

Buy on Amazon

It was during the earliest stages of my newfound fanaticism for knives that Amazon did its now dreaded, “get yourself a little something,” and I saw it: The Benchmade 530. It had come up in my searches before. Like an expert hypnotist, the online shopping site had long implanted it in my psyche. I was drawn to the clean lines, the spear-point blade, and the overall symmetry. Benchmade’s Axis lock system and sparkling online reputation caught my attention. Also, I had been really good lately. So I succumbed to the siren’s call: I “got myself a little something.” I purchased the Benchmade 530 and fell one more step down the rabbit hole.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Benchmade 530 sports a 3.25” blade and an overall length of 7.42”. The knife is designed by Benchmade’s champion Mel Pardue. Those familiar with Pardue will recognize him as the designer of the Griptilian. Under the hood this knife shares some similar design traits with the Griptilian: reinforced plastic handles, partial liners, and the use of 154CM steel. I tend to view the 530 as a sort of companion piece to the Griptilian; a more elegant and svelte cousin to the rough-and-tumble Grip.

The 530’s blade is a satin-finished or black coated spear point with a long flat edge that terminates in a short and narrow belly. There is also the option to add a semi-serrated blade if it is your preference. The thin blade is ground into a dagger profile with a huge swedge dividing the blade evenly down the middle. This style is very similar to the stiletto style found on some of Mel Pardue’s custom offerings.

To the unfamiliar this blade may appear to be double-edged, but one side has been left unsharpened as a faux edge. Just as well, because a double edge would be illegal to carry in many states. The shape has led many uninitiated people to refer to the 530 as a switchblade, a comparison that is figuratively double-edged. On one hand the knife is probably intimidating enough to repel a would be mugger. On the other, flicking the blade to open a bag of beef jerky might raise some eyebrows at the mall. Just something to consider.

On paper this blade may look impractical for every-day-carry purposes due to the small belly and dagger grind, but in practice the performance is pleasing. 154CM steel is a staple of Benchmade’s, and for good reason. It is an American mid-range steel that is a good all around performer. The blade’s dagger shape serves several purposes. The deep swedge softens the feel of the back of the knife allowing you to rest your thumb more comfortably on the spine. If you have handled a Spyderco Dragonfly you will have a pretty good idea of how a swedge can bring a little more comfort.

The blade stock is already very thin at 2.29mm, but the grind on this knife makes the blade even more narrow and light while maintaining a strong tip. Because of this, it is a good slicer and excellent piercer. One thing to note about the blade is that it is so thin that it is possible to flex it ever so slightly, but not enough to be troubling for your every day tasks like opening packages or breaking down boxes. That said, I would be cautious to use this knife for hard use activities and it certainly wouldn’t be the only knife I’d bring along on a serious camping trip. While knives with swedges tend to slice a little more poorly than a full flat grind this knife is ground so thin that it seldom has any issue. Still, if a dagger grind isn’t your cup of tea, Benchmade also makes the 531 which sports a full flat ground drop point instead.

All in all, I like the 530’s style. It is what drew me to the knife in the first place and it has proven to be far more practical in practice than one would think.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The handle on the 530 is a fiberglass-reinforced nylon called Grivory. Benchmade has received both praise and criticism for similar handle materials in the past. Some people find the plastic cheap and flimsy. I happen to find most FRN handles to be lightweight and deceptively durable, the 530 being no exception. If you aren’t like me and you dislike plastic handles Benchmade again has your solution in the 531, which has handsome gray G10 handles. The 531 weighs a little more than the 530 because of this, but I would think hardly enough to be noticed.

The handle is coffin-shaped; meaning the blade of this knife is relatively straight and nearly symmetrical. Again, like the blade, the handle is deceptively functional. The plastic handles are hollow, but reinforced by bands of plastic segmenting the inner spaces. The back of the handle is mostly of closed construction with only a little bit of flow through where the frame peeks out. It is quite spacious; I can get a four-finger hold on the knife and still have room to spare. I wear a medium sized glove, so I think all but the very largest of hands will be accommodated in full. The plastic handle flares out on every corner, creating a convenient guard that locks the hand in place. These flares create a short finger ramp for exerting more pressure on the blade if required. Because the knife is flared on both ends, it is equally comfortable and functional in a reverse grip.

Some gently notched jimping is cut into the partial frame that is exposed almost exactly like on Pardue’s Griptilian, and like the Griptilian this jimping is appreciated but not particularly effective. There are also grooves set into the handle, light contouring to improve grip, and a very small divot where the thumb stud protrudes when closed that functions as a tiny choil when open. There was some gritty texture on the handle of my example around the chamfered edges. I am not sure if this is to make the knife more grippy or if it was a flaw, but I didn’t like it. Eventually I took some light grit sandpaper to it and it smoothed out easily. This leads me to believe that it probably would have smoothed out with time anyway.

Overall, the handle is functional and comfortable, but do not expect Spyderco or Griptilian-level ergonomics. Honestly, I don’t think anyone would consider this knife if they were just looking for good ergos. Rather, this knife’s charm lies in the thinness and lightness of its construction. This is achieved with a partial steel liner that only extends halfway down the hollowed handle and by the lightness of the blade. This guy is seriously svelte at 1.88 ounces, and with a handle of a mere 0.37th of an inch. You barely even feel it, yet it has a full-length intimidating blade.

By comparison, a Victorinox Alox Cadet is only 0.28 ounces lighter and shares roughly the same width. That being said, one of my favorite uses for this knife is when I go out for a run. I can clip it to my basketball shorts pocket and it doesn’t affect me, nor does it threaten to come loose and fall out. I imagine this knife would also be useful to pack-weight conscious hikers and climbers as well as for those looking for an unobtrusive defensive/practical tool to slip into a purse or pocket.

The 530 uses a standard Benchmade split arrow style pocket clip that is painted black. The handle is tapped for tip up, right or left side carry. The clip holds the knife on the pocket, but beyond that I do not like it. It does not bury the knife deeply in the pocket at all. I’d say that roughly ¾ of an inch of the handle sticks out over the edge of the pocket. Deep carry isn’t a huge issue when I pick a knife, but on this one it seems inappropriately shallow. I don’t like that it is simply painted either. It tends to chip and look tacky fairly quickly. The arrow shape is also problematic in my eye. It kept catching the hem threads on my T-shirts and tearing them out as well as slipping into the loops of my pocket stitches and loosening them. On my knife I felt the clip held too tight.

Ultimately, I didn’t want to let a knife I loved be brought down by a clip I didn’t. I contacted Benchmade through email and they immediately sent me a new polished deep-carry pocket clip without charge. I have to commend them on their great customer service. The new clip arrived in a couple of days and I popped it right on. Some slight adjustments later (ie, squishing it between two 2×4’s) and it was 100% perfect. Every issue I had with the old clip was resolved and I have never looked back.

Lastly, I will mention that this knife has a lanyard hole. It is situated on the corner of the butt closest to the closed side of the handle. It appears to be functional (I have never personally seen a need for a lanyard on this knife) and capable of fitting a single run of 550 paracord.

The handle on the 530 is light, relatively tough, and functional. I’d say that it is fairly no nonsense while still complimenting the same overall feel of the blade. That said, I don’t think that this is a knife that would be comfortable for long periods of hard use, but that falls in line with design intent anyway. And it sure looks nice.

Deployment and Lockup

The Benchmade 530 makes use of the company’s proprietary Axis Lock system with dual thumb studs and bronze phosphor washers. The axis lock is quite possibly my favorite design of locking mechanism for a lot of reasons. It is strong, reliable, fast, smooth, completely ambidexterous and incredibly elegant. It keeps one’s fingers free of the blade’s path during closing, which is great for the absent-minded fiddling I tend to do with it. I will note that unlike a lot of Benchmade’s axis locks, the lock bar studs on the 530 are a kind of concave cupped design as opposed to a more convex stacked shape. Unfortunately I have noticed that the cup style is less comfortable, having more of an edge to dig into the fingers. Fortunately, if this is an issue for you, the 531 has you covered, having the standard design. I think that the cupped studs are an attempt to keep the knife profile low and they don’t really bother me, even if I wish they were more standard.

Another thing of note is the so-called “landing gear” style of thumb studs. These reflect the overarching goal of this knife to be slim, as they are only about as wide as the handle at its thickest point. Some people have complained that the thumb studs make this knife hard to flick open. I had issues with this at first as well, but through use I found that if I used the groove leading up to the stud as a guide as I flicked my thumb I could deploy the blade quickly every time. If you can do that, this knife will be a smooth operator for you as well.

Benchmade 530 – Final Thoughts

The 530 is a knife not without its quirks. It is an ultra light, ultra thin EDC option that could easily be pressed into an emergency defensive role if needed. The knife is sturdy enough for regular use, but not quite as robust as some other offerings. If a harder use blade is your preference I could easily recommend better Benchmade models for the task, but I feel like the 530 fills a nice role in their line and for one of the most moderate prices in their catalogue: just under 100 dollars on Amazon.

I really love the 530 because it fills that same unique role in my collection and it has some killer good looks, but in all honesty the 531 is probably a better knife. It seems like it addresses most issues customers may have perceived in the 530. Still, I am not at all disappointed in my purchase and I would easily recommend the Benchmade 530 for anyone looking for a lean, mean knife.

Benchmade 531 Axis

HIGH-QUALITY: The 154CM stainless steel blade is tough, rust resistant, and holds an edge well. The G10 handle is durable, impervious to moisture, and stable under extreme temperatures.
WELL-DESIGNED: Benchmade's AXIS lock is exceptionally strong and fully ambidextrous. The 531 is a manual knife that can be opened and closed with either hand.
ALWAYS READY: The 531's lightweight design and one-handed opening make it easy to hold and use. The reversible pocket clip offers ultimate accessibility.
VERSATILE: The 531's drop-point, utility blade style and all-around functionality make it ideal for everyday carry.
SERVICES AND BENEFITS: For information and terms regarding Benchmade's Limited Warranty and LifeSharp Service, please visit Benchmade's website.

I recommend purchasing the Benchmade 530 at Amazon or BladeHQ. Please consider that purchasing anything through any of the links on this website helps support BladeReviews.com, and keeps the site going. As always, any and all support is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.

This was a guest review by Jacob Vandenberg. Jacob is a regular reader and all around good guy.

Spyderco Sage 5 Compression Lock C123CFCL Review

by Dan Jackson 23 Comments

I am sure a few people saw this review coming. When you consider my recommended EDC knives page, you can see that my general top 2 choices for someone is either the Spyderco Paramilitary 2, or the Sage 1.

Buy the Spyderco Sage 5 at BladeHQ

Buy on Amazon

I arrived at this conclusion after handling and reviewing hundreds of knives. There are a ton of other great Every Day Carry (EDC) options out there, but if I had to just suggest 2 knives to any random person off the ~~street~~ internet I’d say go with a Para 2 if you want a bigger knife with a 3.5″ blade, or go with a Sage 1 if you want something with a 3″ blade. Granted this assumes you are willing to spend $100+ on a pocket knife.

The Sage 5 takes the unassuming footprint of the Sage series, a product line designed to celebrate knife locks and their inventors, and matches it with the beloved compression lock. People have clamored for a smaller compression lock knife for years, and Spyderco has finally delivered with the Sage 5.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Sage 5 has an overall length of 7.17″, a 3″ blade, weighs 3.1 ounces, and is made in Taiwan. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, I like this size of knife for EDC. It’s not too big, and not too small. Compared with the Sage 1 this knife is a little lighter and thinner thanks to nested and heavily milled out stainless steel liners. The Sage 1 weighs 3.2 ounces, so only .1 of an ounce more, but it feels heavier in hand. I hate to use the “P” word these days, but I still think this may be the perfect size EDC knife for my purposes.

Like all the other knives in the Sage series, this knife features Spyderco’s leaf shaped blade. It’s simple and unassuming with its full flat grind and satin finish. The blade is ground from 3mm thick stock, and the end result is a blade that is thin and agile. It easily tackles cardboard, food prep, and mail. It will press into harder tasks if necessary. The tip is a reasonable balance of strength and precision. No surprises and no complaints with the blade.

Spyderco went with CPM S30V blade steel. This is the same steel they have used on the other Sages I’ve handled. I think CPM S30V is good, but these days I would prefer to see Spyderco upgrade this to S35V. S35VN is tougher and I find it a little easier to sharpen. S30V can be brittle, and it can be relatively tough to sharpen. The heat treat can make a difference, but all things equal I think S35VN is a nice little upgrade of over S30V.

That said, the S30V here is plenty good and I have a lot of experience with it. The blade is relatively easy to sharpen, exhibits good edge retention, and is decently tough. As always, for more information on blade steel I invite you to check out my page on knife steel or I suppose you could re-read this section on my Sage 1 or Sage 2 reviews. The blades and steel are all identical.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The handle design is where we begin to see the uniqueness of the Sage 5. To the untrained eye you may not think there is much different from the original Sage 1. Sure, they share a similar faux carbon fiber cladding, but beyond that there are key differences to note. Specifically, the Sage 5 has nested stainless steel liners, while the liners of the Sage 1 are not nested. As previously mentioned, this results in a thinner and lighter knife. The Sage 5 has only 2 stand offs while the Sage 1 has 3. However, the Sage 5 does come with a sleeved lanyard hole, something I could live without. Also, the color of the carbon fiber veneer is slightly different from the Sage 1.

As you would expect, the fit and finish of this knife is immaculate. The handle is put together with the same eerie precision of all the other Taiwanese Spydies. If it wasn’t for the fact that someone wrote on the inside of the handle scales with a pencil, I would have not have guessed that a human hand touched this knife.

Like a lot of Spyderco knives that share this profile, the ergonomics are great. Just like the Para 2 and Dragonfly 2, you have a forward 50/50 finger choil. You also get a pleasantly jimped thumb ramp. It provides traction without being overly aggressive. The main portion of the handle easily accommodates a full 4 finger grip, while that finger choil gives you some extra options.

The Sage 5 comes with Spyderco’s wire clip. Ah, the wire clip. This is a love it or hate it thing. Personally, I love the wire clip. Here it is a bright stainless steel. My preference is for the black chrome version found on the Sage 1, but I must admit that this satin version looks nice with the rest of the stainless steel hardware. It reminds me of the Chaparral.

This knife carries like a slimmer and lighter Sage 1. That is to say, it carries pretty damn good. This is a knife you could carry with a suit or slacks if you wanted to. The fold over wire clip buries deep, and most people will probably mistake it for a pen. The Sage 5 is a knife you will forget is in your pocket.

Deployment and Lockup

Of course like all the other Sages the blade is opened with a thumb hole. It’s easy to access and the blade moves on phosphor bronze washers. No complaints there. However, I did run into a problem when trying to close the knife. The action was very stiff from the factory. I didn’t mind at first as I knew that my Sage 1 required a break in period due to its tight tolerances, but I became concerned when the action didn’t improve after a couple weeks of carry and a healthy application of Tuf Glide.

So I decided to take my Sage 5 apart to take a closer look and try to resolve the issue with the stiff action. The problem was that the blade would not shut easily, and I actually needed 2 hands to close the knife. Not ideal, especially when compared with the easy action of my Para 2.

I found that Spyderco used an industrial strength version of Loctite on this knife. I am glad I had my new WiHa drivers as I am sure my Husky set would have stripped out. It required a lot of force to crack the pivot open, but with a little patience and elbow grease I was able to get the knife apart.

I ended up adding a little more Tuf Glide and then re-assembled the knife. Everything came back together without issue and now the blade moves freely. I can now easily open and close the knife with one hand. I think the pivot was adjusted a shade too tight at the factory. If you run into this problem there is no need to take the knife completely apart. Just carefully adjust the pivot.

The compression lock works great here, now that the blade moves freely. For the uninitiated, this is not a “liner lock on the back of the knife”. This is a totally different lock that sandwiches the locking leaf between the tang of the blade and a stop pin. You can get a better feel of this from the picture. Spyderco claims this makes for a stronger lock, but I think the most significant benefit is that you can close the blade with one hand, and without putting your fingers in the path of the blade, much like an axis lock.

I was concerned that the compression lock might be a little figety on the small profile of the Sage, but it works fine. The lock itself is easy to manipulate and lockup is tight. This is a nice locking mechanism worthy of a spot on the Sage lineup.

Sage 1 vs. Sage 5

I am sure at least a couple people will be curious to get my opinion on whether I like the Sage 1 or the Sage 5 more. This was actually a lot harder than I thought it would be. Before I took my Sage 5 apart I would have said the Sage 1. It was just too tough to manipulate with one hand. Now that the pivot is loosened slightly and the knife has broken in, I really like the thinner and lighter Sage 5. It is very easy to manipulate with one hand and it carries even better than the Sage 1. As much as I enjoy the Sage 1, I gotta “keep it real” – I think the Sage 5 is an improvement.

Still, the Sage 1 will always have special significance for me. It was one of the first higher end knives I bought for myself, and I love the simplicity of the knife. It’s solid and perfectly made. I also appreciate the familiarity of the liner lock. The compression lock is great, but there is something very simple and comfortable about a liner lock. The Sage 1 is a great pocket knife and you can’t go wrong with it. But I do think Spyderco managed to make some improvements with the Sage 5. Neither will be leaving my collection. I’ll update the review if my opinion changes.

Spyderco Sage 5 Review – Final Thoughts

I am not sure a review of this knife was entirely necessary. Combining the footprint of the Sage series with a compression lock is a no brainer, and Spyderco executed this knife near perfectly.

In a perfect world I’d like to see S35VN and the pivot perfectly adjusted out of the box, but these are small quibbles on an otherwise excellent knife. I’m sure some might want a different pocket clip, but I love the simplicity and elegance of the wire clip. Sorry wire clip haters.

The Sage 5 will likely be a “must buy” for Spyderco fans, and a serious contender for anyone seeking a 3″ EDC knife in the ~$100 range.

Looks like I’ll have to make some room on my best EDC knives page. We have a winner.

Spyderco Sage 5 Prestige Folding Utility Pocket Knife with 3" CPM S30V Stainless Steel Blade and Black Carbon Fiber Laminate Handle - PlainEdge - Everyday Carry - C123CFPCL

High Performance: The Spyderco's Sage Series is a unique family of knives showcasing the innovative lock mechanisms that have helped define modern folding knife technology.
Designed to be Safe: The Sage 5 uses a compression Lock mechanism. This mechanism is substantially stronger than Linerlocks and its location allows the knife to be safely closed with only one hand without placing your fingers in the path of the edge
Dependable: Every Sage Series knife in the series features the same basic design parameters: a full-flat-ground, leaf-shaped CPM S30V blade, an ergonomic handle design with textured forefinger choil and thumb ramp, and wire clip.
Versatile: The Sage 5 is an extremely capable all-purpose cutting tool with skeletonized Stainless Steel liners nested into textured carbon fiber/G-10 laminate scales.
More To Love: The open-backed construction reduces the knife's weight and allows easy cleaning, while a reversible deep-pocket wire clip provides convenient tip-up carry on either side of the body.

I recommend purchasing the Spyderco Sage 5 at Amazon or BladeHQ. Please consider that purchasing anything through any of the links on this website helps support BladeReviews.com, and keeps the site going. As always, any and all support is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.

Ontario Utilitac 2 8904 Review

by Benjamin Schwartz 6 Comments

Last Updated: August 26, 2019
Some knives never quite get their due. The community only has so much bandwidth for new product every year, and the criteria for making the transition from flash in the plan to fully qualified classic are hazy. We see not so good knives getting attention they don’t deserve, and good, even great designs collecting dust in obscurity a year after their release.

Buy the Ontario Utilitac 2 at BladeHQ

Buy on Amazon

While the fate of the Utilitac II isn’t quite that tragic, it seems like it’s well on its way to being forgotten. Which would be a shame, because it is a really good knife. Without even looking that closely, it checks a lot of boxes: great price, a lot of options, and a custom maker pedigree. But when you look closely, you see a knife that is thoughtfully designed, bringing a ton of consideration and character to budget knife design.

One thing to note: the Utilitac II comes in a variety of configurations, some of which are so different as to essentially be different knives. There are two different blade shapes – a tanto or a clip point – and two different handles – rounded or coffin-shaped – to choose from. You can get either blade shape with either handle. My Utilitac II has the clip point blade and the rounded handle.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Utilitac II has a blade length of 3-7/16”, a handle length of 4-5/8”, and an overall length of 8”. It is made in Taiwan for Ontario Knife Company. The Utilitac II weighs 5.6 oz., which puts it firmly in the Mid-Size category. For me, this is about as big a knife as I’m likely to EDC. I don’t mind the Utilitac II’s dimensions. It’s an integral part of its character. You either like this size and shape of knife, or you don’t.

The Utilitac II was designed by Joe Pardue, son of Griptilian designer Mel Pardue. The younger Pardue’s design style is more flamboyant than his father’s, but still conveys the same overarching commitment to functionality that makes the Griptilian so likeable. The most eye-catching element of any version of the Utilitac II is the blade. Both the tanto and the clip point have exaggerated comic book proportions. The clip point is wide and curvy. It is almost reminiscent of the blade on the Spyderco Rubicon, albeit with a more aggressive tip and a slight recurve.

I’m not crazy about recurves in general, but the one on the Utilitac II is inoffensive. And it does make the belly extremely aggressive. Combine this with the excellent overall grind and very competent edge bevel, and you get a great mid-size cutter. The Utilitac II chews through thickish media with ease. Cardboard, foam, plastic – these are the sort of cutting tasks the Utilitac II is made for. In delicate cuts it is less impressive, but by no means bad.

AUS-8 is good stuff. Anybody can sharpen it. It ls one of few steels that I feel genuinely confident with every time I take it to the stones. It offers reasonable toughness and reasonable edge retention. High end steels are pretty much all good, but in the budget realm AUS-8 is a good steel amongst merely acceptable ones. And on the Utilitac II, AUS-8 is really allowed to shine. The grind emphasize its good qualities and minimizes the bad. I have no complaints about the steel, and wouldn’t even if the Utilitac II was twice the price.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Carry

For all the character in the blade shape, the Utilitac II’s handle is comparatively quiet. However, ‘quiet’ does not equal ‘bad,’ and while the handle won’t change your life, it’s certainly acceptable. The finger groove is big enough to be comfortable, and it transitions into the finger guard in a gentle way to avoid feeling cramped. If anything, it reminds me of Emerson’s handle designs – which is no bad thing at all.

I find that what material a handle is made of is less important than how well that material is executed. This must be why people hate on the standard Griptilians’ plastic scales but don’t seem as bothered by the Delica’s FRN. The Utilitac II’s plastic scales are done right. The stepped, three layers of texturing are all tactile, and make the handle feel contoured even though they aren’t. I like the visual interest that the faux bolster imparts to the design.

Pardue and OKC also nailed the width on this knife. I don’t think that thinner is always better in pocket knives. Sometimes, a design works better if it’s a little thicker, and that’s certainly the case here. The thickness of the handle functions as a counterbalance to the beefy blade, and gives you some exact and intuitive control over your cuts.

Of course, there is one way in which the thickness is less ideal, and that’s in pocket carry. As someone who doesn’t really carry anything else in my knife pocket, I don’t mind the chunkiness, but some certainly will. On the other hand the pocket clip, also a very Emersonian design, works well. In the tip down configuration (the way the knife comes), it travels just far enough across the knife to keep it stable in carry.

Deployment and Lockup

There really is no excuse at this point for pokey deployment on a knife, no matter the price. Obviously corners will be cut on budget knives, but the Utilitac II is yet another argument in the ongoing case that a good pivot is never something that needs to go. A simple phosphor bronze and Teflon washer setup and a punchy detent combine to give the Utilitac II a glass-smooth, lightning quick, and immensely satisfying deployment.

You kick off this satisfying deployment via ambidexterous thumbstuds. Another small thing that the Utilitac II absolutely nails is thumbstud placement. Holding the knife naturally, your thumb is exactly where it needs to be to flick the blade open. And once you deploy the knife, your thumb comes to rest exactly where it needs to be the use the knife. It sounds like a small detail, and it is, but anytime a knife can break down a time tax between you needing to cut something and getting that something cut, it should be pointed out and lauded.

This big and beefy knife uses a fairly thin liner lock, but one that has been utterly reliable in the four months I’ve owned and carried this blade. There was no play the day I got it. A little horizontal play, easily fixed by tightening the pivot, is all there is to report as I write this review. The liner travels over a fair distance, locking up at about 60%. I know that it isn’t a universally-held belief that early lock up is better, and that some makers favor late lockup on liner locks. I wonder if the late lockup here has something to do with its stability.

A generous cutout on the show side scale makes accessing the liner easy. One issue I have with the lock, however, is the jimping on the locking leaf. It’s pretty sharp and can start to irritate your finger if you’re opening and closing the knife a lot. The cutout is so effective on its own that this toothy jimping is redundant anyway, so if they ever updated this knife I’d like to see it go.

Ontario Knife Company Utilitac II Review – Final Thoughts

Judging by YouTube reviews and dusty old forum posts, the Utilitac II seems to have enjoyed a brief time in the spotlight before the knife community moved on to other knives. This is a shame because I would hazard to guess that this knife is outright better than just about any budget offering released this year (besides the Pro-Lite).

It’s likely better than any budget knife that came out last year, too. And I’ve never used a RAT 1 but I can’t imagine it being a substantial improvement over the Utilitac II. When it comes to visuals I think Joe Pardue’s design has the RAT 1 beat easily. The number of meaningful variations it’s offered in is also pretty impressive, even years later.

If you haven’t tried one, and if you can work with the mid-size EDC philosophy, I encourage you to give the Utilitac II a try. It’s actually a thoughtfully designed knife, and thoughtful design is refreshing at any price point. I don’t think that it’s been officially discontinued as of yet. Either way, it is still widely available, and well worth your time for any price under $40.

Ontario Knife Joe Pardue Utilitac II

Crafted from the highest quality materials
Built for performance and durability
Made in Taiwan
3.5 inch plain edge blade
Knife Closed Length: 4.5-Inch

Editor: I recommend purchasing the Ontario Utilitac II at Amazon or BladeHQ. Thanks for checking out the review.

Fantoni Hide Review

by Grayson Parker 3 Comments

Last Updated: August 11, 2019
Author’s Note: I wrote this introduction before I saw Dan’s review of the Pohl Force Mike One. Suffice to say that Andrew Gene has long been a scourge on the wallets of knife collectors.

Buy the Fantoni Hide at KnifeArt.com

It may be hard to imagine now, but it wasn’t so long ago that Italian knife companies were a fairly unknown quantity in the United States. Back then, I was introduced to the wide world of European blades by the fantastic videos of the Edge Observer. His review of the Fantoni Hide showcased this beautiful blade to me for the first time, and it wasn’t long before I was calculating how much of my collection I’d need to part with to acquire one. As luck would have it, I didn’t need to resort to such measures.

Normally when I’m trying to explain what draws me to a product, I can point to something tangible. In the case of the Viper Dan, it was the innovative slipjoint mechanism. The Zebralight H52w grabbed my attention with stellar runtimes. That’s really not the case here. I was drawn to the Fantoni Hide simply because I liked – loved, really – the way that it looked. The interplay between the overbuilt handle and the dagger-like blade, the industrial lines and the sweeping curves; all of it combined to grant the Hide a timeless feel not unlike an Al Mar.

I should note that I never expected to write this review. The Hide fell into my hands long before I was writing for Dan, and even after I started it was a bit too esoteric for the site. Fortunately, that’s no longer the case. This sudden shift leaves me in an awkward position. Though the Hide is a grail of mine, I’ve never babied it. It shows its age. For the most part, it has aged gracefully, but after nearly two years of carry it’s taken its licks. I hope this review doesn’t shy away from those bruises, in no small part because it costs 265.00USD. That’s officially enough to qualify as an heirloom knife – at least in my book.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Fantoni Hide measures in at 6.89” overall, with a 2.98” blade, a 3.91” handle, is made in Italy, and designed by Italian knife designer Tommaso Rumici. It’s not chunky, but it’s not lightweight either, at 4.1 oz. The back lock and full steel liners are the culprits of most of the weight, and shift the balance to the back of the knife. Weight considerations aside, the Hide is right around the perfect size for me. My daily cutting tasks rarely require more than cutting some tape, opening a package, or slicing an apple. The Hide’s blade is long enough to do all of that without frightening a soul.

As with most Italian knives, the Hide is crafted to impeccable tolerances. The centering, perfect; the grind, immaculate. Even the hardware is polished, with the exception of the exterior bolts. Those were instead given a tasteful bead blast. The stonewash on the blade is highly polished, leaving a blade that will resist most scratches with ease. I’m a big fan of how polished this stonewash is, as it comes close enough to a mirror finish that it has some of the charm of a traditional.

The Hide’s true distinction is its refined blade. The profile is a lean drop point with the barest hint of a recurve and just enough belly to slice as well as any kitchen knife. A long swedge adds visual interest and thins out the tip for any piercing work that needs doing. The grind is similarly impressive. Not only did the craftsmen at Fantoni start with thin stock, but the hollow grind takes it down to an edge not far off from a straight razor. It goes without saying that the Hide isn’t meant for prying or other “hard use” tasks. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a tough knife. But it’s a knife, not a pry bar. Treat it as such.

I’d be lying if I said the steel was exciting. Most everyone these days is familiar with S30V, both its ups and downs. I haven’t noticed any problems with chipping or rust, and it rarely needs more than a few passes on my strop or Sharpmaker. Fantoni claims they get it up to RC60-61, and that matches my experience. Some of you may be asking if S30V is appropriate for a knife this expensive, and my answer is…kind of. In general I’d say no; but generally the heat treatment and grind aren’t nearly so dialed in as they are here. The Hide is among the elite cutters in my collection, so take that as you will.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Carry

The handle is a fairly simple affair. A steel spine is sandwiched between steel liners, which in turn is sandwiched between two slabs of green canvas micarta. There is no contouring, but the edges of the micarta have been chamfered to increase comfort. Micarta and steel are a winning recipe for me, but I understand if you think the materials are dated. If you’re that concerned, the Hide is also offered in carbon fiber and black G10, though I’ll always opt for the micarta. Not only is it the cheapest version, but a good deal of the Hide’s charm would be diminished with a sterile material like carbon fiber.

Discounting the double scallops on the interior of the handle, the Hide is comprised almost entirely of hard lines. Because of that, I assumed that the grip would (at best) be tolerable. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the ergonomics were fine; but as I expected, not without problems. First, the jimping is sharp and wide. Aesthetically pleasing, but not the most comfortable on the thumbs. Second, the pronounced finger guard keeps your fingers a fair distance away from the blade, so choking up for more control is almost impossible. I think this is just part of the genetic makeup of the Hide. It was designed to be a backup tactical knife, after all.

In the pocket, the Hide is -mostly- fantastic. The low-ride, tip up clip ensures discrete and stable carry. In my experience, the clip works well with most pants, but you may need to use a bit of force if you’re wearing thicker work clothes. When not in use, the slim profile helps the Hide disappear into the pocket, despite the relatively high weight. Sadly, the Hide has one flaw in this department: the thumb studs. Not only do they catch on clothing when you’re pulling the Hide out of your pocket, but they get thin enough to yank on any threads that stick out too far. It’s not a constant occurrence, but it’s happened just enough times that it bears mention.

Deployment and Lock-up

By now, I’m assuming that most of you are familiar with my viscerally apathetic sentiments towards frame locks, flippers, and every combination therein. They’re not bad, I’m just a curmudgeon. Or a hipster, depending on your definition. In either case, my love affair with the Fantoni Hide began long before flippers hit their stride, and it isn’t going anywhere now. Apart from the problems mentioned above, the thumb studs work fine. I’ve never disassembled the Hide, but a glance suggests that it runs on bronze washers. The strength of the back spring makes flicking this knife open impossible, but that’s a rare enough feature on quality back locks that I can’t complain.

The back lock isn’t particularly innovative, but it’s strong and easy to use. This iteration is one of the best. There is no play in any direction, and while the spring is quite stiff, it doesn’t make it a hassle to disengage the lock. I do find it somewhat confusing that this is advertised as a back-up knife. When the lock engages, it does so with an audible clack; I’d imagine that sound would make it quite difficult to hide. Ultimately, I can’t sell either the thumb studs or the back lock to those of you who hate such features. If you don’t mind them, you won’t be disappointed.

Fantoni Hide Review – Final Thoughts

If I had my druthers, I would have reviewed the Hide before I reviewed the Dan 2. Such an approach would highlight the evolution of Rumici’s talents as a designer, but wouldn’t paint the Hide in a negative light. To take that approach in the reverse, however, would end up making the Fantoni look quite brutish. Slab handles, or contoured? Proud liners, or nested? Thumb studs, or front flipper? Even I (unrepentant snob that I am) have to admit that the Dan is an improvement in most areas.

But the thing is….I own both. I carry both – frequently, in fact. Despite the fact that I have access to what is, objectively speaking, an upgraded model, the Hide gets as much if not more pocket time than the Dan 2. My best guess for this phenomenon is that while the Dan has a much more elegant design, the Hide feels more refined. Maybe I just need to carry the Dan for a few more years. At any rate, I think it says quite a bit about the quality of the Hide that it has stayed in my collection this long, with no signs of leaving.

So who should buy this knife, assuming that you can find one? If, like me, you’re a grump who thinks flippers are overhyped and frame locks passe, or if you long for the days of thin, slicy grinds, this knife is for you. Collectors of smaller, boutique Italian knives should likewise have their ears to the ground. Finally, if I’ve afflicted one of you with a similar lust for the Fantoni Hide, my apologies–but this knife is definitely for you.

I would recommend buying the Hide at KnifeArt, as they are Fantoni’s only US dealer. As usual, availability and selection is spotty, as Fantoni does not make many knives. You may be also able to find the Hide on the secondary market or places like Amazon or BladeHQ. Thanks for reading.