Knives By Purpose

Spyderco Sage 1 Review

Last Updated: July 20, 2019
A while back I took a look at the Spyderco Sage 2. The Sage 2 is an absolutely fantastic knife and with it’s eye catching titanium handle, I find that the Sage 1 often plays second fiddle.

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That is a shame, because I think that the Sage 1 may be the better EDC knife – at least for me. Regardless, I can safely say that it’s an excellent EDC knife.

Clearly, it’s high time I reviewed my Sage 1. Let’s take a closer look and see why I like this knife so much.

Purpose

The Sage 1 is arguably the perfect EDC knife for my purposes. Yes, you read that right. The Sage 1 is my personal EDC blade, and for my purposes I couldn’t ask for a better knife. What I like about the Sage 1 is that it has perfect EDC proportions, excellent materials, outstanding fit and finish and it carries very well.

In addition to EDC, I think this knife is a great collector’s piece (I know plenty of people who have all 3 of the knives in the Sage series) and while the Sage 1 is not billed as a tactical knife, it could certainly fulfill an emergency tactical role. Finally, the carbon fiber and stealthy carry make this a great option for a gentleman’s folder.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

As for the dimensions we have a 3″ blade, an overall length of 7 1/8″ and a weight of 3.2 ounces. Going back to me calling the Sage 1 the “perfect” EDC knife, the dimensions of the Sage 1 are ideal for EDC in my book. I really don’t like carrying anything smaller, and anything bigger starts to raise some eyebrows (sad, but true). The Sage 2 actually handles like a bigger knife, but it remains small and is people friendly.

The blade is a classic Spyderco leaf shape given a nice full flat grind. There is a decent amount of belly and the tip has a sturdy point while still being strong. This is a very practical blade shape that is also non-threatening to people who don’t understand knives.

The blade steel is S30V which was a gold standard for production knives for many years. When I originally wrote this review in 2011, it was about as good as you would find in any $100 knife. It’s still a great choice, but I would not complaint if they upgraded to S35VN, or chose CTS-XHP like on the Chaparral. S30V is a harder steel, so sharpening takes more effort than say, AUS8 and other more inexpensive steels. However, S30V it takes a good edge and holds it well. S30V is also very resistant to rust and corrosion. Given the price point and intended use of the knife I think this is a great steel.

Handle, Ergonomics and Pocket Clip

The handle is part of what sets each Sage apart, and the Sage 1 has carbon fiber scales over stainless steel liners. The carbon fiber is left with a “woven” or “twill” texture that provides some traction and is pleasant in hand. The entire knife is held together by 3 hex bolts, and the flow through design is an exercise in restraint. Looking inside you can see that the liners have been milled out extensively. I count no less than 4 different size bits used to mill this liner out. Everything has been expertly finished and polished up – including the liners.

The ergonomics are another huge plus to the Sage 1 (and the entire Sage series really). First of all, there is a nice 50/50 choil and a large thumb ramp. This makes the most of the relatively small handle and provides plenty of room, even for larger hands, in practically any grip. I absolutely love the ergonomics of the Sage, it’s much like the Caly 3 if you have ever handled one of them. Basically it gives you a big knife grip in a small easy to carry package.

The pocket clip is another home run. While pocket clips are often a source of grief for me the Sage 1’s clip is about to close to perfect as I can ask for. The Sages all use the Spyderco “wire” clip, which is actually a very strong piece of tempered steel. What sets the Sage 1 apart is that has given the clip a black coating. Not only has the coating held up extremely well, the knife disappears when you clip it to the pocket. If you work in an office, this is the perfect knife – it’s very difficult to notice this knife when wearing slacks (ultimate urban camo). Finally, I have to mention that Spyderco gives you the option for ambidextrous tip up carry. This is perfect for my applications.

Lock and Deployment

The Sage 1 uses a liner lock, and not just any liner lock but a “Walker Linerlock.” That is because the Sage series was designed to pay homage to innovators in the knife industry and the Sage 1 was made to honor Michael Walker. Michael Walker is known for designing the ball-bearing detent method of holding a lock in place which is used in many many knives today. A knife designed around a lock should have decent lockup, and the Sage 1 does not disappoint. The lock makes a very crisp “click” when engaged and it bites in nice and early. There is absolutely zero play in any direction. This is a very strong liner lock worthy of paying homage to Michael Walker.

Deployment is accomplished by a 1/2″ Spyderhole. I found deployment to initially be pretty stiff on the Sage 1. For a while this was my only real complaint with the knife. However, it took a while but the knife slowly broke in. These days deployment is very smooth and it only seems to be getting smoother (after months of carry). Of course there are some large phosphor bronze washers in there which reduces the friction but the tolerances are very tight on this knife – in my experience this knife will take time to break in but is well worth the wait.

Spyderco Sage 1 vs. Spyderco Caly 3 Carbon Fiber

Ah, the age old question. Two beautiful Spyderco knives that are very similar in size, price and materials yet have some interesting differences as well. Which one should you choose? Well, I attempted to answer that question with a youtube video. It’s not an easy answer, but I like the idea of saying “the Sage 1 is my wife and the Caly 3 is my mistress.” Really that Caly 3 is built like nothing else, just an awesome knife that has the “soul” I think the Sage 1 lacks in some way (difficult to describe). That said, for all out practical EDC use, I prefer the Sage 1. The knife rocks, it’s designed to be used and will be up for any challenge. Buy ’em both if you have the money, I don’t think you will be disappointed with either one.

Spyderco Sage 1 Review – Final Thoughts

So yeah, what is there left to say? Not a whole lot really, the Sage 1 is just a fantastic knife. I stand by my original comment that this is the “perfect EDC knife” for me – even months after writing the first draft of this review – this one’s a keeper! Sure it all comes down to personal preference, but I’ve handled a lot of knives and if you are looking in the ~3″ blade EDC knife category, it’s going to be hard to find something as well rounded and beautifully executed as the Sage 1.

I tell you, I write very few reviews that are this positive, I literally have nothing bad to say about the Sage 1. The overall fit and finish on this knife is outstanding. Every surface has been polished, the blade centering is dead on, and everything has been done to an almost eerie state of perfection. If you are on the fence about the Sage 1 my advice would be to go ahead and buy it. You will not be disappointed.

Update – I originally wrote this review in 2011. I still have my Sage 1, still carry it, still use it, and still enjoy it. It remains one of my all time favorite EDC pieces. This continues to be an excellent knife.

Spyderco Sage Linerlock

Crafted from the highest quality materials
Built for performance and durability
Made in Taiwan
Folding knife with CPF-S30V steel blade
PlainEdge is ground flat for precise cutting

I recommend purchasing the Sage 1 at Amazon or BladeHQ. Purchasing anything through any of the links on this site helps support BladeReviews. Any and all support is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.

Kershaw Blur Review

by Dan Jackson 22 Comments

Last Updated: February 20, 2019

While I enjoy reviewing all kinds of knives, it’s the mid size edc “working man’s” knives that I especially enjoy reviewing because these mid size EDC’s are what spend the most time in my pockets and in my hands. The Kershaw Blur is such a quintessential mid size EDC knife that a full review is long overdo.

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Also, I can’t ignore the fact that this another Ken Onion design. Ken Onion is the man behind a lot of the knives I have reviewed (such as the CRKT Ripple), and his designs are very famous for their flowing shapes. In contrast some of his other work, the Blur looks fairly pedestrian, but it is a good size knife with a very functional design which is part of the reason why I think the Blur has become so popular.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Blur has an overall length of 7.875″, a 3.375″ blade, weighs 3.9 ounces, and is made in the USA. It’s a medium to large size folding knife. I would classify this as a larger EDC knife or a tactical knife.

The Blur comes in many flavors and there is a little something for everyone with different colors, blade steels, handle inserts, and blade shapes. The “standard” Blur comes with a nice hollow ground drop point blade, but you also have the option of a tanto blade and there is even a blunt tip version for EMT and rescue applications. You also have the option of plain edge or partially serrated. Kershaw also sells this knife with a black DLC (Diamond Like Coating) on the blade – it’s an attractive option and wears really well.

In addition to that high hollow grind, there is also a slight recurve on the edge (which is more pronounced with the rescue version). The recurve is slight, which keeps this knife reasonably easy to sharpen. There is a swedge running along the top which keeps the tip of the drop point version strong.

In practice the Blur is a formidable slicer. The slight recurve and hollow grind make the knife excellent for cardboard. The tip provides a good combination of strength and piercing ability. This is designed to be a work knife, and I don’t hesitate to use it in that capacity.

As for blade steel, the base model comes with a fairly unassuming Sandvik 14NC28 steel blade (shown here). This is a good mid range steel, ideal for EDC. It takes an edge easily and holds it well. I have had no issues with rust – especially with the DLC coating. I would put 14NC28 above AUS-8 but below 154CM.

Kershaw also offers the Blur in S30V, CPM154CM, and a even a composite blade with Sandvik 14NC28 with a ZDP189 edge. I have also seen this knife in 440A, 420HC, and few others. The S30V version is especially popular, and a number of limited editions have been released over the years. There is a steel here for every taste (and every budget).

Handle, Ergonomics and Pocket Clip

The first thing you will notice about the handle is the sandpaper looking inserts. Kershaw calls this “Trac-Tec” and it is actually a rubberized material that provides plenty of traction without tearing up your hands. The rest of the handle is made from anodized 6061 aluminum and features a flow though (pillar construction) design. All in all this is a very strong design. The handles are very nicely finished and relatively light weight – I have no complaints.

The ergonomics of the Blur are excellent. This simple handle gets out of your way and affords a comfortable grip for small and large hands alike. There is a short run of jimping on the gently sloping thumb ramp. It provides just enough traction to index your thumb and hold it in place. The rubber trac-tec inserts aren’t my favorite feature of the knife, but I must admit they provide plenty of grip. All the corners have been rounded and the knife feels natural in hand. Perfect for getting plenty of work done.

The pocket clip is fairly well executed. Depending on your particular model, it comes with a matte black finish and rides pretty low in the pocket (not “super” low, if that is something you are looking for). It does allow for tip up or tip down carry, but it is not ambidextrous. One thing I especially like is how Kershaw doesn’t include their Trac-Tec texturing where the clip touches the handle. This makes the knife much easier to remove from the pocket (although I do find it sometimes hangs up a little.

Deployment and Lockup

Kershaw opted for ambidextrous thumbstuds here. The thumb studs are cut at an angle and dig into your thumb. One review I read said that the thumb studs looked like a “stair case” which is actually a pretty good description. Some people love these thumb studs, others hate them. I find that they work alright for my purposes. I think that these thumb studs work best with an assisted opener, but I think they are a little fiddly and not my favorite.

Being an early Ken Onion / Kershaw collaboration, this knife comes with Ken’s Speedsafe assisted opening system pre-installed. I am not the biggest fan of assisted opening knives, but the Speedsafe on the Blur is robust and the action is good. Of course, you can always take the spring out and reduce the Blur to a 100% manually opening blade if that is what you prefer. There is a small detent so the blade won’t fall out of the handle if you take away the assisted opening spring.

The Blur features a liner lock. I think the lock works well here, especially in the EDC and backup tactical roles. The liner engages early and the lock-up is strong with zero movement. The whole deployment and lockup aspects of this knife is a real plus in my book because it is very smooth. Kershaw knows how to put assisted openings and liner locks together and the Blur is an outstanding example of that knowledge.

Blade centering on my knife is pretty much perfect.

Kershaw Blur Review – Final Thoughts

The Kershaw Blur is a modern classic. Offered in a myriad of different blade steels and handle colors, there is a little something for everyone. This is one of Ken Onion’s more restrained designs for Kershaw, and the clean lines of the Blur has garnered it broad appeal, and the knife continues to sell well even years after it’s release.

In fact, the knife has developed something of a cult following among enthusiasts of high end knives. This is a humble blade, but it makes for a great beater. I respect the Blur in the same way that I respect the Cold Steel American Lawman, Buck Marksman, and Hogue EX04 (these are among my favorite folders with ~3.5″ blades). This is a tough working knife and was designed to be used.

The Blur is made in the USA, is well constructed, features quality materials, and is priced reasonably – usually between $45 and $75 depending on the trim level. This everyman’s folder gets a lot of things right, and for that reason I have included it as one of the my recommended EDC knives.

Kershaw Blur Black (1670BLK) Everyday Carry Pocketknife, 3.4 inch Stainless Steel Drop Point Blade, Cerakote Blade Finish, SpeedSafe Opening, Reversible Pocketclip; 3.9 OZ

KERSHAW BLUR BLACK POCKETKNIFE: A classic Kershaw with a do-it-all blade and dark good looks, the Blur is the perfect EDC for multi-tasking thanks to its big, slightly recurved blade. Made in the USA.
DROP POINT RECURVE PLAIN EDGE BLADE: Made from high-performance Sandvik 14C28N stainless-steel that holds its edge and resharpens easily. A Cerakote blade coating adds protection and enhances performance.
6061-T6 ALUMINUM HANDLE: The black anodized aluminum handle is scratch and fade-resistant. Trac-Tec inserts promote a secure, comfortable grip during use. Includes reversible pocketclip for right, tip-up/down carry.
DESIGNED WITH SAFETY IN MIND: Equipped with Kershaw’s assisted opening for easy one-handed release with thumb-stud. Inset liner lock secures blade in place for ensured user safety.
SIZE SPECIFICATIONS: Blade Length: 3.4in. Closed Length: 4.5in. Overall Length: 7.9in. Weighing in at 3.9oz. Backed by Kershaw’s Limited Lifetime Warranty.

I recommend purchasing the Blur 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.

CRKT Ripple Review

by Dan Jackson 17 Comments

Last Updated: August 4, 2019
The CKRT Ripple is a design that had me doing a double take. The flowing lines and sharp looks were very “Ken Onion-y” and upon closer inspection the knife was in fact designed by Ken Onion. It turns out Mr. Onion has parted ways with the folks at Kershaw and he has been picked up by competitor CRKT.

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The Ripple was one of Ken’s first designs for CRKT. It’s something of a gentleman’s EDC knife, with Ken’s signature flowing curves in a low profile package.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Ripple comes in a few sizes. What you see here is the large version with a 3 1/8″ blade, an overall length of 7 1/2″ and a weight of 2.9 ounces. This is a nice size for an EDC knife. Not only is the Ripple lightweight at under 3 ounces, but it’s thin too. The whole knife is less than 5/16″ thick. Plenty of blade in a lightweight package. It’s a slim design that begs to be carried.

The blade is an attractive drop point design. There is an absence of the typical organic curves that Ken Onion is known for, but it still has his style and I find myself wanting for nothing. This is a really slender and refined blade and it comes with an exquisite tip. The swedge running 3/4 of the top of the blade is another elegant touch and the high hollow grind makes this a nice slicer as well. Personally, I love this blade shape.

CRKT has released this knife in several different steels over the years, but 8Cr14MoV is going to be the most common configuration. 8Cr14MoV has been discussed at length before, but this is a Chinese steel that is best known for being expensive, easy to sharpen, and holding an adequate edge. It’s on par with AUS-8, but below VG-10 and 154CM in the steel hierarchy. Feel free to check out my knife steel article for more information on different types of steel.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The handle of the Ripple is either made of 420J2 stainless steel (the framelock version) or aluminum (the linerlock version – shown here). The handle pieces have first been CNC milled with a ripple pattern. The handle has then been either a blue or black titanium nitride coating and then has been rubbed to reveal the silver look of the steel. It is a very unique look and can be difficult to capture in photographs although darkchild69, our featured photographer, has done an excellent job here. Another design element is the series of 44 small holes milled into the side of the handle. This is more for decoration I think, although it does lighten the handle up slightly. Finally, the handle is bolted together with two pillars. Very simple and as always, very easy to keep clean. This is a very slim handle and all the detail is unlike anything else currently on the market.

This is a thin metal handle so logic would suggest that this won’t be the most comfortable knife. In fact, the ergonomics are surprisingly good. The handle has been rounded and the flipper helps define the choil. Additionally, there is nice jimping on both the thumb ramp and handle. This provides plenty of traction and makes this a very easy knife to use for general tasks.

The clip is another interesting component. It is mounted high for tip down carry. It sits flush with the top of the handle and follows the line of the handle. One gripe is that the pocket clip it is tip-down right hand carry only. With the assisted open and the flipper, I can totally see why CRKT opted for tip down carry, but with 44 holes already in this knife, they really need to drill a couple more and make this clip ambidextrous.

Deployment and Lockup

The Ripple is a non-assisted open knife actuated by a flipper on the back of the handle. Those familiar with Ken Onion’s Leek, Chive, ZT 302, etc will be very familiar with this style of deployment. The flipper has been given some aggressive jimping that really bites into your thumb, you will not be slipping on this flipper. There are no thumb studs.

An interesting feature of the Ripple is the IKBS opening system. IKBS stands for “Ikoma Korth Bearing System” and means just that. There are a total of 16 ball bearings (8 per side of the blade). The bearings are uncaged and sit in little grooves machined into the handle and are used in place of teflon or phosphor bronze washers. Initial impressions are very good – the bearings make for a very fast and smooth deployment. This is one of the smoothest opening knives currently on the market (production blades at least). The IKBS combined with the assisted feature makes for effortless blade presentation. And apparently the bearings do not need much maintenance, which is good because I would not want to take this knife apart.

Here is an update from 2019: Over the past 8+ years I’ve owned countless bearing equipped knives. Generally they have held up real well. The versions with caged bearings are easier to take apart. This IKBS equipped knife includes loose bearings. You can take these knives apart too, but you need to be careful. Here is a great video from CRKT on how to clean an IKBS equipped knife.

The Ripple uses a steel frame lock, which is plenty strong for the kind of EDC tasks this knife was designed. Due to the intricate design on the handle you can hardly tell the framelock is there. I like how this looks and I also like how the framelock and adds to the simplicity of the design. However, I have noticed on multiple knives, the framelock extends very far over (see below) while others lock up early. Frame locks are designed to slowly break in and will travel over with extended use. Having the lock engage “late” from the start means that you may get less life out of the lock. If you get a Ripple with this late lock up, I would recommend talking with CRKT and getting it fixed because in my opinion, this shouldn’t happen with a new knife.

Here is a parting size comparison with my Boker Plus Urban Trapper:

CRKT Ripple Review – Final Thoughts

The Ripple is a beautiful knife. Ken Onion took a sexy blade shape and melded it with a wonderful handle. This knife “flows” from an aesthetic standpoint and I think the design is just phenomenal. The IKBS is both interesting and functional, long term testing will tell if this is a mere novelty or truly a revolutionary way to deploy a blade. The Ripple is made in Taiwan, which we now know (thanks to Spyderco) is capable of making some great higher end blades at a terrific value.

All things considered the CRKT did a great job with the Ripple. I would prefer if they re-worked the pocket clip so that it was ambidextrous, and a little less weird, but beyond that you get a lot of nice knife for the money. The Ripple is one of the knives that laid the foundation for Ken Onion / CRKT collaborations, and continues to be a great lightweight high value option for folks years after its original release.

CRKT Ripple EDC Folding Pocket Knife: Gentleman Everyday Carry, Satin Blade, IKBS Ball Bearing Pivot, Liner Lock, Textured Aluminum Handle, Pocket Clip K415KXP

Fast Opening: IKBS ball bearing pivot deploys the blade fast
Fast Opening: The flipper deploys the blade fast
Strong And Lightweight: Aluminum handle combines strength with minimal weight
Designed by Ken Onion in Kaneohe, Hawaii
Limited Lifetime Warranty covers any defects in materials or workmanship, see company site for details

I recommend buying the CRKT Ripple at Amazon or BladeHQ. Thanks for reading and Stay Sharp.

CRKT Folts Minimalist Review

by Dan Jackson 16 Comments

Last Updated: September 12, 2018

The CRKT Folts Minimalist is an intriguing design from acclaimed custom knife maker Allan Folts. I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Mr. Folts and one of the big topics of conversation was this little knife. Allan is a classically educated designer and artist, and he takes both form and function very seriously.

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Apparently, the Minimalist took over 2 year to design. It rode with him on trips around the country to various knife shows and exhibitions. He got feedback from hundreds of people and carefully tweaked the design before arriving at what you see here today. It may sound a little extreme, but I’ll tell you, pick this knife up. Hold it for a second and let me know what you think – the attention to detail should be obvious. This is a small knife, but it fits the hand better than some knives I own that are three times the size.

Anyhow, I have a certain methodology to all the reviews, so I don’t want to too far ahead here. Suffice to say, this is an exceptional little knife from the mind of a great maker offered at a phenomenal price.

Purpose

One of my favorite things about the Minimalist is the exceptional utility. It is a stout design that can also be a great option for EDC. Even if you you don’t normally carry a fixed blade knife, the Minimalist is discrete and can be easily slipped into a pocket.

I also think it’s a great knife for the truck, for your bug out bag, as an absolute last ditch tactical blade, as a backup backup survival blade, for camping trips, fishing, etc etc etc. I’m not saying you can baton logs with it, but at under 2 ounces it’s cheap insurance if your primary blade(s) fail. An all around workhorse, this little knife can pretty much do it all.

General Dimensions and Blade Specifics

The Minimalist is just over 5 inches long and sports a 2 1/8″ blade ground from 2.4 mm stock. The weight of this knife is 1.6 ounces.

As far as steel goes, the Minimalist is a full tang knife made of 5Cr13MoV. This steel is chemically very similar to 8Cr13Mov which personally, I do not mind. In my experience, 5Cr13Mov behaves a lot like 8Cr13Mov too. Both steels are a little softer than high end steels like VG10, S30V and the like, thus they tend to lose their edges faster, but I find it to be entirely adequate for my purposes. I will say, this steel can take an edge and the knife came surprisingly sharp. Out of the box I was able to shave hairs off my arm with no problem – not what I was expecting from a sub $20 blade!

The Minimalist is currently offered in 3 blade shapes. The original knife came with a wharncliffe blade. Shortly thereafter a tanto and bowie made their way on the scene. I love the shape of the bowie so I had to have that one. Folts took the classic bowie design and gave it a few tweaks to fit with the overall look of the knife. There is plenty of belly and the tip is reinforced thanks to a large swedge. The blade (and all of the metal) was given an attractive stonewashed finish. The kife has a shallow hollow grind that starts about 3/4 of the way up the blade.

Handle and Ergonomics

The handle, like most fixed blade knives, is pretty simple. CRKT actually sprung for some linen micarta scales here which is a material that you wouldn’t expect on such an inexpensive knife. The scales are actually a deep forest green, which is pretty cool color that I didn’t expect either (most pictures make the handle appear black). No complaints with the handle materials or the color. The scales are bolted on with torx screws so you can take the knife apart and remove the lanyard – another nice feature.

The ergonomics of this knife are outstanding. I pulled this blade out of the sheath and the knife literally fell right into place. It was like my hand was made for this knife. All it took was a second of contact and suddenly I “got” it. Allen told me about how this knife took 2 years to design, and that is something you can easily dismiss. I tell you, it now makes sense.

So as you can tell, this is a 3 finger style knife. A small lanyard is attached to the butt of the handle which provides a little extra grip (I think it’s a nice touch actually, works well). There is a nicely designed thumb ramp with some aggressive jimping. The micarta scales have also been very well finished. Everything is flush and the knife feels amazing in hand. The handle comes apart with 4 small torx screws, which is great if you want to swap out the lanyard or do your own custom scales.

Sheath

The sheath is made of Zytel, a hard plastic similar to Kydex. The retention on this sheath is excellent and the blade locks into place with a soft “click.” I tried to shake the knife out, and that simply was not going to happen – it is very secure. There are 6 eyelets for various methods of attachment to stuff.

Billed as a neck knife, a few feet of cordage is included to wear the knife around your neck. I’ll be honest here, I’ve never had a neck knife before, and my lifestyle usually doesn’t permit me to wear one. This was a problem because I couldn’t put this knife down, so I took off the cordage and slipped the knife in my pocket. It actually carries really well this way. It’s a slim design that I didn’t notice as I went about my daily tasks. The lanyard on the handle gave me a little extra to grab onto when I needed to fish out the knife for a task. I carried the knife around my neck on the weekends, and well, it’s not really for me. Convenient enough I suppose, but I’m not accustomed a knife around my neck.

A detachable belt loop is also included. It attaches with two bolts (also included) and adds to the versatility of this simple yet entirely adequate sheath.

CRKT Minimalist Review – Final Thoughts

Lets be honest here, I fell in love with this knife the second I took it out of the box. The ergonomics are fantastic. It’s a compact blade that fits the hand like nothing else. I’d love to see this in a slightly better steel, like say some 440C, but the 5Cr13MoV is actually holding up really well and for less than $20 shipped to my door, this was really a no brainer. I think it is a very high value knife. There are a lot of details in this blade that make it special. In conclusion the Minimalist is aptly named: it’s a simple knife, done right.

CRKT Minimalist Bowie Neck : Compact Fixed Blade Knife, Folts Utility with Bead Blast Blade, Resin Infused Fiber Handle, and Sheath 2387

Easy To Sharpen: High carbon stainless steel blade takes an edge well
Minimizes Reflectivity: Bead blast finish reduces reflection
Strong and Visual: resin infused fiber handle combines strength with visual appeal
Gear Compatible: Durable thermoplastic sheath with mounting options
Compact Utility: Lightweight and easy to carry

I recommend purchasing the CRKT Minimalist 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.

Benchmade Dejavoo 740 Review

by Dan Jackson 4 Comments

Last Updated: August 12, 2019
Today I am taking a look at the ultra classy Benchmade Dejavoo. Designed by the late Bob Lum, known for his simple and elegant designs and the Dejavoo is no exception. Now that he is no longer with us, his custom pieces are becoming incredibly difficult to find so for many the only way to experience his work is through a collaboration like he did here with Benchmade.

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Purpose

As far as utilitly is concerned, the Dejavoo is in an interesting position. While I wouldn’t put it directly in the tactical role (not a lot of traction on the handle or spine, not the strongest lock), it could certainly fill that void in a pinch. Also, it’s a little large for a so called “Gents Folder,” although I think it’s a fine looking knife and is suitably refined for that role. For the same reason it wouldn’t make the top of my list for an EDC knife, although it is relatively light and would make a pretty exotic EDC blade (the “mini” is a good size for EDC). Yes the Dejavoo is somethng of an anomaly and I think for most this is more of a collectible knife, especially since Lum’s passing (RIP).

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The full size Dejavoo sports a blade just under 4 inches (3.95″ to be exact) with an overall length of 9.12″ and a weight of 4.10oz (3.2″ blade and 3.5 ounce weight on the 745). 4 ounces is impressive when you consider how much knife you are getting here… and believe me, you are getting plenty of knife. Not only is the Dejavoo big, but it’s beautiful. The long slender blade arcs slightly and a thin swedge trails almost the entire length of the spine. It’s a beautiful, almost peaceful design that is distinctly “Lum” and innately appealing. I know the looks of this knife has enchanted many over the years – even the name “Dejavoo” hints to some magic lurking beneath the steel and G10.

And speaking of steel, the blade on the 740 is made of a thick piece of S30V, a high end steel that I like because of the great combination of edge retention, corrosion resistance and ability to take a razor sharp edge. Benchmade accentuated that great steel by giving the Dejavoo a full flat grind and a really nice factory edge.

Handle, Ergonomics and Pocket Clip

The handle of the Dejavoo is also pretty special. Just by looking at the pictures you can see the attention to detail Benchmade put in here. It has full steel liners with some very nicely finished G10 scales laid over it. The G10 is relatively smooth, and lightly finished to show the “grain” while still supplying some grip. It adds another layer of class to look of the knife. The handle is a semi flow through design, and uses a black backspacer en lieu of pillars. Everything is bolted together so you can take this knife apart if need be. The liners are also kind of special; the locking liner is made of titanium and the non locking side is made of 420J stainless steel (very tough) that has been milled out to lighten up the knife and help it feel “alive” in your hand.

I also have to say that the Dejavoo has some great ergonomics. First of all, the 740 is a good sized knife, so you are going to have plenty of real estate to accommodate various grips. Indeed, the Dejavoo feels good in either a forward or reverse grip and I don’t find myself struggling to find space for all my fingers. Also, the design itself is great. Your hand will fall in place, it’s not awkward or uncomfortable at all.

From a traction standpoint, this isn’t the grippiest knife. It’s a smooth handle, obviously designed for form over function. If you are buying this as a hard core “tactical knife” I am sure you would be disappointed. From a collector knife or even an EDC knife standpoint, this really isn’t an issue. Additionally, you will find jimping to be woefully absent… again, not really an issue in my opinion. There is a rather prominent thumb ramp (which is mirrored in the choil area, almost appearing like a “hilt” when the knife is closed) and it catches the hand nicely. Again, obviously a nod to the form over function approach that Benchmade sometimes takes with their higher end knives. In my opinion, if you want a knife that you can take into a foxhole with you, consider something built for the task, like an Emerson.

It is a nice looking clip made of a piece of folded over stainless steel. The clip rides very low, it has great retention and is well polished. My only beef is that it is right side tip down only.

Lock-up and Deployment

The Dejavoo features a thumb hole aka a “Spyderhole”. I love thumb holes, they are great designs, and it works really well here – both functionally and aesthetically. I am not sure what the deal is in terms of trademark infringement with Spyderco. Ironically, hardcore Spyderco fans may actually not like this knife because of the use of the Spyderhole, as they may view that Benchmade ripped off the design. Eh, that is the subject for another post (or perhaps a law review article) so I’ll just say “it is what it is.”

One thing to note is that the blade retention can use some work… actually it could use a lot of work as the blade practically falls out of the handle. That is a problem, especially if you are going to carry the knife loosely in a pocket or bag. It’s weird because my 2 biggest problems with the knife; tip down carry, and weak blade retention, kind of cancel themselves out because if you use the pocket clip, it’s going to be hard to accidently stab yourself when carried tip down.

As for the lock, Benchmade went with a liner lock here. I can see an argument for wanting an axis lock with this knife (and yeah, I love the Axis lock), but in truth, I think it would make for a totally different looking knife. There are plenty of options for axis lock fans (Griptilian, Onslaught, etc), and this stays true to the original Lum design, so a liner lock is fine with me. Lockup is nice and tight, although the lock bar itself is not the strongest I have seen. People have been fixing both the weak lock and retention by wedging a small piece of paper between the scale and the liner down by the butt of the handle.

Value

As far as value is concerned, I think price (just north of $120 for the model shown here) is fair when you consider the great materials and fit and finish. The smaller version sells for a little less and might make for a more practical EDC type knife. I think they are both fairly priced.

Benchmade Dejavoo Review – Final Thoughts

Well, what can I say? The Dejavoo is such a beautiful knife it makes it easy to ignore the little flaws. The major flaws, issues with retention and lockup, can be easily fixed with a small piece of paper wedged in between the lock bar and the scale. Color the paper with a Sharpie and you won’t even see it. Some might find modifying a brand new $100+ knife with a post-it-note to be a cardinal sin. However, there is so much that the Dejavoo does right, and it does it with class… it truly is worth a second look.

Benchmade Knives Mini-Dejavoo, Black G-10, Plain

Ergonomic Handle Design Round
Thumb-Hole Opener
Ultra-Premium Blade Steel
Country of origin: USA

Photo Credits: Many many thanks to Voygin for use of the beautiful photos. He does amazing work and has a very impressive collection.

Al Mar Hawk Ultralight Review

by Dan Jackson 7 Comments

From big to small, I review them all. That little jingle may be pretty lame, but it is also pretty true. My last review was of the ESEE Junglas, 16 inches of high carbon steel. Worth a look if want a knife that you can strap to your back and enter the breach with.

Buy the Al Mar Hawk at BladeHQ

Buy on Amazon

Today’s topic is on the other end of the spectrum, a feather light folder by Al Mar knives. This is my first Al Mar knife review, and it’s a company I have had in my sights for a while now. For those unfamiliar with Al Mar, there is actually a long and rich history that could become an article of its own. In a couple sentences, Al Mar was the head of knife design for Gerber, and served in that position for over 10 years. Al then formed his own company in 1979, Al Mar Knives. The knives are made in Seki City, Japan and follow that area’s rich tradition of knife and sword making. Al Mar died in 1992, but the company is still producing knives to this day.

The Al Mar Hawk is the smallest knife in their series of traditional folders, and has some interesting quirks that are worth mentioning. Well built and hand finished, the details are what make this knife enduring, for better or for worse. If you are looking for something ultralight and a little different, the Hawk could be just the ticket.

Purpose

The Al Mar Hawk is a special little knife, and for many, it serves a special purpose. A quintessential “gentleman’s folder,” the Hawk could make a discrete and stylish companion anywhere from the grocery store to a black tie event. It is certainly a good choice for the office, as it is about as inconspicuous and people friendly as knives get. It could also serve as an EDC blade (or backup EDC blade) for those looking for something lightweight and high quality. It also a knife that appeals to collectors. I find it to be a handsome little blade that could easily be kept in my desk or dresser and admired (and perhaps even used) from time to time.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Al Mar Hawk has a 3.25 inch handle, with a 2.75 inch blade and an overall length of 6 inches. This is among the lightest knives I have handled, weighing in just under an ounce. This knife disappears into pockets and is literally a knife that you will forget you are carrying.

The blade, like the rest of the knife, is slender and understated. It is made of relatively thin stock, which combined with a flat grind makes it a phenomenal slicer. It features a simple drop point shape and is made from AUS-8 steel. AUS-8 isn’t a “wundersteele” by any stretch of the imagination, but again, you have to understand that this is a Japanese knife, made with a Japanese steel and certain traditions and eccentricities are part of what makes the knife special. In today’s world of high end super steels, now might be a good time to remind you that AUS-8 is by no means a bad steel. I find it takes a very sharp edge although it may not hold that edge as long as say, VG-10, another Japanese steel.

Handle, Ergonomics and Pocket Clip

The handle of the Al Mar Hawk is simple and elegant with it’s pair of piano black linen micarta scales. The hand rubbed micarta is smooth, but not slippery, providing a pleasant feel. The handle is punctuated by flush mounted nickle silver rivets given an almost mirror-polish. There are no liners or bolsters, which is part of the reason why this knife is so lightweight. Despite this omission the handle feels solid and secure, with a stainless steel lock back bar running the length of the handle.

Another feature absent from the Hawk is a pocket clip. For such a small knife, it hardly seems necessary, and in fact it may be somewhat offensive to have a clip hanging off of the otherwise svelte lines of this little folder. If a pocket clip is a “must have,” consider upgrading to the slightly larger Eagle or Falcon models. The clips are very nice with a black coating and red Al Mar logo. The Hawk does have a lanyard hole, which could aid in retrieval.

The ergonomics of the Hawk are surprisingly pleasant for such a small design. The knife fits comfortably in hand and I have no complaints. There is no jimping, thumb ramp or choil, so as for aggressive use, you will probably want to carry another knife. For the knife’s purpose I think the current configuration it works just fine.

Deployment and Lock-up

The Hawk utilizes a couple good sized thumb studs to facilitate easy deployment. The pivot point on this knife isn’t adjustable (in fact, the entire knife is riveted together), but due to the high level of quality control, you can be certain that the knife will come well tuned from the factory. The deployment starts off on the stiff side, but after some use the knife will break in and you will find that the blade deploys smoothly, and can be flicked out if necessary.

The Hawk uses a lock-back mechanism, located near the front of the knife. This is another classic design element and it holds the blade securely in place. Of course, from such a small and lightweight knife will have its disadvantages and one is that the lock is not particularly strong. For light EDC tasks that you would expect to do with a gentleman’s folder or dress knife, the Hawk will serve admirably. While there isn’t any play in the knife, the liner-less design lends itself to some flex. Don’t expect to chop down a tree or use the knife as a crow bar and I think you will be satisfied with the lock’s performance.

Al Mark Hawk Review – Final Thoughts

At the time of this article, the Hawk is hovering around $100. That isn’t cheap for a little knife. That said, it is very well built, made in Japan, hand finished, etc – in may ways you get what you pay for. The materials are good, but for the money I’d love to see VG-10 in place of the AUS-8. Also, I wouldn’t complain if they could squeeze a pocket clip on there (you could always take it off).

It goes without saying that you are also paying for exclusivity. It adds just a touch of class to your every day gear, any few people will have it, let alone recognize what it is. So I would conclude that as far as value goes, this knife is definitely more of a luxury item than a high value item. But, if you like fine knives, or don’t want to look like an evil knife guy on your next trip to the water cooler, the Hawk could be an easily justified purchase that will provide years of service and enjoyment.

Al Mar Hawk Folding Knives, Black Pearl

Made using the highest quality components
Tested for reliability. Satin blade finish
3 1/4 inch length

If you are thinking of buying an Al Mar Hawk, please consider purchasing it at Amazon or BladeHQ. Thanks for checking out the review.

Photo Credits: Many thanks to Bernard of EveryDay-Carry.com for the exceptional pictures of the Al Mar Hawk.

For those who are curious (and I know I was) the watch is a Seiko SRP027K1 and the Spyderco pictured is a Leafstorm that Bernard has modified by dying the handle black. If you didn’t already know, Bernard is a fellow gear and knife nut and he runs an endlessly entertaining blog on EDC options. It was really cool of him to let me feature his photography – thanks again!