Folding Knives

Cold Steel Mini Tuff Lite Review

Last Updated: August 5, 2019
When you get into collecting knives it is easy to get caught up in the moment. There is so much cool stuff out there if you aren’t careful you can easily get sucked away in a torrent of carbon fiber and titanium. And really there is nothing wrong with that (although your bank account/significant other/retirement plan is free to disagree).

Buy the Cold Steel Mini Tuff Lite at BladeHQ

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But sometimes you just want a tool that will get the job done without having to spend a ton of money. This is how a lot of us got started with collecting knives, and for some level-headed individuals it remains their approach to this day.

Personally, I try to strike a balance when building my collection. I like smart designs that provide great value, but also am known to indulge in the new and shiny. So this time around we are going to head back to earth and check out a cool, reasonably priced knife from Cold Steel: the Mini Tuff Lite (or “MTL”). It isn’t the sexiest blade in the collection, but for those who don’t wish to shell out $200, $100, or even $50 for a quality knife, the MTL brings you edged excellence at a sub $25 price point.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Cold Steel Mini Tuff Lite is 5″ long, sports a 2″ blade (1.25″ edge), and weighs a mere 1.7 ounces. What drew me to this knife are the striking similarities to one of my favorite little EDC blades, the Spyderco Dragonfly II. It’s right around the same size and weight, and also features thumb holes and a back lock. The biggest difference is the price – the Dragonfly goes for $45+ while the Mini Tuff Lite can be had for right around $25.

Needless to say both knives make for great little EDCs. I like pairing the MTL with a larger knife although it easily accomplishes 95% of my EDC tasks. It is also a nice little option for a first aid kit, pocket survival kit, or any other place you would like to stow a small folder. If you want something bigger, Cold Steel also offers the full size Tuff Lite.

The blade is a wharncliffe shape. It’s a very functional shape, with a precise tip and razor edge. The steel is thick enough for serious use (2.5mm thick), and the hollow grind makes for a capable slicer. I will say that the sharpening choil and ricasso can get caught up on material that I am cutting (eg, cardboard), especially if I’m trying to really blast through it. That is to be expected from a 1.25″ edge. If you have a big job, I recommend a larger knife.

Steel on this knife is Cold Steel’s AUS8a. Stainless and relatively soft, AUS8 won’t hold an edge forever, but it gets very sharp very fast. I have no problems maintaining a hair shaving edge with this knife, and it doesn’t require any special skills. No issues with rust or corrosion either. Given the price, AUS8 is a great choice here.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The handle of the Mini Tuff Lite is some sort of plastic (Griv-Ex™ according to Cold Steel). It’s tough and lightweight – entirely adequate for my mostly suburban purposes. Construction is very good. Three bolts hold the small handle together, and everything is nicely finished. There is a large lanyard slot for those who like lanyards, and all the corners are nicely rounded.

From an ergonomics perspective the MTL is very impressive. Much like the Dragonfly II, the MTL makes use of a forward choil. This allows you to really choke up on the blade, but it also affords you a full four finger grip. I really like to have a full grip on my EDC knife so for me this is exceptional. The plastic handle is lightly textured, and the spine of the blade is sparsely jimped. I find that this is plenty of traction and makes the knife both comfortable and practical to use.

The pocket clip is where you start to feel the budget aspects of this knife. Satin finished, and positioned for right side tip down carry only, it’s not as feature rich as some of your higher end knives. That said, there is still a lot to like here – retention is excellent and the knife is very discrete. I tend to forget it is clipped to my pocket, often having to double check before heading out the door. I think the lack of multiple carry options is a really minor issue as the clip generally works well, and the knife carries like a dream.

Deployment and Lockup

The Mini Tuff Lite makes use of a oval thumb hole for deployment. It’s small, but the sharp edges of the thumb hole make it easy to get at, and with a little effort you can manipulate the blade open. This isn’t the fastest draw in the west, but once again given the intended use I find it adequate. There is a firm backspring holding the blade closed, so you don’t need to worry about accidental deployments, but care should be taken when closing the knife as the blade tends to snap down with speed.

For the locking mechanism Cold Steel went with their most excellent Tri-Ad lock. For the uninitiated, the Tri-Ad lock is an overbuilt lockback with an added stop pin. This makes for an extremely strong lock, and is far superior to your regular lockback. You can really feel this when aggressively carving. I tested both the Mini Tuff Lite and the Dragonfly out on some 2x4s, and you can feel the the lockback on the Spyderco flex under the pressure of a strong push cut while the Tri-ad lock remains rock solid under pressure – a testament to the exceptional design of this locking mechanism.

Cold Steel Mini Tuff Lite Review – Final Thoughts

Lets face it, the Cold Steel Mini Tuff Lite wasn’t designed to win any beauty contests. This is definitely an instance where form follows function.

But there is something endearing about the MTL. A face only a mother could love. And if you need a small, lightweight, and inexpensive tool to get the job done I think you will be hard pressed to find a more outstanding value. This little knife is rock solid and capable of providing years of service. Plastic and AUS8 are a far cry from cutting edge knife technology, but the MTL will still happily satisfy the vast majority of your EDC chores.

For those interested in a Spyderco Dragonfly or a Benchmade Mini Griptilian, but are unwilling to pay the $50 and $80 price tags I give the Mini Tuff Lite my full endorsement.

In fact, this is a great small EDC knife regardless of what you compare it to.

Cold Steel Mini Tuff Lite Serrated Knife

Steel: Japanese AUS 8A Stainless

I recommend purchasing the Cold Steel Mini Tuff Lite 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 Eraser Review

by Dan Jackson 12 Comments

The Eraser is a relatively new offering from CRKT and is arguably their most ambitious knife yet. Designed by Liong Mah, this large tactical folder is his first knife collaboration with CRKT although Mah has collaborated with numerous custom makers in the past. Mah’s designs typically blend old styles with modern materials, and he maintains an emphasis on low maintenance and functional beauty. I must say, the Eraser certainly fits that bill.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Eraser is a large and heavy knife with an overall length of 8.75″, a 3.875″ blade, and a weight of 6.2 ounces. For some I imagine the weight will be a deal breaker but personally I had no problem toting this folder around – the trade off is you get large and extremely solid knife. As for intended use the Eraser is perhaps most accurately labeled as a “tactical knife” but could easily be used as a large utility knife or carried daily. I also think an argument could be made that this knife is collectible. While it may not be to everyone’s taste, the bold lines and beautiful finishes do offer something not commonly found in sub $100 knives.

The blade is an intriguing reverse tanto shape, featuring beautiful grinds and a gleaming satin finish. It is an elegant and functional design, featuring a nicely reinforced tip, slight curving belly, and a broad hollow grind. This blade shape is a nice blend of form and function, marrying stabbing and slicing capabilities with graceful curves and hard angles.

The steel selected here is AUS 8, a popular Japanese stainless. AUS 8 is a relatively soft steel (58-59 HRC) not known for extreme edge holding qualities, but I still think it’s a nice choice here all things considered. AUS 8 is known for being easy to machine and makes for a beautiful blade. The various grinds on this knife are crisp and wonderfully finished, it’s very difficult to believe that a knife this pretty retails for $80. Practically speaking AUS8 will gladly take a razor edge. Sure for some the still will not be exotic enough for their tastes, but with everything in mind I have no real issue with the choice.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The Eraser features G10 handle scales with aluminum bolsters over full stainless steel liners with a partial G10 backspacer. Construction is very sturdy. Everything lines up well and is screwed together, and the overall fit and finish is impressive. The aluminum has been media blasted to a nice matte finish and you can see the subtle grain of the smooth G10. No doubt these nice materials also a bit of weight to the knife, but it makes for a classy and strong handle.

Ergonomically speaking the Eraser’s handle is large and comfortable. For your more traditional forward / saber style grip the knife feels very natural with it’s wide modified pistol grip handle. The flipper doubles as a forward guard and there are contours for your fingers. It’s well thought out and quite comfortable. That said, where the Eraser really seems to shine is in a reverse grip. The back portion of the handle is heavily jimped and provides natural resting spots for your thumb and fingers. On the subject of jimping, this is a relatively smooth handle. For my purposes it works great (due to the design of the handle) but if you are part of the uber-tactical crowd don’t expect an Emerson or something.

The pocket clip is long, bulbous, and has been given a discrete black finish. I’m not wild about the look of it, but I’ve also seen much worse. The good news is that we have a very capable clip here offering firm retention, a relatively low profile, and the option of 4 corners placement. As mentioned before, this is a large and heavy knife, and it carries as such. That said, it’s nothing ridiculous, and for its size I found the Mah Eraser to be a reassuring and comfortable carry.

Deployment and Lockup

The Eraser makes use of a flipper for blade deployment and the near 4 inch blade glides along teflon washers. It took a maybe a couple flicks to break this pivot in, but I have since found the knife to open quickly and reliably with very little effort. Teflon isn’t always my first choice for washers but I have no complaints here and may even have come to like teflon washers a little bit (don’t tell anyone). It’s a very smooth and fast knife, and a lot of fun to open.

Lockup is accomplished by an extremely sturdy stainless steel liner lock. There is absolutely no blade play at all in my knife, which I something I can’t always say – even about knives twice the price of the Eraser. Seriously, I am extremely impressed with the early and solid lockup. CRKT has also included their LAWKS technology which gives you the option to lock the knife open. It’s not a feature I use, but it stays out of the way and could come in handy for some.

CRKT Mah Eraser – Final Thoughts

The Eraser is a very special knife. I love the lines of this thing, and the great use of materials. It is a bold design, obviously not to everyone’s tastes, but I love the fact that CRKT rolled the dice a little and produced something that steps outside the box. CRKT and Mah have taken the sub $100 production knife and elevated the ordinary into the extraordinary. Sure, there are lots of good blades out there for under 100 bucks, but few manage to fuse elegant design, high end materials, and beautiful finishes into a rock solid and highly functional folding knife like the Eraser.

Of course I can’t blanket recommend this one as the absolute answer to everyone’s folding knife needs, but if you like larger knives and are a fan of the design then I think you will find a lot to like with the CRKT Eraser.

I found the best deal for the Eraser on Amazon, although BladeHQ also has a good price.

[easyazon-block asin=”B006SK18HA” align=”center”]

Boker Pipsqueak Review

by Dan Jackson 10 Comments

Last Updated: September 17, 2019
The Boker Pipsqueak is a “little big knife” designed by Neil Blackwood of Blackwood Custom Knives and manufactured by Boker in Solingen, Germany. As an urbanite who primarily carries a knife for utility purposes, I have grown quite fond of smaller EDC blades. In fact, I am perfectly alright with toting around the featherweight Spyderco Dragonfly or the Cold Steel Mini Tuff Lite. I find both these little knives to be unobtrusive, practical, and entirely adequate for my admittedly pedestrian purposes.

Buy the Boker Pipsqueak at BladeHQ

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But I must say, the Dragonfly and Tuff Lite don’t particularly excite me from a collector’s standpoint. They are purely functional, and rather spartan offerings. So I think that is what drew me to the Pipsqueak – it’s a little folder with some big balls. The kind of knife that satisfies my craving for titanium and high-end steel, but can be used at the office without raising any eyebrows. It’s a quirky knife, certainly not for everyone, but in my months of carry I have found the Pipsqueak to be a wonderful dichotomy of style and substance. A handsome little bugger that gets the job done. Lets take a closer look.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Pipsqueak is 6.15″ long, has a 2.625″ blade, and weighs 4.7 ounces. I have found the Pipsqueak to be ideally suited for EDC. It’s small enough to ride in a pocket without any fuss, but is large enough to get some real work done. The weight might be an issue to some, haven’t found it to be a problem personally.

The blade on the Pipsqueak is a stubby drop point design. The first thing you may notice is the very cool two-tone finish. The flats have been given a satin finish while the grinds have what appears to be an acid etched stonewash. Speaking of grinds, you have a pretty high hollow primary grind, a little swedge, and a nicely ground secondary bevel. The knife cuts well thanks to the thin hollow grind and recurve. It’s a very aggressive little blade and any material you feed into it accelerates along the curving edge. My one reservation was that due to the curves this knife would be difficult to sharpen. Thankfully, I was completely wrong. With a little care and a few minutes on a rod style sharpener (I used a Spyderco Sharpmaker) I was able to maintain a hair shaving edge.

Boker selected S35VN for the blade, which is a high end stainless designed to be a successor to S30V. I am really impressed with how well this S35VN has performed on the Pipsqueak. The out-of-box edge was extremely sharp, and it held that nice edge for well over a month. Even then it was still fairly sharp, but I wanted to see how the knife sharpened so I touched it up. S35VN takes a very nice edge, and I’ve had no issues with chipping or corrosion either.

Handle, Ergonomics and Pocket Clip

The Pipsqueak’s handle is centered around two meaty slabs of titanium, one left bare to serve as a frame lock, and the other covered with a piece of olive green canvas micarta. Riding between the titanium is another piece of micarta serving as a partial backspacer. Like the rest of the knife, I found something really endearing with the way this handle was designed. The titanium is thick and has been given a tumbled finish to match the blade. Everything is nicely finished and feels extremely solid.

I also found the ergonomics on the Pipsqueak to be very good. As a lefty my palm butts up against the micarta side of the knife, and it feels quite comfortable. From other reviews I have read the knife is comfortable for righties as well. And despite being a smaller handle I can still get a full grip without issue. Rounding things out is a small run of jimping along the spine that adds a little texture for the thumb. It’s nothing crazy, but for EDC this jimping proves more than adequate.

The pocket clip is a folded over piece of steel. The Pipsqeuak is drilled for right side tip-up carry only, but I must confess the handle looks clean without a bunch of extra holes in it. The clip is shaped to mimic the silhouette of the knife. I wasn’t wild about this detail, but again to me it wasn’t a deal-breaker. Clip retention is good, and the knife rides comfortably in pocket. It’s a heavier knife, and the clip does a great job holding it in place.

Deployment and Lockup

One of the first things I noted with the Pipsqueak was how smooth the deployment was. The blade glides freely on 2 sets of phosphor bronze and teflon washers, and ambidextrous thumbstuds provide easy access with either hand. The knife is very fun to open, and can be flicked with a thumb or gently pressed into position. The ball detent is ceramic, and it works very well.

The knife makes use of a thick titanium framelock. The lockbar initially locked up very early, and after a few weeks it settled to about 50% lockup – where it remains today. All in all, I have found lockup to be strong. I noticed a little side-to-side play develop as the lock broke in, but I was able to tune it out with the turn of the pivot screw.

Boker Pipsqueak Review – Final Thoughts

The Pipsqueak is a knife not without it’s quirks. The chunky features, dramatic curved blade, and the relatively hefty carry weight all could be seen as potential negatives. But for some reason these quirks only draw me in closer. Naturally, this is a situation where “your mileage may vary” and I totally get that this one may not be everyone’s proverbial cup ‘o tea. But that’s quite alright, part of the fun of collecting knives is finding the stuff that you like, and that you want to carry and enjoy. So if you happen to be a fan of the design, well I whole-heartedly recommend the Boker Pipsqueak. It has served me well as both an EDC and a wonderfully unique pocket knife.

Boker 110623 Blackwood Pipsqueak Folding Knife with 2-5/8 in. Straight Edge Blade, Green

S35VN high performance steel with striking two-tone finish
Solid titanium frame with green canvas Micarta scale
Extremely sturdy frame lock mechanism
2-5/8 in. blade length. 6-1/4 in. overall length. 4.7 oz. weight
Limited lifetime warranty

I recommend purchasing the Boker Pipsqueak at Amazon.com or BladeHQ. Thanks for checking out the review.

Famars Lama Prima Edizione Review

by Dan Jackson 6 Comments

A relative newcomer to the cutlery scene, Famars is a company best known for crafting extremely high end shotguns. In fact, they happen to be the largest high end shotgun manufacturer in the world. Headquartered in Gardone, Italy, Famars has been creating functional works of art for over 50 years now, and build guns that seamlessly fuse innovative technology with old-world craftsmanship. So needless to say when I learned that this ultra high end firearms company was building knives, it got my attention. The Famars Lama Prima Edizione is their first foray into the world of luxury knives, and it is a real privilege to take a closer look at this very unique knife.

Described as the world’s first pinless dual-action automatic knife, the Lama is anything but typical; so in some ways this will depart from my typical knife review. After all, these knives are designed to compliment shotguns that can sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars. But while Famars’ products are the epitome of a luxury good, often featuring precious jewels and gold inlays, everything is built to be used. Their shotguns are most commonly used for hunting birds, and their new line of knives are designed to accompany the guns on such excursions. Of course a sleek folding knife like this would also be quite at home in a suit pocket or display case – functioning as an upscale EDC or simply a collectible.

Presentation

The Lama I received for examination is not just any Lama, but a Prima Edizione or “Premiere Edition” of the knife. Limited to 500 pieces, the Prima Edizione arrived in a lovely velvet lined wood box, and was accompanied by a signed and sealed certificate of authenticity. Each knife is one of a kind, and is both serialized and categorized within a historical log at the Famars headquarters. I must say I don’t typically spend much time mentioning the packaging materials, but the box is quite nice and provides an excellent spot to store the knife.

General Dimensions and Blade Detail

Moving on to the knife itself, the Lama is slender tool with an overall length of 7-3/4″ (with both blades deployed, 5-1/2″ with one) and 2 2-1/2″ blades. The weight will vary depending on the options you select, but expect a weight in the neighborhood of 2 to 3 ounces. And there are countless options to choose from. The review will attempt to touch on some of those choices, but really the sky is the limit and each knife is custom made to the purchaser’s exact specifications.

Famars allows you to build your knife around a wide variety of blade and tool options. My particular model came with two clip point blades honed to a razor’s edge. The inclusion of two blades was interesting, a departure from most modern folders. According Famars this was done to give the user more options. If you were to use this knife to dress birds in the field and one edge were to dull, then the user could simply switch to the other blade. Additionally, you have the option of selecting from a variety of other tools including scissors, a magnifying glass, or even a divot tool for golf fans.

You also have a wide variety of blade steels to choose from. The Lama is available in 416 layer patterned damascus (with many different patterns to choose from) as well as virtually any stainless steel you desire. Like with every other aspect of the knife the sky is the limit when it comes to steel selection. I found the damascus that my knife came in to be quite good; attractive, razor sharp from the factory, and holding a keen edge after use.

Handle and Ergonomics

The handle of the Lama is quite unique. When examining the exterior there is a distinct absence of any pins or screws holding the handle together. This is part of what gives the Lama it’s designation as the world’s first pinless dual-action automatic knife. The handle fits together thanks to some innovative design work, but more importantly the pinless design creates a wonderful canvas to showcase Famars’ exquisite engravings.

When it comes to the engravings everything is done in-house by hand, and there is no limit to what can be accomplished. Everything from gold leaf to jewels can be integrated into the handle of your knife, and their engravers can carve any motif desired. For those looking to have a knife that matches their shotgun, well, that is now possible. And naturally you get your choice of handle materials as too (including aluminum, steel, and titanium). Famars has also recently begun offering their knives with various exotic wood and animal hide inlays, more options if you somehow felt restrained by their previous selection.

Now, elaborate engravings and a dizzying array of materials is all well and good, but I am a stickler for performance and ergonomics. So I am happy to report that the Lama is just as pleasing to use as it is to look at. I am capable of getting a full grip without any problems and the thumb naturally rests on the spine of the knife. The handles have good thickness and fills the hand, and the “edgeless” design makes melt into your hand. And if you happen to be a fan of slimmer handles, Famars has you covered with their Piccolo model.

Deployment and Lockup

The Lama is a dual action automatic, and with the press of a button the blades spring to life. Both my blades fired fast and hard, and the flash of steel creates quite the conversation piece. Lock-up is solid thanks to a button lock, and the blades are also easy to release once you are done working. One interesting aspect about the knife is the absence of any kind of washers. The Lama is built to extremely tight tolerances so traditional phosphor bronze or teflon washers aren’t required. The fast action makes for a knife that is hard to put down, and with 2 blades at your disposal it is twice as easy to get carried away.

Famas Lama – Final Thoughts

Like something out of a James Bond movie, the Lama blends style and sophistication to create an exclusive tool with a lot of appeal. No doubt fans of the company’s beautiful firearms will also be interested in the Lama, and I can definitely see the allure to having a custom made knife that matches your custom made gun.

I can also see the Lama appealing to collectors of automatic blades and unconventional designs. There is currently nothing else like the Lama on the market, and for that reason alone it’s worth a closer look. Any way you cut it the Lama is a wonderful blend of old world craftsmanship and cutting edge technology, and should appeal to blade aficionados of all persuasions. It was an absolute pleasure to spend some time with this very exotic knife and I highly suggest checking one out if you have the opportunity.

For more information on the Famars Lama visit the knife’s official website at FamarsLama.com.

Benchmade 940 Review

by Dan Jackson 37 Comments

Last Updated: September 4, 2019
If you are as obsessed with knives as I am, you may be on the hunt for “the perfect EDC knife.” You know, the one blade that has it all. Naturally, it is the perfect size, features great materials, is beautifully designed, and carries like a dream. But in my mind a perfect EDC needs to go beyond that. It has to be greater than the sum of its parts, and a little “X factor” never hurt either. Lets be real, for a knife to earn some time in the rotation is one thing, but to stand the test of time the knife has to work for you on another level.

Buy the Benchmade 940 at BladeHQ

Buy on Amazon

That is what drew me to the Benchmade 940. On paper it has all the basic requirements of a good EDC knife, which is always nice to see. But then the 940 had something else. Maybe it’s the unique handle, or the unconventional blade shape. Whatever it was, it drew me in like a moth to a flame, and I know that I am not the first to succumb to this emerald beauty. The 940 has been in Benchmade‘s catalog for well over a decade, and remains one of their most popular designs to this day. Needless to say, it is high time we gave this classic a thorough review.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The 940 (or “940 Osborne”) has an overall length of 7.87″, a 3.4″ blade, weighs 2.90 ounces, and is made in the USA. In my mind these are real nice numbers for EDC, and that is exactly how I have been using my 940.

But I can also appreciate how the 940 could go beyond a mere EDC item. With an almost 3.5″ blade and an equally generous handle, the 940 could easily be pressed into a self defense role (although I sincerely hope you will never need to use it that way). On the opposite end of the spectrum, the 940 is a beautiful and elegant knife. In many ways exemplifies a modern gentleman’s folder. This is a knife that would do just fine in a suit pocket, or carried on special occasions. So I really like the versatility of the 940. It is fancy enough to make for an upscale EDC, but is big enough to get a lot of work done.

The blade on the 940 is a reverse tanto design. Popularized by the 940’s designer, Warren Osborne, this unique blade shape is best known for providing a sturdy tip, although I think the main draw is just the unique aesthetics. Warren has designed a few reverse tanto models for Benchmade, including the Benchmade Rift and I have generally been impressed by them. This particular blade has been given a high flat grind, and features a swedge running across the top. The 3mm thick blade holds it’s thickness pretty much to the tip thanks to the reverse tanto design. This is an interesting blade shape, and I found it quite capable for all my daily tasks.

The 940 Osborne makes use of S30V for the blade steel, an excellent USA made stainless from the folks over at Crucible. I have spoken about S30V many times before, but as a quick recap S30V is widely regarded as one of the best high end steels commonly found on production knives. When properly heat treated S30V is known for good edge retention, high corrosion resistance, relatively easy sharpening, and a good level of toughness for daily use. I am a big fan of S30V and Benchmade always does a fantastic job with heat treating their blades. Treated to 58-60 HRC, this 940 was no exception.

Handle, Ergonomics and Pocket Clip

The handle on the 940 is where things start to get interesting. First you have the striking aluminum handles. These have been bead-blasted to an attractive matte finish, and then anodized a deep green. I absolutely love the texture of these handles. They aren’t particularly aggressive, but they aren’t slippery either – given the intended use I found it to be a nice balance. Sandwiched between the aluminum handles is a single piece of anodized purple titanium. This backspacer compliments the green handles nicely, and provides a good deal of visual interest.

As for actual construction, the 940’s handle is top notch. There are partial stainless steel liners, and they have been polished to a lustrous shine. I like how when you peer inside the knife the liners reflect the titanium backspacer. It is a little detail, but some times it’s the small stuff that gets you going. Everything has been screwed together with black hardware, and all the pieces line up perfectly. The overall fit and finish of this knife is exceptional.

In 2015 Benchmade released the 940-1, a premium version of the 940 with carbon fiber handles and a S90V blade. It’s a beautiful knife and well worth considering if you are a fan of the original 940. Check out our review of the 940-1 here.

In hand the 940 is surprisingly capable. I say “surprisingly” because at a glance we have a rather thin handle here. In practice I found the handle long enough to comfortably accept my larger hand, and the rows of jimping on both the thumb ramp and finger choil provide a good amount of grip. It is a comfortable knife in forward grips, and I can get some good work done with it. The 940 also works well in reverse grip, and in the closed position as well. Actually, when closed, the 940’s thin profile makes it an excellent choice as a kubotan – another nice option to have.

The pocket clip on the 940 Osborne is a standard Benchmade clip – the same kind you will find in models like their classic Griptilian and Mini Griptilian. I am a big fan of this style of clip. It is simple, sturdy, and works quite well. Benchmade drilled and tapped this model for ambidextrous tip up carry. In pocket the 940 carries wonderfully. Thin and lightweight, this is a knife that you forget you are carrying.

Here is your pocket clip shot:

Deployment and Lockup

The 940 makes use of a pair of ambidextrous thumb studs and an axis lock. Much like many of the other Benchmade knives that I have reviewed with this configuration, deployment on the 940 is extremely fast and smooth. The thumb studs are easy to access allowing you to flick the blade out with alarming speed and very little effort. Phosphor bronze washers aid in that regard, and the net result is reliable deployment in any situation.

Similarly, the axis lock on my knife has also been really well done. Lockup is tight with no blade play, yet the lock is easy to disengage with a single hand, and the blade rotates freely into the closed position. It is no secret I am a big fan of the axis lock, and the 940 is a great example of why. If true one hand operation is important to you (as a righty or a lefty) then I find the combination of thumb studs and an axis lock very tough to beat.

Benchmade 940 Osborne Review – Final Thoughts

The 940 combines excellent materials with smart design and wonderful fit and finish to produce an exceptional daily carry item. On paper this has always looked like an awesome knife, so I was very happy to find that the 940 was just as awesome in real life. Everything works, and it works well. The way I see it, the biggest potential downside here is that the knife isn’t particularly cheap, but for a made in the USA folder with these kinds of features, I actually think the price is quite reasonable.

But what about beyond the specifications? Do we really have a “perfect” EDC knife? I must admit, there is something special about this one. The 940 has really distinguished itself as a design and it has a little something extra that keeps me coming back. I don’t doubt that for many people this will be a perfect EDC knife.

Benchmade - Osborne 940 EDC Knife with Green 6061-T6 Aluminum Handle (940)

ALL-AROUND UTILITY: A quintessential EDC tool that combines simplicity with unmatched function, no matter the application; Ideal for pretty much everything.
AMERICAN MADE CPM-S30V STEEL: For first-rate edge retention and corrosion resistance; Reverse tanto blade is nimble, versatile, and made for the outdoors.
DURABLE 6061-T6 ALUMINUM HANDLE: Is anodized, fully ambidextrous, has a smooth satin grip, and is suitable for just about any environment that requires a blade.
AXIS LOCKING MECHANISM: Ensures safety and a smooth open and easy close; Standard reversible clip; Light as a feather for easy carrying and a comfortable grip.
EVERYDAY CARRY: With its slim profile and lightweight design, the 940 is the perfect addition to your EDC collection, backpack, survival kit, tackle box, and more.

I recommend purchasing the 940 at Amazon and BladeHQ. Buying anything through the links on this website earns BladeReviews a small commission at no additional cost to you. All proceeds generated are used to keep the site running. Thank you very much for your support.

Spyderco Lum Chinese Folder Review

by Dan Jackson 13 Comments

Last Updated: August 4, 2019
I have always enjoyed Bob Lum’s elegant approach to designing knives. I have previously reviewed a couple of Bob Lum’s creations, including the Spyderco Lum Tanto and the Benchmade Onslaught.

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The Lum Chinese Folder is another elegant knife, and in some ways it is even more special than his other designs. To start, I love the sheer simplicity of this knife. The Chinese Folder is a single graceful curve in the both open and closed positions. There is a real feeling of balance with this design, and it results in a knife that is both a pleasure to view and to hold.

Spyderco has released many versions of the Chinese Folder over the years, but what you are looking at in this review is one of the original versions of the knife, manufactured in 2000. Furthermore, this knife has been serialized. That designates it as part of Spyderco’s first manufacturing run, also known as a Spyderco “Collector’s Club” knife. So what we have here is a very special version of the Lum Chinese, and I couldn’t be more pleased to share it with you.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Lum Chinese Folder has an overall length of 7-3/16 inches, features a 3-5/32 inch blade, and weighs a mere 2.8 ounces. The Chinese Folder could work as an EDC knife, a gentleman’s folder, or simply a collectible. Either way the size-to-weight ratio of the knife is pretty wild. A sub 3-ounce carry weight on this relatively large and sturdy knife is incredible. And I have to say, the Chinese folder feels impossibly light in hand. If this all sounds a little too delicate, Spyderco also makes a large version coming in at a beefier 4.3 ounces.

The blade of the Chinese Folder is often referred to as “leaf shaped.” What we have here is a graceful arcing blade that has been given a full flat grind, and a very small swedge running pretty much the entire length of the spine. This is not only a pretty blade to look at, but it is highly functional as well. The Lum Chinese is an exceptional slicer with its full grind and 3mm thin blade. Speaking of thin, this blade is very thin behind the edge, and is a big part of what makes the knife cut so well.

My Lum Chinese is made in Seki City, Japan and features Japanese VG-10 for the blade. A stainless steel, VG-10 is easy to sharpen and is capable of taking a razor sharp edge. It is also highly resistant to corrosion. I am a big fan of VG-10, and think it is a natural choice for the Lum Chinese. Fans of higher performance steel may be interested to learn that the Lum Chinese has also been previously offered in ZDP 189 as well.

Handle, Ergonomics and Pocket Clip

The handle on my Chinese Folder is aluminum, and has been given a green almite coating. Almite is simply a type of finish for aluminum (like hard anodizing). Over the years Spyderco has released the Chinese Folder in a number of different handle materials including carbon fiber, various colors of aluminum, titanium, and G10. I happen to really like the dark green color of this knife. It’s a deep green, and from a collector’s perspective I find the unique color to be extremely intriguing. As for actual construction, my knife is screwed together. There is a black G10 backspacer, and a single steel liner. Overall, construction is lightweight, but solid.

In hand the Lum Chinese fits surprisingly well, but is not without it’s caveats. The curvature of the handle matches the contours of my palm and the knife is quite comfortable to hold. Despite this, I wouldn’t recommend the Chinese Folder for anything beyond medium duty. The aluminum handles are somewhat slippery and there is no thumb ramp, finger choil, or any kind of jimping. For light to medium use I think the ergonomics are quite alright, but lets be honest – this isn’t a knife you will want to take to war, or be in your pocket aboard a commercial fishing boat. I really don’t mind that as the knife market is already well saturated with those kinds of knives.

The pocket clip is a simple stainless steel Spyderco clip. It offers good retention and makes the knife easy to insert and remove from your pocket. For carry options you have the choice of right side tip-up or tip-down carry. All-in-all I really like the way the Lum Chinese carries, it’s extremely light and very thin. This is a knife you will forget is in your pocket.

Deployment and Lockup

The Chinese Folder features a 12mm thumb hole that is easily accessible from either side of the knife. The Chinese isn’t the fastest deploying knife in my collection, but it opens easily and feels very smooth. Thin phosphor bronze washers aid in deployment.

The Lum Chinese has a thin linerlock and it snaps open crisply. It’s a very satisfying sound from such a small knife. Lock engagement is early, and I detected no zero blade play. I know that the somewhat thin liner lock will disappoint some, but given the intended use I have found it to be quite adequate.

Spyderco Lum Chinese Folder Review – Final Thoughts

The Lum Chinese is a graceful knife that is a delight for all the senses. I have greatly enjoyed mine, and spend a fair amount of time admiring the clean lines, the beautiful handles, and the crisp action. The knife works, and it will certainly cut, but the form-over-function approach to the ergonomics keeps this knife from becoming a real user for me. That doesn’t mean I don’t like the knife, but I just want to “keep it real.” If I had to pick one EDC knife to take to the grave, then the Lum Chinese wouldn’t be it. But if I was looking to add an elegant and unique Spyderco to my collection, well, I’d be all over this one. I feel that the Chinese Folder is a very special knife, and it has been an absolute pleasure to spend some time with this gem of a folder.

At the time of this review the Lum Chinese Folder can be had in both a carbon fiber version and a large version in black G10. If you really like the knife then I recommend picking up a couple. Like my original green-handled beauty, you never know when the knife might slip out of production.

Spyderco Lum Chinese Folder – $139.95
Retail Price: $219.95
You Save: $80.00
from: BladeHQ

I recommend purchasing the Lum Chinese Folder at Amazon or BladeHQ. Thanks for checking out the review.