Folding Knives

Mcusta MC-1 Review

Nestled in the heart of Seki Japan, Mcusta has been a part of Japan’s renown knifemaking industry since 1964. Often compared to Solingen, Germany, Seki is a knife-nut’s dream. Rich in resources such as iron sand, charcoal and water, Seki has been the center of Japanese cutlery production for over 780 years.

Buy the Mcusta MC-1 at BladeHQ

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The odd thing is, when most American knife enthusiasts hear about Seki-City, Spyderco is often the first company to come to mind. Indeed, Spyderco has recently been producing some beautiful knives in Seki City, but their roots are 100% American. On the other hand, Mcusta’s roots run deep into the Seki-City soil, and the company has only recently arrived on to US market.

Today for your consideration is the Mcusta MC-1 series knife. This is actually their “Basic Series” folder although what you get is anything but basic. For those seeking a gentleman’s folder or a high end EDC option I highly recommend the MC-1. There are some interesting nuances that differentiate this knife from the typical “American Style” folder. Follow along as I share with you what I like so much about these simple Japanese blades.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The MC-1 has a 4.25″ handle, a 3.25″ blade, an overall length of 7.5″ and a weight of 3.4 ounces. To me these are almost ideal proportions perfect for EDC, and the knife is large enough to potentially be used as an emergency tactical knife (not recommended, but it’s better than nothing). The MC-1 features a plain edge drop point blade with a fine tip and a flat grind starting 3/4 of the way up the blade. This blade, like all of the metal components in Mcusta knives, is laser cut for a precision fit.

For blade material Mcusta gives you the option of solid VG-10 or the handsome laminated damascus and VG-10 option shown above. This laminated knife is actually a core of VG-10 sandwiched in between 2 pieces of 33 layer nickle damascus and heat-treated to a Rockwell hardness of 59-60. This results in a visually stunning blade that is also very functional. As far as the steel goes, I love VG-10, it’s a very tough steel that can get wicked sharp and has excellent edge retention. Some find it a bit of a chore to sharpen, but I have never had a problem unless I let the knife get way too dull.

Handle, Ergonomics and Pocket Clip

Mcusta offers a wide range of handle scale materials including micarta, Corian (an interesting option) and a variety of exotic hardwoods. The knife featured in this review has African Ebony scales and the photograph below shows some of the other options. These scales are fitted over more laser cut steel and are hand finished. The simple pillar construction is a clean look that allows for easy maintenance. The knife is bolted together so if you wanted to, you could take it completely apart for a full cleaning. I’ve noticed that the liners aren’t milled out, but at 3.4 ounces the weight of this knife is still more than acceptable to me.

As far as ergonomics are concerned the handles feature some deep finger grooves for comfort and control. These grooves provide good grip in both forward and reverse holds. One thing to notice is the distinct lack of jimping on the thumb ramp (to dismay of some I am sure). In fact, there isn’t much of a thumb ramp at all. For a classier knife, I don’t think you really need it, but Mcusta does make some other models with these features (I’ll be reviewing a tactical version soon) if you want something with a little more utility.

Pocket clips are almost always a source of issues and the MC-1 is no exception. The good news is that this clip is both sturdy and elegant. Also, the clip is positioned at the very top of the handle so the knife practically disappears into a pocket. The bad news is that the clip is absolutely not reversible and only accomidates tip down right pocket carry. Notches have been cut into the handle to accommodate this “low rider” clip so flipping it over for left pocket carry is simply not an option. This is disheartening for me and the other lefties out there, but thankfully Mcusta offers other knives with a reversible clip (better than nothing).

Deployment and Lockup

The MC-1’s blade is deployed with a flick of a thumb stud. Deployment is silky smooth thanks to a teflon washer system. Teflon is a departure from the phosphor bronze washers found in most high end knives, but the deployment is still incredibly fast. I haven’t heard of any issues (either short term or long) with these teflon washers. The blade is locked in place with a thick liner lock. This is a very solid liner lock that is capable of taking some abuse and there is zero play in the blade.

Mcusta MC-1 Review – Final Thoughts

One thing that needs to be commented on here is value. Depending on the materials you can pick buy a new MC-1 for as low as $90 and they top out at around $140. When you consider the materials and workmanship involved here this strikes me as an incredible value.

Also, I have to say that it’s been a while since I’ve been so moved by a knife. You really need to see one of these in person to understand where I am coming from. I’ll admit that I am a sucker for hardwood handles, but the simple design and beautiful craftsmanship really hits home with me.

Of course, the MC-1 isn’t without fault, and my main contention is the non-ambidextrous pocket clip. Others may like to see more jimping, milled liners and perhaps even phosphor bronze washers (I’m curious to see how the teflon washers will stand up to the test of time). I’ll concede that these are valid concerns however, lets not forget the purpose of this knife and also consider the potential differences in the Japanese knifemaking industry. My guess is that the physical disconnect between Mcusta and the American market is largely to blame.

In my Mcusta Tactility review I explore a knife that addresses some of my perceived issues with the MC-1.

Mcusta Basic MC-14DR Indian Rosewood Dasmascus w/Clip

I recommend purchasing the Mcusta MC-1 at BladeHQ or Amazon. BladeHQ has a great selection of Mcusta knives in general, and their customer service is bar none. Buying anything through any of the links on this site earns the site a small commission at absolutely zero additional cost to you. This is how I keep the site running. Thank you very much for any and all support.

Emerson CQC-7 Review

by Dan Jackson 8 Comments

Last Updated: October 3, 2016
Tactical knives are trendy, and it’s easy to get swept up in the latest trends. While I have seen a lot of great new knives come out recently, I’m still drawn to the classics… and you can’t talk about classic folding tactical knives without mentioning Emerson Knives.

Buy the CQC-7 at BladeHQ

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In fact, many credit Ernest Emerson with the original folding tactical knife and his decades of work as a custom knifemaker has brought numerous innovations to the industry. Thankfully, Emerson produces a line of production knives that puts his rugged designs within the grasp of the common man (his custom pieces are crazy expensive – if you can even find one for sale). One knife that showcases a lot of what Emerson Knives is all about is the Emerson CQC7. The CQC-7 is also the subject of today’s review.

“CQC” stands for “close quarter combat” and “7” identifies the model in this distinctive series of knives. The CQC-7 was actually based off of Emerson’s CQC-6 design (which is only available as a custom piece) and was licensed out to Benchmade in 1994. After that license expired, Emerson began producing the knife in his own factory. My point here is, this knife has been around the block. It’s a simple and brutally effective tool.

Over the years Emerson has produced a variety of sizes and styles of the CQC-7. I’ll be examining the standard CQC-7 with a 154CM combo edge, G10 scales, Emerson wave (more on that later) and a titanium liner lock.

Intended Use

The CQC-7 is fully intended to be a combat knife. The name alone should be enough to tell you that this knife is designed for up close, last resort, hand-to-hand combat, but I’ll be going into what specifically makes this a weapon. That said, you could also EDC this knife. Aside from its size, it has some interesting nuances that might dissuade you from wanting to carry this knife every day, but I know a lot of people who love the CQC-7 and use it for every day tasks.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The CQC-7 has an overall length of 8.0″, a blade length of 3.3″, a weight of 4.0 ounces and is made in the USA. The CQC-7 comes in a couple blade shapes. I’m reviewing the version with the tanto blade shape (CQC-7B) although you can also opt for a drop point version (the CQC-7A) in various finishes. The tanto shape has an inherently strong tip which makes the knife ideal for stabbing and thrust cuts – the kinds of cuts you would be performing in a defensive situation. A downside to the tanto is that I find it harder to sharpen.

There are 2 very interesting features about the CQC-7 blade that I need to talk about; the wave and the chisel grind.

The Emerson Wave Feature

The Emerson wave is a small protruding piece of metal on the top of the blade (back by the thumb disk) designed for rapid one hand deployment of the knife. It works by catching the wave on the edge of your pocket and forcing the knife open. Operated correctly wave deployment is the fastest way to open up a folding knife. If I did a poor job explaining the wave feature here is a video. (I didn’t film this so don’t blame me if the music isn’t exactly your thing.)

The wave is a great feature if fast deployment is your thing. Other knife manufacturers employ a wave feature but Emerson is the original. One thing to keep in mind is that you have to be careful deploying a knife like this in public because it snaps open so quickly – the average person probably hasn’t seen anything like it.

Chisel Grind

The other major feature with the blade is that it is chisel ground. For those unfamiliar with a chisel grind, it’s exactly what it sounds like – the knife is sharpened on one side only like a chisel, and the “back” of the blade is completely flat. Emerson apparently has their reasons for doing this including that it is easier to sharpen, holds an edge longer, and it has become something of a trademark for them. If you hunt around they do make knives in the more common “V” grind, but the CQC-7 I am reviewing does not have this kind of grind. One issue with the chisel grind is that it is hard to get a straight cut, the blade tends to drift towards the chisel side of the knife. If you are going to use this knife for long and precise cuts you may want to consider a version with the “V” grind.

Blade Steel

Emerson went with CPM-154CM steel for the blade. Benchmade uses a lot of 154CM and it is an all around excellent steel. That said, when you consider the price of this knife new (in the $120 range) a lot of people like to see more exotic steels. Honestly, this is another point that I will leave for you to consider. Of course I would like to see a more exotic steel but I think 154CM is very good. I certainly wouldn’t make it into a deal-breaker.

Handle, Ergonomic,s and Pocket Clip

The handle of the CQC-7 is made of G-10 scales over titanium liners. The handle has a glass laminate backspacer and is held together with phillips screws. I always prefer the pillar, or flow-through, construction knives but I know that this knife was meant to be tough so a partial backspacer makes sense as it probably affords more rigidity. I also think that titanium was an excellent choice for the liners. It is both strong and light and is a big part of what keeps this full size folder nice and light. The phillips screws are an interesting touch. Emerson reportedly uses phillips screws for easy take-down in the field – it’s a little different and I like it.

The ergonomics on the CQC-7 is where this knife really shines. The handle is spacious and the edges are perfectly contoured to meet the hand. The G10 is nicely textured to provide good grip. There is some jimping on the large thumb ramp as well as the choil although the thumb ramp jimping is still pretty smooth. This knife feels great in both forward and reverse grips and is built like a tank. These are major concerns for a fighting knife so it’s no surprise that “the original tactical knife” has great ergonomics and solid construction.

The pocket clip is superb if you are right handed. It is blackened, and has great retention. Unfortunately, the clip is not ambidextrous. In my opinion this is a major misstep. Also, the clip isn’t reversible from top to bottom so you are left with tip up carry only. If you are right handed and want to use the wave feature this should be fine, but for everyone else the non-positional clip leaves something to be desired.

Deployment and Lock

The CQC-7 has two main deployment options, the wave and the thumb disk. I’ve already spoke at length about the wave method of deployment and there isn’t a whole lot to say about the thumb disk. It is a disk that sits on top of the blade and functions like a thumb stud. It is big and the edges are ridged and provides a lot of room for you to easily deploy the knife with your thumb. I like the thumb disk, and with a little practice it becomes very natural to open the CQC-7.

The pivot screw of the CQC-7 is actually a flat head screw. This is another departure from most “normal” folding knives where you will find a torx or allen head pivot screw. Again, Emerson selected this for ease of take down in the field. I find the slot of the screw to be a little thin and impractical, but if you had to take this knife apart in the field it could be done.

Emerson selected a titanium liner lock for the CQC-7. The lock is adequately thick and does a good job holding the blade in place with zero play in any direction. That said, for a combat knife you might want something more substantial like a frame lock, axis lock or even a lock back. Knifemakers are raising the bar and I have reviewed a number of knives with solid titanium frame locks. The CQC-7 might be a little behind the times here although I think if Emerson added a frame lock it would probably push the price right up to the $200 mark.

Emerson CQC-7 Review – Final Thoughts

After handling a number of production blades, I can safely say that the CQC-7 is a really unique folding knife. The wave feature, chisel grind, and nuances in design and construction make this a “love it or leave it” type of blade. Some guys only carry Emerson knives while others have had a few and decided to trade or sell them off.

Personally, the quality and history behind the knives intrigues me but I am somewhat turned off by the chisel grind, relatively high price tag, and especially the non-ambidextrous pocket clip. That said, Emerson does make dedicated lefty models and there is plenty left to appreciate about this knife. The rugged design, solid build quality, and details that make an Emerson, well, an Emerson continue to please a large number of tactical knife enthusiasts.

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I recommend purchasing the CQC-7 at Amazon or BladeHQ. BladeHQ has a great selection of CQC-7s and their prices are very competitive. Purchasing anything through any of the links on this site helps support BladeReviews at no additional charge to you. Any and all support is greatly appreciated – thank you very much.

Photo Credits: Many thanks to Mr. Smashy for the great pictures of the CQC-7. Thanks again Smashy!

Please note that these pictures are actually of the Mini CQC-7 but the knives look very similar (with the only difference being the overall size of the knives).

Spyderco Sage 2 Review

by Dan Jackson 14 Comments

Last Updated: August 2, 2019
Today I am looking at another beautiful knife, the Spyderco Sage 2. The Sage series is designed to pay homage to various pioneers in the knifemaking industry and to recognize some of the talented custom knifemakers that have helped re-define pocket knives.

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The Sage 1 pays homage to knifemaker Michael Walker who invented the liner lock and features carbon fiber scales while the Sage 2 focuses on knifemaker Chris Reeve’s Reeve Integral Lock (or frame lock). For those unfamiliar with Chris Reeve Knives (CRK), his “semi-production” knives are considered to be the holy grail among many knife enthusiasts. They are beautiful pieces and are quite pricey. What appeals to me about the Sage 2 is that you get a lot of what makes the CRK so desirable at a fraction of the cost.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Sage 2 has an overall length of 7 1/8″, a 3″ blade, and weighs of 3.5 ounces. These are great numbers in my opinion. The Sage 2 packs a lot into a small and lightweight package. This is an ideal size for every day carry, and the Sage 1 has proven itself to be one of my all time favorite EDC knives. The Sage 2 is just as carryable and makes for a great upscale EDC. The Sage 2 is made in Taichung Taiwan.

The blade is 1/8″ thick which is nice and beefy, it makes for a stout knife which is still light and agile. Spyderco went with their classic leaf shaped blade, with the full flat grind that many people love. The full flat grind is beautiful and makes this knife a great slicer.

Spyderco selected CPM S30V for the blade steel. Back when I first penned this review in 2011, S30V was a high end steel. Today (late 2016), S30V has lost some of its luster next to steels like S35VN, CTS-XHP, and even more exotic steels like M390, but this is still serviceable steel. It’s a little more brittle than I would like, and can be difficult to sharpen at times, but it’s still reasonably easy to sharpen and holds a good edge. It’s a good steel, but admittedly not a great steel. I’d like to see Spyderco update the Sage series to S35VN at some point.

Handle, Ergonomics and Pocket Clip

The handle is where the Sage 2 really shines. It is made of 2 thick slabs of titanium and is held together by 3 torx bolts. I really like the simplicity of the handle. The titanium keeps this knife lightweight and is nicely finished. The flow through construction and easy disassembly are two other features that I love. They make this an easy knife to clean and maintain.

The ergonomics are also very nice. The handle length is only 4 3/16″ however the jimping on the thumb ramp and choil allow you to choke up real close to the blade. Like most Spyderco knives I have held the Sage 2 feels good in hand and will make an excellent user for someone looking at a high end working knife or EDC item. The handle edges are also well finished with no sharp edges or “hot spots.”

The pocket clip is the Spyderco wire clip. I think that this is a great pocket clip design because it is simple, strong and easy to conceal. Some people do not like the wire clip. I think those people are nuts, but there is plenty of room for multiple opinions.

The retention of the pocket clip is perfect and the deep carry nature of the clip makes the knife almost disappear in pocket. Spyderco designed this knife tip up carry only however the clip is ambidextrous. For me this isn’t a problem although I understand that sometimes people prefer tip down. If that is your desire Spyderco makes plenty of knives with that feature. I tend to prefer blackened clips as it makes them even more discreet, but I can see how that might spoil the aesthetics of the Sage 2.

Deployment and Lock

Deployment on the Sage 2 is a breeze with the standard Spyder-hole and phosphor bronze bushings. The blade moves with very little effort from your thumb and the sound the knife makes when it locks is very fun and satisfying. With the Caly 3 (and other lockback knives) I noticed it takes some effort to flick the blade out but the Sage is practically effortless. That said, retention is still good, it’s not like the blade is falling out of the handle – it’s only once you give it that initial push that you get the incredibly smooth deployment.

Now, the lock is really the first thing I wanted to talk about (since the entire knife is designed to showcase the lock) but I try to keep a method to the madness here and like to do my reviews “in order” so my regular readers know where to find exactly what they are looking for. The Chris Reeve’s designed framelock is a beast and is among the strongest locks you can buy. The lock’s strength lies in its simplicity. The entire titanium handle locks the blade in place.

I am left handed and this is not a left handed knife. That said, this knife is still easy to disengage with my left hand although I would love to see a dedicated lefty version some day.

Spyderco Sage 2 Review – Final Thoughts

The Sage 2 is an excellent knife and a worthy successor to the Sage 1. The materials, fit, and finish are top notch and the design is pure Spyderco. The retail price for the Sage 2 is around $175. I know for some that will be too much money to spend on a knife, but when you compare that to the other titanium frame lock knives on the market (including Hinderer, Strider, and Chris Reeve Knives) the Sage 2 offers a compelling value proposition. Granted, the Sage 2 is made overseas, but Spyderco’s Taiwanese knives are all excellent. There is not a single manufacturing flaw with the knife and I am extremely impressed with the level of fit and finish. I can’t think of another titanium framelock out there that can touch the value and performance of the Spyderco Sage 2 except for perhaps the Boker Urban Trapper.

If you are in the market for a titanium frame lock knife, but aren’t ready to shell out the big bucks for Chris Reeve, or similar offering, then I can absolutely recommend the Spyderco Sage 2. The Sage 2, along with the Sage 1, are some of my all time favorite EDC knives. These are top shelf knives that can both be had for a reasonable amount of money.

Spyderco Sage2 Titanium PlainEdge Knife

Deep-pocket wire clip for left or right hand carry
Closed Length (Inches): 4.19, Overall Length (Inches): 7.19, Blade Length (Inches):3, Blade Steel: CPM S30V, Grind: Full-Flat
A spear-point shaped, full-flat ground CPM S30V blade
All screw constructed titanium handle
Michael Walker Linerlock with ball bearing detent

I recommend purchasing the Spyderco Sage 2 at ]Amazon, or BladeHQ.

Benchmade 710 Review

by Dan Jackson 23 Comments

Last Updated: December 29, 2018

I recently reviewed the Benchmade Griptilian, a model I consider to be a classic Benchmade knife. The Benchmade 710 is another one of those classic Benchmade knives.

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The 710 was designed by knife makers Bill McHenry and Jason Williams. This is a father and stepson team that invented the Axis lock. They subsequently and then sold the rights to the Axis lock to Benchmade. Benchmade asked McHenry & Williams to design a knife to feature this new locking mechanism and the 710 is what they came up with. The 710 is the first Benchmade knife to ever feature the Axis lock.

Since it’s introduction the 710 has received a lot of praise. Most notably the 710 earned the Shooting Industry Magazine’s Knife of the Year Award after it was introduced in 1999.

Needless to say both the 710 and the Axis lock went on to become big hits, and now more than a decade later both the knife and the locking system are still wildly popular among users and enthusiasts alike.

General Dimensions and Blade Detail

The 710 is on the large side. The overall length is 8.8″ with a 3.9″ blade, a blade thickness of .115″ and a weight of 4.5 ounces. Obviously this is not a feather light every day carry (EDC) blade. Personally I find this more of a “nights and weekends carry” when I can carry a bigger knife. That said I know plenty of people EDC the 710.

The blade is a modified clip point shape with an elegant unsharpened swedge that comes to a fine point, ideal for piercing and thrust cuts. The edge has a slight recurve which helps with draw cuts and allows the already long blade to perform like a slightly larger knife. The 710 has a hollow grind which begins high on the blade and makes this an excellent slicer.

Benchmade went with D2 steel for the blade. D2 is a “semi-stainless” high carbon tool steel known for its toughness and edge retention. Benchmade has heat treated the blade to a rockwell hardness of 60-62 which is quite hard, especially before the introduction of super steels like S90V. The nice thing about D2 is that it can actually handle this kind of hardness without becoming brittle and chippy.

One potential issue with D2 is because it is such a hard and tough steel it is more difficult to sharpen. The recurve doesn’t help. This is the kind of knife that you will want to maintain regularly. Allowing this knife to get completely dull will make it difficult to resharpen without diamond stones. I would recommend a Spyderco Sharpmaker with diamond rods to maintain this knife. While I am able to keep a decent edge on my 710, I readily acknowledge that it is not the easiest knife to sharpen.

Another potential issue is corrosion. Like all steels, D2 can rust. D2 has a high chromium content, which helps to prevent rust, but there is not enough chromium to classify it as a stainless steel. D2 is comprised of approximately 12% chromium, and a stainless steel is usually classified as 13% or above. This is why D2 is often referred to as a “semi-stainless” steel. Regular cleaning and a little preventative maintenance will go a long way to combating issues with corrosion. However, you can see in the pictures of my knife some patina and staining that has formed.

Handle, Ergonomics and Pocket Clip

The 710 has a G10 and stainless steel handle with a Fiberglass Reinforced Nylon (FRN) backspacer. The 410 stainless steel liners have been skeletonized to reduce the weight and the machined G10 is very handsome. Generally, I like the handle a lot, although I do have some criticisms. First of all, I prefer open (pillar) construction with my handles. It makes the knife much easier to clean so to see a FRN backspacer here is a bit of a disappointment. That said, this isn’t a deal breaker and ultimately what we have here is a very strong handle.

What may be more concerning is the texturing on the G10 handle. The texturing is not that aggressive and the handle can become slippery when wet. On a tactical knife, this bothers me. Also, there isn’t a finger choil, which again can compromise the integrity of your grip. The McHenry and Williams flared the handle (in both the thumb ramp and finger choil area), this does help the grip, even in the absence of any functional jimping (which is typical for Benchmade and not an issue for me). If you are seriously considering the 710 as a weapon, I would try one out in person before committing the $140+ this knife retails for.

That said, the handle feels great with it’s rounded edges and lightly textured scales. For an EDC / user knife, the handle will be adequate for most purposes. I imagine Benchmade went with a slightly less grippy texturing to give the knife a more refined look and in order to appeal to a wider audience.

The pocket clip is a standard blackened Benchmade clip. The 710 allows for ambidextrous tip up carry. Some might lament the lack of a “4 corners” pocket clip, but personally, I only use tip up anyways so this is not a big deal (I’d love to hear some comments if this is truly an issue for you). The knife rides low in the pocket, with about a half inch of the handle poking out of the top. For me, this is perfect. I like something to grip onto when I am trying to pull the knife from my pocket.

Deployment and Lock

Not a whole lot needs to be said here, the deployment and lock of the 710 is excellent. This is largely due to the Axis lock and Benchmade’s stellar quality control. If I was writing this review back when the 710 first came out, this probably would have been the longest part of the review, but the Axis lock has been proven and I have written at length about it.

Just to cover a couple points however, the axis lock on the 710 is as smooth as butter. The knife has beefy phosphor bronze bushings which provide a low friction environment to allow the blade to fly out when deployed. With a little practice this knife can deploy almost as fast as an automatic. The lockup is very solid with out any play. I’ll also say the blade retention on this knife is also very good so you don’t need to worry about it accidentally opening in your pocket.

Benchmade 710 Review – Final Thoughts

The Benchmade 710 is a true workhorse of a knife. I have put my 710 through a lot over the years, and it has never failed me. It’s large and comfortable handle matches up to an equally large and sharp blade. The end result is a tool that is ideally suited for outdoorsmen, law enforcement, and military personnel. I enjoy the simplicity of the 710. It sort of reminds me of Glock handguns. It’s not a fancy design, but it works, and it forged the way for many excellent Benchmade knives featuring the axis lock.

With that said, the 710 is far from perfect. D2 steel was probably a great choice back when this knife first came out, but these days there are better options. Also the recurve makes this knife more difficult to sharpen. The recurve adds subtle elegance to the 710, but I’d be willing to sacrifice some classiness for ease of sharpening. Finally, the texturing on the handle is a little weak. For a work knife I’d like to see grippier G10.

The 710 is a classic with much deserved reputation. This is a design that has stood the test of time, and is still an excellent knife after all these years. At the end of the day, the 710 it cuts well and feels good in the hand. What else do you need from a big folding knife? If you are a fan of folding tactical knives, then you should check out the 710 at some point. This modern classic still gets the job done.

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I recommend purchasing the 710 from Amazon and BladeHQ. Buying anything through any of the links on this website earns BladeReviews.com a small commission (at absolutely no cost to you) and helps support the site. Any and all support is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.

Boker SubCom Review

by Dan Jackson 17 Comments

Last Updated: September 16, 2019
Boker has recently done some great collaborations with custom knife makers (like the previously reviewed Boker Eskelibur). The Boker SubCom is another collaborative effort, this time with designer Chad Los Banos. A native of Hawaii, Chad has done a lot of really cool collaborations with production knife companies and the SubCom is no exception.

Buy the Boker Subcom at BladeHQ

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In fact, the Subcom has proven so popular that it has spawned a number of variations, including fixed blade versions, rescue versions and several other blade shapes and finishes (including the sweet special edition Subcom Titan that is also pictured – a titanium handled version w/ a 440C blade). I liked the idea of the Subcom Titan so much that I picked up both version of my review. I’ll be comparing the two models throughout both this written review and the video.

Purpose

As far as uses for this knife go, the SubCom can fill a variety of needs. I often see the SubCom advertised as a “money clip knife” and I have also read accounts of people carrying this knife as a defensive tool (as a last ditch “cats claw” type knife for when the S really HTF). Personally, I think it is best suited as a backup knife. The Subcom is very easy to conceal and it has a look that is very non-threatening which is great for using around people so it could also be a good option for EDC.

Dimensions and Blade Details

The SubCom has an overall length of 4 1/2″ a blade length of 1 7/8″ and a weight of 2.5 ounces (2.3 ounces for the Subcom Titan). Honestly, 2.5 ounces seems a bit hefty for a sub 2″ blade, but when you figure that this knife has a stainless steel frame lock (and a full steel liner) it starts to make sense.

The blade is an interesting drop point shape. The 2mm thick blade steel and the high hollow grind make this knife perform a lot like a razor, and the deep belly gives you a lot of utility when you consider the overall length of the blade. The tip is fairly stout and isn’t designed to maximize penetration. I like this blade shape because it packs plenty of utility and offers the cutting performance of a slightly larger knife.

Boker selected AUS8 for the Subcom’s blade steel and 440C for the Subcom Titan it’s a decent selection. If I had a choice I prefer 440C slightly over AUS8, but really both are decent mid range steels and are nice to see when you consider the overall price of the knives.

Handle, Ergonomics and Pocket Clip

The handle on the regular SubCom is a FRN scale over a stainless steel liner. For the SubCom Titan you have a titanium scale with no liner. Both knives have a stainless steel framelock on the opposite side. Everything is screwed together on both knives and they both feature pillar construction.

Ergonomics on the Subcom are decent – not outstanding. First of all, you are only going to get a 3 finger grip on that knife. Given the size, that is fine and the Subcom actually fills the hand pretty well given how wide the handle is. Also, there is also a ton of jimping on this knife. Jimping on the thumb ramp and finger choil provide for extra traction where you need it, but I found the jimping on the butt of the handle to be a little overkill. The extra jimping and the sharp corners of the knife are uncomfortable under any kind of vigorous use, and I would not recommend the knife for extended cutting tasks. Truth be told, if you are looking for a small knife with excellent ergonomics, I suggest the Spyderco Dragonfly.

The pocket clip is large and is almost centered in the handle. It has good retention and rides low. The clip is reversible for tip up or tip down carry, but it is not ambidextrous. As far as carry goes, this is a very slim and light knife, and I found it carried really well with the supplied pocket clip. The nice thing with a knife like this is that it is small enough so that it could double as a money clip, or you could remove the clip entirely and just slip the knife into a bag or pocket.

Also, as you probably noticed in the pictures, there is a lanyard hole. I think a lanyard is a great idea for this knife – especially if you are going to throw it in a bag or pocket.

Deployment and Lock

The SubCom has some half-moon shaped thumb studs which look good and allow you to get some good leverage on the blade. That said, they are plastic and are kinda cheap. I’ve heard reports of them breaking off because apparently they are glued together. I would prefer something that screws together (like the metal thumbstuds on the Boker Subcom Titan). The good news is that if they do break off you are left with a decent sized hole which is perfect for your fingernail and still allows for easy deployment – kind of like a mini spyder-hole.

As far as speed goes, I was never able to master the deployment on either of my SubComs. I know some people can really flick these out, but I’m not one of those people. I think there is a bit of a sweet spot with these special thumb studs. I guess I lack the dexterity to really make the most of them. Actual deployment was fairly smooth.

Both the Subcom and the Titan use a stainless steel framelock. Lockup is early and tight. It should be more than adequate for EDC and light utility tasks.

Boker SubCom Review – Final Thoughts

The Boker SubCom is a polarizing knife. Some people love it, others could easily live without it. In my opinion it is going to depend a lot of what you want to use the knife for. To me this would never work as a main EDC knife. The ergonomics don’t don’t support extended cutting. For a small EDC knife, I really suggest a Dragonfly.

But if you are looking for a light use knife, a backup knife, or perhaps a money clip knife, then I think the SubCom is worth considering. It is an interesting design, and it’s fine if you need something for light duty.

If I had to chose between the SubCom and the Subcom Titan I would absolutely go for the titanium version. It’s only a few dollars more and you get a much lighter knife with metal thumb studs. In my mind, those upgrades are well worth the slight premium in price.

Boker Plus 01BO589 Subcom Folder Knife with 1 7/8 in. AUS-8 Stainless Steel Blade

Blade is bead blasted AUS-8 stainless steel
Thumb and palm index ramps provide for a secure grip
Reversible pocket clip
Overall length: 4 ½ in. Lightweight, only 2.5 oz.
Limited Lifetime Warranty

Boker Plus Subcom Titan Knife

Open Overall Length-Inch: 4.5
Blade Length: 1.875
Blade Edge: Plain
Handle Material: Titanium
Closed Overal-Inch: 2.625

I recommend purchasing the Boker SubCom at Amazon.com or BladeHQ. Thanks for reading.

Spyderco Endura Review

by Dan Jackson 15 Comments

Last Updated: July 14, 2019
The Spyderco Endura is a knife that you won’t fully appreciate until you hold it in your hand. I remember when I first saw this blade at a local gun show. I had heard a lot about the Endura from friends and on various knife communities but it didn’t click until I picked it up and flicked it open. This knife has a 3.75″ blade, yet it is deceptively thin and light.

Buy the Spyderco Endura at BladeHQ

Buy on Amazon

Spyderco has had the Endura in its catalog for decades, and the latest version features several refinements over its predecessors, and is offered in a variety of handle colors. As a lover of large EDC knives the Endura spoke to me, and it wasn’t long before I had one in my pocket.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Spyderco Endura has a 3.75″ blade, a total length of 8.75″, weighs of 3.6 ounces, and is made in Japan. The appeal to the Endura is that it is a large knife, but is still lightweight and pocketable. You can use this as an Every Day Carry (EDC) knife, although I prefer its little brother the Spyderco Delica or the Dragonfly II for suburban EDC.

Here is a size comparison with the Delica:

The Endura features a long slender blade. It’s a pretty simple drop point shape, perhaps the biggest detail is that Spyderco has produced the 4th generation Endura with a full flat grind. A full flat grind is when the knife is one continuous grind from the spine down to the secondary bevel (the bevel that the edge sits on). Full flat grinds are very common in kitchen knives because they are so effective at slicing. The Endura is a great slicer, and the long slim blade is also good at penetrating soft targets. However, you will want to take care with the tip as it is fairly thin.

Spyderco selected VG-10 for this edition of the Endura. In my opinion, this was a decent choice. VG-10 is a Japanese steel that sharpens easily, offers good edge retention, and has great corrosion resistance. There are many higher end steels on the market these days, but given the price of the knife and its intended use as a working tool, I think VG10 was a reasonable choice here.

Handle Design, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The Endura has a handle made of fiberglass reinforced nylon (FRN) with nested steel liners that have been milled to reduce weight. Generally, I like the FRN handle, it keeps the knife light, is comfortable, and comes in a variety of colors, including blue, white, gray, green, brown, orange and yes, even camo. I will say that it isn’t the strongest handle design, even with the steel liners, and that is probably my biggest issue with the FRN Endura. But for light to medium use, the Endura handle should hold up well and provide the user a lot of use.

Ergonomics on the Endura are good. It’s a long knife so you have plenty of room for multiple styles of forward and reverse grips. You can set you hand back on the knife to maximize reach, or choke up and make use of the well jimped thumb ramp for detail work. The FRN has rounded and contoured corners that work well with the aggressively textured flats. The texture is Spyderco’s proprietary “bi-directional texturing” and allows for a firm grip in almost any condition. All in all, the Endura has a solid handle design backed by smart ergonomics.

The Endura has a well implemented pocket clip. It’s a standard Spyderco spoon style clip, and it has been given a black coating. The clip rides decently low and offers good retention in the pocket. I especially like how the clip can be mounted on any of the 4 corners of the knife. This is truly a well done ambidextrous pocket clip.

Deployment and Lock

The Spyderco Endura makes use of a large 13mm thumb hole for deployment. Fans of thumb holes will no doubt be very satisfied with the one on the Endura. The “Spyder Hole” is well placed and provides lots of room for your thumb. My knife opens easily with the flick of a thumb thanks to the smart design and low friction phosphor bronze washers. Spyderco also makes a waved version of the knife, so if you like that kind of deployment you could consider the waved version.

The Endura utilizes a lock back to lock the blade in place. The knife I am reviewing began developing some blade play after months of daily carry. Today the bladeplay can be removed if the pivot is tightened down further, but it makes the deployment more difficult. Having done some research I’ve concluded that slight amounts of up and down blade play are not uncommon on the Endura.

I think this is due to the design of the knife. When you have a knife as long and as lightweight as the Endura with FRN scales and nested liners, it’s just not going to be able to hold up to hard use as well as other designs. If you are looking for a more hard use folder from Spyderco, I recommend checking out the Paramilitary 2.

Speaking of the Para 2, here it is next to the Endura:

Spyderco Endura Review – Final Thoughts

The Spyderco Endura has been a staple in Spyderco’s lineup for decades, and with good reason. This is a knife that is easy enough to carry every day, but big enough to be used as a serious tool or defensive option. Like with many of Spyderco’s offerings the company has been slowly refining it’s designs to improve their products and meet consumer demands. The current iteration of the Endura features an attractive full flat ground blade, a removable 4 position pocket clip, and it comes in a number of different handle colors. These are nice improvements on an already solid design that is based around Spyderco’s philosophy of making useful tools that can be appreciated every day.

I like pretty much everything about the Endura. The materials and fit and finish are both very good, I love how everything is fully ambidextrous, and the choice of handle color is fun. Generally speaking the Endura is a well thought out knife that gets the job done. Spyderco has massaged this design over the years and it remains a classic choice among enthusiasts. Although there are a lot more “gee whiz” options out there today with super steels and fancy materials, the Endura remains a no-nonsense choice for a larger EDC or tactical offering.

My only real gripe is that there is a potential for blade play to develop. For that reason I don’t recommend the Endura as a hard use tool, but rather as a light to medium use EDC knife. If you want a larger EDC or folding tactical knife that is slim and light weight, then the Endura should be high on your list of knives to consider.

Spyderco Endura 4 Lightweight Signature Knife with 3.80" VG-10 Steel Blade and Purple FRN Handle - PlainEdge - C10FPPR

Front-Runner: The Endura 4 sets the standard as one of the best-selling folding knives ever made. All members of the Endura 4 family include a four-position clip, a high-strength back lock mechanism, and Trademark Round Hole.
Wide Spectrum of Handle Colors: Whether you enjoy bright colors or neutrals, our Endura 4 Flat Ground knives are designed to suit every taste. We offer Black, Blue, Green, Gray, Orange, Purple, Zome Green and Brown.
Light and Durable: This Endura handle is fabricated with Fiberglass Reinforced Nylon. FRN is a polymer mixed with glass fiber that is injection molded and formed into a sleek textured handle, creating a lightweight yet high-strength knife handle.
Low Friction: This knife features a blade ground with flat bevels that extend from the spine all the way to the cutting edge. This grind reduces drag during cutting and decreases overall weight.
A Secure Grip: To provide a non slip grip, these knives are molded with our patented pattern, Bi-Directional Texturing. This texture pattern consists of opposing graduated steps radiating outward from the center of the handle.

If you would like to buy a Spyderco Endura, I recommend purchasing it at Amazon.com or BladeHQ. Please consider that buying anything through any of the links on this website helps support BladeReviews.com, and keeps the site going. As always, any and all support is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.