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Benchmade Volli Review

Last Updated: July 27, 2019
I’m not sure how to put this delicately, so I’ll just come out and say it: Benchmade hasn’t done a whole lot of exciting stuff in 2013, and it has resulted in a lack of reviews on new Benchmade knives. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but the lack of cool new stuff to examine makes for boring blogging.

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One 2013 Benchmade has been on my radar for some time, and that is the Volli. It hasn’t gotten a lot of attention, probably because it appears to be some sort of a rehash between the Griptilian and Barrage, but again that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. And frankly there is a lot to like here. In the time I’ve spent testing out the Volli I’ve found it to be a very functional and practical knife. We sometimes overlook those qualities as the industry focuses more and more on big names and exotic materials, but I still think there is room in many people’s pockets for a robust EDC/tactical knife without a lot of frills or hype.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Volli runs the gamut from an urban EDC to a “tactical” pocket knife depending on where your needs and preferences lie. For me, it’s more of a nights and weekends knife than a true daily carry, but for many I’m sure it would do well as an EDC. It has a feature set that I would think appeals to the law enforcement / military crowd, and I’m sure Benchmade also had those types of users in mind when they put this knife together.

The drop point blade is clean and simple with a high flat grind, and fine tip. My model comes in a bright satin finish although they do offer a black coated version as well. The grind lines are crisp and the knife came wickedly sharp out of the box. This is a simple drop point pattern but it has been done right.

The blade is S30V, a steel that I haven’t always been a huge fan of despite it’s popularity and billing as a premium knife steel. In practice I’ve found that S30V has a reluctance to take a really fine edge, especially on a couple Spydercos that I own, and I’ve sometimes dismissed it as more trouble than it’s worth. Well, I’m pleased to say that whatever Benchmade did with the S30V on my Volli, they really did it right. This is one of the nicest S30V blades I have owned.

The Volli came screaming sharp out of the box, which is always nice, but more importantly I’ve been able to keep that screaming edge with some judicious stropping. The knife has proven itself to be a really capable cutter. As always, I did test this knife thoroughly. I went through a great deal of 1/2″ sissal rope without any problem – it was almost comical how easily it cut through the rope. Eventually the edge slowed down, but I was able to quickly bring it back with my strop. Same went for wood and cardboard – it cut large amounts of both with no problem. This is because of the relatively (2.5mm) thin blade stock and the nice lean grind. 2.5mm isn’t alarmingly thin but many EDC blades (like my Spyderco Sage 1 – also in S30V) comes in at 3mm. While some may find the thinner stock a turn off, I like it because the knife cuts, and it cuts damn well.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The handle of the Volli is G10 over full skelotonized stainless steel liners. Probably the first thing you will notice is the heavy texturing to the handle, but it’s also important to point out that it has a full plastic backspacer and you can’t access the pivot without taking off the display side scale. Construction is sturdy. All the parts line nicely while corner of the handle has been broken to accommodate your hand. There is a small unobtrusive lanyard hole and all the hardware is of the torx variety.

Ergonomically, this is a straight forward and practical handle design. Relative to something like the Griptilian this is a thin handle, but there is still plenty there to fill your palm and all the corners are nicely contoured. I found it to be comfortable, even under hard use. There isn’t any jimping, which is fine in my book. I was able to really bear down on the knife when carving and cutting and I didn’t notice any major hotspots. Much like the simple blade shape this is a practical handle, and I found it to largely be a pleasure to work with.

The pocket clip is Benchmade’s classic split arrow clip. This time it has been configured for ambidextrous tip up carry. The aggressive texture to the G10 means this knife will destroy your pockets if you aren’t careful (you will never find me carrying this with slacks), and that may be my greatest gripe. I understand that there is a fine line when designing a knife like this, and you don’t want something that offers no grip at all. Aside from the pant shredding texture the Volli carries well. This is a classic pocket clip and it holds the knife securely and discretely.

Deployment and Lockup

The Volli takes advantage of Benchmade’s axis assisted opening technology. It snaps opens quickly with the brush of a thumb. An assisted opening knife is mostly a novelty for me, but I can see the advantage if you are in a line of work where you really need your knife to open. Benchmade included a safety located on the back of the handle. It stays out of the way but can lock the knife in both the open and closed position, a nice feature when you have a tip up carry assisted opening knife.

For lockup Benchmade went with their trusty axis lock, a personal favorite. My knife came with a small amount of lateral play, and I had to tweak the pivot by removing the G10 scale. The covered pivot looks nice, but it’s a departure from the otherwise practical design and I’d be remiss to not consider it a problem with the design.

In addition to the axis lock there is a secondary locking mechanism on the spine of the handle. It allows the user to lock the blade in either the open or closed position. It’s not a bad feature to have on a tip-up assisted open knife. It’s unobtrusive and functional.

I have to say that after Michael commented on this post (see below) I both de-assisted the knife and I took the secondary lock out. I don’t proclaim to be an expert when it comes to disassembling knives, but I’ve taken down plenty. The Volli was a little tricky to take apart and the whole process took me the better part of a half hour. That said, if you are patient and don’t mind potentially voiding your warranty it shouldn’t be impossible. The knife works just fine without the spring and the safety.

Benchmade Volli Review – Final Thoughts

The Volli isn’t a show stopper. It isn’t the latest and greatest. It’s no ZT 0560 or Spyderco Domino as far as the “wow” factor is concerned. But I’m still pleased with the knife and it seems to fill a spot in Benchmade’s catalog. Detractors of the Griptilian’s plastic handles may have finally met their match, and I’m impressed with how nicely the knife cuts and feels in hand. The thinly ground blade is one of the best slicers I’ve handled in recent memory, and the S30V steel performed way better than I’m used to seeing out of S30V.

If I were designing it from scratch I’d tweak a couple things. I’d leave it so the pivot could be readily adjusted, tone back the texture slightly and (if it were me) remove the spring assist. But these are all pretty minor and subjective complaints that may not be relevant to your needs or preferences. While I’m not completely head over heels with the Volli, it is still a very nice knife, and I’d go so far to say that if you are someone looking for a robust folder in the 3.5″ blade category with S30V steel I’d put it above the Zero Tolerance 0350 and say it is very strong competition for the Spyderco Paramilitary 2.

It may not be a runaway blockbuster blade of 2013, but that isn’t because it’s a bad knife, it’s because it has been overshadowed by some very interesting and very adventurous offerings in a very competitive marketplace. If you are in the market for a sturdy high performance folder in S30V with a ~3.5″ blade, then the Volli is well worth your consideration.

Benchmade - Volli 1000001 Knife, Plain Drop-Point, Coated Finish

HIGH-QUALITY: The CPM-S30V stainless steel blade is extremely well-balanced, offering superb edge qualities and rust resistance. The G10 handle is durable, impervious to moisture, and stable under extreme temperatures.
WELL-DESIGNED: The Volli 1000001 features Benchmade's AXIS Assist mechanism. It can be opened and closed quickly with either hand.
ALWAYS READY: The 1000001's quick, one-handed opening makes it easy to hold and use. The reversible pocket clip offers ultimate accessibility.
VERSATILE: The Volli 1000001's drop-point, utility blade style and all-around functionality make it ideal for everyday carry.
SERVICES AND BENEFITS: For information and terms regarding Benchmade's Limited Warranty and LifeSharp Service, please visit Benchmade's website.

Benchmade Volli – $153.95
From: BladeHQ

I recommend purchasing the Benchmade Volli at BladeHQ or Amazon. Purchasing anything through any of the links on this website helps support BladeReviews, and keeps the site going. As always, any and all support is greatly appreciated – thank you very much.

Hogue EX04 Review

by Dan Jackson 5 Comments

Last Updated: August 4, 2019
It’s fun covering the latest knife trends. Case in point, the whole titanium flipper framelock schtick has has been an absolute blast. That said, I love it when a knife company completely bucks the trend and comes out with something that is bold, inventive and well executed.

Buy the EX-04 at BladeHQ

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Without spoiling the review for you, the Hogue EX04 is just that knife, and is one of the more interesting blades I’ve had the pleasure of handling in 2013. I must not be the only one who feels that way, as the EX04 won American-made knife of the year at the 2013 Blade Show.

Designed by world renown custom knifemaker Allen Elischewitz the EX04 marries an intriguing design with the same precision manufacturing and technical excellence that I gushed over when I penned my first Hogue review on the EX01. From the custom hardware down to the mirror polished edge, there is a lot to discuss with this knife, so lets get right into it.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The EX04 comes in 2 sizes, the 3.5″ bladed version, shown here, and a version with a 4″ blade. My knife has an overall length of 8″ and weighs 4.48oz. I trend towards smaller knives for daily use, and found the 3.5″ version a good choice for urban EDC. That said, there is certainly enough knife here for use as a dedicated work or “tactical” knife.

The EX04 comes in 2 blade shapes, an upswept variant (shown here) and one with a modified wharncliffe blade. Both feature a unique double grind; a first for a production knife. I spoke with Allen Elischewitz about this personally, and he told me Hogue went to great lengths to consistently pull this unique blade geometry. I can’t say it does much functionally (although the knife is ground thin and cuts extremely well), but it is definitely a very cool detail that I really enjoy.

Hogue went with good ole 154CM which is an American stainless steel regular readers and knife aficionados should be well acquainted with. I have had a lot of good experience with 154CM, including Hogue’s 154CM when I reviewed the EX01 a while back. This time around I wanted to perform some more formal testing. The knife edge held up very well in performing a variety of EDC tasks including cutting rope, cardboard, and some basic carving. This is a useful blade shape made out of a nice balanced steel, and will provide years and years of service with very little maintenance.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The EX04 benefits from a full, sculpted G10 handle. There are no liners, although there are stainless steel bolsters that also function as washers. Like the rest of the knife the handle is superbly finished. The G10 is smooth and well contoured. The major hardware is silver and has been given a matte finish. Everything is just super refined on this knife – even the lanyard hole has been elegantly integrated.

From an ergonomic standpoint the EX04 continues to impress me. The simple sloping curves of the handle are also 3d contoured and lightly textured, which provides a good balance of comfort and grip. There is a distinct absence of jimping on the knife, which makes it very comfortable and practical for normal use. Mall ninjas will cringe at this obvious “oversight”, but as someone that actually likes to use his knife I assure you that the lack of jimping is actually a good thing.

The pocket clip is the same large spoon style offering found on the EX01. This time it has been given a durable black coating for a more discrete appearance. Some will probably find issue with the bulbous nature of the clip, but I think it’s practical and works well. The knife carries nicely in the pocket – it’s slim and lightweight and is the kind of I knife that I want to carry. If I were to give the clip a demerit, it would be for the right side tip up only carry. I understand that there may have been some design limitations requiring this clip placement, but for me tip up carry would have been preferable.

Lock and Deployment

The EX04 has ambidextrous thumb studs for deployment. They are easy to get at and the knife snaps open smoothly and crisply with little effort. An interesting feature of this knife is the absence of any kind of washer or bearing system. Instead, the blade mates up directly to stainless steel bolster plates that both reinforce the knife and serve as the “washers” for the blade to glide against. In practice this works very well, as evidenced by the very smooth and satisfying action.

As I mentioned in the intro, the EX04 makes use of a button lock to secure the blade. It’s a nice departure from the liner and frame locks that creep into many of my folding knife reviews, and Allen has gone to great lengths to ensure that the EX04 came with a robust and reliable lock. My lock occasionally sticks a little bit. I am not sure if I need to clean it, lubricate it, or break it in more, but I do experience a little stick in the button lock from time to time.

The knife also comes with an external safety switch that locks the knife open. On the EX01 I found that the safety was too easy to engage, and would inadvertently lock the knife open, but I was relieved to find that they have made the safety button much more purposeful. It doesn’t engage accidentally, and you really need to consciously push it to lock open the knife.

Hogue EX04 Review – Final Thoughts

The EX04 is a beautiful knife. I gave it a glowing review, and I think it’s well deserved. The knife has a unique design, has been flawlessly executed, and is very practical to carry and use. If I were to make suggestions, it would be to find a way to enable tip up carry.

Besides that, this is nothing short of an awesome knife, one that I find a true pleasure to have in both my collection and my pocket. It is a premium offering, and commands a premium price tag, but this is another one of those instances where you get what you pay for.

At the time of updating this review (end of 2015) the EX-04 remains one of my favorite 3.5″ folders. It’s a beautiful tool that speaks to me on a number of different levels. Highly recommended.

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I recommend purchasing the Hogue EX04 at Amazon or BladeHQ. Thanks for checking out the review!

Emerson Horseman Mini CQC-8 Review

by Dan Jackson 10 Comments

Last Updated: August 4, 2019
I have bought a number of Emerson knives under the guise that they were going to be my next EDC. Ernest’s blades have an American bravado to them that I really enjoy, and on several occasions I’ve found myself say, “Oh yeah, I’m going to EDC the heck out of this thing,” as my cursor hovers over the buy button. When the knife arrives it’s usually about twice as big as I imagined. The unfortunate truth is that while I enjoy the knife for what it is, it never ends up staying in my pocket.

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I have (presumably) learned from this mistake several times now, and purchased my latest Emerson, the Horseman (aka the mini CQC-8), because it is a smaller knife.

Ernest calls this scaled down version of the CQC-8 “the Horseman” because it was designed to be carried while riding a horse. I haven’t been near a horse for at least a decade, so unfortunately I will not be providing any commentary on the blade’s equestrian capabilities. That said, I do hope to answer whether the knife is a worthy urban EDC.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Horseman has an overall length of 8.35″, sports a 3.54″ blade, and weighs 4.8 ounces. Compared to previously reviewed Emersons like the Super Commander and CQC-13 this is a much smaller knife. That said, this is still an Emerson, and it still has a blade over 3.5″ inches long. It’s got a pleasant thickness to it, a reassuring heft, and generally isn’t what I would call a small knife. While it is definitely more pocketable than some of their other offerings, it’s no gentleman’s folder either.

It’s hard for me to determine what exactly the blade shape would be classified as – perhaps a modified clip point? Some call it “the banana blade,” and to me that is as good a classification as any. The curved edge comes to a very acute tip thanks to a finely ground swedge. Like all of my other Emersons I have handled, the blade has been beautifully ground. I once again opted for the stonewashed version. I love the way stonewashed version is finished with it’s sparkling flats and satin grinds.

Like most Emerson knives this blade has been V ground, but is left with a chisel ground edge. Ernest claims this is done for ease of sharpening, and I must say that the edge was very easy to maintain. The steel is 154CM: a well-balanced blade material that should be no stranger to regular readers of this blog. 154CM sharpens nicely and holds a good edge.

I tested the Horseman out on a variety of materials. I started with a 6-foot length of 1/4″ thick sisal rope and had no issues cutting it inch long sections. I then moved on to a piece of 3/4″ thick manilla rope – a pretty nasty material – and the Horseman once again cut cleanly and with confidence. I found the jimping on the spine of the blade a bit aggressive under repeated hard cutting, but for normal work I think you will find it is alright.

I touched the chisel edge up on a strop and then moved along to several pieces of cardboard. The Horseman cut without issue although I do prefer a more conventional V ground edge over a chisel edge for cardboard. I find that a V edge tracks through cardboard a little easier, but that could just be due to my relative inexperience with chisel edges. I will say that the chisel edge is capable of getting razor sharp with very little effort. Ultimately I was satisfied with how the Horseman worked on cardboard.

I rounded things out with a little carving on a piece of pine 2×2. The fine chisel edge made for an aggressive carver, and I was pleased with how quickly the knife removed material. I have to admit that I found the handle pretty uncomfortable under this kind of use, and resorted to wearing a glove to finish the job. That is pretty much par for the course with most folders, but I felt it was still worth mentioning.

Ultimately I found the Horseman to be a capable cutter well suited to a variety of tasks. As expected, the 154CM held onto its edge, and was easy to keep sharp. I had no issues with rust or corrosion either.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The Horseman’s handle follows the same formula of all of Emerson’s other knives: black G10 scales over a steel non-locking liner and a titanium locking liner with a black G10 backspacer. Everything is held together with Phillips and flat-head hardware. If you have seem one Emerson handle, you have pretty much seen them all. My Horseman came well finished. All of the parts are well lined up, there are no tooling marks on the liners, and everything is very solid. It’s simply constructed, but also well done.

From an ergonomic standpoint, the Horseman benefits from Ernest’s decades of knife design and martial arts experience. The Horseman feels very natural in both forward and reverse grips. The deep finger guard makes it difficult to slip forward on the knife, and the thick handle provides plenty of support for your palm. The jimping on the thumb ramp provides good traction, but it can get uncomfortable under extended use. For normal use I think most will find the thumb ramp to be comfortable.

The pocket clip is the same clip found on all Emerson knives. It’s a simple black parkerized clip and is very similar to the standard Benchmade clip. This isn’t an ultra deep carry, but the Horseman rides reasonably low and carries discretely in the pocket. Despite being a “mini” Emerson, this is still a thicker knife, and it still weighs 4.8 ounces. I definitely felt it while carrying it around, but there are certainly bulkier knives on the market. It carries better with jeans and thicker fabrics.

Deployment and Lockup

The Horseman makes use of Ernest Emerson’s patented wave feature for deployment. For the uninitiated, this is a tried and true method of rapidly opening a folding knife. They also included a thumb disk on this model, which is easy to access and suits the lines of the knife. My model came a little stiff, and could probably stand to be taken down, cleaned, and reassembled with some tuf-glide or other high end lubricant.

For lockup we have the aforementioned titanium locking liner. It is a bit thicker than the steel non-locking liner, and engages nice and early. There is a little stick on the lock of my knife, but it isn’t obnoxious. There is no blade play in any direction. There is something very purposeful about the way this knife was manufactured and assembled, and the solid lockup adds to that feel.

Emerson Horseman Review – Final Thoughts

The Horseman is another well contemplated offering from Emerson, and I think it will satisfy fans of Emerson’s products that want something a little more manageable for carry on a daily basis. It has the same features and design quirks of its bigger brothers, but it doesn’t compromise in ergonomic or cutting performance. That said, this is still a thick knife, and at 4.8 ounces I definitely feel it in my pocket. Whether it will make a practical EDC knife for you is entirely subjective.

I will say that this is a sturdy no-nonsense knife, and I was surprised with how much I have enjoyed it. My particular knife is immaculate, and it has been fun to carry. If you can find one as solid as this I think you will like it.

I recommend purchasing the Emerson Horseman at BladeHQ. Purchasing anything through any of the links on this website helps support BladeReviews. As always, any and all support is greatly appreciated! Thank you very much.

Emerson Horseman
From: BladeHQ

Emerson Knives Horseman SF

I recommend buying the Emerson Horseman at BladeHQ or Amazon. Thanks for checking out the review.

Ontario Machete Review

by Dan Jackson 10 Comments

Over the years I have had several requests for machete reviews. To be perfectly honest, I’m not sure why it has taken me so long to deliver. The machete is a timeless tool. Although it is most readily identified with jungle survival, its applications are far reaching and potentially adaptable to a wide variety of climates. I happen to live in SW Florida and can safely say that the machete is well suited to this semi-tropical region carpeted with fibrous palms and grasses, thick vines, and relatively soft woods.

Buy the Ontario Machete at BladeHQ

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I’ve had the ability to sample a number of machetes over the years, but can still think of no better machete start with than the Ontario 18″ Machete. The model number is 6145 ad the knife is sometimes referred to as the “military machete.” Whatever you want to call it, this is a high end take on a classic tool. This knife will cost a little more than a $10 or $15 Chinese machete, but I humbly submit that this American made piece is well worth the premium. If adequately maintained the Ontario Machete will provide a lifetime of service and is an extremely rugged and capable tool.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

This particular Ontario machete has an overall length of 23″, an 18″ blade, and weighs in the neighborhood of 1 lb 7 ounces. This is a heavy machete with a thick 1/8″ (3.2mm) blade. Ontario makes their machetes in 3 different sizes: 12″, 18″, and 24″ blades. I like the 18″ size. It has good reach for clearing light vegetation, but the thick steel has enough meat behind it to tackle much harder tasks. I feel that the 24″ machete is too heavy for my purposes, while the 12″ model lacks the reach I want for a machete. Of course, everyone’s needs are a little different. I like the 18″ configuration and think it hits a nice sweet spot for my purposes.

The blade itself is a classic latin machete pattern. The knife features a partial flat grind that travels about 1/2″ up the blade. I have read that the edges these knives ship with can be kind of hit or miss – some arrive very nicely ground with shaving sharp edges, others are uneven and dull. My edge was serviceable and able to cut paper – completely adequate for the kind of bushwhacking I put it up to.

Ontario selected 1095 high carbon steel for the blade, and heat treated it to approximately 55 HRc. I have talked about 1095 time and time again, but it’s a great tool steel that can get nice and sharp while remaining incredibly tough. It’s a great choice for a heavy duty chopper like this, and the heat treat has been done right. This is where the Ontario steps away from the $10 and $20 machetes you will find at Wal-Mart. Those tools are absolute crap and will not hold an edge like this machete which tend to warp, bend, and even break in half under use. Ontario coats the blade with a zinc phosphate coating that has held up really well in my testing and use.

Speaking of testing and use, lets talk a little about what I did with this machete. Since I recently moved into a new apartment I had to get a little creative. I figured hacking through 2x4s in my living room, while thoroughly satisfying, was neither a good test of the knife nor a sane strategy for retaining my security deposit. So I moseyed on over to a piece of private land a few miles into the interior of South Florida.

A fire raged through these parts a few years ago, and the charred remnants of scrub pine still stand sentry to the sandy trails and switchbacks the landowners have carved through their property. I spent the better part of an afternoon clearing low lying palmetto plants, chopping through downed limbs, and even felling a fairly substantial dead pine tree (and nearly killing myself and my camera in the process – don’t try this at home). The Ontario machete exceeded my expectations in every regard.

The knife is so sturdy and heavy it’s almost too much to wield for traditional machete work. If all you are looking to do is clear very light brush, you may find this to be too much knife for your purposes. I won’t claim to be in great physical shape, but I think the 1/8″ steel will wear down even a practiced arm after a while. It’s a big and heavy knife and throwing that much carbon steel around quickly soaked my shirt with sweat.

I will say I pushed this machete far beyond the natural limits of this kind of tool. I think it is important to emphasize the bad experiences I have had with cheaper machetes that have bent and even broke in half on me. I took out a 8″ diameter tree (a dead tree) with this knife and the edge was still sharp. This is thing is a beast. If you are looking for a budget chopper but still want quality I think you will be pleased with the capabilities of this knife.

Handle and Ergonomics

The Ontario machete is a full tang knife with thick plastic handle slabs riveted in place. It’s an extremely strong design and it comfortably fills the hand. There is an extended pinky notch on the back of the handle that helps hold your hand in place. The corners are rounded and comfortable and there is a hole for a lanyard.

Having spent some time with this thing sweating under the southern sun, I will say that I noticed a distinct absence of traction with this handle design. I’m not one for overly textured handles, as they can quickly beat up your hands, but I advise either making use of the lanyard hole or wrapping the handle in some sort of athletic tape. I will say that I had no issues with hot spots or blisters.

Sheath

The Ontario machete does not come with a sheath. It’s ok because many aftermarket sheathes are available. I advise going with a classic plastic Rothco sheath (pictured) over a nylon sheath. The nylon sheathes get torn up easily while the plastic is both reasonably light weight and secure.

I modified my sheath a little by removing the stock belt clip the sheath ships with (it only works with old school military belts), and drilling 2 holes to make a paracord sling. I took some scrap leather and made a little shoulder pad and carry the machete over my shoulder. I then used some ranger bands (thin strips of cut up bicycle tubing) to attach a sharpening stone. Big hat tip to David Canturbury for the idea – it all came from his YouTube video that you can watch here.

I ended up spending an extra $15 or so for the sheath and sharpening stone, and maybe half an hour modifying the sheath, but the end result carries well and is quite comfortable. I highly recommend this style of sheath and carrying configuration.

Ontario Machete Review – Final Thoughts

The Ontario machete is an excellent all-around chopper. While it can certainly handle light brush and grasses, chores typically associated with machete like tasks, the knife is overbuilt to handle far heavier jobs as well. Ontario’s offering is made of solid materials, benefits from a classic design, and is well made. I am of the opinion that every man should own a machete, and if you can only have one then the Ontario should be at or near the top of your list.

This is a little more expensive machete than the bargain bin crap that you will find at big box stores, but for around $50 you can put together a machete and sheath system that will serve you very well and last a lifetime.

The only potential downside I see to this kind of machete is the weight. If you are looking to work with this machete in a field for 8 hours a day you either have to have way better technique than me or resemble The Rock, because this is a heavy knife capable of far more than light clearing tasks. In that case you may want to consider a smaller and/or lighter option.

Ontario Knife Company unisex adult 1 18 Military Machete, Black, Pack US, 1 Pack

Overall length is 24"
Made of 1095 Carbon Steel
Blade is hardened to 50-55 HRC
Molded plastic and riveted handle
18" blade

I recommend purchasing the Ontario Machete at Amazon or BladeHQ. Purchasing anything through any of the links on this website helps support BladeReviews. As always, any and all support is greatly appreciated! Thank you very much for reading.

Kershaw Turbulence Review

by Dan Jackson 6 Comments

Last Updated: September 17, 2019
I’ve mentioned in previous reviews that I sometimes find that Kershaw’s product line falls into a bit of a slump. In the $20-50 range you have a number of what I feel are quite frankly, forgettable knives. Typically it involves some sort of black handle, and bead blasted blade. Many come assisted and are made overseas. To be fair there are designs that stand out in the crowd, and you occasionally get a Skyline or even a Cryo (far from perfect, but definitely a little different). Unfortunately, for every Skyline there are at least half a dozen others that really don’t do anything for me.

Buy the Kershaw Turbulence at BladeHQ

But occasionally a knife will fly under the radar, unfairly profiled as another unexciting knife. I certainly feel that way about the design I am reviewing today, the Kershaw Turbulence. The Turbulence is designed by maker and in-house designer for Kershaw, Tim Gaylean. Tim was a prodigy of sorts. His website is kind of frozen in time, but you can see some of the custom pieces he made at the age of 24 (and younger). It isn’t all to my taste, but Tim has made some really interesting stuff, and shows a ton of talent.

These days Tim still does some custom work, but it can be really tough to find. This production model Turbulence is based off of his pro-series version that is just uber cool. Unfortunately, his custom version is (as you would expect) extremely expensive – if you even have the privilege of finding one for sale. I can’t believe I missed out on this very affordable production version of the Turbulence when it was initially released about a year ago, but there isn’t much I can do besides admit a mistake was made and soldier on – in the form of a detailed knife review.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Turbulence has an overall length of 7.75 inches, sports a 3.25 inch blade, and weighs 4.4 ounces. This has been a nice EDC knife for me, and has served well on some projects around the house as well. Kershaw frames the Turbulence in a more “tactical” light, but for me it’s primarily an EDC.

The blade shape is probably best described as a modified drop point, but really it almost defies convention. I love how the swedge and slight curve of the blade forms into a very fine yet capable tip. It’s a wicked and non-traditional shape that really works from both an aesthetic and practical perspective. The flat ground blade is a decent slicer, and the tip stays plenty strong. There is enough edge to get a lot of work done, and I like how Kershaw decided to finish the knife with a subtle stonewash rather than their go too bead blast. The stonewashed finish will resist rust much better than a bead blast will.

The Turbulence’s blade comes in Sandvic 14C28N stainless steel. This is a Swedish steel that Kershaw commonly uses in their USA-made high value folders like the Skyline. 14C28N held up well in my cut tests. It’s a hearty steel capable of getting a lot of work done, is tough, and is fairly corrosion resistant. It won’t hold an edge forever, but I love how quickly and easily it sharpens. I’d compare it with a good AUS 8 or 440C – totally respectable given the price and intended use of this knife.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The handle is tried and true black G10 over full stainless liners. For a relatively inexpensive knife Kershaw made this handle right. They selected surprisingly thick slabs of G10, crisply cut and mated to liners that are partially skeletonized to reduce the weight. I like how the Turbulence is a flow through design with just 2 stand offs and the pivot holding the knife together. The resulting handle is relatively thick, but still elegant, comfortable, and sturdy. Overall, fit and finish is good, but I did notice a couple marks leftover where the laser cutter shaped the liners.

In hand the Turbulence feels extremely comfortable. The relatively thick handle gives you a satisfying grip, and the textured G10 provides both traction and feedback. You have enough handle here to accommodate a large hand, and the thumb rests easily on the spine. There is no jimping anywhere on the knife, and I don’t mind that fact at all. The lack of jimping makes for a very comfortable tool if you ever need to do extended cutting, and I never once ran into a situation where I was slipping off the knife. If you are considering the Turbulence as a tactical knife, it does work alright in a reverse grip.

The pocket clip is goofy looking, but it works well and could have been a lot worse. I say ‘it could have been worse,’ because I really don’t care for the clip on the Junk Yard Dog – another one of Tim’s designs. At least the clip on the Turbulence is small and relatively discrete, even if it is kind of funny looking. You do have the option of 3 corner carry, and the knife buries low and stays secure. A blackened clip would have been nice, and I also would have liked something a little less artistic, but functionally speaking this one is fine.

Deployment and Lockup

The Turbulence makes use of a flipper for deployment, and also comes with Kershaw’s SpeedSafe assisted opening mechanism. The action is fast and the knife opens easily. I don’t have any complaints with SpeedSafe per se (actually, it does rattle and make a fair amount of noise in the closed position, so I guess I do), but I’d much rather see this knife unassisted. Tim makes his pro series version with an IKBS bearing system, and I would have loved to have seen this Turbulence come unassisted with KVT (Kershaw’s bearing system found on knives like the ZT 0560). An unassisted flipper with bearings would have been really cool.

The liner lock on the Turbulence engages early and without play. I’ve got no issues here, the knife is rock solid, yet is still easy to intentionally disengage. It’s worth noting that the “thumb studs” actually are blade stops and work as stops in both the open and closed position. They do not work as thumb studs at all (fine by me).

Kershaw Turbulence Review – Final Thoughts

The Turbulence is a really nice knife, and has rapidly become one of my favorite Kershaw designs. The MSRP is something like $120, but they currently can be had for as low as $50. Compared with something like the $32 Chinese-made Cryo, there isn’t even a competition – the Turbulence just blows it out of the water. The materials are great, fit and finish is good (not perfect – blade centering on my knife is off a smidge, and there were a couple little marks on the liners), the design is amazing, and they managed to get it all done right here in the United States. It’s a practical EDC item, but it also is a beautifully balanced and visually pleasing knife.

If I could offer anything in the way of constructive criticism, I’d say remove the assisted opening and throw in some bearings. Also, swapping the pocket clip out for something a little more discrete would be nice.

But even without those modifications the Turbulence is still a great knife. If you are itching for a unique and well made flipper that deploys with a snap, and won’t break the bank, the Turbulence gets my full recommendation.

Kershaw Turbulence – 50.74
~~Retail Price: $119.95~~
You Save: $69.21
From: BladeHQ

I recommend purchasing the Turbulence at BladeHQ. Purchasing anything at BladeHQ through these links helps support the website, and keep this review train running. As always, any and all support is greatly appreciated!

Strider SnG Review

by Dan Jackson 15 Comments

Last Updated: February 13, 2018
For many knife collectors the Strider SnG is a holy grail of sorts. Much like the Chris Reeve Sebenza, the Strider SnG represents the top of the line for production grade folders. Toss in a Hinderer XM, and you have what many knife collectors like to call “the holy trinity” of high end production blades.

Buy the Strider SnG at BladeHQ

I am by no means an authority on Strider, but if you are unfamiliar with the brand Strider was founded some time in the mid 90’s by custom knifemakers Mick Strider and Duane Dwyer. The company is headquartered in San Marcos, California, and their designs draw heavily from the strong military background at Strider. They make a number of fixed blade and folding designs, and have fulfilled contracts for the U.S. Military in the past.

Strider knives aren’t cheap, but the company has built a reputation on quality and has gained an extremely loyal following. I have always found the bold lines of their folders intriguing, and the rugged nature of the knives further piqued my interest. The SnG is their mid size folder, resting comfortably between the large SMF and the small PT.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The SnG has an overall length of 8.25 inches, a 3.5 inch blade, and a weight of 4.4 ounces. The SnG could work well as a larger EDC, or as more of a large utility / tactical (self defense) knife. I will say that I was surprised at how lightweight the knife felt. With the SnG’s reputation as a hard use blade I expected some sort of folding brick to show up in my mailbox. Instead, I was pleasantly surprised with how manageable the knife felt. It quickly found its way into my pocket.

The blade on the SnG is a modified drop point design. My particular SnG happens to be flat ground, but I have seen hollow ground blades and tanto versions as well. Of course there are custom versions of the knife in every grind imaginable. Blade thickness on this knife is just over 4mm thick (.165″) and tapers down to a stout tip. Despite being a near full flat grind the SnG is quite thick behind the edge, and I found the cutting performance underwhelming. This is surprising considering the $400 price tag (intuitively, I would somehow expect the knives to cut better as the price went up), but when you consider the hard use nature of the blade it does make sense – this knife is designed to stand up to more than just cutting. The signature Strider tiger stripes are a result of a black oxide coating that has been partially sandblasted off. The tiger stripes are optional, but it’s a unique feature that is distinctively Strider.

Blade steel on this particular model is S30V. S30V is interesting because it was formulated specifically for knives, and is something of a collaboration between Chris Reeve and Crucible. S30V is a proven steel, and my experience with the steel has generally been very favorable. S30V sharpens without too much trouble, holds a nice edge, and is resistant to rust and corrosion. Strider’s heat treat for S30V was originally formulated by Paul Bos, an innovator in the world of heat treating who is perhaps best known for his in-house work with Buck (Strider used to collaborate heavily with Buck). Again, the thick geometry of the blade didn’t make this the most exceptional cutter, but S30V got the job done whether it was rope, cardboard, or wood.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The handles of the SnG are special because they feature a one-piece G10 scale and backspacer mated to a titanium integral lock. You do get a choice of color with the SNG (green, black, and brown are standard – various other colors are occasionally available), and Strider also offers them in concealed carry and Gunnar grip configurations as well. What is shown here is their standard “lego” style handle with brown G10 and a flamed titanium locking side. Everything is nicely cut out, well finished, and perfectly mated together. Oddly enough, what really impressed me about the handle of the SNG is the hardware. The body is held together with over-sized black domed screws, and the pivot is an equally beefy proprietary piece. However, I did notice one issue with the handle. The blade partially blocks the lanyard hole. C’est la vie if you want a Strider SnG.

From an ergonomics standpoint the SnG is a good size knife packed with features. I had plenty of room to maneuver my larger hand around this knife, and it accommodates a good number of grips. In the traction department the SnG is loaded down with jimping on both the spine and pommel for a secure hold in both forward and reverse grips. This is great if you plan on putting the SnG into a more “tactical” role, but I found the jimping extremely uncomfortable under hard cutting. Plan to wear gloves if you want to seriously test the SnG. The forward finger choil is great for choking up and does give you some versatility under use. All in all I found the SnG reasonably comfortable for a folding knife, but it’s not my first choice for sustained cutting.

Strider includes a removable right side tip-up carry pocket clip on every SnG. The clip is made of titanium, features good retention, and slips in and out of the pocket with relative ease. It’s a nice secure clip – a must when you are toting around a $400 folder. I’m sure many southpaws would prefer a reversible clip as lefty SNGs are quite rare and expensive.

All in all, I found that the SnG carried really well. The pocket clip doesn’t carry the knife very deep, but the knife itself is slim and feels light for its size. While it isn’t my first choice for school or the office, I do not mind having this as my primary EDC, and didn’t find it overly bulky or uncomfortable in the pocket.

Deployment and Lockup

The SnG uses an oval thumb hole for deployment. The thumbhole is easy to get at and the knife opens fast and smooth. It’s not a knife that flies open, but with a little wrist action I can get it done. Inside there are two bronze washers surrounding that massive pivot. The action is smooth and very pleasant. There are what appears to be thumb studs on the blade, but they are actually stop pins and don’t work super well as thumb studs. The ball detent on this knife is very good and it’s fun to watch the blade get “sucked in” upon closing.

Lockup is of course established via a beefy titanium framelock. This particular knife is a 9th generation SnG, and benefits from newly redesigned flat cut lock geometry. I have heard stories about Striders developing blade play, but this knife has held up really well. I have a very slight amount of side to side play, and no up and down. I’d tune up the pivot, but it requires a proprietary wrench that I haven’t acquired yet (really, it should come standard at this price). Lockup is pretty early and the titanium lock bar doesn’t stick at all. It’s also worth mentioning there is a small Hinderer lockbar stabilizer on the handle to prevent over extension of the lock.

Strider SnG – Final Thoughts

For many knife collectors the SnG will be something of a final destination in their knife collecting journey. It is an iconic American hard use folder with bold lines, contrasting finishes, and that kind of rough and tumble bravado that pairs well with a low slung Harley Davidson, a strong cigar, and several fingers of really good bourbon. I can totally see the appeal, and it’s been a lot of fun carrying, using, and admiring this really sweet folding knife.

However, I gotta be real here for a moment. If you are looking at knives from a purely practical perspective the SnG is functionally no better than something like a Spyderco Paramilitary 2. It’s not going to cut any better, the lock isn’t going to be any stronger, and it won’t feel any better in hand. But that’s ok, this is the nature of a luxury good. My $40 Casio keeps better time than a $5,000 Rolex – but I’ll be damned if I don’t own a Submariner one day. You buy a knife like this because you want it, and have a few extra dollars to spare.

That said, as a collector and an enthusiast I do think you get something more with the Strider. The G10 backspacer seamlessly integrated with the handle scale, the beefy custom hardware, the flamed titanium lockbar – these are a few details that make the SnG stand out in a crowd. You get something unique, tough, capable, and strangely refined. The only issue I could spot was the partially blocked lanyard hole – besides that this is a really meticulously executed knife. When it comes to titanium framelock hard use folders the guys at Strider know how to do it right, and the quality, materials, fit, finish, warranty, and U.S. manufacturing are all there. Simply said, it’s a great knife.

So if you want to buy an SnG, I say buy an SnG. I don’t think it’s perfect, and it’s definitely a luxury item, but at the end of the day it’s a really nice knife. While it may be the first Strider in my collection, I guarantee it wont be the last.

Strider SnG – $400
From: BladeHQ

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