Recommended EDC Knives

Spyderco Para 3 Lightweight FRN Review

The Spyderco Paramilitary 2 may be the most popular knife in the last 20 years. It’s received near universal acclaim, and is revered by knife collectors and users alike. So when Spyderco released the Para 3 a couple years ago it was a big deal. Ben reviewed the Para 3, and he did a great job.

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The Para 3 had some big shoes to fill with the Paramilitary 2. It may have come up a little short. Others seem to share Ben’s opinion. The Para 3 isn’t quite as loved as the original Para 2 for some reason, but it has still developed a loyal following and already boasts a number of sprint runs.

I never bought the Para 3, but felt like I should have. So when then the Para 3 Lightweight came out I bought one on the spot from GP Knives.

As a short aside, GP Knives is smaller than my usual preferred retailer, BladeHQ, but they have the knife in stock, offer fast shipping, and have a great Twitter account that has convinced me to make more than one impulse purchase.

I figured the Para 3 LW would allow me to gain some perspective on the Para 3, but also provide a knife that I could review on here. I should also note that this knife is also referred to as the Para 3 FRN.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Para 3 Lightweight has an overall length of 7.27″, a 3.00″ blade, weighs 2.4 ounces, and is made in Golden Colorado, in the United States of America, here on planet Earth. This is a Sal Glesser design. For those that may not know, Sal is the founder of Spyderco.

The knife feels exceedingly light for its size. I let my dad handle it a couple weekends ago and his comment was that it was “very lightweight.” You can always count on BladeReviews for the deep insights.

I’m no stranger to Spyderco’s lightweight designs. The Native 5 LW and Dragonfly 2 in FRN remain stalwarts in my collection, and at the top of my Best EDC Knives list.

Spyderco’s lightweight versions have gained traction for good reason. You get the same cutting performance of their heavier knives at a fraction of the weight. While the knives won’t be quite as strong, they are still serviceable for normal use. They are great choices for every day carry.

The blade on our Para 3 FRN is a classic Spyderco shape. It’s a shrunken down Para 2 blade. It’s taller and stubbier. It’s broad with a full flat grind. No swedge, no sharpening choil. It’s simple, but it works. The low tip is sharp and good for piercing. The low belly is fine for slicing. This may not be the best skinning knife, but I’m not a hunter.

Here’s a size comparison with my Para 2:

Spyderco selected CTS BD1N for the blade steel. I was a little surprised by this choice, figuring they would have went with S35VN. But they decided on CTS BD1N. This is a less expensive blade steel, which I’m sure helps keep this knife retail for less than $100. In my experience it’s a very easy steel to sharpen. It takes an edge quickly on my Golden Stone. The blade is capable of getting razor sharp and it tracks through cardboard without a problem. No issues with rust or corrosion so far.

I’ve used my Para 3 Lightweight extensively as a daily carry knife. This means I’ve opened lots of mail with it, broken down plenty of boxes, sliced and diced fruit while watching the last season of Game Of Thrones, and accomplished a myriad of small chores that require a sharp edge. I can’t complain about the blade shape or the blade steel. The full flat grind provides good slicing performance. The edge retention is decent.

When it’s time to sharpen up the knife it comes back quickly. It’s one of those fine grained steels that you can feel get sharper on the stone. Personally, I like knives that are easy to sharpen. I maintain my edges regularly and would rather touch up often then need to spend a half hour bringing back the edge on a knife with stubborn steel.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

This section is presumably why you are checking out the review. The handle of the Para 3 Lightweight is made of fiberglass reinforced nylon (FRN). That’s a high density plastic. There are no metal liners in the knife. The compression lock is just a small strip of steel. There are 2 substantial FRN standoffs near the tail of the handle, and the lanyard hole is reinforced, presumably to provide some structural rigidity to the handle.

Some may be skeptical of a plastic handled knife, but Spyderco has proven themselves before with their LW series, and I think it works here with the Para 3 as well. The handle is secure. There is a tiny bit of flex in the FRN if you try to squeeze the handles together, but it’s not bad. Everything appears to be well engineered.

“Engineering” is a term that has only recently come in vogue within the knife industry, but with a knife like this you can’t just slap it together. It takes a good deal of engineering to pull something like this Para 3 lightweight off. This becomes especially apparent when you take the knife apart (more on that later).

A major concern when you try to shrink down a knife, is how that will effect the ergonomics. The handle of the Para 3 is almost half an inch shorter than the Para 2. That’s significant for a knife, and could result in some ergonomic compromises.

All in all, I think the Para 3 is pretty good ergonomically. There is still enough room for a full 4 finger grip without using the forward finger choil, and the heavily contoured FRN feels good in hand. There is plenty of traction thanks to sharp jimping, and Spyderco’s bi-directional textured handle. This one won’t slip out of your hand in the shower.

However, there are a couple small ergonomic issues. First of all, I’m not a huge fan on the small “beak” on the tail end of the handle. My pinky lands directly on it. While the beak isn’t sharp, all things equal I’d rather not have it right there. Or at least see it smoothed out. If you have smaller hands I think you will be fine, and it may actually help you grip the knife better. For larger hands the beak gets in the way. Also, there are some slightly sharp edges on the inside of the FRN, especially up by the compression lock. Nothing that will cut you, but it’s noticeable and I want to point it out. It could easily be smoothed over with emery paper if it bothered you. I don’t notice it in use, more when I’m examining the knife.

All said I think the ergos are pretty good on the Para 3 LW. I’d lose the beak and maybe soften some edges, but beyond that there is little to complain about.

The Para 3 LW is equipped with the Spyderco wire clip that can be mounted for ambidextrous tip up carry. It’s a deep carry clip that has been positioned so that it buries 99% of the knife in your pocket. It’s a simple and elegant design, and continues to be a personal favorite. I’ve owned the Dragonfly 2 for almost 10 years now. It has a similar type of clip and have never had an issue with it.

I also view this clip as an upgrade over the standard spoon style clip found on the Para 2 and the original Para 3. It’s deeper carry and more discreet. They should implement this clip on the entire Para family.

The knife carries wonderfully. At 2.4 ounces, you don’t feel it in the pocket. It disappears and you quickly forget about it. It’s a great choice for daily carry for this reason. It stays out of the way until you need it. Can’t say enough good things about how this knife carries.

Deployment and Lockup

The Para 3 makes use of a 13mm thumb hole. This is the same size as the Para 2. This oversized thumb hole is easy to engage with your thumb or middle finger, and the blade flicks out easily. This begged the question of whether there were washers inside the knife. I peered inside and couldn’t see anything, so I took the knife apart with my WiHa drivers. Here is what I found:

Oddly enough there is only one phosphor bronze washer on the lock side over a steel plate. On the other side it’s just raised plastic. This could be a turn off for some, but I wasn’t too surprised given the construction of my Native 5 LW.

For lockup we have a new version of the tried and true compression lock. In the past, the compression lock has been integrated into the liner of the knife. Here, it’s a small stand alone piece. Here are a couple shots with the lock engaged and disengaged:

I think they successfully integrated the compression lock into the knife. It feels just as good as my Para 2. There is no lock stick. It’s easy to disengage, and provides the strength and convenience we have come to appreciate from the compression lock. No blade play or wiggle. No complaints.

Some may find the lack of metal inside this knife concerning. They want something more substantial. I haven’t noticed an issue. Again, the knife feels solid. I think with normal use you will be fine. I probably won’t take this one hog hunting, but it did a great job opening a bag of coffee the other morning.

Here is a shot of the Para 3 LW compared with my Spyderco Sage 5:

Blade centering is perfect on my piece. Even after disassembling the knife everything came back together smoothly. Again, I think it speaks to the engineering put into this knife. Gone are the days of guesswork hoping that tolerances are good enough that the blade will center. This thing just plain works.

Spyderco Para 3 Lightweight vs. Benchmade Bugout

Another interesting comparison is with the Benchmade Bugout. Both are ultralight full size folders. Both are made in the USA. At the time of writing this article the Bugout costs about $30 more. Here’s a size comparison:

As you can see they compare favorably in terms of overall length and handle length. The Bugout has substantially more cutting edge thanks to the lack of a finger choil, and it’s significantly lighter at 1.8 ounces vs. 2.4.

Personally, I like the Bugout a little more. I like the blue accents, Benchmade’s heat treat on the S30V blade, the ultra thin blade grind, the roomier handle, and the axis lock. But averaged out for cost I’d say they are close. Both are nice knives. Buy what you like.

Spyderco Para 3 Lightweight Review – Final Thoughts

Objectively I think the Para 3 Lightweight is another winner from Spyderco. It’s lightweight, highly functional, and embodies many of things we love about Spyderco knives. Plus it’s made in the USA and retails for under $100. In an era of expensive overseas made knives, the Para 3 LW is a compelling proposition. Personally, I see no reason to have the original G-10 version over this lightweight version, unless you want to collect them. This lightweight version will cut just as well. Maybe you sacrifice a tiny bit of strength, but unless you plan on batoning with your folder I don’t think there is much cause to be concerned.

If I had to some nit picking, it would mostly be directed to the small hump at the base of the handle near the pommel. I found that got in the way a little. Not enough to develop a hotspot, or make the knife unusable, but I didn’t care for it. Also, there are some slightly sharp edges on the insides of the handle. Nothing crazy, but again, I want to point it out. Some might gripe that the knife is “too” lightweight with only a single washer, and very little metal inside the hande. I’d suggest buying a regular Para 3 in that case.

Beyond that, a sharpening choil wouldn’t hurt, but you don’t see those on may Spydercos with this leaf blade shape. I can sharpen the entire edge if I use a rod style sharpener like the Sharpmaker. Spyderco has spent a lot of time considering their designs, and the Para 3 LW is well considered. I find it hard to fault the knife in any major way.

But I will take this moment to talk about the Spyderco line in general. They have so many good knives. Would I pick this one over the Sage 5 or the Native 5 LW or the Chaparral FRN? Frankly I don’t know. Every year Spyderco’s catalog grows more crowded. Some are cool collaborations for collectors that probably will come and go, but others like this Para 3 LW will be permanent editions.

For example, you have the Endura, the Delica, and now the Endela. And that’s in addition to the Stretch, Dragonfly 2, and everything else in that family of knives. It’s a lot to consider. It has become cliche to say we are “spoiled for choice”, but we really are. There’s a lot of good stuff out there. How do we decide? The Para 3 doesn’t make it any easier. It’s another great knife.

Personally, I think I like it more than my regular Para 2. The Para 2 will never leave my collection, but I like how the Para 3 FRN has a smaller, lighter footprint, and I also like the deep carry clip. The ergonomics are a little better on the Para 2, but unless I’ve got a big job ahead of me I’d rather have the smaller knife. The Para 2 remains a beast and will be a great choice for bigger jobs or those days when I want a meatier knife, but for most days I think the Para 3 LW will fit the bill.

Spyderco para 3 Lightweight Signature Folding Utility Pocket Knife with 2.92" Stainless Steel Blade and FRN Handle - Everyday Carry - PlainEdge - C223PBK

The New EDC: The Para 3 distills all the features of that best-in-class folding knife into a more compact, carry-friendly package. It proudly features all the key qualities of the Para Military 2 with a full-flat-ground CTS BD1N Steel Blade.
Superior Quality: Machined from premium CTS BD1N, a nitrogen-enriched high-carbon chromium steel, the Para 3 offers superior balance, edge retention, and low-friction cutting performance.
Pocket-Friendly: It features a lightweight, open-backed construction style and its Stainless Steel liners are nested into the FRN Handle. This reduces handle thickness and provides excellent support for the knife's Compression Lock.
Reliable High Performance: The Para 3 traces its history all the way back 2004 to the introduction of the Para Military design. It offers the same proven reliability and cutting performance, but in a more compact, easy-to-carry design.
Easy-to-Use Lock: Located in the spine of the handle, the Compression Lock's high-strength mechanism locks the blade securely open during use, yet allows it to be closed easily and safely with only one hand.

I recommend purchasing the Paramilitary 3 at Amazon, BladeHQ, or GP Knives. Purchasing anything through any of the links on this site helps support BladeReviews, and keep this review train running. As always, any and all support is greatly appreciated.

Steel Will Cutjack Mini Review

by Dan Jackson 4 Comments

When you look over the the stuff I reviewed last year, it’s a lot of high end pieces. With all that titanium and carbon fiber, you would think I’ve lost touch with the budget knives. In fact, when Travis wrote in his review of the Hogue OTF that the knife was expensive, a commenter said that it’s “Weird BladeReviews would call a $229 knife expensive!”

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In a way that comment warms my heart, because this is a true enthusiast’s site and we have dived deep into all sorts of high end knives here. I’ve personally purchased and reviewed so many expensive knives that a $229 knife amounts to a rounding error. I probably have $229 in knives lost in my couch cushions. One time I wiped my ass with a $229 knife. Not really, but you get the point. I have a problem. That’s part of the reason why I use a penknife name.

But in another way, it shows I may have been focusing a little too much on the higher end of the hobby. $229 is an expensive knife for a lot of people, including myself, and the hobby isn’t only about buying expensive knives. At the end of the day I use a lot of my knives, and the knives I tend to keep are users. The pocket frosting is what typically gets sold off.

I’m still interested in budget pieces, but I pick them carefully. Rather than review every single Chinese made Kershaw that comes out, I’d rather review stuff that interests me. Not all the budget stuff interests me.

But sometimes you can find cool knives for not a lot of money. The Steel Will Cutjack is one such candidate. When Steel Will came onto the scene a few years ago I wasn’t that interested. Most of their knives were plastic handled fixed blades, and I wasn’t that excited.

I believe their first folder was the Gekko. A sleek Italian made piece retailing for around $150. Nice knife, but I wasn’t ready to pay $150 for it.

I sort of lost sight of the brand at that point, but Steel Will continued to blaze forward with new designs and at different price points. Their stuff earned a following and the Cutjack kept popping up again and again. It slowly crystalized in my subconscious until it eventually found itself at my door step. Ok, maybe an Amazon shopping list and credit card were involved, but for $40 I didn’t think too hard about it. This is BladeReviews after all.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Cutjack has an overall length of 7″, a 3″ blade, and weighs 3.01 ounces. The knife is made in China, although it’s interesting to note I don’t see “China” anywhere on this knife or in the packaging. The Cutjack is firmly marketed as an EDC knife and is part of Steel Will’s “Urban” series. Originally when I wrote this review I though I had the regular Cutjack, but turns out this is the mini version. It’s a good size for EDC. Lightweight and easy to pocket. If you want something bigger, Steel Will offers a full size Cutjack with a 3.5″ blade and overall length of 8″.

The Cutjack’s blade is a riff on the modern drop point. The swooping belly compliments the curvy backside of the handle. There is a long lean swedge that runs the entire length of the blade. A high flat grind and satin finish lend a smart look to the knife. One thing to note is the edge on my knife is almost perfectly even. For a $40 folder I’m impressed, as it’s tough to find a perfectly even edge on any production knife.

Steel Will selected D2 steel for the blade. An interesting choice, as D2 has a reputation for being semi-stainless and a bit of a bear to maintain, unless you by a knife made by Bob Dozier. But this isn’t a Bob Dozier knife. When I think “D2” I think of the Benchmade 710. Great knife, but a bitch to sharpen. For this reason I wasn’t sure about a budget knife in D2 steel. At least it would give me something new to write about. Writing countless reviews of knives in Aus8 and 8Cr13MoV has worn a permanent groove in my brain. But D2 in a budget blade. That’s something different.

Here is a size comparison with the Benchmade Bugout. Buying lots of blue knives lately…

So I put the Cutjack through its paces. I’m writing this review after the holidays, so this knife has gone through an impressive quantity of cardboard. I’ve used it quite a bit in the kitchen as well. Cutting fruit and cheeses in place of a paring knife. I’ve had a chance to sharpen it on my Spyderco Sharpmaker a few times to maintain the edge. The D2 blade has held up great. No staining at all, easy to sharpen, and it has held a good edge. Hard to believe it’s actually D2 with performance like that, but I’m not complaining.

Handle, Ergonomics and Pocket Clip

The Cutjack’s handle is FRN scales over stainless steel liners with a high density plastic backspacer. This is similar to what you would find on a Delica. In practice the FRN plastic handle scale isn’t quite as heavy as what you find on a Japanese Spyderco, but it’s pretty nice. In fact the handle is surprisingly nice and well constructed. All the parts line up, the steel liners have been skeletonized, and there is custom hardware for the body screws and pivot. For $40 this is great.

I will say that the inside edges of the handle are all a little sharp. Some ultra fine sandpaper would take care of that. Beyond those sharp edges, there is little to grouse about when it comes to the Cutjack’s handle construction.

How does it feel in hand? Well, some of the inside edges are a little sharp as I’ve mentioned, but on the all the handle is comfortable. Plenty of room for a 4 finger grip, whether you are choking up on the forward finger choil, or laying back in the cut. As far as traction is concerned, there is no lack of texture on this knife. The thumb ramp is finely jimped, the backspacer is a big toothy geared affair, and the handle scales themselves have a pleasant woven texture to them. Not as grippy as Spyderco’s bi-directional texturing, but it gets the job done.

In practice the Cutjack feels good in hand and I’ve had no issues breaking down boxes, slicing fruit, and doing some light carving to get a campfire going in my back yard.

The pocket clip is a silver spoon style clip. It buries the knife deeply, but isn’t a low rider clip. All in all I think it’s a good clip. It has good retention, keeps the knife tucked away, and the handle is drilled and tapped for ambidextrous tip up carry.

The Cutjack carries well. It’s neither ultra thin nor ultra light, but it is passably thin and passably light. It’s the kind of knife that I quickly forget I’m carrying until the anointed time arrives and I need to produce a pocket knife. The Cutjack earns strong marks for its practical carry clip and easy pocktability.

Deployment and Lockup

When I look at my list of best budget EDC knives, I notice only the Kershaw Skyline is a flipper. And the Skyline isn’t a great flipper when we think about modern flipping knives. It was designed before the renaissance in flipper folders.

The only knife that comes to mind as a great sub $40 flipper is the excellent CRKT Swindle. Could the Cutjack join the ranks? I think it’s possible. However, the flipping action of the Cutjack isn’t as good as the Swindle. The Cutjack uses phosphor bronze washers rather than bearings, and the detent isn’t as crisp on the Cutjack. But it’s still pretty good. I’d put the action around a “5” on the 0-10 scale. It’s not bad, but it’s not going to come close to the feel of a Zero Tolerance flipper or even the Swindle.

For lockup we have a stainless steel liner lock. Lockup is pretty good. I have a little side to side wiggle. Nothing crazy, but it’s there. I tried tightening the pivot, which removed the blade play but made the blade impossible to flip open. No up and down play at least. Lockup is fully engaged but is still early. The lockbar is jimped and easy to get at when it’s time to close the knife.

Blade centering is perfect on my knife. That is always nice to see. Here is a parting shot with the Cutjack next to the ESEE Zancudo:

Steel Will Cutjack Review – Final Thoughts

The Cutjack is pretty damn good for the money. It’s not perfect, but what do you expect for $40? I’d say its about 90% there. You get a lot of knife for the money. The overall design is excellent. The blade feels good in hand and cuts well. The knife carries nicely. The D2 steel is better than I expected. Little touches like the custom hardware show you that this knife was carefully considered.

It’s not a perfect piece. The inside edges of the handle are a little sharp. The deployment is on the sluggish side, and there is some side to side blade play. But this is a $40 knife, which means there will always be compromises in the execution of the knife. I think Steel Will has done a lot here, and that they allocated the money to the right places. I can’t think of much else that comes close to it if you want a flipper. What would you rather have for $40? The Skyline and Swindle are still excellent options, but they are lighter duty knives. The Cutjack is the kind of grab and go piece that finds itself making its way into my pocket over and over. It’s a great no-nonsense tool.

For these reasons I’m adding the Cutjack to my list of Best EDC Knives. I can easily recommend it if you are looking for a $40 EDC knife, and especially if you want a flipper. I still think the Zancudo represents an excellent value, and I think it’s slightly better made than the Cutjack, but the Cutjack is an excellent knife.

This knife will remain in my collection for the long term, and I’ll update the review as I continue to carry and use it.

Sale

Steel Will Cutjack C22M-1BL Linerlock, 3.0" (C22M- 1BL)

Steel liners on both sides, increasing overall strength and durability
Smooth and fast deployment with the press of a finger
D2 Steel Blade
G10 fiber handles

I recommend purchasing the Steel Will Cutjack at Amazon 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.

Benchmade 535 Bugout Review

by Dan Jackson 6 Comments

The Benchmade Bugout is a knife I was interested in reviewing when it first came out. But my original role as the sole author of this website has transitioned to more of a “contributing author and editor” role, and the Bugout was on someone else’s list to review. These days I need to work with the other authors and not step on their toes if they want to review a particular knife. That’s OK. There are plenty of other knives to review.

Buy the Benchmade Bugout at BladeHQ

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So I forgot about the Bugout and moved on to other knives.

Fast forward a year or two later. I’m at a friend’s house party. He knows I have this “weird website dedicated to knives” and wanted to introduce me to his friend. As an aside, a handful of my friends know I operate this website, and the majority of them think it’s hilarious that someone could dedicate an entire website to pocket knives. Anyhow, at this party my buddy was excited to introduce me to a friend of his that carried a pocket knife. I showed him the Native 5 in FRN I happened to have in my pocket, and he produced his Benchmade Bugout.

Handling the knife for about 30 seconds was all it took. It has a beautiful thin profile, wonderful tactile handles, is light as a feather, and the bright blue anodized hardware gave the knife an almost jewelry like quality. I could immediately tell it was a knife I wanted to add to my collection. I followed up with one of my writers, who confirmed the Bugout had fallen off his radar, and that I was clear for takeoff to acquire my own Bugout for purposes of today’s review.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Bugout has an overall length of 7.46″, a 3.24″ blade, and weighs 1.85 ounces. In some ways it can be considered a largish EDC knife with its over 3″ blade, but on the other hand, it’s so damn slim and light how could you not recommend this for daily carry? It’s only half an ounce heavier than the revered Dragonfly 2, but it packs an extra inch in blade and almost 2 inches of overall length. Incredible really.

As usual, your local laws and preferences in terms of size and blade length will come into play here, but personally the Bugout has been a great choice for daily carry. And I don’t think anyone will kick it out of their pocket for being too heavy.

The Bugout features a long drop point blade. In many ways it reminds me of my Volli, but I suppose the profile is a little closer to the discontinued 707 Sequel. Regardless, it’s a classic looking drop point with a high flat grind and a swedge running half the length of the blade. The knife has been given a combination satin / stonewashed finish that you find on pretty much all of Benchmade’s uncoated knives. The blade shape is classically appealing and the execution is excellent.

Here is a size comparison with the Spyderco Native 5. Another excellent FRN clad USA made EDC knife:

My favorite thing about this blade is how well it cuts. I realize that sounds a little odd as most will agree the purpose of a knife is to cut stuff, but not every pocket knife cuts that well. Sometimes it’s a conscious design decision (ie, a thick “hard use” blade), and sometimes it’s a form over function thing. I’m pleased to report the Bugout cuts well.

Benchmade went with S30V for the blade steel. S30V may turn some folks off as it has a reputation for being an older steel that can be difficult to sharpen, but here it’s a great choice. Benchmade does a tremendous job with their S30V. It’s easy to sharpen and holds a great edge. I have some Spydercos in S30V and the steel is stubborn to sharpen. The Bugout is a lot like the Volli, knife that is a proven slicer and an underrated Benchmade. Like the Volli, the Bugout features thin blade stock that has been thinly ground. The end result is an exceptional slicing knife.

I have used my Bugout extensively and have been polishing the edge up on my newly acquired Spyderco Golden Stone. As I mentioned in my recent Wayfarer 247 review, I have been having a ton of fun with this new sharpening stone. I’m able to take my edges to the next level, and have gotten some truly exceptional results out of the stone on this Bugout.

I will eventually review the Golden Stone, but for now I want to comment that I’ve been getting some scary sharp edges on my knives, and the Bugout has taken to the Golden Stone like a duck to water. I have a mean working edge on this knife. It pops hair, push cuts paper, and zips through cardboard like no one’s business.

The S30V blade takes a wonderful edge and holds it for a long time. I prefer Benchmade’s S30V over their classic 154CM because I find it to be just as easy to sharpen, but has the advantages of more corrosion resistance and better edge retention.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The Bugout has a textured high density plastic handle with partial stainless steel liners. The steel liners mainly serve to house the omega springs for the Axis Lock, and the handle construction is similar to a Benchmade Griptilian. Here Benchmade has developed a handle that is super thin, but features a minimal amount of flex.

If this was a 2 sentence review on Amazon, this may be the part where the reviewer bitches about the plastic handle scales. Frankly, I haven’t read any of those reviews, but it’s almost a requirement that if you are going to review the Griptilian you will at some point gripe about the FRN handles. I assume that’s a complaint some may register with the Bugout as well. Personally, this is a lightweight light to medium duty EDC knife, and I have no problem treating it as such. The handles feel high quality to me. The knife lacks the heft of a full liner and G10 scaled knife, but that’s a good thing in my book. Plenty of heavier duty knives out there if that is what you need.

Fit and finish is great on this knife. I have yet to find an issue in the fit & finish department, and the handle is a great place to search for flaws. All the parts line up, everything is nicely finished, the screws are flush, and the blue anodized hardware give the knife just a touch of zazz.

While this is a sub 2 ounce folder, the Bugout has the ergonomics of a full size knife. That’s because it is a full size knife. The handle is simple and there is plenty of it to grab onto. I take an “XL” size glove and have plenty of room for a full 4 finger grip. I think most people will have no problem using the Bugout in a forward or reverse grip.

The simple handle design benefits from a couple small traction features. First you have a short row of mild jimping on the spine of the handle. That works well without tearing up your thumb. In addition to the jimping you have a nice textured FRN handle. Benchmade included a good deal of diamond patterned texturing, but even the naked parts of the handle have a good gritty feel to it. Good traction on this knife.

The pocket clip is another interesting aspect of the Bugout. Benchmade went with a stubby low rider clip. It’s a discreet deep carry pocket clip. This sounds good in theory, but I’m kind of on the fence about it. While on one hand I think it looks super cool, the knife has popped out of my pocket a couple times. The Bugout has always fallen into my pocket, rather than onto the floor, but still this is concerning. Granted, I wear shorts a lot of the time, and I have big fat legs, so I don’t know if you will have the same issues. Regardless, the combination of a long knife and short clip haven’t 100% jived with my style of carry.

This knife will accept a standard Benchmade clip, which Benchmade will probably send for free if you ask nicely or use their Lifesharp service. So if you have issues like me you can always swap out the clip. I will be curious to hear if anyone else has experienced this issue. If so please leave a comment about it below.

Deployment and Lockup

The Bugout makes use of two blue anodized thumb studs to get the blade open. One of my few criticisms of this knife is is that the thumb studs are placed close to the handle in the closed position. It makes it a little hard to get the blade out. Contrast this with a knife like the Griptilian where there is more room, and the blade flies open. However, the thumb studs do work, and if you played around with the design too much you would spoil the lines of the Bugout.

Benchmade went with phosphor bronze washers. This is standard fare for their axis lock knives and should come as no surprise. The action is smooth and fluid. It isn’t as glassy as the G-10 Griptilian, but it’s definitely workable for my purposes.

With a sub 2 ounce plastic handled axis lock knife, you would think there would be some blade play. After all, I’ve experienced that in a lot of earlier Benchmades. It’s just part of the gambit when you buy a FRN clad axis lock knife. Or so I thought. Oddly enough my little Bugout has no blade play at all. It’s as tight as a drum. Really nice to see.

Here is a shot with the significantly more expensive, yet still excellent, 940-1:

The Axis lock itself remains as easy and fun to use as ever. This is a fully ambidextrous knife. There is not much new I can add to this section. The lack of blade play is surprising, as traditionally that is the only compromise I can note in a FRN handled Axis lock knife.

Blade centering is perfect on my knife.

Benchmade 535 Bugout Review – Final Thoughts

I know I’m a little late to my party with the review of the Bugout. The knife has been out for over a year. Old news for those who track the knife industry. But this is a great knife adding to a string of impressive releases for the Benchmade. I can recall just a few years ago when folks thought Benchmade had nothing left to offer. Then they release the G10 Griptilian, 940-1, Anthem, Crooked River, and Proper. All top shelf pieces.

The Bugout is a worthy addition to that long list of excellence. But the Bugout is unique from these other knives (save the Proper) in that it’s priced a little over $100. While that’s still a good amount of money for the average person to plunk down for a pocket knife, I think it’s a fair price for the Bugout and is relatively inexpensive for a Benchmade. You get an attractively built USA made knife that is completely dialed in, and packs all of the function of a full size folder into a sub 2 ounce package. Pretty amazing when you stop to think about it.

My only nits are that the small pocket clip, while attractive, doesn’t work as well for me as a full size clip, and the thumb studs are close to the handle. As a result you need to pay a little more attention when trying to flick open the knife. That’s all I got.

So it should be no surprise that my review echos the near universal acclaim for the Bugout. It is a great piece. While it took me a while to resist the knife when I initially saw it on the internet, the first time I saw one in person it had me in it’s thrall in under 30 seconds.

Sale

Benchmade - Bugout 535 EDC Knife with Blue Grivory Handle (535)

LIGHT AS A FEATHER: And incredibly tough; Ideal for hiking, camping, and backpacking, and made for everyday use; A lightweight, go-anywhere tool.
AMERICAN MADE CPM-S30V STEEL: For first-rate edge retention and corrosion resistance; Precision drop-point construction for strength and versatility.
FULLY AMBIDEXTROUS GRIVORY HANDLE: Has an ergonomic textured grip and is molded from glass-filled nylon for superior durability.
AXIS LOCKING MECHANISM: Ensures safety and a smooth open and easy close; Reversible clip; Lanyard hole for versatile carry options.

I recommend purchasing the Benchmade Bugout at Amazon 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.

Kershaw Atmos Review

by Josh Wussow 4 Comments

Look – We all try to stick to a budget. But as knife enthusiasts, we sometimes have a bit more difficulty than most. This is one of the reasons I’ve gravitated toward the shallow end of the blade pool. So, when the Kershaw Atmos made a big splash with some fellow reviewers, I decided to see what all the fuss was about.

Buy the Kershaw Atmos at BladeHQ

Buy on Amazon

General Dimensions and Blade Details

Let’s get the obvious comparison out of the way – Yes, the Atmos looks like a budget version of the Zero Tolerance 0450. And it should, considering they share a common designer in the great Dmitry Sinkevich. But, as you’ll see in the comparison photos, the Atmos is between 10 and 15-percent smaller in most of its physical dimensions. We’ll come back to this comparison later, but let’s focus on the Kershaw for now.

The centerpiece of the Atmos is its 3-inch drop-point blade, wearing a satin finish over its hollow grind and upper swedge. It’s been crafted from a 0.10-inch thick piece of Chinese 8Cr13MoV steel, which is sure to illicit groans from about 90-percent of the audience. Look – I don’t like this steel any more than you do. But, hang with me for a while, and maybe you’ll learn to look past it.

Overall, the Atmos measures 6.9-inches, nearly four of which make up the G-10 handle. There’s a stainless steel insert on the clip side, housing the linerlock mechanism. Kershaw has included attractive carbon-fiber overlays on each handle slab (read: stickers), which somehow manage to avoid looking tacky on this budget-minded blade. I’m not usually a huge carbon fiber fan, but the added layer brings the handle width to a pleasing 0.43-inches. Weight-wise, the Atmos tips the scales at just 2-ounces. For those of you keeping track, that’s within 0.1-ounces of the Kershaw Fraxion, despite housing a bigger blade and far superior design.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

Dmitry Sinkevich is a master of form, and the Atmos represents the very best aspects of his work. It cuts an attractive figure, with futuristic angles that somehow meld perfectly into my medium/large hand. It also manages to be more comfortable, practical, and carriable than its premium cousin.

Don’t believe me? Let’s break it down point by point. First, the grip. While I always adored the 0450 from an aesthetic standpoint, its hand-feel is always a bit of a disappointment. This is partially due to personal preference, since I find slab-sided titanium blades to be more difficult to grip. I’ll take G-10, Micarta, or even Grivory any day of the week. The Atmos’ G-10 and carbon fiber overlay provide solid purchase, even with damp or greasy hands. The jimping along the finger-facing portion of the flipper tab is a thoughtful touch, as well. While some may find it to be a bit aggressive, its extra friction really holds my index finger in place. Though we’re used to seeing flipper tabs pull double duty as blade guards, the setup on the Atmos feels extra secure.

Next, let’s cover the practicality of this blade. The hollow grind glides through onions, carrots, and cardboard with genuine ease. Yes, 8Cr13MoV is nowhere near as good as the 0450’s S35VN. But the grind, in conjunction with the thinness of the Atmos’ blade stock, allows it to cut far longer than you’d expect from a cheap Chinese steel. The ZT, on the other hand, features a saber grind with a tendency to split foods rather than slice.

We’ll wrap this portion of the review with a discussion of carriability. When I say that the Atmos is easier to carry than the 0450, I’m really making two different statements. On the scientific side, this is simply a more pocketable design. It weighs almost an ounce less than the titanium model (2-ounces vs. 2.9), and the deep-carry pocket clip is far superior to the semi-high ride affair on the ZT. It also manages to produce less of a hotspot under firm grip.

On the more personal side, I’ve found this to be an easier knife to use. Like, if someone asks me to cut a plastic tie-wire from a segment of steel grating, I’ll always hesitate before pulling out the 0450. It’s an attractive, expensive knife, and I find it difficult to shake the fear of dinging it up. But with the Atmos? Hell, it’s only $30. What do I care if the blade accidentally knocks up against a rock or piece of structural steel? It’s a more capable cutter, without the nagging pocket-jewelry connotation. Sure, it’s not the most hard-use tool on the table, but let’s be honest – Neither is the 0450.

Deployment and Lockup

The Kershaw Atmos is a fidgeter’s dream. I’ve spent more time playing with this knife than any other in my collection. Even the ZT0450 pales in comparison when it comes to fidget factor. There’s just something about the Atmos’ deployment – The snikt/clack that lands pleasantly on the ear.

The linerlock itself lands at a solid 40-50% lockup, with the blade flying through its arc after a firm press on the flipper tab. Kershaw has dialed in the detent to the point that it’s actually rather difficult to cause a misfire. Here’s a breakdown shot of the Atmos, showing the internal hardware responsible for its excellent action.

As you can see, Kershaw has included both metal washers and captive bearings. The setup works well, though the arrangement is a little strange. On the show side, the bearing is sandwiched between the washer and blade. On the clip side, the bearing rests between the washer and the linerlock steel. This is something you’ll need to remember during reassembly, if you want the blade to remain centered.

And you will need to take this blade down. See that deep hook on the blade tang? After household chores and a weekend of camping, gunk started to accumulate in its inner recesses. Thankfully, the simple screws and D-shaped pivot make disassembly a relatively routine affair. As mentioned, just be sure you’re putting the washers and bearings back in the proper order.

Even with proper oiling, however, the blade’s swing isn’t completely utterly smooth. I still encountered a bit of rolling friction when working it back and forth manually, but this is more than covered by the strength of its detent. When firing with the flipper, you’ll never notice.

Kershaw Atmos Review – Final Thoughts

Take a deep breath, fellow knife nerds. I have a confession to make: The 0450 is on its way out of my collection, while the Atmos is staying for the foreseeable future. It’s not a question of cost, since the ZT was provided to me for a previous review. Rather, it’s an issue of usability. Yes, the 0450 is fun. Its fit, finish, materials, and design place it in the pantheon of great EDC knives. But, for all of the reasons discussed above, I find myself drawn to the down-to-earth usability of the Atmos.

That isn’t to say the Kershaw is perfect, however. I’d love to see an upgraded version, maybe with 154CM, 14C28N, or another budget-friendly steel. Dmitry Sinkevich has come up with a world-class design here, and it deserves world-class materials. But, with an entry price of just $30, this is one of the best budget EDCs on the market.

Sale

Kershaw Atmos Folding Pocketknife (4037); 3-in. 8Cr13MoV Stainless Steel Drop Point Blade; Black G10 Handle with Carbon Fiber; Inset Liner Lock; KVT Manual Open; Reversible Deep-Carry Pocketclip; 1 oz

KERSHAW ATMOS POCKET KNIFE: The Atmos is a 2019 Bikepacker magazine top choice for a lightweight pocket knife. Designed by Dmitry Sinkevich with a slim, modified drop point blade that will handle the job without ever weighing you down.
DROP POINT PLAIN EDGE BLADE: Made from high-quality 8Cr13MoV stainless steel for edge retention and wear resistance. A satin blade finish with sanded flats reduces reflectivity.
DURABLE , ALL-WEATHER G10 HANDLE with a black eye-catching carbon overlay. A textured grip ensures a comfortable, secure feel in your hand. Includes a reversible deep-carry (right/left, tip-up) pocket clip for convenient, discreet carry.
DESIGNED WITH SAFETY IN MIND: This folding knife opens manually, but just as smoothly as an assisted knife with the manual KVT ball bearings and built-in flipper. A liner lock secures the knife blade in place during use to ensure user safety.
SIZE SPECIFICATIONS: Blade Length: 3in. Overall Length: 6.9in. Closed Length: 4in. Weighing in at 1.9oz. Backed by Kershaw’s Limited Lifetime Warranty.

I recommend purchasing the Kershaw Atmos at Amazon 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.

UPDATE: Kershaw has chimed in on the Atmos’ use of carbon fiber. Here’s what they had to say: “The one thing is that the carbon fiber on the handle is not a ‘sticker’. It is actually an integral part of the G10 handle material. For this knife, when they are making the G10 (which is an epoxy-fiber material), they make it by layering sheets of fiber with epoxy…but in this case, the top is composed of two thin layers of carbon fiber. So rather than being stickered on, the carbon fiber is part of the handle—just like all the other fiber layers in the material. The black G10 below is exposed when we machine the contours of the handle. There’s no way the carbon fiber would peel off as a sticker might.”

Kershaw also takes issue with the idea that 8Cr13MoV is a “groaner of a steel.” As their representative pointed out, Blade Magazine/KnifeForums has singled the company out as having attained the best heat treatment for this particular metal. I stand by my desire to see the Atmos in something a bit higher-end, but it’s good to know that they’re getting the most mileage out of ol’ 8Cr.

Spyderco Paramilitary 2 Left Handed C81GLE2 Review

by Aaron Shapiro 3 Comments

Last Updated: August 7, 2019
In 2009 my house was broken into while I was living in West Nashville. This caused me to do two things in quick succession. First, I adopted a huge Irish Wolfhound mix named “Apple,” and secondly, I bought a handgun. Now, since I tend to dive headfirst into anything that I get myself into… I began to research handguns, and that inexorably led me to the EDC community.

Buy the Left Handed Para 2 at BladeHQ

Buy on Amazon

I think that everyone has a story about their relationship to carrying a pocket knife. Mine is wrapped up in EDC videos on YouTube, and hours spent scouring BladeForums threads. One of the knives that struck a chord for me, and has endured since the very first years of my collecting, has been the Spyderco Paramilitary 2.

Now, my handedness (being left handed) has limited me in several areas when it comes to knives, and it ultimately forced me into buying primarily custom knives that I could have made for me. Whenever I see a company offer a production knife in, specifically, a lefty configuration I always try to buy at least one to support that effort they went to. The Left Handed version of the PM2 (model number C81GPLE2) was a no brainer for me. After all, this is arguably Spyderco‘s most popular knife.

Editors note: It is worth noting that the only difference between this left handed version of the Para 2 and the original PM2 is that the locking liner side and non locking liner side have been swapped. This lefty version is literally a mirrored version of the original Paramilitary 2. I can’t help but think of my days studying biology when I consider the Lefty Para 2. It’s the same concept of chirality that they teach in the introductory organic chemistry course.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Paramilitary 2 Left Handed has an overall length of 8.3″, a 3.4″ blade, weighs 3.75 ounces. Just like the original Paramilitary 2, this left hand version is made in the U.S.A. out of Spyderco’s Golden, Colorado factory.

The thing that DOES stick out about the PM2 blade, and is worth talking about, is how universally great it is. The leaf blade shape that Spyderco has championed for years is one of the more useful blade shapes out there. This, paired with their full flat grind on S30V steel gives you a strong but surgical tip for delicate operations, and long sweeping primary cutting edge. Now, I’ve used this blade for a LOT; opening packages, slicing apples, I even chopped up a cream filled cronut the other day. The Paramilitary 2 is a versatile and capable blade that will carry out day to day tasks, from the campsite to the kitchen without hesitation.

As a footnote, I’m not gonna go in depth about S30V. It’s a knife-specific allow that was developed by Chris Reeve and Crucible for folding pocket knives. At this point, we should all be at least a little familiar with it, it performs well, it’s very stainless, and it’s at least reasonable to sharpen. They make PM2’s in a variety of steels these days, but not the left handed version… and I’m not a steel snob, pretty much anything from VG10 nicer is okay for me, as subjective as that might be.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The Paramilitary 2, true to it’s name, was designed for LEO and Military use. Now… in reality that most likely means that it’s 99% bought and used by people like you and I, and 1% make it into the gloved hands of actual military users. But it’s intended purpose did inform some of it’s design decisions. The handle is slightly oversized with a pronounced shape to seat and lock your hand in place. There’s an alternate grip position with the knife open and your index finger inside the front choil that would allow you to “choke-up” on the knife for finer control. The handle slabs are peel ply black G10. That is very grippy. It’s not shred-your-jeans-grippy, but grippy all the same. Last big detail that is instantly apparent when you hold the knife is the thumb ramp. It’s steep, and it’s jimped. This serves as just another step in locking the knife into your grip when you hold it.

The pocket clip is one of Spyderco’s typical “spoon” pocket clips. Not a lot to say here except that they are functional and nicely designed. Tension is perfect and the knife carries well. There are a few other people that make deep carry clips for the PM2, so if you wanted another option you could find that there.

Deployment and Locking Mechanism

In keeping with the Spyderco trend, the PM2 utilizes a “spydie-hole” opening method. This is a distinguishing feature of the Spyderco line of knives. This is basically a .5” diameter hole in the blade that serves as the opening method. It’s something that Spyderco has been doing for a long time, a lot of you are likely familiar with it so I won’t belabor that particular point.

The PM2 utilizes Spyderco’s patented compression lock. For a long time I thought of this as sort of a “reverse liner-lock,”— that it just had the release on the back of the knife instead of on the bottom like a normal liner lock. Operationally and aesthetically this is true. However, in terms of use and strength that’s a bit of a misconception. The compression lock snaps into place between the blade tang and the stop pin. This “traps” the blade between those two forces. It’s not a matter of lockup “geometry” as much as it is two lateral forces holding the knife open. To use the compression lock, it DOES work like a reverse liner lock, you just have to push the liner the opposite direction of the spring and the blade will swing free.

Spyderco Paramilitary 2 Left Handed Review – Final Thoughts

Well… the Paramilitary 2 is my go to knife when people ask for a recommendation for what knife they should buy. I love the size, I love the grind, and I love the steel. Priced around ~$100 it packs a TON of pound per pound capability. The blade will preform equally well in the kitchen as it would on a construction site. The handles are comfortable to hold, and will stay grippy in almost any conditions. Lastly, the lock is one of the most solid out there, easy to disengage, and simple to operate.

Before I completely button up this review, I think I need to address the backwards elephant in the room. Spyderco released one of the most successful models in a left handed version, and it occurred to me (and my editor Dan), that I should touch on that fact. I think the best way to describe this would be the following: My experience with the Lefty PM2 is likely exactly the same as the right-handed world’s experience with the original PM2. Now, this is worth spending some time considering, the PM2 has a 4-way placeable clip, so most southpaws carried it lefty and just operated the lock the best that we could. The compression lock when operated with the opposite hand that it was designed for is awkward, incredibly, and can be borderline dangerous. Spyderco fixed that problem for us. As I stated earlier, whenever a company released a left-hand specific I typically buy it to support that gesture. This is a great example of that.

Spyderco Para Military 2 Signature Left-Handed Knife with 3.42" CPM S30V Steel Blade and Durable G-10 Handle - PlainEdge - C81GPLE2

An Improved Classic: Undeniably one of Spyderco's most popular and in-demand designs, the Para Military 2 distills the world-class performance of our legendary Military Model into a more compact, Pocket-Friendly package.
Superior Quality: We kept the same high-performance full flat-ground blade but we've also lengthened the blade's tip and added additional surface jimping to both the spine and finger coil.
A Secure Grip: The G-10 handle is narrowed at the end improving the Ergonomics. The handle and blade have been profile thinner; removing uncomfortable angles when in the closed position.
Easy-to-Use: The Para Military 2 features extreme strength, reliability, and ease of use of our patented Compression Lock mechanism and versatility of a 4-position pocket clip.
Dependable: Refinements to overall construction may not be drastic but from the G-10 textured handle to the steel full flat blade, everything is sharper, smoother and guaranteed to provide performance and user comfort.

I recommend purchasing the Paramilitary 2 at Amazon or BladeHQ. Purchasing anything through any of the links on this site helps support BladeReviews, and keep this review train running. As always, any and all support is greatly appreciated.

Spyderco Roadie Review

by Benjamin Schwartz 14 Comments

Enthusiast culture is the weirdest thing. At the far end of five years of talking, thinking, and fretting about knives, knowing more now than I ever have about steels, grinds, locks, etc., in a way I’ve never been further away from what first drew me to pocket knives in the first place. Originally, I just liked the idea of carrying something useful with me every day, for the small, unexciting cutting chores I might run into. But now, as a collector with more knives than I can possibly use in a lifetime, the question is usually “What’s next?” instead of “What’s enough?”

Buy the Spyderco Roadie at BladeHQ

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Looking at it honestly, every blade I’ve ever owned, loved, even hated, is overqualified for the job of being my EDC. Which makes reviewing knives like the Spyderco Roadie a bracing experience. You expect a knife this small to have limits. And it certainly does. But for me – domesticated, deskbound, and suburban – it did everything I asked of it for a whole month without issue, and made me question the wisdom and value of owning so damn many knives.

But side-by-side with this access of regret, there was a familiar surge of knife nerd pleasure at experiencing an interesting new design from one of my favorite companies. The Roadie can do all that I need it to, but is it good enough to merit a spot in the permanent collection? Let’s take a look.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Roadie has a 2-1/8” blade counting the finger choil and a cutting edge of 1-3/4”. Handle length with the choil is 3-5/16”, and 2-7/8” without. Overall length is about 5” and it weighs just under an ounce. It is made in Maniago, Italy.

Some knives have different ‘regions’ along their cutting edge, but Roadie’s consists of a single continues run of gentle belly. It functions nearly like a straight edge, but the slight curve imparts muscle in certain chores like cutting zip ties. The small blade excels at small tasks: opening letters, cutting tape on boxes, nipping stray threads. It’s airy and nimble, but thanks to the thick stock it still feels substantial enough to use with confidence.

I would like a more acute tip, personally. And notably, the Roadie can’t do food prep, so if that’s a central cutting chore for you, be warned that this knife will not cope. But outside of these complaints the Roadie gets a lot done with very little.

Being a Maniago-born Spyderco the Roadie has N690Co steel. This is superb stuff. It can be sharpened to a fine, clean edge, and stays sharp for a long while – significantly longer than VG-10, and a smidge longer 154CM. Moreover as it dulls it doesn’t fall through the pronounced ‘steps’ of baser steels like 8Cr13MoV or 420HC. That is, it doesn’t go from ‘screaming sharp’ to ‘semi-dull’ with no apparent transitional phases in between. Its wear pattern is much more gradual. In this regard it reminds me of S35VN, albeit not quite so long-lived. It does, however, have top-tier stain and corrosion resistance.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Carry

The Roadie’s handle consist of two pieces of FRN, lightly textured and slightly contoured. A standout feature is the half and half finger choil. The choil itself and the base of the blade spine are both covered in jimping.

The ergonomics are good. Despite having a handle not much longer than a toothpick, the Roadie is quite accommodating. I don’t hear angels singing when I hold it but I never felt cramped, even with my large hands – which is quite a feat. The choil seems like a great idea and works fine, but it is (obviously) undersized compared to a standard Spyderco finger choil. It also isn’t really necessary on a knife this small. You’re going to have plenty of control over the blade just by virtue of the Roadie’s overall size.

Instead of the choil, I’d like to see the handle thickened up a bit because the Roadie almost feels too thin. Most traditional knives in this size class are a little more ample, and better in the hand for it. More pronounced texturing on the scales would be great too. As it is I have cut myself a couple of times while closing the knife because my fingers slid around.

No pocket clip here – but obviously you don’t need one. Loose in a full-size pocket, the Roadie is invisible. The only downside is that it can get tangled up in your keys, or slip out and slide down between the couch cushions without you knowing it. One time I pulled out my keys and the Roadie went flying out of my pocket, taking a pretty nasty ding as it landed. All of this is a function of its Lilliputian dimensions and a not a mark against the knife, but worth knowing if you plan on carrying the Roadie in your main pocket.

But here’s my pro-up: carry it in your watch pocket. I’ve never been an advocate of the watch pocket carry; I always thought it was one of those weird Knife Nerd affectations, like pocket sheaths or whipping out your folding knife to cut steak in a restaurant. But the Roadie is perfect carried that way. It’s readily accessible, stays in place, and doesn’t peek out of the top like most folding knives would. Non-believers, give it a try.

Lockup and Deployment

Although it’s a slipjoint, the Roadie is not a traditional knife in any real sense; it wasn’t made with considerations of walk and talk or pull weight in mind. It isn’t meant to ‘feel nice’ in the way a GEC or a Case might. There’s nothing poetic or soulful about this knife’s lockup or deployment – but it undoubtedly works.

There’s a watery half stop before the blade snaps fully into the open position. The spring tension when open is about where I like it: easy to intentionally overcome, but stout enough to preclude accidental closure in all but the most extraordinary circumstances. Combined with the half-and-half choil, there isn’t much need to worry here.

We get a Spyderco original for deployment, the Double Dent: a shallow concave ‘dent’ on either side of the blade that you pinch to open the knife. These dents have been left with a little rougher finish than the satin on the rest of the blade to aid in grip. They work great, definitely better than the average nail mark. Like the Round Hole, they do dictate the knife’s profile to a greater degree than other two-hand knife opening methods, but the extra width on a knife so small is not a problem.

A secondary, although welcome, advantage of the Double Dent is that it is easier to clean out than a nail mark. I find nail marks to be a common problem area when it comes to rust and that’s largely because they are so hard to properly clean out. You won’t have any issues like that here.

Spyderco Roadie Review – Final Thoughts

The Roadie did everything I asked of it with aplomb. If you live a relatively undemanding life it’s a fun way to cover all your bases in as small a format as possible. Even if you ask for more out of your EDC it’s a great backup knife or a people-friendly option for delicate situations. It may not be able to with you on an airplane right now, but it can go anywhere else without scaring anybody and without making you feel unprepared.

A note on price: at $50, the Roadie is expensive for what you’re getting. But it’s so friendly and fun, I can’t really crack down too hard on it for this. My particular Roadie originally came to me on loan from Gear Geeks Live After Dark co-host Mike Rixman. Within ten minutes of opening the package I made an attempt to buy it off him. I got mine for a little less than $50, but even at full price I would have already gotten my money’s worth in terms of carry and use. I think you’ll be surprised how often you reach for the Roadie, and I recommend it highly.

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I recommend purchasing the Spyderco Roadie at Amazon 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.