USA Made EDC Knives

Kershaw Blur Review

Last Updated: February 20, 2019

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

Buy the Kershaw Blur at BladeHQ

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

General Dimensions and Blade Details

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

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

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

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

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

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

Handle, Ergonomics and Pocket Clip

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

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

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

Deployment and Lockup

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

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

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

Blade centering on my knife is pretty much perfect.

Kershaw Blur Review – Final Thoughts

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

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

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

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

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

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

Benchmade Dejavoo 740 Review

by Dan Jackson 4 Comments

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

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Purpose

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

General Dimensions and Blade Details

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

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

Handle, Ergonomics and Pocket Clip

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

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

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

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

Lock-up and Deployment

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

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

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

Value

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

Benchmade Dejavoo Review – Final Thoughts

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

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

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

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

Spyderco Manix 2 Review

by Dan Jackson 10 Comments

Last Updated: July 31, 2019
The Spyderco Manix 2 is one of those knives that I have been meaning to review pretty much since the start of this website. I’ve examined a lot of blades since then and now I finally have my thoughts on the Manix 2 together and can write on this fantastic heavy duty folding knife made in the good ole USA.

Buy the Spyderco Manix 2 at BladeHQ

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General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Manix 2 is what I would call a “medium” sized folding knife. It is stoutly built and highly functional. We are looking at an overall length of 8 inches and a blade length of 3-3/8 inches. At 5 ounces this knife is going to be heavier than most other knives “in its class” but what you get for this weight is a strong design with killer ergonomics. Just to put things into perspective, the Spyderco Tenacious has roughly the same dimensions but comes in a full ounce lighter.

Part of what makes the Manix 2 on the heavier side is the hollow saber grind (also it has full liners – more on that later). This makes for a stronger blade, but the trade off is weight. Many users don’t particularly care for the saber grind, preferring a full flat grind. In that case, I would advise trying to find a “sprint run” (limited edition) of the knife as Spyderco often makes them with a full flat grind (like the version wearing BD30P in my video review). The blade shape is a classic leaf design and the tip is fairly delicate. There isn’t a ton of belly on this knife, but I find its plenty for most every day tasks.

Blade steel on the standard Manix 2 is 154CM. A classic steel, 154CM is known for being an all around performer. Edge retention, rust resistance, toughness and sharpen-ability are all good.

I gotta say though if you want a more exotic steel or a full flat grind, Spyderco has been rolling out some really cool sprint runs of this knife. It’s going to cost you more, but it’s possible to get this knife in S30V or even S90V, although you might have to head to the secondary market to do it. Who knows, down the road Spyderco might release this knife exclusively with a full flat grind like they did with the Endura and Delica, so if you like the saber grind I would get it while you can.

Handle, Ergonomics and Pocket Clip

The Manix 2 has a tried and true handle design: G10 scales over stainless steel liners. The G10 on the standard Manix 2 is black and well textured. I would say the G10 is aggressively textured and provides great grip and tactile response. The liners run the entire length of the handle and are not milled out (or “skeletonized”) at all in the standard version which adds substantially to the weight of this knife. The handle is a partial flow through construction with a metal backspacer taking up the front part of the handle, and some pillars holding the back part of the handle together.

Another notable feature on this handle is the over-sized lanyard hole. For a stout blade like this, a large lanyard hole is a very practical feature – if you take this knife camping or regularly engage in long and heavy cutting tasks, a lanyard could be a great option for you.

The ergonomics on the Manix 2 is where this knife really shines. At a glance you can see all kinds of stuff going on with the handle. First off, you have two large choils. This allows you to choke up on the blade for detail work generally get a comfortable grip. Also, a liberal amount of jimping has been applied to many parts of the handle (including the thumb ramp and choil of the blade itself). This jimping is very sharp (some say it’s even “too sharp”) and ensures your fingers wont slip. This is a super comfortable knife and it works well in many grips. Combine that with that extra bit of weight and I find it hard to put this one down.

The only downside to the great ergonomics is that the handle (and folded knife) is kind of bulky in the pocket. You get a great handle but you lose some ease of carry.

The pocket clip is a classic Spyderco “hourglass” clip, mounted very high on the knife for a nice deep carry. It’s not a 4 corners clip, but it allows for ambidextrous tip up carry which works very well for me. The rough G10 may start to tear up your pocket a little – if that happens you may want to consider sanding part of the G10 down.

Deployment and Lockup

Deployment with the Manix 2 is a snap. Spyderco selected an oversize 14mm thumb hole for this knife and it performs as well as it ever has. Of course, you have your standard phosphor bronze bushings which help speed things along, but I find the weight of the blade makes this knife deploy with great ease and authority.

The Manix 2 has a pretty unique locking system. It is a “ball lock” and it functions in fashion similar to a Benchmade Axis lock. A spring loaded piece (in this case a steel ball bearing partially encased in a chunk of polymer resin) is what holds the blade in place. The knife has a very solid lockup that can be disengaged without putting your fingers across the path of the blade. Note that the spring is very strong on this ball lock so it can be difficult disengage the lock with one hand and it may stick a little until the lock has fully broken in. I’ve found that it is entirely possible with a little practice to disengage the lock one handed (especially once the spring breaks in a little), but there may be a slight learning curve.

Also, please keep in mind what I said in the “purpose” section about spine whacks – while I think this is a very strong lock, it does appear to have an Achilles heel and there are confirmed reports of the lock failing when subjecting to spine whacks. I never advocate “spine whacking” a folding knife, but I want “keep it real” here and help you make a decision that is right for you.

Update – Apparently Spyderco has since fixed the problem with the lock mechanism failing when spine whacked. These new knives have a black ball lock rather than a clear one. I have yet to get my hands on one of these new versions, so maybe it’s time I picked up a new Manix 2 XL and checked it out.

Value

Currently you can get a Manix 2 for right around $80 shipped, and a low as $70 shipped if you want a combo edge or serrated version. At either price I think the Manix packs a ton of value. When you consider that this knife has excellent blade steel, an awesome handle, a rock solid locking mechanism AND is made in the United States, it definitely has some value. Also, this isn’t some dinky folder either. This thing is built tough and I would put the ball lock right up there with the Axis lock and could see this knife being used hard for a long time.

Spyderco Manix 2 Review – Final Thoughts

Spyderco has done it again. The Manix 2 pretty much has it all. Two of my biggest gripes include that the knife doesn’t come with a fully flat ground blade, and it’s heavy. If you opt for a sprint run version you can avoid these negative aspects. I also tend to find the ball lock a little clunky in comparison to an axis lock, but I know plenty of people who prefer Spyderco’s ball lock.

While I can’t say it’s my absolute favorite Spyderco (I’d put both the Sage 1 and Paramilitary 2 ahead of the Manix – just my preference), it’s a beefy knife with solid ergonomics, and is both well thought out and highly functional. Although the price tag has crept up over the years, I also like how the Manix 2 is made in America and can be had for under $100. The collect-ability of the knife is also very cool as Spyderco has released numerous Sprint Runs and spin off versions of the knife.

Spyderco Manix 2 Signature Knife with 3.37" CPM S30V Steel Blade and Durable Black G-10 Handle - PlainEdge - C101GP2

Ready For Anything: The Manix 2 is an extremely capable full-sized folder that is known for it's strength and performance. Its broad blade provides exceptional cutting power, while its textured index finger choil and thumb ramp allow a forward grip.
A Secure Grip: It's scaled G-10 handle has a unique non-slip checked texture. This handle provides a special kind of comfort, creating a reliable, long-term carry.
Dependable: If you are looking for control and precision, look no more. This knife features our PlainEdge grind which is known for creating a smooth and exact cut.
Low Friction: This knife features a blade ground with flat bevels that extend from the spine all the way to the cutting edge. This grind reduces drag during cutting and decreases overall weight.
High-Strength Lock: The Ball Bearing Lock features a patented compressive lock that wedges a ball bearing between a fixed anvil and the blade tang. The mechanism also serves as a detent to hold the blade in the closed position.

I recommend purchasing the Manix 2 at Amazon.com or BladeHQ.

Photo Credits: Many thanks to Cougar337 for the beautiful Manix 2 photographs! Thanks again!!

Kershaw Junkyard Dog II Review

by Dan Jackson 12 Comments

Last Updated: August 11, 2019
To the average person the pocket knife has remained virtually unchanged over the years. But as collectors and enthusiasts know, this industry is full of innovation. In fact, I argue that there has been more innovation in knife design over the past 20 years than in the previous 200 years. The Junkyard Dog II Composite (JYD II) is a great example of this, with its ultra cool composite blade. Designed by Tim Galyean, the JYD II is a fantastic blend of fantasy and function and is proudly made in the USA.

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Purpose

The JYD II is not a small knife. I’ve read reviews where people are calling it a tactical. I’m not ready to call it that, and review it from that perspective, but I can kinda see where they are coming from. I would say the JYD II is more of a heavy duty EDC/utility knife. In a pinch it could be pressed into tactical use, but I think the blade shape was meant more for daily tasks (and hard tasks at that). Your mileage may vary.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Junkyard Dog II has a 3-3/4 inch blade and a closed length of 4 7/8 inches. This puts it right around 8 11/16 inches overall with a weight of 5.2 ounces. Like I said, the JYD II is not a small knife. You probably won’t want to bust this one out in the office, but it could make for a nice EDC if your job allows it. Some might find it a little on the heavy side but I think it is well worth it when you consider how much knife you are getting.

The blade is probably the first thing you will notice (assuming you get the ultra cool composite blade version – which I totally suggest doing if you are interested in this knife). This blade is in fact made of two kinds of steel. Kershaw chose a high end steel for the edge (CPM D2 tool steel), and a tough but decidedly less expensive steel for the rest of the blade (Sandvik 14C28N). From what I’ve gathered this is to reduce cost and make for a cool looking knife. Both reasons sound great to me.

On the subject of steel, the D2 edge steel is a great choice, with the CPM version being better. CPM stands for “Crucible Partice Metalurgy” and is a special process developed by the steel’s manufacturer, Crucible Metals. What Crucible does here essentially is powder the steel (by forcing the molten metal through a high pressure nozzle) and puts it back together so the grains are ultra tight on the molecular level. This was a poor explanation, but understand that the result is a finer steel and holds a better edge. Since D2 is already great stuff, we are talking about a pretty fancy piece of steel here.

Sandvik 14C28N is less impressive than the CPM D2, but it is still a great steel on its own (used in many popular Kershaw knives, like the Skyline and Scallion) and makes for an awesome “placeholder” for the D2.

So you are probably wondering how Kershaw puts these 2 pieces of steel together, and I was very curious myself. Apparently both pieces are laser cut, and then braze welded together with copper. The end result is a single piece of steel which is subsequently finished like any other Kershaw knife. The final bond is very strong. Kershaw claims it is as strong as a single piece of steel. I’ve never heard of the metal coming apart.

Ok, so a quick word on the blade shape. Again, I am hesitant to label this a “tactical knife” (not that my labels even matter – use the knife however you like) because of the blade shape. The tip is fairly blunt, and quite sturdy. Great for tough jobs, especially with that D2, but perhaps not the best choice for a defensive tool. Also, I gotta say the blade shape and overall “flow” of the knife kind of has a Ken Onion feel to it. Tim did work with Ken Onion at Kershaw, so perhaps that is where we get this design cue. Personally, I like it.

Handle, Ergonomics and Pocket Clip

The handle design and construction on the Junkyard Dog II is outstanding. We are looking at fairly typical handle construction: G10 over 410 stainless steel liners. The liners themselves are far less typical because they are some of the thickest I have seen on a liner lock knife. The addition of a FRN backspacer provides even more strength and rigidity (but makes the knife more difficult to clean). The result is a heavily built handle with a rock solid feel. Kershaw did attempt to lighten things up a bit by milling out the liners, and I think 5.2 ounces is pretty good considering how big the blade is and how thick these liners are.

The ergonomics are another outstanding aspect of this knife. The very nice (and unique!) design to the handle fits the hand comfortably and the textured G10 allows for a great grip. There is some jimping on the spine, but it is pretty “round” stuff. Probably due to the finish Kershaw puts on their blades. If jimping is your thing, you might want to modify this one, but I don’t mind it as is. Overall, I am very pleased with the handle design and ergonomics.

Now the pocket clip, well, that is probably my least favorite part of the knife. First of all, it isn’t reversible or ambidextrous, and I think it is far too big. I’m not a fan of the wide and flashy design either. The design is more a matter of taste (the look kind of “flows” with the rest of the knife) but I really hope Kershaw addresses the reversible and ambidextrous aspects of the clip. That said, this is an otherwise outstanding knife, and I would seriously consider getting the handle drilled/tapped and a custom low-rider clip made by a knifemaker like my friend STR.

Deployment and Lock

Like many Kershaw knives, the JYD II uses a flipper for deployment. I like flippers alright, but I’d love to see some thumb studs on here too – it’s what I’m used to most. That said, the flipper and the phosphor bronze bushings do a great job with deployment and the Junkyard Dog II moves very fast. Something to note is that this knife does not have the speed-safe assisted open mechanism common on a lot of Kershaw knives. I like the unassisted opening so I don’t count this against the knife. I know some people really like the assisted opening knives.

I’ve already commented on the liner lock, but just to reiterate, this is one of the more solid liner lock knives I’ve held. Kershaw did not skimp on the steel here and the liner covers almost 50% of the blade when the knife is open – very impressive. Despite this heavy liner, it is still an easy knife to close with one hand.

Kershaw Junkyard Dog II Review – Final Thoughts

One last thing to comment on is the value, and this knife has tons of it. If you go for the non-composite version the JYD II can easily be had for under $50. You will be hard pressed to find a new knife this big, strong and well made for under $50 folks, that’s just a fact (and it’s made in America too). The composite version is of course going to be more expensive at around $75, but even still that is a good deal for a very nice and unique knife with a high quality edge.

Well as you probably gathered, I really like this knife. Combine the heavy construction with a comfortable handle, a great blade and a cool innovation like the composite steel and there is not much left for me to desire. That said, the pocket clip definitely gives me some grief, but I can say that about a lot of knives on the market. All in all this is a very solid offering from Kershaw.

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Emerson CQC-7 Review

by Dan Jackson 8 Comments

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

Buy the CQC-7 at BladeHQ

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

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

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

Intended Use

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

General Dimensions and Blade Details

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

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

The Emerson Wave Feature

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

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

Chisel Grind

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

Blade Steel

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

Handle, Ergonomic,s and Pocket Clip

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

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

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

Deployment and Lock

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

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

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

Emerson CQC-7 Review – Final Thoughts

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

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

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

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

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

Benchmade 710 Review

by Dan Jackson 23 Comments

Last Updated: December 29, 2018

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

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

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

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

General Dimensions and Blade Detail

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

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

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

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

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

Handle, Ergonomics and Pocket Clip

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

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

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

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

Deployment and Lock

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

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

Benchmade 710 Review – Final Thoughts

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

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

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

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