aluminum

Victorinox Bantam Alox Review

Victorinox makes the most popular pocket knives in the world. That’s not hyperbole, it’s just a fact: globally, Victorinox sells more folding knives than any other cutlery company and it isn’t even close. The Swiss Army Knife is an icon, lionized by media (MacGyver) and government (NASA) alike. They’re so well-known to be useful tools that the phrase “Swiss Army Knife” has come to represent the idea of multipurpose utility, itself.

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Out of the hundreds of Swiss Army Knife variants, the Alox Cadet seems to be the “gear geek” consensus choice for everyday carry: a winning combination of durable Alox construction, pocketable size, and useful tool selection. But what if I told you there might be an even better knife for the job in the Victorinox catalog? Allow me to (re)introduce you to the Alox Bantam.

General Dimensions & Blade Details

The Bantam, like the Cadet, falls in the middle of the current Swiss Army Knife (SAK) size range. At 3.3 inches (84mm) long when closed, it’s a sizable step up from their keychain models, but noticeably smaller than their “full-sized” pocket knives. Here it is between a Rambler (58mm) and an Alox Farmer (93mm):

Unlike the Cadet, which has a second backspring to accommodate separate can and bottle openers, the Bantam has a single tool for opening both nestled beside the main blade. This single-layer construction, coupled with skinny aluminum scales, makes the Alox Bantam literally wafer thin. Or, if you happen to have some Ritz handy, cracker thin:

The blade shape on the Bantam is quintessential Victorinox: a drop point with a slightly bulbous tip. Everything you’d expect a 2.5-inch slipjoint to do, this blade does well. There’s enough belly to make cutting on a board feel natural. It’s thin enough to cut with even after it gets a little dull (which it will, and fast). And while I do wish the tip was a little more acute, it’s not as blunt as it looks – it still pierced clamshell packaging with ease and cut out printed shipping labels with precision.

Victorinox doesn’t advertise their blade steel anymore, but it’s no secret that whatever they use doesn’t hold an edge for very long. Thankfully, it’s also inexpensive and impressively stain-resistant. For my money, it’s a compromise I’m willing to work around, especially since I’m usually carrying the Bantam alongside a larger and more capable folder. Plus, the steel’s softness / lack of wear resistance means you can maintain it on just about anything abrasive. For example: after the blade lost its keenness cutting two large cardboard boxes into strips small enough to fit in my undersized recycling bin, it only took a minute of stropping against that same cardboard to bring it back. Unfortunately, those sorts of tricks only work for so long before it’s time for a proper re-sharpening.

Handle, Ergonomics, & Pocket Clip

The first time I held the Bantam, I had to repress the urge to put it in my mouth to snap it like a chip. The waffled, wafer-like texture of its thin Alox scales coupled with its barely-there weight makes the Bantam feel more like a popsicle stick than a pocket knife. The more I used it, however, the more I came to trust it (and the less I subconsciously associated it with snacks). The riveted all-metal construction is rigid and the handle texture, while not aggressive, provides some traction even when wet.

Measuring in at 3.3 inches long, the handle of the Bantam is long enough to wrap all four fingers around, but thin enough that I wouldn’t really want to bear down on it. It’s practically two-dimensional: whichever tool you have unfolded, the handle presents as a simple, flat, oblong shape. Not exactly comfortable, just impossible to hold incorrectly. Once you get used to its exceptional thinness the Bantam basically disappears in use, allowing you to focus on the task at hand instead of how you’re holding the tool.

I avoid carrying anything loose in my pockets if I can help it. So, with neither pocket clip nor lanyard loop to anchor it from twisting, swinging, or knocking around in there, the Bantam was not something I expected to enjoy carting around. To my surprise, I struggled to notice it was even there. It’s hard to overstate just how slim and light this knife is – I’ve pocketed CVS receipts bulkier than the Alox Bantam.

Deployment & Lockup

The backspring tension on the Bantam is well-balanced: strong enough to keep the tools firmly in place when open, but not so strong as to make them awkward to unfold. Opening either one is always a two-handed operation. After more than a year of use, neither tool has developed any play, though they’ve picked up a fair few scratches.

Equipping a pocket multi-tool with a dedicated can opener has always been baffling to me. Even if we set aside the fact that pull-tabs on cans have become ubiquitous, I can think of a dozen other tools I’d need before encountering a single unopened can. Victorinox clearly disagrees, because nearly every full-sized SAK includes a can opener. Here on the Bantam it’s been cleverly integrated into a “combination tool,” which also lifts off bottle caps…

…drives screws…

…and scrapes, prods, and pries if need be.

It’s become my favorite Victorinox tool by far, and it makes the perfect companion to the Bantam’s light-duty blade. It’s not a crowbar or an impact driver – obviously – but in the daily struggle against encroaching entropy, the combo tool is often enough to tweak, tighten, or undo the issue on the spot without a walk to the toolbox.

Victorinox Bantam Review – Final Thoughts

Goldilocks would agree with me: the Bantam is just right. The keychain-sized SAKs are useful to have around (who doesn’t love those tiny scissors?), but far too feeble to replace a dedicated knife. The larger SAKs are also great, but tend to be loaded with tools I don’t use often enough to justify carrying them around all day. The Bantam is just enough knife for most cutting, plus it’s capable of work that a blade alone can’t (or maybe just shouldn’t) do.

I don’t think there’s another knife on the market that packs so much utility into such little mass. For me, this is where the Bantam really pulls ahead of the Cadet as a daily companion: it offers 80% of the functionality at half the size. Unless you absolutely need a nail file or can’t live without a lanyard, the Bantam wins by sheer efficiency. And even though the Alox variant is about $10 more than the red plastic-handled Bantam, the durability, grip, and next-level thinness the Alox scales provide are well worth the upgrade.

Some, I suspect, won’t see the Bantam’s ultra-minimalist design as a selling point. If you’re looking for a multi-tool that’s more “off-road” than “office,” I would point you elsewhere. But if you’re looking for a polite companion to a larger knife, or want the multipurpose utility of a Swiss Army Knife without any extra frippery, I would enthusiastically recommend the Alox Bantam.

Victorinox Bantam Alox Swiss Army Knife, 5 Function Swiss Made Pocket Knife with Large Blade, Screwdriver and Bottle Opener – Silver

A CUT ABOVE THE REST:Compact, agile and ready to face any adventure head-on. Our range of Swiss Army Knives have been established since 1897 and continue to be an icon of utility and smart design.
DURABLE CONSTRUCTION: Swiss made stainless steel construction encased in our popular scales offers a slimmer profile and is extremely resistant.
COMPACT CARRY: Bring this knife with you on your daily adventures without sacrificing space.
FIT FOR ALL TASKS: At their heart, all our pocket knives are a survival tool; multitaskers that deliver in any situation. At their most evolved they have surpassed basic function to pioneer space travel and restart engines.
TRUSTED QUALITY: Made in Switzerland; Victorinox provides a lifetime against defects in material and workmanship. Making a lifetime commitment has never been so easy. No assembly required, money back guarantee.

Editor: I recommend purchasing the Victorinox Bantam at Amazon or BladeHQ. Please keep in mind that purchasing anything through any of the links on this website helps support BladeReviews, and keeps the site going. As always, any and all support is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.

Kershaw Launch 4 Review

by Dan Jackson 5 Comments

Regular readers may recall I’m attempting to step outside of my comfort zone and review more automatic knives. I started with a couple high end Microtechs, swung down to the Boker AK-74, and have now changed course towards something resembling the middle ground: The Kershaw Launch 4.

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The Launch 4 is one knife in a series of Kershaw Launch automatics. The Launch series was released a few years ago. These are simple, USA made knives with clean lines, and aluminum handles that come in a number of colored anodization choices in addition to a more standard matte black offering. The knives in the series appear to hover in that $75-$125 price point. So it’s a premium offering, but won’t break the bank.

I selected the Launch 4 due to it’s unique size and profile. It’s unlike anything else in my collection. Kershaw has plenty of Launch knives with 3-3.5″ blades, and I may check one of those out later on, but there was something about the diminutive Launch 4 that caught my eye.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Launch 4 has an overall length of 5.10″, a 1.9″ blade, weighs 1.98 ounces, and is made in the USA. The Launch 4 is a “Cali Legal” automatic with its sub 2″ blade. Cali Legals are an interesting class of automatic knives, that feature blades that are 2″ long or less. This is a category I wouldn’t mind exploring further.

At any rate, this small knife, suitable for daily carry, assuming it’s legal for you to do so. As always, please check your local laws before purchasing an automatic knife. In many places these sorts of knives can be either illegal to own or carry. Be careful.

Here is a size comparison with the Spyderco Dragonfly 2 so you can see how small this knife is:

The spear point blade is stout, and made from blade stock that is just over 3mm thick. Adding to the ruggedness is the partial hollow grind and partial swedge. The end result is a knife with a sharp yet meaty tip. Kershaw offers this knife with both a black DLC coated blade as well as uncoated versions.

Blade steel on this knife is CPM154, a tried and true American blade steel I have grown to both know and love over the years. CPM-154 is easy to sharpen and holds a nice edge. It’s the powder metallurgy version of the classic. The powder metallurgy process results in a finer grained steel, and is an upgrade over standard 154-CM. I have noticed some of my 154CM blades will rust on me if I’m not careful, so I’m kind of glad I got the coated version here. At this price point I’m glad to see CPM-154 stamped on the blade. That’s not a steel I recall seeing Kershaw or ZT work with before. It’s a nice surprise and a great choice for this price point.

In practice I have had the chance to use my Launch 4 as a daily carry utility knife. I bought this knife around Christmas, and like most households we received a lot of packages during that time period. The Launch 4 has gotten a lot of work with cardboard. It cuts cardboard capably. Not the absolute best slicer with its short stout blade, but it gets the job done. It’s not my choice of knife for cutting apples, or for food prep in general, as the blade is too short and the juices end up flowing into the pivot area, but then again this knife probably wasn’t designed for preparing apple slices.

I’m pleased to say the DLC coating has held up really well. DLC is my favorite blade coating because it is so durable. Cardboard is highly abrasive and can mar up the look of a coated blade easily. Here, there are a couple micro scratches on the finish but that’s it. Also, I found the knife easy to sharpen on my [easyazon_link identifier=”B001JL1I6Y” locale=”US” tag=”brdfkdfk-20″]Spyderco Golden Stone[/easyazon_link].

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The Launch 4 features beautifully machined aluminum handles that have been given a brilliant royal blue hard anodization. This is a two piece handle with an integrated backspacer. I am impressed with the handle of this knife. The design is extremely clean and thoughtful, the engineering is top notch, and I love the contrast with the black hardware and blue handles. The handles have an almost iridescent quality to them, shimmering in the light. However, the ultimate beauty lies in the simplicity of this knife.

That same simplicity carries over to the ergonomics. The coffin shaped handle clocks in at 3.2″. There isn’t much to grab, but the knife still manages to fill the hand and disappears into your palm. You can comfortably hold the knife in both forward and reverse grips. The knife probably does best in a reverse ice-pick grip. In that way it feels very shank like. But you can also hold the knife normally and it will certainly open a letter.

There is no jimping on this knife, or any aggressive texturing. However, the hard anodization has a light texture that provides some nice tactile feedback, and the Launch 4 doesn’t feel slippery. Still, those actively seeking out knives with “traction plans” may want to stock up on skateboard tape, or pick something else to shower with.

The pocket clip dominates the back handle of this knife. It’s a standard Kershaw clip given a black parkerized finish. The handle is drilled and tapped for right side tip up carry only, but you can hardly fault Kershaw for that given the diminutive size of this knife. Really, that’s the only place where you can place a clip and not interfere with the deployment button.

In practice this is a discreet knife. Kershaw has pushed the clip as far back to the pommel as they could without opting for a full on deep carry clip. I think the knife is small enough as it is, and I’m not sure having it completely buried in the pocket is a good idea. That said, if you get the all black version of this knife my guess is that it would be pretty stealthy. Especially if paired with some black leather pants for a black on black on black effect. Just sayin’.

The Launch 4 is easy to carry. Sub 2 ounces and tiny, it’s a little thicker than a Dragonfly 2, but in practice I didn’t notice it much.

Deployment and Lockup

This is a push button auto with a coil spring. It’s just like the Microtech Stitch and Boker AK-74 I have reviewed in the past. A tried and true design that should offer years of trouble free use. The action is stiff and snappy. Not quite Microtech levels, but pretty damn good. You need to pay attention or the knife could fly out of your hand whilst deploying the blade. I haven’t taken this one apart yet, but it appears to be a washerless design where the aluminum frames act as integral washers. That is similar to some of Hogue’s designs.

There is no safety of any kind, but the button requires a good deal of travel to open the blade. Opening the knife accidentally is unlikely, but like any knife you need to treat this tool carefully and with respect.

Lockup is secure and play free thanks to the stout button lock. The one nice thing about reviewing autos is that you do see a lot of button locks with this category. I’ve warmed up to good button lock knives over the years. They aren’t as in vogue as frame locks, but done right they are strong and practical. This Launch 4 is no exception.

For our parting shot, I have selected a size comparison with the Benchmade Bugout. My streak of buying blue knives has continued…

Blade centering is perfect on my knife.

Kershaw Launch 4 Review – Final Thoughts

The Launch 4 is dialed in. The clean design, tight tolerances, and excellent choice of materials give the knife a premium feel.

In an age where you can spend a lot of money on exotic materials and design flourishes, there is something refreshing about buying a knife that strikes that perfect balance of form and function. Kershaw didn’t go super cheap, and they didn’t gild the lily either. They managed to find that sweet spot and allocated their budget to good blade steel, tight tolerances, and durable finishes. The end result is a rock solid small format auto for well under $100.

If you are looking for a premium Cali legal auto, then I think the Launch 4 is an excellent option. It’s reliable and durable. I can see why this is a popular choice.

Kershaw Launch 4 – From $79.95
From: BladeHQ

I recommend purchasing the Kershaw Launch 4 at BladeHQ. Please consider that buying anything through any of the links on this website (including Amazon) helps support BladeReviews.com, and keeps the site going. As always, any and all support is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.

Gerber Flatiron Review

by Travis Pike 3 Comments

What’s with the rise in popularity with cleaver knives? It just seemed like one day they were everywhere. We had options from Spyderco, Boker, Kershaw, CRKT, and of course the Gerber FlatIron. The FlatIron made a big showing at SHOT, and it makes sense why. Gerber is a massive company, the FlatIron looked cool as hell, and Gerber promised a low price tag. Once the FlatIron hit the streets, they were tough to find, and in December I got my hands on one. For 31 bucks I didn’t have massive expectations, but I have plenty of budget knives that perform beyond their price tag.

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The Gerber FlatIron comes in two different grip styles, a hunter green aluminum grips and FDE colored G10 grips. The knife is a folder and pushes full size to its limits. Gerber makes lots of knives at lots of different price points, some hit, some miss, but how does the FlatIron come out?

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Gerber FlatIron gains its unique name from the flat, cleaver blade it has. The blade is 3.8 inches, with an overall length of 8.5 inches. It’s a big knife and weighs 5.6 ounces. That’s a bit heavy for a folding knife. As a cleaver the blade is quite broad, it sits at 1.125 inches wide and is .15 inches thick. It’s a big knife, and a cleaver has to be.

Cleaver knives have become quite popular these days due to their robust blade design and just how thick they are. The cleaver blade is designed for cutting, slicing and chopping and the Gerber FlatIron has a very sturdy blade. The lack of a point is a downside to some and limits the knife’s versatility. The benefit is the knife less aggressive looking and lower profile in case that is a concern. In some situations, you may not want a point. I know a few first responders who carry Sheepshead blades to cut and slice near people while reducing the chance of stabbing someone if the knife slips.

The blade is made from the always fun to type 7Cr17MoV steel. This is cheap steel, and the FlatIron is an affordable, Chinese produced, knife. It dulls relatively fast but sharpens easily. This is good because Gerber has dull blades when purchased. I’ve put it through my Smith’s Pocket Pal a time or two, and it edges right up. From what I’ve read this steel is pretty tough and resists corrosion well.

Once sharpened it cuts well. My use for a cleaver has always been the kitchen, and the FlatIron separated meat from bone pretty easily. It cuts smooth and deep through meat and might make an excellent field kitchen knife. Additionally, as a cutting blade, it does excel when sharpened for cutting through tougher materials like thick cardboard, and plastic straps. The FlatIron was my go-to for opening Christmas present boxes for the kids this year.

The blade has a worn, stonewashed finish that’s plenty attractive from a purely aesthetic standpoint. The whole knife looks cool, and that’s likely one of its most significant selling points. It’s like a straight razor that locks.

The knife has a hollow grind, which isn’t a problem itself. However, the grind is very uneven. Looking down the tip of the blade shows a highly irregular and crude grind.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The FlatIron sports an odd, but comfortable handle. One side features a grip panel, either aluminum or G10, and the other side is stonewashed aluminum that incorporates the frame lock and pocket clip. It’s a big handle that fills the hand which I do enjoy. The G10 grips provide more of a gripping surface, and the aluminum grips are smoother and better looking.

The blade has a large choil that allows you to choke up on the knife for increased control and leverage for tougher cuts. It’s certainly deep enough to keep your finger from slipping out. The handle is also completely open. This makes it easy oil and clean. It is a small, but a nice feature I appreciate it living around sand and salt water. The rear of the blade has zero jimping which is odd.

The pocket clip has a lot of good to it, but a bit of bad to go with it. First off, I like the short, but thick design. It’s low profile and also subtle. Best of all it doesn’t get in the way of your grip on the knife. It looks good too. It’s pretty tight though, and it’s difficult to get onto my jeans. Also, its right side, tip up only. You can’t reverse it in any way due to handle’s design. A bit of a downside in my book.

Lock and Deployment

The frame lock is simple, and in my experience, these locks are robust and handy. When you squeeze the grip, the lock is reinforced which means its a safe knife for hard work. Once opened the blade is locked in solid. There is no play left to right or back and forth. The frame lock is robust and does its job well with the big blade. The lock has a full inch of texturing where the thumb naturally falls, and this makes it easy to defeat the tight lock and fold the blade.

The blade opens via a thumb hole. This design isn’t bad, but the blade is a bit tight when new. A little blade oil helped as did some use and now I can flick it open with ease. The blade will open smoothly, even when stiff. There is no grit or stop and go feeling as the knife opens. The thick blade makes the thumb hole easy to use. It’s a deep hole, so your thumb isn’t likely to slip out.

The Gerber FlatIron Review – Final Thoughts

The Gerber FlatIron’s greatest strength is its looks. It’s not particularly special outside of looking nice. You can’t demand much from a 30 dollar knife, but I’d expect at least an even hollow grind. I do see one solid purpose for this knife, and that would be for a younger, new knife owner.

Follow my logic here:

The blade lacks a point which reduces the risk for young and new knife users.
The 7Cr17MoV steel is sturdy and corrosion resistant, so it can take the abuse, and since it dulls fast they’ll be learning to sharpen it, and it sharpens easily enough.
The frame lock is very safe for heavy or clumsy work.
While the knife can be flicked open it’s still slower than a Kershaw with speed assist or anything crazy. It’ll never be accidentally opened.
The FlatIron is tough and robust so it will resist abuse.
It’s easy to clean.
It’s affordable in case it is lost or broken.

For people who are used to nice, high-end knives, the FlatIron might be a disappointment. I like the knife personally, but that’s because of my inner mall ninja. It doesn’t do one any one task well, but it is affordable, safe and tough.

Sale

Gerber Gear 30-001495N Flatiron Folding Pocket Knife Cleaver, 3.6 Inch Blade, Desert Tan

DURABLE EDC GEAR: The Gerber Flatiron folding pocket knife features a plain edge cleaver style blade, thumb hole for one-hand opening, finger choil, frame lock, aluminum handle scales, and pocket clip with clip for secure EDC
INNOVATIVE DESIGN: Features an upgraded D2 steel blade, which provides impressive toughness and edge retention, designed for hard-use applications and survival gear needs
OUTDOOR ESSENTIALS: The Flatiron pocket cleaver knife is great for any hunter, tradesman, and everyday carry; perfect addition to camping essentials, toolbox, work wear, and hiking and fishing gear
COMPACT AND CONVENIENT: 3.6" blade length, 8.5" overall length and 3.9 oz weight make the Flatiron folding pocket knife an essential addition to your EDC gear and outdoor tool collection
GERBER GUARANTEE: Backed by a limited lifetime warranty, ensuring quality and reliability in all Gerber essential hunting gear

Editor: I recommend purchasing the Gerber Flatiron at Gerber Flatiron 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.

Microtech Halo VI Review

by Dan Jackson 14 Comments

“I tried being reasonable. I didn’t like it.”

Buy the Microtech Halo VI at BladeHQ

I always enjoyed that quote from Clint Eastwood, and couldn’t help but think about it as I wielded the Halo VI. There is absolutely nothing reasonable about this knife. Any justification that this would be my “new EDC” went completely out the window when I fired it for the first time and ~5″ of steel slammed out of the front with a terrific bang. Even more ridiculous is using the charging handle to recapture the blade. It’s something you would expect to see in a video game. This is a serious piece of hardware. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever owned before, and it revels in its unreasonableness.

But that’s part of what makes knife collecting fun. If everything was a Delica 4 there would be no point to it. Sure we would all have a practical knife clipped to our pocket, but the fun in collecting would be long gone. Thankfully we don’t need to worry about being confined to using a government knife to cut our government cheese any time soon. Unreasonable knives like the Halo VI are doing their part to keep the joy of collecting safely intact.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Halo VI has an overall length of 10.82″, a 4.5″ blade, weighs 6.5 ounces, and is made in the USA. It’s the closet thing I’ll come to owning a light saber. It’s big, it’s unwieldy. If comes from a long series of Halo knives. I won’t proclaim to be an expert on all things Microtech, but my understanding is that this is the first knife that the company produced. It’s a single action out the front automatic.

Here is a link to Microtech’s product page for the Halo VI. They give a detailed look at the knife in all its various configurations. Worth browsing if you are interested in the knife.

Here is a shot of the Halo VI next to my Microtech Stitch:

And as I mentioned before, the Halo VI is not a daily carry. In my book it’s mostly a collectible. Sure, it’s fully functional, and we will get into all of those details in the review, but it’s not a knife I see myself carrying. First of all, there is no pocket clip. Second, it has almost a 5″ blade. Third, it looks and sounds like a weapon of mass destruction.

My girlfriend, who is generally pretty cool with me having dozens of pocket knives scattered all over the house, is legitimately scared of this thing. I can only imagine how the old lady in line at the post office would react to me using this to trim packing tape. Probably by calling 911. Unless you are at a knife show there is no way you will be able to use this knife in public. It’s probably illegal for me to even take it out of the house without obtaining a concealed carry permit. On that note, you will definitely want to check your local laws carefully before carrying a Halo VI. This is not a knife that the general public will understand or appreciate.

But what the Halo VI lacks in practicality, it makes up in novelty. I think it may be the coolest knife I’ve ever owned. And I’ve owned some cool stuff over the years.

Lets check out the blade. At 4.5″ long, and over 4mm thick, it’s an imposing piece of steel. Microtech offers this in a modified drop point (or possibly a clip point) blade that they refer to as the “single-edge” or “S/E”, and they also offer this in an American tanto version with the “T/E” designation.

You also get your choice of serrations, and a number of finish options, including typical finishes like satin, bead blast, and stonewashed finishes. But they also have their “apocalyptic” finish, bronze, D.L.C., and then their painted finish shown here. Normally I’m not a big blade coating guy, but this is what was available with an unserrated edge, so that is what I got.

My blade is made from Bohler M390, a blade steel that needs no introduction at this point, seeing how we have reviewed dozens of knives running M390 by now. It’s a high end stainless steel and is widely considered to be one of the best steels for an EDC knife on the market today. It has that enviable combination of holding an edge for a long time while still being easy to sharpen. Usually a knife steel will either be extremely hard, so the edge holds a long time, but it’s very difficult to sharpen when the knife dulls. That’s not the case with M390, which is why it’s such a popular choice on high end pocket knives. It also finishes nicely, doesn’t chip easily, and is a stainless steel. It’s good stuff.

Given that this knife is a collectible, and not a practical EDC item, I haven’t done a ton of cutting with it. It came very sharp from the factory. It’s not a great slicer due to the thick blade and partial flat grind. It forms a wedge, kind of like a splitting maul, and will pop apart an apple rather than thinly slicing it like a Swiss Army Knife. But that’s OK. They didn’t design this thing to slice apples.

Handle and Ergonomics

A 6.125″ milled 6061-T6 aluminum handle encapsulates our big blade. If a black handle is too pedestrian for you, Microtech offers these in almost every color under the rainbow, including a couple camo variants. I’m fine with black, but then again, I’m boring.

The handle is held together with Microtech’s proprietary hardware. Normally this would be the part of the review where I bitch about proprietary hardware, but I have no intention of taking this knife apart. If there is ever a problem I’ll send it back to Microtech.

The fit and finish on this knife is absolutely top notch. It’s a precision machined piece of hardware. I can’t find a gap, unexpected sharp edge, or flaw anywhere. This may not be the most practical tool, but you have to admire how well it is built.

The Halo VI feels good in the hand. It’s kind of like a small light saber. There is no lack of real estate, and Microtech has created a funky pattern of jimped curves to it that adds some visual interest as well as spots for your fingers to rest.

I suppose the most practical application for the Halo VI would be in a martial arts capacity. I have no training in that regard, so can’t comment on the efficacy of the design in that role. As a layperson, I can tell you it feels fine in hand. There is plenty of room to grip this knife, and you can do so in a number of different configurations. The hard anodizing provides a tiny amount of traction. It’s not slippery, but it isn’t sand paper either.

The Halo VI doesn’t come with a pocket clip. Probably for a reason, as the last thing you would want is for this knife to accidentally deploy in your pants. Even with the new safety, I’d rather not take that risk. And with a closed length of over 6″, it’s not a pocket friendly knife anyways. I’d probably go with an Scarab or Troodon instead for daily carry.

It seems like the best option for carrying your Halo VI is with a sheath. You could requisition a large enough magazine pouch, make a sheath, or have a leather or kydex sheath made for it. There are companies that specialize in making aftermarket sheathes for the Halo VI. Linos Sheathworks currently has a kydex sheath on offer for less than $50.

Deployment and Lockup

This is where we get to the good stuff. This is a single action out the front, which means the blade fires out with a press of the button, but need to manually retract the blade when you are done by pulling back on the charging handle. Contrast this with a double action out the front, where the button is used to both open and close the blade. With the case of a single action Out-The-Front (OTF) automatic, all the spring power has been assigned to ejecting the blade. It’s a lot of fire power. Ejecting the blade of this Halo VI is arguably the single most satisfying knife event in my history as a reviewer. It’s fucking awesome.

For this 6th generation of the Halo, Microtech added a small safety to the firing button. This prevents you from accidentally firing the knife. Not a bad idea, especially if you are crazy enough to carry this thing loose in your pocket. The safety is built into the firing button. You pull down on it ever so slightly, and that allows you to depress the firing button and let the blade loose. Generally I’m not a fan of safetys on folding knives. They tend to get in the way. But this safety has been beautifully executed. Purists may not be a fan of this new addition, but I think it has been done so that it doesn’t get in the way of using this knife.

For lockup, this is essentially a button lock knife. So inside there is a cam that holds the blade in place. One of the prior issues with an OTF knife, is that you tend to get blade play in them. That is especially true for the double action OTF’s I have handled. I haven’t handles a Halo V to see what kind of play, if any, is in that knife, but I can tell you this Halo VI has no play in it. It’s absolutely rock solid.

Retracting the blade is a two handed affair. First you need to depress the button. Once again that requires you to use the built in safety. With the button depressed you then pull on the charging rod to recapture the blade. It takes a good amount of force to overcome the spring tension and bring the blade back. The blade slides back in place with a sharp metallic twang. It’s a great sound. I’ve never armed a bear trap, but I would expect it to sound something like recapturing the blade on a Halo VI. It’s significant and satisfying.

The charging rod and the mechanism that holds it into the handle is worth examining. It’s all precision machined. The retaining mechanism is a couple spring loaded tabs. Everything reeks of quality and when the charging rod is in the handle all the parts line up perfectly. I’ve taken a couple detail shots of this, but it has all been beautifully done.

Here is a parting shot of the Halo VI next to my Paramilitary 2. It gives you a good sense of how huge the Halo VI is.

Microtech Halo V.I. Review – Final Thoughts

The Halo V.I. is a lot of fun. It’s also completely ridiculous, which is sure to turn off some people. I’ve been writing knife reviews since 2010, so it’s taken me almost a decade to get around to reviewing a single action OTF. This is a knife that retails for $650, so the expense is one of the reasons I delayed this purchase, but the fact that this is not a knife I can carry and use is the biggest reason why I waited so long to buy one. I like my tool knives, and this Halo V.I. is about as far away from a tool knife as I can get.

But that doesn’t make the Halo V.I. any less fascinating. Part of what makes this knife so satisfying is how well built it is. This is a design that has been refined for 25 years, and it shows. Each detail has been considered and Microtech does a fantastic job with their machining. The resulting knife is borderline obscene, but it has been so well done I can’t help but be impressed with it. Much like the Rockstead Higo I reviewed a while back, it tests the outer limits of what is possible with a production knife.

But as I have continued on my journey of exploring production knives, I’ve ventured further and further from the Benchmade Griptilians and Spyderco Delicas. They are still great, and I plan on continuing to review practical knives, but exploring the outer limits is fun too. This Halo V.I. is certainly out there, but it is so well done that I can’t help but appreciate it.

Accordingly, I can’t recommend this knife for everyone, but if the Halo VI intrigues you, I’m here to say Microtech didn’t cut any corners. Recommended for unreasonable people that that like the idea of a high end single action OTF automatic.

Microtech Halo VI – From $650.00
From: BladeHQ

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

Steel Will Modus F25-12 Review

by Grayson Parker 51 Comments

For most gear geeks, big box stores are a disappointment. Generally the most you can expect to find are some of the nicer Kershaw models, or, if they cater to hunters and law enforcement, a few Benchmades. The one store that broke that model was Sport Chalet. In the year and a half prior to going out of business, the knife case at my local Sport Chalet expanded from the usual suspects – Kershaw, Gerber, Leatherman, a few Benchmades – to include some of the more exotic SOG knives, as well as a few offerings from a relatively new company: Steel Will.

Buy the Steel Will Modus at BladeHQ

Buy on Amazon

At the time, Steel Will was producing high-end backlocks and a range of fixed blades, and though the designs were attractive, I was never comfortable ponying up the $200+ dollars for a knife that was too big to carry on campus. After trying and failing to buy a Gekko 1552 on the cheap at my local Sport Chalet’s closing sale, I put the company out of mind, assuming that they wouldn’t leave much of an impact in the market.

I couldn’t have been more wrong. Nick Shabazz’s review of the Cutjack caught me completely off guard, as not only was this not the Steel Will I was familiar with, but he compared it favorably to the Ontario RAT 1 and 2, both of which are stellar knives for the price. Steel Will was back on my radar, and it was only a matter of time before one of their products ended up on the review docket.

As it turns out, I didn’t have long to wait. Thanks to an informal giveaway hosted by @brancon (a reader, listener, and all-around great guy), I’ve been able to tote the Steel Will Modus F25-12 around for a few months and gather my thoughts on it, which are collected below. Since I came by the Modus because of someone else’s generosity, it only makes sense to pass it along to the community. Read on to learn how you could win one of the better value knives available.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Steel Will Modus is 7.625” overall, with a 3.25” blade housed in a 4.375” handle. Though it doesn’t approach the “voodoo” territory of the Kizer Feist, the Modus does fit a wide, long blade into a fairly compact handle. There is no sense of wasted internal volume like there is with, say, the Spyderco Manix 2LW. Due to the nested, skeletonized steel liners, it’s also relatively lightweight at just 3.39 oz, and thus manages to feel stout but not bulky. Fair warning: though it may not feel like a large knife in the pocket, the blade is probably a bit too long for some office environments, and is certainly too long for some city ordinances.

Size considerations aside, the profile of the Modus’s blade is one of my personal favorites, a modified sheepsfoot (which is arguably just a funky drop point). The gentle, continuous curve of the edge is perfect for everyday cutting tasks. It’s just as good at breaking down boxes as it is preparing a picnic lunch, and as most of the spine’s thickness is carried to the tip of the blade, it should be able to handle some incidental abuse without pause.

In keeping with the theme of general utility, the Modus features a high flat grind. When done right, flat grinds are lean cutters that don’t get bound up in stubborn material like cardboard. Done wrong, they’re sharpened prybars. The success of any given flat grind is mostly dependent on two factors: 1.) how thick the blade stock is, and 2.) where the grind starts. A thick blade can be a fine cutter if the grind starts high enough (the Spyderco Techno is a good example), and a thin blade can be robbed of its potential if the grind starts too low (for instance, the ZT0450). The Modus has the best of both: thin blade stock, at just .11” thick, and a high flat grind.

Unlike most imported value knives, the Modus does not have 8Cr13MoV stamped on the blade. Instead, its blade is made of D2, a not-quite-stainless tool steel with a reputation for toughness and edge retention. My experience with the Modus bears that reputation out. It retained a serviceable (if not outstanding) edge after breaking down a pile of boxes, and it didn’t pick up any chips during the task, either. Unfortunately, it is prone to staining, if not rusting, and I’ve gotten into the habit of wiping it down with some cleaner after carrying it for the day, whether I used it or not.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Carry

The Modus’s handle is, in silhouette, a lean, organic, and slightly aggressive design. Its green FRN scales are supported by nested, skeletonized steel liners, as well as a black stainless steel backspacer. That sounds like a recipe for success, and it would have been, were it not for one problem: the handle pattern. The splotchy, mismatched flecks reek of the 1990s. If I more than glance at the handle scales, I’m immediately whisked back to the cartoons and advertisements of my youth.

Despite finding the handle ugly as sin, I can’t deny that it’s ergonomically superb. The finger indexes suggest rather than demand where your fingers fall, the steel backspacer serves as a counterbalance for the heavy blade, and the generous contouring of the FRN scales ensures that there’s no truly incorrect way to hold the Modus. Even the pattern is functionally excellent, as it lends grip without creating a single hotspot.

If a knife is comfortable to hold, it’s comfortable to carry, at least in my experience. The Modus’s slim profile, contoured handle, and unobtrusive weight all suggest that it should be a fine pocket companion. The pocket clip (often an afterthought for designers) is flawless, neither shredding the lip of my pocket nor making the act of stowing or retrieving it a nuisance. Unfortunately, Steel Will has the same problem with flipper tabs that Cold Steel has with, well, knives. Namely, that small isn’t a dirty word. At the risk of parroting Nick Shabazz, he was spot on in calling it a “pocket pecker”. It might as well be a woodpecker, tapping away at whatever else is floating around in my pocket. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s certainly not endearing.

Deployment and Lock Safety

Fortunately, the Modus’s flipper tab isn’t a total loss. It may not play well with others, but it does just fine as a deployment method. The tab can be pushed (like a button) or pulled (like a lightswitch) to deploy the blade, and each method works well. I’ve had slightly better luck treating it like a button, as the detent isn’t quite crisp enough to open the blade without a bit of extra force behind it. The pivot runs on washers, and the action isn’t especially smooth. (Take that with a grain of salt, however: I tend to overtighten pivot screws on my knives.)

You know you’ve seen too many framelocks when a liner lock feels like a refreshing change of pace. Snide commentary aside, liner locks – this one included – are great. Compared to framelocks, liner locks are less likely to screw up the ergonomics, they’re easier to replace if something goes wrong, and they’re more than strong enough to handle whatever a rational human would use a knife for. The lock on this particular model consistently engages 30-40% of the blade tang, and there is no lock stick, lock rock, or blade play. Disengaging the lock is simple, as the locking leaf is slightly proud of the FRN scales and machined for extra grip.

Steel Will Modus Review – Final Thoughts

My quibbles aside, the Modus is a great knife, especially for the price. Its D2 blade stands head and shoulders above the hoard of budget knives and their 8Cr13MoV steel; factor in the excellent ergonomics, sturdy pocket clip, and reliable (if not great) deployment, and it’s easy to forgive the Nickelodeon-esque handle pattern and oversized flipper tab.

Even so, the competition is quite stiff. Ontario’s RAT 1 and RAT 2 are highly regarded, feature the same materials, and come in at a similar price point. I suspect they’re even made in the same factory, so really, pick whichever model suits your fancy. The Kershaw Skyline is a perennial favorite, if a bit more expensive. I’d consider the 14C28N steel to be a step up from D2, but others can justifiably disagree. Still, the Skyline is a hair too nice to really abuse, and the more robust Modus is better suited to, say, a construction site.

There’s always room for a knife like the Modus in someone’s toolbox. Those on a budget will appreciate that it punches above its price point, and those who’ve long since abandoned rational purchases will be happy to know that their beater knife is still a well-made tool.

As stated in the introduction, I’m giving the Modus away. All you have to do is leave a comment below. A week after this post goes up, I’ll select one commenter using a random number generator, and ship the Modus out to them. Shipping is on me if the winner is within the United States. Apologies for that, but international shipping is a pain.

Next up: the Tactile Turn Shaker V2.

Sale

Steel Will Modus F25-11 Linerlock, Black, 3.27" Blade

Crafted from the highest quality materials
Built for performance and durability
Made in China
Built To Last.

Editor: I recommend purchasing the Steel Will Modus at Amazon or BladeHQ. Thanks for reading.

Boker Plus Kalashnikov AK-74 Automatic Knife Review

by Dan Jackson 19 Comments

My recent review of the Microtech Stitch ignited my interest in automatic knives. I think it’s easy to see why. The Stitch is a beautiful and unique knife. It is also a $400 knife. That’s a significant chunk of change. I wanted to check out a more affordable segment of the market.

Buy the Boker Kalashnikov at BladeHQ

The Boker Kalashnikov is an easy knife to consider in the budget auto category. It has been a best seller for BladeHQ for years. But for whatever reason I’ve been ignoring it. Maybe it’s the Kalashnikov schtick. Not really my thing. That combined with it being an auto dropped it far down on the list of knives to review.

But lets check it out. For $40, its about 10% the cost of the Microtech Stitch, so it will be interesting to compare the two. Lets see how it holds up.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Kalashnikov, which is sometimes referred to as the 74 or “AK-74″, has an overall length of 7.625″, a 3.25” blade, and it weighs 3.70 ounces. It’s a good size for EDC, provided that it’s legal for you to carry an automatic knife where you live. In many parts of the world it’s not legal to carry an automatic knife, so check your laws carefully before pocketing the Kalashnikov in public.

Also, it’s worth mentioning that this knife was designed by Dietmar Pohl of Pohl Force fame. I didn’t realize this until I sat down to write the review. Good to know.

Boker offers this knife in a variety of blade shapes and colors. I happened to get the spearpoint bladed version with the BladeHQ exclusive “Smokewash” finish. My knife has been evenly ground. The blade stock is right at 3mm thick. It gets reasonably thin behind the edge, and has a fine tip. The edge has been applied evenly, and the smokewash finish has an attractive distressed look. All in all, the blade has been well done.

If a spearpoint isn’t your thing Boker offers the knife with a drop point, tanto, or clip point blade. There are probably other versions. This has been a successful model for Boker and like the Kwaiken it has been released in a myriad of configurations over the years.

The Ak-74 comes in AUS-8 blade steel. This seems to be their standard offering for this model, although you may be able to find different steels in various limited releases. Those who have been around the budget knife market for a minute know that AUS-8 is a softer steel. Edge retention isn’t great, but it does take a nice edge and is easy to sharpen. For $40 I’m not complaining. I think AUS-8 is appropriate given the price point.

In practice the Kalashnikov held up to all the little EDC chores I put it through. This includes the usual stuff like opening mail, breaking down boxes, and cutting fruit. This sort of stuff is no problem for the Kalashnikov. When the edge eventually dulls a couple swipes on my Sharpmaker or DMT stones bring the edge back without issue. This is an easy steel to sharpen.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The AK-74 features an anodized cast aluminum handle. The handle is contoured and heavily textured. It has 3 bands running down it, designed to mimic the magazine of an AK-74 rifle. The handle pieces are held together by torx hardware and 3 stand offs, providing a decent view into the guts of the knife. There’s not much to see. Just more black aluminum. The hardware is black, save for the pivot which has a little extra decoration on it.

All the parts line up. There are no sharp edges. When I shake the knife it doesn’t rattle. The handle appears to be dialed in.

The Kalashnikov has decent ergonomics. The first thing I noticed are the 3 finger grooves. Typically these can cause hot spots, but I had no issues with my size “XL” hands. There is a row of jimping on the spine of the blade and back of the handle. It works well. It’s on the aggressive side, but for basic EDC tasks it didn’t bother me.

The handle itself is loaded with texture. It has a faux stippled look to it. Kind of like a Pebble Tec swimming pool but even milder. All said the ergonomics on this knife aren’t bad. It’s not the world’s most comfortable knife, but it’s not offensive either.

The pocket clip is a large black deep carry pocket clip. It carries the same motif as the handle with 3 ridges. I’m not a huge fan of the styling, but beyond that this is a functional and discreet pocket clip. It buries the knife in your pocket, and the good spring retention keeps the knife tucked away.

In practice the Kalashnikov carried as I would expect it. At a little under 4 ounces the knife is relatively small and light. For the most part I didn’t notice it.

Deployment and Lockup

The Kalashnikov is a coil spring automatic. To release the blade you depress the button. Very simple and effective. The spring action is excellent and the blade slams open with a loud smack. No complaints in the deployment department.

For lockup we have a button lock. This setup is just like the Microtech Stich, although everything done has been on a much smaller scale. Lockup is tight, but I detect a slight amount of side to side play when I pull on the blade. Nothing crazy, but it’s there. The lock disengages easily, with no lock stick or binding.

Blade centering is close to perfect on my knife.

Boker Kalashnikov Review – Final Thoughts

I still find the entire premise of the knife to be slightly goofy, but I’m glad I picked up the Boker Kalashnikov. I think if you are looking for a sturdy automatic folder for $40 or so, then the Kalashnikov is well worth considering. It’s well made and fully functional. I don’t think there is anything else out there that touches it.

I see Smith and Wesson makes a series of “Extreme Ops” autos for $20-30, but I’d bet my bottom set of dentures that they won’t be as good as this AK-74. Kershaw makes a nice series of USA made automatic knives, but these are going to cost you at least twice as much money. Anything by Gerber or Benchmade is going to set you back at least $150. So for $40 I’d say this is a nice sweet spot if you are wanting to add an automatic folder to your collection but want to keep the cost below $50.

And the knife works well. It benefits from a simple design, decent materials, and sturdy construction. It cuts well, is reasonably comfortable to use, carries nicely, and has a snappy push button automatic action. There is really nothing wrong with it. I think it represents good value for money given its price. It is easy to see why this knife has sold well over the years and continues to stay in production with a wide variety of different configurations.

Does it impress me like the $400 Stitch? Not really. But it’s still a good knife for the money. Recommended for a sub $50 auto.

Boker Kalashnikov – From $39.95
From: BladeHQ

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