aus-8

SOG Twitch II Review

I’m hardly the first to say it, but the rise of well-designed manual flippers has really thrown the value of automatic knives into question. When already-good flippers are paired with assisted-opening mechanisms, true autos are obviated ever further.

That said, my beef with many assisted-opening flippers is that they’re chasing an aspect of autos I find unnecessary at best and obnoxious at worst: actions that kick the blade so vigorously into the stop pin that they generate recoil. So aggro! If you ask me, the spring assist only needs to be strong enough to work with the momentum of a moderate flip.

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While I can’t speak to SOG’s other assisted opening designs, the Twitch II is a knife built for me. Its action is decisive without being aggressive, and there’s a whole lot else to recommend it besides.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Twitch II puts a lot of performance into a small package. The body of the knife is just a hair over 3.5” long, a half inch at its widest point (including the clip!), and an inch and an eighth deep from flipper to closed blade spine. My brass-handled Twitch II was a relatively stout 3.58 oz measured on my digital scale, but you could trim that weight by a full ounce by opting for the aluminum scaled version if factory specs are to be trusted.

As you might note from the size comparison with a Spyderco PM2 and an Ontario Rat II, the Twitch II is a decidedly small knife. Often, I throw my Twitch II loose into a pocket. I notice the heft for the first few minutes I’m carrying it around, but it’s not long before I stop thinking about it. Just by feel, the clip and flipper tab make it very easy to orient and deploy the knife one-handed.

I can’t say enough good about this blade. At 2.75”, the drop point is long enough to perform medium-duty work. However, it is supremely, awesomely slicey. Fans of Spyderco’s blade grinds will find themselves comfortable here given the Twitch II’s full flat grind and well-sharpened, extremely uniform secondary bevel. Thanks to a thin stock that measures just 2mm at its widest point and a good amount of belly right where it needs to be, the knife cuts extremely well.

I’m not kidding. From the factory, my Twitch II came hair-popping sharp and made effortless confetti of stray paper. Having recently bought a Spyderco Chaparral, one of the company’s most well-lauded slicers, I think the Twitch II gives it a real run for its money at about a third of the cost.

The blade is made from AUS-8, which while being far from a “super steel” will likely hold its edge a bit longer on a small knife like this. And, if it happens to dull, even a novice can restore it back to a hellacious level of sharpness with only a modicum of effort.

What I can’t figure out is why SOG saw fit to put the patent number along the side of the blade. Do they imagine some Chinese counterfeiter is going to get the knife in hand and say “Aw, damn!” when he sees this arbitrary series of numbers? As if that’s what’s going to stop some unscrupulous overseas outfit from trying to reverse-engineer the design? It’s a frankly ugly and unnecessary detail that detracts from the Twitch II’s clean lines.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

Ergonomically, there’s a lot to like. The balance point of the knife (at least on my brass version) lies almost exactly at the center of the handle, making the Twitch II feel very lively and precise in the hand. The very gentle inward slopes direct the thumb and fingers to little nooks where everything feels just right, and there are no sharp edges anywhere beyond the cutting edge. The Twitch II has the feel of a very precisely crafted tool in all respects.

Like a great number of pocket clips, I think the one included on the Twitch II is too stiff. It also exposes a good five-eighths an inch of knife, which is conspicuous for one as small as this. More reasons why I just throw mine in a pocket. However, I do really like the unintentional ergonomic function of the clip: it gives the middle finger a great little hollow to find its way into and provide a secure point of contact.

Even though the knife is extremely smooth, all of these little ergonomic details allow me to feel like I’ve always got a confident, secure grip on the knife. No aggressive texturing needed!

Deployment and Lockup

As mentioned before, the action is delightful. The flipper is designed as a “push button” style (as opposed to the “light switch” method I often employ on other knives). Overcome the detent, and the blade will deploy firmly, but not excessively. It announces itself with a gentle “snick” rather than something that sounds like a gunshot or an anvil falling off a table. However, if you want to rely on the Twitch II’s thumb studs, you can deploy the blade that way and watch it literally rocket out and into deployment.

I’d mentioned I often carry the Twitch II loose. Comforting for me is the safety, which I can click upwards and not have to worry about the knife deploying when I don’t want it to. The detent isn’t exactly weak, but the safety is an appreciated “belt and suspenders” option to ensure the blade stays closed. Additionally, those who want to push the knife a little harder can use the safety to lock the blade in place once it’s engaged. Just for that little extra piece of mind.

The Achilles heel of the Twitch II, if you can even call it that, is a little bit of blade play. There’s no wobble front-to-back, mind you, but you can induce a little lateral play if you grab the blade and move it. This is hardly a reason for me to throw the Twitch II into the nearest river.

As for centering, it’s pretty decent by default. Kicked into deployment and folded into closure, the blade is in perfect parallel with the liners. Assuming you’re not wiggling it merely to disappoint yourself.

SOG Twitch II – Final Thoughts

The word “gentleman’s knife” gets thrown around quite a bit, but I’m surprised SOG’s Twitch II doesn’t come up more in the discussion. It’s a very functional (but not aggressive) knife with an easy deployment system, great build quality, and svelte dimensions. Dress the Twitch II up in its rosewood or anodized aluminum variants, and it looks even more the part. My brass-and-black version has a neat steampunk aesthetic that I think would turn heads without freaking out one’s coworkers. I’d argue the Twitch II is too small and too sophisticated to threaten a reasonable person.

Naturally, I think the great action, excellent ergos, and superior cutting performance right out of the factory are enough to recommended the Twitch II to enthusiasts reading this site. However, I think this is a wonderfully giftable knife for any gearheads or gadget freaks who have a penchant for dense little simple machines that do a job well.

As a final side note, SOG’s product mix is better than ever. A neat knife like the Twitch II is proof enough the company is interested in diversifying beyond the “hard dude tactical operator” aesthetic a number of people (fairly) associated them with in years past. This is a great knife for a great number of different users, and remarkably easy to recommend.

SOG TWI8-CP Twitch II 6.20 Inch EDC Folding Knife, silver

2.65 INCH AUS-8 STAINLESS STEEL KNIVES: This ultra sharp knife is a discreet emergency knife, hunting knife and every day pocket knife for men or women; measures 3.55 inches in closed length with model number: TWI8-CP
SOG ASSISTED TECH (S.A.T.): Makes a great everyday carry, camping knife and outdoor knife; assisted opening knife system opens this straight edge clip knife one-handed
FOLDING KNIFE "KICK": Release this fast opening knife with either hand using very little pressure; flick the EDC tactical folding knife "kick" on the back of the Twitch II and the folding knife into action
TOUGH ALUMINUM HANDLE: These tough utility knives, camping knives and survival knives offer strength and durability with a hard-anodized aluminum handle
SOG KNIVES FOR LIFE: Take care of your pocket knife and we'll take care of you; SOG folding knives and pocket knives are built to last, and we consider all repair and replacement requests

Editor: I recommend purchasing the SOG Twitch II at BladeHQ or Amazon. Thank you for reading.

Cold Steel Hide Out Review

by Travis Pike 3 Comments

You can’t not love Cold Steel. They make some odd, but often innovative knives, as well as super fun and cheesy videos. I never needed a Gladius machete but damn do I want one. Today we are going small, super small, and looking at Cold Steel’s Hide Out. The Hide Out is an ultra small neck knife designed as a last ditch weapon.

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The Cold Steel Hide Out is designed for discreet carry. It’s easily worn and carried around the neck, or with an added loop it can be carried in an IWB position. The knife is inexpensive, and super lightweight. It’s also a formidable knife should you find yourself in a last ditch scenario. The Hide Out is my go to knife when I go for a run because it’s easy to carry and easy to use.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Hide Out has a 3 inch blade and a 3.5 inch handle for a knife that’s 6.5 inches long total. The Hide Out weighs a mere 1.9 ounces. The knife is made from Japanese AUS 8A stainless steel, and has a Kray Ex handle.

AUS 8A steel is an affordable steel that is certainly well suited for the Hide Out. AUS 8A is a heat treated steel, and it has excellent corrosion resistance. This is a must have since the knife sits against my sweating chest as I run. The steel itself is also very quick and easy to sharpen, but the downside is it will dull somewhat quickly. The steel itself is reported to be very strong and I have no reasons to think it isn’t.

The blade is a dagger design that ends with a sharp spear point. The blade is a V-grind and is quite attractive and evenly ground. The blade is extremely sharp from the factory and keeping the edge sharp is easy to do. Integrated right below the blade is a very small handguard. In a traditional fencing grip it’s not very useful, but it’s incredibly handy in an ice pick style grip.

The Hide Out is not designed as a working man’s knife and not exactly a tool designed for EDC. It’s a weapon designed for concealed carry. A dagger style blade also means its designed more for stabbing that slicing or cutting. That being said the handguard also acts as a point of leverage for your thumb and you can slice through most common materials if necessary.

The Hide Out is super simple and from a last ditch self-defense perspective that is all it needs to be. The blade is short enough to make it easy to handle and to make repeated stabs easy. The blade is pointy and sharp and needs no special techniques to use. Just point the stabby end at the bad guy and thrust it. It will most certainly get the point across.

Handle and Ergonomics

The handle is very thin, but long enough to fill your hand. The handle flares outward near the bottom and the Kray Ex coating makes it easy to grip and allows the user to easily draw the knife from a neck worn sheath. The long handle gives you an outstanding grip on the knife.

The handle is merely coated with Kray Ex, and the knife does have a full tang. Kray Ex rubber is a Cold Steel material they use for their grips. It’s soft and comfortable, but also heavily textured to provide a solid grip on the knife.

As I mentioned before the grip is exceptionally thin, but it’s easy to hold onto. It’s a valuable thing to have for a knife designed for self-protection. The handle’s Kray Ex coating makes it easy to grip, especially when it comes to wet and sweaty hands.

I’ve never needed to use it for actual self-defense, but I’ve practiced with it during runs and I’ve always been able to draw it without issue. The knife’s design means regardless of which side you grab it’s positioned for use and for an easy grab. Perfect for a defensive situation where there is no time to think about which way you are grabbing the knife.

Manipulating the Hide Out and cutting through cardboard was surprisingly easy to do. The handle gives you a lot of leverage and you can control the blade with very little effort. The handle is also very thin and it will wear on your hand while you work with the knife.

Sheath

The Hide Out sheath is molded kydex and is called Secure-Ex. The Secure-Ex sheath offers excellent retention for the Hide Out. It has four points of retention. Two on the front and two on the back. The blade is absolutely not coming out of the sheath without a sure tug.

The sheath is made from two polymer molded halves that are held together with 8 eyelets. These eyelets allow you to position your chain higher or lower for an easier reach depending on your size. I like to position it low enough for easy and quick access.

There are also four wider slots to weave webbing through if you so decide. Overall the sheath is top notch and it’s perfect for low profile carry. It seals the knife in and ensures it going nowhere even when being worn from the neck upside down.

Cold Steel Hide Out Review – Final Thoughts

The Hide Out is a super small, and affordable neck knife designed for concealed carry. It’s extremely convenient for daily carry and comfortable as well. As a design it’s simplicity makes it effective to employ and very easy to carry. The Cold Steel Hide Out retails for under 40 bucks and serves a niche purpose.

The Hide Out isn’t a good EDC knife and basically any mid-tier folder would be a better choice. The Hide Out is perfect for situations where your dress or activity doesn’t allow you to carry a traditional knife. It’s a neat design and as a weapon it serves its purpose. If you need a do it all knife choose something else, if you need a light and easy to carry weapon then the Hide Out is for you.

Sale

Cold Steel 49NDEZ Hide Out Blade Knife, Black/Silver

Product Type: Knife
Unit Count : 1.0
No batteries required
Made in China

Editor: I recommend purchasing the Cold Steel Hide Out from Amazon or BladeHQ. Thanks for reading.

CRKT Crossbones Review

by Dan Jackson 6 Comments

It has been a good while since I have reviewed a CRKT knife. I wanted to remedy that situation, but struggled with selecting a knife. I like a lot of their designs, but sometimes weight gets in the way. For example, I like how they paired up with Eric Ochs to create the CRKT Avant, but at 5.4 ounces I couldn’t quite pull the trigger.

Buy the CRKT Crossbones at BladeHQ

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The Crossbones caught my eye in part because it weighs less than 2.5 ounces, but also because CRKT has decided to double down on the design and release a high end version of the knife. To me, that signals the design has gotten some traction, and we may have something special on our hands.

The story behind this knife and it’s designer is also intriguing. This knife was designed by Jeff Park. Jeff has worked for Ken Onion for 10 years in Ken’s shop in Hawaii. The job quickly blossomed into a mentorship, and Jeff collaborated with Ken on the design that ultimately became the Crossbones. CRKT did a superb video overview of the knife that offers back story and a view into the design considerations.

So after careful consideration I bought the Crossbones off Amazon and a few days later it was at my door. On that note, I bought this knife with my own money. This is the same for every other knife I review unless noted otherwise.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Crossbones has an overall length of 8.06″, a 3.54″ blade, weighs 2.4 ounces, and is made in Taiwan. This is a lightweight big-bladed EDC not unlike the Boker Urban Trapper. Where the Crossbones differs from the Urban trapper is that the Crossbones is much thicker. On the flip side the Crossbones will hold up to harder use much better than the Urban Trapper.

Speaking of the Urban Trapper, here is a quick size comparison:

Another obvious comparison is with the CRKT Swindle. The swindle is about half an inch shorter and an ounce heavier. The Swindle is also half the price of the Crossbones. When you hold the two knives at the same time, you can see where the extra money went on the Crossbones. The machining, especially in the handle, is much more elaborate. Both knives fall into that “slim and slicey” EDC knife category, and the Crossbones in particular reminds me of a folding filet knife.

It’s worth mentioning that if you are looking for something much larger, CRKT also offers the Jumbones, which is a version of this pattern with a near 5″ blade. That is getting you even further into folding filet knife territory.

The Crossbones features a dramatic trailing point blade. Designer Jeff Park apparently took inspiration from the tanto blade shape, and he describes the blade as a “modified tanto”. Regardless what you have here is a long and thin blade. Blade stock is actually pretty robust at approximately 3.3 mm thick tapering down to a fine tip. The full flat grind gets pretty thin towards the edge and the satin finish is clean and easy to maintain.

CRKT selected AUS-8 for the blade steel. That is likely to get some grumbling, especially given the over $50 price tag. If you like the design and want to splurge, there is the premium version in M390, but it would be cool to see this in VG-10 or 154CM. I realize from a manufacturing logistics standpoint that could be expensive at best and impossible in some instances.

AUS-8 has a reputation of being a softer steel that is easy to sharpen but won’t hold an edge as a long as harder more expensive cutlery steels. On the plus side I’ve found AUS-8 to be a hearty steel that is tough, takes a nice finish, and is easy to maintain.

In practice the Crossbones performed as I would have expected. That slim blade is easy to get underneath the fold of an envelope, or into the seam of a box. The full flat grind aides in slicing, easily paring apples and breaking down boxes. The blade did slow down after some heavy cardboard cutting, but it was easy enough to bring back on my Spyderco Goldenstone. No issues with rust or corrosion.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The handle is kind of wild and crazy, and I suspect this is where CRKT allocated the majority of their budget. The 6061 aluminum handles have been heavily machined and given a dramatic 2 tone finish with bead blasted and satin finished elements. The profile of the handle resembles a dog bone, and that inspired the name. Inside you can see that the aluminum handles have been pocketed to accept stainless steel liners. Rounding things out are a partial backspacer that doubles as a lanyard hole, and custom hardware.

Fit and finish on the handle is excellent. The machining is meticulous. There is a fine diamond pattern milled into the handles. Not sure how they do that, but it probably takes some small endmills to get that level of detail. I am especially impressed by how well the steel liners fit into the aluminum handle.

The ergonomics on the Crossbones are interesting. On one hand this is a knife with a lot of sharp edges. That satin “X” shape in the handle looks cool, but the edges are sharp. Not to the point of cutting you sharp, but it’s certainly noticeable. But what I find interesting is that these sharp ridges offer a lot of traction while using the knife. Certainly this is not a piece that will easily slip out of your hand. I think for normal use the traction will be appreciated. Under more hard use conditions such as heavy rope cutting and carving wood, I think the traction is excessive and this knife is going to develop some hot spots.

I’m left a little conflicted on the elaborate design work in the handle. Some people will like this, but I would have been OK with less detail and less sharp edges. I notice that Jeff’s knife in his CRKT overview lacked the crazy millwork. Part of me wonders how that knife feels in hand compared to this production version.

In contrast to the elaborate handle, the pocket clip is a small no-frills deep carry offering. The clip is positioned for right side tip up carry only, but it’s secure, offers good spring retention, and is discreet. The knife pretty much buries itself into your pocket. Great if you are looking for your pocket knife to fly under the radar. It’s also fairly easy to retrieve from the pocket.

This Crossbones carries well. The heavily textured handle and stout pocket clip means that the knife is not going anywhere. At 2.4 ounces this is a knife you will quickly forget you are carrying until the time comes to use it. The knife is thick, but it’s not unreasonable. All said I think it behaves well in the pocket.

Deployment and Lockup

The blade of the Crossbones is accessed via a low profile flipper tab. The flipper tab is almost too low profile, thanks in part to a strong detent and rounded edges of the flipper tab. Rounded edges aren’t necessarily a bad thing. I noted in my SOG Terminus XR review that the sharp edges of the flipper tab on that knife actually cut my finger, so I’m glad that isn’t the case here.

But on the flip side, my finger has slipped off this tab without opening the blade many times. It takes both technique and concentration. So that’s a bit of a bummer, but the good news is the detent is crisp and dialed in. When the knife opens, it opens with authoritay. The blade rockets out thanks to a strong detent and IKBS bearing system.

For lockup we have a stainless steel liner lock. The lockbark engages fully with the tang of the blade, and it sits in the middle of the tang. There is no lock rock, or blade play in this knife. Out of the box the lockup was just a little sticky, but that has smoothed out with use.

Here is a size comparison with my Swindle. I still have this knife 5 years later, and it’s still an impressive budget knife. Time flies.

Blade centering is close to perfect on my knife. Maybe off by a hair.

CRKT Crossbones Review – Final Thoughts

The Crossbones is an interesting knife. I am not sure if it rises to the level of being an “iconic folding knife” but it’s certainly different, and everything and has been well implemented. Retailing around $65, it’s on the expensive side for CRKT, but they have dialed in the fit and finish on this blade and a lot of work was put into the handle. Visually the knife is striking, with it’s unique profile and monochromatic look. The heavily machined handle will read as busy to some, but I appreciate that they tried to do something different here.

Functionally the knife has a lot going for it. It’s lightweight and easy to pocket. It’s a long bold looking knife, so maybe not appropriate for all social situations, but the long thin blade can get into places other knives can’t. The handle is heavily textured and easy to grasp. I found the flipper tab a little slippery at times, but nothing egregious. Of course I’d always like to see a better steel than AUS-8, but jumping up to a better steel would probably require a corresponding jump in price. If you really like the design then perhaps snagging one of the limited edition versions is worthwhile.

At the end of the day, I can see why CRKT has offered the Crossbones in a few different configurations. It’s a cool design, and it has been well executed. While I can’t give it a blanket endorsement, I think if you are interested in the design, then the Crossbones is worth picking up.

CRKT Crossbones EDC Folding Pocket Knife: Gentleman's Knife, Everyday Carry, Satin Blade, IKBS Ball Bearing Pivot, Liner Lock, Brushed Aluminum Handle, Deep Carry Pocket Clip 7530

Smooth Opening: IKBS ball bearing pivot deploys the blade smooth
Fast Opening: The flipper deploys the blade fast
Easy To Sharpen: High carbon stainless steel blade takes an edge well
Classy Appearance: Satin finish blade has a modern look
Custom Stylings: Two-tone aluminum handle has distinctive look

I recommend purchasing the CRKT Crossbones at Amazon or BladeHQ.

ESEE Avispa Review

by Dan Jackson 4 Comments

I reviewed the ESEE Zancudo back in 2014. I gave it high marks, and since then it has gone on to be my pick for the best budget EDC knife. I stand by that recommendation, and still own and use the Zancudo to this day. It’s a great affordable every day carry knife and I’m hard pressed to name a better sub $35 folder.

Buy the ESEE Avispa at BladeHQ

Buy on Amazon

So what about its big brother, the Avispa? It came out a couple years after the Zancudo, and while it has been something I wanted to review, I never got around to it. Until now. Will it live up to the legacy of the Zancudo? Let’s see.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Avispa has an overall length of 8.5″, a 3.5″ blade, weighs 4.51 ounces, and is made in Taiwan. It’s a big knife. Much bigger than the Zancudo. I think that’s pretty clear in the comparison photos. Personally, this is not a daily carry piece for me. It’s more of a weekend knife. I think it could make for a great folding camp knife. For opening mail and cutting apples I’ll stick with the Zancudo, but those wanting a bigger knife will get what they want with the Avispa.

The Avispa has a large drop point blade with a high full flat grind. While the blade design is unlikely to win any beauty contests, it’s extremely functional. The tip is dropped down towards the pivot, lending an almost spear point profile. There is a nice sharpening choil, and the edge has been evenly ground. Topping things off is an attractive stonewashed blade finish.

Here is a shot of the Avispa next to the Zancudo:

For blade steel we have tried and true AUS-8. AUS-8 is a Japanese stainless steel. It’s on the soft side, meaning it will dull faster than premium knife steels, but it’s tough, stain resistant, and easy to sharpen. Given the ~$40.00 price tag, I’d say it’s an appropriate blade steel. The Zancudo came in AUS-8 and frankly I never cared. It sharpens in minutes.

I have been using my Avispa around the house. We have tile floors, and recently had the grout professionally cleaned. This meant we had to move most of our worldly possessions into the garage. While I was moving all my crap out of the office I came across a cache of cardboard boxes. It was a great opportunity for my Avispa. The big blade and full flat grind make it a work horse of a knife. I had no problem breaking down the boxes. I also uncovered a little manilla rope from my YouTube days. The Avispa was able to make some crunching cuts, but it tested the ergonomic limits of this thin handle.

Where a knife like this shines is in basic food prep. I eat a lot of fruit and the Avispa’s thin blade is great for slicing apples. But that’s an EDC chore. I decided push the knife further and make a meal with it. We cook a good deal of chicken and vegetables at my house, so that’s the task I put it to. It works well for slicing and dicing, allowing me to make controlled even cuts. It’s not replacing my chef’s knife, but in a pinch I could see this thing cutting onions, carrots, and potatoes at a camp site. It certainly worked in my kitchen.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The Avispa’s handle is a textured FRN scale over a nested stainless steel liner on the show side, and a stainless steel lock bar on the lock side. Holding things together is a series of 4 stand offs and a stop pin. This is an inexpensive knife, but it is well made and has some nice details, including a skeletonized liner and black hardware on the show side, with silver hardware on the lock side. Fit and finish is good with all the parts lining up. You can get this knife in a variety of handle colors. This time I chose a nice olive drab.

The Avispa benefits from a simple handle design. Neither the blade nor the handle look particularly impressive, but they function great. There is plenty of room for a full grip, and the knife offers plenty of traction. The handle scale is textured with a faux peel-ply G-10 look, and there is a good run of jimping on the thumb ramp. The jimping strikes that balance between providing traction and being too aggressive.

That said, this is a thin knife, so you do feel it in your hand. If you intend to use the Avispa for an extended period of time you will probably want to wear gloves. It’s fine for basic work, but if you are going to “hard use” this one, then have some leather gloves on stand by.

The pocket clip is where things get interesting. The Avispa is drilled and tapped for ambidextrous tip up / tip down carry. We call this a “4 corners” pocket clip. Out of the box the knife is configured for right side tip down. I’m more of a tip up guy, like most knife enthusiasts I know, so I swapped it to right side tip up. Doing that places the pocket clip directly onto the lock bar. I believe when this knife was originally released, that interfered with the lock bar.

My clip doesn’t interfere with the lock bar, but it also doesn’t touch the lock bar. There is a substantial gap. Take a look:

Obviously this isn’t ideal for a pocket clip. You aren’t going to get the kind of pocket retention most people seek out when using a pocket clip. For this reason I recommend right side tip down, or put the clip on the show side. This isn’t a deal breaker for me, but is worth pointing out.

Pocket clip issues aside, the Avispa more or less carries the way you think it would. It’s a big somewhat heavy knife. It’s thin so it won’t take up your entire pocket, but it’s definitely noticeable.

Deployment and Lockup

The Avispa makes use of ambidextrous thumb studs to get the blade open. The thumb studs are easy to access from the right and left side. The blade itself rides on phosphor bronze washers. The action is smooth and fluid. The detent is nice and strong, keeping the blade securely in place until you need it.

The stainless steel frame lock is sturdy and secure. No blade play on this knife, even when wiggling the blade from the very tip. The lock bar isn’t sticky, and it’s easy to disengage when you are done cutting. No complaints in the lockup department.

Heres a shot of the Avispa next to my Strider SnG. A $40 knife next to a $400 knife. There is a probably a viral video in there somewhere…

Finally I have to mention that my blade is perfectly centered. A great detail on a budget blade. I’m sure there are some slightly off center Avispa blades out there, but generally speaking you will be pleased with the QC on this knife.

ESEE Avispa Review – Final Thoughts

I’m not sure why it has taken me so long to review the Avispa. Maybe it was the pocket clip issue originally reported when the knife was released. Or maybe because I was so happy with my Zancudo I saw no need for the Avispa. Who knows.

Regardless, I’m glad I eventually added an Avispa to my collection. Unsurprisingly, I like this knife for many of the reasons why I like the Zancudo. I prefer it over the Rat II because it’s thinner. I love the little details they managed to shoe horn into this budget blade. And you can’t argue with the utility.

In a perfect world the pocket clip would work better in right side tip up, but that’s a minor complaint. I’ll swap mine back to right side tip down after this review and call it a day.

At the end of the day I recommend the Avispa if you are looking for a large inexpensive daily carry knife, or want a good folding camp knife. I can’t think of anything I prefer in this size at this price point. Like the Zancudo, on a dollar for dollar basis it’s a tough knife to beat. Recommended.

ESEE Avispa Stonewash Folding Knife,3.5in,AUS-8 Steel,Drop BRK1301OD Green Satin Blade

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

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.

KA-BAR Dozier Folding Hunter Review

by Benjamin Schwartz 7 Comments

Last Updated: July 27, 2019
The KA-BAR website tends to be pretty laconic with its product descriptions in general, but the terse, colorless description they provide for the KA-BAR Dozier Folding Hunter would make the editor of technical manuals nod off mid-sentence:

“Award-winning lock back designed by Bob Dozier is an affordable, practical all-purpose knife appropriate for daily tasks. Features a reversible pocket clip and thumb stud.”

Buy the Ka-Bar Dozier Folding Hunter at BladeHQ

Buy on Amazon

I can certainly sympathize with the KA-BAR copy editor. On a superficial level, what is there to say about the simple Dozier Folding Hunter? It was originally released in 2003, and as far as I can tell it has hardly changed at all since then, submerged in the nearly-empty waters of the sub-$20 big brand knife bracket like one of those ancient fish that have kept their prehistoric forms for millions of years.

On the other hand, such longevity without change is virtually unheard of, especially in the budget realm, where we’ve already forgotten that the Spyderco Tenacious used to be the absolute cutting edge under $40 just a few years ago. Like the Tenacious, the Dozier won Best Buy at Blade Show the year it released. Unlike the Tenacious, the Dozier remains relatively unchallenged at its price point. It’s still one of the original freaks of the knife world, a sui generis offering that nothing much really directly compares with.

It was a knife I have been meaning to try out for a long time. So I picked up a trio of Dozier Folding Hunters to see what there was to see. Is it still a watermark in the budget realm, or a fossil from a different age? Let’s take a closer look.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Dozier has a blade length of 3”, a handle of 4-3/16”, and an overall length of 7-1/4”. It weighs 2.4 oz and is made in Taiwan. There is a smaller Dozier but I think the full-size model is the one you should go with. It still weighs nothing and you get a jump up in utility with the increased blade size.

A fit and finish note: while general fit and finish was good across all three Doziers I purchased, there was some variance between the blades grinds. The blue one fared the worst, with a noticeable recurve. The olive green sample was better, albeit with an uneven edge grind – the sharpened edge goes down farther on side than the other. Leslie’s Zombie Green model was far and away the winner, with a truer edge and clean, consistent grind.

I don’t like playing the “What do you expect for $20” card because, even when I shell out $20, I expect a good knife made to consistent quality standards. So it’s definitely a mark against this knife that there is so much variance here. However, I would be fibbing if I said it made the slightest bit of difference in cutting or sharpening.

Depending on where you go this model’s blade is called a “spear” in some places, a “hunter” elsewhere, and a “drop point” in still others. Hairsplitting aside, it’s a great blade shape; there’s not much you can’t do with it, and the 3” length is just right. It’s also another exhibit in the case for hollow grinds in mid-size blades: I think they perform better overall, especially outside of food prep tasks. Even with a fairly narrow blade profile, the Dozier zips through material effortlessly.

It’s easy to get repetitive in describing steels, but to be brief: AUS-8 is just great. Highly corrosion resistant, easy to sharpen, and offering good edge retention, I think it is demonstrably better than 8Cr13MoV. It’s the perfect steel for a first-time knife user or for someone who doesn’t really care about knives and just needs something that will work for a long time. One of these Doziers went to work with my girlfriend every day and she appreciated that it held up well to regular use. Even for us enthusiasts it holds plenty of appeal.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The Dozier’s handle is stripped of all embellishment. A simple bow shape, designed to accommodate the curvature of the human hand. Construction is equally simple, a two-piece Zytel build, with the partial backspacer integral to the off-side scale. Diamond texturing molded into the Zytel imparts a decent amount of grippiness here.

The handle’s simplicity works in its favor. One issue with ergonomic details like finger choils is that they always mean the knife favors a certain grip. Even a wonderfully comfortable knife like the Strider PT CC works better in the forward grip than in reverse or pinch grips because of its famous double finger grooves. The Dozier’s simplicity may not be as immediately gratifying, but it is never problematic, never less than accommodating. Try and find an uncomfortable grip on this knife: if you manage to do so, you’re probably holding it by the blade.

The reversible pocket clip is long and slender, and recessed into the handle like a Sebenza clip – a nice detail because it prevents side-to-side wiggle. Although thin, it is made from a fairly thick piece of steel – mostly a good thing as it is extra durable, but it does mean that retention is pretty tight. Things should loosen up over time (and thankfully the clip’s retention point is on a non-textured surface in the center of the handle), but even out of the box, it’s far from unusable. The knife itself is nice and thin in addition to being lightweight – an easy carry in almost all circumstances.

Deployment and Lockup

For deployment the Dozier utilizes a single, reversible thumb stud. I’ve always like the single thumb stud idea – just seems like a more efficient use of material, which of course is in keeping with the generally efficient, streamlined design of this knife.

As with any lockback there’s friction during deployment, but the blade can be flicked out or slow rolled with relative ease after a little break-in. One interesting element of the Dozier is the complete absence of washers or bearings: instead, the blade pivots on raised, washer-shaped areas of Zytel. Even with this rudimentary construction, the primary sensation during opening is one of smoothness. This was consistent across all three review samples.

The Dozier’s lockback has some definite spring to it. It snaps into an open position and disengages with an audible pop. Lockup is sound: there’s no side-to-side play, although a slight up and down movement can be detected. Almost all lockbacks I’ve owned exhibit this to greater or lesser degrees so I’m not worried about it. I’m confident in saying that the Dozier could withstand a fair bit of hard cutting before you’d notice any issues with the lock. And along with the clip and thumb stud, it means the Dozier is 100% ambidextrous.

KA-BAR Dozier Folding Hunter Review – Final Thoughts

The Dozier is a knife from a different age. It predates our modern obsessions with lock types, flipping action, celebrity designers (Bob Dozier may be a legend but his name doesn’t have the current cachet of a Jesse Jarosz or Rick Hinderer) and all other knife nerd fallalery. There’s nothing wrong with enjoying these things, but there’s something bracing about carrying a knife that ignores so much of them and still functions so well. It’s a real tonic for today’s overexposed, oversaturated, overanalyzed knife world.

After fourteen years on the market, the Dozier is still one of the best deals around. It makes no real compromises and has no real weaknesses other than a lack of visual appeal. An enthusiast would never want this to be his only blade, but realistically it does all that you should ask of a folding knife. It won’t be my last knife – and it won’t be yours – but it could be if we ever shake the knife collecting bug.

KA-BAR Dozier Folding Hunter Knife Black, Medium,steel

DOZIER FOLDING HUNTER-BLACK
We've been making knives since 1908
Each knife undergoes our unique manufacturing processes and testing
Ensuring corrosion resistance, strength, edge-holding ability, and an out-of-the-box razor-sharp cutting edge.
Blade Detail: Plain

Editor: I recommend purchasing the Ka-Bar Dozier Folding Hunter 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.