liner lock

Kizer Vanguard Mini Sheepdog Review

Howdy knife nuts. It’s been awhile. Long story short, I’m working two jobs right now, so I haven’t really had time to focus on gear. Hopefully this review is a sign of more to come.

Buy the Kizer Mini Sheepdog at BladeHQ

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I’ll be the first person to admit that I don’t “get” cleaver-style pocket knives. When they started to appear in catalogs and Instagram feeds, I couldn’t shake the feeling that they’d be a pain to carry and an easy way to spook people. From the oversized blades to the chunky grinds, there just didn’t seem to be a case for them. So when Dan asked if I’d be interested in reviewing the Kizer Mini Sheepdog, I was a bit reluctant, but ended up saying yes, in part to challenge my own prejudices. Fortunately, I ended up being pleasantly surprised. Read on to learn more.

Full disclosure: this knife was provided cost-free by Kizer. While the company’s reputation for quality is high enough that I feel comfortable claiming that my sample is representative of the line at large, some of you might feel differently.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Kizer Mini Sheepdog weighs 3.15 ounces, has a 2.63” blade, and measures 3.6” long while closed. It’s neither a featherweight nor a brick. The blade is short enough to be legal to carry in most US cities, and I’ve yet to encounter someone put off by it, despite the distinctive blade shape. On the whole, the quality of construction is excellent, and I was pretty impressed when it slid out of the box.

Depending on your point of view, the Mini Sheepdog’s blade is either the draw, or the drawback. If you like cleaver-style blades, then this should be right up your alley. The lines are bold, the modified wharncliffe reinforces the tip quite well, and the shallow belly of the blade makes it a fine utility cutter.

The blade steel is VG10, a Japanese steel whose reputation has suffered quite a bit over the years. When I first got into this hobby, VG10 was lauded for its rust resistance, ability to take a keen edge, and easy maintenance. Those haven’t changed. Nowadays, however, you are more likely to hear about how quickly VG10 loses an edge, and part of that is because of the rapid pace of technology. Amazing steels are available at hitherto unheard-of prices. Still, if you regularly touch up the edge on a strop, you won’t be disappointed. Just don’t try to break down a pile of cardboard boxes: the edge will disappear long before you’re done.

Despite the slightly outdated blade steel, the Mini Sheepdog is still a lean cutter. The combination of a tall blade, .125” stock, and keen flat grind make for a very effective slicer, especially during food prep. Don’t mistake my meaning: this isn’t a replacement for a Swiss Army Knife, let alone a kitchen knife. However, if you need a utility knife that can also slice an apple on your lunch break, this is a fine option.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

Like most of the Vanguard line, the Mini Sheepdog’s handle is comprised of G10 scales over stainless steel liners. Both materials are excellent choices for working tools, provided that the manufacturer puts the time and effort into properly finishing them. G10 is lightweight, durable, and isn’t damaged by moisture, but if it isn’t sanded down or contoured it can be rough and uncomfortable in the hand. Stainless steel, depending on the treatment, isn’t necessarily rustproof.

Fortunately, Kizer knocked it out of the park here. The G10 scales are smooth enough that they won’t wear out your pockets (or hands, for that matter), yet have enough texture to remain grippy in adverse conditions. Likewise, the stainless steel liners are polished enough to ward off most incidental rust (though, full disclosure, I live in what is technically a desert).

The ergonomics on the Mini Sheepdog are perfectly serviceable. There’s little to complain about, but not much to write home about, either. I can get three and a half fingers onto the handle of the Mini Sheepdog, but most of the time it’s a three-finger knife. The hump-backed handle coaxes your fingers into a slight pistol grip, which might be annoying if that wasn’t how I used most of my work knives already.

As I mentioned in the introduction, one of my concerns regarding cleaver-style blades was that they’d be a pain to carry. Luckily those fears weren’t justified. Yes, the Mini Sheepdog is a bit wide, but it’s not so wide that you can’t reach past it to grab the keys at the bottom of your pocket (which is the real test, in my experience). The pocket clip is perfectly functional. It doesn’t damage pants, it’s not difficult to remove or stow, and it doesn’t generate hotspots. In a world filled with terrible pocket clips, “perfectly functional” is high praise.

Deployment and Lock-Up

The blade of the Mini Sheepdog is deployed with the quintessential modern flipper tab, and rides on a ball-bearing pivot. This combination is fairly common these days, and the Mini Sheepdog is a fine example of the breed. It has a crisp detent, a smooth pivot, and an intuitive flipper tab, making deployment reliable and effortless.

Liner locks tend to get a bad rap these days. Ever since framelocks started to dominate the market, liner locks have seemingly been relegated to the realm of budget knives, and that doesn’t seem quite fair. More often than not, a liner lock is actually more effective. They don’t change the geometry of the handle when the blade is deployed, they’re just as strong, and they’re much easier to replace in the event of catastrophic failure, so I’m more than happy to see a liner lock on the Mini Sheepdog. As the locking liner is made of steel, there’s no break-in period or galling issues. More importantly, there is neither horizontal nor vertical play in the lock, and lock-up is stable at around 50%.

Kizer Vanguard Mini Sheepdog Review – Final Thoughts

I didn’t expect to like the Mini Sheepdog at first, but it’s since won me over. The cleaver-style blade was neither off-putting to strangers nor did it make the knife a pain to carry. It’s a fine cutter, perfectly sized for everyday needs, and falls at a great price point, especially considering the materials and quality of construction.

Honestly, I’ve been out of the loop for too long to comment on what slice of the market the Mini Sheepdog is competing with. If I might borrow from fellow BladeReviews writer Ben Schwartz, the Mini Sheepdog, much like the Begleiter, “sails perilous close” to waters dominated by the sub-$100 Spyderco offerings, but these are old and well-established stalwarts. In my opinion, the Mini Sheepdog has enough charm to stand on its own, and its materials and quality of construction are at least as compelling.

If you like cleaver-style blades, but don’t need to perform ad hoc butchery, the Mini Sheepdog is right for you. It’s inexpensive enough to test the waters, innocuous enough to fly under the radar, and handy enough to keep around alongside much more expensive knives.

Kizer Knives Pocket Knife with Clip G10 Handles Material EDC Folding Knife Sheepdog V3488 (Black)

Blade material:154CM
Overall Length:5.77 inch(14.66cm)
Weight:3. 17oz (0.20 pounds)
154CM stainless steel takes a razor sharp edge.Textured G-10 handle ensures excellent grip security.
Caged ceramic ball bearing pivot for swift, responsive blade deployment

Editor: I recommend buying the Kizer Vanguard Mini Sheepdog at BladeHQ or Amazon. Thank you for reading.

CRKT Crossbones Review

by Dan Jackson 5 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

Low Profile Flipper Opening
Satin Finish
Brushed Aluminum Two Tone Handle
Designed by Jeff Park in Mililani, Hawaii
Limited Lifetime Warranty covers any defects in materials or workmanship, see company site for details

I recommend purchasing the CRKT Crossbones at Amazon or BladeHQ.

Kizer Begleiter Review

by Benjamin Schwartz 1 Comment

I’m not sure any single knife company has impacted the industry more in the last ten years than Kizer. They may not have been the very first company pushing the boundaries in terms of price-to-performance, but they were the first one to get lots of attention in so doing, not only forcing their existing competitors to deliver more value for money, but also informing new companies’ entry into the knife world. Reate, WE, Ruike, Real Steel, Artisan, Steel Will, and many others owe something, I think, to Kizer’s precedent.

Buy the Kizer Begleiter at BladeHQ

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But after laying the template for the modern enthusiast knife – titanium frame lock, ball bearing flipper, trendy designers, sub-$200 price tag – Kizer seems to be fading into the background somewhat, getting drowned out in the bustling genre that it more or less established.

Which would be a shame, because Kizer has a lot to offer. While their various followers have gone up into the high high-end, playing with baroque stylings and highwire feats of machining prowess, or down into true budget territory, delivering good steel at great prices, Kizer has walked the middle ground. Their catalog mixes price-consciousness with smart, attractive designs, value with subtle flair and desirable designer pedigree. Kizer knives may not be flashiest or most fun, but they are often reliable, intelligently-designed, well-made and relatively affordable.

And speaking of well-made reliability and smart design, we come to the Begleiter. This knife has been around for some time and, although I don’t get the impression it was a massive immediate hit, it seems to have accrued some word-of-mouth mojo over the years; you definitely see it around. In part this can be chalked about to the impulse buy (for knife nerds) price tag, but also I think thanks to the (you guessed it) quality materials and solid, all-purpose design.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Begleiter has a blade length of 3.5 inches, an overall length of 8.125 inches, and weighs 3.8 oz. It is made in China and came impeccably fitted and finished. My particular Begleiter might look a little road-weary in the pictures, because it came to me at a time when I needed to do a lot of outdoors, yard-worky-type stuff. There’s a lot of unruboffable plant viscera on the blade, and some gunk in the pivot I’ve yet to wash out; but fresh from the factory, it was in pristine condition.

The Begleiter’s blade, a mid-sized drop point, doesn’t feel as long as it is, and it’s actually wider and stouter, blade stock-wise, than you’d think just looking at pictures of it. Flat ground, but not overly thin behind the edge, it’s a capable, durable slicer. I cut cardboard, paper, weeds, dug in pebbly garden soil, and accidentally banged the edge a couple times against brick; throughout it all the Begleiter cut well, and withstood my misuse with rugged stolidity. I actually like the look of the smoky gray titanium coating, and it held up well through the testing.

VG-10 – a good, good steel; I already knew I liked it, but I did learn one new thing about it in testing the Begleiter, and that’s that it can be relatively durable, despite its reputation for brittleness. As I said earlier, I smacked my Begleiter against bricks during multiple lapses in my bladesmanship. However, it only chipped at the very outermost, wafer-thin part of the tip, and there just minorly. I was impressed all over again. It’s not my favorite steel to sharpen up, but not so ornery I’d be hesitant to recommend it even to non-knife nerd users.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

I’m not sure that Kizer still adheres to the old nomenclature for their various lines, but if they do the Begleiter falls into the Vanguard class, which means standard Vanguard handle materials: G-10 scales and stainless steel liners. On the Begleiter, those liners stand proud and letterbox the scales, and both scales and liners have been chamfered extensively.

Like the blade, the handle is less narrow in person than it looks in pictures, and the letterboxing on the handles injects dimensionality into the grip. Those proud liners are shiny-smooth, and the chamfering makes them feel almost crowned. The lone finger groove is well-proportioned, and the finger guard/pivot area doesn’t push your hand so far back that you feel like you lack control over the blade.

I don’t know who designed the Begleiter; I thought I found out the name of the man behind it at one point, but now I can’t seem to track that information down. So maybe I misremembered, or maybe it’s a Kizer in-house team effort; but either way the designer (s) deserve credit for a thoughtful ergonomic layout.

Less thoughtful, but by means bad, is the Begleiter’s clip. It doesn’t have a particularly appealing look, nor does it offer deep carry, and the contact point is right on the un-smooth G-10. That last point is one uncharacteristic bit of boneheadedness in the design of this knife. Granted, it’s an oversight most companies make, but it’s still disappointing. On the positive side, the clip’s tension is just right and it vanishes when you’re using the knife.

Opening and Lockup

Thumb stud and phosphor bronze washers: that’s the good stuff. This setup, combined with spot-on detent tuning, means the Begleiter’s blade pops into place when you flick it open – and you will be flicking it: a slow roll open is possible but this is a blade tuned to fly, and fly it does. I’m not much of a knife fidgeter these days but even sitting here writing the review I keep picking up the Begleiter and popping it open and closed. It’s fun, addictive, and most importantly reliable in use.

The stop pin is also plenty large and durable too; there’s nothing I dislike or would change about the opening configuration on the Begleiter and it’s one reason why I’m not at all interested in the new, premium, frame lock flipper Begleiters that recently released.

Here is a size comparison with the Spyderco Delica 4:

Are we past the age of dodgy lockups? I don’t remember the last knife I handled with a bad lock, or even a lock that has been anything less than great. Makers all around the world have been expected to Do Better in recent years, in no small part thanks to companies like Kizer setting new standards for quality in all price ranges.

Unsurprisingly, then, I have no complaints about the Begleiter’s liner lock. There’s still not an iota of play in any direction after many bouts of rugged and ungainly use. A cutout on the show side scale gives nice access to the locking leaf, and disengagment is as frictionless as the lockup is firm. Again, good stuff.

Kizer Begleiter Review – Final Thoughts

Let’s be frank: the Kizer Begleiter is not a knife that it’s easy to get excited about, here in 2019. Its materials are good, but not outstanding. The fit and finish is great, but so is the fit and finish on many, many other knives. The design is smart, but subdued almost – almost – to the point of colorlessness.

At $60 it’s a good value, but also sailing perilous close to the fatal Endura/Delica 4/Chaparral Lightweight Bermuda Triangle where other value-driven knife designs get lost forever. You struggle to find anything bad to say about the Begleiter, and use it approvingly, but it doesn’t endear itself in any singular way.

Which is maybe (definitely) a silly thing to ask a knife to do. If you’re looking for a good knife in this price category, this is a good choice, a smart choice even. If you have a friend who isn’t really into knives but could use one, this is one you could hip them to. I think this is money better spent than buying most Kershaws, for instance (although again, the shadow of the sub-$100 Spydercos looms large…).

In 2019, the Begleiter is a perfect synecdoche for Kizer itself. In the turbulent, baroque, saturated knife market, where we were spoiled for choice years ago and now we’re somewhere beyond spoiled, it can be easy to lose sight of Kizer. But they’ve maintained a steady output of sensible, solid, well-made and generally well-priced designs. You may not be wowed when you pick up a Begleiter, but you definitely won’t be disappointed either, and that’s worth something.

Kizer Cutlery Begleiter Folding Pocket Knife Liner Lock Green G10 Handles Knife, Begleiter V4458A2

A reversible spring pocket clip and stainless steel liners
Tactical pocket folding knife offers rapid one-handed deployment, locks securely into place with liner lock
3.5" VG10 blade with a drop point shape and gray titanium coating.The bronze washers allow for smooth blade opening
Handle Material:G10 /Blade Material:VG-10 /Weight:3.69 oz (0.23 pounds)
Overall Length:8.17 inch (20.75 cm) /Blade Length:3.58 inch (9.09 cm)

Editor: I recommend purchasing the Kizer Begleiter 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.

Spyderco Kapara Review

by Seth Vietti 1 Comment

On paper, the Spyderco Kapara offers an attractive proposition: utilitarian design, high-end looks, and some of Spyderco’s most popular features fused together in a slim, pocket friendly package. Since it released in late 2018, the Kapara has been my near-daily companion. It took me longer than I expected to form my opinion of this beguiling new Spyderco knife. One question kept nagging me: do the elements of the Kapara that were so appealing to me on paper, hold up under scrutiny in hand?

General Dimensions & Blade Details

At eight-and-a-quarter inches overall with just over three-and-a-half inches of blade, the Kapara is by no means a small knife. Dimensions aren’t the whole story, though – while somewhat long, it feels exceptionally lithe. The blade is thin (3mm stock thickness) and slim, barely widening around the spyderhole before winding down to the slender tip. It’s a fresh, elegant take on a classic Spyderco blade shape, reminiscent of Sal Glesser silhouettes like the Stretch or UKPK Drop Point.

Typically, blades in the 3.5 inch range don’t really work for me. I find they suffer from something like “middle child syndrome:” too small to shoulder the responsibility of impromptu kitchen knife duty, too big to get away with sneaking into a pocket unnoticed. The Kapara, however, splits the difference perfectly. It’s got enough blade length to flex into some “big knife” work, but feels light for its size at just 3.4 ounces.

The Kapara was designed by Australian knife maker Alistair Phillips with a mind towards everyday food prep tasks. While it definitely isn’t the king of the cutting board (a title still held uncontested by my Spyderco Hundred Pacer), the Kapara’s flat-ground blade and long, low, and thin edge geometry make it a great paring knife. I especially appreciated the articulate tip, which – thanks to the thoughtful blade shape and well-executed distal taper – was pointy enough to pierce effortlessly, yet wide enough to deftly pluck seeds from citrus or spread peanut butter.

I do wish Spyderco had included the small sharpening choil present on Phillip’s original design. Resharpening was easy enough, but the untidy edge at the heel of the blade feels out of place on such an elegant knife. Luckily for me, Mr. Phillips has published a video tutorial on how to add a sharpening choil to the Kapara should I ever feel bothered enough to modify it myself.

For blade steel, Spyderco have opted for CPM-S30V, an American powder-metallurgy alloy developed specifically for cutlery. I’ll touch on my personal quibble with this choice later, but speaking objectively it makes sense here. S30V’s combination of great corrosion resistance, good edge holding, and relative ease of sharpening make it a safe choice for a pocket knife users are encouraged to use on food.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

When I first slid the Kapara from its red, black, and gold foil Spyderco box, the handle immediately caught my attention. The tastefully embellished pivot and burgundy backspacer are nice, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen carbon fiber scales executed so excellently on a production knife: lustrous, gently radiused, symmetrical, perfectly flush with the liners, and neatly softened around the edges.

The handle is quite smooth, and I expected the knife to feel slippery and difficult to control. As it turns out, the ergonomics more than make up for the lack of texture. The arched back of the handle lends most grips ample leverage, and is plenty long enough to hold without feeling crowded into the finger choil. The thumb ramp, while subtle, reassures against sliding forward in a thrusting cut.

The finger choil is shallow but not at all undersized.

And the dip in the spine of the blade makes for an easy place to rest the forefinger when guiding the tip.

In pocket, the Kapara’s impeccable smoothness pays dividends. The wire clip hangs the knife deep with plenty of tension to hold it securely in place, yet it slides in and out of pocket effortlessly. No yanking, no forcing it down over a thick seam, no shredding your pocket lining day by day… honestly, the Kapara carries so well it may have spoiled textured handles for me. I know I’m not the only one with a drawer full of otherwise presentable pants all disintegrating at the right front pocket.

Deployment & Lockup

Spyderco’s compression lock is known for its simplicity, safety, and strength. Here on the Kapara it delivers unimpeachable lockup and a firm detent for snappy, satisfying deployment. Closing it, however, took a little getting used to. The knife is slender enough that there’s not much room to hold the knife and pinch the lock open at the same time. Instead, I found it easier to operate more like a back lock, by using my thumb to disengage the lock…

…then safely catch the ricasso of the smoothly dropping blade with my forefinger.

The experience isn’t quite as fidget-friendly as Spyderco’s USA-made compression lock knives (e.g. the Paramilitary 2), but it certainly didn’t stop me from compulsively flicking the Kapara open and closed in my idle moments.

Spyderco Kapara Review – Final Thoughts

In the end, the Kapara exceeded even my initially high expectations for the knife. It’s thoughtfully designed, expertly made, and a pleasure to use. More than that, it’s a knife with a distinct and charming personality, a knife that doesn’t feel quite like anything else on the market and is better for it. The closest comparison I can come up with is the venerable Benchmade 940: another 3.5 inch, easy to carry, dressed-up yet hard-working knife with its own quirky character. (Is it coincidence that both Alistair Phillips and 940 designer Warren Osborne are Australian? [Probably.])

The Kapara is such an outstanding knife, in fact, that I only wish it had a blade steel to match. S30V is better than average, but a high-performance stainless steel like 20CV or M390 would truly elevate the design. That said, it’s nothing to whine over. I find it hard to imagine anyone being disappointed with the Kapara, even at the full retail price I paid ($188 as of this review). If you’re looking for a pocket knife that cuts as well as it carries and feels as good as it looks, I unreservedly recommend the Spyderco Kapara.

Spyderco Kapara – From $188.50
From: BladeHQ

I recommend purchasing the Spyderco Kapara at Amazon, BladeHQ, or GP Knives. Thanks for reading.

Emerson Mini CQC-15 Review

by Travis Pike 2 Comments

The Emerson CQC line of folding tactical knives are downright legendary. Mr. Emerson’s knives were the first folding tactical knives and are common to see among the armed forces, with police, and of course average Joes like me. CQC stands for ‘close quarters combat,’ and these knives are designed to be used as weapons as well as useful EDC tools. This particular model is the Mini CQC-15.

Buy the Mini CQC-15 at BladeHQ

Buy on Amazon

The Mini CQC-15 is a compact option that retains the legendary quality and reliability of Emerson’s knives. The CQC series is quite expansive these days, and the knives come in various sizes, colors, and configuration. The Mini CQC 15 is a hybrid of the two most popular knives in the CQC line, the Commander and the CQC-7.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Mini CQC-15 is smaller than the CQC 15, but it isn’t a small knife by any means. It’s an average size EDC knife with a 3.5-inch blade. The overall length with the blade deployed is 7.9 inches, and total weight is light 4 ounces. The blade is .125 inches thick and is made from 154 CM.

The Mini CQC 15 sports the piercing tanto point of the famed CQC-7B and the recurve blade of the Commander. This odd combination does give you a versatile knife blade that stabs and slices easily. The belly isn’t as prominent as the Commander, but it’s still enough to make it a good choice for skinning deer. You also get that extra cutting edge in a shorter profile. The tanto blade is, of course, a great piercer. If used as a weapon in a military scenario it will make quick work of clothing, web gear, or uniform shirts.

The blade is made from a durable and corrosion resistant 154 CM steel. Its Emerson’s steel of choice for these knives and is a good steel for these knives in particular. It’s tough, but not hard to sharpen. The blade is a chisel grind which has some strengths, but also weaknesses. It’s very strong, easy to sharpen and the edge lasts a good while. A chisel grind is a rough cutter and feels like it catches and jumps when you are trying to do precise cuts.

In my time as a Marine, I carried an Emerson CQC-7BW. At that time I knew nothing about knives, but I knew the CQC-7BW was ‘the’ tactical knife. Over time I grew to appreciate 154CM steel and the chisel grind as something that was easy and quick to sharpen in the field. Often I had nothing more than the sharpening rod on my bayonet sheath.

Getting the Mini CQC-15 ready can be done quickly with minimal tools, time, or effort. In the tactical world, you might not have the tools and time to get a nice sharpening in. Your day patrol may turn into a three-day mission, and all you have is what’s on your back and in your pockets. You also want the edge to last and the blade to be strong. If it breaks in country, you can’t exactly go online and order another

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The Mini CQC-15 is a fat bottom girl, and I love it. The handle is wide and fills my paws well. The knife has a palm swell, and a decent jimping for the thumb. The handle fills my hand very nicely, and I have no complaints about its design or shape. The grip design reminds me of a more subtle version of the ancient Greek kopis handle. It’s designed to aid in retention when cutting or stabbing.

The G-10 grips panels are aggressively textured, and some people might find it uncomfortable. You should bear in mind that by order gloves are part of the personal protective equipment of the uniformed services. Gloves can challenge grip, so this aggressive texturing is a must have for a knife like this.

The clip is nice and straightforward. It’s robust and has never bent or accidentally grabbed my chair as I go to sit. It’s tight, so the knife stays planted in the pocket. As the mini variant, it’s a bit more pocket-friendly. I never noticed any discomfort when carrying the knife. I never notice its even there until I need it. Unfortunately, it’s for righties only, but left-handed models of these knives are available. Seems a little ridiculous not to tap the knife for lefties

Deployment and Lockup

The Mini CQC-15 has a titanium liner lock that’s strong, but the knife seems to lock-up at different points. This is especially true if you use the wave method of opening these knives. Sometimes it goes extremely far and other times barely at all. However, I have never had the lock fail me in any way. I will admit I find myself subconsciously checking to make sure the blade is locked before getting the work.

Deployment can be done through a top thumb disk that’s ambidextrous, well textured and feels strong. It’s a slow deployment method, but a functional one. If you want to go a little faster, you have the wave method. The wave is based on that little hook on the thumb rest that is supposed to catch on your pants and open the knife as you draw it.

It’s a neat feature, but it doesn’t always work. It seems to work better in some pants than others. Pulling the knife like that is not dependable enough to trust in a self-defense scenario. I will say it works way better in jeans than in the typical material uniform pants is made of, which is odd seeing as who these knives are designed for. I may also be bad at opening a knife this way. The utility is there, but I can’t seem to master the wave.

Emerson Mini-CQC 15 Review – Final Thoughts

The lens you view this knife through is likely going to significantly affect your opinion on it. It’s not a graceful tool, and for the cost, you can get a knife that cuts smoother, features an ambidextrous pocket clip, and a more natural method of deploying the blade.

The Mini CQC-15, as well as the rest of the CQC series, is designed for folks in uniform. They have a broad set of features that make them an excellent knife for those in uniform. I still love it, and my CQC-7BW, but I am aware of my own bias and nostalgia. That being said its an objectively good knife, and one I would suggest if strength and simplicity are your main desire.

Emerson Mini CQC-15 with Plain Black Blade

Plain Black Blade
Black G10 Handles
154CM steel
Titanium Liners

If you are thinking of buying an Emerson Mini CQC-15, please consider purchasing it at Amazon or BladeHQ. Thanks for reading.

Kershaw Concierge Knife Review

by Josh Wussow Leave a Comment

Dmitry Sinkevich and Kershaw are on a roll. Following the success of the critically-acclaimed Atmos, they’re leaping back into service with the Concierge – A slightly larger pocket knife boasting the same sci-fi elegance and everyday accessibility.

[easyazon_cta add_to_cart=”default” align=”center” asin=”B07BC93ML6″ cloaking=”default” height=”42″ key=”tall-orange” localization=”default” locale=”US” nofollow=”default” new_window=”default” tag=”brdfkdfk-20″ width=”120″]Kershaw Concierge[/easyazon_cta]

With an out-the-door cost of $38 at BladeHQ, the [easyazon_link asin=”B07BC93ML6″ locale=”US” new_window=”default” nofollow=”default” tag=”brdfkdfk-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”default” popups=”default”]Kershaw Concierge[/easyazon_link] is a compelling entry point into the mind of one of the world’s premier knife designers. Its dapper handle houses a deceptively simple blade, ready to trim the foil from your morning champagne or cut the rind from your brie at brunch. I spent a few weeks chauffeuring this knife between work and play, thanks to the generosity of the folks at Kershaw. Here’s what I’ve learned over my stay with the Concierge.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Concierge boasts a contoured, upswept blade some 3.25-inches in length. The stock is rather narrow across the shoulders (0.11-inches), with a hollow grind outfitted in a dapper gray titanium nitride coating. Beneath this lies Kershaw’s ever-present 8Cr13MoV steel.

Now, I won’t go too far down the steel rabbit hole, since the similarly equipped Atmos has proven to be a capable worker. I’d still like to see something like 154CM or 14C28N on Kershaw’s budget models, but at least their 8Cr runs better than most.

The rest of the Concierge’s 7.25-inches is comprised of nicely crowned G-10, within which lies a stainless steel linerlock and KVT ball bearing system. Think about that for a second – Up until a few years ago, this would almost certainly have been running on Teflon or (if we were lucky) phosphor bronze washers. As it is, this newly affordable mechanism is sandwiched in a 0.55-inch thick handle, bringing the knife’s total weight to 4.3-ounces.

Now that we’ve covered the stats, let’s take a minute to talk about the knife’s real-world usage. The long, gentle curve of the blade is well suited for daily tasks. Its hollow grind had no trouble dealing with my typical mediums – apples, onions, cardboard, envelopes, and plastic wrap. The knife came sharp from the factory, and I’ve stropped it back to life with no issues. We’ll cover the details of the ergonomics in a moment, but I’m generally impressed with the everyday ability of the Concierge.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

This is a knife that’s smooth all over – Like a tactical otter, or a slippery maitre d’. The subtle swells and arcs of the Concierge’s handle are really something to appreciate, especially when examined up close. Dmitry Sinkevich is known for his sleek, futuristic designs, and his style is in full force here.

The texturing of the G-10 handles is subtle and smooth. The large, dimpled pivot screws provide an interesting focal point for eye and thumb alike, and the chamfered steel liners are easy on the palm. I appreciate the jimping on the long backspacer, as well. Beyond its ergonomic appeal, it’s another point of visual grace in the knife’s overall design.

One of the more unique aspects of the Concierge lies in its recessed pocket clip. This single tongue of steel dips below level of the rest of the handle, thanks to a pair of unique cutouts. The tip peeks just above the horizon of the surrounding G-10, allowing users to slip the knife in and out of the pocket with ease. It takes a bit of practice, but I’m a big fan of the concept here. A recessed clip translates into a reduction of hot-spots in the hand, and Mr. Sinkevich has nailed its implementation. True, this means you’re left with a non-reversible clip. But for the majority of the knife-buying audience, this should be a hit.

Deployment and Lockup

The Concierge employs some of the best fit and finishing I’ve seen on a sub-$100 blade. But once we transition into the functional realm, several budgetary bugaboos rear their ugly heads.

Let’s start with the positives. The opening action is strong, thanks to a solidly designed detent. The blade’s long flipper tab is well-ground and smooth, preferring a button-style press to the old light-switch flick. As mentioned earlier, it’s great to see a KVT bearing system at a price point formerly reserved for Teflon or phosphor bronze washers.

So, deployment is a breeze. Stowage, however, is an entirely different story. My particular test model came with some pretty significant lock stick. Even after a thorough breakdown, cleaning, and repeated application of graphite and Sharpie, it’s still not a terribly smooth process. Combine this with the rather thin (though well-chamfered) lock bar, and you’ve got a recipe for tenderized thumb meat.

This removes much of the fidget-factor that made the Atmos so appealing. I’ve spent a decent amount of time messing around with the Concierge, and the lockbar hang-up isn’t as bad as it used to be. But, at least on my test model, the stickiness took some of the fun out of the experience. It’s a shame, especially given the KVT bearings and the perfect position of the flipper tab.

There’s also an odd note of metallic chatter upon closure, most noticeable between the disengagement of the lock and the blade tang hopping up over the detent. This is a minor issue, and I’m not concerned about the mechanical soundness of the lock system. But, it’s a small annoyance not present on the cheaper Atmos.

Kershaw Concierge Review – Final Thoughts

By this point, my preference should be clear – I ditched the $150 ZT0450 in favor of the Atmos, and the Concierge (while certainly a nice knife) isn’t going to kick its smaller cousin out of the collection. This is largely due to personal aesthetic (I prefer the uncoated blade), but the lock stick comes into play as well.

Minor production hang-ups aside, I still think this is an excellent knife. The recessed pocket clip and upscale aesthetic alone are enough to warrant the price of entry. I’d advise potential purchasers to adopt the try-before-you-buy attitude, in order to avoid picking up a model with the same lock stick issue I encountered. But, this is another strong collaboration between Kershaw and Dmitry Sinkevich. It’s a solid option at a respectable price, especially if the Atmos is too small for your palm.

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Editor: I recommend purchasing the Kershaw Concierge at [easyazon_link asin=”B07BC93ML6″ locale=”US” new_window=”default” nofollow=”default” tag=”brdfkdfk-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”default” popups=”default”]Amazon[/easyazon_link] 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.