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Buck 110 Folding Hunter Review

No history of the folding pocket knife is complete without the Buck 110 Folding Hunter. It is arguably the first modern folder, in ethos if not in design. “Buck knife” is now a catch-all term for a certain style of blade, and the 110 is responsible for that. More than other knife besides the Swiss Army Knife, the Buck 110 is an icon.

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But for all that it heralds modern folder design, the 110 is more antithetical to a Paramilitary 2 or a Griptilian than a traditional knife. It’s a question of refinement. Traditionals evolved on a separate path, and even if that evolution peaked 100 years ago there is a lot more refinement in a Case Peanut than in the 110. Its design is iconic and influential, but it does seem crude by modern standards.

Is it fair to hold the 110 to modern standards? Well, Buck still markets this knife as a tool, not a collectible. The implication here is that they believe it is a competitive offering in today’s knife market. And crude doesn’t necessarily equate to bad. So I’ve tested it as I would any other knife under review, and after several weeks of dedicated carry and use, I have come to my conclusions regarding the 110.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The 110 has a handle length of 4 ¾”, a blade length of 3 ¾”, and an overall length of 8 9/16”. It weighs 7.2 oz. The lines of the 110 are so familiar that I hardly need to go over them. The gleaming brass bolsters and wooden scales have been copied by dozens and dozens of manufacturers over the years. Although I take issue with Buck’s decision to keep the 110 design more or less as is for 50 years, I can certainly sympathize with it. Buck struck a chord with the 110. There are major issues with the tolerances, but the finish on the 110 is quite good for a $40 knife. This is a handsome blade.

And beyond looks the 110 has plenty of merit, mainly thanks to its utter simplicity. I’ve talked about handles being task neutral before, but here we have a task neutral knife. Although called a hunter, there’s just an alchemy between the lines and proportions of the 110 that make it able to perform any kind of cutting task.

Some of that versatility is delivered by the blade shape. A low-slung, sharkish clip point, it leverages its length to great effect. The larger blade means that you have a decent run of straight edge before the sweep to the tip, so sawing and slicing are on the table. In relation to the handle, the belly is angled so that you can really push down and get through material quickly. The tip is acute for effective leading and good piercing. And, unlike many large blades, it is a great slicer. A workhorse blade shape that manages to retain its grace as well.

The steel is 420HC. Much is made of Buck’s Paul Bos heat treatments. I have no experience with this steel outside of Buck knives so I can’t say whether it makes a difference. The Buck/Bos 420HC is probably a smidge better than 8Cr13MoV, but not quite as good as AUS-8A. It dulls rather quickly, but you can sharpen the hell out of this 420HC very easily. Some steels, like VG-10, I can work and work and work on without getting past a certain level of sharpness. Here, 420HC got super sharp super quick, which I appreciate.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Carry

I have no complaints about the 110’s handle shape. The bow shape handle is as neutral as it gets. A lot of makers seem to think that we need finger grooves and scallops and jimping to show us the different ways we can hold our knife, but it is always better when the handle lets us decide. There isn’t a wrong way to hold the 110.

I find balance to be an essential part of good knife design. The closer the balance is to the pivot, the more control we have over the blade. The 110’s Dymondwod and brass construction lead to a rather Rubenesque knife. Balance is right in the middle of the handle, where the swell is most pronounced – a decent distance from the pivot. There’s nothing unpleasant about this while holding the knife, but in use it means you lose so much control for finer work. A shame, considering the surprising competency of this nearly 4” in delicate tasks.

But where the weight really kills the 110, of course, is in carry. There is no better way to learn about the advantages of lightweight knives than to spend a little time with a Buck 110. No clip here. My 110 came with a leather sheath, the traditional carry method for this knife, but I find that to be impractical for day-to-day suburban life, so my 110 rode in the back pocket. It wasn’t good, but at 7.2 oz. you’re going to notice this thing wherever you have it. It’s less ‘just bad’ than it is ‘really unfeasible.’

Deployment and Lockup

The 110’s two-handed opening is a bummer. Nail nicks are part of the charm of traditional knives, but the 110 isn’t a traditional knife. That’s why it’s famous. On the other hand I understand that thumb studs weren’t a common sight when the 110 came out, so I’m not faulting Buck for releasing the 110 without them, I just wish that they would have added them at some point in the last 50 years.

Complaints aside, the nail nick on the 110 works well, as does simply pinching the blade as I normally do on my Opinel. The opening action is smooth and positive, and the sound when the lock engages is satisfying, and all of this was how the knife was out of the box. You expect these things to feel right on a classic, and they do.

Much less right is the lock. I have faith in its safety, but it’s sloppy. From day one there was play in every direction on my 110, and the lock bar flexes quite readily during hard downward cuts. If I don’t sound particularly disappointed it’s probably because it’s the level of QC I’ve come to expect from Buck – which is itself the worst kind of condemnation.

If Buck is going to continue to espouse the virtues of stateside production, I really would like to see them recognize the level of competition out there and up their game. Newer products like the Marksman seem to indicate they’re capable of tight tolerances and complicated designs, and I for one would willingly pay more to see that same attention to detail on their flagship product.

Buck 110 Folding Hunter – Final Thoughts

There is no unqualified recommendation I can make for the 110 other than collectability. If you’re interested in knives and the history of their design, the 110 is 100% required reading. But as a tool, in any application, I can suggest a dozen other knives that outperform it. I can suggest better cutters, better locks, better fit and finish, all at or around the same price and all considerably lighter.

Buck is a company with a proud history, and the 110 is central to that history. I think they’ve convinced themselves that, by changing the 110, they are flouting the tradition it represents. That’s simply not true. Spyderco has been tweaking their flagships for years and nobody’s forgotten the significance of the Delica. There is a difference between honoring your past and being imprisoned by it. It’s frustrating that there aren’t readily available modern variations on the 110 from Buck. A model with G-10 scales, aluminum bolsters, and a clip would be cool. KA-BAR recently released such a knife and it is 2 oz. lighter than the 110.

I don’t even know that it’s a particularly good value at $40. The finish is good in a rough and tumble, barroom countertop kind of way, but the tolerances are way below par. I think that Buck is still trying to work out its priorities and in the meantime customers are left in the lurch with some very shoddy production. The Mini Spitfire I handled was worse than this, but not much worse.

The iconic character of the 110 saves it from being a total pass. This is real knife history that can be had for $40. Go grab one and see how far we’ve come. You’ll learn a lot, but don’t expect to end up using it much. It’s hard not to like the 110, but it is even harder to want to carry it.

If you are considering buying a Buck 110, I recommend purchasing it at Amazon or BladeHQ. By purchasing things through any of the links on this website you support BladeReviews.com, keep the website free of annoying banner ads, and help produce future reviews. Thank you very much.

Fallkniven U2 Review

by Dan Jackson 6 Comments

They say less is more. That is, until, less becomes less. That is the question with the [U2, an ultra minimalist blade from Fallkniven. The U2 is about as simple of a knife as you could ask for. A slim, refined folding lockback with plain black handles, a gleaming laminated blade, and just enough hardware to hold it all together.

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I’m no stranger to Fallkniven’s minimalist approach. I have found it works wonderfully in the context of a fixed blade and I have enjoyed their A1 and F1 tremendously. So the time has finally come to examine this little U2, which is arguably the brand’s most popular folding knife, and is marketed as the first folding knife with a Super Gold Powder Steel (SGPS) blade.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The U2 has an overall length of 5.9″, a 2.52″ blade, weighs 1.5 ounces, and is made in Japan. This knife is made for Fallkniven by Moki. There really is not much to this knife. Oddly enough, when the U2 first arrived I was most surprised with how small the box was. It was not much more than a matchbox. Needless to say, but the U2 is extremely lightweight and eminently pocketable.

The blade of the U2 is a simple drop point with full flat grind. There is no swedge or distinguishing feature, save for the ambidextrous nail nicks, laser etched Fallkniven logo, and demarcation between the steels of this laminated blade. This is about as simple as it gets. The tip is capable enough for household chores and there is a slight belly to the blade.

Fallkniven selected a laminated blade with VG10 cladding, and a Super Gold Powder Steel (SGPS) core. I discussed this steel a little in my review of the F1, but this is my first experience with it. On paper SGPS is a very interesting steel. It is heat treated to 62 HRc, and is sold at a serious premium on the F1 series.

In practice my initial reaction to the cutting ability of the U2 was underwhelming. This is a thin and sharp blade out of the box. I expected laser like performance on cardboard, but my knife was hanging up on something when I tried to cut with it. Don’t get me wrong, it cut, but it wasn’t the silky smooth performance I was expecting from a knife like this. In performing a little research for the review I realized that I was not alone, and the knife benefited greatly from a re-profiling.

I’m no expert at re-profiling, but I first attempted to “relieve the edge” a little with the 30 degree feature of my Sharpmaker. That didn’t give me the result I was after, and I ended up running it on the diamond stones of DMT Aligner. Now the U2 responds a lot better to cardboard, paper, and other fine slicing tasks. The blade stock is very thin, and so is the grind, but for whatever reason I needed to spend some time tweaking the edge before I could realize the knife’s full potential.

I found edge retention to be merely “OK”. I’d say it was a step up over VG10 and AUS8, but not leaps and bounds ahead. When it came time to touch up the edge on the rods of my Sharpmaker, it came back without a ton of work. I would place this steel above VG10, but I would not put it on the same level as ZDP-189 (at least in terms of edge retention). I had zero issues with corrosion resistance.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Carry

The handle of the U2 is injection molded Zytel, a high density plastic resin. It is lightweight, strong, and functional. However, fans of more substantial knives (including those that dislike the “plasticy” feel of the handles on the Griptilian) will likely not be a fan of the U2’s handle. Personally, I don’t mind the plastic feel of the handles. I have owned a number of zytel handled knives in the past, and have never had a problem.

However, this is one aspect of the knife that is tough for me to describe, and I don’t think pictures do a great job conveying the feel of the handle either. I will say the handle is nicely finished. The edges (save the inside edges) are nicely chamfered. There is as generous lanyard hole, and the pivot screw and single rivet give the knife a clean appearance.

The handle of the U2 is just big enough for me to get a full 4 finger grip on. Any smaller and this would become a 3-finger knife. I take an XL glove, so this handle should work for most people. There is no jimping to speak of on this knife. Not a bad thing if you ask me. The inside edges of the handle are a little sharp, but I otherwise found the U2 to be comfortable. The handle itself has a light texture to it. This isn’t a high traction handle, but it’s fine for normal tasks.

The U2 doesn’t have a pocket clip. The nice thing about the plastic handle, is that I have absolutely no reservations in dropping this knife into my pocket with my keys, loose change, etc. It wears well and I have zero concerns of marring the finish. At 1.5 ounces it is like carrying an Alox Cadet. You don’t notice the knife until you need it.

Deployment and Lockup

The U2 is equipped with dual nail nicks. These are generous nicks and they make it easy to open the knife. It is possible to open the knife one handed with a little finger gymnastics, but this was designed to be a 2 hand opener. At any rate, I have no issue with the nail nicks, but I did have an issue with the gritty and noisy pivot. I thought that was strange. I couldn’t see if there were washers inside the handle, so I ended up disassembling the knife and found that there were no washers. It’s metal on plastic.

I don’t need each knife in my drawer to be “Sebenza Smooth” but even my $20 Swiss army knife is smoother than the U2. For me that is a bummer and is one of my least favorite aspects of the knife. Bronze or even teflon washers would be welcome here like WD-40 on the hinge of a squeaky door.

For lockup we have a tried and true lockback mechanism here. The lock on the U2 is sturdy, although this isn’t a knife that I am going to start prying with. The blade snaps crisply in place, is free of play, and disengages with a press of the thumb. The lockback is perfectly fine for this kind of knife. I will say that the tang of the blade and the backspring of the lock do not have a particularly good transition. There is a noticeable “jump” between the 2 pieces of metal. Not a big deal for a user knife, but this is something I usually notice on a slip joint or lockback folder.

My blade is just a touch off center. Nothing rubs.

Fallkniven U2 Review – Final Thoughts

Frankly I am a little torn with the U2. Having had good results with Fallkniven’s fixed blade knives I was excited about finally acquiring the U2. It has generally received good feedback from Amazon and several other reviewers I respect, and I have been enjoying traditional knives and gentleman’s folders. So I thought I would really take to this one.

While I appreciate the practicality of it, I was disappointed by some aspects of the finish work of the knife. The edge required a good amount of tweaking to cut the way I wanted it to, I wasn’t blown away by the Super Gold Powder Steel, and the pivot and action of the knife is gritty thanks to the washer-less design.

On the plus side, it’s lightweight, pocketable, and cuts well once you get it profiled correctly. I think that it can be good as an urban carry or back up piece. So it really depends on what you care about. If you trend towards being anal retentive, then there are quirks with the U2 that may make it a deal breaker. If you are looking for an ultra-light, no-frills, EDC knife without a pocket clip, then it could be the perfect tool.

For my money, I would recommend either the Spyderco Dragonfly, Pingo or the Victorinox Cadet before the U2. I honestly like them more than this knife, and they are all significantly less expensive.

3D Peep Sight Fallkniven U2 Gemini Folding Knife

Closed length: 3.85 inches
Blade length: 2.52 inches
Blade material: lam.Sgps
Blade edge: plain
Point: drop point

With that said, if you are in the market to buy a U2, I recommend purchasing it 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.

Spyderco Chaparral Review

by Dan Jackson 9 Comments

Last Updated: September 28, 2017
They say that a good way to measure the quality of a production knife is to take it apart and then put it back together. A high quality knife will come back together just as easily as it comes apart.

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I recently took apart my Spyderco Sage 1. I have sung praises about the Sage 1 for years now, even going so far as to call it the “perfect EDC knife”. Whether the knife is “perfect” or not is debatable, but I have really enjoyed the Sage and it has remained in my collection for years now. But the action of my Sage had gotten pretty stiff. It was obvious to me that the pivot had become caked with dirt and the knife could use a good cleaning. I popped the Sage apart, and spent a good 15 minutes cleaning and oiling all the pieces. The knife came back together without a hitch, and the blade fell dead center as I gave the pivot a final twist. The action is smoother than it ever was. This, my friends, is still an excellent knife.

Which leads me to today’s topic of conversation, the Spyderco Chaparral. It shares many similarities to my beloved Sage 1: The profile is near identical, both knives have faux carbon fiber scales and a wire pocket clip, and both made in Taichung Taiwan.

The biggest difference is the size. The Chapparal is about an inch shorter in overall length, but the blade is less than a quarter of an inch shorter. Of course you also have different steel and different locking mechanisms, but in many ways the Chapparal can be seen as sort of a mini Sage 1.

As I’ve matured I have grown to appreciate a smaller knife for my kind of EDC needs. Could the concept of the “perfect EDC” be a moving target? Could the Chaparral usurp my fabled Sage 1 as best and brightest?

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Chaparral has an overall length of 6.375″, has a 2.812″ blade and weighs 2.5 ounces. Next to my Spyderco Sage 1, with its 3″ blade, the Chaparral is significantly smaller in every dimension. This knife is imminently pocketable and works just as well with jeans and a t-shirt or slacks and a tie. For those seeking a smaller pocket knife in the Spyderco lineup, but don’t want to go all the way down to a Dragonfly, the Chaparral fills the niche. Having owned both the Sage 1 and this Chaparral I personally prefer the size of Chaparral for office use.

The blade is a classic Spyderco leaf shape, complete with full flat grind. This blade shape has proven itself to me many times over, but what I especially like about the Chaparral’s blade is the 2mm thick blade. This is a relatively thin piece of stock that has been ground even thinner. This is a very slicey knife, and I really like that. This wouldn’t be my first choice to pry open an ammo crate, but its a great choice for cutting stuff. Especially stuff that you come across in the general suburban EDC context.

Spyderco selected Carpenter CTS-XHP stainless steel for the blade material. I have had some experience with CTS-XHP with my Spyderco Domino which oddly enough was the last Spyderco knife I have reviewed. This is a nice steel and I am glad Spyderco is rolling it out on more products. It has good edge retention, and decent corrosion resistance, but it’s surprisingly easy to sharpen and takes a very fine edge. Apparently these originally come in S30V, which is what my Sage 1 is equipped with. The S30V on my Sage 1 can be a little stubborn to get super sharp, so I think the upgrade to CTS-XHP was a smart one.

Handle, Ergonomics and Pocket Clip

The handle of the Chaparral is faux carbon fiber over full stainless steel liners. The carbon fiber has a quilted feel, providing just enough texture. The liners have been skelotonized to keep the weight down. Fit and finish of the handle is very tight, like all of the other Taichung Taiwan Spydercos that I have examined, with crisp lines, a flush backspacer, and polished steel. I like how Spyderco has only 2 exterior bolts showing; one at the pivot and the other securing the pocket clip (and rest of the handle) together. Underneath the scale there a couple hidden screws and even an internal stop pin – interesting construction for a lockback knife.

Spyderco also offers the Chaparral in a couple titanium handled variants. These retail for $200 and $300. Personally I purchased the Chapparal as a user, and had no problem with faux carbon fiber, but I want to acknowledge the fact that other more expensive versions of the knife do exist.

In hand the Chaparral feels like a Spyderco. The handle is unassuming yet receptive. The “50/50″ choil accepts the forefinger without issue and affords a very comfortable grip for an under 3” blade. The jimping on the spine grabs the skin of your thumb without irritating it. Spyderco has made a name for themselves designing “little big knives” so I am not surprised that the ergos are on point. Frankly, Spyderco probably considers the Chaparral a medium size knife in their lineup. There is plenty of room here to get work done and the ergonomics of the Chaparral are as thoughtful and refined as you would expect from any other knife designed by Sal Glesser.

Spyderco went with their wire clip for the Chaparral – the same clip found on the good ole Sage 1. This is a proven clip design. I noticed the clip on my Sage 1 loosen over time. I thought that was the metal losing its spring tension for some reason, but it turns out that all I needed to do was tighten down the pocket clip screw. This clip is discrete and it buries the Chaparral deeply. I can get away with clipping this knife to a pair of dark slacks if I want to and most people wouldn’t give the clip a second thought. Spyderco set this knife up to accommodate ambidextrous tip up carry, and I think that is a nice compromise between form and function.

Deployment and Lockup

It should come as no surprise that the Chaparral features a thumb hole. It is sharp and catches the thumb easily. The spring on the lockback is sturdy, and the action is smooth, although if I put any lateral pressure on the blade when opening I detect a faint grinding sound near the pivot. There are very thin phosphor bronze washers inside that can’t be seen unless you take the knife apart.

Lockup on the Chaparral is very sturdy. As I mentioned before, there is an internal stop pin that prevents the up and down flex you often get with lockbacks. This is similar in concept to the tri-ad lock Cold Steel uses, and it makes for a very solid lockup. The lockbar is a little sharp and the spring is strong, so this is not a knife you will idly open and close for hours on end, but it works well and is satisfying to open and close.

Spyderco Chaparral Review – Final Thoughts

I think the Chaparral is a great little knife. I may be a bit biased because I enjoy my Sage 1 so much, but the Chaparral seems to tick a lot of boxes for me. Small, slim, well made and carefully designed, the Chaparral is a sleeper EDC knife that straddles the gap between Dragonfly and Spyderco’s 3″ bladed offerings (of which there are several). I can’t find much to fault with this one; certainly not the performance. It’s an excellent cutter and vanishes in the pocket. It’s nice that the knife is fully ambidextrous as well.

Is it “better” than my Sage 1? Is it the “perfect EDC knife”? It could be, depending on who you are and what your preferences are. I will always have a soft spot for my Sage 1. Now that I cleaned it out the knife is just uber smooth, and the blade pretty much falls shut on its own after releasing the liner lock. For my needs the Chaparral is plenty of knife, but I love the smooth action of the Sage and the convenience of a liner lock. Both are worthy buys, and I don’t think the Sage 1 is ever leaving my collection.

If you are interested in the Chaparral or are looking for a small “do it all” EDC knife that doesn’t sacrifice blade steel or ergonomics then I recommend it.

Spyderco Chaparral Prestige Folding Utility Pocket Knife with 2.80" CTS XHP Stainless Steel Blade and Black Carbon Fiber Laminate Handle - PlainEdge - EDC Gear - C152CFP

Superior Blade Material: Crafted with a 2.80-inch CTS XHP stainless steel blade, renowned for its exceptional edge retention and corrosion resistance, ideal for a variety of cutting tasks.
Elegant and Functional Design: Features a black carbon fiber laminate handle, providing a sophisticated look while ensuring durability and comfortable handling.
Precision Cutting Performance: Blade is full-flat ground with a plain edge, offering optimal cutting performance and non-skid jimping on spine and choil for enhanced control.
Compact and Lightweight: With an overall length of 6.38 inches when open, and a weight of just 2.50 oz, this knife is designed for easy everyday carry and use.
Versatile and User-Friendly: Accommodates both right and left-handed users, making it a practical choice for a wide range of individuals.

I recommend buying the Chaparral 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.

LionSteel TM1 Review

by Dan Jackson 12 Comments

Last Updated: August 3, 2019
I hope the regular readers are interested in high end knives, because the next few posts are all going to be doozies. The TM-1 is so mythical a knife, that it isn’t even out yet, although LionSteel tells me that they will be introducing it to market any day now. I was fortunate enough to snag one of the pre-release samples on display at the 2014 Blade Show.

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As a lover of knives, I had an extremely tough time putting down the TM-1 LionSteel had on display at their booth. As a lover of deals, I couldn’t resist asking whether they would be willing to part ways with one for purposes of review. Gianni, co-owner and CEO of LionSteel, was kind enough to oblige me. That said, I do need to make clear that this knife was one of the 4 or 5 display pieces sitting at the Blade Show booth, and it has been handled by hundreds of people over that weekend. As such it has a few scuffs and carry marks, and I of course have been carrying and using it myself as well.

The TM1 is another knife in LionSteel’s SOLID® line, which means that the handle has been milled out of a single block of material. In the past titanium has been LionSteel’s handle material of choice, and I examined my titanium-handled SR-1 not too long ago. This time around LionSteel has decided to use either carbon fiber or micarta. Being the material girl that I am, I of course opted for carbon fiber. The carbon fiber is handsome and makes the knife much lighter than my SR-1 (which is about the same size).

Perhaps even more interesting than the material selection is the fact that this time around LionSteel wanted to make a monolithic handled knife with a back lock and IKBS bearings; two firsts for the company. I have been admiring the knife for almost a month now and I am still unsure as to how exactly they pulled that off. Regardless of what draws you to the TM1, there is something to admire. And I feel very fortunate to share some early thoughts on this brand new knife.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The TM1 has an overall length of 8.07″, has a 3.54″ blade, and weighs 4.48 ounces. Much like when handling the Zero Tolerance 0454, another carbon fiber handled knife, one of my first remarks when picking up the TM1 was how light it felt. The knife feels deceptively light for its size, and is way lighter than a titanium handled counterpart. This is a largish EDC knife in my book. Not only is it a pretty long knife, it is thick and wide as well. That said, the TM1 was definitely built with use in mind. Construction is stout, the handle and blade are capable, and the light weight means that it is actually something that can be carried.

The TM1 has a unique reverse tanto blade. Reverse tantos are uncommon. Arguably the best known production knife to feature the reverse tanto blade shape is the Benchmade 940, which happens to be one of my favorite Benchmades. So the blade profile of the TM1 is different from most of the knives in my collection, and is a welcome divergence from all of my drop points. The reverse tanto not only looks unique, but it is quite practical too. You get all of the belly of a drop point with the fine tip of a tanto. LionSteel further enhanced the usability of this knife but giving it a full flat grind, which gets nice and thin behind the edge. This isn’t just a show piece, this is a practical tool.

LionSteel elected to equip the TM1 with a Sleipner stainless steel blade. This is my first real experience with Sliepner, and it has been fun to put this knife through its paces. I am not particularly interested in the chemistry of the steel, but here is a link to the data sheet so you can check all of that information out.

In practice I found Sliepner to perform well for daily carry tasks. Like I mentioned in the intro, this was something of a scratch and dent model, so I had no problem with beating on this knife a little (the first scratch is always the hardest). I worked with cardboard, wood, paper, and plastic, and the knife never had a problem. When the edge did start to slow down it quickly came back after stropping. My final thoughts on Sliepner are still in the works, but so far this steel seems very promising. No issues with rust or corrosion either.

My knife did come with a black blade coating. I am pretty sure it is a black oxide blade coating, and it has held up really well under use. Granted I haven’t use this knife to open up a can of Chef Boyardee, but so far there is no scratching or visible signs of wear.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

Obviously handle construction the reason to buy this knife. Milled from a solid block of micarta or carbon fiber (shown here) handle construction is impressive, to say the least. Every corner has been masterfully chamfered (in some cases it has been so decoratively), and the handle is contoured for comfort and style. The end result is beautiful and displays the carbon fiber weave in a number of different facets. The workmanship is flawless; all the lines are crisp and clean. My satisfaction with the execution of the carbon fiber handle cannot be overstated.

The TM1 feels at home in my hand. It’s a stout knife, with plenty of handle and an abrupt finger choil. The body of the handle gently swells to fill the palm, and the absence of jimping is not a problem for me. Despite the apparent lack of a dedicated “traction plan” the knife magically manages to remain in my grasp. This is a comfortable and fully functional handle.

The TM1 features an ambidextrous deep carry pocket clip. This is the same clip found on the SR-1. Mine has been given the same black oxide coating as the blade (so far no wear), and is held in place with a carbide glass breaker. SR-1 owners will attest that this is a very nice pocket clip. It is discrete and holds the knife very securely in your pocket. The fact that it is mounted on the butt of the handle is very elegant. There are no extra holes in the handle of the knife and I love the simplicity and practicality of this clip design.

For a larger and bulkier knife the TM1 does carry well, in part because it has a well implemented and secure pocket clip, and in part because it is so lightweight for its size. This is definitely a knife that can be carried.

Deployment and Lockup

The TM1 makes use of a thumb disk to open the blade. This is probably my least favorite aspect of the knife. It works fine for slow and purposeful openings, but I have found it impossible to flick open. I guess at the end of the day that is perfectly acceptable, but this is a knife I would love to flick open given the IKBS bearing system and the massively satisfying “thwack” sound the knife makes upon deployment. It makes almost a chirping noise, kind of like the Sage 1, which also happens to feature carbon fiber. My guess is that they opted for the thumb disk so that they wouldn’t spoil the lines, and I suppose that is a worthy compromise.

My knife locks up without even a hint of bladeplay. Again, the sound this knife makes upon locking up is very unique, and very satisfying. Upon disengagement of the lock bar the blade falls about halfway closed, where it can then be shaken completely shut. I have never handled a lockback that smooth before. No doubt this is due in part to the use of an IKBS bearing system, and LionSteel definitely deserves some kudos for this. The large decorative pivot is very smooth, and the action is a lot of fun. I still have no idea how they got all of those bearings into this thing.

It is worth noting that my blade is perfectly centered.

LionSteel TM1 Review – Final Thoughts

The TM1 is the third addition to their integral line, and I think it is my favorite. I say that because in my opinion this knife is meant to be used; a vibe I don’t really get from my TiSpine or my SR1. LionSteel has managed to elevate the humble back lock to a drool worthy, collector status knife yet they have also kept it durable and functional. The lightweight handle makes this a knife that I actually want to pocket and use, while the TiSpine and SR-1 are knives that I want to enjoy while sitting on my couch. Plus, titanium scratches easily, and this carbon fiber really hides wear well. Same with the black oxide coated blade.

I think LionSteel is really doing some exciting things. While other manufacturers seem to be caught in something of a creative rut, LionSteel’s creativity and willingness to push the envelope further elevates themselves as serious contenders in the US production knife marketplace. And I don’t think I am the only one to notice this. LionSteel won the 2014 Blade Show manufacturer of the year award, and their HiJinx collaboration with CRKT and Ken Onion netted them a 2014 knife of the year award as well. As I look towards their next move, I can’t help but wonder if we will see some of this technology filter down into some budget minded products. I doubt we will see a 4-axis machined carbon fiber handled knife retail for under $200.00, but if there is one thing I have learned about LionSteel, it is to expect the unexpected.

Given the premium price tag, this knife won’t wind up in everyone’s collection, but I definitely recommend it if the TM1 is one that you want to buy. This is an amazing knife and I am very impressed by it.

Lionsteel TM1 – From $400.00
From: BladeHQ

Lionsteel TM1 Micarta, Knife TM1 MB

MADE IN ITALY by LionSteel, one of the world's premier knife manufacturers
KNIFE HANDLE is precision machined from a solid block of Micarta for extra sturdiness and strength
BLADE is made from Sleipner steel, a chromium/molybdenum/vanadium alloy which is a variant of D2 steel
INCLUDES tungsten carbide glass breaker and an ambidextrous pocket clip
DIMENSIONS: Blade Length 3.54", Blade Thickness: 0.18", Total Weight: 3.5 oz.

I recommend purchasing the SR-1 at BladeHQ or Amazon./i>

Boker Plus 01BO188 Titan Drop Review

by Dan Jackson 6 Comments

Last Updated: August 11, 2019
Have you ever bought a knife while drinking? I’m not sure if this is a common thing or not, but I was putting back a few beers one night while recording yet another morally suspect episode of GearGeeksLive when I decided to pick up this Boker Titan.

Buy the Boker Plus Titan Drop Point at BladeHQ

Buy on Amazon

It’s a pretty basic knife, but the price is right and I have been wanting to check it out for a while. Apparently I needed a couple IPAs to get properly motivated. I guess there are worse things you can do after having a few beers…

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Titan has an overall length of 8.25″, a 3.75″ blade, weighs 4.10 ounces, and is made in China. The first thing I noticed when I pulled this out of it’s box was how big it was. I guess I would have realized that if I considered the specifications in between swigs of beer and trying to top Andrew’s non sequiturs, but sometimes these details get lost in the ether. It is definitely too large to be a daily carry for me, but it’s nice and slim and could make a good EDC for some people or perhaps even a “tactical knife”. I’d say it compares favorably to a Spyderco Endura, and it’s a bit smaller than my large Sebenza. I’d love to see Boker make a version with a 3″ blade for EDC, but I don’t want every knife in my collection to be a 3″ EDC knife.

The blade shape is a classic drop point with a full flat grind and satin finish. The blade has been well ground and the 440-C blade steel came sharp enough to brush the hairs off my arm without much thought. In practice this is a really nice cutter. The edge has been neatly and uniformly ground, and in practice I have found that the Titan is excellent for your typical tasks like breaking down boxes, working in the yard, home projects, etc. The full flat grind is nice and lean and it’s almost surprising how much extra leverage you can generate with the longer handle and blade.

Although it’s not a substitute for a real kitchen knife I did do a little food prep with it and was pleased with the results there as well. The tip is also very fine, and is great for stabbing through stuff. I managed to jab myself in the pinky while pruning some tomato plants, and the fruit was not the only thing that ran red that day.

The 440C blade has been easy to maintain and edge retention is pretty good. 440C is a softer steel, and I’d place it around AUS8 or slightly better in the edge retention department. Like AUS 8 it sharpens easily, and all I need is a strop to keep this knife very sharp. The satin finished blade attracts finger prints, but so far it hasn’t attracted any rust. All said I am pleased with the performance, especially given the price.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The handle is comprised of two slabs of titanium, a steel lock back, and a titanium backspacer. Everything is screwed together with matte stainless steel hardware. The dull gray titanium contrasts nicely with the satin finished blade and clip. Everything lines up neatly and is well finished. Boker’s Plus line often gets a bad rap for poor fit and finish, but the build quality here is very high. There is a simple elegance to the knife that draws me in. The full metal construction means that the knife is solid and sturdy, yet it is still slim pocketable. You still get some interest on the enthusiast level with the use of titanium, and it also helps keep the weight down quite a bit. It’s a great blend of form and function.

Being that this is a larger knife, it goes without saying that the handle is quite generous. I’m able to get my meat hooks onto it with plenty of room to spare, and this is a knife that is built to get work done.

Although this doesn’t speak directly to ergonomics in use, I will say that there are some sharper edges on this knife (namely the spine and lock bar) and if you are going to obsessively open and close the knife, you may develop some lingering discomfort on your thumb. This isn’t uncommon for a lock back knife, but I did want to mention this a potential negative as this review is largely very positive.

The pocket clip is very similar to what you might find on a standard Emerson or Benchmade clip. This is a proven pocket clip design. Much like its Benchmade or Emerson counterpart, it’s very secure and is easy to use. This one from Boker has been given a very bright satin finish. It isn’t particularly discrete, but it matches the satin blade nicely. The handle is tapped for ambidextrous tip up carry and it’s a relatively deep carrying knife. This is a very thin knife and despite being over 8″ long it carries very well. Again, I can’t help but compare this to an Endura, and in this case I think that is a good thing.

Deployment and Lockup

It is impossible to see what kind of washers Boker used without taking the knife apart, but I can say that the action is very smooth. My guess is they have phosphor bronze washers in there. The teraced thumb studs are easy to get at, and the backspring can be overcome with the push of a thumb.

For lockup you have a sturdy backlock. There isn’t much to write about here beyond saying that the lock works well. It engages crisply and there is no play. The fact that the knife is completely made of metal would lead me to believe you could run this knife pretty hard if you wanted to. I haven’t tested it beyond normal daily tasks, but it could definitely be beaten on like the Cold Steel American Lawman, another favored lockback knife of mine. Blade centering on my model is excellent.

Boker Titan Review – Final Thoughts

I think I need to shop for knives while drinking more frequently because I stumbled across a winner here. The Titan is very basic and is an extremely conservative design, but it has been done right and the inclusion of titanium handle scales lends it a touch of class.

In practice I have found this to be a great beater / user knife. It cuts and carries well, and is very functional. Boker’s fit and finish can sometimes be a mixed bag, but it’s hard to screw up a simple lock back, and the fit and finish is actually very good here. The pieces line up perfectly, there is no blade play, the action is smooth and the lock engages crisply. This is actually a really nice knife and think it gives the Endura a good run for it’s money – especially when you consider how damn expensive the Endura has gotten, and the Endura’s proclivity for up and down blade play. Here the Titan is rock solid, and retails anywhere from $20 to $40+ less depending on what kind of Endura you are looking for. Granted this knife is made in China rather than Japan, doesn’t make use of nested liners, lacks a Spyderhole, etc, but you are still getting a ton of knife for your money and it is well made. The only real downside I could find is that the edges of the lock and spine are pretty sharp. While by no means uncomfortable to work with, it was something I noticed when obsessively opening and closing the Titan.

At less than $40 the Titan is a no brainer and it makes my list of recommended high value knives. It may also make my list for recommended tactical knives, but the longer I run this site the less I really understand what tactical knife even means.

Boker Plus 01BO188 Titan Drop Knife with 3-3/4 in. Straight Edge Blade, Steel

Durable and sharp 440C stainless steel blade
Bead blasted titanium handle
Reversible, polished pocket clip
Blade length: 3 3/4 inches. Overall length: 8 3/8 inches. Weight: 4.5 ounces.
Limited lifetime warranty

Buy on Amazon

I recommend buying the Titan at Amazon or BladeHQ. Thanks for reading.

Spyderco Dragonfly II Review

by Dan Jackson 21 Comments

Last Updated: March 29, 2020

Back in the day, I didn’t think I would like the Spyderco Dragonfly 2. I’m a big guy, and tend to carry medium size folding knives. I always felt that I would be under-equipped with a small knife. Maybe it’s a macho thing, I really don’t know. I like a good size knife. Something I can use comfortably.

Buy the Spyderco Dragonfly 2 at BladeHQ

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So the thought of packing a massive 5-7/16″ folding knife with me that weighs a whopping 1.2 ounces wasn’t super appealing. That is, until I got my hands on the Dragonfly II. It took me about 2 seconds to realize how badly I had underestimated this little knife. It punches well above its weight, and is one of the best EDC knives on the market. I originally wrote this review back in 2011, and I still carry and use my Dragonfly 2 to this day. This is a long term review that benefits from a decade of ownership. How many reviewers can say that? Let’s give this awesome EDC blade the full run down.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Spyderco Dragonfly 2 or “DF2″ has a 2-5/16″ blade, an overall length of 5-7/16” and a weight of just 1.2 ounces. You hear about knives that “disappear” into the pocket. This is one of them. I’ve literally forgotten I’ve had it in the pocket many times. It’s been few the wash a few times too. I love the Dragonfly 2 for Every Day Carry (EDC), it’s perfect for almost any kind of urban environment and it’s got a big enough blade (and more importantly, a comfortable enough handle) for most EDC tasks.

Here is a size comparison with the Delica and Endura:

You can see how the Dragonfly II is significantly smaller than both knives. Here’s a video review I did many years ago:

The DF2 comes with a beautiful little leaf shaped blade. The blade almost resembles a dart with its triangular shape. The small swedge running across the top softens the feel of the spine and the whole blade has been given a full flat grind. There is adequate belly and the tip is both fine and strong. This blade excels at opening mail and packages. My only gripe with the blade shape, is that it lacks a sharpening choil. A small notch at the end of the edge that allows you to easily sharpen the entire length of the edge. You don’t have a sharpening choil here, so it will be difficult to sharpen the heel of the blade with a flat stone. Instead I’d recommend a rod sharpener like the corner of a Spyderco Sharpmaker stone.

This knife was made in Japan and like many of Spyderco’s Japanese production knives this one features VG-10 blade steel. VG-10 is a good choice as it holds a good edge and is capable of getting extremely sharp. I say “good” choice, not great, because these days there are better blade steels out there. VG-10 was fine back when this knife was first released, but times have changed. Still, VG-10 is serviceable blade steel and it certainly still works. What I like about VG-10 is how easy it is to sharpen, and how it is resistant to rust and corrosion. Newer, more exotic steels will hold an edge longer, but VG-10 gets the job done. I think it’s fine here, but wouldn’t complain if Spyderco upgraded it to S35VN or something along those lines.

In practice, the Dragonfly 2 cuts well and is an imminently useful knife. I have used my knife for years and years. Mostly for pedestrian things like opening mail and packages, and light food prep. I’ve never prepared dinner with just my DF2, but the knife has no problem with tasks like cutting fruit and cheese. It’s a small blade, but it’s all you need for basic stuff. And it’s a nimble blade. I reach for it when I have a delicate task. The tip is fine, and the angled thumb ramp allows you to get great control over the blade. This knife is a workhorse and it cuts great.

Handle, Ergonomics and Pocket Clip

The handle on the Dragonfly is made of fiberglass reinforced nylon (FRN) and is covered in Spyderco’s bi-directional texturing. This is the same kind of texturing found on both the Delica and Endura and I find that it offers exceptional grip in both wet and dry situations. Unlike the Delica and Endura, the Dragonfly does not have stainless steel liners. That is not a problem for me because the handle feels plenty strong and it is a big part of the reason why this knife weighs so little. Fans of G10 and steel can rejoice because Spyderco also makes a G10 version. All in all handle construction is solid, I like that they used screws for easy take down and everything feels very well finished.

Ergonomics is where we really start to see this little knife shine. Most smaller blades suffer from poor ergonomics and get kicked out of my pocket pretty quickly. The Dragonfly has extremely refined ergonomics and squeezes big grip out of a small knife. First of all, you have a 50/50 choil and large thumb ramp. Both have been given a large amount of jimping. I am a huge fan of 50/50 choils, it really can transform the way a knife handles and what it’s done for the Dragonfly is no exception. But perhaps my favorite ergonomic feature is the way the back end of the handle has been shaped to support the pinky finger. This gives you a true 4 finger grip and allows for awesome leverage on the knife. In my mind, this little section of FRN is what really makes the Dragonfly work.

The pocket clip is another home run. This is a Spyderco wire clip and is perhaps my favorite pocket clip design of all time (really). Small, but very secure, this little piece of hardened steel gives you a deep and reliable carry. The handle has been designed to allows for ambidextrous tip up carry. My only suggestion would be to anodize it black like on my Sage 1 – then it would be virtually invisible riding in a pair of blue jeans or dress pants.

Here is your pocket clip shot:

Deployment and Lockup

The Dragonfly takes advantage of a 11 mm Spyder-hole. This is a good size for the knife and has been left kind of sharp, which ensures that you thumb will catch on it every time. Deployment is smooth and reliable and you can easily flick this knife open if you like. I have zero complaints with the deployment.

Lockup is achieved through a small lock-back positioned in the middle of the handle. I like the lock-back on this knife, it’s easy to get too and the spring isn’t too heavy. The lock-back makes this a fully ambidextrous knife as well (always a plus – especially when a lefty is writing the review). Lockup is rock solid on the FRN version, with zero play in any direction.

Here is a parting size comparison with a Benchmade Mini Griptilian and a Kershaw Skyline, two other all-star EDC knives:

Spyderco Dragonfly II Review – Final Thoughts

This has been the story of the little knife that could. I seriously have nothing bad to say about the Dragonfly. I am totally impressed by how well this thing works as an EDC blade. Since it weighs nothing I also like pairing this with a larger tactical folder; that way I always have the right tool for the job.

Perhaps the only downside is the price. With a price tag hovering in the $50 range, you are looking at Delica (and almost Endura) territory. Some might have a hard time justifying spending that kind of money on such a small knife, especially given the rest of Spyderco’s product line.

However, I love my Dragonfly II and it has remained one of my all time favorite EDC knives. It is hard to beat this small, lightweight package for daily carry. The knife is imminently useful when you need it, but disappears into your pocket. It has stood the test of time for me, and easily makes my best edc knives list. For fans of Spyderco and ultra lightweight EDC knives, the Dragonfly II is a no-brainer.

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If you would like to buy a Spyderco Dragonfly II, I recommend purchasing it at Amazon.com 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.