Made in Italy

Fantoni Hide Review

Last Updated: August 11, 2019
Author’s Note: I wrote this introduction before I saw Dan’s review of the Pohl Force Mike One. Suffice to say that Andrew Gene has long been a scourge on the wallets of knife collectors.

Buy the Fantoni Hide at KnifeArt.com

It may be hard to imagine now, but it wasn’t so long ago that Italian knife companies were a fairly unknown quantity in the United States. Back then, I was introduced to the wide world of European blades by the fantastic videos of the Edge Observer. His review of the Fantoni Hide showcased this beautiful blade to me for the first time, and it wasn’t long before I was calculating how much of my collection I’d need to part with to acquire one. As luck would have it, I didn’t need to resort to such measures.

Normally when I’m trying to explain what draws me to a product, I can point to something tangible. In the case of the Viper Dan, it was the innovative slipjoint mechanism. The Zebralight H52w grabbed my attention with stellar runtimes. That’s really not the case here. I was drawn to the Fantoni Hide simply because I liked – loved, really – the way that it looked. The interplay between the overbuilt handle and the dagger-like blade, the industrial lines and the sweeping curves; all of it combined to grant the Hide a timeless feel not unlike an Al Mar.

I should note that I never expected to write this review. The Hide fell into my hands long before I was writing for Dan, and even after I started it was a bit too esoteric for the site. Fortunately, that’s no longer the case. This sudden shift leaves me in an awkward position. Though the Hide is a grail of mine, I’ve never babied it. It shows its age. For the most part, it has aged gracefully, but after nearly two years of carry it’s taken its licks. I hope this review doesn’t shy away from those bruises, in no small part because it costs 265.00USD. That’s officially enough to qualify as an heirloom knife – at least in my book.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Fantoni Hide measures in at 6.89” overall, with a 2.98” blade, a 3.91” handle, is made in Italy, and designed by Italian knife designer Tommaso Rumici. It’s not chunky, but it’s not lightweight either, at 4.1 oz. The back lock and full steel liners are the culprits of most of the weight, and shift the balance to the back of the knife. Weight considerations aside, the Hide is right around the perfect size for me. My daily cutting tasks rarely require more than cutting some tape, opening a package, or slicing an apple. The Hide’s blade is long enough to do all of that without frightening a soul.

As with most Italian knives, the Hide is crafted to impeccable tolerances. The centering, perfect; the grind, immaculate. Even the hardware is polished, with the exception of the exterior bolts. Those were instead given a tasteful bead blast. The stonewash on the blade is highly polished, leaving a blade that will resist most scratches with ease. I’m a big fan of how polished this stonewash is, as it comes close enough to a mirror finish that it has some of the charm of a traditional.

The Hide’s true distinction is its refined blade. The profile is a lean drop point with the barest hint of a recurve and just enough belly to slice as well as any kitchen knife. A long swedge adds visual interest and thins out the tip for any piercing work that needs doing. The grind is similarly impressive. Not only did the craftsmen at Fantoni start with thin stock, but the hollow grind takes it down to an edge not far off from a straight razor. It goes without saying that the Hide isn’t meant for prying or other “hard use” tasks. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a tough knife. But it’s a knife, not a pry bar. Treat it as such.

I’d be lying if I said the steel was exciting. Most everyone these days is familiar with S30V, both its ups and downs. I haven’t noticed any problems with chipping or rust, and it rarely needs more than a few passes on my strop or Sharpmaker. Fantoni claims they get it up to RC60-61, and that matches my experience. Some of you may be asking if S30V is appropriate for a knife this expensive, and my answer is…kind of. In general I’d say no; but generally the heat treatment and grind aren’t nearly so dialed in as they are here. The Hide is among the elite cutters in my collection, so take that as you will.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Carry

The handle is a fairly simple affair. A steel spine is sandwiched between steel liners, which in turn is sandwiched between two slabs of green canvas micarta. There is no contouring, but the edges of the micarta have been chamfered to increase comfort. Micarta and steel are a winning recipe for me, but I understand if you think the materials are dated. If you’re that concerned, the Hide is also offered in carbon fiber and black G10, though I’ll always opt for the micarta. Not only is it the cheapest version, but a good deal of the Hide’s charm would be diminished with a sterile material like carbon fiber.

Discounting the double scallops on the interior of the handle, the Hide is comprised almost entirely of hard lines. Because of that, I assumed that the grip would (at best) be tolerable. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the ergonomics were fine; but as I expected, not without problems. First, the jimping is sharp and wide. Aesthetically pleasing, but not the most comfortable on the thumbs. Second, the pronounced finger guard keeps your fingers a fair distance away from the blade, so choking up for more control is almost impossible. I think this is just part of the genetic makeup of the Hide. It was designed to be a backup tactical knife, after all.

In the pocket, the Hide is -mostly- fantastic. The low-ride, tip up clip ensures discrete and stable carry. In my experience, the clip works well with most pants, but you may need to use a bit of force if you’re wearing thicker work clothes. When not in use, the slim profile helps the Hide disappear into the pocket, despite the relatively high weight. Sadly, the Hide has one flaw in this department: the thumb studs. Not only do they catch on clothing when you’re pulling the Hide out of your pocket, but they get thin enough to yank on any threads that stick out too far. It’s not a constant occurrence, but it’s happened just enough times that it bears mention.

Deployment and Lock-up

By now, I’m assuming that most of you are familiar with my viscerally apathetic sentiments towards frame locks, flippers, and every combination therein. They’re not bad, I’m just a curmudgeon. Or a hipster, depending on your definition. In either case, my love affair with the Fantoni Hide began long before flippers hit their stride, and it isn’t going anywhere now. Apart from the problems mentioned above, the thumb studs work fine. I’ve never disassembled the Hide, but a glance suggests that it runs on bronze washers. The strength of the back spring makes flicking this knife open impossible, but that’s a rare enough feature on quality back locks that I can’t complain.

The back lock isn’t particularly innovative, but it’s strong and easy to use. This iteration is one of the best. There is no play in any direction, and while the spring is quite stiff, it doesn’t make it a hassle to disengage the lock. I do find it somewhat confusing that this is advertised as a back-up knife. When the lock engages, it does so with an audible clack; I’d imagine that sound would make it quite difficult to hide. Ultimately, I can’t sell either the thumb studs or the back lock to those of you who hate such features. If you don’t mind them, you won’t be disappointed.

Fantoni Hide Review – Final Thoughts

If I had my druthers, I would have reviewed the Hide before I reviewed the Dan 2. Such an approach would highlight the evolution of Rumici’s talents as a designer, but wouldn’t paint the Hide in a negative light. To take that approach in the reverse, however, would end up making the Fantoni look quite brutish. Slab handles, or contoured? Proud liners, or nested? Thumb studs, or front flipper? Even I (unrepentant snob that I am) have to admit that the Dan is an improvement in most areas.

But the thing is….I own both. I carry both – frequently, in fact. Despite the fact that I have access to what is, objectively speaking, an upgraded model, the Hide gets as much if not more pocket time than the Dan 2. My best guess for this phenomenon is that while the Dan has a much more elegant design, the Hide feels more refined. Maybe I just need to carry the Dan for a few more years. At any rate, I think it says quite a bit about the quality of the Hide that it has stayed in my collection this long, with no signs of leaving.

So who should buy this knife, assuming that you can find one? If, like me, you’re a grump who thinks flippers are overhyped and frame locks passe, or if you long for the days of thin, slicy grinds, this knife is for you. Collectors of smaller, boutique Italian knives should likewise have their ears to the ground. Finally, if I’ve afflicted one of you with a similar lust for the Fantoni Hide, my apologies–but this knife is definitely for you.

I would recommend buying the Hide at KnifeArt, as they are Fantoni’s only US dealer. As usual, availability and selection is spotty, as Fantoni does not make many knives. You may be also able to find the Hide on the secondary market or places like Amazon or BladeHQ. Thanks for reading.

Pohl Force Mike One Review

by Dan Jackson 4 Comments

Last Updated: July 31, 2019
I have lusted after the Pohl Force Mike One for years. I wanted one for years. For the uninitiated, Pohl Force is a tactical knife company owned by Dietmar Pohl, a long time knife collector, knife designer, knife enthusiast, and author of books on knives. I have met with Dietmar, and the USA distributors for Pohl Force a couple times at Blade Show.

Buy Pohl Force Knives at BladeHQ

It was hard to walk away from the Pohl Force booth without a Mike One in hand, and I eventually broke down and bought one. I’m glad I did. Even 3 years later this knife is still awesome and unique. It’s like a European Strider with its integrated G10 handle scale/backspacer, not to mention the unique profile and finish work. But I’m getting ahead of myself. There is a lot to consider with the Mike One and I’m glad to present this review, even if I’m a little late to the Pohl Force party.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Mike One has an overall length of 8.66″, a 3.74″ blade, weighs 5.64 ounces. The Mike One is made by Lionsteel Knives in Maniago, Italy. This is advertised as the “EDC size” Pohl Force folder, and it certainly seems to be EDC (Every Day Carry) sized next to the Foxtrot One, which is a massive knife featuring a 4.5″ blade and overall length of 10.25″.

This Mike One is still a formidable knife, but could be a good size for EDC if you are a police officer, military member, or anyone else who can get away with a larger daily carry blade. Personally, this is not a daily carry as I tend to favor knives in the 3-3.5″ blade range for EDC.

The Mike One sports a slender drop point blade with a high flat grind and swedge. This is a 5mm thick blade, which is quite beefy for a folding knife. While Lionsteel has done a nice job grinding the blade to a thin edge, this is still a stout blade with hard use in mind. The tip is formidable and there is plenty of cutting edge. It strikes me as a great well-rounded blade shape that could be pressed into a wide range of tasks.

My particular version of the Mike One is the “Outdoor” version with the stonewashed finish. There is also a black PVD coated “Survival” version. I favor this stonewashed version. The blade is still quite reflective despite the tumbled finish, and you can almost use it like a mirror.

Niolox is the de facto steel for Lionsteel’s outdoor focused blades, and it’s a nice choice on this Mike One. I have some experience with Niolox after extensively testing the Blackwater Grizzly 6 and Ursa 6. Niolox has proven itself to be tough, yet reasonable to sharpen and resistant to corrosion. I think it’s a great choice and I’m excited to have the steel in a folder. I consider it to be a good upgrade over something like D2, with improved stain resistance.

Handle Design, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

As I alluded to earlier on, this knife comes with a beautifully sculpted black G10 handle slab and backspacer. Just like on the Strider SnG, this is a single piece of G10 that forms both the backspacer and non-locking side of the handle. Lionsteel kicked the production values up a notch by putting finishing the handle with a grooved pattern and also machining a geared backspacer. An equally impressive titanium framelock and black chain ring bolt hardware add further detail and visual interest to the handle. They did an awesome job and in my opinion, the build quality and finish work is higher than on that of the Strider.

The 50/50 forward finger choil and dual thumb ramps offer the end user a ton of grip options. You can choke up on the blade for detail work, or choke back for leverage per the below picture. Regardless of how you hold the knife it always feels comfortable and natural. The milled handle and backspacer compliment the handle design nicely by providing good traction without being irritating. There is little jimping, and the knife is comfortable to use, even after extended heavy cutting tasks like carving and push cutting rope.

The Mike One features an oversize wire clip. Frankly I wasn’t aware of how much some people loathe the Spyderco wire clip. One commenter said that the Spyderco wire clip was “feeble” and that I was “feeble” for liking it. You gotta love the internet – that’s a strong opinion on a pocket clip!

At any rate, the Mike One’s wire clip is nothing like the Spyderco version, so if you don’t like the Spyderco clip you may like the clip on this Mike One. For starters, it’s a much stronger clip. The knife has great retention in the pocket between the tough clip and corrugated handle. This clip has some pant shredding potential, but it will never fall out of your pocket. While not a true deep carry clip, the Mike One still buries deeply and carries discretely thanks to the matte finish and stealthy nature of wire clips in general.

Despite this being a near 6 ounce knife the Mike One carries well thanks in large part to the sturdy clip. I occasionally forget I am carrying this one. I wouldn’t carry this in slacks, but for shorts, jeans, or work pants you will find that the Mike One behaves well in the pocket.

Deployment and Lockup

The Mike One makes use of a serrated thumb disk. Thumb disks are not my favorite method of deployment, but it works here. The thumb disk is removable, which makes the knife a 2-hand opener, and more appropriate in some of European countries. The action is slow and purposeful thanks to teflon washers. Again, teflon washers are not my favorite choice. I really would like to see phosphor bronze washers here, as I think the knife would open a little easier with them. The end result is that you have a knife that takes a fair amount of effort to open – especially when compared with the flippers of today. This is probably my biggest gripe with the Mike One.

This is a titanium framelock, and here we have no steel insert. Lockup is extremely secure, opening with a heavy “click”. There is no blade play in any direction. Nor is there any blade stick. As far as titanium frame locks go, I think this one has been well executed. The end result is impressive and tank like. The Mike One is all business, and that shows in the deployment and lockup.

Here is a shot of it next to my LionSteel TM1:

LionSteel did include their RotoBlock mechanism on the Mike One. The RotoBlock is an over travel stop that prevents the user from hyper-extending the lock bar, and it can also be twisted to lock the knife open. It’s an interesting feature, but not one I ever find myself using. It’s probably handy if you ever decide to test the limits of the Mike One. For regular guys like myself it will probably get in the way more than it will help. Blade centering is good on my knife. Not perfect, but pretty close.

Pohl Force Mike One Review – Final Thoughts

This review has been several years in the making, and I am glad to finally have one in the collection next to my Fantoni CUT Flipper and LionSteel TM1. This is another a unique and practical design that has been executed beautifully.

I prefer this smaller format to the larger FoxTrot One. I handled the FoxTrot One, and it’s almost comically large. While the Mike One is a more practical EDC than the FoxTrot One, I wouldn’t mind seeing something even smaller. 3.5″ blade is about as big as I will go for EDC, but I realize that Pohl Force is catering to more of a military and LEO crowd. So while this is more of a collectible for me than a daily carry, it is a fully functional knife and designed for use.

I also like how Pohl Force goes so far as to include an oversized zippered pouch, a “Zertifikat” of authenticity, and even a Tuff Cloth and a kydex sheath. Everything about the Mike One is top shelf, and clearly a lot of thought and care went into all aspects of this knife.

Although Pohl Force has ceased working with dealers effective June 2016, you can still find Pohl Force Knives at BladeHQ or possibly Amazon. 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.

Fantoni Dweller Review

by Dan Jackson 15 Comments

Last Updated: July 30, 2019
I have been holding out on you guys. Several years ago I purchased what is arguably my all time favorite gentleman’s folder, and have yet to write a review on it. That is, until now.

Buy the Fantoni Dweller at KnifeArt.com

I’m talking of course about the Fantoni Dweller. This is is a knife that I fell in love with after watching Stefan Schmalhaus’ excellent video review. He is the man when it comes to reviewing dress knives, and I think that his video review of the Dweller is among his best work. If you haven’t checked out his review before, then you owe it to yourself to give his short video your attention:

After watching a video review like that there isn’t much left for someone to say about the Dweller. This is part of the reason why I have remained quiet for so long, but I’ll try my best to give you my take on this knife.

This is a riff on the Bob Loveless City Knife, which is a fixed blade pattern. I believe Fantoni made a similar knife for Lone Wolf in the early 2000s, with bolsters and no finger choil. This version was designed by Massimo Fantoni. Massimo is the son of Renzo Fantoni, the founder of Fantoni Knives in Italy. Massimo is perhaps best known for designing the Nilte Quiete. I have had the pleasure of meeting with Massimo and Renzo at several Blade shows over the years. They are great guys making some of the best production knives in the world.

The only problem with Fantoni Knives is that they produce their models in limited quantities. Their stuff is hard to acquire unless you are vigilant. KnifeArt is Fantoni’s exclusive U.S. dealer, but their selection is touch and go based upon Fantoni’s production schedule. For these reasons Fantoni doesn’t get a ton of press here in the States. This is a shame because their work is immaculate and they have fantastic designs. Their CUT Flipper remains one of my all time favorite production pieces. The Dweller isn’t far behind.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Dweller has an overall length of 6.5″, a 2.6″ blade, and weighs 1.8 ounces. The Dweller is made in Maniago, Italy. In my opinion this knife is the perfect size for EDC or carry as a gents folder. Some people may get bent out of shape about the blade to handle ratio. The blade is notably and purposely smaller than the handle. Personally I find that aspect of the design charming. I don’t typically ascribe to golden ratios or metrics when examining a knife. These metrics can be useful and interesting, but I like to explore each knife on the merits.

Here, I find the short blade endearing. It’s a big part of what makes the Dweller so unique and whimsical. Plus it’s still practical. This knife is non-threatening and elegant. No one is going to mistake the stubby blade of the Dweller for a weapon, yet it is still perfectly suited for opening mail, trimming loose threads, and handling mild food prep chores like slicing an apple at lunch, or preparing a cheese plate after work. You know, the stuff gentlemen do. And despite the smaller blade there is still plenty of handle, so the user gets the benefit of a full grip when using this knife.

The blade is a short modified drop point with a full flat grind. It is ground like a traditional slip joint, meaning that it is thin behind the edge and slices well. The tip is fine, and represents a good balance of strength and precision. The blade has been given an attractive satin finish. All around this is a practical and nicely executed blade for a little folding knife.

Fantoni went with Sandvik 19C27 steel for the Dweller. I haven’t had a lot of experience with 12C27 outside of the Dweller. Sandvik advertises this as their most well-rounded knife steel. My research suggests that Fantoni has heat treated their 19C27 all the way up to 61HRc.

The 19C27 takes a nice edge that holds up well and is easy to maintain. I have had zero issues with rust or corrosion, despite carrying and storing the Dweller in a leather sheath in Florida for years. I have also used the knife on all manner of acidic fruits. While 19C27 isn’t a super steel, its a good practical choice for a small slip joint. No complaints.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Carry

The Dweller’s handle is wood scales over brass liners. This is a slip joint, and the stainless steel backspring doubles as a full backspacer. As with all of my other experiences with Fantoni, everything is put together beautifully. I especially like the fact that this slip joint is bolted together rather than pinned. That means the pivot is adjustable and the handle scales are fully removable with a tiny torx driver.

My particular knife came with Snakewood covers, but Fantoni offers this knife in a variety of different exotic wood handle scales, including Olive, Burl, and Cocobolo. I like Snakewood because of the warm color and interesting figuring. Although my particular handles don’t have much of a “snake skin” pattern it’s still beautiful. I have also seen the Dweller offered in Micarta. My preference is for a wood handle as that compliments the gentleman’s folder vibe of this knife nicely.

The Dweller features a generous handle. It dwarfs the handle of the Cadet, and also features a small forward finger choil that allows you to choke up on the blade. Either way there is plenty of room for a full grip, even if you take a large glove like I do. Being a gents folder there is no jimping to speak of. The wood handle is not slippery, but this is not a high traction handle either. I have used my Dweller for tasks ranging from cleaning my finger nails to breaking down boxes. It isn’t a combat folder, but should handle most urban daily carry tasks without issue.

The Dweller does not come with a pocket clip, and instead is shipped with a thin leather slip sheath. The sheath is made of a rich chestnut colored leather that matches the Snakewood handles on my knife almost perfectly. What I like about this slip sheath is that it is thin and small. The sheathes that came with both my Mnandi and Indian River Jack, while nicely made and serviceable, are both notably larger than the sheath of the Dweller. That is because the Dweller’s sheath is custom made to the knife, while the knives for the IRJ and Mnandi were designed to accommodate other knives as well. Over time my sheath has broken in and burnished, which added to the character of this knife.

Walk and Talk

This is a slip joint, so my usual discussion of “deployment and lock up” more or less goes out the window. For “deployment” we have a single nail nick. The spring on this knife isn’t particularly strong. I’d say the pull strength is a 3 or 4 and is comparable to my Cadet.

The nice thing about the Dweller is that it has a great little half stop. I am a big fan of half stops, and it works well on the Dweller. The blade does not lock open, but it is secure. There is no blade play. If you are smart about how you use this knife you can get a lot of use out of it despite the lack of a lock.

Centering on my knife is a off by a millimeter. The pivot appears to be a bushing style pivot, so I am guessing I could adjust it to center, but haven’t tried because it hasn’t bothered me.

Here is a shot of the Dweller next to another rock star gent’s folder, the CRK Mnandi:

Fantoni Dweller Review – Final Thoughts

I almost feel bad waiting so long to write this review. I bought this knife for my personal collection, and have enjoyed it for several years now. While many knives have come and gone over the years the Dweller is something I don’t see myself ever parting with. I love the simple design rooted in Bob Loveless’ timeless aesthetic. The stubby blade is charming and practical, the wood and brass handles are warm and inviting, and the superb execution of the knife and pocket sheath elevate the Dweller to something special an unique.

While it may not be the fanciest gentleman’s folder, the Dweller’s simplicity and restraint make it one of my favorites. This is a beautiful knife, but it is still humble. This is a dress knife that I can actually use without regret. Some gent’s folders are so nice that they are almost objets d’art, and I feel guilty when using them. I don’t get that feeling with the Dweller. It’s a nice little knife, but it’s also unmistakably a tool.

Unfortunately, the Dweller has become exceedingly rare over the years. A search of “Fantoni Dweller” on the BladeForum’s buy / sell / trade section yielded zero results. Buy it if you can find it.

I would recommend buying the Dweller at KnifeArt, as they are Fantoni’s only US dealer. The only problem is, they don’t have the Dweller currently in stock. You may be able to find them on the secondary market. Regardless, please consider that purchasing anything through any of the links on this website, including links to Amazon and BladeHQ, helps support BladeReviews.com, and keeps the site going. As always any and all support is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.

Viper Dan 2 Review

by Grayson Parker 10 Comments

I have a bit of a love affair going on with slipjoint knives. Part of the reason for that is – if I may be frank – that the framelock flipper is a pretty stale form right now. Don’t get me wrong, many blades of that stripe are beautiful, functional, and deserving of praise, but they’ve taken up and held such a large portion of the market that I’ve been dying for something different. Fortunately, just as that malaise peaked, I saw that the Viper Dan 1 & 2 were available on BladeHQ. Almost immediately, I ordered a Viper Dan 2 in burgundy micarta.

Buy the Viper Dan 2 at BladeHQ

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Now I can’t pretend that the Viper Dan was a lightning bolt out of blue sky; I’d been excited about it since seeing it previewed at last year’s Blade Show. The Dan was designed by Tommaso Rumici, an Italian designer who has worked for a number of manufacturers. Andrew Gene AKA The Edge Observer said it best describing his style as a “combination of flowing organic lines and hard angles.”

The knife’s name is an acronym for Daily Assorted Needs, and the design is a reflection of that intent. This isn’t a “tactical” knife, but it is a solid working tool for everyday tasks. The Dan is one of a number of designs emerging from Europe, where knife laws are typically stricter than those in the United States, typically concerning locks. While I can’t say that I’d enjoy knife laws that restrictive, I have to admit that those limitations have spurred some unique and functional designs.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Viper Dan 2 measures in at 7” while open and weighs 3.2 oz., featuring a 2.875” blade housed in a 4.25” handle. The Viper Dan 1 is nearly identical, but offers a more traditional drop point blade shape. I’ve long been a fan of the modified wharncliffe as far as blade shapes are concerned; they strike a fine balance between tip strength and piercing, and the slight but continuous belly of the blade is suitable for a wide range of tasks. This iteration of the wharncliffe is executed quite well. All Viper by Tecnocut knives are (as far as I know) produced in Maniago, Italy.

Both blade shapes feature a partially flat grind. While I prefer hollow ground blades, it is refreshing to see a well-done flat grind on a blade thin enough to support it. I haven’t encountered any difficulties in cutting tasks, regardless of whether I’m using the Dan for food prep, breaking down cardboard, or just opening packages. Every aspect of the blade is meticulously ground. Even the swedge (an aspect of the grind that is easy to screw up) is symmetrical, and meets up with the rounded spine cleanly.

If you can’t tell by this point, I’m biased towards simple, working steels. N690 is certainly in that class, despite widespread use on high end production and even handmade knives. It won’t require as much care as 8Cr13MoV or Aus8a, but I do recommend regular stropping. I’ve never experienced rust or staining on any of my knives with N690. Overall, it demonstrates a great balance between ease of care, rust resistance, edge retention, and toughness.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Carry

The handle is formed of two contoured slabs of burgundy micarta over nested steel liners. When it first arrived, the color of the handle scales was somewhere between red and pink. More than a month of use has darkened that color to a subdued purple. Micarta is one of my preferred handle materials for precisely this reason; it absorbs the oils in your hand and forms the equivalent of a patina. When polished, the pores of the material are closed and this process won’t occur. Fortunately Viper left the handle slabs just rough enough to facilitate the “aging” process. If this material isn’t to your taste, don’t worry: the Dan is also available in carbon fiber, green G10, and silver twill/G10.

Contoured handles were once a rarity in high-end production knives, but fortunately most companies are starting to see the ergonomic benefits of doing so. The contouring on the Dan is executed perfectly; the handle slabs are symmetrical, smooth, and comfortable. There are no sharp corners, and the only point that could generate a hotspot is the pocket clip (but no more than any other clip).

Most folding knives that are comfortable in the hand are likewise comfortable in the pocket, and this is no exception. The clip provides plenty of tension, but isn’t so tight that I’m worried about tearing a stitch. If I had to find a complaint it’s that the Dan is a bit long in the pocket. Not only is the handle pretty long for a relatively small blade, but the extended tang compounds the issue. It’s never been a real cause for worry, but I feel some attention should be called to it. It’s comparable in length to the Paramilitary 2 (though nowhere near as wide).

Deployment and Lock-Up

As much as I love slipjoints, I’m always slightly disappointed that I can’t access the blade with one hand. It’s not always essential, but sometimes the extra step is a tad inconvenient. The process of “pull pocket slip out, pull knife out of pocket slip, put pocket slip back in pocket, open knife, cut,” looks pretty silly next to “pull knife out of pocket, open knife, cut.” That said, most of the slipjoints I’ve handled that can be opened with one hand are less than cooperative, and by extension aren’t fun to fidget with. In this, the Viper Dan is different. The blade is deployed by rotating the extended tang with your thumb, similarly to a friction folder. Machining on the tang (jimping) ensures that your finger doesn’t slide off mid-deployment. Overall, the Viper Dan is quick, easy, and even a bit addictive to open and close.

Viper chose their patented Action Stopper system instead of a lock on the Dan series. How it works is pretty simple: each of the liners has a spring tab with a ball detent, similar to a frame or liner lock. These detent balls drop into corresponding slots in the blade at the closed, half-stop, and opened positions. While the mechanism isn’t fundamentally new, it does feel more secure than other iterations of this system that I’ve handled. If I had to make a comparison, I’d say it offers as least as much resistance as the Victorinox Pioneer.

The advantage of this system over a traditional backspring is twofold: one, it allows for a wider blade to be housed within the handle, and two, it accommodates space for an extended tang (much like what you’d see on a friction folder). If you grip the Dan with your thumb resting on the spine of the blade, you’ll have a strong slipjoint mechanism, a half stop, and the pressure of your own thumb keeping the blade away from your fingers. On the whole it’s a very secure system.

Viper Dan 2 Review – Final Thoughts

Typically, the Viper knives that get the most attention are the collaborations with Jesper Voxnaes (for good reason). Thus far, the Dan series of knives haven’t been hit by the spotlight, and I think that’s truly a disservice. I can’t say this often, but I don’t have any real complaints about this knife. The design is unique, the materials are top shelf, and it’s manufactured to very tight tolerances.

Slipjoint knives are the sort of thing that I can recommend to anyone. Even people that don’t like slipjoints occasionally need to go somewhere where locking folders are discouraged (or illegal), so most knife nuts should have at least one non locking folder in their collection. Should this knife be it? That I can’t say. But I can say that if you want a slipjoint that can scratch that flipping itch, this should be it. It sells for just over $100 USD and is a fantastic value at that price point.

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I recommend purchasing the Dan 2 at BladeHQ or Amazon. 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.

DPx Gear HEAT/F Review

by Dan Jackson 18 Comments

Last Updated: August 3, 2019
It has been a long time since I have examined a DPx Gear product. You may recall a review done on the HEST back in 2012. This was DPx’s first effort, and is the knife that put them on the map. The HEST is a solid tool and is well made, but there was a lot going on in terms of integrating various multi-tool features. There is nothing wrong with attempting to push the envelope and bring something new to the table, but the HEST was a DPx’s first crack at bringing a production knife to market.

Buy the DPx Gear HEAT/F at BladeHQ

Buy on Amazon

The HEAT is a more recent offering. First of all, this is a knife, not a multi-tool. I happen to like that. The idea was to shrink down the HEST to something a little more gentrified and pocketable, yet retain the distinctive styling of the HEST. I have long had an affinity for “little big knives”, and I still enjoy pocket knives that are small but stout. Sadly I have little use for a knife like the HEST in my day to day dealings, but the HEAT is something I could get away with carrying. I suspect I am not alone with that dilemma, which is why I was curious to get my hands on a HEAT.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The HEAT has an overall length of 6.25″, a 2.375″ blade, weighs 4.15 ounces (4.35 for the full titanium version shown here), and is made in Maniago, Italy. The knife was made for DPx Gear by LionSteel. Clearly the HEAT was designed to fit into the role of an every day carry (EDC) piece, although it is very stout, and is not just built for opening up letters or slicing fruit. I have been carrying and using mind in as an EDC knife.

My particular knife is the full titanium 3-D machined version. The 3-D machined handles are stunning. DPx also offers the knife in a less expensive titanium/G10 combo and a titanium/carbon fiber version as well.

The blade is a simple drop point with a high flat grind and your choice of stonewashed or phosphate coated blade. Blade thickness is just shy of 4.6mm – very thick, especially for a sub 2.5″ blade. While the HEAT does not slice like an Alox Cadet, I found it plenty adequate to cut up apples, break down boxes, and even open the odd letter or two. Still, those expecting their pocket knife to produce translucent slices of tomato will have to look elsewhere – the HEAT is simply not that kind of knife. I’d say it slices better than a Strider SnG, but still remains below average in slicing ability. That said, the blade is above average in toughness and the integrated cap lifter / wave feature is a testament to that.

DPx went with Niolox steel, a steel I checked out in reviewing the Blackwater knives a few years ago (since discontinued under the Blackwater brand, but apparently rolled into DPx Gear’s regular lineup). When I tested those knives I found that Niolox held a good edge that was tough yet easy to maintain – an ideal balance for a largish fixed blade.

This is my first experience using Niolox on a folder. This is a servicable steel. It takes a very fine edge, holds it respectably, and is not difficult to sharpen. I might describe it as a tougher 154CM or CTS-XHP, which puts the steel in excellent company. A good choice for a tough little knife that doubles as a bottle opener. I had no issues with corrosion. Like all of my EDC knives, I find it is best to maintain the edge regularly rather than wait for the knife to dull completely. Between my strops and fine Sharpmaker stones, I have had no trouble maintaining a hair shaving edge on my HEAT/F.

I know the knife is also offered in Sleipner steel and D2. I have heard good things about Sleipner but confess that I do not have much hands on experience with it. D2 is perhaps a more well known US tool steel. It’s a hearty “semi stainless” steel that has high toughness but can be difficult to sharpen. I’d go for Niolox or Sliepner if I had the option.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The standard HEAT arrives with G10 and titanium handles. The lock side is full titanium, while the show side is your choice of green or black G10. My version features full 3-D machined titanium handles, featuring a beautiful diamond pattern. LionSteel is known for their ridiculous machining capabilities, and this all Ti version of the HEAT/F takes full advantage of that. The handles are curved, contoured, and wonderfully finished. Rounding things off are 3 standoffs (one for the pocket clip), an oversized pivot, and a removable carbide glassbreaker.

The HEAT is a comfortable knife. The handle is a good deal larger than the blade, which is a very practical way to design a smaller knife. I’d rather there be plenty of handle and a smaller blade than vice versa. The blade features an extended ricasso that helps form an integral guard, and the fingers rest naturally in the deep swooping finger choil. There is jimping on both the spine of the blade (very mild) and back of the handle (more aggressive, but still comfortable), and there is additional jimping towards the pommel for your ring and pinky finger. I used my HEAT for some fire prep. Now that things are starting to cool off a little in Florida, I tend to gravitate towards the back yard for fires and cigars. This knife is comfortable and you can get real work done with it.

DPx went with a deep carry pocket clip. Like the original HEST and many LionSteel folders, the clip is mounted on the absolute butt of the handle, and is configured for right side tip up carry only. I wish they would have allowed for ambidextrous carry. Being a lefty I always like to see ambidextrous clips, and think it could have been done without too much trouble with this style of clip. That said, the clip is precision machined into the handle, and the end result is seamless.

The clip has good retention and the knife buries deeply in the pocket. The HEAT carries well for a smaller, heavish knife. I quickly forget it is in my pocket until the time comes to use it. There is a small DPx skull logo on the clip, which won’t be to everyone’s taste, but is no different from virtually every other clip in my collection (they almost all have logos). I don’t mind it. All things considered the clip and knife is discrete; just the way I like things.

Deployment and Lockup

The HEAT gives you the option of ambidextrous thumb studs or bottle opener / wave feature to get the blade open. The thumb studs are simple and situated so that it is easy to get the blade open, and the blade rides on teflon washers. The action is smooth and the blade snaps open with a crisp and satisfying feeling. The wave works well if you want it to and carry the knife in your right pocket. I carry the knife in my left pocket, so I generally do not make use of the wave. That said, as part of the review process I waved the knife open dozens of times. It works as you would expect it to, with no ill effects on the lock (more below).

The blade of the HEAT is secured by a titanium frame lock. My lock engages early (around 40%). There is a slight amount of stick – not enough to make disengaging the lock obnoxious, but enough to make for a snug and secure lockup. I detected zero blade play in any direction after weeks of carry and use. Although I am generally not a big fan of wave openers, I made a point to wave this knife open regularly and the lock shows no ill effects. Blade centering on my knife is close to perfect.

DPx HEAT Review – Final Thoughts

The HEAT is probably my favorite knife in DPx’s catalog. I am a sucker for small high quality knives. The HEAT strikes a good balance between being a carryable cutting tool, and being overbuilt and aggressively styled. Although Robert Young Pelton and DPx Gear are a relative newcomers to the cutlery industry, his eye for design is undeniable, and the lines of the HEAT flow pleasantly whether the blade is open or closed. This is an interesting riff on the original HEST/F design, and is a step forward if you ask me. The bells and whistles of the original HEST/F have been stripped away to showcase a well designed knife that retains both personality and performance.

That said, the HEAT will not appeal to everyone. The overbuilt blade and full titanium handles come at a cost – the knife has some heft to it, and it will not slice like a slip joint. This is for someone that enjoys overbuilt folders, but doesn’t want to be bogged down with a 3″+ blade and 5 ounce+ footprint. I enjoy the HEAT/F for what it is. It has been well considered, and beautifully executed. The fit and finish is excellent and the materials are top notch.

If you like small overbuilt knives, the HEAT is well worth considering. I am curious to see how DPx Gear will continue to evolve their line of folding knives.

DPx Gear DPx HEAT/F,2.26 Folding Knife,Olive Drab,Left-hand DPHTF003

Folding Knives, Knives & Tools

If you want to buy a DPx Gear HEAT, I recommend purchasing it at Amazon or BladeHQ. Thanks for checking out the review.

DPx Aculus Review

by Grayson Parker 12 Comments

The first time I noticed a gear company use the words “executive protection,” I was browsing the Goruck website. I was in the market for a backpack (my Jansport had succumbed to a combination of heat, dirt, and heavy loads) and saw that Goruck had recently released a sleeker bag that was stripped of the exterior MOLLE webbing. Their product literature claimed that these design changes were meant to appeal to individuals working in high-end private security. While I thought the justification was a little silly, the design was still attractive to me – all the moreso because I am (contrary to what you may have heard) not working in executive protection.

Some time passed, and I had entirely forgotten about it. Then it cropped up again: Triple Aught Design had finally gotten around to releasing a pair of jeans, but marketed them to the corporate security crowd. I can tell you from personal experience that the jeans are awesome, but again the marketing was confusing.

Enter the DPx Gear Aculus: another lust worthy piece of gear that was apparently designed with undercover operations in mind. While I can’t speak for its effectiveness in that regard, I can tell you that it’s what I would expect Robert Young Pelton’s version of a “gentleman’s knife” to look like. If you believe the rumors, the Aculus was first designed on a napkin – though with R.Y.P.’s reputation, that doesn’t sound like a tall tale. The design was then licensed to LionSteel, who produced it as the TiSpine. Under the terms of the agreement, DPx would sell the Aculus in limited quantities and only sell it directly from their website.

DPx sells the Aculus as their “gentleman’s knife”; and, compared to the rest of their product line, that makes sense. However, when you are not comparing it to blades that are ¼” slabs of tool steel, that claim falls apart. I can’t presume to be a gentleman, but I’ve found myself in a suit on a few occasions, and none of them were situations where a knife like the Aculus would be appropriate. Does that mean that the Aculus is a bad knife? Far from it, but there are some caveats you need to be aware of.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Aculus has a blade length of 3.35”, a closed length of 4.33”, and weighs 3.53 oz. Overall, it’s a bit smaller than a Spyderco Paramilitary 2, but has a cutting edge about as long. Although I can’t quite see the resemblance to a scorpion tail (the namesake of the knife), I have to admit the blade shape is very attractive. There is plenty of belly, but not so much that the blade slips during fine cutting tasks. The swedge takes away a moderate amount of steel—not enough to compromise the tip geometry, but certainly enough to help with piercing tasks. It adds a nice aesthetic touch to boot.

Sadly, that durability makes the Aculus a poor slicer. It handled cardboard just fine, but food prep was challenging. This was disappointing, as picnic lunches seem to be one of the few true occasions where a “gentleman’s knife” is warranted. For some reason I had always assumed the Aculus featured a hollow grind. While that wouldn’t make it an insane cutter, it would be a big help. If you have an Aculus and feel that the blade is too thick behind the edge, I’d look into having it reground. However, that’s assuming that you do a lot of slicing. Many of today’s cutting tasks are just that: cutting. Breaking down boxes, opening packages, and other utility jobs don’t often require a thin blade, and in some cases it can even be a liability. As for me, I use my knives at lunch frequently and would prefer a hollow grind.

This was my first experience with Niolox steel, and online research provided confusing and often contradictory information. In this iteration, the steel was very impressive. I used the Aculus to prepare food, break down cardboard boxes, and even shave some drywall. It handled everything I threw at it, kept a working edge for a long time, and stropped easily. From what I saw online I expected corrosion to be an issue, but that hasn’t come up. DPx loves their tool steels, and I can’t see any reason why they shouldn’t.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Carry

Of course, the handle is the draw of the Aculus. Integral frame locks (especially at the production level) are technical marvels and a sign of how far the cutlery industry has advanced in recent years. DPx and LionSteel knocked it out of the park. The diamond pattern is striking – almost like corrugated steel brought to a high polish. Between the attractive curves, slight contouring, and aforementioned machining, the Aculus is quite pleasant in the hand. The handle is a bit slim, but the traction from the 3-D machining makes up for that. It’s comfortable in just about any grip, including when the knife is closed.

The Aculus is slim, contoured, and features an over-the-top pocket clip. Said pocket clip meets the butt of the handle at an angle, and while it does increase the rate of pocket wear in jeans, it nestles pleasantly in slacks and suit pants. Honestly, the only complaint I can make about the clip is that DPx etched their skull logo on the clip. I’m not one for logos, especially on a knife that’s supposed to be unobtrusive. It’s not that the logo is garish or without charm; it just feels out of place. I’d like to see the same approach they take with the ‘Triple Black’ series applied here, where most of the branding is hidden or left off. Robert Young Pelton’s design motif speaks for itself – you won’t mistake his style for someone else’s.

Deployment and Lockup

After doing some research on the internet, I was under the impression that the Aculus was – despite the cut out for the thumb – a two-handed opening knife. For the first three weeks that I had the Aculus, it was tricky to open it with one hand. It wasn’t until I saw a video on DPx Sean’s Instagram page that I realized the Aculus could actually be ‘coin-flipped’ open. Opening it that way is a little unintuitive, but once you get the hang of it it’s pretty easy, even addictive. I don’t know if that’s something I would recommend on a knife this nice, but if the folks at DPx can get away with it, I think the end user can too.

Throughout the testing period, the lock-up was fine. I didn’t have a problem with a sticky lock (which has plagued other DPx models) and the lock-up is stable at 70%. There is no blade play in any direction, and I never thought it would give. Still, integrals make me nervous. I can’t help but feel that if something goes wrong, you are up a certain creek without a paddle. A lock-bar insert (as featured on the LionSteel SR-1) would do a lot to put my mind at ease, but for whatever reason one wasn’t included here. Because of this, I have trouble with the “hard use” moniker. Bear in mind DPx has a stellar warranty service, so my fears are likely unwarranted.

DPx Aculus – Final Thoughts

I can’t refer to this as a “gentleman’s knife” or a “hard use” knife, much less both. The former because there is really no use for such a tool at an academic conference, at a cocktail party, a political function, or a courtroom. In some of those cases the Aculus would even be confiscated on the way in. If you’re the one doing the confiscating (for instance, working private security), then you probably need this knife for reasons that a twenty-something graduate student can’t relate to. As for the “hard use” claim, I’m skeptical enough of normal frame-locks in that role. Besides, the Aculus is really too pretty to shunt into rough tasks.

For modern knife enthusiasts, the Aculus pushes a lot of buttons. It is fun to fidget with, easy to carry, and drop-dead gorgeous. It doesn’t slice very well, but for most people that won’t be a big deal. Ultimately, even though the Aculus isn’t a “gentleman’s knife,” or a “hard use” knife, it’s quite impressive and undeniably attractive. For collectors and folks that don’t mind thicker blade grinds, I’d recommend this knife. However, if you regularly use your knives for food prep, this is one you might want to pass on. In either case, I’m excited to see what DPx will do in the future, even if I have to endure a bit of unnecessary marketing.

DPx Aculus – From $350.00
From: dpxgear.com

Note: The Aculus has been discontinued, so if you are looking to buy one at retail I think you will have a hard time. You may be able to snag a used one off the forums. I recommend buying other DPx knives at Amazon and BladeHQ. Please keep in mind that purchasing anything through the links on this website helps support BladeReviews.com. Thank you very much!

Editor’s note – having reviewed the TiSpine myself, I thought it would be fun to get Grayson’s take on the Aculus. I think he makes some valid points. Not my first choice for a gent’s folder, or a hard use tool, but it’s undeniably a beautiful knife and a marvel of engineering and craftsmanship. Well worth considering if you are at all intrigued by the design.