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Chris Reeve Mnandi Review

Last Updated: January 10, 2018
When I think Chris Reeve Knives, I first think of the Sebenza, their flagship blade. Then my mind wanders to the Umnunzaan, their amped up tactical offering. Only after sampling both of those knives did I take a genuine interest in the Mnandi. It was one of those knives that I knew that I wanted to check out, but would have to get around to it eventually. My guess is that frame of mind holds true for a lot of collectors, especially those getting into knives within the past 10 years like I did in the middle of the tactical knife boom.

Buy the CRK Mnandi at BladeHQ

And that is a shame because the Mnandi is a really nice knife. Before moving forward with this Chris Reeve Mnandi review, I need to disclose that my Mnandi was built in 2011. Chris Reeve has since made some subtle refinements to the knife. Most notably, the pocket clip has been changed to a hidden hardware design, and the blade steel has been upgraded to S35VN over the S30V model shown here. Finally, the nail nick has been changed slightly. Some prefer the old style nail nick show.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Mnandi has an overall length of 6.375″, sports a 2.75″ blade, and weighs 1.5 ounces. The knife is firmly in the EDC or gentleman’s folder segment. I carry mine to the office no problem and prefer it over a bulkier knife for EDC. It could easily fall into the collectible market given the wide range of inlays available, although I do believe that this is a knife that was made to be used.

The blade shape is a modified clip point design. I like the lean, aggressive profile of the blade, and the angular nail nick further accentuates that low slung profile. The short belly terminates at a fine upswept tip, and the hollow ground blade has been given a nice satin finish. Like the other CRKs I have handled, the spine is nicely rounded. This blade shape is fine for EDC, easily opening mail, breaking down packages, and taking care of other minor chores around the house and office.

Blade steel on this particular knife is S30V, although if you were to buy a Mnandi new today it would likely come in S35VN. I was surprised to get a little flak in my large Sebenza review for reviewing an old model of the knife with S30V instead of S35VN. Practically speaking there is very little difference between the two steels. At higher hardnesses the S35VN will be a little easier to sharpen, but beyond that most people won’t notice much of a difference. I found the S30V on this knife very easy to maintain. Chris Reeve Knives is known for heat treating their blades on the softer side to aid in ease of sharpening. I don’t have a problem with that when it comes to my EDC knives, but edge retention junkies would prefer a harder heat treat.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The handle of the Mnandi is where things really start to get interesting. The knife is available with a large number of exotic wood inlays and is even offered with mammoth ivory bark and bone. My knife happens to have an African Blackwood inlay. Underneath the wood scales is full titanium construction. One thing I never really noticed about the Mnandi until I got one in my hand is that the titanium is actually two-toned. The flats have been given a satin finish while the edges are media blasted. It’s a really nice detail. On the back side of the knife you have a very nice flow through design. There is a single decorative standoff and a stop pin.

The Mnandi is a small knife but the handle offers plenty of room for a full grip and the knife is surprisingly comfortable to use. The arced handle supports your fingers much in the same way the Spyderco Dragonfly does, and you have some excellent jimping on the spine of the blade as well. CRK really knows how to get jimping right. It’s not thumb-shreddingly aggressive, but it provides enough traction to keep you in the game. Between the wood onlays, titanium handles, and 3d machined pocket clip you have a decently thick and comfortable handle. I wear a large glove and for a small knife, the Mnandi really works ergonomically.

The pocket clip is one of my favorite details of the knife. It is a 3-D machined stainless steel clip. It buries the knife in your pocket, is very secure, is discrete, but also has a nice decorative element to it. I’ve reviewed well over 100 knives on this site, and this is definitely the nicest clip I have come across so far. Chris Reeve recently updated the clip, making it a hidden hardware (no visible screws) design. It’s impressive that they figured out a way to improve on this already awesome pocket clip.

With all that said, my favorite way to carry the Mnandi is in the little leather slip sheath it came with. I haven’t tried to hide my love affair with the Victorinox Alox Cadet, one of my all time favorite EDC knives. A big part of the reason why I like that knife is because it’s perfect for pocket carry. Well, the Mnandi is also great for pocket carry, and if you use the leather sheath it helps protect the knife from getting beat up in your pocket. I highly recommend buying the leather slip sheath if yours doesn’t come with one.

Deployment and Lockup

The Mnandi relies on a stylized nail nick for opening. Visually, the nail nick really suits the design, and it works fine for one hand opening too. It’s ambidextrous, and I am pleased to report that I can open the knife left handed without much trouble. The action on my knife is super smooth. Like all of the other CRK offerings, this blade rides on phosphor bronze washers, and it has a smooth, glassy action that I find extremely satisfying. This is what owning a CRK is all about. It’s also worth mentioning that the pivot hardware is all custom, with the Chris Reeve logo engraved on the show side, and a collared pivot on the other.

For lockup you have a Chris Reeve Integral lock. My particular knife locks up late, but it’s very secure and there is no stick or issues with it. There isn’t much else to say although I will mention that blade centering is perfect.

Chris Reeve Mnandi Review – Final Thoughts

The Mnandi is the third model I have sampled in the CRK lineup, but it may very well be my favorite. Everyone is different, but these days I really get a lot of mileage out of small EDC knives that I can pocket carry. The Mnandi is about as good as it gets in that department. This knife is perfectly executed, has a lot of interesting details, and has been very satisfying to own. I can’t think of much to complain about, although I fully appreciate that for many, the $375.00 price tag will be a non-starter.

It’s small and expensive, so I’m not saying this one is for everyone, but if you have any interest in the Mnandi do yourself a favor and buy one. I have really enjoyed mine.

Chris Reeve Mnandi – From $375.00
From: BladeHQ

I recommend purchasing the Mnandi at BladeHQ or KnifeArt. 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.

Chris Reeve Knives Large Sebenza 21 Review

by Dan Jackson 29 Comments

Last Updated: July 28, 2019
For many the Sebenza 21 is a knife obtained on the steep ascent to the upper echelons of production knife collecting. It’s not a starter knife. It is something to be gradually aspired to, pined over, and then climatically acquired.

I had such an experience when I bought and reviewed a small Sebenza 21 back in 2011. Although no stranger to nice knives at the time, it was one of my first forays into the $300+ knife category. And much like an exhausted mountaineer in awe of the view having reached the summit, I was suitably impressed with the CRK Small Sebenza.

Buy the CRK Sebenza at BladeHQ

In that space between 2011 and now I like to think I have matured in both my appreciation for knives as well as my approach to reviewing products. I also now have the budget to buy and hold more expensive offerings, like this Large Sebenza, and compare them with other expensive folding knives. I’ll spare you the essay on my “philosophy” towards reviewing knives, but the cliff notes are that I have no allegiance to any one brand. I run this website for fun, fund it independently (thanks in part to generous readers who purchase products through the links on this site – thank you for supporting my efforts and for supporting independent journalism), and have no problem telling it like it is. That also means I have no economic interest in selling you on a particular knife. My goal ultimate goal to assist you in finding the right knife.

The point of this is that my goal is to provide you with a review of the Sebenza 21 that benefits from my experience and lacks hype, gamesmanship, or “post purchase rationalization”. Sure, as an individual I will always have my own tastes and bias, but I try to point that out when I can to allow you to reach your own conclusion. That said, this is a damn fine knife, so lets get on with the review…

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Large Sebenza has an overall length of 8.335″, has a 3.625″ blade, and weighs 4.7 ounces. As the name might suggest, this is a large folding knife and compares well in size to classics like the Strider SnG, Benchmade Griptilian, and Spyderco Paramilitary 2. I have to say that it irks me to no end when people refer to this as a “tactical knife”. It’s not. While I don’t doubt it could stab someone as well as anything else, in my mind it’s a large utility or EDC knife, and wasn’t designed with high speed/low drag operators in mind.

As an aside, it’s worth mentioning that my particular Large Sebenza is not your normal Large Sebenza. This one is from 2008 and is a special version of the knife with dual thumb studs (or thumb “lugs” as CRK calls them). It features S30V blade steel and lacks the “IDAHO MADE” moniker that, in my opinion, takes away from the appearance of the newer CRKs. So it’s a little different from what you would buy new today, but shares enough similarities for me to call this a review of the Large Sebenza 21 without hesitation.

The blade shape is a classic drop point, with CRK’s signature high hollow grind. The tip is extremely fine and the knife is ground thinly. One of my favorite details is the rounded spine. Overall, it’s a great shape for EDC, combining classic lines with precision manufacturing. The entire blade has been given a very fine tumbled finish, which looks nice and hides wear well.

Steel on my particular model is S30V, but these days the knife comes in S35VN. Both are fine steels. CRK seems to heat treat them on the softer side which is a decision by Chris Reeve that is not without its fair share of controversy. Personally, I like a relatively soft steel as it’s easier to sharpen. I’ve occasionally had a hard time putting great edges on S30V in the past, so if this blade Rockwells out to 58 RC rather than 60 then so be it. I will say that from the factory the knife comes laser sharp. It’s a high performance blade and it cuts very well. Compared to my SnG there really is no comparison, I would liken it more to the SJ-75, which has proven itself to be an excellent cutter. It slices beautifully and the edge polishes up easily on my strop.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

For many, the luxurious full titanium handle is what the Sebenza is all about. The two slabs of titanium are simply adorned with a bead blasted finish, and, in this case, accented with silver hardware. The more standard version of the knife comes with blue anodizing on the thumb stud, and you can of course get the knife any number of unique graphic designs on the handle or exotic inlays. Personally, I really like my sterile silver and blasted knife.

Handle construction is simple but very well done. Chris Reeve made its name on tight tolerances, and my knife is no exception. Here you have flow through construction with a single stand off, and an interesting floating lanyard assembly. I’m not a big lanyard guy, but on this knife I decided to leave it on. There is something very traditional about the lanyard, and the unique floating lanyard pin makes it less obnoxious.

In hand you have a relatively comfortable handle. This knife doesn’t have anything in the way of 3-D machining, but all the edges have been contoured to break the handle up in your hand. The Large Sebenza is plenty big to accommodate all kinds of hands, and the jimping is near perfect in my book; there is enough texture to provide some traction without rendering the thumb ramp into a throbbing hot spot under harder use.

The pocket clip is another one of my favorite details of the knife. The “double dip clip” locks the knife in place like nothing else I own, and provides for discrete no-nonsense carry. Hands down this is a great pocket clip. The knife itself carries well for a large boxy knife. It’s reasonably slim, and the matte titanium tucks neatly into the pocket of my jeans.

Lockup and Deployment

When people talk about smoothness of a knife’s action “Sebenza Smooth” is about as high an accolade as you can offer in the production knife realm. At least, that’s how it was back in 2011. These days CRK has a little more competition with knives appearing on bearings and all, but it’s still a pretty smooth knife. Some guys like to disassemble their Sebenza and lap the washers with 2000+ grit wet sand paper to thin them down and further reduce the friction; kind of like how billionaires turbo charge their Ferraris. You have to be careful, because if you take off too much material you risk throwing off the tolerances entirely, but if you are one of those guys that can’t leave well enough alone then the option certainly exists. Most Sebenzas come with a single thumb lug, which, as a lefty, I really don’t like. I understand that they make a dedicated lefty model, but I would rather see double thumb lugs more common.

There is something eminently enjoyable about opening the blade on my Large Sebenza and feeling the lock fall into place with its soft and satisfying click. It’s almost like shutting the door on a German car. There is a level of security and refinement that I haven’t experienced with my other knives. This may be due in part to the relatively late lockup. Mine is around 90%. There is nothing to be concerned about with the late lockup, although I am sure some folks will find that aspect of the knife disappointing.

Something else to note is that there is absolutely no lock stick and no “break in” or tricks with magic markers are required. The Sebenza is designed to be simple, smooth, and dead nuts reliable. It can be taken completely apart with a single tool.

Large Sebenza 21 Review – Final Thoughts

The Sebenza 21 is a great knife and a worthy target for those ascending the ladder of production folders. BladeHQ did an excellent series of videos on the Chris Reeve factory. If you haven’t already seen them, they should give you further appreciation for these deceptively simple knives. Chris and his team have spent decades refining the tool and the processes behind it, and the end result is a high performance knife built to exacting tolerances.

With all of that said, there is an increasing amount of expensive knives competing for our dollar. High end production knives from larger companies like Zero Tolerance and Spyderco are continuing to gain ground, while an explosion of mid tech and custom offerings from boutique manufacturers dip down into Sebenza range. Chris Reeve spent decades building his reputation the hard way, attending knife shows and working with traditional media, but the age of Youtube, USN and Instagram is upon us. This new media is bringing consumers closer to the bespoke brands, and allowing young upstarts to accelerate on higher demand and wider margins. Whereas even in 2011 a titanium framelock alone would be enough to push the bleeding edge, today flippers, bearing systems, exotic steel, and 3-D machining are what grab at the attention of the increasingly savvy consumer.

Still CRK continues to do very well, and I don’t doubt that success will continue for a long time. The Large Sebenza is a great example of this, as it is both great knife and modern a classic. I think it’s worth having in any higher end collection. It’s the knife for guys that want a no-frills, highly functional tool. CRK gets so much right, it’s hard to find fault with the Large Sebenza. But in the midst of a golden era of mid tech knives, I can’t help but wonder whether the Sebenza will continue to be regarded as the peak of the mountain, or serve more as a stepping stone into the great white north…

Large Sebenza 21 – From $410.00
From: BladeHQ

I recommend purchasing the Large Sebenza at BladeHQ or KnifeArt. 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.

Strider PT Review

by Dan Jackson Leave a Comment

Last Updated: August 3, 2019
One of the best parts of blogging about knives is checking out other people’s blogs, and seeing what they really like. It often piques my interest and expands my collection into all sorts of unhealthy directions. Case in point, I had absolutely zero interest in the Strider PT until I read Tony’s post on it. Boom. It instantly elevated the knife up to “want” status and several weeks later I had the PT you see before you resting comfortably in my pocket.

Buy the Strider PT at BladeHQ

As usual, Tony did a great job reviewing the PT with a catchy intro weaving artfully into background info on the knife and of course leading into his famous (infamous?) 20 point scale. I won’t even pretend like I’m that sophisticated. I’ll just babble on in my usual, loosely organized fashion, and ultimately try to determine whether the PT meets my approval as highly as Tony’s did.

General Dimensions and Pocket Clip

The PT has an overall length of 6.5″, sports a 2.75′ blade, and weighs in at a paltry 2.3 ounces. Compared to it’s bigger brethren, the SnG and SMF, the PT is very much a true daily carry knife, and was designed with fans of small pocketable knives in mind. The PT falls into the pocket with hardly a whisper and rolls around with my keys and flashlight just like a $20 Swiss Army Knife might.

The blade is Strider’s iconic drop point, complete with oval thumb hole and well spaced jimping. The blade is flat ground but still has plenty of meat behind the edge. It will open letters and cut boxes, just don’t expect it to peel away translucent thin pieces of cheese like a true gentleman’s folder. The grind of the PT leans towards hard use, just like it’s bigger brothers.

My particular PT came in S30V blade steel, and features a gently stonewashed with an even edge bevel. I find the S30V relatively stubborn to work with, but I am still able to keep a decent edge on it. Despite the knife being well, a Strider, I opted not to super hard use instead relegating it mainly to cardboard and kitchen tasks> These are more of my normal EDC tasks for a knife of this size rather than a back yard beat down. It performed adequately in all the tasks I put it up to, although I wasn’t blown away by the performance of this blade. As I alluded to before, the grind on this knife is fairly chunky, and like my full size SnG, isn’t the best slicer in my knife drawer. The trade off of course is that you have a much stronger edge.

Handle, Ergonomics and Pocket Clip

The handle is classic Strider. You have an integral G10 backspacer and display scale, a titanium frame lock, and a proprietary pivot. Despite Strider’s notoriety for subpar fit and finish, my PT came superbly finished. Every aspect of the handle, from the tumbled titanium down to the lanyard hole, has been delightfully well done. So no fit and finish gripes here. It looks to me like Strider has listened to customer feedback and tightened up their tolerances. All of my Strider knives are well made and my PT is a wonderful collector’s grade piece.

It is also worth noting that this is the concealed carry (CC) version, meaning the handles have been convexed for a thinner, lighter, more discrete knife. Compare the CC PT with my traditional (aka “lego”) styled SnG below to see what I mean.

Despite being a small knife, the PT boasts very solid ergos. It’s unique handle shape and elongated dual finger choils make for a comfortable 4 fingered grip, even with larger hands. There is a rough run of jimping on the spine. It is not a big deal on a light use sub 3 ounce folder like this, but it does provide plenty of traction for opening clamshell casings and other harder tasks.

The pocket clip section is moot as there is no pocket clip on the PT CC. I know some will have a problem with this, but I don’t mind the clipless PT as I usually carry an Alox Cadet this way. I will say the toughest part about carrying this $300 knife clipless is dropping it into the lint filled abyss to have it rattle and roll with keys and spare change. While my classic SnG with tiger striped blade seems to only look nicer with wear, I find scratches harder to ignore with this this stonewashed clean shaven look.

I will say that the regular Strider PT comes with a clip.

Deployment and Lockup

The PT makes use of a thumb hole for blade deployment. The “thumbstuds” are external stop pins, and don’t work well for opening the knife. True to the knife’s meticulous fit and finish, I find the action on my PT nice and stiff. This is after months of opening and closings. Perhaps “purposeful” is the better way to describe the PT’s action, as I like stiff opening. The sturdy detent sucks the blade down with a satisfying click, not unlike the way the doors fall shut on a German car.

Lockup is accomplished by the titanium frame lock. There have been issues in the past with Strider lock ups, and the PT wasn’t spared in that controversy. My understanding is that Strider has gone to great lengths to address this issue in all their knives. My PT is the most recent generation of the knife, and it locks up early, sturdy, and without play in any direction. The lock release can be a little difficult to access. Given the stiff action and small lockbar, it’s more of a two hand closer in my book. I will say that everything feels is very secure.

Strider PT Review – Final Thoughts

The Strider PT is a lovely little knife. It is beautifully made, boasts classic Strider lines, and is small enough to carry in a suit pocket. This Strider is perfect for a paper-pusher like myself, but is tough enough to stand up to some real use.

I like the knife for what it is, small, well crafted, and unique. Some may not like it for what it isn’t. And one things it isn’t is a cheap knife. Retailing at $300 (if you can even find one) the PT isn’t for the light of wallet, and like most of my high end knife reviews, probably begs some discussion of value. I’ll spare you that lecture. Only you can decide for yourself whether the PT is “worth” the premium price tag.

I’m happy with mine but confess that 9 times out of 10 I still reach for my trusty Alox Cadet when I need a slim workhorse pocket knife to bump around with my car keys and flash light. But, the PT appeals to me on more than just a practical level and I do enjoy it. For that reason I don’t see it leaving my collection any time soon.

Strider PT – $300.00
From:BladeHQ KnifeArt

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

Strider SnG Review

by Dan Jackson 15 Comments

Last Updated: February 13, 2018
For many knife collectors the Strider SnG is a holy grail of sorts. Much like the Chris Reeve Sebenza, the Strider SnG represents the top of the line for production grade folders. Toss in a Hinderer XM, and you have what many knife collectors like to call “the holy trinity” of high end production blades.

Buy the Strider SnG at BladeHQ

I am by no means an authority on Strider, but if you are unfamiliar with the brand Strider was founded some time in the mid 90’s by custom knifemakers Mick Strider and Duane Dwyer. The company is headquartered in San Marcos, California, and their designs draw heavily from the strong military background at Strider. They make a number of fixed blade and folding designs, and have fulfilled contracts for the U.S. Military in the past.

Strider knives aren’t cheap, but the company has built a reputation on quality and has gained an extremely loyal following. I have always found the bold lines of their folders intriguing, and the rugged nature of the knives further piqued my interest. The SnG is their mid size folder, resting comfortably between the large SMF and the small PT.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The SnG has an overall length of 8.25 inches, a 3.5 inch blade, and a weight of 4.4 ounces. The SnG could work well as a larger EDC, or as more of a large utility / tactical (self defense) knife. I will say that I was surprised at how lightweight the knife felt. With the SnG’s reputation as a hard use blade I expected some sort of folding brick to show up in my mailbox. Instead, I was pleasantly surprised with how manageable the knife felt. It quickly found its way into my pocket.

The blade on the SnG is a modified drop point design. My particular SnG happens to be flat ground, but I have seen hollow ground blades and tanto versions as well. Of course there are custom versions of the knife in every grind imaginable. Blade thickness on this knife is just over 4mm thick (.165″) and tapers down to a stout tip. Despite being a near full flat grind the SnG is quite thick behind the edge, and I found the cutting performance underwhelming. This is surprising considering the $400 price tag (intuitively, I would somehow expect the knives to cut better as the price went up), but when you consider the hard use nature of the blade it does make sense – this knife is designed to stand up to more than just cutting. The signature Strider tiger stripes are a result of a black oxide coating that has been partially sandblasted off. The tiger stripes are optional, but it’s a unique feature that is distinctively Strider.

Blade steel on this particular model is S30V. S30V is interesting because it was formulated specifically for knives, and is something of a collaboration between Chris Reeve and Crucible. S30V is a proven steel, and my experience with the steel has generally been very favorable. S30V sharpens without too much trouble, holds a nice edge, and is resistant to rust and corrosion. Strider’s heat treat for S30V was originally formulated by Paul Bos, an innovator in the world of heat treating who is perhaps best known for his in-house work with Buck (Strider used to collaborate heavily with Buck). Again, the thick geometry of the blade didn’t make this the most exceptional cutter, but S30V got the job done whether it was rope, cardboard, or wood.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The handles of the SnG are special because they feature a one-piece G10 scale and backspacer mated to a titanium integral lock. You do get a choice of color with the SNG (green, black, and brown are standard – various other colors are occasionally available), and Strider also offers them in concealed carry and Gunnar grip configurations as well. What is shown here is their standard “lego” style handle with brown G10 and a flamed titanium locking side. Everything is nicely cut out, well finished, and perfectly mated together. Oddly enough, what really impressed me about the handle of the SNG is the hardware. The body is held together with over-sized black domed screws, and the pivot is an equally beefy proprietary piece. However, I did notice one issue with the handle. The blade partially blocks the lanyard hole. C’est la vie if you want a Strider SnG.

From an ergonomics standpoint the SnG is a good size knife packed with features. I had plenty of room to maneuver my larger hand around this knife, and it accommodates a good number of grips. In the traction department the SnG is loaded down with jimping on both the spine and pommel for a secure hold in both forward and reverse grips. This is great if you plan on putting the SnG into a more “tactical” role, but I found the jimping extremely uncomfortable under hard cutting. Plan to wear gloves if you want to seriously test the SnG. The forward finger choil is great for choking up and does give you some versatility under use. All in all I found the SnG reasonably comfortable for a folding knife, but it’s not my first choice for sustained cutting.

Strider includes a removable right side tip-up carry pocket clip on every SnG. The clip is made of titanium, features good retention, and slips in and out of the pocket with relative ease. It’s a nice secure clip – a must when you are toting around a $400 folder. I’m sure many southpaws would prefer a reversible clip as lefty SNGs are quite rare and expensive.

All in all, I found that the SnG carried really well. The pocket clip doesn’t carry the knife very deep, but the knife itself is slim and feels light for its size. While it isn’t my first choice for school or the office, I do not mind having this as my primary EDC, and didn’t find it overly bulky or uncomfortable in the pocket.

Deployment and Lockup

The SnG uses an oval thumb hole for deployment. The thumbhole is easy to get at and the knife opens fast and smooth. It’s not a knife that flies open, but with a little wrist action I can get it done. Inside there are two bronze washers surrounding that massive pivot. The action is smooth and very pleasant. There are what appears to be thumb studs on the blade, but they are actually stop pins and don’t work super well as thumb studs. The ball detent on this knife is very good and it’s fun to watch the blade get “sucked in” upon closing.

Lockup is of course established via a beefy titanium framelock. This particular knife is a 9th generation SnG, and benefits from newly redesigned flat cut lock geometry. I have heard stories about Striders developing blade play, but this knife has held up really well. I have a very slight amount of side to side play, and no up and down. I’d tune up the pivot, but it requires a proprietary wrench that I haven’t acquired yet (really, it should come standard at this price). Lockup is pretty early and the titanium lock bar doesn’t stick at all. It’s also worth mentioning there is a small Hinderer lockbar stabilizer on the handle to prevent over extension of the lock.

Strider SnG – Final Thoughts

For many knife collectors the SnG will be something of a final destination in their knife collecting journey. It is an iconic American hard use folder with bold lines, contrasting finishes, and that kind of rough and tumble bravado that pairs well with a low slung Harley Davidson, a strong cigar, and several fingers of really good bourbon. I can totally see the appeal, and it’s been a lot of fun carrying, using, and admiring this really sweet folding knife.

However, I gotta be real here for a moment. If you are looking at knives from a purely practical perspective the SnG is functionally no better than something like a Spyderco Paramilitary 2. It’s not going to cut any better, the lock isn’t going to be any stronger, and it won’t feel any better in hand. But that’s ok, this is the nature of a luxury good. My $40 Casio keeps better time than a $5,000 Rolex – but I’ll be damned if I don’t own a Submariner one day. You buy a knife like this because you want it, and have a few extra dollars to spare.

That said, as a collector and an enthusiast I do think you get something more with the Strider. The G10 backspacer seamlessly integrated with the handle scale, the beefy custom hardware, the flamed titanium lockbar – these are a few details that make the SnG stand out in a crowd. You get something unique, tough, capable, and strangely refined. The only issue I could spot was the partially blocked lanyard hole – besides that this is a really meticulously executed knife. When it comes to titanium framelock hard use folders the guys at Strider know how to do it right, and the quality, materials, fit, finish, warranty, and U.S. manufacturing are all there. Simply said, it’s a great knife.

So if you want to buy an SnG, I say buy an SnG. I don’t think it’s perfect, and it’s definitely a luxury item, but at the end of the day it’s a really nice knife. While it may be the first Strider in my collection, I guarantee it wont be the last.

Strider SnG – $400
From: BladeHQ

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

Zero Tolerance 0350 Review

by Dan Jackson 38 Comments

Last Updated: April 5, 2020

My Zero Tolerance 0300 got a lot of looks when I carried it around. At over 9″ long and with a weight of 8.6 ounces, it definitely raised some eyebrows. The excellent S30V blade was a force to be reckoned with, and I really enjoyed the loud “thwack” of the assisted opening. It was generally a really cool knife to carry, but lets be real, it’s not always practical to tote around such a beast of a blade every day. After a while a knife of that size (and weight!) might get pushed to the back of your EDC rotation, to eventually fall off into a dark corner of your knife collection.

Buy the Zero Tolerance 0350 at BladeHQ

Buy on Amazon

So the good folks over at Zero Tolerance decided to tone things down a little and offer a slightly tamer, yet no less cool version of the original 0300; the Zero Tolerance 0350. This little brother packs many of the great features that made me fall in love with the 0300, but comes in a size that is much more practical for many people to EDC (although it’s still a big knife – lets not kid ourselves). Lets take a closer look and see what the ZT 0350 is all about.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

WHile the 0350 is not as portly as it’s big brother, it still is not what I would call a “small knife.” The 0350 has an overall length of 7-5/8″ a 3-1/4″ blade and a weight of 6.2 ounces. So it’s still on the heavy side, and perhaps still too big for some to EDC, but if a sturdy good size folder is what you are after I don’t think it’s a huge issue.

The blade is a modified drop point design. There is a small recurve and tons of belly. This is the same blade shape found on the 0300, just shrunk down slightly. I like how the tip has been left very strong. The tip of the 0350 has good piercing strength, and the high flat grind makes the knife excellent for slicing. While recurves can be a pain to sharpen, they really help feed material into the edge and are great slicers. ZT rounded things off by applying a beautiful edge and laser engraved hallmarks. This is a great blade shape a wide variety of applications.

The steel on this knife is S30V, which is absolutely awesome stuff. I am a big fan of S30V because it holds a very nice edge for a long time, and is still reasonably easy to sharpen. S30V is also resistant to rust and corrosion. Zero Tolerance applied a very nice DLC (diamond like carbon) coating to the knife, which is about as durable as knife coatings get. In summary, this is a great blade shape made of great steel with a great coating applied to it.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The ZT 0350 features a classic handle formulation – black G10 over very thick stainless steel liners. The handle has been meticulously finished – I absolutely love how everything lines up perfectly, and there isn’t a machining mark to be seen. As far as construction goes, everything is held together with torx bolts, and you have a partial G10 backspacer. My only suggestion for Zero Tolerance would be to mill out the liners a little to perhaps shave off a few tenths of an ounce. Really though, this handle is built like a tank and finished like a Swiss watch.

The ergonomics on the 0350 are extremely satisfying. I wear a large glove and it feels like the knife was custom made for my hand. The width and thickness to the handle really fills the palm while the choil and thumb ramp prevent your fingers from slipping forward. The G10 has a medium level of traction, which is very pleasant feeling and offers good feedback. In reverse grip there is additional jimping for your thumb. All in all it’s a very comfortable and secure grip.

The pocket clip is right out of the Kershaw parts bin and is simple, but effective. First of all, it’s unobtrusive with it’s flat black coating. It has excellent retention, which I find extremely important for a heavier knife – this means that the knife won’t slide around your pocket (or worse, fall out entirely). The fact that this is a true 4 corners clip (ambidextrous tip up or tip down carry) almost brings a tear to my eye. This is truly a well done pocket clip.

Actual carry isn’t that bad. I found the knife is about as unobtrusive as 6+ ounces can get, although it’s certainly a change from say, my more typical 3-4 ounce EDC knives. For guys who regularly carry larger knives, I don’t anticipate any problems at all.

Deployment and Lockup

The ZT 0350 gives you the option of either a flipper or thumb studs for deployment. In practice, only the right hand thumb stud is available (the left side sits too close to the handles) but my preference is for the flipper anyways. Either way the knife springs to life with very little effort due to the stellar Speedsafe assisted opening mechanism and high quality phosphor bronze washers. This is a knife that fires hard and fires fast. And on a tactical knife, this kind of easy of deployment can be the difference between life and death. If assisted opening knives aren’t your thing, it’s easy enough to remove the spring – deployment will be smooth regardless.

Lockup on the 0350 is accomplished by a very beefy liner lock. This is a very well executed liner lock, and it bites in early with plenty of room for wear. One of the biggest differences between the 0350 and the 0300 is the absence of the titanium framelock, but I have just as much confidence in this very thick liner. It almost goes without saying, but I didn’t detect blade play in any direction.

Zero Tolerance 0300 or Zero Tolerance 0350?

A common question people have is whether they want the ZT 0350 or the larger ZT 0300. If you are one of those people, I made a video comparing the two knives.

Zero Tolerance 0350 Review – Final Thoughts

The Zero Tolerance 0350 is an absolutely outstanding knife. I love everything about it, from the choice of materials, to the incredible fit and finish, to the stellar design, to the great ergonomics, right on down to the excellent pocket clip. I am also very pleased to see that this knife is made in America and still comes in at a decent price.

Currently these can be had for right around $100. When you consider how well this knife is made, I think it represents an excellent value – especially when the 0300 costs over $200. It’s been a real pleasure having this knife in my collection and it really makes me excited to review more Zero Tolerance knives in the future. The company really seems to know how to put together a great blade and am truly excited to see what they have coming up next.

Zero Tolerance 0350 Folding Pocket Knife; 3.25” S30V Stainless Steel Blade with Black Tungsten DLC Finish; Textured G-10 Handle Scales, SpeedSafe Assisted Opening, Liner Lock, Quad-Mount Clip; 6.2 OZ.

High performance and premium quality S350V stainless steel makes the recurve blade extremely durable, corrosion resistant and wear resistant
Non-reflective black Tungsten DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon) blade coating and black G-10 handle scales cleanly pair together for a sleek, smooth
Quad-mount pocket clip convenient for left or right handed, tip-up, or tip-down carry
Ideal EDC, easy folding pocket knife for everyday tasks—survival tool, precision cutting, self-defense, tactical use or the perfect gift
General all-purpose knife great for EDC or use while working, camping, fishing, hunting, utility or any outdoor activity

I recommend purchasing the Zero Tolerance 0350 at Amazon.com or BladeHQ. Purchasing anything through any of the links on this site helps earns BladeReviews a small commission at no cost to you, and keeps this review train running. As always, any and all support is greatly appreciated.

Spyderco Manix 2 Review

by Dan Jackson 10 Comments

Last Updated: July 31, 2019
The Spyderco Manix 2 is one of those knives that I have been meaning to review pretty much since the start of this website. I’ve examined a lot of blades since then and now I finally have my thoughts on the Manix 2 together and can write on this fantastic heavy duty folding knife made in the good ole USA.

Buy the Spyderco Manix 2 at BladeHQ

Buy on Amazon

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Manix 2 is what I would call a “medium” sized folding knife. It is stoutly built and highly functional. We are looking at an overall length of 8 inches and a blade length of 3-3/8 inches. At 5 ounces this knife is going to be heavier than most other knives “in its class” but what you get for this weight is a strong design with killer ergonomics. Just to put things into perspective, the Spyderco Tenacious has roughly the same dimensions but comes in a full ounce lighter.

Part of what makes the Manix 2 on the heavier side is the hollow saber grind (also it has full liners – more on that later). This makes for a stronger blade, but the trade off is weight. Many users don’t particularly care for the saber grind, preferring a full flat grind. In that case, I would advise trying to find a “sprint run” (limited edition) of the knife as Spyderco often makes them with a full flat grind (like the version wearing BD30P in my video review). The blade shape is a classic leaf design and the tip is fairly delicate. There isn’t a ton of belly on this knife, but I find its plenty for most every day tasks.

Blade steel on the standard Manix 2 is 154CM. A classic steel, 154CM is known for being an all around performer. Edge retention, rust resistance, toughness and sharpen-ability are all good.

I gotta say though if you want a more exotic steel or a full flat grind, Spyderco has been rolling out some really cool sprint runs of this knife. It’s going to cost you more, but it’s possible to get this knife in S30V or even S90V, although you might have to head to the secondary market to do it. Who knows, down the road Spyderco might release this knife exclusively with a full flat grind like they did with the Endura and Delica, so if you like the saber grind I would get it while you can.

Handle, Ergonomics and Pocket Clip

The Manix 2 has a tried and true handle design: G10 scales over stainless steel liners. The G10 on the standard Manix 2 is black and well textured. I would say the G10 is aggressively textured and provides great grip and tactile response. The liners run the entire length of the handle and are not milled out (or “skeletonized”) at all in the standard version which adds substantially to the weight of this knife. The handle is a partial flow through construction with a metal backspacer taking up the front part of the handle, and some pillars holding the back part of the handle together.

Another notable feature on this handle is the over-sized lanyard hole. For a stout blade like this, a large lanyard hole is a very practical feature – if you take this knife camping or regularly engage in long and heavy cutting tasks, a lanyard could be a great option for you.

The ergonomics on the Manix 2 is where this knife really shines. At a glance you can see all kinds of stuff going on with the handle. First off, you have two large choils. This allows you to choke up on the blade for detail work generally get a comfortable grip. Also, a liberal amount of jimping has been applied to many parts of the handle (including the thumb ramp and choil of the blade itself). This jimping is very sharp (some say it’s even “too sharp”) and ensures your fingers wont slip. This is a super comfortable knife and it works well in many grips. Combine that with that extra bit of weight and I find it hard to put this one down.

The only downside to the great ergonomics is that the handle (and folded knife) is kind of bulky in the pocket. You get a great handle but you lose some ease of carry.

The pocket clip is a classic Spyderco “hourglass” clip, mounted very high on the knife for a nice deep carry. It’s not a 4 corners clip, but it allows for ambidextrous tip up carry which works very well for me. The rough G10 may start to tear up your pocket a little – if that happens you may want to consider sanding part of the G10 down.

Deployment and Lockup

Deployment with the Manix 2 is a snap. Spyderco selected an oversize 14mm thumb hole for this knife and it performs as well as it ever has. Of course, you have your standard phosphor bronze bushings which help speed things along, but I find the weight of the blade makes this knife deploy with great ease and authority.

The Manix 2 has a pretty unique locking system. It is a “ball lock” and it functions in fashion similar to a Benchmade Axis lock. A spring loaded piece (in this case a steel ball bearing partially encased in a chunk of polymer resin) is what holds the blade in place. The knife has a very solid lockup that can be disengaged without putting your fingers across the path of the blade. Note that the spring is very strong on this ball lock so it can be difficult disengage the lock with one hand and it may stick a little until the lock has fully broken in. I’ve found that it is entirely possible with a little practice to disengage the lock one handed (especially once the spring breaks in a little), but there may be a slight learning curve.

Also, please keep in mind what I said in the “purpose” section about spine whacks – while I think this is a very strong lock, it does appear to have an Achilles heel and there are confirmed reports of the lock failing when subjecting to spine whacks. I never advocate “spine whacking” a folding knife, but I want “keep it real” here and help you make a decision that is right for you.

Update – Apparently Spyderco has since fixed the problem with the lock mechanism failing when spine whacked. These new knives have a black ball lock rather than a clear one. I have yet to get my hands on one of these new versions, so maybe it’s time I picked up a new Manix 2 XL and checked it out.

Value

Currently you can get a Manix 2 for right around $80 shipped, and a low as $70 shipped if you want a combo edge or serrated version. At either price I think the Manix packs a ton of value. When you consider that this knife has excellent blade steel, an awesome handle, a rock solid locking mechanism AND is made in the United States, it definitely has some value. Also, this isn’t some dinky folder either. This thing is built tough and I would put the ball lock right up there with the Axis lock and could see this knife being used hard for a long time.

Spyderco Manix 2 Review – Final Thoughts

Spyderco has done it again. The Manix 2 pretty much has it all. Two of my biggest gripes include that the knife doesn’t come with a fully flat ground blade, and it’s heavy. If you opt for a sprint run version you can avoid these negative aspects. I also tend to find the ball lock a little clunky in comparison to an axis lock, but I know plenty of people who prefer Spyderco’s ball lock.

While I can’t say it’s my absolute favorite Spyderco (I’d put both the Sage 1 and Paramilitary 2 ahead of the Manix – just my preference), it’s a beefy knife with solid ergonomics, and is both well thought out and highly functional. Although the price tag has crept up over the years, I also like how the Manix 2 is made in America and can be had for under $100. The collect-ability of the knife is also very cool as Spyderco has released numerous Sprint Runs and spin off versions of the knife.

Spyderco Manix 2 Signature Knife with 3.37" CPM S30V Steel Blade and Durable Black G-10 Handle - PlainEdge - C101GP2

Superior Cutting Performance - Crafted with a 3.37-inch full-flat-ground CPM S30V stainless steel blade, this knife provides excellent edge retention, sharpness, and corrosion resistance, making it a reliable choice for demanding cutting tasks.
Ergonomic Grip Design - The durable black G-10 handle is thoughtfully contoured and textured, offering a secure and comfortable grip that enhances control, reduces hand fatigue, and improves safety during extended use.
Reliable Ball Bearing Lock - Equipped with Spyderco's patented Ball Bearing Lock, this mechanism provides smooth, safe, and ambidextrous operation, ensuring secure handling and easy one-handed use.
Customizable Carry Options - Includes a reversible pocket clip, allowing for convenient tip-up carry on either side, so users can customize the carry position to suit personal preference and comfort.
Enhanced Durability for Tough Use - Built with premium materials and a rugged construction, the Manix 2 is designed to withstand intense use, making it ideal for both everyday tasks and demanding outdoor adventures without compromising performance.

I recommend purchasing the Manix 2 at Amazon.com or BladeHQ.

Photo Credits: Many thanks to Cougar337 for the beautiful Manix 2 photographs! Thanks again!!