S35VN

Protech Newport Review

Pro-Tech isn’t always the first brand that comes to mind when knife collectors start talking about automatic knives. We often default to Microtech or perhaps Kershaw. This makes sense, both of these brands have a large market share in the industry. They also possess a large social media presence and are very conspicuous at the tradeshows.

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However, I think any true knife enthusiast would be sorely remiss to not spend some time looking at Pro-Tech. I’ve owned several knives from Protech over the years, they are one of the few swing-blade automatic manufacturers that make lefty dedicated versions of their knives. (Note to knife brands: I’ll literally throw money at you if you make lefty dedicated versions of your knives. I always support lefty manufacturers.)

Pro-Tech is a US-based knife company based out of Southern California. Their knives are all made in small runs in order to give the company the time to put human hands on each knife going out of their doors. They have done some great collaborations with Strider, Emerson, and Les George to name a few. They primarily focus on automatics but do have several “normal opening” knives in their catalog. Protech is also known for its (with a grain of sand) custom knives. These generally take the form of an existing production model made with premium materials. Check out this custom they made for Nick Shabazz a couple of years back.

The ProTech Newport is what’s up for discussion today, let’s touch on some specs:

(All Measurements are my personal measurements and may differ from manufacturers specs)

Blade: 2.75”
Overall Length: 7”
Thickness: .62” with the clip
Blade Thickness: .1”
Steel: S35VN
Weight: 2.2oz
Lock: Button Lock Automatic

Blade Steel

First things first, the business end of any knife is the blade. The Protech Newport has a very aggressive drop point blade made out of thin S35VN. When considering this particular knife I think it’s important to keep in mind the intended use-case here. This is a gentleman’s folder, not a hard use EDC blade. You want this knife to be ground thin and constantly sharp so that it’ll sing through the envelopes on your desk; that is what Protech has achieved here. With my calipers I’m seeing a blade stock that’s just under a tenth of an inch thick. Once ground down to the edge this knife becomes a lightsaber. My secret plan is to see if I can get this blade reground even thinner, to a zero-edge after the review. I like my knives to scare me by simply existing.

The steel Protech chose for the Newport is Crucible legendary S35VN. There has been plenty written about S35VN over the years. Suffice to say that this is a good choice for a knife like this. It retains an edge well, resists rust and corrosion, and is easy to sharpen when needed.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The handle of the Newport is where it makes its intended purpose known. The slabs are made of anodized aluminum. The anodization has a “satin-y” texture to it providing the only grip surfaces on the knife. This just confirms in my mind that this is a more, “desk knife” than something you’d put into a hard use or tactical application. You’re going to open letters and packages with this knife.

Ergonomically the Newport sits well in hand. Protech has added a small palm swell in the handle that sits between my ring and pinky finger. This gives you a little bit more purchase on the knife when you’re working with it. The one thing to take into consideration is the size of the knife in general, I wear an L size glove and my hand occupies the entire handle. This combined with the lack of gimping would make me think twice about using this knife for any type of aggressive piercing tasks. I’d hate to run my hand onto that blade. As I said above, however; I think you’ll most likely be grabbing this knife for some pretty small jobs, so I wouldn’t sweat that too much.

The clip is excellent. It’s a deep carry clip with the fold terminating at the very end of the handle. What that means for you is the entire body the knife will sit inside your pocket. The Newport, being slim in profile already, is a good candidate for this. Plus, with it being an auto you may not want to draw attention to the knife in your pocket.

Speaking of which, here’s a shot of the Newport in the pocket:

Deployment and Lockup

The Newport is a traditional swing blade automatic. Protech describes it as having a “smooth and fast coil spring action.” To translate this, the knife fires hard and fast. You’ll want to brace your fingers against the clip and nestle the end of the handle into your palm when you activate it otherwise you may send this sucker flying. It kicks like a tiny little mule. This is a good thing, and it’s a ton of fun to play with, but when you hand the knife to your bud just make sure he knows what’s coming too.

Using the lock is simple: Press the button and close the blade. You’ll be pushing against the spring that fires the knife, so I always use two hands to close this one. The knife is solid in the open and closed position though, no play to be hand in the mechanism.

Competitive Options

There are a couple of other options that come to mind if maybe the Newport doesn’t tickle your fancy:

The first one that I can think of is the Boker Kalashnikov. More of a heavy-duty knife with the Boker’s spear point blade. MUCH cheaper, but with that costs savings will come quality differences.

Next, you might consider Kershaw Launch 1. It’s a little larger, a tiny bit cheaper, and totally different styling. Kershaw doesn’t make a dedicated lefty version but it does have a reversible clip. You’ll still have black aluminum handles and a push-button lock. This could be a good option for you.

The last option that pops into my head is the Hogue Knives EX-AO1. These knives are a little bigger overall but roughly the same price as the Newport. You may just want something that fills your hand better and Hogue makes an excellent auto.

Protech Newport Review – Final Thoughts

So to wrap up… I love Protech’s offerings, they are a US company that does all their small-batch manufacturing in southern California. Their knives are quality and have their own style to them that’s undeniably Protech. The Newport specifically fits the bill for a “gentleman’s auto,” or a “light duty desk knife” for me. It’s also an EXCELLENT fidget toy when I’m working at my desk. If you keep the intended use of a knife like this in mind I don’t think you’ll be displeased with the Newport.

The Protech Newport is available in several different handle configurations, coated and uncoated blades, and a couple of really premium options that involve inlays. You should be able to find something that suits your taste in their catalog.

Pro-Tech Newport – From $164.95
From: BladeHQ

Editor: I recommend purchasing the Protech Newport at BladeHQ. Thank you for reading.

Chris Reeve Knives Impinda Review

by Dan Jackson 2 Comments

Chris Reeve Knives doesn’t release many new models. And when they do it’s often a variation on a theme rather than a brand new design. That’s part of the reason why the last time I reviewed a CRK was a review of the Sebenza 25 back in 2014. Another interesting tidbit about CRK is that founder and namesake of the company retired in 2016. He passed the company on to his ex-wife, Anne, in 2016. As a divorce lawyer with an overactive imagination, I can only speculate about how that transition went down, but I won’t.

Buy the CRK Impinda at BladeHQ

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By my math the Impinda is the first new design since Chris’ retirement (I’m probably wrong so see the comments section for the truth). And this knife a significant departure from their usual fare. The Impinda a slip joint, and lacks their signature ~~titanium framelock~~ integral lock, that they are so well known for. But as usual for CRK, this isn’t a cheap knife. In this case the Impinda retails for a cool $450. That’s a lot of scratch for a non-locking folding knife. Some may view it as a cash grab on the revival in slip joint folders, but CRK enthusiasts may beg to differ.

I’ve reviewed a couple of these modern slip joints and tend to enjoy them. Most recently I reviewed the Hinderer XM-Slippy back in 2018, so I’ve had a couple glasses of the high end slip joint Kool-Aid. Let’s see whether this Impinda still makes me a believer.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Impinda has an overall length of 7.15″, a 3.125″ blade, weights 3.38 ounces, and is made in the U.S.A. This one is designed by Bill Harsey. Bill is one of the greats, and for some reason his designs strike me as quintessentially American. Maybe because he has designed some iconic USA made knives, like the Lone Wolf T2.

Obviously a slip joint like this is going to be geared towards the enthusiast EDC crowd. Bougie bros like myself with a penchant for man buns, 3/4 sleeve tattoos, and pocket frosting. Or maybe silver haired Corvette drivers. Either way there is an aspirational element to the brand.

Here’s a size comparison with a couple other slippies in my stable. The XM-18 Slippy, and Fantoni Dewller:

I think it’s a little large to be considered a true “Gentleman’s folder”, but you are welcome to disagree. At nearly 3.5 ounces this is a chunky little knife, so you may want to opt for both belt and suspenders if you decide to take this one out on the town. It’s a good size knife, but nothing crazy.

The blade is an elongated drop point, with a thin swedge and a slight, near continuously curving belly. The blade features a high hollow grind, which is something of a CRK signature, and zero markings. The blade is surprisingly thick: .12″ or a hair over 3mm. This was likely done to match the overall proportions of the knife. Plus, another CRK signature is that they tend to make a stout knife. Their fanbase is notoriously fickle, so I wouldn’t surprised if they erred on the side of over engineering.

The Impinda comes in S35VN blade steel. That should be no surprise, as this is the steel Reeve himself co-developed with steel producer Crucible Industries to be a successor to S30V. S35V is an excellent choice for a working knife, as it’s shows a good blend of edge retention, easy sharpening, toughness and corrosion resistance. CRK tends to give their knives a softer heat treat. That makes the knives easier to sharpen and less prone to chipping, but you sacrifice a little edge retention.

In practice, I’ve found the Impinda to be a good all rounder for daily carry chores. I’ve done the usual stuff with mine, and it’s held up great. I’ve opened envelopes, broken down boxes, sliced apples, and performed countless odd jobs as I’ve navigated through my personal and professional life the past month. The Impinda has met every task with cheerful readiness. Sharpening hasn’t involved anything more than occasional stropping and one time I ran the edge over my Spyderco Golden Stone to get a feel for things. This is an easy steel to sharpen and I’ve had zero issues with rust or corrosion.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The Impinda features thick full titanium handle slabs with a full stainless steel back spacer. The pieces all screw together, and CRK provides an allen wrench to take the knife apart. The handles are not 3-d machined, only chamferred. Construction is rock solid, and fit and finish is perfect. Just what you would expect. The oversize pivot is a nice touch, while the lanyard hole seems like an afterthought, although I’m not sure what else they could have done.

The Impinda feels decent in hand for a small utility knife. My biggest gripe is that there is a lot of meat in the tail, and the balance point is an inch behind the pivot. As a result the Impinda feels heavy. Some associate weight with quality, so maybe that was the idea here, but to me it’s a heavy knife. Everything about it feels slow and deliberate. Granted, this is a utility knife, and not a combat dagger, but those are my impressions in wielding the Impinda.

Beyond the weight the knife feels good. No hot spots. No texture or jimping at all for that matter. But the generous handle and deep finger choil offers plenty of space for your fingers, and I never felt like I lost control of the knife in use.

The pocket clip is a piece of 3-D machined titanium. It looks like they gave the clip design a lot of thought. It is highly sculpted. Spring tension is excellent on it. The knife stays firmly in place.

CRK ships this knife with a calf-skin slip sheath. That’s how I like to carry my Impinda. I got a new used car recently. It sits low to the ground, and I have been anal retentive about scratching up the seats and door jamb to the point where I’ve actually switched my style of carry to avoid pocket clips while driving around. Plus I’ve never liked using pocket clips at work. I’m a lawyer and wear suit pants most days. The pants are expensive and I don’t want to tear them up. Accordingly, the Impinda has been a great option for me. It has gotten a ton of pocket time with the slip sheath.

Still, the pocket clip works well if you want to carry the knife that way. Here is your pocket clip shot:

Deployment and Lockup

Everything about the Impinda is deliberate. That’s most apparent when you go to open the knife. It takes considerable effort to get the blade out. CRK designed it that way, as it makes the knife much harder to close accidentally as well. This gives the knife serious “Walk and Talk”. By comparison, the action is much stronger than the XM-18 slippy. The action of the XM feels comically light compared to this.

Personally, I like the action on the Impinda. It’s heavy and deliberate, but it’s also smooth. The knife comes with a couple large perforated phosphor bronze washers. I think those that are skeptical of slip joints generally, will find a little more solace in the Impinda. It feels nothing like the action on a Swiss Army Knife, and theoretically it could stand up to harder chores.

Closing the blade is also deliberate. According to a roadside shaman I consulted whilst preparing this review, it takes 5 pounds of force to close the blade on this knife. That may not seem like much, but it’s considerably more force than most commercially available slip joints. Apparently there is patent pending spring technology inside this knife that makes the draw tension only one pound, and the closing tension 5 pounds, but it requires a good amount of force in both directions by my hand. Regardless, I like the beefier action on this knife. As I mentioned, it lends a deliberate feel to the Impinda, and inspires more confidence than the typical slippy.

Here is a parting size comparison with my CRK Mnandi:

Unsurprisingly, blade centering is perfect on my knife.

Chris Reeve Knives Impinda Review – Final Thoughts

The Impinda is a difficult knife to review. It definitely won’t appeal to everyone. Price alone is going to alienate a lot of folks. It’s a lot of money for an unassuming non-locking folder. I don’t know what CRK’s costs are (obviously) but find the price tag to be a bit much, even for CRK. Certainly they are entitled to price their products however they like, but I wonder what the economics would have looked like at $300 or $350. After all, the Small Sebenza costs $375 these days, and CRK fans might argue that you “get less” with this one, as it doesn’t lock. I’m not sure if that is a fair argument, but the internet can be a cruel place.

And to be honest, I haven’t checked out other reviews or the forums on this knife. I don’t know how well the Impinda is selling or what the consumer temperature is on this model. My guess is that it’s a mixed bag.

Personally, I have found the Impinda to be well made and highly composed. Keep in mind, the concept of “value” in the absolute sense goes out the window as you venture into luxury brands like CRK. Certainly the blade on a $20 Swiss Army Knife will do 95% of what this knife can (while opening bottles, driving screws, and helping you assemble an airplane on the way down). But that’s not the point, and is akin to comparing a Casio to a Rolex. While you get more for your money, the returns diminish considerably with each additional dollar spent. The person who buys an Impinda isn’t trying to optimize bang for buck. They want the experience and they don’t care if it costs $350 or $450.

And in that sense the Impinda delivers. It’s solidly made, carefully considered, and totally unique. It’s an experience. It’s the Chris Reeve quality many have come to know and love, in a sleek non-locking package. If the design appeals to you and you can afford it, then I think you will enjoy the Impinda. I’ve enjoyed mine. And like the Mnandi, I plan on keeping my knife for the long term.

Chris Reeve Knives Impinda – From $450.00
From: BladeHQ

I recommend purchasing the Impina at BladeHQ or Amazon. Thanks for reading!

Begg Knives Steelcraft Kwaiken (3/4) Review

by Dan Jackson 4 Comments

I really enjoy Blade Magazine. I’ve subscribed for years, and smile when their magazine finds its way into my mailbox each month. Part of what I enjoy is how they write articles I could never write. Deep dives into the history of custom knife making, coverage of high end customs pieces, and interesting commentary on the intersection of industry, law, collecting, and commerce as it relates to knives.

Buy the Begg Knives Streelcraft Kwaiken at BladeHQ

Sure it isn’t a perfect publication, but Blade Magazine is a treasure trove of sorts, and that magazine combined with the BLADE Show often feels like the glue that binds this whole knife thing together.

Blade Magazine also offers knife reviews, which I also enjoy for obvious reasons. Usually they grab a trio of lower end knives and put them to work. The reviews are genuine and focused on real world applications. The writers are straightforward guys with an obvious passion for the products. I enjoy these reviews for what they are.

However, it’s rare for them to review an expensive production knife. Seems their reviews hit between the $20-$100 range. That’s great, as that’s the price range for a lot of user knives, but we don’t see much on the higher end. That’s where I think BladeReviews and other online “media outlets” can offer something. We can cover the high end.

Which brings me to this Begg Knives Steelcraft Kwaiken. This knife is somewhat ridiculous and expensive, yet undeniably cool pocket knife. As I sat down to write this review, I thought “Why am I even reviewing this?” Because I can and it’s what I enjoy doing. Plus, who else will do it? I don’t see much on this knife if you are looking for a long form written review. Plenty of YouTube videos and forum posts, but that’s about it.

Not that I do this out of any sense of duty. Frankly I enjoy exploring these higher end knives in addition to the more practical stuff. A knife like this would never kick my Para 3 out of my pocket, but they celebrate what’s possible in the world of production folders. I reviewed the Steelcraft Bodega a few years ago and enjoyed it. And I recall handling the pre-production prototypes of the Steelcraft Kwaiken years ago at a Blade Show. This is technically the 3/4 “Sun Tzu Kwaiken”. Time to check one out.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Kwaiken has an overall length of 8.37″, a 3.5″ blade, weighs 4.5 ounces, and is made in China by Reate for Begg Knives. As I mentioned, this is actually the “3/4” or “mini” version of Begg’s original Kwaiken, but it’s still a large knife and I’ll simply refer to it as the Kwaiken throughout this review. The full size Kwaiken is no longer for sale as of the time I am writing this article, but it came with a 4″ blade and weighed just under 5 ounces. Too much pocket knife for my purposes.

Here is a size comparison with the Endura and Delica:

This Kwaiken is cold to the touch and it feels heavy. “Dense” may be the better word. It could make for an expensive paperweight if you aren’t careful, and it occasionally serves that purpose in my office. The balance point is back maybe an inch behind the pivot. This is due in part to the heavy titanium backspacer. While I will never consider this to be a heavy duty user, I have carried and used this knife quite a bit.

The blade on the Kwaiken is a large sweeping trailing point. Trailing points are sometimes referred to as a “Persian” style blade due to the exotic look. This is a little different from what is often associated with a Kwaiken, which is inspired by a traditional Japanese short sword. This blade reminds me much more of the Benchmade Bedlam than the Boker Kwaiken.

That said, the blade of the Steelcraft Kwaiken is much more detailed than either the Bedlam or Boker Kwaiken. There are 3 clean grinds on each side. The primary grind is hollow ground, and then there is a long swedge on top. In between those grinds is another faceted grind. Then you have the flat with a deep fuller. Everything has been left with a gleaming satin finish. It has been meticulously ground. The grinds are all crisp, but edges of the quillions have been relieved slightly. So there is nothing sharp on your hand. It’s a thing of beauty.

Begg went with S35VN steel for the blade. If you have an interest in a high end pocket knife like this, S35VN will need no introduction. It has been discussed ad nauseum here on the site and is a staple for makers of high end knives.

But to be thorough, S35VN is a stainless steel developed by Chris Reeve and Crucible Industries especially for blade steel. It’s a successor to S30V, and I have found it to be an improvement over its predecessor. What’s great about S35VN is that it still achieves high hardness (approximately 61HRc) and excellent edge retention, but it’s noticeably easier to sharpen over S30V. It is also corrosion resistant and takes a beautiful finish as you can see.

In practice I found the blade of the Steelcraft Kwaiken to be as functional as it is beautiful. That trailing point tip can be a little awkward for things like coupon clipping and other fine tasks involving the point, but the long curving edge provides lots of leverage and is highly effective at larger tasks like carving long peels of wood off a 2 x 4, and breaking down cardboard boxes.

Blade stock on this piece is relatively stout at nearly 4mm. That thick blade combined with the partial flat grind means this knife doesn’t produce translucent slices of apple, and it tends to “pop” materials open at the shoulder of the blade, but this is a larger knife. If you don’t mind potentially marring the delicate finishes, then you could accomplish significant tasks with it.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

While there is a lot going on with the blade, it pales in comparison to the handle. The handle is where you can really show off, and here the Kwaiken has been richly detailed. This is a full titanium handle, but the eye is immediately drawn to the millwork and carbon fiber inlays. These have been executed brilliantly. Running the pads of my fingers over them, I can feel where the carbon fiber ends and the titanium begins, but they are pretty damn flush.

And the entire handle has been fully contoured. This is what I was referring to when I recently reviewed the Gerber Fastball. Here you have a fully 3-D machined handle that has been executed brilliantly. It’s hard not to be impressed.

In addition you have details like a chunky high polished titanium backspacer with integrated lanyard loop, and custom pivot. The body screws are beautiful machined screws and the holes in the titanium have been slightly countersunk and given a high polish. It’s hard to find fault with the material selection, fit, or finish in this handle. My only complaint is that all this glitz adds heft to the knife. Especially that backspacer.

The ergonomics of the Kwaiken are simple yet satisfying. The handle is long and mostly straight. Plenty of room for all 4 fingers. The two guards or quillions encourage you to hold back on the handle rather than choke up. You can rest your thumb on top of the guard like I did for the photo, but it’s not particularly comfortable. Choking back coincides with the balance point, and suggests to me that the Kwaiken was designed to be more of a tactical knife than a utility knife.

There is little texture save for the geared backspacer and the signature groove running laterally down the handle. Still, I don’t find myself wanting for much more texture. This handle works and easily stays in the hand. If you would like you can choke up on the blade, and there is even a large choil, but it’s not quite large enough to safely accommodate my index finger. I think it’s more for looks and sharpening.

The pocket clip is definitely different. Fans of Begg Knives will instantly recognize it, but the uninitated will no doubt marvel at the milled titanium and oversized ball bearing. It’s a ceramic bearing, but is almost opalescent in it’s reflectivity. It’s a unique detail that you can easily get sidetracked with.

Here is your in the pocket shot:

But how does it work as a pocket clip? Actually, surprisingly well. There is excellent spring rentention and the clip holds the knife securely in the pocket. It’s also a deep carry clip, burying 98% of the handle in your pocket. Only the base of the clip, a couple gears, and that lanyard hole peek out from your pocket. This is a heavy knife, and the bearing does a decent job of holding the knife in place. It shifts a little over time, but doesn’t slide around freely.

Deployment and Lockup

The Steelcraft Kwaiken is a bearing equipped framelock flipper. The generously sized flipper tab is easy to get a grip on. The detent is good, and helps pop the blade out quickly. I’d say the action is around a “7” out of 10. It’s good, but it won’t blow your hair back like a Shirogorov or something. The action is smooth thanks in part to the caged bearing system.

The framelock is excellent. There is a stainless steel lockbar insert, and the lock engages early and is rock solid. There is absolutely no blade play in any direction. There are a couple small thumb reliefs on the inside of the lock bar and frame, that allow your thumb to easily access the frame and release the lock. There is not lock stick or funkiness of any kind. This is how a titanium frame lock should be.

Here is a parting size comparison with the Para 2 and Benchmade Griptilian:

Begg Knives Steelcraft Kwaiken 3/4 Review – Final Thoughts

The Steelcraft Kwaiken isn’t cheap, but at least you get a lot of well made knife for your money. You also get something unique. Begg’s designs strike me as a “like it, or leave it” proposition. You will either immediately gravitate towards the ornate designs, or it will remind you too much of True Religion jeans and Affliction T-shirts. Personally, I like the unique look, and I can’t argue with the execution. If they didn’t make it well, the Kwaiken would seem like costume jewlery. But the fit and finish is outstanding on this knife.

And while there is a heavy emphasis on the artistry, the Kwaiken doesn’t suffer for lack of utility. At the end of the day, this is a well made and fully functional knife. It’s comfortable, cuts well, and carries nicely for what it is. I think the full size would simply be too much for my style of daily carry, but I EDC’d this 3/4 version and was surprised with how well the Kwaiken worked. It’s more than mere pocket frosting, but the design and build quality is what sets it apart.

Will it replace my lightweight knives from Spyderco and Benchmade? No. But, if you have been wanting to check out one of Todd Begg’s designs this Kwaiken is beautifully made and has a lot to offer.

Begg Knives Steelcraft Kwaiken – From $399.00
From: BladeHQ

I recommend purchasing the Steelcraft Kwaiken at BladeHQ or Amazon. Thanks for checking out the review.

Kizer Yorkie Review

by Dan Jackson 2 Comments

Ray Laconico designs some elegant knives. I like the clean lines, and the practicality of his pieces. I’m not alone, and over the past few years his work has taken off. Kizer was smart to collaborate with him, and the results so far have been excellent.

Buy the Kizer Yorkie at BladeHQ

Buy on Amazon

We previously reviewed the Intrepid, and the Gemini. He has gone on to collaborate with other companies, including Alliance Designs, where the focus appears to be on higher end collaborations. The Kizer Yorkie is more approachable. It retails for around $150, still a lot of money but a fraction of what the Alliance Designs pieces cost, yet it still has a timeless look and is made from premium materials.

All knives reviewed are bought with my own money unless stated otherwise. I bought this particular knife with my own money. I’ve mentioned this before, but it probably bears repeating as Kizer has provided us with a few knives to review in the past.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Yorkie has an overall length of 6.125″, a 2.5″ blade, weighs 2.93 ounces and is made in China. On it’s own it doesn’t give me the impression of being a smaller knife, but the Yorkie is a smaller knife and it compares more favorably to a Mini Griptilian or even a Dragonfly II than the Delica. Here is a size comparison so you can see for yourself:

Kizer Yorkie vs. Benchmade Griptilian and Spyderco Dragonfly II

Perhaps part of what gives the Yorkie the illusion of being larger than it actually is, is the clean, near continuous line from pommel to blade tip. Laconico manages to tease out both a lot of handle and blade with this design. That, combined with substantial full titanium handles, lend the Yorkie some substance. Also, in hand the Yorkie actually feels more substantial than the slightly bigger Mini Griptilian.

The blade is an exaggerated drop point. It’s almost hawkish in appearance, yet it is also close to being a spear point. The simplicity of the blade shape is further accentuated by the almost full flat grind. You can see the slightest bit of flat at the top connecting with the ricasso, but beyond that you have essentially a full flat grind. The blade finish is a fine stonewash. It is a clean and functional look that matches the rest of the design.

Kizer Yorkie

For blade steel we have S35VN. Standard fare for a knife like this. For the uninitiated, this is a higher end American steel developed by steel manufacturer Crucible in conjunction with Chris Reeve, and was formulated as a predecessor to S30V and developed specifically for cutlery.

It may not have the “Gee Whiz” factor of some of the more exotic steels, but I certainly welcome it on this knife. I have always appreciated S35VN as a practical choice for a daily carry knife, and think it was a good selection for the Yorkie. In practice, this blade takes a fine edge and is easy to maintain. I haven’t had much in the way of issues with rust or corrosion with S35VN either.

Kizer Yorkie Blade

The blade geometry on this knife is quite good, and will easily accomplish the typical EDC tasks you would expect a small knife like this to tackle. Packages and mail are no problem. Light food prep, including cleanly slicing apples, is no problem thanks in part to the wide blade and lean grind. The Yorkie is also capable of tougher tasks, and I’ve used it while working in the yard. In a pinch it can pass through a palm frond, or assist with opening a bags of mulch. All told the blade is well considered and should meet most people’s needs.

Handle and Ergonomics

The Yorkie’s handle is 2 slabs of solid titanium separated by the pivot and 2 stainless steel stand offs. The Yorkie revels in its simplicity, and can pull it off by being so well executed. For example, the pocket clip screws are flush with the inside of the handle. No ugly screws are poking out into the handle like you might find on lesser knives. Also, the handles have been given just the slightest amount of beveling. You might need to squint, but the handles are not perfectly flat. Instead, there is a slight almost imperceptible radius to the entire outside of the handle. It’s these kinds of little details that subtly elevate the Yorkie. The overall fit and finish is great.

The only contrast on the handle is the bright stainless hardware, and the only ornamentation is a single hole fixed dead center on the show side. Even that hole has been given careful attention; there isn’t a machining mark to be found. I don’t know why exactly it was placed on the handle, except for perhaps to provide a little visual interest. I’m not sure if it rises to the level of addition by subtraction, but it does provide a focal point at least.

Kizer Yorkie Ergonimics

For a smaller knife, I’d say the ergonomics are pretty good. It’s not the magic trick of the Dragonfly 2, but there is a good amount of usable space on this smaller handle. This is thanks in part to the simple design and the small forward finger choil created by the flipper tab. There is just enough room to get your index finger in.

If you rely on just the titanium handle I’d say its a 3.5 finger handle for me, and probably a cramped full 4 finger grip for most. However, that finger choil allows you to spread out and really get comfortable with the Yorkie. The thick titanium handle also helps, and gives you something to grab onto. There is no jimping or texturing to speak of, but the simple boxy handle offers enough traction on its own. At least for my pedestrian purposes.

The pocket clip is a small milled titanium clip. I’ve always enjoyed a well executed milled clip, and I’m pleased to say that spring retention on this clip is excellent. The knife easily slides into the pocket, but is also firmly held in place. It isn’t a deep carry clip, but the Yorkie is still fairly discrete.

Kizer Yorkie Pocket Clip

There is a groove milled into the pocket clip that blends in with the lock bar cut out. I haven’t seen this on a knife before. It’s kind of arbitrary, but like the hole in the handle, I think it was an attempt at injecting a little personality into the design. I don’t mind it, but I don’t fully “get” it either.

Here is your shot of the Yorkie in the pocket:

Kizer Yorkie in the Pocket

Deployment and Lockup

This is a small titanium framelock flipper. The flipper tab pokes out from the back of the handle prominently. I think that is good as it doesn’t have any texture on it. With a small knife like this, a poorly designed flipper tab runs the risk of the knife being fiddly. The Yorkie isn’t fiddly, but still, there is a little compromise with a small flipper like this. This isn’t the easiest knife to flip open. The detent is also good, but not great. I’d say it’s a “6” on a scale from 1-10. I’d prefer to see it more like a 7 or 8. It’s good but not great. The knife runs on caged bearings, and the action is smooth and easy.

Kizer Yorkie Spine

For lockup we have a titanium framelock with a stainless steel lockbar insert. Kizer knows how to make a framelock, and the Yorkie is no exception. The lockup is early and rock solid. Disengaging the lockbar is easy thanks to some substantial cutaways in the handle. No complaints with the lockup. My knife also came with a perfectly centered blade and a nice nylon and felt lined pouch.

Here is a parting size comparison with the Delica and Endura:

Kizer Yorkie Review – Final Thoughts

Ray Laconico has built up significant momentum over the past few years. I think the Yorkie is another success for him. Kizer has managed to capture his “less is more” ethos, and to build a deceptively simple knife that is actually quite thoughtful and rich in detail. It is clear that everything has been well considered, and the knife not only looks cool, but it works quite well. Even as a smaller piece.

My main piece of constructive criticism regards the detent. I’d prefer a heavier action to help ensure the blade gets 100% open 100% of the time. Everything else is so neatly dialed in, so it’s odd that the detent isn’t a little crisper. Beside that I find little to complain about.

Even the price is reasonable. I paid around $135 for my knife. For some reason the price is now closer to $150. While that isn’t cheap, it’s not too bad for a titanium framelock flipper. The materials are top notch, the design is attractive, and the execution is almost perfect.

I would recommend the Yorkie if you are a fan of the design, or are looking for a smaller titanium framelock flipper for daily carry.

Kizer Folding Knife S35VN Blade Titanium Handles Pocket Knife Flipper Knife (2.57" Stonewash) Yorkie Ki3525 (Ki3525A1)

This knife Designed by Ray Laconico and precision engineered by Kizer
2.5-inch CPM-S35VN blade features excellent toughness, edge retention and wear and corrosion resistance
Handle Material:6AL4V Titanium /Blade Material:CPM-S35VN /Weight:2.93 oz /Overall:6.125"
Great companion for any hiker, landscaper, backpacker, hunter, wilderness guide, electrician or anyone in need of a reliable everyday carry knife
Excellent everyday carry for numerous tasks including opening packages, stripping wire, removing splinters, cutting zip-ties，aggressive animal defense

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

Cold Steel AD-10 Review

by Seth Vietti 5 Comments

Of all the words used to describe Cold Steel knives here on BladeReviews.com, “refined” isn’t at the top of the list. That’s not a metaphor – I literally made a list, and “refined” only appears three times. You’re much more likely to see Cold Steel knives described with adjectives like “strong” (41 times), “large” (39 times; followed closely by “big” at 38), and “comfortable” (26).

Buy the AD-10 at BladeHQ

Buy on Amazon

Speaking as a former Cold Steel skeptic, I was unsurprised to find that the AD-10 is indeed strong, large (big), and comfortable. What did surprise me was just how good this knife is. It delivers the essence of Cold Steel, refined. It might be the best knife they’ve ever made. And if you, like me, ever scoffed at Cold Steel’s marketing or rolled your eyes at their product names, read on, because the AD-10 will catch you off guard.

General Dimensions & Blade Details

The proportions of this knife are deceptive. Yes, it’s big, but the wide handle, snubnosed blade, and protruding backspacer make it look even bigger – as if there’s another knife trapped in there, bulging through the seams trying to get out. Makes sense, considering the AD-10 is a downscaled version of designer Andrew Demko’s gargantuan 4-Max. Here it is filling out a Spyderco sandwich, between the longer Military and shorter Paramilitary 2:

The AD-10’s blade is clearly optimized for strength. The tip is wide, thick, and feels practically unbreakable. It penetrates more like an armor-piercing round than a needle, meaning it’ll get you into just about anything so long as you don’t care what kind of hole you leave behind. Behind the tip, the grind thins out quickly to a relatively thin edge thanks to a nicely executed hollow grind. Don’t let anyone tell you that thick knives can’t slice – the AD-10’s substantial 3.9mm blade stock and deep hollow grind work together like a zipper, holding material apart from the blade after the edge separates it. Compared to a full flat ground knife of similar stock thickness, the AD-10 carves through cardboard with noticeably less friction, powering through the nasty two- and three-ply stuff rather than getting wedged in.

There’s no avoiding the laws of physics, however: a hollow grind can only do so much for a knife this thick. It’s graceless in the kitchen, where the tip mashes more than it pierces, and crisp produce is split, not sliced. Then again, the AD-10 isn’t anyone’s idea of a kitchen knife. For more utilitarian cutting it works with surprising agility, despite looking like a wrecking ball.

The blade steel, S35VN, has performed well for me. Edge retention has been good; stainlessness, excellent. As for toughness, it did not disappoint. I took the AD-10 on a hike and ended up using it to trim back a bush that had overgrown the trail. A careless chop glanced into a stone, damaging the edge where it hit. Thankfully, the steel was tough enough to roll, not chip, so the damage was easy to sharpen out.

Handle, Ergonomics, & Pocket Clip

At just over three and a half inches long, I wouldn’t call the blade oversized. The handle, though, is another story. Even if you ignore the extended pommel, it still measures in at 5.25 inches. For perspective, that’s almost as much handle as the Spyderco Military, with about as much blade as the Para 2. Yeah. If you’re someone who obsesses over high blade:handle ratios, this isn’t your knife. To top it off, the AD-10 is bulky, too; easily eclipsing my heretofore thickest knife, the Victorinox Alox Farmer.

These comparisons aren’t complaints. Because the AD-10 is the most comfortable folding knife I’ve ever used. Andrew Demko is a master of ergonomics. You’d think a knife with this many finger grooves – plus a front and rear guard – would feel awkward to move around on, but the AD-10’s smooth and deeply sculpted handle isn’t so prescriptive that you feel locked in to any single grip.

The pocket clip is wide, polished, and barely noticeable in hand. The lock bar and backspacer leave no palm-pinching voids in the back of the handle. Every edge, every corner is shaped or softened. It all feels very purposeful, allowing you to exert more force with less strain – this is a knife that makes “hard use” feel easier. One ergonomic caveat: the forward finger choil might be a little cramped for thicker fingers, although I didn’t have any issues.

The unavoidable problem with a knife this fist-filling is how awkward it is to carry in a pocket. I mean, it’s 6.8 ounces and thicker than a coin purse on laundry day. I can deal with large knives (see my review of the Spyderco Hundred Pacer), but the AD-10 stretches (literally) the capacity of my pockets. If you wanted to carry it in your waistband, you’d probably need to buy bigger pants. Even though it hurts to suggest something so shamefully uncool, your best option might actually be a belt pouch.

Still, despite the weight and bulk, I’d pick the AD-10 for my pocket before any of the other Cold Steel folders I’ve owned. The clip – while it could use a little more “ramp” at the lip to help it over thick seams – is an improvement over the too-short, too-stiff, death grip clips I’ve struggled with in the past. And unlike the pocket rasps Cold Steel typically uses for handle scales, the smooth G10 on the AD-10 makes stowing and retrieving the knife a cinch.

Deployment & Lockup

At this point, Cold Steel’s Tri-Ad lock needs little introduction – it’s simply one of, if not the strongest locking system on the market today. What impresses me more than its absolute strength is its tolerance for abuse over time. Even if you were to impact it hard enough to deform the lock face, the built-in play around the lock bar pivot preserves solid lockup, by allowing the lock bar to reset itself against the stop pin. It’s clever engineering, but that play in the lock bar can sometimes make the Tri-Ad lock sticky and hard to disengage. Not so here: the AD-10 unlocks cleanly without the need for any break-in.

Ambidextrous thumbstuds and glassy smooth Teflon washers make for satisfying deployment, whether you open it slowly or with a quick flick. Closing it back up one-handed is a little counter-intuitive. So long as you don’t pull your fingers away from the heavy falling blade, they’ll safely catch the choil and not the edge, though thicker fingers should proceed with caution.

Cold Steel AD-10 Review – Final Thoughts

The AD-10 feels like the latest and greatest result of an ongoing evolution at Cold Steel. I can’t pinpoint when it started, exactly, but I started to take notice when they upgraded their blade steel across the board in 2015.

Ever since then, it seems like they’ve been taking the cheesy machismo that built the brand and distilling it into impressive products that do more than just tactical wish fulfillment (not that there’s anything wrong with that – I once owned a Rajah 2, after all). The AD-10 doubles down on what Cold Steel have always done well – big, brash, and strong – but doesn’t swagger over the little details. It’s not a knife I can always carry, but definitely one I enjoy using when I do. If your pockets will stretch for it, you won’t find a more capable and comfortable folder at this price point.

Sale

Cold Steel AD-10 and AD-15 Tactical Folding Knife with Lock and Pocket Clip - Premium S35VN Steel Blade, AD-10

PREMIUM, ALL-PURPOSE BLADE: Features an ultra-wide saber ground blade with a sturdy drop point perfect for everyday carry (EDC), a big game hunt, dangerous expedition, or exciting adventure; Made with premium, ultra tough S35VN steel
HIGH PERFORMANCE IN EVERY SITUATION: Ground thin at the edge and honed to razor sharpness for unprecedented cutting, shearing, and piercing power in a sub 4-inch blade while remaining remarkably resistant to bending, breaking or chipping
COMFORTABLE, SECURE GRIP: The handle is strong and user-friendly with heat-treated, full-length aluminum liners, 3D machined G-10 scales, and oversized pins and bolts; Fits snugly in the hand due to precise contouring and integral finger guard
ULTRA-RELIABLE LOCKING MECHANISM: Uses custom knife-maker Andrew Demko's famous TriAd lock that has been proven over time to be unsurpassed in strength, shock resistance and durability and gives unrivaled protection for your irreplaceable fingers
USER-FRIENDLY FEATURES: Equipped with an ambidextrous thumb stud and dual pocket clips for lightning quick deployment and convenient carry

Editor: I recommend purchasing the Cold Steel AD-10 at Amazon or BladeHQ. Please consider that buying anything through any of the links on this website helps support BladeReviews.com, and keeps the site going. As always, any and all support is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.

Bestech Knives Malware Review

by John Burridge 3 Comments

Over the years, I’ve noticed that in polite society when I whip out a folding knife to open a box or cut a loose thread, most people’s reactions are some variation of “Oh God, why do you have/need/carry that?” My usual reply is that a knife is the most useful tool in the world, but I’ve found that no matter how “non-threatening” looking the knife is, I still get that same reaction. Therefore, why not carry whatever I want?

Buy the Bestech Malware at BladeHQ

So, a month ago I put down my already scary-looking Microtech Ultratech OTF switchblade and picked up the seriously murder-ey looking Bestech Malware.

The Malware was designed for Bestech Knives by Todd Knife and Tool. TKT was started in 2016 by prolific knife reviewer Teryl Todd (Zelrick42 on YouTube) and his brother Seth Todd. They went from being fans to designers, and have a thoroughly modern company. Teryl lives in Ozark, Missouri, and Seth lives in Houston, Texas. They jointly design their knives by sharing 3D CAD files online, then Seth makes physical prototypes that they both test. TKT have developed a distinct visual style also apparent in their We Knife Co. made Roxi folder, and in the many prototype images shared on the toddknifeandtool Instagram account.

General Dimensions & Blade Details

The Malware’s blade is 3.875” (9.8 cm) long, the blade stock thickness is 0.15” (3.9mm), and it’s full open length is 8.75” (22 cm). The long stabby blade folds into a titanium handle, the blade pivots on ball bearings, and it’s framelock has a steel lockbar insert. The steel lockbar insert is a theoretically replaceable part that protects the titanium framelock from rubbing against the lock face of the steel blade. My experience has been that often a titanium framelock rubbing against a steel blade tends to “stick” in place, but steel on steel doesn’t have the same problem.

Here is a size comparison with a large Sebenza Insingo:

It weighs 3.68 oz. which is technically a little more than a Spyderco Paramilitary 2 or a Chris Reeve Knives large Sebenza, but it feels lighter than either of them in the hand. I attribute this feeling to the weight balance of this knife. If I’m holding the Malware in a normal thumb-on-top grip, and I slowly open my hand, the knife will not fall to the floor, but will stay balanced on my index finger. This nearly perfect weight distribution helps the Malware feel very agile in my hand.

The titanium pocket clip is configured as a right side, tip up only, but there are dedicated left handed versions as well. I have the “Ti Black” version. The titanium backspacer and pocket clip are anodized a brassy gold color, and contrast nicely against the black stonewashed finish of the rest of the knife. The stonewashed treatment gives the edges and corners a worn-in look similar to Kershaw Knives’ “blackwash” finish.

It’s blade steel is S35VN, which was developed specifically for high-end knife blades by steelmaker Crucible Industries and Chris Reeve Knives. It’s a powdered metal steel, which has the advantage of more uniform blending of it’s elements (iron, niobium, chromium, vanadium, etc.) than conventional steel. The end-user benefits of this manufacturing process and the S35VN formula are excellent blade toughness (it can take a hit without breaking or bending), corrosion resistance, and edge retention.

So it’s a modern production knife made in China with premium materials and it’s priced accordingly at $196 on BladeHQ. What makes it different than every other new Kizer, Reate, We, and Rike knife? Style and details.

What I love about good pocketknives is that they’re pieces of functional art you can hold in your hand. The Malware is full of interesting details and I keep noticing more. The design is a strange futuristic combination of curves, straight lines, and, as on the cutting edge of the blade, straight lines that almost imperceptibly turn into curves. The blade has a finger choil which, although it’s a little too small for my index finger, is the full 3.9mm width of the blade stock, which is yet another design detail that I appreciate.

Handle, Ergonomics, & Pocket Clip

In pictures, the handle looks very thin, and in the days between ordering the Malware and receiving it, I wondered if it would be too small to properly wrap my medium-large-ish hands around. When it arrived, I found that it fills my hand very well, and the long, flat clip doesn’t create much of a hotspot any way I hold it.

Some edges are pretty squared off, like the machining on the backspacer, but almost every part of the handle that comes in contact with my hand is chamfered, making it quite comfortable to hold. And the more I have it in my hands, the more I keep discovering new functional design details that I had, at first glance, written off as being cosmetic- like the three holes in the show side near the flipper tab. Those holes are exactly where my right thumb needs traction when flipping the knife open.

On the lock side of virtually all framelock knives, there’s a machined indentation in the frame that allows the locking part of the frame to flex inward and lock the blade open. A lot of knives cover this indentation with their pocket clips, but as yet another example of how well thought out this design is, the pocket clip on the Malware sits right above, but not covering, the indentation. So when gripping the knife to flip it open, my ring finger is naturally pushed into that square indentation, which gives me a secure grip when flipping it open.

I don’t ordinarily use my pocketknives for food prep, but in the spirit of thoroughness I sliced up some veggies with it. The blade has a full flat grind and gets very thin at the bottom, which made slicing easy. The ergonomics for general food prep were fine as long as I didn’t try to spread anything- the thin blade definitely doesn’t work as a butter knife. The flipper tab extends below the cutting edge, so it can’t really be used for dicing either, but kitchen work is clearly not this knife’s intended use.

The pocket clip is rather long and thin and has more flex to it than any other milled clip I’ve handled. The good news is that it doesn’t chew up my (already chewed up) pants pockets, but the bad news is that it seems like it could easily get bent.

I carried this knife during a T.C.C.C. medic class, and when we were learning how to improvise tourniquets, I used the Malware as a windlass (the stiff piece that you twist to tighten the tourniquet.) Despite really cranking this thing down tight on my training partner’s arm, I had no fear of the knife breaking or bending until the instructor decided to show the class how to tie off the end of the improvised tourniquet using the pocket clip. He was bending the clip way out and jamming fabric under it, and I desperately wanted to ask him to stop so he didn’t break it. I resisted this urge because I didn’t want to seem like a weenie to our super-badass Los Angeles SWAT Medic instructor. So he manhandled the clip, and when he was done, it just sprung back to it’s normal state. It may be thin and flexible, but it’s not fragile.

Overall, the Malware isn’t an “overbuilt” knife like a Hinderer Knives XM or a Strider SMF, but it’s definitely tougher than it looks.

Deployment & Lockup

A gripe I have with every single framelock flipper is if I grip it in such a way that I’m putting a lot of pressure with my middle finger on the front of the lock near the pivot, then the knife becomes very difficult to flip open. The worst offender on this front that I have is a Brad Zinker midtech version of the Boker Urban Trapper. The only knife I have that is immune to this problem is my GiantMouse GM1, which is an awesome knife overall, but perhaps solves this problem by having a weak detent which makes it difficult to flip open. However, the ergonomics of the Malware naturally place my fingers where they don’t get in the way of the mechanism at all.

The Malware’s flipper tab is relatively small but has comfortably rounded jimping that provides good traction for flipping. The amount of detent tension that has to be overcome to flip the knife open is tough for me to objectively define- but subjectively, I think it flips perfectly. The Malware’s framelock engages at about 40%, which you can jam over to about 60% if you’re worried about it slipping (not that that’s ever happened to me or anyone I know.)

I don’t carry a knife specifically for self defense, but I must say that I certainly never felt under-prepared while carrying the Malware on the weird streets of Los Angeles. It’s never accidentally opened while in my pocket or while drawing it out of my pocket. It’s flipped and locked open securely every single time I’ve flipped it. I don’t think an especially scary-looking knife like this is going to make a bad man run away in terror, but it’s a long, mean looking blade with a big handle I can get a very firm grip on. So I’ll add self defense to the Malware’s growing list of positive attributes.

Bestech Malware Review – Final Thoughts

I carried the Malware every day for a month and primarily used it for un-challenging tasks like opening packages, slashing open bags of cat food, and as an improvised medical device. At the end of the month, the finish on blade, handle, and clip are unblemished. The S35VN blade was still very sharp in most places, but after a quick, ham-fisted touch up on a Wicked Edge sharpener, it’s back to 100%. There’s no sharpening choil, but I don’t really care if the last few millimeters of my blade are super sharp.

What is the Bestech Malware made to do? I don’t want to sound like a knife snob a-hole, but I tend to compare everything to my Chris Reeve Knives Sebenza 21. The word “Sebenza” is literally the Zulu word for “work”, and the Sebenza feels like an indestructible precision tool. The Bestech knife doesn’t feel like a tool, it feels like a blatantly offensive weapon that can also open boxes from Amazon. Malware is the perfect name for this knife because it’s so badass. Not flaming skull badass, but sci-fi villain badass. It brings to mind futuristic heavy metal music by the band Voivod, it’s like the knife version of the Space Marines’ rifle from the movie Aliens, it should be a weapon in the DOOM video games, and I obviously really like it.

The deciding factor for anyone considering buying the Malware is definitely it’s looks- if you immediately like it’s vibe, I say get it. Nothing is perfect (except kittens), but the Malware excelled at everything I wanted it to do, and looked super-murder-ey doing it. Recommended!

Bestech Knives Malware – From $196.00
From: BladeHQ

Editor: I recommend purchasing the Bestech Knives Malware at BladeHQ and Amazon. Thank you very much.

About the Author: This guest review was written by John Burridge. John lives in Los Angeles and has a deep passion for knives. I plan on adding to this section to include more info about John and where to find him. In the meantime, I hope you enjoyed this in depth review.