S35VN

Chris Reeve Knives Small Sebenza 21 vs. Strider PT CC – Knife Showdown

Last Updated: August 3, 2019
Five years ago the $300+ production knife market was a frontier town, with just a few big names able to operate successfully at these empyrean price points. Two of the biggest were Chris Reeve Knives and Strider. For a long time the line between production and custom knives was drawn by these two companies.

But you already know all that. They may just be two products in a now-crowded space, but years of archived forum texts and reviews will show that the Sebenza and the Strider SnG and their variants are among the most talked-about production knives ever made. Denigrate them, worship them, collect them, avoid them – it’s practically a rite of passage to have some kind of strong opinion about these knives.

They’re legends. But legendary is one thing and utility is another. Mythical statuses don’t really befit something we throw in our pocket and use to break down boxes. So I’ve procured, carried, and tested the Small Sebenza 21 and the Strider PT CC to see which knife will stand triumphant in the BladeReviews Showdown Arena. Let’s treat these hallowed blades with a certain familiar contempt, see how they work as knives, and discover which comes out on top.

General Dimensions

The specs for the knives are:

	Small Sebenza 21	Strider PT CC
Overall Length	6.875”	6.5”
Blade Length	3”	2.75” (2.1” cutting edge)
Weight	3 oz.	2.3 oz.
Blade Thickness	.13”	.13”
Handle Thickness	.43”	.40”
Blade Material	S35VN	S35VN
Handle Material	Titanium	Titanium/G-10
Country of Origin	USA	USA

These are both canonical choices for a high-end, smaller-sized EDC blade.

Blade Geometry and Cutting Performance

The Sebenza has a nuanced hollow grind that removes enough material to make it a capable slicer, but leaves meat behind the edge to dispel any concerns of frailty. It just gets out of the way while you work with the blade – just like a good grind should.

Starting with an equally thick stock, Strider decided to lean into toughness with a gradual flat grind. In extreme situations it might be able to soak up more abuse than the Sebenza, but when it comes to cutting tasks – even heavy duty cutting tasks – it is worse. Not terrible, but you’ll definitely have intimations of wedgeiness as you cut with it.

So unless you value durability over all else in a small EDC knife, the Sebenza has the clear advantage here.

Winner: Sebenza

Blade Steel

Made in 2016, my Sebenza has S35VN blade steel. The sequel to S30V, S35VN brings additional positive characteristics to the standard-setting original. There’s a tendency in high-end steels to get too esoteric too quickly. ZDP-189, S90V, M4 – these kind of steels trade in extremes. They appeal to enthusiasts and lose the everyman. S35VN is my favorite super steel because it offers high levels of performance while remaining accessible, easy to sharpen and maintain. On my Sebenza it is superb.

The steel on my PT is…also S35VN, also superb. There may be a difference in heat treat or Rockwell, but in use I’ve noticed no difference, so this category can only shake out one way: a draw.

Winner: Draw

Handle Construction

The phrase “beautifully machined” is a tired one, but it assuredly applies to the Sebenza: its titanium scales have been meticulously attended to, inside and out. The media blast is consistent, the chamfers precise, the construction rigid, reliable, and handsome.

The PT’s contoured G-10 show side scale, integrated backspacer, and titanium locking side make for rock-solid build quality and surprisingly light weight – you wouldn’t think this knife would be lighter than the Sebenza, but it is. Nothing about the PT immaculate, but everything feels right, and it’s a pleasure just to hold. Despite its “Duty Tool” attitude, the PT CC feels like a handcrafted luxury item – which, of course, it is.

Really, this is a difference is between cold and warm finishes: the precision of the Sebenza vs . the inviting luxury of the PT. in the end, I think I’m going to give this one to the PT. It may not show the same attention to detail as the CRK knife, but its handle is smartly designed and well put-together.

Winner: Strider PT CC

Ergonomics

Neutral ergonomics are always good, even when they aren’t inspiring. The Sebenza is serviceable in all relevant grips. Each angle and cut in the handle serves a purpose. The edge chamfering lends dimensionality. The clip rests just between the middle and forefinger. Even sub-ergonomic details like the cut in the lock bar release are finely-tuned. The Sebenza design has been fussed over and it shows.

With a double finger choil the PT isn’t ergonomically neutral. You’re expected to hold it a certain way, but that way works so well. And credit to Strider for making the forward choil roomy enough: many knife makers shrink it down and ruin the point. After several years and many knives in between the PT’s ergonomics still remain at or near the top in my collection.

This was a tough category: the neutral, versatile, but never extraordinary ergos of the Sebenza, or the more restricted, more refined design of the PT. It came down to this: which knife do I holding and using more? The answer is the PT CC.

Winner: Strider PT CC

Pocket Clips and Carry

CRK’s double dip clip gets a lot of love. For the most part, it’s deserved. It did lose a little tension over time, but nothing catastrophic. Retrieving and stowing the knife is painless. Retention is strong and sure, and the knife itself so trim and thin that carry is totally effortless.

The clipless PT CC comes into this category at a disadvantage. It is, however, quite good carried loose in the pocket. It can be hard to feel comfortable with a $300 knife banging around alongside coins, keys, and other jagged pocket paraphernalia, but I think the PT is beefy enough to take it.

Both knives are in the top tier in their respective carry categories. However, the PT is fighting a losing battle due to its lack of a clip. Given the choice, I’m always going to choose pocket carry. The Strider is great in the pocket, but the Sebenza wins here.

Winner: Sebenza

Deployment

A strong detent and custom washers make opening the Sebenza a different affair than its more conventional cutlery brethren. I enjoy its unique calibration. It’s smooth, but provides plenty of feedback throughout opening. You can also flick it open once the knife is broken in a bit.

The PT CC is more conventional: nice and poppy and well-tuned. You can flick it out with minimal effort, or slow roll it without having to climb a mountainous detent. The oval is intuitive and the blade stops work okay as thumb studs. I tend to run this knife with little lubrication and there is no discernible decline in its action.

It is tempting to give the Sebenza the nod here, because it is more enjoyable to open and close. However from a practical point of view I have to give it to the PT. It is just as reliable, but faster and without the learning curve.

Winner: Strider PT CC

Lockup

Like the deployment, the Sebenza’s frame lock is different than the industry standard – and in this case I think better. You can’t trick it into locking up less, and there is absolute, positive rigidity once it’s open – not even a hint of play in any direction. Whether it’s the tolerances, the lock geometry, the lock bar tension, or the alchemy between all three, this is as good as folding knife locks get.

The frame lock on the PT is less exalted, but still very good. It may not have the world-beating tolerances of the Sebenza frame lock, but there is nothing to complain about in a practical sense.

It isn’t always the case that the original remains the best, but the Sebenza’s frame lock is still a marvel.

Winner: Sebenza

Price

These are both expensive knives. The Sebenza costs $350. The PT CC cost $300 when I bought it but appears to have gone up to $320 since then. At that price there’s about a 10% difference between it and the Sebenza. I love both of these knives but let’s be real here: you don’t need a $300+ knife. You buy a Sebenza or a Strider because you love knives and you want to see what can be achieved when price is not a concern.

Small Sebenza 21 vs. PT CC – Some Objective(ish) Final Thoughts

This is an iconic matchup, so it’s disappointing that it ends in a tie. Kind of like an action movie ending with good guys and bad guys both out of ammo and walking away shrugging their shoulders.

But in a way that’s fitting, particularly when you take into account the high price tags of both knives. As landmark products of the high-end folding knife market, the Sebenza and the PT should hold their own against the other, and they do. The Sebenza is the better cutter and the PT is better ergonomically, but both are pretty competent even in their respective weak areas. Prices are within spitting distances of each other, so it’s going to come down to what you value more as a buyer. However…

My Subjective Final Thoughts

When I first came up with this showdown but before I began writing it, I thought the Sebenza would blow the PT out of the water. I had just got my Small 21 and was still cross-eyed as we all get when we acquire a grail. As time and testing went on, however, I came to appreciate my long-neglected PT CC again. What I thought would be a blowout became a very close race.

That being said, for me the Small Sebenza 21 does still win. I like the blade better, I like having a pocket clip, and the incredible tolerances make for something that is 100% reliable compared to the solid but idiosyncratic PT. Ergonomics are very important, and the PT is great in this area, but the Sebenza offers a more rounded package. But having completed a leg of the knife buyer’s journey by acquiring a Sebenza and a Strider, I can tell those still on their way to these landmark blades that no matter which you pick, you’ll be satisfied.

If you are considering buying a Strider PT or a Chris Reeve Knives Small Sebenza 21, I recommend purchasing them at BladeHQ or KnifeArt. By purchasing things through any of the links on this website you support BladeReviews.com, keep the website free of annoying banner ads, and help produce future reviews. Thank you very much.

Strider PT – $300.00
From:BladeHQ KnifeArt

Chris Reeve Knives Small Sebenza 21 – $350
From: BladeHQ KnifeArt

Southern Grind Spider Monkey Review

by Dan Jackson 16 Comments

Last Updated: July 30, 2019
Southern Grind is the pet project of country musician Zac Brown. Zac has a strong interest in pocket knives, and he apparently created Southern Grind in part to explore that interest. Southern Grind produces their knives in house, in the USA, and the knives feature a number of design decisions that stray from the beaten path. What I find especially interesting is that they make their custom own hardware.

Buy the Southern Grind Spider Monkey at BladeHQ

Buy on Amazon

Southern Grind’s first folder was the Bad Monkey, a quirky take on the large linerlock EDC knife. For whatever reason I never pulled the trigger on the Bad Monkey, but with the release of the smaller, lighter, and more refined Spider Monkey I finally moved forward.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Spider Monkey features an overall length of 7.50″, a 3.25” blade, and it weighs 3.2 ounces. The Spider Monkey compares favorably to Sage 1. The blade on the Spider Monkey is a 1/4″ longer than the blade of the Sage, but the handle is the same size. While the original Bad Monkey was a large utility folder with a 4″ blade, the Spider Monkey is much smaller and geared towards the EDC crowd.

The blade is a gently sloping drop point shape with a prominent thumb ramp and small swedge. This knife also features a high flat grind and has been finished with a polish and stonewash. This is a classic no-frills blade shape, that gives you a little of everything. The tip is fine and ideal for piercing cuts, there is some belly, but also plenty of edge for draw cuts. The grind is thin and the knife slices well, and the edge has been applied neatly. This is a capable blade, ideally suited for daily tasks. I used my knife to open boxes, cut fruit, and help out with chores around the house.

Southern Grind also offers the Spider Monkey with a tanto blade shape, a partially serrated version, and with an optional black coating.

Southern Grind used S35VN steel for the blade, a good choice given the price point and intended use. I’ve written a lot about S35VN. We seem to see it crop up in more and more premium knives these days. I like how this steel holds a good edge, but is still is easy to sharpen. I prefer it over harder steels that are more difficult to maintain. I like how I can run this knife over a ceramic rod and bring it back to hair shaving sharp without a ton of work.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The Spider Monkey features carbon fiber handle scales over titanium liners. The carbon fiber is contoured, and it features a ribbed texture that starts at the pommel and fades into smooth carbon fiber about half way into the handle. The handle is held together with custom hardware and pillars. The fit of all the parts is excellent. The profile of the handle is unique with its swayed back and large pommel, but it all works. Even the laser etched logo on the custom pivot is perfectly aligned. It is little touches like this that show the thought and care that went into engineering this knife.

I am also not a fan of the proprietary body screws. While I can appreciate the fact that these are custom machined parts, you need a special tool to take the knife apart, and it doesn’t ship with the knife. I’d prefer torx hardware for ease of disassembly, or at least charge me a little extra and ship the knife with the necessary take down tool.

The handle of the Spider Monkey may look a little boxy, but it is comfortable. The finger choil does a good job indexing your finger, and the rounded back corner of the handle is fits neatly into your hand. While the carbon fiber scales don’t offer tons of grip, there is some texture here. Plus, there is some aggressive jimping on the thumb ramp. I would dial that back or do away with it, but I know some people will appreciate the extra traction here.

The pocket clip is perhaps the most novel feature of the knife. This is a shortened version of the clip you will find on a Benchmade or Emerson. This is something Zack Brown himself developed after being frustrated with longer pocket clips. This won’t be to everyone’s taste, but I think it’s cool. The clip works well. Retention is strong and there is no danger of the Spider Monkey slipping out of your pocket. If you don’t like it you could always swap it out with a Benchmade or Emerson clip.

Deployment and Lockup

The Spider Monkey uses dual thumb studs to get the blade open. Again, we have proprietary hardware here, which is cool to see in this application. I found the action on my knife to be a little stiff, and because of the custom body screws I was not able to take the knife apart for a cleaning. I could flick the blade open with some wrist action, but that was it. The action is smooth thanks in part to phosphor bronze washers, but the blade doesn’t want to fly open like on some of my other knives.

The titanium liner lock is substantial and executed wonderfully. Lockup is early and secure. There is absolutely no blade play in any direction, and the lock is easy enough to disengage when you are ready to close the blade. This liner lock works so well, I thought it was stainless steel. I bemoaned titanium liner locks in my Emerson Gentleman Jim review because the titanium liner lock on my knife (and in most Emersons I have handled) stick like crazy. Clearly, not all titanium liner locks are created equal, and this is a great liner lock. It is easily on par with my Sage 1.

Blade centering is perfect on my knife.

Southern Grind Spider Monkey – Final Thoughts

The Spider Monkey is a cool little knife. I have been intrigued by this company, ever since they arrived on the scene a few years ago, but I ended up liking the Spider Monkey more than I thought I would. It’s a great size and there are a number of details that set this apart from your typical slab construction liner lock folders. I like the stubby pocket clip, the custom pivot and thumb studs, and the contoured carbon fiber handles. In a way, this is how I would expect an Emerson knife to be made: beautiful construction, modern materials, and a ~~stainless steel~~ thick titanium liner lock that doesn’t stick with phosphor bronze washers. But like an Emerson, this Southern Grind knife has its quirks as well.

The biggest quirk, and my biggest beef with the Spider Monkey, is that I don’t like the proprietary body screws. I have found that being able to periodically disassemble and clean my EDC knives is essential to a piece being a true “user” knife for me. I don’t care if I never disassemble my 888, but I need to be able to take apart a simple liner lock EDC knife like this.

Still, the pros outweigh the cons with the Spider Monkey. Southern Grind is a young knife company, and they are coming out with some cool stuff. Plus, they clearly know how to make things. The tolerances are great, and the end result is a premium product. I enjoy this Spider Monkey and look forward to keeping it for long term testing and evaluation. In the meantime, buy it if you like the design. I can vouch that it is a quality tool.

Southern Grind Spider Monkey Drop Point Folding Knife with Carbon Fiber Handle

PREMIUM QUALITY: Made from S35VN steel for a strong and dependable knife. Your blade stays safe and secure with our 6AL4V Titanium lock and liner.
BUILT TO LAST: Our tough, durable USA-made tactical knives give you unmatched reliability - resistant to edge chipping and corrosion.
STRONG GRIP: Textured carbon fiber matte finish for a strong and solid, all-conditions grip. The short pocket clip ensures a secure pocket carry with minimal interference.
VERSATILITY: An all-around EDC knife perfect for every day use as well as tactical or military purposes. Foldable and compact to store in your backpack, survival gear kit, and more.
100% GUARANTEE, MADE IN USA: Your Southern Grind knife is guaranteed under our Limited Warranty for the lifetime of the original purchaser. A portion of each sale goes to benefit Camp Southern Ground.

I recommend purchasing the Southern Grind Spider Monkey at Amazon, BladeHQ, and 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.

Kizer Ki3480 Dirk Pinkerton Rogue Review

by Dan Jackson 10 Comments

The Kizer Ki3480 Rogue is a series of firsts for me. It’s the first Dirk Pinkerton design I have ever reviewed, it’s my first review of a mid-tier Kizer knife, and it’s the first wharncliffe I have reviewed in a while.

The designer, Dirk Pinkerton, is an interesting guy. He is a custom knifemaker from Huntersville, North Carolina, and his focus is on purpose built knives for self defense applications. He even did a collaboration with our very own Chad McBroom, the Active Response Kerambit.

Buy the Kizer Rogue at BladeHQ

Buy on Amazon

Using knives defensively is well outside my wheelhouse, but I have been curious about Dirk Pinkerton’s designs ever since reading RoadKill’s review of the Meyerco Wharning back in 2012.

The Rogue shares some obvious design similarities to the Wharning. Namely, the aggressive wharncliffe blade. It’s different from what I typically review, and different from Kizer’s other designs, which is exactly why I wanted to check it out.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Rogue has an overall length of 7.125″, a 3.00″ blade, and it weighs 3.92 ounces. Like all Kizer knives, the Rogue is made in China. I like that although the Rogue was likely designed with self-defense in mind, this is still a practical size for Every Day Carry (EDC). In fact, it almost resembles a folding box cutter. An obvious comparison would be with the Spyderco Yojimbo 2, a knife designed by Michael Janich. In addition to being a designer for Spyderco, Michael Janich is a martial artist and fellow enthusiast of the wharncliffe.

The dramatic wharncliffe blade is what makes this model stand out. You are going to either love it or hate it, and it is different from anything else in my collection. The 4mm thick blade has been given a partial flat grind. There is no swedge but the blade still comes to a needle-fine tip. The blade has been given a fine tumbled finish.

The benefit to a wharncliffe blade is that it excellent for slicing cuts. Power is applied uniformly to the edge whether you are at the tip, or by the ricasso. Combine that with an excellent tip for thrusting, and you have a very capable blade shape. For these reasons it is easy to see why guys like Michael Janich and Dirk Pinkerton prefer the wharncliffe.

The flip side is that there is no belly, which makes tasks like skinning near impossible. This is not my favorite knife to use in the kitchen.

Kizer chose S35VN for the blade steel. S35VN is excellent stuff. The more I use S30V, the more I like my S35VN blades. They are easier to sharpen and less brittle, but still hold a good edge like S30V. S35VN is an American steel, and Kizer had to import it in to China to make their knives. We often think of products being exported from China, so it’s an interesting point to consider, and speaks to Kizer’s dedication to making high end production knives.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The Rogue has full titanium handles. Unlike the Intrepid, the handles of the Rogue are not 3-D contoured. Instead, they have been milled with a series of reliefs to provide texture and visual interest. The handle was then given a black coating and then the face of the handles were surface ground to provide a brushed titanium texture. The two-tone finish is unique, and so far it has held up well. Everything has been screwed together, and there are 2 barrel spacers and a decorative pivot.

Fit and finish is excellent. Everything has been completed to an eerie level of precision, much like a Taichung, Taiwan Spyderco.

The ergonomics of the Rogue benefit greatly from a simple handle design, and good use of jimping. The handle shape is about as simple as they come, which means that it will feel great for most people. There is flat top jimping on the spine of the blade. This offers good traction without being overly destructive. There is some additional light jimping / millwork on the spine of the handle, and also where your pinky and ring finger rest. These features, combined with the millwork on the handle slabs, offer a good deal of traction for the end user. The end result is a knife that feels secure in the hand without being obnoxious.

The blue titanium pocket clip offers a splash of color while being a good pocket clip. It’s a fold over deep carry clip, that has been placed so that about a quarter of an inch of the knife is left exposed. This was probably done to provide easy access in the event you needed the knife in an emergency situation. Personally, I’d prefer an even deeper carry, but the knife is still discrete.

The Rogue carries well. It’s not an overly thick or heavy knife, and the titanium clip offers plenty of retention. The knife stays in your pocket until you need it, and then it’s ready to go. No complaints with how this knife carries.

Deployment and Lockup

The Rogue is a dual thumbstud knife. I have always liked thumb studs, and the ones on the Rogue are nicely done. They are prominent and easy to access. The blade rides on phosphor bronze washers; my washer material of choice. Here the action is smooth and easy. There is a fairly strong detent, and the blade flicks open with a push of the thumb.

For lockup we have a titanium framelock with a stainless steel lockbar insert. The knife locks up early, and is secure. There is no blade play in any direction. There is also no lock stick. This is an excellent fame lock and rivals the Zero Tolerance framelocks I have owned over the years. Top shelf stuff.

Blade centering is good, but not perfect. That is about the only fit and finish nitpick I could find.

Kizer Rogue Review – Final Thoughts

The Rogue is solidly designed and perfectly executed. I have a hard time finding fault with this knife. Maybe I would move the pocket clip up a quarter of an inch, and the blade over a millimeter. Beyond that I don’t have much to say. Some may not care for the aggressive wharncliffe blade shape, or the 2 tone handle, but that is more personal preference than anything. If you are a fan of the design, then I would recommend it without reservation.

What you get for the money is also worth mentioning. As of the date of publication of this review, the Rogue can be had for just under $120. At that price you are getting a full titanium handle, a S35VN blade, a thoughtful design, and a near perfectly executed knife. The fit and finish is excellent, and the frame lock is among the best I have handled. I can’t think of much that touches it at this price point.

The Yojimbo 2 can be had at that price, but you won’t get S35VN or a titanium frame lock. That is an interesting comparison. I am sure some will prefer the thumb hole and compression lock, and find those to be worthy trade offs, but if Spyderco were to make the Yojimbo 2 as a titanium framelock, it would easily be a $200 knife.

The Rogue is another solid offering from Kizer. Between the high end Intrepid, and the value oriented Vanguard Gemini, the Rogue shows that Kizer can also play in the middle market. This is a company to continue watching. Their strategy of offering both high quality and high value is tough to ignore.

Kizer Cutlery 3480 Rogue Framelock

I recommend purchasing the Kizer Rogue at Amazon and BladeHQ. Thanks for reading.

Zero Tolerance 0900 Review

by Grayson Parker 13 Comments

Last Updated: May 20, 2019
Alright, peer pressure, you win. You finally got to me. After holding out for god knows how long, I finally jumped on the titanium-flipper-framelock (henceforth TFF) bandwagon. Not just any TFF, mind: if I’m challenging my own tastes, I’m going all the way. Full bore. Thus, I decided to pick up a Zero Tolerance; my first ZT, excepting my brief flirtation with one of their pens. The only concession I granted to my own predilections was blade length, and that’s in part due to workplace regulations.

Buy the Zero Tolerance 0900 at BladeHQ

Buy on Amazon

The Zero Tolerance 0900 is a design by Les George that’s based on his “Mini Harpy”, but which also bears a ton of similarity to his ESR series. Les’s design aesthetic is tough to pin down, but his fascination with drop points and simple lines gives me the warm fuzzies inside. Honestly, I’m glad ZT picked a relatively conservative designer for their first sub-3” knife. No tanto point, no funky recurve. Just a solid design.

One of the reasons I steered clear of TFF’s was that I (persnickety a-hole that I am) could always find something to complain about. Whether my excuse was the lack of a lock-bar insert, the steel not being quite good enough, or the blade length being a touch too long for polite company, there was always an excuse. Not anymore. All of the reasons that otherwise would stop me from reviewing a TFF are gone, and my pretensions are crumbling around me. On that note, let’s get into the review.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

Neither Zero Tolerance nor Les George are known for dainty designs, so it should come as no surprise that their collaboration – though short in the blade – is a bit of a tank, weighing in at 4.3 oz. The 0900 has a 2.7” blade, a 3.9” handle, and an overall length of 6.6”. Most of the time I don’t feel the need to mention weight ratios, but this is a lot of weight for such a short blade. It’s shorter and heavier than the infamous Kershaw Cryo. The balance point of the 0900 is perfectly set in the first (and only) finger scallop, so the knife isn’t poorly weighted, just dense. Very dense.

Although this is my first ZT, it isn’t the first I’ve handled. A good friend of mine is firmly in the Zero Tolerance camp, and more than a few of their offerings have passed through his collection at one point or another. Handling those set my expectations pretty high. For the most part those were met; apart from one fatal flaw, that is. The secondary bevel is slightly asymmetric at the tip of the knife. I don’t know how ZT could let this leave the factory in such condition.*

*please don’t kill me KAI, that was sarcasm

I’m a bit of a stickler for thin grinds, so the chunky blade of the 0900 made me hesitate to pick one up. Fortunately, those fears were unfounded. The 0900 is a much better slicer than expected; the wide blade and high grind gets it thin enough behind the edge to do some real work. So in that sense, it outperformed my expectations. Sadly, it’s still a thick chunk of metal, and the high flat grind can only do so much to help. When compared to other knives in its class – notably the Spyderco Techno and the DPx HEAT/F – the 0900 falls closer to the Techno than the HEAT. That’s a good thing in my book.

The blade is S35VN, which is probably one of the most well-rounded steels on the market. It’s easier to sharpen than its predecessor S30V and it chips less. Mine arrived with an edge so keen I felt it on my finger before my eyes registered contact. I’ll grant that I haven’t been able to maintain that level of sharpness, but I’m not exactly a gifted sharpener. Infrequent stropping has kept it sharp enough for my needs.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Carry

Les George tends to use fairly simple lines in most of his designs. As a result, Zero Tolerance didn’t have to flex outside of their comfort range – at least, not far out of it – to produce this for a mass market. A good comparison is the ZT0220, designed by Jens Anso. Anso’s aesthetic is more avant-garde and less likely to appeal to a broad market. You can see some of his design aesthetic in the 0220, but it’s so muted that his touch isn’t immediately clear. By contrast, Les’s design aesthetic is much more conservative, and thus easier to translate. Ultimately this feels like a Les George produced by Zero Tolerance, not a Zero Tolerance designed by Les George.

In my experience, ZT knives have had good (but not great) ergonomics. I’ve occasionally been blown away: the contoured handle of the 0454 and the thumb placement on the 0392 come to mind, but those are the exceptions, not the rule. As such, I expected the 0900 to be solid in the hand, but nothing to write home about. That was a mistake on my part. This knife melts into my hand in a way that I never would have expected. It almost sings. My error lay in assuming that the contours were simply for visual appeal, and that otherwise it would feel like any other slab-handled knife. Photographs did the design no favors. The contours are deep and well chamfered, allowing your palm to wrap around the handle without feeling like you’re holding a slab of metal.

Sadly, this knife carries about as well as expected: by that I mean that you need the right pants to carry it securely. Part of the problem is the clip. What makes it great in the hand makes it a bit unreliable in the pocket: allow me to explain. The 0900 (like many modern ZT’s) uses KAI’s deep carry pocket clip. It’s unobtrusive and matches the lines of this particular knife, but has a very thin point of contact on a very wide handle. This problem is exacerbated by the placement of the clip, as around half of the point of contact hovers over the lock bar, which means it’s hovering over empty space when the knife is closed. In work pants, this hasn’t been an issue, but in dress pants, quick-drying shorts, or other thin materials, it’s lead to some anxiety.

Deployment and Lockup

This is the part where I eat a healthy dose of crow. As much as I dislike the market’s obsession with flippers, I have to admit that the 0900 is significantly more fun to fidget with than any other knife I own. The deployment is crisp, clean, and requires zero wrist flick. No weird problems with the lockbar were experienced. Keep everything well-oiled, keep grit out of the bearing race, and you’ll be perfectly satisfied. It’s worth noting that I haven’t seen any of the odd lockbar issues others experienced on the 0450.

What can I say? There’s no stick, and lock up has consistently fallen around 40%. The replaceable steel insert is a very nice touch. In addition to warding off lock stick and making potential repairs less onerous, it also functions as an overtravel stop. To date, I haven’t experienced lock rock or blade play, and I don’t expect to. Would I like a lock that keeps my hands out of the blade path? Yeah, but this is as close to perfection as a framelock can get, so I can’t bitch too much.

Zero Tolerance 0900 Review – Final Thoughts

My complaints are pretty minor: I’d like a thinner grind, a different clip, and maybe a bit of weight off the whole package, but those are wants, not needs. It’s exciting enough that Zero Tolerance took a step into the sub-3” category. I hope the 0900 – and the 0450, and the 0808, for that matter – sell well enough that ZT pays more attention to this share of the market. If the recent runs in blue and gold are any indication, that’s exactly what’s happening.

There is some stiff competition for the 0900. The “little big knife” concept has been around for awhile, and other companies have been doing a lot to refine their own offerings. Spyderco’s Techno and DPx’s HEAT/F are fairly popular and fall in the same price bracket. How does the 0900 stack up to those two? Pretty well, actually. The ~~hollow~~ full flat ~~how is this not a hollow~~ grind of the Techno beats out the flat grind of the 0900, but the George design has better ergonomics and the benefit of a steel lockbar insert. While I’m sure the HEAT/F makes for a great rescue knife, it’s far too chunky for everyday tasks, so I think the 0900 has the edge here as well.

I’ve pigheadedly prided myself on steering as clear as I can from the whole TFF market. I don’t like it when a meta (to use gamer jargon) is solved; in my view, it leads to more iteration at the expense of innovation. My problem is that the 0900 is good enough to shut down any objective complaints I have about a titanium flipper framelock. When those issues are solved, my recalcitrance rings less of legitimate criticism, and more of hipster-ism. If you like flippers already, chances are you’ll like the 0900. If you don’t, this is a great (albeit expensive) way to test the waters.

Zero Tolerance Les George Titanium KVT Folding Knife (0900); Manual Open, S35VN Stainless Steel, KVT Ball-Bearing System, Frame Lock, Reversible Pocketclip; 4.3 oz., 2.7 In. Blade, 6.6 In. Overall Length

Durable S35VN stainless steel makes the smaller, classic drop-point blade tough, chip resistant and razor sharp
Stonewashed finish gives blade and handle desirable roughened, scuffed look and helps hide scratches
Reversible, deep carry pocketclip convenient for left or right handed tip-up carry and sits low and comfortably in pocket
Ideal EDC; sleek, easy folding pocket knife essential for everyday tasks—survival tool, cutting boxes, self-defense, home protection, tactical use or the perfect gift
High quality, general all-purpose knife perfect for EDC or use while hiking, camping, fishing, hunting, working, utility or outdoor activities

Editor: I recommend purchasing the Zero Tolerance 0900 at Amazon and BladeHQ. Thanks for reading.

Kizer Intrepid Ki4468A1 Review

by Dan Jackson 7 Comments

Last Updated: August 12, 2019
The high end Chinese Renaissance has been blossoming for a couple years, and Kizer is arguably the Michelangelo of the movement. Yet there hasn’t been much coverage here of this rapidly expanding segment of the market. Ben has capably covered a couple knives from Kizer including the original Ki3404-A3 and the Vanguard version of the Gemini. I have been curious about Kizer myself, and recently acquired a Rogue and an Intrepid, the subject of this review.

Buy the Kizer Intrepid at BladeHQ

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Like the Gemini, the Intrepid is another collaboration with custom knifemaker Ray Laconico. But rather than this being a knife from the more affordable Vanguard series, we have the premium offering here replete with S35VN blade steel and sculpted titanium handles. What I find interesting about Kizer knives is their singular focus on quality. This fanaticism has gone so far that they import their materials from the United States and Japan. That doesn’t sound at all like the Chinese manufacturers of yesteryear. I think a review of a modern high end Kizer is long overdue here.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Intrepid has an overall length of 8.25″, a 3.625″ blade, weighs 5.64 ounces, and is made in China. This is the bigger brother to the Gemini, which has a 3.125″ blade a weight of 3.65 ounces, and a much simpler and more “socially acceptable” profile. Although the Gemini is a more practical Every Day Carry (EDC) option, I wanted to check out the Intrepid because we already have an excellent review of the Vanguard version by Ben. Tony does a great job as usual with his review of the dress version.

The Intrepid is bigger and badder than the Gemini, and it features a large modified clip point blade. I always enjoy a good clip point, and this one is no different. Actually, it’s a little different in that the blade has a harpoon, but it works much like a regular clip point. The draw to the harpoon is that it makes for a good thumb rest and funkier looking knife. I like the unique blade shape. The hollow ground blade gets thin behind the edge, and the edge itself has been evenly ground. The swedge and belly meet to form a needle sharp tip. Although they are more aggressive looking, clip point blades are well rounded performers, and this blade is great for a variety of tasks.

Kizer selected CPM-S35VN steel for the blade. S35VN is a popular choice, and I’m glad to see it here. This is an American steel made by Crucible with input by Chris Reeve, and the end result is a blade steel that is a little tougher and easier to sharpen than S30V. It also finishes nicely, and the blade of the Intrepid comes with a nice stonewashed finish.

I have carried and used my Intrepid extensively. I continue to be impressed by the ease of maintenance and edge retention on S35VN. My knife came sharp straight out of the pouch and I have used it for a variety of domestic chores including breaking down boxes, working around the house, and a little woodworking now that the weather here in Florida has finally cooled off.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

S35VN blade steel is all well and good, but what really impresses me with the Intrepid is the handle. Here we have full 3-D contoured titanium handles. These handles are milled, not cast, and if you look closely you can see the cutter path You just don’t see much of this. Probably the closest competitor I have reviewed with contoured titanium handles is the Spyderco Slysz Bowie. The Slysz Bowie is immaculate, but it’s also nearly $100 more than the Intrepid.

This 3-D contoured handle comes with all the fixings you would expect in a premium titanium framelock flipper: oversized pivot, steel lockbar insert and overtravel stop, and a blue anodized titanium backspacer. Fit and finish is perfect on my knife.

Being a larger knife, the Intrepid has plenty of room for your hand and should accommodate most people with ease. The finger groove and broad spine both naturally draw in your hand. This is a comfortable piece that works well. There isn’t much in the way of a “traction plan”, but somehow the knife has managed to stay in my hand. The bead blasted titanium offers a little traction, and in my opinion the lack of jimping is a pleasure, not a curse. If you want something a little higher traction then I’d probably suggest the G10 handled version.

The pocket clip is understated when compared to the rest of the knife. This is a simple folded titanium clip, and the only adornment is the fact that it has been anodized blue to match the hardware and backspacer. That’s OK with me because the clip works. It has excellent spring retention and the knife stays firmly in place – even when clipped to lighter fabrics. This is a big knife, but it carries like a smaller blade thanks to the strong clip and slim handles.

The only potential negative is that the handle is only drilled and tapped for right side tip up carry. Not a problem for me, and I’d hate to see them drill any more holes in this handle than absolutely necessary.

Deployment and Lockup

The Intrepid is a flipper on caged ball bearings. The bearings are smooth and the blade flips with authority. For people that like metrics, I’d say it’s a strong “8” on my 1-10 flipper action scale. It flips only crisply and reliably every time. The flipper tab is large, angled, and easy to get at. There is no jimping on the flipper tab, but once again we don’t need it. Clearly the guys at Kizer have spent some time studying the American flipper market and know what we want. This thing sings.

For lockup we have a titanium frame lock. This lock has been outfitted with a stainless steel insert that doubles as a lockbar stabilizer, much like the Spyderco Domino and some of the Zero Tolerance flippers. Lockup is early without being too early, and secure without being sticky. Lockup is also rock solid. No blade play, no wiggle, and no tweaking required. I’d say the flipping action and lockup is on par with Zero Tolerance, a company known for making some of the best production flippers in the business.

Blade centering is perfect on my knife.

Kizer Intrepid Review – Final Thoughts

I was wrong to wait so long to check out these Kizer flippers. The Intrepid has everything I look for in a titanium framelock flipper and then some. Here we have a great design, premium materials, superb fit and finish, nice details, and a dialed in flipper. This is a bigger knife, but it carries like a smaller knife, and for a little over $200 you are getting a lot for your money. The 3-D machined handle is what sets the Intrepid apart. Offhand I can’t think of any production titanium framelock flippers with fully contoured titanium handles.

Here is a shot of the Intrepid next to the Hinderer MP-1:

The Intrepid is about the same size and thickness as the recently reviewed Hinderer MP-1, but it feels slimmer and more than .2 ounces lighter (the difference on paper). Granted the Hinderer is a tank and this is something of an apples to oranges comparison, but I still find it interesting to juxtapose these knives. The build quality on the Hinderer is superior, but the Intrepid is a special knife in its own right.

I recommend Intrepid if you are looking to scratch that higher end titanium frame lock flipper itch. There is a lot to like here, and again I can’t think of another flipper that has a handle like this.

I think the Vanguard version will also be a good buy if you want something at a more approachable price point. And check out the Gemini if you are wanting a more urban friendly EDC. Either way I don’t think you will be disappointed with these Kizer / Ray Laconico collabs.

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

Hinderer MP-1 Review

by Dan Jackson 2 Comments

It seems like every time I write a review of a Hinderer knife I can’t help but open with a commentary on the state of the Hinderer market. Maybe it’s the finance degree talking. At any rate, a few years ago a Hinderer XM-18 would sell for well north of retail. Some were selling for close to $1,000.

Buy the Hinderer MP-1 at BladeHQ

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Those prices slowly began to drop from their peak, and when I wrote my review of the XM-18 3.5″ back in October 2014, I paid around $550 for the knife. Still about $150 above retail, but a far cry from the $800+ they were commanding when I was seriously getting into knife collecting in 2011-2012.

Fast forward to October 2015 when I reviewed the XM-18 3″. I paid $385 for that knife, which is right around retail.

And oddly enough I bought my MP-1 right around the fall of 2016, and I paid $450 for it on the secondary market. It retails for $695 on Knife Art. Things sure have changed. Who would have guessed that you can buy a Hinderer for below retail on the secondary market? Probably not the guys that paid $1,000 for their XM-18s.

Regardless of the reason I won’t complain. It allowed me to pick up the MP-1 at a nice price for this review. And the MP-1 is an interesting piece that I might not have checked out at full retail. It shares a lot of similarities to the XM-18, but it’s stockier in build. This knife also comes with a new feature. MP-1 stands for Modular Platform-1, and this knife’s selling feature is a removable backspacer that can be swapped out with various other backspacers. I am not sure if the replaceable backsapcer on its own it would be reason enough to buy the knife, but the rest of the MP-1 was intriguing.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The MP-1 has an overall length of 8″, a 3.5″ blade, and weighs 5.9 ounces. This knife was designed by Rick Hinderer and is made in the USA. The MP-1 a substantial knife and is about half an ounce lighter than a G-10 handled XM-18 3.5″. Personally, this is not the most practical Every Day Carry (EDC) knife, but it’s beautifully made with lots of detail. The workmanship is unmistakable and I have spent many evenings admiring this knife. While I have carried and used my MP-1, my ideal EDC knife is usually about the size of a Sage 1. I am sure some carry theirs religiously, but must confess this is more of a collectible for me.

The MP-1 has a modified sheepsfoot blade, not dissimilar to the Benchmade Triage rescue knife. This lends a friendlier profile to the MP-1 and gives it a workmanlike feel. Sort of like the orthotic sneakers old people wear. Its much less aggressive than the original XM-18 line. While there are some design flourishes to elevate the MP-1, at the end of the day this is a comfortable and practical knife if you can get over the weight and thickness of it. This blade cuts well with a high flat grind. The tip is a little lower on this knife but is still surprisingly fine. You can easily pierce materials with it without it being needle sharp. The edge has been ground perfectly.

The MP-1 comes with S35VN blade steel. S35VN isn’t super high end stuff, but it’s totally adequate here. I don’t necessarily need this thing to come in S110V, although I suppose that would be interesting. S35VN is a great higher end working steel. Easy to maintain, yet it holds a good edge, is reasonably tough and corrosion resistant. It has become one of my favorite steels for an EDC knife. Similar to CTS-XHP in that it’s just a good all round steel and you won’t need a diamond stone to bring an edge back on it.

These days I tend to gloss over the knife steel part of the review unless it’s a new steel or I really have something to say (beyond my practical observations and a few general words on the steel itself). If you want a deeper dive into blade steel, chemical composition, etc., then I suggest checking out the knife steel section of the website.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

This is a full titanium framelock flipper made by Hinderer. That is to say, it’s both beautifully built and totally overbuilt. They started with two thick pieces of titanium for the frame, and sandwiched it between oversize custom stand offs and a large custom pivot. Fit and finish is exceptional. The titanium has been finished to a buttery smooth texture. The edges have been chased with decorative chamfering while the diamond pattern found on the G-10 scales of the XM-18 have been machined in little reliefs on the handles. The blade, backspacer, pocket clip, and handle all have been stonewashed while in contrast the hardware is satin finished, leaving you with a dramatic monochromatic knife.

The handle may be overbuilt for most normal people, but you can’t deny the beauty of it. I especially like the extra details found on this model. The quality of the workmanship reminds me of my old Shirogorov 95-T. We are talking about the higher end of the production pocket knife section. No one “needs” a knife like this, but enthusiasts of high end knives appreciate these in the same way you would appreciate a nice watch, high end leather goods, or any other type of luxury product.

Since this knife was apparently named after a Hinderer’s new Hinderer Modular Backspacer System (H.M.B.S.), I better spend some time to talk about it. This is a backspacer that can be removed with a single torx screw rather than disassembling the entire knife. The backspacer wraps around the stand offs and the torx set screw holds it all in place. The stock backspacer is a geared affair that comes with an oversized lanyard loop, but RHK offers a variety of backspacers that include bottle openers, impact tools, various anodized options, etc. In practice it works as advertised. Its easy to take it out with the turn of my WiHa driver.

Here is a video by Rick Hinderer himself explaining the H.M.B.S. in more detail. I think looking at the below picture will save you the 10+ minutes. It’s pretty straight forward.

Whether it is something you want to play around with is an entirely different story. Some get a kick out of modding their Hinderers with anodized parts, after market filler tabs, new scales, etc. No doubt the MP-1 is designed to cater to that crowd. Personally, I like the stock backspacer, and the knife seems a little empty without it. I probably won’t be buying any additional backspacers, but I can see the appeal. All in all I think they did a good job with the execution.

As I mentioned earlier, the MP-1 is a comfortable knife. You would hope so given how thick it is. While the knife has some ornate flourishes, at the end of the day the handle is simply shaped. It’s comfortable and will accommodate a variety of hand sizes and grips. There is a small forward choil behind the edge that gives you extra options and control. There is flat top jimping on the spine of the blade and backspacer, and the milled handles also provide a little traction. The titanium has a great feel in hand, and overall the MP-1 is a pleasure to hold and use.

The MP-1 features the same spoon style pocket clip of the XM-18 series. That’s nice because it’s a good pocket clip design. Retention is excellent and the MP-1 stays in place when clipped to your pocket. This isn’t a deep carry clip, and the MP-1 isn’t the most discrete of carries, but the knife mostly buries into the pocket. Being a thick and heavy knife, it isn’t going to EDC like a Dragonfly, but it does stay in place and out of the way. This carries as well as any other 6 ounce knife I have owned.

Also, just like with the XM series, the MP-1 is ready for right side tip up or tip down carry. There is a “filler tab” screwed in place near the pivot.

Deployment and Lockup

The MP-1 has an odd combination of thumb studs and flipper. I say “odd” because the thumb studs do not work unless the blade is partially open. I suppose it’s used in the event the flipper does not completely deploy the blade. That’s a real potentiality on the XM-18, which has a notoriously weak detent, but here the detent on the MP-1 is pretty good. The blade opens reliably and I’d say this flipper is a solid “6” on a 1-10 scale (with a 10 being something like the ZT 0454). Action is crisp, but it is possible to occasionally “flub the flip” and get a partially deployed blade. The knife uses teflon washers. Action is smooth and the knife flips open, so I can’t complain.

With the XM series the thumb studs are technically blade stops, so it could be argued that they don’t “need” to work as thumb studs. Here, the MP-1 actually features a set of hidden blade stops that travel underneath pockets milled out in the handle, so the non-functional thumb studs are a little more puzzling. They do come in handy if the blade doesn’t fully open with the flipper. Beyond that I don’t see the point to them.

For lockup we of course have a titanium framelock. This is just bare titanium against the steel tang of the blade. No steel inserts, although you do have the Hinderer lock bar stabilizer peeking out from behind the pocket clip. My lock has been executed beautifully. The lock face is generous and lock up is around 30%. There is no stick, and absolutely no wiggle, lock rock, or blade play of any kind. The MP-1 is rock solid.

Blade centering is perfect on my knife.

Hinderer MP-1 – Final Thoughts

I like the MP-1 and can appreciate it for what it is. It’s high end pocket knife that is unapologetically overbuilt. This will only appeal to a certain type of knife enthusiast: one who appreciates overbuilt knives, and has a fair amount of disposable income. The thing is, the MP-1 has been beautifully executed. Some high end hard use knives are mere “me too” products that boil down to being janky rip offs. Here it’s obvious that quite a bit of thought and skill went into putting the MP-1 together. It may not be office friendly, but it’s beautifully made. It certainly isn’t a janky rip off.

Similar to the Eklipse, I don’t think the MP-1 will enjoy the success of the XM-18 series, but there was something oddly compelling about this knife. Sure it’s heavy and impractical for mere mortals like myself, but it will appeal to those seeking a full titanium Hinderer. And this is a more premium knife than the XM-18. There is extra work here. Extra detail. I obviously can’t speak for everyone, but it drew me in.

Perhaps the customizable nature of the knife will appeal to people as well. I never got into the knife customization thing, but there are guys that are really into that. Although Modifiedz hasn’t posted a video in years, people still seek out “knife pimpers”, and customized Hinderers regularly find their way onto the secondary market. Buying a Hinderer and then buying different hardware and handle scales to make it your own is a thing. The MP-1 could serve as a blank canvas of sorts and takes the concept of making the knife your own one step further.

If this was released a few years ago there would likely be a lot more fanfare. After all, this is a full titanium framelock flipper straight from the Hinderer factory. This is previously the stuff of legends. Even 3 years ago people would have crapped their pants for the chance to buy one at a knife show lottery. Today it’s another option if you are seeking out a high end folder. A lot more options have come onto the market recently, and while I think the MP-1 has been well done, I’ll be the first to admit that this knife is not for everyone.

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I recommend purchasing the MP-1 at Knife Art, BladeHQ, or [easyazon_link asin=”B0773W7LPG” locale=”US” new_window=”default” nofollow=”default” tag=”brdfkdfk-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”default” popups=”default”]Amazon[/easyazon_link]. 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.