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The ESEE Expat Libertariat Mini Machete Review

I’m a big fan of ESEE knives. They tend to be strong, well made, and designed to last. On top of that their knives tend to be very affordable and very simply made. Their target audience is often the outdoorsman, the hunter, the prepper, and general adventurer. The Expat line is a specialty line of knives designed outside of the typical ESEE crew.

Buy the ESEE Libertariat at BladeHQ

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I’ve previously reviewed the Expat Cleaver and I was a big fan. The second Expat blade is the Libertariat, which is a compact machete designed for a few different purposes. This is a blade that is lightweight, easy to use, and can be used for a variety of purpose outside of hacking down a path.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The ESEE Libertariat has a 9-inch blade and an overall length of 14 inches. The blade is two inches wide and .12 inches thick. The handle is 5 inches long and 1.125 inches thick and made from wood. The Libertariat ways 13.08 ounces and comes with a canvas sheath.

It’s a very small, but also a very lightweight knife. The Libertariat doesn’t have a lot of weight to it, but it can still handle underbrush, vines, and limbs. I’ve even cut down some small trees without issue. The Liberariat lacks a point and is cleaver like. The lack of a point has never been an issue in my use of this tool.

The blade is made from SAE 1075 steel. It can get very sharp and is a good hard and tough steel. It can take a real beating when used as a machete is intended to be used. Of course, it doesn’t hold that edge for a long period. I find myself touching it up before any kind of daily use or yard work.

The blade has a Condor classic finish. This is a hammered finish that gives it the appearance of a tool built a long time ago. While it’s stylish its also effective, I rarely apply oil even though I live on the coast, and have yet to see rust.

As I mentioned this small machete is designed more or less as a bush tool more than a yard working machete. It can serve as a machete, as well as a general survival knife. It’s small and handy and could be used to clean game in a pinch.

The spine is a flat 90-degree surface that makes it easy to strike a ferrous rod with. The flat surface also makes it easy to baton wood into pieces if needed. I ‘ve batoned several pieces of pine wood without a problem. The hole at the tip of the blade allows the insertion of a rod to make what is basically a draw knife from this mini machete.

The Little Libertariat can do it all, or at least try to. Most importantly it’s an impressive machete. It chops and slices without issue and chew through some seriously thick material. As a small blade with little heft, you really have to know how to work a machete. Even an expert is going to expend more energy using the short and light Libertariat than a standard machete though.

With such a small blade you are using more energy, and losing reach causing you to bend over a bit to reach ground level. That’s the price to pay for a smaller, lighter, and handier machete.

Handle and Ergonomics

The handle is made from wood and very smooth. In over a year’s worth of use I’ve never felt it slip from my hands, but I would see why some would want some form of checkering. I also haven’t developed hot spots when using the Libertariat heavily.

However, I did notice after one long day my hand got quite tired of handling it. The small handle requires a tight hold and that will cause fatigue to set in quicker than a full, thick, hand-conforming handle.

The angle of the handle is perfect for machete work. It tilts the blade slightly forward and gives you an angle that maximizes your swing. This makes your swing more natural when you use a proper technique or flicking the wrist prior to contact you’ll use less energy and cut deeper.

The Sheath

The sheath is very simple and made from a khaki colored canvas. It feels quite strong and very durable. Four metal snaps run along the seam of the sheath and hold it all together should the stitching rip or fail, or become cut all to hell from inserting and removing the machete over and over.

There seem to be two styles on the market. One that leaves most of the handle exposed and then mine which covers a good portion of the handle.

With mine the sheath covers the majority of the handle and drawing the Libertariat is not a fast endeavor. I have to pinch, pull, then grip the handle properly. I see why some of the newer models come with a sheath that allows a full grip.

A small thong secures around the handle and keeps the machete in the sheath. It attaches the belt through a loop and that is really all she wrote. It’s simple, but it works.

The ESEE Expat Libertariat Mini Machete Review – Final Thoughts

The Libertariat can do everything a bigger machete can do… with a lot more effort anyway. Its small size makes it easy to use for a variety of tasks outside of just hacking and slashing brush. It’s very light and would be a great camp tool, or for a hiker looking to cut pounds.

For the price, it is hard to go wrong. Plus ESEE backs it with their lifetime, no questions asked warranty. The Libertariat is a potent little tool that will serve you well for a long time.

ESEE EXPAT Libertariat Machete with Nylon Sheath Knives

ESEE EXPAT Knives Libertariat Machete
Overall Length: 14.0", Blade Length: 9.0", Handle Length: 5.0”
Blade Width: 2.0", Blade Thickness: .118", Blade Steel: 1075 Carbon
Walnut Handle. Lanyard Hole. Draw Knife Hole In Blade
Weight: 16 Ounces with Sheath

I recommend purchasing the ESEE Expat Libertariat at Amazon or BladeHQ. Thank you very much.

Buck 110 Folding Hunter Review

by Benjamin Schwartz 58 Comments

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

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

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

General Dimensions and Blade Details

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

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

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

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

Handle, Ergonomics, and Carry

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

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

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

Deployment and Lockup

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

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

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

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

Buck 110 Folding Hunter – Final Thoughts

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

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

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

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

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

Benchmade 15080-2 Crooked River Review

by Dan Jackson 32 Comments

Last Updated: July 19, 2019

It’s no secret that I think the creative team at Benchmade has been adrift for the past few years. This is perhaps best evidenced by the fact that the company’s most exciting new offerings are actually re-issues of old models: the 940-1 and 551-1. These rockstar designs are interspersed among more puzzling offerings like the 808 Loco and 300 Axis Flipper.

Buy the Benchmade Crooked River at BladeHQ

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But Benchmade does seem to be cobbling together a theme. They seem to be taking this “old school, meet new school” approach not only to their classic designs, but also by melding traditional designs with modern manufacturing in their “Hunt” lineup. I thought the Small Summit Lake was a successful mashup of traditional lockback folder with modern materials, beefy construction, and precision manufacturing. The 15080 Crooked River is a knife cut from that same cloth.

In fact, the Crooked River takes the juxtoposition even further. This is an even greater departure from tradition to the point where we almost have a caricature of the classic bowie. Yet there is still a timeless quality to the knife. The low slung blade and bolstered handles tug at the heartstrings of traditional knife design, while the finishes and flourishes appeal to this fan of modern folding knives.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Crooked River has an overall length of 9.3″, a 4″ blade, weighs 5.41 ounces, and is made in the USA. This is a big knife, and is far outside the confines of what I would consider to be an every day carry (EDC) piece. If you were to whip this out in public to trim packing tape or open an envelope, most people would hide under their desk. And if a friend offered up a Swiss Army Knife at a campsite, you could go full Crocodile Dundee on the guy with this Crooked River. This is a “knoife”. I wouldn’t mind a smaller, more manageable version for daily carry.

The Crooked River features a long and lean clip point blade. I have always enjoyed a good clip point for it’s practicality, and the Crooked River is no exception. The high flat grind has been nicely executed complete with Benchmade’s 2-tone stonewashed satin finish. The blade is cut from an impressive 3.15mm thick piece of S30V stainless steel, and it carries a significant amount of steel out all the way to the tip. The end result is a blade that has a good tip for piercing, plenty of edge for cutting, and a nice belly for food prep and possibly even skinning.

The choice of S30V stainless steel for the blade is less exciting now then it may have been 5 years ago. These days I prefer S35VN for it’s improved toughness and ease of sharpening over S30V, but in my opinion Benchmade has always done a great job with their S30V. For example, the S30V on the Volli continues to impress me with it’s sharpness, edge holding, and ease of maintenance. I think Benchmade knows how to make the most of this steel.

The blade geometry of the Crooked River is stouter than the Volli, but this is still a functional blade and the S30V performs nicely on this knife. Capable of taking a keen edge, and holding it for an acceptable period of time, the S30V on the Crooked River is still functional despite there being sexier steels on the market. No issues with corrosion either.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The Crooked River has a long curving handle that compliments its long curving blade. The combination of diamond wood, aluminum bolsters, and orange pivot collar is striking, and I am sure that decision alone has sold many 15080-2’s for Benchmade. If resin-injected wood isn’t your thing, then Benchmade also offers the Crooked River with smooth gray G10 handle scales.

Underneath the scales are full stainless steel liners (skeletonized) and a bright orange G-10 backspacer. Holding things together is a large black pivot and blackened steel hardware. Everything is precision fit, and there are a number of nice details to enjoy, like the arced face between handle scale and bolster, the geared backspacer, and of course the snazzy orange pivot collar. Even the lanyard hole is oval and chamfered, adding style to an otherwise mundane feature of a knife.

Despite there being a good deal of weight around the pivot, the balance point on the Crooked River is behind the axis lock, and is close to the “hump” of the finger choil. The hand feels most at home here; set back further on the knife. While this isn’t billed as a tactical folder, I would be curious to get someone like Chad’s take on the Crooked River. I have no doubt that a knife like this could be pressed beyond pure utilitarian purposes if the need arose.

Beyond my comments on the balance of the knife, the Crooked River benefits from a subdued approach to ergonomics and traction. The long handle provides plenty of room, even for extra large hands. The diamond wood scales offers some texture (not much), while a mild run of jimping on the back of the handle indexes the thumb while still allowing the user to cut with the knife for extended periods without significant thumb fatigue. All said, the ergonomics have proven to be adequate for my purposes.

The Crooked River is a big knife. While I don’t think 5.41 ounces is overweight given the build quality and footprint, it’s still substantial, and when closed the knife is pivot heavy. This creates something of a pendulum effect in your pocket. Benchmade has tried to counter this with a stiff pocket clip. This is a good idea, and my Crooked River holds firmly in place.

On the subject of pocket clips, Benchmade went with a black parkerized version of their split arrow clip. I have always liked the split arrow clip, and here it is situated high on the handle for a relatively deep and discrete carry. The handle is also drilled and tapped for ambidextrous tip up use. That said, Benchmade’s deep carry clip will fit on this knife, and if you prefer a more discrete deep carry option Benchmade typically will send you a deep carry clip free of charge if you ask them nicely.

Deployment and Lockup

While some may grow bored with the axis lock, it remains one of my favorite locking mechanisms. I like the easy one handed opening and closing. Plus it’s fully ambidextrous. And I don’t know if I am simply bullshitting myself, but to me it looks like the phosphor bronze washers on these Benchmades have gotten thicker over the years. Much like my new 551-1, this Crooked River is smooth and easy to open. The blade pops into place with a satisfying “snick”, and the ambidextrous thumb studs are easy to get at with either hand.

Unlike some of the axis lock knives that have crossed my path, my Crooked River locks up tightly and without any play. Blade play is a common complaint on axis lock knives, but I have found that most knives can be fixed with a targeted application of Loctite. Here, blade play was a non-issue, and the axis lock remains as practical and easy to use as ever.

Benchmade Crooked River Review – Final Thoughts

Not to get all jingoistic on everyone, but the Crooked River appeals to the red blooded American in me. This knife takes me back to my childhood, handling my dad’s old Buck fixed blade tucked away his closet next to the well worn Swiss army knives, and old harmonicas.

There is an undeniable charm to the Crooked River that strikes at that primal note that has drawn many people to knife collecting in the first place. While not the most practical offering for an erudite urban EDC, the Crooked River is unapologetically bold and beautiful, and I think it is one of the nicer new designs from BM.

The Crooked River is a knife that I would like a smaller version of. As it stands I don’t see it getting a ton of use personally, but perhaps it has a place in your collection. If the Crooked River piques your interest in the same way that it piqued mine, then I am pleased to report that it is a well made and satisfying folder.

Benchmade - Crooked River 15080-2 Fixed Blade Knife, Drop-Point, Wood Handle

BUILT FOR THE HUNT: Simplicity and style meets unmatched function, no matter the application; An ideal hunting knife capable of countless tasks in the field.
AMERICAN MADE CPM-S30V STEEL: For first-rate edge retention and corrosion resistance; Clip-point construction for easily controlled cuts.
STABILIZED WOOD HANDLE: Is made from a durable composite material that's been backfilled with resin; Stands up to a range of harsh elements and environments; Stronger than natural wood.
AXIS LOCKING MECHANISM: Ensures safety and a smooth open and easy close; Reversible split arrow clip; Lanyard hole for versatile carry options.

I recommend purchasing the Benchmade Crooked River 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.

Opinel No. 8 Review

by Benjamin Schwartz 31 Comments

Do you want to hear another “the knife that got me into knives story?” No? Alright, I’ll spare you and just say that, a few years ago, it was the lines and material of the Opinel knife that caught my eye when I was wandering around labyrinthine hardware store/Boulder landmark McGuckin’s, and to this day I’m still plummeting headfirst down the rabbit hole.

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There are certain objects whose design is so complete that they have an innate, immediate appeal to the mind; the Opinel is such an object. And even now, years down the road, after many permutations in personal taste, I still carry and use my first real knife, the Opinel No. 8.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Opinel No. 8 is made in France. Each knife in the main Opinel line is given a number that is the approximate length of the blade in centimeters: the No. 8 is historically the most popular size. My No. 8 has a blade length of 3 3/16”, a handle length of 4 3/8”, and an overall length of 7 5/8”; it weighs just 1.6 oz.

The No. 8 is comprised of just five pieces: the blade, the wooden handle, a steel collar around the pivot, a pin to keep that collar in place, and the rotating Virobloc locking ring, which fits over the steel collar. It’s a hoary old quote, but since it’s from a French writer and we’re talking about a French knife, it seems appropriate: Antoine de St-Exupéry once said that “A designer knows he has achieved perfection not when there is nothing left to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.” The five parts of the Opinel are all integral to its function; a single addition would be superfluous, and a single subtraction would impact performance. The smaller Opinels (nos. 2-5) lack the Virobloc ring, but with a blade as large as the one on the No.8, I think the lock is necessary.

That blade is a beautiful, sweeping clip point, with a glorious full flat grind, unadorned save for a nail mark, the words “Opinel Carbone,” and the famous main couronnée logo stamped close to the pivot. The length of the No. 8 allows for excellent food-slicing capabilities; generally I don’t cut food with my pocket knives, but the ease with which the No. 8 does it is impressive. Beyond food prep, although it doesn’t look the part, the No. 8 can perform medium-duty EDC tasks like breaking down boxes with grace: I used it to cut up a ton of cardboard and, besides a white-hot blade, I had no issues. It is also wonderful for whittling. It has been said in a thousand different places, by myself and others, but simple blade shapes are the best, and the Opinel is a textbook example of this fact.

This is a carbon steel model, made from XC90 steel. This a soft, durable carbon steel, and like all carbon steels can rust easily. It also sharpens easily-easier than any other steel I’ve ever used, in fact, including the famously easy-to-sharpen Victorinox steel. XC90 responds to the stones with a plasticity that is shocking if you’re used to more ornery modern steels: the No. 8 will go from dull to super sharp in ten minutes. XC90’s softness also means that it recovers from abuse quite well, tending to roll instead of chip. It also means, of course, that it doesn’t stay sharp for all that long, but with how easy it is to put an edge back on I find it hard to complain.

I will say, though, that when I pick up another Opinel, I will opt for a stainless steel model. Opinel’s stainless steel of choice is 12C27N, an excellent steel, especially when you consider how inexpensive an Opinel is ($15ish), that will significantly lessen rust issues, as well as eliminate the weird taste carbon steel imparts to food (I’ve had my No. 8 for years and I still notice it). And it will still sharpen up readily when the time comes. Carbon steel has its place in the knife world, but in my opinion that place is in big fixed blades; on an EDC folding knife, I think it’s a suboptimal choice.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Carry

The standard Opinel handle material is wood, and the standard wood is Beech, which is (I believe, correct me if I’m wrong, woodsmen) what mine is made out of. It offers decent traction without any sort of gimping or other modern considerations. The handle is a sort of piscine shape, with a gentle curve instead of aggressive scalloping or finger grooves, and this, along with its round shape, make for an excellent knife in the hand. It’s really a ‘grip-neutral’ knife: it works equally well in all grips. The spine of the blade is flat, allowing for a place to put your thumb for extra control, and the flat butt-end of the knife creates a good spot for your thumb in a reverse grip.

There is no clip, of course. And you probably knew this the minute you saw the knife, but its round, hand-filling shape, although great from an ergonomics perspective, is less than stellar in the pocket; this knife will take up quite a bit of room if you want to EDC it. I don’t have an issue with it, but I generally go pretty light on pocketables, so your experience may differ. The good news is that it is made out of durable materials and won’t get dinged or scratched up by your keys and other paraphernalia, and at 1.6 oz. is very light.

Deployment and Lockup

The nail mark tells you that this will be a two-hand-opening knife. I know that some two-hand knives (like the Pingo) can be kind of ‘cheesed’ into opening with one hand, but you’ll have no such luck with the Opinel No. 8: the blade buries deep in the handle, so there isn’t any place for your thumb to gain traction.

The good news is that the No. 8 is a smooth, effortless opener. Unlike a slipjoint, it has no spring putting tension on the blade, and so it comes out without a struggle; indeed, I rarely use the nail mark, instead just preferring to pinch the blade and pull. The only time I’ve had issues with it is when the wooden handle has swollen some; this creates some tightness, but it’s temporary and doesn’t render the knife unusable regardless.

The No. 8’s blade comes out so smoothly, in fact, that I would feel uncomfortable using with without the Virobloc locking ring. This is a proprietary Opinel feature, and is basically a ring around the pivot collar of the knife that, when the knife is either opened or closed, can be rotated around until it meets up against the tang of the blade and locks it either open or closed.

I like the Virobloc a lot. As with deployment, locking it is a two-handed endeavor, but speed isn’t something you should come to the Opinel looking for. I can only guess how it would stack up in strength against other locks, because I’ve never had a lock of any sort fail on me, but if you use the No. 8 for the tasks it was designed for, I don’t think you’ll ever have any issue with the Virobloc.

One interesting historical note: there is a traditional opening method for the Opinel, called the Coup de Savoyard. You tap the beak of the Opinel’s handle on a table so the blade jumps out a bit, and then open it. Not any faster than just opening it normally, but undoubtedly classier.

Opinel No. 8 Review – Final Thoughts

The Opinel No. 8 is a great knife. It has one of the best blade shapes in the world, and a comfortable, attractive handle. The two major issues I have with it-the choice of steel and the bulky carry-can be addressed by getting a stainless steel model in a smaller size. But even as it stands, years after I first picked it up, and after a hundred other knives have passed through my hands, I still come back to the No. 8, and every time I do I am pleasantly surprised-although maybe I shouldn’t be; great design doesn’t get outmoded after all, and I think the No. 8 is one of the inarguable masterpieces of our hobby.

Opinel No.08 Carbon Steel Folding Pocket Knife with Beechwood Handle, Brown (2540089)

This essential tool is unchanged since 1890 and is a must have for outdoorsmen and handymen alike
The Stainless Virobloc safety ring has two sections, one fixed and one sliding for secure locking
Opinel's carbon steel is extremely hard, thereby guaranteeing excellent cutting quality
Handle is made from hard, durable Beechwood from France
Opinel products are guaranteed under normal use and exchanged in case of manufacturing defects

If you are thinking of buying an Opinel knife, I please consider purchasing it at Amazon.com. 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.

Chris Reeve Mnandi Review

by Dan Jackson 13 Comments

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

Buy the CRK Mnandi at BladeHQ

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

General Dimensions and Blade Details

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

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

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

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

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

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

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

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

Deployment and Lockup

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

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

Chris Reeve Mnandi Review – Final Thoughts

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

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

Chris Reeve Mnandi – From $375.00
From: BladeHQ

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

Viper Carnera Review

by Dan Jackson 2 Comments

Last Updated: September 16, 2019
Viper Knives is a relative newcomer to the US cutlery scene, and is a division of the Italian manufacturer Tecnocut, a company that I am frankly not that familiar with. I was first acquainted with Viper at Blade Show 2013 it was there that I had the opportunity to handle most of their line. Like many of the knives coming out of Maniago Italy I was impressed with the sophisticated designs coupled with tight fit and finish. One blade that especially caught my eye is the Carnera – a long lean chopper named after Italian pugilist Primo Carnera.

Buy the Viper Carnera at BladeHQ

The knife’s sleek lines remind me somewhat of an Italian sports car, which certainly doesn’t hurt a first impression, but what I found most intriguing was how balanced and comfortable the knife felt in hand. This was something that had the potential to be a serious tool: light, balanced, comfortable, and featuring well finished high end materials. I couldn’t resist, so the Carnera ended up traveling back with me from the show.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Carnera has an overall length of 15.25″, features a 9.5″ blade, and weighs in at 17.5 ounces. The knife is approximately the same length as the ESEE Junglas, but in hand they are radically different knives. The Junglas is an absolute tank. If I needed something to survive the end of days and didn’t mind some extra weight I would put the Junglas on my short list. It was and continues to be one of my all time favorite heavy duty choppers. The Carnera, on the other hand, is much more efficient and refined. Its sweeping handle flows into a broad and confident clip point blade. It has a slight forward bias lending it towards chopping, but it still feels fast and fluid. The stock is thick but the wide blade coupled with a full flat grind lightens the knife significantly. Where the Junglas could be considered an all out survival knife, I feel like the Carnera is more suited for work as a camp knife or heavy machete.

I should mention that the knife comes in 2 main flavors; the stonewashed version with wood handles and leather sheath shown here, and a more military inspired version with a black PVD coated blade, micarta scales, and a cordura molle compatible sheath. Both versions can be examined on the Viper wesbite.

Viper selected D2 for the Carnera. D2 is a semi stainless, which on paper seems like a good compromise given that the blade is naked but still needs to be tough enough to resist chipping under heavy use. Done right D2 provides a good mix of toughness, edge retention, and resistance to corrosion. I’ve had good experiences with D2 and I’ve had OK experiences with D2 – it depends entirely on the heat treat. Done right it can be a great steel (as evidenced by master knifemakers like Bob Dozier using D2 exclusively).

Thankfully my experience with the Viper and it’s D2 blade has been nothing short of excellent.

As usual, I wish I could have taken this guy up into the Rocky mountains, or better yet, the Italian countryside for some extended use and testing. I had to settle on the less exotic location of my back yard. The good news is that I had a dead ficus tree that was in desperate need of an ass kicking, so I can at least assure you that this knife saw a good amount of use.

I mostly chopped with this knife. I chopped through thick tree limbs (anywhere from 4-7″ in diameter) and did quite a bit of limbing, light chopping, and clearing as well. It’s a great chopper. The full flat grind gets reasonable thin and comes to a nice traditional V edge. The knife bites deeply into wood and the D2 holds a nice aggressive edge, even after extended chopping sessions. There is enough weight behind the blade to get some good work done without the knife being overly heavy. A practiced hand should be able to get a lot of work done with it. My technique leaves something to be desired, but I was still pleased with the end result.

I will say that the full flat grind does not lend itself to batoning, which was not a big issue for me. If I really needed to split with this knife I’d use the Carnera to carve up a wood wedge and use that instead.

With a retail price of over $200, it’s worth talking about the fit and finish of the blade. The grinds on my knife were even and the edge was perfectly applied. The spine is capped (rounded) which is a very nice detail on a production knife. My version of the Carnera came with a lightly tumbled finish. This is a good choice for a semi stainless steel like D2. That said, I did notice a light patina form on my knife, and generally found it more difficult to keep clean. An application of [easyazon-link asin=”B000V72992″ locale=”us”]Bar Keeper’s Friend[/easyazon-link] or a similar cleaning agent will brighten it back up instantly. Alternatively, you could always opt for the PVD coated variant.

Handle and Ergonomics

One thing I immediately liked about the Carnera was the traditional wood handle scales. I think the wood is a very handsome option, although their micarta offering would probably be a little more practical. Viper selected Pau Santo wood for the handles, a wood I was previously unfamiliar with, but it has a pleasing and tight symmetry to the grain and strikes me as a great choice. The handle slabs have been bolted on, and were left with a smooth semi-glossy finish. There are 2 lanyard holes although I always used the knife without any lanyards and found that the grip was still secure.

The secure grip is thanks in large part to the elegant flowing handle design. The handle has these seductive curves t that are visually appealing but also highly functional. The knife felt very controllable in my hand, even when I was tired and sweaty after an extended chopping session. Not once did the knife slip of feel insecure, and it was extremely comfortable as well. I am very pleased with the handle design. It’s beautiful, comfortable, and entirely functional.

Sheath

The Carnera comes with 2 options for the sheath: the leather sheath (shown here) or a cordura molle compatible military style sheath. Generally speaking, I like the leather sheath. They used thick pieces of leather and it compliments the traditional wood handles, although I would have loved it if Viper made this with a brown leather sheath – I think that would have looked especially handsome. The wide blade profile means they had to get creative with the sheath design, but the end result looks good and works well.

Practically speaking, the knife is securely held in place with a single snap, and the sheath features a generous belt loop with an easy to remove snap. It is adjustable and comes with a piece of cord that could be used as a thigh rig. I can see how the wide clip point blade provides a challenge for designing the sheath (much like a kukri style blade does), and given that limitation Viper came up with a sturdy and functional sheath. That said, this is a knife that I could justify having a custom kydex sheath made for – and I may eventually decide to do just that.

Viper Carnera Review – Final Thoughts

The Carnera is my first extended experience with a Viper product, and I was left very impressed. For a guy that likes capable choppers the Carnera is a lot of fun, but it is a serious tool that benefits from a very practical, very functional lightweight and balanced design. The sleek Italian lines, tasteful material selection, and excellent fit and finish make it a very well rounded package that should appeal to both collectors and enthusiasts.

As for potential downsides, this is a premium offering from Viper and the price reflects that, but you get what you pay for and I don’t think their retail price is entirely out of line. Perhaps the biggest problem is that these knives are still somewhat difficult to acquire here in the States. Thankfully, BladeHQ has recently picked them up (at least the stone washed version of it), so I expect we will be seeing more and more of this knife in the days to come.

Viper Carnera – $239.95
From: BladeHQ

I recommend purchasing the Viper Carnera at BladeHQ. Purchasing anything through any of the links on this website helps support BladeReviews. As always, any and all support is greatly appreciated! Thank you very much.