- a robust EDC-knife for not much money at all
SRM, formerly known as an abbreviation for SanRenMu, will now be read "Stay Ready for More". They started their new venture with a couple of larger knife models along with the smaller ones of which 7228 have been reviewed by me before. Today's review object has a lot in common with the sibling model 9202, which is basically the same knife with a slightly modified blade shape. They also released 9211 which is a slimmer knife with a tanto blade. Common to the three is that the blade length is around nine centimeters. Also, there is a more sturdy knife but with a slightly shorter blade in model 1168.
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| SRM 9201 |
What made me choose this particular model was the simple but seemingly solid design with a nice handle and above all, a clip point blade that I think looks attractive. I have a sweet spot for knife blades that flirt with Bowie-like shapes, although I basically think that drop point blades are more practical.
The sister model's large hump above the opening hole gives a thumb ramp, but I do not need one and it ruins the looks in my eyes. So between them, the choice was easy. The tanto knife went away for that very reason, it's a tanto. They can be nice as variation, but otherwise, they are no favorite of mine.
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| 9201, a very practical knife that does not look too bad either |
Twitter version: SRM have with their budget knife 9201 made me curious about what "Stay Ready for More" will mean in the future
Blade
I have already mentioned the blade shape and said that it is a clip point. In this case, it measures 89 mm in length and is 28 mm high. The thickness is three millimeters and the blade has a high flat grind. So high that I almost wouldn't call it a saber grind even if it is. What gives the almost "Bowiesque" look is that the clipped part of the blade is very long and reinforced with a hint of a swedge.
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| 9201 offers a decent size clip point blade |
At the blade spine, some grooves are found for better grip. Then, even if it perhaps isn't the elephant in the room, at least a very obvious detail. The opening hole in the blade. It is a detail that usually polarizes the knife-buying part of the population. The hole is well executed with stepped milling to round off the edges. The marking on the knife is quite generous but fortunately is kept small. Here you can find blade steel, production number, the month of manufacture, model designation, and no less than two logos, which is one too many.
The finish is satin in this case, but the knife is also available as a black wash if you choose the version with a brown handle.
The steel used is D2, which I do not have much to say about given the price range and area of use. In this version, it keeps the sharpness fairly well and responds well to a few strokes on a strop at regular intervals. I have therefore not had to resharpen the knife during the test period.
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| Blade in D2 steel |
The factory edge was decent, although not razor sharp, which is a bad expression as it is not desirable with an EDC knife. But anyway, the edge works well and it is even in height and centered. And this type of locking mechanism has the advantage that you automatically get a very well-functioning sharpening choil, ie the ricasso is shaped such that it is easy to sharpen the knife.
In practical terms, the 9201 works excellently. The tip is just as effective as it can be with a good blade of this type. It is very sharp and thus penetrates well. A non-contemptible trait in the plastic age we live in. The blade itself cuts well in most commonly used materials. Cardboard, fabric, plastic, and quite surprisingly wood. The knife has been carried in many trips to forests recently. There, it has been used, among other things, to carve sticks for distance measurement when throwing knives, to prepare food with, and some de-stressing carving of a less goal-oriented nature. As a pocket knife, it has had to handle all those small chores that are not really predictable but need a good tip or a sharp edge and the 9201 handles the tasks with honor.
Handle
The handle on the 9201 is built around a steel frame that is fairly elaborated to be found on a budget-oriented knife. It is weight relieved through a generous amount of holes and also recessed in the sides, which gives a thinner knife. The material is G10. Incidentally, the same material is found in the backspacer, which also forms a lanyard hole spacious enough to run an arm through.
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| The handle is made out of G10 |
The G10 material has two different patterns, which gives a bolster-like appearance. By the way, both are quite smooth, which does not contribute much to a better grip if that is what you are looking for. The knife is held together by two small T6 screws next beside the pivot screw. The latter has got a couple of look-enhancing details with a collar in what I think is anodized aluminum and SRM's new logo on the screw head on the presentation side.
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| The lanyard hole is integrated into the backspacer |
The handle is 12 cm long, of which a little over 10 cm is the available grip surface for the hand. The thickness is 12 mm. It provides a handle that is large enough for almost any hand. At the front, there is a small but capable finger guard which turns into a finger groove. The shape is also slightly curved, which provides better comfort.
The simple shape and the large size mean that any grip that can be imagined works well. Both hammer and saber grips are comfortable. The same applies if a forefinger is placed on the blade spine or if you hold the knife in a pinch grip. Turning the knife for reverse grips also works well, whether it is with the blade upwards for draw cuts or with the tip downwards like an ice pick.
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| SRM 9201 offers a very good handle after it is sandpapered that is |
Opening and Lock
9201 is a knife that is only opened through a hole in the blade. That's one of the reasons I looked at the knife from the beginning. The hole is in this case beveled in a way that works well. It makes the edge softer while not making it slippery, which can sometimes be the case with that approach.
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| The blade hole has a beveled edge, which makes it more thumb friendly |
The hole is well made as it is both large enough to access at the same time as it is well placed. When the knife is to be opened, you do not have to try to locate it and the opening movement feels natural. Since there is a certain spring pressure on the blade from the lock, this knife cannot be opened with a middle finger flick, which is otherwise common with knives with blade holes.
But in return, the knife can of course be opened with the help of the lock. Simply retract the bolt and flip out the blade with a flick of the wrist if desired. In the same way, the knife can of course be closed.
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| This version of a lock with a cross-bolt is called Ambi lock |
SRM belongs to the companies that have worked for a long time with what they today call Ambi lock. It is one of many derivatives from the Axis lock as a result of Benchmade's patent expired. This version is one of the better in my opinion. It is not as smooth as on little brother 7228 that I reviewed the other day but not far from it. But above all, it locks very well. No play in any direction and it is very easy to release.
Another plus is that this type of lock allows you to use both left or right hand depending on preference.
To Carry
Model 9201 is a relatively large knife but the low profile, 34 mm at most, combined with the fact that nothing is protruding and low weight makes it easy to carry. As I said, the length is 12 centimeters and the weight is as low as 96 grams. It's not bad for a knife with a nine-centimeter blade and steel frame.
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| A rather standardized clip |
The 9201 has a simple steel clip that does what it's supposed to. The spring tension is fairly strong, but since the surface under the clip is quite smooth, it still works without shredding your pants. It should be added, however, that the ramp is quite small and since they made a small mistake by attaching the clip with protruding domed screw heads, the space under it is meager, whereupon really thick trousers are not recommended.
The clip is located in a recess in the handle slab, which means that it does not move sideways. It is screwed with two T6 screws and can be removed or shifted to the left side if desired.
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Once in place in the pocket, the knife sits securely and it does not protrude very much from the pocket, which I appreciate. Thanks to the quite smooth G10 sides, the knife is both easy to pull and put away.
To Conclude
SRM 92012 is a knife that offers a simple and straightforward design that clearly reveals what you get for your invested funds. A robust everyday companion. It can be added at a very sympathetic price. At the time of writing, it costs around SEK 400. MSRP is 34.95$.
For those pennies, you get quite a lot to rejoice over both in terms of materials and design. Or how about a good looking blade that is also practical and made of capable D2 steel paired with a comfortable G10 handle. Especially as the clip feels very little in the hand, which can otherwise be a problem when choosing a "loop over" construction. But why not move it a few more millimeters backward on the handle and make the knife sit even deeper in the pocket?
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| 9201 is a good knife for those looking for a larger EDC knife... |
And when I'm still at it, I can take the opportunity to wonder why they think it's necessary to have two logos on the blade? Especially as the newer one of them is also found on the pivot screw. Then you do not have to put everything on the knife, like a serial number or whatever is written on the blade, even if it is done with microscopic text.
It can be added that the handle is good but only after I have worked the whole knife with sandpaper. The specimen you see here has had all corners and edges both internally and externally smoothened. Directly from the box, the insides were almost sharp and this also applies to corners and edges around the lanyard hole and the back of the handle. This is definitely a point that can be improved.
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| ...but personally, I think the SRM 9201 does even better as an affordable outdoor knife |
But overall, SRM 9201 is a very positive acquaintance. Several small details show that despite the low price tag, they want to make a good product. The materials are well-chosen, the lock is exemplary, the frame is lightened, the blade hole is beveled and you have a decorative collar around the pivot screw for example.
The fact that SRM has not bothered with exotic shapes or odd solutions also provides a practical knife with a proper knife blade and a sympathetic handle. If that is something for you, buy one!
Specification:
Length Overall: 209 mm
Length Folded: 120 mm
Weight: 96 g
Blade Length: 89 mm
Blade Thickness: 3 mm
Blade Steel: D2
Handle: G10
Lock: Ambi lock
Produced by SRM, made in China
/ J
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