- a bird that does as well in the forest as by the sea
Already when I introduced this knife, the QSP Gannet, I stated that it offers a couple of deviations from QSP's most common recipes. As a brand, they have become better and better over time in creating variety in their range. Their catalog now includes both fixed blades and folding knives. Of the latter, you can choose from everything from two-handed open knives, via thumb stud openers to flippers. Regarding locks QSP cover most bases with slip joints, back locks, liner locks, and frame locks. Blade types found in the catalog are classic drop points, clip points, wharncliffe, sheepsfoot, and cleavers. Recently they have also broadened the selection of handle materials and steels for some of the most popular models such as Penguin and Hawk.
So, the variation is plentiful but one thing has been missing, until now that is, and that is a front flipper!
 |
| QSP QS137-C Gannet |
So despite the many options, Gannet stands out a bit in the crowd. What makes it special is partly the choice of blade steel and partly how it is opened. In this case, QSP has chosen to make a pure front flipper. This is generally not the most common opening method and definitely not in QSP's range. It might even be their first. In any case, I can state that the experiment is very successful without jumping ahead.
The knife is available in a couple of different color schemes in addition to this one, which offers black bolsters and green micarta for the rest of the handle.
 |
| Gannet is both a stylish and practical knife |
Twitter version: QSP Gannet, a successful fusion of a front flipper and a full flat ground blade in 154CM steel that provides an EDC knife that won't make a fool of itself outdoors either.
Blade
The blade on Gannet is not entirely easy to classify. In part, it is a drop point in appearance but the tip is still found above the middle line while the blade itself has a very long "clipped" part that ends with a small thumb ramp. But unlike most clip points, that part has not been accentuated by a swedge. It still gives me some Bowie vibes, which is a good thing in this case. It is an attractive blade that creates some visual interest because of that.
The blade is also characterized by a very shiny, almost semi-polished satin finish. It is longitudinal, which is otherwise most often found on custom knives. It gives an exclusive impression. Other details that can be seen are the sweeping plunge line and that the blade is very discreetly marked. The QSP logo is tastefully placed on the ricasso on the presentation side. On the other side, the steel type can be read but in very small text. Well done QSP!
 |
| A flat-ground blade in an unusually nice finish which, however, is difficult to photograph |
Speaking of the blade and steel type, there are two things that make this knife unusual in QSP's catalog. Firstly, the blade is completely flat ground. It has been done before, but only on three models, Parrot, Worker, and most recently Leopard. Here it is very nicely done as the knife is also very thin behind the edge with only 0.4 mm. The factory edge itself was ok but not excellent. It arrived sharp but is a bit uneven in height. It is, however, centered. Something I often nag about, because if it's not done correctly, whether it is made by a human or a machine, it is not completely easy to remedy. It requires a lot more work than maintaining a good original edge.
The other thing that makes the blade a bit unique is the steel. Here, QSP has chosen to use American 154CM. It is not the "latest"* or most hyped steel on the market but it is a very good and established middle-class steel. The advantage of the older steels is often that the knowledge of how to harden and heat treat them is very well documented. It seems that QSP has succeeded in that area as well. The edge keeps its sharpness decently. Not the best edge holding capability, 154CM can't compete with the best steels in that regard, but good. On the other hand, it is very easy to sharpen. You do not need any advanced sharpening system to get this knife sharp.
 |
| American 70s steel in the form of 154CM is found in the blade |
The dimensions of the blade contribute to the balanced appearance. It is 86 mm long, 23 mm high and the stock thickness is 3 mm. Good proportions in other words. That paired with good steel should ensure that the knife cuts well. And it does, I can tell. It's one of the great strengths of the knife. The blade cuts as it looks as I often say.
This blade is both thin, sharp, and with good geometry. Then you also get a knife that literally slides through most materials of a softer nature. This applies to both fabric and cardboard and softer string and nylon rope. A little thicker hemp rope takes its tribute from the edge, I noticed. A few strokes on a strop takes care of that. As usual, I recommend that you maintain your edge before it becomes too dull. Once this has happened, a proper sharpening is required.
 |
| Gannet is the nemesis of all cardboard |
 |
| This blade gives nice cut surfaces in fresh branches |
The Gannet can be used for more demanding tasks as well. That is, wood. I have noticed that many who test typical "EDC" knives avoid that material. But how you use knives is, of course, personal, and in my life wood is something I encounter frequently in addition to what I refer to as "everyday materials" which include cardboard, string, rope, fabric, and plastic of various kinds - mainly packaging materials. Last night I carved some wooden plugs to close a few holes in a throwing target just to name one such task. Of course, fresh wood is easier to handle than dried and in branches this knife is excellent. The cuts are very clean. The blade is easy to control and the edge bites well.
Gannet is also good for other heavier chores. In addition to wood, it works well for carpets, rubber, and the like. It is possible to work for a while thanks to a comfortable handle and an efficient blade. But then it is noticeable that the steel is not the most durable. On that front, it's easy to be spoiled with the super steels available these days.
Handle
The gannet has been given a handle that can be varied a lot in appearance. This is because the knife has been fitted with bolsters. In this edition, the sides themselves are of green linen micarta and bolsters of carbon fiber. Both the quality of the materials and the workmanship are strikingly high.
The length of the handle is 11.5 cm and the height is measured at 24 mm. The thickness is 13.5 mm. It is slightly more than you might think due to the arched sides.
 |
| A very well-shaped handle in micarta and carbon fiber |
This knife is a very sturdy construction based on a polished stainless steel frame. And speaking of polished, QSP has also remembered that it is important to round off the edges. Especially where the fingers and hand come in contact with them. That is the inside of the open back and the notch where the blade is housed. The frame is also a bit weight relieved with a couple of solid holes drilled in one side. But there I would have liked to have seen that they continued that good work and shaved a few more grams off the handle. As it is now, the knife is a bit too back-heavy. The balance is good but not perfect. I had wanted to bring it forward about an inch so it ends up in the middle of the finger groove.
The handle itself consists of a bolster and a pair of micarta slabs. They have been screwed in place with really small T6 screws with rounded heads. In addition, there are a couple more screwed from the inside. It's a detail I do not fully appreciate. They do not pose a major problem for me personally as I very rarely disassemble my knives. But for those who do, it is not the most sustainable option. Flat heads and slightly deeper grooves give stronger screws. It's also nicer to look at.
The sides themselves and the bolsters are of all the higher quality. The fit between the materials is excellent and they have been given an elegant roundness. What is sometimes referred to as 3D-milled. This makes the handle more comfortable in hand.
Otherwise, the handle is soft and not much to brag about for those looking for a "traction plan". The bolsters are smooth, almost polished and the micarta certainly gives some added traction, but as you wear it, it becomes less coarse. It can of course be roughened up with a little sandpaper if you think the grip is too slippery. But that's not something I'd considered.
 |
| The sides are well rounded and in the back, a partial backspacer is found |
The handle is semi-open in the back. A backspacer made of G10 runs along about half the length of the handle. It is a solution I have increasingly come to prefer. More contact surface against the hand provides a more comfortable handle. I often hear that completely open constructions are easier to clean. But that argument does not hold up on closer inspection. There are other, more important, factors that make folding knives difficult to keep free of dirt. Like how they look on the inside for example.
There is one thing you don't find in the backspacer and that is an attachment point for a lanyard. Not something I miss but somebody else might so it can be good to know.
 |
| The gannet is a tad bit butt heavy but generally very good in the hand |
For me, it's actually annoying! It's not felt in hammer grip but all the more in saber grip with a thumb on the blade spine. The shape and placement of the clip far back on the handle make it want to attack my hand.
 |
| The only detail I do not appreciate with the handle |
Otherwise, the length of the handle is very good, or rather the space is. Part of the explanation is found in the opening system. There is nothing here that steals room for the hand, but most of the handle can be used to grip.
Opening and Lock
And now it's time to talk about what makes Gannet unique in QSP's catalog and that is the opening method. Incidentally, this blade can only be opened in one way. Otherwise, it is not entirely uncommon that when you, as here, have chosen to use a front flipper, you also add a thumb stud or the like.
Truth be told, there is another way of opening the knife. You can open the blade with two hands if you really want to. The detent is not so strong that the blade is "fixed" and it protrudes enough blade to grip around.
 |
| A front flipper is the opening method if you do not want to use two hands |
However, you do not need backup methods when the flipper works as well as here. The "fin" itself is small and does not protrude more than 6 mm. Or rather, it does not really protrude beyond the outer line of the handle at all since the bolster is rounded at the front edge. However, the flipper tab is well placed and equipped with exemplary grooves for really good traction. They are not sharp at all but provide the friction needed.
The operation is therefore both simple and gives lightning-fast results. Behind that success are a well-tuned detent and fine ceramic ball bearings. A material that is also found in the detent ball. The blade runs very smoothly, even if the resistance from the lock itself means that it does not fall freely when the knife is to be closed. Something I appreciate as I like my fingertips and want to keep them.
 |
| A liner lock in steel that works just as it should |
 |
| The lock bar is very easy to access. Here you can also see the exemplary lack of gaps between the handle materials |
The Gannet comes with a simple, uncomplicated liner lock. In that case, the knife does not offer anything unusual, but it is not needed either. The function is very good. The lock bar tension is strong enough to engage the lock even if the knife opens slowly. An important detail as sometimes on quick-opening knives it is almost required that they be fast deployed for the lock to work. In addition to the lock, there is a solid stop pin that takes care of the forces from the blade. The blade stop is of integrated type, ie it is attached to the blade.
Once the lock bar is in place, I can not detect any play either sideways or vertically. Nor does the blade slip during lighter "spine whacking", meaning that I knock against a piece of wood with the blade turned upside down, or when I press the tip of the blade in the wrong direction. I checked it extra carefully because I once had a knife from QSP with a less-than-perfect lock. However, it has not happened before or after that, and definitely not on this knife.
To Carry
Neutral. That's the word I would choose to describe how this knife feels to carry. The length is a bit in between, not extremely large or very small. As I said, it measures around 11.5 cm. The thickness means that Gannet does not belong to the really slim knives, but it is also not eutrophicated.
The weight, on the other hand, stands out positively as the knife, certainly with the smallest possible margin, weighs in under one hundred grams. Not bad for a knife that has a blade of over eight and a half centimeters.
 |
| The deep carry type clip unfortunately protrudes a bit from the handle itself and the tip points in the wrong direction! |
Other advantages are that everything on the knife is rounded. It goes for the frame, front and rear of the handle, and the sides themselves. It makes the knife comfortable in the pocket. Especially when combined with polished materials and an excellent flipper tab that is completely invisible in the pocket. A certain well-known Youtuber usually talks about "pocket peckers" but in this case, it's rather the opposite. The small beak is both rounded and points downwards while not extending beyond the outer line of the bolster. That's good!
The clip is recognizable from other QSP models and it renders both praise and critique on my part. If we start with the positive, it works. The knife is kept in place as it should and that requires good tension because the material underneath is so well polished. The ramp is large enough to pass most normal fabric edges and the same can be said about the space under the clip. However, it could have been even better if the screws had also been countersunk. As it is now, only the clip is. It provides better stability, especially when combined with screws placed in tandem.
But then it was the choice of screws again. It's good that there is consistency in that part but they are still small! Then I'm not a fan of the angle of the tip of the clip. It points outwards! It is not so bad as long as you look at the knife lying on a table. But if it is placed in a pair of trousers with thicker fabric, it points even more outwards, whereupon problems arise. It wants to hit my hand when I walk and it searches for sofas and car seats and other things to scratch. No, I do not like that.
However, my biggest objection is that it's a "deep ride clip" on this knife. Usually, I am a friend of that solution as very little of the knife is visible. This also applies here. However, I do not like how the placement of the clip together with the angled beveled rear end of the handle interacts. The edge of the clip simply feels too much against my hand.
To Conclude
Gannet is an example of a successful excursion in the exciting landscape of variety. It doesn't offer huge deviations from the standard template made by QSP. But they have combined a nice flat-ground blade, which is not their standard with a front flipper. That way of opening is certainly not what they are known for. In addition, the knife comes with bolsters. That solution offers a combination of materials which in turn gives variety. When talking about materials, the steel choice can also be mentioned as it is 154CM. It may not be top of the line anymore but it represents a willingness to try new things. Then it is not too bad when it comes to performance either.
 |
| Gannet is an excellent EDC knife! |
Overall, I am very fond of this knife, but there are a couple of things I would have changed if I was in charge. One is the type of screws used. The pivot screw is both well dimensioned and D-shaped so it does not spin, that's good. But the smaller ones, despite the affected appearance, could have been a size larger and in return got flat heads, which could have made them more discreet while being stronger.
It would also have given more space under the clip, which brings us to critique number two regarding this area. I would have liked to have seen another clip on this knife. With this rounded rear end on the handle, this shape does not work in all aspects. It creates a hotspot in certain grips. Of course, if you have very small hands, it is not a problem because it then ends up outside the hand. To some extent, the problem can be avoided if I grip the knife excessively far forward. But it does not become natural in relation to the groove that exists for the index finger.
A third detail is that this otherwise very fine blade deserves a slightly better edge. QSP has almost succeeded with the sharpening choil staying clear of the plunge line. But as it is now, a small "smile" can be seen towards the heel of the blade and it is likely to get worse over time with more sharpening.
But it should not be exaggerated and the blade is otherwise both nice and extremely effective. A real knife blade in the sense that it cuts well. The finish with a longitudinal satin polish feels extra luxurious.
 |
| QSP Gannet is definitely a knife that also works well in the great outdoors |
Then the handle is generally damn good. The knife fits well in the hand and maybe even better in a slightly smaller hand than mine as the clip issue probably disappears completely. Something that contributes to the good ergonomics is how nicely arched the sides are. It also makes the knife a little thicker than the first impression tells you. It can also be stated that the materials are of very good quality. That also goes for the way in which they are put together. There are no gaps at all between bolsters and sides.
All in all, QSP Gannet is both a well-built and stylish knife that is also a good cutting tool. I can without hesitation recommend it both for everyday use and actually as an outdoor knife. The latter as long as you avoid stuffing it in mud and saltwater even though it is a gannet. After all, it contains ball bearings. But the blade is really good for all kinds of chores around a campfire.
Specification:
Length Overall: 200 mm
Length Folded: 114 mm
Weight: 99 g
Blade Length: 86 mm
Blade Thickness: 3 mm
Blade Steel: 154 CM
Handle Materials: Micarta with Carbon Fiber bolsters
Lock: Liner lock
Produced by: QSP, made in China
/ J - very happy
* It was rather developed for use in the aircraft industry in the early 1970s if I remember correctly.
Inga kommentarer:
Skicka en kommentar