- "Stay Ready for More" they said, then this one came
One thing that makes me happy is that SRM decided to name this knife. It is always easier to remember a name than a designation. In this case, the model is called Unicorn. I'm not entirely sure about what I think about this specific fairy tale creature, but it's a rare scoundrel, I understand.
That goes for my knife collection as well. Not very many unicorns around and that is because I am usually not completely fond of what is usually called trailing points or "Persian blades", that is, with a point that rebelliously points upwards.
But all rules have exceptions and today I intend to talk about what I think of this knife!
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| SRM 7415 Unicorn |
With this model and a few others, SRM has, if not embarked on a new path, at least broadened it. The first knives under the new-old brand SRM - "Stay Ready for More" was well-built but fairly simple knives with handles in FRN and some model in G10. The blade steel was at best D2. But they added two nice details in an "ambilock", which is their interpretation of an "axis construction" and their own contribution to the knife fauna in the form of "Ambi clip". Then came the model 7228L reviewed by me where they incorporated both of those features but upgraded the steel and thus achieved a real hit.
But not until a new titanium series with the models Asika, Fantasy, 418S and this 7415 Unicorn have they taken the step up to the higher spheres when it comes to folding knives. The blade steel has received another push upwards or at least sideways and the materials have otherwise been refined.
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| A unicorn, a rare creature in my knife collection |
Blade
Sometimes knives have something that characterizes them and makes them feel more unique. Unicorn has a couple of such details. One of these is not visible when it is folded, It's the blade shape! This model offers something as unusual as a blade type which in English is called "trailing point", a blade where the tip strives upwards also called "Persian style". Anyway, the tip is not where it usually is in relation to the handle.
The blade finish is satin and a lot of information can be found on the sides of the blade. As usual, SRM likes to provide their knives with small short stories, but here it is done with extremely small text so I do not mind this knife. It's nicely done.
The length is 70 mm, the height at most 20 mm, although the blade, as can be seen, narrows pretty quickly. The thickness is just over 3 mm.
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| The shape makes the seven-centimeter long blade a bit unique |
The blade steel is something new for SRM in that they used American 154CM this time. The reason why I previously wrote that it may not have been a step up but to the side is that I am not sure that I think it is neither worse nor better for pocket knives than the VG-10 found in the model 7228L, for example.
But in any case, it is solid all-around steel that undoubtedly does well on this knife. It resists rust fairly well, takes an edge, and keeps it long enough for me to be happy. In any case, this is my general experience from, among others, Benchmade knives with the same steel and this also seems to apply to SRM so far.
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| The flat-ground blade is made of American 154CM |
Then there was the shape of the blade. It gives some rather extreme properties. Some good and some less good or at least unique. With this look, the tip becomes needle-like. So anyone looking for that property in their knife need look no further than this. This tip is a surgical tool and thus excellent for, for example, poking out the metal shavings you can get in the hands from knife throwing or other minor "medical procedures". But there is a slight problem and that is that the damned tip is not found where it usually is but higher up! Thus, one almost has to break the wrist if a package is to be opened, for example. Now the solution is not far away, you simply turn the knife upside down!
The advantage of this type of blade is in return that you get a very long edge in relation to blade length. The curved shape means that this blade of 70 mm has an edge length of 75 mm. This is despite the fact that the blade has a "sharpening choil". But to make the best use of the edge length, you should use sweeping cuts.
Now it's not a problem in itself as this is a small and flexible pocket knife in the extremely lightweight segment and hardly something you use for carving. In fact, it works great for everyday chores, whether they include cardboard, paper, fabric, or cotton twine to tie a steak for the Sunday roast. Something that was the last thing I did with this knife before I wrote this.
Otherwise, it is notable how well this knife works in cardboard, for example. Fully flat ground and with good geometry, it glides through such materials in an excellent way. The blade is only 0.4 mm behind the edge.
Handle
If the blade makes this knife rise above the crowd, so does the handle. The material is not uncommon nowadays but still a quality one. SRM uses TC4 titanium. The dimensions are also not extreme, the handle is 90 mm long, 9 mm thick, and 22 mm high. So a rather slim handle in other words.
But what is unusual is that it's not just weight relieved with a few internally milled pockets but the sides are completely open! It is of course made for design reasons but it naturally reduces the weight as well.
The work is very nicely done. You can tell that some machining time has been spent on this handle. All edges of the handle are beveled and smooth and this also applies to the pockets in the sides themselves. The metal has then been blasted in some form, which gives a grayish tone.
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| On the Unicorn, not only the back of the handle is open but also the sides |
In order to create an elegant knife, the sides have been kept very clean. This means, among other things, that the lanyard attachment is incorporated with the back-spacer in the G10 that is found in the back. An extra compliment must also go to the screw solution. The knife is held together only at two points and both the rear screw and the pivot screw have a blue collar. By the way, these are the only color on the entire knife.
In the hand, this unicorn is quite sympathetic. A simple handle shape gives reasonably good ergonomics. This applies as long as you do not try to use the knife for tougher tasks. I wrote in a review about another knife the other day that it was mainly adapted for lighter cuts. This also applies to the Unicorn. The fact is that almost all fingers fit on the handle. By that, I mean that for me this is a three and a half finger knife in a hammer grip and a three-finger knife in a saber grip. So if I put force behind a cut the back end of the handle will inevitably poke into the little finger. In addition, the finger guard/flipper tab will also be a concern. It feels sharp against the index finger and so does the small corner that occurs where the lock bar is cut out.
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| The back is for the most part open as well, but in the small back-spacer that is available, a bolt for the lanyard is hidden. |
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| A small knife for light tasks. For that, the handle is alright |
But if you don't attack wood or other tougher jobs, none of this is a problem and beyond that, the clip is basically imperceptible in the hand if you just cut with this knife.
This means that the handle is not bad given what kind of knife this is. This is an EDC knife and not an outdoor knife.
Opening and Lock
From such a small knife with this look, one almost expects it to be quick. There is something about the look that draws to that conclusion. Luckily, Unicorn also meets those expectations.
As you can see, this is a knife that is opened with a flipper tab. By the way, this is the only way to get the blade out. It is so buried in the handle that you can not even open the knife with two hands if you want to.
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| The unicorn has a horn, a flipper tab |
Fortunately, the flipper tab is easily accessible and provides good traction against the finger. The result when activated is a fast deploying blade. The resistance of the detent ball is well-tuned. Possibly I can object that I think the tab itself is a tad bit too sharp. It could be more rounded.
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| The lock, a frame lock, is very well designed |
Given the construction and material of this knife, maybe the lock type will not come as a surprise? It's a titanium frame lock. It has been fitted with a lock bar reinforcement in steel. It also acts as an overtravel stop, which in this case is absolutely necessary as it is not a giant thick lock bar. Without a safety function, it could have been bent out of position.
The function itself is excellent. The blade sits where it sits in the open position without moving in the slightest in any direction. The lock also gets approved when it is to be released. Sure, the lock bar does not rise above the frame, but to provide enough space for a thumb to access, the frame has been rounded on the inside on both sides. The lock bar has also been given an almost obligatory pattern to give a little more friction so that the thumb does not slip off.
To Carry
Knife, which knife? Is a question you can think of to ask when it comes to Unicorn in your pocket. Sure, a piece of the handle is visible and reveals the knife, but there is no other indication that you are wearing a tool.
With a modest weight of 48 grams, there is almost nothing to be felt in the pocket and the outer dimensions do not have a detrimental effect either.
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| The clip is one of SRM's standard versions, but the function is satisfactory |
The clip is also a good one. Or it depends on what the knife is to be carried for. Given the format of this knife, however, it may not be the thickest work or outdoor pants that which is closest at hand anyway. In those cases, the space under the clip is not enough. But the tension is good and holds the knife well in place and the ramp is sympathetic. It gives a good push over the edge of a jeans pocket without sticking out in any way.
The advantage of the tip not pointing outwards is also that the clip is not felt in the hand when using the knife. Especially as this clip sits a bit in on the handle, which means that you do not get the loop in the middle of the hand, which is often the case on "deep ride" clips. There are both pros and cons to both solutions.
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| The position of the clip causes a part of the handle to protrude from the pocket |
The clip is screwed in place with two small screws with T6 heads. One of them is "load-bearing" in that it is also what holds the frame of the knife together. Then it should be noted that the clip can certainly be removed but not moved. So no love for the left-handed from SRM this time. But that in turn depends on the construction. It would not have been easy to incorporate holes on the other side especially not if it were to be done nicely. On the other hand, the knife is so ultra-light that it can easily be carried loose in a pocket.
To Conclude
At best, a knife has something that distinguishes it and makes it stand out from the crowd. If it does not, it just has to be damn good to be successful. The best is of course a combination. Unicorn is stumbling close I must say. First, it does not have one but three details that are not among the most common.
The first thing to see is the openwork handle where the blade can be seen even when the knife is folded. The second is revealed when the knife is opened and it is the blade with its cheeky tip. The third is something that is only felt when you actually hold the knife and that is that it is light as a feather. We are talking about a knife that weighs in at 1.7 oz. That's light no matter how you measure and relate it to size.
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| SRM 7415 Unicorn is a light EDC knife, here together with a larger cousin |
Then the 7415 Unicorn also offers SRM's usual good build quality. It is noticeable that the company behind the brand has been in the industry for a long time. They are also well-known OEM manufacturers for other brands, by the way.
The result is a well-made knife with obvious attention to detail. The most important thing is that the most important bits are in place. Blade centering and factory edge get more than approved, the lock works completely without remarks and the small lock bar in titanium has been given an overtravel stop. In addition, the lock is easy to disengage and the blade is easy and fast to open via a good flipper tab.
Then there are also smaller details that enhance the overall impression. One is how well all the pockets in the handle have been milled and ground, another is the small accent colors in the collars around the two holding screws. The way in which the lanyard attachment is made is also elegantly done.
Possibly I can object that the clip could be more unique for this particular knife. There, SRM has obviously chosen to save to keep the total price down. But it is a small thing. The function is good.
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| SRM Unicorn is a knife for those who appreciate a "trailing point". |
Overall, I still do not know if I am completely fond of "Persian" inspired blades. But SRM makes a damn good attempt to convert me. It is a knife that I can definitely recommend for those who like this look and are looking for an elegant-looking and light pocket knife for small daily needs.
Specification:
Length Overall: 163 mm
Length Folded: 90 mm
Weight: 48g
Blade Length: 70 mm
Blade Thickness: 3,1 mm
Blade Steel: 154CM
Handle: Titanium, TC4
Lock: Frame lock
Produced by: SRM, made in China
/ J -
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