- SRMs current flagship
Certainly, SRM has already shown in the past that they can make good EDC knives. Not least through the excellent models 7228 and 7228L "Rubik" where especially the latter was very competent. They offered a couple of technically interesting details such as a clip that can be removed without tools and their own interpretation of an Axis lock.
But since then SRM has also released some knives that are a couple of notches up, if not on the practical level then at least in terms of more prestigious materials. I have previously reviewed the first of them called Unicorn and today it is time for a significantly larger knife in the form of Asika L.
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| SRM 1411TZ Asika L |
Now the addition "L" or 1411TZ as the complete designation reads suggests that there is a smaller sibling and that is absolutely correct. If you think this knife is too large, there is the smaller 7411TZ with a seven-centimeter blade, which places it in the same class as the aforementioned Unicorn. Same size but a different design language.
It is precisely in that area that Asika excels. The model is characterized by a very distinctive blade that is not ashamed of itself.
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| Asika's main characteristic, the broad bold blade with a tanto tip |
Twitter version: SRM Asika L, a "TFF" among others, but with several well-made details that raise it above the crowd. Add to that a weight and balance that is matched by distinguished cutting properties!
Blade
The blade of Asika is not modest at all. The shape is a very pointed and fairly wide tanto. Also, the tanto tip is not of the "American" edgier variety but of a more Japanese type with a rounded front edge. The transition to the rest of the edge is quite discreet and that combination means that the knife almost has a full belly instead of a pronounced secondary point that some tantos have.
It is the first thing that meets the eye when looking at the blade. Then it has been provided with a beveled back as a visual element. And speaking of the back, it can be pointed out that it is otherwise elegantly rounded. Not a very common detail on a knife in this price range. The finish itself is a well-executed blasted surface. Not my absolute favorite among blade finishes but this one is nice.
And it's substantial blade. The length is just under ten centimeters, 99 mm to be exact. In addition, the blade is 28 mm high. When combined with an almost full flat grind, the basic conditions for cutting are good.
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| The flat-ground blade is a decimetre long and is distinguished by its point |
They are particularly good when you start from a stock thickness that is no thicker than 3.1 mm. In addition, SRM has dared to trust the material and the blade measures only 0.4 mm behind the edge. Even better is that the transition is gradually, which overall gives good geometry.
It also affects the tip, which also tapers considerably and the result is that it is needle-sharp. Nothing to pry with, in other words.
When we're still on the subject of pointy and sharp, it can be said that the factory edge is more than decent. It's not perfect from side to side, but pretty darn close. So a good job. It is noticeable that SRM has been in the industry for a long time. The competence is within the walls, so to speak. In addition to their own production, they are often used as an OEM manufacturer.
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| The steel in the blade is 154CM and of that only 0.4 mm has been left behind the edge |
The steel choice fell on older steel from American Crucible in the form of 154CM. The advantage of such proven materials is that the formulas for how they should be hardened and heat treated are well known. It appears to be so in this case as well, the edge retention is quite good. It's also easy to maintain with a strop and a whetstone.
Even more positive is that Asika not only has the theoretical prerequisites to cut well. It does so in practice as well. The tip is almost scary effective, sharp, and thinner than many needles. As said, don't pry with it.
The blade cuts well, something else would be disappointing. The height makes the knife easier to control when making straight cuts e.g. when killing cardboard but also when slicing food. Something I only do with folding knives when I test them by the way. The ability to cut straight, on the other hand, is used more often. For example, when templates are made for knife sheaths. Sometimes I test a design as a cardboard prototype first and finishing them means cutting all the parts before they are glued. Leather can be quite expensive to waste so "mock-ups" are always good. Incidentally, the sharp tanto tip cuts well in leather too!
By the way, this applies to most materials I have come close to such as fabric, plastic, and nylon rope. Asika L is a good folding knife for everyday use in terms of function. As a knife for outdoor life or the construction site, the handle feels very thin and the tip is too delicate. It's not that thin tips fall off just by looking at them, but they require you to be aware that they're sensitive, which you don't always want to pay attention to when you're out camping for instance.
Handle
That Asika has a titanium handle probably doesn't come as a surprise if you consider the color and add the low weight to it. The color in this case comes from a finely blasted surface. There are some contrasting blue details around the screw heads to brighten things. The pivot screw has also, as on several of SRM's knives, been provided with a logo. A fairly discreet way of marking a knife.
The measurements are written for a length of 12.7 cm long with a height of 2.5 cm. The width is a modest 10.5 mm.
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| Asika has a handle with clean lines and plenty of space |
The construction does not stand out in any way. Asika is partially open in the back where a back spacer is also found. It is well-rounded and includes a lanyard hole. Then, like the blade, it has been provided with some grooves for increased traction, even if in that case they are barely felt. They are more cosmetic than practical in nature.
The rest of the handle is also well-rounded. The sides are certainly flat but all the ends have been properly chamfered and there are no sharp edges anywhere, not on inside or outside of the back or at the slot for the blade. SRM has not even missed common pitfalls such as the inside of the front part of the handle, which is only exposed when the knife is closed.
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| A mostly open construction that is also completely smooth on the inside |
Because the handle is so long, the flipper doesn't steal space, as can often be the case with knives that feature. Here there is still 10.6 cm left for the hand, which is enough for most hand sizes.
The handle is comfortable without being extraordinarily good, it's simply too thin for that. But as long as you don't apply hard pressure, it works great. As with many frame locks, it is possible to feel the corner that occurs where the lock arm is cut out from the handle side. But that's only if you look for it and slide forward with your hand, so it's generally not a problem when cutting with the knife.
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| Asika is a large, light, and well-balanced knife |
The fact that the handle is long brings with it another good feature, and that is that the clip basically does not feel against the hand, even though it is of the deep ride variety. The loop they have otherwise has a tendency to want to cut into the hand when handles are gripped a little more firmly. That's not the case here.
Overall, this is a flexible handle as the shape is simple. This means that any grip that can be used on a folding knife works. The big objection I have is more connected to a design choice than a flaw. This is not an ergonomic knife! It is, however, extremely comfortable to hold as I said before. It may sound contradictory, but let me explain. It simply means that the knife is too thin to grip tightly. When doing so, the handle simply cuts into the hand.
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| The handle is long enough for most grips and hand sizes. But too thin to use heavily if you don't use gloves, of course |
Incidentally, the fastest way to test that detail without working for hours with a knife is to take your knife and press hard against, for example, a piece of wood a few times. Then look at your hand and see if there are marks and feel if there is pressure anywhere.
Opening and Lock
In terms of construction and function, the Asika follows the basic template of a titanium frame lock flipper, or "TFF", as they are often referred to. Folding out the blade is therefore done with the help of a flipper tab. This one is generally good.
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| The flipper tab works instinctively, i.e. you don't have to think about what to do when it is used |
What is less good is that it is a little pointed, which means that it can be felt against the hand if it's to be combined with the knife in the pocket. Or if you keep other things there like keys. The function itself, on the other hand, is sympathetic. It is easy to "find" with your finger, i.e. you don't have to think too much about where it is and at what angle and it works whether you push down (push button) or pull back (light switch). This makes handling quite instinctive. For those who know what a flipper knife is, that is. It is easy to become home-blind when reviewing knives. Not everyone shares the prior knowledge of knife enthusiasts.
But for those who are not as familiar with modern inventions, the blade can be opened with two hands as well because part of the blade is visible. However, it is not completely smooth as the resistance from the detent ball is tuned for flipper opening. It is otherwise likable, nimble, and with good speed in movement, despite the fact that the blade is not particularly heavy. Both the resistance that builds up the power in the movement and the fine ball bearings on which the blade runs contribute to the good opening ability.
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| The frame lock is effective and easy to access |
According to the same formula as above, the lock is of course a frame lock. Like all such these days, it comes with an overtravel stop as well as a lock bar insert in steel. The latter extends the knife's theoretical life and avoid problems with lock stick and the like.
There is nothing negative to comment on the function. No play up and down or sideways can be felt in the blade, nor does the lock bar slip under heavy pressure. The lock is also easy to access and release. The lock bar has a strategic chamfer and the opposite side is recessed. Another detail that is correctly executed on this knife. They are starting to line up now, the number of details worth highlighting.
To Carry
For its size, this knife is extremely easy to carry. The fact that it's very thin contributes to that, of course. It measures only ten millimeters across the back. Then the other dimensions are more substantial, as I said, the handle is more than 12 cm long and the knife is also 3.2 cm high. But the blade does not stick out unnecessarily, which makes Asika as discreet as can be with this width of the blade.
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| The knife is thin and relatively light and comes with a deep ride clip, which overall makes the knife easy to carry |
Then there was the weight. The Asika L is a very light knife for its size, 128 grams is not much for a knife that has a ten-centimeter-long blade. Sometimes inch/mm of blade per gram is mentioned and that ratio is good in this case.
The material also contributes to the fact that the knife is easy to carry around. Smooth titanium does not cause much friction. When it is then combined with an excellent clip, the end result is really good.
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| The clip is recessed in the handle side and the screw heads are in the clip itself. In addition, they are flat, which is exemplary |
The actual appearance of the clip may not be that exciting, but the function is. It is one of SRM's usual variants, which means good tension, sufficient ramp even if it is not one of the largest, and no point that points out and hurts the hand. The material is steel.
The design also includes the clip being recessed into the handle side and secured with screws with flat heads which in turn are recessed into the clip. The result is that all the space under it can be used for fabric. This means that the clip can be made less prominent, which is not felt as much in the hand. Well done there SRM.
The location and shape of the clip also mean that the knife sits very deep in the pocket and less than a centimeter of the handle sticks out. One of the few downsides to the clip is that it cannot be shifted to the annoyance of left-handed users.
To Conclude
Despite its slightly aggressive appearance with a tanto blade whose tip almost strives upwards, the Asika 1411TZ is an elegant knife. The design is stripped down and tasteful and the border on boring is avoided primarily through the blade shape but also through several smaller details that enhance the overall impression.
One such is the small splashes of color that the collars around both the pivot and side screws offer. Then add a titanium back spacer that is well-rounded and a clip that is recessed into the side of the handle. Even things like a well-executed sharpening choil and an excellent factory edge contribute to the feeling of quality. That and that Asika is generally very well built with all corners and edges well chamfered and rounded a centered blade, and really good handling. The flipper just works and the lock fulfills its function and is easy to release.
It is also impossible to get away from the fact that Asika feels very nimble in hand. This is partly because it de facto doesn't weigh much at 128 grams despite the massive titanium sides. But explanations can also be found in the fact that it is thin, but above all it is well balanced, not perfect but good enough. The center of gravity is found a finger width behind the flipper tab.
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| SRM knives in various sizes, the Asika is a good "EDC" knife but perhaps on the large side for many |
The most positive thing, however, is that form has not been allowed to come before the function to the extent that it is also a very competent knife, albeit not for the heaviest tasks given the almost fragile tip and the thin handle. But for all the small jobs that involve cutting things or needing that needlepoint of a tip, it's excellent.
Overall, the steel also holds its sharpness well. 154CM is not "the latest" in steel but does what it is supposed to do.
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| SRM Asika L, elegant as a well-made cup of coffee |
The conclusion can therefore be no other than that this is a damn good knife. It is the sum of many details done correctly.
But despite that, Asika L is not really for everyone, I would probably argue. Something may have to do with prestige. SRM is not there as a brand, yet, should perhaps be added. You don't buy knives from them because you want to brag about it to your friends. However, those who don't give a damn about such arguments find a good knife in Asika. Assuming you like a thin knife with a distinct tanto blade that is. And it could be the other water divider or maybe the flavor divider in this case. Either you like tanto tips or you don't. In addition, it looks a little aggressive, which is not always feasible everywhere.
However, if you belong to the ones that like them, this is a very interesting option!
Specifications:
Length Overall: 226 mm
Length Closed: 127 mm
Weight: 128 g
Blade Length: 99 mm
Blade Thickness: 3,1 mm
Blade Steel: Crucible154CM
Handle: Titanium
Lock: Frame lock
Produced by: SRM, made in China
/ J
* However, it is the simpler of the two 154 steels. The more advanced is a powder steel and then has the designation CPM154 which stands for "Crucible Powder Metallurgy".
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