- The emperor penguin
Medium, small and large. This is what the size evolution of this QSP model looked like. Although the names are Penguin, Penguin Mini, and finally Penguin Plus. It wasn't hard to figure out that there would be more versions and variations over time given the success of the original model.
Obviously, more people than I think it's a really good knife. It got even a little better in at least some respects when it was upgraded to the titanium version. You can read about that transformation in my previous reviews of this model. In the last one, I more than hinted that there was one more level to climb and it is this knife that I had in mind.
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| QSP Penguin Plus |
So what has changed from Penguin to Penguin Plus apart from the obvious that it has grown? Before I reveal it, it can be pointed out that there is a reason why it was not named, for example, "XL" or something similar, but the more modest "Plus". Because it is actually not that much bigger than the original. But still enough to make a difference in how the knife is experienced and then it is not mainly the blade that I have in mind but the handle size. It fits my hands significantly better, for example.
Then maybe "Plus" also denotes that the knife has been trimmed in relation to its predecessor by adding another opening method as this knife has both thumb studs and a flipper tab. In addition, there is a substantial upgrade in terms of knife steel.
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| Penguin "Plus", not "XL". The size is bigger but not extremely much, the steel is improved and then another opening method has been added |
Twitter version: The QSP Penguin grew and received the addition Plus, which seems not only to be aimed at the size, but also at other specifications and appearance. I predict continued success for this model!
Blade
Like all QSP penguins, the blade is a Sheep's foot, although it is sometimes carelessly said to be a Wharncliffe, despite the fact that the back is straight and only slopes very steeply towards the tip. But in any case, it has grown somewhat in length and here the blade is 8.6 cm long. The height is 2.5 cm and the thickness is 3.5 mm.
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| The blade shape feels familiar to those who know their penguins |
As is often the case with QSP knives these days, the Penguin Plus can be had with a couple of different blade finishes. In this case, they are linked to whatever handle material is chosen, which in this case means a two-tone satin. In other designs, the blade is blackened.
The steel is as mentioned one of the upgrades and in this version, CPM 20CV from Crucible is used. It's powder steel of the highest quality that largely shares composition and properties with another perhaps better-known steel, M390 from Böhler/Uddeholm. Either way, it's really good steel to use in folding knives, and from what I can tell, they've done quite well with the treatment of the steel. Possibly those who are experts in the field can claim that it is a good idea to go a little further with the hardness and have it even thinner behind the edge. But by and large, this steel behaves the way that I am accustomed to regarding materials of this dignity.
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| The knife is discreetly marked but 20CV is written on the blade, a high-end steel |
In practice, this means steel that is resistant to corrosion and it can be said that despite wet autumn and winter times, no spots have appeared on the blade during the test time. I also expect high sharpness, which the factory edge also offered. Now it can be added that it would be a shame otherwise, as a straight edge is significantly easier to sharpen than a curved one.
Then, in such an exclusive steel, I want to see very good edge holding, and that criterion is also met here. This is despite the fact that when I test knives, I often cut nylon rope and tamp that has been lying outside (I use an old anchoring rope for a boat), which means that there is often a little grit in them.
In other respects, the Penguin Plus behaves like its smaller cousins and is thus an excellent folding knife for all possible everyday use. In fact, the knife is robust and large enough even for outdoor life, although I personally prefer a beveled edge in that case.
Handle
Handle shape and construction are recognizable from little brother, the Penguin Ti, it would be strange otherwise. This means a knife that pretty much follows the formula of how to build an all-metal knife with this type of lock. You take two pieces of solid titanium, 3.4 millimeters thick in this case, and anchor them together using the pivot screw and two additional attachment points. The spacers themselves in the open back are hourglass-shaped. The adjustable pivot screw is, as usual on QSP's slightly finer knives, "single-sided", meaning it is only screwed from one side. To prevent it from spinning freely when adjusting the blade or the knife is taken apart, the bolt is d-shaped.
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| The handle shape is familiar but the flipper provides extended finger protection |
The material is titanium and the type used is TC4, which has been given a blasted surface in this case. It gives the knife a sober gray tone. The handle sides are not weight-relieved internally in any way. There are both pros and cons to that. Certainly, the knife could be made slightly lighter by milling out pockets, but as it is now, no debris gets stuck there. Since the total weight is not a deterrent, I can be comfortable with this solution.
The simplicity from the inside is repeated on the outside as the handle has no patterns, decorations, or for that matter arched sides or even beveled edges. The edges are rounded for comfort but no more.
The only thing that is visible is the notches where the clip resides if you choose to switch sides on it and of course, the considerably enlarged hole for the lanyard. I could do without it, but now it's there and the function is good.
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| The titanium sides are solid and the handle is open in the back |
So far no differences compared to its smaller relative. But then it was the format. In this case, the handle measures 11.4 cm in length and 1.1 cm in width and it is 2.3 cm high. Now the difference in available space for the hand is not quite as great as the measurements suggest. Since this knife has an added flipper tab, it steals some space, which is quite normal. Therefore, there is barely ten cm to grasp around.
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| The handle length is not enormously increased, but the handle is fuller than before, which gives more to grip around |
But in return, it's an efficient use of space to the extent that this simple handle shape doesn't interfere with whatever size or shape of hands you have. The result is also somewhat better ergonomics than the smaller models. This is simply because there is more handle to grab onto. It is still far from a perfect handle from a pure comfort point of view. But it is very good and it is enough in this case. All customary grips can be used, whether you use some power and want to hold the knife in a hammer grip or want to control the blade more via a thumb or index finger on the back of the blade.
But of course, if you work for a long time, you feel that the knife is quite square across the back and that it is a knife with an open back. In relation to similar knives, however, the QSP Penguin Plus stands up very well.
Opening and Lock
In this area, you find another of the things that distinguish the "Plus" from its smaller relatives. This knife has been given multiple opening methods. The excellent thumb studs from before are still there and given that the blade is not completely hidden in the handle in the folded position, the knife can also be opened with two hands if so desired.
The novelty consists in combining these options with a flipper. In addition, one with very good function. It is easy to use in that the resistance is not very great and the shape combined with good geometry means that you don't have to think about how you approach the flipper tab. Press down and the blade comes out regardless of the angle or how you hold the knife. It is possible to use both "light switch" or "push button" movements, i.e. pull your finger back or press down when you open the knife.
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| The triangular flipper tab offers good function |
What is a bit special is that QSP has succeeded in tuning the resistance in the detent ball to work with the different methods of opening the knife. A piece of art that is not entirely simple, but which at least some manufacturers nowadays master. Here, the balance between the two systems is so good that I feel it doesn't matter whether you use a thumb or index finger to eject the blade.
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| The frame lock is simply very good |
Given the material in the handle, the type of lock does not come as a surprise. The frame lock this knife comes with also has the additions we have come to expect from them whether they are needed or not. But a steel insert in the lock bar prevents "lock stick" and also extends the life of the lock and thus the knife. In addition, there is also an overtravel stop that prevents said arm from being bent out of position if you release the lock too violently.
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| Good access to the lock bar and the chamfered surface make the lock very easy to disengage |
The function of this variant of frame lock or R.I.L (Reeve Integral Lock) as it is actually called is exemplary. I can't think of many ways it could be better. It locks every time the knife is opened, no matter how slowly or quickly it happens, while the blade is held securely. Here, no movement in the blade can be detected, even if you provoke the blade by grabbing the tip and trying to wiggle it, or alternatively lightly spine-whack the knife.
In addition, the lock is very easy to access and disengage. Something that has been refined for this edition by giving the lock bar an angled or chamfered surface which made the sharp edge that the previous version had disappeared. Excellent so QSP!
To Carry
There is always a price to pay for enlarging a knife and that is how it feels in a pocket. It is quite obvious that the volume increases and usually also the weight. Here, the latter could have been trimmed a bit with a little more work on the inside of the handle. But the Penguin Plus still weighs in at a respectable 128 grams. Not extremely light in relation to the 86 mm blade length, but also not so heavy that you feel like you have an anchor in your pocket.
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| Penguin Plus offers a very good wire clip |
The volume has increased because the handle is now around 11.5 cm long and in addition, there is a slightly increased height which is reinforced by a flipper tab that sticks up a bit more. Simply put, more knife in your pocket.
But the almost polished sides remain and this makes it easy to pull and put away.
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| The ramp is adequate, the end does not point outwards and the space below is approved. In other words, a good clip, especially as it is stiff enough |
Above all, it can be attributed to a better clip. Already in the review of the Penguin Ti, I wrote that that clip was a step forward. Mostly due to the fact that that clip felt less against the hand thanks to its placement. Here QSP has "returned" to a deep ride clip but has chosen to do it in wire format instead. This a big step forward, especially as this version is reversible for left-handed people and also feels very little in the hand when using the knife.
QSP has also understood that a good wire clip must be stiff enough not to move sideways. In addition, the ramp is adequate and the space under the clip itself is large enough to accommodate the fabric from most pockets. The tension is also well-tuned. Overall a very good clip.
A bonus is that it allows the knife to dive deep into the pocket. This makes the knife more discreet, but above all, it contributes to making the knife more difficult to drop. Although the latter is usually a discussion of a more theoretical nature.
To Conclude
I initially called this knife the Emperor Penguin. It's actually a fitting epithet. Bigger isn't always better, but in this case, damn if it isn't. An already good original model was first tweaked with a titanium handle and frame lock as well as a slightly upgraded steel. Then QSP took the plunge and added additional opening methods for those who desired it and further refined the material selection and Penguin Plus was the result.
Then it should be pointed out that for those who do not like metal handles, there are also equally exclusive versions with handles or at least a presentation side in carbon fiber available.
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| The QSP Penguin Plus is a nice EDC knife, here in the company of the Penguin Mini |
But the big or maybe small change, in this case, can be compressed to just over ten millimeters. This difference is also somewhat reduced by the fact that the finger guard, read the flipper tab, has been added and thus steals some space. Even so, it makes that little extra for those with my hand size. I'm talking, of course, about the extra room for the hand that the addition "Plus" provides. That is where the main merit is found in my opinion.
It is not always that size changes of existing models are completely successful. But in this case, I believe that QSP not only succeeded but also did it exceptionally well. The reason is not only to be found in the format but also in the relatively subtle changes that have been made. They do not affect appearance but are precisely those small extra details that turn an already good knife into an excellent one. The handling is even a little smoother, the lock has been refined, the clip is improved, and the upgraded blade steel is the icing on the cake.
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| QSP Penguin Plus is a solid knife that doesn't make a fool of itself in any context |
But of course, with these improvements comes a higher price tag. The original model was and is a more budget-oriented tool and a good one at that. Instead, the Penguin Plus is a relatively exclusive and very well-built knife. Thus, it is a knife I really recommend. Assuming you like straight edges of course. That addition to the review has not been changed!
Specifications:
Length Overall: 200 mm
Length Folded: 114 mm
Weight: 127 g
Blade Length: 86 mm
Blade Thickness: 3,5 mm
Blade Steel: Crucible CPM 20CV
Handle: Titanium
Lock: Frame lock
Produced by: QSP, made in China
/ J
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