- a future bestseller?
With the model Penguin, QSP has achieved a smash hit, which is not least noticeable in the large number of versions that knife is available nowadays. You can choose from no less than three sizes, different materials in the handle, and a couple of variations on the opening system.
Whether today's review item will achieve the same status remains to be seen but for some reason, I don't think so. Due to the shape of the blade, it is somewhat more generic, even though it is a folding knife that lives well on its own merits. But a small sign of success can be seen as this model also starts to sprout in different editions.
Time to take a closer look at the QSP Osprey!
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| QSP Osprey |
As I said, there is nothing wrong with the material and execution, nor the basic shape. But therein lies the difference between the knives. This knife's drop point blade doesn't stand out from the crowd as much as the more dramatic straight edge of its relative. But personally, I actually prefer this type of blade shape unless I have a particular task in mind. I don't share the now fairly commonly expressed opinion that Wharncliffe/Sheepsfoot blades are the "best" for EDC use.
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| Osprey, a promising foundation for a good EDC knife |
Twitter version: Osprey, a model from QSP that has slipped a bit under the radar, perhaps due to it being a bird of prey?
Blade
The blade that I mentioned at the beginning is 82 mm long and as thin as three millimeters. The height of the blade is 21 mm and the shape itself is quite "nice" as the blade is not extremely pointed or anything like that. The slightly rounded belly makes the blade look as purposeful as it is. Simple but well-functioning, it could be summed up.
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| An uncomplicated blade, a drop point with an almost full flat grind |
The finish is a sympathetic satin. One of my favorites as the glossy surface gives a bit of flair while not being extremely sensitive to wear. And unlike, say, a blasted surface, the pores don't open up for rust either.
Now the blade is not particularly prone to rust in any case because the steel is 14C28N from Sandvik. Here it is reportedly hardened to 59-61 HRC. Considering that the knife kept its sharpness well during the first part of the test period, it seems to be correct.
Otherwise, it can be said about the blade that it is discreetly marked with the QSP logo in a small format on one side of the ricasso and steel type in an even smaller format on the opposite side. Furthermore, it can be stated that the blade is almost completely flat ground but has a small flat part that turns into a ricasso/flipper.
The factory edge was very well done. This means that the knife came out sharp and that the edge is both centered and even in height. There is a slightly small "smile" towards the heel of the blade, but otherwise a really good edge.
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| Approved and relatively sharp factory edge with a tendency to smile towards the ricasso |
It is also noticeable when you start cutting. A sharp edge, a practical blade shape that is 0.4mm thick behind the edge, and a good tip make most challenges feel manageable. The first task the knife had to bite into was, to be honest, not that extreme. Preparing a sandwich during a knife-throwing session. It mostly involved slicing tomato, cucumber, and a piece of salami. But the knife still did with that honor. In this case, the Osprey behaves almost like a small paring knife, which is a good rating for a pocket knife.
Perhaps more interesting is how the knife works to tackle all the damned plastic that's everywhere these days. But the answer is...very good! This applies to puncturing tough plastic packaging around food as well as thicker plastics such as PET bottles and cans. That's one of the reasons I appreciate a good tip on my EDC knives.
Because the edge was sharp, it also bites well on shallower cuts like when I cut a number of cable ties that were used to attach the muffler on my old Volvo. Even package opening where you first have to cut off nylon straps and then attack the cardboard itself after opening all the tape works great.
In short, the Osprey is an excellent EDC knife. Especially as it actually cuts wood well too. Given the smaller format of the handle in particular, it's not my first choice as the only knife for outdoor life, but overall it doesn't perform badly in that role either.
Handle
The handle is simply built and starts from a polished stainless steel frame. However, unlike many other knives, it is not lightened in any way. Most likely to keep the price down. After all, it means another moment of machining per unit and, as you know, time is money. It brings with it both advantages and disadvantages. The disadvantage is, of course, that the knife is somewhat heavier than it could be, but since the total weight is a respectable 92 grams anyway, there is not much to say about it. More clearly, the balance is usually shifted towards the handle.
But the end result is not bad in that area either. Of course, it is not completely ultimate, but the balance point is found a few centimeters behind the pivot screw and with a lightened frame it would probably have been perfect.
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| In this version, the handle slabs are made of blue Micarta |
However, the advantage of a completely smooth inside is that the knife is very easy to clean. Especially when the one here is mostly open in the back. The knife otherwise has a small, partial back spacer that is made of the same material as the rest of the handle but in a different color, which means black in this case. The back spacer also incorporates a lanyard hole. It is also large enough to accommodate a standard 550 paracord.
As mentioned, the material returns in the handle sides and is, of course, Micarta. In that case, it is blue, and if you want a different color, brown and green are also available. Then you can add a few different variants of "shredded" carbon fiber or heavier brass and copper in the handle. Certainly nice to look at, but it makes the knife about fifty percent heavier and I don't even want to think about what it does to the just-mentioned balance. But for the metal fetishist, it's an option.
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| The Osprey is almost completely open in the back, which together with a smooth inside makes it easy to keep clean |
The handle is just over a decimeter long, around 1.9 cm high, and has a thickness of 1.2 cm. This, together with the friction naturally found in the material, provides a good grip. Of course, nothing extreme given the straight and simple shape of the handle, but enough. To further enhance that detail, there are grooves on the back of the blade.
Otherwise, it can be said that the sides are completely flat, but that the edges and corners are well-rounded and do not cause any discomfort. Overall, this is a very comfortable handle without being the best ever made.
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| The knife fits well in the hand, but for my part, it could possibly have been a little fuller |
But for all normal grips, the Osprey works great. This of course applies to the basic grips such as hammer grip and saber grip. In the first mentioned, I am especially happy that the clip is not felt very much when working with the knife. Possibly, I can state that for my hand size, the knife could have been a little bigger. Mainly I think about the height. The feeling becomes a bit convulsive if I have to hold the knife in a firm grip. But in return I don't see this knife as a tool I'll be working with for a long time so it's a bit more of an academic question
In general, however, the knife is easy to handle and this also applies if and when you have to change grips. Thanks to the fact that the edge is drawn fairly close to the handle, it is also easy to hold the knife in a pinch-grip for detail work.
Opening and Lock
The Osprey is a dedicated flipper-opening knife. This means that all other methods are excluded. So if you know that you don't appreciate that type of opening method, you should choose another model from QSP.
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| The flipper tab is quite discreet but works well |
Despite the shape of the flipper, it works both to pull back and push down, even though the former is what it was made for. In general, I like the shape of this fin as it is both efficient in terms of function and discreet as in it doesn't stick out too much.
The effect when you press it is good. Much of it depends on solid knowledge at this point, which resulted in the use of good geometry. Another contributing factor is, of course, the eminent ceramic ball bearings that Osprey boasts.
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| The liner lock on the Osprey are not quite easy to access but works without complaint |
The lock is a liner lock. In addition, a damn well-made one. Nothing extraordinary or innovative but it just works. It is reliable in that it works every time the knife opens and regardless of the speed of the blade which is not always the case with all knives. Nor does the lock bar slide under pressure, which means you can trust the lock. That said, I had not subjected this type of lock to the abuse of a "Cold Steel test". That is to say, it is not something you should push to its limit.
The access is not the absolute best but definitely good enough. The lock bar has grooves for increased friction and the opposite side of the handle and frame is slightly recessed. Possibly it could be done better. But in return, liner locks become more secure this way. Otherwise, there is always the risk of accidentally releasing the lock if the knife twists in the hand.
To Carry
As previously mentioned, the Osprey is not a giant knife. About a decimeter in length, 108 mm to be exact and a weight of 92 grams is not much to argue about. Especially not as QSP has remembered to round off the corners and edges that need to be softened. This particularly applies to the rear edge of the back spacer and the flipper fin. These are the parts that the hand comes into contact with the most when reaching into the pocket or accidentally bumping into the knife in other contexts.
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| This knife offers an excellent wire clip |
That, in combination with a couple of flat sides in a material that is relatively soft against the hand, means that the Osprey is easy to both pull and put back in the pocket.
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| A very good tip that doesn't point outwards, decent space underneath, and good tension make this clip a winner |
But what elevates the Osprey above many other knives is the superb clip. It is a wire clip that belongs to one of the better ones. It is attached with a single screw in two recessed grooves in the side of the handle. Since the equivalent is on both sides, the clip is movable.
The best thing about the clip though is that it is stiff enough not to move sideways. A pity that is otherwise found even among well-known manufacturers of this type of clip. In addition, the function is sympathetic. Tension enough to hold the knife securely in place, but still not so hard that it becomes difficult to get the knife over the edge of a trouser pocket. The ramp is big enough as well and the space underneath is reasonably good. There you could have made it slightly larger, but then, on the other hand, the ergonomics risk suffering instead, so I probably still prefer it this way. The screw head that holds the clip in place certainly steals some space, but at least it's rounded.
To Conclude
I don't know for sure how it happens physically, but it seems that an osprey finds itself in the shadow of a penguin. However, I'm not entirely sure that it should be there. In my opinion, this is actually an equally good model, although I personally prefer thumb studs as an opening method. But also in this case, QSP has an excellent basic model to build on. Something they also seem to believe as that work has already started.
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| QSP themselves seem to believe in the model as it has already started appearing in more versions |
In terms of appearance, the Osprey may not be a bird that makes anyone jump high when they see it. It is quite "friendly" looking. But sometimes it can be quite nice too. Everything doesn't have to be extraordinary, out of the "box" or extreme. Sometimes "well done" works too. That's what Osprey is, fine craftsmanship.
Here you get a knife with decent materials in the form of ceramic bearings, a blade in 14C28N steel, and several handle materials to choose from. Micarta, brass, bronze, and carbon fiber should cover most tastes.
In addition, you get a knife with pleasant handling in the form of a fast and safe flipper and a lock that offers no surprises. In addition, you get a really good wire clip and thus a knife that fits well in your pocket. And don't forget, this is a very handy little thing!
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| QSP Osprey where it belongs, near water. Incidentally, several pairs of ospreys are nesting in the lake in the background |
So if it sounds like it would be something for you, you have to pay about 60-64 € or $.
For those pennies, you're getting a damn good EDC knife.
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| Knivshop.se |
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| QSP Knife |
Specification:
Length Overall: 190 mm
Length Folded: 108 mm
Weight: 92 g
Blade Length: 82 mm
Blade Thickness: 3 mm
Blade Steel: Sandvik 14C28N
Handle Material: Micarta
Lock: Liner lock
Produced by: QSP, made in China
/ J
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