- A foldable mini dagger
Most of the time, it's the immediate practical considerations that determine my opinion of a specific knife. However, aesthetics are never unimportant. If I can choose a good-looking and practical knife, it goes ahead of an ugly and equally practical knife. But sometimes appearance has to play an even bigger role. As in this case.
A dagger-inspired blade is rarely the most practical option if you're not going to stab things all day. Even so, I chose this version Flame Light. A knife from Italian MKM - Maniago Knife Makers.
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| MKM Flame Light |
This design from Michael Zieba has been around for a while in MKM's catalog as Flame and there are no less than ten versions to choose from. Somewhat confusingly, one version is made in green Micarta, which makes it deceptively similar to a "Flame Light". Only a few grams separate the models. But since it is out of stock on the website, I suspect that this new version simply replaced it.
"Light" means Micarta in the handle instead of titanium and carbon fiber which is found in the original "Flame". The handle is currently available in three different colors, black, natural and green. To further increase the options, there are also two different blade shapes to choose from.
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| Tillverkad i Maniago, Italien |
Short version: MKM Flame Light, for those who want a little more Shakespeare in their EDC rotation
Blade
It is hard to miss that it is a small dagger blade. Almost completely symmetrical if it wasn't for the fact that the blade is single-ground. In this embodiment must be added. For those who want even more functionality in the blade, a pointed drop point blade is also available.
The blade length is approximately 72 mm and the thickness a modest 2.5 mm. The height or perhaps the width of the blade is 14mm at the widest point, the blade base near the ricasso. Then the blade quickly tapers to a distinct tip.
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| The dagger-shaped blade is 72 mm long |
Otherwise, the blade is characterized by a pronounced "fuller" or blood groove, which for some inexplicable reason it is also called. The blade finish is an excellent stone wash and the blade is marked with MKM's logo on one side and opposite is found Zieba's name along with "Made by MIKITA".
It's a little complicated because MKM is a collective name as the name suggests and the knives are manufactured by a small conglomerate of well-known manufacturers from Maniago.
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| The blade is recognizable by the distinct fuller |
The steel used is M390 as in most knives from MKM. It is a very exclusive steel that for a knife enthusiast needs no further presentation. It is consistently good on most parameters such as ability to take and hold an edge, corrosion resistance, impact resistance and so on. Then it can always be discussed how much use you get from a super steel in a small pocket knife with a dagger blade. But on the other hand, we have cars with hundreds of horsepower and that may not always be completely necessary either.
Something more important is a good geometry for a knife to cut well and the Flame Light version doesn't have that to be honest. Certainly the blade is thin but on the other hand the primary edge is only 5 mm. This means that the thickness behind the edge ends up around 0.8 mm. It is enough and then some even for a solid chopper or survival knife. Then you can figure out for yourself that this knife is not the world's best knife for slicing salami. The geometry also means that the tip is actually not as thin as it looks. Good for strength but deteriorates the properties when a splinter has to be removed, for example.
What the knife does better is to penetrate plastic and open packages, for example. It does it with style and that's where this knife's main raison d'etre lies.
Handle
"Have a Cigar" is a song by Pink Floyd and that title can be used to describe the handle of the little knife. A completely symmetrical handle with elegantly rounded shapes and arched sides. The length is pretty much exactly 10 cm and height and width are according to my caliper 18 mm and 13 mm respectively.
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| The handle is fairly neutral |
The material on the handle sides is, as previously mentioned, Micarta. It is almost green-black when the knife is new but darkens as the knife is used like all knives with this handle material. In this way, it is a living material that ages and acquires a patina over time. The quality of the material is excellent and Mikita has treated it well. The edges that exist, on the inside of both the blade groove and the open back, are well sanded and rounded. The same can be said about the chamfered edges.
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| As you can see, the Flame Light is not a big knife |
The construction is fairly straightforward with an internal steel frame. It is greatly relieved on the non-locking side while on the other you find the liner lock.
The knife is held together by only two screws. An adjustable pivot screw and one that holds the handle together towards the end. There is also a third screw that holds the clip in place. All three are thankfully the same size, namely T8.
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| Most grips work more or less well |
Opening and Lock
The flipper tab on this knife is very small and discreet. It comes with the format and the symmetrical look. It is one of the finger guards that acts as a flipper. The height of it is a modest 3.5mm or thereabouts. In addition, it lacks grooves and corners and the edges are rounded. This means that it can be a little difficult to hit correctly if you are not accurate.
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| One of the most discreet flipper tabs I've seen |
If you do that, however, you are rewarded with good speed and flick of the small blade. Something that is not entirely easy to achieve with so little weight to work with. But the combination of ball bearings and well-balanced resistance in the detent ball is a successful concept.
It also doesn't really matter how you approach the flipper, to pull back or push down. Because it is so small, the movement is still something in between.
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| The liner lock doesn't make much of a fuss either |
The lock is a well made liner lock. It holds the lightweight blade in place with authority. No play in any direction, nor does the lock bar slide if improperly loaded. Moderately perhaps I should add. Just as I refuse to review this knife as an outdoor knife, I refuse to subject it to any kind of fatigue test.
The lock is not the easiest to release but with that said it is not very complicated either. Opposite handle side is slightly recessed for ease of access and there is a very nice pattern on the lock bar to increase traction. It is enough to fulfill its function.
To Carry
Of course, I was about to start with and it must remain, this knife is exemplary in a pocket. Just look at it! Completely streamlined with minimal protruding parts and a stated weight of 55 grams. According to my scale, it was 54 grams.
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| The clip is mounted on the back end of the handle, which means that the knife sits very deep in the pocket |
The soft Micarta sides are also very practical in a pocket as in they do not rub against fabric or cause friction when the knife is to be pulled or tucked away.
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| Despite the small format, there is relatively much space under the clip |
To these positive qualities must be added a very good clip. It doesn't feel significantly against the hand when the knife is used and above all it keeps the knife in place in the pocket so you don't risk losing it. The material is steel and it is attached to the rear end of the handle with a single screw. Even so, it sits firmly in place without moving sideways. Something I appreciate.
The ramp is also good, which is enough even for relatively thick fabrics, and the space under the clip is also adequate.
To Conclude
It is not entirely easy to summarize my impressions of this knife. It kind of gets both criticism and praise at the same time, but it depends more on the design than the execution. The materials and the way they were used are top notch and they have also spiced it up with several small details that enhance the overall impression. Examples of such are the anodized ring of titanium around the pivot screw and how well rounded and soft everything is. Even the corners that are not completely visible. They know what they are doing in Maniago.
But that's not where the negatives can be found with this knife.
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| Flame Light is a small EDC knife with a lot of attitude |
The disadvantages can of course be attributed to the diminutive format, especially as it is combined with a pure dagger blade with its low saber grind. It can never be as all-round and practical as, say, a flat-ground drop point. It neither cuts nor even stabs things equally well. This is the closest thing to a miniaturized stiletto.
But there is also the strength of the knife! This is not a knife for the outdoors or the construction site. Whether carving hiking poles or wooden spoons or opening pallets with insulation with precision. This is a pure EDC knife for small tasks and nothing else. It does it in style though, and is pretty to look at when it does. This is a small work of art that can also be used for some practical tasks. Good thing, as it's a pronounced design choice that doesn't shy away from it. If the same general appearance is desired but more practical, there are, as I said, other versions.
Personally, I usually combine it with a second and somewhat more efficient knife from, for example, MKM.
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| What am I doing here, the knife seems to think. Flame Light from MKM performs better in an office than in a forest environment |
However, for those who appreciate this kind of look and can't get enough of small daggers, folding or not, the Flame Light is an excellent knife. The design from Zieba is very appealing and the execution really good. Maniago Knife Makers has quickly climbed to become one of my favorite folding knife brands.
Specification:
Length Overall: 176 mm
Length Folded: 101 mm
Weight: 54 g (weighed by me, stated 55g)
Blade Length: 72 mm
Blade Thickness: 2,5 mm
Blade Steel: M390
Handle: Micarta
Lock: Liner lock
Produced by: Mikita, made in Italy
/ J
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