- an unusually low-flying bird of prey
QSP has gained momentum when it comes to presenting new knife models. In the days ahead, a substantial release of a folding knife variant of Canary awaits. But that is going ahead of the events.
Today I will instead present a knife that was launched in the last batch of news, which was sometime early this summer. The knife in question is called Kestrel.
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| QSP Kestrel |
In the presentation of this knife, I wrote that overall it felt very well made and that is an impression that persists even after using it for a while, as I can reveal already at the beginning.
A little confusing is that QSP just expanded the range with a knife that is similar to the Kestrel. It is named Grebe and the materials are the same, the blade is similar in shape, and the handles are certainly not exactly the same but not completely different either. What sets them apart is, among other things, the shape of the flipper tab and the clip, whereas on the Kestrel it is also made of more exclusive material. However, the biggest difference is found in the lock type. The new knife has a button lock.
Kestrel is available in two different basic designs, the second of which is in natural (jade) G10. Both versions can then be obtained with a black blade instead of a tumbled blade like here.
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| Kestrels are small but have pointed beaks, and this also applies to this one |
Short version: QSP Kestrel, a fairly discreet bird of prey but with a certain charm and a good bite in the beak
Blade
Already in pictures, it was the blade of this knife that appealed the most, although in retrospect I think the blade of the knife mentioned above is even more attractive. In both cases, these are fairly distinct clip points. This does not mean the size, but rather the blade is quite pointed with a very pronounced swedge, which belongs to the blade type.
The size is rather modest as the blade measures 73 mm. Precisely that size, which can be translated to 2.875 inches, falls under the three-inch limit that makes the knife legal in many jurisdictions in the world. The height is 25 mm and the thickness of the goods is a well-chosen 3 mm.
The blade is satin and the marking is, to put it mildly, extremely discreet. Because there is none! Instead, the logo is found elsewhere on the knife as well as the triangle which now says that this knife does not belong to QSP's simplest series. They have started experimenting with letting the style and placement of the logo tell which category the model falls into.
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| The nicely executed clip-point blade is a good selling point |
The steel used is the now familiar 14C28N from Swedish Sandvik. An excellent choice in my opinion as it is an all-round steel that can handle most things. It is a well-balanced steel in most areas including how it is to sharpen. In this case, it is also reportedly jacked up to 59-61 HRC which is really nice to see. Even nicer is that it is noticeable. Edge holding capability has been good. Whether it really is more than usual is a little more difficult to say.
The factory edge on this particular knife was not only good but really well executed. The only negative is that there is a hint, albeit very small, of a smile towards the sharpening choil. It does not pose a problem at the moment but is something that needs to be taken into account if you resharpen the knife often.
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| No marking is found on this side either, the steel type 14C28N is instead found on the blade base |
Kestrel is also really good to cut with. QSP is starting to get the detail of thinning out the steel behind the edge. That and a high grind contribute to good blade geometry. This means that this knife eats cardboard and other packaging materials for breakfast.
The Sandvik steel bites well even in things like nylon straps and ropes. Then the blade type has a really sharp tip, which in this case makes the process short with plastic. Something that I often use at work (in a kitchen) when I use my pocket knives to open various packages that you don't want to put a chef's knife in.
Handle
The other thing that stands out about this knife is the nice Micarta found in the handle. In this case, it is dark brown and looks like Burlap Micarta with a fairly rough or at least pronounced pattern. The material is then nicely shaped with certainly flat sides, but which are heavily chamfered and well polished. A detail to note is the symmetry between the rear and front end whose shape mirrors each other.
Then you can't miss the three extra holes made in the handle in addition to the lanyard hole. The "speed holes" have no practical function but are purely decorative. What one thinks of that measure is, of course, personal, but a little variety is of course nice sometimes.
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| The handle sides are made of brown Micarta in this version |
The handle is joined with two screws plus a pivot screw. The latter is of course adjustable. QSP has also understood how to make it easy for the user as the screw is D-shaped, which means that it does not spin when the screw head is to be tightened. On the other hand, it is a necessity as the opposite side has received the triangle marking which now signals that the knife does not belong to QSP's simpler knife series that was mentioned earlier.
The size of the screws is T6 for the sides and the clip and a larger T8 for the pivot screw.
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| As is often the case with modern knives, the back is open |
The Kestrel is simply built and follows one of the standards found on most modern folding knives. This means a steel frame that is lightened with an open back. There are two spacers to hold the knife together. They are hourglass-shaped and polished like the rest of the frame.
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| The Kestrel is a small knife and the handle works best in a "three and a half finger" saber grip |
This is not a large knife to begin with as the handle measures just over a decimetre but then some of the space is stolen by the finger guard area along with the flipper. Then 7.4 cm remains for the small beak towards the back end of the handle and another centimeter behind it. That makes the Kestrel a "three and a half fingers" knife for me. This applies to both hammer grip and saber grip. It is the latter that works best. Especially as the thumb naturally lands on the grooves/jimpings that are at the base of the blade spine. There, the thumb studs also help to increase the contact area for the finger in a meritorious way.
In a hammer grip, the handle doesn't really fill my hand even though it is relatively chunky. It is 1.4 cm thick and twenty to twenty-five millimeters high. For some reason, however, the same grip works better if you turn the knife into a reverse grip.
In general, however, it can be said that this is a small but nevertheless fully functional handle.
Opening and Lock
Having multiple opening methods is modern and a trend that QSP seems to be embracing to a large extent. This applies to several of the knives I have tested from them recently and so also for the Kestrel. Here you can choose between a flipper or double thumb studs. The positive thing is that both ways work equally well. This was often not the case some years ago by many knife manufacturers as it requires a precise balance of detent and geometry. However, QSP has mastered the technique right from the start.
This is noticeable in the Kestrel, which is very distinct to open regardless of how you choose to go about it.
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| The shape of the flipper tab clearly tells the user how it should be used |
Or not completely regardless. The shape of the flipper tab gives a solid indication of how it should best be used. Pull back and the blade flies out. Push down and you're not as successful. The advantage of this shape of the flipper is that it is very discreet when the knife is closed. Something I really appreciate.
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| The thumb studs are easy to reach and work well but could be placed a bit closer to the handle |
The thumb studs are also well-shaped. A simple barrel shape that provides a bit of adequate grip. The thumb doesn't slip off, but they also don't tear the skin like pyramid-shaped thumb studs tend to do. A small note from my side is that they could be placed slightly closer to the handle. As it is now, they end up quite far out on the blade when the knife is open, which is never an advantage.
Then it can be added that you can also "spydie flick" this knife, that is use your index finger to get the blade out and of course two hands. That said, there are several methods to choose from.
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| A well-designed lock that does what it's supposed to |
Then when we talk about locks, that's where the Kestrel differs from its successor the Grebe. On this knife, you will find a fairly sturdy liner lock. It is made using all the tricks of the trade. It engages one hundred percent of the time you open the knife, holds the blade firmly in place without play in any direction and the lock bar does not slide when the blade is pressed or lightly hit at the back. Much more cannot be asked for.
Or yes, you can, that the lock bar is easy to access when you have to disengage the lock as well. That too works well on the Kestrel.
To Carry
Overall I like this pocket knife but there is one caveat. The positive thing is that it is a fairly short knife with a total length when folded of 10.2 centimeters. The height is also not a deterrent at most 2.5 centimeters. The weight is just under a hundred grams, which is also a nice figure in the context.
The objection I have is that this is a chubby little thing. Actually, it's not that damned thick, but in relation to blade length, it is. The extreme cases are knives that do not have an internal frame such as the CS American Lawman and similar designs that are really thin. This one belongs to a different category where the frame is not countersunk in the sides.
The advantage is that the handle fills the hand better than it would otherwise, and the disadvantage is that the knife becomes thicker and that is felt more when carrying the knife in a pocket.
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| A luxurious milled titanium clip is included in the package |
The handle material does not give rise to any significant friction and in combination with the clip it works well to both pull and put the knife away.
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| This is what the Kestrel looks like when carried in a pocket |
The clip is a bit extra luxurious as it is made of titanium, even though the Kestrel is not one of the most exclusive QSP knives. Also, not a piece of stamped metal but milled out of one piece. The holes made in the handle repeat here as well and the knife's only logo is found on the clip. Usually, I don't like that move but here it's reasonably discreet and thus acceptable. Not a favorite but acceptable. Especially as it saves the blade in that regard.
The tension is relatively good for this type of clip and the ramp is, if not excellent, at least acceptable. You shouldn't put this knife in the thickest winter jacket. In that case, it will be inside a pocket, which is not difficult given the shape and outer dimensions of the knife.
To Conclude
The Kestrel is a bird that flies a bit under the radar. Not because it is completely without merit, but because it is a bit anonymous. The smaller format makes it, for example, less eye-catching than the Swordfish I recently reviewed, and the handle is not as exclusive and worked as on the Hornbill, for example.
Thus, it is a bit of a middle-class car of the knife world. Maybe a "Penguin" for those who don't like a straight edge and thus prefer a different blade shape? It's the blade and the well-made brown Micarta that sell this knife in my opinion.
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| The Kestrel is another addition to the flora of excellent EDC knives from QSP |
Namely, it is not exceptional on any individual parameters, but it does not lose on anyone either. The appearance is more than okay, although I think the knife would have been even better looking if it had been slightly larger. The materials are good and well-chosen for the price range and the execution excellent. The frame is an excellent example of that as it is lightened, polished, and well-rounded. QSP has once again succeeded with the action, and the lock works as it should, and not least the sharpness, the edge geometry, and the treatment of the materials are good.
Overall a more than decent pocketknife that is perhaps a little too small for me personally and somewhat more chubby in relation to it than I would like.
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| QSP Kestrel has accompanied many excursions during the warmer season. It is a good companion in most weather conditions by the way |
I therefore see the Kestrel as a knife for those who like QSP but not the blade shape of the Penguin and feel the same about the Lark, Osprey, or Hawk. They might be a little too tame for your taste with their drop-point blades.
As you can see, QSP competes a little with themselves. Especially as another option has been added with the Grebe that I mentioned at the beginning. There are more companies that have fallen into that trap and the question is what it does to the demand for individual models.
The good thing about that for us buyers, however, is that there are plenty of options to choose from. So if you like what you see and this particular combination of blade type, material, and appearance suits your wallet and pocket, all you have to do is get one. QSP knows what they are doing by now and the already from the beginning good quality has only gotten better with time. The target price from the manufacturer is around $70 and in Europe, the price is roughly the same in Euros.
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| QSP Knife |
Specification:
Length Overall: 175 mm
Length Folded: 102 mm
Weight: 93 g (weighed by me, stated 93 g)
Blade Length: 73 mm
Blade Thickness: 3 mm
Blade Steel: 14C28N
Handle: Micarta
Lock: Liner lock
Produced by: QSP, made in China
/ J - the domesticater of birds
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