- a knife with both pros and cons
Time for a closer look at the Walrus. A knife from QSP enriches my knife collection to the extent that it adds something that I don't have much of. It is not the lock, the opening method, or the handle materials as they are extremely frequent in my pile of knives. Nor the brand as it has become one of my "house brands". No, it is the leaf shape that is the most unique in this context. Something I mentioned already at the presentation of this knife.
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| A QSP that adds something unusual to the knife collection |
Like many knives in QSP's catalog, the Walrus comes in a few different variations. But just as I think the blade type is a little different, they seem to think the same as there are actually only three versions to choose from. It should be compared with, for example, Canary Folder and Penguin, which are available in ten and fifteen different configurations, respectively. There is a Walrus with a handle in jade/natural G10 and two Micarta versions.
What they have in common is that they are low-priced. MSRP on QSP's website is under $50.
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| QSP Walrus |
Short version: QSP Walrus, is the ergonomic knife with the cheeky blade, the flashy handling, and the bad clip.
Blade
What is unusual about this knife is, as I said, the blade. It is what is usually described as a Persian blade or a "trailing point". The tip simply strives upwards. Something that on this knife is enhanced in terms of appearance by a long swedge.
The length of the blade is 86 mm, which means that the knife is not huge, but not small either. The shape also makes the blade look a little longer. But it is perhaps not so strange as the edge is a centimeter longer than the blade. The thickness of the blade is 3.5 mm and the height at most just over 25 mm.
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| The blade shape is distinctive with its "trailing point" or Persian shape |
The steel is a D2 steel. Not much to say about that in this price range. They are good all-round steels, but as always say, beware of them not being stainless. Although that word is fundamentally misleading, D2 tends to corrode a tad faster. It is not noticeable in winter times around here but well if you are sweaty in summer and carry the knife close to your body or are in saltier climates such as near the coast or out at sea.
The finish is a nicely executed stonewash. Simple and quick to do which keeps the price down while not looking too bad and hiding any scratches pretty well.
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| The steel used is D2 |
The blade shape gives a knife certain characteristics when in use. A blade like this produces a long edge and a very marked belly. That makes it perfect for long sweeping cuts. This means that the blade type is often found in a set of knives intended for butchering and hunting. It's basically a small butcher's blade we're talking about.
Another effect is that you get a distinct tip which, however, is not found where you usually found it. That is, for a drop point near the centerline of the blade or for a Wharn Cliffe or other type of blade with a straight edge significantly lower than that.
In practical terms, this means that certain tasks must be performed differently. Cuts where you use the front part of the blade, for example, "draw cuts" against a flat surface against a cutting board, do not have the same effect as you are used to. But it becomes even clearer when you have to cut open a piece of tape and open a box. The easiest way is to turn the knife upside down and use the back of the tip. Incidentally, something I do not infrequently do anyway so as not to accidentally cut open what is inside the package.
Handle
A first impression of the handle was that it felt damn comfortable. It can partly be attributed to the form but also to the side. It is a fairly large handle measuring 12 cm in length. Especially when combined with a thickness of 13.5 mm. The height is more modest, 22.8 mm. But overall it fills the hand well.
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| The sides are made of unusually coarse canvas-Micarta |
The construction is straightforward, built around a lightened steel frame. It rises a little above the sides, which makes the grip a little rounder, even though the sides are otherwise flat. However, they are beveled at the edges. The handle is partially open in the back but there is also a small back spacer in what I think is G10. It has been provided with grooves for better traction. In the handle, you also find a generous hole for a lanyard. It is well proportioned and has no problems with accommodating, for example, 550 paracord.
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| The construction is simple and straightforward |
On the outside of the frame, you find two slabs of particularly coarse Micartaq. It has been deliberately left in that condition for better traction. A trick that actually works. However, how they are attached reveals that this is a budget knife. Two very small T6 screws with round heads keep them in place. Nothing that can handle too many disassembles.
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| The handle is very comfortable to hold and also quite ergonomic when working with the knife |
The initial impression, that the knife is pleasant in the hand, becomes even better when you work with it. The handle is fairly ergonomic. Both the handle material, the width, and not least the shape itself contribute to this. The handle follows the inside of the hand by being fairly rounded. It arches its back, so to speak. In addition, there is a recess on the top where the thumb rests comfortably in a saber grip. The corresponding recess is also found on the underside for the index finger. Even that detail works great.
In fact, I can't think of any grip that this handle doesn't work with.
Opening and Lock
It must be said right away that even though this is one of the lower-priced knives from QSP, the opening and closing is extremely good. This is of course achieved by allowing the blade to slide on ceramic ball bearings as is customary from this company. But also by having a very well-adjusted detent ball.
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| The flipper is low and discreet and works well, albeit only if it is pulled straight back |
This, together with good geometry from the flipper tab, gives an extremely fast-opening knife. The "fin" is otherwise very low and discreet and the grooves on the front of it give proper traction while also telling how it should be used. In all simplicity, it can only be pulled backward. If you press down, nothing happens. If you do it right, however, there will be action. The blade explodes out whether you want it to or not.
You can't get the knife halfway out even if you try.
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| This is a really good liner lock |
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| The lock bar is easily accessible |
The lock is uncomplicated but impeccably executed. It is a simple liner lock in steel. It is very reliable even if the type may not be the strongest on the market in theory. But the steel frame and thus the lock bar is 1.6 mm thick, which is enough and then some in practical terms.
The lock does not slip in normal use, nor if it's provoked by some light blows to the back of the blade. The lock bar is exceptionally easy to reach and release. Then comes the best part and that is the feel when the blade slides into place as soon as it passes the detent. The blade is not completely free-falling but close, which I think is better. This type of action is normally found on significantly more expensive knives.
To Carry
I won't say that the Walrus is a troublemaker in the pocket because it isn't. But this is not this knife's forte either. Twelve centimeters in length and a certain roundness means that is quite a lot of handle to put there. However, the weight is acceptable or even good considering the other dimensions of the knife.
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| Not a favorite clip, it's glossy and not pretty in my eyes, while the knife sits too high for my liking |
The material in the pocket does not interfere either. Although the Micarta is described as "coarse" in the sales texts on the website, it is nowhere near say G10 when it comes to that part.
But then we come to what lowers the impression of the knife as well as how it feels to carry. It's the clip that's actually not good at all! The appearance is not much to talk about, possibly that I think it is a bit drab. But as I said it is not an expensive knife. The tension is enough for it to work and the same can be said about the ramp which is decent. The clip does not affect the ergonomics of the knife either. Then the positive ended.
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| For once, the manufacturing quality was not the best. This clip moves sideways |
The shape and positioning make the knife stick up a little too far for my liking. But that's a matter of taste and nothing that lowers the clip. However, the fact that it is not fixed does! Firstly, the screws come lose all the time and it doesn't make anyone happy that it's the same small screw dimension that holds the sides in place so you don't dare use more force when they need to be tightened. Especially not over and over again. But even when you've done that and applied some Loc-Tite, the clip still moves sideways. The screw holes are simply not matched by the screw dimension. There is quite a lot of movement involved as well. It's almost from one side of the handle side to the other!
To Conclude
Walruses are special creatures. Actually not always as nice as they may appear. Do a search online and read a bit about how they eat and you will understand what I mean. I suspect that what they contributed in this case is the shape of the blade that mimics the shape of their tusks. Otherwise, this blade shape is usually found in much warmer latitudes.
Either way, it makes the Walrus an odd bird in QSP's lineup. Or rather, their catalog usually consists of knives named after birds and this one is not. Excuse me for digressing. They have had some significantly more quirky knives in the catalog in the past but they have now been discontinued. They didn't sell too well I suspect.
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| The Walrus is not a bad EDC knife |
How Walrus will sell I cannot say. It has some pros and cons. First, we have a nice combination of low price, capable materials, and excellent action. Not many knives in this price range match it in that area.
Then there was how the knife feels in hand. Very likable is one way to put it. So far no shortcomings. Especially not as the lock also contributes to a solid feeling. But then there is something about polished steel frames that makes knives feel a little cheaper. Especially when combined with vanishingly small screws with rounded heads.
When it is then combined with a bad clip, it is not as funny. This is one of the few times I've encountered a production miss with QSP. The clip comes loose almost immediately and if you tighten the screws, they are soon loose again. The solution with thread locking does not work as the screw holes themselves are not matched with the screw diameter.
Besides being annoying, it gives a general bad impression.
QSP Walrus i regnblöt vårskog
Now it may be that I got hold of a sour lemon and that it does not apply to all other knives. If so, this is a generally nice budget knife with, to me, a not-so-attractive blade shape. But if you know that you like a needle-sharp point that points cheerfully upwards and love flashy "action" for a good price, you should take a second look at the Walrus.
For once, the manufacturer's target prices are also fairly consistent with what you will pay for the knife when it arrives in Europe. In this case, that means it can be found for some €50 or so.
Specification:
Length Overall: 206 mm
Length Folded: 120 mm
Weight: 119 g (weighed by me, stated 119 g)
Blade Length: 86 mm
Blade Thickness: 3,5 mm
Blade Steel: D2
Handle: Micarta
Lock: Liner lock
Produced by: QSP, made in China
/ J - not totally convinced
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