- or how to put pressure on competitors
It's been a long time since I came into contact with my first "button lock". It was found on a Böker Speedlock from the late nineties.* It's a type of lock that requires high precision in manufacturing and that's probably why they were conspicuous by their absence among more budget-oriented knives for a long time. Now we're in a different situation and one of the companies leading that development is CJRB. Or maybe actually the parent brand Artisan Cutlery.
For that reason, today we're going to take a closer look at a knife from them with exactly that type of lock, the Bowie Pyrite.
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| CJRB Bowie Pyrite |
At the same time, I will take the opportunity to welcome the uninitiated into the now very extensive "Pyrite family". I think even CJRB uses that expression on their website. The model is available with all kinds of handle materials - from plastic and G10 via steel to elaborate titanium, different blade shapes, and varying sizes. They are available in simple designs and more expensive versions with luxury steel such as S90V or Damascus. This means that the number of combinations is, if not infinite, then at least difficult to keep track of. But there is something for everyone.
This specific model is somewhere in the middle of a few different parameters and its special attribute is the blade. Originally the Pyrite was a drop point and that may be as practical as it gets but I thought this clip point variant looked a bit more cheeky.
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| Pyrite offers a fairly classic look with this edition |
Short Version: CJRB Bowie Pyrite, the knife that manages the company's short legacy well by being an excellent folding knife at an affordable price!
Blade
For me, it was the blade that did it. This is even though I will later claim that the greatness of Pyrite is found elsewhere. But speaking of size, the blade on this version is quite small. The length is 80 mm and the stock thickness is less than three millimeters, 2.7 to be exact. The height is 25 mm which contributes to the harmonious proportions.
Although the appearance is dominated primarily by the distinct clipped point with associated swedge and a high and equally clear saber grind. All are accompanied by a double fuller or blood groove as it is for some strange and incorrect reason called in Swedish. Additional details are the sharpening choil and some grooves at the base of the spine.
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| It was the Clip-point blade that did it! |
The finish is otherwise a glossy satin and the markings are extremely discreet. The CJRB logo is found on one side of the ricasso and the serial number and steel type on the other side, only readable to the hawk-eyed.
The steel is not only indigenous to China but also made by Artisan Cutlery. So the same approach can be found at companies like KAI (Kershaw), Chris Reeve, and Spyderco who have done the same. It is not entirely common. This steel is called AR-RPM9 and is similar to powder steel although the manufacturing procedure is not exactly the same I understand. Basically, it is a simpler steel that has been trimmed a bit with the help of modern technology.
Generally, I like it. I don't really know what to compare it to. But it is a bit reminiscent of 14C28N in that it does not rust and is easy to maintain. But the edge-keeping capacity is not as good in this case, in my experience.
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| In addition to the shape, the blade is distinguished by a distinct fuller |
But generally, it is more than enough for the average pocket knife. If I had used the knife for heavier tasks or for a longer time or maybe out in the woods, I might have had objections, but not now. The format of the knife and the design of the blade scream EDC. And for that it is excellent. Especially for all those small quick tasks. Pulling your knife out of the pocket, opening a coffee package at work (they are BIG), and putting the knife away again. Pulling out the Bowie Pyrite to cut that annoying plastic thread on the new jacket that was bought the other day and then make the knife disappear again. I could go on for a long time and give examples. Here it is not just the blade that is effective, but the whole knife.
More specifically, it can be said that given the appearance, the tip is good. It is sharp and is found in the center line of the knife. Pyrite also cuts really well. A thin blade and a high grind that ends with 0.3-0.4 mm of steel behind the edge provide the conditions. But there is also no getting away from the fact that it is a small blade. The total edge length is 75 mm. In addition, the handle is small so it is not a knife for hard work. And sometimes I wish I had something bigger in my pocket.
Handle
As mentioned earlier, the Pyrite comes in many variations. This one is built on a steel frame that has been drilled/milled out to make it lighter, which both contributes to a lower total weight and improves the balance in general. The frame rises slightly above the rest of the handle. However, it is well polished on both the inside and outside and soft to the hand.
The knife is open at the back and there are two hourglass-shaped and similarly polished spacers far back in the handle.
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| Bowie Pyrite is available with both single and double bolsters depending on the version |
The handle is 107 mm long and of that, a full 95 mm behind the finger guard can be used as a grip area. But with my hand size, it's still not quite enough for a full four-finger grip. The little finger ends up at the back of the beveled part found there. A solution that works in this case, however.
As I said, the thickness of the handle is just over a centimeter. That's enough, but it's not a knife for long and heavy work. But that's something that the format already suggests.
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| The back is open as can be seen |
This version of the Bowie Pyrite includes a metal bolster that also gives it the typical look. The luxury version has two bolsters that are also made of brass so that the knife gives off clear Buck 112 vibes. Not so much in this case as the bolster is in singular and made of steel. It is matched by wooden scales in "Rosewood". I don't know exactly what kind of wood that means in this case but it usually refers to something from the Jakaranda family. The alternative is a slightly darker wood, possibly ebony.
The transition between the materials is not perfect, they can be felt but more because it is two different surfaces than anything else. The sides are attached with three screws per side. Watch and learn from competitors because, despite the price tag and the size of the knife, they are T8s! The same goes for the adjustable pivot screw.
Only in the clip are smaller T6s found. Well done there CJRB as the larger sizes often hold up better.
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| Pyrite offers a good handle but it sometimes feels small |
But it doesn't matter much because as I said, it's not a knife for heavier tasks. Given those conditions, all grips work, whether it's a hammer grip or a saber grip with the thumb on the back of the blade. An advantage of the fairly short handle is that the clip actually ends up mostly out of the way. On very long handles it often ends up outside or "behind" the hand if it's a "deep-ride" clip, and here it ends up inside the hand instead, which means it doesn't cause as much of a hotspot as it could.
Opening and Lock
There are actually Pyrite models that have blades with thumb holes in them. But the majority of them don't and they all open with a thumb stud. And what thumb studs they are! Look closely at them, not because they are extraordinary in any way but because they are not. Almost inconspicuous but still perfect!
Everything that should be just right is there. They stick out just enough, they are just far enough away from the center to be both easy to reach and physically effective. They are also not too sharp or angular but still provide a grip.
They are also not in the way when the blade is out and the knife is in use. A detail that is still sometimes missed even among reputable manufacturers.
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| Thumbstud perfection |
Then there was the handle itself. In addition to the excellent shape, the resistance in the lock (that's what acts as a "detent ball" in such designs) is perfectly balanced. This means you can open the knife with a flick and the blade flies out as fast as lightning. But you can just as easily expose the beautiful blade in a calm and majestic movement if you wish. Furthermore, you can use your fingers on the back of the blade if preferred.
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| The blade is held in place by a Button lock |
There is surprisingly little to say about the lock if you don't want to go into technical details, but on the other hand, button locks are not complicated either. They consist of a locking bolt that has a thicker and a thinner part and they are spring-loaded laterally. When the button is pressed against that spring, the bolt moves, and the contact surface against the blade base disappears. When the button is released, the opposite happens and the blade is held in place. This applies both when the knife is closed and open.
Here it just works. The lock is easy to use to open the knife if you wish, but it is also exemplary easy to disengage. In between, it holds the blade in place without movement. About what you can expect from a good lock. It is just a joy to see it on knives in this price range.
To Carry
There are limits to the dimensions that you can stay under, close to or over when it comes to how comfortable a knife is to carry around. One such is a length of one decimeter, the Bowie Pyrite is 107 mm long when folded which is close enough. Even better is the weight which is under a hundred grams at 97 g. The thickness of the handle is a fairly normal 1.16 cm.
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| The clip is nothing extraordinary but works well |
There are also no sharp corners such as exposed ricassos or flipper tabs, so the shape is soft. An impression that is reinforced by the fact that the sides are very smooth. This applies to both the bolster and the wooden handles, of course.
For this reason, the knife is also very easy to both pull and put away after the job is done. This is one of the big reasons why it is so easy to use for small jobs as I described earlier. This contributes greatly to the overall positive impression.
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| The space under the clip is sufficient and the ramp is functional. |
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| The clip sticking out of the handle usually causes problems, but here less than usual. However, if the handle is held tightly, you can feel it |
The clip is a fairly standard spring steel clip that has been polished. In other words, it is quite visible while the knife is not in the pocket.
Furthermore, it can be said that the tip points in the wrong direction (outwards) but that it is so small that it does not matter much in this case. The ramp is adequate and works with the most common types of pants. The tension is quite strong so it is lucky that the material under the clip is slippery.
The clip is attached with two screws that are placed in tandem. In addition, it sits in a small pocket so that it absolutely cannot move sideways. But to keep the wooden sides clean, there are no holes on the other side. So left-handed people may feel a little cheated.
To Conclude
When practicing various Asian martial arts, the stomach, or rather the center of the body, Hara, always comes back as a central concept. That's where all the power comes from and strangely enough, that also applies to CJRB's Pyrite family. What I mean is that everything else is about taste, price point, and possibly which blade type is most practical.
But what makes this a really good knife is found in the middle, in the center of the knife.
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| This, like all versions of the Pyrite, is an excellent EDC knife |
Like a clearly shining star, there is an eminently functional and of course very well-made "button lock". It does what a lock should do and a little more as it also contributes to the smooth handling of the knife. There we come to number two on the list of things found in the middle. The fine ball bearings also harmonize with the lock and the balanced resistance it offers. Although the thumb studs shine brightest. They approach perfection in all the simplicity that I described above.
Then the parts that stick out from the middle are not so bad either. The blade is a little naughty, stylish and also practical. The handle is comfortable for being small and also visually appealing.
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| Bowie Pyrite in pale winter sun before the snow arrived in southern Sweden |
The Bowie Pyrite actually has no major drawbacks at all. Most of it is good, very good and in some cases excellent. The knife doesn't cost an arm and a leg either. The amount depends somewhat on which version you choose, but this knife costs under one hundred Euros in Europe at the moment.
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| CJRB Knives |
Specifications:
Length Overall: 187 mm
Length Folded: 107 mm
Weight: 97 g
Blade Length: 80 mm
Blade Thickness: 2,7 mm
Blade Steel: AR-RPM9
Handle: Steel bolster/ wood sides
Lock: Button Lock
Produced by: CJRB, made in China
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* A knife that is still in the collection and has been used a lot. This was followed by two Pro-Tech knives with the same lock design. They are not uncommon when it comes to spring-operated knives.
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