- when the whole exceeds the sum of the parts
Some reviews are harder to write than others. The problem usually arises when knives are as dull as cats in the dark, lacking a distinct level in terms of all parameters. The easiest and perhaps worst thing is to start the sawmill when something is really bad. Then all you have to do is come up with all the sharp formulations you can think of.
The next easiest is perhaps when everything essential is really good. As in this case. My first encounter with Ferramonster as a brand was the Glideman, which I previously reviewed. A completely positive acquaintance, but the fact is that it has to accept being overshadowed by today's review object, the Spectrum, which in my opinion is even more likable.
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| Ferramonster Spectrum |
In fact, I was quite effusive when I introduced this knife. As soon as it came out of the box, the positive impressions flocked. The knife is nice to look at, the materials are among the best, and the build quality is top-notch. Not much to complain about there.
But sometimes reviews become a bit more nuanced when knives have been carried and used for a while. Any mistakes that have been made become visible, and small details that may not be completely perfect are revealed. The question is, does that also apply to the Spectrum?
I have had time to use this knife for four months now, so there is experience to start from.
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| Spectrum is a knife that offers many fine details and materials of the highest quality. |
Short version: Ferramonster Spectrum, a reflection that offers the full range of everything a good pocket knife can be
Blade
The first and most significant thing about a knife is the blade, and it is extra positive when it is this finely executed. Basically, it is a simple drop point we have in front of us. But what makes it extra attractive are the nice proportions. The blade is 84 mm long, 25.8 mm high at most, and the thickness is 3.2 mm.
The only decorative element is an elegantly executed swedge that runs along almost the entire length of the blade spine and underlines the shape. However, what distinguishes the blade most is the very stylish finish in the form of a hand-polished longitudinal satin. It is something extra on a knife in this price range.
The marking is not only discreet but completely absent except for the blade steel, which is found in a very discreet format on the ricasso near the handle.
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| The blade is a very practical drop point |
What it says there is M390. It has become a staple among more luxurious folding knives in recent years. It is not so strange as it is still a very good steel with very balanced properties. Here, the hardness is stated at 59-61HRC. I would guess that it is somewhere in the middle. If I may wish for something, it would be that Ferramonster physically increase the hardness by one more notch. But even as it is now, the edge can be stated to last a very long time.
As usual, I maintain the knife mainly with the help of a strop and, if necessary, a ceramic sharpening rod.* So far, I have not had to resharpen the knife.
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| The steel is the very fine and proven M390, which has been given an exclusive hand-polished satin finish. |
In addition to the steel being competent, the sharpening is also really good. The factory edge was sharp, and it is helped by great geometry. Just over three millimeters of steel is transformed into 0.4 mm behind the edge via a fully flat-ground blade. Yes, except for the thin false edge. However, it helps to thin out the tip considerably. The tip is therefore a real precision instrument that you have to be a little careful with. But damn, how well it penetrates!
In other respects, the Spectrum is also a thoroughly practical knife. The advantage of this blade shape is that you get a little bit of everything. A belly that facilitates sweeping cuts, a bit of a straight edge to work with closest to the handle, and, as mentioned, a good tip.
These factors make the Spectrum a knife that is incredibly handy when it comes to all forms of everyday cutting, whether it concerns natural materials or artificial materials such as plastic, nylon rope, etc. This blade eats cardboard for breakfast, and speaking of breakfast, this is an excellent emergency knife in the kitchen. The blade is more or less a slightly wider paring knife blade. This makes it great for handling fruit, vegetables, and the like. Something that is good to know if you intend to engage in outdoor cooking.
Handle
The handle on the Spectrum is actually at least as exclusive as the blade. The basis is, of course, the ultra-light frame. It has been achieved by taking a couple of pieces of titanium and then drilling them considerably. What remains is what can be most closely compared to a truss.
A partial back spacer is found in the back. On the outside of the frame, another light material has been added in the form of carbon fiber.
The length of the handle is 108 mm, the thickness is 13 mm, and the height varies between 21 and 24 mm except for the finger guard, which measures 28 mm.
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| The finely crafted handle has sides of polished marbled carbon fiber that are rounded in a meritorious manner. |
The handle sides are not made of just any carbon fiber, but a marbled one that has been polished to a very nice finish. In addition, they are elegantly arched. The sides are screwed in four points in addition to the pivot screw. This is because the extra screws that cover the holes that are not used by the clip help to keep the sides in place. It is noteworthy that the two screws in the middle of the handle are shorter than the rest, something to keep an eye on if the knife is disassembled.
Something that should not be done by just anyone, as this type of lock can be a bit tricky to get back in place.
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| The knife's lightness is partly explained by light materials but also by a thin blade and an airy back. |
It is worth noting that the knife is well thought out in this area as well. All screws are the same size, T8. Then it can be added that they are exclusive as they are also made of titanium! A finesse that is rarely found outside the world populated by custom knives.
There is just one fly in the ointment, and that is that they have unfortunately chosen not to make the decorated side of the pivot screw D-shaped. That is, it spins freely if you want to release or tighten the screw. One of the few mistakes on this knife.
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| The Spectrum is both well-balanced and comfortable in the hand |
The first thing you think of when you grip the Spectrum is that it is very light. The second is that it is a well-balanced knife. The balance point is found just behind the lock in the middle of the indentation for the index finger. Once that finger is in place, the others follow naturally in a hammer grip. I may find that it becomes a little cramped for my little finger, which ends up over the small bump that the back end forms. But that has more to do with the size of my hand and is not a real problem.
In the saber grip, that peculiarity disappears as the little finger instead ends up behind the said tip and is instead on the rounded back end. A very comfortable grip. The thumb naturally ends up on the rather finely cut but very effective grooves that are on the blade spine. Then maybe not smooth carbon fiber is the best for providing the ultimate grip, but on the other hand, that was not what was intended with this design, so I do not see that as a disadvantage.
If you want to use a reverse grip, the Spectrum is also very comfortable to hold like an ice pick and works well if you turn the blade up with the edge facing you, as if you are going to carve heavily.
Since the handle is not particularly thick at the front, it is very easy to sneak a thumb there if you put the knife on its side in a pinch grip. Something useful for detailed work.
Overall, this is a very well thought-out handle that works in all grips and for most hand sizes. Possibly, except for the very largest.
Opening and Lock
Spectrum opens with thumb studs, and they are excellent ones. By that, I mean that first of all, they are easy to reach without the user having to look for them or get used to the model. They just work. Then they sit well placed to provide good leverage. It gives the blade some speed for those who want it.
The knife can be opened both by flicking the blade out with your thumb or index finger on the back of the blade, or slowly for those who prefer that method.
As I usually point out, when it comes to knives with this kind of lock, you can, of course, use it to open and close the knife. It is perhaps even faster.
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| The thumb knobs on this knife are exemplary |
Something that makes the knife feel comfortable to handle is that Ferramonster has managed to achieve a suitable spring tension in the omega springs that hold the lock bolt in place. On this type of knife, they replace the "detent" ball that otherwise handles that task.
Another contributing factor is the fine ceramic ball bearings found in the Spectrum.
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| The lock is also of the highest quality. A good example of a well-functioning cross-bar lock |
The lock is, as mentioned, a crossbar lock, and as such, it is very well made. It holds the blade firmly in place without play, and it is easy to access and release. You can't ask for much more. On the plus side, this type of lock is also quite strong. On the minus side, it can be mentioned that they are a bit sensitive to dirt, are difficult to disassemble, and that the springs can break. However, the latter has never happened to me, even though I own many knives of this type.
To Carry
As nice as Spectrum is to look at and use, it is just as good to carry in a pocket. There are a couple of explanations for that. One is low weight. Specturm weighs only 78 grams, which is extremely little in relation to the size of the knife, which includes a blade of almost eight and a half centimeters.
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| The clip is made of titanium, like most things on this knife. |
The other contributing factor is, of course, a combination of external dimensions that are not too large, but above all, the shape and the soft surface. Polished carbon fiber does not provide much resistance against trouser fabric when pulling or putting the knife away.
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| The clip works with most pants as long as the edge is not too thick, i.e. |
The third reason is that this knife has a good, but not perfect, clip. It is a really nice milled titanium clip that matches the rest of the knife well in terms of appearance. The tension is good, and the ramp is semi-high, which means that the clip works well with most normal pants and shorts. But if you have really thick fabric, like in thicker work pants or a jacket, it will be a bit too much for this clip. The same can be said about the space underneath, which is then too small. That's what I meant by 'good but not perfect'.
But on the other hand, this is not an outdoor knife or made for the heaviest work, so it goes in style with the rest of the knife. Another advantage is that the shape means that it is almost not felt at all against the hand. Something that I really appreciate.
To Conclude
I thought that Glideman might be an exception, a fluke. But look, I was wrong. Spectrum is my second knife from Ferramonster, and in my opinion, they go from strength to strength.
Spectrum is something so unusual as an exclusive knife in fine materials that is also thoroughly practical. Here, they have chosen to start from titanium. In fact, the knife is an orgy of titanium, a material found not only in the frame but in the back spacer, the screws, and the clip. Then they add a really nice carbon fiber in this version and top it off with ceramic ball bearings and, above all, a blade in M390.
Then they treat these materials well. Everything is polished and ground as it should be. No uncomfortable edges here. Something that makes this blade extra special for me is that the shape is not only a delight to the eye but also works well for use. Even though Spectrum exudes exclusivity, it is a utility knife.
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| Without a doubt, the Spectrum is a very elegant utility knife |
This is noticeable, for example, on the blade. After all, it is the most important component of a knife, and then it is incredibly gratifying to see one that is this well-made. This applies to everything from the highest quality materials that have been hardened and heat-treated well, through the absence of marking, to the grind and the superb finish. We are talking about a handmade satin in this case. This is not common on knives that are not handmade otherwise. The function is also excellent. An effective drop point with a fine tip and a really sharp factory edge has never disappointed anyone.
It is also a blade that is matched by an equally luxurious handle. In addition to all the titanium and the exceptionally fine carbon fiber, so-called marbled carbon fiber that has been polished to perfection, the shape is excellent. A handle that works.
Everything is rounded off with a feeling of luxury that is reinforced by the soft feel, the snappy opening, and the well-tuned lock that both performs its function and provides good speed for opening and closing the knife.
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| I found a feather, both in my pocket and on the walk. Ferramonster Spectrum is very light |
Spectrum is a knife that I would argue falls under the category of everyday luxury. In the same category as a well-made espresso. Sure, you can get by with brewed coffee, but that little extra is sometimes worth a lot. A large part of it is about feeling. And it is found in large doses in this knife.
So if you are looking for an extremely well-built knife in exclusive materials that works really well as an EDC knife, the Ferramonster Spectrum is a very competent candidate.**
Specifications:
Length Overall: 192 mm
Length Folded: 108 mm
Weight: 78 g (weighed by me, stated 78 g)
Blade Length: 84 mm
Blade Thickness: 3,2 mm
Blade Steel: M390, HRC 59-61
Handle: Kolfiber
Lock: Cross-bar lock
Produced by: Ferramonster, made in China
/ J - overuses superlatives
* I worked as a butcher in my younger days, and although some claim that you ruin edges by using honing rods, I achieve good results and will probably not change my mind on that point.
** The MSRP on Ferramonster's website at the time of writing is $278 for this model. But since I started writing this text, the knife has also come in a simpler version with a 154CM blade and Micarta in the handle. The MSRP for that version is $114.
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