- a hit
The most exciting thing about following a knife brand from the beginning is seeing how they grow. If they do, of course. But what is meant is not primarily sales success but how the products evolve. A clear such development can be seen with the current SRM Knives, which are certainly not new to the market, but as a brand developed from SanRenMu.
SRM's first models were not bad in any way; on the contrary, several of them I have reviewed are really good.* But there is no denying that this knife feels a bit more advanced despite some similarities when it comes to the lock and clip, for example.
With that said, I would like to present my view of the Model 259 Medal
 |
| SRM 259L Medal |
The first impression was that the SRM Medal was nice to look at. It looked small, light and agile. If you add to that the low weight and a blade that looked competent and versatile, there were all the conditions for a really good knife. Perhaps to be considered as another contender in the "Bug Out" class.
In fact, all of the above turned out to be true! This knife is all that, and to that should be added an exceptionally good handling. This is a damn nice EDC knif,e which is consistently reflected in the design and construction.
 |
| Medal is a lightweight knife aimed at EDC use |
Short Version: The SRM 259L Medal is a knife where most things are done correctly. It is light, well-balanced, easy to handle, cuts well and has good ergonomics.
Blade
If one is to believe the presentation texts of this knife, it has what is sometimes referred to as a
"reverse tanto". I don't really agree with that, as I believe it is more of a modified Wharncliffe in that the edge has a slight curvature. If it had been straight, the epithet would have disappeared.
The length of the blade amounts to 81-82 mm, depending on how you measure. The finish is a simple satin with exemplary discreet marking. The logo is shrunk and thus tasteful, and on the opposite side, there is some text, but in an extremely small format. Good!
Another bonus with the blade is that SRM has provided it with a fairly discreet and angled ricasso, which both helps to keep your thumbs away from what you are cutting and provides space for a sharpening coil, which in turn makes it easier to resharpen the knife without the edge turning into a sledgehammer. It also feels well thought out.
 |
| Medal has got a rather aggressive, modified Wharncliffe |
The blade is fully flat ground from a relatively modest blade thickness of 2.6 mm. The height of the blade is 25-20 mm before the back slopes down towards the distinctive tip. The thickness of the blade behind the edge is about 0.4 mm. Already here we are talking about good conditions for a knife that cuts well. In addition to that, the factory edge was excellent - smooth and sharp.
 |
| The steel in the flat-ground blade is 14C28N |
Using the Medal is as pleasant as the basic specifications suggest. The tip is not only sharp but also really thin, which makes it excellent for small, piquant tasks. It's not something you'll mess with, so if you know you want to open paint cans with your knife, you should look at something else. But for everything else you need a sharp tip for, it's excellent with its good penetration ability. Something, at least, I appreciate in a good EDC knife.
Then the Medal cuts very well. The cardboard test is always present, and there it is the resistance that is something to reflect on. If a knife doesn't go through that material, it's bad! But here it goes very easily, and it's not until I cut double-walled cardboard in the wrong direction that I notice anything at all. That's when ergonomics also starts to come into play in the equation. Something I noticed when, after buying a new computer and monitor, I had some cardboard to process.
Medal is a knife that is also often my work knife. Yes, besides the kitchen knives. It is the knife that has recently had to open all the countless packages that surround everything in a professional kitchen. Especially when deliveries arrive on Mondays, there is a lot of that stuff. Tough plastic, nylon straps and of course, more cardboard.
Medal also works well in wood, although it may not be my first choice for a camping trip. That said, the knife does not make a fool of itself in any way.
Handle
Medal has a handle in aluminium that is grey anodised in this version. On the outside of them are panels of wood, in this case, ebony. The work is very well done with nice transitions between the materials. The good impression is reinforced by the fact that the sides are curved, which in turn also makes the knife more comfortable to hold than if it had flat sides.
 |
| A well-shaped aluminium handle with wooden panels |
The construction is well thought out with two aluminium sides and a partially open back. There is a partial back space, and of course, the "house" itself that houses the lock. A construction that SRM uses to stiffen up its locks with a transverse bolt, even though in this case it was hardly needed.
In the back spacer, a bolt has been cleverly hidden for those who want to attach a lanyard to their knife. It has been given a different colour that is also found in the collar around the pivot screw. The sides are assembled with screws in size T6. Partly one at the back that holds both the sides and the panels together, and one that only holds the wood in place. The clip does not need any screws in this version. In addition, there is, of course, an adjustable pivot screw in size T8.
 |
| The back is partially open, but there is a plate over the lock and a back spacer that hides a lanyard attachment point. |
The aluminium has, in addition to the pockets that house the wooden panels, also a slight bore, which makes them a bit lighter. It also gives a good balance, so even though the blade is thin and therefore very light, the balance point is just behind the locking bolt. So fairly neutral with a light rear weight, which makes the knife nimble and lively to handle.
The handle is quite simply designed with a small finger guard and a bulge in the middle. This, together with the curved sides, gives as comfortable a handle as it can be in this size. It is not large enough to get the highest score. But at the same time, it is excellent in its class with enough length for all fingers to fit in a solid hammer grip.
 |
| In the hand, the Medal is very comfortable; the only thing that prevents it from receiving the highest rating is its size. |
Even in a sabre grip, the Medal is good, but here you can feel the back end of the clip a little. But it's not much, and so was SRM's little clip-finesse if it bothers you. I'll come back to that.
The simple but still functional shape means that this knife works well in all grips. Two details that contribute to this are the cover plate over the lock, which provides a larger contact surface against the hand, and the nicely rounded insides of the blade groove. When a knife pivots in the hand, of course, the pressure against the thumb crease and not least against the little finger increases, and then it's good if there's nothing sharp there and it doesn't here.
Opening and Lock
Besides the fact that you can, of course, open this knife with two hands if you wish, it is, of course, a knife intended to be opened with thumb studs. They are barrel-shaped but with a "pyramid tip" and just high enough to function well without being in the way. In addition, they are optimally placed. Far enough out from the handle to be easily accessible and high enough to provide a grip. But it is even better when the blade is out, and they almost disappear from the cutting angles.
Then, as with all knives with this type of lock, the knife can be opened as well as closed using it. I can say that this is especially true in this case.
 |
| The shape and placement of the thumb studs, especially when the knife is open, are exemplary. |
In addition, it can be added that Medal offers an extremely smooth action. The blade runs on ball bearings, which today is almost more the rule than the exception. But to that, it should be added that in addition to the blade swinging completely freely without friction when the lock is released, the springs in the lock construction help to "suck in" the blade the last bit. The fine-tuning in spring tension makes the knife almost feel like an automatic knife when it comes to closing the knife. It is not entirely easy to achieve.
 |
| This version of a cross-bar lock is called the Ambi Lock and is found sitting in a steel cassette |
The lock is what SRM has chosen to call the Ambi lock. It is simply their interpretation of an "Axis" type lock, i.e. a lock equipped with a transverse bolt that locks by laying over a heel milled out of the base of the blade. A familiar solution by now, as many brands use it. However, it can be said that this is one of the better versions I know of.
The bolt is stable laterally, which gives a good feel and makes the lock feel as solid as it is. Then it is very easy to release, and it locks with one hundred per cent security. There is also no tendency for play in the blade in any direction.
Then I can add that for those who are wondering, yes, this lock also contains "Omega" springs, but I have never experienced any of them breaking. Not on knives from SRM, but actually not from anyone else either. It can happen, but I argue that the risk is exaggerated.
To Carry
The handle is 108 mm long and 12.5 mm thick, a very manageable size in a pocket. This is especially true as the knife is not high and lacks protruding parts such as flippers and the like. The thumb studs have been kept low enough that they do not catch on anything unnecessarily.
 |
| SRM's own Ambi Clip is still really good |
The sides are very smooth and softly rounded, which, together with the excellent clip, makes this knife a real highlight in the pocket. Easy to draw and just as easy to put away.
The clip is SRM's potent "Ambi-Clip". An invention I described in detail earlier, but for those of you who don't know, it is a clip that can be repositioned or removed without tools. Just pinch it together, whereupon a couple of lugs release inside the handle, and then the clip is pulled straight out, backwards. That's what I meant earlier when I talked about ergonomics. The clip can be removed in a matter of seconds.
All in all, this makes the Medal a real pocket knife with an emphasis on "pocket".
To Conclude
With the Medal, SRM has created what I think is an excellent EDC knife/pocket knife or whatever you want to call it. The basis is a competent blade with a fairly bold shape and a simple but functionally shaped handle.
Then it doesn't hurt that it is just as pleasant to carry. As I usually say, a folding knife spends most of its time in the pocket. Therefore, it should be comfortable to carry, preferably light and softly shaped so that it doesn't chafe, and so easy to pull out and put away. All of this fits the Medal.
 |
| Medal is a really good pocket/EDC knife with no real flaws |
But the main advantages are, of course, that the knife cuts really well and that the knife, for its size, has good ergonomics. Perhaps someone may experience it as slippery if you prefer knives with a lot of grip in the handles. Especially since the grooves that are on both the back and finger side of the handle are mostly cosmetic.
An extra bonus is the excellent handling with a lightning-fast opening and closing.
In addition, the clip is one of the better ones on the market. The function is really good, and then there is the added bonus that it can be handled without tools. There is nothing more to say about that part.
You could possibly add that the knife looks good, in my opinion, with good proportions and elegant wooden panels on the sides. Well, that's exactly it, Medal also exudes quality when it comes to build quality. It is felt in the lock, visible in the centred blade, noticeable in the fit between the materials and it is spiced up with details such as a hidden lanyard hole and a small touch with a couple of discreet pops of colour.
 |
| Medal by a lake on an early autumn morning |
In other words, it can be stated that I think the SRM Medal is a really good knife! There are not many parameters where it cannot compete. Especially not as the price is currently around 60-75€ here in Europe. For that price, this is a bargain! Don't miss out on this knife.
Specifications:
Length Overall: 193 mm
Length Folded: 108 mm
Weight: 75 g
Blade Length: 81 mm
Blade Thickness: 2,6 mm
Blade Steel: 14C28N
Handle: Aluminium/Wood (Ebony)
Lock: Ambi lock
Produced by: SRM Knives, made in China
/ J - very pleased
* These include, for example, the 7228L Rubik or their then flagship Asika.
Inga kommentarer:
Skicka en kommentar