- a well-interpreted Shilin Cutter
There are certain types of knives that I have liked since the first time I saw them in a picture. One such type of knife originates from China and goes by the name "Shilin Cutter".* It is an older model from the late 18th century that is characterised by its bamboo leaf-shaped blade. It is often combined with a handle that reflects the shape of the blade. Overall, it gives a harmonious appearance that I really appreciate.
This is a significantly newer version, and it is noticeable that the type has become more popular as there are now several variants from different brands on the market. This is CJRB's interpretation called Sasaya.
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| CJRB Sasaya |
Sasaya is currently available in four different versions. This is the version with wooden sides. In addition, the knife can also be obtained with black or blue G10 on the sides or a more luxurious version made entirely of titanium. That knife also has a slightly finer steel in S35VN.
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| Harmony with roots in China |
Short version: CJRB Sasaya, A knife as stylish as it is practical
Blade
Sasaya, of course, boasts the typical leaf-shaped blade, which would be strange otherwise, since it is one of the things that distinguishes a Shilin cutter. Translated into knife nomenclature, however, it becomes a drop point with a sweeping belly.
In addition to the shape, the oval opening hole gives character to the blade. On the back side, there are some grooves towards the blade base, but to be honest, they do not fulfil any function.
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| Sasaya has the leaf-shaped blade typical of the pattern |
The length of the blade is 89 mm, not a small blade in other words. The height is just under 3 cm at most, 29 mm. The thickness of the blade is a meagre 2.5 mm, and in that number is found one of the reasons why it cuts so well. The other is, of course, that the knife is completely flat ground. To this can be added that the blade is 0.4 mm thick behind the edge.
The blade is stone-washed and very discreetly marked. The CJRB logo is only found on the ricasso and is small.
The steel used is a material that Artisan Cutlery/CJRB themselves developed together with a steel producer and is called AR-RPM9. A steel that is found in several knives I have tested at this point. As far as I can tell without being a metallurgist, it is a well-balanced steel that is easy to sharpen, very resistant to rust and holds its sharpness reasonably well. Fully on par with other "mid-range steels", if the expression is allowed.
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| The steel used is AR-RPM9 |
The fact that the edge extends almost all the way into the handle, in combination with the fact that it is narrow, makes fine work and small jobs a joy with this blade. The blade geometry and sharpening also make the Sasaya a knife that cuts really well. Something that is reinforced by the blade shape that gives a very long edge with a sweeping belly. What you don't get, however, is a straight edge to work with. Something that can be an advantage for certain jobs.
But this type of blade excels at sweeping cuts. In addition to that, it is a fairly all-round blade shape. This means that those small cuts made in a piece of tape, cutting a cable tie, removing plastic around a package, cutting a string and the like are excellent.
The tip is also good. Although the knife gives the impression of being curved, the tip is found approximately on the centre line of the knife or actually a little below it. This allows you to use the tip without breaking your wrist when cutting along something. It is also good for puncturing things with. Thin enough for good penetration as the blade tapers quite a bit towards the tip, while the width means that the tip is not brittle.
Handle
The construction of the handle is recognisable from another knife I reviewed from CJRB, the Pyrite. Both knives feature the same type of lock, a steel bolster, and wooden handle sides. I don't know what type of wood this is, but my guess is some kind of "rose wood," which could mean palisander or another type of wood.
In any case, they are curved, polished, and the fit to the rest of the handle is well done.
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| The handle shape mirrors the blade and provides a comfortable grip |
This has been made a little easier by the frame not being at the same height as the sides but rising slightly above them. Something smart because the fit does not need to be as precise. Otherwise, the Sasaya has a steel frame. A frame that, wich unusually, is not weight relieved. Something that is otherwise almost standard on folding knives today. The back is completely open, and there are two hourglass-shaped spacers. There is also a hole in the back of the handle for attaching a lanyard.
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| The knife is open at the back. What looks like a gap between the frame and the wooden side is actually a shadow as the frame rises slightly above the rest of the handle. |
The handle on the Sasaya is 120 mm long, and the seemingly simple but refined shape means that the entire length can be used. This, in turn, means that all hand sizes fit. The fact that the handle is slim and under two centimetres high at the front of the bolster means that even small hands get a good grip, while the length means that even large hands have something to hold on to. The back end swells to around three centimetres, which mostly prevents slipping when cutting.
The teardrop shape allows all grips to work and work well. But of course, the lack of friction and grip enhancements means that this is not a "tactical" knife, whatever that is. But for anyone who isn't interested in maximum grip, this is a practical and excellent handle. This applies regardless of whether you prefer a hammer grip, a sabre grip or any variation thereof.
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| The balance point is apparently found a bit further into the handle and could be improved with a lighter frame. Sasaya is otherwise very comfortable to work with. |
Opening and Lock
Sasaya is a modern knife, and it is noticeable, among other things, in the very smooth "action". In addition to small tolerances, ceramic ball bearings contribute to this.
The knife is opened primarily with the oval blade hole found in the blade. With the help of it, the blade can be both flicked out using the thumb or an index finger on the back as well as opened more slowly.
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| The blade hole works well to open the blade, and the edges are softly rounded to be kinder to fingertips. |
In addition, the lock type provides an opening method. Simply press the button, and the blade swings freely and can be both opened and closed at the desired speed.
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| Sasaya uses a button lock. A type of lock that works by moving an asymmetrical bolt sideways, whereupon the thicker part locks against the blade base. |
The lock is very well made and has the same soft feel as the handle. It locks firmly and holds the blade in place. About button locks, it can also be said that they are generally very easy to handle. You press the button and the lock releases. A small warning is in order if you disassemble your knife. The button is spring-loaded, and inside it, you will find a very small spring that can easily disappear and is essential for the function.
The lock button is slightly recessed, which means that it cannot be activated by mistake. Or at least it is very difficult, and nothing has happened during the time I have tested and carried the knife.
To Carry
For such a large knife with a total length of over twenty centimetres, Sasaya is very easy to carry. The slim teardrop shape means that the knife does not take up much space in your pocket, even though the handle is a full 12 cm long. However, the knife is 34 mm high when folded, so it is probably more of a feeling than a practical reality. It simply feels more agile than the actual dimensions say.
The weight is 109 g, which is not much considering that the frame is not lightened. A large part of this can be attributed to the blade being thin and the absence of a back spacer, reducing the weight. It can also be added that this type of lock weighs less compared to, for example, a back lock.
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| The clip is a fairly generic spring steel variant |
However, the knife is no thicker than 12 mm, and the sides are curved, which, together with the polishing, makes them feel soft. Therefore, the knife slides easily into place when you want to put it away. It is also easy to pull.
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| This is what Sasaya looks like in a pocket |
The clip is of the spring steel type and can be moved even though it almost doesn't look like it. CJRB has made one of the screw holes on the opposite side function as a mount for the handle side, which means that there are fewer holes, which gives a cleaner look.
The function is good with sufficient springiness, even though the tip points outwards. However, the placement means that it does not irritate the hand when you are working with the knife. The length of the handle means that it ends up inside the hand, which I am happy about. However, the space under the clip could be more spacious. As it is now, it is quite tight, and some of the space is stolen by the fact that the clip is not recessed in the handle side. However, it is something that would have cost time and therefore money, especially since the sides are made of wood. However, the screws are recessed in the clip and have flat heads, which is good.
The knife sits quite deep in the pocket, and not much is visible when you carry it.
Sammanfattningsvis
With Sasaya, CJRB has succeeded in capturing the essence of what a Shilin Cutter is. The bamboo leaf-shaped blade is reflected in the handle, and it makes the appearance harmonious and elegant. Something that is reinforced by the wood in this design. That is why I chose not to use G10 this time. Something with the organic shape required natural materials in my eyes.
Then I've come across this type of knife before, and I like it. The shape provides a simple handle, but also one that doesn't cause any problems, no matter what your hand looks like. Short or long fingers, big or small hands, it's easy to find a good grip on this knife. But that tends to be the case with classic designs, whether they come from the Nordic, Mediterranean or, in this case, China.
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| Sasaya is an excellent EDC knife, even if it is slightly larger than you might be led to believe |
As I said, CJRB has managed the properties well, and that also results in a blade that cuts well. This has been achieved via a full flat grind, but mainly by daring to be restrained with the blade thickness. I am grateful that modern manufacturers have started to reduce the thickness of their blades at least somewhat. A few years ago, the trend was for all folding knives to have blades that started at three millimetres and up. It is not necessary.
The thing that might make you not appreciate this blade shape is, of course, if you don't like leaf-shaped blades. The entire edge is a long curve, and there are no straight parts. In addition, it gives a specific aesthetic, especially with a hole in the blade. Did I hear a "Spyderco" somewhere?
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| The CJRB Sasaya can handle most things. It's clear that it's a knife pattern that has survived the test of time. |
Overall, CJRB has created a really good EDC/outdoor knife with this knife. It is beautiful to look at, soft to handle, both in terms of opening and closing and pulling/putting away. In addition, it is practical and made of well-chosen materials.
The manufacturing quality is usually high at CJRB, and this also applies to Sasaya. Especially if it is put in relation to the price tag, currently, the target price for this knife is $60. In Europe, it costs from €74.
Specifications:
Length Overall: 209 mm
Length Folded: 120 mm
Weight: 109 g
Blade Length: 89 mm
Blade Thickness: 2,5 mm
Blade Steel: AR-RPM9
Handle: Steel/Wood
Lock: Button lock
Produced by: CJRB, made in China
/ J - goes Chinese
* I was introduced to the knife model via Spyderco and their Bob Lum-designed "Chinese".
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