Review SRM 259L Medal

  -  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. 

In the hand, the Medal is very comfortable; the only thing that prevents it from receiving the highest rating is its size.

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.

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. 

SRM Knives

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.

#knivesandbikes #aliaspostmortem #knivigtvarre 

Recension SRM 259L Medal

 -  en fullträff

Det mest spännande med att följa ett knivmärke från början är att se hur de växer. Ja, om de nu gör det förstås. Men det som avses är inte främst försäljningsframgångar utan hur produkterna artar sig. En tydlig sådan utveckling kan ses hos nuvarande SRM Knives som förvisso inte är nya på marknaden men som märke utvecklades ur SanRenMu. 

SRMs första modeller var inte på något vis dåliga, tvärtom så är flera av dem jag recenserat riktigt bra.* Men det går inte att förneka att den här kniven känns snäppet mer avancerad trots vissa likheter när det kommer till lås och clip till exempel. 

Med det sagt vill jag presentera min syn på modellen 259 Medal 

SRM 259L Medal

Det första intrycket var att SRM Medal var trevlig att se på. Den såg liten, lätt och smidig ut.  Om det till det adderas låg vikt och ett blad som såg kompetent och allsidigt ut så fanns alla förutsättningar för en riktigt bra kniv. Kanske att betrakta som ytterligare en utmanare i "Bug Out"-klassen.

Faktum är att allt ovan visade sig stämma! Den här här kniven är allt det och till det skall läggas ett synnerligen bra handhavande. Det här är en förbaskat sympatisk EDC-kniv vilket genomgående avspeglar sig i design och konstruktion. 

Medal är en lättviktskniv inriktad mot "EDC"

Kortversion: SRM 259L Medal är en kniv där det mesta är korrekt utfört. Den är lätt, välbalanserad, lätt att hantera, skär bra och har god ergonomi. 

Blad

Skall man tro på presentationstexter av den här kniven så har den något som ibland refereras till som en

"reverse tanto". Det håller jag inte riktigt med om då jag anser att det snarare är en modifierad Wharncliffe i och med att eggen har en svag kurvatur. Hade den varit rak hade epitetet försvunnit. 

Längden på bladet uppgår till 81-82 mm lite beroende på hur man mäter. Finishen är en enkel satin med numera föredömligt diskret märkning. Logotypen är krympt och därmed smakfull och på motsatt sida hittas lite text men in extremt litet format. Gott så!

En annan bonus med bladet är att SRM försett det med en rätt diskret samt vinklad ricasso vilket både bidrar till att man fått undan tumknopparna från det som skärs samt fått utrymme över till ett "sharpening choil" vilket i sin tur gör att kniven lättare kan slipas om utan att eggen förvandlas till en kälkbacke. Det känns också genomtänkt. 

Medal har fått en rätt aggressiv, modifierad Wharnecliffe

Bladet är fullt flatslipat från en relativt blygsam godstjocklek på 2,6 mm. Höjden på bladet är 25-20mm innan ryggen sluttar ned mot den distinkta spetsen. Tjockleken på bladet bakom eggen är ca 0,4 mm. Redan här talar vi om goda förutsättningar för en kniv som skär bra. Utöver det så var fabrikseggen förträfflig - jämn och vass. 

Stålet i det flatslipade bladet är 14C28N

Att använda Medal är lika sympatiskt som grundspecifikationerna antyder. Spetsen är inte bara vass utan riktigt tunn vilket gör den förträfflig för små pikanta uppgifter. Det är inget du bänder med så vet du med dig att du vill öppna färgburkar med din kniv skall du kika på något annat. Men till allt annat du behöver en vass spets till är den utmärkt med sin goda penetrationsförmåga. Något åtminstone jag uppskattar hos en god EDC-kniv. 

Sedan skär Medal mycket väl. Kartongtest är alltid närvarande och där är det mest motståndet som är något att reflektera över. Kommer en kniv inte igenom det materialet är det illa! Men här går det lekande lätt och det är inte förrän jag skär dubbelväggig kartong på fel håll som jag märker något alls. Då först börjar även ergonomi spela in i ekvationen. Något jag noterade då jag efter att ha köpt ny dator samt skärm hade en del kartong att processa. 

Medal är en kniv som dessutom ofta är min arbetskniv. Ja, vid sidan om köksknivarna då. Det är den kniv som på sista tiden fått öppna alla otaliga förpackningar som omger allt i ett professionellt kök. Särskilt då leveranserna anländer på måndagar blir det mycket av den varan. Seg plast, nylonremmar och förstås mer kartong. 

Även i trä fungerar Medal väl även om det kanske inte är mitt främsta val för campingturen. Med det sagt gör inte kniven bort sig på något vis. 

Handtag

Medal har fått ett handtag i alumium som gråeloxerats i det här utförandet. Utanpå dem hittas paneler av trä, i det här fallet ebenholts. Arbetet är mycket väl utfört med fina övergångar mellan materialen. Det goda intrycket förstärks av att sidorna är välvda vilket i sin tur även gör kniven mer bekväm att hålla i än om den haft flata sidor. 

Ett välformat handtag i aluminium med träpaneler

Konstruktionen är väl genomtänkt med två aluminiumsidor och en delvis öppen rygg. Där finns en partiell back spacer samt förstås själva "huset" som härbergerar låset. En konstruktion som SRM använder sig av för att styva upp sina lås med tvärgående bult även om det i det här fallet knappt hade behövts. 

I back spacern har man förnurligt gömt undan en bult för dem som vill fästa en fånglina i sin kniv. Den har fått en avvikande färg som även hittas i kragen runt pivotskruven. Sidorna är sammansatta med skruvar i storlek T6. Dels en baktill som håller ihop både sidorna och panelerna samt en som bara håller träet på plats. Clipet behöver inga skruvar i den här versionen. Utöver det finns förstås en justerbar pivotskruv i storlek T8. 

Ryggen är delvis öppen men där finns en platta över låset samt en back spacer som gömmer en fäste för fånglina

Aluminiumet har förutom fickorna som inrymmer träpanelerna även en svag urborrning vilket lättar dem något. Det ger också god balans så trots att bladet är tunt och därmed mycket lätt så hamnar balanspunkten strax bakom låsbulten. Så tämligen neutral med lätt bakvikt vilket gör kniven kvick och livlig att hantera. 

I hand är Medal mycket bekväm, det enda som hindrar den från att erhålla allra högsta betyg är storleken

Handtaget är rätt enkelt utformat med ett litet fingerskydd och en utbuktning på mitten. Det tillsammans med de välvda sidorna ger ett så bekvämt handtag som det kan bli i den här storleken. Det är nämligen inte stort nog för att få allra högsta poäng. Men samtidigt är det utmärkt i sin klass med tillräcklig längd för att att alla fingrar skall få plats i ett rejält hammargrepp. 

Även i sabelgrepp är Medal bra men här kan man känna bakänden på clipet något lite. Men det är inte mycket och så var det där med SRMs lilla clip-finess om det  nu stör. Jag återkommer till det. 

Den enkla men ändå arbetarde formen gör att den här kniven fungerar väl i alla grepp. Två detaljer som bidrar till det är dels täckplåten över låset som ger större anläggningsyta mot handen och dels de fint rundade insidorna på knivskåran. När en kniv pivoterar i handen så ökar förstås trycket mot tumvecket och inte minst mot lillfingret och då är det bra om det inte finns något vasst där och det gör det inte här. 

Öppning och lås

Förutom att du förstås kan öppna den här kniven med två händer om du så önskar så är det förstås en kniv tänkt att öppnas med tumknoppar. De är tunnformade  men med "pyramidspets" och lagom höga för att fungera väl utan att var ivägen. Dessutom är de ultimat placerade. Tillräckligt långt ut från handtaget för att vara lättåtkomliga och tillräckligt höga för att ge fäste. Men ännu bättre blir det när bladet är ute och de närmast försvinner bort från skärvinklarna. 

Sedan gäller som för alla knivar med den här låstypen att kniven kan såväl öppnas som stängas med hjälp av den. Det gäller särskilt i det här fallet kan jag säga. 

Tumknopparnas form och placering, inte minst när kniven är öppen, är föredömlig

Utöver det kan tilläggas att Medal har extremt mjuk gång. Bladet löper på kullager, vilket idag nästan är mer regel än undantag. Men till det skall adderas att förutom att bladet svingar helt fritt utan friktion när låset är släppt så hjälper fjädrarna i låskonstruktionen till med att "suga in" bladet den sista biten. Den fina avstämningen i fjäderspänning gör att kniven nästan känns som den automatisk kniv när det handlar om att fälla ihop kniven. Det är inte helt lätt att åstadkomma. 

Den här versionen av ett Cross bar lock kallas Ambi Lock och hittas sittande i en stålkassett

Låset är vad SRM valt att kalla Ambi lock. Det är helt enkelt deras tolkning av ett lås av "Axis"-typ, dvs ett lås försett med en tvärgående bult som låser genom att lägga sig över en klack urfräst ur basen på bladet. En bekant lösning vid det här laget få många märken använder sig av den. Dock kan sägas att det här är en av de bättre versionerna jag känner till. 

Bulten är stabil i sidled vilket ger god känsla och gör att låset känns lika solitt som det är. Sedan är det mycket lätt att släppa och det låser med hundraprocentig säkerhet. Det finns heller inga tendenser till glapp i bladet i någon riktning. 

Sedan kan adderas för dem som undrar, jo även det här låset innehåller "Omega"-fjädrar men jag har aldrig varit med om att någon av dem gått av. Inte på knivar från SRM men faktiskt inte från någon annan heller. Det kan hända men jag hävdar att den risken är överdriven.

Att bära

Handtaget är 108 mm långt och tjockleken är 12,5 mm, en mycket hanterbar storlek i en ficka. Det gäller särskilt som kniven heller inte är hög samt saknar utstickande delar som flipperfenor och liknande. Tumknopparna har hållt så pass låga att de inte hakar i något i onödan. 

SRMs egna Ambi Clip är fortfarande riktigt bra

Sidorna är mycket släta och mjukt rundade vilket tillsammans med det utmärkta clipet gör den här kniven till en riktig höjdare i fickan. Lätt att dra och minst lika lätt att stoppa undan. 

Clipet är SRMs potenta "Ambi-Clip". En uppfinning jag beskrivit i detalj tidigare men för er som inte vet är det ett clip som kan repositioneras eller tas bort utan verktyg. Det är bara att nypa ihop det varpå ett par klackar släpper inne i handtaget och sedan dras clipet rakt ut, bakåt. Det var det jag avsåg innan när jag talade om ergonomi. Clipet kan tas bort på någon sekund. 

Sammantaget gör det att  Medal är en riktig fickkniv med betoning på "fick". 

Sammanfattningsvis

Med Medal har SRM åstadkommit en i mitt tycke förträfflig EDC-kniv/fickkniv eller vad du vill kalla den. Grunden är ett kompetent blad  med rätt djärv form och ett enkelt men funktionellt format  handtag. 

Sedan skadar det inte att den är lika sympatisk att bära på. Som jag brukar hävda, det är i fickan en fällkniv tillbringar mest tid. Därmed bör den vara bekväm att bära på, gärna lätt och mjukt formad så den inte skaver och så enkel att dra och stoppa undan. Allt det här stämmer in på Medal. 

Medal är en riktigt bra fick/EDC-kniv utan egentliga brister

Men de främsta fördelarna är förstås att kniven skär riktigt bra och att kniven för sin storlek har god ergonomi. Kanske kan någon uppleva den som hal om man föredrar knivar med mycket fäste i handtagen. Särskilt som de räfflor som finns både på rygg och fingersida på handtaget mest är kosmetiska. 

En extra bonus är det excellenta handhavandet med en blixtrande öppning och tillika stängning. Lägg därtill en mycket mjuk gång och du har en riktigt sympatisk kniv.

Dessutom är clipet ett av de bättre på marknaden. Funktionen är riktigt bra och sedan tillkommer bonusen att det kan hanteras utan verktyg. Mer finns inte att säga om den biten. 

Möjligen kan man tillägga att kniven i mitt tycke ser bra ut med goda proportioner och eleganta träpaneler i sidorna. Jo, just det, Medal utstrålar även kvalitet när det handlar om byggkvalitet. Det känns i låset, syns i det centrerade bladet, märks i passningen mellan materialen och det kryddas med detaljer som ett dolt fånglinehål och en liten knorr med ett par diskreta färgklickar. 

Medal vid en sjö en tidig höstmorgon

Med andra ord kan det konstateras att jag tycker att SRM Medal är en riktigt bra kniv! Det finns inte många parametrar där den inte kan konkurrera. Särskilt inte som priset för närvarande ligger kring 600-750 kr här i Europa. För det priset är det här ett fynd! Missa inte den här kniven. 

SRM Knives

Specifikation:

Längd utfälld: 193 mm

Längd hopfälld: 108 mm

Vikt: 75 g

Bladlängd: 81 mm

Godstjocklek: 2,6 mm

Bladstål: 14C28N

Handtag: Alunminium/Trä (Ebenholts)

Lås: Ambi lock

Producerad av: SRM Knives, tillverkad i Kina

/ J - nöjd

* Till dem hör exempelvis 7228L Rubik eller deras dåvarande flaggskepp Asika.

#knivesandbikes #aliaspostmortem #knivigtvarre 

Review SRM 168L

  

-  a solid and reliable knife

Some knives are fairly anonymous until they start being used. That can be said about this knife from SRM. The model is called 168L and does not stand out very much in appearance.

But there is still something calm and pleasant and familiar about the design. If you look at it for a moment with a special focus on the overall lines and not least the proportions of the blade and how the back rises slightly, you can perhaps recognize a classic. You can guess which knife I'm thinking of.

SRM 168L

Other than that, this knife is most similar to itself. The other knife I have in mind is a knife with a titanium handle and a frame lock.

This knife features a steel frame with sides of G10 and the lock is a so-called Ambi lock. It is SRM's interpretation of the ever-so-popular "Cross-bar" locks. Something which, incidentally, they master better than most. In addition to that, their own invention Ambi Clip is added to the stew.

The look is harmonious but isn't there something familiar about the blade shape?

Short version: SRM 168L can perhaps be experienced as somewhat anonymous at first but grows both after a while and in hand!

Blade

As I said, the leaf shape is recognizable. But it should be added that a classic drop point is fairly generic in the knife world. However, this one has a back that rises slightly above the back line of the handle and thus gives a hint of a thumb ramp. At the base of it, some grooves are found to rest the thumb against.

The finish on the blade is a fairly coarse satin which works well. This means it looks nice while being practical and hides some small scratches.

Model 168L features a drop point blade with a high flat ground

The high flat grind extends more than 25 mm at its widest and ends with a thickness of 0.3 mm behind the edge. The material used is D2 steel and there is not much more to add about the properties at this point. Most people in the knife world recognize it. It is a serviceable steel but has a tendency to corrode and that has happened a couple of times with this knife for various reasons. If you examine, for example, the picture below, you can see remnants of it in the form of black spots on the blade towards the tip.

The D2 steel has then been ground excellently. The factory edge was smooth, reasonably symmetrical, and above all sharp. You can't ask for much more than that. Of course, if you go down to the level of detail and measure sharpness in Bess and study edges in a microscope, you might be able to find more. But not on a practical level if I may put it that way.

In terms of edge retention and ease of maintenance, D2 steel is good but rust can occur as can be seen here

The SRM 168 has been a frequent companion at work. There are a lot of packages that need opening. With a thorough cleaning between tasks, it has also had to prove itself as a paring knife and a petty handling fruit and vegetables. It is a way to put in more test hours before a review. As a kitchen knife, it performs decent, except when it comes to tasks like coring apples. The blade is too wide for such chores. But you can see that without using it.

But for things it's perhaps more geared towards, this is a highly likable companion. The tip is both strong and sharp, which makes it easier to get into tough plastic packaging and the like. The solid handle in symbiosis with the efficient blade is a great asset when you have to cut nylon straps, cable ties, and ropes and perhaps need a little more pressure behind the cuts.

Even cardboard is easily dispatched. A sharp edge and a high flat grind contribute to that. The blade also bites well into wood and thus it can be said that the SRM 168 is not a bad all-round knife even out in the woods.

Handle

The SRM 168 has a deceptively simple handle but is well thought out. It bulges where it should and turns inwards in the right places. More specifically, it provides an area to place the index finger where the handle sides are a bit thinner just behind the finger guard. Then the handle swells ever so slightly at the height at the back. The sides are certainly flat, but the edges are seriously broken with a chamfered edge.

The material is G10 of medium coarse character, which together with the general shape of the handle gives a good grip.

The handle is deceptively simple but works great

The knife is quite classically constructed with a frame consisting of two very lightened pieces of steel. They are then screwed in two points in addition to the pivot screw, which is of course adjustable. The size of the screws is T6 and T8 respectively. It can be added that the pivot screw is D-shaped, which prevents it from spinning when adjusted. On the opposite side of the screw head is found a head decorated with the SRM logo.

The back is partially open, which follows the type of lock, but towards the back end, there is a spacer. In it, you will also find a substantial lanyard hole, which certainly also extends through the sides of the handle.

The construction is quite classic but includes both an Ambi lock, a piece of open back, and a back spacer

Although the knife is not one of the largest, the handle is big enough. It measures 11 cm in length, 2.35 cm in height, and has a thickness of 12.1 mm.

It is partly the last measurement that makes the knife fill the hand as well as it does. What also contributes to good ergonomics is the straight shape that fits most hands. Finger grooves and the like can be effective, but only if they are found exactly where your hand wants them.

Another important area is that all edges are properly rounded. This applies to the back side, but above all to the inside of the blade groove. A detail that is sometimes missed by manufacturers, even big ones. When you use some force when working with a knife, it can be quite sharp against the little finger. SRM doesn't miss something like that and here it is well done.

Another important surface is the back of the handle. The more surface, the more comfortable the knife. There must also be no sharp edges or corners. It doesn't here.

This knife is quite ergonomic 

It is no problem to use the most frequent grips such as hammer grip, saber grip, pinch grip or reverse grips. The balance and low weight also make it easy to change grips during work if needed. In general, the 168 is well designed and constructed and you can feel it when you use the knife. 

Opening and Lock

This SRM knife belongs to those that can be opened in several ways. That characteristic follows, so to speak, with the lock construction. That and the fact that any knife that has some visible blade to grip around can of course be folded out with two hands if the user feels more comfortable doing so.

Otherwise, it is mainly double-sided thumb suds that are the predominant way to open the knife. They are also really good. They are easily accessible thanks to the handle sides being a bit thinner where they are found. Then the geometry is designed to give a good push to the blade. That without the studs ending up halfway out on the blade. Here they are found near the handle when the knife is open and are thus out of the way when cutting. 

The 168L has very effective thumb studs that are easy to use

Then it is necessary to get the spring tension correct as it's the lock that acts as detent or the resistance that holds the blade in place in the folded position on this category of knives. Also, that detail is well done. As you noticed, many small things are starting to fall into place.

The lock is called an Ambi lock and is a version of a cross-bar lock

Speaking of falling into place, the blade does so in a confidence-inspiring manner. The crossbar-type lock is correctly executed. The blade has no play in any direction, nor does the bolt have any particular tendency to move sideways when the lock is released.

The reason I mention that is that some variations of this lock type have some play if the tolerances are not tight enough. This in turn makes it more difficult to use only one finger to close the lock. But you can do that here, even if the more common way to do it is with two fingers.

To Carry

In the pocket, 168L is discreet. No extremely sharp edges or any glass breaker rear end, but a rather box-like firmly chamfered exterior. Neither length nor thickness are extreme either. The knife is neither among the thinnest I have nor among the thicker ones on the market. Kind of anonymous like I accused it of being at the beginning of this post. In this case, it's a good thing!

The clip is mounted at the back end of the handle, whereupon the entire knife disappears into the pocket when in use

Ambi-Clip is SRM's contribution to the knife world. A very good clip that can be removed without tools

This means that the knife does not make much of a fuss. It is there when you need it and is not very noticeable otherwise. I particularly appreciate two things. The first is that you can put your hand in your pocket to get something else without hurting your hand. Such basic things are sometimes missed.

The second is that the knife is easy to pull and, above all, put back. It doesn't help if you can draw a knife and unfold the blade with one hand if it still takes two hands to get it back together and back in the pocket. At least not in my line of work.

The knife itself is discreet in the pocket, but the clip is glossy and therefore visible

By now I've written quite a few times about SRM's Ambi Clip. But it is a good invention! It means that the clip is attached by being inserted into a slot in the handle where a pair of springy metal pins hold it in place. It is split in the middle and the clip is therefore released by pressing lightly on the outside of it and then pulling straight back.

In this way, the clip can both be removed or shifted to the left side without tools. In addition, it can be mentioned that it is also a well-functioning clip otherwise where properties such as good tension, approved ramp, and decent size are met.

To Conclude

The SRM 168L breathes "working knife" right from the start. Part of that impression is based on the simple, straightforward design. But the choice of materials also contributes to that feeling. The combination of G10 and D2 aren't original anymore but it's still a good foundation for a capable knife. Then you should bear in mind that even if the materials are the same between knife brands, the quality is not, nor is how they are treated.

Here it is noticeable that there is a lot of knowledge within the company behind SRM. They have been and are OEM manufacturers and have long and wide experience in knife manufacturing. This is reflected in solid build quality. The 168L may not be unique in any respect but it is very well made.

A knife as reliable as an old Volvo

When the first visual impression has sunk in, one must feel and hold a knife and that is when those characteristics are felt. The blade is centered, handling excellent with a blade that flashes out on soft ceramic ball bearings and a lock that just works.

There are also many details done correctly. Things like a properly patterned G10 that provides good grip without rasping the surroundings, thumb studs that are found where they should be, and a sharpening choil that is in the right place and properly sized.

After that, it's time for the real baptism of fire. Time to start using the knife and take it to work. It is at this level that this knife has its real strengths. The ergonomics are good and the blade is very all-round focused.

This SRM knife is a real workhorse. In some posts on Instagram, I compared it to my old Volvo, it just works and has for a really long time. I get the same impression from this knife.

SRM 168L at work. Time to harvest Swiss chard

For those reasons, I can only warmly recommend this knife. Not because it's extremely pretty, because it's not. 168L is too anonymous for that. Although the appearance is not unpleasant either, harmonious is a word that springs to mind. Nor because it is exclusive, because it's not, but because it just works.

SRM has thus managed to create a really good knife for all everyday situations, whether it is work or leisure that is around the corner.

SRM Knives

Specification:

Length Overall: 198 mm

Length Folded: 111mm

Weight: 113 g (weighed by me, stated 113 g)

Blade Length: 86 mm

Blade Thickness: 3,1 mm

Blade Steel: D2

Handle: G10

Lock: Ambi lock

Produced by: SRM, made in China

/ J - 

#knivesandbikes #aliaspostmortem #knivigtvarre