Review - CJRB Sasaya

 

 -  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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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. 

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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?

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.

CJRB Knives

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".

#knivesandbikes #aliaspostmortem #knivigtvarre 

Recension CJRB Sasaya

 -  en vältolkad Shilin Cutter

Det finns vissa sorters knivar jag gillat ända från första gången jag sett dem på bild. En sådan typ av kniv härstammar från Kina och går under namnet "Shilin Cutter".* Det är en äldre modell från 1700-talets slut som kännetecknas av sitt bambulövsformade blad. Det kombineras ofta med ett handtag som speglar bladets form. Sammantaget ger det ett harmoniskt utseende som jag uppskattar. 

Det här är en väsenligt nyare version och det märks att typen blivit mer populär då det nu finns flera varianter från olika märken på marknaden för närvarande. Det här är CJRBs tolkning kallad Sasaya.

CJRB Sasaya

Sasaya finns för närvarnde i fyra olika utföranden. Det här är som synes utförandet med träsidor. Utöver det kan kniven även fås med svart eller blå G10 i sidorna alternativt ett lyxigare utförande helt i titan. Den kniven har också ett snäpp finare stål i S35VN. 

Harmoni med rötter i Kina

Kortversion: CJRB Sasaya, en kniv lika snygg som den är praktisk

Blad

Sasaya ståtar förstås med det typiska lövformade bladet, konstigt vore det annars eftersom det är en av de saker som utmärker en Shilin cutter. Översatt till knivnomenklatur blir det dock en drop point med en svepande buk. 

Utöver formen så skänker förstås det ovala öppningshålet karaktär åt bladet. På ryggsidan hittas några räfflor mot bladbasen till men de fyller i ärlighetens namn ingen funktion. 

Sasaya har det för mönstret typiska lövformade bladet

Längden på bladet är 89 mm, inte ett helt litet blad med andra ord. Höjden är strax under 3 cm som mest, 29 mm. Tjockleken på bladet är 2,5 mm och i den siffran hittas en av orsakerna till att den skär så bra. Den andra är förstås att kniven är helt flatslipat. Därtill kan adderas att bladet är 0,4 mm tjockt bakom eggen. 

Bladet är stentumlat och mycket disrket märkt. CJRBs logga har förpassats ricasson och är liten. 

Stålet som använts är ett material som Artisan Cutlery/CJRB själva utvecklat ihop med en stålproducent och kallas AR-RPM9. Ett stål som återfinns i ett flertal knivar jag testat vid det här laget. Såvitt jag kan uttala mig utan att vara metallurg är det ett välbalanserat stål som är lättslipat, rejält rosttrögt och håller skärpan dugligt. Fullt i par med andra "mellanklass-stål", om uttrycket tillåts. 

Stålet  som används är AR-RPM9

Att eggen sträcker sig nästan hela vägen in mot handtaget i kombination med att det är smalt gör att finlir och småarbeten är en fröjd med det här bladet. Bladgeometrin och slipningen gör därtill att Sasaya är en kniv som skär riktigt bra. Något som förstärks av bladformen som ger en mycket lång egg med en svepande buk. Vad du inte får däremot är en rak egg att arbeta med. Något som kan vara en fördel vid vissa arbeten. 

Men vid svepande skär excellerar den här typen av blad. Utöver det så är det en rätt allroundbetonad bladform. Det gör att de där småsnitten som görs i en bit tejp, skära av ett buntband, avlägsna plast runt ett paket, kapa ett snöre och liknande går utmärkt. 

Även spetsen är bra. Trots att kniven ger ett intryck av att vara krökt så hittas spetsen ungefär i knivens centrumlinje eller faktiskt lite under den. Det gör att du kan nyttja spetsen utan att bryta handleden när du skär längs med något. Den är också bra att punktera saker med. Tunn nog för god penetration då bladet taperar rätt mycket mot spetsen till samtidigt som bredden gör att spetsen inte är skör. 

Handtag

Konstruktionen av handtaget känns igen från en annan kniv jag recenserat från CJRB, Pyrite. I båda knivarna hittas samma typ av lås, ett bolster av stål och handtagssidor av trä. Vilket träslag som är aktuellt vet jag inte men en gissning är någon form av "rose wood" vilket kan innebära palisander eller annat träslag. 

I vilket fall som helst är de välvda, polerade och passningen mot resten av handtaget är väl utfört. 

Handtagsformen speglar bladet och ger ett bekvämt grepp

Det har underlättats en smula genom att ramen inte är i samma höjd som sidorna utan höjer sig lite över dem. Något som är smart eftersom passningen inte behöver vara lika exakt. Annars hittas i Sasaya en

stålram. En ram som för ovanlighets skull inte är lättad. Något som annars nästan är standard på fällknivar idag. 

Ryggen är helt öppen och där hittas två timglasformade distanser. I handtagets bakdel hittas även ett hål för fäste av fånglina. 

Kniven är öppen i ryggen. Det som ser ut som en glipa mellan ram och träsida är i själva verket  en skugga då ramen höjer sig något över resten av handtaget

Handtaget på Sasaya är 120 mm långt och den till synes enkla men raffinerade formen gör att hela längden kan nyttjas som greppyta. Det i sin tur gör att alla handstorlekar får plats. Att handtaget är slankt och under två centimeter högt framme vid bolstret gör att även små händer får bra grepp samtidigt som längden gör att även stora händer har något att hålla kring. Bakänden sväller till kring tre centimeter som mest vilket förhindrar att man halkar av när man skär.

Balanspunkten hittas som synes en bit in på handtaget och kunde förbättras med en lättad ram. Sasaya är för övrigt mycket bekväm att arbeta med

Droppformen gör att alla grepp fungerar och fungerar väl. Men det är klart, frånvaron av friktion och greppfrämjande åtgärder gör att det här inte är en "taktisk" kniv, vad det nu är. Men för alla som inte är  intresserade av maximalt grepp så är det här ett praktiskt och utmärkt handtag. Det gäller oavsett om du föredrar hammargrepp eller sabelgrepp eller någon variant därav. 

Öppning och lås

Sasaya är en modern kniv och det märks bland annat på gången som är mycket mjuk. Förutom små toleranser hittas keramiska kullager som bidrar till det. 

Kniven öppnas främst med det ovala bladhåletsom hittas i bladet. Med hjälp av det kan bladet både snärtas ut med hjälp av tumme eller ett pekfinger på baksidan likväl som att öppnas lugnt och stilla. 

Bladhålet fungerar väl för att öppna bladet och kanterna är mjukt runda för att vara snällare mot fingertoppar

Utöver det bidrar låstypen en öppningsmetod till. Det är bara att trycka in knappen så svingar bladet fritt och kan fällas både ut- och in i önskad fart. 

På Sasaya används ett button lock. En typ av lås som fungerar genom att en assymetrisk bult flyttas i sidled varpå den tjockare delen låser mot bladbasen

Låset är mycket väl utfört och har samma mjuka känsla som gången. Det låset stabilt och håller bladet på plats. Om button locks kan även sägas att de generellt och är mycket lätta att hantera. Du trycker på knappen och låset släpper. En liten varning är dock på sin plats om du demonterar din kniv. Knappen är fjäderbelastad och inuti den hittas en mycket liten fjäder som lätt kan försvinna och är essentiell för funktionen.

Låsknappen är lätt försänkt vilket gör att den inte kan aktiveras av misstag. Eller åtminstone är det mycket svårt och det är inget som hänt under den tiden jag testat och burit kniven. 

Att bära

För att vara en så här pass stor kniv med en totallängd på över tjugo centimeter är Sasaya mycket lättburen. Den slanka droppformen gör att kniven inte tar upp särskilt mycket plats i fickan trots att handtaget är hela 12 cm långt. Men samtigt är kniven 34 mm hög i  hopfällt läge så det är nog mer än känsla en praktisk reallitet. Den känns helt enkelt smidigare än vad de faktiska måtten säger. 

Vikten är 109 g vilket inte är så mycket med tanke på att ramen  inte är lättad. En stor del av det kan tillskrivas att bladet är tunt och att frånvaron av back spacer reducerar vikten. Sedan kan tilläggas att just den här typen av lås väger mindre jämfört med exempelvis en back lock.  

Clipet är en tämligen generiskt fjäderstålsvariant

Dock är kniven inte tjockare än 12 mm och sidorna är som sagt formade vilket tillsammans med poleringen gör att de känns mjuka. Därför glider kniven lätt på plats när man skall stoppa undan kniven. Den är även lätt att dra. 

Så här ter sig Sasaya i en ficka

Clipet är av fjäderstålstyp och kan flyttas trots att det nästan inte ser ut så. CJRB har gjort så att ett av skruvhålen på motsatt sida fungerar som fäste för handtagssidan vilket gör att det blir färre antal hål vilket ger ett renare utseende. 

Funktionen är god med tillräcklig spänst även om spetsen pekar utåt. Placeringen gör dock att den inte irriterar handen när du arbetar med kniven. Längden på handtaget gör nämligen att den hamnar inne i handen vilket jag är glad för. Dock kunde utrymmet under clipet vara mer tilltaget. Som det är nu är det i minsta laget och lite  av utrymmet stjäls av det faktum att clipet inte är försänkt i handtagssidan. Det är dock något som hade kostat tid och därmed pengar, särskilt som skollorna är gjorda i trä. Emellertid är skruvarna försänkta i clipet och har platta huvuden vilket är bra. 

Kniven sitter rätt djupt i fickan och inte mycket är synligt när du bär kniven. 

Sammanfattningsvis

Med Sasaya har CJRB lyckats väl med att fånga essensen av vad en Shilin Cutter är. Det bambulövsformade bladet speglar sig i handtaget och det gör utseendet harmoniskt och elegant. Något som förstärks av träet i det här utförandet. Det var därför jag valde bort G10 den här gången. Något med den organiska formen krävde naturmaterial i mina ögon. 

Sedan har jag stött på knivtypen förut och jag gillar den. Formen ger ett enkelt handtag men även ett som inte ställer till bekymmer oavsett hur din hand ser ut. Korta eller långa fingrar, stora eller små händer, det är lätt att hitta ett bra grepp på den här kniven. Men så tenderar det att bli med klassiska mönster vare sig de kommer från norden, medelhavsregionen eller som i det här fallet, Kina. 

Sasaya är en utmärkt EDC-kniv även om den är något större än vad man kan förledas att tro

CJRB har som sagt förvaltat egenskaperna väl och det medför även ett blad som skär bra. Det har åstadkommits via en full flatslipning men främst genom att man vågat vara återhållsam med bladtjockleken. Jag är tacksam att moderna tillverkare har börjat minska tjockleken på sina blad åtminstone något. För några år sedan var trenden att alla fällknivar skulle ha blad som började på tre millimeter och uppåt. Det är inte nödvändigt. 

Det som skulle kunna få dig att inte uppskatta den här bladformen är förstås om du inte gillar lövformade blad. Hela eggen är en lång kurva och några raka partier finns därmed inte. Dessutom ger det en specifik estetik, särskilt med ett hål i bladet. Hörde  jag ett "Spyderco" någonstans?

CJRB Sasaya klarar det mesta. Det märks att det är ett knivmönster som överlevt tidens tand

Överlag har CJRB med den här kniven åstadkommit en riktigt bra EDC/friluftskniv. Den är vacker att se på, mjuk att hantera både vad gäller öppning och stängning samt att dra/stoppa undan. Därtill är den praktisk och utförd i väl valda  material. 

Tillverkningskvalitén är vanligen hög hos CJRB och det gäller även Sasaya. Särskilt om den ställs i relation till prislappen, för närvarande är riktpriset på den här kniven 60$. I Europa kostar den från 74€.

CJRB Knives

Specifikation:

Längd utfälld: 209 mm

Längd hopfälld: 120 mm

Vikt: 109 g

Bladlängd: 89 mm

Godstjocklek: 2,5 mm

Bladstål: AR-RPM9

Handtag: stål/trä

Lås: Button lock

Producerad av: CJRB, tillverkad i Kina

/ J - goes Chinese

* Jag introducerades till knivmodellen via Spyderco och deras Bob Lum designade "Chinese". 

#knivesandbikes #aliaspostmortem #knivigtvarre 

New Knife - CJRB Sasaya

The other day, a knife was presented on the theme of the Shilin Cutter. Now it's time for another one. This one comes from a different manufacturer and is a bit slimmer and larger. Let me introduce Sasaya from CJRB.

CJRB Sasaya

Sasaya is a typical modern knife with a blade running on ball bearings and a Button lock. A lock design that is currently very popular can be noted. It can also be used to open the knife, but otherwise, there is a blade hole that facilitates that detail. It works excellently. In addition, the knife has exceptionally soft action.

As I said, this knife is a little larger than the previous knife I presented in the same style, and that means in numbers, a blade that is closer to nine centimetres, more precisely 89 mm long. The thickness of the blade is only 2.5 mm, and the leaf-shaped blade typical of the style is fully flat-ground. Talk about a blade that is intended to cut well. A super slicer!

The steel used is CJRB/Artisan Cutlery's own AR-RPM9. Without being a metallurgist, I can say that it is on par with 14C28N or VG10 in terms of properties. Rust-resistant, easy to sharpen and keeps its sharpness for a long time. Not the most exclusive steel on the market, but really good for the price range.

The entire knife is 209 mm long and measures 120 mm when folded. This, together with the simply shaped handle, provides excellent space regardless of hand size. Especially since the knife lacks finger protection or a flipper tab, details that often steal a lot of space.

Despite the knife's size, it weighs in at a fairly low 109 g. Much of this can be attributed to the slim format.

Sasaya, an interpretation of a Shilin Cutter

Sasaya is available in different designs, where I chose wood for the handle because I think it feels the most classic. Otherwise, the knife can be obtained with G10 handles or titanium for those who like metal. The latter is a more exclusive edition that also has a finer titanium clip and S35VN steel in the blade.

In my case, there was not much hesitation. The type of knife itself attracted me several years ago. I appreciate the deceptively simple lines and the symmetry that arises between handle and blade. If you add to that CJRB's manufacturing quality and the fact that they have invested in making a knife that cuts really well, the choice is easy: buy it!

But despite the quick opinion, I intend to review Sasaya in a while. First impressions are one thing, and lasting insights are another. But sometimes they are the same. 

CJRB Knives

/ J - looking east

#knivesandbikes #knivigtvarre

Ny kniv - CJRB Sasaya

Häromdagen presenterades en kniv på temat Shilin Cutter. Nu är det dags för en till.  Den här kommer från en annan tillverkare och är lite slankare och större. Låt mig presentera Sasaya från CJRB.

CJRB Sasaya

Sasaya är en typisk modern kniv där bladet löper på kullager och låset är en Button lock. Ett för stunden mycket het låskonstruktion kan konstateras. Det kan även använda för att öppna kniven men annars finns ett bladhål som underlättar den detaljen. Det fungerar exemplariskt kan jag redan säga. Därtill har kniven excepeptionellt mjuk gång. 

Den här kniven är som sagt lite större än den förra kniven jag presenterade i samma stil och det innebär i siffror ett blad som är närmare nio centimeter, mer exakt 89 mm långt. Tjockleken på bladet är endast 2,5 mm och det för stilen typiska lövformade bladet är fullt flatslipat. Tala om ett blad som är avsett för att skära väl!

Stålet som använts är CJRB/Artisan Cutlerys egna kallat AR-RPM9. Utan att vara metallurg kan jag konstatera att det ligger i trakterna av 14C28N eller VG10 vad gäller egenskaper. Rosttrögt, lätt att slipa och håller skärpan dugligt länge. Inte det mest exklusiva stålet på marknaden men riktigt bra för prisklassen. 

Hela kniven är 209 mm lång och mäter 120 mm i hopfällt läge.  Det tillsammans med det enkelt formade handtaget ger utmärkt utrymme oavsett handstorlek. Särskilt som kniven saknar fingerskydd eller flipperfena, detaljer som ofta stjäl mycket utrymme. 

Trots kniven storlek väger den in på tämligen låga 109 g. Mycket av det kan tillskrivas det slanka formatet. 

Sasaya, en tolkning av en Shilin Cutter

Sasaya kan fås i ett olika utföranden där jag valde trä i handtaget för att jag tyckder det känns mest klassiskt. Annars kan kniven fås med skollor i G10 alternativt titan för den som gillar metall. Den sistnämnda är en mer exklusiv utgåva som även har ett finare clip i titan samt S35VN-stål i bladet. 

I mitt fall var det inte mycket att tveka på. Själva typen av kniv lockade mig redan för flera år sedan. Jag uppskattar de bedrägligt enkla linjerna och symmetrin som uppstår mellan handtag och blad. Om man därtill adderar CJRBs tillverkningskvalitet och att man satsat den på att få till en kniv som skär riktigt bra så är valet enkelt, köp!

Men trots det snabba omdömet ämnar jag recensera Sasaya om ett tag. Första intryck är en sak och bestående insikter en annan. Men ibland stämmer de överens. 

CJRB Knives

/ J - blickar österut

#knivesandbikes #knivigtvarre

Review CJRB Lyrid

  

-  A practical knife with a Sheepsfoot blade

There are many companies on the market that have products in all price ranges, from simple to exclusive models. The latter may sometimes be more for attracting attention at shows and exhibitions, while the basic range includes more utility-oriented knives.

One of the manufacturers that does this is Artisan Cutlery/CJRB. Like many others, they have branched out into a budget brand for the simpler knives. This does not necessarily mean that the quality is worse, but that the materials are simpler.

Today's review item, Lyrid, comes from there and is a typical example of a knife that is aimed at everyday use.

CJRB Lyrid

This knife is designed by Christain Porterfield. According to his own statement, he was looking to refine a knife model that he had in stock. The idea behind it was simply to make something small and agile with a Sheepsfoot blade. I can quickly check off those criteria and conclude that that is exactly what we have in front of us.

Lyrid is available in three colors: black, blue, or, like here, green. If you choose the black version, the blade has a black PVD surface treatment. Now the steel is quite rust-resistant as it is, so it is more a question of aesthetics. I myself am not a big fan of blackened blades, which simplified the choice for me.

A knife designed by C Porterfield

Short version: CJRB Lyrid, a medium-sized brown dog of the knife world. Maybe not the most striking in terms of appearance, but very loyal and faithful.

Blade

We have already touched on the blade shape, and it is, as I said, a Sheepsfoot. This means a straight or almost straight edge and a back that slopes steeply down to a rather rudimentary tip. In that case, the blade follows the template almost to the letter but is modified with a slightly curved edge. A detail I appreciate, as it makes the knife much easier to handle on flat surfaces such as planks or cutting boards.

Lyrid has a slightly modified Sheepsfoot blade

The blade is 80 mm long, 24 mm high, and only 2.7 mm thick. The latter, together with a full flat grind down to a thickness behind the edge of 0.4 mm, makes the Lyrid a useful little knife. An interesting detail to note is that the dimensions of the blade are almost identical to those of another knife from CJRB that I have reviewed, namely the Hectare.

The finish is stone-washed, and the marking is discreet as it is found on the ricasso. On one side, you can see the CJRB logo, and on the other, you can find the designer's logo and model designation.

The steel used is one that this company has been involved in developing, and the designation is AR-RPM9, which can probably be considered a budget steel, mostly in terms of price. I would probably compare it a little carelessly with Sandvik 14C28N, even though I think I prefer the latter. My experience is that 14C holds its sharpness slightly better, but I have not, in truth, made any comparison between them, so take it with a pinch of salt. Overall, however, it is a good steel.

The factory edge was satisfactory but perhaps not the sharpest I have experienced. Speaking of which, the Lyrid does not suffer from the problem with the lock that has been brought to attention recently. What has happened is that some models with a transverse bolt have been designed so that they rest too far out on the blade, which affects the geometry when the knife is reground and ultimately theoretically becomes unusable. However, that has not happened yet, so the future will tell. But in any case, this knife is not included in that illustrious group.

The finish is stone-washed, and the marking is discreet.

The blade is otherwise just as practical as you would expect. Well, except for the tip. That goes with the territory of Sheepsfoot blades. Lyrid has a tip, and it's fairly sharp but apparently not very thin. That makes it less useful for really small jobs, like removing skewers from hands and the like. But for more normal knife tasks like opening boxes, cutting tape, and carving a barbecue stick, this is a really good little knife.

In addition, the knife works great as a small paring knife in the kitchen. I don't advocate folding knives in that situation, but if you are going to do it, this is a candidate.

But beyond that, the Lyrid is an excellent knife, not least because it is easy to pull out of your pocket, open it, make a few cuts, and put it away again. Exactly what a pocket knife is most used for.

Handle

The handle is almost as generic as it gets. Here we have a full steel frame, which is not lightened on the inside, and on the outside we find flat sides of G10. The knife is open at the back, and there are two hourglass-shaped spacers. It is at these two points, along with the pivot screw, that the handle is screwed. The size of the heads is T6, and the adjustable pivot screw is T8. Everything is standard so far.

Handle sides made of green G10 with a light pattern

What adds a bit of complexity is the type of lock. Since they contain tensioned springs, you should be either knowledgeable and experienced or handy to take them apart. It works well, but it can be a bit tricky to get the omega springs back again.

The G10 sides are 3 mm thick, the frame is 0.8 mm, and that gives a total thickness of the handle of 11 mm, which is thin. The pattern is found in two levels, with some kind of micro squares and then lines on the diagonal. It gives something to look at and a better grip. Otherwise, the G10 material in this case is not particularly rough. 

The steel frame is unusually not lightened, which shifts the balance slightly backwards.

But as you can see. No surprises at all. Especially not, as all edges are rounded and polished as they should be. Nothing to complain about there either. What can be added is that there is a lanyard hole for those who want one. Well, by the way, there is a small surprise, and that is that the frame is not drilled for reduced weight. But since Lyrid is still a well-balanced, albeit somewhat rear-heavy flyweight, it doesn't matter. On a theoretical level, it makes the knife somewhat stronger.

All grips work despite the small size

Once Lyrid is put to work, the handle works as it looks. That is, without major complaints. Long enough to fit all four fingers in both a hammer grip and a saber grip. The only fly in the ointment is probably the rear end of the clip. A recurring detail with deep ride clips is that they stick out behind the handle and thus come into contact with the hand. It becomes quite clear here.

So, a good but not perfect handle for a small knife.

Opening and Lock

Like all knives with a cross-bar lock, the blade can be folded in and out with its help. Just pull back the lock bolt, and then the blade swings freely. Especially since it runs on ball bearings, which makes the action both smooth and very fast. 

Thumb studs are the main way to open the knife, but two hands or using the lock is also possible.

Otherwise, the Lyrid is intended to be opened with thumb studs. Like most things on this knife, they are well-functioning and well-thought-out, although nothing spectacular. They just work. They are barrel-shaped with a pyramid top, which provides just the right amount of friction against the finger. They are also placed a bit out from the handle, which makes them easy to reach. The placement also helps to provide a little more leverage, which gives the blade good speed. The knife can be opened both slowly and quickly, depending on your mood. Using your index finger on the back of the knife also works in the same way for those who prefer that method.. 

For these reasons, this is also a completely ambidextrous knife. Right or left doesn't matter, and the clip is flippable.

It's also good that the thumb studs are positioned so that they are quite close to the handle, on the ricasso itself, and not the blade, when the knife is open. This means that they are out of the way when cutting.

A cross-bar lock

The lock is a flexible version of a cross bar, and CJRB has succeeded quite well with a couple of details that can otherwise be difficult to get right. One is to create a lock bolt that does not move sideways,so that it "wobbles". This occurs when the tolerances are not sufficiently small and the springs are too weak.

The latter fulfills another important function, and that is to act as a "detent ball" to hold the blade in place in the closed position. On this type of knife, that detail is taken care of by the lock. If the tension is too loose, the blade risks opening involuntarily, and the opening does not feel distinct. If it is too tight, it is difficult to open and close the knife.

Here, all the details work, and the blade is also held in place as it should be in the open position. No play movement in the blade on this specimen. Otherwise, there can sometimes be a small problem with this type of lock. There may be a tendency for the blade to move vertically.

Since the lock is well trimmed, it is also easy to disengage. It can be done with one or two fingers, regardless of which side you do it from.

To Carry

Lyrid is one of those "pocket gems". No protruding flipper fins from the early era of the phenomenon, no edges or strange corners. Just a fairly slim and, above all, thin shape in the pocket. A very good pocket knife in one of the points that such a knife should not fail.

The dimensions and weight make for an easily carried knife

A contributing factor is, of course, the low weight. Even though the frame is not lightened, the entire knife weighs in at under ninety grams. In addition, it is quite normal in length with its 108 mm. So, not an extreme knife by any parameter, but it still ends up being very easy to carry.

Especially as the clip works well enough with the material underneath so that it does not snag on fabric. This also makes the knife easy to pull out and put back in a pocket. That is also a non-negligible part of a pocket knife's everyday life. Most everyday tasks do not require hours of cutting. Just pulling the knife to make a cut or two is a fairly common task.

Lyrid sits deep and secure in a pocket

The clip is otherwise nothing extraordinary. At least not in terms of appearance. It is a clip that does its job fairly well. Not the best on the market, but good enough for a regular steel clip. The tension is sufficient, and there is room underneath for most things except really thick pants or maybe jacket fabric.

But a clip that sits so far back also creates a point that can cause hot spots.

The clip can be removed or switched sides as desired. It is mounted with two screws in tandem. However, some money has been saved by not recessing it into the handle side, which, together with its location far back, causes the problems mentioned earlier.

To Conclude

The risk was imminent that I would think that this is just another "small pocket knife with flat G10 sides and a cross-bar lock". That combination is very common right now. As I already wrote in the presentation of this knife, the Lyrid is definitely one of those.

But it would turn out to be a really nice example of a well-made knife. Then I will be honest and say that its main advantage is not that it is original. I will not go too far, but all the parts just work. It is a damn handy little EDC knife. That has meant that it has been used a lot during this test period.

When harvesting rosemary, Lyrid is an excellent helper

It can also be said that the person who designed the knife has a good eye for harmony in proportions and is good at ergonomics. The handle is good for being so small. Because size matters in the knife world and helps set limits on what they are good at. Lyrid is therefore not the best for heavier tasks.

But that was not the goal either, and it is clearly noticeable by combining a Sheepsfoot blade with a thickness of 2.7 mm that is also flat-ground. A small slicing machine, in other words. There you have the basic reason why this is a good pocket knife. Sure, I personally sometimes miss a more distinctive tip, but the one that is there works surprisingly well. 

Part two is the handle, and there are also some positives to highlight. Mainly, the neutral shape and the rounded corners and front and back ends mean that you get a comfortable grip and can use the entire length of the handle. The latter is important on smaller knives in order to be able to use their full potential.

Then the Lyrid is a breeze to handle. Easy to open, soft in the hand, and just as easy to put away again. This applies to both getting the blade out and putting the knife back into a pocket.

It is also very discreet and light, so it feels very little where it sits. This means that I have often carried it in the leg pocket of a pair of shorts, for example.

CJRB Lyrid is also a good companion during spring excursions like this

With this in mind, the Lyrid is a knife I can highly recommend to anyone who likes compact, light, and agile pocket knives. But you have to be fond of Sheepsfoot blades and the limitation in tip and belly that entails. Then it can possibly be said that the design is not the most fun. This is primarily a practical knife.

A little more fun is the price since the MSRP is $50, and in Europe, the price of the  CJRB Lyrid varies from 30 to 90€, so choose your dealer carefully!

CJRB Knives

Specifications:

Length Overall: 188 mm

Length Folded: 108 mm

Weight: 89 g

Blade Length: 80 mm

Blade Thickness: 2,7 mm

Blade Steel: AR-RPM9, HRC 59-61

Handle: G10

Lock: Crossbar Lock

Produced by: CJRB, made in China

/ J - feels knifey

#knivesandbikes #aliaspostmortem #knivigtvarre