New Knife - Lionsteel Skinny

The odds were slim that I would be interested in this knife. I have previously reviewed several models from Lionsteel designed by Michele Pensato, better known as Molletta. The knives are ROK, TRE, TM1, and the fixed-blade M2M, which I greatly appreciate. They all have short names or, I note now, abbreviations.

This knife's name is not quite as short but narrow, let me introduce  Skinny.

Lionsteel Skinny

This is a knife whose appearance is matched by its name. The length is 200 mm while the height is at most just over 20 mm at the end of the handle. Of the size, the blade is 84 mm. The weight ends up at a light 73g!

In addition to being the latest in a line of collaborations between Molletta and Lionsteel, the Skinny is a knife built with "SOLID" technology—that is, it is integral. For those who do not know, it is a folding knife with the entire handle made in one piece of whatever material. Incidentally, this is what makes the knife both strong and light.

Folding knives in particular offer some challenges with such technology. Some form of lock must be incorporated, bearings or bushings must be installed and then of course the knife must be able to be opened. Everything must be mounted inside a piece of metal.

A slim and elegant knife signed Molleta

Most knives of this type on the market are made of titanium.* This knife is also available in that variation if desired. What distinguishes Lionsteel, however, is that they have broadened the technology to more materials, mainly aluminum, which applies in this case. But it only works when you solve the problem of making frame locks with that material. Something they master. The solution consists of a frame lock made of the correct alloy and a sturdy steel-reinforced lock bar with an overtravel stop. 

The blade matches the advanced handle since it's made of one of the finest knife steels available today, Magnacut. It also runs on ball bearings and can be opened in a couple of different ways. 

Lionsteel is known for making technically advanced knives in general. Here are more details such as the removable flipper tab (REF - Removable Flipper) that first appeared on T.R.E. This means that you can choose the way to open the knife. It also makes the knife legal in more jurisdictions. A removable and reversible clip can of course be added to the package. To handle those subtleties, a special tool is included.

But technology in all its glory, here appearance also had a big influence on the decision-making process. Skinny is exactly as slim as the name suggests and in a very appealing way. It is especially striking in anodized red with intarsia of black Micarta as in this case. Otherwise, there are other combinations to choose from.

A review is on the agenda, be sure!

Lionsteel Knives

/ J - likes Italy

#knivesandbikes #knivigtvarre

* Then it can be added that Swedish EKA made this type of handle fixed in stabilized wood long before it became generally popular a few years ago.

Review Viper Orso 2

  

-  a sequel for those who prefer frame locks over liner locks

It's time for a closer look at a model called Orso 2 from Viper Knives. What makes both this review and the knife somewhat special is that there are already a couple of knives on the market that it strongly resemble and are also made in Maniago, Italy.

It's hard not to relate to them as I own all three and the same designer is behind the knives.

Viper Orso 2

Of course, I am talking about one of the Danish giants in the field, Jens Ansø. The other knives are the Fox Ziggy, a series-produced version of a custom knife of the same name. But then we come to knife number two, the MKM Goccia. It is seemingly even more similar to this knife with its milled pattern Micarta handle, flipper tab, and overall flowing lines.

But there are of course differences. If we talk about materials, there are no less than eight different versions of Orso 2 at the moment. So this look is more down to my taste than everything else, I happen to like Micarta. Then the blade steel is not the same in the two knives. The biggest differences, however, are found in the design of the blade and lock construction. To confuse, however, Orso (1) can be thrown into the mix as it, like Goccia, is a liner lock.

That hardly made anyone the wiser, so let's study Orso 2 more closely.

Orso 2 is a knife designed by virtuoso Jens Ansø

Short version: Viper Orso 2, is a solid addition to its predecessor for those who prefer frame locks over liner locks.

Blade

The blade shape is one of the two things that set this knife apart from the other knives listed. In this case, we have a "straight" blade. That is, the back is neither sloped nor cut off in any way. In addition to changing the appearance, it means that the tip is found higher up than otherwise and that the belly becomes longer and in this case more sweeping.

The rest of the appearance is characterized by a well-executed semi-polished stone wash. As usual, the Viper logo and model name are found on the blade. Some people think that the text is too large, but I would like to add that it is designed so that in many angles it is barely visible at all. On the opposite side is the Ansø logo and steel type.

Orso 2, has a completely straight blade spine, which is unusual

A steel that is actually completely new to me. The designation is LO-QPM20-4 and it is a powder steel of some kind. From what I understand, it should belong to the same family as the M390 and 20CV. A quality steel in other words. It is reportedly hardened to 59-61HRC which sounds good on paper.

The Orso 2 is not an entirely small knife with a blade that measures 87 mm in length. The height is exactly one inch, 24.5 mm, and the material thickness is a whopping 4 mm. A solid blade in other words. Now, the blade is basically completely flat ground, a small flat surface is found closest to the ricasso. But despite that, around 0.6 mm of steel remains behind the edge. That is very robust. I don't know why they chose to go down that road. A powder steel should theoretically have no problem being made thinner. Especially not as this is not a chopper of any kind but a folding knife.

The blade is made of a rather uncommon steel with the designation LO-QPM20-4

Naturally, such choices affect how well the knife cuts. It's not that it isn't sharp, the edge is good and it was straight out of the box. But it is more sturdy and durable than filled with finesse, so to speak.

Now it is matched for every part of the handle and the lock, so it is not completely bad. But it moves Orso 2 away from office use and closer to outdoor use, to use somewhat sweeping terms. That's actually where I appreciate it the most. Of course, it cuts tape, cardboard, and paper when needed. But it is when you approach thicker ropes, heavier plastics such as wide cable ties, and above all wood that it performs best.

At first glance, the Orso 2 might not appear to be a "bushcraft" knife, and it isn't. But it is not bad for more demanding outdoor tasks. In addition, both the blade and the handle are strong enough, and, not least, the robust edge does its job in those contexts.

Handle

Orso 2 has a rather lavish handle. What makes me say that is not the two materials although the canvas Micarta on the presentation side is of good quality. Instead, the comment stems from the fact that a lot of processing time is spent on the handle.

Alongside the handle side, there is a pattern in the form of four lines that underline the look of the knife. They also reappear on the titanium side and thus bind the two sides together. It also has a finer basic pattern that is a bit reminiscent of Micarta. However, it is so subtle that it is almost brushed away.

The presentation side is in this case Canvas-Micarta

Otherwise, the knife is softly rounded, with no flat handle sides. Some effort also went into the back spacer. It covers approximately half of the back and is somewhat "floating". It also features a hole for a lanyard. 

The two sides are connected by an advanced-shaped backspacer

The length of the handle measures 12 cm, of which the grip surface is 10 cm and the height varies between 20-25 mm. The handle has no frame, but the two sides are screwed from two sides via the back spacer in three points in addition to the pivot screw. The size of the bolts is T6, while tougher T8 heads have been used in both the pivot and fastening screw for the clip.

Orso 2 has a well-thought-out handle

In hand, the Orso 2 is really comfortable. The curvature of the back of the handle follows the hand well and there are no sharp edges or corners to disturb that impression. Even the clip works well as the back end is a bit into the handle and the tip is parallel to the side of the handle. This means that it integrates well with the handle and rather contributes to making the grip fuller than creating hot spots. 

The thickness is 12.5 mm, which makes the handle full.

Opening and Lock

Orso 2 is not exactly trendy when it comes to opening methods. This knife opens with a flipper, period. You may be able to get the blade out with two hands but it is cumbersome as not much of the blade is available to grip.

The flipper works well but may not be the fastest on the market. This is partly because the blade is relatively heavy and partly because Orso follows at least one, and in my eyes healthy, trend. It is to generally make flipper tabs smaller. This way you don't get as big leverage but, on the other hand, better-carrying comfort and as a bonus, better looks. 

The flipper tab is small but works

The flipper tab is not only discreet, but it also lacks grooves. But the shape is distinct enough to give decent friction anyway.

Then it can be added that it is actually possible to get some kick to the blade, but you have to "pre-tension" the finger to do so. The knife itself is not fast unless the user is, so to speak. It can also be said that this tab can only be used in one way and that is by pulling straight back. All other techniques are doomed to failure.

Another detail that makes the blade more nimble is of course the ceramic ball bearings. Even so, the blade does not fall into place under its own weight when the knife is closed. The tension from the lock bar is too high to allow that. 

The frame lock comes with an overtravel stop and a lock bar steel insert 

The lock bar is not quite easily accessible. There is a small recess on the opposite side but no more

The lock is a fairly sturdy frame lock. However, it was noted during the test period that it can be very dependent on the pivot screw being tight. It loosened slightly at one point and the lock became unreliable. It didn't lock securely at every opening and there was also some lock slip because it locked with very little contact area. After adjusting the pivot screw, the function was excellent.

The lock bar now falls into place and stays there. The blade sits firmly without play in any direction. However, the lock is not completely easily accessible. Certainly, the opposite side is slightly recessed but the lock bar itself is slippery. There is potential for improvement in this area.

To Carry

For being around twelve centimeters long when folded and a full 1.2 cm thick, the Orso 2 is nice in a pocket. Much of it is due to the fact that the thickness is hidden by the sides not being flat but contoured.

Then the knife does not weigh very much for being a full-size knife where both the lock side, back spacer, and clip are made of metal. The total weight is 125 g, which should be set to a blade length of nearly nine centimeters.

Orso 2 comes with a milled titanium clip

The fact that there is no distinct pattern under the clip makes it easier to pull the knife or put it back. Especially since Viper chose the more stylish solution with the cut-out in the lock bar on the inside instead of on the outside. This avoids the edge that otherwise occurs.

The function of the clip is excellent for being of this type

Orso 2 has a milled titanium clip. The function is not bad at all with a decent ramp and adequate tension. This allows you to thread the clip over most fabric edges and the knife stays in place. It is also a clip that aesthetically follows the rest of the design language, and it is also comfortable when gripping the knife.

However, the latter brings with it a disadvantage and that is that much of the knife is visible when in a pocket. The clip is attached with only one screw, a solution that works perfectly because it is recessed in the titanium. But this means that it's positioned a bit up on the handle, which provides comfort since the back end of the clip ends up inside the hand.

If you want to be positive, you can also say that there are plenty of knife to grab when it is to be grabbed. 

To Conclude

At first, I was actually a little puzzled when this knife was released. Not only because it is a sequel to an already existing model, Orso, but also because it is quite similar to two more knives in my collection as I mentioned before. But then I grasped the concept, both figuratively and literally.

Part of the difference lies in the handle. This is a knife for those who prefer frame locks over liner locks, that is obvious. But that is still not the biggest difference between the models.

Namely, it is found in the blade shape. The others have features of the undulating lines that Ansø used in its early models. It is most obvious on the blade spine. However, this does not apply to Orso 2. Here, the back is completely straight.

Orso 2 is a knife for those who like straight blade shapes and frame locks in titanium

It actually gives slightly different user characteristics as it affects how the edge or rather the belly behaves but above all where you find the tip. In this case, very high up. Among other things, this makes sweeping cuts easier, while at the same time, you have to angle your wrist properly if you want to use the tip in certain cases. 

Then in this knife is found an exciting and for me new German steel which is said to belong to roughly the same family as the M390/CV20. As for that, I can only read steel compositions and am not knowledgeable enough to find out if it is correct. As for practical use, I can say that the steel is really good. It stays sharp for a long time, can be stropped when it has lost the outermost sting and it has not got any rust spots despite varying weather conditions during the test period with some rain.

The latter feels important as the Orso 2 is definitely a knife that I want to use outdoors. To me, this is almost more of a folding outdoor knife than an EDC knife. Especially as it belongs to the larger-sized medium knives if you can put it that way. But a solid lock and a slightly fuller handle entice, in addition to the blade, to use the knife seriously.

An early morning with a cup of coffee by a lake and a good companion in Viper Orso 2

Then the fit and finish, as usual with knives from Viper, is outstanding. The edges that are present are rounded as they should be. The lock works without complaint and the blade is centered. The Micarta also ages with dignity, which is excellent.

Orso 2 also offers some small details that indicate that some extra time was spent during the manufacturing process. This applies to things like the rounded blade spine, the titanium collar around the pivot screw, and the complex back spacer.

All in all, this results in a well-built knife that corresponds to the stylish design from Jens Ansø. Orso 2 is therefore a superb companion for your upcoming adventures.*

Viper Knives

Specifications:

Length Overall: 208 mm

Length Folded: 121 mm

Weight: 125 g

Blade Length: 87 mm

Blade Thickness: 4 mm

Blade Steel: LO-QPM20-4, HRC 59-61

Handle: Canvas-Micarta

Lock: Frame Lock

Produced by Viper Knives, made in Italy

/ J 

* The price level is somewhat difficult to comment on as it is usually just over two hundred Euros, but when purchasing this knife and when the text was published it was sold out for around 160€.

#knivesandbikes #aliaspostmortem #knivigtvarre 

New Knife - QSP Canary Folder

There was little to hesitate about, I must admit. The decision to also acquire the folding version of the QSP Canary Neck knife. That's because I really like the original model.

In this case, we are talking about a fairly simple but straightforward pocket knife. No direct embellishments but at the same time appealing in its simplicity, at least in my eyes.

QSP also seems to believe in this knife as they are releasing a plethora of versions right from the start. It is the handle material and color that have been varied.

QSP Canary Folder

This particular model has "Ultem" handle sides. It is A material that seems quite trendy at the moment as it has appeared simultaneously with several manufacturers. For me it is new so I had to try it. In this version, it actually feels like a fairly grippy G10. Good traction in other words.

As is often the case with knives from QSP's less exclusive series, the steel is a Swedish Sandvik 14C28N. A very competent steel for the price range, moreover, with documented well-balanced properties. Especially as this is stated to be in the range of 59-61 HRC, which if true is very good.

A first impression is that Canary Folder feels more exclusive than it is. Not so much for the materials or even design choices but for how well-built it is. It also comes with ceramic ball bearings. The result is a lightning-fast knife whose blade drops in by itself when the lock bar releases its grip.

Otherwise, this is a very thin knife, making it light. It weighs around 70 grams. The folded length is 95 mm and the entire knife measures 167 mm when unfolded. Easy to carry, in other words.

However, the main argument for me to get a QSP Canary Folder was that it reminds me of another small knife I like a lot. But I'll leave that comparison there for the moment.

However, it can be said that the first impressions match expectations well. This is a great knife, I can tell right away!

QSP Knife

/ J - expectant

#knivesandbikes #knivigtvarre

New Knife - Civivi Qubit

While we're still on the subject of "Button locks" and knives from the WE/Civivi/Sencut group, it was just as well to get one more. This time Civivi is the brand and the model is called Qubit.

Like the knife I recently presented from Sencut, this also has the aluminum handle in common except for the lock construction. There are a few more similarities, such as the flat-ground blade. But of course, there are also differences.

Civivi Qubit

This little beauty from Civivi is as blue as the sea in summer

The most obvious is shape and size. The appearance is chubbier and the Qubit is a significantly smaller knife than its relative, the blade measures 7.5 cm and the total length of the knife amounts to just over eighteen centimeters. Together with the light handle, this results in a knife that weighs a modest 80 g.

The blade steel found is Swedish in the form of 14C28N. The most fascinating thing about it is that they chose to make the knife optimal for cutting. Combining a full flat grind from a material thickness of only 2.3 mm and the choice to keep the amount of steel behind the edge makes this knife a joy to cut with.

More detailed tests are to be carried out. But this knife really has potential in that area. Fit and finish meet the usual high Civivi standard. Initially, there is nothing at all to comment on in that way.

All in all, first impressions are great!

Civivi Knives

/ J 

#knivesandbikes #knivigtvarre

New Knife - Civivi Mini Praxis

For once, I'm actually first with the latest! This model from Civivi called Mini Praxis is so new that the steel barely had time to cool after the heat treatment.

But as the name suggests, a "Practice" already exists and has been around for quite some time. So fear not, because I missed it I haven't become quite the knife fashion blogger yet.

Civivi Mini Praxis

Judging from first impressions, however, the Mini Praxis is a likable knife. It exudes the usual Civivi quality and materials and construction are the same as we have come to expect from them.

Concretely, this means that a very lightened steel frame forms the basis and on the outside of it are found screwed sides of G10. Also seen is a blade made of D2 that runs on fine ceramic ball bearings and opens with the help of a flipper. Even the design of the spacers in the back, the clip, and the head of the pivot screw are familiar to those who are Civivi connoisseurs. So far nothing new except for the shrunk format.

A new knife that follows Civivi's template except for one crucial aspect...

But there is one thing and it may come as a surprise. A very positive one in inflationary times like these and that's the price! It has shrunk to the same extent as the knife it seems.

This knife has an MSRP from Civivi of $35! Then it remains to be seen what will happen when it ends up in European and Swedish stores, but it is likely to have a lower price than what you are used to from Civivi's latest models.

/ J - tries to be first

#knivesandbikes #knivigtvarre

Review Sencut Sachse

  

-  I smell success

My first impressions of this knife from Sencut were very good. I have had no reason to revise those opinions after a closer acquaintance. Rather, they have been strengthened after carrying and using the knife for a while. This model is called Sachse and is my third knife from Sencut. They have all been capable knives but in terms of design and feel in hand, my first experience with the Episode was better than the second from the Acumen. That knife just didn't fit my hand.

Sachse, on the other hand, is a knife that appeals to me more and I intend to talk about why, so maybe you can decide if it can also be something for you?

Sencut Sachse 

At first glance, Sachse may actually be similar to the aforementioned Episode. Both have green handles, they share the steel type and have the same model of the clip and both knives come with a flipper. The size is also almost identical with close to the same weight and the same applies to blade length.

But that's where the similarities end and the differences take over. Sachse does not have the same blade shape, a straighter handle, and not least a different locking mechanism. Then Sachse also has thumb studs as an alternative to the flipper. It was mainly the latter that makes me have both knives. I'm one of those "weird" people who generally prefer thumb studs to flippers although there are exceptions.

Sachse is characterized by simple lines and a "button lock"

Twitter version: Sencut Sachse, is undoubtedly a contender for the budget knife of the year. Good function with a high level of quality in a nice costume for not much money at all. 

Blade

Since I pointed out that the blade is one of the differences between the two models, it can be said in passing that the Episode has a clip-point blade. At Sachse, a drop point blade is found instead. In this case, it is black. If you don't like it, the knife can be had with a satin-finish blade instead.

The labeling is fairly discreet. Logo and name on one side, what is commonly called the presentation side, and steel type in microscopic text on the opposite side's ricasso. It has become something of a sport from Sencut/Civivi to provide their blades with as little marking as possible regarding the steel. It is always there but is hard to find.

The appearance is otherwise enhanced by a substantial swedge. The blade has an almost full flat grind There is, however, a small, flat surface and this is thankful as it aids in use with some sharpening systems, even if the thumb studs can then get in the way.

At the base of the blade, there are also some transverse grooves to improve traction for the thumb when it has found its way to the back of the blade.

If in doubt, then choose simplicity and the result will be a drop-point blade

The steel is not much to say as it is identical to what is found in most Sencut models. But for those who are not familiar with them, it is a Chinese steel that has the designation 9Cr18MoV. Sometimes they are called somewhat condescendingly "number steels" by those who do not understand better. In context, it can be said that there is a big difference between the steels included in that group of materials.* In fact, this is fairly nice steel to be found in knives in this price range.

My experience with them so far is that they are easy to maintain with a strop and honing steel, holds an edge fairly well, and are very rust-resistant. Without having done any comparative studies, I spontaneously want to place it in the same class as, say, Japanese VG10, American 440C, or Swedish 14C28N. The feeling is that it can't be quite as sharp as VG10, but in return, it keeps its sharpness better than its Japanese competitor and definitely better than 14C28N, which is otherwise one of my "favorite budget steels".

The marking is small but is there and says the steel is 9Cr18MoV

Behind the edge, the thickness of the blade is measured at 0.5 mm. And yes, it could be slightly thinner in my opinion. Otherwise, the blade stock starts with three millimeters which is gradually thinned out through the high grind. That geometry is reflected in how the knife feels to cut with.

It is excellent. For most things actually. Like the rest of the knife, the blade and its geometry are adapted for "EDC" or everyday use. Now it varies a lot from person to person what that might mean depending on where you live, what you work with, and what your free time looks like. But whatever you need a knife for, Sachse can handle it. Possibly with the exception of the heaviest tasks, but then folding knives are still excluded. But cutting cardboard, tape, string, tamp, rope, paper, an apple or a notch in a piece of wood is no problem. 

Handle

Personally, I have been in a period of "Micartafanatism" if that is an expression. Or simply put, I think it is one of the better materials to use for knife handles and it is found in Sachse. This version is light green but it is also available in black and brown for those who prefer it. As can be seen in the pictures, the color varies a little depending on how the light falls, but it also darkens after a while of use.

Micarta** is a material which, despite being an art material, has the positive property that it ages with dignity and acquires a patina. In addition to that, it is extremely durable and resists most wear and tear. That is the main reason it was used.

The shape of the handle is fairly straight, although the back curves a little. The material in the sides is Micarta

The Micarta is then screwed onto a 1.5 mm thick steel frame, colored black in this case. The back is open and there are two hourglass-shaped spacers. There is also a bolt with the purpose of acting as a lanyard attachment point. A clever solution that eliminates the requirement for a large hole right through the handle.

The shape of the handle is fairly straight, although the back curves a little. In addition, there is a recess for the index finger and, not least, the edges are softly rounded. The same can be said about the frame both on the back and around the blade notch. The frame is also greatly lightened on the inside.

The knife is open in the back and there is also an attachment bolt for a lanyard

The length of the handle is 11 cm and it is matched by a height of 2.4 cm to 2.1 at its narrowest. The width is 1.4 cm. The available length, if you put it that way, is 9.7 cm. That means the surface that your hand can actually grip behind the flipper/finger guard to where the handle ends. Whether it is enough or not depends of course on hand size and whether you include work with gloves on or not.

The handle on the Sachse is just enough for me to get a full four-finger grip

I tend to argue that if you don't have any particular plans with a knife blade or handle, you should keep it simple. That's what Sencut's design team has done here. A slight curve to fit the inside of the hand and a recess for the index finger provide a secure grip. It is enhanced somewhat by the friction that Micarta naturally has and the grooves on the back of the blade.

The shape also makes it easy to let the hand change grip if necessary. Hammer grip is one of the standard grips, not least when you have to use a little force and it feels good here. The same applies to the saber grip with a thumb on the blade. But here I want to point out that is with the exception of the back end of the clip, which ends up against the fleshy part of the hand and is a little of a hot spot. 

Opening and Lock

Another of the differences I initially highlighted between the Sachse and other Sencut models can be found under this heading. The first becomes obvious when you look at the knife. It can be opened in several different ways. Preferably, the flipper is used, but thumb studs are just as effective. If you don't like such modern inventions and want to be a bit conservative, you can grab the blade with a pinch and open it with two hands as well. If you want to feel a bit rebellious, you can flick the knife open either by breaking the resistance in the lock with a strong flick of the wrist, or alternatively use the lock function and the same movement but with less force, so-called "gravity opening".

That basically covered all the ways to produce a knife blade that isn't spring-assisted I think. This means that Sachse is very flexible in this regard.

Sachse can be opened in several different ways, with the flipper fin being the most visible

In addition to that, thumb studs, the locking mechanism, or two hands can be used

Here I would like to point out two things. One is that, of course, it makes the knife an excellent finger-training toy for those who appreciate that feature in their pocket knife. In practical terms, it mostly means that all tastes are satisfied. It is for the simple reason, which is my second point by the way, that Sencut has managed to produce a knife that does not favor any of the methods. It is not easy to achieve the corresponding function that a "detent" ball has in a lock like this at all, especially not if it is to work together with both thumb studs and a flipper function.

In fact, they did it so well that this knife is really damn good, not least for the price range when it comes to handling. The flipper tab provides a good purchase on the finger and has a well-balanced size and good geometry. That, together with ball bearings and the previously mentioned resistance, gives good thrust to the blade. The same can be said for the thumb studs which are well-placed and have a nice "travel" on the way out. They can also be used in three different ways. To slowly open the knife, flick it with the thumb or by flicking the index finger on the opposite side.

The lock mechanism seen here is a button lock

The function itself is also very good. The lock holds the blade in place without play in any direction. Certainly, you have to tighten the pivot screw from time to time. Knives of this type where the blade goes out with speed sometimes have a tendency to unthread themselves. It can be fixed with a dot of thread locking if you want.

The lock is also extremely easy to access and use. This also applies if you are left-handed. You then use your index finger instead of your thumb. Something that, incidentally, is almost easier. This means that the Sachse is a completely ambidextrous knife.

To Carry

Sachse is a good pocket knife. The thumb studs protrude a little but not beyond the width of the handle and then of course there is the slightly proud flipper tab. They are what they are and are one of the reasons why I generally prefer thumb studs.

But otherwise, the knife is sympathetically streamlined with a handle that has a light rectangular cross-section with well-rounded edges and a soft surface. These properties make Sachse easy to carry and easy to pull out and put away again. Especially as the outer dimensions are not discouraging and the weight is written at a low 102 g.

The clip works well but is not one of my favorites despite that

 

The clip found on Sachse is recognizable and I can copy what I said about it earlier. It is exactly the same type as the knife I compared with at the beginning. This means a steel clip that allows the knife to sit deep in the pocket. In this variant, it is black to match the color theme of the knife. It is attached with two screws, the last of which is also used to hold the sides of the knife together. This a clever solution as it means that the knife has one less hole on the opposite side when it is not in use. The clip is moveable.

Another plus is that they chose to use screws with flat heads recessed into the metal. Even better would have been if the clip itself was recessed in the handle side as well. But that costs processing time and therefore money. 

Sachse is very discreet when carried

The function is very good with relatively good tension, a nice ramp, and a tip that does not point outwards. On the other hand, I discovered a major disadvantage with this clip that I hadn't previously thought of. It's weak! I accidentally hit a door frame and the entire clip bent outwards. Nothing else to do but remove it and place it in a vise and bend it back in shape. 

In addition, the rear end has a tendency to feel uncomfortable against the hand in certain grips. It is the result of a "deep ride" clip combined with a relatively angular shape of the actual bend of the clip that does that.

To Conclude

With Sachse, Sencut continues on the established path of delivering competitive knives at a low price. In this case, you get a certainly not expensive but fairly good steel combined with a good quality Micarta handle. Packages also include a really well-executed "button lock" which is matched with fine ball bearings and gives the blade a hell of a speed on the way out. In addition, you can send it flying in almost any way possible.

With Sachse, Sencut has created a damn good EDC knife

But above all, it is a series of details that make this knife likable. The first less important one is about color matching. The black breaks with the green and repeats itself in both the frame and clip as well as the screws and lock button. If you choose a brown handle instead, the corresponding parts are polished steel instead. It gives a worked impression and is simply beautiful.

Then shaped spacers are found in the back. Something that the simplest knives on the market usually do not have, as straight spacers are cheaper. In addition, the screws that hold the sides in place are nicely countersunk into the Micarta. This also applies to those found on the clip, as said. When we still study the frame, it can be stated that it is heavily lightened inside, which both affects the scale and improves the balance. The latter affects the feeling of the quality of a knife enormously.

Sencut has also created fewer holes in the handle partly through the way the attachment for the lanyard has been created and partly through how the clip is attached to the side of the handle.

There are many details that are positive that appear. A few knocks on the other side can be made by pointing out that the clip could have been a little thicker and thus more durable. The shape could also be tweaked so as not to be felt against the hand. But it's possible that it's something tied to hand size as well. A small hand probably doesn't have that problem, I suspect.

Sencut Sachse, is a really good pocket knife!

It is enough to state that Sencut with Sachse has achieved a real hit! The overwhelming impression is positive and to that must be added a price that is good. In Europe, it can be bought from €55 and in the US from around 50$. This means that the Sachse is one of the better budget folding knives you can buy.

Specification:

Length Overall: 198 mm

Length Folded: 110 mm

Weight: 102 g

Blade Length: 88 mm

Blade Thickness: 3 mm

Blade Steel: 9Cr18MoV

Handle: Micarta 

Lock: Button lock

Produced by: Sencut, made in China

/ J

* In the same way that Sandvik 12C27 is not the same as 14C28N, Crucible CPM154 is finer than 154CM, AUS6 should not be confused with AUS10 and 440A is not comparable to 440C, etc.

** Micarta is a brand name for a material that consists of canvas fabric (linen or cotton) or paper interspersed with phenolic resin which is a synthetic resin that is then bonded together under high pressure and heat, simply put.

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New Knife - Sencut Sachse

Sencut, Sencut, do you know of them? If not, you're forgiven. This relatively new brand is one of those that arose when the parent company spun off. In this case, it was WE Knives who first started their budget brand Civivi. But when they became more advanced and thus began to climb higher in price, it was time for another new brand and Senctu was the result. 

Sencut Sachse

This model is called Sachse and is at first sight a pleasant acquaintance. I can generally do without a black blade, but it works relatively well with a green Micarta handle and otherwise black details such as screws and clips. That's what made me choose this particular model. It is available in other color schemes as well.

The blade steel is 9Cr18MoV, which should not be confused with its simpler siblings, but good mid-price steel if you can call it that. The blade runs on ceramic ball bearings. Then the lock is one that is increasingly becoming popular, it is a "button lock". The knife belongs to those that can be opened in many ways, with a flipper, with two hands, with the help of the lock or thumb studs. The choice is yours. 

Since it is the company mentioned earlier that is behind it, the level of quality, especially considering the price, is unusually high. Here it is mainly the materials, the lack of a known designer, and sales channels that have been saved on, not quality. 

I have every reason to return to this knife!

/ J 

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