Review Civivi Sentinel Strike II

  

-  When bigger actually is better

Civivi is a brand that has developed gradually and constantly seems to strive upwards. From initially being mostly a budget alternative spun off from WE-knife to standing more on its own two feet. This knife, called Sentinel Strike II, is brilliant proof of that.

This is an example of a really good knife, regardless of the price level. Maybe not the most exclusive in terms of materials, but good in terms of design, handling and not least fit and finish.

Civivi Sentinel Strike II

First, perhaps we should clarify what "II" stands for. In principle, this is the same knife as the first one, although the blade shape has been given a major overhaul. The first model had a boldly modified Wharncliffe blade with a large hole in it. In fact, I don't find that model particularly attractive.

But then this variant came with a drop point blade, and my interest was piqued. A larger Civivi knife was actually what I was looking for, as most of the others in the catalogue are of a slightly smaller model.

Now, it's not just any blade as it has a compound grind. Then this version shares several features with the original, such as the rather special handle. All in all, a really interesting knife, large, light and quite dramatic.

A large and sturdy knife that is nevertheless light and well-balanced

Short version: Civivi Sentinel Strike II, A folding knife that is not only well-sized, but it is also light and well-balanced and cuts excellently. A real all-rounder!

Blade

It is a substantial blade we have in front of us, the length is 94 mm, and the height is 31 mm. However, it is not excessively thick with its 3 mm. It is even quite neat for being so large. Those proportions make it thin, and that property is reinforced by the fact that most of the edge is hollow ground. This makes it really thin behind the edge, 0.3 mm to be exact.

Then, as I said, the blade has a compound grind, which means that the tip is flat ground, which is what the rounded transition shows. However, that part is also quite thin. So, of course, the tip is reinforced, but not much. It is quite delicate, but that also makes it an excellent tool.

The large blade has a hint of a tanto tip and a compound grind where the main part is hollow ground.

The shape of the blade is enhanced by the substantial false edge that runs along most of the blade. It can also be said that the way the knife is sharpened gives it a slight tanto tendency. With its curved front part, it can probably be said to be a Japanese one. But it can be added that at the first real resharpening, it will disappear, and what remains will be a more traditional drop point with a fairly substantial belly thanks to the height of the blade. Functionally, it is already one of those.

The finish is a pretty nice stone wash. The blade steel is Nitro-V, a well-balanced mid-range steel that is found in the class around or just above 14C28N and similar materials. It holds its edge well, but not to the same extent as finer steels. It is fairly rust-resistant and tough enough not to chip in the first place.   

The steel is Nitro-V

Sentinel Strike II is really good for most things. A wide but thin blade makes it particularly suitable for cutting materials where you need good control, such as cardboard and the like. I will, however, grind off the small tanto-like secondary tip as it certainly does not do much damage but irritates me a little as it can be a little "stop" when cutting textiles, for example.

Otherwise, this is a blade that works unexpectedly well for cutting wood. However, you have to be a little careful not to bend too much sideways when you loosen the edge, as it is thin. That it is good for cutting rope was more expected.

I wouldn't use a folding knife for hunting at all, and especially not one with various decorative holes in the handle that make cleaning difficult, but the blade could undoubtedly be used for that as soon as the aforementioned secondary tip is ground away. The shape means that long sweeping cuts are excellent in general.

The tip is also very capable. It is certainly reinforced, but to such a small extent that it is still very thin. This makes penetrating cuts in various materials easy to make. Last time I needed an improvised funnel that I made from a PET bottle, and for that kind of task, this is a good knife. Overall, the tip is also easy to control as it is located in the intended centre line of the knife.

Handle

Sentinel Strike II has a handle that is not one of the most common. What makes it stand out is the combination of aluminium and a back spacer in FRN. The odd thing about it is that it is of the integral type, which means that it covers parts of the sides and the entire back. This also gives the knife the feeling of being an integral (a handle made of a single piece) even though it is not.

The advantage of backs that are not open is that they provide a larger contact surface with the hand, which reduces the risk of hot spots.

The shape of the handle is familiar, and the size is quite large.

The aluminium has been brushed to a grey surface that resembles titanium, which is probably no coincidence. The surface is hard enough that scratches will not occur too easily. The edges are heavily bevelled, which makes the handle a little softer in the hand. From the side, it has three holes drilled from which the function is purely aesthetic. From the side, the Civivi "C" logo that is found on the pivot screw is also visible.

The back spacer can also be seen from the side thanks to its design. It is made of plastic, although it is an advanced one in the form of FRN. It has a square pattern, and a series of holes is found in the back. Both patterns are for the sake of appearance more than anything else, as they do not add much extra traction. 

In the back, you will find a rather unique back spacer made of FRN

This handle is sturdy and easily fits most hand sizes, and is also sufficient if you wear gloves. The length is a full 125 mm, and the open shape without a beak or other boundaries at the back means that you can grip the entire handle. The length behind the finger guard formed by the front part of the handle and the flipper is 104 mm. The thickness is 12 mm, enough to fill the hand but thin enough not to be too much of a burden in the pocket.

The shape is quite generic, as it has been made many times before and will be made many times in the future. But that's because it works. A substantial indentation for the index finger followed by a fairly straight shape with rounded edges and corners. A stick, but a stick with good ergonomics.

A simple but comfortable and, above all, spacious handle

It is noticeable as soon as the knife is gripped. Hammer grip is an excellent grip on this knife, and sabre grip is even more comfortable. The thumb ends up exactly where it should and is helped with the traction by the grooves on the base of the blade spine. They could possibly be a little longer in my opinion. But they work well. In both grips, it becomes clear that this clip is excellent in that it does not cause hot spots that can cause chafing.

Then you can, of course, put an index finger on the back of the blade for better control. Then this knife has a large recess for the index finger on the blade, so if you want to get even closer to what you are cutting, you move your hand forward a step.

With the size of the handle, it is no problem to find a good grip. The same applies if you are wearing thin work gloves. In addition, the Sentinel Strike II can be used in a reverse grip when needed. Both if you hold the knife like an ice pick with a thumb over the back end of the knife, or if you have the edge towards you with the blade upwards.

Overall, a very flexible and practical handle.

Opening and Lock

How do you want to open your knife? Whatever your preference, you will find it here, except for the blade hole. But otherwise, using the double-sided thumb studs or the flipper works just as well for the purpose. You can also open the knife slowly with two hands if desired. Then you can always use the lock just like you can with the cross-bar lock. Just press the button, and the lock is released and the blade swings freely. 

Civivi has made the lock so that both thumb studs and the flipper tab work equally well

The reason everything works so well is that Civivi has perfected the tension in the small spring that holds the lock bolt in place. With this type of lock, it follows that they are the ones that hold the blade in place in the retracted position. There is no "detent-ball".

Thumb studs are particularly pleasant to use. The soft barrel shape provides a good grip against the thumb without being uncomfortable. They also sit far enough out to provide good access and good leverage. They are also found on the ricasso, which means that they are not in the way when cutting with the knife.

The flipper tab also works excellently. As usual, Civivi has the good habit of providing them with grooves so that your finger does not slip. In addition, the geometry is such that you can both press the flipper straight down or backwards. This makes handling very intuitive. In addition, the speed of the blade is really good.

This is how you make a good button lock

The locking mechanism is, as can be seen from the pictures, a button lock, also sometimes called a plunge lock. The principle is simple: an asymmetrical bolt with a thicker and a thinner part is moved sideways. When the thicker part is in place, it presses against the back of the blade just like a cross-bar lock. When the button is pressed, the thinner part falls into position and the blade moves freely. Very freely in this case, thanks to ball bearings.

The lock is extremely well made, which partly gives the very nice opening properties I mentioned above, but above all, it holds the blade in an iron grip. It is not possible to perceive any play in the blade even if the blade is provoked or subjected to pressure from the wrong direction.

This type is generally very easy to handle, and this also applies here. So, overall top marks for the lock!

To Carry

For being so large, the Sentinel Strike is really comfortable to carry. It is certainly a long knife, over twelve centimetres when folded, but otherwise it is discreet. The thickness is not excessive, but that is still not what makes it easy to carry in your pocket. There are other reasons for that.

The clip is made of steel and quite long, but nevertheless very discreet in the hand.

One is the design of the handle itself. It is very streamlined, as you can see. Nothing sticks out or catches, even though this is a flipper knife. But what makes the most difference is the soft surface of the materials, which makes the knife slip easily both in and out of a pocket.

The knife is completely hidden in the pocket

Then it is combined with a deep ride clip, which means that very little of the knife is visible when it is in the pocket. What makes it stand out a little, in terms of appearance, is that it is attached to the back of the handle and not on the sid,e which is more common. This means that it is possible to change sides without the handle side having to look like it has been attacked by termites.

The shape is then excellent in the way that the shape makes the clip almost imperceptible when you are working with the knife. 

To Conclude

With the Sentinel Strike II, Civivi has managed to create another really good knife. It's big, light, well-balanced and doesn't look too bad. Version one already had all that, possibly with a look that was more polarising than this. Even if you ignore that, drop point blades have other properties, such as being easier to use for sweeping cuts and, not least, against flat surfaces. Two properties I appreciate, even though it is, of course, situational. That's what makes me prefer this edition.

Of course, bigger is not always better, but sometimes it is, hence my subtitle. In this case, it means that you get a solid grip on the knife and that you can use it for heavier tasks if necessary. A solid blade also attracts you to more advanced jobs than just opening boxes. This means that the Sentinel Strike II can be moved outdoors, to the lake, the forest or the mountains and not just used in an office environment.

One of the knife's main features is that it cuts really well.

The handling of the Sentinel Strike II is also very pleasant. The speed of the blade is impressive if you consider two aspects that usually make that part difficult: that the blade is really big and that there is no hard-trimmed detent ball. However, the blade is very light thanks to the relatively thin blade material and, not least, the combination of a swedge and a hollow grind, which removes material. The resistance has been achieved with a perfect level of spring tension in the lock. A detail that is not entirely easy to achieve. Something that is proven by the fact that all manufacturers would have done it if it were.

The appearance is both figuratively and literally a bit grey. But a variant of a back spacer that gives the impression that the knife is an "integral" adds a bit of flair. But that is reduced to part of the use of FRN as a material. I would have preferred to see it made of a slightly more exclusive material that suited the knife a little better, like G10 or, even better, Micarta. But that would probably have driven up the price a little.

Another detail that I can both lose and have is the small ball at the end of the handle. It is actually a glass breaker. But at least it is discreet and not sharp against the hand, as is usually the case. I think the detail is so pointless that I actually didn't even bother to test it.

Civivi Sentinel Strike II is an excellent all-around folding knife of the larger variety

But I don't have much more negative criticism of the Civivi Sentinel Strike II. It's simply an excellent knife.* So if you're looking for a big and sturdy knife that's still light and well-balanced, this is the knife for you. It cuts damn well, is easy to carry and even easier to handle.

Civivi Knives

Specifications:

Length Overall: 219 mm

Length Folded: 125 mm

Weight:105 g (weighed by me, stated 04,7 g)

Blade Length: 94 mm

Blade Thickness: 3 mm

Blade Steel: Nitro-V

Handle: Aluminium/FRN

Lock: Button lock

Produced by: Civivi, made in China

/ J - goes big

* At the time of writing, you will have to pay between 100 and 150 EUR for this knife, so it pays to compare prices.

#knivesandbikes #aliaspostmortem #knivigtvarre 

Review Lionsteel Skinny

 

-  Sleek and elegant knife with Italian finesse

Lionsteel Skinny, as the model is aptly named, was released in 2024. I've had it for quite a while now and can reveal that it quickly became and still is a favorite knife. The format is really well-suited for everyday use, making it an excellent EDC knife.

It's also pleasing to note that it's visually appealing and, as is customary with knives from this brand, it incorporates numerous technically advanced solutions. All seasoned with excellent materials. Ingredients that are a good foundation for a tasty dish. Now it remains to be seen whether that is true.

Lionsteel Skinny

Skinny is another example of a successful collaboration between the designer Pensato, also known as Molletta, and the Italian Lionsteel. There are two things that point to it having achieved some success. One is that it is still in the catalog, and the other is that it is available in no less than eleven different variants at this point.

The external dimensions are, of course, the same for all the knives, and so is the excellent blade steel. But the handles can be available in three variants of titanium or aluminum. A common procedure from Lionsteel when it comes to their integral knives. In addition, the blades can be available with or without a black coating in some cases, which increases the number of combinations.

If you are going to have a black blade, black and red are a pretty striking combination.

Short version: Lionsteel Skinny is the result of another collaboration between the Italian brand and one of their most sought-after designers, Molletta. A very successful one!

Blade

The blade shape of the Skinny is simple and straightforward, but still has some interesting details. It is a drop point that is 84 mm long and 20 mm high. Fairly traditional proportions that give a harmonious blade. The thickness is 3.5 mm. Nothing spectacular so far.

The details I mentioned are three. First, there is a distinct swedge/false edge, which is less visible on this blackened blade. Then you have two oblong depressions, one on each side. However, they are not only cosmetic but also fulfill a practical function. More on that later. The third detail is, of course, that the blade is blackened. Lionsteel calls this tone "oldblack". The marking is small and discreet. On the presentation side, you can read Lionsteel/Italy/Magnacut, and on the other side, it says Molletta.

The blackened blade is made of Magnacut-steel

The blackness hides an excellent blade steel that has also become a bit of the latest trend in the folding knife world. Of course, I'm talking about CPM Magnacut.

The steel has several eminent properties, and above all, it is the combination of them that makes it good. It is extremely rust-resistant while maintaining its sharpness very well, and it is also quite tough. Here, the stainless property is also reinforced by the black coating. But it is best known for keeping a good edge for an extremely long time. But it is assumed that it has been hardened correctly, in this case, to very high HRC degrees. Rumor has it that it is 63 HRC in this case. Lionsteel has apparently succeeded in this, as this knife just keeps cutting. 

The marking is discreet but reveals who designed the knife.

Once put to work, it is a competent blade. The tip is both strong and makes holes where it should. It is also easy to put some power behind the cuts with the Skinny as the knife, despite being light, feels strong and solid.

But then it was cutting anything other than plastic cans, pieces of wood, and cardboard. And that is where the rating is mixed. The sturdy, or rather quite obtuse edge, is certainly durable, but not optimal for everything.

Skinny is not at its best in the kitchen, but can still be used there if necessary.. 

. 

Cutting wood, hard plastic, and the like is nice. Approaching thinner fabrics and other, more detailed work doesn't feel as fun. The same can be said for things like fruit, vegetables, and other foods, not least root vegetables like potatoes and carrots. Now this is by no means a kitchen knife, but it happens that you go camping or that Skinny happens to be the backup knife you take with you when the business at work is moved to a croft over the summer. Or it happened to me on a few occasions.

In general, the blade works well. This is especially noticeable when I started on a larger amount of fairly dirty rope that needed to be processed. Nylon rope with sand particles wears down an edge. But the Magnacut blade holds up quite well there. Also, cardboard can be easily cut. So overall, the knife performs well. 

Handle

Given the name, the handle of this knife is very slim. In pure numbers, this means a length of 111 mm, a thickness of around 12 mm, and a height of 20 mm at most because the handle is shaped.

The material used is aluminum, and there is an inlay of Micarta on the presentation side. You may want to choose the titanium version if you don't like small marks on the aluminum handle. It simply patinas over time.

The handle has a Micarta inlay

But what distinguishes this handle the most is, of course, that it is an "integral", that is, that the handle is cut from a single piece of material, aluminum in this case. There are both advantages and disadvantages to this procedure. Theoretically, it should be stronger, but above all, it is a neat way to solve it. The disadvantage is, of course, that there are some manufacturing technical details to solve. Like how to fit ball bearings and locks into a laser-cut lump of metal, for example. This usually contributes to the price. 

This is what Lionsteel achieves with their SOLID technology, a handle made from a single piece of material, aluminum in this case.

In the hand, the knife feels pretty much like it looks. Slim and smooth, but also a bit thin and slippery. It's not something I use as an outdoor knife exactly. But the name reveals those properties quite clearly. For that reason, you don't need an extreme grip either. It's well thought out. I hate it when you combine grips from commando knives with small pocket knives. They are often hopelessly difficult to get in and out of pockets.

That's not where Skinny is. It's easy to carry, but in the hand it's still quite comfortable, and the finger guard and the beak at the back provide enough support. Despite its slim shape, Skinny is also large enough for even my hand to fit.

For being thin, the Skinny is comfortable in the hand. This is especially true for the saber grip.

The simple shape makes all grips work. But I like to use the Skinny best with a classic saber grip. Thumb on top and all fingers around the handle. In that grip, my little finger also ends up against the depression where the lanyard hole is found. It anchors the knife better.

In a hammer grip, the knife feels a bit too thin for my taste, but this is compensated for by the fact that with a guiding index finger on the back, it feels like a precision instrument. So the effect of having such a slim knife is that certain features are emphasized at the expense of others. The positive thing, however, is that the small clip mostly stays out of the way and does not cause any discomfort.

Opening and Lock

Skinny is one of those knives that can be opened in a couple of different ways. The most obvious is the rather discreet flipper tab. Then, of course, you can open the knife with two hands as part of the blade is visible and can be gripped. This process is especially easy, as the indentations on the blade I mentioned above help to improve the grip.

So much so that you can actually fold out the blade by pressing your thumb against it if you wish.

Here you can see the small flipper, which can also be removed.

To make the Skinny usable even in parts of the world where quick release is not allowed to be combined with locks (read Germany), you can remove the flipper tab itself. Lionsteel calls the technology REF - Removable Flippertab. You simply take a T6 key and remove it if you wish. In addition to making the knife legal in more jurisdictions, it makes the knife both more streamlined in the pocket and, in my opinion, also a little nicer!

When it is in place, it is a pretty good flipper function for Lionsteel. It is rarely their best area otherwise. But here you get a fairly snappy action, but only if the tab is pulled back. Pressing it does not help at all. The fact that the blade gets fairly good speed can be attributed to the use of IKBS ball bearings.

The lock bar is quite roughly cut. I have a lock bar insert combined with an overtravel stop.

The lock is exemplary

Combining Solid technology/integral handle with materials like aluminum poses challenges that must be solved. One is, of course, the same as with frame locks in titanium, and that is that the contact surface between the blade and the lock bar wears out. This is fixed with a combined lock bar insert and overtravel stop. The latter is also needed to avoid accidentally destroying the lock.

Because that's where another subtlety comes into play. It doesn't really work with just any type of aluminum. You need an alloy that flexes enough for the lock to work without suffering from metal fatigue. A technique that Lionsteel has mastered by now.

The lock function is excellent. The lock engages every time the knife is opened, regardless of how it happens. There is no movement in the blade, and it is relatively easy to release. I write relatively because it is a thin knife, which means that even though there is a recess on the opposite side to reach the lock bar, you can sometimes slip.

To Carry

The consequences of the design choices made for this knife are that it is eminently pocketable. It simply doesn't get much better than the Skinny in that regard. Especially not if the flipper is removed.

The explanations for this are found on several levels.

The clip is small but works well. The screw allows you to change sides if desired.

Basically, you have a slim and thin knife that takes up little space physically. Then it is made with a technology and a shape that means that there is nothing that can get in the way. Since the knife also lacks thumb studs and other things that can get stuck, such interference is also removed.

In addition, it can be added that the manufacturing technology, in combination with the material choices that follow it, gives a very low weight. Skinny weighs no more than 73 grams! A figure that was, incidentally, a few grams less on my scale.

This much, or rather little, of Skinny, is visible when carried in a pocket

When these features are combined with a small, simple, and well-functioning deep ride clip, success is a fact. It is also removable using the included tools.

The size of the ramp and a well-balanced tension in the clip, combined with the smooth surface underneath, make it very easy to both pull and put away the Skinny.

To Conclude

As is often the case with Lionsteel's folding knives, or at least those in the "Solid" series, there is a lot of hi-tech and know-how baked into the knife. In Skinny, you can find that very technology, which is Lionsteel's method for manufacturing integral handles in titanium and aluminum. They are also pretty much alone in the latter. There is also REF, which stands for their removable flipper tab. In addition, there are IKBS ball bearings, and the materials in the blade and handle are not ashamed of themselves either. A solid little package, in other words.

Lionsteel Skinny is an excellent EDC knife, accompanied by another favorite from the same company and designer, the TM1. Also, an integral made of Micarta

I also want to give a thumbs up for the design. Molletta's design is recognizable with soft curves and a sweeping, substantial belly on the blade. Although the last detail is, of course, smaller on such a slim blade.

Speaking of blades, Lionsteel has somewhat returned to an old sin. They have forgotten how to make a knife that cuts really well. All the prerequisites are there, but they have neglected them. The blade could have been three millimeters instead of 3.5, considering how small the knife is. This is not a hunting or outdoor knife. Then the grinding bevel is only seventeen millimeters, but what is really a problem is that it ends with 0.6 mm of material behind the fairly steep edge. So even though the knife came sharp and is easy to maintain, it does not cut as well as it could.

The question is whether it is the material that the manufacturer does not trust or whether it is the end user. Magnacut could probably do with half that thickness and still be strong enough. In return, you would get a less steep edge angle, et voilá, a knife that cuts like a laser.

For this reason, despite its name, Skinny is more of an EDC knife that is better suited for cutting twine and rope than slicing carrots or plucking a skewer out of your hand. It is a good everyday companion but is clearly geared towards more robust tasks.

An excellent partner in all weathers. Here on an early spring day in March

That said, I would highly recommend the Lionsteel Skinny as a really good EDC knife. It does everything you would expect from one with flying colors. It's also nice to look at and comes with a lot of fun technology if you appreciate that kind of thing. The price for this version is around 200 euros at the moment. 

Lionsteel 

Specifications:

Length Overall: 200 mm

Length Folded: 111 mm

Weight: 72 g (weighed by me, stated 73g)

Blade Length: 84 mm

Blade Thickness: 3,5 mm

Blade Steel: CPM Magnacut

Handle Material: Aluminium, integral, Micarta inlay

Lock: Frame Lock

Produced by: Lionsteel, Made in Italy

/ J - not as skinny as his knife

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Review MKM Maximo

  

-  a Bob Terzuola-design

Today's review deals with a knife that is not new to the market. On the contrary, the Maximo from Italian MKM - Maniago Knife Makers has been in production for around two years. Late shall the sinner awaken, as the saying goes. But in that case, interest in (another) Terzuola design grew until it had to be quelled.

MKM Maximo

Some are famous, some are legends and then we have Bob Terzuola. That might be exaggerating, but not by much. This man has been around for a long time and is sometimes called "The Godfather of Tactical Knives". He may not have been the only one to invent the concept, but he was early on and made many famous models thus shaping the genre. His custom knives require a lot of money and therefore it is sympathetic that he frequently collaborates with different brands. In this case with MKM.

Now, this is not their first collaboration. First up was a model called Clap. These two knives are similar. But what made me choose the Maximo was simply that it is slightly larger.

Like many of MKM's models, Maximo is available in several versions. It can be had in an all-metal version with a titanium handle. Furthermore, Maximo is available in natural, green, and black titanium. In addition, there are variants with a presentation side in Micarta in a couple of shades and, as here, with carbon fiber.

Another collaboration between Italian MKM and Mr Bob Terzuola

Short version: MKM Maximo, a well-built knife and a quintessential Terzuola design for those who want a knife by him that does not cost an arm and a leg.

Blade

Maximo has a very typical drop-point blade with a distinct swedge which, by the way, makes it look a bit like a spear point with an almost dagger-like expression. The remaining part of the blade spine is rounded, which gives a hint as to which company is behind the manufacture as it is one of their hallmarks. There are also a series of grooves intended to provide a better grip for the fingers.

The finish is a very well-executed stone wash which is then polished. MKM's logo is found on the front and Terzuola's is on the opposite side.

The Maximo has a sturdy drop-point blade

In this knife, you find a well-known steel, Böhler M390 with a hardness of 58-60 HRC. If it leans towards 58, it's too low. To take advantage of the properties of this steel, it should be harder. 

M390 can get really sharp and the factory edge was actually decent. Not the sharpest, or rather it's the amount of steel behind the edge that makes it feel less sharp when cutting certain materials. 

The knife has a high flat grind ending in a rather obtuse edge. As can be seen, it is not wide and the blade is a full 0.8 mm thick behind it. That's not good for a folding knife. Durable yes, cuts well...no.

That the steel is resistant to rust can be confirmed. I had an incident where I dropped the knife at work, and it lay outside for a week. I thought it was lost for good until a colleague found it and asked "Is this yours?" Man, was I happy! The only small surface rust that occurred was on the blade around the pivot screw.

The M390 steel blade has a very robust edge

The blade geometry is of course noticeable when you use the knife. The tip is also very durable, and quite robust but for that reason not very sharp. Good for penetrating thicker and harder materials but not for delicate tasks. In other words, no operations on yourself such as removing splinters or puncturing blisters. It is more for cutting into plastic cans or the like.

The same can be said about the edge. If you try to cut apples with this edge, it feels more like pushing a wedge through it. But it copes with all tasks such as handling tough plastic, cable ties, cardboard, rope, etc. efficiently. It's just not the best at anything. Here, they have undoubtedly chosen to prioritize durability over the ability to cut well.

The prefix "tactical" in the expression tactical knives shines through in other words.

Handle

The handle is characterized by two things, firstly it has something vaguely Terzuolaian about it even though it lacks the two "steps" that often recur in his knives, and in this version, it has two different materials. This means a presentation side in high-class carbon fiber and a lock side in titanium.

What binds the two sides together and makes me get over my aversion to knives with one material per side is that they used the pattern to bind the knife together. Both sides have a front, bolster-like part that is smooth while the rest of the handle has a distinctive square "frag pattern".

The handle shape is simple but functional

The carbon fiber is top class and, like the entire knife, it is finely beveled, polished, and patterned. You can tell a lot of machining time has gone into this knife. Sometimes I wonder if it hasn't been exaggerated.

The lock side is made of 5 Ti6AI4V titanium and treated the same as the carbon fiber. It is also lightened on the inside.

The time spent is further proven by the fact that the pivot screw has a decorative collar and the screws that hold the knife together are pulled from one direction. They are two in number and the size is T6. They are screwed through a titanium back spacer which is also softly rounded and polished like everything else on this knife.

The handle also has a substantial lanyard hole. It can easily take a 550 paracord. 

One side in carbon fiber and the other in titanium connected with a back spacer, also in titanium by the way

The knife arrived with a glass breaker installed. Fortunately, both a tool and a screw are included to replace it 

For some strange reason, unknown to me, MKM insists on fitting a glass breaker to this knife. It may be one of the knife world's most overrated additions to a knife handle. Thankfully, the knife comes with a tool to remove and replace it with an included standard screw. It was done within the first ten minutes of unpacking the knife. That kind of tip is not nice to slap your hand into when the knife is in your pocket.

Maximo is very comfortable in hand and also ergonomic enough to work with

The ergonomics of this knife are actually more than decent. The handle feels full and fits the hand well. This is best illustrated by how well the rounded back of the handle follows the inside of the hand. If the knife is gripped really hard and for a long time, the clip is felt against the hand, as is so often the case. But it mainly applies in a hammer grip. On the other hand, it is what you use if you put a little force behind the cuts. If the knife is used in a saber grip with a thumb on the back of the blade, the clip disappears into the hand instead and causes no problems.

But that grip is mainly used if you perform lighter tasks with cutting movements and it is not the blade's main merit as previously mentioned. So it's a bit of a contradiction.

Opening and Lock

Maximo is modern and trendy in one area, it can be opened in more ways than one. In this case, by double-sided thumb studs or a flipper tab. I would have liked to see MKM decide on one method. Both options would have worked well if the knife was tuned for one or the other. I would have preferred if they kept the thumb studs and scrapped the shark fin on the back.

The thumb studs are very functional. The shape works and they are found in the right place both in terms of reaching them when the knife is to be opened and so that they are out of the way when the knife is used. They are also shaped so that they are not nasty to the thumb. The traction is good enough so you don't slip. No objections there.

The thumb studs on this knife are good, the question is, do you need another method of opening?

The flipper tab works if you learn how to use it but it is not intuitive

The flipper tab, on the other hand, has a couple of disadvantages. Mainly that the finish might be too "nice". It is polished and has no grooves, which makes it slippery. I have missed on many occasions. If you want to be sure to get the blade out, you must not act intuitively, but deliberately run your finger along the front of the handle and then straight back. But even then you may slip. Especially if your fingers are cold and you lack that exact dexterity.

The function is good but the lock bar is difficult to get to. Some of it is visible, but like the flipper tab, it is slippery due to otherwise fine processing

The lock type is unsurprising given how the knife is built. This knife comes with a classic frame lock. A sort that it's actually been a while since I reviewed. What is trending at the moment are mainly Button Locks and various variants of Cross Bar Locks.

However, this is a strong titanium frame lock with all the "accessories". By that I mean an overtravel stop and a steel lock bar insert. The latter fulfills the dual function of reducing wear and preventing "lock stick", meaning that the titanium in the lock bar "sticks" to the steel in the blade and makes the lock tricky to release.

The functionality of this lock is simply very pleasing. There is no play in the blade in any direction. Nor does the blade slide if it is subjected to pressure or light blows from the wrong direction, i.e. on the spine of the blade. Part of the explanation for the solid feel is probably also what hurts the opening. The lock bar is very strong and the ball that holds the blade in place is steel and very small. Maybe something should be adjusted here. Like less tension on the lock bar and a larger diameter ball. 

Unfortunately, the lock is not easy to disengage. The explanations are mainly what was mentioned above, but also that the lock bar, just like the flipper tab, is polished and therefore slippery. Here MKM should have provided it with some kind of pattern.

To Carry

Maximo is a compact knife and something about the look makes it look and feel heavier than it is. The actual weight is 120 grams which is neither extremely heavy nor super light. In addition, the knife is well-balanced. The center of gravity is found just behind the finger guard.

The clip is attached to the back end of the handle

The handle length is 11.4 cm with the glass breaker removed. With that out of the way, the knife is quite well-rounded, making it easy to draw and almost as easy to return to the pocket.

What is felt most when the knife is carried is the thickness, which is 12.3 mm. In other words, Maximo is a bit chubby, but that is what contributes to the knife feeling good in the hand.

Very little of the knife is visible when carried in a pocket

The clip is of the deep-ride type variety and is made of steel. It's not the strongest, so when provoked there is a slight sideways movement, but not so much that it poses a practical problem except for those who are OCD oriented. Although it is attached to the rear end of the handle, it cannot be shifted due to the shape. The latter, of course, gives a cleaner appearance with fewer holes in the handle.

The tension is adequate and the ramp is large enough to defeat most pocket edges. The appearance is nothing extraordinary but fits well with the rest of the knife's theme.

To Conclude

As in all spheres of interest, there are trends in the world of knives. If we focus on folding knives, it can be about things like handle material, blade steel, and last but not least, lock type. Maximo is a knife that breaks with most of the prevailing ones at the time of writing.

The choice of titanium is solid but not very hip compared to Ultem or anything else modern, M390 is still extremely good steel but not unique and a frame lock is downright outdated compared to a button lock or preferably a crossbar lock. The last two seem to dominate knives produced now.

Another trend or rather movement is to make more folding knives more "slicey". This means knives that really cut well and, above all, with ease. This is achieved with thinner blades, adapted geometry, and less steel behind the edge.

Terzuola seems to have missed that memo. Maximo is a knife that has a sturdy blade and plenty of material everywhere, also behind the edge.

Maximo is a good EDC knife if you want something compact and robust

This is not the only knife on the market with these characteristics, but it also applies to several classic models within the genre. Benchmade's old AFCK, Spyderco's Starmate, and Al Mar's S.E.R.E just to name a few. But they all have in common that they are basically old models, unlike the Maximo. However, the unifying factor that permeates Terzuola's knives is durability. Overall, the Maximo is a knife that feels extremely sturdy even though it is not huge.

Thus, this is not the world's best knife for all tasks. But it's still a competent knife and it's extremely solid. It is also characterized by Terzuola's distinctive design language.

MKM Maximo - a quintessential Terzuola experience

The Maximo can also be said to be a well-built knife. It feels like a Mercedes from the eighties if that tells you anything. A tank is otherwise usually a common simile. Everything is beveled, and ground, and the whole knife feels luxurious. Maybe a little too much in some cases as pointed out.

But overall, this is a very nice knife for those who like Bob Terzuola's knives and are looking for MKM's  build quality

Maniago Knife Makers

Specifications:

Length Overall: 197 mm

Length Folded: 114 mm

Weight: 120 g (Weighed by me, stated 120 g)

Blade Length: 82 mm

Blade Thickness: 4 mm

Blade Steel: Böhler M390, 58-60 HRC

Handle: kolfiber

Lock: Fram Lock

Produced by: Maniago Knife Makers, made in Italy

/ J - Terzuolafied

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