Ny kniv - QSP Dolphin

Trots att Dolphin som den här kniven kallas inte är den dyraste QSP gjort så kan det mycker väl vara en av de mest extravaganta. Såväl utseendet som behandlingen av materialen bidrar till den känslan. 

Designen med sina svepande linjer andas lite medelhavskultur och kanske influenser från franska, italienska eller spanska traditionella mönster. Eller så är det inte alls så och den eller de som designat den bara gillar flödande former. Men de finns där i alla fall. 

QSP Dolphin

Det finns för närvarande fem versioner av Dolphin. Bland dem finns enklare material som blå resin men även abalone, pärlemor och kolfiber återfinns bland materialen eller som i det här fallet stabiliserat trä. Jag vet faktiskt inte vilket träslag det är fråga om men med tanke på hur det ser ut ligger Tuja nära till hands.

Kniven har en ram av stål i vars sidor det gjorts fickor för träpanelerna. Dolphin är öppen i ryggen där en standarddistans hittas halvvägs och mot bakänden till en överdimensionerad tub som även agerar fånglinehål. Den agerar även fästpunkt och skruvhuvudet är knappast standard men en specialnyckel medföljer om du vill demontera din kniv.

Totallängden är 198 mm och stängd 118 mm. Det ger en vikt på 102 g. Bladet är ett 80 mm långt drop point-blad. Det är 3 mm tjockt och materialet är 14C28N. 

Dolphin öppnas med tumknoppar och låser med en liner lock. Eller snarare med tanke på tjockleken och hur träsidorna sträcker sig över den så handlar det snarare om ett bolster lock vilken är en variant av en frame lock. 

Dolphin är en kniv med flödande linjer och ett spetsigt blad som kännetecknas av sin spegelfinish

Så långt är Dolphin ingen anmärkningsvärd kniv alls bortsett från det extraordinärt snygga träet i sidorna. Men det är tämligen uppenbart att det inte är det som är det som gör kniven så spektakulär. Den detaljen sköts istället om av den ovanliga och mycket väl genomförda spegelpoleringen. 

Bladet är synnerligen blankt men ramen och övriga detaljer har fått samma behandling så allt skiner. Det gör att  den här kniven sticker ut rejält i mängden. 

Mer om denna något "blingiga" skönhet blir det i en senare recension. 

QSP Knives

/ J - leker skata

#knivesandbikes #knivigtvarre

New Knife - SRM Dome

There is no doubt that Chinese SRM Knives has picked up the pace when it comes to releasing exciting news. Lately, they have mixed it up by releasing upgrades of old models and some brand-new knives.

This knife, called the 106M-GW or Dome for short, belongs to the latter. In addition to the fact that the design is clean and stylish, another detail makes it interesting, as SRM is jumping on a bandwagon that is no longer a trend but something that most big brands have in their catalogs. This is a slipjoint!

SRM 106M Dome

In addition to that, the most prominent feature is that the Dome is a really light knife. It weighs only 61 g and is therefore barely noticeable in a pocket.

The absence of a lock, of course, contributes to the low weight as you do not have to include the screws and lock bars that are required. But in return, a slipjoint requires either the use of double "detents" as some modern knives do or the traditional use of a back spring to hold the blade in place in the open and closed positions. The SRM Dome uses the latter. Speaking of springs, the blade has been equipped with a halfway stop, which is thankfully, from a safety point of view.

Otherwise, it's mostly the dimensions that make the knife super lightweight. The dome is 177 mm long, which is certainly not extremely small, and the blade is 76 mm long or 3" for those who want to measure that way. It's a drop point, but what makes it so good is that it's only 2.3 mm thick. The steel used is 14C28N, and it can be added that the factory edge was really sharp.

An elegant modern slip joint in the lightweight class from SRM

The handle sides are made of G10, which has a sophisticated appearance due to its patterned design and a double-sided insert of two-colored G10 that complements the look. In addition, the knife features a couple of small luxury details, including a gold-colored collar around the pivot screw and a nicely rounded blade spine. The gold color is also found again in the hidden lanyard bolt. These are small details, but they already raise the sober overall lines and make Dome a stylish knife.

In addition, it can be added that it can be opened with both hands, an opening method that is facilitated by a nicely incorporated nail notch in the blade or via double-sided thumb studs.

The package is completed with a simple steel clip, which is not SRM's usual "Ambi clip"; the handle is too thin for it.

Overall, an exciting little knife that, in addition to low weight and a very effective blade, comes with an elegant appearance and a price tag that is humane. In the upcoming review, I will discuss all the details regarding Walk and Talk, performance, etc. 

SRM Knives 

/ J - under the Dome

#knivesandbikes #knivigtvarre

Review Civivi Yonder

 

-  Another in the line of competent knives from this brand!

Today's review is about this creation named Yonder. A knife that the designer calls medium-sized, even though I think it's small. In any case, it comes from Civivi and is a very nice knife in my opinion that covers most daily needs that require a sharp edge. I intend to talk here about why I appreciate it.

 

Civivi Yonder

This knife was designed by Zac Whitmore in 2023, and according to the website, the idea was born during a time he spent in Montana. The experiences from there were chiseled out during a conversation with a good friend, and the result is here. In fact, the work itself, from idea to finished product, can be seen on the website.

The expression "Yondering" is, by the way, inspired by or comes from the author Louis L'Amour. It stands for starting a journey into the unknown, driven by an inner compass.

That many people like the knife is proven, not least by the fact that it won "Blade Best Buy" 2024. From me, it gets another award, the most inspired knife name 2024.

In addition to being practical, Yonder is also aesthetically pleasing in my eyes. The balance of proportions is the reason

Short version: Civivi Yonder, an idea that was born in Montana and turned into a really good pocket knife that has been widely distributed around the world

Blade

Yonder actually has a rather odd blade type. This is an almost pure "Spey Point" blade. For those of you who don't know, it is a type of tip that is often found on classic American folding knives, like a Stockman for example. The type itself is, as the name suggests, for castrating animals. That is why the tip is there but is not so pronounced and, above all, is found low down in relation to the intended center line of the knife. You simply don't want to make a mistake when working with that type of task.

A rare sight on an EDC knife, a Spey blade

On this knife, it was mostly chosen because it is also quite practical. You have a tip, as I said, even though it is not that distinct. But that also makes it stronger. Then the slightly curved edge makes Yonder have a belly, which makes all work that includes flat surfaces easier, whether it is a log in the forest, a plank,a workbench, or a cutting board. That is something I otherwise miss with completely straight edges, like on a Wharncliffe.

The steel choice fell on 14C28N hardened to the stated 57-59 HRC. It can be said to be somewhat soft. I have knives where the manufacturers have increased the hardness of that steel a few degrees, and my experience is that the steel can handle it without becoming brittle. The advantage is that the sharpness lasts longer. Yonder requires that you maintain it fairly often. But in return, the steel responds very quickly to being stropped and honed, so it is not a problem, but a little extra work.

The blade is 73 mm long and 25 mm high at most. The thickness is only 2.2 mm, which is a small finesse. Yonder does not have a full flat grind but rather a high saber grind, but when the material is so thin, the result is good. But they have not dared to fully trust the steel or perhaps the user, as the blade is 0.5-0.4 mm thick behind the edge. There, they could have picked a tenth more to achieve optimal results.

The blade steel is 14C28N, which in this version is blackened. The only marking is on the back with the Whitmore logo and the steel type written on the ricasso

That said, the Yonder still cuts really damn well. Especially since the factory edge was very sharp as so often on Civivi, and the edge is easy to maintain.

But it is a fairly short blade, and as I said, I disagree with the designer that it is a medium-sized knife. This is even more noticeable in what is discussed under the next heading.

The result is that this is an excellent EDC knife for me. Easy to use, cuts well, and is generally smooth. This makes Yonder a very good spare knife at work, where I use it every day. Mainly for all kinds of packaging openings, whether plastic or cardboard, with or without tape.

A small stick can also be cut, and the basic shape itself does not shy away from slightly heavier tasks either. But if I have to use a little more force, such as cutting thicker rope or a piece of rubber or hard plastic, which was the case at some point during the test period, then Yonder is actually a little too small for me.

Anything goes, they say, but in this case, it simply won't be very comfortable. Something that also works extremely well is the tip. Not "remove-splinters-from fingers-thin" but drill-holes-in-things-strong. In addition, it is actually found in the center line of the knife, which makes it easy to control when you need to push.

Handle

It should be said right away that the handle on the Yonder is really good. Good, but a bit too small for me. In numbers, this means that the length is just under 95 mm, the thickness is 11.6 mm, and the height is 23.5 mm.

Now it is certainly possible to fold the index finger over the finger guard, but it then ends up dangerously close to the edge, so I prefer not to do that. But with the finger guard in mind, the available grip area behind it is shortened to 86 mm.

Micarta scales make the handle soft to the touch

This makes Yonder a "three and a half finger knife" for me. The nicely rounded back end makes it easier to grip, especially with a saber grip, which is the most comfortable. Even a hammer grip works well, although the back end of the clip can be felt on both grips if you close your hand tightly. Otherwise, there is no problem.

Speaking of nicely rounded, all edges and corners are, just as they should be. These are areas where Civivi often excels, and that applies here too. The same can be said about the Micarta, which is nicely beveled. In fact, so much so that the sides feel 3D-shaped, which they are not.

The handle is open at the back and built around a very lightweight steel frame.

The handle is traditionally built around a heavily relieved steel frame, which is here black to match the knife's color theme. On the outside are Micarta sides that appear green against a brown background, but can otherwise be mistaken for brown. They are very soft and comfortable, and get a nice patina over time.

The sides are screwed from two sides through a spacer towards the back end, and another screw, which is also one of the two that hold the clip in place. In total, there are two points, in addition to the pivot screw. Interestingly, both screws are size T8. Small T6s are only found in the clip. 

The pivot screw has the usual Civivi "C" on the screw head, and that side is also D-shaped, which means it won't start spinning if you want to disassemble your knife. If you do, you should be aware that this type of lock contains a couple of springs that are in tension. So don't do it out on a lawn!

The balance is very good, but for me, this is not a full-size knife; three and a half fingers can fit with some effort

But the grips available are very comfortable!

The balance of the Yonder is very good, and when combined with an already light knife, it feels extremely light and nimble in the hand. It is also noticeable that the shape is well thought out, as all the grips work excellently, apart from the size. But that is personal, and my dear wife does not agree with me on that point. She's got smaller hands!

Opening and Lock

The Yonder is a joy to open and close. A small and light blade on ball bearings and a couple of very well-functioning opening methods are the reasons. Like all knives with well-made cross-bar locks, the blade can be opened and closed by pulling the lock bar. This releases the blade, and then a very small movement is enough to get the blade out. If too much force is used, the blade bounces.

The thumb studs are of a classic cut, and both sit where they should and work excellently.

Despite that fun way to open the knife, Yonder is primarily intended to be opened with thumb studs. The shape is nothing extraordinary, but the function is excellent. You find them where they are supposed to be without having to "search" with your thumb. The studs are certainly quite close to the handle, which has no recess to facilitate access. But they stick out just enough so that they can still be reached.

Something Civivi has succeeded in is getting the resistance in the springs for the lock so that they not only perform that function well, but are also strong enough to act as a "detent". This is not only needed to hold the blade in place when the knife is closed, but also so that you get a good flick in the opening. Something that is certainly more important on a flipper-opening knife. But even here, that detail works excellently.

The blade is held in place with a nearly perfectly executed cross-bar lock

Just as excellent is the lock. The blade is held in a very firm grip, and we are not talking about any play. Not even the small tendency that can often be felt up and down with this type of lock.

And the type is, as mentioned, a cross-bar lock. A lock that is based on a spring-loaded bolt being above the blade tang in the open position. The blade is clamped between it and a stop bolt that takes the force from the blade.

The lock is easily disengaged with either one or two fingers. It also works regardless of whether you do it on the left or right side. If there is any minus to be mentioned at all, it is that the locking bolt has a tendency to move a little sideways. It is nothing that affects the function, but there are knives where it is done better.

To Carry

Yonder is a real pocket knife. That means it's actually really good to carry as well as use. Smooth sides, no flipper, and a lack of large finger guards contribute to that impression.

Yes, that and the weight of course. Yonder weighs only 72 grams, which is light no matter what it's compared to.

The simple steel clip is small and black.

The micarta also provides no resistance when a trouser fabric is between the handle side and the clip. The latter is one of Civivi's standard variants. A steel clip that is small and black. It is mounted in a recess in the handle side with two T6 screws in a tandem configuration. This ensures that the clip is stable.

Apart from the clip, the knife is almost invisible in your pocket.

The clip is a deep carry type, and as you can see, not much of the knife is visible when it is in a pocket. Nothing at all, in fact. A slight bulge that could be a fold in the fabric is all that reveals the Yonder.

To Conclude

The stable of excellent pocket knives from Civivi is growing. Especially since they belong to those companies that produce plenty of new products. Both real ones and variants of existing models. But when Yonder came out a year ago, at least I became interested. It is not an extraordinary knife when it comes to either appearance or material. But it still has something special in my eyes.

I think it is so extremely well thought out. It is not a design group that sat and thought this out around a conference table. At least that is my feeling. One that is also reinforced when the knife is used both in everyday life, at work or out in the forest.

I see Yonder primarily as an excellent EDC knife.

With that, I want to give credit to Zac Whitmore for the design and to Civivi for the execution. The latter is, as usual, incredibly good. Civivi has spoiled us with it, and it is extremely rare for a lemon to slip through their quality control.

Examples of this are the smooth action from the start, sharp factory edge, and softly ground edges and corners. A few elements add to the knife's well-built feel, and that is that time has been spent on lightening the frame, and that there is a cover plate for the groove that is currently not used to attach the clip.

Overall, Yonder is a good example of two things. Number one is good craftsmanship, where many details are well executed. Number two is how to translate a designer's vision into a production knife in a good way.

It has led to something very good. In fact, the combination of the neat format, that Yonder is easy to open and close, and that it cuts well has made it one of my wife's favorite knives to grab at home. That's a good rating since there is a lot to choose from.

Civivi Yonder is an excellent company for excursions, here at Linnés Råshult

I personally see Yonder primarily as an EDC knife in the smaller format and perhaps not as an outdoor knife. It is enough for most things, but not for everything, and the handle is not very large. But for all the small tasks that need to be done, the Civivi Yonder is an excellent knife. One of several Civivi favorites.

Therefore, I have no problem recommending this knife to anyone looking for a solid everyday partner at an affordable price. It is currently available from 70€ and up, depending on which version you choose.

Civivi Knives

Specifications:

Length Overall: 168 mm

Length Closed: 95 mm

Weight: 72 g

Blade Length: 73 mm

Blade Thickness: 2,2 mm

Blade Steel: 14C28N, HRC 57-59

Handle: Micarta

Lock: Cross-bar Lock

Produced by: Civivi, made in China

/ J - just yondering

#knivesandbikes #aliaspostmortem #knivigtvarre 

Ny kniv - Civivi Yonder

Det här måste vara det smartaste namnet på en kniv på mycket mycket länge. Den kommer förstås från Civivi och heter Yonder. Det avslöjar rubriken. Men vad den inte avslöjar är att uttrycket "Yondering" är inspirerat eller kommer från författaren Louis L'Amour. Det står för att att påbörja en resa mot det okända driven av en inre kompass.

Det väcker förstås intresse, särskilt som det också är en prisvinnare. Yonder vann "Blade Best Buy" 2024 och är designad av Zac Whitmore året innan, 2023.

Civivi Yonder

Rent utseendemässigt tycker jag att den påminner om en annan kniv som de senare åren fått mycket uppmärksamhet och det är Baby Banter. Men den här designen avviker på flera punkter som låstyp, bladform och inte minst något jag tycker är en fördel, Yonder saknar även "forward choil". Det gör att egglängden ökar. 

Det kan behövs i det här fallet då hela kniven endast mäter 168 mm på längden varav bladet står för 73 mm. Stålet som använts är Sandvik 14C28N. Man får inte så mycket av det då tjockleken hållts ned till strax över två millimeter. Det  95 mm långa handtaget är gjort av Micarta och kniven är öppen i ryggen. Det ger en vikt på låga 78 gram. 

Yonder ger ett mycket sympatiskt första intryck

Paketet rundas av med ett flyttbart stålclip samt ett lås i form av ett  "Cross bar lock" vilket tillsammans med tumknopparna även utgör öppningsmetoder.

Sedan kan tilläggas att bladformen är lite spännande då det är en tolkning av ett klassiskt "Spey blade" fast med svängd egg. 

Då återstår bara att se om min "Wanderlust" väck till liv av den här lilla gynnaren. Den som lever får se!

Civivi Knives

/ J - känner för att bege sig ut...

#knivesandbikes #knivigtvarre

New Knife - SRM Qrick 408L

SRM is not one of those companies that releases new products in a never-ending stream. But now there have been a couple of them. They also seem popular as they have been sold out on the website, off and on.

They usually don't have names on their knives, although they do exist. This one is different as it has been named Qrick 408L.

It continues, so to speak, where another knife I reviewed left off. I'm thinking of the model 401. It also had a tiny flipper, which has become even smaller here. In addition, they share a slim format, the fact that the blade is almost completely hidden in the folded position, and both the handle material and the lock type.

SRM Qrick 408L

At least this version shares materials in the handle as it is made of G10. Then Qrick is also available in a version with carbon fiber. But since it is a G10/CF combination I was unsure about it. Such things can look a bit cheap sometimes. Then I prefer solid materials. In this case, it is also an interesting color. Or rather two, depending on which side you look at it. Green and orange are the colors chosen here. It surprised me a bit as I have not seen any photos of that feature.

The blade is an almost symmetrical drop point, which makes it closer to the spear point. It is completely flat ground, and the material is Swedish 14C28N.

The blade measures 82 mm in length and is 3 mm thick. The entire knife is 190 mm long. Since it is a slim blade and the handle is made of a lightweight material, it gives a knife that only weighs 75g. That's impressive!

The knife is green...or orange, depending on which side you look at.

It's not much that you feel in a pocket, especially not when it has a clip that allows the knife to sit deep in the pocket. It's SRM's own so-called "Ambi Clip", you know that invention that allows you to remove or change sides of the clip without tools. Both that function and the clip in general are really good, I can say after using it for quite a while on other knives.

I consider this knife a bit like a knife that complements model 401, but for those who prefer a flat-ground blade instead of the scandi grind that that knife has. It promises well, however, because I had mostly good things to say about that knife.

Qrick is a fun little knife that I will review in the future!

SRM Knives

/ J - wondering what "qrick" is

#knivesandbikes #knivigtvarre

New Knife - QSP Ripley Glyde Lock

So it is time to present what for me is the first knife of the year from QSP. I am writing the first because I am absolutely sure that it will not be the last. Especially since I intend to review a "cousin" of this knife in the not-too-distant future.

They are relatives in more ways than one. In addition to coming from the same manufacturer, the same creator is found behind both. A collaboration between QSP and a young American knife and industrial designer named Keanu Alfaro.

In addition, they are almost identical in size with a blade length of 88 mm and a total length of 203 mm. As you can see, they are designed based on inches. The dimensions look "cleaner" if they are written as the total length is 8" and that they measure 4.5" when folded and have a 3.5" blade.

This model is called the Ripley Glyde Lock. An adequate name with that pattern on the handle, it seems.

QSP Ripley Glyde Lock

The similarities between the two knives do not end at what is listed above, however. The materials are the same too. This means a Sandvik 14C28N in the blade and handle sides made of G10 and ceramic in the ball bearings. Even the clip is identical, by the way.

But it is not so bad that it is the same knife. The name of this one gives a first hint about it. It includes "Glyde Lock" which is QSP's interpretation of a crossbar lock. It also means that this knife is built with only a partial frame. This makes for a very light knife. The Ripley Glyde Lock weighs only 102 grams. Not much considering an almost nine-centimeter-long and fairly wide knife blade.

A large and sturdy knife that doesn't weigh down your pocket unnecessarily. Designed by Keanu Alfaro

Overall it brings to mind knives in the "Bug Out" class with the exception that this is a much larger knife where both blade and handle invite more substantial challenges.

It will be interesting to test a knife designed by Alfaro and a review will follow, be sure!

QSP Knife

/ J -aims for the continuation of 2025

#knivesandbikes #knivigtvarre

New Knife - Two Sun TS467

It's important to keep the rotation of knives up in the early part of 2025. That's why it's time to introduce the knife I called "the oddball" in a post on Instagram the other day. Like the beastly TS434, this knife comes from Chinese Two Sun and like most of their knives, it has no name but a designation. This one is called TS467.

Two Sun TS467

The knife in question has a very special look and that's why I gave it the epithet I did. But actually, it's not so much weird as stolen if I'm being honest. The designer behind this knife is a gentleman whose name is Milovich I think. His logo is a cactus anyway. The problem is that it's more or less a direct copy of Fred Perrin La Griffe. Especially the larger version of that knife with handle sides which mine doesn't have.

Now it must be admitted that I don't know if this knife is an homage in any way or if they have an agreement. Otherwise, it's simply a copy. It's been done before which I've written quite extensively about in the text "L'original". Read it is my recommendation.

The inspiration is tangible

But of course, it was precisely the qualities that made me appreciate the original that also attracted me to this new interpretation from Two Sun. 

A Wharncliffe from Two Sun with a prominent hole in the blade

What we have here is a knife that is just under thirteen centimeters long in total but still has an edge length of a whopping 6.7 cm. The steel used is Swedish, Sandvik 14C28N. The handle sides are made of black Micarta and the weight is a low 51 grams. The included case is made of Kydex and is attached using a clip.

Overall, an interesting knife in many ways that I liked!

/ J - somewhat mumbling

#knivesandbikes #knivigtvarre

Ny kniv - Two Sun TS467

Det gäller att hålla uppe rotationen bland nyknivarna så här i inledningen på 2025. Därför är det dags att introducera den kniv jag i fredags kallade "knäppgöken". Liksom bjässen TS434 kommer den här kniven från kinesiska Two Sun och liksom de flest av deras knivar har den inget namn utan en beteckning. Den här kallas TS467.

Two Sun TS467

Kniven ifråga har ett  mycket speciellt utseende och det var därför jag gav den det epitet jag gjorde. Men egenligen är den inte så mycket knäpp som stulen om jag skall vara ärlig. Designern bakom den här kniven är en herre vars namn är Milovich tror jag. Hans logotyp är en kaktus hur som haver. Problemet är att det är mer eller mindre en direkt kopia av en Fred Perrin La Griffe. Särskilt den större versionen av den kniven med skollor vilket min inte har. 

Nu skall det erkännas att jag inte vet om den här kniven är en hommage på något vis eller om de har ett avtal. Annars är det en kopia helt enkelt. Det har nu gjorts förut vilket jag skrivit tämligen ingående om i texten "L'original". Läs den är min rekommendation. 

Inspirationen är påtaglig

Men det var förstås precis de egenskaper som fått mig att uppskatta originalet som även lockade mig till den här nya tolkningen från Two Sun. 

En Wharncliffe med ett markant hål i bladet

Vad vi har här är en kniv som är strax under tretton centimeter lång totalt men trots det har en egglängd på i sammanhanget hela 6,7 cm. Stålet som använts är svenskt, Sandvik 14C28N. Handtagssidorna är av svart Micarta och vikten är låga 51 gram. Det medföljande fodralet är gjort av Kydex och fästs med hjälp av ett clip. 

Sammantaget en på många vis intressant kniv som föll mig i smaken!

/ J - muttrar något

#knivesandbikes #knivigtvarre

Review QSP Unicorn

  

-  the straight-back knife

It is noticeable that I have been in a "Micarta period," as several knives with that handle material have been acquired recently. This version of Unicorn is no exception. This knife features a greenish-brown color. 

With this knife, QSP has released a model that follows several current trends quite well. I am talking about the opening methods and the lock. Let's see what that means in concrete terms!

QSP Unicorn

Some of QSP's models come in many variants, but not the Unicorn. You can choose between the Micarta presented here or a two-tone G10. Then, the choice is between a very loud lime green accent color or a more discreet purple. 

The three handle variants can be combined with a black blade if you so prefer. 

Unicorn is a knife whose design is dominated by one specific element, there are holes in both the handle and blade

Short version: QSP Unicorn, a knife whose appearance is dominated by holes and otherwise follows several modern trends for folding knives

Blade

A knife named after a unicorn must be somewhat unique. This applies especially to the horn, one must assume. Here, QSP has chosen a knife blade with a straight back. That is not the most common on pocket knives today. The blade type has pros and cons but is not as all-round focused as some other variants. Much of that stems from the sweeping big belly that ensues.

In addition to the shape, there are a couple of other details that stand out. One is of course the blade hole and the other is the partial false edge. It starts in front of the hole but ends before the tip. Thus, it is an aesthetic addition. That it ends the way it does reinforces the point.

The straight blade shape is not quite common on EDC knives today

They claim that the blade is 83mm but I end up with 80mm no matter how I measure. The height is 26.5 mm and the stock thickness is three millimeters. Together with the steep belly, it makes the blade almost rectangular. The grind is flat and high. In principle, the blade is "FFG" or fully flat ground. Behind the edge, the Unicorn is 0.6 mm thick, which is a lot.

The steel used is the common Sandvik 14C28N. Steel which I often point out is one of my favorite materials among those that cannot be counted in the "super steel" category. By that, I mean that this steel largely behaves like, for example, an S30V with a slightly lower edge holding capacity. 

This steel can otherwise handle some abuse without chipping from the edge, rather the edge rolls in that case so it is not fragile. It is also easy to sharpen and maintain. 

The knife is exceptionally discreetly marked, but those with good eyesight can read that the blade is made of 14C28N

Once put to work the Unicorn is, unfortunately, a "meh" knife for me. Some of it has to do with personal preference. Then it is mainly the location of the tip that is not appreciated. If boxes are to be opened, for example, you have to angle your wrist significantly to be able to use the tip. The alternative is to turn the knife upside down, of course.

The advantage of this shape is that the blade is easier to use against, for example, cutting boards if desired. But my biggest objection to this particular blade is that it is so thick behind the edge. It gives a steep secondary edge which, despite decent sharpness from the factory, does not cut as well as it should with this tall blade combined with a wide bevel. 

It's not that the Unicorn doesn't cut at all but just not as good as I expected. This applies to paper materials such as cardboard, foodstuffs, and plastics of various kinds. But of course, the edge will be a little stronger compared to if it had been thinned out. But it's a weakening I'm happy to take.  

Handle

Unicorn does not offer any surprises in terms of construction, but some details. This particular design has sides in Micarta as already mentioned in the introduction. They have also been given some love and care. Certainly, the sides are flat and not curved, but the edges have been beveled all around and polished sympathetically.

Then there is a pattern that frames the main design element of this handle.

The handle is characterized by a certain blockiness, the Micarta sides and the three large holes

I'm talking about the three substantial holes found in the middle of the sides. They extend all the way through the handle, which means that in addition to boosting the appearance, they lighten both the sides and the frame.

It is polished steel and attached at two points in addition to the pivot point and in this case the locking mechanism. Otherwise, the knife is open in the back, which also keeps the weight down. As usual, the sizes are T6 for the screws in the handle and the clip, and a slightly more substantial T8 is found in the pivot screw, which of course can be adjusted.

QSP chooses to place the logo on the screw head on the presentation side, which is a good solution, especially as the screw is D-shaped, which means that it does not spin if you want to tighten it or disassemble the knife. 

The back is open and two hourglass-shaped spacers are found here 

The handle is 108 mm long and just over nine centimeters of that can be gripped. That is, what is found behind the finger guard which consists of the front part of the handle reinforced by the flipper tab.

The thickness is 12.6 mm, which together with the other dimensions and a fairly box-like exterior gives a full handle. Especially as the height goes from about 22 mm as a minimum to 28 mm at the stern.

The Unicorn is well-balanced thanks to the holes but the handle never became a personal favorite

It could be hunky-dory if it weren't for a couple of things that are not appreciated. One of them is that the handle in my hand feels a little too square somehow. It should be pointed out that it has nothing to do with the actual shape. There are knives that pull even more in that direction without feeling like it, even among QSP's models. There is something about the proportions that haunts the knife.

But mainly it's the clip that messes with my grip anyway. It already starts in a standard hammer grip as the clip cuts into the hand directly. Something that actually decreases if you press a little harder when working with the knife. When the knife rotates in the hand, the clip ends up closer to the fingers instead, which is preferable. 

Unfortunately, it gets even worse with a saber grip. Then the corner of the clip ends up directly against the hand and the tip also against the palm. It is possible to adjust the grip slightly to reduce the discomfort, but it cannot be removed completely. Not nice at all! 

Opening and Lock

It is in this area that the trendy details mentioned in the introduction are found. First up is the opening, which in the name of consistency is double. Or triple depending on how you look at it. The flipper tab is of course there. Then I briefly mentioned the hole in the blade, which is method number two. The third follows from the lock type and simply means that you hold down the lock button and the blade swings freely. But don't tell any legislators as that makes all knives of this type "gravity knives".

The knife can be opened in several ways, but the flipper is the one that dominates

Then, the knife can always be opened with two hands, of course. As for how well the different ways work, there are mixed ratings. If we start with the most obvious, the flipper, the function is decent. Like many other brands, QSP has moved towards reducing the size of its flipper tabs. It is a good trend but requires well-thought-out geometry because the leverage will be reduced. There are no problems in this case. Especially not as the blade runs on ball bearings and is quite light. The speed thus becomes satisfying. Less good is that the edges of the flipper are rounded and the grooves found there are a little too polished, which means that from time to time I miss when I open the knife.

The two-hand opening is not much to dwell on. There is a piece of blade and a blade hole to pinch so there is no problem.

Speaking of blade holes, it is one of the less successful details of the knife. It barely works at all as an opening method while being too large to exist purely for decorative reasons. Possibly it can be used if you have very narrow thumbs and long nails.

There are several faults with this blade hole. To begin with, it is narrow and sits too close to the handle, which means that there is not much to hit to begin with. That characteristic is significantly enhanced by the thick handle sides, which are also not beveled for ease of access. In fact, it's so bad that the edges instead hide part of the already narrow hole. To add to the burden, the edges are also nicely chamfered. Elegant yes, but that means they become slippery.

So if you are to be able to use the hole at all, you have to put the knife completely flat on its side in your hand press your thumb straight down towards the hole, jam the soft parts of the tip of the thumb in the hole and then try to make a semi-circular movement with your finger. It becomes somewhat easier if you learn to aim at the back of the hole. However, it is not intuitive. It can be used with a flick of the finger from the back of the handle, but the resistance in the lock is a bit too great for that. So even there you sometimes miss. 

The blade hole is a bit too rounded, narrow, and partially obscured to be good

If the ways to open the knife were so-so, the lock and closing the knife is all the better. This is a button lock as stated and as such it works great. The blade sits as it should without movement in the open position. The button is also reasonably easy to access while sitting so deep that there is no risk of the lock accidentally releasing.

The ball bearings allow the blade to move freely when the lock is released, making it easy to close the Unicorn. Thus, this is an excellent lock. I like the lock type in general and this is a good representative.

To Carry

Even in a pocket, the Unicorn is a typical medium knife. It is neither exceptionally good nor bad in any way. What disqualifies it from being at the top is the volume. The knife is somewhat rectangular when folded and measures three centimeters in height. Except where the fin is found, there we end up at 36 mm. It's approaching Spyderco levels, which is to say, not good. If you add the thickness of 12.5 mm and the length of over a decimeter, you will understand why I am talking about volume.

The Unicorn has a very shiny deep ride-type pocket clip

On the positive side, however, is the weight. It's a relatively low 115 grams. Okay, it's not the lightest either, but we have a quite wide blade that measures eight centimeters in length to take into account. 

In addition, the sides are kind to fabric and not so coarse that they make it difficult to pull or put the knife away.

The clip is neatly attached to a recess on the side of the handle.

Two things are visible here. Partly the neat solution with a plate to cover the slot not used by the clip and partly the nasty corner of the clip that hurts the hand

The clip is one of QSP's simpler standard clips. A spring steel clip with good tension, an ok ramp, and plenty of space underneath. It is attached with two screws, one of which also helps hold the handle together. The clip is also recessed in the side of the handle, which means that it does not move sideways at all, while at the same time, there is more space for fabric. A very good way to solve that problem.

Unfortunately, there are also negative aspects. The fact that no part of the handle is visible when the knife is carried in the pocket also means that the clip is very annoying to grip. The location combined with the shape of the handle is the culprit. There is simply a corner that sticks out from the handle and it's not nice to hold around as mentioned before.

To Conclude

Unicorn is one of those few models from QSP that didn't really win my heart. It is strange since all the basic conditions are there. As usual with knives from this company, it's very well-built. On that point, I have no negative objections at all.

That characteristic manifests itself in several different ways. The micarta, which is a favorite material by the way, is of excellent quality and it is well treated. Both shaped and polished as it should be. "Speed ​​holes", as those decorative holes in the handle are sometimes called, can be viewed differently. But here they are nicely done and of course, they reduce the total weight. The steel is also one of my favorites in this price range.

The lock is of high standard and works perfectly. Even the flipper does its job in a perhaps not perfect but still capable way.

Speaking about looks, the Unicorn doesn't disappoint in that area either. In other words, only positive things so far. So why don't I like the knife?

Unicorn is an EDC knife that is actually somewhat larger than you might first think

The reasons are found partly in a personal preference and partly in two design shortcomings.

Namely, I've come to realize that I'm not particularly fond of straight blades, at least not on my EDC knives, for several reasons. Firstly, the tip is found very far up in relation to the knife's supposed center line. This means that to use it, you must either turn the knife upside down or angle your wrist very much. Then the blade shape gives a very distinct belly. A shape I don't have much use for daily. It performs best on hunting or skinning knives or other applications where you benefit greatly from sweeping long cuts.

But then we come to two areas that QSP normally never misses. The first, mentioned above, is that the blade hole does not work very well at all. It is difficult to reach, narrow, and partially obscured. It also happens to be my favorite way along with thumb studs to open a knife. Therefore I react strongly when they are not properly executed. 

The second point is of course the clip and its placement. Someone with significantly smaller hands than me may avoid the discomfort it causes. If the whole hand fits on the handle, I think the problem disappears. But as it is now, it is not comfortable in my hand.

With a straight blade that is slightly thicker behind the edge and a bit wider handle, the Unicorn is also suitable for outdoor use

With Unicorn, QSP has nevertheless achieved a solid build. If you have smaller hands and prefer a knife with multiple opening methods but value flipper opening and a good button lock, this might be the knife for you. The choice of materials and build quality are good, and the slightly more robust appearance and blade shape make it suitable for outdoor activities as well.

QSP Knife

Specifications:

Length Overall: 191 mm

Length Closed: 108 mm

Weight: 115 g

Blade Length: 83 mm

Blade Thickness: 3 mm

Blade Steel: 14C28N

Handle Material: Micarta

Lock: Button lock

Produced by: QSP, made in China

/ J - looking for my cup of Tea

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