Review Olitans Lemon Shark

  

-  a shark with a good bite

Sometimes things don't have to be that complicated or innovative, for that matter. They can still be good. That description fits this knife from Olitans called Lemon Shark.

If the shape can be said to be recognizable and the same can be said about both materials, opening methods and locks. But for me, Olitans is a new brand, and it was therefore exciting to see if they add anything to an ever-growing knife market.

Olitans Lemon Shark

The knife comes in several different variants, and I chose this variant solely because of the name. A "Lemon Shark" has to have a yellow handle, right? In addition, I have quite a few knives, so sometimes I want a little colour in the middle of all the black, titanium gray and brown.

If you don't want this very distinct colour, the shark is also available in four additional colors and the materials also vary. A transparent yellow PEI, green or blue Micarta and white G10 are other options.

My first contact with Olitans was a positive one.

Short Version (former Twitter version): Olitans Lemon Shark, not the rarest shark in the knife oceans, but it manages its niche in the ecosystem well

Blade

As I said in the introduction, Lemon Shark is not innovative, so we get a very ordinary drop point for the blade. But it is a very well-proportioned and therefore stylish blade. The length is 83 mm, and the height is 25 mm, although the website states 26 mm. The thickness is 3.5 mm.

The blade has no decorative elements or the like, or by the way, it depends on how you look at it. I will come back to that. The only thing that contributes to the appearance besides the shape itself is a clear false edge, and a longer part of the base of the spine is provided with grooves for better grip. Something that, in this case, fulfils a double function. Partly to place the thumb on, but also when opening the knife.

A classic and well-proportioned drop point

The blade is not marked with any logo, which is unusual. It is found elsewhere, which I will return to. The only thing on the blade, in very small text behind one of the thumb studs, is the steel type.

In all versions except one, the steel is provided with a titanium nitride coating. That is what gives it the dark colour. Whether it is necessary from a rust protection point of view is debatable, since the steel is already stainless from the start.

The steel is a good Chinese steel called 10Cr15MoV. In my experience, it is a step up from, for example, the more common and simpler Cr8 steel. It keeps its sharpness longer while exhibiting the same corrosion resistance.

The steel used is 10Cr15MoV

 with a TiNi-coating

The 3.5 mm blade material is quite generous in relation to the length of the blade and the intended area of ​​use. It is thinned out by an almost full flat grind. The thickness behind the edge is 0.5 mm on the straight part and a full 0.6 mm at the belly. That's too much for my taste. Especially if the knife is intended as EDC. The strong edge is more suitable for a fixed blade knife of the "survival" type, something to chop wood with and the like and is therefore overkill for a small pocket knife.

That said, the Lemon Shark came with reasonably sharp teeth, meaning the factory edge is acceptable. But the thickness means that it is not the knife that cuts with the least resistance. But on the other hand, you are not afraid to cut into slightly tougher materials with this knife. I have even tested it on some old car tyres. Something I usually don't do, but now they were there. What the blade is also surprisingly good at is cutting into wood of various types, both fresh and dry.

Lemon Shark came in handy when cutting sticks to secure distance markings on the knife-throwing range

The knife is slightly worse in fibrous materials such as cardboard, but also in textiles. A thick blade with a robust edge, of course, has its impact. In return, it means that you are not afraid to use force when cutting cable ties or the like. But overall, this is a very functional blade. There is a bit of a straight edge and a good belly to work with, depending on what tasks are to be performed.

It can also be said that if the edge is thick, the tip is all the more delicate and punctures well. This is because the blade is significantly tapered.

Handle

That Lemon Shark does not offer any news is confirmed by the handle, which is built according to template 1A. But that does not have to be bad, as said. More specifically, it means that the knife has a frame made of steel that has been greatly lightened internally, at least on one side. About the frame, it can also be noted that it has been given the same colour as the blade, which is a nice detail.

On the outside, there are sides of G10 and in the back, a partial back spacer of the same material. The blue colour from the thumb studs is mirrored here. It's also here you find a hidden bolt for attaching lanyards, for those who use such. 

The handle is comfortable but a bit short

The sides are screwed in at two points in addition to the pivot screw. All three screws are the same size, T8, which is excellent. You only need to use a chisel if you want to adjust or disassemble your knife. Choosing a coarser dimension than the often used T6s brings another advantage. The coarser dimension is significantly more durable in the long run. At least if the screws are reasonably hardened. The smaller screws are only found here in the clip mount.

The handle is 107 mm long, of which 91 mm is available grip area behind the finger guard. It is at the minimum for my hand size, but a four-finger grip fits, albeit barely. The thickness of the handle is a full 13.5 mm, which is quite substantial.

On the outside of the steel frame are sides made of G10 in this case

The G10 material in the sides is a bit special, as most manufacturers choose to have it a bit rougher to provide better grip. That is even what G10 is known for. Olitans have chosen to almost polish them. There is a microscopic pattern, but it does not provide any friction to speak of. Rather, the sides almost feel like plastic. A disadvantage of that, besides feeling cheaper, is that it provides less grip, especially if you have hands that are wet from sweat, rain or snow.

The advantage, however, is that the knife wears significantly less on pockets, and that is, after all, where a pocket knife spends most of its time. So it is something you can decide for yourself, the importance of.

Lemon Shark is comfortable in the hand, both to hold and to work with

When holding the Lemon Shark, it feels small in my hand, but still comfortable. The indentation for the index finger, together with the ridges on the blade, locks the hand in a good way in a sabre grip. Then the softly rounded back of the handle also lies against the inside of my hand comfortably.

Hammer grips also work well, and here it is mainly the thickness that saves the handle. It makes the hand fill up properly. But it is a double-edged sword; thicker handles make knives better to work with if you do heavier tasks and for a longer time. At the same time, knives are worse to carry. But the increased surface area that the thickness means also means that you can use more force behind the cuts when cutting in wood, for example. This makes the Lemon Shark a better heavy worker.

Reverse grips are no problem either, while a pinch grip for the really intricate details is less good because the handle is thick at the front.

Opening and Lock

Olitans has caught on to the trend with multiple opening methods. Here, there are two or maybe two plus one if a two-handed opening is included in the equation. Otherwise, it is a front flipper and thumb studs that apply. That was the area I asked to come back to. The extra-long area with grooves on the blade spine is there to provide a good grip for your thumb when you flip out the blade.

The method works very well, by the way. The geometry is good, and the speed is helped by ball bearings. The action when both opening and closing the knife is both fast and smooth.

Lemon Shark can be opened with either a front flipper or the brightly coloured thumb studs

The second, and for me preferred way to open the knife is with the thumb studs. Incidentally, they were the ones I had in mind when I mentioned decorative elements on the blade. They are heavily blue anodised in this case.

Not only that, they work well too! The blade can be either folded out slowly or flicked out with either your thumb or an index finger on the back. All ways work great. The handle is chamfered to facilitate access, and they sit just far enough out to both be easy to reach and provide good geometry for the opening.

There is not much to say about the shape, as these are fairly traditional barrel-shaped studs. They are soft on the fingers and do what they are supposed to. 

The blade is held in place by a liner lock

The lock is a liner lock, and it can be immediately stated that it works excellently. Perhaps the lock bar can be perceived as somewhat thin to give full confidence, but that is more in my head than in the function.

On the contrary, the blade is held in place without any flaws. Nothing negative to complain about at all, actually. There is no lateral play to be detected, and there is no play up and down in the blade. In addition, the lock engages with every opening and has never had any problems for me during the test period.

The lock bar is also easily accessible, and since it is relatively thin, the resistance is not much to argue about either. It is easy to release the lock. One thing that makes it even easier is that the lock bar is bevelled, which provides a more comfortable edge to press your thumb against.

To Carry

As mentioned earlier, the Lemon Shark is a chunky little thing. The length isn't much to talk about, but the width across the back makes the knife feel quite thick; 13.5 mm is a lot for a folding knife.

The clip is nothing extraordinary, but it does what it's supposed to.

The weight is 112 g, which could possibly be reduced a little if the G10 sides had been thinner, but it is not so much that it is something to complain about. The weight distribution also means that the balance point ends up in the middle of the indentation for the index finger.

The smooth sides make the knife slide easily into place, both when the knife is to be pulled out and put away.

A little of the knife is peaking out of the pocket. But most visible is the text on the clip

The clip is a simple spring steel version. However, the tension is sufficient to perform its function, and the same can be said about the space underneath. "Normal" fabrics can fit, i.e. jeans, trousers and thinner jacket pockets without causing any problems. The tip of the clip points slightly outwards, something I usually don't appreciate, but here it doesn't cause any direct problems. In fact, the clip doesn't feel very much against the hand except if you squeeze the handle tightly.

The colour of the clip is nice as it matches the rest of the hardware on the knife. One thing that can be polarising is where Olitans has chosen to place its logo/name. It is found, in addition to being somewhat discreet on the pivot screw, also in large letters on the clip. Sure, it is a good advertising spot, but it is a detail I do not appreciate. I prefer more neutral clips.

The clip is removable and is attached with two screws in a tandem position. They are recessed in the clip itself, but on the other hand, it is not recessed in the handle side. One of the few concessions to the price level.

To Conclude

My encounter with Lemon Shark was extra exciting as it was my first encounter with Olitans as a brand. This specific model is a budget model in that the price is not particularly high. The recommended price on the website is $45. For that, you get a knife that certainly doesn't offer any direct surprises when it comes to construction and materials. But everything is well chosen for the price range.

For your money, you also get a knife that is well-built and feels well-thought-out. The appearance is balanced, and there are details that indicate some care. The blade, frame, clip and screws are colour-matched and the thumb studs and back spacer act as a pop of colour. In addition, the lanyard hole or rather bolt, has been hidden in a clever way. An extra plus for Olitans is also the countersunk screws.

Adding to the positive impression is that opening and closing the knife is very smooth with good overall good action. This applies whether you prefer a front flipper or use the thumb knobs.

Just as Olitans says in its product description, Lemon Shark is a very good EDC knife.

Olitans themselves say that the knife is designed for EDC, and that is something I really agree with. But the fact is that it can handle a little more than that. The knife is not bad in the forest or as a complement to an axe or larger knife. Especially since the edge seems to be adapted for significantly heavier tasks. It is one of the few things I do not experience as completely positive.

Another is that the Lemon Shark can feel a little clumsy in the pocket due to the handle, which is perceived as thick. But that disadvantage is offset, on the other hand, by the fact that this particular feature is nice when you need to carve, for example. The extra surface against the hand provides less friction and pressure point than a narrower knife. So it is a balancing act.

Lemon Shark is also a good companion in the forest, here during a winter walk

But overall, it must be said that the Lemon Shark was a very pleasant first meeting with this brand. In fact, I would go so far as to say that this is a damn good budget knife.

It has everything you would expect from a solid pocket knife, offers some nice details and doesn't look out of place. As I said, it is available in other shades than bright yellow for those who prefer more discreet knives.

Olitans 

Specifications:

Length Overall: 190 mm

Length Folded: 107 mm

Weight: 112 g, weighed by me, stated 112 g. 

Blade Length: 83 mm

Blade Thickness: 3,5 mm

Blade Steel: 10Cr15MoV

Handle: G10

Lock: Liner lock

Produced by: Olitans, made in China

/ J - positively surprised

#knivesandbikes #aliaspostmortem #knivigtvarre 

New Knife - Al Mar B-21 Folder

I recognize this knife, perhaps some attentive reader will note. That is both true and not. That is to say, I have previously both presented and reviewed another knife from  Al Mar that is very similar to this one. I am, of course, talking about the B-21, and this model therefore has the logical name B-21 Folder. At first glance, it is actually only the ability to fold that separates them.

This version is also the result of a collaboration between Kirk Rexroat and Al Mar.

Al Mar B-21 Folder

The B-21 Folder is a solid piece; in fact, it is almost identical in size to its fixed blade cousin. It is not always the case that manufacturers are so close when it comes to "translating" knives between folding knives and fixed blades. But in this case, they have made an effort to make it so.

This means that this knife also has a blade that is 95 mm long. Then it can be discussed whether it is exactly the same as the original, but it mostly depends on how they are measured. The shape of the handle is what makes things more complicated. The height of the blade is at most 35 mm, and the thickness is 3.3 mm. The steel used is D2 with a stated hardness of 59-60 HRC. The blade shape is also a modified Bowie. That is, a sturdy clip point that, here, has a significantly curved back. The finish is an elegant satin.

The distinctive modified clip point blade is back

The handle is built on a sturdy steel frame, and on the outside, you will find 3D-shaped sides of G10. It is a full 13 cm long, which gives the knife a total length of 226 mm open. It is therefore not a small knife. The weight is also substantial at 195 g.

The lock is a liner lock, and the opening is mainly done via thumb studs. Two hands are, of course, always an option.

No clip here, instead you get a sturdy belt sheath included

A little more unusual is that the knife lacks a clip and instead comes with a solid leather sheath. It is not only well-made but also quite elaborate. The question is, will I use it? If there is anything that points in that direction, it is the weight of the knife.

That question and others will be answered when the knife is reviewed.

Al Mar

/ J - have a déjà vu experience

#knivesandbikes #knivigtvarre

New Knife - Civivi Sentinel Strike II

Honestly, I didn't really know what to expect from this knife. Of course, I had read the specifications before I bought it. But as you know, they don't always give the same picture as reality. That's strange, since I'm pretty experienced in this context.

I had noticed a few details, such as the blade being made of Nitro-V, the knife having a Button lock, and the knife being able to be opened in several ways—something that is also evident from the pictures.

The model I'm talking about is, as the title reveals, the Sentinel Strike II from the now well-known Civivi.

Civivi Sentinel Strike II

The blade is as I said, made of Nitro-V, which is a very competent steel in my opinion. But what I was not prepared for was how thin behind the edge this knife is. Civivi has chosen to start from a blade that is no more than 3 mm thick and then added a really good grind finished with a superb factory edge.

The grind is quite advanced as this is something of a cross between a drop point and a tanto. There is an albeit very weak secondary tip like on a tanto, and the grind is thicker towards the tip to reinforce it.

The length of the blade is a full 94 mm, which contributes to a total length of the knife of almost twenty-two centimeters, or 218.7 mm to be exact.

However, what surprises me most is how light the knife is for its size. This can be attributed to a thin blade, as mentioned which is combined with an aluminum handle. One that also has a variant of an integrated back spacer. It is made of a whole piece of FRN and covers the back completely.

The scale stops at around 104 g, and the knife is also very well balanced, which makes it feel very nimble and quick to handle.

Sentinel Strike II is a fairly large knife that is surprising by being very light and well-balanced

Then there were all the opening methods. As usual with knives with this type of lock, you can hold the button in and flick the blade out. The Sentinel Strike II also has a well-functioning flipper for those who prefer that opening method. To complement it, there are also thumb studs as an alternative.

An old tried and tested two-handed grip also works, of course, as does flicking the blade out with the ring or middle finger on the back of the handle in a "Spydie flick". All possible thanks to good geometry and very well-trimmed detent ball and fine ceramic ball bearings.

The first impressions of this knife are both surprising, as in that I misjudged the size as usual, and very positive. Thin behind the edge, yes, but this is a real slicing machine. Admittedly, this has been the case with most of Civivi's releases in recent years, but this one promises something extra. I intend to find out and return to that in a future review.

Civivi Knives

/ J - misjudges

#knivesandbikes #knivigtvarre

New Knife - Artisan Cutlery Holm

This knife, Holm, is a brand-new item from Artisan Cutlery. This time, they have flirted with a classic pattern, a Barlow. Not that this knife follows that pattern slavishly—for example, the bolster is too short—but the fact that there is a bolster and an otherwise light cigar-shaped handle is typical for the knife type. It can be added that if you want to make a really good pocket knife, it's not a bad place to get inspiration.

Here it has served as a starting point, and modern attributes such as thumb studs and ball bearings have been added. The result is a fairly simple overall shape that is nevertheless intricate.

You can immediately see that it is a perfectly sized EDC knife. In numbers, this means a knife with an overall length of 185 mm of which the blade accounts for approx. 78 mm. That together with a good construction results in a low weight of 85 grams.

Holm is available in several different versions, of which this one has a frame, bolster, and clip made of steel with a black PVD coating. The handle sides are made in black G10.

Artisan Cutlery Holm

Very typical for Holm are the double buttons you see placed in the bolster. The large round in the middle can be easily explained by those who know their knives. It is a Button lock. The smaller round button just above is more mysterious. That may be because this is, as far as I know, a "world-first". It is a security lock that complements the real lock.

Those of you who have followed me on the blog know what I think of such inventions. Simply put, I think that kind of redundancy is just in the way and completely unnecessary if the lock is otherwise correctly designed. So that finesse must be really good if it is to convince me. That remains to be seen and is something I will comment on in the upcoming review.

My first impressions of this little knife are absolutely excellent

Otherwise, I don't need to be convinced at all. My first impressions of Holm are that this is an excellent knife. It feels solid and well built and it has an extremely smooth action. I have already checked the sharpness and the factory edge is really well done. The other usual control points are also passed with distinction, such as blade centering and the like.

In the same way that it takes persuasion for me to like double locks on folding knives, persuasion or rather the discovery of hidden faults is probably needed for me not to like this knife.

Artisan Cutlery

/ J - delighted

#knivesandbikes #knivigtvarre

Review Sencut Borzam

  

-  a solid knife for EDC and Work

It is time for me to return to Sencut, you know, that sister brand that spun off from Civivi, which in turn is a sub-brand of WE. This time, it is a slightly larger model called Borzam that will be reviewed.

Part of the attraction in this case lies in the size. This is an obvious attempt to satisfy those who are not content with a three-inch blade. Sometimes, bigger is actually better.

Then again, I kind of expect the usual level of manufacturing quality that I'm used to from this company. If those parameters are met, I'm sure this is a good knife.

Sencut Borzam

Borzam is a typical "in-house" creation and not attributed to any single designer, although someone, obviously, must have designed it. Whoever it is, they have created a knife that is not unpleasant to look at and seems very competitive in this class of knives. 

What is meant when I say "class" are budget knives and in this case larger budget knives. This not only results in a longer blade but also a more substantial handle, which facilitates heavier work.

To keep the price down, of course, something has to be sacrificed. Here, it's a lot about skimping on the right places and often choosing the right material. Something that Sencut is usually good at.

Borzam is a good example of how it is possible to make good knives without having to cost an arm and a leg

Short version: Sencut Borzam, is something of a "Working Class Hero". A slightly larger EDC knife that can handle most things while looking perfectly fine and not costing an arm and a leg

Blade

There are a couple of different ways to make a drop point more interesting and they have been used in this case. The blade has a spine that turns towards the tip in two stages. One that is slightly concave in front of the thumb ramp and then a convex part forward to the tip. There you will also find a swedge.

The blade has, either a large indentation for sharpening or a small one for a finger, depending on how you look at it. Then the back is not rounded but well beveled, which in this context feels luxurious.

The finish is a well-done satin and the branding is as unobtrusive as it usually is from this company. The Sencut logo is on one side and somewhere on the other side, you can read the steel type if you happen to have perfect vision.

Borzam comes with a substantial drop-point blade 

What is written there is 9Cr18MoV. Not a bad choice of steel for the price point. My experience is that it stays sharp longer than the lower-rated 8Cr steels.

But what impresses me the most is not the steel but how it is used. Sencut/Civivis has learned how to make blades that cut well. It's all about geometry. In this case, a stock thickness of only three millimeters is used. The blade is made strong enough by making it taller instead of making it thicker. It is three centimeters at the base.

The material has then been thinned via a high flat grind to 0.3-0.4 mm behind the edge. That's HOW to make knives that cut well. Blade geometry trumps steel quality in that case.

The steel is 9Cr18MoV but a magnifying glass is needed to read it

It is, of course, something that is noticeable when Borzam is used. All materials that even resemble paper and cardboard or the like are handled with accuracy.

Likewise, this is an excellent package opener as it is easy to cut nylon packing straps, cable ties, tape, and the like. However, for tape, I usually turn my knives around and use the back of the tip as you avoid getting glue residue on the edge and don't run the risk of cutting what's in the box.

Speaking of knife tips, it is also highly effective on this knife. It is sharp without being too fragile. Certainly, the knife is so thin that I do not recommend using it as a prybar. But for everything else it is excellent. Actually also for cutting wood, both fresh and dry. 

But of course, if it's whittling on the menu, I prefer a different edge angle. Thin, flat-ground blades can be damaged when prying them out of a piece of tough wood to free the knife. But with that said, this is an excellent knife for outdoor life as well, thanks to its extra edge length.

This knife is a real "Working class hero", not least because the handle makes it possible to use some power when needed.

Handle

The handle can be summed up with the words, thin but comfortable. How thin, someone might wonder, and then I say 12 mm, which is not much for a handle that holds the whole hand, including gloved ones. The length of the knife when folded is 120 mm, of which the grippable length is around ten centimeters. By that I mean the handle behind the finger guard which is made up of the flipper in combination with the shape of the handle.

The handle on the Borzam is simple but well-shaped

Otherwise, the construction offers no surprises at all. Everything is done according to template 1A and also correctly executed. This means that the manufacturing quality is high. The knife is built around a steel frame that has been greatly lightened. The handle is open in the back where two hourglass-shaped spacers are found through which screws with T6 heads have been pulled. They are the ones who hold the knife together. One of them is also used by the clip.

From above you can also see the blade stop and an extra bolt around which a lanyard can be attached if such things are used.

The construction of Borzam offers no surprises. A lightened steel frame with an open back and a couple of pieces of G10 on the outside. But it is well done

On the outside of the frame are two pieces of G10 that are not shaped in any way beyond a small chamfered edge. That, together with the fact that the frame rises slightly above the sides, makes the handle feel more rounded. Then it is impossible to get away from the fact that it is a slim handle.

This is a knife that fits very well in most hands

By that I mean that the handle is certainly very comfortable to the extent that it is enough for the whole hand and that it is easy to find a good grip regardless of how you hold the knife. It is also easy to switch grips as the balance point is found in the middle of the recess for the index finger. A detail which, by the way, is really nice.

But the objection I have is partly that the curved rear end of the clip must be avoided, but above all that the thickness certainly makes the knife easy to carry, but also that the thinner sides feel a bit in the hand if the knife is used for carving, for example. A negative that immediately disappears if you use gloves can be added.

Opening and Lock

Borzam is fairly trendy, which means that it can be opened in different ways. Two hands work great because a lot of blade sticks out when the knife is closed. Otherwise, the intended opening methods are two. There are both a flipper and double-sided thumb studs to choose from.

The thumb studs are the opening method I prefer. Here they are very well done

The flipper works about as well as the thumb studs, a balancing act that the Sencut has mastered

Sencut/Civivi belong to those brands that manage to tune the detent ball close to perfection. Both ways of opening the knife work equally well. It almost doesn't matter how you approach either the flipper or the studs on this knife. The blade flies out anyway. You can push, pull, or press both with your thumb and index finger. Everything just works. Kudos to Sencut for that.

The thumb studs are also correctly positioned. They are easy to reach and they are out of the way when cutting. I really hate knives that have thumb studs halfway out on the blade. It arises when the rest of the knife has lousy geometry and more leverage is needed. Such mistakes are not made here.

Unsurprisingly, the sturdy frame lock also works excellently

The grooves found on the lock bar are rounded but still provide traction

Likewise, this lock is exemplary. Maybe a bit "boring" as it is a liner lock in steel. But this is how you make them. It locks nimbly, distinctly, and every time. It holds the blade in place in an iron grip and it feels very strong due to the fact that the thickness of the frame is around 1.5 mm.

The lock is also really easy to disengage. There is room to access the lock bar, which is also grooved for better traction. Then the tension is just enough which also contributes. 

To Carry

Even the sun has its spots, after all. But in this case, they are as small as can be. But the Borzam can never be a perfect pocket knife, and it is simply too big. After all, it measures 12 cm in length and it is quite wide with its 3.4 cm. The weight is 122 grams.

The clip does not stand out in any significant way

After all, it has a flipper. It's not overly large and the edges are beveled but it's undeniable. On the plus side, however, the handle is thin, as I mentioned before. This puts the knife in the class of other large but still easy-to-carry knives such as the Cold Steel Code 4.

In other words, as good as it gets when you have an almost nine-centimeter blade available. 

The clip fulfills its function but is glossy and thus visible

About the clip it can be said that it is a classic simple deep-ride clip of the type usually found on knives from Sencut. It works great in terms of tension and space under the clip. The same can be said about the ramp, which handles almost all fabric edges competently.

The clip does a decent job of being imperceptible in the hand, but if you grip the knife very hard, especially in a saber grip, it leaves its marks but not otherwise. The handle is so long that in a normal hammer grip it usually ends up outside the hand.

The finish is very glossy so that way it is visible but not much of the knife sticks out of the pocket.

The only thing that reveals that the clip belongs to a budget knife is that it appears on several models and that the attachment is not recessed in the handle. It saves processing time during manufacturing and thus money. The clip is otherwise attached with two T6 screws that sit in tandem to prevent the clip from moving laterally. By the way, it does with that honor. The clip is also removable and can be shifted to the other side.

To Conclude

Sencut is a brand known for delivering high-quality knives and Borzam is certainly no exception. In fact, this knife rivals its more expensive relatives in the Civivi lineup.

This is an excellent option for those who want a slightly larger folding knife for EDC use, in the workplace, or for the outdoors.

Borzam belongs to the slightly larger knives in the catalog and thus fills a niche

What you get with the Sencut Borzam is an excellent knife with extremely good performance at an attractive price.

The package includes a substantial knife blade of almost nine centimeters that cuts like nobody's business. The slightly wider blade also gives better control when cutting in soft materials and the finger choil also gives the opportunity to sneak closer to the edge for detailed work.

Then you can't go wrong with the fact that Borzam has a fantastically smooth action and a strong lock. This too shows the quality offered by Sencut. To that can be added that the blade came completely centered and very sharp. It is completely in line with the rest of the finish, which is high class.

Sencut Borzam belongs to the top tier of its class

For that reason, it can only be said that for those who want to upgrade from the very cheapest EDC knives to something more substantial both in terms of size and quality, the Sencut Borzam feels like a given option. Here you get quality that gives a foretaste of what a better knife can offer while not being excessively expensive. Currently, it can be obtained from around 45€.

The only thing I can possibly object to is that it feels a little, maybe not boring but a little generic. It has nothing that stands out. But with that said, it's still pretty and, above all, damn good. My advice is, buy it!

Sencut Knives

Specifications:

Length Overall: 209 mm

Length Folded: mm

Weight: 122 g (weighed by me, stated 122,4 g)

Blade Length: 88 mm

Blade Thickness: 3 mm

Blade Steel: 9Cr18MoV, 58-60 HRC

Handle Material: G10

Lock: Liner Lock

Produced by: Sencut, made in China

/ J - says, buy!

#knivesandbikes #aliaspostmortem #knivigtvarre 

Review QSP Penguin Plus

  

-  The emperor penguin

Medium, small and large. This is what the size evolution of this QSP model looked like. Although the names are Penguin, Penguin Mini, and finally Penguin Plus. It wasn't hard to figure out that there would be more versions and variations over time given the success of the original model.

Obviously, more people than I think it's a really good knife. It got even a little better in at least some respects when it was upgraded to the titanium version. You can read about that transformation in my previous reviews of this model. In the last one, I more than hinted that there was one more level to climb and it is this knife that I had in mind. 

QSP Penguin Plus

So what has changed from Penguin to Penguin Plus apart from the obvious that it has grown? Before I reveal it, it can be pointed out that there is a reason why it was not named, for example, "XL" or something similar, but the more modest "Plus". Because it is actually not that much bigger than the original. But still enough to make a difference in how the knife is experienced and then it is not mainly the blade that I have in mind but the handle size. It fits my hands significantly better, for example.

Then maybe "Plus" also denotes that the knife has been trimmed in relation to its predecessor by adding another opening method as this knife has both thumb studs and a flipper tab. In addition, there is a substantial upgrade in terms of knife steel. 

Penguin "Plus", not "XL". The size is bigger but not extremely much, the steel is improved and then another opening method has been added

Twitter version: The QSP Penguin grew and received the addition Plus, which seems not only to be aimed at the size, but also at other specifications and appearance. I predict continued success for this model!

Blade

Like all QSP penguins, the blade is a Sheep's foot, although it is sometimes carelessly said to be a Wharncliffe, despite the fact that the back is straight and only slopes very steeply towards the tip. But in any case, it has grown somewhat in length and here the blade is 8.6 cm long. The height is 2.5 cm and the thickness is 3.5 mm.

The blade shape feels familiar to those who know their penguins

As is often the case with QSP knives these days, the Penguin Plus can be had with a couple of different blade finishes. In this case, they are linked to whatever handle material is chosen, which in this case means a two-tone satin. In other designs, the blade is blackened.

The steel is as mentioned one of the upgrades and in this version, CPM 20CV from Crucible is used. It's powder steel of the highest quality that largely shares composition and properties with another perhaps better-known steel, M390 from Böhler/Uddeholm. Either way, it's really good steel to use in folding knives, and from what I can tell, they've done quite well with the treatment of the steel. Possibly those who are experts in the field can claim that it is a good idea to go a little further with the hardness and have it even thinner behind the edge. But by and large, this steel behaves the way that I am accustomed to regarding materials of this dignity.

The knife is discreetly marked but 20CV is written on the blade, a high-end steel

In practice, this means steel that is resistant to corrosion and it can be said that despite wet autumn and winter times, no spots have appeared on the blade during the test time. I also expect high sharpness, which the factory edge also offered. Now it can be added that it would be a shame otherwise, as a straight edge is significantly easier to sharpen than a curved one.

Then, in such an exclusive steel, I want to see very good edge holding, and that criterion is also met here. This is despite the fact that when I test knives, I often cut nylon rope and tamp that has been lying outside (I use an old anchoring rope for a boat), which means that there is often a little grit in them.

In other respects, the Penguin Plus behaves like its smaller cousins and is thus an excellent folding knife for all possible everyday use. In fact, the knife is robust and large enough even for outdoor life, although I personally prefer a beveled edge in that case.

Handle

Handle shape and construction are recognizable from little brother, the Penguin Ti, it would be strange otherwise. This means a knife that pretty much follows the formula of how to build an all-metal knife with this type of lock. You take two pieces of solid titanium, 3.4 millimeters thick in this case, and anchor them together using the pivot screw and two additional attachment points. The spacers themselves in the open back are hourglass-shaped. The adjustable pivot screw is, as usual on QSP's slightly finer knives, "single-sided", meaning it is only screwed from one side. To prevent it from spinning freely when adjusting the blade or the knife is taken apart, the bolt is d-shaped.

The handle shape is familiar but the flipper provides extended finger protection

The material is titanium and the type used is TC4, which has been given a blasted surface in this case. It gives the knife a sober gray tone. The handle sides are not weight-relieved internally in any way. There are both pros and cons to that. Certainly, the knife could be made slightly lighter by milling out pockets, but as it is now, no debris gets stuck there. Since the total weight is not a deterrent, I can be comfortable with this solution.

The simplicity from the inside is repeated on the outside as the handle has no patterns, decorations, or for that matter arched sides or even beveled edges. The edges are rounded for comfort but no more.

The only thing that is visible is the notches where the clip resides if you choose to switch sides on it and of course, the considerably enlarged hole for the lanyard. I could do without it, but now it's there and the function is good.

The titanium sides are solid and the handle is open in the back

So far no differences compared to its smaller relative. But then it was the format. In this case, the handle measures 11.4 cm in length and 1.1 cm in width and it is 2.3 cm high. Now the difference in available space for the hand is not quite as great as the measurements suggest. Since this knife has an added flipper tab, it steals some space, which is quite normal. Therefore, there is barely ten cm to grasp around.

The handle length is not enormously increased, but the handle is fuller than before, which gives more to grip around

But in return, it's an efficient use of space to the extent that this simple handle shape doesn't interfere with whatever size or shape of hands you have. The result is also somewhat better ergonomics than the smaller models. This is simply because there is more handle to grab onto. It is still far from a perfect handle from a pure comfort point of view. But it is very good and it is enough in this case. All customary grips can be used, whether you use some power and want to hold the knife in a hammer grip or want to control the blade more via a thumb or index finger on the back of the blade.

But of course, if you work for a long time, you feel that the knife is quite square across the back and that it is a knife with an open back. In relation to similar knives, however, the QSP Penguin Plus stands up very well.

Opening and Lock

In this area, you find another of the things that distinguish the "Plus" from its smaller relatives. This knife has been given multiple opening methods. The excellent thumb studs from before are still there and given that the blade is not completely hidden in the handle in the folded position, the knife can also be opened with two hands if so desired.

The novelty consists in combining these options with a flipper. In addition, one with very good function. It is easy to use in that the resistance is not very great and the shape combined with good geometry means that you don't have to think about how you approach the flipper tab. Press down and the blade comes out regardless of the angle or how you hold the knife. It is possible to use both "light switch" or "push button" movements, i.e. pull your finger back or press down when you open the knife. 

The triangular flipper tab offers good function

What is a bit special is that QSP has succeeded in tuning the resistance in the detent ball to work with the different methods of opening the knife. A piece of art that is not entirely simple, but which at least some manufacturers nowadays master. Here, the balance between the two systems is so good that I feel it doesn't matter whether you use a thumb or index finger to eject the blade.

The frame lock is simply very good

Given the material in the handle, the type of lock does not come as a surprise. The frame lock this knife comes with also has the additions we have come to expect from them whether they are needed or not. But a steel insert in the lock bar prevents "lock stick" and also extends the life of the lock and thus the knife. In addition, there is also an overtravel stop that prevents said arm from being bent out of position if you release the lock too violently.

Good access to the lock bar and the chamfered surface make the lock very easy to disengage

The function of this variant of frame lock or R.I.L (Reeve Integral Lock) as it is actually called is exemplary. I can't think of many ways it could be better. It locks every time the knife is opened, no matter how slowly or quickly it happens, while the blade is held securely. Here, no movement in the blade can be detected, even if you provoke the blade by grabbing the tip and trying to wiggle it, or alternatively lightly spine-whack the knife. 

In addition, the lock is very easy to access and disengage. Something that has been refined for this edition by giving the lock bar an angled or chamfered surface which made the sharp edge that the previous version had disappeared. Excellent so QSP!

To Carry

There is always a price to pay for enlarging a knife and that is how it feels in a pocket. It is quite obvious that the volume increases and usually also the weight. Here, the latter could have been trimmed a bit with a little more work on the inside of the handle. But the Penguin Plus still weighs in at a respectable 128 grams. Not extremely light in relation to the 86 mm blade length, but also not so heavy that you feel like you have an anchor in your pocket.

Penguin Plus offers a very good wire clip

The volume has increased because the handle is now around 11.5 cm long and in addition, there is a slightly increased height which is reinforced by a flipper tab that sticks up a bit more. Simply put, more knife in your pocket.

But the almost polished sides remain and this makes it easy to pull and put away. 

The ramp is adequate, the end does not point outwards and the space below is approved. In other words, a good clip, especially as it is stiff enough

Above all, it can be attributed to a better clip. Already in the review of the Penguin Ti, I wrote that that clip was a step forward. Mostly due to the fact that that clip felt less against the hand thanks to its placement. Here QSP has "returned" to a deep ride clip but has chosen to do it in wire format instead. This a big step forward, especially as this version is reversible for left-handed people and also feels very little in the hand when using the knife.

QSP has also understood that a good wire clip must be stiff enough not to move sideways. In addition, the ramp is adequate and the space under the clip itself is large enough to accommodate the fabric from most pockets. The tension is also well-tuned. Overall a very good clip.

A bonus is that it allows the knife to dive deep into the pocket. This makes the knife more discreet, but above all, it contributes to making the knife more difficult to drop. Although the latter is usually a discussion of a more theoretical nature.

To Conclude

I initially called this knife the Emperor Penguin. It's actually a fitting epithet. Bigger isn't always better, but in this case, damn if it isn't. An already good original model was first tweaked with a titanium handle and frame lock as well as a slightly upgraded steel. Then QSP took the plunge and added additional opening methods for those who desired it and further refined the material selection and Penguin Plus was the result.

Then it should be pointed out that for those who do not like metal handles, there are also equally exclusive versions with handles or at least a presentation side in carbon fiber available.

The QSP Penguin Plus is a nice EDC knife, here in the company of the Penguin Mini

But the big or maybe small change, in this case, can be compressed to just over ten millimeters. This difference is also somewhat reduced by the fact that the finger guard, read the flipper tab, has been added and thus steals some space. Even so, it makes that little extra for those with my hand size. I'm talking, of course, about the extra room for the hand that the addition "Plus" provides. That is where the main merit is found in my opinion.

It is not always that size changes of existing models are completely successful. But in this case, I believe that QSP not only succeeded but also did it exceptionally well. The reason is not only to be found in the format but also in the relatively subtle changes that have been made. They do not affect appearance but are precisely those small extra details that turn an already good knife into an excellent one. The handling is even a little smoother, the lock has been refined, the clip is improved, and the upgraded blade steel is the icing on the cake. 

QSP Penguin Plus is a solid knife that doesn't make a fool of itself in any context

But of course, with these improvements comes a higher price tag. The original model was and is a more budget-oriented tool and a good one at that. Instead, the Penguin Plus is a relatively exclusive and very well-built knife. Thus, it is a knife I really recommend. Assuming you like straight edges of course. That addition to the review has not been changed!

Specifications:

Length Overall: 200 mm

Length Folded: 114 mm

Weight: 127 g

Blade Length: 86 mm

Blade Thickness: 3,5 mm

Blade Steel: Crucible CPM 20CV

Handle: Titanium

Lock: Frame lock

Produced by: QSP, made in China

/ J

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