Review Civivi Clingman

  - the knife that is almost there

Trends come and go in the knife world, just as they do everywhere else. One such trend, or movement, depending on how long the phenomenon lasts, is that YouTubers not only test knives but also design them. Without thinking too much, I can immediately think of four or five names that have done it that way.

One of the latter I have come across is behind this model from Civivi called Clingman. A question that immediately arises is whether the experience and knowledge that comes from having tested many knives shines through in the end result. Another, and perhaps more difficult to answer, is whether the end product differs from something that a more typical knife maker/designer would have made.

Civivi Clingman

The man who designed this specific knife is, in any case, called Taylor Martin and runs the YouTube channel  Best Damned EDC.

According to his own statement, the inspiration for the Clingman was taken from his upbringing, his father and grandfather. The fact that it became something that can partly be said to be a "modern traditional" is perhaps not so strange. The blade has a bit of a Bowie feel to it, even though the format is otherwise small.

The goal with the Clingman was to design what Martin considers the perfect knife for EDC - "Every Day Carry". It is a field that is quite broad and, of course, clearly influenced by what your everyday life looks like. But one thing they all have in common is that they should be easy to carry. A requirement that the Clingman definitely meets. Let's find out what it can do beyond that.

Incidentally, the knife is named after a mountain peak in the Appalachians.

Taylor Martin's interpretation of the perfect pocket knife. Here in the dim winter light

Short version: Civivi Clingman is an attempt to create the ultimate EDC knife, but it only partially succeeded

Blade

What makes me associate the term "modern traditionals" in connection with Clingman is definitely the blade shape. It is a pronounced clip point with a sabre grind. Or if you want a small Bowie knife blade, as I mentioned above. With that also comes a fairly pronounced false edge. This, in turn, gives a distinct aesthetic.

The finish is satin, and the marking is discreet as usual in the case of knives from Civivi. Completely unmarked on the presentation side and the BDE logo on the opposite side.

The blade is three inches or 76 mm long, 20 mm high and 3 millimetres thick. Relatively sturdy for a small blade, in other words.

The small blade has clear "Bowie" references

How do you get a small blade to cut well? Especially since the thickness in this context is actually quite substantial and a primary grind that is as low as 11 mm. The answer to the question is, of course, that you do it hollow grind like here. Then you quickly get the thickness behind the edge down to 0.4-0.5 mm. That, combined with an equally excellent edge that Civivi usually has, means that you have a real small scalpel in your pocket. A surgeon's blade that also has a formidable tip. Or maybe that wasn't a completely correct analogy, I realise now. The knife came really sharp, but the analogy with the aforementioned surgical tool is lame, as the knife is actually quite thick behind the edge.

It is then combined with a steel in the form of Nitro-V.

The steel is Nitro-V, with a hollow grind.

What is a bit special and almost makes the Clingman feel like a recurve/S-shaped edge is that the blade sits at a fairly steep angle downwards in relation to the handle. The advantage of such a solution is that it is easier to get power into the cut as the blade bites harder, after which the cut continues.

This is reinforced by the blade shape, which gives a clear belly and is therefore also good for longer, sweeping cuts. Think of a skinning blade in miniature.

The tip is given the blade shape, very good. It is not only sharp and penetrates well, but it is also found exactly where it should be. Or more simply put, in the knife's imagined centre line.

But I still have to admit that I'm not completely satisfied with the blade. A blade with such a low primary edge and relatively thick material means that it cuts, especially double-walled cardboard, heavier than similar flat-ground blades. This applies to all similar materials. The same can be said if you cut fruit and vegetables. Not impossible by any means, but not perfect either.

As usual, the blade geometry is a trade-off of properties, and the user must decide for themselves what is best. 

Handle

The construction of the handle is not much to talk about. It is well built, as always with knives from Civivi. A heavily lightened steel frame forms the basis. The knife is open at the back and is held together by two spacers and a bolt that acts as a lanyard attachment. Clingman is built according to the modern template 1A for simpler knives, as I usually say.

The handle's overall shape is one of the areas where I disagree with Taylor Marin

On the outside of the frame, you will find sides of either G10 or, as shown here, Micarta. The latter is also available in a couple of different colours. I chose brown because I think it gives the most traditional look. Especially since Micarta is a material that ages and gets a patina over time. The sides are completely flat and only slightly bevelled.

The length of the handle is 102 mm, but since the front part forms a smaller finger guard and the back end curves slightly, only 84 mm of grip surface remains. That's not much, and one of the features I don't fully appreciate about the knife. The thickness is 12 mm, which is quite a lot in relation to the height, which varies between 20 mm at most and 16 mm at least.

The handle is open at the back

Micarta is a material that doesn't provide much grip in itself, but here it's the shape of the handle that makes up for it. The handle is slightly curved, and the back follows the inside of the hand in a good way. But then we get to the part I don't agree with at all. Mr Martin must have very different hands compared to mine, because the Clingman is not my favourite to hold or work with.

The grips that work best with the Clingman are those intended for very light work, such as holding the knife in a pinch grip or in a loose sabre grip.

The thing is that, in addition to being quite "low", which doesn't fill the hand very well, the underside is shaped so that you have a bump in the middle. I don't know exactly what it's there for, although they are usually there to provide a better grip for the fingers, usually the index finger. But here the space in front of it is too big for just one finger, and the others don't have enough space if the knife is held that way. But it's also too small for two fingers. My middle finger then ends up directly on top of the bump, which just feels strange.  

When the hand is closed around the handle with the index finger behind the finger guard, my middle finger ends up right over the raised part of the handle and my little finger right over the back edge, which is not optimal.

This makes the Clingman not particularly comfortable to hold, except for very light tasks, as it is difficult to get a firm grip, as the handle is so small, not just in length but also in height. At the same time, the bump makes the hammer grip feel less good.

Overall, a handle that does not fit my hand very well despite the seemingly simple and straightforward shape.

Opening and Lock

When it comes to opening methods, the Clingman is very modern. It offers a thumb spring but also a discreet front flipper. Consequently, there are several ways to open the knife. Especially since you can flick it out with an index finger on the back of the blade, or open the knife with two hands, of course.

Clingman also boasts multiple opening methods

Sometimes it can be tricky to combine several different ways to open a knife, as they often require different resistance in the detent ball or the lock, depending on which one is used. Here it is a ball that, like the bearings found in the knife, is also made of ceramic. This ensures a long service life, and as a bonus, they cannot rust.

But Civivi is good at locks and openings, so in this case, both basic methods are equally effective.

The double-sided thumb studs are certainly small, but they are well placed and stick out just enough to be easy to access. In addition, they are out of the way when the knife is used, and are found close to the handle. There are horror examples where thumb studs are found halfway out on the blade. Here, it is clear that Taylor Martin knows what he is looking for in an EDC knife. 

The lock is a liner lock that performs its function excellently.

Accessing the lock itself is trickier, however. The resistance in the lock bar is not particularly strong, but poking your thumb into the blade notch is a necessity to get there.

Unlike many others, I have nothing against liner locks. It's lucky because that's what's found here. It's not terribly thick, given that the thickness of the frame is 1.5 mm. But it's very well made. The blade is held in place in a firm grip without movement in the open position, and it locks as it should. The plus point is also that it's relatively easy to disengage.

However, that only applies to moving the lock bar. Getting there is a bit more complicated as this is a small knife, which means that even the blade notch is small, and you have to poke the tip of your thumb in to access the lock. Not exactly easy with big fingers. The recess on the opposite side is actually a bit small. 

To Carry

I wrote at the beginning of this review that all good EDC knives have at least one thing in common. There can be different opinions about blade shapes, and the same applies to handle design and materials. But they have to be good to carry to qualify, and the Clingman does that.

A luxurious detail, given the price range, is that the Clingman comes with a milled titanium clip.

This is perhaps not surprising, as the weight is really low at 75 g. Then the dimensions are modest as mentioned. What was a disadvantage when it came to filling the hand now shows its strengths. Small volume, a low handle and soft outer shapes make the Clingman excellent to carry.

Given the nature of the clip, some of the handle is visible when the knife is carried.

Another positive aspect is that the clip is actually good. I write "actually" because one of the few concessions to the purely cosmetic is that the knife has been fitted with a titanium clip. A milled one at that.

It is small, discreet and fits the knife well. Even better is that it does not negatively affect the grip when working with the Clingman. The tension is good for this type, and the space underneath is, if not large, then adequate. The ramp also works as long as the fabric in the jacket or trouser pocket is not too thick. 

To Conclude

So what remains is an attempt to answer the questions posed in the introduction. Or at least as far as possible.

It is difficult to answer whether this model looks different compared to one that some other knife maker or designer has been behind. One thing can be said, however, that it is not as "confused", if the expression is allowed, as some knives can be these days. In the eagerness to constantly come out with new models, it sometimes happens that knives are pure desk designs. That is, they are never tested in reality or even particularly well thought out. They are made to look a specific way, and if they happen to have good properties, that is a plus, but not a requirement.

To answer the question, I would have needed to see more knives from Martin. Only then would it have been possible to see whether there is a general design language on his part. That detail is overlooked if one only starts from practical considerations with a stated goal. Knives then tend to become somewhat generic. In addition, a single model is not a very broad selection. Especially not if one wants to study whether there are common denominators. 

Clingman is good-looking, in a sort of old-fashioned way

However, it can be said that the average knife reviewer has probably handled more knives than most, including many knife makers, and in several respects, it is noticeable that this is a well-thought-out design and that it is designed by someone who has tested a lot and knows how he wants it.

This is evident in the fact that certain characteristics have been prioritised. One such is that the knife should be easy to carry. In that area, the Clingman undoubtedly gets the highest rating. Another area is that the knife should be flexible in terms of use. The blade shape provides both a point and a belly, and the relatively thick material provides stability while avoiding the disadvantages of a low sabre grind through a hollow-ground edge. The Clingman thus cuts well in most, if not all, cases. So far, the overall impression is good.

Then there are more examples, such as the placement of the thumb studs making them almost completely out of the way of what is being cut, that there is a substantial "sharpening coil", and the angle between the blade and the handle that increases the power of the cuts. The design of those details is also no coincidence.

But then there are things that I personally would have chosen to do differently. Firstly, I would have chosen to make the knife slightly larger. Not turn it into a large knife, but a "half" size larger. This applies especially to the handle. As it is now, it is too "low" for me to appreciate it. I prefer handles that do not lean towards the round/square direction when it comes to the width/height ratio. Think of Laguiolle knives as real sinners in this regard. That type of knife always gives me the feeling that they want to roll in my hand.

What bothers me the most is the knob in the middle of the handle. It doesn't suit everyone and should, in my opinion, have been made smaller to accommodate only one finger or removed altogether. If it were to be done afterwards, it would make the handle even thinner.

But everything is chosen based on personal preferences, which makes the knife unique in that respect and therefore may not suit everyone.

Then, in general, I think that knife manufacturers should stop being so anxious and try to satisfy every single knife aficionado. It's actually enough to have one way to open the knife. In this case, the thumb studs, although the front flipper is not in the way in any way, are just redundant.

Civivi Clingman is a good pocket knife for lighter tasks, with the emphasis on "pocket". 

Not many concessions to style have been made on the Civivi Clingman, apart from the luxurious detail of a titanium clip and possibly the combination of a stylish blade with distinctive lines, combined with, above all, Micarta in the handle. But that was actually what I fell for from the start. The Clingman looks like a small Bowie knife or perhaps a small reinterpretation of a Buck 112 or similar folding knife. At the same time, modern materials and manufacturing methods make it superior to them in most respects.

If you appreciate that aesthetic and want an ultra-light, modern EDC knife for lighter tasks, then this is something for you. But you should be aware that it is smaller than you might be led to believe and that the handle is a bit special.

The price is currently around 780 SEK in Europe.

Civivi Knives

Specifications:

Length Overall: 178 mm

Length Folded: 102 mm

Weight: 76 g (weighed by me, stated 75g)

Blade Length: 76 mm

Blade Thickness: 3 mm

Blade Steel: Nitro-V

Handle: Micarta

Lock: Liner lock

Produced by: Civivi, made in China

/ J - almost satisfied

#knivesandbikes #aliaspostmortem #knivigtvarre 

New Knife - Cretace Ares

For a long time, I have been looking for a good OTF knife. What I was looking for was a Chinese-made piece in decent materials, as I don't want to pay what Microtech, for example, charges in Europe. I simply don't think they are anywhere near being worth it.*

But then this brand, unknown to me, appeared. They call themselves Cretace, and the model is called Ares.

Cretace Ares

The first thing that is special about this knife is that it is not a copy of anything, which was my first requirement. The shapes are not completely unique, but they never are on OTF knives as they have to be based on some kind of rectangular box shape to house the blade. This means that many of them look confusingly similar.

Here, the box/handle is made of 606 aluminium with all edges and corners nicely rounded. In the handle, you will then find a "window" made of Ultem. It shows the interior of the knife. So, for those who don't know how a knife like this works, the spring can be studied from the outside. The spring kicks with some force without being the hardest on the market.

The entire knife is 21 cm long, of which the handle accounts for 12 cm and the blade 9 cm. Not exactly small, in other words. The factory edge gets approved, and so does the steel, which is N690. A fully usable medium steel. In this version, the knife has a blade with a tanto tip, but it is also available as a regular drop point.

A well-built knife with a 6061 aluminium handle, N690 blade and titanium clip

An extra luxurious detail is that the clip is made of TC4 titanium, which has also been anodised to resemble the gold anodised screws that hold the knife together. They, in turn, match the Ultem inlay. It gives a well-thought-out expression.

Overall, the knife feels very solid, and for the price, it is a bargain. I can reveal that the play in the blade is almost non-existent. Something that usually characterises a good OTF. In fact, less than the last Microtech knife I handled. In addition, the sound is very satisfying, a dull "click" without the ringing that can sometimes accompany simpler knives in the category.

There will be more features with this knife, be sure!

/ J - listens to a "klack"

* This also applies to some other well-known brands such as Benchmade, Heretic, Kershaw, etc. The knife type is not cheap to begin with, and with the current surcharges, the final price in Europe is outrageous in my opinion.

Review Ferramonster Spectrum

  

-  when the whole exceeds the sum of the parts

Some reviews are harder to write than others. The problem usually arises when knives are as dull as cats in the dark, lacking a distinct level in terms of all parameters. The easiest and perhaps worst thing is to start the sawmill when something is really bad. Then all you have to do is come up with all the sharp formulations you can think of.

The next easiest is perhaps when everything essential is really good. As in this case. My first encounter with Ferramonster as a brand was the Glideman, which I previously reviewed. A completely positive acquaintance, but the fact is that it has to accept being overshadowed by today's review object, the Spectrum, which in my opinion is even more likable.

Ferramonster Spectrum

In fact, I was quite effusive when I introduced this knife. As soon as it came out of the box, the positive impressions flocked. The knife is nice to look at, the materials are among the best, and the build quality is top-notch. Not much to complain about there.

But sometimes reviews become a bit more nuanced when knives have been carried and used for a while. Any mistakes that have been made become visible, and small details that may not be completely perfect are revealed. The question is, does that also apply to the Spectrum?

I have had time to use this knife for four months now, so there is experience to start from.

    Spectrum is a knife that offers many fine details and materials of the highest quality.

Short version: Ferramonster Spectrum, a reflection that offers the full range of everything a good pocket knife can be

Blade

The first and most significant thing about a knife is the blade, and it is extra positive when it is this finely executed. Basically, it is a simple drop point we have in front of us. But what makes it extra attractive are the nice proportions. The blade is 84 mm long, 25.8 mm high at most, and the thickness is 3.2 mm.

The only decorative element is an elegantly executed swedge that runs along almost the entire length of the blade spine and underlines the shape. However, what distinguishes the blade most is the very stylish finish in the form of a hand-polished longitudinal satin. It is something extra on a knife in this price range.

The marking is not only discreet but completely absent except for the blade steel, which is found in a very discreet format on the ricasso near the handle.

The blade is a very practical drop point

What it says there is M390. It has become a staple among more luxurious folding knives in recent years. It is not so strange as it is still a very good steel with very balanced properties. Here, the hardness is stated at 59-61HRC. I would guess that it is somewhere in the middle. If I may wish for something, it would be that Ferramonster physically increase the hardness by one more notch. But even as it is now, the edge can be stated to last a very long time.

As usual, I maintain the knife mainly with the help of a strop and, if necessary, a ceramic sharpening rod.* So far, I have not had to resharpen the knife.

The steel is the very fine and proven M390, which has been given an exclusive hand-polished satin finish.

In addition to the steel being competent, the sharpening is also really good. The factory edge was sharp, and it is helped by great geometry. Just over three millimeters of steel is transformed into 0.4 mm behind the edge via a fully flat-ground blade. Yes, except for the thin false edge. However, it helps to thin out the tip considerably. The tip is therefore a real precision instrument that you have to be a little careful with. But damn, how well it penetrates! 

In other respects, the Spectrum is also a thoroughly practical knife. The advantage of this blade shape is that you get a little bit of everything. A belly that facilitates sweeping cuts, a bit of a straight edge to work with closest to the handle, and, as mentioned, a good tip.

These factors make the Spectrum a knife that is incredibly handy when it comes to all forms of everyday cutting, whether it concerns natural materials or artificial materials such as plastic, nylon rope, etc. This blade eats cardboard for breakfast, and speaking of breakfast, this is an excellent emergency knife in the kitchen. The blade is more or less a slightly wider paring knife blade. This makes it great for handling fruit, vegetables, and the like. Something that is good to know if you intend to engage in outdoor cooking.

Handle

The handle on the Spectrum is actually at least as exclusive as the blade. The basis is, of course, the ultra-light frame. It has been achieved by taking a couple of pieces of titanium and then drilling them considerably. What remains is what can be most closely compared to a truss.

A partial back spacer is found in the back. On the outside of the frame, another light material has been added in the form of carbon fiber.

The length of the handle is 108 mm, the thickness is 13 mm, and the height varies between 21 and 24 mm except for the finger guard, which measures 28 mm.

The finely crafted handle has sides of polished marbled carbon fiber that are rounded in a meritorious manner.

The handle sides are not made of just any carbon fiber, but a marbled one that has been polished to a very nice finish. In addition, they are elegantly arched. The sides are screwed in four points in addition to the pivot screw. This is because the extra screws that cover the holes that are not used by the clip help to keep the sides in place. It is noteworthy that the two screws in the middle of the handle are shorter than the rest, something to keep an eye on if the knife is disassembled.

Something that should not be done by just anyone, as this type of lock can be a bit tricky to get back in place. 

The knife's lightness is partly explained by light materials but also by a thin blade and an airy back.

It is worth noting that the knife is well thought out in this area as well. All screws are the same size, T8. Then it can be added that they are exclusive as they are also made of titanium! A finesse that is rarely found outside the world populated by custom knives.

There is just one fly in the ointment, and that is that they have unfortunately chosen not to make the decorated side of the pivot screw D-shaped. That is, it spins freely if you want to release or tighten the screw. One of the few mistakes on this knife.

The Spectrum is both well-balanced and comfortable in the hand

The first thing you think of when you grip the Spectrum is that it is very light. The second is that it is a well-balanced knife. The balance point is found just behind the lock in the middle of the indentation for the index finger. Once that finger is in place, the others follow naturally in a hammer grip. I may find that it becomes a little cramped for my little finger, which ends up over the small bump that the back end forms. But that has more to do with the size of my hand and is not a real problem.

In the saber grip, that peculiarity disappears as the little finger instead ends up behind the said tip and is instead on the rounded back end. A very comfortable grip. The thumb naturally ends up on the rather finely cut but very effective grooves that are on the blade spine. Then maybe not smooth carbon fiber is the best for providing the ultimate grip, but on the other hand, that was not what was intended with this design, so I do not see that as a disadvantage.

If you want to use a reverse grip, the Spectrum is also very comfortable to hold like an ice pick and works well if you turn the blade up with the edge facing you, as if you are going to carve heavily.

Since the handle is not particularly thick at the front, it is very easy to sneak a thumb there if you put the knife on its side in a pinch grip. Something useful for detailed work.

Overall, this is a very well thought-out handle that works in all grips and for most hand sizes. Possibly, except for the very largest. 

Opening and Lock

Spectrum opens with thumb studs, and they are excellent ones. By that, I mean that first of all, they are easy to reach without the user having to look for them or get used to the model. They just work. Then they sit well placed to provide good leverage. It gives the blade some speed for those who want it.

The knife can be opened both by flicking the blade out with your thumb or index finger on the back of the blade, or slowly for those who prefer that method.

As I usually point out, when it comes to knives with this kind of lock, you can, of course, use it to open and close the knife. It is perhaps even faster. 

The thumb knobs on this knife are exemplary

Something that makes the knife feel comfortable to handle is that Ferramonster has managed to achieve a suitable spring tension in the omega springs that hold the lock bolt in place. On this type of knife, they replace the "detent" ball that otherwise handles that task.

Another contributing factor is the fine ceramic ball bearings found in the Spectrum.

The lock is also of the highest quality. A good example of a well-functioning cross-bar lock

The lock is, as mentioned, a crossbar lock, and as such, it is very well made. It holds the blade firmly in place without play, and it is easy to access and release. You can't ask for much more. On the plus side, this type of lock is also quite strong. On the minus side, it can be mentioned that they are a bit sensitive to dirt, are difficult to disassemble, and that the springs can break. However, the latter has never happened to me, even though I own many knives of this type.

To Carry

As nice as Spectrum is to look at and use, it is just as good to carry in a pocket. There are a couple of explanations for that. One is low weight. Specturm weighs only 78 grams, which is extremely little in relation to the size of the knife, which includes a blade of almost eight and a half centimeters.

The clip is made of titanium, like most things on this knife.

The other contributing factor is, of course, a combination of external dimensions that are not too large, but above all, the shape and the soft surface. Polished carbon fiber does not provide much resistance against trouser fabric when pulling or putting the knife away.

The clip works with most pants as long as the edge is not too thick, i.e.

The third reason is that this knife has a good, but not perfect, clip. It is a really nice milled titanium clip that matches the rest of the knife well in terms of appearance. The tension is good, and the ramp is semi-high, which means that the clip works well with most normal pants and shorts. But if you have really thick fabric, like in thicker work pants or a jacket, it will be a bit too much for this clip. The same can be said about the space underneath, which is then too small. That's what I meant by 'good but not perfect'.

But on the other hand, this is not an outdoor knife or made for the heaviest work, so it goes in style with the rest of the knife. Another advantage is that the shape means that it is almost not felt at all against the hand. Something that I really appreciate.

To Conclude

I thought that Glideman might be an exception, a fluke. But look, I was wrong. Spectrum is my second knife from Ferramonster, and in my opinion, they go from strength to strength.

Spectrum is something so unusual as an exclusive knife in fine materials that is also thoroughly practical. Here, they have chosen to start from titanium. In fact, the knife is an orgy of titanium, a material found not only in the frame but in the back spacer, the screws, and the clip. Then they add a really nice carbon fiber in this version and top it off with ceramic ball bearings and, above all, a blade in M390.

Then they treat these materials well. Everything is polished and ground as it should be. No uncomfortable edges here. Something that makes this blade extra special for me is that the shape is not only a delight to the eye but also works well for use. Even though Spectrum exudes exclusivity, it is a utility knife. 

Without a doubt, the Spectrum is a very elegant utility knife

This is noticeable, for example, on the blade. After all, it is the most important component of a knife, and then it is incredibly gratifying to see one that is this well-made. This applies to everything from the highest quality materials that have been hardened and heat-treated well, through the absence of marking, to the grind and the superb finish. We are talking about a handmade satin in this case. This is not common on knives that are not handmade otherwise. The function is also excellent. An effective drop point with a fine tip and a really sharp factory edge has never disappointed anyone.

It is also a blade that is matched by an equally luxurious handle. In addition to all the titanium and the exceptionally fine carbon fiber, so-called marbled carbon fiber that has been polished to perfection, the shape is excellent. A handle that works.

Everything is rounded off with a feeling of luxury that is reinforced by the soft feel, the snappy opening, and the well-tuned lock that both performs its function and provides good speed for opening and closing the knife.

I found a feather, both in my pocket and on the walk. Ferramonster Spectrum is very light

Spectrum is a knife that I would argue falls under the category of everyday luxury. In the same category as a well-made espresso. Sure, you can get by with brewed coffee, but that little extra is sometimes worth a lot. A large part of it is about feeling. And it is found in large doses in this knife.

So if you are looking for an extremely well-built knife in exclusive materials that works really well as an EDC knife, the Ferramonster Spectrum is a very competent candidate.**

Ferramonster Knives

Specifications:

Length Overall: 192 mm

Length Folded: 108 mm

Weight: 78 g (weighed by me, stated 78 g)

Blade Length: 84 mm

Blade Thickness: 3,2 mm

Blade Steel: M390, HRC 59-61

Handle: Kolfiber

Lock: Cross-bar lock

Produced by: Ferramonster, made in China

/ J - overuses superlatives

* I worked as a butcher in my younger days, and although some claim that you ruin edges by using honing rods, I achieve good results and will probably not change my mind on that point.

** The MSRP on Ferramonster's website at the time of writing is $278 for this model. But since I started writing this text, the knife has also come in a simpler version with a 154CM blade and Micarta in the handle. The MSRP for that version is $114.

#knivesandbikes #aliaspostmortem #knivigtvarre 

Knife Review QSP Locust

-  mixed impressions

It's time to introduce another knife from QSP. A brand that I discovered by accident and that quickly grown to be one of my favorites when it comes to Chinese newcomers on the cutlery scene. They offer a good mix of fine materials and quality to reasonable prices. 

This particular model is named Locust. A closer inspection of the handle reveals the inspiration behind that name. This is a big and sturdy knife that offers a slim Wharncliffe blade and a spacious handle. An EDC-knife that can do a little bit more. Despite the positives, the first time spent with this knife wasn't totally uncomplicated for me as you are going to find out. 

QSP 117-A Locust

I guess this model can be positioned somewhere in the middle of QSP's steadily growing catalog. The Locust isn't among the simplest of models but is not one of their most advanced knives either. They are normally upgraded with a notch better steel for instance. But Locust still offers more than able materials in combination with a functional blade that can be opened via a couple of different methods. To satisfy different tastes this knife kan be had in two color themes which both are equipped with milled titanium clips. This version has the designation "A" which means a brownish handle with a golden colored clip.

A knife with quite a striking appearance

Twitter version: QSP Locust, first it jumped in the wrong direction and thereafter flew straight in the knife collection and stayed!

Blade

One of the things that definitely sell this knife is the blade shape. That is if you are a fan of slim, slightly modified Wharncliffe blades that is. The modified part, in this case, is the edge that has a slight curve to it instead of being completely straight which the basic form dictates. The curve is too small to be called a belly but it's there.

Otherwise, the blade is characterized by being quite large. It measures almost a decimeter in length, more precise 98 millimeters. As said it's pretty slim with a height of three centimeters at its highest point but soon tapers to under two and a half centimeters in front of the "hump" and down towards the distinct tip. The stock thickness is 3,5 millimeters.

Almost a 100 millimeter slightly modified Wharncliffe blade at your service

Another striking feature is, of course, the two-toned finish. Toned is, by the way, an understatement, the blade actually has two colors with the flat parts being black and the grinds being satin. You can have opinions about that look and I have. That is, I like the contrast but at the same time, I'm not totally hooked on the black parts that can look a bit cheap in my eyes. But your taste may of course vary. 

The steel is VG10 and the finish a striking two-tone

The blade is made out of Japanese VG10 steel. A capable middle of the road steel that I personally appreciate because it usually is easy to sharpen and takes a keen edge. It is especially good in kitchen knives where it often is hardened to around 60HRC or even slightly higher for optimal performance. In folding knives, it is often kept way softer which reduces edge holding. Probably that is done to achieve greater toughness but it doesn't maximize the performance of this steel. What hardness this particular blade has I'm not aware of. Somewhere around 57-59, I would guess by how it feels to strop and hone.

The blade is almost full-flat ground and the shoulders between the grind and flat sides are kind of diffuse so the blades behave like an FFG blade. The tip is pronounced and good. Sharp without being too thin.

As a user knife, the Locust is really likable. The tip does what it's supposed to, that is, penetrate stuff. It is also sturdy enough to not break. The almost straight edge gives a lot of cutting ability. As per usual it could have been slightly thinner behind the edge but at the same time, the blade feels robust. Something I exploited by attacking poor innocent pieces of wood. And in wood, the Locust actually works alright given the format of the blade. The handle is wide enough to support the hand when you put some force behind the cuts. That is especially true for the area around your little finger.

Consequently, other less tough materials such as plastic and cardboard, constitute no problems. All in all the knife gets a pass from me regarding the practical aspects.  

Handle

Locust has a big and hearty handle. It easily accommodates my hand and then some. That means that even the ones with gorilla hands or gloved ditto have enough space. The length of the gripping surface behind the flipper/finger guard is eleven centimeters and of course even more on the back of the handle. The width is 1,5 centimeters which makes the knife more comfortable in use. The more area of contact the better from this point of view.

The overall lines are, as can be seen rather simplistic with an almost straight back with a slight downward slope at the end accompanied by a finger choil and back that swells a bit to fill the hand better. The shape is enhanced with a pattern that also contributed to the name of the knife I guess. 

Rounded corners make for a comfortable handle

The sides made out of "Flax" is vaulted and as can be seen, 
the knife has an open back construction

Like most of the knives I handled coming from QSP the Locust is well made. The foundation is a weight relieved steel frame. The liners are screwed together from both sides via standoffs which gives an open-back construction.

I might add that removing material from folding knife frames isn't all about weight. It also affects balance and thereby how the knife feels in hand which is perhaps more important than the exact number in ounces or grams. The point of balance can be found a tad behind the pivot just at the finger choil.

The frame is well rounded off and sanded as it should be and there are no signs of machining marks or other negligence in production. The knife was easy enough to dismantle and put together again. The screw heads could be one size bigger in my opinion. You find T6 for the clip and sides and T8 for the pivot. But the quality of them is good enough not to cause any problems, at least not thus far. 

The frame is heavily milled out which not only lightens the knife but 
also improves balance

Locust has a special handle material. Or rather it has a unique name, it is called Flax. If I'm not mistaken it's a variety of linen Micarta. But since Micarta is trademarked manufacturers of similar materials have to chose other names for their products. But Flax feels and behaves the same way Micarta does. That is soft to the touch and it changes temperature rather quickly. That is a big plus if you live on the latitude I do. Flax doesn't feel as cold as a metal for instance. The material has pores like wood and therefore it gets patina and ages. Moisture and oils from hands and surroundings darken it and the color changes after a while.

The surface also contributes to some friction even if it's nowhere close to something like course G10. But the friction is increased by adding some vertical cut-outs in the sides. Some support is also coming from the grooves on the discreet thumb ramp.

Overall it can be said that I like this handle. The length makes it easy to grip. When holding the knife in saber grip as an example the divot at the back of the handle nicely follows the contour of the hand.

The handle is spacious enough to accommodate most hand sizes

And in the hammer grip, the handle is long enough that the end is sticking out on the other end and not poking the palm of your hand while working. There is a slight pressure from the flipper if you grip the handle close to the blade. A rather common problem associated with flipper knives. But the length of the handle makes it easy to adjust the grip and thereby avoid that problem altogether.

Opening and lock

Locust is mainly a flipper knife which the small shark fin at the back reveals. The flipper tab is quite unobtrusive, it's small and painted black. The knife can be opened both by using a push-button or a light switch motion.

And now this part of the review is going to be very much of a BEFORE and AFTER sort of affair. This particular specimen of the Locust, unfortunately, suffered from the same problem as the first run of this model and that was a weak lock bar pressure. It causes a couple of issues.

First of all the knife wasn't the fastest to open. That is the result of a combination of a large blade, a small flipper tab, and a rather weak detent. That actually made it possible to entirely miss the opening of the blade if you weren't careful and "preloaded" your finger. To be honest the detent was so weak that it gave this knife a third opening method. A faster way to open the knife than the flipper actually. Just a quick flick of the wrist and the blade came flying out.

So it became a gravity knife by accident. Besides safety issues that feature can cause problems in some jurisdictions. I happen to know that such knives are forbidden in Australia for instance.

The positive about the weak detent was that the knife easily could be open using the hole in the blade. I must say though that the resistance wasn't so weak that there was a risk of the knife opening in the pocket. Therefore I was never afraid of being bitten by the Locust.

The flipper tab is discreet, both small and painted black

The knife is equipped with a liner lock in steel. And that presents problem number two. The first generation of this model had some issues with very early lock-up on some knives. So early that there was a significant risk of lock slip. The problem was addressed in version two but unfortunately not entirely solved. The lock does engage and better than the first one but still not sufficient. A lighter smack with the palm of the hand at the blade spine closes the knife. We are not talking "spine whacking" here where you torture a folding knife by repeatedly beat the blade from the wrong direction against a hard surface. No, the knife could be closed without releasing the lock bar. To put it mildly, the lock slip problem was still present.

The somewhat notorious lock after adjustment

Well, what to do? For me, the plan was simple. Firstly I took the knife apart, bent the lock bar to increase the tension and put it back together again. The procedure is rather straight forward and since the lock bar is made out of steel and not titanium you can bend and rebend if necessary without causing andy complications. By the way, the knife is easy to disassemble and reassemble.

Step two was to contact the company and tell them about the problems. But more of that later. I can reveal as much that the response was very good and the whole deal became a positive experience in the end.

But this "surgery" on the small creature solved all the aforementioned problems, at least for this specimen. So far so good.

The knife now opens more reliable due to the snappier detent. The lock-up is secure and not even mild spine whacking causes the lock bar to slip even the slightest. The lock suddenly feels secure and I haven't experienced any problems after tweaking the knife.

The only drawback that remains is that this lock isn't the easiest to release from the beginning and that is slightly less so now with the increased lock bar tension. The space for getting to the lock bar isn't huge. There is a chamfer on the lock-bar itself but no cut out in the handle.

And there is no way you can wrist flick this knife open anymore. That is mostly a positive thing. 

To Carry

This knife is quite large in a pocket. If you are going to carry an almost four-inch long blade stuffed in a somewhat comfortable handle you have to pay something in return. In this case, the slightly odd currency is called "pocket estate". Locust demands its space and at the bottom awaits a little but small "pocket terrorist" in the shape of a shark fin at the back. But that is the "VAT" for the price of using flipper knives if I put it that way. You have to deal with what Mr. Shabazz refers to as "pocket peckers".

The clip is good looking and matches the knife, however...

Locust has a good looking milled titanium clip that matches the handle in color tone. The other version of this knife has a blue anodized clip and here it some sort of gold/champagne-like nuance. Both clips work decently. But they are certainly no masterpieces. The low ramp demands some real pushing before getting the knife in place. Especially if you wear thicker pants like jeans. The space beneath the clip is minuscule too. To pull the knife is easier since there is quite a lot of handle to grab on to**. Flax isn't as coarse as G10 either som the knife glides smoothly out of pocket.

...the function leaves some things to be desired. Space underneath
and the lip is a bit too tight

This clip shows plenty of knife sticking up when in place. The reason can be found in the distinct shape of the handle in conjunction with the need for somewhere to anchor the clip. I have difficulties to see that it could have been solved in another way with this particular design. For the same reason, QSP has skipped the lanyard hole in this model. Something I thankful for and that could have caused even more problems with the placement of the clip. 

To Conclude

This became the knife that was tested several times. Or shall  I say in turns rather? Firstly there was the original version that had those unfortunate problems described above. Besides having av crazy early lock-up the clip wasn't entirely fixed but moved a bit sideways despite the screws being tightened to the max. The latter is not present at all in the second knife by the way. On that version, the lock also engaged later and a bit more secure but the problem with lock slip remained. So the second run of testings had its ups and downs as well.  

Locust is a good larger size EDC-knife

To deal with that problem I tweaked the knife myself by bending the lock bar. That makes for a snappier action by increasing the pressure from the detent ball but most of all the lock bar engages way more secure. The operation was a success, to say the least. None of the aforementioned problems remains and my knives work as they should. QSP took the problems seriously and temporarily stopped the sales of this model and another. I, therefore, have full confidence in saying that I think that the new knives coming out late in November will be free of these kinds of problems. Especially since all other QSP knives I have are problem-free regarding locks and action. It goes for knives in as different price categories as the Parrot and the Mamba for instance. Both have excellent representations of a liner lock in steel.  

It's the blade shape that sells the Locust. A knife for the ones who like slender Wharncliffes

What can be said about the tweaked version of the Locust then? Well, the basic design is really good. Personally, I prefer a somewhat more stout blade when it comes to Wharncliffes but that can be found on other QSP knives and that is, therefore, something I will discuss on another occasion. As it happens I'm testing such a knife for the moment. But for those who like a more slender look, this knife is a competitor.

The action is after treatment not only decent but actually quite good. Some well-placed grooves on the flipper give traction and the blade opens with authority for being as substantial as it is. And that is something you should be aware of. Locust is a rather big knife and nothing for the ones looking for a small knife to cut apples with. More a knife for those who like eating watermelons during there lunch break at work.

On the positive side, the knife is besides having very harmonic lines, quite practical. The slightly curved edge cuts better against flat surfaces than completely straight ones even if the flipper, of course, gets a bit in the way. The pointy appearance of the blade is also both very useful and adds to the overall appearance.

Another thing this knife has going for it is the handle. It is both comfortable and stands out in a crowd by looking a bit unique. The knife justifies its name! It is a locust and it jumped into my collection where it stays for now.

Specification:

Length Open: 8.75" (222 mm)

Length Folded: 4.875" (124 mm)

Weight: 4.1 oz (115 g)

Blade Length: 3.875" (98 mm)

Blade Thickness: 3,5 mm

Blade Steel: VG10

Handle: FLAX on a steel frame

Lock: Liner lock

Produced by: QSP, made in China.

/ J - the hobby entomologist

* I was in contact with the company and they let me know that sales of this model and the Pelican are stopped until further notice. They also said that there will be a new and improved version in November.   

** Even if I personally do think that is a non-issue with the right technique. You don't need a lot of knife sticking out to pull it. You just stick your thumb in the pocket instead, problems solved with ALL knives.

#knivesandbikes #aliaspostmortem #knivigtvarre