Review Spyderco Resilience Lightweight

 

 -  large and light, a folding knife for outdoor life

To date, I have reviewed about 35 knives from Spyderco. But even though I own several more, it has only been one from the "Tenacious series", which was their first venture into what they call "value folders". A category that means slightly simpler knives in terms of materials and manufactured in China. Everything to bring the price down and make them more competitive even in lower price segments. That family has since grown with models such as Efficient, Emphasis, Astute, etc. However, the line to their budget brand "Byrd" is fluid on that part although in this series you get a more pronounced Spyderco design.

It is one of the Value Folder knives we will take a closer look at today. The biggest actually, which goes by the name of Resilience.

Spyderco C142BK Resilience Lightweight

What is new is that a series called Lightweight has been released where the models Tenacious, Persistence, and Resistance have received a treatment which means that the G10 sides in the handles have been replaced with FRN. In addition, Spyderco has launched a luxury version of Resilience with a blade in S35VN steel. It is of course more expensive and the question then is what is the point of a so-called "value line". But that is the subject of another post.

However, it is not that version but the simpler of the two FRN variants of Resilience that is in focus here. 

Resilience, a lightweight beast from Spyderco

Twitter version: Lighter meant not only less weight but also better. The ergonomics got a boost in the right direction and the Spyderco Resilience is therefore an excellent choice for those looking for a large folding knife at a relatively good price.

Blade

The blade of this knife is of course identical to the original model. This means one of Spyderco's basic shapes, a "leaf-shaped" blade which is in practice a drop point where the back line is slightly modified to accommodate the blade hole. That consideration makes the blade wider than many others, and in addition, a thumb ramp naturally occurs at the base of the blade. In this case, it is equipped with grooves for increased traction.

Then it is not a small blade we are talking about as it measures over a decimeter in length, more precisely 107 mm. The height is 32 mm and the blade thickness is 3.1 mm. There is not too much in relation to the size of the blade, height, and not least the fact that it tapers towards the tip.

Resilience offers a formidable blade

The material in both this FRN version and the previous one is 8Cr13MoV, one of the simpler Chinese budget steels that are sometimes condescendingly called "number steels". But with that said, it is not that bad for pocket knives. To begin with, it is fairly resistant to rust given that it has been treated correctly during manufacture. Then it actually takes a good edge, even if it doesn't last forever.

It is also not the world's most impact-resistant steel in my experience*. But as I often point out, the fact that it is relatively easy to grind is not something you should turn a blind eye to. Especially not in a utility knife. Not all knife users have access to modern sharpening systems with fixed angles and diamond stones, and that aspect is important. 

The steel is as before Chinese, but Sal's marking has been added and the text "China" has been made smaller

As is usually the case with knives from Spyderco, the blade is fully flat ground. It provides excellent cutting properties provided the manufacturer does not skimp and has too much steel right behind the edge. In this case, it is 0.6 mm. Not the thinnest but in return, it is a fairly large knife.

The factory edge gets approved but no more. The knife arrived sharp but nothing extremely good. The edge is reasonably even but is steeper towards the tip. 

One thing worth noting is that the blade is slightly angled downwards in relation to the handle. It makes it easier to use the edge and especially the belly of the blade when cutting. A well-thought detail.

The combination of good texture on the sides of the handle, a recess for the index finger, and a thumb ramp with additional grooves make it very difficult to slip whether you are working with or without gloves. Even if it is used to stab with. This means that you as a user do not hesitate when you need to puncture, for example, heavy plastic packaging or the like.

You don't have to be afraid to do that either, as the tip is unusually robust for sitting on a Spyderco. Otherwise, the blade is quite flexible in terms of areas of use. The fact that the edge is drawn all the way to the handle is certainly a disadvantage when the knife needs to be resharpened, but is in return a great advantage when cutting wood, whether it is dry or fresh because you get closer to the material. There you have both more power and control.

In everyday materials such as cardboard, plastic of various types, and fabric, Resilience is formidable as a cutting tool. The wide blade slides through the materials thanks to the flat grind which makes the transition to full blade thickness gentle. Then the blade shape is a great asset in all forms of outdoor cooking. That's a bonus in this case.

Handle

The difference between this new version and the original is in the handle. The construction is the same as before with a lightened steel frame that the sides are then screwed in. In this case with three screws in addition to the pivot screw, which of course makes the knife sturdy. Especially as the lanyard hole itself consists of a steel tube, which further strengthens the construction.

However, the material in the handle sides itself is completely new. Here, the fairly smooth G10 has been abandoned in favor of heavily patterned FRN or "Fiber Reinforced Nylon" as it stands for. The actual coarseness or friction does not come from the material but from the pattern, which is Spyderco's "bi-directional", which means that there are heels in the molded plastic that bite the hand regardless of which direction the load comes from. It provides a grip that is on the verge of being too good sometimes. However, those looking for that quality need look no further.

The handle offers plenty of space and a very good grip

Otherwise, it can be said that the knife is open in the back. The spacers found there are not shaped in any way which is a pretty sure sign of a more budget-oriented knife. I say "more" because Spyderco's are rarely cheap. The frame on which the knife is based is unusually strong with its 2 millimeters. It matches the size of the knife which attracts heavier usage. 

The open back reveals simple spacers and that the frame is lightened

The actual dimensions of the handle are enough for most people, even those with really big hands. The length is around thirteen centimeters and most of that can be used to hold around. The height is 2.9-2.4 cm and the thickness of the handle is 12 mm. This also makes the knife excellent for those who want to use it with gloves on.

 Resilience is a substantial but well-balanced folding knife

The fact that the handle is spacious means that all grips the undersigned can think of work. The thumb ramp with its grooves is both figuratively and literally made to place a thumb on, and thus the saber grip feels completely natural. Likewise, the hammer grip feels excellent, not least because the handle is quite high, which fills the hand better than slimmer handles. Then you can cut close to the handle and that is the grip at least I use the most.

The spacious handle makes it easy to vary the grip

For the same reason, a high but thin handle is advantageous. The edge is where you expect it, so to speak. With the giant "finger choils" that have become modern, the edge is moved far from the handle, which makes such grips difficult to work with. But that is not the case here. 

Opening and Lock

Like basically all Spyderco knives, Resilience also opens via a hole in the blade. After all, it is their signature and what is found on most of the non-flipper knives in their catalog. In this case, the hole works fine but everything else would have surprised me.

Good means that the location in relation to the handle makes the hole both easily accessible and that the blade can be easily maneuvered.

A blade hole, what else? But a very well-functioning one should be added

The sides of the holes are not chamfered, which Spyderco sometimes receives criticism for as they are perceived by some as too sharp. If you are one of those who think so, it is easy to make a turn with a sharpening stone on the inside. Otherwise, it provides a better grip and prevents the thumb from slipping as easily. Especially not with cold or wet hands. Something that is also in line with the knife's area of use.

A very strong liner lock

In the same way, this is a rather strong lock, especially for being a liner lock. This is achieved by having a lock bar that is two millimeters thick and with adequate height. It simply gives a greater area of contact between the blade base and the lock bar.

The lock bar has been provided with some deep grooves for a better grip and is easy to access when the knife needs to be closed thanks to a generous recess in the handle on the opposite side.

The function itself is excellent and anything else would have upset me even though the Resilience is not one of Spyderco's most exclusive knives. But they usually make good locks, and that is the case here too. The blade is held in place without play in any direction. Nor does it slip under load or react to lighter hits from the wrong direction, i.e. the blade spine. In short, it does what a lock is supposed to do. 

To Carry

All knives have their pros and cons and sometimes one or the other dominates. Sometimes it's a close call. As for how Resilience is to carry, the latter applies. Certainly, it is relatively light, but the word was relative. However, it is other dimensions that make it somewhat less sympathetic in the pocket. It is not extremely thick with a width of 12 millimeters. However, it is both long and, as is so often the case with Spyderco knives, quite tall. It measures 13.2 cm by 4.3 cm in those dimensions.

On this knife, I have actually chosen to have the clip mounted at the pivot screw

Another complicating factor is the pattern I praised above. It gives an extremely secure grip, but it also causes the knife to tear against everything else as well. But here is a small detail that Spyderco has implemented since a few years ago that must be highlighted. That's how they chose to have the small plate with the logo just below the clip. It reduces the problem of fabric being pinched between a rough pattern and a strong clip.

It's a strong clip that didn't work as well without the flat surface it rests on

The clip, it's recognizable. It belongs to one of Spyderco's standard variants. Although my impression is that they usually are a bit thicker and thus feel a bit clumsier on models made in China. 

It can be mounted in all four "corners". Sometimes I can find it doubtful if it is necessary. But maybe not on a knife this big. Namely, I belong to those who actually shift the clip on some large folding knives. Today, it has almost become "law" or at least the norm among knife enthusiasts to carry knives equipped with a clip with the tip facing up, i.e. the clip attached to the back end of the handle. It mostly applies to me too, but there are exceptions. In part, it may be about knives that become more comfortable in the hand due to the design of the clip or, as here, that size plays a role.

Because the handle is so long, otherwise the knife must first be pulled, and then one is forced to shift the hand forward on the knife to access the hole with the thumb before the blade can be opened. Personally, I find it easier to instead spin the knife a quarter of a turn to achieve the same.

The clip otherwise works well. The ramp is good, it doesn't feel much in the hand because the handle is so big and it holds the knife in place. The tension is quite strong but not unaffordable.

To Conclude

The first impression of either the original or this version of Resilience is that it's a big damn beast. It is one of Spyderco's largest folding knives. As I said, the blade is over a decimeter long, and the knife measures thirteen centimeters in the pocket. But then there was the weight. It is light and sometimes you talk about how much weight you have to "pay" for a certain edge length. Here, that ratio is very good.

Resilience belongs to Spyderco's larger folding knives. Here in comparison with the Military and Police 4

The question, however, is whether Resilience is too big as an everyday knife? For many it probably is, and for others, all knives are too big except for a Victorinox Classic. But at the same time, if you know you have big hands or just like substantial knives, this is a very good candidate. Then there are all the other uses for a knife in addition to acting as a pure pocket knife for everyday use.

Of course, you can carry Resilience as an EDC knife, but preferably combined with something smaller

That's actually where I mainly see Resilience LW, that is, as a knife for the "other" tasks. Then I think most of an outdoor knife, regardless of what that means for you. Spyderco, in this case, has managed to pack in several important features that are significant in that context. The first is the weight, 125 grams in this case. It means less to carry, which is important if you are hiking or cycling, for example. But then the flat-ground, wide, and long blade gives very good properties even when, for example, outdoor cooking, whether it's more advanced tasks or if it's just slicing a piece of salami for a sandwich. This knife has replaced my old Military in that area.

Equally important is the grip which in this version with the FRN in the handle and fitted with this pattern is significantly better than the original. That, in combination with the fact that the edge is drawn all the way to the handle, means that you can use some force if necessary. Something that is especially nice when the firewood for that fire for said cooking needs to be provided. The fact that the lock is unusually strong for a liner lock does not make matters worse.

Then the geometry makes the blade exceptionally good for cutting materials such as cardboard and the like. The fact that it's a Spyderco means that you don't have thumb studs and the like that can hang up in the material helps. 

I mainly consider the Spyderco Resilience Lightweight as an outdoor knife

For those who think that the steel quality does not match the other characteristics but who like the model in general, there is, as I said, an upgraded version with CPM S35VN in the blade instead. A more expensive knife for sure, but otherwise with the same dimensions. And for those who hesitate about the price for both options, the original with G10 sides can actually be found at a lower price sometimes.

To everyone else, I can only say that Spyderco with the Resilience Lightweight has improved an already good model and is thus a good choice for those looking for a large folding knife for mostly outdoor life. Yes, and should you hesitate about the size, there is always the little brother Tenacious Lightweight. 

Specifications:

Length Overall: 239 mm

Length Folded: 132mm

Weight: 125 g

Blade Length: 107 mm

Blade Thickness: 3,1 mm

Blade Steel: 8Cr13MoV

Handle: FRN

Lock: Liner lock

Produced by: Spyderco, made in China

/ J 

* Something that I test thoroughly in throwing knives, among other things.

** This has caused me to sandpaper the surface on some models to reduce the friction somewhat. This applies, for example, to Manix 2.

#knivesandbikes #aliaspostmortem #knivigtvarre 

Review EKA RTG-1

  

- a serious step towards a broadened range

With this new venture, the long-standing Eskilstuna Knivaktiebolag is leaving or perhaps rather supplementing its more traditional range. There you will find, for example, classic folding knife models in the Swede series and fixed blades of all kinds for hunting and other outdoor activities. Not least, the G3 "Swing blade" is a well-known model among hunters.

The modernization has previously mostly consisted of some models getting handle materials other than wood, read "orange or black rubber", even though they have been producing knives with plastic handles for a long time as well.* However, the models have mainly been of the classic type with slip joints and lock backs. But then something happened and the catalog was expanded with a couple of more modern folding knives and not least this knife called RTG-1. 

It can be said to be EKA's flagship when it comes to both capacity and quality among the fixed blades, which made me curious. It simply looks very competent!

EKA RTG-1

As for the new venture, it must be admitted that I, certainly without having handled them, is not entirely convinced of the merits of some of the folding knives. Especially not after taking a closer look at what the Classic 8 Titanium has to offer. There, for example, the sales text enumerates all the merits of titanium and what it is used for, but then it turns out that the knife is not made of titanium but of steel with a titanium coating and all that entails. An extremely dubious text and probably a knife in my eyes. Nor does the design of the T9 impress, which already shows visible flaws in the design to name a couple of examples.

Therefore, expectations were not very high when I was waiting for the RTG-1 must be confessed. Imagine my surprise as this knife is as solid as a knife can be and to a very high standard.

But EKA has also turned to experts in the field. Unfortunately, this knife is not made in Sweden and no Swedish materials are involved either. But the next best thing is to use the production capacity of those who know their stuff. In this case, they have turned to the Idaho-based American company Rowen Manufacturing. That's why those who think they recognize the style of the knife when it comes to the sheath, blade finish, and handle screws are right. They are the ones who make ESEE's knives too! Something that can be traced in appearance.

The knife can be obtained in a number of different designs where the color of the blade and the handle material are varied. Either the knife comes with G10 in the handle like this black version or linen Micarta is used.

RTG-1 är en robust kniv som klarar det mesta

Twitter version: EKA RTG-1, an abbreviation to be read "Ready to Go". The name describes this Swedish-American in a good way. It's actually ready to spring into action and can handle almost anything you ask of it.

Blade

Blade shapes can be made more or less complicated. In this case, the person or persons behind the design have invested in simplicity. This means a drop-point blade with harmonious proportions. Concretely, this means a length of 15 cm and a height of 3.3 cm. The thickness of the blade is 5 mm, which I think is well-balanced to balance durability against the ability to cut well.

Now the thickness is not the only factor for performance, but other geometry, including thickness behind the edge, plays a big role. RTG-1 measures a full 1-1.2 mm there by the way. A strong and durable edge, but it needs to be properly sharp in order for it to cut. Given that and that the transition to the thicker part of the blade is quite abrupt, this is not a "slicer" as they say in English. The knife is more suitable for chopping and cutting. 

1095 carbon steel is found in the 15 cm long drop point blade

The blade is fully flat ground with a distinct secondary bevel. And while I'm on the subject, it can be said that the factory edge was really good! It is both straight and symmetrical and also sharp as hell. The knife shaved hair without any resistance and despite the relatively thick blade with its coating, it slid through paper with a faint hiss.

The coating given to the blade is the same as found on many of ESEE's knives.** About that there is a lot to say and I really would have preferred a smoother finish than what powder coating gives. The one that exists actually provides some resistance in some materials. In return, it is very durable and there has been no wear and tear during this time. But given the choice, I prefer some form of DLC.

The steel used is a familiar carbon steel in the form of 1095. EKA themselves claim that it is chosen because it is superior to stainless steel in terms of strength. With modern steel, it is probably something that can be discussed from a practical perspective, but basically, they are right and I see no problem with the choice of material. Properly treated, it is a steel that can be made extremely sharp and which also exhibits high impact resistance. Something that can be good in this type of knife where some abuse can be relevant. It is also steel that is easy to both maintain and resharpen. The downside is that it has a tendency to rust. That's why they chose to coat the blade, which solved that problem for the most part.

The blade is powder coated to prevent corrosion

As I said, the factory edge was sharp, but it is noticeable when you use the knife that the steel is quite soft. Sharpness must be maintained fairly frequently. EKA does not specify a hardness number, but only writes on the website that the steel is "specially treated". If we ignore the poor language it doesn't say much, but I guess it is the coating rather than the sharpness that is referred to. But in ESEE's own models, the steel is usually kept as soft as 55-57 HRC. We are thus talking about "Victorinox soft". Unlike small folding knives, the RTG-1 does not cut very well when the edge is dull. 

The material I have worked with the most is, of course, wood in various varieties, both dry and fresh. As I said, this is an outdoor knife and is, therefore, of course, used for fire making. I'm not a "bushcraft person", so rubbing sticks against each other using "bow drills" and the like is not relevant. But some chopping of thicker branches, batoning wood and sometimes cracking smaller pieces are. For all this, the RTG-1 is an exemplary knife. It doesn't have the weight and size to be used as a chopper, but there I use a small ax instead. On the other hand, it is sturdy enough that one should dare to hit it when batoning or if it is to be forced through hardwood crosswise against the grain.

RTG-1 cuts through most anything including car tires

The knife is almost as sympathetic when it comes to carving. The balance combined with good control and a good edge angle for that type of work helps. So for a knife that falls into the military/survival knife category, it's not bad at all even for detail work. But it is clear that it doesn't compare favorably to a smaller knife when it comes to finesse. But there are always compromises to be made with this type of knife.

The tip is relatively thin to be found on such a robust knife. But the fact that it lasts has been confirmed by the fact that on many occasions I have rammed it into my throwing knife targets**** and bent the knife sideways. Otherwise, it can be pointed out that the penetration ability is very good. Something that is emphasized by the shape of the handle and the finger guard. No risk of slipping. This means that you also dare to drill with the knife if necessary.

Other materials such as cardboard and fabric are no problem to handle either. However, this is not my first choice for outdoor cooking. Sure, a sharp edge can be used for most things, but the RTG is thick behind the edge, the blade is thick and the coarse coating doesn't help if you have to chop onions. But that was probably not the intended use of the knife either.

The ultimate test of a knife's construction, is knife throwing!

An extreme form of abuse is throwing a knife. In addition to possible misses, strong vibrations occur in the knife upon impact, which can cause any normal knife to self-destruct. The RTG-1 survived a while of throwing which is impressive!

In addition, I have actually tried chopping and cutting car tires (abandoned ones should perhaps be emphasized, the car owners will be so sad otherwise) and cutting thick carpet just to see how it feels. It can be said that the knife can perform such tasks without damage to the edge or tip. The same applies to ropes of a tougher variety. But there the knife loses its sharpness after a while. This especially applies to slightly dirtier tamps that have been in the lake for a while. There is often a little dirt and sand in them. In those contexts, I highly recommend that you carry a sharpener in your pocket.

Handle

The RTG-1 is a classic full-tang knife where the steel is exposed all the way from the ricasso to the pommel. It also sticks out, so it can be used as an improvised impact tool. There is also a hole for a lanyard. The handle sides are made of G10 which are screwed in place with three very strong bolts. A construction that won't break in the first place. In addition, it means that the knife can be disassembled for cleaning if desired. Or to switch the handle material if you feel like it. I think a pair of dark wooden sides would look nice. 

It can also be added that the G10 is, if not indestructible, at least extremely difficult to break. In addition, it is resistant to many corrosive substances as well. Both G10 and the other option Micarta are therefore good choices for this type of knife.

RTG- is a full tang knife with sides in G10 or Micarta

In terms of shape, the handle is rather short and thick

However, the sides that come original are well shaped and fit my hand well. Or rather, the grip took some getting used to in my case. Namely, it differs from most in a couple of respects. In general, it is shorter than many others*** The available grip length is just over ten centimeters measured from behind the finger guard to the end of the handle sides. 

The finger guard is otherwise very well designed and fulfills its function well without adversely affecting the ergonomics. This means that it does not cut into the finger as soon as you stab with the knife.

To provide a good grip, there is a combination of a finger guard and a deep recess for the finger complemented by grooves on the underside of the handle. Then the G10 material itself provides some traction 

The sides of the handle are flat but well-chamfered towards the edges. The surface is fairly smooth, which does not give much traction, but this is compensated by a ribbed pattern on the underside. Then the deep finger recess makes the grip significantly stronger. Without it, I wouldn't have appreciated the handle as much. Now it's good.

The standard grips work well, although the handle shape required a bit of getting used to on my part

The thickness of the handle is 22.5 mm but feels thicker, probably because the handle is short as I said. Even so, the most used grips work. This applies to both a normal hammer grip and a saber grip with a thumb on the intended grooves on the back of the blade. Sympathetic is also that the reversed grips are comfortable. Unlike folding knives, it happens that I hold a fixed blade like an ice pick or turn the edge if I am going to chop or carve against the body with "draw cuts" when needed. 

Sheath

The RTG-1 comes with a well-made Kydex sheath. It is of the "taco" type, ie it consists of a sheet of Kydex which is then folded around the knife and shaped. It has then been fitted with nine eyelets which both hold the sheath together and act as attachment points. It is therefore easy to attach the knife to whatever you feel like. I myself used the knife for a long time without the belt clip. Instead, I carried the knife loosely in a bag or alternatively attached it to the outside of one of my backpacks.

The well-made sheath is made of Kydex and holds the knife in a firm grip

The sheath has a very good fit, which means that the knife sits fairly securely. But still not so hard that it is difficult to pull. But if I were to carry the knife upside down, I would use the supplied cord with a drawstring to secure the knife in the sheath, just in case. It doesn't fall out by itself or with light shaking, but if you know that you're going to throw yourself out of an airplane, be around deep waters, or the like, extra security isn't bad. Therefore, I would have liked to have seen a complementary retainment strap on the sheath. 

The belt attachment consists of a metal clip that is attached to a removable Kydex plate

The fit also makes the knife quiet when sheathed. This a detail that is rather important, not least for the hunter who needs to be silent. But even in general, wearing a rattle on your hip is annoying. That is avoided here.

At the bottom is a drainage hole, a detail that is especially needed on a knife equipped with a carbon steel blade.

The knife can either be lashed to equipment or backpack as said or perhaps more commonly carried with the included clip. The clip is attached to a plate of Kydex that allows you to carry the knife high or, as I prefer, a little lower on the belt. It was attached with four Chicago-type screws with rubber spacers in between. One limitation is that the size only allows up to 50 mm belt width. It might be good to know. Since it is a steel clip, it can certainly be attached to wider straps than that, but then it does not sit as securely. 

Conclusion

With the RTG-1, in my opinion, EKA have succeeded well in their goal of broadening and modernizing the range. The knife is very robust and may be counted in the class of military/survival knives as it is usually called in mainly Anglo-Saxon parlance. I consider it an all-around knife for outdoor life of all kinds. But I have no problem seeing the knife in the first-mentioned roles either. The design feels well thought out and the construction is tough enough.

The competition is fierce and comes, for example, from the Czech ANV. But the EKA RTG-1 stands up well in comparison

However, competition is fierce in the segment. Among many others, there is the Fällkniven A1, the well-established M07 Sissipuukko from JP Peltonen, and not least the ANV M311 Spelter I recently reviewed. Then there are always ESEE knives such as model 6, given the kinship.

But the fact is that the RTG-1 compares well with other knives. It can live on its own merits. There are a few things in the plus account that contribute to that. 

RTG-1 is, in my opinion, a good knife for outdoor life, although I like to supplement this type of knife with a folding knife

Firstly, in terms of quality, the RTG-1 can compete with most if we are to count knives in the slightly more robust school. This is a simple but very well-built knife. Rowen knows what they are doing and EKA was right to turn to them even if it probably affects the price tag.

But what I think is one of the main merits of the knife is good balance. This means that the knife, which is certainly not huge, feels almost nimble in the hand. Being quick and lively makes it a joy to work with. Especially since at the design stage, they chose to refrain from the American invention of "finger choils". There are those that work but the exceptions prove the rule in my opinion. The fact that the edge is drawn close to the handle makes the knife easier to work with. This is where the precision is found and not least the power if you need to put weight behind the cuts. 

The shape of the handle, and not least the width, provides a good contact surface against the hand and thus you can use force when required. Incidentally, the handle of the RTG-1 was one of the things that surprised me the most. It feels short and thick but with some getting used to it is comfortable.

Then the RTG-1 is a durable knife. That's one of the selling points and I'm inclined to agree with them. If you can throw a knife without it falling to pieces after a while, it is sturdy. Likewise, I failed to bend the tip despite some deliberate abuse.

EKA RTG-1 is a knife for those looking for a robust knife for mixed outdoor life

Having said that, I can't help but recommend the EKA RTG-1 to anyone looking for an extremely robust knife for mixed outdoor life. It also doesn't hurt that it's pretty good-looking for being of this type.

Specification:

Length Overall: 270 mm
Blade Length: 150 mm
Blade Thickness: 5 mm
Steel: 1095 with powder coating
Weight: 290 g / 420 g with and without sheath
Handle: G10
Sheath: Kydex

Produced by EKA, made in the USA


/ J

* Among them, the Swedish design classic Swede 38 can be mentioned.

** I already have experience with it from a small Candiru.

*** For comparison, the ANV M311 can work which is a similar knife with roughly the same size. There, the grip length is 11.5 cm, and then the front part is angled, which makes the handle even longer. Then a "forward finger choil" is added for even more grip options.

**** The material is slow-grown thick birch. Before they are watered, they are quite hard. Incidentally, one task for which I frequently use knives is to "shave" the targets. That is, cut away any loose material to make them firmer again.

Review ANV Knives M311 Spelter

  - a serious challenger from the Czech Republic

Acta Non Verba Knives or ANV as it is abbreviated is a brand from the Czech Republic that I presented here on the blog before. What was relevant then were folding knives of a few different types. Now it's time for a fixed blade instead. Nor is it just any knife but the M311 Spelter. A military and survival knife that was developed for the toughest conditions. Now I do not intend to devote myself to "survival" in that sense, but when I saw the balanced measurements, I realized that this is also an excellent knife for outdoor life in general.

After that, it only remained to see if my positive expectations had any bearing in reality.

ANV Knives M311 Spelter

M 311 Spelter is a knife that, like the Swedish Fällkniven F1*, was developed in collaboration with various units within the respective Armed Forces, including the air force. That background means that there are some common denominators between it, the M311 Spelter, and a number of other well-thought-out survival knives on the market. These are areas such as general dimensions, the design of the handle, and the functionality of the blade.

As usual in the case of ANV Knives, the knife can be built on their website, which gives many options when it comes to appearance. You can choose between seven different variants on the blade and three colors on the handle as well as three more colors for the sheath. Then you can start counting the number of combinations. In terms of appearance, most people are likely to be satisfied!

Acta non verba Knives offers only the best materials in this knife

Twitter version: ANV Knives M311 Spelter, a military and survival knife built from pure top materials to handle most things. A real home run!

Blade

Spelter is a knife that has a very advanced blade hidden behind a simple basic shape. It is a classic drop point used as a canvas for this work of art. Subsequently, it has been provided with a number of distinctive details such as a pronounced recess for the index finger, depression for the thumb at the base of the blade spine, and not least a swedge which does not start at the tip, which is rather unusual. In addition, a rounded blade spine can be added and the blade is blackened.

The dimensions are restrained, which means a blade length of 12 cm with a height of 3.7 cm. The stock thickness is 5 mm which is not excessive to belong to this class of knives. It gives a strong knife without it becoming heavy and clumsy.

The twelve-centimeter long blade is blackened by DLC

The steel is Swedish Elmax ** in this case. No doubt it belongs to the group of the so-called "super steels". Elmax Superclean is powder steel which, in addition to being able to get very sharp, is also extremely durable. This applies to both sharpness and toughness. This means that if it does not stay sharp forever, then at least for a very long time. A bit of maintenance in the form of a few strokes with a ceramic or diamond sharpener or rod and you do not have to resharpen your blade very often. 

My previous experiences with Elmax are that it is really rust-resistant but that like all steels it can get stains and therefore ANV has chosen to provide the blade with a black coating. Then there is probably some thought that reflexes should not be visible, but it is a trait I personally am less interested in. But it's true, the matte surface does not glisten if you point a flashlight at it in the dark.

In this case, it is DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon) that was used to make the blade black. It is theoretically one of the most sustainable alternatives available. It turns out to apply in practice as well. During the test period, it has not worn despite the fact that I beat on the knife a bit, among other things by batoning very dry hardwood. 

The blade steel is Elmax hardened to 60 on the Rockwell scale. It gives a blade that keeps its sharpness for a very long time

The blade has been provided with a high flat grind, a "saber grind", which ends with a decent factory edge. The knife was sharp on arrival but not one of the sharpest. The edge shaved hair with some pressure if it says anything? The thickness behind the primary edge is 0.8 mm.

This means that Spelter is rather thick behind the edge, which of course is a result of the intended area of use. In a knife of this type, durability is one of the priorities. I have chosen to sharpen the knife and in connection with that reprofile the edge slightly. Elmax can be thinner without risking being brittle. A heads-up when it comes to that bit though. This is a "super steel", which means that you have to invest some elbow grease to get the knife sharp again. On the other hand, that sharpness lasts for an extremely long time, as I said. 

Spelter has also been used to chop in both fresh and, in this case, extremely dry wood. All to see if the edge would bend or get damaged. The long handle allows you to hold far back to get more power when chopping

That detail together with the choice of material and the general appearance of the knife makes you want to test it hard. After all, this is a tough military/survival / outdoor knife, which means that I used it for typical outdoor chores. It includes cutting ropes and some thinner cortege and of course wood in lots of shapes. This means both fresh branches and dry wood. I have split wood both lengthwise and crosswise. The last literally was when Spelter was used to hammer through wood against the fibers. No sign of edge damage after that either. In addition, I have tested the strength of the tip by jamming it into various pieces of wood and prying it out sideways. It holds up for that too!

Thin fresh wood is of course not a challenge, but it shows that the M311 Spelter also works well for more detailed work. It is easy to shift grip and move forward and actually use the finger choil

"Batoning", or the noble art of splitting wood with a knife, poses no problem either

Then, of course, the knife has also been used to make fire. It includes preparing firewood, splitting small logs, and making some kind of feather sticks. That is not my forte. I also used the knife with fire steel. The latter must unfortunately be done with the edge. If you know that it is a recurring task, I recommend that you sharpen a piece of the swedge for the purpose.

In addition to that, I have of course used the M311 on non-natural materials including cardboard, plastic, jute fabric, and dirty nylon rope, which is something that wears extremely on the edge. It handles those materials gallantly. Then it is if not fantastic then fully compatible with onions as well. That is if you want to indulge in a little outdoor cooking. Even camouflage-colored warriors on two legs must eat.

Overall, this knife is just as versatile as I hoped and wanted!

Handle

There are a couple of different basic types of handles and a dividing line can be drawn between thinner handles and the fuller ones. This handle belongs to the latter variety. It really fills the hand and does it in an excellent way. It is not far from perfection. The length is 15 cm, the height is around 3 cm and the thickness varies between 1.9 cm to a full 2.8 cm.

Then this handle is very anatomically shaped to provide good ergonomics in a number of different grips. To begin with, there is a really good "forward finger choil", a recess for the index finger, which in combination with the finger guard provides high security if you use the tip or stab with the knife. Then ANV has chosen to let the handle taper off to improve the grip. The handle also includes a palm swell and then narrows again before it ends with a small edge at the back where the knife is both thicker and has a small beak to hold the hand in place. The handle also has a recess on the top of the handle for the thumb where a couple of solid grooves have been cut out to further improve the grip. That depression also has its equivalent on the blade mentioned earlier.

ANV has achieved a very well-thought-out handle that provides good ergonomics

A lanyard hole is found in the extended tang. It can also be used as an improvised hammer as long as it isn't steel in the receiving end. But for hammering a pole into the ground the knife works great.

It is thus a very advanced handle when it comes to shape. At the same time, it is amazingly simple and fits the hand very well. In pictures, I think it is reminiscent of knives from, for example, Bill Harshey, which is a good rating.

The handle is very well sculpted

The material that is so well shaped is Micarta of the highest quality. It is then screwed with four (two per side) M5 screws which, like the blade, are DLC-treated to hold better. The knife is a full tang knife as can be seen in the pictures and ANV has chosen to let the steel stand proud to round off the profile further. Here, too, the steel is well rounded. 

The most interesting question is whether all these forms can also be used in practice. The answer is short, yes it is possible. Not only does it work but it's excellent! This is one of the best handles I have come across when it comes to the variants that are built for many different grips. To begin with, this is one of the few handles with "choils" / finger recesses that actually work. It is large and rounded enough to house most size fingers at the same time as the angled front end of the handle means that you can still apply some force when cutting hardwood, for example. It is a very important feature that is often missed on knives that include this detail. In addition, there is the recess on the blade spine when you want to engage in detailed work.

Spelter has a handle that is flexible when it comes to different grips

As I said, the basic grips work excellently. In a hammer grip, the knife feels solid with its full shape that literally melts into the hand. At the same time, it is more difficult to generate power in that grip since the hand end up a bit away from the edge, but as I mentioned before, the angled front of the handle helps. The sides are also thinning at the front to facilitate a pinch grip. Something that is not clearly visible in pictures. 

Saber grip is just as effective and here you can choose how far forward you want to hold, with your thumb in front of or behind the finger guard. It is also possible to move the hand really far back to get a little more power behind the edge if you swing the knife to chop something.

In addition to the shape of the handle providing excellent grip, the pattern milled into the Micarta also contributes to increased traction. This means that there is less risk of slipping even if you have wet and/or cold hands. This knife has been used during both winter and spring and it works well even with a little thicker gloves on. 

Sheath

The sheath that comes with the M311 Spelter is of the "pancake type", ie one made of two pieces that have been pressed together. It provides plenty of attachment points around the edges if you need them. The footprint is larger than a taco-style sheath, but there are advantages and disadvantages to both types.

The material used is Kydex and the fastening device itself is a pair of folded plastic hobs. However, made of very tough plastic which seems to be really durable. But with these mounts, other systems can also be used if desired.

The fastening device takes all dimensions of belts and is equipped with quick locks so that the knife can be easily removed or secured elsewhere

The sheath comes in a few different variants as mentioned earlier and this version is some form of O D green with a light gray shade. It matches the knife very well. A spacious drainage hole is found in the bottom of the sheath.

The knife fits really snuggly in the sheath with very little rattling or other noises. The Kydex material squeezes the knife hard enough so that it is not dropped. Not even if you turn it upside down and shake it hard. On the contrary, the knife is a bit sluggish to pull when the sheath was new.

Speaking of which, there is an excellent thumb ramp to use for that purpose and just the right amount of the finger guard is visible so that you get a good grip directly from the sheath if you pull the knife quickly. There is no need to change grips, which is otherwise not entirely uncommon.

The knife sits high up on a belt

If you carry a backpack with a carrying strap, the knife may be moved to another location

I myself carry this knife in two different ways. If I'm just out walking or hiking, the knife is on the belt. But since it sits quite high up, it is not preferable if you carry some form of a larger backpack with a carrying strap. Then I attach this knife to the backpack straps instead. The straps are also "MOLLE-compatible". Something that is of less interest to me nowadays. But it makes the sheath easy to attach to other things as well.

Conclusion

My impressions of this knife can only be summed up by the fact that it is a really qualified challenger in the class, no matter what knife it's compared to. The design is well thought out, which results in many built-in features, which not least provides excellent ergonomics in many different grips. 

It has since been implemented in a consistent manner where some of the best materials available have been selected. The package includes Kydex, Micarta, and not least Elmax with DLC coating. Steel that beats most of the competition. The build quality is outstanding and shows the know-how that exists in this part of the world. More specifically, Bohemia in the Czech Republic.

ANVs Spelter is a very advanced knife that can handle most things

Then the knife looks good in a slightly brutal way. It has a serious look if you see what I mean. But it was, after all, the relatively restrained design, especially in terms of dimensions, that made me take a closer look at this knife. It is not full of gimmicks but the details that are there are there to improve the function. Basically, it is a fairly simple blade shape that is then provided with a number of exciting details. The blade works really well for mixed outdoor life and I am sure even for more serious applications if necessary. It is, after all, a knife made with the military, rescue personnel and the like in mind.

M311 Spelter has been used even in colder conditions and the handle is very functional even with gloves on

Then it can be stated that in addition to the eminent blade, the handle is very good. There are not many handles found on knives that include the word "military" in the description that is so comfortable to actually work with. Sure, if you are going to carve for two hours, a Mora Bushcraft is a bit better, but otherwise, this is a superb handle. I was a little worried that the pattern and the grooves that were there could give rise to a "hotspot bonanza", but my suspicions fell short.

ANV M311 Spelter is an extremely well-built knife and thus very good for all outdoor life

If it has not already been stated, I can only say that this is an extremely good knife in its category. It simply does not get much better. Different yes, but not better. Quality doesn't come cheap though. At the time of writing, ANV M311 Spelter costs around 320$ and about the same amount in Euros. Not cheap but it is also a premium knife with premium qualities. A knife you will have for the rest of your life.

Specifications:

Length Overall: 275 mm
Blade Length:  120 mm
Blade Thickness: 5 mm
Steel: Elmax, 60 HRC
Weight: 288/386g  knife/knife + sheath
Handle: Micarta
Sheath: Kydex

Produced by ANV Knives, made in the Czech Republic 

/ J 

* But it is slightly longer than the mentioned model, so if it is something it should be compared to, it is in that case model A1. However, the M311 is slightly shorter and above all lighter than that knife.

** The website states that if you choose the untreated blade, Sleipner is used instead. It is, by the way, another Swedish super steel.