Category: Full Reviews

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The Axial Alpine Returns with MagFlex Inlay & USA Production

I have been intrigued by Axial knives since I first saw one of their (quite unique) ads on Instagram. I reached out and was thrilled to learn that they were a new brand planning to manufacture Out The Front knives in the USA. After reviewing some of their excellent OTFs, they shared that they had a fixed blade design coming out soon; the Alpine.

The USA made Axial Alpine

The first version of the Alpine was a fine little EDC fixed blade, but it had some things that could be improved. The first sheath I got didn’t have quite enough retention, allowing the knife to easily shake out if upside down. I also found the lack of a guard meant my finger would hit the heel of the edge at times, so I ground it down. Finally, I knew that the owners of Axial took pride in producing their knives in house in America, so the first version being made overseas made it feel a bit like a placeholder.

Enter the new Alpine V2. Not only does this new version of the Alpine fix all those areas of lacking from the original, it has a refined design and a new patent pending modular inlay system. The second version of the Alpine is made in the USA, primarily in house at Axial with some processes done at other domestic OEMs. The sheath has great retention and comes with an UltiClip, which can be adjusted for carry at any height and for carry in the waistband, in a pocket, on a belt, or really anywhere you can think of (like, for me, on a fanny pack strap). They added a solid finger guard and sharpening choil, so there’s almost no chance of your hand slipping onto the edge. While the original had only a drop point, the Alpine V2 comes in three blade shapes that coincide with those available on Axial’s flagship OTF the Shift; Wharncliffe, Tanto, and Drop Point.The handle shape is also adjusted some, and makes for incredible ergonomics considering the relatively small size of the knife.

The biggest change, however, is the addition of Axial’s patent pending MagFlex modular inlay system. With MagFlex, the handle is made up of an outer frame and inner magnetic inlay area. So far, they have offered the frame section in stonewashed titanium and inlays of Black G10 or OD Green Micarta, but TODAY (3/22/24 5PM EST) they are releasing several inlay variants in Fat Carbon. I’m planning to buy one, but they all look so good I’m not 100% sure which I’ll be picking up yet (leaning toward Black Dunes). I LOVE the idea of this inlay system because 1) it’s super easy to use and change & 2) it makes for basically endless opportunity for customization. I let them know that I’d love to see some natural materials, like jigged bone or checkered wood… maybe even abalone or pearl! Basically, the inlays work by having two magnets on each piece that pull them into the well fitted cutout area and then toward each other. They included a simple little pick tool to pop the inlays out for changing, but they recommended putting a slight bend in the tool to make it easier to use. I found it to be quick and easy once I applied the bend and got the hang of it. I would imagine that they’ll add different frame section options, as they already offered full handles (without the MagFlex inlay system) in anodized titanium, G10, and Micarta.

I found the Alpine to be a pleasure to carry and use. It was easy to carry with its slender design and UltiClip setup. I did find the sheath put some scratches on the blade from putting the knife in and out during use. Speaking of use, the blade cut great. I have the Wharncliffe version (which I would say is probably closer to a Sheepfoot) and it worked great for my normal daily tasks such as opening boxes, breaking down cardboard, and cutting food into little pieces for my son. The other two blade options look really great also, with a modern twist on classic shapes. The knife cut really well, and seemed to be ground nice and thin for slicing. Speaking of which, the Alpine V2 is in Magnacut, which is the undisputed hype king of knife steels right now. It has great edge retention and corrosion resistance. Overall, this knife has really impressed me and won me over to EDCing a fixed blade. In the past I have always shied away from carrying fixed blades unless I was hunting, fishing, or some other outdoor activity. The Alpine’s ease of carry, great design, and unique aesthetics make it a great option for true Every Day Carry.

If you decide to pick up your own Axial Alpine V2, make sure to use one of the links in this article (affiliate links that help support Knife Thoughts) and use my discount code “KNIFETHOUGHTS”.

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I sincerely thank you for your time, support, and interest! Don’t forget to tell your friends about KnifeThoughts.com, subscribe via email, and share this article on social media. You can find Knife Thoughts on YouTube where I have hundreds of knife videos, as well as on Instagram and Facebook! You can find all my latest links at LinkTr.ee/KnifeThoughts

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CIVIVI Ki-V Review; One Design Choice Short of Greatness

Recently I posted the below video review of the CIVIVI Ki-V. It’s a first for Knife Thoughts, in that I disassemble the knife during the video. I also do a little sharpening, just a light touch up, with the WESN Pocket Sharpener. Check out the video for my full thoughts on the Ki-V.

The Ki-V seems to be selling out quickly at most dealers. I got mine at White Mountain Knives (by the way, use code “KnifeThoughts” for 10% off there). CIVIVI has them available for direct purchase as of this posting, and you can get one with a 5% discount through my affiliate link here.

In case you don’t want to watch the full 35 minute video review (hint; you should), here’s a short written companion review:

I love that the design is as close as I’ve seen a modern folder get to the Kiridashi aesthetic. It has an upward angled straight edge that works great for utility tasks, especially pull cuts. The handle is actually relatively ergonomic for how tiny it is (and it is tiny, at under 2.5″ closed), due to its simple shape and contoured G10 scales. Plus, it just looks good with the blacked out hardware, handles, and blade.

I think CIVIVI did a good job of it from a manufacturing standpoint: the detent is snappy and secure, it came centered with no play side to side, and it’s ground very well for slicing.

That said, I have to say, I think the designer made a poor decision in adding the flat area on the tang without jimping. That flat area is where the pad of my finger sets to flip the knife unless I intentionally do otherwise, as it’s a natural indexing point. So why would it be made flat with no jimping for purchase and with the face directly toward the pivot so that pressing into it doesn’t break the detent? It would flip more intuitively and consistently, for me at least, if the two jimped parts of the tang met at a rounded corner that also had jimping.

I messaged the designer and they said the knife was designed that way because they prefer front flipper style flipping. I think it would still work just as well with front flipper style opening, but much more intuitively and consistently with a classic light switch style flipping action, if the two jimped areas met at a rounded corner with continuous jimping.

Overall, I’ve still really enjoyed carrying and using this knife for the last week. Sure, sometimes my finger slips off the flipper and it doesn’t open correctly, but most of the time it works. When it does work, it flips snappily and is really fun to open and close. It’s also just a cool little tiny knife to throw in your watch pocket, and has worked well for the small tasks that make up the bulk of EDC cutting. If they made another version with the design adjustment mentioned above I would definitely buy it, especially if they made it with a just under 2.5” blade.

Is this version worth getting? I think that it is if you are comfortable with front flipper style action and / or you just want a fun little knife with kiridashi flare and CIVIVI’s high level of manufacturing quality.

The links to Amazon in this article are Amazon Affiliate links. That means that if you click them and purchase the product you won’t pay any more than you normally would on Amazon, but I get a commission from the sale. This is just a way for you to support Knife Thoughts and allow me to procure more funding for the project and its knives.

I sincerely thank you for your time, support, and interest! Don’t forget to tell your friends about KnifeThoughts.com, subscribe via email, and share this article on social media. You can find Knife Thoughts on YouTube where I have hundreds of knife videos, as well as on Instagram and Facebook! You can find all my latest links at LinkTr.ee/KnifeThoughts

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CIVIVI Dogma Review; Modern EDC Knife with Traditional Inspiration

Over the last couple years I seem to have become a fan of WE knives. First, I got the MassDrop Keen. The Keen was designed by Ray Laconico and manufactured by WE, and it is one of my favorite knives. WE gave the knife a level of quality that lived up to its beautiful design. Then, Ben Petersen of Knafs Co sent me a WE Banter for review. I enjoyed the design more than I expected, but there was no doubt that it was an extremely well made knife. Next, I took advantage of a Black Friday sale to finally get a knife I’d been wanting since its release, the CIVIVI (WE’s more budget friendly brand) Wyvern. I was particularly happy with the Wyvern; I felt that it kept the quality construction of the WE knives I had despite the more budget friendly (but still more than adequate for practical use) materials, and provided a really great value.

Then, I had an issue with the Wyvern. The detent, which keeps the blade securely in the handle, seemed to have loosened. This allowed the tip of the blade to rise above the frame of the knife, what you might call a “proud tip” in a traditional knife, which I wasn’t comfortable with. I contacted CIVIVI customer service and, frankly, was blown away by the experience I received. The people whom I emailed with were responsive, friendly, and helpful. Not only that, but my issue was fixed by the US based service center much quicker than I expected (or have experienced from some other brands).

After that process, CIVIVI asked if I’d be interested in reviewing any of their knives. Since I had about 10 of them on my (extensive) “To Buy” list, I was excited for the opportunity. I gave them a list of a few I was interested in, and they sent out a Dogma. So, because I always want to be upfront and transparent about these things, I want to be clear that I was given this knife for review and did not purchase it. That said, I always do my best to be impartial and consider how it would affect my opinion of a knife if I HAD purchased it at market price.

The Dogma immediately hit me as a knife strikingly well suited to my tastes. It had the practicality of a modern knife; a nice deep carry pocket clip, flipper opening mechanism, G10 scales, and D2 steel. At the same time, the traditional inspiration is obvious; it has the distinctive overall shape of a Lanny’s Clip slipjoint pattern and the G10 scales are clearly modeled after jigged bone covers. It also has the incredible snappy action I’ve come to expect from WE / CIVIVI, thanks to the dialed in detent and ceramic ball bearing pivot. Another thing that I think WE / CIVIVI does well, and remains true on this knife, is their primary grinds. This knife is made to cut things, but it looks good doing it with its big sweeping clip point blade shape.

Speaking of cutting things, I found the Dogma to work admirably in EDC usage. I cut cardboard, opened boxes, did food prep, assisted yard work, and even some house projects with the help of this knife and it handled all those tasks as you’d want it to. The D2 steel seemed to hold an edge like D2 should, which is pretty well. It’s not a “super steel”, but I don’t need a super steel for my knife use. I haven’t needed to full on sharpen it yet, as stropping has kept it hair shaving sharp. The finish on the steel is a bit unusual, as there is some horizontal wavy or cloudiness in addition to the vertical satin finish. I am not sure what is the cause of this reflection, but it doesn’t seem to affect the performance of the steel.

I do wish the blade cutout was functional. For example, on the CIVIVI Wyvern the blade cutout is a viable opening method (although it isn’t as easy to use as the flipper). On the Dogma I am not able to use the blade cutout for thumb opening, and it seems to be aesthetic only. I’m not sure that it adds much for me aesthetically, so I’d have preferred the cutout either be usable as an opening method or left out completely. It is possible that the cutout was included as a nod to the nail nick or long pull opening methods on the traditional knives that I believe inspired the design of this knife, but it’s not a connection that is immediately apparent.

Overall, I really like the CIVIVI Dogma. I’m happy to see the clip point blade shape more represented in modern knives lately, particularly in Chinese made knives (like the SRM 9201 above). I have found carrying and using the Dogma to be a pleasure, and it has proven to be both practical and enjoyable. I think CIVIVI is doing good things for the market, and there are several knives I’m looking forward to checking out soon from them. If you want a budget friendly modern knife with some traditional inspirations, I think the CIVIVI Dogma is a good option at ~$56.

If you’d like to purchase a CIVIVI knife, please do so through my affiliate link. You can get CIVIVI knives for the same prices as at most dealers direct from the manufacturer, and buying through this link helps to support Knife Thoughts. As always, don’t forget to go out and do good!

I sincerely thank you for your time, support, and interest! Don’t forget to tell your friends about KnifeThoughts.com, subscribe via email, and share this article on social media. You can find Knife Thoughts on YouTube where I have hundreds of knife videos, as well as on Instagram and Facebook! You can find all my latest links at LinkTr.ee/KnifeThoughts

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Is the Case 2021 Copperhead their Best Vault Release Knife So Far?

For the last few years I have gotten and written articles on the Case Vault Release pattern. In 2019 it was the Barlow, which spurred my interest in the Vault Release program. The pattern for 2020 was the Pocket Hunter which fit into the “mini knives” category I enjoy. Normally Case announces the upcoming pattern a bit in advance, but the 2021 pattern remained a mystery right up into the new year. There was a lot of speculation and wondering about what knife would be released from the Vault, and it was actually announced first (as far as I can tell) via the Smoky Mountain Knife Works catalog; the 2021 Vault Release pattern is the Copperhead!

The Copperhead is a classic design at a great size. It is designated in Case’s tang stamp system as the 49 pattern. Over the years it has been periodically produced with a variety of blade shape combinations, but it is most classically a two bladed jack with a clip point main blade and pen secondary blade. The pattern is identified by the unique bolster with a bump that forms a pseudo guard and shrouds the blade tang corners. It’s a medium to large sized pattern at 3.875″ closed. Mine has the classic clip point main blade and pen secondary behind the main blade. The main blade is 3″ with a 2.625″ edge, and the pen blade is 2.25″ with a 1.875″ edge. As of now Case has also announced versions with a wharncliffe main and pen secondary blade, as well as single bladed clip point versions. As with most Case patterns, the Copperhead is available in many different cover options from yellow synthetic (like mine) to Abalone. Some versions are Case’s carbone steel, CV, and others in their stainless, Tru-Sharp.

2019 Barlow, 2020 Pocket Hunter, 2021 Copperhead

The Copperhead is an old pattern for Case, having been first produced by Case at least 100 years ago in their pre-tested era. The unique bolster design makes the knife much less likely to wear through pockets, due to the tang corners being covered. Often the sharp corners of a blade’s tang, where it interfaces with the backspring, can not only create wear in pockets but also uncomfortably jab into the leg during carry and even create hot spots in the hand during use. Though I think that Case sometimes over polishes / rounds the corners on their knives, particularly the tips of the blades, other companies like GEC tend to leave very sharp corners on the blade tangs. While sharp corners on the tangs do make for a cleaner look of the interface between the blade and spring when the knife is open, the Copperhead style bolster can offer the best of both worlds. The name seems to come from the humped bolster’s resemblance to a snake’s head, specifically the Copperhead. While I suppose I can see the similarity if I really look for it, but I do think it’s a bit of a stretch. Supposedly, the Copperhead is sometimes called the “Vietnam Knife“. Although I’ve seen this claim several places online, I can’t find any evidence that this term was actually used or that the pattern was particularly popular during the Vietnam war. There are other instances of a similar design from outside the U.S., including Germany and France. So I think this is probably a pattern that existed before Case began manufacturing it in the early 1900s, and that’s not a surprise considering its utility and advantages due to design.

A little display I brought to the latest Allegheny Mountain Knife Collectors Association meeting

I’m happy with the construction of my example. I am always a bit wary of buying Case knives sight unseen as they have gaps, blade play, and blade rap more often than I like. Although I didn’t realize it at first for either, the 2021 Vault Pocket Hunter I got had blade rap (as well as some slight gaps). While this Copperhead has a gap most of the length of the knife between the secondary blade spring and pile side liner, it doesn’t have any functional issues like blade rap or blade play. It does have Case’s characteristic extremely toothy edge. Some claim this is an intentional feature but I doubt that; either way, I don’t know how they get their edges so toothy. I think that’s part of why I’d missed the blade rap on the Pocket Hunter. Even after I’ve sharpened the Copperhead a couple times it doesn’t seem anywhere close to having blade rap even though the tips sit well within the frame (and you know I hate proud tips!). It has nice healthy snap to and from the half stops. Although not perfect, it’s a perfectly functional knife for under $50.

Queen Single Blade Copperhead, Case Copperhead, and Great Eastern Cutlery Ben Hogan (their closest pattern to a Copperhead)

Beyond the build quality, I’m just plain really enjoying this knife. The size is great for actual use, with the main blade being big enough for most daily tasks and the pen blade being useful as a backup or for fine work. The grip is comfortable, especially with the guard and covered tangs. I also just think it looks good; very classic with the prominent clip point and characteristic bolster. I went with the yellow synthetic because I got the last two years’ Vault knives in yellow synthetic. Interestingly, the 2019 Barlow was CV, the 2020 Pocket Hunter was Tru Sharp, and this 2021 Copperhead is CV. As Case’s carbon steel, CV needs to be maintained by wiping off after use and occasional oiling. While I don’t think it is heat treated as hard as GEC’s 1095 is by Peter’s Heat Treating, CV works well enough for my uses and takes a colorful patina. I like that the blades both have nice action, no blade rap, and the tips sit well within the frame. I have been finding myself putting the Copperhead in my pocket day after day, kicking other more fancy knives out. The Case 2021 Copperhead is my favorite Vault Release knife so far!

A handsome knife

I sincerely thank you for your time, support, and interest! Don’t forget to tell your friends about KnifeThoughts.com, subscribe via email, and share this article on social media. You can find Knife Thoughts on YouTube where I have hundreds of knife videos, as well as on Instagram and Facebook! You can find all my latest links at LinkTr.ee/KnifeThoughts

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The WE Banter Full Review: Ben Petersen’s First Foray Into EDC Knife Design

In this article I will provide a full review of the WE Knives Banter, designed by Ben Petersen. Ben became well known in the knife community through his work for CRKT and BladeHQ. The Banter is his inaugural knife design.

Couple of Spear Points (Video on the GEC 81 Bull Moose and its Unique Tang Stamp Linked)

The Background

Before I get to the review in earnest, I want to talk about how I came to test this knife. I, like most who search YouTube for knife videos, had watched several of Ben Petersen’s (lots of interesting posts on his site, btw) videos in the past. From them I learned that Ben and my knife preferences are… not exactly in line . That said, I appreciated his honesty and willingness to say what he didn’t like about a knife in what amounted to advertising videos. I also was aware of his knife information poster, which you can find on his website, and that it seemed to be a hit in the knife community.

So when I was browsing the Reddit r/knifeclub subforum early this year and saw the above preview of his upcoming knife design, I gave my thoughts on the knife. You can find the thread below:

Not exactly glowing praise

As you can tell, my “visual review” wasn’t all praise. However, Ben offered to send the real thing for a full review. I think that’s a really commendable reaction to criticism. It shows a genuine desire for feedback and a confidence in his work that I appreciate.

Fast forward about 6 months and the start of a pandemic later, and a package showed up at my door that I knew had to have some good stuff inside!

Speaking of the package, Ben went all in on these early release “Ben Banter Gift Boxes” as he called them in an Instagram post. It contained a work mat based on his poster, a WIUP (“What IIIISSS Up Guys?!”) t shirt, the new version of his poster, some stickers, a nice handwritten note, and of course the knife (oh, and a bunch of lifesavers). It also had a nice specs sheet and write up on how excited Ben is to bring his design to the market with WE Knives.

Lots of good stuff in there! (Unboxing video linked to the picture)

The Review

So, let’s get to the review! I’m going to base my review off of my initial visual review, with reference to Ben’s knife preferences (based on my YouTube research).

A little hard use. Can you really review a knife with honesty if you haven’t used it to eat a rotisserie chicken on the hood of your car? No, you can’t.

Ben did a great job bringing all his knife preferences together into a real product. One thing he talks about in some videos is how much he likes to be able to reach his finger to the end of the blade for fine cutting, and with its 2.875″ blade the Banter definitely passes that test. He also often mentions liking pocket clips in general but especially deep carry clips, and the Banter’s clip actually allows the entire knife to set below the lip of the pocket with no handle showing. It would be easy to mistake for a pen or flashlight, unless you’re a knife enthusiast and see the “BANTER” etch. Going along with the ease of carry theme, he also mentions appreciating a light knife and g10 handles. The Banter comes in at 2.86oz / 81g, with the help of nested minimalist liners in the light but strong (black or blue) g10 handles. Lastly, and almost inversely with the preference to be able to reach the tip of the knife with an index finger, Ben has sometimes tested a knifes ability to slice an apple fully and cleanly. Despite its short length, the thin .1″ blade stock makes for good cutting performance and I had no trouble slicing apples into pieces. All that together makes for a knife clearly designed to be Ben’s ideal EDC.

Slicing an Apple for Lunch at Work

So, how does it fare under my usage and preferences after about a week of carry and use?

Fits my wide hands surprisingly well.

Firstly, I like the looks much better than you might expect from my initial visual review. As I mentioned suspecting in the review, it does look different in some pictures than others and certainly in person. The handle and blade are not as squat as I had felt they looked initially, and in fact work well together aesthetically. The straight back isn’t an issue in person, and the blade doesn’t look to have an upward cant. I do like the look of the knife; it comes off minimalist and utilitarian in person in a positive way that I don’t think pictures convey. That said, a few people whom I’ve shown this knife have said it looked blocky. I still think the hard chamfering along the edges gives it an industrial look that differs from a lot of other knives, especially traditionals like those I often review. I appreciate the addition of the blue anodizing on the titanium thumb stud, and the “WE” logo on the pivot, that give it a little flair. I added a blue lanyard, which I think really emphasizes the blue of the thumb stud.

See how much less chunky it looks here than in the promo picture? Weird, right?

Second, as for its effectiveness as a utilitarian knife, I think it cuts the mustard. I did house projects, fished, cooked, cut cardboard, and general every day carry uses and never felt like the WE Banter was wanting in cutting ability. It is easy to open, even with gloves, with the thumb studs, well tuned detent, and caged ball bearing pivot. It is actually a lot of fun to open and close, as it’s extremely smooth and snappy. The thumb stud sits pretty close to the handle but I haven’t had any issues opening it with an upward movement of the thumb, or even on the other side with the middle finger. It drops closed, hitting the thumb nail, then can be closed the rest of the way by pushing on the tang of the blade with the index finger. It locks up solid with the liner lock, and I’ve felt no blade play (even side to side when unlocked). The blade does seem to be ground thinly for a modern style knife, so it slices well, but the saber grind makes for a sturdy tip. I used it to carve some wood for a house project and a little whittling, with no fear of breaking the tip. In use, I found the handle to be pretty comfortable. As I mentioned in the visual review, the cutoff at the end of the handle is a huge boon to the ergonomics because without it my pinky finger would sit directly on a hotspot. As designed, even in my wide hands it was easy to hold and grip in use, and the large guard at the front of the handle provided a solid anchoring point. While I do appreciate a good deep carry clip, the addition of a lanyard made it a bit easier to retrieve from the pocket without having to reach down amongst my phone and keys and such. I sharpened the knife a couple times (’cause I stupidly kept hitting the edge on hard stuff like aluminum and rocks) and, in my 0% scientific opinion, it does seem to be heat treated to a high hardness as advertised (59-61 s35vn). Speaking of the edge, in person the blade shape is more classic and fluid with less of a straight line from the belly to the tip than the picture seemed to show. I found it to be a very versatile blade shape, which shouldn’t be a surprise being that spear points are among the most common and oldest blade shapes. In fact, I think the WE Banter might be helping to open my eyes to the possibility that I don’t really need as much knife as I generally prefer.

Just a little whittling after losing my fishing line.

The Conclusion

Overall, I think this is a great first design from Ben Petersen. As Ben isn’t a knife enthusiast in the same way some of his viewers and customers are, the WE Banter presents a fresh take on an EDC knife design. It is minimalist, but with some touches of flair. It is simple, but effective in its design. For those who prefer, or are prescribed by law, a blade less than 3″ the WE Banter will be a good value considering the solid construction, high quality materials, and unique background at the price of ~$109. For me, and those who prefer a larger knife, I would love to see an XL version. Keep the same blade and handle width/height of ~1″ and the same design, but stretch the handle and blade another ~1″ or so. That would make for a knife that could compete with perennial favorites like the Spyderco Endura 4, Benchmade Griptilian, and Ontario Rat 1. It would also make for a duo of small and large Banters, like the Spyderco Delica 4, Benchmade Mini Griptilian, and Ontario Rat 2 respectively. I hope the WE Banter is a huge success, and that it facilitates the WE Repartee (Get it? longer version of Banter!). You can get the Ben Petersen designed WE Banter at BladeHQ starting tomorrow 6/23/20, at this link.

In all its glory.

I sincerely thank you for your time, support, and interest! Don’t forget to tell your friends about KnifeThoughts.com, subscribe via email, and share this article on social media. You can find Knife Thoughts on YouTube where I have hundreds of knife videos, as well as on Instagram and Facebook! You can find all my latest links at LinkTr.ee/KnifeThoughts

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Queen Reborn: SMKW Unveils New Line of Queen Knives with the Pilot Test Run Mini Trapper

Out of nowhere, Smoky Mountain Knife Works has reintroduced Queen Cutlery. Queen went out of business in 2018, and the future of the brand has been unclear since then. Recently SMKW posted a “Queen Pilot Test Run Mini Trapper” for sale on their site, and this article will showcase that knife and what it means for the Queen brand.

This knife came as a surprise to pretty much everyone. There were no rumors of it on the forums and Smoky Mountain Knife Works did no advertising before its release. Even upon release, there was very little fanfare; at first it wasn’t even featured on the SMKW homepage.

Once the knife was available for purchase on SMKW, there was still little solid information available. The product page said it was a test run Queen knife made in the U.S.A. for Smoky Mountain Knife works with black composite covers and 440 steel.

With so little official information available, the online knife community was abuzz with interest and speculation on the knife’s specifics.

The main question in discussion was; who made the knife? In this area, a consensus seems to have been reached that it must have been made by Bear & Son Cutlery. Here we can apply the old saying “read the knife, not the tang”. This means the best way to know the origin of a knife is to look at its characteristics and how it’s made, rather than what the tang is stamped or etched. In this case, due to the pattern’s similarity to Bear & Son’s Mini Trapper and other manufacturing hallmarks, it looks most likely to have been made in a Bear & Son factory. That said, SMKW has not identified the manufacturer, even when directly asked during a live video.

Another much discussed question was; why is SMKW coming out with a Queen knife? After the Titusville Queen factory closed and its assets were sold off, most believed that Bluegrass Cutlery had bought the machines and trademarks with intention to restart the brands. However, in a video SMKW said that they purchased the Queen and Queen City trademarks and plan to do a full line of knives under each brand. In the same video they explained that this knife was rushed to market because they had to use the trademark to keep it active. They said they have to do the same with a Queen City branded knife. Unfortunately, when asked if the future Queen and Queen City lines will remain made in the U.S.A., the SMKW representative said they didn’t know yet.

Queen collectors might ask what about Schatt & Morgan, Queen’s other well known and respected in house brand? A reputable source told me that Gilbert Cooper purchased the trademark and Queen’s machinery, and has promising plans for the brand. Cooper himself has posted on All About Pocket Knives forum about reintroducing the Schatt & Morgan brand with the goal of restoring its former place at the top quality tier of American pocket knives.

As for this Queen Pilot Test Run Mini Trapper, it’s certainly well enough made for being rushed to market. This knife is not made with the same quality level as a GEC made knife; I would put it in the same realm as Case knives. The blades are pretty well centered. The action is nice with about a 5.5 pull on both blades. The action was a little gritty at first, but after a little oil they’ve broken in to be relatively smooth. Neither blade has any wobble. Neither blade seems to have any rap or proud tips. There are some slight gaps between the springs and liners, and a gap between the pile side liner and cover. So the fit is pretty good. The finish leaves a little more to be desired. The transitions between the covers and bolsters, as well as the edges of the covers, are a little rough. The blades have something between an “as ground” type finish and a satin finish, while the bolsters are between a satin and polished finish. Unfortunately, the etch is not a particularly tasteful font and seems imperfectly placed and is very raised (enough so that it’s easy to catch your fingernail on it). The tang is not stamped, which I would prefer but adds an extra step and cost, but rather etched very plainly. The front tang is etched “Queen” and the back tang is etched “QN1 / U.S.A.”. I am glad they went with no shield instead of an unpinned (glued only) shield, like Case and others use. Overall, it’s a decently made knife for the price that would make a good user knife.

Although this SMKW Queen QN1 would be a great using knife, I anticipate it will become collectible. In the video I have referenced above, SMKW said that only 300 of these were made. Although that’s not a tiny number of knives, it’s a pretty small run compared to recent GEC general runs, let alone compared to Case runs. If SMKW handles the reintroduction of Queen and Queen City well (which I’m rooting for), this will have been what started it all and therefore sought after. If they don’t handle it well, or if they move production overseas, this might be the last American made Queen knife, and therefore sought after. Either way, it has sold out on Smoky Mountain Knife Works’ site so its value will soon begin to be established through the secondary market. That said, SMKW did say they have to bring a knife to market under the Queen City brand to retain the trademark and that it’s coming soon. So keep an eye out for that if you’d like to get one! In conclusion, I’m happy to see the Queen brand living on while being produced by Smoky Mountain Knife Works, and I hope to see great things in the future!

I sincerely thank you for your time, support, and interest! Don’t forget to tell your friends about KnifeThoughts.com, subscribe via email, and share this article on social media. You can find Knife Thoughts on YouTube where I have hundreds of knife videos, as well as on Instagram and Facebook! You can find all my latest links at LinkTr.ee/KnifeThoughts

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The Chris Reeve Knives Inkosi; a Costly Culmination of Quality and Innovation. Is it overpriced?

Chris Reeve Knives is well known within the knife community for designing and manufacturing some of the highest quality production knives on the market. Their Sebenza model has been the benchmark of quality modern folding knife manufacturing for years. They’ve introduced several major innovations to the modern pocket knife world: s35vn steel, the ceramic ball bearing lock interface, and even the frame lock itself. However, they come at a price point higher than my normal fare.

TL;DR? Here’s my video review of the Chris Reeve Inkosi

I recently was able to get a Chris Reeve Knives Inkosi at a very fair price from a fellow knife enthusiast. A few years ago I tried a Sebenza and Umnumzaan, but they didn’t stay in my collection long. So, I was excited to get the chance to carry and use a Chris Reeve knife for review, and also just to have one in my collection.

The Inkosi comes packaged like other Chris Reeve Knives in a both with a “Birthdate” Certificate of Authenticity, literature on the knife, and tools for disassembly.

The Inkosi is a newer model introduced in 2016 to replace the Sebenza 25. It has a mix of features from the Sebenza 25 and Umnumzaan. One of the features I really enjoy is the ceramic ball bearing lock interface. The addition of a press-fit ceramic ball to the lock bar, which also functions as the detent, makes the likelihood of lock stick much lower and also slows the wear on the lock face. It also has a canted clip, which makes for better ergonomics than the earlier Sebenza models. It has a floating pivot pin, which makes for simpler reassembly and better wear under heavy use. One thing that the Inkosi lacks, compared to the Sebenza models, is the bushing pivot. A bushing pivot allows the pivot to be tightened fully down while maintaining smooth opening and closing, eliminating the need for adjustment. I have to say, I wish the Inkosi included the bushing pivot, as it’s one of the features of the Sebenza that many point to when giving reasons for its quality. Finally, the Inkosi is said to have a thicker blade and pivot, for a sturdier feel. Overall I like the mix of features on the Inkosi, though I do wish it had the bushing pivot.

Like Chris Reeve Knives, Spyderco has always innovated and the Worker brought some of these innovations to the market.

The high quality of manufacture on the Inkosi is no surprise, but I am surprised at how much I like the design. The knife is superbly made. It locks up with the bank vault solid feel that Chris Reeve knives have come to be known for, with smooth opening and good blade centering. It’s not drop shut frictionless smooth, but rather a kind of silky smooth that has a satisfying feel. The blade locks with an assuring “thwock” sound. I find the clip to work really well, sliding into and out of the pocket easily. I have an aversion to things held on only by glue (like unpinned shields on traditional knives), so I wasn’t sure about the inlays, but I actually like how they feel in the hand. I enjoy the look also, but I do think I like the simple clean look of the plain titanium version. I expected to dislike the finger grooves, as such handles designs often don’t fit my wide hands. However, I actually really like how this handle feels in my hand. I like it better than I recall liking the handle of the Sebenza 21 or Umnumzaan I had a few years back. I’ve carried this knife a lot, and every time I used it the grip felt intuitive and locked my hand into place. The cone-shaped thumb stud takes a little getting used to, if you’re familiar with the typical thumb stud, but works well when pushed in a C shape. The blade shape is near perfection; a classic drop point with a nicely rounded spine (which adds a surprisingly significant feel of luxury), a good amount of straight edge and belly, a useful but strong tip, and a nice thing hollow grind. It’s an extremely well-made knife with a design worth the stellar reputation.

The Inkosi with two other smooth, solid, titanium handled knives: the MassDrop Ray Laconico WE Keen and the Spyderco Native 5 Fluted Titanium

Inkosi is a Zulu word that means “chief” or “king”, and I think that is a fitting moniker considering the history, and price, that this knife commands. It is an extremely strong feeling knife with the extra thick titanium frame lock, blade, and pivot. It also is imbued with Chris Reeve Knives’ history of innovation, excellence, and great warranty service. It certainly has kingly materials, with high-quality titanium handles and the s35vn steel blade. All that said, I find its dealer price of $550 to be more than I am willing to pay. Everyone has a different point at which the value to price ratio tips, and wherever that is for me the Inkosi falls above that point. Certainly I recognize that they might not be as complete a package, but I think there are plenty of knives at a lower price point with similar materials, features, and quality to the Inkosi. That is not to say that the Inkosi, or other Chris Reeve Knives models, isn’t an extremely good knife that isn’t worth having. Rather, I do believe that every knife enthusiast should try a Chris Reeve knife at some point… if it fits into your budget. For me, that means that when I am able to find one on the secondary market at a price that works for me, I jump at the chance to have such a high quality and prestigious knife in my pocket, even if I wouldn’t buy it at the dealer price.

I sincerely thank you for your time, support, and interest! Don’t forget to tell your friends about KnifeThoughts.com, subscribe via email, and share this article on social media. You can find Knife Thoughts on YouTube where I have hundreds of knife videos, as well as on Instagram and Facebook! You can find all my latest links at LinkTr.ee/KnifeThoughts

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Finch Knife Company Starts Strong with the Runtly

Every year I travel to Columbus Ohio to compete in the Arnold Classic (specifically in the Grappling Industries tournament). It just so happens that River’s Edge Cutlery is a quick 15 minute drive from the Arnold. So over the last few years I’ve made it a habit to visit as an extra perk to the trip. This year I was able to go check out the selection at REC with my brother, and as always it was a great experience. There are always several people there willing to show you as many knives as you like, just talk knives, and they even sharpen knives (for a very reasonable fee). I ended up purchasing a couple Mora knives for review and a Spyderco Police 4 Lightweight that I’ve been wanting since it came out. When I went to check out, they offered to loan me a Finch Knife Company Runtly for review!

Check out my video review of the Finch Runtly

I have been seeing the Finch Runtly quite a bit on social media; it seems like there’s some hype surrounding this knife and brand. I had done a pass-around on the Spyderco Native Chief for River’s Edge Cutlery, the review of which you can find at this link, so I appreciated that they wanted my opinion on this new knife.

The Long Awaited Spyderco Native Chief is Here and it’s BIG!

So, what is Finch Knife Company? It’s a knife producer that has been in the works for a while, but was officially started about a year ago according to one of the owners. The owners wanted to create a brand that felt like the old fashioned brands they most enjoyed: Hen & Rooster, Bulldog, Case. Finch Knife Company puts a modern spin on those classic knives. I think they do a great job of melding a traditional inspiration into the modern construction and design of their first knife design, the Runtly.

Finch Runtly with packaging

The Runtly is the first product to hit the market from Finch Knife Company. It is a small liner lock flipper. The first thing that struck me was the interesting design. It has a blade shape that is something like an enlarged, or heightened, mix between a sheepfoot and coping blade. This wide blade is fit into a particularly slim handle, that tapers from the pivot end to the butt end. This unusual design is based in the knife’s inspiration; vintage Heddon River Runt Spook fishing lures. As strange as it may seem, I can actually see the resemblance when they’re put side by side as in the picture below. The Runtly is even being offered in color options similar to those of the lures! Apparently the owner thought to design a knife based on these lures because with a young family he doesn’t have as many opportunities as he would like to get out and fish, so the Runtly was designed as something he can carry daily to remind him of days on the water. I really appreciate that Finch Knife Company is bringing knives to market with such unique inspiration. I think it’s a good thing to have something new and unexpected available like the Runtly.

Picture from Finch Knife Company

The Runtly is a well made little knife. River’s Edge Cutlery told me that the Runtly is made by Bestech Knives in China, which is not mentioned on the knife or packaging. Some people have an aversion to Chinese made knives, but the fact is that China is making a lot of really high quality knives these days. It flips so well, due to a crisp detent, that someone who I showed it to thought it was assisted. I believe it is a ball bearing pivot. It also came with good centering and solid lockup. The grind seems even and well ground. Overall it’s just a solid little knife with great action!

As for the design, I think it’s apparent that a lot of thought went into this knife. One thing I really appreciate is the rounded back end of the handle above the flipper tab. This simple little design element makes the knife much easier and more comfortable to flip (it’s a light switch style flipper). I also really like the simple sculpted titanium (I believe) clip, although I mostly carried it unclipped in my watch/coin pocket. They did think to add a slight cutout to help access and unlock the liner lock, but at least for people with big thumbs like mine I think it could have been made a little bigger without the aesthetic suffering. The blade has a nice two toned finish that accentuates the well executed grind. It also has a nail nick on both sides of the blade. I recognized that the nail nick was not necessary, as (aside from the availability of the flipper) the blade can easily be opened with a pinch grip. The owner said that the nail nick was added because he showed it to his father, who has a collection of only traditional knives, who tried to open it with two hands. Thus, the nail nick was added, and I think it’s an interesting addition that gives the knife another slight nod to the vintage and traditional aesthetic. My first thought, before asking the owner about the addition of the nail nick, was that it was intended to look like the eye on the fishing lures that inspired the knife. The handle has an inlayed shield, which I think is another nod to traditional knives. I didn’t realize it till seeing a post on social media, but the shield is actually glow in the dark. If you’ve read my reviews of Case knives you know I much prefer a pinned shield, but being that this is a modern knife and the shield is not metal (and therefore is unable to be pinned) I’ll give it a pass. I actually like the look of the shield from a purely aesthetic standpoint. Lastly, the blade is not “billboarded” with excessive branding. The front side says “Finch” in a font I like, and the back says “N690” and “Runtly”. The blade is 2.25″, which is a size I appreciate because it’s big enough to be used for things like breaking down cardboard and opening boxes but small enough to be legal almost anywhere (that a one hand open locking knife is legal). Overall, the Runtly is a small knife with an interesting aesthetic inspiration that I have come to appreciate in my short time carrying and using the knife.

Avery carrying the Runtly

I think the Runtly will be a hit, and I’m looking forward to what Finch Knife Company brings to market in the future. Right now they have two other models planned: the Tikuna and the Model 1929. Honestly, both these designs appeal to me and I hope to get to review them. I get the feeling that the owners of Finch Knife Company have a lot of passion for what they’re doing, and I think they’ll find success in the knife community. You can purchase your Finch Runtly at River’s Edge Cutlery at this link, and don’t forget to tell them Knife Thoughts sent you!

I sincerely thank you for your time, support, and interest! Don’t forget to tell your friends about KnifeThoughts.com, subscribe via email, and share this article on social media. You can find Knife Thoughts on YouTube where I have hundreds of knife videos, as well as on Instagram and Facebook! You can find all my latest links at LinkTr.ee/KnifeThoughts

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Case has brought the Pocket Hunter out of the Vault for 2020, proving Big Things can come in Small Packages!

Case has been the preeminent producer of traditional pocket knives since the turn of the 20th century, and that means they have built knives on countless patterns. Some of these patterns are made continuously as perennial standbys for the company, like the Peanut and Trapper, but others only appear on certain occasions. Case’s “Out of the Vault” series brings not recently seen patterns back into production, for only one calendar year.

Check out my unboxing video including the Case 2020 Vault Pocket Hunter here!

This year’s “Vault” pattern is the Pocket Hunter. The Pocket Hunter is a quirky little pattern that Case seems likely to have invented. It is not one of their oldest patterns, but it hasn’t been produced since its inception in 2001. The Pocket Hunter is a small, like VERY small, version of the classic full size Hunter pattern. It has a tapered handle that turns up at the butt end, with bolsters on both ends. There is a hump, or swell, in the center of the handle on the blade well side. Mine has two blades, a clip point and straight spine (what Case calls a skinner blade), both being full sized. However, like the full sized version, Case has also brought a few single blade versions out of the vault for 2020. It really is just a miniaturized version of the normal (and very large) Hunter pattern in every way. 

The Pocket Hunter’s full length when open is just barely longer than the full sized Hunter’s blade.

I personally have been interested in this Pocket Hunter pattern from Case for a few years. I almost purchased a “new old stock”, aka still setting on a dealer’s site in new condition from a previous run, but waffled back and forth too long and let it get bought out from underneath me. So when I heard Case was bringing it out of the vault for 2020 I was pretty excited. Case is of course offering the Pocket Hunter in MANY handle cover material options, but I decided to go with the classic yellow synthetic. I went with this handle not only because it’s budget friendly, but also because it’s a classic traditional Case handle material that I have several knives in and because I got the 2019 Vault knife in the same handle material (you can read my article on that knife here and below). Why not start another set / collection, right?! Anyway, I found myself with a Pocket Hunter in Yellow Synthetic as my example of the Case 2020 Vault Knife.

The Time is NOW for the Case Barlow

This knife is made much like other Case knives; built well and completely functional, but noticeably imperfect. it came with some slight gaps between both springs and the corresponding mark side liners. This is certainly not a functional issue, but it is something that collectors will notice. both blades came well centered, with nice opening and closing action, and no blade play in either the open or closed positions. The edges came thin, but shockingly rough. I legitimately would love to know what grit Case uses to sharpen their knives, because it’s pretty amazing how toothy they are. This knife seemed to have a burr on both sides, somehow, and felt almost serrated. Thankfully the Tru-Sharp steel is not difficult to sharpen and I removed the burr relatively easily. Lastly, but not least in my opinion, I have to mention that the shield is unpinned (like all Case shields). I’d much prefer no shield over an only glued shield on a knife in this ~$50 price range. Still, overall it’s a well made knife with no practical issues whatsoever and only minor aesthetic imperfections.

The Case 2019 Vault Series Barlow and 2020 Vault Series Pocket Hunter, both in yellow synthetic

To get to the point, I am thoroughly enjoying this Case Pocket Hunter. If you read my articles or watch my videos you might know I enjoy quirky knives, and this is quirky in just how small it is. It’s a pattern known for being overly large, the full size Hunter, shrunk down to Peanut size (but with two full length blades, which is a bonus over the Peanut). I also enjoy small and large versions of patterns; like the GEC #22/#44, #18/#56, and #06/#97 patterns. It feels good in the hand, despite its small size. It’s easy to carry and should be welcome in all but the most anti-knife environments, thanks to its small size. It has satisfying walk and talk, with solid joints. It’s a small knife with big appeal!

Case’s new tang stamp for the 2020 decade. You can find more information at this link.

The Pocket Hunter not only fits in your back pocket with ease, it will even fit in the smallest of pockets like the 5th pocket (aka watch pocket) or those ludicrously small pockets in women’s jeans. Its daintiness makes me want to get it in abalone (with the added bonus of the abalone version being shield-less). Despite its diminutive size, it is actually a pretty capable knife. The two full size blades make for more usable edge than a Peanut, despite the Pocket Hunter being shorter when closed, and are both shaped in a way that make them practical for a variety of uses. You know, the kind of stuff you actually use your knives for; cutting strings, opening mail, breaking down boxes, etc. I think this little knife will find its way into my pocket frequently, and if you also enjoy a tiny knife that punches above its weight in usefulness then I think it should find its way into your pocket also!

I sincerely thank you for your time, support, and interest! Don’t forget to tell your friends about KnifeThoughts.com, subscribe via email, and share this article on social media. You can find Knife Thoughts on YouTube where I have hundreds of knife videos, as well as on Instagram and Facebook! You can find all my latest links at LinkTr.ee/KnifeThoughts