Msg Kim Breed (ret.), Author at BLADE Magazine

Cold Steel Engage Review: Full-Sized Folder With Fight

Buyer's Guides

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August 8, 2023

Cold Steel Engage Review: Full-Sized Folder With Fight

If you need a heavy-duty folder, the Cold Steel Engage can accommodate.

I have always liked Cold Steel knives. They’re made tough and I’ve never had a problem with edge retention on one. The Cold Steel Engage keeps this tradition going. The overall feel of the locking folder is on the larger size but this comes in handy when using pressure on cuts.

Cold Steel Engage Light Cutting

I went with single-walled cardboard for the first slicing test. The Engage quickly shredded the material into nice strips. It was smooth slicing and very controllable. The large frame provides a positive grip.

Cold Steel Engage Open — The handle’s integral single guard, single finger groove and bird’s-beak butt combine for a sound, secure grip.

Second on the list was plastic board. Again, the knife sliced very quickly and easily. The hollow-ground blade curled the plastic board a bit but that is to be expected. The handle made it easy to control each cut.

Cold Steel knife cutting leather — The locking folder made the skiving of 8-ounce leather fast and easy to control the cuts.

For finer work I picked out a strip of 8-ounce leather to skive. The Engage made the skiving fast and easy to control the cuts. I was just slower than the knife could skive. A nice crunching sound resonated with each cut. The Engage is very aggressive cutting leather.

Cold Steel Engage Heavy-Duty Tasks

It was time to whittle. The Engage made impressive curlicues in the pine. Making firesticks was a breeze. Whether deep or shallow cuts, the curlicues kept curling along. (It’s a lot of fun to make firesticks.)

Firesticks with the Engage — Making firesticks was a breeze.

Taking a seasoned branch, I whacked the Engage into it with a dead-blow hammer. Since the branch was all twisted and knotted, I had to whack the blade’s spine hard repeatedly. Finally, I got the wood split into quarters. The folder’s Atlas Lock was still 100 percent secure—tough stuff!

Edge Toughness

It was time for my favorite cutting medium: half-inch sisal rope. I’m getting sluggish at getting my fingers out of the way and had two nicks on my fingernail within the first 20 cuts. I had to slow down! The Engage, on the other hand, crunched 225 times and showed no signs of slowing down. This is one sharp blade for sure.

Engage vs antler — After whacking the whitetail deer antler 30 times, the author found no edge damage. The heat treatment is spot on.

To take the Engage one step further, I pulled out an old whitetail deer antler. After whacking the horn 30 times, I looked for any edge damage. There was none to be found. The heat treatment is spot on. Excellent job!

Edge Retention

For a final test I turned to the paper slice. The 20-pound bond copier paper parted quickly with no snagging. Man, this knife holds an edge! It zipped through the paper like it was nothing.

Engage closed — The knife has a short stainless steel pocket clip. Note the ridges on the slide of the Atlas Lock for enhanced purchase.

Overall Take

This is one very sharp folder. If you like them full-sized, the Engage is a match.

Possible Improvements

Some thumb notches on the blade spine would aid in finer cutting tasks.

Cold Steel Engage Specs:
Knife Type: Utility locking folder
Blade Length: 3.5”
Blade Steel: CPM S30VN stainless
Blade Grind: Hollow
Blade Pattern: Clip point
Blade Openers: Dual thumb studs
Lock: Atlas Lock
Handle: G-10
Handle Design: Integral single guard w/single finger groove and bird’s-beak butt
Lanyard Hole: Yes
Pocket Clip: Short stainless steel design
Liners: Stainless steel
Closed Length: 45/6”
Weight: 7 ozs.
Country of Origin: Taiwan
MSRP: $169.95

Damned Designs Basilisk Review: Wide And Wicked

Msg Kim Breed (ret.)

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July 11, 2023

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Damned Designs Basilisk Review: Wide And Wicked

The Basilisk is a lightweight fixed blade that cuts well above its weight class.

I’m really liking the wider blade of the Basilisk* by Damned Designs. The full flat grind combined with the blade’s ample width makes for almost perfect edge geometry—a thin edge for slicing with enough meat behind it for added strength. The thinner blade stops any binding while slicing thicker material like cardboard.

Basilisk in sheath — The fold-over Kydex sheath is first class.

The G-10 slabs have enough texture for a good grip. The Basilisk is a solid EDC knife. It uses Sandvik 14C28N stainless for blade material, a great using steel.

But how well does it cut?

Basilisk Sharpness Test

A baseline edge check using 20-pound bond copy paper went fast. The blade was very sharp from the factory. I’m glad I have calluses on my fingers as the Basilisk nicked them twice because I was slow getting them out of the way.

Light Cutting Duty

Single-walled cardboard was the second test medium. The blade sliced very smoothly and was aggressive its entire length. The cut strips laid straight due to the flat grind, so no binding on this one. I slowed the slicing down to save my fingers and all went well.

Damned Design Basilisk cutting leather — The thin edge and flat grind produced excellent curlicues for a firestick.

Eight-ounce leather was next. The Basilisk was very aggressive cutting animal skin. I could hear it slice its way through. The handle shape made it easy to control each cut’s width while also being comfortable. I also did some skiving. The Basilisk skived very quickly and evenly. Man, this knife is sharp!

Heavy Duty Cutting

Time for making some firesticks by whittling curlicues. The thin flat grind produced excellent wood curls. The thickness of the curlicues was eminently controllable. However, when I went in for deep cuts the edges of the G-10 handle were a bit hard on my hand.

Damned Design Basilisk vs rope — A total of 225 crunching cuts made mincemeat of the half-inch sisal rope.

Next up: half-inch sisal rope. The Basilisk made 100 crunching cuts before I had to don a glove to cover a hot spot. The knife dished out another 125 crunching cuts before I stopped. The edge showed no signs of slowing down. Total: 225 crunching cuts.

Toughness Tests

I batonned the Basilisk through some aged hackberry, a tough wood when dried. I whacked the rear, middle and tip of the blade spine for four complete splits. It worked excellent, with no damage to the edge or knife overall other than some wood smears on the stonewashed finish.

Basilisk vs wood — The thin edge and flat grind produced excellent curlicues for a firestick.

To really push the edge/heat treatment, I grabbed an old whitetail deer antler. After 30 hard whacks on it I checked the edge for chipping. There was none to be found. Heat treat is on the money for sure. Excellent job.

Edge Retention

Time to check the final edge with the 20-pound bond paper. The Basilisk still sliced smoothly even though the paper was getting damp from it raining all day. There were a few tears in the paper from the dampness.

Suggest Changes To The Basilisk

I would soften the handle edges a bit more.

Basilisk chopping antlers — After 30 hard whacks on the deer antler, the author checked the edge for any chipping. There was none to be found. The heat treat is on the money.

Final Cut

The Basilisk is a very nice knife, excellent for EDC or camp. It’s definitely a top pick on my list.

Damned Designs Basilisk Specs

Knife Type: Fixed blade
Blade Length: 4.25”
Blade Steel: Sandvik 14C28N stainless
Blade Width at Widest: 1.75”
Blade Finish: Stonewashed
Handle: G-10
Handle at Thickest: .5”
Weight: 7.25 ozs.
Overall Length: 8.75”
Sheath: Kydex fold-over
Weight w/Sheath: 11 ozs.
MSRP: $75

*The basilisk is a legendary serpent king that killed those who looked into its eyes.

Rothman Knives Gentleman’s Trapper Review

Msg Kim Breed (ret.)

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June 19, 2023

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Rothman Knives Gentleman’s Trapper Review

Don’t let its throwback good looks fool you, Rothman’s Gentleman’s Trapper has serious EDC chops.

The original EDC knife is a pocketknife. It used to be a right of passage when you were allowed to have a hand-me-down knife in your front pocket. I received mine at the ripe old age of 5. I used it to sharpen pencils and crayons and for whittling.

After a few years and a few cuts on my fingers, I progressed to skinning and cleaning fish. The knife never left my front pocket. I carried it to school for daily uses. It also made quite a few trips in the washing machine and dryer. My mom would have a fit every time she heard it thumping in the dryer. Of course, the laws have changed now and the younger generation has found other things to entertain themselves. For me, my old pocketknife is retired.

Mike Rothman’s Gentleman’s Trapper would make a great pocket filler. It walks and talks perfectly. But how well does it cut? Let’s see.

Gentleman’s Trapper Sharpness Test

Twenty-pound bond copy paper provided the first test. The slip joint sliced it cleanly and effortlessly. The edge is very fine, so control was easy. It’s a nasty-sharp knife for sure—I could hear the blade slicing aggressively.

Light Duty Cutting With The Gentleman’s Trapper

Cutting cardboard — After dispatching single-walled cardboard with the Rothman knife, the author only had to use a tad more pressure on the push cut to zip through double-walled cardboard.

On to single-walled cardboard. The Gentleman’s Trapper made short work of it. In fact, it was very addictive slicing the cardboard. The blade made smooth, straight cuts with no deflection of the material. Very sharp indeed!

Next I found a piece of double-walled cardboard to try. I only had to use a tad more pressure on the push cut to zip through it. I could hear every cut again. The knife is a very forceful cardboard cutter.

Gentleman’s Trapper skins leather — The thin blade made skiving leather simple, producing super thin slices repeatedly.

It was time for the leather slice and skiving. The trapper zipped through the leather quickly, so I had to use my knuckles as a stop to keep the piece together so it wouldn’t turn into a pile of pieces. The thin blade made skiving simple, producing super thin slices repeatedly. The stag handle worked perfectly providing a positive grip cutting the leather.

Heavy-Duty Cutting Duty

Whittling was up next. The thin blade produced some of the finest curly-cues I’ve seen. I changed the angle of cut for a deeper bite. I could see and feel the blade flex as deeper bites ensued. It was a very weird sensation, to say the least. I just moved the contact surface closer to the bolsters.

Gentleman’s Trapper whittling — In the whittling test, the author changed the angle of cut for a deeper bite. He could see and feel the edge flex as deeper bites ensued.

Half-inch sisal rope beckoned. I was looking forward to this one. Dang, this trapper performs—273 crunching cuts and the edge was barely sliding! It was easy to cut with and the handle was comfortable with a tight grip. The insides of the liners are a bit sharp but there were no hot spots. Wow!

I returned to the 20-pound bond paper to see if the edge was affected by all the testing. Nope—same clean slices in the material, a sign of great heat treatment.

Knife tested vs antlers — The author whacked the blade 30 times into the antler with no edge damage at all. The edge would still pull hair and the knife was as tight as when the author started, still walking and talking.

I was compelled to do a warranty-breaking test just to see how tough the Gentleman’s Trapper is. Where was the deer antler? I whacked the blade 30 times into the antler expecting to see some minor edge damage. There was no damage at all! The edge would still pull hair and the knife was as tight as when I started, still walking and talking.

Overall Impression Of Rothman’s Work

I was impressed with the performance of the blade considering how thin it is. Excellent workmanship!

Does Anything Need To Change?

Soften the exposed inside edges of the liners. That’s all, folks!

Gentleman’s Trapper Specs:
Knife Type: Slip joint/pocketknife
Maker: Mike Rothman
Blade Length: 3”
Blade Steel: Damasteel damascus in an Ægir pattern
Blade Grind: Hollow
Blade Pattern: Clip point
Blade Thickness: Tapers on the spine from 1/8” above the ricasso to .039” at the tip; the edge is even thinner than the latter
Handle: Sambar stag w/shield of same material as the blade
Handle at the Thickest: .5”
Liners: Fileworked of 410 stainless steel
Bolsters: 416 stainless steel
Backspring: CPM 154 stainless steel
Weight: 3.5 ozs.
Closed Length: 4”
Knife to know: There is a seamless fit of blade to backspring in the open position
Extras: Comes in black zippered pouch w/Rothman’s company name over shape of the state of New York
Maker’s price: $750

Sarge Knives TK Retro Review: Throwback Bushcraft

Msg Kim Breed (ret.)

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May 31, 2023

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Sarge Knives TK Retro Review: Throwback Bushcraft

Sarge Knives TK Retro has throwback looks, but modern performance.

The TK Retro from Sarge Knives reminds me of my first fixed blade.

The blade was pitted and the leather handle was cracking. Still, the knife field dressed many squirrel, rabbit and game birds throughout my childhood. It was an excellent camper’s or outdoorsman’s knife.

As for the TK Retro, like my first fixed blade, the stacked-leather handle still gives my hand a warm feel. It has a 440C stainless steel blade to make its good looks last even longer. However, how does it cut?

TK Retro Sharpness Test

Retro cutting paper — Using the knife’s weight, the author employed push cuts in the stationery. There were no “bad starts,” just smooth slicing.

The first test medium was 20-pound bond copy paper. The TK Retro started slicing and made nice, clean cuts in the stationery. Using the knife’s weight, I employed push cuts. There were no “bad starts,” just smooth slicing.

TK Retro Light-Duty Cuting

TK Retro vs leather — The blade audibly crunched the leather with each skive and made it easy to control the width of slices.

The TK Retro bit deep and smooth [into drywall], with minimal bending of the cut pieces. I could feel the cardboard’s layers with each cut. Edge performance was nice and aggressive. The handle provides a very secure grip.

Leather skiving followed. The blade audibly crunched the leather with each cut and made it easy to control the width of slices.

Heavy-Duty Cutting With Sarge’s Fixed Blade

Firesticks

While camping, I was splitting firewood for the weekend. My wife, Melissa, wanted to start the fire so I showed her how to make fire sticks. She took to whittling very quickly and did four of the sticks to aid in her fire starting. She used the TK Retro to make some very nice curlicues. Before I knew it she had a beautiful fire going—excellent job on her part! I was surprised to see her whittling over her bench that she had painted. She seemed to feel very confident using the little fixed blade.

Splitting Wood

I had some dry hackberry wood to split for kindling. A dead blow hammer and the TK Retro made short work of the task. I didn’t see or feel any edge/knife damage while batonning the edge through the wood. The guard acted like a guide for my hold hand, keeping the wood away from my knuckles. The leather handle absorbed the vibrations perfectly.

Vs Rope

TK Retro cuts rope — The fixed blade made 82 crunching cuts in the half-inch sisal rope before the edge started to slide.

On the half-inch sisal rope, the TK Retro crunched its way to 82 clean cuts before the edge started to slide. I did find that the guard had a sharp edge that needed softening a bit. It would create a hot spot on your hand after a while. It was an easy fix with some sandpaper.

Chopping Antlers

The last test for the edge consisted of a series of chops into a whitetail deer antler. After 20 hard whacks, I expected to see some minor edge chipping but there was none. The edge was as sharp as when I started. Sarge Knives nailed the heat treating.

Changes

The guard and buttcap need to be softened a tad. They will bite you after a period of hard use.

Final Cut

The TK Retro is a very nice medium-use knife great for game or camping.

Sarge Knives TK Retro Specs
Blade length: 3.5 inches
Blade steel: 440C stainless
Blade finish: Mirror polish
Handle: Stacked leather
Fittings: Stainless steel
Construction: Full tang
Weight: 4 ounces
Overall length: 7 3/8 inches
Sheath: Brown leather pouch w/snap and belt loop
Weight w/sheath: 5 ounces
MSRP: $53.95

Flexcut Whittlin’ Jack Review: Taking Wood Down To Size

Buyer's Guides

Msg Kim Breed (ret.)

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April 22, 2023

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Flexcut Whittlin’ Jack Review: Taking Wood Down To Size

When it comes to wood cutting, the Flexcut Whittlin’ Jack takes no prisoners.

The Whittlin’ Jack by Flexcut Carving Tools is the knife I wish I had when I was growing up. It would have made my outdoor life so much easier, not to mention much less painful. Granted, the blade edges are very fine and made for wood, so they tend to chip if you cut hard stuff.

Growing up a commercial fisherman on the Great Lakes, I was always cutting twine. The Whittlin’ Jack’s sharp blades would have saved me plenty of time resharpening and in doing such outdoor chores as marking sticks on a trapline. However, the best things about the knife are the sharpness of the edges during whittling, including for super fine cuts, and a very comfortable handle shape. The backspring holds the blade open tightly enough to stop accidental foldup while cutting, yet slowly closes the blade.

Flexcut Whittlin’ Jack Edge Test

Cutting paper — For the first edge-check medium, the author used his standard 20-pound bond copy paper. Both the roughing and detail blades zipped through the stationery way too fast. He just used the weight of the blade and pushed down.

For the first edge-check medium I used my standard 20-pound bond copy paper. Both the roughing and detail blades zipped through the stationery way too fast. I just used the weight of the blade and pushed down. I’m glad I had fingernails! Now I have four nicks in one. The knife was scary sharp from the get-go.

Whittlin’ Jack Vs Light-Duty Material

Next up was single-walled cardboard. The Whittlin’ Jack did not slow down one bit, though I did learn to move my finger faster. I could feel the blades cutting through the pockets in the cardboard. I made the longer cuts with the roughing blade.

I made some straight cuts in 8-ounce leather to see how thin I could get the slices without the leather folding over. These blades are so scary sharp that I really had to watch how much pressure I was using so I didn’t cut the leather in half. Both blades were very controllable.

Cutting the end of the leftover leather at an angle, I did some skiving. I could hear a very aggressive crunching sound as the Whittlin’ Jack bit into the material. The slices were so thin I could actually see the polished bevel cutting through. Very sharp indeed!

Whittlin’ Jack Whittling

The Whittlin’ Jack is the first knife to ever give me curly curly-cues. It was amazingly simple and easy to do. Fine cuts or deeper cuts, it didn’t matter. The whittling was so smooth the blades just slid through the wood. I liked the detail blade better for making curly curly-cues. The handle shape really excels as it fills your palm, making the blades an extension of your hand. This is an outstanding design to say the least.

For some extra whittling fun, I carved a thin tanto-style knife in less than 5 minutes. The roughing blade did its job very quickly, thinning the wood and getting the overall shape. The detail blade made short work of cutting in the bevels and choil. It was amazing how smooth every cut was. Controlling the blades was easy with the handle design. The Whittlin’ Jack is the perfect knife for the job.

Whittlin’ Jack Vs Sisal Rope

Cut Rope with the Flexcut Whittlin’ Jack — The knife crunched to 150 cuts in half-inch sisal rope in record time without any sliding. According to the author, it is the best overall Spec Sheet sisal rope cutter to date—that includes for both edge sharpness and handle comfort.

I used the roughing blade so my knuckles would clear the workbench. The knife crunched to 150 cuts in record time without any sliding. Since it would be a waste of sisal rope, I stopped cutting. The blade was still nasty sharp. This is the best overall Spec Sheet sisal rope cutter to date—that includes for both edge sharpness and handle comfort. Wow!

Recomendations

I might put a finer finish on the walnut handle inserts.

Bottom Line

Cutting leather with Flexcut Whittlin’ Jack — The author indicated the Whittlin’ Jack was the first knife to ever give him curly-cues that were actually curly. He preferred the smaller detail blade for the purpose.

The Whittlin’ Jack really impressed me in both sharpness and handle comfort. I’ll place it in the top
1 percent of knives I’ve tested. I will be carrying one.

Flexcut Carving Tools warrants its knives against defects as long as the knife is not abused. Remember, this knife is made for wood use only and the blades do not lock in place.

Flexcut Carving Tools Whittlin’ Jack Specs
Blade Patterns: Roughing and detail
Blade Lengths: Roughing 2” and detail 1.5”
Blade Material: In-house tool steel
Blade Grinds: Flat
Handle: Aluminum frame, walnut insert
Non-Lock Mechanism: Slip joint
Weight: 3 ozs.
Closed Length: 4.125”
Country Of Origin: USA
MSRP: $63.95
Flexcut Tools

MILF-02 Review: A Beefy, Heavy-Duty Folder

Msg Kim Breed (ret.)

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March 20, 2023

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MILF-02 Review: A Beefy, Heavy-Duty Folder

The Hardcore Hardware MILF-02 Is A Heavy-Duty Folder That’s Designed For Any Challenge Users Can Throw At It.

The MILF-02 folder from Hardcore Hardware is made for hardcore users. It’s big and beefy all the way around, has a dimple-textured handle and frame for an excellent non-slip grip, and a classic drop-point-blade shape.

The hollow grind extends halfway up the blade. Blade steel is CPM S30V stainless with a PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) coating. It offers a classic black color on a framelock design with a flipper tab on the blade. It’s built heavy duty but it still has to cut.

Testing The MILF-02

MILF cutting cardboard — The first inch of the cuts of the double-walled cardboard went well until the author had to use more pressure to push the cardboard over the thickness of the blade where the hollow grind stops. Once he got used to that, it was easy to overcome the twisting.

Right off the bat, the MILF sliced 20-pound-bond copy paper smoothly. The knife’s weight made the push cuts very easy. There were no snags or hang ups and it was simple to control the width of the slices.

Next: double-walled cardboard. The first inch of the cuts went well, then I had to use more pressure to push the cardboard over the thickness of the blade where the hollow grind stops. Once I got used to hitting this spot, it was easy to overcome the twisting. There were no edge hang ups at all.

I grabbed some 8-ounce leather for some skiving. The MILF was aggressive on every cut and emitted a crunching sound each time. Control was excellent in making fine slices and the handle filled my hand.

Cutting The Hard Stuff

MILF cutting a 2x4 — The author gave the 2×4 chunk 20 hard chops and the MILF bit deep on every whack. The edges of each chop were smooth.

It was time for some whittling. The folder seemed to want to bite deep into the wood. I started off with a fine curly-cue and by the end of the cut the edge was well into the wood. The MILF didn’t hesitate at all on the deeper cuts; it just kept curling the wood. It is a heavy cutter for sure.

I put a 2×4 chunk in my vise and gave the wood 20 hard chops. The MILF bit deep on every whack. The edges of each chop were smooth. Lockup was still at 100 percent. The knife is a great chopper with the bigger handle and all, but the inside edges of the handle need softening. They’re a tad on the sharp side

I took the same 2×4 and used the folder to split it into smaller pieces. All it took was a light tap from a dead blow hammer and the wood split with a pop. The thicker blade worked great for this phase of the testing. Lockup was still at 100 percent.

Half-inch sisal rope was next on the slicing block. The MILF crunched through 200 clean cuts very quickly, showing no signs of slowing down. I stopped cutting to save on rope. Edge holding was excellent and the heat treatment was great.

To take the testing further, I grabbed a deer antler for some more whacking. I gave the antler 20 hard wallops and the blade edge suffered no rolling or chipping. I did manage to remove a very thin wire edge on the blade. However, the main edge was still very sharp.

I returned to the paper slice to recheck the edge. I noticed a few hang ups and found more of the wire edge still intact. Two strops on some leather and the edge was back to original sharpness. Excellent job on the heat treat!

Final Thoughts

I would soften the inside edges of the handle for a smoother grip. Beyond that, the MILF is a heavy-duty using folder that holds a great edge. It’s too big for my tastes but a cutter it is.

MILF-02 Knife Specs

Blade Length: 3.54 inches
Blade Steel: CPM S30V stainless
Rockwell Hardness: 59-60 HRC
Blade Grind: Hollow
Blade Thickness: .59 inches
Blade Width: 1.18 inches
Blade Finish: PVD coated
Blade Pattern: Harpoon/drop point
Blade Opener: Flipper
Handle Frame: 420J stainless steel and G-10
Lock: Framelock
Weight: 7.34 ounces
Closed Length: 4.72 inches
Country of origin: Taiwan
MSRP: $178.73 (rate of exchange at press time)

Read More

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M-1 Folder Review: How Good Is This Folder?

Msg Kim Breed (ret.)

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March 13, 2023

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M-1 Folder Review: How Good Is This Folder?

The M-1 Folding Pocketknife From MECHFORCE Takes A Licking And Keeps On Cutting No Matter What’s In Front Of It.

Most people don’t like carrying a thick knife. They already have enough stuff without a bulky folder blocking access to the other goodies in their pockets.

I really like the blade thinness of the M-1 folder by MECHFORCE. Add a deep-set pocket clip and the M-1 is low profile when attached to the lip of your pocket. Meanwhile, the handle feels great.

The blade is a classic drop-point shape and cuts like … well, let’s see!

M-1 Folder Takes On Paper And More

Mechforce M1 sharpness test — The M-1 sliced the 20-pound bond copy paper smoothly and quickly.

Twenty-pound bond copy paper is the first way to test the factory edge. The M-1 sliced the stationery smoothly and quickly. I put a few nicks in my fingernail by moving too slow. I could hear every slice in the paper. Very sharp!

On to double-walled cardboard. The blade bound a tad at the bottom of the cut and during withdrawal. The thicker slice is where I noticed the binding. Thinner slices were not a challenge. It sliced the cardboard fast overall.

I used some plastic board for the next medium. The M-1 sailed through every slice. It was easy to control the width of the cut. I like the shape of this handle a lot. It really gives me control with my sidewinder cutting style.

The M-1 bit into 8-ounce leather and did so with gusto. I could hear the aggressive sounds of the edge biting through the material—this is very addictive to do as you crunch away. The knife would excel at skinning game.

I did some skiving to check the control of the depth of the cut. There were no issues whatsoever on the leather—super thin cuttings every time. The flat grind really helped in cut-depth control.

Pushing The M-1 Folder

Mechforce M1 cutting rope — The M-1 Folder wore the author’s wrist out after 250 crunching cuts of half-inch sisal rope.

Next up: half-inch sisal rope—time to use more pressure on the M-1. The knife wore my wrist out after 250 crunching cuts. It still had more bite but I was done for the day on rope cutting. The knife gave me no hot spots and I found zero sharp areas on the handle. It was very comfortable with pressure cutting. Excellent work, MECHFORCE!

To give the edge a heavy workout, I grabbed an old whitetail antler and gave it 30 whacks. I expected to see a few small chips in the edge but none showed. The edge was still sharp with no snags, sure signs of tough steel and excellent heat treatment.

I switched back to slicing 20-pound bond paper to see if the edge was still field ready. It sliced cleanly throughout to the end of the testing.

The M-1 comes with a maintenance kit that includes how-to instructions, two sets of replacement adhesive strips, take-down wrench and a bandage. It’s well thought out.

Final Thoughts

Not much to say here—maybe add some skateboard tape inserts for a no-slip grip. The M-1 is a high-performance knife that takes a licking and keeps on cutting. It makes a great pocket addition.

M-1 Folder Knife Specs

Knife style: Flipper folder
Blade length: 3.5 inches
Blade steel: M390 stainless
Blade thickness at thickest: ⅛ inches
Blade grind: Full flat
Blade finish: Matte
Blade pattern: Drop point
Handle frame: 6Al4V titanium
Handle inserts: Mars Valley carbon fiber
Pocket clip: Deep set
Lock: Framelock
Weight: 5 ounces
Closed length: 4-11/16 inches
Knife to know: Features hidden-screw design
Country of origin: Partially made in the USA
MSRP: $385

Read More

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Msg Kim Breed (ret.)

If you need a heavy-duty folder, the Cold Steel Engage can accommodate.

Cold Steel Engage Light Cutting

Cold Steel Engage Heavy-Duty Tasks

Edge Toughness

Edge Retention

Overall Take

Possible Improvements

Read More Knife Reviews:

The Basilisk is a lightweight fixed blade that cuts well above its weight class.

Basilisk Sharpness Test

Light Cutting Duty

Heavy Duty Cutting

Toughness Tests

Edge Retention

Suggest Changes To The Basilisk

Final Cut

Damned Designs Basilisk Specs

Read More Knife Reviews:

Don’t let its throwback good looks fool you, Rothman’s Gentleman’s Trapper has serious EDC chops.

Gentleman’s Trapper Sharpness Test

Light Duty Cutting With The Gentleman’s Trapper

Heavy-Duty Cutting Duty

Overall Impression Of Rothman’s Work

Does Anything Need To Change?

Read More Knife Reviews:

Sarge Knives TK Retro has throwback looks, but modern performance.

TK Retro Sharpness Test

TK Retro Light-Duty Cuting

Heavy-Duty Cutting With Sarge’s Fixed Blade

Firesticks

Splitting Wood

Vs Rope

Chopping Antlers

Changes

Final Cut

Read More Knife Reviews:

When it comes to wood cutting, the Flexcut Whittlin’ Jack takes no prisoners.

Flexcut Whittlin’ Jack Edge Test

Whittlin’ Jack Vs Light-Duty Material

Whittlin’ Jack Whittling

Whittlin’ Jack Vs Sisal Rope

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