As I was looking for a big not threatening folder, I was studying different wharncliff designs or sheepfoot blades for that matter. Ending my quest with that little Spyderco wonder in the previous review: the Dragonfly. But back to the QSP birdy pictured here with a Spydiechef:
But my need for a more longer blade (especially in the kitchen) was still on and then I have found that QS130XL-B – QSP Penguin Plus Titane. Same specs as my beloved D2 Blue Denim Micarta QSP but everything is different 😉 because this is the Penguin PLUS with: A longer blade. Blade length 8,6 cm.Blade thickness 3,5 mm. A flipper. A titanium handle A 20CV DLC longer blade. Length closed 11,4 cm. Ceramic ball bearing.. Lockbar insert. Titanium clip.
Weight 127g.
The price was 7 times the price of my first Penguin on thebestknives.eu in Vesoul, France. Great bargain and great service.
And here it is:
It is razor sharp right out of the box. Well balanced and all the contour are chanfered. It is a very nice tool knife. There is a serious heft in this blade. The action is not stellar because of the detent on the coating but the knife fires with ease thanks to a great detent and an heavy blade. The integral lock is a little on the sticky side but nothing dramatic. The whole package is a flat easy to carry medium folder.
But that thumb stumb as to go. Why ? Because there is no choil and if you miss your thumstud firing (instead of using the flipper) chance are high to get your thumb encountering the razor edge of the blade. So it has to go.
It was easily done with two torxes. Now I got a little hole but it suits me. I have done the same treatment 23 years ago with Benchmade BM710 this kind of treatment assures you to get a little longer working blade eventually as the studs loves to get in the way.
The tip looks like a sailor or electrician knife and seems strong enough for many knife tasks. In the wharncliffe blade design the point is in contact with cutting board or the plate and gthis one is pointy enough to draw my blood while writing that review… Well well now it is time for the real testing which will bring another review soon enough. This is a beautiful knife with a strong straight long blade which disappears in the pocket with its deep carry wired clip. That titanium clip retention is very good BTW. The handle is made of gorgeous bronze titanium which gives a nice patina look to it and eventually a very vintage toolish low profile look. This is destined to be a hard used folder used in middle of brass and copper. Its flipper is even providing a security guard preventing the hand to slip forward. Instinctively they are many grips and many usages to be considered for a solid folder. And in terms of edge retention, CPM-20CV is one of the best stainless steel to be found nowadays linked here. Not the strongest (like CPM-3V) but certainly one of the best balanced.
So this is really a nice knife to EDC to put to its paces.
Pictured here with a Ed Schempp Bowie.
And a Swayback.
And for the next step a de shouldering of the edge is mandatory. Diamonds work great.
Behind the code “SC28FP2WK390” lies one of the gems designed in-house by Sal Glesser. The Dragonflies are legion. (All green text in this review links to related articles.)
Quoting Spyderco: “The Dragonfly 2 is one of the most size-efficient folding knives ever created, especially when expressed with a straight-edged Wharncliffe-style blade. When that blade is crafted from tough, wear-resistant K390 tool steel, the result is a compact powerhouse cutting tool that will take and hold an exceptional edge.
Like the standard Dragonfly 2, this knife also features a user-friendly back lock and a reversible deep-pocket wire clip, but its linerless FRN handle is molded in the signature blue color of Spyderco’s K390 family of knives.”
The Dragonfly is a very small locking knife that has been produced in many variations: stainless steel handles, Salt Series rustproof versions, and numerous sprint runs. This version uses a Wharncliffe blade in one of the finest modern tool steels available: K390. Such a capable steel on such a small, thin blade is always worth experiencing.
Wharncliffe blades offer outstanding cutting performance, and I’ve reviewed them many times. Backlocks (or lockbacks) are among the strongest folding knife mechanisms by design. The hand pressure is transferred directly through the choil and spine, meaning the force goes into the blade rather than the handle, preserving the mechanism even under hard use.
Despite its reduced size, the handle still allows a full four-finger grip. This is a true tour-de-force of design.
My Pingo features a thicker blade and, with its slipjoint mechanism, has proven to be a truly reliable everyday companion.
The Dragonfly, on the other hand, offers a more aggressive cutting geometry in a much more compact package.
The Wharncliffe blade really shines in use: only the tip makes initial contact, which helps preserve the edge from harsh impacts on hard surfaces such as ceramic plates. As a result, this small knife can even function as a surprisingly capable compact steak knife.
As my friend Jur once told me, “The older you get, the smaller the knives you’ll prefer.” Over time, I’ve come to realize just how true that is.
The Dragonfly in K390 is a remarkably refined combination. Ultra-compact and slim in the pocket, yet equipped with a blade that performs far beyond its size, it delivers outstanding cutting power and edge retention in a minimalist format.
Lightweight, discreet, and highly capable, it’s the kind of tool that quietly earns its place as a daily companion — equally suited to anyone who appreciates precision and performance in a compact form.
Article written by Nemo Sandman – Edited the 5th of November 2025. All rights (pictures and text) reserved.
Have you ever wondered why so many Spyderco Sprint Runs seem to appear out of nowhere, featuring gorgeous carbon fiber handles and impressive CPM S90V blades?
It’s simple — Sal Glesser loves both materials.
For him, carbon fiber reflects his lifelong passion for motorsports, while S90V stands out as a stainless steel in a league of its own, combining high performance and outstanding reliability.
So, long story short: Full Flat Grind + Carbon Fiber + S90V = Sal Glesser’s favorite combo!
And to quote my friend Spydercollector:
“When the Bushcraft fixed blade was first announced, Sal also planned to do a so-called NASA version; a version of the Bushcraft knife with all high-tech materials. I believe NASA is a protected name, but Endeavour still evokes the high-tech approach most people associate with the famous space agency. The Endeavour features a full flat grind S90V blade and full sculpted carbon fiber handles. It was a beautiful knife with a grip that had me looking around for stuff to cut.”
Here is the Proficient: it is designed by wilderness expert Chris Claycomb of Bushcraft UK, the Proficient functions perfectly with traditional bushcraft skills and cutting methods. Carefully contoured and polished to eliminate hot spots and ensure maximum comfort during prolonged use.
Bushcraft knives are defined by specific parameters — typically featuring blades between 4 and 6 inches. Spyderco’s Bushcraft model fits perfectly within that tradition: a 4-inch, full-tang blade with no handguard, purpose-built for control and versatility.
In true Bushcraft spirit, users generally favor high-carbon tool steels over stainless options, prioritizing edge retention and cutting performance rather than corrosion resistance. The O-1 tool steel used here, with its high carbon content, delivers excellent long-term sharpness while remaining easy to resharpen in the field.
Carried on the belt or strap in a leather sheath, this knife is blueprinted for wilderness chores — slicing, chopping, whittling, and processing game — all in the traditional Bushcraft style.
To quote Spyderco: “The Spyderco Proficient takes the concept of the traditional “do-all” bushcraft knife and elevates it to new levels of performance with state-of-the-art materials and manufacturing methods. Designed by wilderness expert Chris Claycomb of Bushcraft UK, the Proficient functions perfectly with traditional bushcraft skills and cutting methods while offering superior durability, edge retention, cutting performance, and corrosion resistance Instead of traditional carbon steel and an axe-like “Scandi” (Scandinavian) grind, the Proficient’s blade is crafted from vanadium-rich CPM®S90V particle-metallurgy stainless steel and boasts a full-flat grind for low-friction cutting performance.“
This concept of a stainless blade paired with a black polished handle has, ten years later, been fully embraced — a perfect example being the Casström No.10 Swedish Forest Knife in Black Micarta with a 14C28N flat grind.
I first discovered CPM S90V back when it was still known as CPM 420V, thanks to Darrel Ralph (RIP) and his beautiful Apogee folder. The blade was astonishingly wear-resistant — so much so that, without diamond abrasives, only a backstand could bring it from dull to sharp. It was a bear to sharpen then… and still is today.
The difference is, as end-line users, we now have easy access to industrial diamond tools, making steels like S90V finally practical to maintain at their full potential.
I have written a lot about S90V. This alloy has proven it can be tough enough as a stainless steel to be used in any all terrain tools; especially since it is available on Manly folders which got the reputation of using a very fine thin geometry on their blades. Modern Bushcrafters (like the Benchmade Puukko) are focused on toughness with the use of the very tough CPM 3V.
What does CPM S90V bring to the table?
It’s incredibly wear-resistant. This steel is notoriously hard to dull, even when cutting abrasive materials like brown cardboard loaded with silica. It keeps its edge far longer than most steels, making it ideal for demanding, real-world use. Also the full flat grind is a must in a matter separator specialized in wood works. As much as I love Scandi Grind found on Woodlore clones (first designed by Ray Mears). I have found that especially in the wonderful Spyderco Sprig full flat ground knives can be really efficient on hard wood. (BTW when the writing appears in green: it is a link !! and I have tested them here.)
It’s stainless! Even if you (like me) enjoy the patina that forms on a great carbon steel blade, there’s real peace of mind in using a reliable stainless steel — especially when working near water, in the rain, or by the sea.
The Sprig was an impressive tool in terms of pure geometry. Designed as a hunting and fishing knife, it was a real wood eater — a beaver of a blade, cutting deep and effortlessly.
Guess what? The Proficient shares the same profile, especially after a bit of convexing — which I’ll be covering soon in a second article.
So far, that contoured handle is an absolute delight to use, and I’ll be putting it to the test in the upcoming piece. While the old O1 Bushcrafter had enough heft for light chopping, the Proficient excels at powerful push cuts — a completely different experience.
Interestingly, the Proficient isn’t a big knife. Once sheathed, it can disappear into the front pocket of a pair of denim jeans — no need to let it dangle from a belt. So what do we got ? Imagine the plateforme of the Bushcrafter (link) a solid companion, a reliable 4×4 and you just turn it into some Urus from Lamborghini: stellar alloy and lighter tougher handle. The Proficient is Sal Glesser’s gambit — a bold move in a world where the bushcraft community traditionally favors carbon steel and natural wooden handles. This knife dares to break from that norm.
Of course, this jewel comes at a price, and most bushcrafters aren’t Wall Street sharks. They use Opinel, Mora, or at best a €100 fixed blade — unless they’re ready to splurge on an original Woodlore.
So, the “stealth wealth” of this NASA-grade bushcrafter isn’t for everyone. It’s like a Lamborghini — not the most practical, but a statement of refined performance and engineering excellence. Because in the end, real performance comes at a price.
Article written by Nemo Sandman – Edited on November 5th, 2025. All rights (pictures and text) reserved.
This Spyderco folder, designed by Massad Ayoob, the well-known firearms instructor, was conceived as a self-defense folding knife. A concept I struggle with. In my view, almost any tool with an edge—or even a screwdriver—can be used similarly. The rest is largely marketing, especially in a country with a deeply rooted personal weapons culture.
Not for me. But what if I’m wrong?
Massad Ayoob is a respected authority, LEO (law enforcement officer), firearms instructor, and writer on defensive use of force, including edged weapons. For over four decades, he has taught defensive firearms and knife programs and has frequently served as an expert witness in court cases involving such tools.
This is less of an issue for professionals—law enforcement or military personnel—who may be forced to face knife attacks. But for civilians? Learning to defend oneself with a blade should remain an absolute last resort in a situation that likely could have been avoided through awareness and mobility.
As a design, I’ve always liked the C60, especially its ergonomics—not as a weapon, but as a cutting tool. It works exceptionally well for kitchen and general use. In fact, it was once one of my favorite “baguette openers” in the folding knife world, particularly in its serrated version.
Even knowing it was marketed with a design intent focused on deep penetration between ribs and vital organs, I’ve never been impressed by such narratives. Many everyday tools—chisels, screwdrivers, crowbars—can be used for harm. Intent matters more than geometry.
Spyderco, of course, is no stranger to this “self-defense niche”: Canis, Matriarch, Carahawk, P’Kal, Chinook, Civilian, Yojimbo…
Blast from the past.
In the 1990s, I had the opportunity to be among the first European reviewers of Master of Defense knives. Jim Watson, James Keating, Massad Ayoob, Graciela Casillas, and Michael Keating were all involved in the project.
Ayoob contributed the MoD Razorback, a fixed blade designed primarily for rapid deployment in reverse grip from a kydex sheath. He even timed his draws to demonstrate speed. I liked the concept, but it was clearly optimized for thrusting rather than cutting.
The same philosophy can be found in the C60: more oriented toward penetration than slicing, especially compared to something like the Yojimbo 2, which balances both.
The Razorback prototype is in the center, while Michael Janich’s Tempest appears at bottom right, featuring his Filipino grip concept.
On the C60 Sprint Run, Michael Janich wrote:
“From a utilitarian standpoint, the negative blade angle increases cutting power and leverage… I also strongly encourage you to consider a Schempp Bowie…”
It’s time to de-shoulder that Benchmade Adamas‘s edge and to convex it a little to my own taste. My tools are Spyderco Stuff 2 with diamonds, Fallkniven DC4 and leather strop.
First thing I will do is remove the stud which are in the way. I have found/learned that the hard way just by testing the angle, I have scratched them.
Two T6 torxs are necessary. One on each side.
Cerakote protection is found even inside the stub hole. In fact I was really tempted to remove it for good as the Adamas is so easy to open and close just by manipulating the Axis Lock button. But sometimes I need to be able to open it one hand and slowly too…
Next step is to protect each side of the blade, as I don’t want cerakote to be scratched… yet. I use white gaffer for that.
Slowly the edge is convexed and thinned. CPM Cruwear at 64 HRC is hard and diamonds are mandatory. It is a slow process all made by free hand.
Leather stropping is apply next. Again this is made slowly.
Soon this is a razorblade popping hairs just in one caress.
The Soda Bottle Butt Test was not passed in my previous test. This is the reason I have decided to thin the edge of the Adamas in the first place. Now it goes steady in like in butter.
The center of the butt is much thicker and harder to pass as the bottom can collapse. This is really my geometry test and many famous knives were not able to pass it.
The Adamas is now much better in terms of pushcutting and its steel (CPM Cruwear) is perfect for a thinner edge. The stud has been put back and the big folder is ready ! Easy peazy lemon squizzy. It took me 1 hour.
Here it is the Benchmade Adamas second generation with its CPM Cruwear heavy duty blade. It has been almost 20 years since I have reviewed one of Benchmade hardchore (made for the Military) folder. The last one was the AFCK Axis in D2 and I even think it was not upload even if it was my EDC for two years. I loved the AFCKs because, well, Sal Glesser was involved in its design with Chris Caracci and Les de Asis and Bob Terzuola and I simply appreciate Sal Glesser’s way to invent and design “matter separators”.
But here it is “Tabula Rasa” as far as I am concern ! Go figure: no hole in the blade, but holes in the handle, a gifted designer which I’m going to discover named Shane Sibert who has also designed the Bushcrafter for Benchmade… and Clive Owen’s knife in Sin City. His signature seems to be fuller on his blade. “I started making knives in 1994 with the idea of creating blade ware that is simple, practical and efficient. I have been a full-time knifemaker since 2004. Keeping with the theme of practicality, I avoid large metal guards, bolsters and heavy pommels to keep the knives balanced and agile in the hand. Materials have been carefully selected to ensure optimal edge retention and low maintenance. Although the knives incorporate slim handle slabs to decrease unwanted bulk and weight, the handles contour the hand for a synergistic fit. I strive to hold myself to high quality and design standards and produce a knife that will invoke pride of ownership and at the same time perform the task that it was designed for with exceptional ease.” (quoted from Arizona Customs Knives)
You can notice slabs and hole on the handle. Actually for such a big knife the Adamas is not that big. The first version was release in 2011 (you can see it here on Arizona Customs Knives) and was made of D2 the new version came ten years later and with its blade upgrade to CPM Cruwear. This steel is known to be tough ! Less than CPM3V but with a better edge retention. The Cpm Cruwear Shaman was a big hit ! Here Benchmade has heat treated the CPM Cruwear to 63-65 HRC ! This is something I need to test as it is much harder than Spyderco HRC (61-62HRC) on their CPM Cruwear blades. (Sal tested his own blade at 61.1 HRC).
At first touch, the Adamas oozes quality and delicate attention to details. The Olive Drab G10 slabs are wonderfully tappered on both ends and the jimping is done perfectly in my book, not as aggressive as G10 Manix for example. It is palm friendly even when closed. Well done. The holes in the handle help my thumb to index the tool.. There is no hot spots. The handle is totally open and easy to clean and check for debris. It is created as a workhorse which can get dirty but still reliable. Of course this is an expensive knife with a MRSP at $280.00 but you can see where your money has gone. It is manufactured with love. The blade is perfectly centered on mine and there is zero blade play in any direction. I love the Axis Lock concept since its very first Henry&Williams BM710 release. I have never had any issue with its Omega Spring. It is easy to use with one finger when the SPyderco Cage Ball Bearing needs two finger to work. The Axis Lock makes any knife as fast as automatics. I have never had any play on mine and I have been using them since their very very first release. I won’t do batonning with the lock engaged like some youtubers seems to do until lock failure. For record, you can do batoning with an opinel… But engaged lock (any lock) does not like to schoked and a beating can damage an disengaged any lock even a butterfly. Knowing how to use tools in the right situation should be mandatory before doing really stupid things on video and if anyone want to use a folder for batonning some wood (stupid millennial fashion as far as I am concern) just do it with no lock engaged or learn how to bring a better tool…
But once deployed, with just a gentle flick of the wrist — axis lock with heavy blade are just extraordinary easy to deplay— the blade is shown in all its power. I understand why some youtubers would like to shove it in concrete or in bricks…. I’m not certain they will be able to peel an apple in public with it but for that kind of task a Mini Adamas has been released with the same blade thickness…. Oooh well I’m not certain the thick Mini Adamas is made for fruits either. F<or that there is another tool too: the Kapara… The Adamas offering a 0.14″ | 3.556mm thick blade, it is designed hardcore for hard chores for folders. How will it behave, that will be in our next article but that blade surely offers a lot of lateral strength. For now it is just a very first glance. All specs of the Adamas can be found on Benchmade here. You can also notice on that picture its deep carry clip which can be a nice touch for such a big heavy folder. More on that later. The action is smooth at the pivot but needs a little breaking at the lock release; nothing some nano oil can not fix.
This is a very beautiful folder which is very well balanced, its sweet point being just under the index finger when hold in hammer grip. It is alive in my hands. The axis lock makes it ambidextrous and you can notice on that picture the 3 points for adapting that clip or another three screw clip (not deep carry) if needed on both sides of the handle.
The blade handle ratio is almost to 1 with the Adamas compared to the Military C36 which is known for its long handle. Of course the Adamas came very sharp out of the box, but not as sharp as I want. The blade is protected with cerakote coating Flat Earth colored which got excellent reputation in terms of tough protecting the CPM Cruwear from rusting. Cruwear can get a patina but it is not easy. Here Benchmade and Shane Sibert have chosen to propose a stealthy look for the soldiers which need no blade reflection under the sun too.
It is also sold with a very nice sheath offering many carry options for soldiers and hunters alike. The deep carry clip is perfect in term of retention and ease to retrieve the big and heavy knife. Oh it is 183 grams (5,45 oz) which is really heavy. The liners are stainless steel not titanium. This is Heavy Metal !
As you can notice the Adamas is much thicker than the C35 Military and much heavier too. Sal Glesser wanted his military to be as light as possible as a soldier got already many heavy things to carry. Benchmade has taken another direction. The Adamas is beefierand thicker. Actually it can also been more confortable for long usage. We will see…
Another beefy released was the Shaman which almost has the same handle length. The Adamas provides a lot of edge.
Here is my good old AFCK Axis. It was used with a lot of love as you can notice. Zero issue with the lock BTW.
Now it is time to give some work to that Adamas designed to “deliver unrivaled performance throughout hard-use applications”. The next step will involve certainly some sharpening and reprofiling… More to come soon…. But for now on, it is a knife which makes me grin when I open and close it. Kuddos to Benchmade and Shane Sibert for bringing this second gen of the mighty Adamas.
The Navaja is a legendary folding knife. For the first time in History, a folding knife was considered as the poor man sword in a country were sword fencing was the highest art. Actually they were three schools in fencing: the French, the Italian and the Spanish school. In Spain however, everybody were encouraged to be armed with a sword at the end of the 15th century. It was the time of Isabelle de Castille (born a 22nd of april) and Ferdinand II d’Aragon who both were in charge of the greatest occidental power of that time.
Early navajas were not much smaller than swords
La Navaja was the first Tactical Folding Knife. It was born in the 16th century in Andalusia for one main purpose—fighting. For the first time a folding knife was not made as a tool but as a weapon. James Loriega, wrote two great books…
In those days of tactical fever.
In those days of fears.
In this last day after the End of the World.
This is the time to change all the rules.
For the first time , Spyderco is releasing a folding knife with a hole in a blade which is like a blue carrot’s salad for a sniper: useless.
A folder with a hole in the blade so tiny it will only catch germs….
WTF ?
The Pingo is a collaborative effort of Danish knifemakers Jens Anso and Jesper Voxnaes. This knife was specifically designed to conform to the knife laws of Denmark, which prohibit both lock-blade folding knives and all forms of one-hand-opening knives.
The Sage line is a collection made in Taiwan (now a high quality of execution guarantee). and “represents Spyderco’s 30-year pledge to knife crafting and learning to make better knives at every available opportunity. The plan is to offer an ongoing series of Sage Folders with many of the different and ingenious locking devices and mechanisms the knife industry has to offer.” (sic)
The Sage I was a carbon fiber handle linerlock, an hommage to Michael Walker. The Sage II is a titanium handle integral lock, an hommage to Chris Reeve.
Let’s give a quick look at the design of that folder: not to big, flat, beautiful lines, taking in consideration a lot of Spyderco unique improvements — the wire clip, the choil…
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