Review

Spyderco Tenacious C122GBNM4PS – CPM-M4 with Serrations – Pure Workhorse

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I’ve been tenacious — truly tenacious — in resisting the C122 Tenacious, even though I’d had my eye on that folder since 2008. After 17 years of flirtation, I finally ordered one. Why the delay? Its main weakness was always the less-than-stellar steel compared to the high-end knives I already owned.

Now, the CPM-M4 version is here to quench that long-standing thirst.

I don’t have much memory of a CPM-M4 serrated edge, except with another Eric Glesser design: the Dodo Exclusivefrom Blade HQ (C80GM4S). The Dodo was a real wood slasher — its S-shaped blade trimmed vines deeper and faster than almost any other, and the comfortable handle was perfect for power cuts.

Opportunities to play with a serrated CPM-M4 edge have been rare — until now. Here it is.

Back in 2008, when the Tenacious have been released it was a success.

Eric Glesser’s design was appealing to many for a simple reason: it was a well-thought-out, tough workhorse knifeavailable for around €30 (or less). A true blue-collar tool — built to be used and abused, like a modern-day Buck 110 for the pocket.


The best thing about the Tenacious was that it offered a thick, sturdy, well-built liner lock at a time when liner locks were falling out of fashion. Easy to display, easy to use, this no-choil, long-edge, compact working folder from Eric Glesser was a hit — and one of the best ways to catch the Spydervirus.


Now there is a FRN version in CPM S35VN. But it is as heavy as the G10 version and I’m not really a fan of FRN… Even if I absolutely love the FRN scales of my Serrated Chaparral.

I remember Bushcrafters being the first to sing the praises of the Tenacious. An example:

“I’ve thrown it, dropped it, batoned wood as thick as my wrist, chipped the edge multiple times (didn’t think 8cr13mov could chip, thought it was too soft but was wrong), I’ve left in outside ONCE in the rain overnight because I forgot I placed it on my front porch the previous day, I have spine whacked it (just don’t, I most likely have an impulse problem… lol … same problem that causes me to buy a lot of knives) I’ve dug holes, stabbed the ground to cut weed roots out, and much much more...

I think by now you get the point. I treated the tenacious as if I got it for free and had 1000 more to replace it if something happened. I treated this knife as if I hated it.

The result? 4 years later, the Tenacious opens smoother than it ever has, not a speck of rust since I purchased it, I have oiled the blade a couple times but I can guarantee it was less than 20 times total in the last 4 years, lockup is a bit less solid, BARELY any blade play from side to side, even less blade play from front to back, g10 scales look smoothed over and scarred, but to be honest there is still plenty of traction.
All in all, this knife is much more than what most of you need from a folder.”

My Persistence experience was excellent as described in my 2012 review (green words lead to link) but eventually I was disappointed with their steel. 8Cr13MoV can get sharp but lose sharpness much too fast for my uses. It was frustratring. I still got 8Cr13MoV knives like the Clipitool which is a great oyster knife. 8Cr13MoV is tough for a stainless steel, no surprise it was chosen for the Tenacious line.

The Tenacious is a sturdy well made liner lock folder with a super tool steel blade.

“This remarkable expression of the Tenacious® elevates this best-selling design to all-new heights with a blade crafted from American-made CPM M4 tool steel. Produced by the particle metallurgy process, CPM M4’s sophisticated alloy composition, high vanadium content, and extremely fine grain structure give it exceptional wear resistance and toughness-properties that translate to outstanding edge retention and impact resistance in knife blades. This knife’s full-flat-ground blade is available in both PlainEdge™ and CombinationEdge™ formats and is housed in a handle featuring brown peel-ply-textured G-10 scales.“

I have written many reviews about that fabulous alloy CPM-M4 it has never disappointed me and since I have sold my CPM-M4 Military and kept my Yojimbo 2 and Mantra 2 (reviewed and sharpened by JD) and use them hard, I know it is reliable and get a nice patina.

A lil’oil will prevent rust. CPM M4 is not 52100 and the patina will come slowly after cutting some lemons…
“CPM M4 has good edge holding, sharpening ease, toughness, strength, and is not a rust monster…” to quote Rangodash.

Now a blade is 1/3 steel, 1/3 Heat Treatment and 1/3 geometry.

The Coke butt bottle pushing cutting test has been done with the factory edge right out of the box. It is thin behind the edge.  It’s a good blade thickness for more nuanced jobs, but there is added strength from the thicker spine. 

The knife sliced right in the middle were the materiel is thicker.
This is just outstanding !

There are a great geometry and a thin edge on that tough CPM-M4 blade. The result is a sturdy matter separator.

It is not an exploit to cut into some tin can but the same “shallow”, “non snaggy” kind of serrations as the Chaparral made it easy.

Again, this is a “performance oriented” knife. The blade is not too thick like some “tactical” toys. It is made to perform not to show off.

“For notching, serrated edges work great. Feathersticking, maybe, maybe not. Serrated edges are ground on the show side, so they actually work better when used left-handed for cuts like that. I carry a serrated K390 Police4 all the time for rough work. It goes through little volunteer elm trees like a chainsaw. A SharpMaker makes it a breeze to maintain the edge.” to quote Yablanowitz.

The liner lock is thick in the same spirit of Gayle Bradley’s folders.
The knife opens with a loud KLAK! — no blade play in any direction. The detent is strong but slightly “elastic,” meaning the blade moves a little before the release/tipping point engages. This makes it very secure, with no risk of accidental opening. I’ve noticed the same elasticity on the titanium version of the Tenacious. It’s important to note: this is not a weak detent — the blade won’t open without a deliberate, serious force.

Using the knife in Spyderdrop mode, a flick of the wrist catches the blade in the Spyderhole with no issue. Closing remains perfectly secure. There’s a tiny squeak out of the box, but a few drops of nano oil should mute it. The action isn’t buttery smooth like a compression lock on ball bearings, but after a bit of breaking-in and running-in, it will be wonderful.

The solid clip is delivered mounted in Tip Down carry, which suits well this knife for the Spyderco Drop featured on the Military 1 which got the same kind of “around the pivot” clip.

I have no intention of using tip-up carry or a deep-carry clip. This knife is a tool, meant for easy access rather than a stealthy edge. The Tenacious is always noticeable in the pocket, but that sturdy clip guarantees quick availability — reminding me of Massad Ayoob’s teachings.

Spyderdropping is an extremely fast way to get the blade into action — faster than many switchblades. Sal Glesser was already demonstrating this skill almost 30 years ago: grab the knife by the Spyderhole and SCHLAK! — it’s open and ready to cut.

The Tenacious features full steel liners, unlike the nested liners on the Military line. There are no backspacers, making it easy to clean under running water. At 120 grams, it’s not a lightweight folder — I appreciate a bit of heft on a working tool. (For reference, the new titanium version is 93 grams.)

Notice how perfectly centered the blade is right out of the box. The quality control on this “made in China” folder is impressively high.

(Sal’s Titanium Catbird (only 200 were made) next to Eric’s Tenacious.)

Eric and Sal have taken their time with the Byrd Line and their budget line to get the best from a family of makers in China. The Glessers have moved slowly but steadily, developing a trustworthy and excellent relationship with the knifemakers there.


To quote JustinRose40 on the forums in 2011:
“Yes, every time I show someone my Tenacious I have to say “well it’s made in China but it’s not a China Knife, it’s still a Spyderco”. To which they usually say something like, “yeah I could tell that as soon as you handed to me”.

Since 2011, China has made huge leaps in knife manufacturing quality, and this steady improvement is clearly noticeable in the “new” rendition of the venerable Tenacious.

On Eric’s designs, there’s sometimes no choil, but you can notice a clever feature: a “proto-flipper” that acts as a quillon or guard to protect your fingers in case the lock ever failed.

Since 2008, I haven’t heard of any critical lock failures on the Tenacious or the larger Resilience. The Tenacious has earned its legendary status for a reason.

Another Eric design with an excellent blade-to-handle ratio is the Mantra 2, which uses a flipper. (I’m not a fan of that little opening hole — dirt always collects there!) Still, it’s a great design. The Mantra 1, with an opening hole, feels like the Taichung-made “uncle” of the M4 Tenacious.

The peel-ply-textured G10 scales don’t need sanding; they’re well balanced and won’t shred pockets. The brown color makes it feel less threatening, in my book.

Let’s put it to use while the satin blade is still silver.

The knife bites into wood like no tomorrow. The serrated CPM-M4 edge is a joy to use — it goes deep and steady, putting a smile on my face every time.

Blast from the past: the last combo-edge/semi-serrated knife I used was over 20 years ago — a Pre-Production D2 AFCK. As you can see, it’s been heavily used, and its geometry, steel, and blade-to-handle ratio aren’t nearly as refined as the Tenacious.

That macro shot shows the very smooth way to go from chisel ground serrations to plain edge.

“Serrated edges aren’t for everyone, and you may not like them, but you’ve got to get at least one just to try! Keep it around for nasty work, wet abrasive rope, zip-ties, yardwork, or playtime like in the pool, or at the lake or beach. Not to mention fishing duties.” to quote Benben.

The difference in cutting efficiency between a saber grind and a full flat grind is obvious. I don’t need to tiptoe around it — the advantage is clear.

Now let’s compare the Tenacious with various folders and fixed blades.

The Tenacious got a better blade/handle ratio than the Paramilitary 2 and a longer blade for a shorter handle. This is one key of the success of that design.

Almost the same length as the Chief.

No choil on the Wolfspyder too.

Since I play with Bushcraft here a nice combo to go in the wood. The Proficient is a masterpiece.

And with the ultra solide Boker in Magnacut. The 8,6 centimeter long blade of the Tenacious is generous edge wise.

Of course, I’ll strop that partially serrated blade on leather — no fear at all. I have my method for serrations, using the corner of the leather pad.

Maintaining the combo edge won’t be an issue; I’ll keep it sharp with cornered ceramic and jade stones.

So what do you get for €139 — the price I paid at the Coutellerie Champenoise? I’m really happy with my purchase. I plan to use the Tenacious a lot and on anything, simply for the pleasure of testing it on various materials. This knife isn’t afraid of plastic, wood, food, bones, cardboard, or aluminum.

This CPM-M4 version is set to show the full potential of one of the beefier EDC knives, especially with its serrated half-edge carved from super tool steel. Over 17 years, the Tenacious has proven it can withstand a lot of abuse.

  The CPM-M4 Tenacious is not only a workhorse but a warhorse, like the pictured Adamas. I can easily imagine any soldier being glad to have such a reliable knife at this budget.

It’s slightly larger than small pocket knives, but smaller than the oversized ones some carry just to show off. The Tenacious would make an excellent day-hiking knife — a folder ready for the great outdoors. I’d take it on a trip to Africa or on a photo safari in the natural parks of Tuscany.

(this will often dull the blade’s edge with a little shining spot. Not here… Thanks to the serrations again ! )

This CPM-M4 Tenacious is sold at roughly double the price of the standard version, but in my opinion, it’s a rare chance to have this alloy on that knife. CPM-M4 pushes the boundaries of reliability and is a real pleasure to keep razor-sharp.

CPM-M4 will not chip and stays sharp for long. It’s a steel that has been used in cutting competitions. While Tuff Glideand various oils can keep it spotless, I prefer the protection of a gentle natural patina.

For twice the price of the vanilla Tenacious, this upgraded version delivers another level of performance in terms of toughness and edge retention.

“Old school cool with the Walker lock and satin finish. Well done Eric Glesser!” to quote Clay H on the Forums.
My brown Tenacious looks gorgeous in its “beautility”, practically begging to be used across all terrains — sand, rain, or more. All in all, this beater is a beefed-up workhorse, built to be used hard and carried proudly.



Review

Spyderco -C94GCBL- UK PENKNIFE™ COBALT BLUE G-10 CPM® SPY27® – The Blue Djinn Who Loved Leather.

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This is not the first UKPK I have reviewed in this blog. I was a very early adopter of this Sal Glesser’s approach of the modern slipjoint all made in Golden Colorado.
Some of my favorite are the Salt Versions in FRN: the Green LC200N and the Yellow CPM Magnacut. I even think, the serrated version of the Magnacut version could be an amazing legal travelling knife.

But they are FRN versions. I like FRN but I do love G10. Better, I’m a sucker for sanded G-10. Hence my love for the Heinnie Urban and its non-slip peel-ply texture.
At first glance the satin-finished CPM SPY27 blade and signature cobalt blue peel-plytextured G-10 handle scales are juste gorgeous. Here are the full specs on Spyderco’s pages.

Like the Heinnie the skip joint got a strong mechanism. It is really a pleasure to feel this resistance which was totally absent from the very first drop point UKPK a decade ago. (Picture from Mr Blonde, Spydercollector site)

So far, I cannot imagine my self opening it with a flick like I was able to do on the LC200N FRN version. The Spring here on this G10 version is much stronger.

Let’s do some size comparaison. The UKPK is one of the long Slipit in Spyderco’s collection. It is almost a slipjoint Caly, even longer than a Chaparral. So you really don’t feel “underknifed” when you carry it in your pocket as your only EDC. It is also really handy and practical as a kitchen knife. The best thing is that this design keeps its blade length legal in most countries.

For cooking I often use a Native Chief.

The long leaf shaped blade is a must in the kitchen almost idea. It is pointy enough and its is enough for vegetables. Most of the works done in the kitchen like peeling potatoes, cutting oinions, you name it, was always done with a short full flat ground knife like a “Nogent Couteau d’Office”.

Something about the G-10 version is the spring/back spacer closing the handle of the knife when the FRN got an open handle easier to rinse.
But it is much more gorgeous and with a stronger spring for sure !

It also gives a little more heft to the knife. 48 grams for the FRN and 63 grams for the G10 version -> 31,25% heavier to be precise, almost a third ! But I do really love my heavy butt knives since my Schrade Sharpfinger.

Now this is my first CPM-SPY27 knife. Spy27 is a alloy recipe created in house with Crucible exclusively for Spyderco. It is a CPM ! So this is a premium super steel compared to VG10 or N690… In short it is a American Powder Metallurgy version of the Japanese VG10.

In Sal Glesser words:
“We offer many steels for several reasons;
1) We are Steel Junky’s (even Edge Junky’s) and we like to experience the different flavors and we try to do that.
2) We believe that many of our customers are also Steel Junky’s (even Edge Junky’s) and they too get to experience and play with and “taste” as you say, the many options.

I wanted a USA made “tweaked” version of Gingami 1 by Hitachi and after some effort with Carpenter, we have a powdered USA made steel called CTS-BD1N Which is a refinement of Gingami 1. I wanted a USA made “tweaked” version of Takefu’s VG-10 and now we have a powdered “tweaked” SPY27.“

Carbone1.25%
Chrome14%
Molybdène2%
Vanadium2%
Niobium1%
Azote0.1%
Cobalt1.5%
Manganèse0.5%
Silicium0.5%



There is a very nice analysis in Knifesteelnerd and discussion here: https://forum.spyderco.com/viewtopic.php?t=94182

“However, it should be noted that the SPY 27 Larrin used for testing was not heat treated by Spyderco. Some minor differences between Larrin’s heat treatment and Spyderco’s heat treatment can probably be expected. That being said, Larrin is the best source of consistent, objective data and metallurgical interpretation for steel comparisons.” To quote Karl_H in
https://forum.spyderco.com/viewtopic.php?t=87383

“SPY-27 will hold the fine edge longer… Its all about the stability of the fine edge, not the total wear resistance until fully dull. In this regard, SPY-27 can do what other stainless steels cant.” to quote Submicron in the same thread.

I am aware that Cobalt’s dust can be an health issue. Of course Rex 45 and Maxamet (10% of cobalt, 1,5% for SPY27) are the heavy weight steel in their tool steel category but the Spy27 (like VG-10), like all cobalt alloys needs to be carefully cleaned after a sharpening process.
(Cobalt may cause an asthma-like allergy. Future exposure can cause asthma attacks with shortness of breath, wheezing, cough, and/or chest tightness. * Cobalt may affect the heart, thyroid, liver and kidneys. * Repeated exposure to Cobalt dust can cause scarring of the lungs (fibrosis) even if no symptoms are noticed. According to https://nj.gov/health/eoh/rtkweb/documents/fs/0520.pdf)


Let say SPY-27 is in the same club as the S35VN steels in terms of performance and it especially loves fine ceramic and leather stropping. It gets easily a very crispy edge like VG10 or BD1N . ( Steel which are “leather super friendly” are also LC200N, 52100, VG10, AEB-L… )
This is a must and a real pleasure for me as I keep my knives sharp mostly with leather. A touch up and it makes flying hairs from my arm again.
And it seems true so far. I have not deshouldered the edge yet and intend to use it with the factory edge for some times but leather made it hair popping sharp. (Once deshouldered it is a straight razor with excellent edge retention… much better than S30V).
To quote Sal:
“SPY27 for some reason, seems to be punching above its weight.”

No crossroads, this Blue Djinn loves leather like the Bill Moran FB01 in VG10 loved it.

No need to use diamonds unless you want to reprofile the blade or round the shoulder then don’t forget to rinse the blade and to clean any dust.
But talking about dangerous dust, I have sanded the scales to preserve my pockets. Never breath that dust !!! Do it under water or wear a mask.
I got a neighbor who has been working around that kind of heavy dust and now he is breathing with two tubes in his nostrils. So be careful with your health.
This Blue G10 got a very nice texture under the thumb like some denim, textil like. It is really pleasant, almost like some Micarta found on the QSP Penguin.

So when you sand G10, just go outside in the wind or work under water. You don’t want to breath G10 dust made of fiberglass and epoxy.
Just rinse it under the tap to have it back to normal.
Once tuned at your hand, G10 is a very very nice material.

As you can notice the scales are even thicket than the blade and the blade is perfectly centered.

There is the famous middle/half stop when closing or opening the knife. It works like a safety measure. This knife is harder to close than to open.

The UKPK is a very ergonomic knife. It feels like it melt in the hand. It is so confortable for heavy cuts. Because this blade can work hard with zero play.

The “pistol grip” is common in many Sal Glesser design like the Endura or the Military. It is much more pronounced on the Massad Ayoob.

No hotspots for me a very safe handle, really, this lil slipjoint is screaming to be used hard.

It is even confortable edge up.

With the Roadie XL. Another great Slipit with a very low profile, almost like a pen in your shirt pocket.

And the mighty Chaparral serrated. Two of Sal’s best designs. Two wolves in sheep disguise thanks to their thin solid blades.

I have decided to de-shoulder the edge for a gentle convex result in the middle of the belly.

My old leather with some polish compound is ready again to smooth the edge to razor level.

Because I want a better touch on the leather, I usually keep the normal edge at the point to keep material there and near the ricasso as I use this portion for special shores like removing the aluminium cap on bottles.

The Coke Bottle Butt test is passed with flying colors. As you can notice the plastic is 3mm thick. Not a single scratch on the blade.

So what do we got so far ?
A master piece of knife design by monsieur Sal Glesser with a strong construction and state of the art in-house alloy serving a thin blade and an ergonomic handle.
My advice: try to grab one before they disappear, it seems that G10 version is not here to last and it is really a sapphire: a true blue jewel !

Review

Spyderco Chaparral C152SGY – For the Fierce and the Furious

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Like I had mentioned in the glimpse review of the Serrated Chaparral, this little, thin folder is built to punch above its weight. Thanks to its sturdy construction and relatively strong stainless steel — the same type found on my Cold Steel Recon 1 XL — it can be tested and used like a much larger knife without compromising performance.

Solid steel, sturdy lock? Not much difference from a larger knife, in fact. 😉

So far, I’ve put the knife through its paces, cutting anything I could, and maintaining the edge with some Jade stones (see first picture). The mechanism shows no signs of play in any direction — rock-solid performance.

The plastic is thicker that the blade.

As you can see, the serrated edge is a chisel grind, which means it tends to deviate slightly to the right of the material being cut, much like a fin in water. I started the cuts with a bit of sawing, then transitioned to push cuts, and the knife effortlessly sliced through the thick plastic used to form the bottle.

This little knife is fierce in term of cutting performance. It is a lot of power in your pocket ! It is a pocket chainsaw !

The serrations really shine on the plate. You can push the knife hard against ceramic surfaces, and if the points ever need a touch-up, a few passes on a ceramic corner — or in my case, a jade corner — brings them back like new.

I have been able to reach razor level just by passing gently the Jade on it.

Actually it is fun to enhance the edge.

Actually, this is a bit of a comeback for me with serrations, dating back to my AFCK experience 25 years ago. Back then, I mostly used partly serrated edges, which helped initiate cuts on hard materials.

With a fully serrated thin blade and no plain edge, I initially wondered how useful it would be in the kitchen — especially since my wife’s favorite knives are Victorinox fruit knives (serrated). But it turns out, neither fruits nor vegetables can withstand the sharp, wavy edge of the Chaparral.

Funny enough I have been able to strop the edge of the Chap by using the side of the leather belt. CTS XHP is a steel which loves leather in my experience.

All in all, so far, so good. The Chaparral delivers impressive cutting power. Its thin, fully serrated edge is unique within the Spyderco line, pushing the design out of its comfort zone — and for a “knifeaholic” like me, that’s pure fun.

The next step is to trust this little knife enough to take it on a road trip in Italy — handling food prep, wood, and low-profile carry as my only pocketed folder. The Chaparral will make its return in May.

Review

Spyderco Chaparral Serrated C152SGY- The Lightweight With Teeth.

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I’ve been an early adopter of the Chaparral. Nearly 13 years ago, I called it the “Extra Flat Companion” in my first review from 2012. Back then, the Chaparral was designed to serve as a platform to test different handle materials, while the Sage (another model “made in Taichung”) showcased various lock designs used in folders.

Twelve years later, Spyderco has introduced a major improvement to the Chap’s blade: their famous serrations. The brand is, of course, known for its Spyderhole, its clips, and… the performance of its serrated edges. Sal Glesser has long advocated the superior cutting performance of Spyderco’s sserrations. Scallops, moon quarters, and thin chisel geometry all work together to create the ultimate “matter separator,” making tough cutting tasks effortless.


Sal has refined his serrations into a recognized patterns and created the Spyderedge: “Spyderco’s two-step serration patterns consist of one large and two small serrations. The pattern increases the cutting edge’s surface area by up to 24%”.
On the Chaparral, the serration are even better as they are rounded to avoid snagging when cutting. Those same enhanced serrations can be found on another serrated folder made in Taichung for Spyderco: the LC200N made Caribbean.

I’am not a serration’s fan. I prefer a short convexed blade like my Roadie XL to EDC but this is the opportunity to pocket a serrated knife designed to be low profile folder easily displayed in the middle of the sheeples.

The Chaparral is another Lil’ Big Knife in disguise. Go figure, his lock is equipped with an hidden pin which gives a lot of strength and stability. This improved backlock is also found on the Sage 4 but do not worry about vertical play.


Also the Chaparral’s blade is only 2 mm thick. A razor blade with serrations ? It should be interesting !

It even has teeth on its handle. The FRN scales feel almost like shark skin, which can be tough on pockets. My first step was to temporarily remove the pocket clip, then sand the scales to smooth them out.

The FRN doesn’t react as quickly as G10 when sanded. I still ended up with a slightly toothy handle, but it’s much more acceptable to me. Of course, this is a matter of personal taste — many users will appreciate the aggressive grip the pattern provides. I, however, prefer not to carry a pocket shredder anymore.

Lately, I’ve discovered that I really enjoy knives I can carry in my denim watch pocket. The Roadie XL, which I can now flick open with a wrist, is the king of that pocket and I use it hard despite its small size.

But this little “Tooth Faerie”, the Serrated Chaparral, also demands heavy use — and beware of its cutting power! Its steel, CTS-XHP, is known for being extremely reliable, even on thin edges. I’ve used it in many knives, including some Cold Steel Voyager XLs, and it never disappoints.

It will be very interesting to see how the Chaparral Light platform, equipped with a top-performance factory edge and an improved backlock, performs as a true workhorse — pushing the envelope of what the Chap’ can do. Spyderco has also just released a Slipit (non-locking) Chaparral, sold at nearly double the price of the FRN serrated version. Clearly, this one isn’t marketed as a “precious” collectible but as a pure performance tool. Spyderco has supercharged the Chaparral to be a user’s knife.

To summarize:

  • 2 mm thick blade — this is thin !
  • Backlock enhanced with a hidden pin — zero vertical play !
  • Rounded, anti-snag SpyderEdge.
  • Sheeple-friendly design.
  • Made in Taiwan with attention to details.

Yes, the Chap is back… with teeth … in its next chapter:
“FOR THE FIERCE AND THE FURIOUS“

Review

Spyderco Roadie XL C267BK – Part II – Shattered Tip.

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M398 is a fragile steel compared to M390. The encounter of the tip of the Roadie XL with a tile of my kitchen has been definitive. One mm has been shattered and now I got a micro flat screwdriver as a tip.
OK. Diamonds are steels best friend.
I’m able to form a new tip in a diamond shape.

For now I won’t baby that Roadie XL anymore. I decide to thin the edge.

The best way is to protect the blade to avoid any big scratches.

Then it is time to play with industrial diamonds.

I will also use some diamond rod to round the jimping.

Of course I’m enough clumsy to scratch the blade twice and I’m obliged to use some diamond paste to treat the surface.

Then some polishing paste on the leather to slowly makes it like a mirror.

I’m quite happy with the result.

Time to test this new geometry. The edge has been convexed and thinned it should cut much better.

One of the most difficult task is to cut in two the butt of a two liters plastic bottle. This is a test my Scandi blades fail all the time. Any Opinel is king in that. Or the Manly Wasp ! My favorite being the Nilakka.

As a whittler it goes deep in wood.

As a steak knife, the shape of the blade brings only the new tip in contact with the ceramic of the plate.

That new tip is strong enough to be able to pierce a metal lid of a green bean jar. A hole pierce help the release of the lid on some jar.
No damage no more.
Now the Roadie XL cuts much butter.

Review

Spyderco Roadie XL C267BK – Size matters

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Six years ago, I reviewed the Working Poney, also known as the Roadie. Mine had been reprofiled by Jan Dirk, and even on its tiny scale, it proved to be an outstanding performer. For six years, it quietly stowed away, accompanying me across the UK, Vietnam, and countless places where knives were frowned upon.

Then, in 2024, I noticed the announcement of an XL version — the C267BK — featuring a better steel and a clip. Right away, I saw the new pointed blade, replacing the classic sheepfoot-style blade, now ground from Böhler-Uddeholm N690Co. Even more exciting, the XL uses M398, an exotic steel reserved for flashbatches — a serious step up in terms of performance and collector appeal.

And so, here it is: Ladies and gentlemen, the Roadie XL !

They say an image is worth a thousand words, so here you have 4,000 words with no syntax or spelling errors.

Back to the Roadie XL: it is made in Maniago, Italy, just like my Nano and many other excellent knives these days. The Maniago plant remains one of the best worldwide in terms of quality and precision.

Specifications:

  • Overall Length: 6.51″ (165mm)
  • Blade Length: 2.74″ (70mm)
  • Steel: M398
  • Closed Length: 3.76″ (95mm)
  • Edge Length: 2.31″ (59mm)
  • Weight: 1.5oz (43g)
  • Blade Thickness: 0.108″ (2.8mm)

Its shape and size make it extremely pocket-friendly, easily fitting into the watch pocket of a pair of denim jeans thanks to its deep-carry wire clip. You could remove the clip, but why? It keeps the knife perfectly on the pocket’s lip. The clip is also reversible, though that’s not mandatory for a two-handed opening folder.

With its thin profile and light weight, combined with the clip, the Roadie XL can even be carried in a shirt pocket like a pen. In short, it’s a knife meant to stay on your person almost unnoticed.

The action is smooth, with two stops/steps before the blade fully opens. In practice, it feels smoother than my Urban, which only requires a single hand to deploy.

With a slightly longer blade than the Urban, the Roadie XL remains legal to carry in countries such as Denmark, the UK, or Germany. Mine arrived razor sharp straight out of the box, so I’m in no particular hurry to convex the edge.

Mine came razor sharp right out of the box. So I’m not in a special hurry to convex its edge.

You can immediately recognize Sal Glesser’s signature design—a clear mark that it’s his invention. Sal is an inventor, and it’s always impressive to see how he manages to create clever, practical tools. Quoting him directly:

“When the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) briefly considered allowing the carry of knives on airplanes again, Spyderco designed the Roadie™ to fit their guidelines. We created an incredibly popular modern expression of the classic penknife. Since bigger can indeed be better, the Roadie now has a big brother: the Roadie XL. It faithfully offers all the defining features of its smaller counterpart—including a non-locking “notched-joint” mechanism, a textured index-finger choil, and contoured, injection-molded handle scales. Its full-flat-ground sheepfoot-style blade is crafted from M398 stainless steel and features our distinctive “Double Dent™”—a pair of symmetrical dimples in the blade that provide a solid purchase for a fingernail-free two-handed opening. In addition to its larger size, the Roadie XL also adds a deep-pocket wire clip for convenient top-of-the-pocket carry.”

Now, let’s talk about M398, one of Spyderco’s premium powder metallurgy steels, only available in limited flash batches, all made in Maniago, Italy.

From what I understand, M398 is closer to CPM-90V than to M390. Quoting Darrin Thomas’s analysis (which is worth reading in full):

“The original M390 has a reported carbide volume of 20.5%, and the new M398 has about 30%, so there has been an increase in carbide of almost 50%. We would expect this to lead to a significant reduction in toughness along with an increase in wear resistance. The datasheet shows that the toughness of M398 is only about a third of M390, though at somewhat higher hardness. So it is apparent that the design of M398 is all about wear resistance and essentially ignores toughness. M390 has only slightly lower toughness than K390 with similar carbide volume (though K390 was tested at 62 Rc). M398, on the other hand, has significantly less toughness than the similar carbide volume S290. However, M398 does have some positive traits, such as increased hardness and reduced retained austenite relative to M390. I’m personally not all that interested in yet another high edge-retention steel that sacrifices toughness, ease in sharpening, and workability. We had other options and this initial look doesn’t make M398 appear to be an improvement over the other available steels. M398 was a relatively simple modification of M390 and I can’t help but think that a more optimized version could be made. M390 did offer similar toughness to cold-work tool steels like K390 with a similar carbide volume, but M398 has significantly lower toughness than the similar carbide volume S290. So M398 doesn’t appear to be over-performing relative to its composition and carbide content. I wrote about some Bohler-patented high wear resistance steels using niobium instead that look very interesting but haven’t seen a commercial release. Those steels would be breaking new ground and potentially offering new property combinations not previously available. But if Bohler pushes out M398 more broadly it will be interesting to see how knifemakers utilize the steel for applications that benefit from high wear resistance and edge retention.”

When M398 was used in a previous flash batch for the SpyMyto, I wasn’t particularly excited—it felt like overkill for a folder that seemed built for hard use. The Myto is essentially the big brother of my Nano made in CPM Magnacut, and a SpyNano in M398 is also on the bench. In comparison, Magnacut is far tougher than M398, making it more suitable for wide, workhorse blades.

On the Roadie XL, though, this is a different story. Like with my Heinie Urban in S90V, these small blades are not intended for bushcraft—but some highly skilled bushcrafters can make miracles with even a 2-inch slipjoint, as shown in an inspiring video I recently saw.


Slip-joints are gentle companions for both ladies and gentlemen. For those with long nails, the Roadie XL is equipped with its distinctive “Double Dent™”—a pair of symmetrical dimples in the blade that provide a solid purchase for a fingernail-free, two-handed opening.

Its high wear resistance comes in handy, as these small blades often encounter cardboard, which can be surprisingly abrasive. I also recall Roger, my father-in-law, wielding his old Pradel slip-joint like a crowbar or flat screwdriver, without a second thought. Old-timers often treated knives mercilessly, using them until the blade was as thin as a needle.

I’m confident the Roadie XL with its M398 blade would make an excellent hare skinner—the fur is full of sand that can destroy an edge almost instantly. Tuscan hare hunters would likely appreciate its durability. Its high wear-resistant alloy makes perfect sense here. Additionally, the blade is relatively thick at 2.8 mm, which would otherwise be prone to breakage.

Ergonomically, the Roadie works beautifully for a slip-joint because you can hold the blade by its choil—a feature rarely found on traditional slip-joints. Even most Swiss Army Knives lack that level of security, and with M398’s toughness, the blade cannot close on your fingers. As Spyderco notes:

“Unlike traditional penknives, the Roadie also features a subtle index-finger choil that increases control of the knife during use and acts as a safeguard against unintentional closure.”

There’s no undue pressure on the pivot, often the most delicate part of many folding knives. If you are careful not to twist the point in wood, the Roadie XL can withstand applied force directly to the blade. This makes it another “Lil Big Blade”—small but versatile.

It can serve as a steak knife, whittler, label remover, balloon popper, nail cleaner, or cardboard cutter. Brown cardboard is notorious for edge damage, but not for an alloy like M398, packed with carbides.

And in today’s world, one more practical advantage: it is extremely sheeple-friendly. The Roadie XL looks like a pocket knife, not a tactical or soldier’s tool, making it socially unobtrusive yet highly capable.

Roadie, K390 Pingo, S90V G10-Urban and Roadie XL (all green letters mean they are linked to their reviews)

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but to me, this blade—shaped almost like a scaled-down cutlass—is pure eye candy.

Interestingly, I’ve discovered that I can open it one-handed in two distinct ways:

  1. A fast wrist flick while holding the blade itself.
  2. By gripping the blade with thumb and index finger and gently pushing the handle away with the middle and ring fingers.

So, even though it wasn’t designed as a one-hand opener, the Roadie XL can function surprisingly well as a one-handed knife in either technique.

Compared to a traditional sheepfoot slipjoint, the Roadie XL is incredibly light yet sports a premium alloy blade (Since August 2025 another slipjoint with M398 is available: The Metropolitan.).
And at under 100 euros, the Roadie XL is an exceptional bargain for what it offers.

This is one of Sal Glesser’s finest EDC designs—a true Every Day Carry folder that balances elegance, utility, and performance. And for once, size really matters with a Roadie. No wonder it’s already sold out on the Golden site!
There is part II here.

Review

Lion Steel Nano – A closer look at the Dwarf

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One week later with Thorin in the pocket (Tolkien fans will know) I can now say: “What a great EDC knife !”.
And especially after each use: “What a cleverly designed cutting tool !”
Of course, I have noticed some nagging about the fact that the ball bearing are not made of ceramic but I remember reading also many issue about the Spyderco Mantra 2 and mine was just getting better and better the further I have used it.
The same for the Nano. It flipper fires now at 100%.

Now the Dwarf has proven to be exceptional in regard of pure ergonomy. This is the knife which has been thought as a tool you can handle for a long time making it a great candidate for wood working and even for various bushcraft uses.

As you can notice the handle got that “elbow” near the end which makes it simply nesting in the palm of my hand.

See ?
It was the same idea on the Casström‘s handle, a knife which is a pure Bushcraft’s tool.

This detail in the way the knife is designed changes a lot in terms of the comfort of the handle in your hand.

Another really nice touch is the way the flipper is integrate to the handle once the Nano is open.

The flipper almost disappear in the handle. It flushes better than on my Amalgame Bowie.

This dwarven knife is done for hard uses and tough work. The blade has a wide full flat grind on almost 4mm thick stock which is really powerful in term of push cutting.
Like the dwarves in Tolkien’s books, you cannot judge the Nano by its size.

This little big knife has a handle to grip hard and a short blade to cut hard.

Also the edge of that CPM Magnacut blade once convexed is easy to maintain crispy only with some leather. Apparently the heat treating has been really well done by Maniago people.

The excellent geometry makes it a breeze to use on soft material also.

The open construction makes it easy to clean.

For the better actually. Titanium and Magnacut are not easy to stain anyway. You are not obliged to clean it immediately. Then under some hot tap water, it is back to new.

So really, so far so good, Thorin the Dwarf (“Nano” in Italian) is delivering and is not a disappointment at all but an excellent surprise. It goes in the same category as the Spyderco techno. Short tools with a lot of power are precious and not easy to design well; a folder short enough to sit comfortably in the watch pocket and with its pebble shape won’t rise any sheeple eyebrow. That’s a gem !

Review

LionSteel Nano, NA01-BL – Magnacut Blue Lil Big Knife Made in Italy.

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I’ve been eying the Nano from Lionsteel for almost a year now.
Magnacut and Titanium framelock made in Maniago in compact package is very very tempting.
Lionsteel has decided to invest a lot on the “darling of all steel” aka the CPM Magnacut and you can find a lot of their new collection in that wonder steel. Lionsteel is also known for a very high quality in manufacturing.
I had already reviewed a MKM designed by Bob Terzuola made in the same factory.
Also I was a huge fan of their great collaboration with Spyderco on their LionSpy great knives.

So, back to the Nano: what not to love in this chunky little big knife ?
Magnacut and Titanium encapsulated in a beautiful well thought Italian design ?
Amore a prima vista !

See how it is beautifully crafted ? A picture worst thousand words.

Nano by lionSTEEL, technical specifications from their site:

Total length: 162 mm. – 6.38 in.
Blade length: 65 mm. – 2.56 in.
Blade thickness: 3.8 mm. – 0.15 in.
Total weight: 101 gr. – 3.56 oz.
Blade steel: CPM MagnaCut
Blade finish: Satin finished
Locking system: Frame lock
Frame: Gray titanium
Handle material: Titanium 6AI4V 
Handle colour: Blue
Packaging: Cardboard box

The hardness is 63HRC according to this video from CBRx.

This is designed to be the “ultimate every day partner” quoting Lionsteel.

For me it is the Italian answer to the Spyderco Techno. even the upcoming Techno 3 looks a lot like the Nano !
It is an ultra solid short fixedblade with a strong lock and a strong steel.
The stop pin is hidden like on my Swayback.
A natural born workhorse at 200% ! A Landrover in a Ferrari skin !
Zero play, vertically or horizontally. Build like a tank.

Let’s flip it.

The flipping action is not the best out of the box despite its  the Double Crown ball bearing system. It perhaps needs a drop of oil ?
Edit: with a drop of teflon oil (for bikes) it works fine now.

Any way the flipper is not the main way to open it.

There is a notch in the blade which is totally useable to open it one hand.
I’m able to notch drop opening my Nano.

The flipper is removable and it is called the “ReF” (Removable Flipper system). “The Removable Flipper system let the user decide if the flipper tab has to be part of the blade or not. The tab can be installed when in need, or removed and replaced with the second “cap” screw.”

I intend to keep the flipper also works as a little guard.

Zero issue also to close the knife.
“The titanium frame locking bar is reinforced with a hardened steel insert so that the titanium part doesn’t get worn by the rotation of the blade in time.”

Nice touch and a tech totally mastered by Maniago !


Out of the box it is sharp.

Magnacut loves leather and it will soon be stropped. See the edit at the end of this article.

Now about the clip.

The clip is gorgeous and very solid.
“The clip comes out a single piece of Titanium CNC milled. It is reversible, so it can be fixed on the opposite side for left hand users.”

But it is very hard to clip and unclip on my denim thick pocket.
This is almost tedious. Not a big deal but for a serial clipper like myself the Nano will prefer thinner frabric to get clipped too.
Anyway, as a small knife it can go easily the pocket without being clipped.
The clip does not ruin the ergonomy and this is also important to notice. There is no hotspot once closed or open.
Edit: I was skeptical about the thinner “edges” on the handle, as a square handle proposes more flat side like on a Native for example.
But no, the handle is confortable even when cutting in hard material.

The handle is exquisite with a lot of attention to the details. It looks and it is a premium folder. It is exquisite ! And for the price (I got mine discounted at La Coutellerie Tournagell for less than 200 euros) it is a steal !
That kind of top notch manufacturing in my favorite USA brand would be much expensive, even made in Taiwan.
The Nano is a bargain for the very high quality it is offering.

The blade spine is rounded like a Chris Reeve Sebenza !
So confortable for pushcuts using your thumb.

Testing on a piece of hard wood, the geometry is excellent and it goes deep right of the box. Magnacut being strong and easy to maintain sharp, it is a wood worker knife by essence.

The Nano offers also a lot of blade, a tiny bit more than my Native for great handle/blade ratio.

So this was a first glimpse to my 35th SICAC found which has just jump out of its box.
It is a short knife with a lot of cutting power and an exquisite design and realization. Kuddos to Lionsteel and Pauletta Gianni for this absolute ge of a knife.
Mine is blue. “Nel blu, dipinto di blu”.
And I feel like “Felice di stare lassù !”

Edit: I have decided to deshoulder the edge and start to turn it into a convex edge as usual on my knives.

Using a DC4 from Fallkniven and protecting the blade with gaffer.

And it goes through the bottle butt ! Right in the thickest part.

To Quote Prince in his song 1999: “I got a lion in my pocket and baby he’s ready to roar, yeah hey.”

Edit: There is a video of CBRX which I highly recommend to discover the insides secrets of the Nano. Very informative !

Review

CRICKET™ STAINLESS STEEL TATTOO

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C29T – “When You Wish Upon a Star”

I know Jiminy (Cricket) since 1994. I even have used to have a pink version of this little bugger in the last millenium.
Today, while making a little pilgrimage in famous Kindal cutlery shop in Paris,

Mme Kindal has displayed me one of her many treasures displayed, next to a Janisong and a Military titanium…
It was love at first sight for that blast from the past little big knife.
Because there is a lot of power in that compact package, it was the chance to carry another one of those New Old Stock.

It is true, the Tattoo version of the Cricket is a pure jewel and delight to look at and to use. It has been cleverly designed in House by Sal Glesser (but I won’t be surprise if Ed Schempp would have been also its inspiration).
Based on the stainless steel version of the Cricket Tattoo it is really well made piece of cutlery.

Folded the C29T creates a rounded package that carries nearly invisibly in the pocket. The pocket clip carries right-handed tip-down but also attaches to a tie or makes a fashionable money clip. The anodized illustration is really elegant.


The Stainless Steel design using a Chris Reeve Integral Lock makes it really thin and easy to wear even in a shirt pocket.


It is a tip down carry which allow a very fast an elegant Spyderdrop opening. So its reverse “S” shaped blade get in action very very fast.

Its 2mm thick and 48mm long blade is tricky, thanks to its “S” shape: you got a longer edge to use. And like Eric Glesser’s Dodo, Sal Glesser Cricket is a geometrical trickster: the cutting angle is almost never at 90° to the separated material, acting like a sinusoïdal guillotine. It is very powerful. For a knife of its length, the Cricket is packing a lot of cutting power hence the name “Little Big Knife” used for that kind of Spyderco.

The Cricket is a joy to use in the garden on hard material…

… and on soft material.

Beware of that S Shape, beak or claw design, loves to catch anything around, you thumb for example can bleed in a blink of the eye.

The beak penetrates in any plastic sheet very aggressively. It is even surprising how easy it can open packages.

Some people are not fans of S Shape blade or any blade with recurved edge. It is a natural shape found in claws, talons, teeth and beaks.
But by using a rounded ceramic (VG10 is not difficult to get back to razor) and the corner of the leather pad, the Cricket keep its razor edge.

Here is with a Jade sharpener. I sharp the belly on the flat and the beak on the corners.

It opened design makes it a breeze to clean under the tap.

I highly recommend the Cricket as an EDC knife. It is a little but powerful “matter separator” destined for Ladies or Gentlemen for daily duties which can be clipped to a purse, a pocket even a bra. I also knew a former French Marines, six-foot-four and full of muscle, who had adopted the Pink Cricket as his main EDC. Go figure how this little knife makes you wish upon a star !

Review

Böker “Vigtig vs. Wild” in CPM Magnacut – The Bushcraft Supreme EDC designed by David Wenger.

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I got a passion for short fixed blades EDC. And they are hard to find.
Now the
I was lurking at the new Pocket Tango with its magnetic sheath but my first intention was to buy a Lulu from KNAFS. Until I have found it was a not true scandi with its microbevel because they have found that Magnacut was chipping with there grind.
At least they were honest to announced it but for the price I have found my Wolfspyder was doing the same job in a folding package.

So I wanted a robust small fixed blade which was bringing new option compared to a folding knife: lateral strength for example and by looking around all the new Magnacut fixed blades made in Italy, I have found one which was made in Solingen…. Germany !
And for less than half the price than the beautiful little Lulu.

I have found it has been designed for a TV game and for German Youtubers who are filmed while surviving in Canada.

Quoting Böker’s site:
“Two streamers in the wilderness? (…) Trymacs (29) from Hamburg and Rumathra (27) from Bonn will compete together as a team in the upcoming season of 7 vs. Wild and face the 14-day adventure in the wilderness of Canada. The two heavyweights from the German streaming/gaming scene together have over 4 million followers on Twitch (Trymacs 3.4 million, Rumathra 0.7 million) and also have a strong presence on YouTube and Instagram. As part of the intensive preparation for this borderline experience, the choice of the right equipment – especially because all items have to be stored together in a 1L Nalgene bottle – played an elementary role for the two.”
OK. Why not. But eventually who was the designer ?
He’s American and his name is David Wenger and his interview can be found here on Böker site.

David knows his art as he is a bushcrafter and former builder. So looking at his own knives you can see his passion for dependable tools to be used hard in the wilderness or in the garden and as far as I am concern, he has created a great fixed blade for Böker.
Especially knowing that simple designs are not simple to create.

Remember how I was impressed by the Casström N°10, seven years ago ? This “Vigtig” is taking the same path as far as I am concerned. Its design looks simple but in fact it is really refined. It is a robust and sharp knife !

First thing to consider is the price of this knife: 135 euros with shipping in Knives&Tools. Not bad at all as K&T are not the cheapest on the web.
But it is sold cheaper than the Casström which is at 166 euros (June 2024). (The imported LULU is topping at 295 euros !!)
And the Vigtig (“Important” in German) is provided in CPM Magnacut like the LULU !! But with a real Scandi grind ! Sharp as my mother in law’s tongue !
And that’s simply one of the cheapest knife in CPM Magnacut today.
Also with a 8,5cm blade length it is not made as “companion” knife but as a main bushcrafter and truly solid survival tool.

Immediately when I held the Vigtig I have appreciated its ergos of its green micarta handle. This knife feels good in the hand. It well balanced. It is alive ! (Something I really miss in the Spyderco lately and that’s coming from a Spyderco french fanboy who loves to strop his Magnacut blade on leather. Because CPM Magnacut is a pleasure to strop.)
The micarta is smooth but naturally grippy. Oh boy, when you hold the “Important” you are gripping a real tool. Something to be used hard in a very compact size. Let’s not forget it even is shorter than an deployed Endura (22cm against 19cm for the Vigtig !)
The scales are not totally rounded but this soft boxy shape helps to know in which direction/angle the edge is. That’s why I prefer boxy/flat folders like the Native or the Wolfspyder picture here.
The Vigtig is labelled as a “survival” knife but in my opinion it is also a bushcraft knife, lengthwide and it term of ergonomy.

The rounded handle of an Opinel has always been some kind of issue for me. You gain in comfort what you lose in precision in your cut. For that I was always using my thumb on the blade to know exactly at what angle it was.
On the Vigtig you feel the knife is at ease in your palm. It is really confortable and oozes quality and strength in the tool. There are some heavy working vibes (like just said David of the KCI about the new Manix XL Crucarta.) ! This is mandatory for a compact tool you suppose to use for hours (as the Proficient for example which is hard to beat but feels more premium, less Blue Collar than the Vigtig. The Vigtig is perhaps not “excellent” here but at least very very good in ergos and eventually is even qualified as Super Knife by the Dutch Bushcraft Knives boys.


There is a sharp spine to use with fire rod near the tip of the blade. As the stock is 4mm thick it is not an issue with my left thumb confort. Those sharp edge can also be used to scrap the bark for various uses. I would have preferred a round spine for my own use as I push cuts wiuth my left hand’s thumb.

Now we got a True Scandi Grind. Not micro bevelled.
The Vigtig makes hair popping right out of the box.
Magnacut is known for its very very fine grain and strength and toughness.

It bites in wood like nothing matters and keeps its crispy edge.
Böker announced a HRC of 62-63. Its hard but tough !

If there is one thing the scandi sucks at is my Plastic Butt Bottle test.
Where a Nilakka or an Opinel will got through it with ease, scandi get stuck and this is pure geometry issue. Scandi acts like a wedge.

CPM Magnacut is also a leather stropping lover. It brings the same behavior of tool steel in a very very stainless alloy. Frankly this is a bushcrafter dream ! The edge is impervious to the elements and it is a easy going tool which can be used even near saltwater without after thought.

Especially because there is an hidden compartment inside the handle.
“A special highlight can be found inside the handle. Instead of hollow studs, the two large screws can be easily removed with the help of a coin, revealing an ample compartment with a depth of 14 mm compared to the outer dimensions of the handle, where tweezers, tinder, charcoal tablets, a fishing kit and safety pins, for example, can be easily accommodated.”

I will not use it. And certainly will secure the screws with some blue thread locker. But as least, if needed you can use the knife without its micarta scales and just use the hidden compartment. Rambo is never far away when we talk about survival knives.

My previous hardchore EDC fixed blade has been this 1095 fixed multitool. It is now replaced by the Vigtig as it is much sharper and with a much better alloy. Notice how convexed I had the old 1095, I won’t need that with the CPM Magnacut scandi edge as I got zero damage even when used on hard dry bamboo. Those compact robust fixed blades can do everything a big folder can do and much more ! The main difference is the obligation to clean the blade before to resheath it.

And another important thing to test in a fixed blade is the sheath ! The Vigitig sheath is also perfect in my book and provided with a clip to be used on a belt or in the pocket. The taco style kydex shape is my favorite as it is slimmer than the pancake style shape.

I carry the knife directly in my pocket where it is easily removed by thumb pushing the kydex lip of the sheath and replace in the sheath with one hand. The sheath’s entry is wide enough for repositionning the knife back in it with one hand. The clip is a little on the strong side for me and I like to easily dispatch a sheathed knife into a bag. So the sheath only without any hardware but its slim profile fits perfectly in my pocket against my wallet.
Inside the front pocket of my old denim, the Vigtig stays put and is immediately forgotten thanks to its perfect dimension for EDC.
Great sheath !

So, yes, really, it is designed to be a fixed blade EDC. It enters a territory forbidden to folding knives: to be ultra solid, robust and forgiving when used hard without compromising its carrying.
I’m really looking forward to use it in the forest and even I won’t mind using it by the sea ! The Vigtig could even be considered as an amphibious ambitious bushcrafter. For now it will be used in the house for mondane tasks as it is the best way to know it.

For those who consider Scandi not kitchen worthy… 😉
So far I have been able to use it with ease in the kitchen despite its 4mm thick stock blade. It zipped easily for thin loafs. Frabnkly for having using it in the kitchen, it works amazingly for such a short thick tool.

This is just a glimpse. I will certainly update that little review with new elements and pictures and make another chapter soon.
So, kuddos to David Wenger for this robust knife design and to Böker for bringing it at a great price.
The Vigtig is not a tool to destroy but a tool to build designed by a builder !

One video reviewer I really enjoy is Floriano Bitturini with his Vlog PDT Il Parchetto di Tagliagole . The Cutthroat Park.
Here is his video in Italian:

And here is a French video I really enjoyed too:

From The Edge To The Point Since 1995