Mavrokniv Mechanix Flipper Folding Knife, D2 Steel, MK015
[BKMK015]

A big, meaty, heavy use, budget EDC. Let's unpack that and describe what knife is and isn't. It is big and heavy. It is almost 8.25" deployed. It weighs 6.2oz. Except for the spacer, it is solid steel (no liner). The blade is big and heavy. It is 3.75" alone and has thick stock 0.144" at the spine and 0.036" at the edge. This is knife you purchase to take camping, hunting, use on the farm, or at the lake. If you intend to use it to open envelopes, or cut fruit at he office, buy a Pyrite or something. You open this in the lunch room and Karen is going to complain. The blade is D2 tool steel that is grey ti-coated - a decent budget steel IMO. But I have been impressed with the heat treatment on it. I use it a lot and use it hard and it holds an edge. Predictably, it takes a long time to sharpen so I look after it and one and strop it so I don't have to sharpen it often. The blade shape is not a true reverse tanto or sheepsfoot as it has some belly on it, rather than a flat bottom. It has a finger choil that let's you choke up on the grip nicely. It also has a fuller - hence my comment it would be good for hunting. I have been impressed by the steel and blade design given the price point, and I am picky. Simon did a review and complained about the deployment ("action"). He said he has had several knives with bearing washers and they deploy better. That is undoubtedly true. But remember, this is a steel *framelock*. So the detent ball does put some pressure on the blade as it opens and closes. That is to be expected. You want super smooth deployment and fall shut action, buy a WE Beacon or Quixotic in titanium for $275+, not a steel scale steel framelock knife. I have always said I would never buy a steel framelock. And frankly, as a general rule that is smart. But this one works and I am not worried about the steel bending - it is too thick IMO. While the blade has a hole, the tension is too tight to use. It deploys reliably with the flipper - it hasn't failed on me once - and I even deploy it with a finger flick using he fuller as a nail nick and keep this in mind - it costs $45 and it is perfect for my needs at the lake. So I think Simon didn't appreciate that a steel framelock would not deploy like a knife made of different materials. This knife will deploy well -indeed better than I expected -given the limitations its materials offer. But, again, it is under $50! So I am not worried about losing it though I would be disappointed if I did, it does everything I need it to, it holds an edge, is comfortable in the hand and I can use it really hard. If you are looking for a hard use knife with really really nice fit and finish, nice steel, at less than $50, you won't be disappointed buying this knife. In fact, I would look at the Mavrokniv Contender too. I gave this four stars. I think you can see that I gave it that as a budget EDC. A fair minded person might give it three stars in the budget EDC category, but I gave it an extra star for value. This is a good deal if your expectations are reasonable and it matches the need you are filling in purchasing it.