EafengrowEF335 Folding Knives D2 Blade and G10 Handle,5 inch Closed EDC Pocket Folding Knife with Clip (black)

I don’t like knockoffs...in fact this is the only unlicensed production version of a mid-tech/custom I own (have ZT Hinderer, Fox Panchenko, and Cold Steel Demko AD15). First, no this knife isn’t in the class of any of the licensed production knives I own or have held other than maybe the Kershaw Cryo and Kershaw Al Mar models (these are serviceable but not premium like ZT and Cold Steel I mentioned). That said, my first impression is that I am impressed. The knife feels well made in the hand, the blade is delivered sharp enough to smoothly remove hair from my arm (something a $200 Lionsteel failed to do so even premium makers can fail here), and the blade is centered with absolutely no play in any direction. I will list the shortfalls here too, but please keep in mind the price, if this was a $150.00 I would be mildly disappointed, but I really think that as long as the blade holds a reasonable edge and nothing falls off or breaks that this is almost a steal.The bad (I hate criticizing a knife this cheap like this, seems unfair):I am not convinced the scales are really G10. They are nicely formed, have great looking texturing but just don’t feel like real G10. They are also a bit slick and I don’t think they would be great with oil or blood on them though a little water I tested on them didn’t make them any more slick.The orange back spacer has a slight gap between it and the scale that is worse on one side than the other.The detent is great for flying the blade out with the flipper, but my 21 year old son who isn’t really into knives couldn’t overcome the detent (and before anyone thinks he is a just a wimp he does pull ups until he gets bored so it isn’t hand strength). 5 or 6 deploys in a row and my finger gets bit sore.The swedge on the back side of the blade does not come evenly up to the tip of the knife on each side of the blade and leaves the tip a little less than needle point sharp (I have an Al Mar Talon that came the same way so even the big boys fail here sometimes).3 of the 8 screws in the scales were not flush. I used the provided tool to try to tighten them but only 2 of the had enough room to tighten them flush leaving one a few sticking out a few hundredths.The next one is is probably more personal, but I don’t like the pocket clip. It is thin (as in gauge thickness, not width), long and yet still leaves a lot of the end of the knife sticking out of my pocket and creates hot spots when I take a strong grip on the knife.I literally just opened the box this came in a couple hours ago so I will try to remember to come back with an update if I have any issues but overall I am happy with the knife and it will be a knife I can beat up without feeling any guilt as long as it holds up. Only time will tell.

...or any price, actually up until about $350. OK, let me start by saying I have no affiliation with the company, and have not been compensated in any way for this review.I have no idea how anyone can have a negative review on these knives. I really cant.Just a little background. I used to make knives back in the 90’s. And, while the steels have gotten better, and we have exotic materials now…suffice it to say I can generally tell when I am holding something of quality. I have collected, owned and used knives from Benchmade, Microtech, and a lot more. Hundreds of knives, actually. Mad Dog, Lamey, Strider, Gough, Randal, Ruanna, Mission, etc, etc, etc. Literally hundreds.So. This knife. It looks, handles, and works like a $300 knife. The steel is aboooout 57ish RC (I have those tester files, and have compared it to other custom knives I do know the exact RC score). The detents work perfectly. When I whack the open blade on a 2x4, the blade does not close. It opens fast with a solid thunk. It is razor sharp. I did round a couple edges that were a little crisp on the back of the blade. The pivot point has BALL BEARING rollers.I mean really. What else are you going to get anywhere close to this for $30? How is it possible every one isn’t leaving five stars? I mean have you actually seen the trash you get from Ka-Bar, Kershaw, and others for that price? None of the pieces are stamped. All look like they were ground, milled, or crafted on a CNC machine.If I could go back 5 years and I had a table at a knife show, and priced these at $200, I’d sell every single one. EVERY. SINGLE. ONE.About the handle scales. I have worked a lot with G10. And I just can’t tell if this is real G10 or not. It sounds like plastic, but is rock solid and seems to have a very fine grain, just like G10. So, I can’t figure it out, but who really cares? It’s probably a better knife than most people reading this have in their pocket right now.This one came with a tool to tighten the screws. Two other knives I bought from them did not, but they were different models.So, if you hesitating. Don’t. Really just buy it. Ignore the negative reviews. People will complain about anything.

I have no idea what the original is like- but I do own some recent model microtech knives.The blade grind is done REALLY well. Only slight assymetry in the lines leading to the knife tip. Not noticeable unless you're REALLY looking for it.The action is good. The thumb tabs offer a snappier blade deployment than the flipper tab- but the tab works just fine. The action is smooth either way and lock up is SOLID. No play whatsoever.My only complaint is the grooves/jimping in the flipper tab when it serves as a choil when the blade is opened. They're rough! Wish they'd have been smoothed out a bit- but it's a petty complaint. The REAL choil is in the blade itself and it's nicely chamfered. No sharp or rough edges there!The detent is well done. Once your past the point to break through it when using the thumb studs, the knife just flies open.The detent isn't felt at all on closing until the last inch fraction - when it's almost already closed. Then the blade locks itself into the closed position.It's all very nicely executed.This knife could easily be someone's hard use daily EDC/ beater knife. It will definitely go into my daily rotation!Edit: I just last night watched a YouTube video testing the claimed metallurgy of a variety of knives- both manufactured USA domestically and in China.Most manufacturers were honest- including off brand Chinese knives.Eafengrow was not 1 of those manufacturers. He showed the HRC and chemical composition of at least 7 Eafengrow knives. HRC around 57-58. NOT D2 steel but some inferior mutt mix.Cool knife. But don't count on the blade to hold it's edge well.