Many aged-school, out-the-side computerized knives relied on a button lock. The issue was that machining a button lock design proved very difficult.
The button lock has been round for a protracted, very long time. Most knives do higher with a detent (a mechanical bias towards closure that stops a blade from opening when the knife is in your pocket), however tuning the button lock design good with out the help of spring-loaded deployment is a minor marvel of engineering.
Matt Conable at William Henry tuned the design within the late ’90s to early 2000s, however for a very long time, high-quality button locks have been the territory of high-priced knives solely.
The price of high-end machining instruments has come down significantly and because of this, button locks can now be made successfully and inexpensively. So how does , cheap button lock folder stack up? Let’s see.
Briefly: These knives are for normal utility and EDC. The finances model is among the many greatest values available on the market, and the high-end Pyrite is a knife that (shockingly) competes with market section stalwarts, just like the Chris Reeve Sebenza and the very best from WE and Reate.
CJRB Pyrite Evaluation
Specs
- Metal: AR-RPM9 or S35VN
- Grind: Partial flat grind
- Lock: Button lock
- Blade size: 3.11″
- Deal with size: 4.20″
- OAL: 7.3″
- Weight: 3.7 oz. or 3.35 oz.
- Worth: Beginning at $50
- Nation of origin: China
CJRB is a finances label that’s a part of the Artisan Cutlery model. The Pyrite is a button lock folder with three primary designs: a finances model with metal handles of various colours for $50, a bolstered model for $73, and the high-end model with S35VN metal and a Micarta inlay for $267.
I obtained each the finances model and the high-end model for evaluate. AR-RPM9 is a powder metal developed by Artisan to be used on its knives. It has the entire benefits of powder metallurgy with an eye fixed towards the finances. It’s unquestionably my favourite finances metal.
It’s, not coincidentally, the one finances PM metal.
Building
The knives have drop level blades, bearing pivots, a full ahead finger choil, and deep-carry, over-the-top clips (though the high-end model’s clip is sculpted titanium).
They deploy by way of a thumb stud. The high-end model’s inlay gives grip and the blade is sand polished, leading to a really engaging near-mirror end (consider it as a really high-polish satin end).
The metal model has pockets within the metal deal with to lighten the burden. They lock up by way of a stunningly well-executed button lock.
CJRB Pyrite Folding Knife in Use
Each variations are exceptionally good knives for the worth. The benefits of the button lock are quite a few, not the least of which is that your fingers by no means go into the blade path when closing.
This explicit button lock additionally has a wonderful detent, permitting the consumer to pop open the knife with only a little bit of intentional pressure, whereas by no means unintentionally deploying.
The blade form is a normal drop level that gives ample utility. The ahead choil means that you can choke up on the blade for glorious management.
The finances model has properly buttered edges for in-hand really feel, whereas the high-end model sports activities sculpted titanium handles. Each carry out nicely basically utility chopping — meals prep, recycling chores, and beginning fires.
Whereas I like the burden, the blade finishes, and the clip on the high-end model higher, I believe if I have been spending my very own cash, the finances model could be extra fascinating.
There is no such thing as a knife I do know of that’s higher for lower than $50.
The drawbacks listed below are restricted solely to the high-end mannequin.
Whereas it’s an exceedingly well-made knife, there are a variety of equally good blades for the worth. I prefer it fairly a bit, and I might in all probability go for it over an equally costly WE, Reate, or Spyderco due to its easy design and glorious execution.
However this is able to be an actual competitor for the greatest knife within the manufacturing world at $200. Then it might method the worth proposition that the TRM Neutron 2 represents.
The Pyrite is definitely the very best sub-$50 knife on the planet proper now, and the high-end model is kind of good as a high-end carry.
Extremely advisable.