Double Bevel Review

[MatthewSB]

I'll start by saying that I'm a huge fan of Bob Terzuola's designs. When I think of "tactical knife" the first images that pop into my head are his ATCF folders and the CQB1 fixed blade. He literally wrote the book on the tactical folding knife, and those who understand what that word means, beyond the marketing hype, know that Terzuola's straight bladed designs are perfect for a knife made for serious social purposes. In that regard, the Double Bevel doesn't disappoint. It's every bit as "tactical" as a CQC-7, but much more refined. This is the knife I'll wear with a suit

This knife, at first, felt tiny compared to my Starmate, but after playing with it, it's "just enough".



The grip is rectangular, which resists twisting and is very secure in the hand. There is jimping on the back of the blade, which forms a nice thumb ramp. The bump for the Spyderco hole forms a hand stop when held with a "sabre" grip or reverse grip.



The blade has the most perfect grinds I've ever seen on a production knife. The swedge is a neat touch, and I really like the flat ground tanto deisgn. The double bevel, with a flat grind towards the tip and a hollow grind towards the handle, really shows how much more material is behind the cutting edge in the hollow ground section.

The handle to blade ratio is perfect, I don't think you could shave another mm off of the handle length and still cover the blade.

The lock is thick (half as thick as the blade, looking at it) and locks up at about 30%.

The pocket clip is in just the right spot for tip down carry. I'll never carry this tip up, as the detent isn't as positive as I'd like.

One disappointment - the washers. I'm pretty sure that they're nylon. Why, on a knife as nice as this, they don't spend another few cents on phosphor bronze washers, or at least nylatron like Bob Terzuola made popular, is beyond my understanding. I get that I'll probably never wear the washers out, but it just comes off as cheap and a corner cut on an otherwise perfect knife.

The construction is amazing. The only other production folder I've seen that oozed quality, like the Double Bevel does, is my Al Mar Sere 2000. The Sere 2K also has the same washers, which makes me believe that they came from the same factory, but that's just a theory.

Overall, the knife is light, small enough to wear anywhere, big enough for anything you can reasonably do with a folding knife, and classy.

This knife is exactly what I hoped for - similar to a Benchmade 910 Stryker and an Emerson CQC-7, but more size efficient and better made.



Edited to add: Sorry for the blurry photos, not sure what went wrong

[Holland]

Thats much smaller than i was expecting. looks nice

[WireEdge Roger]

Thanks! I like it, but it's too small for me. If it had closer to a 4 inch blade, I'd have one in my pocket right now.

[Blerv]

Terrific review, Matthew . Please do more of them!

Love the knife. Always been curious about the Al Mar since I understand Moki makes them similar to my Fallkniven. If that is true your speculation about the Double Bevel's origin is right on.

I'm glad it's under 3.5" and legal for my silly laws.

[Liquid Cobra]

Nice review! I kinda dismissed this one but I should probably take a closer look.

[demoncase]

Nice review.
And a terrible review because I swore I didn't want one, and now I do

[dgebler]

darnit...i didnt want one either till i saw your in hand pics. i never thought i had a need for the split grinds, it looks like another sholder to catch while cutting ( i have no real tactical need). but seeing it sure does look pretty.

[LC Kid]

Hi Mr. MatthewSB!

And Thanx Much for your review and pics.

I've been thinking the Double Bevel is a real WorkHorse.

Your review confirm this impression.

[gbelleh]

Thanks for the nice review. Looks interesting. It's smaller than I was picturing too.

[DeathBySnooSnoo]

thanks for the review. It looks like a great knife. A little smaller than I thought...but still a nice size. And I love a nice simple straight handle and blade. That's my favourite style...

The only thing that I dislike, is the really steep thumb ramp. My thumb just doesn't bend like that! But it looks like there is enough steel there that I could grind it into a more shallow angle...

[gijoe945]

Great review. I picked one up today. I wasn't going to get one until I handled it. The workmanship rivals Taiwan. I actually worked where we used different washers and peel ply shims for bearings. The nylon washers wear better than brass peel ply or phosphor bronze. Also better than red brass. This definitely is a great concealable tactical instrument. I also got a super blue Endura for every day carry because of the price difference.

[Revival]

Nice review!

[cckw]

I have handled it and liked it. However the tanto is a deal killer for me.

[SpyderNut]

Thanks for the review, Matthew. I too am a huge fan of Mr. T's work. The Double Bevel is on my "must have" list of '14.

[gbelleh]

I really like everything about this knife, except the double bevel. I'd really like one with a full HG blade (or full FFG).

[gastonian]

Thanks for the review!

Finally, a new tanto from Spyderco!

This is a must buy for me, and I hope that Spyderco will do some more tanto blades in the future.

[tvenuto]

I agree, I had dismissed this one previously based on stats, but it does look like it strikes a nice balance.

[RadioactiveSpyder]

Nice review and great pics MatthewSB! How do folks like the Starmate and DB versus other tantos like the Lum and Vallotton?

[RealKnifeUser]

That Starmate looks like it waited its whole life to be in the first picture. Very nice MatthewSB!

[ohcyclist]

I am extremely intrigued. I would like to see this one in person before making a decision on whether or not to purchase. Much like the others who have posted I expected it would be larger.