“Every now and then, you get proven the sunshine within the strangest of locations should you take a look at it proper” — was the Grateful Lifeless considering of the 2024 blade market when the band wrote Scarlet Begonias? Actually not; however that timeless lyric just about sums up the wave of reasonably priced choices that’s taking on the world of knives right this moment.
Whereas a couple of years in the past, nobody who relied on a knife would contemplate paying lower than $100 for an EDC, now — thanks to some rising manufacturers — it occurs on a regular basis.
Two of these manufacturers are WE Knife Co. and CIVIVI. Sister firms, each have continued to supply up banger after banger — folding and fixed-blade knives that go toe-to-toe with manufacturers like Benchmade and Spyderco, for a cheaper price. The manufacturers have even made it a degree to incorporate ball bearings across the pivots of their folding knives, a premium function present in blades twice the worth.
In 2020, the portfolio expanded to incorporate SENCUT. This third model was developed to be the finances model. So, it’s all a little bit of a hierarchy, and it’s trending. Identical to WE Knife began to select up market share, so did CIVIVI.
There’s little doubt in my thoughts that SENCUT will start to fill within the blanks in its market section as properly. If I had any doubts concerning the SENCUT model, they went out the window as soon as I began to fiddle with the Traxler, a $50 full-size flipper with a high-ground chrome steel, sheepsfoot blade.
Briefly: WE Knife’s finances model proves that you just don’t must pay excessive costs to get a dependable knife. The SENCUT Traxler is a high-performing, reliable EDC for lower than $50. There are some refined issues, just like the liner lock, that appear much less refined than a WE or CIVIVI knife, however for $47, I’m very impressed with each the shape and performance of this knife.
-
OAL
8.09” -
Blade size
3.49” -
Blade metal
9Cr18MoV -
Blade form
Sheepsfoot -
Grind
Flat -
Hardness
58-60 HRC -
Lock kind
Body Lock -
Carry
Deep, left or proper hand, tip-up -
Weight
3.89 oz -
Worth
$47
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Sheepsfoot blade -
Total measurement and stability -
Ball Bearing-aided pivot -
Ergonomics
SENCUT Traxler Knife Overview
We Knife, CIVIVI, SENCUT Distinction
Within the firm construction, WE Knife stands because the premium model within the lineup, CIVIVI serves the on a regular basis market, and SENCUT targets reasonably priced choices. All three manufacturers produce high quality, dependable knives from reliable supplies, however there are variations.
You should purchase a WE Knife with an S35VN blade, the place the highest-rated metal at CIVIVI could also be 14C28N. These are each comparable stainless knife steels, however S35VN is taken into account a premium metal and has higher edge retention than 14C28N. SENCUT’s prime knife metal, in the meantime, is 9Cr18MoV. It’s additionally stainless, however doesn’t maintain an edge as properly and isn’t as abrasion-resistant as 14C28N.
Design & Options
At 8.09 inches, the SENCUT Traxler is a full-sized folding flipper knife. Constructed off of chrome steel liners and G10 deal with scales, the Traxler sports activities a 3.49-inch, satin-finished 9Cr18MoV chrome steel sheepsfoot blade. Like most flippers that don’t use a crossbar-style lock, the Traxler employs a low-profile liner lock to maintain the blade locked up tight.
One stunning function that I all the time welcome on a flipper is the inclusion of ceramic ball bearings across the pivot. These provide silky-smooth deployment. As I stated earlier, WE Knife made it a degree to bake this premium function into all of the model’s knives. I used to be comfortable to see it trickle right down to CIVIVI, and now it’s superior to have it on the $47 SENCUT Traxler.
So, what’s lacking, then? What makes this knife a $47 knife when it has supplies and options that grace different $100 choices? A part of it’s the metal. Is it good metal? Sure, 9Cr18MoV is a superb chrome steel.
However it’s much less abrasion-resistant than a metal like 14C28N and gives much less edge retention. That interprets to a knife blade that can present extra put on and tear and must be sharpened extra often.
One other level I observed as a part of the unboxing, was the liner lock. Although totally useful and really efficient, it has some critical resistance in it. At this level, I don’t know if it would inhibit perform (having the ability to depress it), however I’ll control it all through additional testing and can replace this assessment with any points I discover.
First Impressions
I’ve turn out to be an enormous fan of each WE Knife and CIVIVI knives over the past couple of years. So I used to be excited to get my arms on a SENCUT knife. I see quite a lot of knives in my line of labor. I’ve developed a watch and a really feel when issues are off.
So right here’s the issue with the Traxler: nothing is actually off about it. This leads me to consider I ought to discover one thing. As a substitute of searching for issues, I attempt to allow them to reveal themselves to me. I recognized the liner lock as being a little bit of a bear to depress. However I’ve had that occur on $200 knives, too.
Past that, how will you go flawed with G10 and chrome steel? Perhaps WE Knife discovered a method to verify all of its manufacturers produce nice knives and solely years down the street, after prolonged use and abuse, do they begin to break down.
From the beginning, the flipper motion on the Traxler remained {smooth} and the lock-up vital. I assumed I might need to throw just a little grease within the wheel to make this sucker deploy so properly. However I’m glad to be flawed.
Additionally, the stability feels very nice on this knife. I can maintain it up with one finger and let it degree off proper behind the pivot screw. This implies the Traxler has the power to carry out like a scalpel. For a finances metal, the 9Cr18MoV is razor sharp. I’ve a sense that not solely will this knife make a worthy EDC, but in addition a strong work knife.
Within the Discipline
I don’t shift my method to a knife due to its price ticket. So, I didn’t pull any punches with the Traxler. In reality, if something, I might need been just a little extra excessive with it than I anticipated as a result of sheer timing. From Could by means of September, I’m normally outdoors in my gardens, constructing or repairing one thing — on prime of being out and about within the outside testing different gear.
My subject expertise with the Traxler began with reducing up root balls to plant new vegetation and bushes. I had an actual hankering for a brand new Mountain Laurel on the prime of the yard.
The sheepsfoot blade on the Traxler got here in useful to get some roots out of the way in which, and to prune again some surrounding flora. It additionally labored nice for scoring compacted soil to loosen it up, and to interrupt up and blend soil for some new houseplants.
The true check got here after I needed to exchange a few rotted picket steps right down to the home. I used the Traxler to pry up a few the boards the place I couldn’t get my arms round them. I don’t suggest prying stuff with a knife to anybody. Nonetheless, should you’re going to pry together with your knife, a sheepsfoot blade is the way in which to go — particularly one which has a strengthened tip just like the Traxler.
When it got here to carrying the Traxler as an EDC, it went unnoticed in my again pocket every time it was there. The knife is skinny and lengthy, which helps give it such an excellent handhold and gives glorious management over the blade.
Its ergonomics additionally maintain your hand from getting drained. That stated, the Traxler slides down and tucks properly into the nook of your pocket.
In Conclusion
My skilled expertise with knives and knife supplies apart, I had no concept that I’d be digging within the filth with the Traxler, however would I’ve carried out it with a $350 knife? Positive as heck. We covet issues that value us more cash. However we additionally assume these issues are robotically going to carry out higher as a result of they value more cash.
So, because the Grateful Lifeless so presciently famous, infrequently we get proven the sunshine within the strangest of locations. Who knew that might take the type of a $50 knife doing the entire work round the home? Typically you should look past the names and the recognition side, and contemplate what you’re going to do with the knife you’re searching for.
The Traxler’s 9Cr18MoV is a superb chrome steel. You additionally know that the trade-off, a minimum of with the Traxler, is that the liner lock is just a little arduous to make use of. However after a month, I can’t discover the rest to say about this knife that isn’t complimentary.
WE Knife is now a family title within the knife world, and if CIVIVI isn’t, it’s not far behind. However don’t sleep on SENCUT. If the Traxler is an instance of what you’ll be able to anticipate from this worth model, then there’s no have to decrease your requirements. This knife will do something most of us want it to do.