“Occasionally, you get proven the sunshine within the strangest of locations if you happen to have a look at it proper” — was the Grateful Lifeless pondering of the 2024 blade market when the band wrote Scarlet Begonias? Definitely not; however that timeless lyric just about sums up the wave of inexpensive choices that’s taking up the world of knives right now.
Whereas a couple of years in the past, nobody who relied on a knife would think about 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 some extent 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 choose 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 phase as effectively. If I had any doubts in regards to 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 simply 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 sort
Body Lock -
Carry
Deep, left or proper hand, tip-up -
Weight
3.89 oz -
Worth
$47
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Sheepsfoot blade -
General 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 inexpensive 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 high knife metal, in the meantime, is 9Cr18MoV. It’s additionally stainless, however doesn’t maintain an edge as effectively 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 at all times welcome on a flipper is the inclusion of ceramic ball bearings across the pivot. These supply silky-smooth deployment. As I stated earlier, WE Knife made it some extent to bake this premium function into all of the model’s knives. I used to be completely satisfied to see it trickle all the way 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 good chrome steel.
However it’s much less abrasion-resistant than a metal like 14C28N and offers much less edge retention. That interprets to a knife blade that may present extra put on and tear and should be sharpened extra commonly.
One other level I seen as a part of the unboxing, was the liner lock. Although absolutely useful and really efficient, it has some critical resistance in it. At this level, I don’t know if it is going to inhibit operate (with 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 a giant fan of each WE Knife and CIVIVI knives over the past couple of years. So I used to be excited to get my palms on a SENCUT knife. I see a number of knives in my line of labor. I’ve developed an eye fixed and a really feel when issues are off.
So right here’s the issue with the Traxler: nothing is de facto off about it. This leads me to imagine 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 improper with G10 and chrome steel? Possibly WE Knife discovered a manner 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 may need to throw just a little grease within the wheel to make this sucker deploy so effectively. However I’m glad to be improper.
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 Area
I don’t shift my strategy to a knife due to its price ticket. So, I didn’t pull any punches with the Traxler. Actually, if something, I may need been just a little extra excessive with it than I anticipated as a consequence of sheer timing. From Could by September, I’m normally exterior in my gardens, constructing or repairing one thing — on high of being out and about within the open air testing different gear.
My area expertise with the Traxler began with slicing up root balls to plant new vegetation and bushes. I had an actual hankering for a brand new Mountain Laurel on the high of the yard.
The sheepsfoot blade on the Traxler got here in helpful 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 actual take a look at got here after I needed to exchange a few rotted picket steps all the way down to the home. I used the Traxler to pry up a few the boards the place I couldn’t get my palms round them. I don’t advocate prying stuff with a knife to anybody. Nonetheless, if you happen to’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 at any time when it was there. The knife is skinny and lengthy, which helps give it such an excellent handhold and presents glorious management over the blade.
Its ergonomics additionally preserve 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 might be digging within the grime with the Traxler, however would I’ve performed it with a $350 knife? Positive as heck. We covet issues that value us extra money. However we additionally suppose these issues are robotically going to carry out higher as a result of they value extra money.
So, because the Grateful Lifeless so presciently famous, occasionally we get proven the sunshine within the strangest of locations. Who knew that may take the type of a $50 knife doing the entire work round the home? Typically it is advisable look past the names and the recognition facet, and think about what you’re going to do with the knife you’re searching for.
The Traxler’s 9Cr18MoV is a good 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 may 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.
