There are such a lot of folding knives aimed on the outdoor lately that there’s certain to be some overlap. In some instances, that overlap would possibly even be intentional — so intentional, in truth, that once you Google one knife and one other one comes up within the outcomes, you may verify you’re not loopy. That is actually taking place.
For years, the Benchmade Bugout has been a dream come true for these people who desire a sturdy, dependable, medium-duty folding pocket knife with out the heft. At 1.85 ounces, Benchmade aced the load problem. It additionally hit a house run with the selection to go together with S30V blade metal, a depraved widespread chrome steel. And the cherry on prime, the knife carried Benchmade’s Axis lock. For lower than $200, the Bugout turned a no brainer on the earth of EDC knives.
This yr, CJRB Cutlery reached out to see if I needed to check out its latest outdoor-focused knife, the Hectare. CJRB deemed it the model’s “first EDC-focused knife that includes a quick and dependable crossbar lock.”
Wanting on the footage and studying the specifics, I couldn’t ignore the similarities it drew to the Bugout: roughly the identical measurement, sub-3-ounce weight, and a really comparable, albeit much less refined, design. It suits effectively within the “Climbing and Backpacking” knife class.
Accepting the provide to check and evaluate the Hectare was a no brainer.
In brief: The CJRB Hectare proves that you may get extra bang to your buck. By taking cues from some of the desired mountaineering and backpacking EDC knives available on the market, CJRB created a $50 knife that questions the necessity for a $200 one. In the event you don’t need to spend so much on a knife however need to expertise the hype surrounding the Benchmade Bugout, the Hectare will get you there.
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OAL
7.35″ -
Blade size
3.15″ -
Blade metal
AR-RPM9 -
Blade form
Drop level -
Grind
Flat -
Hardness
59-61 HRC -
Lock sort
Crossbar lock -
Carry
Deep, left or proper hand, tip-up -
Weight
2.69 oz. -
Value
$67 (however seemingly at all times on sale for $47)
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G10 deal with scales -
General efficiency of the metal -
Crossbar lock -
Value
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The roughness of the crossbar lock buttons -
Preliminary crossbar lock resistance
CJRB Hectare Knife Evaluation
Design & Options
The CJRB Hectare is a light-weight, sturdy, dependable backpacking knife. It contains a skeletonized metal body and G10 deal with scales, and deep-carry pocket clip. For a lock, the Hectare depends on a crossbar-style lock. The Hectare has an total size of seven.35 inches, 3.15 of which make up the AR-RPM9 drop-point blade.
Moreover, the Hectare is available in at a trim and lean 2.69 ounces — a shoo-in for backpacking and EDC necessities.
Final month, Knife Metal Nerds, which I contemplate to be the authority on knife metal, claimed that Artisan, the mother or father firm of CJRB, made false claims about its AR-RPM9 metal. Dr. Larrin Thomas, the brainpower behind Knife Metal Nerds and inventor of MagnaCut metal, claimed that AR-RPM9 metal was not a powdered metal as Artisan had claimed.
Ultimately, Artisan apologized for the error; nevertheless, it looks as if the way forward for AR-RPM9 hangs within the steadiness. It might must be reevaluated and renamed. The “P” stands for “Powdered” and the “9” stands for the variety of components within the metal, however there are solely 7.
Nonetheless, it’s almost an identical to 9Cr18MoV, a Chinese language high-carbon chrome steel identified to excel in edge retention, toughness, abrasion resistance, and corrosion resistance. So politics apart, 9Cr18MoV stands as a wonderful finances metal.
First Impressions
I take no challenge with an organization like CJRB making a knife so just like a well-liked knife made by a premium model. I used to be desirous to see how a knife that prices greater than $100 much less compares to the knife that impressed it. Whereas I didn’t anticipate this knife to behave just like the Bugout, when it arrived, I used to be pleasantly shocked.
Although all crossbar lock mechanisms look and carry out in a particular method, there are a number of totally different variations of it available on the market. Out of the field, the crossbar lock on the Hectare was a bit of proof against being activated. That’s on account of some variations in machined tolerances and the usage of heavier springs.
CJRB’s option to go together with caged ball bearings across the pivot enhances the axis lock properly, permitting the blade to swing open easily and lock up tight like a tiger.
I like CJRB’s resolution to make use of G10 deal with scales. They’re sturdy and supply a wonderful grip. On the Hectare, CJRB machined them to permit the knife’s metal body to nest into them. This will increase the general basis of the knife with out impacting its measurement. And it retains the load underneath 3 ounces.
However even with this full body embedded into the deal with, the Hectare nonetheless displays the identified flex that the Bugout has once you squeeze its deal with with the blade open. This can be a clear indication that it is a light- to medium-duty pocket knife.
Within the Discipline
Out on the earth, the Hectare carried out rather well for a $50 knife. Heck, its total efficiency was on par with a $200 different. I had some issues it wouldn’t maintain up to make use of and abuse on the degree I deal with the knives I take a look at. However these all washed away inside the first few makes use of.
I by no means thought it might disintegrate on me, however $50 sits on the low finish of the spectrum for what I contemplate a dependable knife. So, whereas I’m not shocked that the Hectare made it by way of just a few months of dwelling with me, I’m shocked at how effectively it held up total.
I hate to be the man who says he spent a number of time reducing rope and cardboard together with his knives, however I really did with the Hectare. Each rope and cardboard (together with meat) can boring a knife edge rapidly. I’m glad to say that wasn’t the case right here. After 4 months, the blade wanted to be honed to return to its manufacturing facility sharpness, but it surely was removed from boring.
After opening and shutting the knife through the crossbar lock a number of instances, I made a decision to rub it down with a Scotch Brite pad. The machined-in tapers on the buttons have been a bit of annoying and received caught on my thumb, irritating my pores and skin. It’s both a course of CJRB missed or didn’t assume was obligatory. It’s certainly not a deal-breaker, although, and is simple to repair.
Like all the knives I take a look at, the Hectare spent loads of time within the components and grime getting moist and gritty. At no level did it falter. Even now, the knife doesn’t present any indicators of damage or tear.
However I’ll say that the pocket clip on the Hectare is a bit of delicate. Sooner or later, the clip pulled away from the floor of the deal with scales. It’s not quite a bit to trigger any points in carrying, but it surely needs to be famous.
Ergonomically, I had no points utilizing the Hectare in demanding conditions. It nonetheless has the flex that’s related to the Benchmade Bugout, however I’ll chalk that as much as being the character of the beast. Although it’s famous and noticeable on each knives, it doesn’t impression efficiency.
In Conclusion
It’s key to remember the fact that any light-weight knives, from any model, are medium-duty at finest. You may’t baton the backbone to separate kindling or pry with them. They’re designed to prep a tinder bundle and meals for the hearth, or open packing containers from Amazon — stuff like that.
Although the shape and end of the Hectare is likely to be lacking a number of the geometry that make the Bugout look extra refined, it’s onerous to disregard the truth that each knives operate the identical. That features the AR-RPM9 metal.
No, I’m not saying that AR-RPM9 is pretty much as good as S30V in the long term, but it surely’s adequate for the day-to-day use the typical particular person doles out. It might flip into sand after 20 years of abuse, whereas S30V will nonetheless be using excessive. Perhaps I’ll swing again round and write a long-term evaluate about it then.
All in all, the Hectare serves as one other indicator that finances knives have their place within the viable EDC knife market. Manufacturers like CJRB, CIVIVI, and SENCUT show you may get a high quality knife at a cheaper price.
The metal could not have a buzz-worthy identify, however that received’t impression the best way it performs. Within the case of the Hectare, you received’t discover any points until you need to. This knife exceeded my expectations, sore thumb and all. Anticipate to see the Hectare within the subsequent replace of the Greatest Knives for Climbing & Backpacking.
