RuikeRKES11B S11 Compact Folder Knife, Black

Updated (9-10-18): upped the rating to 5-stars. This is a good looking and functional knife. Once I used this for a while, ergonomics deserves a 5. Will say again, this is a great gift knife. Everything about this little knife says quality.This review is for RUIKE RKES11G S11 Compact Folder Knife, GreenThe 5 star rating is based on:1. What it will be used for (5)2. Build/materials (5)3. Ergonomics (4)4. Looks (4)The steel used is Swedish made stainless steel, 12C27. It is similar to 440A, which are relatively low end steels. However, for what this type of knife is going to be used for, is more than adequate. It should have good between edge retention and corrosion resistance. Since the steel is relatively "soft" it is easy to sharpen.If it matters to you, it comes in packaging that is similar to items you would see on a metal peg board display at a local store.I tried looking up this knife at the Ruike si t e but could find only basic info and no images. This is not a big deal for me since this is such a basic knife.Its handle is made of up G10 and is well textured. This is a good thing since this small knife makes gripping it hard at first until you find the grip that works for you. The color is the standard green that is on many knives/brands.It uses two steel liners and is closed back. The blade is opened by using the finger nail nick, It does not have a locking system, one is not needed for this knife and its uses. It opened, the blade snugs into place and you know it by the feel and sound and will not close due to gravity (old timers know that happens with gas station knives).The blade finish is polished. The split ring that is to be used to attached to your key ring is strong enough to not have to replace and large enough to actually manipulate without using tools and cussing a whole lot!For me, this is to be used for opening letters and boxes, cutting string, maybe light rope, packaging. It is not made for any strenuous work and I am sure it would dull quickly should you try and break down cardboard boxes.It is small enough to carry loose in your pocket and you may forget you are even carrying it. If you work with snow flakes, this SHOULD NOT scare them.These would make great gifts for ladies, and for men who wear suits collared shirts to work. I cannot stress enough that this knife looks cute and not scary! That is important these days when people are so soft that anything more than a pair of scissors scares them. lt is not an evil black knife with combat features.The price to me is right on the cusp of being too much. It is not available on G ear B est or A l i E x pre ss, so you probably will not get it for any less. Still, I would buy this gain. It is functional for the areas I list, and it is a good looking knife. Check out Blade Hq for more technical details.

I was unfamiliar with the Ruike brand when I ordered this small, compact, inexpensive pocketknife. With the unknown brand, the origin, the size, and the price point, I expected a cheap slip-joint pocketknife.My expectations were exceeded, and then some.TLDR: A surprising value for a small slip-joint folding pocketknife at this price point.Construction:- Edges of G-10 handle scales and steel liners are flush and even, no gaps.- Handle scales on both sides are of equal thickness, as are liners, balancing the blade in the center of the knife.- I was expecting the handle scales to be attached with riviets; on the contrary, Torx screws are used, so the knife can be disassembled with simple tools.- The split-ring is suitably springy steel and no different than on a Victorinox Classic (small-size). A paracord lanyard attaches easily.- No burrs on the outside of the knife, including the split ring.- The claimed weight of 30 grams on the packaging is correct by my scale (31 grams including the Type One 95 1-strand paracord loop lanyard). An Opinel Nº 6 (with a longer, thinner blade and beechwood handle) compares at about 26 grams.Blade and backspring:- The 2.125-inch drop-point blade (2.0-inch cutting edge) opens smoothly, with good detente in the fully closed and fully open positions (solid "snick" when opening and closing). No detente in half-open position, which is just fine. Very little horizontal blade play (less than 1 mm at the tip when fully open), and no detectable vertical blade play.- I expected Sandvik 12C27 steel on the blade, and it is so marked. The blade arrived sharp, but not razor-sharp. The factory grind is even and balanced, at what looks to be about a 25° angle, with no defects visible to the naked eye (notches, dull spots, or burrs). A few strokes on a ceramic hone followed by strop got it to hair-shaving sharp, as I would expect from 12C27 Sandvik steel.- The hollow grind is perhaps a bit deeper than I would have preferred (being more used to flat grinds on this type of pocketknife), but the spine is thicker than expected as well (at least twice as thick as the equivalent size Opinel), and I don't expect the strength of the edge to suffer much as a result.- The blade finish is polished and shows fingerprints and oil streaks easily; no different from a Victorinox blade in that regard, and no big deal.- The single-sided nail nick is deep and long enough to give good purchase to open the blade; it's required, since the blade seats deep enough when closed that it's not really possible for my medium-size hands to pinch-grip the spine to open the blade. Not a double-sided nail nick to work for lefties, but I didn't expect that really (and I'm, regrettably, used to the casual neglect with which most lefties are treated by most knife designs).- The blade is laser-engraved on both sides, one side with "RUIKE", the other with a logo, the model number and "Sandvik 12C27 Steel", which takes a fair amount of blade real estate. This, to me, is the biggest downside about the knife -- I prefer a cleaner blade. But, in the scheme of things, not a very big deal at all (it's certainly much better than the giant billboard on Bear Grylls knives, and even some SOG knives have much more unnecessary in-your-face branding).- When closed, the blade seats centered in the handle, has plenty of clearance between the cutting edge and the backspring/spacer, and positions the blade tip about 1 mm below the edge of the liners/scales, so there's plenty of material to remove via sharpening before something sharp protrudes.Brand and warranty:- Ruike seems to be a brand of Fenixlight, Ltd., who are known in the modern handheld lighting space.- The claim on the packaging is "5 years free repair" and "Limited lifetime warranty on material and workmanship".- A serial number with barcode is on the back of the low-plastic-quotient blister packaging. The same serial number is laser-engraved on the outside of the backspring.All in all, a surprising value for a small slip-joint folding pocketknife at this price point.

Feels cheap, and wasn’t sharp when received.

I’ve been collecting making and using knives sine I was 10 in 1956. I have a large collection. Some of my knives are very expensive. I’m super impressed with everything about this well thought out and well made little knife.

This tiny slipjoint will get office jobs done without frightening anyone. The full height slightly hollow grind cuts well, and it's nice to have both a straight edge and strong belly toward the tip. Strong spring holds the blade in place for proper non-locking use. Modern G10 is a big improvement on traditional materials. The steel is fine grained for toughness, but without significant carbides for much wear resistance, so you'll have to sharpen it a bit more often, but that's quick and easy. Fit and finish are way above the price point. Came shaving sharp, but the steel will support sharpening at a more acute angel for even better performance. Price blows away the competition.

Very well made, comes reasonably sharp. Can be sharpened to almost razor sharpness. Beautiful mirrored blade, and fits nicely in one's pocket.

good