EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) – Got a small and mighty addition to my knife collection recently that has a whole lot of style.
I recently bought an exclusive QSP Hedgehog with spearpoint blade from C. Risner Cutlery.
These knives were made specifically for C. Risner, which is a veteran-owned business with a long history. A little more on this business later.
The QSP Hedgehog that I got features Phantom Acrylic handles – black with some white streaks and swirls.
This knife, which has been out since April of this year, comes in a variety of handle materials. One of the reasons it took me so long to get one was trying to decide which one to get.
I kept vacillating between three or four different handle options. I finally settled on the Phantom Acrylic.
What I got was a traditional pocket knife with a modern feel.
The handle – black and white – is striking but understated.
Let’s take a closer look.
The blade is 2.91 inches, is made of 14C28N steel and is a spearpoint – very utilitarian with a non-threatening look.
The knife is 6.69 inches when open and is 3.77 inches when closed. When closed, it can very nearly be held inside my closed fist.
It weighs in at 3.4 ounces, about what you would expect from a traditional-style knife of this size.
The knife can be opened by using the pinch-and-pull method or by using long-pull nail nicks that are on both sides of the blade.
The pinch method works great. Opening up the knife is a little stiff but nothing unmanageable. It also has a great “snap” when closing it up.
QSP has a reputation for making excellent knives that combine artistry, functionality and a reasonable price point. This one does not disappoint.
The steel bolster (kind of conjuring up vibes of a Barlow), handles, pins and backspring all meld seamlessly together for a great fit and finish.
This knife has a lanyard hole for fans of that. It does not have a pocket clip. Instead, I purchased a leather slip at the same time as the knife.
C. Risner has a great selection of leather goods to augment and highlight your EDC.
This QSP is the type of knife I would never just throw in a pocket without a slip. Would be afraid of scratching up that beautiful handle.
Have a confession to make. I have wanted one of these QSP Hedgehogs from C. Risner (also known as TraditionalPocketKnives.com) for several months, even before they officially came out.
Around Christmastime, I received a gift of a prototype of the QSP Hedgehog with a spearpoint blade. I did a review at that time and here is a link.
That prototype came with green micarta handles. I have wanted another one, but with a little showier handle since then.
Austin Jackson, a Marine veteran and owner of C. Risner Cutlery, told me at that time to expect an exclusive line of QSP Hedgehog spearpoints, sometimes known as “Spearhogs” in the knife community, in the coming months.
I knew to expect something highly functional and stylish.
So I waited until these QSP Hedgehogs came out on the C. Risner website and finally took the plunge when they recently went on sale.
A little bit about C. Risner. Austin is the grandson of original owner Clarence Risner, who founded the company back in 1974.
Austin took over the business after his grandfather died. He fell in love with pocket knives through his grandfather and that is reflected in the way the business is run.
The company motto speaks volumes: “A hobby with friends, not a business with customers.”
The QSP Hedgehogs are currently on sale at C. Risner.
The acrylic and bone handle versions are going for $75, reduced from $95.
The QSP Hedgehog also comes in a variety of carbon fiber handles, which are currently going for $125, down from $145.
Here is a link to the knife featured in this column. Here is a link to the C. Risner Cutlery website home page. Search for QSP or go to the “shop” tab and use the pulldown to find QSP.
You can use the code BIGRED10 to get 10 percent off at C. Risner.
Here are some YouTube channels on knives and EDC gear I watch, enjoy and respect:
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