EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) – I have loved pocket knives ever since I was about 9 years old.
That’s when I got my first knife on a family vacation to Yosemite. It was one of those advertising/logo knives that had an image of a train on it – the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad.
That’s how big of an impression that knife made on me – I remember what it depicted and it kindled a life-long love affair with all things pocket knives.
Of course, growing up in the 1960s and 1970s, I got a solid foundation in traditional pocket knives, especially the trusty old jackknife and the versatile Swiss Army Knife.
But as I have gotten older, I have really fallen hard for modern knives.
The big draw is how easy they are to open with their flipper tabs and thumb studs.
After a lifetime of writing and taking notes, hate to admit I have a bit of arthritis in my hands.
Well, let’s cut to the chase.
I recently picked up an interesting addition to my knife collection – a Kansept Mini Kryo with lightning-strike titanium handles.
The handles have a purplish/bluish primary hue with what looks like lightning running through it.
It is a striking look, pun intended.
Of course, the titanium handles give the knife a nice lightweight feel, coming in at less than 2 ¾ ounces.
I’m not going to do a full-on review on this knife. It’s been out for several years and will instead just give some general thoughts and impressions.
First, a look at some numbers. The drop-point blade is 2.9 inches long and is made from CPM S35VN steel.
The knife is 6.64 inches when open.
So it is a small, lightweight knife.
It is deployed using a back flipper, but it does have a thumb hole.
Confession: I haven’t been able to figure out the thumb hole on this one, but it is no big loss. The flipper gives this knife a nice snappy feel when it opens. The knife probably just needs a shot of some lubricant.
The knife has a black-washed blade, a pocket clip that also has the lightning strike design and a gold-looking pivot.
Note: The pocket clip is not reversible for lefties.
It also uses a frame lock as its locking mechanism.
Overall, it is a gorgeous knife that combines artistry and functionality.
One caveat is the price — close to $200. Because of that price tag, it is not a knife I will carry around all the time and will mostly be used as a conversation piece.
The version I have (black-washed blade and lightning strike handle) goes for $179 on the Kansept website.
It also comes in lightning strike with a Damascus blade ($179) and in black-washed titanium ($149).
Here is a link to the Kansept website and to the Mini Kyro.
Another confession here: I did not pay for this knife. I won it as a prize during a members-only giveaway on YouTube channel Big Red EDC. Need to put this in there so the wife doesn’t kill me.
Here are some YouTube channels that I watch to keep up on pocket knives and EDC gear.
The Cutting Edge (formerly Last Chance Knives)
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