EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) – When it comes to pocket knives, I always seek that sweet spot where craftsmanship meets up with functionality.
To me, that defines what a “good” or even “excellent” knife should be about.
QSP Knife is a brand that seems to live where that Venn diagram converges and artistry meets function.
I recently have been able to check out one of the company’s new releases – a slipjoint knife called the Jumping Jack.
The first thing that really jumps out about the QSP Jumping Jack is its desert ironwood handles.
You can clearly see swirls and waves within the wood grain. You can imagine that each knife made of this material is unique in its own way.
I am a sucker for wood handles. They just speak to my sense of nostalgia and make me think this is the type of knife my grandfather would have carried.
Note: This knife does come in several other flavors and colorways. We will get into that later. It is also a collaboration between QSP and Finch, but it is being sold by the former.
The knife also has a slight Coke bottle shape to it, which gives it a nice natural fit to your hand.
The blade is made out of 14C28N steel, and I would describe the blade shape as a modified spey blade.
The fit and finish are exquisite – steel bolsters merge seamlessly with the wood handles, the back spring is flawless, and the blade is centered right down the fairway.
The walk and talk is also super snappy, but not so strong that it is too difficult to open the knife up.
The blade has a nail nick to help you open it. There is also enough blade showing in the closed position to “pinch” it open.
For the uninitiated, a slipjoint is a traditional style of knife that doesn’t have a locking mechanism.
This knife does have a half-stop, which is a nice safety mechanism that keeps the knife from closing up when you use it.
Here are some numbers, though those only tell part of the story. The blade is 2.75 inches long, the knife is 6.25 inches when open and 3.5 inches when closed. It weighs just a touch over 3 ounces.
Overall, it is a small knife that packs a wallop. The blade came razor sharp out of the box, and it just feels great in my hand.
This is an impressive slipjoint knife that has a few modern twists – like its use of screws in the handle and brass washers for its opening mechanism.
QSP likes to say that it stands for “quality, service, price.”
This knife seems to bring all that together.
On the QSP website, the desert ironwood version is currently listed for $92.
For the materials, craftsmanship, and function, it really does feel like a fair price.
The Jumping Jack is also available in blue bone ($89), black-and-white resin ($87), and abalone ($92). The abalone was listed as being in “very low stock” at the time of this writing.
This is the third QSP that I have been able to try out and hold up close and personal. All have been winners and live up to the “QSP” mantra.
Here is a link to the QSP homepage and to the Jumping Jack.
Here are some YouTube channels I watch and recommend about knives and EDC gear.
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