Kubey Vagrant Ultem Folding Knife 18

What an excellent liner lock folder! In one word - crisp! The appeal of this beautiful folding knife is in its well - machined appointments, with superb ergonomics and a velvety smooth action. The blade steel has an excellent and proven pedigree; wonderful performance and ridiculously easy maintenance. The edge dynamics and geometry are outstanding: thin, free from any chipping, dings, or burrs. No wire edge was present anywhere along the entire length of the blade. Absolutely lovely attention to detail. The word ‘crisp’ is entirely appropriate, in my opinion, because of the symmetrical grinds on the blade, stellar fit and finish, and precise, slick, positive movement. This is a brand that I have never tried before. Yet, the elevated standard of manufacturing is immediately evident. Intriguing as well is the choice of scales, the handle material. Ultem, the workhorse polymer of many facets of industry, lends itself capably to clothing this very modern example of cutlery ingenuity. The diagonal striations on either side of the scales will instantly feel familiar to anyone who has handled a single cut file during their working career or home diy activities. This equates to a firm grasp and impeccable handling qualities. Not at all harsh or uncomfortable, but rather, steady and secure. The colour and texture of the Ultem scales calls to mind any production environment where the constant hum and whirr of machinery is invariably associated with the humid haze of oil lubricants and pneumatic hisses as the shop floor is in full swing. The muted dark yellow or amber Ultem scales lend to an understated yet completely modern feel and style. The liner lock engages with room to settle in. This is a desirable feature of any frame lock or liner lock design. There is ample connection between the lock and the base of the well - finished blade. This inspires confidence. And the thickness of the liner lock is substantial, contributing to the assured feeling that this cutlery tool will not fail you. Jimping is present on the lower spine of the blade; where one’s thumb would naturally be placed. However, the precision of the jimping is, again, crisp, not sharp or uncomfortable. The weight is ideally placed between ultralight and noticeably heavy. The Vagrant is neither. For a scant few grams more than a Vic Farmer, this model is a study in performance and portability. Obviously, seeing that it is a locking folder, suitability for where and when it is carried and used must be considered. My opinions are merely those of an interested collector. I enjoy and appreciate many forms of antique, traditional, modern, and sometimes, one could say, futuristic designs. The Kubey Vagrant, with it’s subtly luminous Ultem livery, is perhaps an ideal summation of cutlery art and function; past, present, and future. This exemplary folder would fill a niche in any collection. Very highly recommended! As indeed, and always, is HH. Top marks!