First off, I'm reviewing this little knife because it's fun and aesthetically pleasing. I paid for it - just stating this because apparently the website I bought it from have approached forum members in the past and offered free gear for favourable reviews. 'Nuff said, on with the review.
This Fura is a copy of a Serge Panchenko Bean. Before seeing the Fura I had no idea of who Serge was, and I haven't really delved deep since. He is a top end knife designer apparently so our paths have never crossed
The original Bean will cost you well over 200 bucks
This one was around 20 quid. It would be interesting to compare the two together. They are probably as useful as each other given their size.
Nowhere on the knife (or the packaging) does it state that the knife is by Fura. It's very cheeky of Fura to put Serges makers mark on the scales and wholesale copy the knife. I don't condone this and would probably have avoided buying it had I known beforehand.
The scales purport to be titanium and other reviews confirm this. The blade steel is supposed to be S35VN. This is a high end steel but again, means nothing to me. It's stamped on the blade and online reviews and FAQ's contradict each other. I'm guessing that as a budget knife, the blade isn't made with S35VN, but it didn't factor in my purchase choice.
I like the look and size of the knife. It comes in a choice of scale colours (Blue, grey, colourful, golden, purple and earthy). I chose earthy because that's what I am.
Thiis knife also comes with a choice of blades and slightly different scales (wharncliffe blade, cleaver style etc), but they're all generally the same size.
There are two holes for a lanyard (or two lanyards if you really like lanyards). Adding one helps when you're opening the knife with one hand as it extends the scales to better fit your grip.
On this model there is a clip which seems to work well. It's the only tool I have with a clip so I can't really compare it's utility with anything else. It works.
The dimensions are:
90mm closed
130mm open
55mm cutting edge
4mm blade thickness
30mm width.
So, a small knife with a very thick blade!
The blade is flipped open using the exposed tang (see pics). This is smooth and very satisfying. The blade came sharp from the box, but after a little work, is now extremely sharp.
The blade is non-locking and therefore UK legal. It's basically a friction folder - there's no back spring - a thumb-stud acts as a stop against the scales - all very nicely designed, with a ball detente mounted in a scale cutout. This stops the blade from being accidently opened, but it doesn't take that much pressure to close it. Watch your fingers!
I wouldn't recommend the knife to anyone as a user - I've used it for food prep (too small), sharpening pencils (too thick), slicing paper (why?
) and flipping open. This is where it shines
It's basically a very sharp and well made fidget toy which could be put to cutting use if it was all you had in your pockets.
It's a fun little thing to admire (Very nice design by SP) and play with, and it'll sit on my desk to open mail with and cut some stuff up, but mainly it will be there to flip open and click shut when I'm bored.
Any questions please let me know
Pics