Review Enlan EL01 plain edge

Review Enlan EL01 plain edge

Introduction

The model we present today is a benchmark in the category of knives from China quality, it is the model Enlan EL01, this along with Ganzo G704 may be the most famous of the hundreds of models of quality that we can find. Moreover, many collectors still refer to as the best in the "budget" range. EL01 code tells us that it is within the category "extra large" and the "01" the model.

What has made this model so famous in my opinion are a number of factors, first the original design and very sharp blade tip very very thick, then the use of "flipper" for opening and a "liner lock" that seems almost a 'frame lock "that presents a really good thickness.

Exterior design and appearance

We found a knife measures slightly above normal for a "big", 9.4 cm blade long, 3.7 mm blade thick, 21 cm total long and weight of 154 grams. Comment that our example is the EL01 black plain edge, but there are other versions with G10 gray, sand-colored satin with black handle and black blade with serrated blade mixed and smooth edge and even a version with wooden handle at slightly higher price.

Open overview

Closed overview

The style we have here is a very tactical design, G10 handle with a good but not excellent grip, a piece at first seems an original brand design without inspirations in other brands. It brings a little longer blade than usual, an original top blade and an extra thick tip, those are some of the features first called our attention. The point I would call as "spear point" virtually.

Blade detail 1

Blade detail 2

The steel used is well known 8CR13MOV, steel is a good, not a super steel but permits obtaining a blade that can shave and a relatively good edge retention or acceptable for common use.

Tip detail

On top of the handle near the blade there is a jimping but is dim, it will help us something but not aggressive as in other models, plus the handle carries a small hump but without jimping and may slip. We also see a lanyard hole.

Jimping detail

About the pocket clip little to say, does the job and you can not switch sides, even when cut inside does not mean it will not be perfectly usable and sufficiently robust.

Pocket clip

About fit and finish i would say that is good in general, the steel liners of the handle are not sharp, they are polished both above and below, the blade is well centered and i can't see visible damage screws or other elements such as G10. The handle also makes a nice bottom to join the steel liners, that is, they are not square plates bolted to a piece of steel. Yes, the grinding is not absolutely symmetrical on both sides, which is quite common to see on the other side.

Good centered blade

Handling

The blade rotates around the pivot smoothly enough, lateral or vertical blade play is not appreciated and can open the knife using the flipper in a very quick way, either by a twist of the wrist to create inertia or without generating it if we the pivot of the blade not too tight.

Once open we see the "liner lock" blocking quite well, the whole system works perfectly and the liner lock is supported on the entire blade. There isn't neccesary excessive force to disable the locking system and for closing the knife it can bother us a bit, or a lot, the flipper.

Detail of awesome thick tip

The use we can give is certainly hard, you can get to do batoning machetear or do something with the tip lever without fear of breaking it. It's a really tough knife.

Lock system detail

Although the G10 textured grip gives an acceptable grip but not maximum we must recognize that the handle is anatomic and very comfortable in the hand, the truth is very nice to handle. Up blade at the beginning we have a small hump but without jimping in which we can support the thumb of the hand to help with fine works or increase the pressure of the cut.

Handle texture detail

Final Verdict

As long story short: if you collect knives quality low cost should have this the first or among the top three at least.

It is even more cheap than almost all models of Ganzo or Navy, Enlan competitors in large knives and it is one of the best. Good finishes, very strong, with flipper even a bit bigger than what they offer other similar brands, original design not based on any known model and a liner lock as thick that almost looks like a frame lock.

Pros:

- Nice blade with fine design and quite thick blade.

- The tip has an incredible thickness.

- Very strong lock, the liner lock is massive.

- Good feeling to handle with hands.

- Good ergonomics, adapts well to the hand.

- Due to its characteristics it is suitable for very hard work.

- It is a "must have". It should be in your collection.

Cons:

- Perhaps the flipper can bother us at closing time.

- The width of the blade and flat belly do that the knife isn't a master cutter.

- Not being very wide blade and having a thick blade is not ideal for cutting things fine, fruit peel, cut   thin slices etc.

- His tactical aspect and somewhat aggressive appearance can scare people.

- Special pivot screw makes it alomost impossible to adjust, that's typical in the company Enlan / Bee.