Review Enlan EL08

Review Enlan EL08

Introduction

We all know that in all brands of knives exist a model that is out of the normal due to sales, due for its quality, materials or for an indefinite number of factors.

These "stars" of each brand are sometimes superseded by other models, or can stay in that state of grace for years.

For many years the star quality Chinese brands could say were: Enlan with its model EL01, Sanrenmu with its model 710 (now 7010) and Ganzo with the G704 model. But there came a time when Enlan release its EL08, and the question is: is it the new star of Enlan?.

We try to answer that question throughout the analysis but first we answer another question: what is special about the model EL08 to be even considered for being the star of Enlan regarding the EL series? Well, when it came out it was the most expensive knife of Enlan and one of the most expensive of all quality Chinese brands, but over time other brands such as Ganzo has released some models of similar price, but the Price of the EL08 was higher than normal for the time. I must say I had some unique characteristics in the Brand such the type of locking system or a better steel used against to the normal used (along with the model EL06).

Exterior design and appearance

The design featured in this model is a big size knife (to normal in Chinese knives) with a blade made of 9cr13Mov steel with a “framelock” system very very rare to see in the brand Enlan and a stabilizing disc. The steel is specially good for the standard steel used normally in this category, but i can see a new version of the EL08 with more normal 8cr13Mov that it's a step down.

Overview

The characteristics of size and weight are 22 cm of total length, 9.8 cm blade length, 3.5 mm spine thickness and a 180 gr weight.

We have a blade type “drop point” classic with some belly that it does it less piercing but more more cutting (from factory it came sharper than normal), partial flat ground and a up on the spine to push with the finger and set more strong, we have a jimping on the handle but with the  although the steps slightly apart that make it less effective to use.

Blade detail

The handle is made of G10 on one part, being the other of steel, this is due to the “framelock” system that uses a handle portion itself to lock the blade, for that reason it can’t have G10 on both sides. For helping to the “framelock” we have a stabilizing disc that helps to push the "frame" and to help prevent bending in case of enormous effort. The pocket clip is wide and and with a degree of hardness pleasant to use.

No G10 zone

The texture handle is very good, it has grip and the handle shape adapts very well to the hand, while the other side is slippery, normal in any knife with this locking system.

Handle detail

Handling

Use this knife is to have something very strong on your hands, It’s a tank, You could say that the feeling of strength is greater than the Enlan EL01, even without the huge thick tip of this last.

Closed blade detail

System lock detail

A not so good thing is it came very hard from factory, not being able to open with one hand (with a finger) in one hit, oiling the pivot has not improved, and would had to loosen the pivot screw to improve the smoothness of opening, but Enlan insists again and again to make their models with custom screws that make they can not be adjusted, and adjusting a folder knife is very important. It's a shame because it is a great brand, but it unbearable to continue with that kind of screws that do not allow to adjust without the tool that they sell. 

Opened view

After opening the feeling it is very good, even closing it feels like you have a great blade retention.

Actually the blade design in my opinion is that it is in the middle of two worlds (only a bit), because although it has a belly, or curvature near the tip that would do good to cut food, the ground size isn’t very large, This will give strength but doesn’t helps to cut thin slices, perhaps with a greater ground or with a full flat ground it would have been more cutting, but that does not make sense in a tactical knife with a huge “framelock”, Therefore, despite the curvature near the tip of the blade, the clear objective of this knife is tactical and hard work.

The verdict

I think it is time to respond if we should think about the EL08 model as the new star of Enlan, but before that i think we must do some questions: the star of a brand must be the best of the brand? must be the top seller altough it is not the best? wich is better a sport car or a all terrain car? presumably people who circulate by highway will tell sport car, who circulate by field will tell all terrain car... and if the all terrain car is high-end and the sport car is low range? and if it is just the opposite?.

With this i want to say that is not easy to response the question posed at the beginning of this analysis, altough in our opinion it is an excellent made folder knife, very tough, with a huge "framelock" and a great steel, even it can be said that it is the best quality folder knife from Enlan, but i do not think we can think about the EL08 like the new star that it replaces the very veteran EL01 because the popularity of the EL08 is low, i do not know if it is due to its price, somewhat above the average, if it is because its design do not like to the people, or due to have only G10 on one side of the handle ("framelocks" are so) but i can not see it like the EL01 substitute because i do not see it that it has permeated the people.

However, I think i can recommend it for its quality of construction and materials and its fit and finish.

Pros:

- 9cr13Mov steel, better than average.

- Very strong/tough with a "framelock" very secure.

- A blade longer than average.

- A handle that fits well on the hand and a nice texture.

- Good finish, without sharp "liners", all smooth, everything fits well.

Cons:

- Somebody will not like that there is only G10 on one side of the handle, but the "framelock" systems are so.

- In particular, we can not say that the blade is very beautiful.

-The most expensive Enlan knife. Perhaps the magnetic special box where it comes and the hard case rise the price.

-The weight is high, but the knife is large and has a "framelock" very thick, all that steel weighs, and the weight of the G10 side of the handle is lower because they have reduced the steel liner size being a large part only G10, without steel.

Final view