Article old Enlan EL01 VS the new one

Article old Enlan EL01 VS the new one

Introduction

Is there a fan of quality chinese knives and low price that does not know the Enlan EL01 or not have one?. Hardly.

A tactical knife, very strong, with a huge locking system “liner lock”, incredibly thick tip (of the best i've seen in a knife), “flipper” and original blade design. Wich Böker also sells remarked in its Magnum series.

It's been many years since the birth of the model EL01, however, it is still one of the best, plus the price is lower (for its size) than other newer models from Enlan or other brands as Ganzo.

There are manufacturers that, although at first view is not noticeable, vary somewhat designing their knives to improve them, for example the Harnds CK6015 Viper was manufactured initially without drilling the steel "liners" steel of the handle, and then started drilling reducing weight. Or Ganzo with its popular GanzoG704 model, that varied the size of the thumb studs, up the thickness of the blade and eliminated the vertical game that had some copies

I will try to see if there is any difference between the first and the latest models of this popular knife...

Exterior design and appearance

Visually we will carefully observe the following items which may have been changed:

New up vs old below

• Blade

No substantial change appears, either in its design or the steel used. Although if you look very well, we see that has changed a bit the text "EL01" to not get into the grinding. The new model is better. The text also reads better in the new version, it seems more deeply engraved. Of course highlights the custom screw of Enlan that has changed to make even more difficult to fit (I do not like that from Enlan).

New up vs old down

New up vs old down

In addition there is a change in the back edge, which is more pronounced and straight into the new model, but do not know if it's because real change or that this particular unit is so.

New up vs old down

The tip is thinner in the new model than in the old, I do not know if design change or because this unit is so again.

Old left vs new right

Old left vs new right

• Handle

No difference in design or texture but the finish is not the same, while in the old model the G10 fits perfect on the steel "liners" and it’s rounded on the edges, in the new model rather than end rounded at the edges seems cut, creating an edge, also it does not fit perfect on the “liners”, stands a small step. Again I do not know if it happens in all new models or is it just this case.

New up vs old down

New up vs old down

New up vs old down

• Lock system

The new version does not block well at first, and after a few openings fits perfectly the generous "liner lock". Like the old model.

New up vs old down

• Flipper

It has not changed the angle of "flipper" that could influence the "Handling and use".

New up vs old down

• Pocket clip

Exactly the same except that on the new model the pocket clip tip is much more pronounced.

New up vs old down

• Some less visible detail

I checked the thickness of the steel "liners" of the handle, they are identical. Also if in the new model would have changed the drilling of the steel "liners" to save weight, and although it seems at first view equals, they are not. In the old model we have 4 circles drilled in each "liner" and in the new model, a "liner" has 4 drilled circles and the "liner" lock just 3. So the new version should assume that is strong and somewhat heavier.

Old model with one perforation more

New model with one perforation less

Check the weight and... nope, both weigh exactly the same: 155 grams.

Another thing i've noticed is that the "liners" of the new model, although not sharp (it is typical of Enlan and i like those details), are not as well polished as the previous model, even see the color duller (in the old model). Swiping a finger you can be checked.

Handling and use

Let's see if there are different behaviors regarding the use of the two models to see if differences can be seen and has not been seen in the section “Exterior design and appearance”:

• Opening smoothness

The new model brings two washers, one plastic and one seems like bronze, at first could not be opened with one hand, but after opening and closing several times and use oil has improved to almost be like the old model. The bronze washer from the new model seems to has something more in thickness and i would say in diameter that the old model.

To comment that after a few days of use, ease of opening of the new model even has surpassed the old model.

• Quality blocking

At first the new model even did not reach to lock, after a time closing and opening (minutes) is like the previous model.

• Ease of adjusting blade pivot

As it has clearly worsened, with the before screw it can be adjusted with needle nose pliers and now...

• Factory sharpness

Factory sharpness of the new model is clearly less than the old model and is below the average in factory sharpness of other models. It does not mean anything because even if you acquire two identical models of any brand can be big differences between its sharpness.

Final verdict

In this case we see that the variations between the original and the new model are anecdotical, the pivot screw has changed for worse, before it could be adjusted with a needle nose pliers but no longer. Moreover, both in design and appearance and handling and use i do not appreciate differences. Although anecdotical, there are some, such as changing drilling in the "liners" or bronze washer but less retail terms we can say that is the same model.

However, i appreciate a better finish in the old model, because the edges of the G10 on the handle are rounded and fit perfectly with the steel “liners" while in the new model are trimmed and not rounded and do not fit all right on the steel "liners" of the handle, which are less polished and somewhat sharper than in the old model.

I think if i were Enlan, would have made in these years an Enlan EL01-II, would be an absolute sales success. Perhaps slightly modifying the design of the blade but remembering the original model, varying the texture of the handle, and perhaps adding a framelock and improving the steel to 9cr13mov for example.

For the price you're having right now in some places, it is an ideal time to get one if you do not already have because for the price is hard to find anything better with that size.