Review Enlan EL03

Review Enlan EL03

Introduction

Enlan EL03, so it’s called one of the hardest knives for thinking why it is so underappreciated, or at least as unpopular.

Enlan is a great brand, i think all is known, and although lately their new models do not reach the usual shops for some reason, we must recognize them some of the most popular models of the quality chinese knives brands. The Enlan 03 model takes time on the market, however, it is difficult to find in the usual shops along. I will try to decipher in this review if this is motivated by something or there is not reason for it really.

Let us begin…

Exterior design and appearance

This model took him out in 4 different versions, not usual thing in the brand:

EL03A: With partial flat grind, “drop point” blade and drilled handle and “liners”.

EL03B: With full flat grind, “hackbill” blade and drilled handle and “liners”.

EL03C: With partial flat grind, “drop point” blade and undrilled handle and “liners”.

EL03D: With full flat grind, “hackbill” blade and undrilled handle and “liners”.

The model chosen for review is the EL03C.      

OverView

The design is of a tactical folder knife with G10 texture handle and partial flat grind with classical 

“drop point” morphology. The measures are: total length 21.3 cm, 9.8 cm of blade with 8Cr13Mov steel and 3.5 mm thick. The total weight on the scale where all models are weighed is 176 gr.

Blade detail

Emphasize that the blade i find quite attractive and reminds me a little of the famous Ganzo G704, but I like more the Enlan EL03 for aesthetics and length. It has a nice back edge and i see a a very elegant aesthetics blade. We have no jimping on the blade or the G10 but yes a small mound for the finger.

Enlan EL03 up, Ganzo G704 down

One detail that may affect some assembly is that due to the design of the beginning of the handle,  a part of the blade is exposed a little off, but it's just an aesthetic detail.

The tip of the blade is quite thick and strong, not as thick as that of the Enlan EL01, but almost nothing beats that.

A resistant tip

The handle has a very nice texture, although the grip would say is average or a little below. I don’t find it especially anatomical in the hand.

Very artistic handle

Handle texture detail 

We have a lanyard hole and a pocket clip with a very original design with a very proper degree of hardness, neither too hard nor too soft.

Pocket clip detail

The locking system is a "liner lock" and is as thick as that of the Enlan EL01, you'll hardly find a thicker "liner lock", then we would have to move to a "frame lock".

Very thick "liner lock"

Enlan EL03 up, Enlan EL01 down

The steel "liners" of the handle are well polished, as usual with Enlan models, for example, if we move the finger by the Ganzo G704 (shown in photo) we note that are sharp in comparison. In this, many companies could learn from Enlan and Sanrenmu.

Enlan EL03 up, Ganzo G704 down

Overall I think a beautiful knife, more than many, even i would say one of the most beautiful, but that's to everyone's taste.

Therefore, a question that i ask me is: for being ugly can be that is not popular as others? My answer would be a resounding NO and i keep looking for other reasons.

Handling and use

One of the things that i did not like is that the "thumb studs" are placed slightly ahead on the blade, added to the shape of the handle near to the opening pivot, it makes it almost impossible to open with one hand dragging a finger all the way of the blade, ie pushing the "thumb studs" with the big toe all the way until it opens completely. Unless you have a giant hands, it would not be possible. In other knives yes you can open in that way with one hand medium-sized. But you can always open it with a hit by pushing with your finger or fingernail the "thumb stud".

Slightly ahead "thumb studs"

We must comment that if you get the knife you can feel it a bit the blocking “liner” and it plunges a little in the hand for being more exposed and to have a more pronounced steps on in the “liner lock” that the EL01.

The locking system is also very strong, very thick, so in that part there is not problems, locked well and the “liner” stays in place.

Locking system great detail

The opening is very soft and can be opened to a hand away with his finger and the blade has a retention hardness properly closed but slightly less than other models.

A detail that maybe you didn’t see is that being an Enlan folder knife, it has a screw "torx" to adjust the knife instead of non-standard screw that usually put this brand. This is good, but unfortunately it was a batch that took this kind of common screw, other batches of the EL03 came after with the usual non-standard screws. A knife must be able to adjust.

I don’t see any problem in handling and use, except the difficulty to open with a hand following with the finger the whole opening trajectory because that would take a really long finger.

Final verdict

I summarize this way: i do not know why it has been so unpopular this model and why it was even hard to find at stores because i think is a very elegant built knife as strong as the EL01, tactical aspect and a good long blade. So overall i think it’s a very good model, as is usual in the EL Enlan range.

Final view

Pros:

- Very nice and elegant globally. blade also beautiful and elegant, and longer than usual.

- A locking system type "liner lock" as thick as the famous Enlan EL01.

- Open smoothly

- Blade thickness, strong tip.

Cons:

- "Thumb studs" are somewhat forward and and the shape of the handle near the pivot opening makes it almost impossible to open with a hand following with the finger across the path of the blade for an average hand.

- Some discomfort in his hand by the "liner lock" that protrudes a little and has a somewhat aggressive step.

- The texture of the handle does not give much grip and the anatomy of the handle is improvable.

- Part of the blade is exposed a little off with the knife closed, but for me it does not matter.