Review Tekut LK5050 Dapper

Review Tekut LK5050 Dapper

Introduction

Tekut is a fairly old brand, has spent years among us, but for some reason, i don’t see they've been too successfuly in dealing with other brands. They have small models but, in my opinion, have never been able to compete with Sanrenmu, and have larger models but i do not see that have been competition for brands like Enlan or Ganzo. Is Tekut a quality brand then? yes, it is, but competition is fierce with many quality chinese brands, and also more and more.

There are some especially interesting model as the Tekut ares model, which exists in version "folder knife" and version "fixed knife". In the case of the version fixed knife it is hard to find, and it's a shame because it has as a good tactical looking (full tang, “tanto tip” ...), but by distribution issue or any other issue it is not possible to find in the usual shops. And in fixed knives chinese brands just take anything and is an area in which Tekut could highlight over other brands.

Exterior design and appearance

What about this little model? Well, the overall look when you have it in the hand is that almost looks like a toy, very small, colorful rainbow… but if we stop of see the knife with innocent eyes and we have abstraction capacity, we can see further and see a very very pointy knife and with "framelock" locking system, actually it features a tactical knife, but for its small size and color that feature is hidden at first view. What I mean by this is that if this knife is made to a large scale would be quite scary.

General view 1

General view 2

The measures that we find are: a blade length of 5.5 cm with a width of 1.1 cm, a total length opened 13.5 cm and closed 8 cm, the weight on the scale has been 50 gr, 10 gr more than the Sanrenmu GR5-605 that was 40g and the lighter folder knife reviewed until now.

Closed view 1

Closed view 2

Carabiner detail

Knife fully made of steel, including the handle and a blade with 7Cr17Mov steel, which is the steel usually used Tekut for their models, just the same of the Cima 1 knife that we reviewed (and than it can not be further in appearance and use ). Although the heat treatment is almost more important than the steel itself, and the Rockwell hardness measured in HRC and many more features, we can say that the steel 7Cr17Mov is more or less similar to 440A and a little step below 8Cr13Mov but in exchange, we have more resistance to corrosion.

Blade detail

Tip detail 1

Tip detail 2

Failure in the texture of the blade

Comparison with other models

Top Tekut LK5050 Dapper, down Sanrenmu GR5-605

Top standard size multitool, down Tekut LK5050 Dapper

Top Sanrenmu 710/7010, in the middle Tekut LK5050 Dapper, down Sanrenmu GR5-605

Handling and use

The sense of a knife of this size will be to take it for if it’s used more than to take it knowing it will be used. We can not cut a tree branch with it, it’s not for that use, but for its light weight and size it can save us from some little surprise if we take into the pocket without even notice it by their little measures. It's like a tiny flashlight that does not shine much but it doesn't matter to carry it just in case, although if you know you need light, you would get a larger one with more lumens.

Although for opening has the usual "thumb studs", the truth is that retention of the blade is so strong that makes it very hard to open the knife at one hand, in that regard, the Sanrenmu GR5-605 is much softer and smoother. These knives, by its size, cost to open with one hand for a normal hand, and if besides it is very tight, better use both hands. Anyway, if you push with the nail the thumb stud and with a flick of the wrist can be opened with one hand.

Once opened is well blocked by the "frame lock" and the truth that conveys a sense of security. The trouble is that having such a small handle and be whole in fully polished steel (even the edges of the scales are not sharp, everything is very smooth), without any texture, or g10, the result is a very slippery grip, there isn’t any kind of "jimping" on the blade or on the handle, plus the back of the blade is rounded. Come on, that may be the most slippery knife i have found. In the case of Sanrenmu GR5-605 we have a "finger choil" on the blade that facilitated the grip (apart from the scales in g10) but that we won’t find in this model.

"Frame lock" detail

"Frame lock" falling down on the base of the blade

Therefore, care must be taken if we use force if it escapes us from the hand, there's the nuance that is a very pointy blade.

Final verdict

Yes, by its shape and colors looks like a piece of candy, really looks like a toy and a child could confuse. But as i said, if it’s in dark color, large size, would be a fearsome tactical knife with "frame lock" and a very piercing and thin blade.

So for its size and weight i think you can have in your pocket if you need to cut something at some time. It could be an alternative to the Spyderco Lady bug too. The truth that it has quality finishes and construction (although with a defect in the litmus texture) good enough, but too tight opening and blade retaining. Enough steel for use and ultimately a knife that has quality for its price.

Pros

- Very content price.

- Strong lock system "frame lock".

- A whole tactical knife if it was larger (and adding better grip).

- A pretty nice design.

Cons

- I don’t see putting a carabiner instead of a pocket clip, i do not see this knife for climbing or similar or hanging from a backpack outside, and for key chain i do not know if it's a little big, apart from that it would scratch itself easily.

- Appearance of aggressive blade, which could scare something if you use it in a supermarket to open plastics etc.

- As it’s all steel and has that colorful any scratches or damage is noted, therefore, must be cared for much of the friction.

- Very hard to open one-handed, but with a twist of the wrist and pushing with the nail the thumb stud can be opened with a one hand.

- It is a true mirror, reflects all outrageous. This can be good for signaling with the sun in the field but bad for other things.

Final view

Moving