Review Enlan EW054

Review Enlan EW054

Introduction

Enlan, a very popular brand once but after the unbridled ascent of Ganzo and the lack of its models in the usual stores, has made it fall in popularity. I do not know why many of its EL series models can not easily be obtained in stores where we normally get our folder knives and fixed knives but it's a real shame.

Today we are going to see one of its new models of the series EW and to review what it offers us at present Enlan.

Exterior design and appearance

Well, i have to say that the appearance is impressive, if you like folder knives a little oriented to self-defense and good size, few options will look similar in any brand.

General view

Closed view

I can not help remembering seeing Cold Steel Talwar, saving the differences of course in price and design, but the blade reminds me a lot.

Visually we have a folder knife of great size and aggressive aspect, a little persian style but without reaching the end of the Ganzo G712 or the Benchmade Bedlam. It measures 22.2 cm in total length (12.5 cm closed), blade 9.5 cm long with a width of 2.8 cm and thickness of about 3.5 mm, the weight in digital scale has been 169 gr.

The blade is in steel 8Cr13Mov, classic in Enlan, with flat grind not complete and very slightly point "clip point", that due to the pronounced curvature of the blade makes it very penetrating, although it has a little Persian, it does not have the enormous belly of the Ganzo G712 nor it has its thin back edge, in fact, it has a fairly thick and strong tip. Curiously, the spine of the blade has a rounded edge by an area and with edges when we approach to the area of ​​the tip. We also have a large finger choil for fine work, which i personally, i don’t want it, i prefer more cutting area for this type of folder knife. As for the factory sharpening, the truth is that it is not good, rather bad, but enough to cut paper with difficulty even if it gets stuck sometimes.

Blade detail

Very thick tip to be a self defense knife

Regarding the handle, it is one of the most curious you can find, it is almost "hypnotic", since it is above the blade line. It is quite ergonomic and allows a very comfortable grip, also has a “jimping” over with a very large curvature for the finger. By the way you can find it in two colors, military green (the present) and camouflage color (harder to find). 

Handle detail

The texture does not offer much grip but it makes up for the good shape of the handle, and although i prefer the slightly rounded handles laterally and this is not the case, again good ergonomics makes up for it.

Detail of handle texture

The locking system is a thick "liner lock" in the style of the Enlan EL01, the truth that gives confidence.

Locking system detail 

The pocket clip is rather hard and with only one possibility, it can not be changed. Neither hide completely the knife in the pocket, leaving a piece off.

Closed view with pocket clip

Perforated steel "liners" for weight reduction

Comparative

The Enlan EW054 remembers the Ganzo G712 a bit, besides we will see her next to it sister Enlan EL01...

1. Enlan EW054. 2. Enlan EL01. 3. Ganzo G712

1. Ganzo G712. 2. Enlan EW054.

1. Enlan EW054. 2. Ganzo G712. 

1. Enlan EL01. 2. Enlan EW054. 

Handling and use

In this section i want to start with the handle, which as we said in the section on design and appearance, is quite different from what is usually seen. It is very ergonomic and comfortable and when you support your finger on the top “jimping” you understand that the blade is designed for self-defense and encourages you to make cuts, is very thought for it and does them in a natural way. In addition, for penetration with the blade also will help us the excellent handle that brings, apart from the guard that will protect the hand of the blade.

One metal and one plastic washer

To open the knife we can open it with the " thumb studs" or with the "flipper". Here i must say that the retention of the blade is enormous, so much so that I am not able to open it with the "thumb studs" because it does too much damage to my finger. Even with the "flipper" i must make an effort and accompany with force with the wrist movement to open it, and even so many times it is half-way, also the finger and the nail hits the top “jimping”, being nothing pleasant. It could be said that it is my concrete model but i have tried two copies and in both it happens the same thing. I must say that i have not touched the default settings nor loosened the pivot screw or greased.

Detail of the excellent ergonomics and generous jimping

Finally it is possible to adjust with flat screwdriver!

Final verdict

It is not easy to value a knife like this. It has an intimidating aspect that will not leave you indifferent, a very comfortable anatomical handle and a blade designed for self-defense but that is more useful than that of the Ganzo G712 for example, since it is more straight and stronger at the tip. However, it also has some problems (in my unit) regarding too much blade retention and too much force to apply to be able to open it comfortably.

He is certainly a brave model on the part of Enlan in a world plagued with drop points and politically correct folder knives and oriented to cut fillets, but the question is to be able to compete in price with other brands and see if it is worth this EW054. If you want a different folder knife, aggressive and you liked its forms since you saw... you can buy it. Then you can modify it a bit to make it softer. There are not many that look like, and basically you are acquiring design and exclusivity.

Pros

- Pretty impressive aspect, by size, design and aggressiveness. It does not leave indifferent.

-A very comfortable and interesting handle.

-A blade with good ability for cutting and penetration, but also very strong because the tip is quite thick.

- "Liner lock" fairly thick in the style of the Enlan EL01, gives confidence.

Cons

- Because of the huge retention of the blade, you have to make too much force with the "flipper" and you hit with the finger or the nail on the "jimping" above the handle, being unpleasant the sensation.

- Maybe the "flipper" could be something longer and thus help the opening a little more. With the "studs" i can not open it to a hand by the force of retention in my unit.

- Aggressive appearance that can scare people according to the place.

- For a folder knife of this type, i don’t want the finger choil, i prefer more cutting area.


Moving