Review Ganzo-Firebird F729

Review Ganzo-Firebird F729

Introduction

There are folk knives. There are knives that sell a lot. But there are knives belonging to the olympus of a particular brand ...

If we talk about Enlan we will come to mind EL01, if we talk about Sanrenmu is inevitable that we come to mind the 710/7010, 7056 and 763/7063. But we came to Ganzo, and i think there will be no one who does not agree that some of the Ganzo olympus blades (in popularity) can be perfectly Ganzo G704, G720 and G729 (among others).

Well, for this G729 we are going to speak today, more specifically of its Firebird version, which, as you already know, is the new brand that will represent Ganzo from now on.

Let's see why the G729 is so popular and if there are changes in the F729 ...

Exterior design and appearance

Of course, the section of aesthetics makes clear the reason for its success. Its appearance is very similar to the Spyderco Paramilitary 2, and I say very similar only because it is not a clone, but very very inspired by it.

Overview

We have in hand a pocket knife designed for multiple terrain, both for fine work and some self-defense, just like the Spyderco version.

The measures are: 20.9 cm total length (12 cm being closed), 8.9 cm long blade with a width of 3.2 cm and thickness of 3.2 mm approximately, the weight in the usual digital scale has been 115 gr, quite light the truth.

Simply by looking at the blade, we know it is Spyderco's inspiration, with the hole through the blade and the large “jimping” at the base for better control of the blade. The steel used is the classic 440C of Ganzo / Firebird with full flat grind and very straight "drop point" morphology, it could almost be a very light clip point, which makes it has a very pronounced and delicate yet penetrating tip, is actually one of the thinnest and most delicate tips i've seen along with the G753. The factory sharpening is good simply, the G753 was sharper, in this we must recognize that in recent times Ganzo has improved a lot and does not usually disappoint.

Blade detail

Very thin tip

The handle has a shape that adapts very well to the hand and is made of carbon fiber (laminate), in the next section we will go deeper. In this i must clarify something: The Ganzo G729 version we have it in several versions, all in G10, with two different texture types and 3 colors. But the Firebird F729 version only exists (to date) in carbon fiber. In a folder knife like this, that i see a lot for real work, maybe the G10 is a better alternative for good grip, but seeing the old G729 with carbon fiber is like seeing it with a tailcoat and tie, it does not look bad.

Handle with a carbon fiber sheet

Handle texture detail 1

Handle texture detail 2

Again we have a locking system "axis lock" typical of the brand, but we will analyze in more depth in the section "Management and use" because it has a small surprise very interesting.

The pocket clip is hard, not very flexible, just like the Ganzo G753, it's literally the same.

Same pocket clip as the Ganzo G753

One curious thing that has happened to me is that in reality it has seemed bigger than in photos, it is bigger in general and also the blade wider than i expected.

Comparative

The Firebird F729 has arrived with a slightly worse finish than the Ganzo G753: The F729 comes less sharp, with the steel “liners” of the handle less polished, especially the bottom, and much less smooth in the opening. But it’s excellent anyway.

Top Firebird F729, below Ganzo G753

Top Firebird F729, below Ganzo G753

Top Ganzo G753, below Firebird F729

Left Ganzo G753, right Firebird F729

Top Firebird F729, below Ganzo G753

Handling and use

Once the knife is closed in the hand, the only way to open it is either by inserting a finger through the hole of the blade and opening it, or using the "axis lock" by loosening its spring and opening it with a wrist. To me, i particularly like more the " thumb studs" or a "flipper", it depends on the tastes of each one. Commenting that the hole is a bit sharp but not too much, is acceptable, although it could be smoothed more.

Blade hole somewhat sharp

Once opened, the handle offers great ergonomics, is very comfortable in the hand, yes, as we said in the previous section, the F729 is only sold in carbon fiber, which offers little grip for a folder knife like this, a lot for real work, but in return we get "perforated liners" and an improved lock, as well as a "evening dress” for the old F729.

Perforated "liners"

There is no set of vertical or horizontal blade play, keeping the blade well in place. But the opening is quite hard, especially note when closing, i think the video of the end makes it clear...

As the overall design is inspired by the Spyderco Paramilitary 2, we go over safely in its functionality, with a large hump with “jimping” that will help us with various tasks or a finger choil  than it occupies part of the blade and part of the handle for forward grip and Improved control, which also provides safety when closing the knife, as it protects us from the cutting edge. Of course, the "jimping" of the hump has little grip, is too smooth, in that i must complain to Firebird, and since they have bothered to improve the axis lock of their F729, they could have put a new "jimping "More aggressive, with steps that give more grip, Spyderco style.

"Jimping" too smooth

The locking system works very well and has been improved over the G729 fitting the axis lock cylinder deeper into the base of the blade, which in theory is safer than before.

The cylinder fits deeply on the blade (look closely)

It is an all-terrain folder knife that could be used for EDC, not highlighting its shape in any concrete task. Because of its morphology it will have a very good cut and with its sharp point, good penetration, however, that tip is delicate to leverage. It will also play a good role for self-defense, without being its priority objective as in other models.

Final verdict

Of course, we can say that its success is due to being very similar to the Spyderco Paramilitary 2 for a fraction of its price, although of course, it is not the same folder knife, nor the same high-end steel (SV30), neither Firebird uses the Spyderco's "compression lock", but it will probably satisfy to the 95% of the population, the other 5% will likely need the Spyderco. Not everyone disappears for a week through the forest with only a folder knife in the pocket on which their lives depend...

A folder kinife can not be based solely on resembling another famous folder kinife, it has to have something more, and it is quality in its construction, solid finishes and construction, good steel... and this one has it. The appearance does not make a quality knife, other things do it. So i can recommend this folder knife, which is more than proven by so many sales made with the old version G729.

It is one of those knives that i liked more than i expected.

Pros

- Having a folder knife for less than $17 that looks like one over $200 is a good feeling for many, less than 10% of the price of the Spyderco. And the F729 is a very good knife and useful for anyone, but does not have the steel of a Paramilitary 2, among other things, but probably this Firebird will be enough for 95% of people.

- Handle very anatomical, very useful the "finger choil" that allows a more advanced grip and also provides security when you close it. It is one of the best knives to have control of the cut.

- The F729 is an improved G729 in weight thanks to the perforation of the steel "liners" of the handle and most importantly, improved locking so that the cylinder of the locking system delves more on the blade than the old G729.

- Very light for its size, 115 gr.

Cons

- It's subjective, but I prefer a "thumb stud" or a "flipper" before than the classic SpyderHole (Spyderco hole).

- Looks somewhat aggressive by the sharp tip that has, so it is not suitable for all sites. This is not a bad thing, you just have to know where to use it.

- Since Firebird has improved its axis lock on the F729 with respect to the G729, why has not the “jimping” been improved? Is too smooth, just like the old Ganzo model on which it is based.

- Too hard in opening, especially closing, at this time it is not smooth, nothing.

Moving

Where to buy it

Link: Ganzo-Firebird F729

Other pieces of the shop that I liked:

Link: Sanrenmu 9015

Link: Sanrenmu S725
Link: Land-Sanrenmu 9046 LCC-GH-T3
Link: Land - Sanrenmu 910+
Link: Ganzo - Firebird F7611 - BK

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