Review Enlan L05-1

Review Enlan/Bee L05-1

Introduction

We already know the Enlan brand and have reviewed several of its models EL (extra large, extra large) and EW. Today we have to check if one of the flagship models of the brand included in the L series (large) offers us the same sensations as its older sisters.

Without a doubt the L05 model is one of the best selling Enlan brand over time, for its price and size. I must clarify that the brand Enlan and Bee are the same and there is no difference in the knife apart from the logo.

Exterior design and appearance

The model Enlan / Bee L05 is in two versions:

L05: with G10 handle in black and hollow grind.

L05-1: with wooden handles and full flat grind.

Overview

It is curious and very strange that the same model is made in two versions that even changes the grinding, but it is so. Of course the L05-1 version has been much more popular than the L05 and also, as we said before, one of the best selling and popular Enlan knives.

Closed view 1

The L05-1 has a classic folder knife look, i think we can put it in "gentleman knife", wood handle scales, full flat grind, no jimping, no tactical aspect... well, or a little. Yes, that tip is very pointed and somewhat aggressive, otherwise it looks like a friendly folder knife.

Penetrating tip

The measures that we find are:

Total length	Blade length	Blade thickness	Blade width	Weight
19.8 cm	8.5 cm	2.64 mm	2.4 cm	107 gr

We can see a blade in the classic 8Cr13Mov steel and “drop point” tip with flat grind. We have said that the tip is somewhat aggressive, but above all because the blade is not very wide, then there is less curvature near the tip making it more penetrating. This is not a case of "spear point" but of "drop point" with penetrating tip. The factory sharpening is simply acceptable, with the blade centered almost perfect.

Blade detail

Good blade centering

Good blade thickness

The handle is a somewhat special case because it is made of wood, each handle scale varies a little color, which is normal, having a regular grip compared to the G10, although the finish of the varnish (which does not smell too well) Is bad, not covering the whole surface well with color homogeneously. Nor does the wood fit perfectly on the metal structure, although we must not forget the price of the folder knife.

Wooden handle view

Wood handle detail

The wood does not fit perfectly on the steel "liner"

Detail of the fit and finish

Varnish somewhat faded

The pocket clip is not bad, neither hard nor soft, is quite long but does not completely hide the folder knife.

Good size clip

Regarding the locking system, we have a classic liner lock with thick liners to be the type of knife that is, surpassing in thickness 50% of the base of the blade.

Good "liner lock"

Comparative

 Opinel vs Enlan L05-1

Opinel vs Enlan L05-1

Opinel vs Enlan L05-1

Handling and use

I have to start this section for one of the things i have liked least of the folder knife: although each person is a world, usually it is usually found that the knife is sufficiently smooth of opening so as to be able to open it with one hit to one hand but sufficiently tight of the pivot screw so that it does not have a horizontal blade play. In this model it has been impossible for me to get it, even without being very soft the opening had horizontal blade play, and for it to disappear altogether i had to tighten both screws so that it is impossible to open it at a hit. If you want a soft opening, you have to have horizontal blade play. Someone may say that you have to choose between side blade play and softness, but it is not true, some of the models we have seen so far have a very good softness and absolutely no side blade play. This is one of the things that i have liked least of this model L05-1 and that in the EL series of Enlan has not happened to me. To say that it uses a metal washer and a plastic one for opening.

A single metal washer

The handle is ergonomic and adapts well to the hand, although i must say that the varnish that has been used for wood (if you can call it that) has a somewhat unpleasant smell and will not go away, even if a few years pass. I know what the varnish smells perfectly, but i have never smelled one like that, it may just be a type of dye.

Due to its grinding and curvature of the blade, it is a good cutter, both for meat or food as for wood, although the tip is too pointed to be a “gentleman knife” and you have to be careful.

Final verdict

The reasons for the success of the sales of this folder knife i think i have them clear: it is a folder knife of good size for the price (in Sanrenmu you will not find that size for that price), it has full flat grind, which is very requested, low weight and Wood handle, which attract attention.

However, i must say that if i compare this L05-1 with my Enlan knives EL series, like the EL01, EL03, EL04 or EL08, well... there is no comparison, the feeling of these EL series folder knives in the hand is higher than L05-1, they are simply at another level. So my recommendation is that you go to the EL series or the latest EW rather than the Enlan L series as general advice.

I am not saying that it is a bad folder knife, although i do not get smoothness without having to leave side to side blade play, but of course, i prefer to put the missing money over to go directly to an Enlan EL or EW.

The best

- Good price.

- Good size for the price.

- Full flat grind and in general a good aesthetics, next to the wood handle.

- Light weight for the size.

- Thick "liner lock" with respect to the thickness of the base of the blade.

The worst

- Bad smell of the varnish of the handles, which lasts for years.

- Impossibility to achieve smoothness in the opening if not leaving side to side blade play.

- Having their sisters EL or EW for a few more coins is too much temptation.


Moving