Review Ganzo - Firebird FH11-GB

Review Ganzo - Firebird FH11-GB

Introduction

At this moment, I have no doubt that one of the most desired knives in the world of quality Chinese knives at a good price is this model from the Ganzo - Firebird brand.

And why is this? Because it is the first knife of the brand with steel D2. Maybe the future has others with that steel, but this will always be the first. Let's see if there are more surprises...

Exterior design and appearance

Removing that it is the first time that Ganzo - Firebird uses steel D2 in its knives, this piece draws attention for several other things:

It has a style of those that like, personally you already know that I like the kwaiken style, which are traditional Japanese style knives used for self-defense in closed spaces and other types of ceremonies. It is usually a sober style, straight lines and few concessions to aesthetics, very functional without much adornment (remember the models of Y-Start LK5010 and LK5011 that you can see in my blog).

In this case, although it has a kwaiken style, and therefore needs a touch of aggressiveness because its goal in principle is self-defense, I do not see it as aggressive as other kwaiken pieces (for example, the mentioned Y-Starts).

Its shape is narrow handle and blade (kwaiken style) but we do not have a very aggressive tip, it is a normal "drop point", without much aggressiveness and with a good curvature of the edge near the tip.

The blade steel, of course, is D2, which is becoming fashionable in some brands, a step superior to the already magnificent steel 440C (for its treatment) to which we were accustomed. It is worth mentioning how thick the blade is near the tip and how long it is the back edge until it reaches the handle.

The blade does not have thumb studs, but is opened by a flipper. You already know that Flipper + absence of thumb studs = one of my favorite combinations in a folder knife, but also with bearings, so this promises.

The handle is in G10, I must say that there are 3 versions of the knife, G10 in black, G10 greenish-blue and in carbon fiber. But I liked the greenish-blue color so much that I did not ask for it in carbon fiber, besides having a better grip, the price hardly varies, you can choose the one you like the most.

The color of the handle is the first time it is used in Ganzo, another novelty apart from steel. The grip of the texture of the G10 is good, porous, not with a great relief, but the grip is achieved by "porosity", but it is good.

The "pocket clip" does not hide the whole knife, but almost...

As a locking system we have a "liner lock" with a good fit.

In general, I believe that I can define what its design and appearance convey to me as having a beauty that attracts without knowing exactly why, the shape of the blade attracts, at least to me.

If we look at the measures we find:

Total length	Closed length	Blade thickness	Blade length	Weight on scales
20.5 cm	11.8 cm	3.3 mm	8.7 cm	111 gr

Comparative

Let's see it with other kwaikens such as the Y-Start LK5010 and LK5011, more aggressive style than our Ganzo - Firebird FH11.

Management and use

Let's start talking about the opening of the knife, the only way is using the flipper, you know what I like the knives with flipper and without thumb studs aesthetically.

The flipper has a jimping to hold the finger better when you open it, I tend to like more without jimping because someone has hurt my finger. The opening is extremely smooth thanks to the bearings that the shaft carries. These bearings are made of steel balls and not ceramic balls, I think there are people who do not know that there are several types, the ceramic seems better because there is no deformation with the use since the ceramic is harder than steel.

The truth is that the ease and smoothness of opening is amazing, excellent and very pleasant. And about blade retention, which is the other factor that affects the opening experience, is very low, which means that it helps to have that satisfactory experience in the opening, but in return we have to be more careful so that the knife does not open itself when you carry it in your pocket when you walk if you do not carry it with a case.

By holding the knife in your hand you can notice the straight design of the handle as good kwaiken, the G10 is porous without much texture, but the grip is good. The jimping on top of the blade, not very aggressive, helps control the blade.

We can verify that the steel "liners" of the handle have not been perforated to lighten weight.

The blade that gives us this latest model of Ganzo is a "drop point", which to be kwaiken style is not very aggressive to be self-defense type, you can really use it for anything and I do not see it as specialized in that type of tasks, the tip is not so pointy and the curve near the tip seems to say that it is good for cutting movements. Anyway, that small Blade width is reminding us of its self-defense nature.

I must add that the D2 steel used has a very good heat treatment according to tests carried out.

It is curious how thick it is near the tip, of course it is a strong blade that will not bend easily in that area.

The factory sharpening is only correct and there is no vertical blade play and very little horizontal, the centering of the blade is perfect.

The locking system "liner lock" is well adjusted and has a normal thickness.

Final verdict

Gentlemen, what can I say about this piece? The first knife of Ganzo - Firebird with D2 steel, "flipper" and bearings, may be the best knife of the brand to date, very good quality materials and finishes apart from its beautiful kwaiken aesthetic.

Seldom does a knife of Ganzo become a collection knife as soon as it comes out, and this one I think it is already. Essential if you like the brand.

What I liked the most

- I like its kwaiken aesthetic, but not very aggressive either. Its clean lines are precious to me.

- Absolute smoothness in the opening thanks to the bearings.

- For years to come, this will always be the first knife of Ganzo - Firebird in D2 steel. In addition, the heat treatment is very good.

- There are already voices saying that it is the best knife of Ganzo - Firebird in all its history and one of the best creations of the year in any Brand for the price.

What I liked less

- The retention of the blade is weak, but it is necessary if we want an opening of the knife so smooth and pleasant.

Moving

Where to buy it

Fasttech

  

Link: Ganzo FH11-GB

Other pieces of the shop that I liked and that I have reviewed:

Link: CH 3504      Cupón/coupon: MAP

Link: Harnds CK6119BK Pollux

Link: Hx Outdoors D-161

Link: Ganzo G8012-DY

Link: Harnds CK9168 Talisman

Link: Ganzo G7531-CF

Link: Ganzo G743-1-BK

Link: Y-Start Jin01