CaseCutlery TecX TK-3 Lockback Utility Knife

My day-to-day carry knife is a Benchmade Griptillian, and I love that knife to what most psychologists would call an unhealthy degree.That said, I can't always carry it. Sometimes work takes me to places where I'm very concerned corrupt security or law enforcement might "confiscate" it, which would break my heart (and my wallet).I picked up this Tec X because the size and shape are very similar, and thus I could carry a knife I was "comfortable" with, but that was cheap enough that I wouldn't freak out if it got stolen.That said, I was shocked at how much I actually like this little guy.Solid, well-designed, and functional, this baby hits way above its weight-class. The handle is firm, the lock is tight, and the blade is sturdy enough for real utility use, while the sharp drop-point and chiseled cross-section means it's also good for both cutting and thrusting.After seeing mine, my wife asked for one to replace her daily carry knife, and she's been really happy with it as well.It is shockingly good for its cost.

I wanted a medium size knife with a clip on the side to hold it just inside my pocket. I hate carrying a knife this size deep in my pocket and don't always want to carry one on my belt. I saw this knife in a test of survival knives in Backpacker magazine, this TecX won as there choice for the best folding survival knife. I have had it for a year now and am still impressed with the quality and feel of it. The blade opens smooth and quick and holds an edge for a very long time.

DATE PURCHASED: May 16, 2013QUALITY: I find the build quality of this knife to be great. I have had experience with several different pocket knives in the past when working on the family farm and this one has definitely been built well. The steel is great quality and tough. The body screws are recessed and the blade screw is flush with the body. The knife has some decent weight to it for it being a small pocket knife. All of the body edges have been rounded which makes the knife very smooth and easy to grip.FINISH: The black finish is a nice touch to the knife. The finish was put on the body, blade, and belt clip. Since I have received the knife, the finish on the belt click has started to chip some. It seems to only have chipped a few layers off since the black finish is still showing even along the chips. Also, the side of the blade is starting to show some wear from rubbing against things when using the knife. Because of this, I had to knock it down a star.SHARPNESS: The blade was pretty sharp. I've owned sharper knives right out of the box, but this was sharp enough for all the tasks I need.BLADE LOCK: This knife uses a liner lock system for locking the blade. I've never used this type of system before and it holds the blade very well. After using it for a bit, I have learned how to unlock and close the blade with one hand. I feel that the lock holds the blade tighter and more securely than some of the other lockbacks I've owned.OVERALL: I really like this knife overall. The finish issues are not a deal breaker for me at all. It's true that you can operate this knife one handed like the description says. It was a little stiff right out of the box, but I find that to be true about most quality knives. The quality of the steel and craftsmanship shows that the knife will be great for years to come.

When I saw Case, a great American company, was making knives in China, I cringed. There are some great knives coming out of China these days, but Case is an American icon. But when I saw the types of knives, more of the EDC/tactical folder style knives, and not traditional pocket & hunting knives, I thought I'd give one a try.The knife comes in a two piece tecX box, which has the typical Case information sticker on it with mfg date, model number, etc. It also comes with Case's Limited Lifetime Warranty.The Case tecX Pro X II is a great folder. It has a deep pocket clip that's removable, but not reversible. It has stainless steel liners and is held together with torx screws. The blade pivot has a torx screw (hidden under the pocket clip), so the blade should be adjustable for centering and tightness. There is also a lanyard hole.The linerlock locks up perfectly, with plenty of room for wear. The blade centering is dead in the middle. The tumbstuds (one on each side) are very functional, and deployment of the blade is fluid and quick. The jimping on the top of the handle and the finger groove make for a firm grip. The ABS handle has a good feel to it. The blade is sharp, but not ultra sharp, and is polished, but not a high polish, and fits the overall look of the knife.Is this knife a Benchmade? No. However, it is an above average blade in this price range.

I won't buy again

Real sturdy, heavy in weight and the ergonomics are good. The blade was not really sharp, but still a good knife overall.

I've been using this for about 8 months now and I have no complaints. It opens one-handed with practice and it's pretty light due to the plastic grip and the index finger indent is nice when holding. I use the pocket clip when carrying it and nothing has loosened up yet. Sharp when I bought it and still sharp. Not too tiny and not too big, just right for me.