For a smallish 'pen knife' it's quite heavy, though that means it feels really sturdy. I just have to get used to the weight in my pocket.
Normally I remove the pocket clips as useless and in the way, but this clip is shaped to sit deep in the pocket and does not affect the handling, I like it.
The blade release spring is serrated and needlessly sharp. It actually hurts to use. A small thing I would change if I could.
It came wickedly sharp out of the box; sharpest of any of my CRKT knives. I'm impressed.
A nice addition to my EDC collection.

A medium-large build but an easy carry. Doesn't feel bulky at all, with excellent detent and action. Scales feel great and the blade shape, with its belly, offers a lot of cut angle variety. Agressive blade shape that looks great, but is also very functional because it offers a thumb rest on the back of the harpoon in the choked-up position. Top liner lock is rock solid and button action is great, plus this is my first top liner lock that can be disengaged directly through the liner on the back of the knife. Adds to the fidget factor. And the price is right!

A reissue of a long-discontinued small folder designed by award-winning custom knifemaker and blade sports competitor Ed Schempp, the Balance SPY27/G10 Sprint is a knife that I had been looking forward to and saving up for since the prototype was revealed at the Spyderco Amsterdam Meet earlier this year. This all-new for 2025 Balance is now made in Spyderco’s flagship Golden, Colorado factory and features a titanium Reeve Integral Lock (i.e., a titanium framelock), a cobalt blue G10 show-side handle scale, and a blade made from Spyderco's proprietary SPY27 particle metallurgy stainless steel. The SPY27 blade and titanium chassis are a definite upgrade from both the VG10 blade and carbon fiber scales of the 2010 original limited edition and the VG10 blade and stainless steel handle of the short-lived (2011–2013) regular production version. By far the most interesting design aspect of the Balance to me is the shape of the blade. The blade has what can be described as a drop-point tip but its main body is angled at an aggressive rake. This unique blade shape and orientation gives the Balance its characteristic symmetrical shape when closed and offers similar benefits to those provided by a hawkbill blade (such as more power on pull cuts), but without the drawbacks of a blade that does not have a belly, since the bottom curve of the Balance’s drop point tip functions just like the belly on a conventional blade. It really is an ingenious design element that maximizes what such a small blade can do. The Balance is a very small knife—it’s only a smidge longer than the Spyderco Manbug—but its finely tuned ergonomics make it feel much bigger than it is in hand. I can actually get a very secure three-finger grip on it and opening and unlocking the blade isn’t as fiddly as one might expect for such a tiny folder. But even as good as it is as a small folder, the Balance SPY27/G10 Sprint is something I’d only really recommend for those who are already seriously interested and/or invested in Ed Schempp’s work. It’s a great small knife—among the best of Spyderco’s famed “Little Big Knives” even—but Spyderco makes many other great small knives in similar materials that can be had at more affordable prices.

My new EDC — minimal pocket bulk, excellent pocket clip, and a clutch lock that’s buttery smooth for effortless one-handed operation. A phenomenal pocket knife.

Regardless of the pared down version of this knife in Spyderco’s Paramilitary line, it’s no toy so it comes ready to work. I have a couple of other knives with S45VN blades and it is a premium steel that will not disappoint. Of course, most knives are made to cut and not intended to be used as a crowbar. That being said, this is no dainty butter knife and it can hold its own during field operations or daily tasks. The stainless steel liners in the handle provide serious stability for this smooth action DLC coated blade, and yeah the liner lock in the spine is very secure and user friendly. I was surprised by the pattern of the ARPAT inspired camo in the scales and the semi-translucent properties of the G10. Pretty cool effect and all aspects considered, it deserves the 5 stars.

Great budget friendly knife, without the budget feel! Good shipping time. Al around good experience.

I broke the little spring rod on my stock ball cage, making it tip ever so slightly and feel wrong, ordered this one to replace that, feel like a new knife, the red looks great with the titanium scales I got a few years ago as well.

Left a review previously. Blade stock could be thicker to inspire confidence. Jimping is not in the right place. It should engage the thumb but stops too far forward.Sheath is a joke. Like a kazoo. House of knives shipped the old style which is annoying and disappointing they shipped old stock, undiscounted.

This is probably the most disappointing upgrade in Leatherman history. Looks really interesting on the website, once in hand you notice all of the upsetting changes. They have near doubled the price coming from the wave+, while taking away from the tool, sure you get a magna cut blade with thumb stud, but they shrunk the handle indents making it really difficult to access the lock releases, the g10 scales flex which makes them seem cheap, the larger scissors replace the serrated blade, and they have added a awl on the inside.I kept it I my dresser for a week trying to convince myself it is a worthy and reasonable upgrade. But it just isn’t. They no longer include a belt sheath, so you will have to purchase a belt sheath or one of their new pocket clips, so you will add another $30 to the $270 price tag. This is a premium price point for a tool that just doesn’t match up, in hand it feels like a downgrade.I hope this is not the norm for a company that has such a rich history of innovation and quality.

Super sharp, excellent for opening packages

I own a Vosteed Shilin cutter as well and was interested in this model for a more compact version of the same great design. Regardless of its size, this Mini Nightshade still cradles nicely in a large hand for sufficient control. The stylish design in the titanium handle provides a comfortable grip too. The smooth action and solid lockup of the S35VN blade is a reliable touch as well. For the price, you’re getting a well balanced steel in the blade and a class quality titanium handle that does its job admirably.

My first Manix and I am very pleased with my purchase. I am a great fan of Goldens FRCP lightweight models, not even noticeable in the pocket weight wise and a joy to use, almost like a extension of your hand. I also really like the bright yellow of the Magnacut LW models and the reason it was chosen.The bi directional texturing is fantastic in crappy wet conditions. I like the wire clip, knife slides in and out of the pocket quite easily while retaining the knife with the right amount of tension. The clip also has a minimalist look and weight that goes excellent with this knife, no clutter coming off the side of this baby. First time experience with the Ball Bearing lock and wow it is a lot of fun to flick open and closed. Kitty started looking at me like I was nuts when I unboxed the knife and proceeded to flick it open and closed for 5 minutes straight. Nice sharp edge out of the box, I feel Golden has improved their sharpening the last few years. Blade was also centered perfect. One minor knock is although the knife did not need adjustment the pivot screw is loctited in quite secure, luckily I have read YouTube comments on how to cure that. This one is definitely seeing alot of time in my pocket at work this winter, salt bags await!

It’s described as a “personal self defence tool”. Luckily I don’t have to do any self defending, but it has an awesome CLACK! When deployed. Very well made and fun to handle.

Except for a slightly week detent, this knife is perfect!

I bought this knife out of curiosity. I like Ostap Hel designed knives, this one just looks odd. It functions very well and I like how Kansept's sister company Tenable releases a budget version of this knife. The steel is really good, razor sharp. It sliced up printer paper like no tomorrow. It was well packaged and fast shipping from HOK. Awesome knife thank-you HOK

I bought this knife a few weeks ago. It noticed it sold out real fast on WMK (White Mountain Knives). I seen that it sold out fast on HOK. HOK re-stocked it fast less than a day. The knife is really neat, I charge up the glow in the dark bones on the scales with my flashlight. It glows for quite awhile. The nitro V blade is razor sharp. The button lock is quite secure and the overall ergonomics of the knife is well designed by Bradley Diaz. It's neat EDC and a great conversation piece. Kizer is killing it with their knives lately lots of cool stuff they release. Very fidgety and fun to deploy the blade. Thank-you HOK for a great knife and ultra fast shipping.

Really nice traditional lock-back. The bone covers are fantastic, great shield as well, seamless transitions. The fit is amazing; no blade-play, solid lockup. This is a well-made, classy knife. The blade shape, barely a clip-point, has a lot of belly, a very versatile blade.

Fantastic little knife. excellent fit and finish. slightly smaller than expected but comfortable to hold. micarta is very soft and fine grain. strong detent, needs some effort to deploy. strong lock. blade does not wiggle at all once it snaps locked... very pleased with purchase. i literally said wow when i took it out of the box. might buy another in different color as well

Spoiler, this knife is so excellent that I bought another. Now I have it in 3v and 14c. Its an excellent cutter and just the right size to carry effortlessly in my pocket when I remove the belt attachment. I have an ulticlip on one however I prefer just plain pocket carry. Its one of my favorites and I highly recommend it in any steel offered.

This is the second Kershaw Drivetrain I have bought. This was for my son in law. Rule # 9. The first one I bought for me was very hard to flip open. So I kept on backing of the screw up front, which opens the sides, until it would open easily. So this the second one I took out of the box to adjust. None needed. it open just fine. So is there something wrong with the first one I bought foe me?