Cold SteelEngage 4116SS Steel 2.5in with GFN Handle and Atlas Lock Black

2.5”. Other comparable short blade knives are the Lady Bug, Dragonfly, and Efficient (Spyderco), and the Cold Steel Micro Recon. Slightly larger- 2.75” class - is the very inexpensive Cold Steel Kiradashi with super strong Tri Ad lock, a standout alternative to all these named knives, including the class-standard Spyderco which is also 2.75”, but costs much more.Cold Steel is to be applauded for offering the new locking mechanism in two parallel lines - machined G10 with AUS10, and injection molded glass reinforced nylon with 4116 - and in three distinct size categories- 2.5”, 3”, 3.5”.My 2.5” Engage will fit the 5th pocket on my jeans. It’s just 1.9 oz. Thinner, very slicey 2.5mm steel which is thinner than most Cold Steels that start at 3.0mm and go up from there. There is room for more sharpened edge but the current design has a wasteful dead zone in front of the handle. I suppose that is to help keep the pivot area cleaner by discouraging cutting too close to the handle.The handle is as thin as, or thinner than, a Bugout, but admirably thinner. Cold Steel does not identify it as being Grivory, a good non-Cold Steel handle product. However it seems to be excellent quality.The locking mechanism appears sturdy and simple.Perfect blade centering, no blade rock or wobble, can’t see the pivot washers, but I assume lower maintenance, more reliable washers are used instead of bearings than can gum up. It swings very freely though.Moderate spring back of blade into handle, comparable to a weak spring lock back in sterns if retention. Sufficient, however, for safer carry than a liner lock.

I have the bigger version and love it. The feel doesn't transfer to the small size

I normally love cold steel products and have a plethora of them…this feels cheaply made and wasn’t sharp out the box…when Lynn Thompson owned the company, items would come razor sharp hands down! I was not impressed with this item and the price point for it….and it’s the small version (which is worse when you consider the price point)…still a cold steel fan but get it together Mr. new owner…

Key word being 'little' (though this shouldn't count against it since the stats are posted all over the internet). Pretty comfortable in medium size hands if you hold it with the middle finger in the finger groove, index finger resting on the flat ricasso, and the thumb in the indentation on the spine. 4116 is decent budget steel and this is an interesting design, definitely the fastest opening and closing lock Cold Steel makes, and it seems strong, but honestly this knife is overpriced for the materials you get (FRN and 4116)...there are better deals to be found in the CS lineup until this one drops to the $ 40.00 range or so.

The small size hurts the functionality twofold:To actuate the lock mechanism, you have to hold the whole knife with the tippy tips of your fingers.Also being so small, the blade is not heavy enough to swing closed without whipping it.I would return it if I didn't have to cut open the packaging to get out the knife.pictured to show how small it is