Hey everyone,

I just got a PXL Workhorse in the mail this weekend and really like it. Since it’s a knife most probably haven’t heard of and is affordable among the Fallkniven model line I figured it wouldn’t hurt to post something.

The standard PXL Magnum has been out for years. It’s a VERY heavy knife featuring different blade steels, currently it’s laminated 3G which is 62-63 HRC as I understand. It’s been summarized as “like VG10 but a bit better edge retention”. This knife has steel bolsters atop steel liners and micarta scales with a tip-down non-reversible clip. It’s a beast at around 6oz and just under $300.

The workhorse is essentially the same knife but replaces the micarta and bolstered SS with textured Grilon (like Zytel or FRN). Since the structural rigidity comes from the undrilled liners and pivot, not the scales it has the same bank-vault lockup with a loud *CLUNK* sound. I guess one could argue that bolsters add a bit of pivot strength but I don’t know if I would ever sense it. This one also doesn’t have a pocket clip to pinch you during working tasks. The blade steel is laminated Cobalt Special at about 60 HRC which is a high-carbide ingot derived material. It came scary sharp and the blade responds well to ceramic Spyderco stones in my limited tests. At 4.5 ounces for 3.5″ of choil-less blade and a retail cost of $134 at New Graham Knives it’s right up my alley. . Like it’s classy siblings I understand this is a product of Moki in Japan who are world famous for amazing craftsmanship.

Pros:

It’s very comfortable in hand due to the THICK scales and liners. There are no hotspots that I have felt nor the fear of slipping due to aggressive patterning on the Grilon. It’s similar to the Spyderco Bi-Directional patterning.

The blade as mentioned is scary sharp and buttery smooth to open and close. It’s also a nice width for hard use but doesn’t seem pry-bar designed. It has a bit of belly but still a nice usable tip. Besides the heft and the liner lock it reminds me of a more squared-off Griptilian.

Cons:

For people used to carrying smaller knives it’s pretty big in hand and pocket. Definitely a working tool. Since it has no choil it doesn’t sacrifice cutting edge; on the other hand, it also could send you and your thumb to the hospital quickly if you don’t move your thumb in time when closing it. Unlocking it with your thumb closer to the pivot puts it in the safe zone.

As a Spyderco fan I miss the opening hole and clip since that’s how most my knives come. I wanted a bit of variety and do believe in the case of the normal PXL the clip would be uncomfortable for cutting tasks. Adding salt to the wound the lanyard hole is quite small making paracord unlikely to happen (I used GITD rope). Also, regardless of cost to make by Moki, $134 for a FRN scaled knife (even with liners) is too much for most to justify. We are living in an age of Titanium, G10, and CF so you have to be pretty eccentric regarding the history of the knife or very pragmatic simply wanting a beastly tool to thrash on.

Summary:

I have tied a Chris Reeve Sebenza knot with a TEC P7 suspension clip. This is working well and I really like the knife. It’s not something you will run into much with the EDC friends. It also has clean “Bushcraft” lines which also means it’s more narrow in the pocket than you would expect.

So remember, if you are looking for an expensive eccentric alternative to the Griptilian or Manix2 I completely recommend this one . It definitely won’t be my last Fallkniven. After all…even us Spydie fanboyz need a bit of variety (occasionally).