2 days ago I received in the mail the upgraded version. They also make a version with D2 steel and the usual FRN polymer handle. It’s $35. My new knife with both blade and handle upgrades was $49

My first impressions are that it is razor sharp right out of the box, stonewashed blade (my favorite) looks great, smooth opening and closing but a little stiff, but this was the case with my AUS 8 basic Zancudo and it broke in fine after a few days of opening and closing. I can disengage the framelock easily with my thumb for one handed closure.

Blade is perfectly centered. Fit is great. I can get a good grip even though the carbon fiber is smooth and not textured. It’s shiny and attractive but does pick up finger prints.

Now about the finish….

This is my first Carbon fiber-handled knife so I really didn’t know what to expect. Unlike the polymer on my AUS 8 basic Zancudo, this one is smooth and there’s no texture. Mostly smooth that is. There is a very small scratch mark and a little bit of scuffing right out of the box, just enough to be annoying . Located near the torx bit screws; maybe machine marks? Or maybe it is analogous to leather and prone to imperfections that make it unique and give it character?

My concern is that if the knife winds up in a pocket with coins or keys it could be prone to further scratching or dings.

Seems to me that if I really wanted to, I could swap the scales between my two Zancudos. Is that correct?

I plan to order an additional D2 Zancudo with the basic FRN handle because it’s only $35. Two is one and one is none after all. Yes this will give me three of them but it’s my favorite all-time pocket knife.

I’m keeping the carbon fiber D2 Zancudo and I plan on carrying it often and enjoying it and even showing it off. It looks cool, the imperfections on the finish are slight, and if it picks up any more imperfections I won’t feel too bad since it had “birthmarks” to begin with.

Just wanted to give everyone a head’s up about the non-textured surface and the slight cosmetic imperfections. This is a new variation on a very popular affordable knife after all.

Could I swap the scales between the knives later on if I wanted to? Thanks