Unparalleled Sharpness: Wenger Aphid 2 Review

Lots of knife nuts ultimately come to the purpose the place they wish to attempt a customized knife. Custom knives, handmade by expert knifemakers, are usually exceptionally costly, simply greater than $1,000. They additionally are likely to have wildly unpredictable availability as they’re, after all, handmade, one after the other.

My recommendation is to start out small, often with a set blade. You can discover out if the steep costs are made worthwhile at a decrease value of entry.

One of one of the best and least expensive methods to dip one’s toes within the customized market is the Wenger Aphid 2. It additionally occurs to be an exceedingly helpful knife that exhibits off the traits that make customs value the associated fee. This is an EDC knife that may blow you away — for $40. You learn that proper.

In brief: The Aphid 2 is an exceedingly high-value knife with a superior design that may function an EDC with little influence on weight, but flexes to deal with duties a folder shouldn’t deal with.

Wenger Aphid 2 Knife Review

The Aphid 2 is a small fixed-blade knife that comes with a molded KYDEX sheath. Perfect as a neck knife or a small EDC, the Aphid 2 can stow just about wherever: coin pocket, backpack, or glove field.

The metal, Nitro-V, is among the finest cheaper steels accessible, able to taking a razor edge, holding it for some time, and resisting stains. The blade is a drop level and the deal with is skeletonized to save lots of on measurement and weight.

The knife is made by Dave Wenger, who has an impressive (and well-earned) status for making traditional fixed-blade patterns with intelligent and well-done touches. His “Tracker-style” knife is a extra upscale model of these made by manufacturing corporations and options swooping strains and crisp grinds.

He has launched commissioned batches by high-end gear corporations like Prometheus Design Werx. Wenger’s knives are famend for his or her laser-like edges. While not all the time in inventory, the Aphid 2 is frequently launched in batches on Wenger’s web site. Following him on Instagram will warn you when drops can be found. Be warned: They promote out in minutes.

Testing

I’ve owned or reviewed 1000’s of knives from dozens of manufacturing corporations and lots of of makers. No knife has had an edge on it like my Aphid 2.

By eradicating the reducing bevel and tapering the sting down from the backbone (a so-called zero grind), Wenger achieves unparalleled sharpness.

My Aphid 2 minimize hair off my arm whereas I used to be barely utilizing sufficient power to carry the knife up. It blasts by paper, cardboard, and meals with nearly no effort. And but it nonetheless hides in my pocket almost invisible. The incontrovertible fact that I don’t have to fret about grit or dust getting in a pivot is one other bonus.

This knife may be very near the perfect fastened blade EDC — small but succesful. Of course, a knife this small can’t do sure issues — batoning is out, as is meals prep for giant objects. But you purchase a knife of this measurement understanding these limitations.

Perfect Introduction to Custom Knives

Within its limitations, I’ve by no means discovered something higher than the Aphid 2. Its value, round the price of two lunches out to eat, is extremely truthful and it means that you can see what all of the fuss is about within the customized knife world.

Getting an edge this sharp on a manufacturing scale is solely unimaginable. But in case you are a knife fan, that edge is a factor that may go away you breathless. It is astounding.

Conclusion

With each unmatched efficiency and a microscopic price ticket, the Aphid 2 is a blade that anybody may personal, carry, and recognize. I extremely suggest this knife.