QSP Mamba V2 Folding Knife - Overview and Review

[@metal_complex]

My Amazon page! The gear I use here on the channel! - www.amazon.com/shop/metalcomplex Thanks so much for watching! You can support my channel on Patreon here - www.patreon.com/metalcomplex MC stickers! - www.redbubble.com/people/metal-complex/shop?asc=u

[@hunterglaspell]

I agree with your heat treat sentiment, but I also want to peel another layer of that onion. Steels like d2 do not belong on fixed or “hard use” knives with a 60-62 heat treat. There are several videos out there that show d2 at above 60, to be more brittle than other steels that can get to that range. Frankie and bird reviewed a kershaw camp knife that snapped, and before I watched the video, I knew it was going to. D2 blades are often used in paper and cardboard cutting mills (or at least they used to be). I’m not sure the Rockwell of those blades, but it’s a lot of shearing cuts that require a lot of force. That would tell me they are heat treated to a lower Rockwell to avoid breaking. I’m not defending qsp here, and agree that d2 on more light duty cutting tools at 62hrc makes sense, but they may be purposefully doing so in a way we don’t understand. Great video! 🍻

[@scottmeacham1738]

Well said!

[@zachh4929]

For most applications, in my experience (Tool&Die maker) D2 preforms best at 58-60Rc at this point its got the best balance of "Toughness" and "Hardness". beyond that i find you loose significantly more than you gain in the possible edge hardness, for its lack of ability to with stand dynamic loads and shocks leading to the edge chipping or snapping out right. and harder you get the amount of work it takes to sharpen greatly increases. i also might be biased due to D2 being one of my most disliked steels to work with.

[@JustNeil1]

I typically don’t go for budget knives but after seeing your video on this one I was very intrigued. The overall look, it’s steak knife looking profile and the snap had me. I’m glad I picked this up. I love it! After quite a few deployments and some Froglube It’s extremely fidgety. The hookup has a great sound much like a heavy finger snap. I picked up the same one with the green micarta and glad I did.

[@michaelmechex]

I really appreciate the point you are trying to make. Heat treat is an absolute core part of a knife and many makers skimp out on it, because as long as it's not completely soft, average consumer won't notice. And if they notice they will blame it on crappy steel. I think heat treat is not talked about enough for how important it is, but that's because it's hard to measure. You could even become first (to my knowledge) knife reviewer with a hardness tester if you want...

[@RobNC-OG]

Metal Complex goes the H off on D2 slackness. I love it! Thanks for being straight and honest. We know your weakness now. Everybody send him soft D2 to review!

[@mcsquirgle]

I want to say that I have noticed MC taking a position in the conversation to get blades heat treated to their optimal hardness' and I really appreciate him using his platform to advance this point. Sharpenability is no longer a good excuse for sub-optimal heat treatment with diamond sharpening guided systems available for around $50, and more toughness at lower hardness isnt a universal argument either with some steels actually getting tougher at higher hardness. The reason cutlery steels even have "optimal hardness" ranges are because metalurgists with much more experience researching and testing these steels have concluded that this is where a steel will have the BEST ratio of wear resistance to toughness

[@maine5675]

Thanks MC for giving us the cold hard truth every time. That's one of my favorite things is that you are honest and you present your opinion with pretty solid facts.

[@lukuscarter3563]

I do appreciate your consistency and strictness on the Rockwell hardness of a budget knife. Seriously. This type thing helps the knife community have more discipline. Nice video Complex 👍

[@Steelydan670]

Good review! Heat treating doesn’t cost more to get a harder blade by the way. It’s controlled by tempering temperature. It would literally be just as easy for QSP to take it up to 62 HRC. Unfortunately D2 tends to be chippy at higher edge angles, so I’m sure they’re hedging their bets for the masses of EDC beaters this knife is going to be popular with.

[@Cid_1]

I agree with the hardness and thank you for mentioning it MC. Unless we the customers and reviewers "Complain" asking for optimal HT on the steel the company self chose to use, they will not change it without us pushing back and asking for better.

[@bsmith8297]

Looking on the knife site i use it shows something else for hardness HRC 58-60 Blade: D2, satin finish Handle: green micarta Mechanism: Cearmic ball bearing Lock: Liner lock Overall: 8.00''(203mm) Closed:4.50''(114mm) Blade: 3.50''(89mm) Blade thickness:+/-3.0mm HRC: 58-60 Net weight: +/-98g(3.46oz)

[@IrishBombSquad]

I kind a like the shadow boxing around the scales.

[@rhinemetal]

I have 3 mambo v2's and they are all similar to what you have shown, good consistency as usual with QSP. Most of mine are light users so the HRC isn't a deal breaker, but that is great to point out for those that could be impacted by the lower numbers.

[@MrSabram07]

I have the penguin and love it I was looking to get a penguin with a finger flipper so I got the mama. Then the mail now can't wait to see

[@MrSabram07]

QSP has a great "Snap". Don't know what it is but it's a great click sound can't get enough

[@christopherskipp1525]

Were you able to obtain any more information about the different Rockwell numbers for this model?

[@blackbirdpie217]

You should get a Rockwell tester. Advertised hardness is often asvertized inaccurately. Test every knife, no matter how prestigious the brand. keep them honest.

[@WoodsmanHobo777]

I like satin finish more than any other finish, these days your lucky to find the knife you want with a satin finish because they're mostly always stone/tumble washed.

[@Catboy-hr2qp]

D2 needs to be between 59-62hrc depending on blade shape, bevel angle and sharpening angle, shallower angles you can go harder to get high edge retention but don't try prying stuff cause it'll snap. More obtuse angles you really need around 59hrc for good toughness. For an edc I'd heat treat to 59-60hrc

[@Miller_Time]

Some people say that aus 8 is better than D2. Cr13 and 14 are also used in a lot of "budget" knives. Who knows at this point which is the best. There's a lot of conjecture

[@metal_complex]

It all depends on the heat treat. If you compare a properly treated AUS8 blade with a poorly treated D2 blade, the AUS8 will come out on top. D2 has better edge retention if done properly and that's a fact. It also depends on what you want from your blade. Edge retention isn't always the most important thing.

[@OreoDave]

Thank you for your honest opinion

[@Rollshambo]

preach, the hrc matters and many companies avoid upping their heat treat due to the capabilities of the companies they outsource the heat treat to...also buttonlock elementum also listed at 57-59 hrc..damn shame

[@nathanr.494]

i've been poking around the playlist looking for a review on buck 501. there isn't one here. curious metal complex's thoughts about that knife.

[@MrWazamono]

On QSP site it says 58-60 HRC, they changed it by one unit? Not a big deal but still.. I wonder how are other budget D2 from China in terms of hardness.

[@mcm4point2o]

i wish QSP would drop some wharnie versions of some of these

[@rwj6213]

👍thank you alot of us depend on your knowledge and experience

[@Cid_1]

It's kinda funny and a little sad that a cheap sub $50 QSP knife manages to inset the pocket clip and even give you a filler tab, while WE just slaps their generic clips on the top of the scale and say that'll be $250 😆

[@heavyweightsound]

Agreed! I'm reading your comment right after I just discovered that my $280 WE Snecx vision doesn't even have a captured pivot. I thought wow! How can they cut corners like that in such expensive knife?

[@DansEarway]

I like the filler tab.

[@michaelupchurch4783]

Wonder of they will respond?

[@P43LO70]

Very elegant. Looks like Kizer knives.

[@rpow6861]

i wish you'd do a size comparison with the Elementum as that is the only knife i own. 8)

[@ogchefdave4204]

Did u get the button lock version?

[@rpow6861]

@@ogchefdave4204 nah, just the standard one bro

[@daisydog388]

If you can try to get a hold of and do a review of an enzo birk 75 folding knife. It was one of my first folding knives over 100 bucks with a scandi grind, made in finland i think. Would like to see your takenon it, thanks, great knife channel

[@Born2Breed-Live269]

I think this may be my first QSP (gasp I know).

[@chrismartinez7587]

Thanks brother for the link

[@paulg.5997]

QSP...Please make a mini Mamba with a 3" or less blade...and better blade steel.

[@RovingRoninEDC]

“One Big But” So funny to be saying that and it’s not directed at my Ex 😂

[@whammofammo7346]

I like the generic looks of the Mamba, hopefully QSP puts V2 out with the Rafir scales.

[@Rimorox]

It's a copy of the kershaw skyline! HA GOT YA THERE!

[@thunderlyte3221]

I googled it jsut now and kt says optimal hardness is 54-61 HRC so idk what your talkin about. Great vid tho!

[@metal_complex]

54? No. Sorry. Wherever you read this has it wrong. D2 has been around for a while and its optimal balance when it comes to heat treating the composition for use that allows the composition to shine properly has been thoroughly... and I mean THOROUGHLY discussed. Anything under 59 is a joke, 59 is meh, 60 is better, and optimal seems to be around 61/62.

[@metal_complex]

I am no metallurgist... but Larrin Thomas is. knifesteelnerds.com/2020/08/31/how-to-heat-treat-d2-psf27-and-cpm-d2/ Also an example of an old discussion (there are countless like this) www.bladeforums.com/threads/d2-hardness-question.318850/

[@thunderlyte3221]

@@metal_complex i just googles the optimal heat treat for d2 steel on google and thats what it said. I think you are right bc thats what i have heard too. I guess google is drunk lol. Oh yeah also i was able to pick up the pmp alpha beast from WMK saturday because of your post. So Thank you so much!!! You make such good content i watch all you vids keep up the great work!

[@metal_complex]

I mean I think some people throw the word "optimal" around pretty loosely too 😉

[@thunderlyte3221]

I got the beast with bronze anodized titanium for $450 total with a discount code and i so excited! I cant wait for it to come in!

[@Mpafanai46]

Very generic profile, like it. Thank you for your review

[@scottmeacham1738]

Bro, send it to me. I can see your position here and I can't say you are wrong. I'm fixin to buy one. I will accept that quality for that price. There may be better options. If I find it, I'll take one of them too. Thanks for sharing your position on the matter.

[@watkinry]

This is why I've largely stopped buying production D2. Based on what I've heard, especially from Outpost76, indicates that the majority of it doesn't perform like it should. It is a pity so many great budget knives use it.

[@dominickgiallombardo2921]

I think it looks like the parrot by QSP?

[@ZeeLobby]

Came for lewd knife exposure, was not disappointed.

[@oliverkahn2224]

I think for the price range it is acceptable not unacceptable. Look at Benchmade their prices don't justify their quality. That is unacceptable

[@DansEarway]

Looks like a Clovis clone circa 10,000 BC to me.

[@deenaharmon2604]

Hello!👋

[@DansEarway]

Thx 👏👏👏

[@fredcourtney03]

So you’re saying it’s a copy of a knife?! Nooo way. It’s an all original. I call it a Naf!!

[@michaelfuxeklint4909]

Mamba carbon fiber is really hot 👍👍

[@snesleywipessqueegeeservices]

Why did people switch from 'price' to 'price point'? What is the difference in meaning? Answer: There isn't one!

[@guysmcfellas615]

The site I use lists it as 58-60. Also, misleading video title. Watched the whole thing, and not one single big butt. I feel robbed.

[@57HEMIviken]

Not a fan of all the polishing i think it looks cheap and easily scratches and immediately looks like doo doo fine on a show piece but a beater it just drives me nuts lol

[@LiveFreeOrRIP]

do you have a malibu... if so sell it to me... =)

[@LiveFreeOrRIP]

Thats a Skyline rip off lol hahahhahahhah

[@darrellbroomhall7020]

Call me cheap, the QSP anything brings value for cost of product .

[@tsdted5029]

"One Big Butt" sounds like click-bait

[@metal_complex]

It is. 😉

[@holdernewtshesrearin5471]

Oui loik that knoif!

[@ajward4299]

Never trust cheaper China knives blade material descriptions. You really don't know what you are actually getting unless you have it tested. With that said the price is reasonable for the materials. Me personally I stay away from rust quick steel like Chinese D2.

[@metal_complex]

All D2 is the same composition. Where it is manufactured doesn't change what it's made of. The finish on the blade can make it more or less susceptible to corrosion, but that's about it. A badly heat treated blade can occur anywhere. Any price range. Doesn't matter where it's made.

[@susanalex]

​@@metal_complex well said.