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Review: Real Steel H6 Plus

In a market full of excellent budget knife options, the Real Steel H6 Plus still manages to stand out. In fact, I am willing to make the case that it is the most compelling budget, hard-use folder on the market right now. I think this knife should get a lot more attention and it is absolutely mind boggling how little it costs.

Overview

Blade Length: 3.75″ (95mm)

Cutting Edge: 3.75″ (95mm)

Closed Length: 4.75″ (120mm)

Overall Length: 8.5″ (215mm)

Blade Material: 14C28N

Blade Thickness: 0.136″ (3.5mm)

Blade Style: Drop Point

Blade Grind: Flat

Blade Finish: Stonewash

Handle Material: Black G10

Handle Thickness: 0.46″

Liner Material: Stainless Steel

Locking Mechanism: Frame Lock

Pivot Assembly: Washers

Pocket Clip: Tip-Up, Right

Carry Weight: 5 oz. (145g)

Observations from Use

I have owned several iterations of the Real Steel H6 over the years. In fact, I reviewed one on these very pages that I like a lot and often gave as a gift. I have a long history with this knife and, because of that, I can say that the H6 Plus is the most compelling entry in the H6 lineup to date. This is true in part because of the pricing and in part because of the use of washers (not bearings) in the pivot which is increasingly unusual in this knife market.

Expanding further on the above, it is important to point out that this knife sells for $36.50 (or less, there is currently a 15% coupon that knocks the price down to $31.02. That is an incredible price for a knife with the materials, features, and size of this one.

The Real Steel H6 Plus also runs on washers which is a GREAT choice for a work knife and something Real Steel does more than most value brands. Washers are less susceptible the ingress of dust, dirt, and grime while still being able to offer a smooth action if done well… and these are done well. The action is oily smooth and the detent is great, allowing me to easily thumb flick and reverse flick this knife open.

The H6 Plus’ broad, 3.75″ blade is ground from 14C28N steel which is a tremendous steel at any price point. It has a roughly 3/4 height flat grind with a long swedge. The result is a useful shape that cuts well (it is surprisingly thin behind the edge) and a fine, but strong point.

I have owned several Real Steel knives with steel frame locks and they have all been excellent. This is no different. It locks up strong and early with no play in any direction. The included Beta Plus secondary lock is a nice addition whether you use it or not. It functions like any other frame lock overtravel stop when unsued but it can also be pushed forward to a position that actually locks the frame lock tab into place preventing you from accidentally disengaging the lock.

There are a lot of other niceties in this knife that I will mention but not drag on about. The thumb studs are very comfortable and accessible. The steel frame lock scale actually has a deep pocket milled into it to reduce weight. The back spacer is machined G-10 with a great chunky grip texture. The clip is very strong with a TON of space and clearance for thicker materials like work pants. The locking tab is machined to provide both texture and easy access.

Wrap Up

In reading what Real Steel has said about the H6 Plus, it is clear they made this to be the ultimate entry in the H6 line. Reading between the lines, it seems they were also trying to engineer a lot of the cost out of the line because this is also the most affordable entry. This knife not only offers excellent value, the use of washers makes it somewhat unique in today’s value knife market.

The H6 was a great value when it used to cost $50. Now that it is closer to $35, it is an absolute bargain.

I purchased the Real Steel H6 Plus on Amazon where it is currently on sale for 15% off: Real Steel H6 Plus on Amazon.com

Bargain or Just Cheap? – Real Steel H5 Gerfalcon

Welcome to Bargain or Just Cheap? This series reviews budget friendly knives for a variety of uses in a short format. All of the knives will cost less than $50 (in most cases, much less) and will be purchased out of my own pocket. I’ll buy them, carry them, and use them in an attempt to determine if the knife is a bargain or just cheap.


Real Steel’s H series is full of solid knives at a great price including the knife that is the subject of today’s Bargain or Just Cheap? column – the Real Steel H5 Gerfalcon. We have already reviewed the Real Steel H6-S1 in this series and it didn’t disappoint. The H5 Gerfalcon might be even better.

H5 Gerfalcon Specs:

Lock: Frame Lock, with overtravel stop

Pocket Clip: Right pocket, tip up or tip down

Steel: Sandvik 14C28N

Handle: Textured G-10 front, steel back

Blade length: 3.25 in.

Blade thickness: .12 in.

Open length: 7.75 in.

Weight: 3.95 oz.

Observations from Use

This knife looks great and is packed with features. It is just under the $50 price limit for this series but it does a great job of justifying its price… In fact, it will make you wonder why knives with similar features cost so much.

The blade on the H5 Gerfalcon is similar to that of the H6-S1 but differs in a few key places. It features a great steel in Sandvik 14C28N – a step up from most budget knives. The cutting edge features a mild recurve shape and a full height flat grind like the H6-S1. It differs from the H6-S1 in that is has a clipped point and a flipper stud (which acts as a small guard when the knife is open).

The H5 Gerfalcon’s handle is more squared in shape but still very comfortable. It has jimping on the back of the handle, the spine of the blade, and near the butt of the knife. However, the jumping is shallow, well designed, and doesn’t cause hot spots. Both the G-10 and the steel lock side of the knife are thick and sturdy but overall the knife feels and carries very slim. The thumb studs and lock bar stabilizer are actually made from machined G-10 that matches that handle color.

Opening this knife is a breeze to open thanks ball bearing pivot. The thumb studs are large and easy to operate. The flipper tab is well shaped. The knife opens easily and smoothly with either opening method. I should also mention that the detent on my example is excellent.

The lock on my example is excellent. It looks up with about 70% engagement so it is very sturdy with room to wear in over time. It can be disengaged easily thanks to large scallops on the lock bar that give your thumb purchase.

The pocket clip isn’t a true deep carry clip but it does place the knife very low in the pocket which is nice for professional settings. It is very stout and holds the knife securely.

This knife isn’t exactly a lightweight but it does come in under 4 ounces so it isn’t that bad for a knife of this size. Real Steel did take steps to keep the weight down including using pillars instead of a larger back spacer and machining flutes into the inside of the steel lock bar side of the knife.

Bargain or Just Cheap?

When you use this knife, you can’t help but wonder why other knife makers can’t offer this many well executed features and cutting performance for less money. It certainly benefits, in terms of cost, by being manufactured in China but the fact remains that this is an excellent knife.

The H5 Gerfalcon is a smooth flipping, tight locking, laser-like cutting, bull-strong knife and it is most certainly a BARGAIN.

I am using Amazon as the price base line for this series. All knives were purchased by me from Amazon: Real Steel H5 Gerfalcon on Amazon


Our goal is to represent knives for a variety of uses from EDC, to outdoor, to tactical knives. Do you have a favorite affordable knife? Let us know about it in the comments!

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Bargain or Just Cheap? – Real Steel H6-S1

Welcome to Bargain or Just Cheap? This series will review budget friendly knives for a variety of uses in a short format. All of the knives will cost less than $50 (in most cases, much less) and will be purchased out of my own pocket. I’ll buy them, carry them, and use them in an attempt to determine if the knife is a bargain or just cheap.


I have always been very leery of Chinese knife manufacturers due to their historically poor quality and penchant for knock-off designs. A friend cautioned me about throwing the baby out with the bath water and introduced me to a several Chinese knife manufacturers that are worth a look. One such manufacturer is Real Steel and their H6-S1 is the subject of today’s edition of Bargain or Just Cheap?.

Real Steel offers several variants of the H6 but there is one that I believe really stands out – the H6-S1. This knife floored me with how good it is for the price.

Specs:

Lock: Frame Lock

Pocket Clip: Right pocket, Tip up only

Steel: Sandvik 14C28N

Handle: Textured G-10 front, steel back

Blade length: 3.39 in.

Blade thickness: .12 in.

Open length: 7.76 in.

Weight: 3.8 oz.

Observations from Use

This knife is exceedingly likeable. It is at the upper end of our $50 price limit but it is dripping with great features, hallmarks of quality, and functional design.

The 14C28N is a step up from the blade steel found on many Chinese knives or any budget knife for that matter. This Sandvik steel is easy to sharpen, takes a polished edge VERY well, and holds it well enough for EDC tasks. I was very happy to see a Sandvik steel being used here. The drop point, slightly recurve blade has plenty of spine and features a full flat primary grind. It cuts and slices very well.

The handle is well contoured and comfortable with more than enough room for all your fingers. Both the G-10 and the steel lock side of the knife are thick and sturdy but overall the knife feels and carries very slim. Speaking of G-10, the thumb studs are actually machined G-10 that matches that handle color. They are large and easy to operate. The knife opens easily and smoothly with a flick of the thumb without even having to use your wrist.

The lock on my example is excellent. It looks up with about 60% engagement so it is very sturdy with room to wear in over time. The lock bar features a very unique and very cool feature. It has a disk that at first glance looks like any Hinderer style lock bar stabilizer (a small stop designed to prevent lock bar over travel). Closer inspection reveals the fact that it can be pushed forward into a second position that actually blocks the lock bar from moving completely! In this position, the knife can not close on your hand without some kind of catastrophic breakage. The disk locks in each position with strong detent action so it is extremely unlikely that you will accidentally activate or deactivate it.

This knife is impressively light for a knife of these dimensions. There is some milling on the inside of the steel handle scale to remove weight. A full height flat grind also reduces weight as does a liner-less G-10 handle scale. It is larger in every dimension than the previously reviewed Kershaw Emerson CQC-4K yet it weighs less!

The pocket clip isn’t a true deep carry clip but it does place the knife very low in the pocket which is nice for professional settings. It is very stout and holds the knife securely.

Bargain or Just Cheap?

The fit and finish of this knife is very good. It has better than average steel, better than average materials, clever features, and a very functional design. It also happens to look great! It gives the impression of quality. I’ve seen them as low as $40 but they usually average around $45 for most variants of the H6. Honestly, I would feel good about this knife at twice the price.

There is nothing cheap about this knife other than the price. The Real Steel H6-S1 is most certainly a Bargain.

I will be using Amazon as the price base line for this series. All knives were purchased by me from Amazon: Real Steel H6-S1

 

Note: There are a number of H6 variants and colors available. The features vary significantly from variant to variant. Be sure you are buying the H6-S1 if want the features shown in this review.


Our goal is to represent knives for a variety of uses from EDC, to outdoor, to tactical knives. Do you have a favorite affordable knife? Let us know about it in the comments!

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