This handy dandy knife is one that really earns its place at the EDC option table because it really is a work horse. The tan design, of which also comes in black, may throw you off at first in terms of utility and quality, but this knife is the real deal. It really comes as no surprise that it is the most expensive pocket knife in my collection right now ($35-$40). The work that goes into the No Boundaries blade really speaks well to the manufacturer, giving Browning a good name as far as the Black Label knife series is concerned. Enough yammering about how good the knife is, let us get into the details.
Blade Material: The typical 8Cr13MoV steel in terms of blade construction. However, the steel really does not impede the efficacy of this design too much because it is a drop point construction. As such, the design makes better use of the steel by allowing for a thicker spine, and, by extension, a more rugged blade. You would think that the knife would be heavy because of this, but the knife is quite bearable in terms of blade weight. No specs on the weight exist, but its heavy-duty nature is balanced out by a hollow grind and a fuller (do not use the term blood groove). This really helps to retain the hardiness of the blade while cutting down the material, and, by extension, the weight of the knife altogether, giving it excellent cutting performance in the process.
Blade Length: The advertised length goes into 3 ¾ inches of blade length as far the No Boundaries knife is concerned. However, using my ruler, my blade measures out at more the 3 ¼ inch mark. This is not a minor point of concern, it is critical. In some jurisdictions, folders are permitted only 3 ½ inches of blade length, so wrongly advertising this knife can kill the market for this knife in certain areas where it would be legal to carry, but people think it is wrong because of giving ½ an inch greater length on paper than in real life. At first the length would seem detracting, but, as the pictures depict, the blade on the knife is quite wide. With a 1 1/8-inch-wide blade, and an 1/8 of an inch-thick spine, this knife is a cutter through and through. The geometry of the blade really is there to facilitate clean, quick, and efficient with the beveling: who could ask for anything more?
Handling: The handles are designated of sculpted G-10 scales, which really give the knife a good texture that feels great in the hand. The material is only half the battle though; the sculpting of the handle must facilitate good handling as well. Fortunately, Browning knocked it out of the park with this one. The finger carve outs on the scales for the index and middle finger do wonders, and the texture pattern ground on to them gives good placement of the fingers when controlling the blade in cutting. These features really show their merit when in conjunction with the contour knife handle, giving excellent edge control and hand adjustment on the handle for different tasks, from whittling to paper cutting. The knife could be used in the hammer grip, if one was inclined, but the saber grip is the one which, with the jimping at the base of the back edge of the blade for better edge control, this knife was built in mind for. All in all, a precision tool, not a powerhouse.
The knife is advertised as a tactical knife, but it is very much a utility design. Despite the tactical moniker for many folders out there, defensive knifes are better used as fixed blades (otherwise, make a sheath for your folder). The speed of the opening is not the issue, the fact that the action is necessary to make the knife usable is the issue. When your life and well-being is on the line, the less stages you deploy to survive the encounter, the better. All in all, this everyday tool does wonders as a utility blade, durable and rugged for a little pocket folder. Cuts good, well priced at close to $35-$40 dollars, and small enough to be carried in most places in the US, this knife is a “get them while supplies last.” A nine out of 10 from this reviewer.