The QSP Penguin is an affordable pocket knife that’s suitable for outdoor activities like camping, fishing, and hunting.
But how good does it really fare in real-world usage? Is the blade sharp enough? How comfortable is the handle? Continue reading to find out the answer to these questions and more in our extensive QSP Penguin pocket knife review!
QSP Penguin Review: At a Glance
The QSP Penguin is a low-cost pocket knife that’s easy to use with one hand and comes with an ergonomic handle.
The only downside is that the screws tend to come loose over time, meaning that you’ll need to tighten them frequently for the best performance.
Pros:
- Sharp, corrosion-resistant D2 blade
- Has a thumb stud for simple one-hand operation
- Blade jimping for no-look knife positioning
- Ergonomic handle
- Stylish, reversible pocket clip
Cons:
- Screws may loosen with frequent usage
- Somewhat heavy
Blade
The QSP Penguin pocket knife integrates a D2 steel blade. D2 steel’s chemical composition is as follows:
- 1.5% Carbon
- 12% Chromium
- 0.02% Sulfur
- 0.45% Manganese
- 0.9% Molybdenum
- 0.40% Silicon
- 0.03% Phosphorus
- 1.10% Vanadium
The high carbon content ensures that the blade is hard enough for all the tasks. Its Rockwell Hardness rating is 58-60 HRC, which is a pretty high range compared to other variants of steel. This also means that the blade can maintain its edge pretty well.
In addition, it has a high chromium content, providing the blade with excellent corrosion and wear resistance properties.
The blade comes pretty sharp right out of the box. And while it won’t become dull anytime soon, resharpening it shouldn’t take you more than a few minutes.
Also, the blade’s lower portion has a jimping that makes it easier for you to know how the knife is lying in your hand without having to look.
Plus, the blade’s tip carries a sheepsfoot design that makes slicing easier while decreasing the chance of accidental piercing. This design was used to trim the hooves of sheep without stabbing their feet, but knife makers have adopted it in their modern knife designs.
Design
The QSP Penguin’s overall length is 7.06”, with a blade length of 3.06” and a handle length of 4.00”.
The size feels just right, striking the perfect balance between compactness and functionality. You should be able to use this pocket knife comfortably, no matter your hand’s size.
The knife weighs 5.29 oz, which is a tad heavy compared to other pocket knives with a similar form factor. Still, the weight adds a premium feel to the knife, and it’s not that hard to get used to.
Handle
The QSP Penguin offers handle options with different materials and colors. You can opt for a copper, brass, G10, or micarta handle. You can’t go wrong with any of these, but based on some experimentation, the brass handle feels the best out of the four options.
Regardless of which material you choose, the handle’s design remains the same. The outline is slightly contoured to accommodate your hand naturally. Everything here is round, so no need to worry about sharp corners that’ll hurt your hand and make extended usage of the knife troublesome.
It’s also worth noting that the handle has a lanyard hole in case you want to hook up a loop or strap.
Deployment and Lockup
Deploying the QSP Penguin is pretty smooth. There’s a thumb stud that makes the one-hand deployment of the knife a lot easier and more natural.
And while the thumb stud won’t be the best thing ever for your pocket lining, the benefits far outweigh the shortcomings. The squared design of the stud ensures seamless deployment no matter what angle you place your finger. It may require a bit of a learning curve at first, but once you get used to it, you’ll never go back.
Once the blade is deployed, it locks up into position almost immediately. In addition, there’s no chance that the blade would close up accidentally once it’s deployed, thanks to the safety liner lock.
On top of that, the blade centering is on point. There isn’t any noticeable shift to the left or right, providing a consistent feel for the blade while using it.
Pocket Clip
The QSP Penguin integrates a stylish stainless steel pocket clip that shows 0% of the knife’s handle in your pocket. In addition, it looks pretty sleek, and anyone who sees the metal piece in your pocket will assume that this is a pen.
This becomes even more important if your state has specific knife laws regarding concealed and open carry.
What’s more, the pocket clip is reversible, meaning that you can either carry the knife in your left or right-hand pocket based on your handedness.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is a QSP Knife?
QSP stands for “Quality, Service, Price.” The knife maker’s goal is to provide affordable knives without compromising quality.
Where Are Penguin Knives Made?
Penguin knives are made in China. The company’s headquarters is based in the city of Yangjiang, in Guangdong province.
Are QSP Knives Good?
QSP knives are pretty worthwhile compared to other Chinese-made pocket knives. The blades are hard and sharp enough for most tasks, and the overall durability of the knives is acceptable.
Some may favor Japanese-made knives since they’re made of higher quality materials and with more advanced manufacturing techniques. However, QSP still presents a decent option for those on a budget.
Final Thoughts
So that was our two cents on the QSP Penguin pocket knife.
To sum it all up, the QSP Penguin is a great entry-level pocket knife that won’t break your bank. Its blade is made of corrosion-resistant D2 steel, and deploying it is pretty simple because of the thumb stud. Also, the handle is quite comfortable and provides a solid, non-slippery grip.
However, the screws aren’t the best, but that shouldn’t be an issue if you don’t mind tightening them every once in a while.
So, if you’re looking for a budget-friendly pocket knife, look no further than the QSP Penguin.
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