In case you think I just buy Italian knives, let me tell you I don’t. Most my knives are Italian but one of my favourite knife manufacturers is German company, Eickhorn-Solingen, who make excellent fixed-bladed and folding tactical knives. They also have an excellent collection of rescue knives. But the two Eickorn tactical folders I own are the Eickhorn C.S.A.R. I and Pohl I G10, both designed by Dietmar Pohl.
The Eickhorn C.S.A.R. I has an overall length of 225mm (9¾in) and weighs 130g. It has a very aggressive spear point recurve 93mm (3¾in) blade, which is made out of 3.5 mm thick Boehler N695 Stainless Steel (a very good steel). It’s got an ergonomically designed curved G10 handle with a seatbelt cutter, glass breaker and it’s got a solid 1.5 mm thick stainless steel liner lock.
Eickhorn C.S.A.R. I
The Eickhorn Pohl I G10 has an even more aggressive fighting blade. It’s a slightly bigger knife weighing 199 g, with an overall length of 235 mm and 10o mm blade. Again G10 handle and 4mm thick Boehler N695 Stainless Steel recurve blade.
Unlike some other designers Dietmar Pohl really gets that’s a tactical folder is all about knife fighting. These are not utility knives. The C.S.A.R. I might double up as a rescue knife but the blade is pure combat in design. Both of these knives were designed for stabbing then cutting out, not for slashing. And they’re in a similar price range to the Emerson Commander and CQC-11. The C.S.A.R. I retails at Euro 165 (or $212) and the similar sized Emerson Commander sells at Euro 187 (or $240), and the Pohl I G10 retails at Euro 198 (or $254) and the similar sized Emerson CQC-11, retails at Euro 200 (or $258). But the Emerson knives aren’t as well designed, well made or as sturdy — the Emerson Commander is 3.04mm thick and the liner lock is 1.15 mm.
I love the CSAR I. I have to have it. It is definately going on Santa’s list. As a guy who should be conversant in the metric system, I’m not really, and I do appreciate you adding inch measurements as well as the euro conversions, Rob.
These are nice knives. Me likee.
@ Fish
Vorsprung durch Technik!
My Wüsthof cooking knives are made in Solingen.
El Fish
So does Amica she keeps nicking it. I don’t mind really, I like her having it — it’s a good defensive and rescue knife. If you like those you might also like the Pohl Force Alpha II, which comes plain or serrated blade from Dietmar Pohl’s own company and sells at Euro 159 ($205). I personally prefer the Fox Col Moschin – Delta Spec. Ops I and II Knives — they have thicker and weightier blades: the Col Moschin I is 5mm (0.2 inches) thick and weighs 245 g (8.6oz), the Col Moschin II is 4mm (0.1 inches) thick and weighs 145 gr (5.1oz) — but the Eickhorns are right up there with them. I prefer them to my other Fox tactical folders. With Dietmar Pohl you know a tactical folder is good fighting knife, that what he’s all about, and Eickhorn is just quality. Most metal things I buy are made in Italy or Germany.
El Fish
No problem, I figured it would be easier all round if I gave both metric and imperial.
By the way, I’ve play drums nearly all my life and used to play with a band called The Slashers. So I appreciate any references to slashing that some of your more sensitive readers might not.
@ El Fish — I saw that on your blog, do you still play? I can’t play any instruments but I can hold a tune and murder the odd song now and again.
Is the CSAR I spring assist?
El Fish —
Nah, I don’t think spring assists are legal in Germany.
I appreciate the US dollar conversion too. I know how much they cost now
I like the CSAR 1, it looks like a lot of knife for the money.
@ Rob I still play, although I stopped frequent gigging a couple of years ago to devote more time to the family and because of a big promotion at work. I still play occasionally, and have one group of friends I’ve played with for 20 years and we gather periodically for weekend jams/dude ssessions (music, beer, bbq and whiskey) at various deer cabins and weekend ranches in the state.
I started playing at age 11, and performed quite regularly for many years since, in many genres.
Thanks for asking. By the way, the best drums made are Tempus drums. They are Canadian. A one man show.
El Fish
When I was 11, the school offered music lessons but my Old Man thought musicians were long-haired, work-shy, noise merchants. He was into boxing, wrestling, judo and football. So the music lessons never happened. Amica is a good singer though.
I like the Force Alpha II better even than the other one. Such dilemnas. What will Santa do?
Seriously, I’m fixing to troll the web and find some non-german text about this knife. Love the handle and the lanyard options.
El Fish — here’s some basic info and video from Collini. I wouldn’t pay any attention to their review on the side. I don’t know who comes up with their figures. I don’t think they have ever given anything less than 6 out of 10 no matter how crap it is. Here’s another video of the Pohl Force Alpha 2
But before you fall in love with that knife, it’s got a 440-C stainless steel blade, Zytel hanfle instead of g10 and I think it’s made in Taiwan. I think it’s a good knife but the Eickhorn Pohl One G10 is better. I’ve added a video in the main post. It’s wunderbar.