I am part of a generation when kids carried pocket knives, slingshots, and shot BB guns on the regular. I am not saying there aren’t small pockets where this is still the case, but most kids nowadays just carry around a glowing screen for their entertainment.
Thankfully, there’s a little knife-maker in Utah that still wants kids to get dirt under their nails, run around outside until sunset, and carry a trusty pocket folder.
“The Lander 5 is meant to be a first knife,” the brand states of its recently launched blade. “The perfect knife for smiley, 12-year-old kids that will inevitably lose the thing.”
However, just because you’re old enough to vote, doesn’t mean you aren’t part of the target audience yourself. At $30, the Lander 5 leverages affordable, yet reliable materials to make an accessible knife for just about anyone.
In short: A knife like the Knafs Lander 5 is appealing due to its size, materials, and affordable price tag. This makes it a shoo-in for anyone looking for a reliable EDC knife. However, it’s also the perfect knife for a youngster or someone unfamiliar with knives to get comfortable with them and learn how to maintain them.
- OAL: 5.4"
- Blade length: 2.13"
- Blade steel: 8CR14MoV
- Blade shape: Drop point
- Grind: Flat
- Hardness: 58-60
- Lock type: Frame
- Opening type: Thumb hole
- Carry: Left or right hand, tip-up
- Weight: 2.8 oz.
- Price: $30
Pros
- Affordable and reliable
- Great steel for learning sharpening
- Accessible size and design
Cons
- Not big enough for heavier tasks
- Lower edge retention
Knafs Lander 5 Review
Design & Features
With an overall length of 5.4 inches and sporting a 2.13-inch 8CR14MoV, the Lander 5 is rightly sized for smaller hands, easy pocket carry, and fifth pocket carry. However, folks with larger hands will also enjoy the knife, as it excels in both grunt work and precision tasks.
For the handle scales, which also act as the frame and foundation for the knife, Knafs went with stainless 2Cr13 steel. Along with knives, this steel is commonly used for surgical tools, mechanical bearings, and valves.
On the blade, 8CR14Mov is a well-balanced, affordable knife steel. Where it has decent edge retention, it’s also notably easy to resharpen. It has a lower abrasion resistance rating, but it’s tougher than other steels in its category. Overall, it’s a versatile steel that requires a little maintenance from time to time, but won’t fail you.
Rounding out the features of the Lander 5 is an easy-to-access and operate frame lock and ample thumb opening. There’s also a deep carry pocket clip. Available colors include standard (gray) stonewash and black stonewash.
First Impressions
Given my pedigree, I actually liked the intent behind the knife before I actually liked the knife itself. Knowing that this knife was designed for affordability and accessibility for a younger audience appealed to me. I grew up carrying a knife as a kid, so a brand bringing that back into focus is important to me.
I appreciate that Knafs kept the price down by going with affordable materials, and still managed to ensure their reliability. The stainless steel handle scales make for a nice option that falls between aluminum and titanium in overall quality. It adds a reassuring heft, but stays under 3 ounces.
I also like the choice of using 8CR14MoV steel for this drop-point blade. This steel provides an opportunity to educate younger users on how to sharpen a blade. That’s a life skill that can only be learned through doing.
Another feature that stood out was the ample jimping on the spine of the blade. This not only increases your control of the blade, but also allows the user to apply a little extra force without over-exerting themselves.
Some people see a smaller knife and think they’ll have to do more work to get the same results as a larger knife. That might be true for chopping down a tree, but for food and kindling prep (or breaking down Amazon boxes), the Lander 5 punches well above its weight class.
In the Field
When the knife arrived, I promptly dropped it right into my fifth pocket, where it fit perfectly. I then spent my first few hours with the Lander 5 cutting open and breaking down boxes, tearing through twist ties, and performing various other holiday tasks.
In the weeks following, it prepped tinder, sliced peppers, and, when stabbed in a tree, even served as a phone stand to help record a video for my daughters. The Lander 5 works as a multitask EDC knife. It won’t replace a belt knife or even a larger EDC, but it comes in handy plenty often.
Perfect Scout Knife
With an overall length (OAL) of 5.4 inches, the Lander 5 is the perfect size for kids between 8 and 12 years old. Not only is it a great fit for little hands, but that age is the sweet spot for learning safety, awareness, and proper handling and use.
In fact, I’ll wrap two more Lander 5s and stuff them into Christmas stockings for my daughters, who happen to be 9 and 12.
In winter, I like to keep a smaller knife on me for harvesting tinder fungus and collecting kindling. Having my two little helpers carry the right tool for the job will be the first step to learning some basic bushcraft.
Lander 5 Summary
I am by no means a Luddite or against technology, but I think for kids growing up in suburban environs, knives are important. They’re a key to outdoor life. A knife like the Lander 5 could help kids — and their parents — connect a little more with the outdoors and manual tasks. Even for adults, the Lander 5 could make a solid little $30 EDC.
As brands, even Knafs, make over-the-top quality knives at premium prices, there’s still plenty of room in the market for something that finds a balance between price and reliability.
So whether you’re an avid knife user or someone looking for their first blade, the Lander 5 will be a stout, dependable workhorse for almost any budget.
