Folks who subscribe to the EDC lifestyle generally can be found carrying a knife, a flashlight, a fidget gizmo of varying shapes and sizes, possibly a pen, and — let’s not forget — a multitool of some sort. I would even go as far as to throw pry bars into the mix.
I generally carry a folding knife, a fixed-blade belt knife, a pen, and a multitool. However, I could be accused of carrying all of the aforementioned, with pride, at one time or another over the years. That said, I have never considered crossing the streams, meaning combining any of those tools. The thought never crossed my mind regarding having two tools built into one.
But OKNIFE has.
Leaning on its sister company, OLIGHT, OKNIFE has created the OKNIFE LK, a folding knife with a rechargeable flashlight. Based on its size and shape, I would call it a rechargeable flashlight with a folding knife. After all, given its size and shape, the LK is primarily a flashlight with a built-in knife.
Granted, that knife blade is made from M390, has a compound grind, and opens with a button or flipper-opening option. So, it’s not like the knife is useless — far from it.
In short: While the knife on the OKNIFE LK may not be as effective as the flashlight that makes up the bulk of the unit, it’s made from premium materials. Overall, this is a great tool for many different situations and settings. However, it’s probably most balanced in an office, working in retail, at home, or out in the garage, where you don’t need the kind of knife you would rely on outdoors.
Specifications
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Build quality
- Ease of use (flashlight)
- M390 steel (knife)
- Size and weight work well for a flashlight or a knife
Cons
- Compound grind on the knife blade
OKNIFE LK Knife Review
Design & Features
The OKNIFE LK is a compact, well–thought-out USB-C–powered flashlight with an M390 tanto knife blade, featuring a compound grind. It has a maximum output of 400 lumens and four total settings, including a low-power RGB setting. The knife blade is 2.48 inches long, making the overall length of the LK 6.30 inches, which falls within the common size range for an EDC folding knife.
Made from 6061-T6 aluminum, the LK has a carry length just shy of 4 inches and features a tip-down carry pocket clip. At this size and in terms of its overall shape, the LK resembles today’s sought-after EDC flashlights. However, like all the other illuminated offerings from OLIGHT, it is overbuilt for use and abuse.
Overall, the LK is minimal but modern in design and comes with an IPX5 rating. This means that the unit can get wet and dusty, but cannot be submerged in water. That said, M390 steel has high corrosion resistance and top-notch edge retention. By combining both features, you have an EDC tool capable of performing in all environments.
First Impressions
I am always apprehensive about tools like this that combine the functionality of two very different things that just so happen to co-mingle in your pockets. However, right out of the box, it was obvious that OKNIFE thought about how a flashlight and a folding knife could function in the same housing. And, to that end, I think it did a good job. However, I stand by my statement that the LK is a flashlight first and a knife second.
For the knife to have a bigger impact, I would have made the blade an inch longer, given it a drop-point shape, and a standard flat or Scandi grind. It’s more practical than a compound grind, which has multiple surfaces, and the added length would allow you to use the knife for more tasks.
Overall, I like that OKNIFE went with M390 steel and added a flipper option. This pairs well with the handle, which isn’t bulky at all, and makes the LK a viable EDC tool. But, as I said in the previous paragraph, the knife blade is a little underwhelming for it to be your primary knife in the outdoors, given its length and grind. If you carry it around as a backup knife, however, you’ll benefit from it for sure.
In the Field
The benefit of a compound grind on a blade is that it gives you one dedicated surface for piercing and slicing, and another for chopping and shaving. However, for both of them to perform to their full potential, they need room to do so. On a blade that is only 2.5 inches long, the chopping and shaving portion of the blade, which makes up the belly, is limited, while the tip is free to pierce and slice as expected.
That being said, the blade on the LK does a great job of sharpening pencils and sticks and processing tinder for tinder bundles with its belly. The tip works really well for piercing and slicing. For me, the size and design made it a more-than-sufficient task blade that I relegated to fire prep and keeping my pencils sharp for marking out cut lines on building lumber.
The flashlight on the LK was more than ample in both its standard illumination settings and the ambient light setting. Having a flashlight with a pocket clip is just as beneficial as having a knife with one — it’s right there where you need it when you need it.
Whether you’re using the LK as a knife or a flashlight, it feels natural in your hand. Even when you’re using it as a knife, and you need to wrap your hand around the pocket clip, it’s not uncomfortable or cumbersome.
In terms of carry, the LK virtually disappears in your pocket. You can also hang it from the collar of your shirt to guide your way in the dark.
In Conclusion
Having used the LK off and on over the last few months, it feels more practical in a professional setting, such as an office, retail store, etc. However, it is not out of its element in the outdoors.
I say this because, even though the knife is made from M390, its compound grind limits it, while its size puts it more in line with a backup blade in the outdoors. In an office/retail setting or around the house, it will perform just fine for opening packages and handling random domestic tasks.
I love the overall design and build; however, if I used the LK 100 times, 80 of them were as a flashlight. And man, is it a great flashlight. There wasn’t a single instance when the battery died on me. I just made sure to charge it here and there, out of habit, as there isn’t a battery indicator on the unit.
If you’re looking for a great EDC flashlight with the added benefit of having a knife blade built in, I haven’t gotten my hands on anything better than the LK. But if you’re looking for a knife that has the benefit of lighting your way, I am not sure that the LK would be your best choice. In fact, I don’t think combining the two, if that’s your approach and intention, would be beneficial.
That being said, I will keep the LK in my pack as a great light source, with the added benefit of a knife blade if I am ever in a jam and need another one. The LK is built really well, and when you approach it the way I am suggesting, it’s worth your consideration.
