Overview & First Impressions
Kirigami starts with a single sheet and one continuous cut, and any hesitation shows immediately as a ragged edge or a tear. That makes it a better sharpness test than the paper slice everyone performs, because it demands a clean entry, a controlled curve and a clean exit. The QSP Dolphin QS161-A is a good knife to run that test on. A thin 14C28N blade in a carbon fibre handle is exactly the kind of folder whose real quality only appears under a blade.
Materials & Construction
14C28N is a nitrogen-alloyed stainless that takes a very fine, stable edge and holds it well enough for daily work while remaining easy to restore. Carbon fibre handles keep the knife light and rigid, and the weave gives a surface that grips without texture. QSP knives finish the blade with a consistent satin and grind the bevels evenly on both sides, which is the first thing to check on any budget-friendly folder before you trust it with a thin edge.
Design & Details
A liner lock keeps the frame slim and the knife narrow in a pocket. The lock face is angled so it keeps travelling across the tang as it wears instead of bottoming out. The flipper tab is proportional to the blade, the detent is crisp enough to fire without wrist assistance, and the handle has a gentle curve that fills the palm without bulk. The clip sits deep and the pivot runs on washers that smooth out within a day.
Real-World Use
The Dolphin cut a spiral out of a sheet of paper in one pass without tearing, which is the test most knives fail. In daily work it opened packaging, trimmed cord and sliced fruit without the edge rolling, and it touched up on a strop in seconds. The carbon fibre stayed cool in the hand and showed no marks, and the lock kept its position after a few hundred cycles. It is a light knife that cuts above its weight.
Ownership Notes
Sharpness is a maintenance habit rather than a factory property. EdcMall photographs the edge bevel so you can see grind symmetry before purchase, and that image predicts how the knife will behave on a stone. Strop after every few uses, sharpen at a shallow angle, and avoid cutting on ceramic or glass. Anyone who also carries folding knives of other brands will notice how much of the perceived quality comes from the edge rather than the handle.
Who Is This For?
This suits the user who wants a light, sharp folder for everyday tasks and enjoys maintaining an edge properly. It is right for office carry and light outdoor use. It is not for prying or for cutting abrasive material all day, and a user who never sharpens will eventually blame the knife for a dull edge.
Final Verdict
The Dolphin QS161-A passes the only test that matters, which is whether it cuts cleanly and keeps cutting. Thin geometry, sensible steel and a narrow profile make it a genuine daily tool. Buy it, learn to strop, and it will stay sharp for years.
