Overview & First Impressions
The Parrot has been QSP's entry knife for years, and the V2 revision is the version worth buying. It puts a D2 blade in a micarta or G10 handle with a liner lock, and it does so at a price that makes it a reasonable first serious folder. Nine variants cover the scale materials. Among EDC knives aimed at new buyers, few get the fundamentals this right.
Materials & Construction
D2 steel is the honest choice at this price. It is not stainless, and QSP knives does not pretend otherwise, but it holds an edge far longer than the 8Cr13MoV that usually fills this bracket. The V2 adds micarta scales on several variants, which is a genuine upgrade over the smooth plastic of the original. Steel liners, a phosphor bronze washer pivot and a reversible clip complete a build with no obvious weak point.
Design & Details
The Parrot is a drop point with a high flat grind, a thumb ramp with jimping, and a handle that adds a forward finger groove without over-sculpting. The liner lock is cut to a sensible thickness and the access relief is generous, so releasing it does not require a fingernail. There is nothing novel in the design, and that is deliberate: this is a knife meant to teach you what you like before you spend more.
Real-World Use
Break down boxes, cut cord, sharpen a stick, open a bag of feed. The D2 edge handles all of it and comes back for more, and the micarta grips better once your hands are damp. The washer pivot is slower than a bearing but far more tolerant of grit, which matters for a knife that lives in a toolbox. A Parrot from EdcMall stock arrived sharp enough to shave and stayed that way through a month of light use.
Ownership Notes
Two maintenance notes for a D2 knife at this price. Keep a thin oil film on the blade if you live near the coast or carry it in a sweaty pocket, and wipe it down after cutting anything acidic. Sharpening D2 by hand takes patience; a diamond plate saves a lot of time and a ceramic rod keeps the edge fresh between sessions. Flush the pivot with oil rather than disassembling it.
Who Is This For?
This is the right purchase for a first folder, a spare knife for a bag or vehicle, or a gift for someone who is knife curious but not ready to spend serious money. It also suits people who prefer washers over bearings for reliability in dirty conditions. Skip it if you need stainless steel or a one hand flipper action.
Final Verdict
The Parrot V2 is not exciting and that is exactly why it works. D2 steel, micarta, a well cut liner lock and a price that leaves room for a sharpener add up to a genuinely good first knife. Buy it, learn what you like, then buy the knife that fits the answer. This one will still be in a drawer doing backup duty.
