Overview & First Impressions
Sao knives has moved into new territory with the Squid, a double action out the front automatic running a CPM-20CV blade on an anodised aluminium handle. At 16.5 centimetres overall, 99 grams and just 2.0 millimetres of blade stock, it is a slim, pocketable automatic rather than the heavy tactical OTF most people picture. Multiple handle colourways and steel options have landed together, including a 14C28N version.
Materials & Construction
CPM-20CV is the headline steel here, a powder metallurgy stainless with very high vanadium content that delivers exceptional edge retention and strong corrosion resistance. Its fine carbide structure means it takes a keen edge and resists staining well, which matters for a knife that may spend months in a pocket. The anodised aluminium handle keeps weight down and allows the bold colour combinations the Squid is offered in. 14C28N trims prioritise toughness and easy sharpening instead.
Design & Details
Out the front automatics are judged on their mechanism, and the Squid uses a double action slider that deploys and retracts the blade with one thumb movement. Blade play is the traditional weak point of this design, so a well built OTF maintains tight tolerances between the blade and the channel it travels through. The 2.0 millimetre stock keeps the blade thin for slicing, and the stonewash finish hides the handling marks a heavily used automatic picks up.
Real-World Use
Using an OTF daily is a distinctive experience. The blade appears and disappears with one hand and no wrist movement, which makes it genuinely convenient when your other hand is occupied, and the slim profile keeps it unobtrusive in a pocket. The thin blade excels at slicing tasks like opening packaging, cutting tape and trimming cord. It is not a pry bar and should never be used as one. Check your local laws before carrying an automatic knife.
Ownership Notes
Automatic knives benefit from occasional attention to the action. Blow out the blade channel with compressed air if deployment slows, apply only a trace of light lubricant rather than flooding the mechanism, and avoid running the knife dry for long periods. CPM-20CV touches up best on diamond abrasives, while the 14C28N trims are happy on a simple ceramic stone. Every automatic on EdcMall ships with the same expectation of routine care as a manual folder. Anyone who collects EDC knives will find an automatic like this sits naturally alongside their folding knives, and it draws more attention than almost anything else in a regular rotation.
Who Is This For?
The Squid suits collectors of automatic knives, users who want one-handed convenience without any wrist motion, and anyone drawn to the slim OTF form factor over a bulky tactical design. It also makes a strong gift for the knife enthusiast who already owns the obvious models. Buyers in jurisdictions that restrict automatic knives should check their local regulations first.
Final Verdict
The Sao Squid is a well-judged entry into the OTF category. CPM-20CV is a serious steel for this price bracket, the slim aluminium body makes it genuinely carryable, and the double action mechanism works the way it should. With multiple colourways and a 14C28N option available, there is a version for most tastes.
1 comentario
David
Very catchy