QSP Dolphin QS161-A 14C28N Blade Carbon Fiber Handle Liner Lock Folding Knife

The QSP Dolphin QS161-A combines practical performance with refined design. Its 14C28N stainless steel blade delivers excellent corrosion resistance and easy maintenance—ideal for EDC and wet environments. The mirror-finished clip point blade measures 3.15" and maintains a 59-61 HRC hardness for reliable cutting. Housed in a lightweight carbon fiber handle with ceramic ball bearing deployment, this liner lock folder opens smoothly and closes securely. At 7.8" open and 4.65" closed, it balances portability with functionality. Weighing just 102g, the Dolphin excels as a dependable everyday carry or outdoor tool, though frequent touch-ups are needed for heavy abrasive cutting tasks.

14C28N Blade Introduction

14C28N is a high-value budget-to-midrange stainless steel that excels in corrosion resistance and ease of sharpening, making it a low-maintenance workhorse for EDC and wet environments, but it falls short of premium steels in edge retention and requires more frequent touch-ups when cutting highly abrasive materials like cardboard.

SPECIFICATIONS

Category :  POCKET KNIFE
Mechanism :  Ceramic Ball Bearing
Name: Dolphin

Blade: 14C28N, mirror finish
Handle:  Carbon Fiber
Lock: Liner lock

Mechanism: Ceramic ball bearing
Overall: 7.8''(198mm)
Closed: 4.65''(118mm)

Blade: 3.15''(80mm)
Blade thickness: +/- 3.0mm( finished product )
Blade shape: Clip point

HRC: 59-61
Net weight: +/-102g(3.60oz)

QSP Dolphin QS161-A - Mirror 14C28N Liner Lock with a Carbon Fiber Handle

The QSP Dolphin QS161-A is the lightweight end of the Dolphin line: a mirror-polished 3.15-inch 14C28N clip point blade in a carbon fiber handle, running on a ceramic ball bearing pivot with a liner lock. It weighs just 102 g and measures 7.8 inches open, which is the profile of a knife you actually carry rather than one you leave in a case. QSP knives are built around real materials at working prices, and this is the variant that drops the most weight without giving up any blade.

Carbon fiber is the reason. It is stiffer than G10 at a lower density, so the handle stays rigid under grip pressure while weighing less than any other option in the family - and it looks like a much more expensive knife than it is. The 59-61 HRC blade takes a keen edge quickly and wipes clean in seconds, which matters if it is cutting food or opening packages every day. See the full QSP folding knife range, compare against the folding knives and liner lock knives in the catalog, browse all 14C28N steel knives, or start from the full EDC lineup and best-selling carry knives.

14C28N Steel - Built for Low-Maintenance Daily Use

14C28N is a nitrogen-enriched Swedish stainless steel. It does not chase the highest wear-resistance numbers on a spec sheet; it chases the things that decide whether you actually carry and use a knife - rust resistance, tolerance for neglect, and an edge that comes back in minutes on an ordinary stone.

• Corrosion resistance: excellent. Sweat, rain, salt air and food acids are handled without the spotting D2 or high-carbon steel develops.
• Sharpening ease: among the most forgiving cutlery steels available. A few passes on a ceramic rod restore a working edge.
• Toughness: very good for stainless at 59-61 HRC. The edge rolls rather than chips on accidental contact with staples or nails.
• Edge retention: moderate. Expect more frequent touch-ups than CPM-S35VN if you cut heavy abrasive material all day.
• Mirror polish: reduces slicing drag and cleans easily, but shows cosmetic scratches over time. That is appearance, not performance.

QSP Dolphin QS161-A - Core Selling Points

• 3.15 in (80 mm) 14C28N clip point blade, mirror finish, 59-61 HRC
• Carbon fiber handle - stiffer than G10 at lower weight, 102 g total
• Liner lock with a ceramic ball bearing pivot for smooth one-hand deployment
• 7.8 in (198 mm) open, 4.65 in (118 mm) closed - true pocket proportions
• Excellent corrosion resistance and very easy edge maintenance
• Leather pouch bundle variants (light brown / dark brown) available
• Sits alongside the Stabilized Wood and White Pearl Shell Dolphins in the same family
• No specialist sharpening system required to keep it cutting

Where the QSP Dolphin QS161-A Performs

• Everyday carry: 102 g and 4.65 inches closed - it disappears in a front pocket.
• Camping and hiking: food prep, rope and kindling with a blade that ignores rain and river water.
• Food and kitchen duty: the mirror finish wipes clean instantly and resists the acids that attack carbon steels.
• Fishing and coastal carry: line cutting and bait prep in salt environments where corrosion resistance decides the steel.
• Gift and display: carbon fiber gives it a technical, high-end look at a fraction of what that finish usually costs.

QSP Dolphin QS161-A - FAQ

What handle material does the QSP Dolphin QS161-A use?
Carbon fiber - stiffer and lighter than the G10 and wood variants in the same family, which is why this version weighs 102 g.

What lock type and pivot does it use?
A liner lock with a ceramic ball bearing pivot. The bearing pivot gives smooth, consistent deployment; the liner lock is proven and easy to service.

What is the blade steel, length and hardness?
14C28N stainless with a mirror finish, 3.15 inches (80 mm) in a clip point profile at 59-61 HRC.

Can I get this knife with a leather pouch?
Yes. Bundle variants pair the QS161-A with a light brown or dark brown leather pouch (QS-P002A / QS-P002B) when in stock.

Is it suitable for left-handed users?
Yes. The ceramic bearing pivot is ambidextrous and the liner lock is thumb-operated on the near side; most left-handers manage it comfortably.

How does 14C28N compare to D2 in a knife like this?
14C28N trades some edge retention for far better corrosion resistance, higher toughness and much easier sharpening - the right call for a knife that sees food, water and sweat.

Steel Comparison: How It Stacks Up

Ratings are relative within this class of steel, not absolute. Hardness varies by maker and heat-treat protocol.

Glossary of Terms

14C28N
A nitrogen-enriched martensitic stainless steel developed for cutlery. Outstanding corrosion resistance and toughness with very easy sharpening; moderate edge retention.

Liner Lock
A locking mechanism where a sprung liner inside the handle rotates behind the blade tang. Simple, strong and easy to service.

Carbon Fiber Handle
Layered carbon fiber composite set in resin. Stiffer and lighter than G10, with a distinctive woven or shredded appearance.

Ceramic Ball Bearing Pivot
A pivot running on ceramic balls instead of washers. Lower friction, smoother opening, less break-in period.

Clip Point
A blade profile with a clipped swedge bringing the point toward the centerline. Good for detail work and piercing while keeping a slicing belly.

HRC
Rockwell C hardness. 59-61 HRC is the practical sweet spot for 14C28N: stable edge without losing toughness.

Who Should Buy the QSP Dolphin QS161-A

Who should buy it

• Buyers who want the lightest and stiffest handle option in the Dolphin family
• Daily carriers who want a real working blade without paying premium-steel prices
• Food, fishing and outdoor users who need rust resistance over raw edge retention
• Anyone shopping a meaningful gift in the $95-$111 range, especially with the pouch bundle
• First-time buyers of a quality folder who want proven mechanics, not a novelty lock

Who should skip it

• Buyers who need maximum edge retention on abrasive material - choose CPM-S35VN or M390 instead
• Hard-use or bushcraft users; this is a 102 g light folder, not a batoning tool
• People who dislike maintaining a polished finish - the mirror blade shows scratches
• Collectors chasing limited editions or rare handle materials
• Anyone who needs a fixed blade's absolute certainty under heavy torque

Care & Maintenance

1. Wipe the mirror-finished blade with a soft cloth after use; grit on a polished surface is what causes visible scratches.
2. Rinse and dry after cutting food, and do not leave acidic residue on the blade.
3. Keep the ceramic bearing pivot clean and add one drop of light knife oil periodically; over-oiling attracts grit.
4. Flush the liner lock area with a light solvent if it feels gritty, then re-lubricate sparingly.
5. Touch up the edge on a fine ceramic rod or 1000-grit stone when it stops slicing paper cleanly - 14C28N needs only a few strokes.
6. Never put the knife in a dishwasher or soak it in hot water; heat and detergent strip lubricant.
7. Check clip and handle screws periodically and tighten as needed.
8. Keep carbon fiber away from prolonged direct sun and extreme heat to protect the resin.
9. Apply a thin coat of oil to the blade before long-term storage and keep it in its pouch.