QSP Dolphin QS161-B 14C28N Blade Stabilized Wood Handle Liner Lock Folding Knife

The QSP Dolphin QS161-B is a versatile pocket knife engineered for everyday carry and outdoor use. Featuring a 14C28N stainless steel blade with mirror finish, it delivers excellent corrosion resistance and easy maintenance—ideal for wet environments and frequent use. The clip-point blade design provides precision cutting for general tasks. Stabilized wood handles offer durability and aesthetic appeal, while the ceramic ball bearing mechanism ensures smooth, reliable deployment. The liner lock securely holds the blade during use. At 7.8 inches open and 4.65 inches closed, it balances portability with functionality. Weighing just 102 grams, this knife is comfortable for extended carry. With a hardness of 59-61 HRC, the blade maintains a sharp edge for everyday cutting tasks, making it a dependable companion for camping, hiking, and daily adventures.

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:  Stabilized wood
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-B - Mirror-Finished 14C28N Liner Lock with Stabilized Wood Handle

The QSP Dolphin pairs a mirror-polished 3.15-inch 14C28N clip point blade with a liner lock and a ceramic ball bearing pivot. It is a 102-gram, 7.8-inch folder built for people who want a genuine working knife that also looks like something worth owning. The QSP knife range is where premium materials meet realistic pricing, and the Dolphin's stabilized wood handle is the clearest expression of it.

The blade runs 59-61 HRC and takes a keen edge quickly, while the mirror finish reduces surface drag in slicing cuts and wipes clean in seconds - handy if you cut food or open packages regularly. The liner lock is a proven, simple design with no fiddly springs to foul, and the ceramic bearing pivot delivers smooth, consistent deployment every time. See the whole QSP Emu and Dolphin family, compare it against other folding knives or liner lock knives in the catalog, browse 14C28N steel knives, or start from the full EDC collection.

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; it chases the things that actually matter in a knife you carry and use - it resists rust, it tolerates neglect, and it comes back to a shaving edge in minutes on an ordinary stone.

• Corrosion resistance: excellent. Sweat, rain, salt air and food acids are handled without the spotting you get from D2 or high-carbon steels.
• 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 tends to roll instead of chipping on accidental contact with staples or nails.
• Edge retention: moderate. Expect to touch it up more often than CPM-S35VN if you cut heavy abrasive material all day.
• Mirror polish: the finish on this blade reduces slicing drag and cleans easily, but it does show scratches over time - that is cosmetic, not a performance issue.

QSP Dolphin QS161-B - Core Selling Points

• 3.15 in (80 mm) 14C28N clip point blade, mirror finish, 59-61 HRC
• Liner lock - simple, proven, and easy to inspect and maintain
• Ceramic ball bearing pivot for smooth, reliable one-hand deployment
• A stabilized wood handle that brings warmth, depth and grain no synthetic material can match handle material
• 7.8 in (198 mm) open, 4.65 in (118 mm) closed - true pocket-friendly proportions
• 102 g (3.60 oz) net weight for all-day carry comfort
• Excellent corrosion resistance and very easy edge maintenance
• Leather pouch bundle variants available for a complete carry package

Where the QSP Dolphin QS161-B Performs

• Everyday carry: 4.65 inches closed and 102 g - light enough to forget, capable enough to rely on.
• Camping and hiking: clip point geometry handles food prep, rope and kindling; 14C28N ignores rain and river water.
• Food and kitchen duty: the mirror-finished blade 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 is the deciding factor.
• Gift and display: the stabilized wood handle makes this a knife people notice, at a price that works as a serious gift.

QSP Dolphin QS161-B - FAQ

What handle material does the QSP Dolphin QS161-B use?
A stabilized wood handle that brings warmth, depth and grain no synthetic material can match. It is a full-length handle shaped for a secure four-finger grip.

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 simple to maintain.

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. Alongside the knife-only SKU, bundle variants pair the Dolphin 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 operated with the thumb on the near side; left-handers generally manage it comfortably.

How does 14C28N compare to D2 for 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 - one of the most widely trusted folder locks.

Mirror Finish
A highly polished blade surface produced by progressively finer abrasives. It reduces slicing drag and cleans easily, but shows cosmetic scratches more readily than satin or stonewash.

Ceramic Ball Bearing Pivot
A pivot running on ceramic balls instead of washers. Lower friction, smoother and more consistent opening, with 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 retaining a slicing belly.

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

Who Should Buy the QSP Dolphin QS161-B

Who should buy it

• Buyers who want a knife that works hard and still looks like a keeper
• Food, fishing and outdoor users who need rust resistance over raw edge retention
• Campers and hikers who want a 102 g folder that disappears in a pocket
• Anyone shopping a meaningful gift in the $80-$110 range, especially with the leather 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 - pick 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 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 left on a polished surface is what causes visible scratches.
2. Rinse and dry after cutting food, and avoid leaving 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 and can affect handle materials.
7. Check clip and handle screws periodically and tighten as needed.
8. For the stabilized wood variant, keep the handle out of prolonged direct sun and extreme dryness to prevent shrinkage.
9. Apply a thin coat of oil to the blade before long-term storage, and store the knife open or in its pouch.