QSP Coyote QS174-C1 Stonewashed Nitro-V Blade Copper Foil G10 Handle Button Liner Lock Folding Knife

The QSP Coyote QS174-C1 is a premium folding knife engineered for everyday carry and tactical applications. Built with a Nitro-V blade featuring a blackwashed finish, this knife delivers exceptional edge retention and corrosion resistance. The clip-point blade measures 3.23 inches and maintains a hardness of 59-61 HRC, ensuring durability through demanding use. The handle combines copper foil G10 scales with a button liner lock mechanism, providing secure blade deployment and reliable one-handed operation. Ceramic ball bearings enable smooth, effortless opening and closing, while the reversible stainless steel pocket clip accommodates both left and right-handed carry preferences. Compact and lightweight at just 108 grams, the Coyote measures 7.48 inches fully extended and 4.25 inches when closed, making it ideal for pocket carry without bulk. The precision engineering and quality materials reflect QSP's commitment to producing knives that balance performance, functionality, and aesthetics. Whether for outdoor adventures, professional use, or everyday tasks, the Coyote delivers consistent performance and reliability.

SPECIFICATIONS

Category :  POCKET KNIFE
Mechanism :  Ceramic ball bearings
Name: Coyote

Blade: Nitro V
Handle:  Copper Foil G10
Lock: Button Liner lock

Mechanism: Ceramic ball bearings
Overall: 7.48''(190mm)
Closed: 4.25''(108mm)

Blade: 3.23''(82mm)
Blade thickness: +/- 3.0mm ( finished product )
Blade shape: Clip point

HRC: 59-61 ( Coated blade < Silver blade, may HRC1-2 less）
Reversible stainless steel pocket clip
Net weight: +/-108g (3.81oz)

QSP Coyote QS174-C1 - Product Overview

The QSP Coyote QS174-C1 is QSP's take on the modern button-lock work knife: a 3.23-inch Nitro-V clip point on ceramic ball bearings, locked by a spring-loaded button liner lock you can release without a finger ever crossing the blade path. The Copper Foil G10 scales keep it at 3.81 oz, the reversible stainless clip suits left- or right-hand carry, and the stonewashed finish shrugs off pocket wear. Part of QSP's desert-named Coyote series, it punches well above its price among QSP folding knives and ranks near the top of the sub-$100 EDC field for fit, finish and fidget factor.

QSP Coyote QS174-C1 - Nitro-V Blade Performance

Nitro-V is the steel that made budget EDC good. A vanadium-carbide tool steel enhanced with nitrogen, it takes and holds a genuinely keen edge at 59-61 HRC while resisting corrosion far better than classic carbon steels, and its toughness leads the class - tip snaps and edge rolls are rare. It grinds fast on ordinary stones, which makes touch-ups a five-minute job. See every Nitro-V knife in the catalog, or browse the full QSP Knife range to compare blade steels and handle options.

QSP Coyote QS174-C1 - Core Selling Points

• Nitro-V clip point blade at 59-61 HRC - tough, rust-resistant and easy to sharpen
• Button-release liner lock: positive lockup, one-hand close, no finger in the blade path
• Ceramic ball-bearing pivot for a glassy, long-lived flick-opening action
• Copper Foil G10 scales - light, rigid and weatherproof with a one-of-a-kind pattern
• Stonewashed blade finish that hides scratches and carry wear
• Reversible stainless pocket clip for left- or right-side carry
• 7.48-inch overall, 4.25-inch closed - a full-size handle at a mid-size weight
• Backed by EDCMALL's knife-specialist support and fast shipping

QSP Coyote QS174-C1 - Where It Earns Its Pocket Time

• Warehouse and dock work - Gloved hands release the button lock without reaching inside the blade path - a genuine safety feature on a cutting table.
• Camp kitchen - The 3.23-inch clip point with its generous belly handles onions, sausage and cord with equal confidence.
• Truck-cab EDC - The foil-pattern or glow scale is easy to spot on a dark floor mat, and the 108 mm closed length disappears in a door pocket.
• Weekend carry - Ceramic bearings make opening a wrist-flick one-liner; the reversible clip adapts to whichever pocket you favor.
• Gift knife - Distinctive scales, a proven steel and QSP's fit-and-finish reputation make the Coyote an easy recommendation for a first serious folder.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does a button liner lock work?

The lock liner snaps behind the blade on opening; pressing the spring-loaded button on the scale pulls the liner clear so you can close the blade one-handed without a finger entering the blade path.

Is Nitro-V stainless?

It is a nitrogen-enhanced semi-stainless: far more corrosion-resistant than 1095 or A2, though not as rust-proof as 14C28N. Wipe it dry and oil it occasionally and it will stay clean.

Will the foil pattern wear off?

No - the copper or aluminum foil is laminated into the G10 itself, not printed on the surface, so the topo pattern runs through the full thickness of the scale.

Does the glow-in-the-dark version need charging?

Yes - daylight or a minute under a lamp charges the strontium-aluminate phosphor for hours of green glow.

Can I carry it left-handed?

Yes. The reversible stainless clip mounts on either side, and the button lock works the same from both hands.

QSP Coyote QS174-C1 - Steel Comparison Table

Steel	Typical HRC	Edge Retention	Corrosion Resistance	Toughness	Sharpening Ease
Nitro-V (this knife)	59-61	Good	Very Good	Better	Easy
14C28N	59-61	Good	Excellent	Good	Very Easy
D2	58-61	Very Good	Fair (oil it)	Good	Moderate
CPM-20CV	59-61	Exceptional	Excellent	Good	Difficult (diamond)
1095	56-58	Fair	Poor (patina)	Excellent	Very Easy

Glossary of Key Terms

Nitro-V
A nitrogen-enhanced tool steel that runs half a step above A2: vanadium carbides for edge retention, nitrogen for corrosion resistance and unusually good toughness at 59-61 HRC.

Button Liner Lock
A liner lock released through a spring-loaded push button on the scale, so the knife closes one-handed without putting a finger inside the blade path.

Ceramic Ball Bearings
Hard, friction-free pivot washers that keep the blade centered and give a fast, smooth flick-opening that stays consistent in dust and moisture.

Glow-in-the-Dark G10
A G10 laminate dosed with strontium-aluminate phosphor so the handle charges in daylight and glows green in darkness - easy to find at night.

Copper Foil G10
G10 layered with etched copper foil so the scale shows a topographic-map pattern in warm copper tones. Every sheet is unique.

Aluminum Foil G10
G10 layered with etched aluminum foil, producing a silvery topo-pattern scale that stays light and weatherproof.

Clip Point
A blade whose spine drops concavely near the tip, leaving a fine, sharp point with plenty of belly for slicing - the classic American pocket-knife profile.

Reversible Pocket Clip
A clip that can be remounted for left- or right-side carry, so the knife suits either hand.

QSP Coyote QS174-C1 - Who Should Buy / Who Should Skip

Who Should Buy

• Button-lock fans who want fidget-grade action with safe, no-finger closing
• Value hunters: full-size Nitro-V performance in the $85-89 bracket
• Carriers who want a distinctive scale - copper foil topo G10 stands out in a sea of black G10
• Left-handers - the reversible clip and ambidextrous button release suit either hand
• First Nitro-V buyers who want the steel's toughness without exotic pricing

Who Should Skip

• You want a deep-carry pocketknife; the Coyote's clip rides mid-height
• You need super-steel edge life - Nitro-V trades retention for toughness and easy sharpening
• You prefer sub-3-inch compact carry; this is a full 7.48-inch handle knife
• You want a lock you can disengage while gripping a ladder rail - the button sits mid-scale
• You insist on matched-pattern foil scales; each sheet's topo pattern is unique

QSP Coyote QS174-C1 - Care & Maintenance

1. Wipe the blade dry after every use; Nitro-V resists rust well but pocket sweat will still spot bare steel over time.
2. One drop of quality knife oil at the pivot monthly, then cycle the action so it spreads through the bearings or washers.
3. Blow pocket lint out of the handle channel and around the button lock before oiling so grit never grinds in the pivot.
4. Sharpen on a coarse-to-fine waterstone or diamond plate; Nitro-V grinds easily and takes a scary-sharp edge fast.
5. Finish on a loaded strop - light pressure only, because heavy passes round the apex and dull the edge you just set.
6. Rinse with warm water and mild dish soap when grimy, then dry thoroughly before it goes back in the pocket.
7. Never pry or twist with the tip; the clip point is a slicer first and hard steel trades impact toughness for wear resistance.
8. Check the reversible clip screws periodically with the correct Torx driver so the knife never rides loose in the pocket.
9. If the GITD or foil-pattern scale gets scuffed, a gentle melamine-sponge pass evens the sheen without eating the laminate.