QSP Penguin Plus QS130XL-C CPM-20CV Blade Titanium Handle Frame Lock Folding Knife

The QSP Penguin Plus QS130XL-C is a premium pocket knife engineered for serious EDC enthusiasts. Featuring a CPM-20CV stainless steel blade with a versatile sheepsfoot shape, this knife delivers exceptional edge retention and corrosion resistance. The blade measures 3.375 inches and maintains a hardness of 59-61 HRC, ensuring durability through demanding tasks. The lightweight titanium handle provides superior strength-to-weight ratio, while the frame lock mechanism offers reliable blade security with one-handed operation. Ceramic ball bearing pivot technology enables smooth, effortless deployment and precise blade control. The reversible deep carry wire clip accommodates both left and right-handed users, making this knife adaptable to any carry preference. At just 104 grams, the Penguin Plus balances substantial cutting capability with everyday portability. The closed length of 4.50 inches fits comfortably in pockets without bulk. Whether you're a collector, outdoor enthusiast, or professional, this knife combines refined engineering with practical functionality. The CPM-20CV blade resists staining while maintaining an excellent edge, making it ideal for varied cutting tasks. A true workhorse for those who demand quality and performance in their pocket knife.

CPM-20CV Blade Introduction

CPM-20CV is a premier powder-metallurgy stainless steel, widely celebrated for its outstanding wear resistance and exceptional edge retention due to a high volume of vanadium carbides. It maintains a superb balance of hardness and toughness, making it ideal for high-performance cutlery. However, its sophisticated composition presents challenges: the extreme hardness that ensures longevity also makes field sharpening difficult for the average user. Additionally, while highly resistant to corrosion, it requires diligent maintenance compared to less complex alloys to prevent potential surface oxidation in harsh environments.

SPECIFICATIONS

Category :  POCKET KNIFE
Mechanism :  Ceramic Ball Bearing
Name: Penguin Plus

Blade: 20CV
Handle:  Titanium
Lock: Frame lock

Mechanism: Ceramic ball bearing
Overall: 7.875''(200mm)
Closed: 4.50''(114mm)

Blade: 3.375''(86mm)
Blade thickness: +/- 3.5mm( finished product )
Blade shape: Sheepsfoot

HRC: 59-61( black blade HRC1 less than satin blade)
Reversible deep carry wire clip
Net weight: +/-104g (3.67oz)

QSP Penguin Plus QS130XL-C - Product Overview

The QSP Penguin Plus QS130XL-C stretches the classic Penguin formula into a larger, faster-slicing everyday carry folder. Its 3.375-inch black-coated CPM-20CV sheepsfoot blade is ground to a full-flat bevel and runs on ceramic ball bearings inside a rigid frame lock chassis. The black anodized titanium handle keeps the whole knife at 104 grams, and the reversible deep-carry wire clip suits left- or right-hand pocket placement. Part of the wider QSP Penguin family, this is a daily-carry knife that disappears in the pocket and out-cuts knives twice its price.

QSP Penguin Plus QS130XL-C - CPM-20CV Steel Selling Points

CPM-20CV is a Crucible powder-metallurgy stainless steel: roughly 20% chromium and 4% vanadium give it one of the best edge-retention-to-corrosion-resistance ratios in the knife industry. At 59-61 HRC it shrugs off abrasive cardboard and holds a shaving edge for weeks of utility work. The trade-off is sharpening speed - budget a diamond stone or a guided system for major reprofiling, and stropping alone will maintain the working edge between full sharpenings.

QSP Penguin Plus QS130XL-C - Core Selling Points

• CPM-20CV sheepsfoot blade delivers elite edge retention with a safe, slicing-first profile.
• Black anodized titanium keeps weight at just 104 g (3.67 oz) for all-day, forget-it carry.
• Frame lock bar engages with a solid, zero-blade-play wall and is easy to disengage one-handed.
• Ceramic ball bearing pivot gives a glassy, drop-shut action that stays smooth in humid climates.
• Reversible deep-carry wire clip makes it fully ambidextrous and sits low in the pocket.
• 3.5 mm blade thickness balances fine slicing geometry with real structural stiffness.
• 4.50-inch closed length and rounded handle edges keep it office-friendly and pocket-quiet.
• At 59-61 HRC, the edge needs maintenance far less often than mid-grade stainless steels.

QSP Penguin Plus QS130XL-C - Where It Earns Its Pocket Time

• Warehouse and parcel duty - the wear-resistant 20CV edge eats days of cardboard, tape and shrink wrap before it asks for a strop.
• Office and travel EDC - the deep-carry clip and low-key profile stay discreet while the sheepsfoot tip keeps task work safe.
• Kitchen and lunch prep - apples, sandwiches, zip ties and blister packs all fall to the long, controlled sheepsfoot belly.
• Camp cooking and fire prep - feather sticks, kindling scoring and food slicing all benefit from the full-flat grind.
• Collection rotation - the camo and foil carbon fiber scales plus satin frames make each SKU a distinct display piece.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the QSP Penguin Plus QS130XL legal to carry every day?

It is a conventional locking folding knife. Folding-knife carry rules vary by country, state and city, so check your local law - the deep-carry clip helps it stay discreet where carry is permitted.

How does CPM-20CV compare to M390?

They are near-twins in composition and performance: both powder steels with excellent edge retention and corrosion resistance. M390 typically runs 60-62 HRC and a touch harder, 20CV a touch tougher in thin grinds.

Does the frame lock loosen over time?

The lock bar is part of the titanium scale itself. If engagement ever feels early, QSP leaves an adjustment point - a light bend with a nylon-tipped tool restores the factory lockup.

Can left-handed users carry it?

Yes. The reversible deep-carry wire clip mounts on either side; the frame lock bar itself is released with the thumb of either hand.

What is the best sharpening setup for 20CV?

Diamond stones at 600-1000 grit for bevel work, then a 3000-grit ceramic or leather strop. The steel rewards patience with an edge that outlasts most others.

QSP Penguin Plus QS130XL-C - Steel Comparison Table

Steel	Typical HRC	Edge Retention	Corrosion Resistance	Toughness	Sharpening Ease
CPM-20CV (this knife)	59-61	Excellent	Excellent	Good	Moderate
M390	60-62	Excellent	Excellent	Good	Moderate
CPM-S35VN	58-60	Very Good	Very Good	Better	Moderate
14C28N	59-61	Good	Excellent	Good	Very Easy

Glossary of Key Terms

CPM-20CV
A Crucible powder-metallurgy stainless steel loaded with vanadium carbides. It holds a working edge longer than almost any mainstream steel and resists corrosion superbly, at the cost of slower sharpening.

Sheepsfoot
A blade profile with a straight spine that curves down sharply to the edge - built for controlled slicing, pull cuts and detail work without a piercing point.

Frame Lock
A handle-scale spring section that wedges against the blade tang on opening. Press it aside to close; fewer parts than a liner lock and very rigid.

Ceramic Ball Bearing
Pivot bearings that stay glassy smooth and cannot rust, keeping the blade action consistent in humid pocket carry.

Deep Carry Clip
A low-ride pocket clip that sinks most of the handle below the pocket rim so only a sliver shows.

Anodized Titanium
Titanium colored by a grown oxide layer rather than paint or dye - the finish wears with character instead of chipping.

QSP Penguin Plus QS130XL-C - Who Should Buy / Who Should Skip

Who Should Buy

• EDC users who cut abrasive material daily and want edge retention they can forget about.
• Collectors chasing the Penguin line's full range of carbon fiber and titanium finishes.
• Office and commuter carriers who need a deep-carry, non-aggressive sheepsfoot profile.
• Anyone upgrading from mid-grade stainless who wants a genuine powder-steel workhorse.
• Left- and right-handed users who want a truly ambidextrous clip and lock layout.

Who Should Skip

• Buyers who need a piercing point for package slicing - the sheepsfoot tip is deliberately blunt.
• Users unwilling to own diamond sharpening equipment for a high-hardness powder steel.
• Anyone who prefers brass-on-steel traditional folders with nail-nick openings.
• People who want a sub-3-inch knife for strict local length limits; this blade runs 3.375 inches.

QSP Penguin Plus QS130XL-C - Care & Maintenance

1. Wipe the blade dry after every use - moisture left at the pivot migrates into the lock face overnight.
2. Add one drop of quality knife oil to the pivot and lock contact points monthly, then work the action to spread it.
3. Blow pocket lint out of the handle with compressed air before oiling so grit never grinds inside the pivot.
4. Wash with warm water and mild dish soap when it gets grimy, then dry completely before it goes back in the pocket.
5. Touch the edge up on a 1000/3000 grit stone system; stropping on leather keeps a working edge alive for weeks.
6. Never put the knife in the dishwasher - heat and detergent wreck handles, bearings and edge geometry.
7. Do not pry, twist or use the tip as a screwdriver; even 60 HRC steel chips under hard lateral load.
8. Store it dry with a vapor tab; for long-term storage, coat the blade with a light film of mineral oil.
9. Re-tighten pocket clip and body screws periodically with the correct Torx driver, not a worn flathead.