QSP Penguin Plus Review: How the Larger Version Improves a Classic EDC

When the original QSP Penguin arrived, it immediately disrupted the everyday carry (EDC) market. It offered clean ergonomics, durable canvas Micarta handle scales, and reliable D2 tool steel at an unbeatably low price point. It quickly became a permanent fixture in the pocket knife hall of fame.

However, despite its immense popularity, a segment of the EDC community wanted something more. Users with larger hands found the original handle slightly cramped during heavy-duty cutting, and hard-use enthusiasts craved premium, corrosion-resistant steels capable of handling harsh environments.

QSP answered that call with the QSP Penguin Plus.

Far from a lazy scale-up, the Penguin Plus represents a ground-up mechanical overhaul. By expanding the footprint, upgrading the blade steel, and adding premium lock configurations, QSP has turned an entry-level workhorse into a top-tier executive companion. Let’s explore exactly how this larger version improves upon a modern classic.

1. Upgraded Dimensions for Hard-Use Ergonomics

The most obvious alteration is the physical size. The standard Penguin model features a 3.06-inch blade paired with a 4.00-inch handle. The Penguin Plus steps up to a 3.38-inch blade and a 4.50-inch handle.

While that increase seems subtle on paper, the impact in your palm is massive. The extra half-inch on the handle completely transforms the ergonomics. On the original model, users with large hands found their pinky finger resting right on the very edge of the scale. The Penguin Plus provides a true, full four-finger grip with room to spare.

This added handle real estate gives you significantly better leverage when pushing down into dense materials like thick leather, heavy nylon rope, or double-walled shipping boxes.

2. Elite Blade Steel: The Leap to CPM-20CV

The classic budget Penguin uses D2 tool steel—a material praised for hardness but prone to corrosion if left wet. The Penguin Plus leaves budget steel behind entirely, upgrading to CPM-20CV super steel.

CPM-20CV is a powdered metallurgy steel that sits near the absolute apex of modern blade science. It alters the cutting performance in two dramatic ways:

• Astonishing Wear Resistance: Packed with a high density of vanadium and chromium carbides, it holds a razor edge roughly three to four times longer than standard D2 steel.

• Complete Stainless Protection: Unlike the semi-stainless D2, CPM-20CV features high chromium content, making the Penguin Plus highly resistant to rust spots, pocket sweat, humid weather, and acidic materials.

3. The Introduction of the Flipper Tab

The original budget Penguin relies exclusively on dual thumb studs and copper washers for a slow, hydraulic, deliberate opening action.

The Penguin Plus entirely changes the operational feel by introducing an integrated flipper tab alongside the traditional thumb studs, riding on an ultra-smooth caged ceramic ball bearing system.

With the pivot riding on frictionless ceramic bearings, a light pull down on the flipper tab breaks the detent perfectly, sending the blade flying open with a crisp, authoritative mechanical snap. When disengaging the lock, the blade drops closed smoothly under its own weight. It turns a rugged, simple tool into a highly addictive, satisfyingly fidget-friendly masterpiece.

4. Premium Frame Lock & 3D Milled Clip

To support the upgraded size and premium steel, QSP overhauled the lock mechanism. While a budget liner lock is adequate, the Penguin Plus transitions to a structural Titanium Frame Lock or an incredibly secure Button Lock system, depending on the variant you choose.

The frame-lock version utilizes thick slabs of aerospace-grade titanium. It includes a hardened steel lockbar insert, ensuring smooth lock disengagement while preventing wear on the titanium over decades of deployment.

Additionally, QSP ditched the stamped sheet metal pocket clip of the original model. The Penguin Plus comes standard with a 3D-milled sculpted titanium pocket clip, which slides smoothly over denim pocket lips without creating the uncomfortable "hot spots" in your hand that are common with cheaper clips.

Head-to-Head Specification Comparison

The Verdict: Is the Larger Version Worth It?

If you found the original QSP Penguin a hair too small, or if you simply want a hard-use pocket knife crafted from materials that will never rust and rarely need sharpening, the QSP Penguin Plus is an absolute home run.

QSP preserved the exact feature that made the original design so iconic—the neutral, comfortable handle shape and the ultra-practical, flat-edged box-shredding sheepsfoot blade profile—and elevated everything around it. It looks like a classic Penguin, but it performs, flips, and feels like a custom-built, high-end executive tool.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the larger size make the Penguin Plus heavy in the pocket?

Not at all. Despite the increased length and thicker materials, the use of lightweight titanium and textured carbon fiber overlays keeps the weight of the Penguin Plus right around 3.14 to 3.46 ounces (depending on the handle scale variant), making it exceptionally easy to carry daily.

What is the advantage of CPM-20CV steel over standard D2 steel?

CPM-20CV is a premium super steel that offers vastly superior corrosion resistance (it is fully stainless) and retains its sharp cutting edge significantly longer than budget D2 steel, though it requires more patience and diamond abrasives to sharpen when it eventually dulls.

Is the pocket clip on the Penguin Plus reversible?

On the frame-lock titanium variants, the 3D-milled pocket clip is mounted strictly for right-handed, tip-up carry to avoid interfering with the lockbar mechanism. Always check the specific handle variant description if you are a left-handed user.