QSP Ferret QS170-A1 Stonewashed Nitro-V Blade Black G10 Handle Liner Lock Folding Knife

The QSP Ferret QS170-A1 represents a refined approach to everyday carry design. Built around a Nitro-V stainless steel blade with a classic clip point geometry, this knife delivers reliable edge retention and corrosion resistance in a compact package. The blade achieves a hardness of 59-61 HRC, ensuring durability through extended use while maintaining reasonable sharpening intervals. The black G10 handle provides excellent grip texture and dimensional stability across temperature variations, paired with a liner lock mechanism for secure blade retention. Ceramic ball bearings enable smooth, controlled deployment with minimal friction. At 7 inches open and just 4 inches closed, the Ferret balances accessibility with pocket-friendly proportions. The reversible deep carry pocket clip accommodates both left and right-handed users, while the 3-inch blade and 83-gram weight make this knife suitable for daily tasks without noticeable burden. Precision engineering throughout—from the 3mm blade stock to the finished tolerances—reflects QSP's commitment to functional design.

 

Description

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

Blade: Nitro V
Handle:  Black G10
Lock: Liner lock

Mechanism: Ceramic ball bearings
Overall: 7.00''(178mm)
Closed: 4.00''(102mm)

Blade: 3.00''(76mm)
Blade thickness: +/- 3.0mm ( finished product )
Blade shape: Clip point

HRC: 59-61 ( Coated blade < Silver blade, may HRC1-2 less）
Reversible stainless steel deep carry pocket clip
Net weight: +/-83g (2.93oz)

QSP Ferret QS170-A1 - Nitro-V Clip Point Liner Lock Folder

The QSP Ferret QS170-A1 is a 3-inch Nitro-V clip point folder with black G10 scales, ceramic bearings and a reversible deep-carry clip. It sits in the QSP liner lock family alongside the Penguin and Canary, offering a leaner profile for users who want a folding knife that disappears in the pocket. Explore more QSP knives at EDCMALL.

Nitro-V Blade Steel

QSP hardens the Ferret's Nitro-V clip point to 59-61 HRC, giving it better toughness and edge stability than plain budget stainless. The satin or PVD stonewashed finish adds corrosion resistance and kills glare. For a rotation partner in a tougher steel, look at our D2 folders or 14C28N knives.

Why the Ferret Belongs in Your Pocket

• Nitro-V clip point blade at 59-61 HRC for sharpness, toughness and corrosion resistance.
• Black G10 scales provide a secure, textured grip across temperature swings.
• Liner lock with ceramic ball bearings for smooth, controlled one-handed deployment.
• Reversible deep-carry stainless steel clip for left or right-hand carry.
• 7.00 in open / 4.00 in closed with a 3.00 in blade - an easy EDC footprint.
• Weighs only 2.93 oz / 83 g so you stop noticing it in your pocket.
• 3.0 mm blade stock balances slicing performance with lateral strength.
• Clean, minimal lines that work as a gentleman's folder or a daily utility blade.

Best Uses for the Ferret

• Daily package opening, mail and cardboard breakdown.
• Office and warehouse tasks where a fine clip point is useful.
• Camping and hiking food prep and cord cutting.
• Light outdoor work on rope, webbing and plastic packaging.
• A low-cost entry into premium Nitro-V steel for new collectors.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Ferret A1 and A2?
A1 carries a stonewashed Nitro-V blade; A2 has a black coated Nitro-V blade. Both share the same handle, lock and dimensions.

Is the Ferret good for left-handed users?
The reversible deep-carry clip and ambidextrous thumb studs make it lefty-friendly; the liner lock is still operated by the thumb of the closing hand.

How often does Nitro-V need sharpening?
Expect to touch up the edge after a week or two of daily cardboard and package work - Nitro-V is easy to maintain on a water stone.

Can I swap the clip position?
Yes. The clip mounts for right or left-hand tip-up carry using a Torx driver.

Nitro-V vs. Common Pocket Knife Steels

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
154CM	58-61	Good	Good	Very Good	Moderate
CPM-S35VN	58-60	Very Good	Very Good	Better	Moderate
D2 Tool Steel	58-61	Very Good	Fair	Good	Moderate
7Cr17MoV	56-58	Fair	Good	Good	Very Easy

Nitro-V is a nitrogen-enriched stainless made by Steelcraft. The nitrogen addition refines the grain so the steel takes a very keen edge, and its toughness beats harder powder steels at the same hardness - exactly what you want in a 3 in utility folder that sees cardboard, cord and food work. QSP rates the uncoated blades at 59-61 HRC; coated blades may run 1-2 points lower. HRC figures are typical mill ranges, not a guarantee for any single blade.

Glossary of Key Terms

QSP Knife
A Chinese knife maker known for shipping enthusiast designs with premium steels at working prices - the Penguin, Canary and Ferret lines all cut their teeth on that formula.

Nitro-V
A nitrogen-enriched stainless blade steel from Steelcraft, usually run at 59-61 HRC. It takes a finer, keener edge than plain AUS-8-class steels and has the toughness to survive hard utility work.

Liner Lock
A strip of spring steel inside the handle snaps sideways behind the blade tang when it opens. One thumb of the closing hand unlocks it, keeping your fingers out of the blade path.

Ceramic Ball Bearings
The pivot washers on the Ferret are ceramic balls rather than phosphor-bronze washers, so deployment is glassy-smooth and the pivot does not need frequent re-oiling.

Clip Point
A blade shape with the spine clipped down toward the tip, leaving a fine, controllable point with plenty of belly behind it for slicing.

Deep Carry Pocket Clip
A clip that seats the closed knife low in the pocket so only the clip shows. The Ferret's is reversible for left- or right-hand carry.

Foil G10
G10 fiberglass laminate layered with a foil sheet during pressing, so the scale shows a marble-like pattern that no two handles share.

Glow-in-the-Dark Resin
Resin dosed with strontium-aluminate phosphor: charge it under daylight or a lamp and it glows green-blue in darkness, so the knife is easy to find in a bag or tent at night.

Stonewashed Finish
A tumbling process that beads the steel into a uniform matte grey - hides carry scratches and kills glare far better than a satin polish.

PVD Coating
Physical vapour deposition: a hard metallic ceramic layer bonded to the blade in vacuum. It adds corrosion resistance and colour (rose gold, sky blue, purple, black) without paint or plating.

Who Should Buy the Ferret

• EDC minimalists who want a 3-inch blade under 3 oz.
• Users curious about Nitro-V who do not want to spend premium money.
• Left or right-handed carriers who need a reversible deep-carry clip.
• Office workers, warehouse staff and tradespeople who open packages daily.
• Collectors building a budget-to-midrange QSP rotation.

Who Should Skip It

• Users who need a blade over 3.5 inches for heavy cutting.
• Those who prefer a frame lock or crossbar lock to a liner lock.
• People who want a fidget-friendly bearing flipper; the Ferret is smooth but conservative.
• Collectors looking for exotic handle materials - G10 is functional, not flashy.
• Anyone expecting a full-size tactical folder; the Ferret is a compact utility knife.

Care & Maintenance

• Wipe the blade dry after each work session; Nitro-V resists stains well but pocket sweat still marks bare edges over weeks.
• One drop of light oil at the pivot monthly, then open and close the blade a dozen times so it reaches the ceramic bearings.
• Blow pocket lint out of the liner-lock channel so lockup stays early, tight and consistent.
• Wash the G10 or resin scales with warm water and a soft brush after dirty jobs; packed grit abrades the texture.
• Sharpen at a consistent 15-20 degrees per side on a water stone; Nitro-V at 59-61 HRC raises a burr fast and strops up keen.
• Keep PVD-coated blades (A3/A4/A5, and the C2/D2/E2 blackwash variants) out of abrasive scrubbing - the coating is the rust shield.
• Clean the deep-carry clip channel with a brush; the reversible screws can loosen - re-torque them with the correct Torx driver.
• Do not pry, twist or cut wire with the clip point; lateral loads chip tips far faster than cutting ever will.
• Store the knife dry and lightly oiled; glow-in-the-dark resin charges fastest when it is clean, so wipe it before pocketing.