QSP Orca QS179-A1 10Cr15MoV Blade Black G10 Handle Button Liner Lock Folding Knife

The QSP Orca QS179-A1 delivers reliable performance in a compact everyday carry knife. Featuring a 10Cr15MoV stainless steel blade with 59-61 HRC hardness, it balances affordability with excellent corrosion resistance and edge retention. The 3.23-inch clip-point blade suits general cutting tasks and outdoor use. Engineered for smooth operation, the ceramic ball bearing mechanism ensures responsive deployment. The black G10 handle provides secure grip and durability, while the button liner lock keeps the blade safely secured. A reversible stainless steel pocket clip accommodates both carry preferences. Measuring 7.52 inches open and 4.29 inches closed, the Orca weighs just 91 grams—light enough for all-day carry. While 10Cr15MoV requires regular maintenance and may chip under extreme stress, it remains an excellent choice for budget-conscious users seeking dependable everyday performance without premium pricing.

SPECIFICATIONS

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

Blade: 10Cr15MoV
Handle:  Black G10 
Lock: Buttom Liner Lock

Mechanism: Ceramic ball bearings
Overall: 7.52''(191mm)
Closed: 4.29''(109mm)

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: +/-91g (3.21oz)

QSP Orca QS179-A1 - Satin 10Cr15MoV Clip Point with Black G10

The QSP Orca QS179-A1 is the satin-blade version of the Black G10 Orca: a 3.23 in 10Cr15MoV clip point at 59-61 HRC, button liner lock and ceramic ball bearings in a slim 91 g package. The satin finish shows edge geometry clearly and hides fine scratches better than a mirror polish.

The clip point keeps a long straight edge for utility cuts while the swedged spine gives it a fine piercing tip. Black G10 scales keep the grip secure when wet, and the button liner lock releases without putting your thumb in the blade path. It is a working folder that disappears in the pocket until you need it.

See the whole QSP Orca series, browse other QSP folding knives and folding knives, compare against button lock knives, or explore every 10Cr15MoV steel knife we stock. New here? Start from the full EDC lineup and best-selling carry knives.

10Cr15MoV Blade Steel - VG-10 Performance at a Working Price

10Cr15MoV is a high-carbon Chinese stainless that sits in the same family as VG-10: roughly 1.0% carbon with chromium for corrosion resistance, plus molybdenum and vanadium for wear resistance and grain refinement. In practice it delivers noticeably better edge holding than 8Cr13MoV-class steel while staying affordable enough to actually use.

• Edge retention: good to very good. Best treated like VG-10: a 20-degree-per-side edge on a medium stone holds up well for utility work.
• Corrosion resistance: very good. No special care needed beyond wiping the blade dry after wet or food use.
• Toughness: good at 59-61 HRC, but it is a high-carbon steel - avoid prying and batoning, and expect micro-chipping if you lever the edge.
• Sharpening: moderate. It is not as forgiving as 14C28N, but a diamond or ceramic stone brings it back quickly; do not let it go fully dull.
• Closest alternative: VG-10, which behaves almost identically. If you want maximum corrosion resistance instead of edge holding, 14C28N is the swap.

QSP Orca QS179 - Core Selling Points

• 3.23 in (82 mm) 10Cr15MoV clip point blade at 59-61 HRC
• Satin 3.23 in 10Cr15MoV clip point at 59-61 HRC - VG-10-class edge holding
• Black G10 scales that stay stable and grippy when wet
• Button liner lock on ceramic ball bearings - release without putting a thumb in the blade path
• Reversible stainless steel pocket clip for left- or right-handed carry
• 7.52 in (191 mm) open, 4.29 in (109 mm) closed
• VG-10-class edge holding at a working price point
• Ceramic ball bearings for a quick, consistent one-handed open
• Slim enough for gym shorts, substantial enough for real cutting
• 91 g (3.21 oz) on the scale

Where the QSP Orca QS179 Performs

• Everyday carry: 91 g with a 3.23 in blade - light enough to forget, substantial enough to use properly.
• Camping and hiking: the clip point pierces packaging and tent grommets cleanly, and 10Cr15MoV holds an edge through a weekend of cordage and food prep.
• Workshop and warehouse: cutting strapping, opening cartons and trimming material where a fast, one-handed button release matters.
• Kitchen and food prep: the thin clip point and VG-10-class steel handle board work better than a thick tactical blade.
• Glove-friendly use: the button liner lock can be released without putting a thumb in the blade path, which is exactly what you want with cold or wet hands.

QSP Orca QS179 - FAQ

What steel is the blade, and how hard is it?
10Cr15MoV stainless at 59-61 HRC. QSP notes that coated blades typically read about 1-2 HRC lower at the surface than uncoated ones.

What is the handle material?
Black G10: a high-pressure fiberglass/epoxy laminate that stays dimensionally stable when wet and provides a secure, non-abrasive grip.

What lock type does it use?
A button liner lock running on ceramic ball bearings. The button releases the liner without putting your thumb in the blade path.

Does it have a reversible pocket clip?
Yes - a reversible stainless steel clip for left- or right-handed carry.

How big and how heavy is it?
7.52 in (191 mm) open, 4.29 in (109 mm) closed, 91 g (3.21 oz). That is light for a full three-inch-plus blade.

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

10Cr15MoV
A high-carbon stainless knife steel with roughly 1.0% carbon, 15% chromium, plus molybdenum and vanadium. Directly comparable to VG-10 in composition and behaviour.

Button Liner Lock
A liner lock actuated by a button through the handle scale. It keeps the thin profile and strength of a liner lock while letting the blade be released without putting a thumb in the blade path.

Clip Point
A blade profile with a swedged, concave spine running to a fine point. It pierces cleanly and keeps a long straight edge, at the cost of a slightly weaker tip than a drop point.

Ceramic Ball Bearing Pivot
A pivot running on ceramic balls instead of phosphor-bronze washers. Lower friction, smoother opening, and almost no break-in period.

HRC
Rockwell C hardness. QSP runs 10Cr15MoV at 59-61 HRC; coated blades may read about 1-2 HRC lower at the surface than uncoated ones.

Black G10
A high-pressure fiberglass/epoxy laminate in black. It stays dimensionally stable when wet and gives a secure, non-abrasive grip.

Who Should Buy the QSP Orca QS179 - and Who Should Skip It

Who should buy it

• Buyers who want VG-10-class edge holding at a fraction of the price
• Anyone who wants a fast one-handed button release rather than a thumb stud
• Daily carriers who want a genuinely light 91 g folder with a full 3.23 in blade
• Users with gloves on for part of the day - the button liner lock is easy to work with cold, wet or gloved hands
• Buyers who prefer a satin blade that hides scratches and shows edge geometry

Who should skip it

• Buyers who need extreme toughness - 10Cr15MoV at 59-61 HRC is a cutting steel, not a prying tool
• Anyone who will not maintain an edge: this steel needs scheduled touch-ups, unlike 14C28N
• Left-handed users who need a fully ambidextrous lock; the clip reverses but the button does not move
• Users who want a heavy, oversized folder - the Orca is deliberately slim
• Collectors looking for titanium or carbon fiber everything - the Orca is a working knife

Care & Maintenance

1. Wipe the blade dry after food, salt water or fruit juice. 10Cr15MoV is stainless, but citrus and salt will still mark it if left on.
2. Touch the edge up on a ceramic rod or medium stone every few weeks rather than waiting for it to go fully dull - this steel rewards scheduled maintenance.
3. Keep the pivot clear of grit. Flush it with a light oil and work the blade through its arc to distribute it.
4. Put one small drop of knife oil on the ceramic bearings and the detent track occasionally. A drop, not a flood.
5. Do not pry, twist or baton with a folding knife. 10Cr15MoV at 59-61 HRC can micro-chip under impact loads, and the button lock is not a crowbar.
6. Re-tighten the body and clip screws occasionally - vibration loosens hardware even with thread locker from the factory.
7. Store the knife fully closed in a dry place, not half-open where the lock and detent sit under load.
8. If blade play develops, adjust the pivot in small increments. Over-tightening costs you the smooth bearing action you paid for.
9. Wash Black G10 scales with warm soapy water and a soft brush; the material is impervious to moisture and most solvents.
10. 10Cr15MoV is stainless but not stainless-proof. Wipe it dry after food, salt water or fruit juice - citrus in particular.