I’m currently working my way through reviewing a box of knives that a shady company I no longer have dealings with sent me a couple months ago. I’ve been really busy, and they’ve been really patient.
This review is for the Sanrenmu Plus 4077 EDC pocket knife. The full review can be found here on my blog.
Product Desription
This is a budget slip-joint pocket knife with an interesting design. I do believe this is an authentic SRM but there are clues to the contrary, or at least enough differences from other SRMs I have owned, where I was initially suspicious. It’s on the smallish side at about 2 1/2 ounces, and while I couldn’t find the type of steel used, there’s a short list of Chinese steels it could be made of.
Construction
The 4077 is constructed of a steel skeleton, with a layer of plastic, and then a layer of what looks like brass on the outside. The construction is very good overall, which is the main reason I believe it to be authentic.
The scales are/were shiny brass-like. I believe any scratches you see below are from normally carrying it.
Clip
It has a carabiner style clip hanging off the tail end of the knife. The wire clip latch (gate?) is under tension and acts as a typical carabiner. It’s functional and has a good feel, but it snapped off when I was playing with it, and went flying off. So, it’s fine to clip to a belt loop but not fine to trust your physical safety to, which should go without saying for a 7 dollar pocket knife.
(“Oops”)
Blade
It’s a typical drop point blade with the typical hollow grind, made of mystery steel. The blade is very well done. It’s very well machined, and like my other Sanrenmus, has a factory edge that puts even some USA knives to shame. Contrast this to some of the Ganzos, which are beautiful but they can’t seem to get them sharp at the factory.
The blade is everything I want and expect from Sanrenmu. It has less than 2 inches of blade surface, so this is a small blade for an EDC. I didn’t look at them side by side, but I’m guessing a Spyderco Ladybug or Manbug would have about the same size blade.
Locking Mechanism
The only locking mechanism on this knife is your imagination. There is however a detent that at least holds the knife open. Which also makes the knife a little awkward to close, but it’s no big deal.
Lanyard
I’m not sure I see the point in the lanyard attachment, since the knife has a carabiner clip that already takes up a good portion of the handle size.
It even has what looks like either machining to keep the lanyard securely in place, or a botched attempt to make a hex wrench like some of the keychain tools have. I’m not likely to use it, so it’s all the same to me. Either way, it should function fine with a paracord lanyard.
Weights and Measures
Usability
It’s a little small but feels good in my hand. The scales are polished, but that doesn’t affect the grip much. This is probably a good choice for someone living in the UK, where they can only carry a non-locking pocket knife.
I’ve carried this knife clipped to the outside of my blue jeans belt loop, and it carries well and looks good. It’s a little heavy to ride freely in my pocket, though. But all things considered, this is a decent EDC knife if the lack of lock isn’t a deal breaker for you.
Conclusions
The clip is flimsy, and I would pretty much only EDC a slip joint knife like this if I lived in the UK. But having said that, overall this knife is extremely well executed (minus the clip) and the build quality / fit and finish are on par with any Sanrenmu knife I’ve ever held in my hands. It has some of the best precision machining I’ve seen on a budget knife.