Enlan EL-01. Outstanding knife

I don’t think mine was so easy to flip when it first came. I put in 3-in-1 oil which helped a lot. Plus if you open it so the tip points to the ground it helps too. But usually I have to put in wrist to help it open.

What the?! How can you open your 01 so fast?!

I unscrewed the pivot completely and it still did not open smoothly. That´s why I wanted to disassemble it, polish the friction parts etc (well, damn you small torx screws).
Being able to open it fast (and without wrist/arm motion) was my reason for getting that Enlan : /

And… first thing I thought was “Oh no, the finger nails!”
Are you not afraid of damaging them? I mean, it even bothers ME to push the locking part to close it. My nice thumb nail…

Nice video Chloe! (I couldn't view it on my iPhone yesterday - must be a forum incompatibility).

-Garry

Thanks, Garry! Maybe it was when I deleted the old video? I’m glad it worked!

Which model did you get? I read the ones with black blades are not as smooth due to the coating.

Also, mine is older, with three hole pivot, nylon washer and bronze on the other side. I have not adjusted the pivot yet (I did this on my Sanrenmu 710 because it was too stiff to open when it arrived, but now it has a little blade play from loosening it a little >.<), but I had to work the oil in (open and close, open and close, oil again, clean excess, repeat).

It might also be luck of the draw with fit and finish.

The way I open flippers is with the side of my index finger so the nail doesn’t catch. My index finger is not positioned in line with the blade (if it was I would surely break the nail!). Hope I explained that well.

I am more afraid to use my thumbnail to flick any thumbstud. I won’t try in case it breaks. :Sp

Thanks, Freman. Well, before I got the Kershaw I was quite happy with the Enlan flipping. But I’ve never been happy with the edge until I recently convexed it with my new strop.

The Kershaw speed assist is quite stiff to overcome for me, but it is fun to use! When I first got it I flipped it so much my fingers were sore from flipping. I only had it three weeks and the internal spring broke! But Kershaw were really nice to send me new springs.

Most of my knife come quite tight, which is ok as customs don’ t mistake them for gravity knives… :wink: but once loosened and oiled they all flick open very smoothly!

I also got used to boil (I literally put them in a pan of hot water) Chinese knives before attempting to unscrew them as the screws are often blocked with some white glue (locktight?)…

That’s a good idea! I have heard of some using a soldering iron to heat the screws too.

Chloe, I love your ambidextrous blade deployment vid! Good job! Whats next… twin Shinogi-Zukuri katana’s holstered behind your back? :wink:

The EL-01 is still my EDC of choice.

I’ve just recently obtained EL-01 D, and realy like it. As a “improver” of everything, and tight tolerance junky, I’ve already made a new axle and adjustment screw, new bronze bushing instead of the teflon one, and stop pin.

Very nice.

Very handsome, Hrvoje. Lovely work. Did you treat the blade or is it black originally?

Thanks, Chloe. It is standard shiny stainless steel, but an odd angle make it look darker.

Hvroje,

Nice pivot mod, where did you source it? The phosphor bronze bushings really make a major improvement in the opening action once you get the tension adjusted. Have you treated the rosewood scales w/ any finishing product? The scales look really sweet.

Gurthang, I have small hobby lathe, and I made all parts myself. The rosewood scales are original. I agree, they look really good.

Hmm, I really need to get a small lathe and vertical mill.

Pity I keep spending money on knives.

I’d like to make my own Navaja. I’m thinking a 20cm/8” blade and a nice wooden handle. It might have to be something like 1095 carbon steel for the authentic razor sharp edge. Perhaps it’d be cheaper and easier to just buy an Espada XL.

Hvroje,

Nice work. I bow to your skill w/ the lathe. I have access to a lathe but it’s a standard shop sized beast and too large to attempt any item as small as a pivot screw.

I have a few EL01s lying around and the one with the black blade can be flicked open as easily as the rest of them.
I think it depends on the factory F&F.

Nice job!
Some of the EL01Ds come with a quite pretty grain pattern.

Ahh these look lovely. I think I need one with these handles. >.<

P.S. Isti, I love your blog! Always nice photos!

Thank you! :slight_smile: