There are lots of great Fox Knives, so to single one out, like the specific variant of the Chilin that has a black, stonewashed M398 blade and a bronze anodized titanium handle, requires some justification.
Where This Knife Hits
First, let’s look at overall size and profile. This version of the Chilin only weighs 5.11 ounces and has a 3.15” blade giving an overall length of 7.61”.
This makes it ideal for EDC, as it is lightweight and sized perfectly; it’s not too large for easy carry but it’s certainly not diminutive.
The blade profile and knife steel are also two things to love about this. It’s made with M398 steel, which is an excellent alloy for EDC.
If you’re familiar with Bohler’s M390 steel, then you should know a bit about what M390 offers; M398 has the same amount of chromium, a smidge more tungsten, a little bit more vanadium, and considerably more carbon, at 2.7% compared to 1.9% for M390.
This makes M398 sort of like a slightly upgraded M390. Notably, the increase in carbon content gives M398 slightly higher edge retention, and the addition of vanadium improves both this and general toughness. The extra .1% of tungsten does the same thing.
One of the reasons for this is that vanadium forms carbides with carbon, which hardens the steel and improves its wear resistance. It also improves the grain structure of the steel which can boost toughness.
All in all, M398 is sort of like a super version of M390. It offers excellent edge retention, solid corrosion resistance, and good general toughness.
The blade profile is leaf-shaped, with a stout belly and a fairly oblique tip that is fine enough for some detail work, but which has enough blade stock behind it to resist chipping, breaking and other issues.
There are some other ergonomic features that also make the Chilin a top choice among Fox Knives. The jimping on the spine sits a little farther forward than in most knives, which gives the user excellent control when the knife is held in a saber grip.
It also sports thumb holes instead of thumb studs, which some will also consider a bonus. Whatever your personal convictions are on thumb holes, here are two incontestable truths: thumb holes lighten the blade, and they are naturally ambidextrous.
The anodized titanium scales are lightweight but very strong and corrosion resistant. Like steel scales, titanium is very strong, but it lacks the weight and it is also much more resistant to corrosion. It’s more expensive, but it delivers on a higher level of performance.
The construction of the knife is very solid, as are fit and finish, which is reflected in the price.
The overall name and profile, by the way, are an homage to the legendary “shilin” knives of Taiwan, which is another thing some collectors will appreciate.
Where to Explore This and Other Fox Knives
Overall, the Chilin, from Fox Knives, is an excellent pattern that pays tribute to a traditional Eastern pattern. It also happens to be made with super steel, high-quality scale materials, and is geared for performance.
Whether you’re thinking one of these or some other Fox Knife will suit your collection better, visit The Knife Connection. They carry a wide range of different patterns and products along with other accessories like sheaths, scales and fire starters. Check out their collection today.
