When we originally reviewed the H2Sierra by Delta2Alpha Design and ModusCQC, our evaluation was based on a pre-production prototype manufactured by Fox Knives. Since that review, The Martialist has had the opportunity to evaluate Fox’ production version of the H2Sierra. As with the prototype, this is a clip-equipped, one-hand-open tactical folding knife that, at first glance, looks like many other folding knives on the market. Its blade profile has been the subject of quite a few discussions among contributors to and readers of this publication. In the final analysis, we stand by our initial report that this is an excellent, purpose-built choice for a defensive folding blade.
The first thing one notices about the H2Sierra is the “reverse belly” of the blade, which is claw shaped. By design, this helps the blade cut — first drawing material in thanks to the design of the tip (it is the first part of the cutting edge that makes contact with the target — it gets there before than many other patterns), then pulling the “work” through the blade thanks to its curve.
Interestingly, several people who handled the knife expressed concern about whether the blade shape would actually penetrate adequately. At least two contributors to The Martialist felt the blade wasn’t perceptibly sharp, too. In actual testing, neither of these concerns is valid in light of the knife’s performance.
Blade steel is 4mm (3.16th inch) N690co hardened to RC59-60. While that means the blade is quite thick in cross-section and thus requires more force to penetrate deeply than is required with a thinner blade, it will still stab as readily as an Americanized tanto. (The blade is, after all, the inverse of an Americanized tanto profile.) The substantial handle and double guard make it possible to apply this force with authority.
As for the cutting edge, the factory sharpening angle is quite shallow. A friend and I were both able to run our fingers along that edge without cutting ourselves, which made me suspicious — until I tested the edge laterally on my thumbnail and it caught right away. The knife would also slice light notebook paper from the edge, which belied the idea that it “wasn’t sharp.”
The cutting edge is almost deceptively effective, which I can only guess is attributable to the reverse belly of the blade. In hanging bottle test-cutting I was able to make shallow slashes, deeper cuts, and complete bottle-halving slashes without difficulty.
This is a substantial knife, thick across and through the handle. It is completely ambidextrous and the handle is symmetrical except for the divot to accommodate the graduated thumb studs. Handle slabs are lightly textured, CNC-milled G10, available in multiple colors. A dull red-handled “drone” trainer is also available.
The thick handle is very ergonomic. I found it quite comfortable in my relatively large mitts. The oversized design also makes it easy to use the knife while wearing gloves. Several grips are possible, from the basic forward and reverse with either blade orientation, to more unconventional grips, such as hooking the index finger over the lower guard in a sabre hold.
The handle has a lanyard hole and is configured for any carry position you could want. Recessed areas for affixing the pocket clip have holes drilled for tip-up or tip-down carry for either the left or right hand. The pocket clip had good tension and required no adjustment; it does not shift thanks to the triple Torx-screw mounting.
The knife offers a nice, substantial set of thumb serrations, which I always like to see on a defensive blade. Double quillon guards protect the hand in use and also from the potential for lock failure under extreme abuse. (If the blade closes while you hold the knife, the quillon will make contact with your hand, not the sharp edge.)
The knife is a liner-lock that opens smoothly and locks positively. Because the thumb studs are so close to the handle, you’ll need to exert downward pressure to open the blade. Get lazy and push at more of a 45 degree angle and you won’t get the knife to open. This isn’t a problem for most users.
The liner fully engages the blade tang, at the left of the tang with plenty of room for wear as shown here. You can, of course, flip the knife open using the quillons as purchase. I find that it takes a fairly substantial flip to open the blade all the way, but a slight snap of the wrist pops the knife open with ease.
Given the size and shape of the knife, it could be used, closed, as a pocket stick for striking. You could even use the double quillons for “hatchet” type strikes in the same manner as some of Bram Frank’s “Gunting” style knives (and also in the same manner as Bram teaches, you could conceivably open it “kinetically” against an opponent’s body).
I like the fact that this knife is unapologetic in its presentation — it is intended as a full-sized defense and utility tool and is very obviously both. You don’t ever feel like your hand is crowded or that you’re hunting for it in the pocket, yet it isn’t unwieldy or prohibitively heavy.
I was impressed by this knife from the moment I held it. It’s well thought-out, well executed, ergonomic, and aesthetically very clean. This design will do anything you could want a defensive folding knife to do and do it well. You can get yours here at the Delta2Alpha website. (For a limited time, you may use the discount code themartialist to get ten percent off.)