QSP became the budget knife brand people actually recommend by doing three things: good steels, ceramic bearings, and a lock on every knife that is fun to use. This guide ranks the QSP knives we stock, from the Penguin that started it to the Elk and the Turtle Punk, with the steel and lock on each.
1. Penguin Glyde Lock, $84.99
3-inch 14C28N sheepsfoot, Glyde crossbar lock, glow resin handle. The QSP to start with. Penguin.
2. Coyote, $94.99
3.23-inch Nitro-V drop point, button liner lock, glow micarta or G10. The button-lock QSP. Coyote.
3. Elk, $99.99
3.11-inch 14C28N, Glyde Lock, glow burlap micarta, reversible clip. The Penguin's bigger, grippier cousin. Elk.
4. Peregrine, $64.99
2.95-inch 10Cr15MoV drop point at HRC 59-61, liner lock, black G10 with a glow inlay. The value pick. Peregrine.
5. Mantis, $64.99
3.42-inch tanto, liner lock, glow G10. The tanto. Mantis.
6. Ferret, $59.99
3-inch Nitro-V drop point with a sky blue coating, liner lock, black G10. The cheapest Nitro-V here. Ferret.
7. Turtle Punk, $96.99
3.5-inch 14C28N tanto with a champagne ceramic coating and a multi-color G10 handle. The loud one. Turtle Punk.
Steels and locks
14C28N and Nitro-V are the steels to want; 10Cr15MoV is the budget one and still fine. Glyde Lock is the crossbar, button lock is the button, liner lock is the classic. All run on ceramic bearings.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best QSP knife?
The Penguin for most people, the Coyote for a button lock.
Where are QSP knives made?
Yangjiang, China.
What steel does QSP use?
14C28N, Nitro-V, D2 and 10Cr15MoV, depending on model.
What is a Glyde Lock?
QSP's crossbar-style lock.
Are QSP knives good quality?
For the price, among the best made.
The bottom line
The Penguin first, the Coyote second. QSP is the budget brand that does not feel like one.
Related reading
QSP Penguin review
QSP Coyote review
Where are QSP knives made?
