Solid, single-handed, drop-point knife with metal handle with G-10 composite blade, axis-lock lock and 440C blade. One of the few closing knives suitable for both left- and right-handed users - the pocket clip can be repositioned from right to left, and the controls are identical on both sides of the knife. The foot of the blade is equipped with a spike, which is certainly usable for emergency breaking of a car side window.

• Blade steel: 440C (58HRC)
• Blade length: 90mm
• Blade thickness: 3.8mm
• Weight: 208g
• Length of open blade: 210mm
• Closed blade length: 120mm
• Colour: orange, black, green

User review of the Ganzo G720

     Ganzo knives made in China are slowly but surely starting to win their place on the Czech market. They are inexpensive, despite their low price very well made, made of steels of sufficient quality and very often their shape is based on their much more expensive original designs of renowned brands. I myself own the third knife of this brand, to this day not one of them has betrayed me and I am satisfied with them.

I have a Ganzo G720 in my hand. My first thought when I picked it up was: "Damn, that's a cat!" A real piece of iron. If you know a bit about knives, you will see in this knife its much more expensive original model from Italy - Lionsteel SR-1. There are a few differences between this expensive original and the Chinese replica:

• Ganzo costs around 600,-, Lionsteel costs at least ten times the price of Ganzo (and I'm still very cheap)
• Ganzo has a blade made of 440C steel (much used for example on Spanish knives Muela and Nieto), Lionsteel from Uddeholm Sleipner steel (this steel is comparable to D2 steel, the manufacturer states hardness 61 HRC).
• Ganzo has a handle made of G-10 material and metal inserts, while Lionsteel's handle is made of a single piece of titanium or aluminium with a metal insert for reinforcement. Thus, Ganzo has a screw at the top and back to tighten the handle, Lionsteel has a handle without screws.
• The Ganzo is manufactured with an Axis Lock, the SR-1 with a framelock, complete with the company's patent-pending RotoBlock system.
  The Ganzo has a center pin with a torx head, the Lionsteel has a special four-prong head for tightening.
  
  

At first glance, however, the Ganzo is a successful replica. To the untrained eye, the subtle differences are imperceptible. It's a solid knife that you just can't miss. It has a thumb rest on the top of the blade near the opening pin, an aesthetically pleasing roughened handle, and a swivel clip for pocket attachment. It fits very well in a rather chunky hand.

The manufacturer lists the following parameters for the Ganzo G720 knife:

• Steel: 440C (very good carbon steel, which is very easy to grind and has sufficient durability for most common activities)
• Blade: 90mm long, polished, drop point shape, hollow ground (this type of grind tends to break the blade on some knives when handled roughly)
• Lock: double-sided Axis Lock (reliable and well made lock on this knife)
• Handle: G-10 with metal inserts (the handle has a noticeable and aesthetically very well designed roughening that keeps the knife from slipping in the hand)
  Blade thickness: 3.8mm (at the blade tip, gradually thinning in a hollow cut towards the blade)
• Weight: 208g (you'll feel this lump in your pocket. Not exactly ideal for softer material trousers, where it tends to pull the pocket out. Better for jeans, tight pocket jackets, etc. If you're not used to the weight in your pocket, it will give way after a while)
• Length of closed knife: 120mm
• Length of open knife: 210mm

     When you look at the Ganzo G720, from the very first moment you get the feeling that you have a powerful tool in your hand. It's a massive knife - the blade is 3cm wide, the handle is strong and solid. When you grip it firmly, you immediately feel that you are holding a proper knife in your hand. With this knife, you really don't have to worry about cutting into anything. On first impression it doesn't look cheap, nothing is coming off, no burrs, no loose parts, etc. On the other hand, it's not exactly inconspicuous, its appearance evokes aggression and it's really a bit heavy for a closing knife. But it's just a matter of habit. If you have been used to a closing fish, you will be very surprised by the weight, the grip, the massiveness of the blade, etc. But after a few days of carrying and using it, you'll definitely get used to it (I did, and gladly).

The blade opens very well. If you have it adjusted well, there is no play in the blade, neither horizontal nor vertical. The blade facet is symmetrical along its length and on both sides (so far, this is a typical occurrence on all Ganzo knives I have at home). The knife came to me beautifully sharp - shaving. But I still stropped it on the ceramic. The blade opening pin is double-sided, well machined from the factory, my thumb doesn't rub against it when opening the blade, and it doesn't rub the fabric of my pants. When closed, the blade is in the central axis, the blade also does not bend laterally.

Axis Lock is a popular lock on more expensive knife models. It holds very well on the Ganz, it doesn't tend to loosen the blade lock when open. It releases well, walks smoothly. With a little practice, the blade can be opened and closed with one hand. If the center pivot is well adjusted, the blade can be opened and closed with a swing with the safety on.

The belt clip (or rather for pocket holstering) is reasonably stiff and flush to the handle. It does loosen a little over time, but not so that when you jump for joy, the knife falls out onto the pavement (gravity wouldn't allow it to). It doesn't squeeze or get in the way when you grip it. When you loosen the screw that holds it to the back of the handle, you can turn it the other way. It is polished so no paint rubs off.

    The knife is designed for field use. In the kitchen (fruit, vegetables) the knife is a bit clumsy due to its size and weight (for example, you usually can't cut apples because they burst in the middle of the cut), but out in the field (wood, branches, car belt, rope, etc.) it is easier to work with. Raw meats and long-lasting sausages aren't exactly hard to cut with it. It is, in short, a knife that is primarily designed for men's work (again, considering the steel of the blade). Thanks to the thumb rest on the top of the blade, you can put more pressure on it in a vertical direction (useful, for example, when preparing shavings, cutting less pliable material, etc.). My experience is that it is not very suitable for finer work. It is quite heavy in the palm of your hand when you need to do fine carving. However, it always depends on the ability of the owner. But the weight and solidity of the blade is an advantage for a thicker straight cut, so you don't have to exert as much force.

Lovers of Cold Steel knives and their marketing videos would surely try hanging, rappelling, and puncturing the hood of a car on the knife. I don't know how the Lionsteel original is doing, but I wouldn't pierce a car hood with this knife. That's what I like my knife for. 440C steel isn't quite right for those kind of pieces. However, in a crisis situation where your life depends on the knife, you won't look at the quality of the steel and the price of the knife you have in your pocket. If you know how to do it, you can even try chipping with it (with the blade unsecured - otherwise you will damage the safety).

The aggressive appearance of the knife can be a definite drawback when used in a "pacifist environment". Especially if you open it with a swing, which usually gives a scary impression to people around. So not only do you have to get used to it, but also those around you. Be sure not to hide its use in the company of people who are not used to knives.

So how do I rate the Ganzo G720? It's affordable - it's a quality and affordable replica from Italian company Lionsteel. It fits well in the hand, doesn't press, gets the job done. It has a reliable safety that holds the blade well in the open position. The 440C steel is quite easy to sharpen, which will be appreciated especially by those who are not so experienced in this art. It will hold its sharpness for quite a long time with good handling. The knife is quite heavy and massive, and you need to get used to the weight when working and when carrying it in your pocket; it's also a good idea to carry it in tighter pants. The clip on the handle holds well.

What can I say in conclusion? Ganzo did not disappoint me with this model either. I have a reliable companion in it for outdoor activities where I don't care so much about the weight I'm carrying. It's massive enough for harder work, and even though it's from China, it doesn't feel cheap (like it's from the marketplace).

Jan Pokorný