More comfortable than it may look and with a fistful of attitude, the Pro-Tech Redencion 229 automatic folder isn’t your typical EDC knife
by Dexter Ewing; photos by Marty Stanfield, Marty Stanfield Photography
If you’re into automatic opening knives and you have not heard of the brand Pro-Tech, you’re missing out on a lot! Pro-Tech is one of the best brands offering production automatic folders. They offer a full range of automatic folders so that you can easily find one or more that suits your fancy. From EDC to full-on tactical, Pro-Tech has it covered. All their designs are centered around one theme: they are built to be working knives.
The company’s Redencion 229 automatic is a collaboration with Ramon Chavez of Chaves Knives. This is a mid-size automatic folder that has a robust build, using premium materials paired with an all-business tanto blade. Aesthetically speaking, it incorporates Chaves’ bold styling and is one of the hottest designs the company has come out with in recent years.
Let’s take a deeper look into this exciting automatic opening folder.
The Business End
The blade metal of choice is CPM S35VN stainless steel, known for its excellent edge retention and superior corrosion resistance. Measuring 3.3 inches in length, the tanto blade shape offers superior penetration capabilities. With its angled top, the flat ground blade provides ease of cutting through various materials. There is a prominent swedge that gives the blade its bold look and four large traction notches that help to hold your thumb in place when adding pressure for cutting through tougher materials. The blade comes in a variety of finishes, depending on the model variant. There’s stonewash and black PVD coating.
Grip
The handle is T6 6061 anodized aluminum for both lighter weight and high strength. It includes a full radius chamfer on both sides to soften the grip. The grip area has a finger recess to help index your grip. As boxy as the handle design is, it doesn’t feel boxy at all in your hand, which is a pleasant surprise.
An Interesting Clip
A Chaves Knives signature is their unique milled titanium pocket clip, which is of a skull design. Like it or not, the skull clip does have function to it, as the width allows the clip to be stiffer and more resistant to bending in the event you catch it on something. It does hold the knife in the pocket quite well and not too tight, so there is no struggle to pull the knife out. Another cool thing about the clip is the hidden clip screws. They are inserted into the clip from the inside of the handle. Thus, there are no visible handle screws on the outside. Very cool!
Finishes
As for handle colors, there are several available for the Redencion 229. The one reviewed here is the battle-worn purple handle finish. It’s an interesting shade of purple with the edges made to look like it’s received a lot of use and carry duties — straight out of the box. The acid washed blade contrasts well with the purple handle. If purple isn’t your style, then that’s OK because this knife is available in the standard handle colors of black, red, blue, and more.
Performance
From the user’s perspective, the Redencion 229 auto excels. The straight primary edge is great for general-purpose cutting of all materials while the angled tanto tip not only makes penetration easier but also is great for finer cutting chores that require a bit more control to the cut.
The blade is extremely fast to deploy. Hit that button and the blade instantaneously rockets out of the handle and is at the fully open and locked position in a flash.
CPM S35VN steel definitely holds its edge very well and for a long time, which makes this steel a great choice as a working knife. It is also fairly easy to resharpen using any sort of commercially available diamond sharpener.
The blade lockup is secure, so no worries there. I really like how the boxy-shaped handle doesn’t feel boxy at all in your grip. Your hand feels secure on the handle. While having some sort of machined-in texturing on the presentation side of the handle will enhance grip, it’s actually not needed. My hand felt quite secure and not once did I feel as if the handle was too slick. Cutting up cardboard boxes, slicing through hose, or stripping wire, the Redencion 229 tackles any cutting task with aplomb and authority.
It’s easy to see why the Redencion 229 auto is one of Chaves Knives’ best designs. Not only does it look good, but it has the performance to back it up. Quality materials, excellent craftsmanship, fit, and finish — all hallmarks of a Pro-Tech manufactured knife.
If you’re looking to add a Redencion 229 auto to your arsenal, they start at $300 MSRP, and prices may vary depending on options.
