Production Defiant 7 Hyrax flipper with a CPM-154 blade
The Defiant 7 Hyrax is a flipper by designer Les George, who creates knives for such industry giants as Zero Tolerance and Pro-Tech. The mission of Defiant 7 — as Les envisions it — is to produce high-quality mid-techs in an accessible price range that rival customs in quality. If some knife fans raise a skeptical eyebrow at the word "budget," let us reassure them — when it comes to design and mechanics, Defiant 7 earns a solid A-plus.
For the blade, the master chose CPM-154 powdered steel. The grinds are polished to a "matte mirror" finish, so this knife literally reflects its owner. The Hyrax's cutting edge is sharp enough to shave with — and the edge retention on CPM-154 blades is so durable that the knife stays sharp even under aggressive use.
The Hyrax's construction is exceptionally well-balanced. Proper weight distribution and the pivot's bearing system ensure a light, lightning-fast flip. The blade lock is a frame lock — it traps the substantial blade in a "snare" and reliably protects the owner's fingers from accidental closure. The lock is ergonomic and easy to use — to disengage it, simply push the lock bar (which is part of the side scale) sideways with your thumb while gripping the handle.
The flipper's handle construction is primarily titanium. Azure anodized barrel spacers and the pivot screw add a playful note to the masculine design. The grey scales are adorned with a decorative milled pattern that catches the light in intricate ways. Beyond its aesthetic purpose, the textured relief also enhances grip, preventing slippage during heavy cuts — as does the index finger choil. This knife is unlikely to slip even from a wet palm during the toughest work.
The Defiant 7 Hyrax is a workhorse whose appearance could rival any dress knife. It performs just as well on the job as it does in a collection.
