Nitrous Blitz LE
Yeah, I know, good morning Rumplestiltskin...What can I say, I'm not much interested in liner lock knives, not much interested in the HK line lately, until the words "What's the story behind the HK Nitrous 14460BT-1101?" penetrated the fog in my head. 1101 has been a fascinating byte for me since the recent rash of outstanding LEs with M4 and M390 steel. It lights LEDs in my brain. I start to salivate involuntarily. I bark excitedly...well maybe not bark.
The headline above turned out to be DrFP wondering about a very quiet LE that mysteriously appeared on dealer web sites recently. The 14460 Nitrous Blitz with S30V steel and contoured and textured G-10 scales. I'm a sucker for contoured and textured G-10 scales.
I had noticed the Blitz when it originally came out. I really liked the reverse tanto shaped blade. It is a graceful profile that provides a semi-Wharncliff edge shape and a strong but pointy tip. But it was a liner lock, kinda small, slab sided, inexpensive. It just said Red Class to me. So I never really considered it.
But hey, a great blade shape, good steel - S30V, and LE scales, hmmmmmm. That's a liner lock worth a look. Maybe it would fit perfectly into a certain small tactical niche that's been rather empty since I sold off my last Mini AFCK. So I bought one. And I have to say, I really like it.
Ergonomically, it fits my hand prefectly, better than the Mini AFCK ever did. The thumb ramp, another feature I'm very skeptical of, is in just the right place. The slim blade with a three-quarter grind slices well, and the tip shape is perfect for utility picking and poking. It is an excellent EDC size.
The knife is very light and slim, meaning it is a low drag pocket knife. I think liner thickness, scale thickness, etc. are the same as the Mini AFCK. Hey, I love this thing. It is a better design than the Mini AFCK, I think. I have not been able to find out who gets credit for this excellent design, but it is a winner.
The liner lock is working well, but the locking leaf is nearly 3/4 of the way across the blade tang to start. I guess it will work well for a while, and then should be an easy Lifesharp repair when it goes all the way off and develops radial play.
I like this knife a bunch. It will be competing for pocket time with the following knives in the same size and use category:
525 Mini Presidio
585 Mini Barrage
940
I'm not sure where the 14460BK-1101 will fit in on that list, but for a while, it is the new kid in town.
The headline above turned out to be DrFP wondering about a very quiet LE that mysteriously appeared on dealer web sites recently. The 14460 Nitrous Blitz with S30V steel and contoured and textured G-10 scales. I'm a sucker for contoured and textured G-10 scales.
I had noticed the Blitz when it originally came out. I really liked the reverse tanto shaped blade. It is a graceful profile that provides a semi-Wharncliff edge shape and a strong but pointy tip. But it was a liner lock, kinda small, slab sided, inexpensive. It just said Red Class to me. So I never really considered it.
But hey, a great blade shape, good steel - S30V, and LE scales, hmmmmmm. That's a liner lock worth a look. Maybe it would fit perfectly into a certain small tactical niche that's been rather empty since I sold off my last Mini AFCK. So I bought one. And I have to say, I really like it.
Ergonomically, it fits my hand prefectly, better than the Mini AFCK ever did. The thumb ramp, another feature I'm very skeptical of, is in just the right place. The slim blade with a three-quarter grind slices well, and the tip shape is perfect for utility picking and poking. It is an excellent EDC size.
The knife is very light and slim, meaning it is a low drag pocket knife. I think liner thickness, scale thickness, etc. are the same as the Mini AFCK. Hey, I love this thing. It is a better design than the Mini AFCK, I think. I have not been able to find out who gets credit for this excellent design, but it is a winner.
The liner lock is working well, but the locking leaf is nearly 3/4 of the way across the blade tang to start. I guess it will work well for a while, and then should be an easy Lifesharp repair when it goes all the way off and develops radial play.
I like this knife a bunch. It will be competing for pocket time with the following knives in the same size and use category:
525 Mini Presidio
585 Mini Barrage
940
I'm not sure where the 14460BK-1101 will fit in on that list, but for a while, it is the new kid in town.
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Well said Po
I've always thought the Blitz was an under-rated knife, even the regular edition. As far a bang for the buck goes, it's hard to beat.
As you say, it is easy to carry, fits the hand well (I find the LE better in that regard though - except for my wood rehandled one), and I like the blade shape and profile.
Personally, I hope the upcoming LE's and various good deals in the Sale forum slow down a while so I can buy another Blitz or two before they are all gone...0 -
Great write-up, Po. That's why I come here. 
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quote:Originally posted by fastjan:
Great write-up, Po. That's why I come here.
+10 -
Thanks, guys!
I forgot to say Cheers! to Lightning, DrFP, Dingo, the Fastjan, the Joe and others for sharing their thoughts and pics in earlier threads. Without your contributions, I never would have enjoyed this great knife.0 -
quote:The liner lock is working well, but the locking leaf is nearly 3/4 of the way across the blade tang to start. I guess it will work well for a while, and then should be an easy Lifesharp repair when it goes all the way off and develops radial play.
Po,
I had the same problem and was able to fix it with a slight adjustment to the stop pin. A solution I have used with the many Nitrous Stryker’s I have owned through the years.
Nice review and thanks for the kind words.
What’s the story behind the HK Nitrous 14460BT-1101?0 -
Dr.FP what do you mean by adjusting the stop pin? Is this the method of getiing some vertical play out of a knife? Thanks. 0 -
Yes, in the Nitrous assist models and many of the older liner lock models, the stop pin is hexagonal and not round.
By rotating the pin you can adjust the lockup of these knives.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Lightning:
Yes, in the Nitrous assist models and many of the older liner lock models, the stop pin is hexagonal and not round.
By rotating the pin you can adjust the lockup of these knives.
Boy-oing...why didn't I notice that?!
Thanks again for knocking my brain into focus guys!0 -
The small adjustable hex stop pin is one of the greatest inventions going, allowing us to set the lock travel all on our own. Saves $$ in trips to BKC as well! 0
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