Vosteed Parallel 2.9” Crossbar Lock pocket knife review – a gentleman’s folder

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Vosteed Parallel 01

REVIEW – I have reviewed a few Vosteed knives with the most recent being the excellent Vosteed Hedgehog which is a stout little knife. On occasion though I have found the need for a more discrete and gentlemanly folder. The Vosteed Parallel might just fit that gap in my collection.

What is it?

The Vosteed Parallel is the thinnest knife they have offered yet at a mere 7.1mm or 0.279″ thick. It sports a 2.90” reverse tanto style blade made from 154CM steel and with a 4.13″ titanium handle it weighs in at a scant 2.29oz.

What’s included?

  • 1 x Vosteed Parallel
  • 1 x Tin case
  • 1 x Soft case
  • 1 x Sticker
  • 1 x Product card
  • 1 x Cleaning cloth

Vosteed Parallel 02Tech Specs

Click to expand Tech Specs
  • Model Number: A3501
  • Model Name: Parallel
  • Blade Length: 2.90″ | 73.85 mm
  • Overall Length: 7.04″ | 178.90 mm
  • Blade Width: 0.96″ | 24.50 mm
  • Blade Thickness: 0.079″ | 2.00 mm
  • Blade Material: 154CM
  • Blade Grind: Flat
  • Blade Style: Reverse Tanto
  • Blade Finish: Black Stonewash
  • Hardness: HRC 60±2
  • Handle Length: 4.13″ | 105.00 mm
  • Handle Width: 0.92″ | 23.40 mm
  • Handle Thickness: 0.279″ | 7.10 mm
  • Handle Material: Titanium
  • Color: Black
  • Weight: 2.29 oz | 65.00 g
  • Opener: Thumb Stud
  • Lock Type: Crossbar Lock
  • Pivot Assembly: Caged Ceramic Ball Bearing
  • Pocket Clip: Reversible | Stainless Steel
  • Carry Position: Tip-up
  • Knife Type: Manual Folding
  • Backspacer Material: Aluminum
  • Backspacer Color: Blue
  • Thumbstud Material :Aluminum
  • Thumbstud Color: Blue
  • Designer :Yue
  • Country of Origin: China

Design and features

The Vosteed Parallel sports a rock solid and truly ambidextrous crossbar lock and a very usable 2.9” reverse tanto blade. Many smaller knives that I’ve had were just too small to either grip comfortably or with blades that were too small to be useful. The Vosteed Parallel is right in the sweet spot of compactness and usability.

The super thin 2mm blade is made from 154CM steel which is an excellent mid range steel that often is overshadowed by it’s more popular brother, S30V steel. 154CM is made by Crucible Industries in the US and is a hard working steel that you don’t have to baby and is known for it’s excellent toughness, corrosion resistance, and hardness. 

The action is very smooth and opens quickly with the blue aluminum thumb studs or by just pulling back on the crossbar lock to release the blade. There is a little initial resistance when opening so no worries about accidental opening in the pocket. That will also likely smooth out as it wears in as well.

The 4.13” titanium handle is the star of the show and a bit of a surprise in a very budget friendly knife. The titanium provides excellent grip and keeps the weight down.

The reversible skeleton clip also provides great pocket retention and again keeps things light. I definitely like and appreciate these subtle touches as well as the blue backspacer and thumbstuds which add a little color. The Vosteed Parallel is available is three different color schemes. I chose the black handle with black stonewash finish but you you can also have it with a black or grey handle with a satin finished blade. I don’t think you can go wrong with whichever you choose. 

What I like about the Vosteed Parallel pocket knife

  • Super light and thin but very useful blade length and shape
  • An unobtrusive gentleman’s knife

What needs to be improved?

  • Nothing

Vosteed Parallel 23Final thoughts

The Vosteed Parallel is the perfect option for a less obtrusive daily carry folder option. It’s so thin and lightweight you forget it’s in your pocket. I have reviewed a few Vosteed knives and the Parallel adds a nice new option to their lineup.

Price: $129.00
Where to buy: Vosteed website
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Vosteed. Vosteed did not have a final say on the review and did not preview the review before it was published.

2 thoughts on “Vosteed Parallel 2.9” Crossbar Lock pocket knife review – a gentleman’s folder”




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    1. Greetings Joseph,
      I know, I know! I remember being able to buy Benchmade and Spyderco knives for less than a $100 back in the day but now that seems to have become the budget knife mark. If you want a super thin, super light, titanium handled knife then I think the Parallel is on the more price reasonable side. A similar Benchmade would be a Bugout with TI scales that is $244. https://www.bladehq.com/item–Benchmade-Bugout-Knife-Flytanium–97070 It does come with S30V steel though since Benchmade does not produce many knives with 154CM instead favoring the more popular S30V. The only knife similar with 154CM is the out of production Mini Barrage at $171 but it is not a slim knife at 0.57″ wide and with a polymer handle it weighs in at 3.4oz. The Parallel is a great knife at what I think is a very fair price.

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