You don’t need a large folding knife to open packages, cut cord, or handle small jobs around the house. A shorter blade handles those everyday tasks, while a longer cutting edge gives you more room for slicing through larger materials. QSP offers two folding knives with similar features but different blade lengths, steels, and handle designs.
The Peregrine pairs a 2.95-inch black-finished 10Cr15MoV blade with black G10 and a blue shredded carbon fiber inlay. The Mantis has a longer 3.42-inch Nitro-V blade, satin finish, and plain black G10 handle. Both use liner locks and ceramic ball-bearing pivots. QSP describes their reversible clips as deep-carry. With only $2 separating them, the decision comes down to what you cut and how much blade you want to carry.
QSP Peregrine: A shorter blade with a distinctive handle
Opening deliveries, cutting tape, and trimming loose material rarely require a long blade. A shorter cutting edge gives you enough length for those jobs while keeping the amount of blade manageable.
The QSP Peregrine Folding Pocket Knife has a 2.95-inch blade made from 10Cr15MoV stainless steel. QSP lists a hardness of HRC 59–61 for the model and notes that coated blades may be 1–2 HRC lower. The black finish contrasts with the handle’s blue carbon fiber inlay.
Price: $49
Where to Buy: Amazon
Black G10 forms the handle, with a blue shredded carbon fiber inlay adding color and texture to the design. G10 is a fiberglass-reinforced composite that resists moisture and provides a rigid structure. The combination gives this model a more distinctive appearance than the plain black Mantis.
A liner lock holds the blade open during use, while ceramic ball bearings support the pivot for deployment. The reversible stainless steel deep-carry clip can be positioned for left- or right-side pocket carry. That flexibility is useful if you have a preferred pocket or need to switch sides.
Folded, it measures 4.25 inches long. That gives you a conventional pocket-knife size, with a shorter blade than its larger counterpart.
For $49, the Peregrine is the better choice if you want a shorter everyday blade with a more distinctive handle. Its liner lock, bearing pivot, and reversible clip cover the practical features needed for routine use. Skip it if you regularly work with materials that benefit from a longer cutting edge.
QSP Mantis: More blade length for larger cutting jobs
Breaking down cardboard boxes and slicing through wider materials can benefit from additional blade length. A longer edge gives you more room to work during each cut, particularly when you’re dealing with larger packaging.
The QSP Mantis Folding Pocket Knife uses a 3.42-inch blade made from Nitro-V stainless steel. QSP lists a hardness range of HRC 59–61. That figure is not a direct measure of edge retention or toughness.
Price: $51
Where to Buy: Amazon
Nitro-V is a stainless knife steel containing nitrogen and vanadium. Its composition differs from the 10Cr15MoV used in the smaller model, although cutting performance also depends on heat treatment, blade geometry, and sharpening.
A satin finish gives the blade a conventional metallic appearance, paired with a plain black G10 handle. If you prefer a simpler design, this one avoids the colored inlay found on the Peregrine.
Both knives use liner locks and ceramic ball-bearing pivots, so their basic opening and locking mechanisms are similar. The Mantis has a reversible stainless steel clip that QSP describes as deep-carry, though some of the handle remains visible above the pocket.
Closed length measures 4.5 inches, making it a quarter-inch longer than the Peregrine when folded. That difference is modest, but the larger blade and handle make this the longer option overall.
A glow-in-the-dark lanyard hole adds a useful detail at the end of the handle. It provides an attachment point for a lanyard and a visible accent in low-light conditions.
The Mantis costs $51, only $2 more than the smaller model. That extra cost gets you a longer Nitro-V blade and the glow-in-the-dark lanyard feature. Choose it if you regularly make longer cuts and prefer a plain black handle. For small everyday cutting jobs, the Peregrine offers enough blade.
QSP Peregrine vs. Mantis: Which one should you buy?
Both knives share the same basic construction features, including liner locks, ceramic ball-bearing pivots, G10 handles, and reversible clips. Their differences are concentrated in blade length, steel, finish, and handle styling.
| Feature | Peregrine | Mantis |
|---|---|---|
| Blade length | 2.95 inches | 3.42 inches |
| Blade steel | 10Cr15MoV | Nitro-V |
| Hardness (QSP stated) | HRC 59–61; coated blade may be 1–2 HRC lower | HRC 59–61 |
| Blade finish | Black | Satin |
| Handle | Black G10 with blue shredded CF inlay | Black G10 |
| Lock | Liner lock | Liner lock |
| Pivot | Ceramic ball bearings | Ceramic ball bearings |
| Closed length | 4.25 inches | 4.5 inches |
| Pocket clip | Reversible deep-carry | Reversible; QSP describes it as deep-carry |
| Additional feature | Carbon fiber inlay | Glow-in-the-dark lanyard hole |
For opening packages, cutting tape, and other small tasks, the Peregrine is the more practical option if you prefer a shorter blade. Its blue carbon fiber inlay also gives it a different appearance from a conventional black folding knife.
The Mantis is the stronger choice for longer cuts. Its blade is nearly half an inch longer, while the satin finish and black handle keep the design simple.
Choose the Peregrine if you want a shorter everyday knife with a distinctive handle. Buy the Mantis if you regularly cut larger materials and want more blade length. Both cover common utility tasks, so the right choice depends on how you plan to use the knife.
