If there’s a Mount Rushmore of modern knifemakers, Ramon Chaves is on it. For over a decade, his knives have captivated collectors and hardcore users willing to pay premium prices for his hard-to-find knives.
The Chaves Redención is one of his most sought-after knives. And it’s not just due to the skull-shaped pocket clip. Ramon Chaves tapped into something with his original Redención and its multitude of subsequent variants.
I’m personally drawn to the overall shape, which errs to tactical but doesn’t go overboard. However, I think a lot of folks find it appealing simply because they’re hard to find and buy.
Enter Blade HQ. It’s been partnering with knifemakers to help launch knife models in larger quantities and reach a wider audience. In the case of the Redención, they also saw an opportunity to cut the price and improve its overall functionality. Talk about a win/win.
The Redención Tanto X-Lock is made from aluminum handle scales, has a D2 blade, and is the first Chaves knife to feature a crossbar lock. The end result is a knife made from rugged, field-proven materials that uses the most reliable folding lock mechanism on the planet.
The cherry on top: It’s also less than $100. If there was ever a knife to lure you away from the big-name knife brands, this is it.
In short: The Redención Tanto X-Lock ($85) is meant to be admired through use. Though it may not boast premium materials, it uses D2 steel and aluminum, both of which have been field-tested for decades with great success. This knife is both affordable and reliable. On top of all that, consider the fact that it also has a crossbar lock and is only $85.
Check out our guide to the Best Pocket Knives.
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It’s a Chaves knife for under $100 -
Affordable, dependable materials -
Crossbar style lock -
Skull pocket clip (no, seriously)
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Initial lock stick -
Goes out of stock fast (comes back in stock fast, too)
Chaves Redención Tanto X-Lock
I’ve wanted a Chaves Redención for some time. In fact, a good friend of mine has one waiting in his workshop for me. I just keep refusing to take it home. Why? Well, Ramon Chaves is a rock star in my book. Some people have favorite athletes — I have favorite knife makers. Chaves is one of them, and it’s due in part to his attention to detail and ability to make a hard-use knife with gusto.
I’ve built up the Redención so much in my mind, I didn’t want to end up disappointed.
But, if the $85 Blade HQ variant is any indication of how the previous Chaves models that are three to four times the price are designed and built, I am a fool for stalling taking possession of that knife.
Design and Features
The Chaves Redención X-Lock has a simple yet appealing design that fits nicely in your hand and tucks away sufficiently in your pocket. Made from aluminum handle scales and featuring a tanto-style D2 blade, this version of the Redención comes in under $100. For added support, the knife also has full-length steel liners.
Where I can appreciate the balance between lightweight and durability with titanium scales, I won’t scoff at aluminum ones — especially when it comes to saving some money.
The same goes for D2. Although it’s my favorite knife steel, there are better steels out there. However, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a steel as tough with the same level of edge retention and notable corrosion resistance at this price.
As stated in the intro, the Redención Tanto X-Lock is the first Chaves knife to feature a crossbar lock. I believe it was the right move. Even though the mechanism is so prolific these days, it’s still one of the strongest and most reliable locks around. It also plays really well as an opening option, allowing for faster deployment over the thumb stud.
Out of the box, this knife comes with a standard pocket clip as well as the iconic skull version that comes standard on Chaves knives.
First Impressions
Out of the box, this knife is great to look at, but better to hold. That said, even before the first flick open, I swapped out the standard pocket clip for the sought-after skull one. It completes the package. It’s like forming Voltron. Everything comes together, and it’s just the total package.
As far as function is concerned, the knife handle, with its curved belly and choil, nest nicely in my hand. It just makes it a four-finger knife that tucks your fingers in place while putting your thumb directly on the oversized spine jimping. This also allows a quick hand adjustment to access the lock and open or close the knife.
The one thing that’s hard to notice while looking at the knife online is how the front of the blade tapers. This secondary grind, when combined with the false edge grind on the spine of the blade, will make it great for piercing.
Additionally, most tanto-style blades have a hard transition from the belly to the front of the blade edge. In the case of the Redención X-Lock, it’s a rolling transition that will make it easier to sharpen.
In the Field
I was waiting in line to pick up my daughter from school when the email came through. The Redención X-Lock was on its way to me. It was right before Halloween, and I was already jazzed.
When the knife arrived a few days later, I was locked in. That first night, I found odd things to do with it and must have flicked it open a hundred times. It cycles smoothly with little effort.
There was a little lock stick out of the box. This is becoming increasingly common with crossbar locks. Even the original Axis lock from Benchmade suffers from it model to model. However, by day two, due to all the fidgeting I had done with the Redención X-Lock, the issue worked itself out.
To note, this isn’t a safety issue. Nor does it impact how well the blade locks up. Lock stick on crossbar locks just makes it harder to pull back the lock bar until it breaks in.
Overall, the knife is very slicy. D2 never feels razor sharp, and then when you use it, it is. The timing lined up where I was press-cutting zip ties for another project, and this knife made clean cuts in a tight place.
After a while, and using it to break down cardboard and other menial tasks, I did need to sharpen the blade. Using my Horl Rolling Sharpener, it took a quick, admirable edge.
Chaves Redención Tanto X-Lock: Conclusion
Having carried and used the Redención X-Lock for 3 months, off and on, I can say that it is an extremely capable knife that Blade HQ and Chaves are losing money on. I urge them to jack the price up to $150, as they’ll still sell through their stock in record time.
I’m sure the real hardcore knife freaks will find something about the X-Lock to dismiss. There are better blade steel options and handle materials out there if you want to pay for them. However, folks who are looking for a reliable knife will benefit from its low impact on their wallets. I can’t find anything to complain about that takes away from the overall experience you can have with this knife.
That said, based on looks alone, the Redención Tanto X-Lock might not fit the mold of what you would expect from an outdoor knife. However, in both form and function, I can tell you that it fits right in on the trail just as well as it does on the farm, at work, or anywhere else you feel like carrying a reliable EDC knife.
This $85 version of the Redención has taken Chaves Knives from cult status to the mainstream. In that, it’s accessible to everyone at this point. If you find a tanto blade to be too aggressive, don’t worry, fam — there’s a drop-point version available as well.
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