AllOutdoor Review – 5.11 Tactical Braddock DP Full Folding Knife
Patrik Orcutt 10.04.23
5.11 has supplanted itself in the market as a provider of a wide variety of gear and has really made the term tactical even more mainstream in the last few years. Providing everything from workout shorts and sandbags to hiking backpacks and combat pants they really do have their fingers in many markets these days. Recently I have been getting back into knives of all shapes and sizes and wanted to take a look at some more budget-friendly options. I reached out to 5.11 and they sent me their BRADDOCK DP Folding Knife for review.
Knife Coverage on AllOutdoor
- AllOutdoor Review – Benchmade Proper “Old School Cool”
- AllOutdoor Historical Review – A Brief History of Benchmade Knives
- AO Review: Cold Steel Recon 1 – “Pinnacle of Cool, Blast from the Past”
- AllOutdoor Review: Spyderco Delica 4 Restoration – “Gas Station Special”
The 5.11® BRADDOCK DP Folding Knife was provided by 5.11 for this review and while I am allowed to keep the product indefinitely, this will not change my opinion on this product or any of 5.11’s current or past offerings.
The 5.11® BRADDOCK DP Folding Knife has been sitting in my pocket every day for the past month and has been assisting me with daily tasks including opening boxes, cutting fruit, and as a small pri-bar of sorts.
Specs – 5.11 BRADDOCK DP Folding Knife
- Blade Steel: D2
- Blade Style: Drop Point Blade with Swedge
- Blade Length: 3.5”
- Blade Thickness: 2.7mm
- Handle Material: G10
- Locking System: Liner Lock
- Opening Mechanism: Manual Folder
- Open length: 8.125″
- Closed length: 4.875″
- Country of Origin: China
- MSRP: $50
Blade – 5.11 BRADDOCK DP Folding Knife
The Blade shape of this knife is a good hybrid between a defensive and utility design. The drop point blade design has advantages, including versatility and control, making it suitable for various cutting tasks. Its curved edge and strong spine make it durable and adept at precision work, reducing the risk of accidental punctures. However, it may not excel in piercing tasks, and its broad shape may not be ideal for specialized applications like combat. In summary, the drop point design is versatile for everyday use but may not be the best choice for all scenarios. The blade steel is D2 meaning that it will hold a great edge and is very tough but will be difficult to sharpen. The Stonewash finish looks good on this knife even though this is a dated finish at this point.
Handle – 5.11 BRADDOCK DP Folding Knife
The Handle of the Braddock is constructed of G10 and has a lot of good traction cut into it. The jimping on the top and bottom of the handle is placed perfectly and allows the user to choke up on the blade for more precise work. The pocket clip does form a hot spot on the hand when the handle is gripped over long periods of time and the overall square shape of the handle does not help this. You can also get this handle in a FDE Brown colorway.
Lock- 5.11 BRADDOCK DP Folding Knife
The Locking Mechanism of this knife is a simple but effective liner lock that permits one-handed opening and closing of the blade. A very small amount of wiggle has been introduced to the blade over time and I believe this is due to the locking mechanism.
Clip – 5.11 BRADDOCK DP Folding Knife
The clip is actually a bit too effective and tended to snag on my pants when retrieving the knife from my pocket. This is mostly because of where the clip indexes on one of the grooves of the handle. This means you will probably shred your pockets after prolonged use of this knife as it is very abrasive when retrieved in a quick manner. The clip can also be reversed for left-handed users.
Design – 5.11 BRADDOCK DP Folding Knife
I really like the overall design of this knife and I think it is very aesthetically pleasing in a simple and functional way, while I feel like the pocket clip was taken from another design and just added to this knife. I can say that this knife does full it intended purpose were well though as a daily utilitarian tool.
Fit and Finish – 5.11 BRADDOCK DP Folding Knife
The Fit and finish of the Braddock leave something to be desired, but it is important to remember this knifes pricepoint. Some screws have begun to wiggle loose and the pivot screw needs to be adjusted every now and then for proper tension. The blade finish is holding up very well and the rest of the blade seems to be in overall good condition.
Likes
- Good bang for the Buck
- Blade Shape works great with most cutting tasks
- Great Traction
Dislikes
- Some parts have begun to wiggle loose over time
- The pocket clip is too aggressive
Wrap Up – 5.11 BRADDOCK DP Folding Knife
Overall I think the Braddock DB is a good knife given its price. Its greatest assets are its overall design and blade shape. Its weaknesses are its pocket clip and tolerances. If you only have $50 for a knife this is certainly a good option. In the future, I would like to see 5.11 come out with a premium version of this knife with a better blade steel and maybe a different locking system. That would be something that might make people think of 5.11 knives in a different way. They could also partner with a bigger company like Benchmade and have them produce a knife for 5.11 with a specific color or blade shape.
