Chronos FX-552 ALBR Premium Folding Knife 3.54in CPM MagnaCut Steel Blade, Reverse Tanto, Frame Lock, Tip-up Carry, EDC Pocket Knife, Made in Italy (Bronze Anodized Aluminum)

Superb

Smooth action, beautifully crafted. A handsome addition to any collection. Reasonable in price for the craftsmanship. I appreciate this manufacturers product.

The asking price sets a high bar for this knife and the materials largely meet it. I found the MagnaCut blade offered exceptional edge retention after breaking down a stack of heavy shipping boxes in the garage. The steel quality alone justifies a significant portion of the cost. However the overall footprint is quite modest. When I clipped it into my jeans pocket it vanished completely which is great for daily carry but less ideal when you need a substantial grip. My hands are average sized yet the handle felt slightly cramped during prolonged use. While the build quality is undeniable the value proposition gets murky when you consider the ergonomics. You are paying top dollar for premium steel and Italian craftsmanship but the design overlooks user comfort. The lack of thumb relief for the lock bar makes closing it a little more difficult than it should be, which feels out of place on such an expensive tool. It functions beautifully as a light duty slicer for opening mail or cutting fruit. If you have smaller hands or prioritize discreet carry over heavy leverage then the size is perfect.

I actually selected the black knife, but they mistakenly shipped me the orange one. Because of that, I wanted to deduct a star or two, but it's actually pretty nice, and in hindsight, I think it's a better choice after all. The reason being the black one is PVD aluminum, essentially a metal coating over the aluminum, whereas the bronze and orange one are anodized aluminum, which integrates a metal within the aluminum. That's my very non-technical explanation based upon my understanding. So I think the bronze and orange are more durable. The color they show is actually accurate, at least it is on my monitor. When you hear aluminum you think light, but this actually has a nice weight to it. It is nicely balanced, so if I balance it on my finger where the blade meets the handle, it is horizontal. The blade opens smoothly and nicely, and has a satisfying feeling of locking in place. To release it, you use your thumb to push aside the lever at beneath then swing it back. In the open position, it feels comfortable in your hands. I wear a large size glove and I can grip it comfortable. There is no wiggle or looseness anywhere. I like that the blade is black as well, it complements the orange nicely. I did notice a little imperfection in the finish on the side of the clip, but it isn't really that noticeable. It's a little rough like they didn't deburr the metal, but it isn't sharp. The hole is useful in case you want to attach a lanyard or hang it from something, though I won't be doing that with a knife this nice. For storage, they include a really nice zippered pouch made of what looks like heavy duty oxford fabric. There's a pocket on the lid, so you can store something like a cleaning wipe. The knife itself was in a little utility bag, and I reuse those for other things, they're pretty nice for a packaging bag. I really like this knife, and in a way, am glad they shipped me the wrong knife. It's a quality made knife and has a pretty decent edge on it right out of the box, though like with most knives, you're probably going to want to touch it up yourself once you receive it. I really, really like the knife, well done.

Have you ever held a tool that instantly communicated luxury, quality, and absolutely zero compromises? This Fox Knives Kronos folding knife is the one! This knife is the "Rolex meets Rolls Royce" of folding pocket knives. The price point is definitely going to intimidate some people, but once you feel the quality build and look at the specialized MagnaCut blade steel, you know exactly where that cost went! It’s truly worth every penny! The presentation was hilarious though. I jokingly started calling it a Russian nesting (doll) knife because when I opened it, each layer of packaging/pouches/sheaths led to another inside! I had to unpack seven layers just to get to the actual knife! That aside, the action is flawlessly smooth, the frame lock is solid, the blade is satisfyingly sharp, and the overall feel in my hand is simply magnificent. If you are looking for a precision engineered piece of everyday practicality that is built to perform and last, look no further! This is the kind of knife you hang on to and pass down to the next generation!

I’ve been carrying the Fox Knives Chronos FX-552 AL for a couple of days now as my EDC, and honestly, I frickin love it. The CPM MagnaCut steel blade is razor sharp and holds its edge beautifully, and the reverse tanto shape gives it a really versatile cutting profile that’s great for everything from opening packages to quick utility cuts. The frame lock is rock solid, giving me total confidence when I’m using it, and the action is smooth and satisfying every time I flip it open. The black PVD aluminum handle feels premium yet lightweight, making it super comfortable to carry all day without weighing me down. Add in the tip-up carry and sleek Italian craftsmanship, and this has quickly become one of my favorite knives I’ve owned. It’s the perfect balance of style, performance, and durability.