Vosteed Parallel Crossbar Lock Knife Review

The Vosteed Parallel Crossbar lock knife has a familiar (Axis-like) lock mechanism but is remarkably thin. The titanium scales are very rigid and look great!

Official Specs

Here’s a link to the Vosteed Parallel Crossbar lock knife.

Versions

There are three finishes of the Vosteed Parallel Crossbar lock knife. This Satin-Black version, a black/black version, and a satin/gray version.

Price

All versions of the Vosteed Parallel Crossbar lock knife sell for $129. They’re not all in stock though!

Package and Manual

What’s Included

Vosteed Parallel Crossbar lock knife
Cleaning cloth
Carry pouch
Stickers
Manual

Look

The whole point of the Parallel isn’t visible from these angles. The knife looks great, sure, but the point is how remarkably thin it is. Of course, the black titanium handles with orange accents look fantastic, too!

Here’s the point of the knife – it’s super thin!

Open / Close / Lock

The Vosteed Parallel Crossbar lock knife is described as a “Crossbar lock.” Opening it requires the use of this thumbstud (or another option, see below).

Basically, that means “Axis” lock, and since the Axis lock is off-patent (I think) this is an allowed usage of the locking style. I happen to be a HUGE fan of Axis locks, so this is good for me.

Here’s a close-up of the locking mechanism. Actuating this crossbar lock effectively will allow you to flip the knife open and also drop it shut. It’s a very good mechanism!

Build and Feel

These titanium scales are great in hand. They are not super gippy.

There are enough other angular parts of the knife that it is still sufficiently trustworthy in hand, though.

The blade is perfectly centered. Notably, there’s a standoff on this end, too, which adds to the rigidity of the whole knife.

You can see the ball-bearing area in the pivot area below – these are caged ceramic ball bearings. The action is very good!

Below you can see the pivot – only one side can be adjusted (and that can be done with a Torx driver.)

The backspacer matches the other orange parts perfectly. This part is aluminum.

Size

Vosteed Parallel Crossbar lock knife on a two dollar bill

Here’s the knife in hand:

Below you can see the Vosteed Parallel Crossbar lock knife with the venerable Convoy S2+. The version below is a custom laser-engraved Convoy S2+ host by GadgetConnections.com. I did a full post on an engraved orange host right here! Or go straight to GadgetConnections.com to buy your Convoy S2+ now!

Vosteed Parallel Crossbar lock knife with two standard sized flashlights

Also above is the Vosteed Parallel Crossbar lock knifebeside a TorchLAB BOSS 35, an 18350 light. I reviewed the aluminum version of that light in both 35 and 70 formats. I also reviewed that specific edition, the “Oveready BOSS FT Collector Vintage Brass” 35. I love it!

Below is the Vosteed Parallel Crossbar lock knife with the Civivi Elementum. I still use that knife so much!

Vosteed Parallel Crossbar lock knife compared to Civivi Elementum in orange

Steel / Cut / Oats

Vosteed states the Parallel Crossbar lock knife blade steel is “154CM.”

The blade is a “reverse Tanto.”

Despite the rest of the knife being purposefully thin, the blade on the Parallel is of “normal” thickness (specifically it’s 2mm thick).

Retention

This pocket clip is what used to be called the “paperclip” style. I have disliked these in the past (for example on Zebralight flashlights). But they’ve been great on other brands (like Spyderco). And I had great luck carrying this knife, so I like the clip a lot!

The clip allows fairly deep carry, and certainly as thin as the knife is, it carries very well.

The pocket clip is reversible, too, but still allows only tip-up carry.

A nylon zipper pouch is also included.

Summary and Conclusion

The point of this knife is for it to be thin, and the Vosteed Parallel Crossbar lock knife absolutely nails that. At $129, it should be good in other ways too – and it is. The titanium handles are great. I love the orange accents (despite being anodized aluminum, it’s still a great orange). I like the Crossbar lock and versatile opening options and it carries very well!

Notes

This knife was provided by Vosteed for review. I was not paid to write this review.
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