Click any photo to launch the photo tour, or hit the big button to dive right in.
Off-Grid’s Premium Tactical Pocket Knife Has a Sophisticated Look, But Don’t Call It a Gentleman’s Carry.
2024 Update – Off Grid has recently released the Scorpion V3 in Magnacut, and we are currently testing it in a variety of outdoor environments, so we can update this article soon. Check back in early January of 2025 to see what we think of the latest release.
The Off-Grid Scorpion has been a consistent part of my EDC rotation for almost two years. I generally avoid overtly tactical looking knives, but the Scorpion has some hard use knife capabilities that make it one of my favorite pocket knives. I have been planning to write and in-depth review of this knife for quite a while, but fixed blade Off-Grid knife models kept stealing the spotlight. We recently launched our new Knife Photo Tours, and the photogenic Scorpion seemed like a good candidate.
Off-Grid did send me the knives in this article free of charge, but I have a lot of knives, so that doesn’t really sway my opinion. Plus this article is more about photos than opinions, so that disclaimer is probably unnecessary.
Off-Grid recently launched a V2 upgrade to the Scorpion lineup. All the knife specs in this article are for the upgraded models.
You can just click on the image below to launch the photo gallery or scroll down the page to view the images the old way.
The three versions of the Off-Grid Scorpion pictured here are from top to bottom: the Stratus, the Matrix Blackout and the Blackout.The Off-Grid Scorpion looks like a tactical knife, but it is tough enough for camping or backpacking.The Bohler M390 blade of the Scorpion V2 holds it’s edge well, and was tough enough for all the camping and work tasks we threw at it. The Scorpion blade is not very tall, and it has a thick spine, so it is not as good at food prep as the Off-Grid Rhino. However, it can get the job done if it is the only knife you have on a picnic or camping trip. The Bohler M390 steel blade of the V2 version of the Scorpion has better edge retention than the S35VN blade of the original Scorpion, but it is also a little more difficult to sharpen.The titanium handle of the Matrix Blackout version of the Scorpion has copper infused carbon fiber inlays.The scorpion is a true deep carry pocket knife with a clip that holds the knife firmly in place.The Scorpion’s pocket clip is ambidextrous, and it can be easily moved from one side to the other with a T6 torx bit.The pocket clips on these two Off-Grid Scorpions held the knives firmly attached to a backpack on a long hike. I am personally not a fan of reverse tanto tips, but it does add to the Scorpion’s tactical credentials. The handle of the Scorpion offers plenty of real estate for big hands, and the low profile pocket clip causes no discomfort even when gripping the knife tightly.The Scorpion’s ceramic ball bearings give it an extremely smooth action.The titanium handle and DLC coated blade of the Off-Grid Scorpion combine make it a great option for wet environments. All the torx screws on the Off-Grid Scorpion are T8 size except for the pocket slip screws. The larger screw size helps solidify the Scorpions hard-use credentials.The V1 version of the Scorpion pictured here had an S35VN steel blade, T6 torx screws, and unrecessed pocket clip screws. It was a great knife, but the V2 version has a Bohler M390 blade, T8 torx screws and recessed pocket clip screws. The jimping on the back of the Scorpion’s handle helps with grip when the knife is wet or the user is wearing gloves, but it is not aggressive enough to cause any noticeable discomfort.The Scorpion would not be my first or second choice for a hunting knife, but it is a great knife for most other outdoor activities. The Off-Grid Scorpion V2 is a great knife with a relatively large price tag. The price may be tough to justify from a strictly practical standpoint, but this knife is part art and part tool and part protection. That combination of qualifications is enough for many knife collectors and fans to justify the expense.
If you are looking for something similar that is a little less tactical. check out our Kansept Tuckamore Review.
Ben started a twenty year commercial photography career after a blurry stint in the navy. He spent a lot of time losing and breaking knives and other EDC gear on location shoots before starting Nothing But Knives. He has reviewed and tested hundreds of both outdoor and kitchen knives over the course of the last six years, and he was mostly sober while testing and reviewing.
