Off Grid Stinger XL Review – A Folding Broadsword That Actually Works

The Off Grid Stinger XL is one of those knives that could have gone very wrong. Any time a company builds a big, aggressive-looking folder with a spear point and “XL” in the name, there’s a real risk it turns into a pocket sword that looks cool on Instagram and collapses the moment you ask it to do actual work.

The Stinger XL doesn’t fall into that trap. It’s big, unapologetic, and heavier than your average EDC, but it’s also surprisingly well thought out and far more usable than it looks at first glance.

Size, Specs, and First Impressions

On paper, the Stinger XL is exactly what the name suggests: a large-format folding knife. It measures roughly 9.25 inches overall with a full 4-inch blade and about 4 inches of cutting edge. Blade stock is thick at around 0.156 inches, and it rides on contoured G10 scales over steel liners with a liner lock and a bearing pivot.

There are two main versions: coyote G10 with a gray-wash blade, and black G10 with a black-wash blade. The gray-wash version is the standout. It has a poured concrete appearance that hides wear and gives the knife a serious, working-tool presence instead of the typical tactical cosplay look.

In hand, the knife immediately reads as “big.” It lives in the same general territory as knives like the Hinderer XM-24 or Microtech SOCOM Elite. Not a novelty-sized Espada XL, but a legitimately large working folder that feels substantial without being absurd.

Ergonomics: Big, But Smartly Done

The handle is where this design starts to make sense. Off Grid didn’t just bolt flat G10 slabs onto a long frame. The scales are contoured, the edges are chamfered, and there’s enough length and shape to fill your hand without feeling blocky or awkward.

The pocket clip is a major win here. A lot of big knives end up with oversized clips that jab you in the palm the moment you grip the knife with intent. Off-Grid went the opposite direction. The clip is short to medium in length, has a shallow bill, and offers a gentle ramp that doesn’t become a hot spot. It sits toward the back of the handle where it belongs and avoids interfering with your grip.

Between the overall handle shape and the clip execution, the Stinger XL gives you a comfortable, secure hold whether you’re choking back for reach or shifting your grip forward. For a knife this size, the comfort level is genuinely impressive.

Action, Lockup, and Build Quality

For such a large blade, the Stinger XL has excellent action. The flipper tab is shaped correctly and positioned well, so it doesn’t take an exaggerated flick to deploy the blade. A normal press sends it out with authority, thanks to the bearing pivot and the weight of the blade doing their part.

Closing the knife is predictable and controlled. The liner lock is easy to access and disengage, with no double-clutch issue. Once you clear your thumb, the blade falls toward closed in a smooth, deliberate way that feels secure rather than twitchy.

Lockup is solid. There’s no blade play in any direction when the pivot is set correctly. There’s no lock stick, no strange lock geometry, and the overall feel is clean and tight. Hardware choices are smart, with T8 used on the pivot and body screws and T6 used on the clip and filler tab. The internal steel liners have some milling to bring the weight down a bit, though this is still a 7.9-ounce knife and there’s no disguising that.

The knife doesn’t hide its size or weight, but the build quality supports the design. It feels robust without being sloppy.

Blade Design: Looks Like a Sword, Works Like a Heavy-Duty Folder

The blade is what grabs you first, and it’s the part that gives this knife its personality. The long spear point, the broad unsharpened swedge, and the profile all feel like something between a utility blade and a medieval weapon. It’s dramatic, but it’s also functional.

The gray-wash finish is especially well done. It has a smooth concrete look and is the type of finish that ages gracefully. Scratches and wear marks tend to blend into the overall texture instead of screaming at you every time the light catches them.

In practical use, this is a thick, robust blade. The spine stays chunky for much of its length due to the swedge, and the grind doesn’t taper down to the final edge until fairly low. This means it isn’t thin behind the edge, and you’re not buying a laser. It cuts cardboard, rope, light wood, packaging, and everyday materials without trouble, but you will feel the wedge effect more when dealing with dense materials.

Where the Stinger XL excels is in puncture-oriented work and rugged cutting tasks where you want strength and tip integrity. The tip is done correctly: the grind carries all the way out to a real point instead of rounding off. You don’t lose your precision or piercing ability the way you do with poorly executed bayonet or spear grinds.

Steel Choice: 154CM That Fits the Role

Off Grid went with 154CM for the blade steel, and that choice makes perfect sense. In this price range, 154CM is one of the most reliable, well-balanced steels available. It holds a solid working edge, has decent corrosion resistance, sharpens easily, and offers good toughness for a big folder like this.

I’d rather see well-treated 154CM than a budget-tier powder steel with questionable heat treat. On a knife meant for real work, 154CM fits both the price and the purpose.

Carry and Real-World Use

You are not forgetting this knife is in your pocket. At nearly eight ounces and with this much length, the Stinger XL is always present. But for a knife of this size, it carries surprisingly well. The clip placement and the handle profile keep it from feeling obnoxious in jeans or work pants. If you’re wearing lightweight shorts or dress pants, it’s going to feel ridiculous, but that’s a mismatch of tool and environment, not a design flaw.

In actual use, the Stinger XL behaves like a large, stable working folder. The handle gives you plenty of control. The blade feels strong and confident. And the overall platform lends itself to yard work, shop tasks, heavy cutting, and any situation where having a large, rigid blade makes life easier.

This is not an office EDC knife. It’s something you carry when you actually need capability and reach.

Price and How It Fits in the Market

The Stinger XL comes in at $115. That price point is a strange one in the knife world. Spend a little less and you can get similar materials. Spend a little more and sometimes you get a noticeable jump in refinement or steel.

The question is whether the Stinger XL feels like a full hundred dollars’ worth of knife. In my opinion, it does. What you’re paying for here is not just specs but execution. You’re getting a big, well-built design that isn’t just a conversation piece. The action is excellent, the ergonomics are genuinely good, the blade is tough and distinctive, and the steel is a smart fit.

If you judge value by ounces and edge thinness alone, this isn’t your knife. But if you judge value by capability, comfort, and confidence in hand, the Stinger XL delivers.

Who This Knife Is For and Who Should Skip It

The Off-Grid Stinger XL is made for people who like big knives and actually use them. If you wear jeans or work pants, appreciate robust blade shapes, and want a hard-use leaning folder with reach and authority, this is a very satisfying tool.

If you prefer sub four-ounce knives, thin slicers, or anything discreet and gentlemanly, the Stinger XL won’t make sense. It is proud of its size, and it asks for pocket space and pocket weight without apology.

Final Thoughts

The Off-Grid Stinger XL had every opportunity to be a silly, oversized tactical toy. Instead, it’s a legitimate working folder with a surprising amount of thought behind it. The ergonomics are better than expected, the action is excellent for a knife this size, the blade shape is both dramatic and functional, and the steel matches the intended use.