The knife is built very solid to live up to the trusted KA BAR name the lock back is very crisp and locks to form a knife that your could swear was a full tang fiked blade the thumb stud is well made and positioned for either right or left handed opening the only complaint is that at 8 oz it is kind of heavy but all in all it is a great knife and the price is well with in range for what I would pay for a knife of its caliber