Today we're taking a look at the company's Dominator PLX model. New for 2024, and debuting at Blade Show, this new model features a G10 handle, a D2 steel blade, and a ball bearing pivot. The dimensions of this knife are a 4 1/2" handle, a 3 1/2" blade, for an overall length of 8.0". G10 is a popular handle material for tactical knives; it's rugged, lightweight, and corrosion-resistant. The composite is a perfect material for pocket knives if done correctly. Sometimes a manufacturer can produce G10 that's too aggressive, but the Dominator hits that sweet spot. There's enough texture to provide sufficient grip on the flats, while the chamfered areas are nice and smooth. The tan color is refreshing in a world where most tactical branded knives are blacked out. The pop of red on the pivot is a nice touch on a knife that feels kind of one-note. The handle has milled liners, making for a really lightweight package. Ergonomics are middle of the road for me, but hand sizes differ, so maybe it's just me. My index and middle fingers want to choke up closer to the blade, causing my middle finger to rest on the hump in the middle. If I relax my grip and hold it as designed, my grip is further back, making it so my thumb doesn't touch the jimping on the spine.

The lanyard hole on the rear is large enough to accommodate paracord. I do feel it could have been a little more rounded or perhaps have been a pass-through hole rather than an exposed liner. As a result, the jimping on the rear of the handle, combined with the exposed liner, causes that area to dig into my palm when actuating the crossbar lock one-handed. Speaking of the crossbar, the Dominator is well-suited to this style of lock. In a modern pocket knife, I want something that is quick to deploy, locks up solid, and cannot be disengaged accidentally. A crossbar lock is positioned out of the way so that accidental unlocking is not going to happen. Deploying the blade with an authoritative snap does cause the lock to become stuck, requiring two hands to disengage. If I rotate the blade out with my thumb, it will lock solid but unlocking can be done with just my thumb. Maybe with continued use, the lock face will mellow out.

The blade on the Dominator is a very relaxed clip point. That blade's elongated shape makes it great for tasks that require a fine tip or penetration. The high flat grind makes it perform well in cutting tests. The blade came razor-sharp, and the D2 steel performed average for this type of steel. D2 is an old-school super steel; it was the go-to for many a maker back in the day. The steel is not as good as some modern ones, but it has attributes that people still look for in high-performance steel. D2 has excellent wear resistance and toughness thanks to the large carbides. The area where the steel suffers some is in terms of corrosion resistance. Combine that with a finish like bead blasting, and the steel has the potential to develop rust spots. I live in the southern United States where humidity is high, and the Dominator isn't faring well. I've got spots on the spine of the blade, along the swedge, and on the lanyard hole. I could clean this merely cosmetic discoloration off and use some sort of protectant to stave off corrosion.

The Dominator PLX is a decent tactical knife that's probably more at home as an everyday carry knife. Its materials are average, and the ergonomics need some adjusting. This knife will be a perfect choice for many people, regardless of profession. But I feel in a world as highly competitive as pocket knives, the Dominator has a hard time competing.