I had purchased this one about 2 years ago. It was pretty dull, and my sharpening skills made things worse. It sat on the backburner due to the closure of Cutco's service department due to COVID and the backup that resutled after. I sent it away a couple months back, and didn't even use it much. After carrying a Buck 110 for a month as a part of a challenge on another forum (even the 110LT Slim Select is big and bulky for my uses); I slipped the Cutco in my pocket. It has been my go-to folder for three days, and I'm nothing short of impressed.
Cutco's sharpening job removed a little too much metal, and even then, it wasn't shaving sharp. HOWEVER, it's a durable edge. I was carving some oak today working on a project, and it did not "microchip" at all. It's also pretty easy to sharpen. I just honed it on ceramic today, and ended up with an edge slightly better than what was on it when Cutco sent it back to me.
I love the ergonomics. Has to be the most comfortable folder I own. I have done heavy cutting with it, and I have noticed nothing wants to dig into my hand. I wear a medium sized glove.
As for quality, it's about as good as as Spyderco. Action is smooth and lockup is solid. Most companies view their lightweight folders as a budget option (Case's Mini Blackhorn being notably bad), but most US-made lightweight Gerbers I've owned were half the price, and equal quality.
In conclusion, Cutco does a really nice job on their folders, and the quality is great, but like everything else they sell, they are too doggone expensive. The 1886 has a MSRP of $70--basically every other American lightweight lockback in its size class is less than half the price. The big boy, the 1891 is $110, which puts it into prices similar to Spydercos in premium steels. I think Cutco uses 440A.
My advice is to go no higher than 40% of MSRP, find a good used one, and have Cutco sharpen it. You'll still come out ahead and have a nice knife.
Used prices have come back down since Cutco is now back at full capacity--you can get the 1886 for around the $25 shipped I paid (or less). Around here somewhere, I have an 1888 I need to get sent off to sharpen the blades and fix some dull and loose scissors. Paid $10 for that one in 2019-ish. The 1888 is similar to the Victorinox Classic SD, but with a serrated second blade and near-equal scissors.
