Robato 4 and Balisong Pry Tool: Two Releases Worth a Look

Introduction

Two recent releases from the same maker make for an interesting pairing: one is a serious folding knife with strong materials and refined details, the other is a novelty item that happens to pack a few genuinely useful functions. Both shipped alongside the first sale of the year, and they target very different buyers.

Robato 4: A Polished Crossbar-Lock Flipper

The Robato 4 runs an S35VN blade steel with PEI or Ultem handles, a crossbar-style lock on bearings, and a fit and finish that holds up under scrutiny. The action is incredibly smooth, with no side-to-side or up-and-down play, and the example checked came perfectly centered out of the box. OEM production by Kaiser shows here, and the quality is consistent with that pedigree.

It is also a meaningful step up from the earlier Robato 2 in several ways. The emblem that used to sit awkwardly on the knife body has moved to the pocket clip, which makes the whole design look cleaner and more cohesive. The spring tension has improved noticeably too: where the Robato 2 felt very light, the Robato 4 feels properly tuned. The blade is very sharp out of the box with a great sharpening job.

Things to Consider Before Buying

The one real issue is blade length. The manual lists it at 77.3 mm, or 3.04 inches, which puts it just past the 3-inch threshold that many areas, both in the US and elsewhere, enforce. Plenty of designers stay under that line to keep a knife broadly legal, and the Robato 2 managed it while even packing a larger handle. This feels like a missed opportunity on an otherwise excellent knife.

The handle itself is comfortable in hand and works well in multiple grips, though the Robato 2 handle remains slightly preferable for some tastes, and some buyers simply prefer a larger knife overall. If the blade-length legality does not affect where you carry, it is easy to recommend.

Balisong Pry Tool: Novelty With a Point

This one is best described honestly: it is a fidget toy with useful functions attached. Along with a prying edge and a edge for opening packages, it integrates a universal-style wrench, a bottle opener, an oxygen wrench, and a glass breaker.

Construction is better than the novelty label suggests. From the build, you are more likely to snap the actual pry tip than break anything at the pivot, which speaks well of the strength. It fits neatly in a fifth pocket in this form, and the magnetic closure, while not super strong, holds it securely enough that it will not flap around when carried.

Should You Buy the Pry Tool?

The main hesitation is the price. At close to $70, this is a hard sell as a purely practical purchase, and the full price is even harder to justify for a tool of this type. If you enjoy items that are both functional and fun to play with, you may genuinely like it, and it is far more useful than some past novelty releases. If you do want it, the sale price is the sensible time to pick one up.

Buying Advice

The Robato 4 is the stronger purchase of the two. S35VN is a nice material upgrade over 154CM, and around $90 is a reasonable price for what you get in materials and build quality. The blade length is the only real strike against it, and only in jurisdictions that cap knives at 3 inches. The balisong pry tool is purely a matter of personal taste: well executed for what it is, but best bought on sale if the novelty appeals to you.

Conclusion

The Robato 4 is a gorgeous, smooth-running crossbar-lock flipper let down only by a blade length that limits where it can be carried. The balisong pry tool executes its novelty concept well, but it is worth owning only if fidget-friendly multifunction tools are your thing and you can get it at the discounted price.