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TNT Slip Bang Review

TNT Knives Slip Bang reviewed: four knives in one

TNT Knives Slip Bang, modular pocket knife reviewed

The TNT Knives Slip Bang is a modular pocket knife from Toni Tietzel that switches between four configurations with a standard Torx bit – from a two-handed slipjoint all the way up to a full, locking one-hand knife. That's what this review is about.

Or: why there's been a Torx bit sitting next to my laptop for weeks now.

Morning. You're standing in front of the knife drawer wondering which one's coming along today. City or woods, train or car, the wrong knife in your pocket at the wrong moment — anyone who carries an EDC knife over here knows that question. The TNT Slip Bang flips the problem on its head: instead of picking the knife to match the situation, you screw the knife into the situation. And I'll admit it, the tinkerer in me was sold immediately.

The nod to the Big Bang is no accident

TNT stands for Toni N. Tietzel, and if you've heard the name before, you probably also know the Big Bang — Toni's first folder, which made quite a stir two years ago. The Slip Bang asks a question almost nobody had asked before: why does a slipjoint have to stay a slipjoint forever?

Put the Slip Bang and the Big Bang side by side, and the family resemblance is obvious at a glance. The Slip Bang clearly takes after the smaller Big Bang (yes, a little confusing, I know) — same design language, same drop point with the needle-fine tip, same idea of a folder that's built first and foremost to cut. It's just become the bigger, more grown-up sibling, with an 8.4 cm blade and just under 19.8 cm open. We already know the CPM-20CV steel from the Big Bang, and it's still one of the best choices you can make: long edge retention, easy to sharpen, and it won't rust on you just because you cut an orange with it.

TNT Knives Slip Bang reviewed: build quality and handling

Build quality: top tier

I handle a lot of knives over the course of a year, and I notice pretty quickly when someone's slacked off on manufacturing. There's none of that here. The grade-5 titanium scales sit flush against each other, the edges are beautifully deburred, nothing catches, nothing rattles. The fact that We Knife builds these isn't a marketing sticker, it's something you can feel — and it has to be, because a modular knife lives or dies by whether all those screw connections can be taken apart a thousand times without wearing loose. Every hole is genuinely drilled to perfection and the threads bite cleanly. That's exactly the point where a concept like this can succeed or fall apart.

The grip, which I have to gush about for a second

Some knives just feel great in hand right away. The Slip Bang is one of them. The handle fills your hand without dictating how you hold it, and whether I'm working fine detail near the tip or pushing through cardboard with a bit more force, the knife is always exactly where I want it. For a folder that has to physically fit some mechanical complexity into the handle, that's far from a given. Hats off.

A slicer. Full stop.

The blade is ground very fine, thin behind the edge bevel, and it genuinely feels like the edge drops through material rather than wedging through it. Flip side of that — and I'd rather say this once too often than not enough: prying is not this knife's job. If you try to pop open paint cans with the Slip Bang, you've misunderstood it. For clean, controlled cuts, though,

TNT Knives Slip Bang, switching between the four configurations with thumb ramps and slider

The modular trick: four knives in one

And this is where it gets genuinely clever. The Slip Bang reconfigures into four setups with nothing more than a standard Torx bit at your kitchen table.

In its base state you've got two flat inlays on the spine and no thumb opening — a classic, two-handed slipjoint. Screw on the thumb ramps, and the same knife suddenly opens one-handed, still without a lock. Push the slider forward, and you engage the TNT lock — the blade now locks solidly in place. Put both together, thumb ramps and slider, and you've got a full, locking one-hand knife that feels like any modern EDC folder.

Four knives in one, and the clever part is how unspectacular it all is. No fiddly mechanisms, no click-together parts that wear loose after a year. And right now you don't even have to think about the tools you'd need for it.

One thing worth knowing: the Slip Bang ships with the thumb ramps and slider already installed — so you get it straight away as a full, locking one-hand knife. If you'd rather carry the free, two-handed slipjoint configuration instead, just take both back off.

And now the part that ties it all together: §42a

Why build something like this in the first place? Because German knife law draws a fairly clear line — and the Slip Bang is built to screw itself right along that line.

Quick refresher: under §42a WaffG, a knife only counts as an Einhandmesser (one-hand knife) if it has both features at once — one-handed opening and a locking blade. Missing either one means it isn't an Einhandmesser, and is therefore generally legal to carry. Blade length doesn't matter for a folding knife here; the 12 cm limit only applies to fixed blades.

Now lay that over the four modes:

  • Two-handed slipjoint (flat inlays, no studs): no one-handed opening, no lock — compliant with §42a.
  • One-handed slipjoint (thumb ramps installed, no lock): opens one-handed but doesn't lock — missing the second feature, so still compliant with §42a.
  • Locking but two-handed (slider installed, no studs): locks in place but only opens with two hands — also not an Einhandmesser, so compliant with §42a.
  • Locking one-hand knife (thumb ramps + slider, as shipped): both features are now technically present — so the Slip Bang becomes an Einhandmesser under §42a, which may only be carried in public with a legitimate reason. Since the lock has to be engaged separately, though, this configuration sits in something of a grey area. If you want to play it safe: into a closed container when you're out and about.

Bottom line: in at least three of the four configurations, as far as we know, you can carry the Slip Bang around perfectly normally. All it takes is a quick trip to the screwdriver — since the knife arrives in its locking, one-handed state. This obviously isn't legal advice — if in doubt, take a look at our §42a guide or ask a lawyer. But as an idea, it's pretty elegant.

Verdict

The TNT Slip Bang is one of the rare knives where the gimmick didn't wear off after a week, but stuck with me. It cuts the way a slicer should, it sits beautifully in hand, the slipjoint spring is addictive, and the modular system isn't just a neat trick, it answers a real question that every EDC knife carrier over here eventually asks themselves.

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TNT KNIVES aus diesem Artikel

Free Hardware Kit
TNT Knives Slip Bang – Image 5
TNT Knives Slip Bang
Blade finish: Hand Satin
in cooperation with WE Knife Toni N. Tietzel design CPM 20CV blade with hand-satin or stonewashed finish 4 carrying options, switchable with the included Hardware Kit: Two-handed – without lock Two-handed – with lock One-handed – without lock One-handed – with lock (ships in this configuration) Imagine packing your bag in the morning without having to wonder whether the knife is even allowed where you're headed. That's exactly the question Toni Tietzel — the mind behind TNT Knives — spent years chewing on. The answer is called Slip Bang, and it comes exclusively from your Knife Lounge in Hamburg. The trick: instead of picking the knife that happens to fit the law, you build the one knife to fit. With two Torx sizes you turn the Slip Bang in seconds from a two-handed slipjoint without any lock all the way up to a full one-handed locking folder. In between sit the stages with thumb stud or slider — you swap a few inlays and bits of hardware, tighten the screws, done. No special tools, no fuss. The Hardware Kit you need for that comes included with the Slip Bang. Good to know: the Slip Bang ships with the thumb studs and slider already installed, meaning it opens one-handed and locks. If you want the free, two-handed slipjoint configuration without a lock instead, just remove the thumb studs and slider. What stays constant is the part that matters most: the blade. A drop point in CPM-20CV, a steel that holds its edge for ages and doesn't fret about a bit of moisture. The grind is, as always, thin and built for cutting performance. The handle is grade-5 titanium, the stuff you'd otherwise find in aircraft parts. Locking is handled by the newly developed TNT-Lock, and the whole thing is assembled at We Knife, the parent of Civivi, who know how to put something like this together cleanly. And now the part that matters for us here in Germany. As a two-handed slipjoint without a lock, the Slip Bang doesn't fall under § 42a and is legal to carry — that's the configuration for everyday use over here. As shipped, thumb studs and slider are installed, so the knife opens one-handed and locks. Whether that unambiguously makes it an Einhandmesser under §42a isn't entirely clear — more on that below in the FAQ. On Kickstarter the Slip Bang was funded with over €54,000 — three and a half times its goal — so the scene has voted pretty clearly. The blade measures around 8.4 cm, and opened up it comes to just under 19.8 cm at just under 110 g. By default the Slip Bang comes with a stonewash finish; the satin version is limited to 150 pieces. Included in the Hardware Kit Thumbstud inlays (both sides) T6 screws for the inlays T6 screws for the thumbstuds Cover plate (for two-handed configuration) T10 slider screw T10 clip screw T10 pivot screw Pivot barrel + D-shape pivot Small V-spring for the slider Frequently asked questions about the TNT Knives Slip Bang Does it matter if you close the knife quickly, letting it slap shut? No. A stop pin prevents the blade from striking the backspring, even when closing it quickly. The stop pin is press-fitted into the blade and runs in a circular groove machined into the scales, giving a precise stop in both the open and closed positions. As far as we know, this is also a unique feature for a slipjoint, though we can't say that with absolute certainty. Is the Slip Bang an Einhandmesser under §42a as shipped? As shipped, the thumb studs and slider are installed, so the knife opens one-handed and locks. Whether that unambiguously qualifies it as an Einhandmesser under §42a WaffG isn't entirely clear, since the lock on the Slip Bang is engaged separately and, as far as we know, there's no definitive ruling on this yet. If you want to be on the safe side, carry the knife in a closed container in public, or remove the thumb studs and slider for the unlocked, two-handed configuration. Do I need extra tools to reconfigure it? You need two Torx sizes: T6 for the inlays and thumbstud screws, T10 for the slider, clip, and pivot. Both are common sizes that most multitools with a bit set cover. The Hardware Kit you need is included with the Slip Bang. How do I care for the CPM-20CV blade? CPM-20CV is corrosion-resistant, but like any steel, not fully rust-proof. After contact with moisture or acid (for example when cutting fruit), just wipe the blade down and store it dry.

€389.00
Details
Free Hardware Kit
TNT Knives Slip Bang – Image 4
TNT Knives Slip Bang
Blade finish: Stonewashed
in cooperation with WE Knife Toni N. Tietzel design CPM 20CV blade with hand-satin or stonewashed finish 4 carrying options, switchable with the included Hardware Kit: Two-handed – without lock Two-handed – with lock One-handed – without lock One-handed – with lock (ships in this configuration) Imagine packing your bag in the morning without having to wonder whether the knife is even allowed where you're headed. That's exactly the question Toni Tietzel — the mind behind TNT Knives — spent years chewing on. The answer is called Slip Bang, and it comes exclusively from your Knife Lounge in Hamburg. The trick: instead of picking the knife that happens to fit the law, you build the one knife to fit. With two Torx sizes you turn the Slip Bang in seconds from a two-handed slipjoint without any lock all the way up to a full one-handed locking folder. In between sit the stages with thumb stud or slider — you swap a few inlays and bits of hardware, tighten the screws, done. No special tools, no fuss. The Hardware Kit you need for that comes included with the Slip Bang. Good to know: the Slip Bang ships with the thumb studs and slider already installed, meaning it opens one-handed and locks. If you want the free, two-handed slipjoint configuration without a lock instead, just remove the thumb studs and slider. What stays constant is the part that matters most: the blade. A drop point in CPM-20CV, a steel that holds its edge for ages and doesn't fret about a bit of moisture. The grind is, as always, thin and built for cutting performance. The handle is grade-5 titanium, the stuff you'd otherwise find in aircraft parts. Locking is handled by the newly developed TNT-Lock, and the whole thing is assembled at We Knife, the parent of Civivi, who know how to put something like this together cleanly. And now the part that matters for us here in Germany. As a two-handed slipjoint without a lock, the Slip Bang doesn't fall under § 42a and is legal to carry — that's the configuration for everyday use over here. As shipped, thumb studs and slider are installed, so the knife opens one-handed and locks. Whether that unambiguously makes it an Einhandmesser under §42a isn't entirely clear — more on that below in the FAQ. On Kickstarter the Slip Bang was funded with over €54,000 — three and a half times its goal — so the scene has voted pretty clearly. The blade measures around 8.4 cm, and opened up it comes to just under 19.8 cm at just under 110 g. By default the Slip Bang comes with a stonewash finish; the satin version is limited to 150 pieces. Included in the Hardware Kit Thumbstud inlays (both sides) T6 screws for the inlays T6 screws for the thumbstuds Cover plate (for two-handed configuration) T10 slider screw T10 clip screw T10 pivot screw Pivot barrel + D-shape pivot Small V-spring for the slider Frequently asked questions about the TNT Knives Slip Bang Does it matter if you close the knife quickly, letting it slap shut? No. A stop pin prevents the blade from striking the backspring, even when closing it quickly. The stop pin is press-fitted into the blade and runs in a circular groove machined into the scales, giving a precise stop in both the open and closed positions. As far as we know, this is also a unique feature for a slipjoint, though we can't say that with absolute certainty. Is the Slip Bang an Einhandmesser under §42a as shipped? As shipped, the thumb studs and slider are installed, so the knife opens one-handed and locks. Whether that unambiguously qualifies it as an Einhandmesser under §42a WaffG isn't entirely clear, since the lock on the Slip Bang is engaged separately and, as far as we know, there's no definitive ruling on this yet. If you want to be on the safe side, carry the knife in a closed container in public, or remove the thumb studs and slider for the unlocked, two-handed configuration. Do I need extra tools to reconfigure it? You need two Torx sizes: T6 for the inlays and thumbstud screws, T10 for the slider, clip, and pivot. Both are common sizes that most multitools with a bit set cover. The Hardware Kit you need is included with the Slip Bang. How do I care for the CPM-20CV blade? CPM-20CV is corrosion-resistant, but like any steel, not fully rust-proof. After contact with moisture or acid (for example when cutting fruit), just wipe the blade down and store it dry.

€389.00
TNT Knives Big Bang – Bild 6
TNT Knives Big Bang
Version: Blackwashed
TNT Knives Big BangThe first Toni Titzel designThin hollow-ground blade for perfect cutting performance and everyday usabilitySemi-integral handle designTitanium framelock folder A little big big bang - The Big Bang from TNT Knives TNT stands for Toni Nikolas Tietzel, who was nicknamed "TNT" at school - inspired by "trinitrotoluene", an explosive. This nickname became the symbol of his brand TNT Knives.

€389.00
TNT Knives Big Bang – Bild 4
TNT Knives Big Bang
Version: Bronze
TNT Knives Big BangThe first Toni Titzel designThin hollow-ground blade for perfect cutting performance and everyday usabilitySemi-integral handle designTitanium framelock folder A little big big bang - The Big Bang from TNT Knives TNT stands for Toni Nikolas Tietzel, who was nicknamed "TNT" at school - inspired by "trinitrotoluene", an explosive. This nickname became the symbol of his brand TNT Knives.

€389.00