Spyderco PITS 2
The Spyderco PITS 2 is one of those knives that makes you pause for a second and ask: “How exactly does this work?” – and that’s a big part of its appeal.
Designed by British knifemaker Mike Read and named after his forum “Pie in the Sky” (PITS), this is a non-locking folder that is anything but ordinary. Instead of a traditional backspring, the PITS 2 uses two integrated spring arms built directly into the titanium handle scales. As you open the knife, they build tension and hold the blade securely in place. It sounds technical – because it is – but in everyday use, it feels surprisingly intuitive.
Compared to the already legendary PITS 1, the concept has been significantly refined. The original was innovative, but the PITS 2 feels like a true evolution: cleaner, more precise, and mechanically more sophisticated. Less experiment, more fully realized tool.
The blade is made from Böhler M390, delivering outstanding edge retention, strong corrosion resistance, and thanks to its full flat grind, highly efficient cutting performance. The symmetrical design fits perfectly within Spyderco’s SLIPIT concept – no lock, but still safe and intuitive in use. A reversible pocket clip allows you to carry the knife exactly how you prefer.
A knife for those who don’t just want to cut – but also appreciate clever, well-executed engineering.
Blade forged from a single piece (chromium-molybdenum steel X 50 CrMoV 16) Blade oil- and ice-hardened to 56±1 HRC Made in Solingen Blade is hand-honed Olive wood handle
Ever heard of Zoobie’s Old Town Tavern in Lansing, Michigan? Probably not — unless you happen to be sitting at that very bar right now. Doesn’t matter. What matters is that GiantMouse knows the place well, has for years: a wooden bar top, cold beer, the kind of dive where three drinks in you suddenly have friends for life. The Danish-American crew just named a knife after it. The ACE Zoobie.
Let’s get this out of the way first: you’re not bringing this one to a meeting. This is a knife for the workshop, the garden, the trip where something eventually needs cutting or prying open. A big frame lock folder built for load, not for the display case. Blade in Elmax, satin finish, 89 mm long, 4 mm thick — solid edge retention, plenty tough, no drama around moisture. The frame lock opens via flipper with the clean snap you’d expect from the ACE line by now.
Handles come down to preference. Full titanium, classic and pleasantly grippy at 142 g. Or black G10 scales over a titanium liner, a bit more understated and a touch lighter at 135 g in the pocket. Both versions run on the same frame, with a reversible wire clip and identical dimensions — 122 mm handle length, 211 mm open. Both are made in Maniago, Italy, the region responsible for most of Europe’s premium folders.
Bottom line: not a knife that holds back. More the kind you eventually pull out and think — right, that’s why I wanted this. In titanium or black G10, whichever suits your mood.
Ever heard of Zoobie’s Old Town Tavern in Lansing, Michigan? Probably not — unless you happen to be sitting at that very bar right now. Doesn’t matter. What matters is that GiantMouse knows the place well, has for years: a wooden bar top, cold beer, the kind of dive where three drinks in you suddenly have friends for life. The Danish-American crew just named a knife after it. The ACE Zoobie.
Let’s get this out of the way first: you’re not bringing this one to a meeting. This is a knife for the workshop, the garden, the trip where something eventually needs cutting or prying open. A big frame lock folder built for load, not for the display case. Blade in Elmax, satin finish, 89 mm long, 4 mm thick — solid edge retention, plenty tough, no drama around moisture. The frame lock opens via flipper with the clean snap you’d expect from the ACE line by now.
Handles come down to preference. Full titanium, classic and pleasantly grippy at 142 g. Or black G10 scales over a titanium liner, a bit more understated and a touch lighter at 135 g in the pocket. Both versions run on the same frame, with a reversible wire clip and identical dimensions — 122 mm handle length, 211 mm open. Both are made in Maniago, Italy, the region responsible for most of Europe’s premium folders.
Bottom line: not a knife that holds back. More the kind you eventually pull out and think — right, that’s why I wanted this. In titanium or black G10, whichever suits your mood.
Ramon Chaves Design Aluminum handle Magnacut DropPoint blade with black PVD finish Includes Fliz sheath Each knife is handcrafted at the Böker factory in Solingen and meets the highest standards of quality, craftsmanship, and design
Handle scales for the Daily Knives AK4
Made from green Canvas Micarta
Stainless steel inlay for bow drilling (fire making)
Milled-out interior cavities on both sides providing integrated storage for outdoor and survival gear
Room for matches, tinder, fishing tackle, bandages, water purification tablets, a micro compass, tweezers, a pen, and even a Victorinox Escort
Somewhere in Bali, deep in the rainforest on the way to a waterfall, a Java flying frog sits on a wet leaf and stares at Steven Kempa. Green and orange, huge eyes, completely unimpressed. That moment apparently stuck with the Vulpex designer and at some point it had to come out — the result is right here: the VK-Frok, manufactured by Reate.
Kempa, who you may already know from his other Vulpex designs like the VK-Core, crossed his signature organized lines with something new for this project: organic, rounded shapes and a deliberately chunky presence. The 6Al4V titanium handle sits solidly in your hand, and you’ll notice the total weight of 164 g both in hand and in your pocket — which is exactly the point: the Frok doesn’t want to be a lightweight. It wants to be a user, with character.
The blade: 8.1 cm of Elmax steel at 60 HRC, a modified sheepsfoot blade with a flat grind and a hefty 4.2 mm spine. The Böhler powder steel delivers the combination of edge retention and corrosion resistance you need for everyday life — packages, apples, zip ties, whatever comes up. And the sturdy tip of the sheepsfoot blade forgives the occasional rougher job.
Now for the part the Frok is rightly getting attention for: the thumbstud! The big stud made of solid copper is Kempa’s maker’s mark and, at the same time, the frog’s eye from the jungle. If that ends up being too much for you: a low-profile replacement stud is included, and the knife runs completely without studs too. Swapping is done with the included “frog feet” tool, whose shape — just like the pivot screw and counter disc — is inspired by frog feet. The theme, carried all the way through.
The frame lock engages with the precision Reate is known for. The titanium clip carries tip-up on the right side.
The VK-Frok comes in six versions — from hand rubbed with acid wash to crystallized titanium to the fully darkwashed variant.
So who is this for? Anyone looking for a premium folder with substance and a design that tells a real story instead of just illustrating a spec sheet. The frog made the jump from the jungle straight into your pocket.
Blade Finish / Handle Material:
Satin with Black DLC / Black PVD Titanium
Somewhere in Bali, deep in the rainforest on the way to a waterfall, a Java flying frog sits on a wet leaf and stares at Steven Kempa. Green and orange, huge eyes, completely unimpressed. That moment apparently stuck with the Vulpex designer and at some point it had to come out — the result is right here: the VK-Frok, manufactured by Reate.
Kempa, who you may already know from his other Vulpex designs like the VK-Core, crossed his signature organized lines with something new for this project: organic, rounded shapes and a deliberately chunky presence. The 6Al4V titanium handle sits solidly in your hand, and you’ll notice the total weight of 164 g both in hand and in your pocket — which is exactly the point: the Frok doesn’t want to be a lightweight. It wants to be a user, with character.
The blade: 8.1 cm of Elmax steel at 60 HRC, a modified sheepsfoot blade with a flat grind and a hefty 4.2 mm spine. The Böhler powder steel delivers the combination of edge retention and corrosion resistance you need for everyday life — packages, apples, zip ties, whatever comes up. And the sturdy tip of the sheepsfoot blade forgives the occasional rougher job.
Now for the part the Frok is rightly getting attention for: the thumbstud! The big stud made of solid copper is Kempa’s maker’s mark and, at the same time, the frog’s eye from the jungle. If that ends up being too much for you: a low-profile replacement stud is included, and the knife runs completely without studs too. Swapping is done with the included “frog feet” tool, whose shape — just like the pivot screw and counter disc — is inspired by frog feet. The theme, carried all the way through.
The frame lock engages with the precision Reate is known for. The titanium clip carries tip-up on the right side.
The VK-Frok comes in six versions — from hand rubbed with acid wash to crystallized titanium to the fully darkwashed variant.
So who is this for? Anyone looking for a premium folder with substance and a design that tells a real story instead of just illustrating a spec sheet. The frog made the jump from the jungle straight into your pocket.
The Auxiliary Mfg Slipjoint in a Bowie pattern is made for people who know exactly what they want. No lock, no gimmicks – just a Coffin-style handle made from milled titanium that instantly feels like more than an ordinary folder. The classic Bowie blade made from M390 cuts clean, stays sharp for a long time, and simply doesn’t make mistakes in everyday use. If you know M390, you know: this knife is built to grow old with you.
As a slipjoint, it is §42a-compliant – easy to carry in your pocket without overthinking it. The clip can be switched to either side for both right- and left-handed users.
Handle design: Coffin Shape
Handle material: Titanium (milled)
Blade steel: M390
Blade shape: Bowie
Locking mechanism: Slipjoint (non-locking)
Clip: Reversible for left- and right-hand carry
Legal to carry in most public places in Germany (§42a German Weapons Act)*
*As a non-locking slipjoint, generally considered compliant with §42a. Exceptions may apply at events, schools, etc. Please check local regulations responsibly.
The Tanto blade has its roots in Japanese swordsmithing – originally designed as a short weapon for the Samurai, its geometry still lives on today. The characteristic straight edge, the abrupt transition to the tip, and the flat grind make it one of the most distinctive blade shapes ever created. Auxiliary Mfg has brought exactly that shape to life in M390 steel – sharp, long-lasting, and unmistakable.
Paired with a Coffin-style handle made from milled titanium. The Coffin shape – named after its coffin-like outline – is one of the oldest classic handle designs in knifemaking and has lost none of its fascination over the years. Milled from titanium and enhanced with thoughtfully designed machining for extra grip, it gets a modern update here while still respecting the traditional form.
As a slipjoint without a locking blade, it is §42a-compliant and legal to carry in most public places in Germany. The clip can be switched to either side for both right- and left-handed users.
Handle design: Coffin Shape
Handle material: Titanium (milled)
Blade steel: M390
Blade shape: Tanto
Locking mechanism: Slipjoint (non-locking)
Clip: Reversible for left- and right-hand carry
Legal to carry in most public places in Germany (§42a German Weapons Act)
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.
Thumb to the hole, a quick flick, blade’s open. Once you’ve got the Spyderco flick dialed in, you do the whole thing in your sleep — and the Mantra 4 CF is built exactly for that.
At its core this is a classic EDC folder from Spyderco. The blade measures 8.5 cm, wears a clean satin finish and is made from 8Cr13MoV. No supersteel, and it isn’t trying to be: the steel is corrosion-resistant, easy to maintain and back to shaving-sharp in a few minutes on a stone. For a knife you actually use every day instead of babying, that’s a pretty relaxed combination.
The handle is what really sets it apart from the standard Mantra. Carbon fiber meets G10, and the scales carry a peel-ply texture — that slightly rough, almost gritty surface that gives you real grip in the hand without getting annoying. Inside, the blade rides on ball bearings and is held by a liner lock. At 59 g and 10.6 cm closed, the thing disappears deep and discreet into your pocket thanks to the repositionable deep-carry clip. Lefties get along with it to a degree, and the clip can be removed and swapped over.
One thing worth knowing if you’re in Germany: the Mantra 4 opens one-handed via the thumb hole and locks with a liner lock. That makes it a one-hand knife under §42a, so it may not be carried in public without a legitimate reason. Buying, owning and transporting it in a closed container is no problem at all. As a companion at the workbench, on the desk or out in the field at home and on the road with good reason, it plays its strengths to the full.