Heidi Blacksmith Design Micarta handle 14C28N blade with stonewashed finish
Heidi Blacksmith Design Micarta handle 14C28N blade with stonewashed finish
ABS/Cellidor handle with a design matching your zodiac sign with 7 functions: small blade, scissors, nail files, screwdriver (2.5 mm), ring, tweezers, and toothpick
Limited Edition: limited to 200 pieces worldwide Mokuti handle with gold detailsMagnacut DropPoint blade includes a sheath
Burgvogel Olivia chef's knife 15 cmBlade forged from one piece (chrome-molybdenum steel X 50 CrMoV 16) Blade oil and ice hardened to 56+/-1 HRC Made in Solingen Blade is honed by hand Handle material olive wood
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
Sal Glesser Design Blade made of CPM S30V Aluminium handle
Black G10 handle with Bi-Directional Caribbean milling pattern MagnaCut blade with black DLC coating Compression lock Reversible deep-carry clip
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
All Black Version Blade made of CPM S30V with DLC coating Aluminium handle
Handle made of FRN Blade made of CTS BD-1N Weighs only 23 grams
G10 handle with peel ply texture 8Cr13MoV stainless steel blade with black-washed finish with reversible clip
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.
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.
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.
Zac Whitmore Design Cuibourtia wood and brass handle ClipPoint blade made of 14C28N with a satin finish
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.
More knife than the price suggests The Cicada’s Wing by Bestechman is one of those knives that makes you wonder why it’s actually this affordable. A solid stainless steel handle with a grippy frag pattern, an honest 10Cr15MoV blade, and a total of six different finish options – that’s an EDC that delivers far more than its price would suggest. The stainless steel handle is robust, low-maintenance and sits securely in the hand thanks to its machining, without feeling sharp or uncomfortable. The blade made from 10Cr15MoV may not be a so-called “super steel”, but it’s easy to maintain and quick to resharpen – not exotic, just a steel that has proven itself reliably for years. Depending on the version, you can choose from different finishes, ranging from understated to more eye-catching. Why the name “Cicada’s Wing”? We can only guess. But here’s a theory: cicadas are tough, they keep coming back and are pretty hard to kill. Sounds fitting. That’s exactly how this knife feels – robust, straightforward and built to be used, not forgotten in a drawer. Bottom line: a lot of knife for the money, no gimmicks, no empty promises. Just a solid Bestechman EDC knife that does exactly what it’s supposed to do in everyday use.
Handle material: Recycled and shredded bank cards (composite) Liners and bolsters: stainless steel Blade steel: corrosion-resistant 12C27 And now for the real story behind this knife: Some people call it the “knife of tears”. Not because of the blade – but because of what’s in the handle. Real bank cards were cut up, shredded, and pressed into a new material. Cards from purchases you were proud of. And from one or two decisions you’d rather not talk about. Plastic becomes handle material. Regret turns into a Laguiole. Upcycling doesn’t get much more honest than this. There’s only one comforting thought: This card can no longer be swiped – but at least now it cuts properly.
Picaroon Tools Swabbie You reach into your pocket, pull it out, roll the blade open with your thumb on the extended blade spine – and the Swabbie is ready to go. No button, no click, no mechanism standing between you and the blade. The Swabbie is a friction folder. The blade is held open not by a lock, but by your grip and the pressure of your thumb on the extended tang that protrudes from the back of the handle. The same lever you open it with is what keeps the blade open while you cut. Reduction as a principle – someone deliberately left things out here instead of piling them on, and you feel exactly that when you use it. The blade comes with a stonewash finish that swallows wear marks rather than putting them on display – anyone who actually uses their gear knows why that beats a mirror polish that looks like a battlefield after the first day in your pocket. The black G10 handle scales sit dry and grippy in your hand, even when things get damp outside. Harbour air included. Prefer something a bit beefier? The titanium version brings a little more weight and a distinctly more modern feel. With a 7.9 cm blade, 17.6 cm open and a 3 mm blade thickness, the Swabbie lands right in that range that simply disappears into your everyday carry. Slice an apple, open a parcel, cut a length of cord, whittle a bit by the campfire. You can carry your Swabbie either in the included simple leather pouch, or just loose in your pocket. And the best part for anyone out and about in Germany: as a friction folder with no locking blade, the Swabbie is §42a-compliant and therefore legal to carry without restriction. No hassle, no grey area – you carry a full-fledged EDC and stay on the safe side. Behind Picaroon Tools is Pavel Kukushev from Varna in Bulgaria, who grew up by the sea – hence the maritime, piratical signature of the brand. He made his name with bottle openers and tools for Kizer, Bestech and Böker – the Swabbie is his third knife design, manufactured by Bestech Knives, who have a solid reputation for executing small, idiosyncratic designs. A knife you never have to unlock, because it was never locked in the first place. That's exactly what makes it so easy to have on you every single day.
Average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars
Micarta Showside Titanium Framelock Wharncliff Blade The Mutineer 14C28N blade steel The Mutineer from Picaroon Tools is a handy little folder that has a wonderful EDC size. The handle is designed in such a way that it offers a very universal hand position, so that large as well as small hands are offered a great handling here. The matte titanium handle scales have a cool look that accentuates the modern appearance of this framelock folder (with steel insert, of course). The show side of this version is made of Micarta. The focal point of this knife is clearly the ball bearing Wharncliff blade made of 14C28N steel. The very fine edge offers a super perfomance and has a nasty tip, with which you can also perform fine work wonderfully.The thumb recess on the back of the blade ensures that you can, for example, bring a lot of force on the blade when carving. Together with the 3D milled pocket clip, the lanyard hole and an impressive performance, you get here a really powerful EDC pocket knife.
Average rating of 4 out of 5 stars
Titanium Framelock Folder S35VN Blade Designed by Picaroon Tools The Mutineer The Mutineer from Picaroon Tools is a handy little folder that has a wonderful EDC size. The handle is designed in such a way that it offers a very universal hand position, so that large as well as small hands are offered a great handling here. The matte titanium handle scales have a cool look that further emphasizes the modern appearance of this framelock folder (with steel insert, of course). The focus of this knife is clearly the ball-bearing Wharncliff blade made of S35VN steel. The very fine tapered edge offers a super perfomance and has a nasty tip, with which you can also perform fine work wonderfully. The thumb recess on the back of the blade ensures that you can bring a lot of force on the blade, for example, when carving. Together with the 3D milled pocket clip, the lanyard hole and an impressive performance, you get a really powerful EDC pocket knife.