Buckhorn Review: Ketuo-Ken Onion Hit It Out Of The Park

The Buckhorn collaboration is about as good as it gets without going custom.

Ketuo Knives partnered with renowned custom knifemaker and designer Ken Onion, to come out with a collaboration knife unlike any other collaboration Onion has previously done.

Dubbed the Buckhorn and marketed under the Karbon Knives banner, the knife debuted at the 2024 BLADE Show in Atlanta in June, and it won the 2024 Knife Collaboration of the Year in the Knife of the Year award. And it takes partnership knives to the next level offering a bevy of top-shelf features at a price that doesn’t blow your budget.

Honestly, it’s shocking!

BUCKHORN Blade

Onion has outfitted the Buckhorn with a modified 3.8-inch drop-point blade constructed from S35VN stainless steel. The material is a tried-and-true high-performance blade steel that holds an edge well and be fairly easy to sharpen when the need arises. To this is applied a high, flat grind that progressively thins down, giving the folder an elegant cross-section capable of cleaving through even tough materials. Topping it off, the blade is given a nice ceramic blast finish which is subdued but also has a nice sheen to it that is rather classy and dressy.
Action

Onion opted for dual thumbstuds on the Buckhorn, making the folder friendly to both lefties and righties. Additionally, a flipper tab is included, for effortless blade deployment with the flick of your index finger.

The blade rides on a pair of caged ceramic bearings in the pivot for the ultimate smoothness in opening and closing. The flipper action is very dialed in as well. Place your index finger on the flipper and press on it for a second and you’ll feel it load up then the detent lets the blade go, and it rotates to the fully open and locked position effortlessly.

Buckhorn Handle

The handle of the Buckhorn is really, where all the magic is.

Perhaps the most unique design trait of the handle is the palm swell machined into the middle of the handle. This is employed to help seat the knife firmly in your hand and make it easier to grip. Continuing on, there’s the eye-catching 3D checkerboard micro-milling pattern at both ends of the handle, on both sides. Even the stylish minimalist titanium pocket clip sports the same 3D micro-milling pattern on the back, providing visual continuity to the clip side of the handle.

Speaking of the pocket clip, it is held onto the handle with one Torx screw. The handle end of the clip sits in a matching cavity to prevent it from rotating, thus remain secure with one fastening point.

The pivot screw is brass colored, as is the pivot ring. Eye-catching, the tandem give the illusion of the end of a shotgun shell, which is a unique aesthetic to the Buckhorn. The brass color pops against the bead-blasted handle. The matching titanium handle spacer covers about ¾ of the handle length, and at the end of the handle, the spacer forms an integral lanyard loop.

The framelock lockup engages the lower third of the width of the tang, so an easy lockup. It engages solidly without any movement in any direction. With a firm push of your thumb, the lock disengages allowing the blade to rotate closed.

I don’t believe you’re going to have any concerns over the lock holding or failing on this one. Ketuo did this one right!

Buckhorn Tested

In action, the Buckhorn is a very efficient cutting tool. It deploys easily and with the flat ground blade, it slices easily and effortlessly.
The front section of the blade has the wedge and is the thinnest portion, sailing through various materials with ease. I like how the entire cutting edge has a graceful curve to it. Not only visually appealing, this feature allows you to make use of the entire length of the cutting edge.

S35VN is a top-performing steel and is an excellent choice for the Buckhorn. This steel will go the distance and withstand heavy usage. Also, dig the fact the ambidextrous thumb studs are positioned as far back on the blade as possible, this gets them out of the way to eliminate hanging up on material being cut. A smart move!

With the handle’s ergonomic features, I felt in control of the knife at all times and found no hot spots to speak of. It just fits the hand so perfectly. This is a testament to Ken Onion’s design prowess and intimate understanding of handle design.

Final Cut

This knife is about as close as anyone will get to owning a full-blow custom knife from the man himself. At MSRP $275 and made in China, the Buckhorn is an excellent deal for what you get in return. It’s an exciting-looking design from one of the best in the game, using high-end materials with 3D machined titanium and S35VN, and a sturdy framelock. Well worth the price of admission.

Buckhorn Specs
Blade Material: S35VN
Blade Angle: >60°
Full Length: 8.78″
Handle Length: 4.84″
Blade Length: 3.85″
Type: Folding Blade Knife
Handle Material: 6AL-4V
Finishing: Bead blast & Anodizing
Weight: 4.44 oz
Color: Silver w/ Gold Ano Accents
Designer: Ken Onion
Brand: Karbon Knives
Manufacturer: Ketuo Knife

Buckhorn Deals:

BladeHQ	$270
Karbon Knives	$275
White Mountain Knives	$270