Jackass star and knife fanatic teams up with GiantMouse on tactical-style folder.
Chris Pontius is known for many things—his stunt work, crazy pranks, often appearing in little more than his underwear. With a collaboration with GiantMouse, it’s likely the former Jackass and Wildboyz star will be known for more. A life-long knife fanatic—he does a ton of knife content on his social media channels—Pontius teamed up with GiantMouse co-founder Jesper Voxnaes to create a fairly unique knife—the ACE Pontius. The project was two years in the making, as the Pontius and Voxnaes worked out the details of the knife. And the pair put some high design bars up for themselves.
In a blog post at GiantMouse, Pontius said rather than leaning into standard production aesthetics, he wanted a tool that mirrored the functional art of a musical instrument. He drew design cues from a vast array of historical and functional blade styles, weaving subtle elements of upswept hunters, classic skinners, Scandinavian puukkos, Nessmuks and harpoon-style blades into a single cohesive outline.
The result is a highly distinct silhouette that Voxnaes notes looks like something a futuristic space marine would carry into a culture that hasn’t happened yet. Built for everything from tactical applications to bushcraft, the blade features a strong piercing point matched with a generous, sweeping curved belly to maximize the usable cutting edge.
Mechanically, the folder is balanced for reliable utility, intentionally keeping the choil small to ensure the lines remain fluid when closed. The 3.2-inch Elmax steel blade is housed in an ergonomic 4.5-inch handle, making it highly pocketable for daily carry. It features a secure liner lock mechanism for solid lockup during heavy use, an ambidextrous reversible steel wire pocket clip and distinctive brass backspacers that add a splash of ornamentation to the build.
The knife is debuting in three specific material configurations to match different preferences. The premium titanium model (MSRP $335) pairs a sleek satin blade finish with full titanium handle scales, coming in at a solid 4.7 ounces. For those tracking a lighter pocket presence, the Green G10 version ($285) features OD green G10 scales, a rugged stonewash blade finish and weighs 4 ounces flat. Rounding out the trio is the Black Micarta model ($285), which matches a satin blade finish with black canvas Micarta scales for a classic tactile feel, tipping the scales at a nimble 3.7 ounces.
The ACE Pontius marks a significant operational shift for the company, launching exclusively through a Kickstarter campaign that coincided with the opening day of BLADE Show Atlanta. Fans who back the project early gain access to exclusive launch-day add-ons that ship alongside their orders later this year, plus a discount on final pricing. At time of writing, the campaign had 185 backers and had $57,729 of pledges.
From the author’s experience, one folding knife has it all.
Most folks pick a folding knife the same way they pick a favorite coffee mug. They grab the one that feels right and doesn’t complicate life. I’ve handled everything from titanium frame-locks to flippers tuned like race cars, yet one knife keeps drifting back into my pocket. A Victorinox Swiss Army Knife (SAK) Camper.
It carries the friendliest profile in the knife world. TSA agents used to relax when they saw it. Camp kids and parents borrow it without hesitation. Neighbors assume you plan to fix something, not start trouble. That kind of energy matters when you choose a knife for real life. So, while hype is infinite, for me the best folding knife is the one that moves through life without causing friction—and that’s where the SAK shines.
Simplicity Succeeds
The Swiss Army Knife survived more trends than any other pocket tool. Bearings exploded onto the scene. Super steels rose and fell. Pocket clips multiplied. Through all of that noise, the SAK kept its shape, its purpose and its quiet confidence. It solves real problems without drama. It tightens screws, trims campfire sticks, opens packages and handles small woodworking tasks with steady control. It never alarms anyone. It never begs for maintenance. It shrugs off grit, pocket lint, and weather. It stays relevant because it never chases trends, delivering honest function through simple mechanics. That kind of timeless design sets up the story of its enduring legacy.
In Bora Bora’s jungle, the author navigated with a sturdy Swiss Camper, ideal for both hotels and outdoor adventures.
The history of the Swiss Army Knife and company can fill the entire pages of this issue. So, I’ll save it, as BLADE® Magazine has put out a wealth of useful SAK information over the years.
Always Prepared
It’s true, the Swiss Camp was my first love of the Victorinox collection. It served me well for three decades and was my consummate companion throughout the world in all environments.
The Victorinox Camper packs a tight set of working parts into a pocket-friendly 3.5-inch frame. The large (2.75-inch) and small (1.398-inch) blades handle most cutting tasks with steady control. Meanwhile, the wood saw chews through branches far bigger than the knife’s size suggests. The can opener, bottle opener and built-in screwdrivers tackle camp, urban chores and quick fixes without hesitation. The reamer punches clean holes in leather and wood, and the corkscrew earns its keep on knots and party saving. The tweezers, toothpick and key ring round out the toolset, keeping the knife welcoming of everyday surprises!
The author relied solely on a Swiss Army Camper during his trip above 9,000 feet in the Eastern Sierra Mountains.
Knife For All Season
Consider how many knives you can take to a wedding, an office meeting or a fishing trip? How many might you present to overseas officials, use in a restaurant, take camping and fix the odds and ends in our lives? Maybe all. However, they wouldn’t be appropriately accepted. The SAK teeters on multi-tool territory. It is a knife-based multitool, yet a knife at heart.
The question, “Do I need something more tactical or bushcrafty for the woods?” is often raised in my head. Woodsy is the answer. When I need more grip, cutting power, and blade length, along with faster deployment, the One-Handed Trekker (known as the Trailfinder in Europe) is the answer.
Hidden Talents
The Camper model’s main blade excels in crafting feather sticks for tinder and kindling, thanks to its thin V-grind edge.
I hate sticky blades, yet I get a lot of packages in the mail. Some have an alternative surface to slice through, but most use tape. The can opener opens boxes, as does the awl. Even the combo tool on other models that open cans and lift bottle lids will do an excellent job on packages. However, when it’s time to slice and slash through heavy nylon strapping, twine and cardboard, it’s hard to beat the sharp main blade.
I always need a saw on a SAK that’s going into the woods for a day hike, bushcraft or any camping trip. It’s one of the best saws in business—sharp and tough. It does an excellent job on the obvious—sawing. I learned about 20 years ago that it excels at a ferro rod striker. The spine is a true 90-degree angle and shaves thin curls on fatwood, bamboo, rivercane and softer woods like poplar easily.
Slow But Steady
The One-Handed Trekker, utilized by the author on various Amazon Jungle and backpacking excursions, includes a locking screwdriver and blade.
I love me a good flipper. Fast, safer than a thumb stud and simpler. Let’s not forget the cool snap factor. That’s my opinion solely. However, the near maintenance-free action of the standard slip joint wins in my book. I understand it may not be a crowd favorite in the current high-tech, super-trendy EDC culture. But it suits me fine.
The deployment speed is slow—I’m not in a rush to slice much. I don’t work in an environment where I need super-slick deployment for attackers or emergencies. If so, I have a Trekker that has a smooth one-handed opening system. Although I like to sit and fondle a SAK like most do their high-speed folders, others may not think it has that cool factor. I do!
Metal Winner
The One-Handed Trekker SAK boasts an exceptional 3½-inch wood saw that serves as a fire steel striker on its spine.
I like simple steels. I’ve used enough teaching and working with various types. For me, it comes down to what’s easy to sharpen and to show students in a learning situation. Especially when there’s not a lot of time on a break to grind away on something too hard. Or better yet, when it’s time to build swamp beds in the jungle as the sun is setting fast. This is the reason why inexpensive tools from Moraskniv, Tramaontina and Victorinox are excellent performers.
MagnaCut won’t save you here. Getting the work done, sharpening it and going on with camp life is serious business on an extended expedition. Nothing against the super steel, it’s just better suited for a completely different situation. It makes sense to buy a MagnaCut steel knife if all you do is break down boxes or cut mundane materials. However, it’s overkill when something like a SAK has been doing that for decades without the hefty price tag. I’m a fan of what works!
Washers Vs. Bearings
In the desert, a hiker or camper needs just a blade, saw and awl for essential utility and crafting.
Knife people love pivot debates, but the truth stays simple enough for any reader. Bearings feel fast and slick. They open with a little thrill and shine in clean environments. They hate dirt, though. Sand and pocket debris grind them down and slow them.
Washers handle the rough stuff better. They tolerate grit, mud and long days outdoors. They deliver smooth, controlled movement under pressure and keep working after hard use. They win when conditions turn unpredictable. That’s why so many outdoor knives still rely on phosphor-bronze washers. It’s the same reason why the Swiss Army Knife’s friction-based slip joint still holds its own. Fewer moving parts mean fewer failure points and more consistency when I need it.
Conclusion
Readers don’t need a metallurgy seminar to pick a good folder. They need clarity. Blade shape guides the job. Lock type guides confidence. Steel choice guides edge life and ease of sharpening. Ergonomics guides comfort. Maintenance guides longevity. The rest comes from real use, not spec sheets. The Victorinox SAK Camper is a gentlemanly woods and EDC folder more in line with my everyday chores!
The Missoula-based brand brings its legendary ruggedness, MagnaCut steel, and precision engineering to the everyday carry market.
For nearly six years, Montana Knife Company has been synonymous with hard-use fixed blades. Master Bladesmith Josh Smith—who at one time was the youngest person to earn his master smith stamp from the American Bladesmith Society—started the company in a two-car garage with a single goal: build the best hunting knife on the market. It’s difficult to argue he’s done anything other than exactly that, and in the process has earned the absolute trust of the outdoor community.
While the Missoula-based brand is deeply rooted in its hunting heritage, it has steadily built a full slate of options for hard work and everyday carry. Now, MKC is bringing its uncompromising standards to the EDC world with its first-ever folding knife: The Montana.
This highly versatile liner lock folder features a drop-point blade sized just right to handle everything from stripping wire on the job site to gutting a cutthroat trout at the creek.
“Five years of scaling our manufacturing right here in Montana made our first folder possible,” Smith said. “People will see a liner lock knife that weighs less than three ounces and is engineered to a thousandth of an inch, built to fit in any pocket and operate without service for years. But what matters most is that The Montana is built to be used and handed down just like every other knife we make.”
True to the brand’s premium manufacturing ethos, the knife features a working stonewash MagnaCut blade and durable G10 handle scales. Weighing a nimble 2.84 ounces, it delivers workhorse capability in a pocket-friendly footprint.
The Montana drops exclusively on the company’s website on June 4 at 7 p.m. MDT. Quantities will be limited, so expect a fast sellout.
Celebrating its 30th birthday, the Kit Carson-designed M16 has an economical crossbar lock option.
It might seem surprising, but CRKT produced one of the most popular military knives of modern times. Here, we aren’t talking about issued blades, but working EDC options, typically purchased at a soldier’s local PX.
Aptly named, the M16 was the wire stripper, rope cutter, lid prier and snack slicer of choice for many a military man and woman from Kandahar to Kubal and Baghdad to Balad, and everywhere in between. And the unexpected warhorse is celebrating its 30th birthday this year.
CRKT isn’t allowing this momentous occasion to slip by, with the Kit Carson-designed folder having a pair of new models added to the series. The black M16-10XK and tan M16-10XD hues aren’t the eye-catching aspect of the new knives, nor are the models’ crossbar lock—it’s available on a few other models. Instead, the M16 model’s price tag should get fans of the folder excited.
Both models come in with a very affordable $48 MSRP, making them among the most reasonably priced options in the family of knives. This is particularly true of the crossbar lock models, which start at $75.
Enthusiasts or veterans looking to replace the blade they lost in the “sandbox” get a solid build out of the new M16s. Both models are outfitted with 3.03-inch 8Cr14MoV modified tanto blades, with titanium nitride finishes and sporting Veff serrations near the heel. The final aspect is wicked, giving the blade a highly aggressive cutting ability.
The blade deploys quickly, thanks to IKBS ball bearings and opens via thumbstuds or with a flick of the wrist, with the crossbar lock actuated. Note, the locking system is ambidextrous, rock solid and allows for single-handed manipulation. The handle is fiber-glass reinforced nylon, keeping the knife’s weight a very manageable 2.1 ounces.
CRKT has shown plenty of dedication to the M16 design and evolving it over the years. Early this year, the company dropped a balisong version of the knife, possibly the most unique riff of the time-tested design. In all, there are now 36 variations of the storied M16.
A couple of notes on the knife and its legacy. It was included on BLADE® Magazine’s top 10 tactical knives of the past decade in the early 2000s. Further, CRKT has created a video series on the knife’s design and military pedigree, with veterans and experts looking back on their time with the knife.
Get an edge on your cutting needs with the latest production knives.
The 2026 production knives are defined by an impressive range of styles and sizes, spanning from 1.5-inch neck knives to massive 12-inch folders. This year’s buyer’s guide highlights a sophisticated move toward premium materials, with CPM MagnaCut and M390 appearing across diverse price points, alongside traditional touches like India Stag Bone and Damascus. From task-specific hunter sets and tactical folders to “fidget-friendly” button locks and US-made fixed blades, these releases represent the cutting edge of modern manufacturing and designer collaboration.
GiantMouse The Redington
Knife Type: Fixed Blade Blade Length: 5.1″ Overall Length: 9.7″ Blade Grind: Stonewash Scale: Double Black Canvas Micarta Blade Material: CPM MagnaCut Sheath: Black Kydex Date Available: Now Inside Edge: Designed with input from the instructors at SERE East. Limited-Run of CPM MagnaCut. MSRP: $425
Demko Knives AD22
Knife Type: Folding Blade Length: 3.0″ Blade Shape: Shark Foot Overall Length: 7.5″ Weight: 5.4 oz. Scale: Titanium (Smooth or Milled) Blade Material: CPM MagnaCut Date Available: Currently and throughout 2026 Inside Edge: Made in the USA at Demkp headquarters in New Castle, PA. Also available with G10 scale in multiple colors. MSRP: $700
Pattern: Cleaver Designer: Fabian Hobbelen Lock Type: Button‑Operated Frame Lock Blade Length: 3.09” Overall Length: 7.04” Blade Grind: Hollow Scale: Titanium Blade Material: M390 Date Available: August Inside Edge: Designed by Fabian Hobbelen, the Nyrrdreki hides a small surprise in its blade. The hole allows the knife to be flipped open with the pinky finger, turning a traditional opening feature into a playful and highly addictive fidget action. MSRP: Approx. $350
Dagger Trading Begemot
Pattern: Modified Cleaver Knife Type: Folding Blade Length: 3.88″ Overall Length: 8.625″ Liners: Steel Blade Grind: Flat Scale: G10 with 3D print Blade Material: VG10 Date Available: Now MSRP: $71
Vero Engineering Aura
Knife Type: Folding Blade Length: 3.3” Overall Length: 7.7” Liners: Steel Blade Finish: Machine Belt Satin/Stonewash Scale: Aluminum Blade Material: 14C28N Date Available: Summer 2026 Inside Edge: The Aura has a reversible wire pocket clip. MSRP: Approx. $100
Bear & Son Cutlery Locking Farmhand w/clip
Pattern: Drop Point Knife Type: Pocketknife Blade Length: 2.75” Overall Length: 6.375” Closed Length: 3.625” Locking Mechanism: Lockback Handle: Genuine India Stag Bone Blade Material: High Carbon Stainless Steel Date Available: Now Inside Edge: Made in Alabama MSRP: $56
Knife Type: Fixed Blade Blade Length: 3.6″ Overall Length: 7.48″ Pattern: Drop Point Scale: Textured Black G10 Blade Material: 154CM Sheath: Black Custom-Fitted Kydex Date Available: Now Inside Edge: Handcrafted by Boker USA in Denver, Colorado. Perfect for bushcraft, hunting, survival, trekking, camping & EDC. Also available in a high-visibility orange G10, MagnaCut version. MSRP: $200
Maserin 917 Woodsman
Pattern: Bushcraft Knife Type: Fixed Blade Blade Length: 4.01” Overall Length: 9.21” Weight: 6.35 oz. Blade Grind: Flat Scale: Brown Paper Stone Micarta (Also Available In Green Jute Micarta and Black Denim Jeans Micarta) Blade Material: Nitro X7 Blade Finish: Stone Washed Sheath: Black Italian leather sheath with removable dual belt loop position and hook. Date Available: Now MSRP: $ 215
CRKT Orochi
Knife Type: Folding Knife Lock Type: Frame Lock Blade: Clip Point Blade Length: 3.55″ Overall Length: 8.16″ Liners: Titanium Blade Grind: Flat Scale: Titanium With Damascus Bolster Blade Material: Damascus Date Available: Now Inside Edge: Named after the legendary Japanese serpent and its presence in anime, the Orochi features flowing lines, including a clip point, recurve blade, for balance and precise handling. The knife can be deployed either with discreet flipper tab, mirroring the custom knife its inspired by, or by its dual thumbstuds. MSRP: $200
Big Idea Design Ti Manu
Designer: Ken Onion Jr. Overall Length: 7.5” Blade Length: 3.25” Blade Steel: S90V Blade Shape: Modified Drop Point Handles: Grade 5 Titanium Opening: Dual Thumbstuds Date Available: August Inside Edge: All Big Idea Design knives only have 2 screws, The pivot and a screw in the back for the reversible pocket clips. The Ti Manu also was designed to work with both Phosphor bronze washers and bearings. Both options will be included so people can swap them out at will. The lock face is an integrated ceramic ball bearings in lieu of an insert, so it has a super smooth travel and lockup. MSRP: $250
Civivi Knives Kitefin
Knife Type: Folding Lock Type: Button Lock Blade Length: 3.22″ Overall Length: 7.52″ Blade Grind: Hollow Scale: Aluminum Blade Material: Damascus (14C28N option also available) Date Available: Now MSRP: $110
Halfbreed Blades MILF-05
Action: Flipper Folder Carry: Pocket Clip Designer: Jonathan Loftes Lock Type: Frame Lock Blade Steel: CPM S35VN Blade Grind: V Blade Edge: Plain Edge & Partially Serrated options Blade & Handle Finish: PVD Coated Blade Style: Spear Point Blade Length: 3.54″ Handle Material: 420J2 Stainless Steel frame, liner, spacers; G10 scale Washers: Phosphor Bronze Overall Length Open: 8.26″ Date Available: Now Inside Edge: The MILF-05 comes pre-set with a firm action; this can be adjusted for speed via the Torx head pivot point. MSRP: $240
Bear OPS Load Out
Pattern: Drop Point Knife Type: Folder Blade Length: 3.5” Overall Length: 8” Closed Length: 4.5” Lock Type: Liner Lock Handle: Aluminum Blade Material: 14C28N Sandvik Date Available: Now Inside Edge: Made in Alabama with assisted opening, reversible pocket clip and ball bearing washers. MSRP: $110
Liong Mah Design SFD-Small Field Duty
Pattern: Drop Point Knife Type: Folder Blade Length: 3” (2.6” cutting edge) Overall Length: 6.75” Liners: Steel Blade Grind: Flat Scale: Titanium Blade Material: CPM MagnaCut Date Available: August Inside Edge: Hand rubbed satin finish on the blade. MSRP: $278
Browning Knives Stormy Pass Fixed Small
Pattern: Drop Point Knife Type: Fixed Blade Blade Length: 3.5” Overall Length: 7.75” Blade Grind: Hollow Scale: Hidden Tang Wood Blade Material: Damascus Sheath: Leather Date Available: Now Knife To Know: Stainless Guard with black Micarta spacer. MSRP: $140
Bear Edge Light Grey Aluminum Folder
Pattern: Drop Point Knife Type: Folder Blade Length: 3” Overall Length: 7” Lock Type: Liner Lock Handle: Aluminum Blade Material: 440 Stainless Steel Weight: 3.2 oz. Date Available: Now MSRP: $43
Straightline EDC Ally
Knife Type: Fixed Blade Blade Length: 2.68” Overall Length: 5.98” Blade Grind: Flat Scale: 3D Milled Bronze Anodized Gr. 5 Titanium Blade Material: M390 Blade Finish: Black PVD + Stonewash Sheath: Black Leather Sheath With Magnets Inside Edge: Igor Bortolussi, founder of the company, named the knife after his daughter Allegra and its design is based on a drawing she made when she was 4 years old. She’s 9 now. Date Available: Now MSRP: $249
SOG Specialty Knife & Tool Kiku XR
Pattern: Tanto Knife Type: Folder Blade Length: 3.03” Closed Length: 4.30” Lock Type: XR Lock Handle: Fatcarbon Carbon Fiber Blade Material: CTS XHP Date Available: Now Inside Edge: Reversible low-carry belt clip with XR Lock, thumb hole, kick opening mechanism. MSRP: $400
BLACKHAWK Garra Fixed Karambit
Pattern: Karambit Knife Type: Fixed-Blade Blade Length: 3.25” Overall Length: 8” Handle: Black Zytel Blade Material: D2 Tool Sheath: Kydex Date Available: Now Inside Edge: Comes with conceal carry holster, removable Kydex sheath. MSRP: $160
Camillus Knives Heater Mini
Pattern: Drop Point Knife Type: Neck Knife Blade Length: 1.5” Overall Length: 3” Blade Grind: Plain Handle: G10 Blade Material: 3CR13 Sheath: Kydex Date Available: Now MSRP: $19
Pattern: American Tanto Lock Type: Button Lock Blade Length: 3.25″ Overall Length: 7.75″ Liners: Brass Bearing With Ceramic Ball Blade Grind: Flat Scale: Titanium Scales & Clip Blade Material: VG10/Copper Damascus, With Copper Pivot Date Available: Now MSRP: $170
Winkler Knives Drop Point Hunter
Pattern: Drop Point Knife Type: Fixed Blade Blade Length: 4” Overall Length: 8.625” Blade Grind: Flat Scale: Walnut Blade Material: 80CrV2 Sheath: Lined Boltaron with leather cover Date Available: Limited Availability at BLADE Texas 2026 and BLADE Show Atlanta 2026. Publicly Available June. Inside Edge: This knife was designed by combining popular features from several models to create an all-in-one blade tough enough for the hardest tasks yet aesthetically appealing enough for everyday enjoyment. MSRP: $375
Case Knives XR Sod Buster Jr.
Knife Type: Slip-Joint Folder Blade Length: 2.8” Overall Length: 3.625” Weight: 2.1 oz. Blade Grind: Flat Blade Finish: Stonewash Satin Scale: Red, White & Blue Burl G-10 Blade Material: S35VN (Stainless) Inside Edge: This knife will be made in limited quantities. “USA” is lasered into the G-10 on one end. Date Available: Now MSRP: $125
White River Knives S&S 3 Knife Chef Set
Pattern: Chef Set Knife Type: Chef, Boning, Paring set Designer: Smith & Sons Blade Length: 7.5″, 5.8″, 3.4″ Overall Length: 12.5″, 9.9″, 7.25″ Blade Grind: Flat Scale: G10 (Richlite) Blade Material: CMP MagnaCut Available: Now Inside Edge: Designed by Smith & Sons and crafted in the U.S.A. by White River Knives, this premium kitchen set includes three essential blades: a 7.5″ Chef Knife, a 5.8″ Boning Knife, and a 3.4″ Paring Knife. Together, they cover nearly every task in the kitchen—from precision prep work to heavier slicing and trimming. Each knife is built from ultra‑durable, highly corrosion‑resistant MagnaCut steel, heat-treated to a remarkable 63–64 HRC for exceptional edge retention and long‑lasting performance. MSRP: $600
Puma Knife Trophy Car Set
Blade Length: 2.8″ (Gut Hook), 2.5” (Caping, Fleshing) Blade Grind: Hollow Ground, Satin Finished Scale: POM Commando Stag (Synthetic Material) Blade Material: 1.4116 German Cutlery Sheath: Rugged Leather Sheath (Holds All Three Knives) Date Available: Now Inside Edge: Purpose-built trophy care kit for hunters—includes a gut hook skinner, caping knife, and fleshing knife with a premium leather sheath to keep the full set organized. Designed to handle skinning, caping, and hide prep cleanly whether you’re in camp or at home, and ideal for getting a trophy ready for the taxidermist. MSRP: $175
DPx HEST F Urban Ti Redeye
Knife Type: Folding Blade Length: 2.9” Overall Length: 6.7” Blade Grind: High Saber Scale: Titanium Blade Material: M390 Date Available: Now Inside Edge: Flipper with red aluminum pivot ring and red backspacer. MSRP: $425
James Brand evolves the Ellis into an ultra-thin, minimalist slip joint multitool.
When The James Brand first introduced the Ellis, it occupied a specific niche: a knife for people who needed a bit more utility than a single blade provides, but who didn’t want the bulk of a traditional multi-tool. This latest iteration takes that minimalism to its logical conclusion. By rethinking the architecture of the handle and the clip, the Portland-based design team has produced their thinnest knife to date—a tool that literally measures in thinner than a standard pack of gum.
The core of the redesign centers on the handle and carry system. Moving to 6061 aircraft-grade aluminum scales has allowed for a sleeker, more ergonomic profile that maintains structural integrity while shedding unnecessary width. Perhaps the most significant change is the move to a pen-style pocket clip. This low-profile stainless steel clip mimics the deep-carry nature of a high-end writing instrument, allowing the 0.4-inch thick frame to disappear against the pocket seam.
Functionally, the Ellis remains a versatile companion for the modern EDC enthusiast. The 2.6-inch drop point blade is ground from Sandvik 12C27 stainless steel, a Swedish alloy prized for its corrosion resistance and ease of sharpening. Because it utilizes a non-locking slip joint mechanism and a machined nail slot for two-handed opening, it is a globally-friendly option, compliant with strict carry laws.
Beyond the primary edge, the Ellis features what the company calls its “All Things” pry bar and scraper integrated into the backspacer. This secondary tool is robust enough to handle the tasks that usually ruin a knife tip—turning screws, scraping labels or prying open a cold beverage at the end of the day. Riding on phosphor bronze washers, the deployment is smooth and deliberate, reinforcing the brand’s reputation for clean, intentional industrial design.
CIVIVI Dracolisk aims to help you master the balisong flip without the sting.
Balisong flipping has evolved from a niche martial art into a high-speed skill sport, where the fluid motion of the handles is just as important as the steel between them. For those looking to enter the world of butterfly knives, the barrier to entry is often the steep learning curve—and the inevitable nicks that come with it. CIVIVI is addressing this head-on with the Dracolisk, a dedicated trainer designed to offer a authentic flipping experience without the risk of a live edge.
The Dracolisk represents CIVIVI’s first foray into the balisong market, and they have chosen to focus exclusively on the practice-friendly format. The 4.57-inch blade is crafted from 9Cr18MoV stainless steel, featuring a stonewashed finish and a dramatic clip point profile. While the “edge” is completely dull, the blade is ground and weighted to mimic the physics of a live blade, ensuring that the muscle memory developed during practice translates accurately to a real knife later on.
Mechanical simplicity is a hallmark of a good trainer, and the Dracolisk delivers with a latch-less construction. This design choice provides clean lines and eliminates the common annoyance of a latch interfering with handles during complex aerials or rollovers. The handles themselves are machined from lightweight aluminum with a 3D anti-slip texture, providing a secure grip even during high-intensity sessions.
Under the hood, CIVIVI opted for bronze washers at the pivots. While many modern folders utilize ball bearings, washers are often preferred in the balisong community for their predictable, smooth drag and long-term durability under the constant impact of flipping. At 4.18 ounces, the Dracolisk sits in the “sweet spot” for many flippers—heavy enough to carry momentum through transitions, but light enough to avoid fatigue.
Whether you are a seasoned flipper looking for a safe way to test new combos or a beginner starting from scratch, the Dracolisk provides a professional-grade platform to hone your skills.
