Buyer's Guides

Cool collaborations offer the best of both blade worlds.

Custom/factory collaboration knives have long been popular sellers. A custom knifemaker designs the knife and the company either makes or has it made, providing cutlery consumers with a knife at a lower price point and readier availability than almost always is the case when ordering a custom version directly from a custom maker.

KA-BAR Dozier Folding Hunter

A long-time example of the genre is the collaborations between KA-BAR Knives and veteran knifemaker Bob Dozier. The original Dozier Folding Hunter series consists of mid-sized lockbacks with manufacturers’ suggested retail prices south of $50, offering plenty of bang for the buck. The knives provide ease of portability combined with the high utility of a drop-point blade.

The series proved such an excellent seller for KA-BAR that the company decided to also market it in a higher-grade steel to enhance performance and edge holding: CPM S35VN stainless. The standard KA-BAR Dozier Folding Hunter has D2, a very respectable, hard-wearing blade steel that’s tried and true in the industry. MSRP: $47.58. The S35VN iteration has an MSRP of $97.01 and like the D2 version is made in Taiwan.

While somewhat of a significant price increase, remember, you’re getting a high-end blade steel in return. S35VN behaves a lot like its predecessor, S30V, with a bit more edge-holding power. It’s also easier to resharpen than S30V. S35VN will go the distance, drastically increasing your intervals of sharpening over standard D2. This is especially important if you field dress game on a regular basis. Even though S35VN is stainless, the knife comes with a DLC-coated blade for low glare as well as added corrosion resistance.

Out of the box the edge on the sample was good, but not quite there for my tastes. So, with a bit of work I got the blade hair-popping sharp. The 3-inch blade is a sweet spot length for EDC—big enough to tackle most cutting chores and small enough to carry comfortably without added bulk or length.

The handle’s slender nature also enhances EDC ability. It’s flat and doesn’t “print” in the pocket. Raised diamond texturing molded into the black, lightweight Zytel scales does a great job keeping your hand in place even when wet. It might not be the best-looking grip but it’s definitely geared for function, and that’s very important in a working folder. The pocket clip carries the knife blade tip up and is reversible to accommodate lefties.

The single thumb stud deploys the blade easily and the action is smooth. The knife is very controllable at all times, a testament to both its overall size and handle design/ergonomics. The lockback mechanism is swift and secure. I had no problems with it at all. For a nice, sturdy, compact lockback folder, the Dozier in S35VN is hard to beat.

Spyderco/Paul Alexander SLIPIT

When it comes to collaborations, Spyderco has always been in the forefront of the genre. It also has some interesting folders in its SLIPIT family of non-locking folders. The Nand is an unusual, exciting example of both. Designed by Paul Alexander, an accomplished automotive mechanical engineer and a seasoned knife enthusiast, the Nand combines an angular approach to folding knife design with high-tech materials, all with the precise execution that Italian manufacturing offers. The result is sort of the Cybertruck of folders.

The 3.19-inch reverse tanto blade is fully flat ground from a new super stainless steel from Bohler called M398. Basically, Bohler took its M390 and increased the carbon and vanadium content for even more edge holding.

There are two methods of deploying the blade. The trademark Spyderco round hole is present as well as the extended blade spine that allows the Nand to be thumbed open similarly to a straight razor. The correct terminology for it is a front flipper.

Machined of titanium, the handle translates into an extremely lightweight knife and is where things get a bit interesting. The integral double-ball-bearing detent system not only holds the blade closed but also provides a positive detent when the blade is open. The “spring arms” for the detents are cut out of each handle half and, to create pressure, are bent in a similar manner to a framelock. Ceramic balls implanted on the ends of the spring arms create the open and close detents.

The handle’s angular features might make the knife look a bit awkward but don’t dismiss it until you put the Nand in your hand (see what I did there?). With the knife open, a kind of choil forms so you can choke up on the blade for an extra measure of control. Barring that, you can hold the knife a bit further back with your index finger resting inside the handle’s finger recess. Either grip brings your hand over the blade spine of the opened knife and helps secures the blade open as an added measure to prevent accidental closure. The minimalist wire clip is reversible to accommodate ambidextrous carry.

While the Nand may look a bit different, it’s easy to use and holds its own as an EDC folder. The reverse tanto blade has a highly effective tip that pierces easily. The straight-line cutting edge is simple to resharpen, has a lot of bite and slices through tough materials effortlessly. The knife feels very secure despite its slender nature. Choking up around the choil feels good and secure in-hand, rendering the Nand easily controllable.

SOG KNIVES Kiku Matsuda Hidaka FX 3V

The Hidaka FX 3V is a continuation of the exciting collaboration between SOG Knives and legendary Japanese knifemaker Kiku Matsuda. Known for their distinctive, flowing design style, intricately sculpted handles and hollow-to-flat compound-ground blades, Matsuda’s designs stand out.

His new SOG entry is an exciting tactical/outdoor fixed blade with a 4.8-inch tanto blade ground from ultra-tough CPM 3V carbon steel paired with a multi-faceted sculpted handle of black Micarta®. The blade’s angled tanto tip has a flat grind and the primary cutting edge is hollow ground. When you look at the blade in the light, you can see the grinds transition. Very cool—not too many factory knives have this feature and no doubt it’s much trickier to pull off than a standard tanto blade.

The flat-ground tip has a thicker cross section for greater penetration strength and general tip durability during hard use. The hollow-ground main bevel allows the blade to slice easily. Notches on the thumb-rest portion enhance control and a non-slip grip when bearing down on the blade. A black PVD coating helps with corrosion resistance and low-profile visibility.

The handle is as interesting as the blade. The distinct, intricately sculpted grip features are a Matsuda trademark. The sculpting is not purely for looks but where form follows function. The middle of the handle is hollowed out on each side like one long groove. The handle edges sport a heavy chamfer and a series of scallops all the way around, the latter to enhance grip. A prominent groove helps seat the index finger and provide an anchor point. The total blacked-out look—handle screws included—gives a somewhat sinister tactical appearance. The exposed pommel also sports traction notches for a better thumb purchase.

Overall, the Hidaka FX 3V is just an interesting fixed blade. Not only does the compound-ground blade look cool but it is also very practical. Thicker materials like cardboard and hose are no match for it. A slight hint of a recurve to the main cutting edge no doubt helps cutting power.

The knife comes with a sturdy molded Kydex sheath. It holds the blade securely and an audible snap lets you know when the knife is seated. A hinged fastener affixes the sheath to your belt. The device is similar to the Blade-Tech Tek-Lok and operates similarly. The knife rides comfortably on a belt and the handle is easily accessible. Country of origin: Taiwan. MSRP: $309.95.

Pro-Tech Knives Ramon Chavez Redencion 229

One of the most exciting factory automatics going is the Chaves Redencion 229 by Pro-Tech Knives. Designed by knifemaker Ramon Chavez, the auto combines his bold design style with Pro-Tech’s excellent manufacturing capabilities and automatic action. The 3.3-inch tanto blade is high-performance CPM S35VN. The handle is T6-6061 hard-anodized aluminum for light weight and strength. The Chavez signature skull pocket clip adds attitude to the hard-firing automatic. At 4.5 inches closed, the folder carries well and works hard.

With the press of a button, the blade flies with authority and hits hard when it locks. If you’ve played with Pro-Techs you know what I’m talking about. The blade is flat ground and comes with a very sharp cutting edge out of the box. It will easily handle most tough cutting chores. It goes through cardboard and hose easily.

The blocky handle allows for a secure grip. I noticed no hotspots or any hand discomfort. The aluminum scales are solid and generally hold up to hard use. Some might be apprehensive about the pocket clip as I was at first. Its size and width makes it hard to feel in-hand. Another good thing is the width means it won’t accidentally disengage if caught on anything. It’s stout! It provides the right amount of tension when the knife is clipped to the pocket. Another neat thing is you see no clip mounting screws because the clip is screwed to the handle from the inside—a very cool extra touch.

The Redencion 229 is a great EDC automatic that has attitude and high utility all in one interesting folder. Made in the USA, the model with a stonewashed blade and black anodized handle has an MSRP of $300. Black blade iterations are also available, as well as a recently released drop-point version.

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