Elite Line debuts with premium CPM S35VN steel, aluminum scales and an innovative top-liner lock mechanism.
Civivi has always aimed at more budget-conscious knife enthusiasts, arming them with stout yet affordable blades. The company, however, recently announced a new tack with the introduction of its Civivi Elite Line of knives.
Inaugurated with the Brova model, the line of knives offers a higher grade of materials and is meant to fill the gap between Civivi and its top-tier sister brand We. For some perspective, a good section of Civivi’s catalog falls below the $100 mark, while most of We’s are premium $200-plus models. Elite fills the hole in the middle and, as Civivi’s release puts it, is designed for its customers “ready to take the next step.”
Civivi doesn’t spell out its overall ethos for the entire line, but the Brova insinuates some of the notes Elite knives aim to hit. One of the more notable material upgrades is the knife’s blade steel—CPM S35VN. The brand has used the top-line Crucible Industries steel previously, but generally in premium editions of established models. Civivi’s go-to blade steels are typically 14C28N, Nitro-V and D2.
Furthermore, the vanguard knife of the Civivi Elite line features an entirely new lock for the brand—a top-liner lock. Operated via a button near the spine of the handle, the mechanism should prove convenient. Smartly, Civivi recessed the button to ensure the blade isn’t inadvertently retracted when in use.
The Brova cuts a bellicose profile, with a subtle 3.41-inch clip-point blade coming down to a fine point. It certainly should have decent penetration potential with this design, but with a respectable amount of belly on its edge and a good length of straightaway before the handle, it should prove adept at slicing or with push cuts.
The handle is well contoured, featuring a notch for locking the knife in with the index finger and thumb. It’s dressed in smooth aluminum scales with the choice of three colors that house stainless-steel liners. The hardware and clip are also stainless steel, and the action is run on caged ceramic ball bearings.
As for Brova’s price, all three colorways come in at $145. The EDC looks like a solid start for the Civivi Elite Line; it will be interesting to see what comes next.
Awards Were Given Out In Nine Different Custom Knife Categories Including Best In Show At BLADE Show West In Salt Lake City.
Dozens of makers entered knives in competition across eight different custom knife categories. The skill on display was tremendous, and numerous knives wowed the judges. However, these were the blades that stood out from the crowd and took home the awards. All images are SharpByCoop Images.
Knifemakers Continue To Evolve Their Use Of Social Media Platforms To Promote Their Work And Expand Their Customer Base.
It’s been around a while now—long enough for an update on its relevance and impact on the knife industry. Meanwhile, social media in some ways remains a new frontier for both knifemakers and the market.
It isn’t unusual for those interested in buying an existing knife or commissioning one from a pro to use social media such as Instagram, Facebook, and other windows into the lives and work of custom makers. The media provide outreach and information on an unprecedented scale, and custom makers who take advantage of the opportunity to put themselves in front of the buying public take different approaches.
Some use video, others still photos. Some use music, others narration of what the viewer is seeing. Some allow the hum and whir of machines or the ring of the hammer to set the tone and convey the message. The answers to the questions of where and how to apply social media in their work lives vary among makers, but the involvement of social media in their marketing and sales efforts has become a regular part of their routine.
“Instagram broadens the customer base, and if you aren’t using it you are missing out on that client base,” related knifemaker/5th Special Forces veteran/BLADE® field editor Kim Breed (@kimbreed1911 on Instagram). “I was dead set against it, but my son Keith got me going and said that it was something I needed to do. You can target your audience with a hashtag, and then when someone searches for something in particular it will come up.”
Kim likes to use music as a backdrop for his videos and especially enjoys the rock band AC/DC (the band’s song “Thunderstruck” is among Kim’s favorites). Of course, there are other musical selections, and he ties the tune into what is happening on his Instagram and Reels posts.
“When I’m doing hand hammering or power hammering, I love AC/DC,” he smiled, “and sometimes I’ll use dramatic songs when I’m etching, or whatever. Instagram is easy. I can do it on my phone and post it in five minutes, and I’m sure you can do the same thing with Facebook.”
Since the social media surge, Kim has found that how-to video posts are more popular than pictures of knives alone. He also advocates frequent posting of relevant work in progress.
“I try to post something at least once a day,” he remarked, “and it may be something like etching damascus steel. I get good hits and feedback on that and anytime I post videos working with a milling machine or grinder so people can actually see me building a knife.”
Making Social Media Work For You
Isaiah Schroeder, whose forged gyuto was featured on page 82 of the October BLADE®, uses both Instagram and Facebook and publishes an email newsletter around once a month with his latest knives and prices. That way, everyone signed up for the newsletter gets it at the same time and has an equal chance to get one of his new knives. (SharpByCoop image)
Isaiah Schroeder uses both Instagram and Facebook with the handle @schroederknifeworks and has found a much wider audience than might otherwise have become familiar with his work. He is regularly in front of his followers with updates and information.
“I started doing my email newsletter [www.schroederknifeworks.com/newsletter] several years ago,” he commented, “mostly so that I don’t have to be completely dependent on Instagram’s algorithm to show my customers when my new work is available. With this newsletter, everybody who is signed up for it gets it at the same time and has an equal chance to get one of the knives. I do the whole thing myself using a service called Mailchimp, which just makes it easier to keep the list and format the content. My goal is to have one batch of knives per month and one newsletter per month.”
Schroeder uses Instagram primarily but cross-posts to Facebook when preparing social media input. He sees Instagram as a way to reach more people, and a gallery of his work conveys the quality of his knives and materials he uses. Recently, he has seen short videos take hold and is using these to reveal his shop work. The result has been dramatic.
“Instagram has been great for my business,” he smiled. “I’ve sold knives around the world because of it. I focus on cooking knives, and there is a large foodie presence on Instagram so that meshes well with my content.”
Isaiah also appreciates the free flow of information afforded by social media, everything from the knifemaking process to presentation to pricing. The volume of information at the fingertips of the viewer is incredible, and knowledge is buying power.
“I’m not too shy about posting my prices for the public to see,” he reasoned. “I’ve always wondered why some makers won’t post prices. It’s something people always ask about, so they clearly want to know. I’d rather make it known. Then people can have time to decide whether they think it’s worth it for them or not. I guess it might be different if I were selling through a retailer or making custom orders.”
Knifemakers Grow Their Brand
For his custom knives, Mike Vagnino indicated posting work in progress seems to get the best response and exposure regardless of whether they are still shots or videos. (Vagnino image)
Just getting a custom knife enterprise off the ground from a marketing perspective can be a huge challenge, and when custom knifemaker Mike Vagnino and business partner Patrick Ma kicked off Terrain 365, they immediately began looking for ways to raise their new company’s profile.
“Our primary source for promoting the business is social media, which has worked very well for us,” Mike explained. “Our goal, of course, is to sell knives by making people aware of our brand and drawing them to our website. Patrick handles our social media for Terrain 365, and the key seems to be posting often and consistently.”
While Mike emphasizes he is no social media expert, he acknowledges social media’s inclusion in a sales-and-marketing strategy will pay dividends.
“I use Instagram and Facebook primarily to promote my custom knives and any new projects I’m working on, not necessarily to generate immediate sales, but to keep my name out there. For my custom knives, posting work in process seems to get the best response and exposure regardless of whether they are still shots or videos. I choose not to speak during the video because I think what I’m showing is explanation enough—not because I think it’s more intriguing—although that may be the effect. Actually, I think telling a story might help if it’s interesting enough, but keeping the video short to match the people’s attention span nowadays is what I keep in mind.”
In promoting Terrain 365, Mike and Patrick have found that outdoor photos of the knives in action work best. Since their company is geared toward everyday carry knives and those that are ideal for use in the outdoor environment, their knives are constructed in rust-proof, non-magnetic materials. Take a look at Mike on Instagram @michaelvagnino.
Making First Impressions
David Lisch says Instagram may be the place many knife consumers see a maker’s work for the first time, so everything the maker posts should be first rate.
ABS master smith David Lisch issues both an endorsement and a warning when it comes to his use of social media.
“I have found that social media is both a blessing and a curse,” he observed. “It has been a struggle for me to find a balance. If you let it, social media can eat up so much of your time, time you could spend creating, making, and being in life. It is important to find the balance.”
Indeed, every opportunity carries a requirement for thorough evaluation and an awareness of the unintended consequences.
“I have focused my social media on Instagram primarily,” David added. “It is where I share my knowledge and sell my knives and meet my students. I have taken time to figure out what works for me and how to present myself. It might not seem like it at times, but I take Instagram very seriously.”
For those makers beginning to consider social media as an enhancement to their overall livelihood, Lisch provides a voice of experience and makes a few sound recommendations.
“My advice for knifemakers new to Instagram is to treat your feed like a portfolio page. This is the place people will see your work, maybe for the first time. It is your first chance to make an impression on a potential collector. Go in and clean up your feed on occasion and remove any stupid stuff.
“Keep it engaging,” Lisch continued. “Show work in progress as well as finished work. Use your storyline to keep folks up to date with what you are working on, or what is happening on a lighter side. Because your storyline is only up for 24 hours, it is self-cleaning. It is a great opportunity to have fun and connect with the folks interested in your life. Be yourself; do not try too hard to create content that is not you. Use hashtags and try different ones. Post to Reels, and if they are good they may go viral. As your audience grows, remember you are also a role model. If you are working, wear your safety gear. Be real.”
David can be found on https://www.instagram.com/davidlisch/. Click “Highlights” on his Instagram home page for his free video classes.
The social media phenomenon is sure to stay with makers into the future, and participating in the most effective ways will produce the desired benefits for them and their customers. True enough, getting involved may be a bit intimidating, but taking the plunge is becoming more of a necessity every day.
The Spyderco Paramilitary 2, simply known as the Para 2, is a part of the Military family of popular tactical folders in the Spyderco lineup. The Para 2 came about as a downsized version of the full-size Military model, answering the call from customers for a practical EDC option.
Smaller it might be, but the Para 2 retains the essence of what makes the Military a popular working folder. And because of this, the knife has developed a cult following. However, it’s not simply a shrunken-down facsimile of its larger predecessor, having gone through several design improvements that have dialed in the knife to users’ needs.
In this article, we’ll examine exactly what has made the Spyderco Para 2 such a winner in the company’s lineup. And why, if you need a truly rugged everyday option—or just want a classic in your collection—the legendary knife more than fits the bill.
Para 2 Blade
To start things off, the blade of the Para 2 sports a useful clip point shape, enhanced with a full flat grind. Furthermore, the knife has a gradual distal taper from the tang to the tip, evident when viewed from the top. The length of the blade measures 3.4 inches long, enough length to take care of heavy work but short enough for comfortable carry in a pocket.
A CPM S45VN stainless-steel blade brings toughness, excellent edge retenion and easy of sharpening to the game.
Constructed of CPM S45VN high-performance stainless steel, Spyderco picked the perfect material for a high-end knife. Compared to the gold standard of this class—S30V—S45VN proves a bit tougher, yet is remains easy to resharpen. That is if you have to. The blade’s toughness means it holds an edge extremely well, suiting it for long-haul work without interruption. A final point, S45VN is fairly renowned for its corrosion resistance, making the Para 2 excel in nearly any environment.
As those familiar with Spyderco can guess, the blade boasts the company’s trademark hole near the spine, at the rear. This has been the go-to deployment method for time immemorial on the firm’s knives. Rounding things out on the blade, there’s integrated chill formed by part of the blade and handle when the blade is opened. A choil permits the user to further choke up on the blade for extra control when needed.
Para 2 Handle
Spyderco opts for a black textured G-10 for the handle, which endows it with a few assets. First, it keeps the knife nimble, cutting down on the Para 2 overall weight. But this isn’t at the expense of strength—G10 is tough as cut nails—and a solid purchase on the knife.
Dark, dashing and useful, the Para 2’s G-10 handled gives users a firm grip on the knife.
The handles are milled out, allowing the slightly undersized stainless steel liners to sit flush with the G-10. Nicely, this reduces the overall width of the handle but doesn’t sacrifice the lateral strength of the liners. Spyderco also turns its eye to weight reduction with the liners, porting them to further lighten the load—while not compromising strength.
The handle shape itself is very ergonomic, like the full-size Military. There is an expanded, curved section that forms an integral finger guard to prevent your hand from sliding forward. The handle feels very secure in hand, and this inspires user confidence.
Compression Lock
With an extremely strong lockup, the Para 2’s Compression Lock adds confidence to the system.
The Para 2 utilizes Syperco’s Compression Lock to secure the blade, a solid system that has several benefits. For those unfamiliar with the mechanism, it’s an in-house design that provides an extremely strong lockup. It operates by the lock bar wedging itself onto a ramp on the blade’s tang and a hardened steel stop pin. As an added benefit, the release is situated on the handle spine, just behind the blade within reach of the thumb and forefinger. Not only is the design ambidextrous, but it also facilitates fast and intuitive one-hand opening (with a bit of practice) and closing.
Pocket Clip
A steel pocket clip is attached to the handle in the right-hand, tip-down configuration. However, Spyderco has what they call 4-way clip mounting with the Para 2. This means the handle is drilled and tapped to modify the clip’s position, thus the carry style. Again, this makes the knife lefty- and righty-friendly, as well as allowing for tip-up or tip-down carry. Understandably, this is another facet of the Para 2 has that a lot of fans.
No matter how you carry or hand you use, you can move the clip to suit your needs.
The handle also has an open build, allowing you to effectively clean lint and other debris out of the inside of the handle by using either compressed air or tap water. The handle length is 4.8 inches, making the overall length of the Para 2 around 8.2 inches. I would consider any folder with an overall length of 9 inches to be large, so to say the Para 2 is a midsize folder is a stretch. It’s safer to say it’s on the upper end of being midsize. Still kind of compact, but large enough to handle some man-sized cutting jobs.
Para 2 In Action
The flat ground blade with distal taper helps the blade sail through anything with ease. This is exactly the reason why the full-size Military is a favorite among knife users the world over. You’ll notice the blade bites in and does so aggressively and it just takes off. Shoot, I have even used my Para 2 and Military in the kitchen to aid in food prep at times. The Para 2 makes for an effective paring knife.
An all-time classic, the Para 2 offers users an option fit to tackle most jobs.
Outside of the kitchen, the Para 2 slices through cardboard, plastic edging, styrofoam blocks, and even strips wire with ease. Spyderco’s cutting edges out of the box are nothing short of perfect. The Para 2 can be put to work immediately without modifications to the edge. S45VN’s durability is out of this world. You’ll benefit from the enhanced edge-holding capability of this steel by not having to sharpen as often. However, all this depends on your frequency of use and that can vary from person to person.
The handle ergonomics are very comfortable. The Para 2 didn’t leave any hot spots of any kind and is pleasurable to wield during extended periods of use.
Final Cut
I think you will find the Para 2 to be an excellent daily carry choice for you, if you are looking for a working folder that is also a super comfortable EDC knife. As for how much the Spyderco Paramilitary 2 will set you back, the MSRP starts at $265.00 for the black G-10 handle/satin-finished blade as tested here. There’s also a camo handle for the same price, and black DLC coated versions for a bit more at $285.
The Poros by Spartan Blades is a great feeling folder. The flipper design is spot-on for hand placement.
Company co-founders Curtis Iovito and Mark Carey are excellent to work with and built Spartan from scratch. Both are retired from Special Forces and have a lot of pride in workmanship. The Poros is their field-grade-version linerlock. It might not have the fancy material and looks but the performance is top shelf.
Poros Light Cutting Duties
Initial slicing of 20-pound copy paper was excellent. The Poros was very smooth and aggressive. The blade shape really helped slicing paper, especially when I employed a roll cut. The flat-ground blade sliced straight with no curling of the paper.
The 154CM stainless steel blade was exceptionally aggressive in the 8-ounce leather slice.
The Poros easily devoured single-walled cardboard. As with the copy paper, the blade sliced it both forcefully and effortlessly, resulting in nice, straight cuts. The slices were extremely quick with no resistance felt.
The folder was quite aggressive again in the 8-ounce leather slice. It was very easy to control the thickness of the skiving—I just needed to move my fingers faster. I had two fingernail nicks after the skiving. The edge remained sharp.
Poros Medium Cutting Duties
It was time to do a fire stick. The flat grind produced excellent curlicues. It sliced the wood incredibly fast and I had to slow down for more control to keep the curlicues on the stick. The handle was comfortable while making the deeper cuts. It was awfully simple to whittle with the knife.
The flat grind produced excellent curlicues. It sliced the wood awfully fast and the author had to slow down for more control to keep the curlicues on the stick.
For the next exercise I used 1-inch manila rope. The Poros crunched to 197 cuts before I ran out of rope. The edge was still good. The handle was very comfortable during heavy use. There were no issues with the blade lock. Nicely done, Spartan.
Poros Heavy Cutting Duties
I split kindling into smaller pieces to check lockup by doing baton work. There continued to be no issues with lockup or edge retention. The knife can handle a beating for sure. It’s not that I recommend baton work with a folder but if you have to it can be done with the Poros.
The author split kindling into smaller pieces to check lockup via some baton work. There were no issues with lockup or edge retention.
To push the knife a bit further, I grabbed my trusty whitetail deer antler. After 30 hard whacks on it, the edge was still sharp with no rolling or chips, indicating spot-on heat treatment.
The last test was back to the copy paper slice. The Poros continued cutting smoothly and my arm was tired. Outstanding job, guys!
Final Cut
The Poros folder is worthy of riding in anyone’s pocket. It’s well designed, sharp and easy on—and comfortable in—the hand. I really don’t know what I’d change on this one, though I would love to see an A-2 tool steel version.
Poros Specs Maker: Spartan Blades Knife type: Flipper folder Blade length: 3 7/8” Blade steel: 154CM stainless Rockwell hardness: 58-60 HRC Blade finish: Black PVD Handle: Carbon-fiber-patterned G-10 Lock: Linerlock Closed length: 5 1/8” Country of origin: USA MSRP: $190
We gather up a bevvy of top stateside-manufactured automatic knives, certain to give you an edge on fast deployment.
Automatics long have been a popular knife category for the tactical/serve-and-save professions, as well as the military. In recent years, they have shifted from tactical only to include EDC, too. Autos continue to be like other tactical and EDC lines in that they also leverage the advantage of hi-tech materials for blades and handles, thus creating stronger and harder-working knives that anyone can use.
Bear Ops KATAKT
The part serrated blade of the Bear Ops KATAKT II offers cutting versatility and the option to use the serrations for parting tougher materials like cardboard or rope.
The tactical division of Bear & Son Cutlery, Bear Ops, offers the KATAKT series of tactical/EDC knives with the latest in blade and handle materials. At 4.5 inches closed, the KATAKT II sports a 3.25-inch blade of Bohler M390 high-performance blade steel. M390 provides the ultimate in edge-holding power, is designed to go the distance and eliminates frequent sharpening. Simply put, it is one of the best high-performance blade steels going.
The drop point blade shape is very utility-friendly and able to handle multiple cutting tasks, large and small. It comes in both plain and partly serrated edge formats. The review sample has the latter, giving the best of both worlds in one blade, including the ability to tackle tough cutting jobs—though with the serrations, rope especially. The belly provides an ample amount of plain edge for finer cutting. A swedge gives an edgy look that isn’t threatening at all. A notched thumb rest enables thumb placement where downward pressure can be applied to power the blade through tougher cutting tasks. The black blade coat is low-glare.
Anodized black, the aluminum handle incorporates multiple features for a comfortable, safe using experience. A large finger recess at the pivot helps secure your grip on the handle and index it as well. The chamfer along the grip side bevels the handle material back some so you can wrap your fingers around it easily without hotspots forming.
The version of the crossbar lock Bear Ops calls the Slide Lock serves as both the blade lock and firing mechanism of the KATAKT II. To fire the blade, pull back on either side of the lockbar. As the author opined, this truly is an ambidextrous automatic.
A deep carry, fold-over steel pocket clip carries the closed knife blade tip up and is reversible to accommodate southpaws—simply back out two T6 Torx screws and reposition the clip on the other side. A filler tab covers the machined recess for the clip, providing a more streamlined overall appearance. The copper-colored pivot rings and backspacer inject a subtle contrast of color on the otherwise all-black knife.
The blade is secured using the Slide Lock mechanism, Bear’s version of the crosslock. It’s ambidextrous, easy and safe, removing the fingers from the radial path of the closing blade to eliminate accidental nicks. The lock is very strong and can withstand a high degree of abuse. To unlock the knife, pull one of the exposed lockbar ends back to move the lockbar away, allowing the blade to rotate closed.
With most autos, blade deployment is initiated by simply pressing a button. From the closed position, the KATAKT II uses the Slide Lock as both the blade lock and release. To open the knife, pull back on the exposed lockbar with your thumb until the blade fires.
Medford Knife & Tool’s Smooth Criminal
Thanks to its ergonomic handle and drop point blade, the Medford Smooth Criminal is a compact auto very easy to carry and use. Tasks like wire stripping that require extra control are a snap.
At just 4 inches closed, Medford Knife & Tool’s Smooth Criminal is a compact powerhouse auto. Don’t expect anything less than a heavy-duty folder with this one. An anodized aluminum handle, CPM S35VN stainless blade and a titanium pocket clip round out the overall package that’s easy to carry yet works as hard as the day is long.
The drop point blade is a good general-use one that offers a belly for slicing tasks and a decent point for puncturing and scoring. The 3-inch blade is an ideal length for EDC purposes—short enough to carry comfortably and not get in the way but long enough to tackle most reasonable cutting tasks. The polished finish looks great and helps keep the blade cleaner and rust-free by not allowing much to stick to it, nor liquids to bead on it. S35VN has proven itself time and again as one of the ultimate steels for high-end knives. It’s a bit tougher than S30V though not nearly as hard to resharpen. It is a top user and will go the distance for edge holding. All my experiences with this blade steel have been nothing but very positive.
The ergonomic grip is a lightweight yet tough aluminum alloy available in a range of hard anodized colors, though you cannot go wrong with standard black anodizing, which looks striking with the tumbled (stonewashed) blade. The black and silver look is just timeless; it’s used a lot with motorcycles and vehicles for a reason.
The lock release/firing button of the Medford Knife & Tool Smooth Criminal is domed and sports holes reminiscent of a car hubcap. It’s a nice styling addition to an area most manufacturers ignore.
The handle sports a few features that enhance user comfort and safety, such as the finger recess to help index your grip. Stepped chamfering provides a comfortable place for your fingers to wrap around. A utilitarian lanyard hold is incorporated into the handle spacer. A titanium pocket clip carries the knife tip up.
The blade is actuated by a typical push button, tapered/plug locking system, which secures it in both the closed and open positions. The button sports decorative holes that resemble a car hubcap, a nice visual touch and a great alternative to a plain button.
Action-wise, the Smooth Criminal is also a smooth operator. The blade rides on a pair of caged bearings that promote silky smooth rotation. You can feel that when you fire the blade and it rotates out with precision and locks securely. Performance-wise, the knife is perfect for folks who need a good, solid, tough working folder without the bulk and length of a larger model. As a result, the Smooth Criminal rides comfortably in a pocket. The entire knife gets in and out of tasks easily. MSRP: $375.
Heretic Knives Wraith
The V.4 features improvements to the blade and handle that make the knife sleeker and better ergonomically than previous Wraiths. It’s an efficient cutting tool for tactical or general use.
The Wraith is the flagship side-opening automatic from Heretic Knives. It’s a large tactical folder with a bold design and advanced ergonomics. In 2025, Heretic unveiled the Wraith V.4, a highly updated version of its signature folder that incorporates quite a few changes that could result in this model being the cornerstone of the company’s tactical knife line.
The blade is available in a choice of bowie or tanto shapes, the latter reviewed here. Steel has been upgraded to CPM MagnaCut stainless to offer the best in edge holding and corrosion resistance. The blade has a recessed cavity machined into the flats, done purely for aesthetics. The tanto shape is ideal for maximum penetration as the tip shears simultaneously as it pierces. It’s an optical illusion, but the blade seems too tall for the handle. However, when you close it, the blade nestles inside the handle just so. As an added touch, the thumb rest portion of the spine sports notches for sure grip traction.
The handle is hard-anodized T6 6061 aluminum alloy. It’s also thinner than the previous Wraith version and thus carries better in the pocket. The handle edges are chamfered nicely to allow the knife to sit in your grip with high comfort. Two inlays per side of rubber tape enhance purchase. The firing/lock button is round as opposed to rectangular as with the older Wraith model.
The Heretic Wraith V.4 comes standard with a steel pocket clip that works very well. For $49 extra, you can upgrade to a milled titanium clip with a carbide ball.
A steel pocket clip carries the knife tip up and is reversible for ambidextrous use. A milled titanium clip with a silicon carbide ball is $49 extra. It looks very upscale and is great at keeping the closed knife in your pocket. The carbide ball provides the right amount of tension and slides nicely when removing the knife from or returning it to your pocket.
While the V.4 is sleeker and more refined than previous Wraiths, it still packs a punch as a large, using folder. The tanto’s straight edge is a great slicer and cuts through most anything you need to with no struggle. The 3.7-inch blade affords enough real estate to facilitate this. The angled tip is great for more precise cuts as well as light-duty scraping.
The handle is quite comfortable with no hotspots and provides excellent blade control at all times. The rubber grip tape inlays are inset enough to be out of the way, so as to not affect removing or inserting the knife into a pocket. The knife sits low in the pocket but with some handle sticking out for purchase. The V.4 is extremely well-made and looks spectacular with the all-black finish. Very stealthy! MSRP: $300.
Chavez Knives/Pro-Tech Redencion
According to the author, the modified tanto blade of the Pro-Tech/Chaves Knives Redencion 229 has a top that isn’t styled like typical tantos. The secondary edge has a bit of belly that makes it a more efficient cutter by accentuating penetration power.
The Redencion 229 auto is a collaboration between Pro-Tech and Ramon Chavez of Chaves Knives. Based on the Chaves Knives Redencion folder, the 229 brings an exciting automatic to the market that incorporates Pro-Tech’s manufacturing excellence and strong spring action with Chaves’ bold styling highlights.
The 3.3-inch modified tanto blade is S35VN. A swedge enhances penetration power, along with multiple large traction notches on the spine to provide a comfortable place to rest the thumb when placing downward pressure to the blade. Available in stonewash or DLC finishes, the blade is stout as it is sharp. The test sample is a dark stonewash, which contrasts nicely with the handle anodized a beautiful battle-worn purple.
The grip is T6 6061 aluminum alloy available in multiple anodized colors. It is treated to appear as though the knife has seen considerable pocket time and use by wearing away the anodizing at the very edges. It looks worn-in even when brand new! While the design itself is rather boxy, the chamfered handle edges make the knife comfortable to hold—no hotspots in-hand, no nothing.
Function and durability are built into the skull pocket clip of the Pro-Tech/Chaves Knives 229. The skull is a trademark of the Chaves Knives brand, and the design and titanium material beef up the clip, making it more difficult to spring out of shape if it accidentally catches on something.
The auto carries tip up via a distinctive Chaves pocket clip design in the shape of a skull. All Chaves folders have the clip design, sort of a trademark of the brand. While the skull clip may be too much for some, it is more than just for appearance. Its width means more of the tough titanium material is used, which prevents it from being bent out in case you snag it on something. Also, screws attach the clip to the handle from the inside. This means no visible clip screws. Very trick! Few folder clips on the market attach in such a way. On the downside, the clip isn’t reversible and thus not southpaw-friendly.
At 4.5 inches closed, the Redencion 229 makes a great working folder. Out of the box, it’s sharp and ready to cut. Hit the button and the blade rockets out with authority, as all Pro-Tech autos do. The straight-line primary edge tackles general tasks nicely, and the secondary edge at top is great for scoring work or cuts requiring extra control. The secondary edge has a bit of a belly, something most tantos are without. This helps accentuate penetration power. S35VN steel holds an edge really well, so you need not resharpen frequently. The knife cuts with abandon and is easy to carry. What’s not to like? MSRP: $300 and up, depending on options.
This Quartet Of Automatic Knives Open In A Flash And Run The Gamut When It Comes To Their Versatility
Automatics fascinate many knife fans and non-knife fans alike. Deploying the blade rapidly regardless of the situation is very important. There’s no fumbling around for the thumb stud, thumb disc, or blade hole—press the button and you’re ready to rock and roll.
Pro-Tech Terzuola ATCF Folder
The Pro-Tech Terzuola ATCF marries a tough working blade with an ergonomic handle design and an integral guard.
Pro-Tech won a record-tying three BLADE Magazine Knife-Of-The-Year® awards at BLADE Show 2022 (September BLADE®, page 12), one of them Knife Collaboration Of The Year with Bob Terzuola for the Pro-Tech Terzuola ATCF Folder. The ATCF—short for Advanced Technology Combat Folder—is Bob T’s signature custom design and has been around for many years.
The 3.5-inch drop-point blade offers a high degree of utility. The handle features an integral guard and an ergonomic gripping area that is both comfortable and secure and works in conjunction with the blade spine thumb ramp. The blade material is CPM MagnaCut, a relatively new stainless steel that reportedly has the best edge holding of all high-performance blade steels.
The knife has an aluminum frame with an integral bolster, various handle material options such as G-10, Micarta®, and carbon fiber, and hardwoods like ironwood and maple burl. The push button inlay matches the handle material. Each knife comes with a distinctive, milled titanium pocket clip designed by Bob T. It screws to the handle from the inside for a clean, no-screw appearance. The downside is in the unlikely event you break the clip, you will have to return the knife for repair since it requires disassembly to get to the screws.
For this article, I selected Pro-Tech’s tuxedo configuration of the Terzuola ATCF. The handle consists of a black bolster with ivory paper Micarta. The firing button has an inlay of ivory Micarta to match.
Don’t let the upscale appearance fool you—the Pro-Tech ATCF can get dirty. The blade cuts easily and has the right amount of belly to facilitate slicing. The swedge on the spine enables the tip to penetrate and provides a slightly aggressive look. The handle has an integral forward guard. Along with the blade spine thumb ramp, it allows you to choke up for extra control.
MSRPs vary depending on handle material. All-aluminum-frame models are around $600, and the custom shop 416 stainless steel handle ones go for four figures.
“Bob and his wife Suz have been an absolute pleasure to work with,” noted Dave Wattenberg, Pro-Tech founder and president. “I’m forever grateful that he shared not only his iconic design with us, but took the time to share his love for knifemaking with my entire team here, and gifted each of us with a signed copy of his book.”
Microtech Brachial
The Brachial is very effective as a slicer due to the blade shape. Food processing made easy! (Dexter Ewing image)
Designed in conjunction with Bastien Coves, aka Bastinelli Knives, the Brachial by Microtech is an exciting mix of tactical ferocity and sex appeal.
“Bastien is extremely talented,” observed Tony Marfione, Microtech co-founder and president. “His designs are not only works of art but are original and purpose-driven.” Marfione and Coves have been good friends for a long time, which is extremely important when it comes to collaborating on a knife design.
Boasting a heavy Persian influence, the Brachial’s 3.25-inch blade is premium M390 stainless steel for enhanced edge holding. The handle is machined T6-6061 aluminum for strength and minimal weight. Pockets machined inside the handle further reduce weight, making the Brachial a pleasure to carry and use.
A rugged steel pocket clip totes the closed knife blade tip up and right-handed. A frag pattern machined in the surface of the handle’s left side enhances grip traction, and there’s a small patch of frag on the clip side, too. The steel spacer adds strength to the handle, which has an integral lanyard hole.
Once you grip the handle, it’s quite evident the Brachial’s curves are not merely for show. The curvature seated the handle inside my hand as if it were made for it. The curved blade slices with great effectiveness. The flow of the blade from the handle enhances a sweeping cutting motion, with the edge presenting itself prominently to the target.
Microtech bills the Brachial at home hunting and outdoors equally as it is tactical. The upswept blade serves well at field dressing/processing game and food prep. The flat grind permits the blade to sail through media and presents a very aerodynamic profile.
I like the Brachial’s action. Once you press the button, the blade rockets out of the handle to the open and locked position, so hold on tight! I appreciate the shape of the firing button. Most companies use a round one and that works just fine, but a non-round shape is rarely seen. Microtech does this type of button on the Stitch auto as well. Once the blade locks open it is locked for sure. There’s no play in any direction, so the knife can be used with confidence.
The pocket clip carries the Brachial comfortably, and the curved grip allows the closed knife to sit in the pocket perfectly. Hence, as large as the folder is, you barely know it’s with you. While the size may not be ideal for EDC for a lot of folks, take comfort knowing that in case you do EDC it, the knife carries like a smaller folder. The clip is also heavy-duty—you’re not going to snag this one on obstacles or break it.
The Brachial sliced fruit and vegetables well. Outside the kitchen, it made very quick work of cutting cardboard boxes. I even took it into the woods to see how effective it would be as an outdoor knife. It did surprisingly well, including whittling points on sticks for makeshift tent pegs. The blade had plenty of bite into the wood and generated large shavings. The Brachial is an effective all-around cutting tool. Made in the USA, it has an of MSRP of $500.
Heretic Knives Wraith
The Heretic Wraith offers the option of a partially serrated blade that can power through such tough materials as nylon webbing.
Heretic Knives won the Manufacturing Quality Award at BLADE Show ’22, a solid testament to the company’s commitment to excellence in its entire line. An example is the Wraith, a full-size side-opening auto. There are two blade options: a tactically oriented tanto or a more utilitarian clip point. Both are 3.6 inches and complete larger jobs easily. Blade material for the base model Wraiths is ELMAX, a high-end particle steel of European origin. It has very good edge holding and muscles through tough media.
The auto has a lack of assembly screws in the traditional locations. That means the aluminum grip is machined from one billet. Since it’s integral, it’s quite strong. A carbon fiber bolster simplifies final assembly by allowing full access to the pivot. The clip side of the handle has no bolster. This is the Wraith’s signature look. The handle’s left side features a checkerboard pattern for traction.
A press of the large, rounded/rectangular firing button deploys the blade. The button has a matching checkerboard texture to provide a sure grip. The blade pivots on caged bearings for a velvety opening. Blade lockup is secure.
Even the pocket clip is nice—one-piece-milled titanium that features a single ball bearing pressed into the end to help hold the knife on the pocket. The clip is attached using a single hex-head screw, and the clip’s base sits inside a machined pocket to prevent the clip from rotating and working loose.
Everything about the Wraith clicks. The fit and finish is superb, the blade sits dead center when closed, the action is buttery smooth and the handle is a one-piece billet. The knife is chockful of cutting, piercing power. The serrated part of the edge will chew through most anything, and the plain edge portion does well with general cutting tasks.
The tanto blade’s secondary angled edge can be used as a light-duty scraper. The handle is plenty comfortable thanks to the chamfers and contours in the right places.
There are no problems with the Wraith in the performance department. The model in the two-tone black ELMAX tanto blade, billet aluminum handle, carbon fiber bolster, and the battle-worn pocket clip has an MSRP of $385. Prices vary slightly depending on the configuration. All Heretic knives are made in the USA.
Hogue Knives Ballista
The Hogue Ballista is a straightforward working design that makes a great utilitarian folder. The 154CM drop-point blade accommodates a wide variety of cutting tasks. Note the finger groove just before the choil that results from the junction of blade and handle that the author mentions in the story.
The Hogue Knives Ballista is a straightforward working knife with a 3.5-inch drop-point blade of 154CM stainless steel. The blade lends itself well to a variety of cutting tasks with the generous belly and a defined point with the ability to pierce if necessary. The handle is T6-6061 aluminum for light weight and strength.
A series of traction grooves milled into the handle enhance grip in all weather conditions. Available in anodized colors of black and blue, the Ballista is also available in a 3.5-inch tanto blade. Either blade comes in a stonewash or a black Cerakote finish. A partially serrated model is available in the all-black tanto version only. The stonewash finish blades come with the blue anodized handle and the black Cerakote blades have black handles.
Blade deployment is sure and quick with the press of a button. A sliding button safety prevents accidental blade deployment. Whichever version you choose, the Ballista comes with a nice, highly functional clip. It’s a fold-over deep-carry style and has louvers on it. They look cool and provide a no-slip grip when pulling the knife from the pocket.
As a nice visual touch, a USA flag is laser engraved at the top of the clip, proudly stating country of origin. Two T6 Torx screws secure the clip to the handle, which switches easily to accommodate lefties.
It may not have the tactical edge in appearance, but this is a no-nonsense working knife. The 154CM has long been an industry standard for high-end blade steels. While the newer CPM steels dominate today’s high-end factory knives, 154CM has the advantage of not being as persnickety when it comes to resharpening. It’s easy to maintain, especially in the field.
The handle fit my hand comfortably and is flat to maximize portability. I love how the juncture of the handle and blade form a finger groove when the knife is open. I find myself using the groove to steady the knife during cuts that require it. The flat grind, a great choice in general for working folders, allows the blade to be thin yet have enough meat for strength. The Ballista excels at general work and maybe even as a folding hunter. MSRP in the stonewash, drop-point, plain-edge blade, and blue anodized handle is $189.95.
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