SOG and designer Kiku Matsuda launch the Hidaka XR folder and FX fixed blade—rugged, Japanese-inspired knives built for outdoor adventure.
SOG has never been afraid to push boundaries, and the brand’s latest collaboration with master Japanese designer Kiku Matsuda proves it once again. August 2025 marks the debut of two new additions to the Hidaka series—the Hidaka XR folding knife and the Hidaka FX fixed blade. Both builds reflect Matsuda’s trademark blend of Japanese tradition and Western practicality, creating tools that are as striking to look at as they are dependable in the field.
The Hidaka XR takes the foundation of the original folder and turns up the performance. This isn’t just a cosmetic refresh. SOG gave the XR a 4-inch modified tanto blade made from CPM 3V steel—steel that’s known for taking abuse and holding an edge long after lesser alloys give out. Designed with outdoor use in mind, the XR can chop, pry, and slice with equal confidence. The textured Micarta handle not only looks the part, it locks into the hand, even when wet, and the company’s XR lock system secures the blade under up to 1,500 pounds of force. In practice, it feels closer to a fixed blade than a folder, making it a smart option for anyone who needs a folding knife that can survive hard use.
SOG Hidaka XR
Then there’s the Hidaka FX, a fixed blade that ticks all the boxes for serious outdoorsmen. Its 4.8-inch CRYO 3V steel blade, satin-finished for clean cuts, is built for durability and edge retention. A linen Micarta handle ensures a secure grip, while resisting heat, moisture, and impact. Add in the streamlined Kydex sheath, and the FX becomes an easy-carry knife ready for camp chores, trail tasks, or emergency situations.
Together, the Hidaka XR and FX show where SOG is headed—knives that merge artistry, ruggedness, and advanced engineering. With Matsuda’s design touch and SOG’s proven reputation for innovation since 1986, these new Hidakas aren’t just fresh models. They’re proof the brand is still redefining what a modern survival and outdoor knife can be.
This summer’s crop of custom knives brings damascus front and center. From twisted and ladder patterns to stainless blends and copper-clad creations, each blade in this collection highlights not just the maker’s skill, but their artistry with steel. Whether forged for daily carry, culinary precision, or collector prestige, these knives turn heads with standout materials—think crystallized titanium, crosscut mammoth, and ringed Western Myall—paired with performance-driven designs. Featured makers range from journeyman smiths to Guild members, each offering a unique take on the timeless beauty and cutting power of damascus steel.
Carlos Queiros Thorn Persian TRS
Knife type: Folder Blade length: 3.35” Blade material: Chad Nichols Starfire stainless damascus Blade grind: Flat Scales: Vintage bright red linen Micarta® Bolsters: Crystalized titanium Pocket clip: Yes Closed length: 4.53” Maker’s price for a similar knife: $4,700-$4,800 at press-time exchange rate Maker: Carlos Queiros (SharpByCoop image)
Casey Brown Dagger
Blade length: 5.5” Blade material: Ladder-pattern damascus Blade grind: Flat Scales: Desert ironwood Guard/fittings: 416 stainless steel Overall length: 10.25” Maker’s price for a similar knife: $900 Knife to know: The maker is an ABS journeyman smith Maker: Casey Brown (SharpByCoop image)
Luka Allen Petty Knife
Blade length: 5 5/8” Blade material: Bjorkman’s twist damascus by Damasteel Blade grind: Flat Scales: Cottonwood Fittings: Brass Overall length: 9.75” Maker’s price for a similar knife: $450 Maker: Luka Allen, lukaallen.com (Jocelyn Frasier image)
Micah Dunn Chef Bread Knife
Blade length:7.5” Blade material: Baker Forge & Tool copper-mai Surge pattern Blade grind: Flat Scales: Spalted chestnut burl and vintage Micarta® Overall length: 12.25” Maker’s price for a similar knife: $1,200 Maker: Micah Dunn, mdedgeworks.com (Jocelyn Frasier image)
Dennis Friedly Art dagger
Blade length: 9” Blade material: Mike Norris damascus Blade grind: Hollow Scales: Picasso marble Fittings: Blued steel Embellishment: 24k-gold inlay by Ray Cover Jr. Maker’s price for a similar knife: $7,200 Knife to know: The maker is a voting member of The Knifemakers’ Guild Maker: Dennis Friedly, friedlyknives.com (SharpByCoop image)
Dane Standen Cleaver
Blade length: 7.3” Blade material: 243-layer textured damascus of 1084 carbon- and 15N20 nickel-alloy steels Blade grind: Flat Scales: Colored resin Pins: Copper Overall length: 12.2” Maker’s price for a similar knife: Contact maker for info Knife to know: The maker is a probationary member of the Australian Knifemakers Guild Maker: Dane Standen (Rod Hoare image)
Josh Howard Folding Hunter
Action: Slipjoint Blade length: 3.5” Blade material: Pattern-welded deer hunting scene Blade grind: Hollow Scales: Amber stag Handle frame & bolsters: Stainless steel Closed length: 5.25” Maker’s price for a similar knife: Contact the maker for info Maker: Josh Howard, deerlickridgeforge.com (SharpByCoop image)
Chad J. Jones Hunter
Blade length: 3.75” Blade material: Mike Norris Hornet’s Nest stainless damascus Blade grind: Flat Scales: Crosscut mammoth tusk Liners: Black and white G-10 Bolster: Zebra carbon fiber Overall length: 8” Maker’s price for a similar knife: $1,250 Maker: Chad J. Jones (Jocelyn Frasier image)
William Manning Hunter
Blade length: 3.35” Blade material: Random-pattern damascus of 1084 carbon-and 15N20 nickel-alloy steels Blade grind: Flat Scales: Antler w/copper spacer Guard: 416 stainless steel Overall length: 8.27” Maker’s price for a similar knife: Contact maker for info Knife to know: The maker is a probationary member of the Australian Knifemakers Guild Maker: William Manning, manningblades.com (Rod Hoare image)
Francois MazieresMedium Paring Knife
Blade length: 5” Blade material: Pattern-welded damascus in 150 layers of 1084 and 1075 carbon- and 15N20 nickel-alloy steels embossed using chevron dies for the final pattern Blade grind: Flat Scales: Stabilized South-Australian ringed Western Myall wood shaped in a composite Western/cowboy style Spacers: G-10 and stainless steel Bolsters: Scalloped, pinned and soldered 416 stainless steel Construction: Hidden tang Overall length: 10” Maker’s price for a similar knife: $320.62 at press-time exchange rate Knife to know: The maker is a member of the Australian Knifemakers Guild and a journeyman smith in the American Bladesmith Society Maker: Francois Mazieres, Yandiwa.com.au (Rod Hoare image)
Nate “Tuna” Grant Utility Fixed Blade
Blade length: 4” Blade material: Rietveld Dragonskin damascus by Bertie Rietveld Blade grind: Flat Handle: Titanium, nickel silver, fiber liners, laser engraved Overall length: 8” Sheath: Guster leather; inlaid w/exotic animal skin; belt model with snap Maker’s price for a similar knife: $5,000 Knife to know: The maker’s utility fixed blade won Best Utility at the 2024 Lost Pines Knife Show Maker: Nate “Tuna” Grant, madebytuna.com (Jocelyn Frasier image)
Bryan Montalvo Basset
Knife type: Folder Blade length: 3.25” Blade material: Grabak damascus by Damasteel Blade grind: Hollow Blade pivot: Skiff caged ceramic bearings Handle: Same material as blade Lock: Linerlock Pocket clip: Same material as handle Closed length: 3.5” Maker’s price for a similar knife: $3,000 at press-time material costs Maker: Bryan Montalvo, keanisonknives.com (Jocelyn Frasier image)
Hot factory drops that made their debut at BLADE Show 2025.
From sexy folders to indispensable knife accessories, BLADE Show 2025 saw a ton of new drops. Nearly two months since the shindig, they’re still coming out. This is our last installment of the new show debuts for the summer and there’s definitely some lookers and doers in this crowd.
Kansept Hazard Bail Lock
Knife type: Folder Designer: Steven Dunnuck Blade length: 3.67” Blade steel: Stainless Rockwell hardness: 58-60 HRC Blade grind: Flat Blade finish: Satin/blackwash Handle material: Titanium Lock: Friction-actuated swing cam lock (no springs) Pocket clip: Tip-up, right-handed Weight: 5.78 ozs. Closed length: 4.54” Country of origin: China MSRP: To be announced Available: August 2025
Wicked Edge Venture Portable Sharpener
Sharpener type: Hand-held Designer: Wicked Edge Abrasive type(s): Diamond, ceramic, leather Grit assortment: 500-grit diamond stone, fine ceramic Angle option: 20 degrees Edges sharpened: Plain Dimensions: 7” x 1.5” x 1” Construction materials: Recycled ABS plastic Weight: 4 ozs. Special features: 20-degree knife guide holds your knife steady as you go across the stone Country of origin: USA MSRP: $40 Available: Preorder now, full launch late summer
McNees Knives Dixon Folder
Designer: Jonathan McNees Blade length: 3.75” Blade steel: MagnaCut stainless Rockwell hardness: 63-64 HRC Blade grind: Hollow Blade pattern: Clip point Blade finish: Atomic Stonewashed Construction: Screw Handle material: Titanium Lock: “Reeve/Walker Frame lock” Blade opener: Hole Pivot: Ceramic ball bearings Pocket clip: Titanium, tip-up Weight: .34 oz. Closed length: 4.5” Country of origin: USA MSRP: $625 Available: NOW
Spyderco Shaman Lightweight
Knife type: Folder Designer: BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall-of-Fame® member Sal Glesser Blade length: 3.58” Blade steel: CTS® BD1N stainless Blade grind: Full-flat Blade pattern: Leaf shape Blade finish: Satin Construction: Screw construction w/nested, skeletonized stainless steel liners Handle material: FRN (fiberglass-reinforced nylon) Lock: Compression Lock® Opening mechanism: Manual one-hand open w/fully accessible Trademark Round Hole™ Pivot materials: Phosphor bronze washers Pocket clip: 4-position, stainless steel, tip-up/tip-down, left/right Weight: 4.8 ozs. Closed length: 4.7” Special features: Finger choil w/added gimping, pebbled textured FRN handles, a reduced weight of 9 percent from original Shaman, and available in both PlainEdge™ and SpyderEdge™ Country of origin: USA MSRP: $230 Available: Fall
Poikilo Blade Vader
Knife type: Folder Designer: TASKnives Blade length: 3” Blade steel: M398 stainless Rockwell hardness: 60-62 HRC Blade grind: “V” Blade pattern: Reverse tanto/modified sheepsfoot Blade finish: Dark Stonewash Construction: Sandwich Handle material: A proprietary titanium Lock: Axis Blade openers: Thumb stud and thumb hole Pivot materials: Bushing and phosphorous bronze washers Pocket clip: Titanium, right-hand carry Weight: 4.76 ozs. Closed length: 4.3” Special features: Screw-less design from PKB Country of origin: China MSRP: $420 (standard/base finish) Available: September/October
Browning South Slope
Blade length: 3” Blade material: D2 tool steel Rockwell hardness: 60-62 HRC Blade finish: Black stonewash Blade openers: Flipper and hole Pivot: Ball bearing Handle: Synthetic; burnt bronze; Cerakote® finish Pocket clip: Ambidextrous, tip-up Lock: Framelock Closed length: 4” Country of origin: Offshore MSRP: $79.99 Available: NOW
We review four exquisite factory-made damascus folders that deliver the elegant look of custom work at a more affordable price.
Quality damascus knives have always been elegant. The steel, known for its unique surface appearance, defines “upscale” when it comes to high-end factory or custom knives. An increasing number of factory brands seem to be offering select models in damascus, bringing the knives to the masses at less than custom prices. For a nominal fee over the cost of a premium factory model—sometimes even less—you can have an exquisite damascus piece for your collection or daily carry rotation.
The A.G. Russell Knives Slim Damascus Folder
The A.G. Russell Knives Slim Damascus Folder is one of the better bangs for the buck in the genre. The 3⅝-inch drop-point blade is a damascus san-mai hybrid of sorts, featuring a core of 9Cr13MoV stainless steel clad with stainless damascus on either side. The construction allows the blade to be made for a more affordable price while also offering a distinctive appearance with the center core showing through near the cutting edge.
The A.G. Russell’s 3-inch drop point blade is a damascus san-mai hybrid of sorts, featuring a core of 9Cr13MoV stainless steel clad with stainless damascus on either side.
The top of the thumb rest is notched for a non-slip grip, and the blade opens easily by a flipper tab. With the blade riding on a pair of caged bearings, the opening action is very smooth and sure. The 9Cr13MoV is a Chinese-made stainless that exhibits performance characteristics similar to the more familiar Japanese-made AUS-8 stainless.
The handle has stainless steel liners with beautiful chambray blue G-10 scales. The color is akin to a blueish gray that is less common for G-10. The double stainless liners are slightly oversized and chamfered for a refined appearance. A steel pocket clip carries the knife tip up. Overall construction is somewhat basic but executed extremely well.
Its overall slim form enables the folder to be carried comfortably in a variety of scenarios, from casual to full dress wear. As slender as it is, the handle remains a width that’s easy to grip and use. The smooth scales are slightly contoured to better fit the hand. The linerlock secures tight and safe, with zero blade play in any direction.
At about an eighth of an inch, the blade is moderately thick for such a slender folder. Add a shallow main grind bevel and there is a slight wedging effect when cutting cardboard, plastic foam and other materials, so you will have to apply a bit more force to get the blade through such media.
Cutting plastic foam into thin slices was a favorite edge tester of BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall-of-Fame® member A.G. Russell, and the A.G. Russell Knives Slim Damascus Folder tackled the task with aplomb.
The handle is very straight, devoid of any features that prevent your hand from sliding forward or rearward. Combined with the blade grind, this doesn’t make the knife a good candidate for heavy/extended use. However, for casual and dress carry it’s perfect. It also makes a great folding steak knife. It’s low profile enough as not to catch unwanted attention in public. At a remarkably low manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $125, the knife represents a great value in a factory damascus folder. Made in China with the typical excellent manufacturing quality that is expected of such knives, the folder represents an excellent value.
Lionsteel’s Twain
Lionsteel’s Twain damascus folder stands out in a crowd. Lionsteel calls it a double integral folder for its one-piece handle and one-piece scale. The handle is a solid piece of machined titanium—nothing new, though not too common, either.
Lionsteel calls the Twain a double integral folder for its one-piece machined titanium handle and one-piece carbon-fiber scale.
It isn’t exactly the easiest nor most cost-effective manner of making a knife handle, but it has loads of “wow factor.” It incorporates considerable CNC machining to arrive at the one-piece handle and one-piece scale. The resulting construction explains the knife’s high cost. It is an extremely strong design since the handle is a true integral as opposed to being composed of multiple parts. It is shaped so that it seats your hand comfortably, especially for prolonged use. The integral scale is 3D-machined carbon fiber and incorporates an integral spacer as well. The scale flows continuously around the spine for an appearance unseen on few if any other production folders.
The knife carries very deep in a pocket, with the clip fastened to the handle butt. When the knife is in your pocket, all that’s visible is the clip. You practically do not feel a thing when carrying it. The weight of titanium and carbon fiber are at a minimum and do not bog you down at all.
The versatile, user-friendly drop-point blade is 3.15 inches of Chad Nichols stainless damascus. Called Scrambled, the pattern gets its name from its eye-catching radial shapes. The flat-ground blade features an oblong hole for easy opening with either hand. The blade spine is crowned, meaning there is a slight radius to it. This is a very nice touch that not all manufacturers offer. It also creates a comfortable surface for a finger rest.
The scale flows continuously around the spine of the Twain for an appearance unseen on few if any other production folders.
The Twain’s high-tech approach to design and manufacturing yields a folder that is both very stylish and functional. The blade has a sweeping belly that makes it easy to tackle mundane daily cutting tasks with ease, such as opening mail and packages, and even cutting food in a restaurant. It’s also not shy about tackling heavier cutting jobs like breaking down cardboard boxes. It is a lighter weight folder but feels very solid in-hand because of the integral titanium frame and super-secure button lock.
The MSRP of $542 gets you a high-end folder with top-flight materials made of the finest craftsmanship in Maniago, Italy.
Pro-Tech Knives Cambria
Known widely for superior-quality automatics, Pro-Tech Knives also makes equally exceptional manual folders such as the Cambria 2 button-lock flipper. The company released the updated version of the Cambria flipper this year, tweaking the design a bit for aesthetics and ergonomics—thus the Cambria 2. It’s designed primarily as an upscale EDC folder that combines style and function into one easy-to-carry package that comes in either a base, working knife format or a highly impressive full-dress model sure to please the most discriminating knife enthusiast.
The Cambria 2’s 3.5-inch drop-point blade of a ladder-pattern stainless damascus forged by Chad Nichols is slender and opens fast via the flipper tab.
The 3.5-inch drop-point blade of ladder-pattern stainless damascus forged by Chad Nichols is slender and opens fast via the flipper tab. The ergonomic aluminum handle is anodized black and has an integral lower guard to help keep your grip in place. The back end is oval shaped to conform to your hand. The maple burl inlay adds an organic touch to a high-tech knife. Each Cambria 2 comes with a deep carry pocket clip that totes the closed folder tip up. To add an ever-so-slight dash of panache, the lock button is inlaid with a mosaic pin.
Deploying the blade is a pure pleasure as it rides on a pair of caged bearings for super smooth action. Out of the box, the edge is super sharp and ready for work. In the pocket, the Cambria 2 rides comfortably. Due to its overall slender form, it practically disappears in your pocket. There is absolutely no bulk associated with this knife. You almost forget you have it! I really like how it slices. The flat grind thins the blade out nicely and gives the edge plenty of bite. Overall fit and finish is what you expect from Pro-Tech—flawless in every way. Country of origin: USA. MSRP: $570. Pro-Tech turns out each damascus piece in low quantities, so if you want one, you’d better act quickly.
Spartan Blades Harsey
The Spartan Blades Harsey 3.25 folder is a scaled-down, EDC-size version of the Spartan Harsey Folder. The company had been receiving requests for a smaller size that’s easier to carry and less bulky while still retaining the heavy-duty build of the original. Enter the 3.25—and just like the larger Harsey Folder, Spartan also offers the 3.25 in a more-dressed-up version sporting a damascus blade paired with a handle of your choice of plain or a decorative machined titanium. The test knife is the former, a damascus blade with a bead-blasted titanium handle, simply stated but elegantly executed.
The bead-blast titanium handle of the 3.25 boasts titanium hardware anodized a light blue for an interesting pop of color.
The drop-point blade is 3.25 (hence the name) inches of Chad Nichols stainless steel damascus in a raindrop pattern. Dual-machined titanium thumb studs provide ease of one-handed opening with either paw. The thumb rest on the spine has some traction notches for a nonslip grip and to apply more pressure to the blade. The bead-blast titanium handle boasts titanium hardware anodized a light blue for an interesting pop of color. The blade secures by a framelock, and a titanium pocket clip also anodized a light blue carries the closed knife tip up. It is a very handsome folder incorporating some heavy-duty elements that make it a great candidate for a user piece.
The 3.25 is a compact workhorse built to go the distance. The flat-ground blade can readily tackle most any daily cutting task: opening packages, breaking down cardboard boxes, slicing steak, or anything else that needs cutting, trimming or stripping. The blade opens smoothly with no play in any direction. It is very solid all around. Multiple finger grooves help seat your hand, providing no-slip control. All handle edges are chamfered to soften the grip and allow the knife to ride in your pocket comfortably. The blade is plenty sharp out of the box and ready for work. Country of origin: USA. MSRP: $545.
Bear & Son Cutlery’s new White Smooth Bone Professional Fillet Knife delivers precision, durability and American craftsmanship for serious anglers.
Summer fishing season just got a serious upgrade. Bear & Son Cutlery has introduced the new 11 7/8-inch White Smooth Bone Professional Fillet Knife, a purpose-built tool for anglers who demand precision from dock to dinner table.
Crafted in Alabama by a company known for keeping every step of production in-house, the WSB66 combines classic styling with modern steel performance. Bear & Son Cutlery’s fully self-contained factory handles everything—from blanking dies and heat treating to grinding, assembly, and hand-finishing—ensuring consistent quality and genuine American craftsmanship in every knife.
At the core of the Professional Fillet Knife is a 7-inch Sandvik 14C28N stainless steel blade, engineered for razor-sharp cuts, long-lasting edge retention and resistance to corrosion, even in saltwater environments. Whether trimming trout in the mountains or breaking down snapper on the coast, the blade delivers clean, efficient slices with ease.
Weighing just 4.9 ounces, the knife offers balance and control that make quick work of everything from panfish to redfish. Its White Smooth Bone handle provides a secure, comfortable grip while adding a touch of traditional character. A protective plastic blade guard ensures safe transport and storage, whether stowed in a tackle box or kitchen drawer.
True to Bear & Son’s mission of building affordable, American-made knives, the Professional Fillet Knife is designed for anglers of all levels—weekend fishermen, seasoned guides and anyone who values a dependable blade at camp or on the water.
White Smooth Bone Professional Fillet Knife Specs Blade Material: Sandvik 14C28N Stainless Steel Handle Material: White Smooth Bone Overall Length: 11 7/8″ Blade Length: 7″ Features: Protective Plastic Blade Guard Weight: 4.9 oz. Origin: Jacksonville, Alabama MSRP: $140
Discover the new Cold Steel Frenzy II folding knife, designed by Andrew Demko and inspired by the Japanese Kabutowari.
Cold Steel has never been shy about bold designs, and the new Frenzy II folding knife is no exception. Designed by custom knifemaker Andrew Demko, the Frenzy II takes its cues from the ancient Japanese Kabutowari and morphs those warrior-worthy aesthetics into a mega-folder ready for today’s EDC crowd.
Let’s start with the blade. At 5.5 inches, it’s not subtle—but it is refined. Forged from premium S35VN powdered steel, the long, flat edge and needle-sharp point make it as functional as it is fearsome. You get top-tier edge retention, durability and slicing performance, all dressed up with a satin line-grain polish and a deep fuller that plays with light like a katana in the sun.
But Cold Steel didn’t stop there. The Frenzy II is all about balance—of power and precision, size and slimness. Despite its impressive blade length, the handle is slim, flat and built for pocket comfort. Crafted from dual-tone, 3D CNC-machined G-10 scales, it’s grippy, eye-catching, and disappears under a shirt tail. This knife may look large, but it carries light and lean.
And yes, the Frenzy II comes equipped with Cold Steel’s bombproof Tri-Ad lock, so when that blade is deployed, it’s staying put. That kind of confidence is why Cold Steel has earned the trust of law enforcement, military and serious knife users for decades.
So, who’s the Frenzy II for? Anyone who appreciates a fusion of heritage-inspired design and modern performance. Whether you’re a collector, a gear geek, or someone who just wants a folding knife that can go toe-to-toe with fixed blades, this one’s worth a serious look.
Frenzi II Specs Weight: 5.7oz Blade Thickness: .14″ Blade Length: 5-1/2″ Blade Steel: American S35VN Handle Length/Material: 6 3/4″ Long Duo Tone G10 Overall Length: 12-14″ Additional Features: Pocket / Belt Clip Knife Type: Folder Blade Length Range: 5+ in Steel Family: CPM Blade Shape: Sheepsfoot Locking Mechanism: Tri-Ad Lock
Explore the world of build-your-own knives with firsthand reviews of Medford’s TFF-4 folder and Architect’s AK 5.5 fixed blade.
In my early days of being a knifemaker, the internet played a factor in my business, largely in getting me exposure on various knife forums. As the years passed, it helped grow my enterprise, making international sales possible. These days, you can hardly imagine a knife business without the ’net.
One of the greatest challenges was helping customers decide on their orders. I had a “record” exchange with one customer of 51 emails to nail down the order. Needless to say, I later deleted the customer’s email from my files.
One way for knife enthusiasts and makers to avoid such kerfuffles is for the customer to “build” his or her knife on the company’s site and get the price, all in real time. Enter two of the outfits that provide that service today: Medford Knife & Tool and Architect Knives (there are others as well).
I went to both sites, followed their processes and “assembled” my knives. Following are the results.
MEDFORD TFF-4 Build
If you’ve read my articles over time, you know I have a thing for knife names. While TFF-4 (starting MSRP $550) doesn’t stand out, I must start cutting companies some slack as the sheer number of manufacturers makes giving a model a name that’s not already taken nearly impossible.
The flipper action is crisp and quick on the TFF-4. Medford provides a pronounced flip so you can quickly deploy the blade.
Anyway, back to the build.
Go to the Medford site and make your way to the “build your own knife now” button. You have three choices: folder, fixed blade or auto. Each of the applicable website pages gives you an overview of the models available. I chose folders and the TFF-4.
It couldn’t be much simpler. Follow the process starting with blade type. As you make each choice, the knife evolves and you start to see it develop. For instance, if you choose the bronze finish the color changes to match your choice. Keep in mind the devil is in the details, so play around a little bit. Either you can have everything match or you can play with contrast.
“I decided to go with a contrasting presentation by making the pivot point, screws and handle inlay black along with the spacer,” the author wrote of the TFF-4. “I could have just made the inlay black and matched the rest to the body. Options are the beauty of a build-your-own knife. I ordered the clip in black as well.”
There were only a couple of cons with the build. Granted, this is my opinion. The example knife was at the top of the page, so as I scrolled down to make my selections, I was constantly scrolling back up to see the result. Secondly, there is no visual representation of the inlay until you choose it. You select your inlay from a pull-down menu and then color options for the inlay from a second pull down. Small things, I know, but they aren’t hard knocks for me. The process still went slick as goose droppings on ice. Part of the fun is going through a number of variations. I just wish I had the money to order all the ones I like.
Medford Results
Tank best describes the resulting TFF-4. If Gucci made a tank, this would be it. I mean this in a nice way. It has style and is built solidly—think a Chris Reeve Sebenza on steroids. It’s clean and the finish is impeccable. It is a framelock design built to point. Lock up is solid and it releases smoothly with no sticking.
As the author noted, it is a lot trickier at times to get a quality lock up on a linerlock or framelock. “On the TFF-4’s framelock Medford has matched the balance between solid lock up and ease of use,” he assessed.
The blade is hollow ground from S45VN stainless. Keep in mind, you don’t have a choice of steels. Medford leaves grind lines on the hollow grind and a false grind to contrast the flat. I enjoy a hollow grind on my folders, as they are easy to get razor sharp due to the fine edge. The TFF-4 is a flipper design and opens lightning fast.
For carry, it has a robust designer clip. A downside to a sturdy clip can be that it’s difficult to attach to some pockets. The TFF-4 clip being so tight with a small opening angle makes it a bit difficult to capture some pocket rims.
Medford provides a solid user with its build-it-yourself folder. I like the clean presentation and have enjoyed carrying it. My experience with its one-handed operation has guaranteed it’s going to be riding in my pocket regularly.
ARCHITECT AK 5.5 Build
In the AK 5.5 (MSRP $285), Architect Knives offers a build-it-yourself EDC fixed blade. The blade lengths range from 3 to 8 inches in half-inch increments. At first, I saw what I thought would make an excellent bushcraft camp knife. I chose the AK 5.5 for the aesthetics and larger outdoor chores. Had I wanted an urban EDC, I would have gone with the 3-inch blade; in fact, I might still do that.
When the author pulled everything out of the bags for the Architect AK 5.5, this is what he got. The sheath was assembled. A threaded post system attaches the scales, and there were plenty of extra screws for the sheath and handle. All the bags are quality and of the Ziploc® type. Tool users will appreciate them.
To start the build process, Architect provides an icon-driven selection menu to the left and you get to see your knife develop to the right. From mine, I chose MagnaCut stainless steel, Midnite 1×1 layer G-10, and a gun-metal grey Kydex sheath with leather backer and a dangler attachment.
Operating the site was a breeze. Navigating the plethora of choices was what took time. There are too many to list here. Let’s just say if you can’t find a carry style you like with all the options Architect provides, a paper bag is your only choice. It truly was a breeze to design my AK 5.5. Each icon activates a pull-down menu of options you can choose from while still viewing your example.
ARCHITECT Results
Architect sends you a knife but it is more like you receive a kit. The knife shows up with some assembly required. You get your blade, all the hardware (plus extras) and all your options. The company provides some thread-lock epoxy and two Allen keys for the handle hardware. You will need a slotted screwdriver and a Phillips to assemble the sheath. It wasn’t much work and everything went together in a matter of minutes. I assembled mine in the front seat of my truck in the parking lot. Yes, I carry tools with me.
“I like thumb gimping,” the author stated of the feature on the AK 5.5, “but I will probably knock it down a bit.”
My AK 5.5 came shaving sharp out of the box. I was immediately impressed with the ergonomics of the handle. It has an extended tang with gimping and the extension has a lanyard hole. There are a number of carry options, as mentioned. I chose the Kydex with leather belt loop. The Kydex has a tension-adjustment screw and I customized the tension to my liking. As an extra I got the dangler option, which Architect gets from Casstrom with the “D” carabiner.
The blade sports a high saber grind and the spine has gimping for a thumb rest. I found the gimping a tad crisp on my thumb. It’s a sturdy knife and definitely a cutter. At the rear of the edge is a micro choil. I often find micro choils get caught up on things. The blade carves well but, as to be expected with its 1.5-inch width, it doesn’t excel at detail work. Overall, I am very pleased with the knife and would have no issue taking it on an adventure.
No Downsides
As a maker, I see no downside to building a knife online. As a customer, I see no downside, either. For both parties it streamlines the design processes and allows instant generation of information. Best of all, for the customer it eliminates a lot of the guesswork and stress associated with ordering.
