There must be something in the Amazonian water. In the global phenomenon of custom knives, there are few geographic locales that sizzle hotter than Brazil. The country has sharp makers and attracts talent, creating some of the world’s most desirable knives. Here is a look at some of the steel expertise emanating from the equatorial nation and its cutlery shows.
Romário Ribeiro Fighter
Sleek and dark, Romário Ribeiro’s 12-inch fully integral fighter of 52100 carbon steel won the Best Handle Award at Salão Paulista de Cutelaria 2025. It’s no wonder, with a seamless and intricate keyhole-style construction, and jacaranda wood and 24k gold inlays creating a boundless night sky motif, complete with a rising crescent moon.
Gustavo Schuenck Fighter
Winner of the Best Fighter Knife Award at Salão Paulista de Cutelaria 2025, Gustavo Schuenck’s blade is aggressively beautiful. San mai steel of 9½ inches with a black phosphate finish ties together with the knife’s pitch-colored jacaranda handle. The nuanced recurve toward the heel offers flow in the build, paired with an understated yet sweeping guard.
Alexandre Biguna Bowie
Near-perfect symmetry of Alexandre Bigunas’ basketweave mosaic damascus bowie can’t help but fascinate. The meticulous work on the 10-inch blade is contrasted by the striking color of the sub-hilt’s mammoth-molar handle and pair of amethyst stones on either side of the guard. Topping off Bigunas’ work, 24k inlay, including his signature on the blade.
Júlio Cézar Ribeiro Gentleman’s Slip Joint
Simple, clean and classy are the driving ideas behind Júlio Cézar Ribeiro’s gentleman’s slip joint. The Brazilian’s spotless execution also caught the judges’ eyes at Salão Paulista de Cutelaria 2025, with the knife winning Best Traditional Folder. Notable aspects of the knife includes the swooping spine of the RWL 34 steel Wharncliff blade, maintaining the knife’s overall geometry with its teardrop mother-of-pearl handle.
Lizandro Bertoni Bowie
Lizandro Bertoni’s bowie is a study in contrasts. The flats of the 16-inch, 1085 and 15N20 damascus blade dominate with a starburst-like mosaic pattern, but give way to a cross pattern at the edge. Further, the busy ornamentation of the blade is contrasted with the calmer design of its walrus-ivory handle and the smooth lines of its texturing.
Vanuti Fiori Dagger
Dang sexy is all that can be said of “Lady of the Night,” a collaboration between knifemaker Vanuti Fiori and engraver Gabriel Krebs. It’s not only the lines of Fiori’s integral dagger that drip sex appeal, but also Krebs’ alluring feminine -form scrimshaw on its mother-of-pearl inserts.
Francisco Wlach Gaucho
Francisco Wlach takes the workingman’s gaucho knife to a different level with the execution of his knife’s 10-inch laced mosaic blade. Wlach creates movement on the blade with a very uniform pattern over the majority of the steel, contrasted by a more subtle pattern along the edge. Gold inlay, integral bolster and mammoth-tooth handle would make this blade any gaucho’s pride.
This issue highlights the expertise of the national living treasures, Jerry Fisk and tactical maker Shane Sibert. Their insights focus on the construction of mortised-style handles and the professional mindset required for success.
Getting A Handle
A trailblazer and visionary since becoming the 17th ABS master smith in 1989, Fisk’s philosophy centers on the idea that a knife isn’t just an art piece; it is a tool that must survive the most extreme (and sometimes bizarre) conditions.
To this mindset, the mortised handle has served him well, consisting of two flush-matching scales equally inletted to create a tight pocket for a hidden tang, then positioned directly against the guard. He mechanically secures the scales by pins or screws with epoxy. Fisk prefers this method because it offers the profile of a full-tang knife incorporating a narrow-tang guard.
Precision Prep: Grinding a tang taper aids in fitting the slip-on guard. Radiusing blade corners and edges prevents stress fractures in the handle. Fisk routs cavities along the tang outline to a depth of 0.004 inch beyond half the tang’s thickness.
The Dovetail Secret: Using a Dremel to undercut the inner corners of the handle cavities creates a “mechanical lock” for epoxy, strengthening the bond significantly like an internal pillar.
Mechanical Retention: Fisk advocates for screws over pins to provide superior clamping force.
Minimal Epoxy: Epoxy should act as a sealer and secondary bond, not as a structural gap-filler. Using as little epoxy as possible is key.
According to the columnist, Fisk prefers a mortised handle consisting of two flush matching scales, equally inletted for a tight hidden tang. No easy task. Not only does it require precise placement of the tang outline (left) on the scale, but exacting router work (right). (Images courtesy of Jerry Fisk)
Destruction Testing
Fisk’s designs are forged through failure. After a customer drove a cement mixer over his knives—finding that only the mortised handles survived versus narrow tang—the value of testing was clear: If you don’t test, you won’t know your knife’s limits. In his first year, Fisk sacrificed 54 knives to find their failure points. And he continues to utilize a panel of professionals (trappers, police and military) to vet designs for real-world skinning, tactical and survival use.
Press Fit Guards
Fisk treats the guard as a structural component rather than just decorative. In turn, he goes the extra mile in their construction. Despite having a milling machine, he file fits the guard slot by feel—practiced precision to ensure a seamless transition. He believes retention should never rely on solder or epoxy—these seal but do not hold. Fisk hammers the guard into place using a slotted Micarta block to ensure a true mechanical fit. And he uses JB Weld to seal seams, noting its robustness and machinability compared to standard epoxies.
Business Of Bladesmithing
Fisk warns that many makers fail by focusing 100 percent on the steel while ignoring the sale. To be a full-time maker, you must understand how to move product. Fisk emphasizes that marketing is often the missing element in a maker’s strategy. Without it, you risk becoming the primary collector of your own work.
At shows, you are the brand ambassador for your knives. Stand up and make eye contact. Sitting down signals a lack of energy. Further, your attire and interaction should reflect the quality of your blades. Buyers are purchasing you as much as they are the knife.
For Jerry Fisk, his philosophy as to why he makes knives captures the legacy of a master smith—every hammer blow is a permanent record of existence. A well-crafted knife serves as a testament to the maker’s life and skill, surviving long after they are gone.
Technical Signature Features
Sibert came up with a custom jig (left) to compress and flare 3/8-inch Grade 2 seamless titanium tubing on mortised scales. (Image courtesy Shane Sibert)
Shane Sibert has been a full-time maker since 1994, building innovative fixed-blade and folder designs for hostile environments.
Inspired by my use of 3/8-inch tubing as a signature design element in my SEALTAC™ fighting knives, Shane wanted to do a similar feature—but with a different twist: a mortised-style handle with flared 3/8-inch Grade 2 seamless titanium tubing.
The Problem: Straight-walled tubing can allow for handle-scale separation over time.
The Preparation: Use a single-flute tapered reamer to create a shallow flare in the handle material.
The Solution: Use a custom jig to compress and flare the extended tubing into that taper to create a mechanical rivet effect that sandwiches the mortised scales to the tang.
Accidental Pivot Accent
A hallmark of many of Sibert’s knives—fixed and folder—is an accent fuller (right) running into the handle. This causes an issue with fixed-blade knives, one he cures with a bit of JB weld to cover up the gap. (Image courtesy Shane Sibert)
Born from a mistake (drilling a pivot screw head hole too large), Shane pivoted by creating ½- to 5/8-inch bottoming pocket inlays around it. For aesthetics, he uses contrasting materials around the pivot-pin head. Further, he uses a decorative blind pivot screw on the obversed side with an embedded disc of color, hiding the mechanical nature of the fastener.
Famed sole-authorship folder maker Harvey McBurnett once said, “Knifemaking is the fine art of camouflage,” when amending such mistakes. Shane did so in a creative way, born out of necessity.
Another example of this is Shane adds accent fuller grooves on both folders and fixed blades that extend back underneath the handle or guard. The challenge is on fixed blades, where this creates a gap where the guard meets the fuller. His fix is to use black JB Weld epoxy to seal the transition, ensuring a seamless look that maintains the illusion that the fuller vanishes into the hilt.
Getting Off The Ground
Sibert has a grounded, no-nonsense perspective on entering the craft. He suggests that new makers don’t over-invest in high-end machinery immediately. Instead, focus on development and growth first. They also need to get ready for the grind; knifemaking is dirty, repetitive and requires immense discipline. It isn’t always “glamorous” shop work. Dedication is non-negotiable. If you want to be good, you have to be obsessed with the details. And starting out, keep your day job! The pressure to pay rent often stifles the creativity needed to make world-class blades.
Shane is old school with modern touches in his approach to knifemaking. That is the basis for the beauty in his knives.
Engineered for upland hunting and fine-detail game prep, Civivi’s latest fixed blade puts precision first.
Civivi is expanding its lineup of dedicated field tools with the High Grass Field Knife, a compact fixed-blade built specifically for upland hunters and small-game processing. Designed by Michigan custom knifemaker Matt Gentry, the production model translates years of hands-on experience in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula into an accessible, purpose-built knife where fine control takes priority over raw size.
The inspiration for the High Grass stems directly from Gentry’s time spent pursuing small game with his son across Michigan’s northern terrain. Rather than modifying a general-purpose camp knife, Gentry set out to build a nimble tool optimized for delicate field-dressing tasks of fowl and small game.
To achieve that level of precision, the knife features a 2.93-inch drop-point blade with a flat grind and an ultra-fine tip, making detail work around joints and skinning far more manageable. Dual sections of jimping along the spine provide tactile indexing points, allowing users to safely choke up on the blade for tight, controlled cuts.
Field-Ready Materials
Civivi opted for Sandvik 14C28N stainless steel for the blade stock, heat-treated to 58–60 HRC. The steel offers a solid balance of edge retention, corrosion resistance and ease of resharpening in the field. A stonewashed finish helps mask the inevitable scuffs and scratches that come with regular use.
For the handle, natural Guibourtia wood scales offer a classic look that honors traditional hunting gear while maintaining a comfortable, ergonomic fill in the hand. Stainless steel hardware keeps the construction secure, and at an overall length of 7 inches with a weight of 2.26 ounces, the knife carries light on a belt or in a pack.
The High Grass Field Knife ships ready for the field with a molded black Kydex sheath. The setup features a T-Clip mounting system designed by knife industry veteran and BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall of Fame® member Bob Terzuola, providing versatile attachment options for belts or pack webbing. A pre-tied black paracord lanyard comes installed from the factory for added draw leverage.
High Grass Field Knife Specs Designer: Matt Gentry Overall Length: 7” Blade Length: 2” Cutting Edge: 3.09” Blade Thickness: .12” Blade Steel: Sandvik 14C28N (58–60 HRC) Blade Grind/Finish: Flat grind, stonewashed Handle Material: Guibourtia wood Handle Thickness: .56” Knife Weight: 2.26 oz. Sheath: Black Kydex with Terzuola T-Clip Extras: Tied black paracord lanyard MSRP: Starting at $59
Whether you need a pristine edge for skinning game or a razor-sharp utility blade for daily EDC chores, it is easy to see why replaceable-blade knives have exploded in popularity. Chaves Knives takes this a step further.
The Pleasant Grove, Utah, manufacturer is known for thinking outside the box with its designs and this holds true for its CHUB. A very fast out-the-front (OTF) double-action small pocket utility knife ensures you never have a dull blade, can get it into action no matter what the circumstances,and is fun. Even so, the knife must perform, so let’s see if the CHUB cuts it.
Expected from most utility knives, the Chaves model ate up cardboard in the course of testing. It was quick work, but for the author, somewhat challenging given the CHUB’s smaller handle.
I started with a standard paper slice to test the factory edge on the replaceable blade. I used graph paper and, as expected, the CHUB’s edge zipped through it quickly, producing clean slices and smooth cuts. The knife’s handle was comfortable, even though it was a tad short for my hand.
Onto single-walled cardboard, the CHUB burned through the medium. I could get used to this performance, as I break down cardboard daily. No folding or sliding, just an aggressive in and out through the material. The handle provided a positive grip, a plus on the more challenging cardboard. As a note, the knife rides very nicely in any pocket.
Slapping Leather
The author figures leatherworkers might find the knife very handy as it proved aggressive against leather. Given its fast deployment, it’d be very suitable in this role.
I grabbed a leftover piece of 8-ounce leather to shred. The CHUB was very aggressive on the hide. Vertical slices were fast and easy to control, and with the leather flat on the bench, it sliced through smoothly. If you happen to work with leather, it would be a great job for the CHUB.
Pitting a blade against wood is always a must, so I moved on to some whittling. A ¾-inch dowel proved no problem for the CHUB. The replaceable blade shaved smooth curly cues, but deeper bites were harder on the hand because of the smaller handle. Still, it got the work done.
Pitted against a ¾-inch dowel proved no problem for the utility blade, wich shaved smooth curly cues and made deep bites into the wood.
Just to push the knife a little farther, I cut up some ½-inch sisal rope. The CHUB did 125 crunching cuts, which was impressive, given it was the same blade I started the test with. The action stayed tight and crisp, no play at all. Again, the handle size was challenging in a task that required stronger pressure. But overall, it was a fun challenge.
Lastly, I was back to the graph paper slices. I had a few snags at the bottom of the blade but the front half sliced smoothly. Not bad at all. Job well done by the Chaves Knife crew. I also still had a fresh edge, since all I had to do was push a tab over, flip the blade and close the tab. Pretty simple and fast.
Overall Take
The CHUB rides comfortably in any pocket, according to the author. Helping with it in this task is a clip with Chaves’ trademark skull.
Some people might call it a fad, but the CHUB will cut. Now add in the cool factor of it being an OTF pocket utility knife, and you have a handy knife to use daily. The CHUB is designed to take standard Stanley and Lenox-style blades—2 7/16-inch long, ¾-inch wide—but off brands might not prove compatible.
It’s easy to toss around the word epic and difficult to describe Jon Christensen’s recent work any other way. Of course, the subject material for his two-handed sword made it challenging for the results of the project to be anything other than mythical.
The Montana-based ABS master smith captures the ancient Greek myth of Perseus and Medusa in 16 hand-engraved iron panels inset into the 410SS handle and a bulino-engraved bronze shield on the guard of his Guardian Sword. Among other things, the handle features gold, bronze, copper, silver, custom alloy and mother-of-pearl inlay and is punctuated with Medusa’s head on the butt.
Jon Christensen
“The bulino engraving was very challenging as it was my first,” Christensen confessed. “There was a ‘paying my dues’ stage of time spent, which I just had to accept.”
It might be said that the entire project was an exercise in dues-paying. In addition to challenging himself with a new engraving technique, he was also delving into an unfamiliar subject. Christensen gave himself a crash course in the story of Medusa before conceptualizing the panels. But the client who commissioned the sword raised the bar on his retelling of the myth.
“Before starting on the project, the collector requested my interpretation of the story be approved by Tufts University, which is known for a strong program in classical mythology,” he said. “I compiled and submitted a document of the concept showing drawings and descriptions for each scene, as well as the overall sword. They replied saying, ‘It was a masterful interpretation.’”
The Guardian Sword handle, with the panels depicting the Greek myth of Perseus and Medusa.
The sword is reminiscent of the one featured in Benvenuto Cellini’s sculpture of Perseus, showcasing the same unique shape in its 37.5-inch W2 blade, with a hamon. While this aspect of the sword presented challenges, Christensen admits it was the easy part of the Guardian. Much of the 4,000 or so hours he dedicated to the work were focused on the handle, engravings and accurately retelling the ancient myth.
“The time on completing the blade would be measured in weeks, the handle scenes in years working under a microscope,” he said. Epic, indeed.
“Yes, the scope of the project was very intimidating at times. I had to constantly manage my thoughts to the task at hand,” Christensen said. “As the saying goes, ‘How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.’”
These veteran-designed or manufactured knives are ready to serve.
A rare combination, military knives aren’t simply utilitarian tools; they stir something deep inside of us. Whether an inborn call of duty or a profound respect for those who served, edged implements meant for battle call to knife aficionados with a patriotic streak. Which, simply put, makes them wildly hot in the eyes of manufacturers and collectors alike.
Not all military knives are issued. Some of the most storied were picked up as “just in case” purchases at post PXs or sporting goods stores throughout the years. This doesn’t make them any less ready to serve. And, today, there are a slew of options engineered or built by veterans, meant for action—in the field of battle and for everyday protection and chores—and more than able to cut muster.
Winkler Knives Operator
At first glance, the Winkler Knives Operator seems like the average utility fixed blade or a larger bird and trout knife. Looks can be deceiving as the Operator functions both as a utility tool and weapon—important in the theater of battle.
Originally founded to produce specialized breaching tools at the request of the SOF community, Winkler Knives of Blowing Rock, North Carolina, is certainly no stranger to tactical knives. Their Operator series offers a unique design that is a crossover of sorts. Yes, it was designed as a tactical knife, yet has proven popular as both a camp, general outdoor and hunting knife.
Designed by former Navy SEAL Kevin Holland, the Operator features a 4⅛-inch-long clip-point blade made of 80CrV2 tool steel and given a black oxide coating for rust protection. This steel is an excellent choice for a multi-use knife as it is resistant to impact and holds an edge reasonably well. When it’s time to resharpen, most are pleasantly surprised by how quickly the edge comes back with basic manual sharpening equipment. Given that the blade tapers to a sharp point, it excels as both a weapon and a tool. It has excellent penetration qualities and the thick stock, combined with a flat grind, allows the blade to slice with little resistance.
The Operator’s handle is very well designed, facilitating an excellent grip—a rarity on many compact fixed blades. A subtle finger groove helps index your grip and a flare at the butt and slight downward turn secures the hand from sliding backwards. All the edges on the grip are rounded for maximum comfort and the Operator certainly feels good in hand. I evaluated the antique maple-finished handle for this review. Other materials are available, including Micarta. As to the wood version, it feels warm in the hand, secure and the grain gives a nod to being like a fine furniture.
The Winkler Knives Operator isn’t afraid to tackle delicate cutting tasks. It easily sliced Styrofoam packing peanuts, a testament to how well the blade is engineered with its distal taper spine, full height flat grind and razor-sharp factory edge.
Standard with the Operator is a formed leather sheath, designed and made by DeSantis Gunhide, specially for Winkler Knives. It has a set screw to control the tension on the knife so you can customize the retention—a nice touch, not often offered. As for carry, there is a fold-over metal belt loop affixed with two screws, facilitating traditional outside-the-waistband and pocket carry. The latter leaves the handle sticking out for quick access.
Overall, I love how the handle feels in-hand with the contouring of the facets making it lie in your grip as if it were made for it. I found the Operator’s slender yet robust build allows it to tackle heavy cutting chores without the unnecessary bulk. It also carries well in the pocket or on the belt.
Operator Specs Blade Length: 4.125″ Overall Length: 9″ Blade Steel: 80CrV2 Blade Profile: Drop Point Handle: Maple Sheath: Leather-Covered Kydex MSRP: $350 Country of Origin: U.S.A.
Stroup Knives HM1
The HM1 from Stroup Knives showcases a prominent clip point blade and a sweeping cutting edge. Both help it excel in either defensive or conventional chores. As a bonus, the tip of the blade is so acute it tackles precise cutting chores with ease.
Based in Fayetteville, North Carolina, Stroup Knives specializes in tactical and utility fixed blades. Company founder Chris Stroup is an Army veteran with 11 years of service to our country. His final assignment was with a special missions unit based out of Fort Bragg. Medically discharged in 2020, Stroup Knives was born, and in 2022, Stroup made the decision to go full-time into knifemaking.
Stroup Knives’ latest knife, the HM1, represents a multi-use fixed blade for utility, tactical and outdoor use. The design’s focus is on retention, control and high utility. The blade of the HM1 is 4 inches in length and made of 1095 carbon steel with a black stonewashed finish. The clip-point shape gives the blade its distinct bowie-like profile. Honestly, the tip on this one is flat-out wicked! It’s pointy and will penetrate softer materials easily.
The knife sports a distinct machined texturing, making it easily recognizable as a Stroup; a lot of the company’s knives have this distinguishing pattern. Proportional to the blade, the handle also measures 4 inches and has several features making the HM1 noteworthy. Most prominent is the finger ring. The ring provides a measure of security and retention by allowing you to lock your grip in place through it with your pinky finger. Further, the feature makes dropping the knife, even by accident, difficult.
Stroup uses G-10 for the handle, and it sports a 3D-sculpted pattern to aid hand traction. Each HM1 comes with a fold-over Kydex sheath with Teklok attachment. The setup is Spartan, but hey, this style of sheath is widely used in the industry and it always works well. It locks the knife in place and there isn’t any rattling. The belt attachment is solid and is easy to put on and take off without removing your belt.
Made from 1095 carbon steel, the HM1’s blade is simple to maintain and take a wicked edge. Double-walled cardboard melted like butter under the knife’s edge.
The HM1 can function as both a backup weapon and a utility tool. The blade profile is not only excellent at puncturing, but also is fine enough at the tip for precise cutting or scoring tasks. The knife’s 1095 carbon steel is widely praised—it sharpens quickly and it is less expensive than all of the high-performance CPM stainless steels.
I appreciate the dual role the HM1 plays. The knife seems well thought out as an edged weapon and an EDC tool. The HM1 is available in two black acid wash blade finishes (one with black G-10 handles, the other with OD green G-10 handles) and two Cerakote blades (FDE and OD green G-10 and black with black G-10 handles).
HM1 Specs Blade Length: 3.75″ Overall Length: 8″ Blade Steel: 1095 Blade Profile: Clip Point Handle: G10 Sheath: Kydex MSRP: $270 Country of Origin: U.S.A.
Spartan Blades Spartan Harsey Dagger
The Spartan Harsey Dagger’s handle has a lot going on with a distinctive oval profile that lies in the palm naturally and makes the edge easy to index—even in low-light environments.
Spartan Blades, founded by retired Green Berets Curtis Iovito and Mark Carey, has earned a strong reputation for high-end factory-made tactical fixed blades. Several of those knives were designed in collaboration with Bill Harsey, a well-known knifemaker who specializes in custom tactical fixed blades that are on the next level. Harsey’s impressive background includes knife work for the late legendary Col. Rex Applegate, prototyping the Applegate-Fairbairn fighting knife.
The Spartan Harsey Dagger takes what Harsey learned from working with Col. Applegate and applies it to modern-day production tactical fixed blades. It is a modernized version of the Fairbairn-Sykes, if you will. It has an upgraded handle design, upgraded materials and a beefier build overall, yet still retains the design hallmarks of the legendary F-S.
The dagger has a 6-inch-long double-edge blade, hollow ground from premium CPM MagnaCut steel. A black DLC coating is applied for low reflectivity, as well as boosting the corrosion-resistant properties of MagnaCut. The knife also has some notable features like a long, tapered flat section in the middle of the blade for lateral strength and the hollow ground bevels, thinning the edge for a sharper blade.
The handle is where the magic begins and what sets the Spartan Harsey Dagger apart from the rest. The finger recesses behind the guard help to index your grip and lock it in your hand. The recesses have traction notches in them, not only for a non-slip grip but also for tactile cutting edge orientation. The way the handle flares out toward the butt of the handle catches your pinky to prevent rearward sliding and aids in references a clean grip to clear the blade from its sheath. The Spartan Harsey Dagger has a hidden tang design with the Micarta scales fully encapsulating it. There is a bit exposed at the very end of the handle for use as a non-lethal striker. The double hand guard is angled away from the user a bit to provide a comfortable thumb rest.
The Spartan dagger is made from thicker stock, even so, the hollow-ground bevels and a needle point, the knife punches cleanly and quickly.
Each Spartan Harsey Dagger comes with a Kydex carry sheath with MOLLE-compatible straps. The sheath locks on the double guard and provides a very secure fit with zero rattle or any other movement.
Keep in mind a knife like the Harsey Dagger is not a box cutter or a utility knife. If you need a working knife, look elsewhere. It is likely best served, away from the military, as a backup weapon to a firearm. The blade is engineered to penetrate and it’s frightening how adept it is at its job.
One thing most folks agree upon, the Harsey oozes sexiness, with its curvaceous handle and no-nonsense blade. It is a looker for sure, but it can also perform when called upon. The Spartan Harsey Dagger comes in two colors—the black blade and black Micarta handle, as evaluated here, along with an FDE blade and black Micarta handle.
The points at the ends of the CRKT Xolotl OTF handle not only add visual style but also allow the knife to be used as a non-lethal defense striking tool when the blade is retracted into the handle.
The Xolotl (Show-low-tol) Automatic is CRKT’s second OTF auto in the company’s lineup. The double-action was designed by Michael Rodriguez, a former Green Beret and veteran. It is named for the Aztec god of lightning and fire.
The overall look of the Xolotl Automatic is symmetrical in both handle and blade shape. In turn, it is very pleasing to the eye. The blade is 3.5 inches and is a true dagger, sharpened on both sides. CRKT’s steel of choice is CPM MagnaCut—pretty much the perfect high-end blade material, if there ever was one.
The handle is machined from T6 6061 aluminum alloy, and its thickness is kept to a minimum so that the Xolotl carries well in the pocket. It also features circular machined grooves for enhanced grip retention. Interestingly, there are 21 grooves, one for each year of Rodriguez’s service. The handle ends up tapering to stylized points of sorts, adding intrigue to the overall look by possibly providing a non-lethal method of striking defense. A deep carry pocket clip rounds out the entire package, allowing the Xolotl to ride undercover. A sliding switch on the handle spine controls the blade’s movement, which is very swift and secure.
The thinner blade stock on the CRKT Xolotl OTF allows for great penetration. Additionally, its MagnaCut steel holds an edge like nobody’s business and is highly corrosion resistant.
Dagger blade OTF’s are very cool-looking, and they are fun to own. But they are limited in providing a full functional cutting tool. By this, I mean that given the material removed to form a dagger profile, it is more susceptible to damage by torque. Further, dual edges mean you can’t use a digit to exert more latitudinal force in a cut or more control. Yet, the dagger does have the advantage of two cutting edges, so if you damage one, you have the other.
All this being said, the Xolotl is a capable cutter, opening mail, packages, cutting up cardboard boxes and anything else that you need to slice. I would not subject the knife to hard use of any kind, given its thinner blade.
Böker teams up with popular German bushcrafters to deliver a pocket-friendly, G10-scaled multi-tool packed with essential field implements.
The multi-tool market has long been divided between heavy-duty plier platforms and traditional red-scaled pocketknives. Böker bridges that gap with the Naturensöhne MK II NXT, a fresh take on the classic multi-functional folder built specifically for outdoor utility.
Created in collaboration with Die Naturensöhne, the popular German YouTube duo known for their bushcraft challenges, this tool ditches shiny plastic for field-ready ergonomics. The handles feature textured forest-green G10 scales that offer a solid, slip-resistant grip when working in wet conditions.
At the core of the tool is a 2.8-inch drop-point blade made from Sandvik 12C27 stainless steel. Finished in a muted grey stonewash, the blade relies on a traditional nail nick and non-locking slipjoint mechanism. That two-handed opening makes it a legal-friendly option in regions with strict lock-knife regulations.
Instead of clogging the frame with rarely used gimmicks, Böker packed in targeted outdoor implements:
A wood saw for clearing branches or notch-cutting
Mini combination pliers for light bending tasks and quick repairs
A reamer and awl for punching leather, wood, or gear
Fine tweezers and a scale-mounted toothpick
A dedicated glass breaker located at the pommel
Weighing in at 4.23 ounces and measuring 6.57 inches overall, the MK II NXT carries like a standard pocketknife thanks to an integrated tip-down pocket clip. For campers, bushcrafters, and daily carry enthusiasts looking for multi-tool versatility without the bulk of a full plier chassis, Böker’s latest collaboration delivers a slick, highly functional compromise.
Naturensöhne MK II NXT Specs Overall Length: 6.57″ Blade Length: 2.80″ Blade Thickness: .09″ Weight: 4.23 oz Blade Material: 12C27 Handle Material: G10 Opener: Nail Nick Opening: Manual Country Of Origin: Asia Color: Green Blade Color: Gray MSRP: $129
