KATSUCamping Pocket Folding Japanese Knife, Titanium & Carbon Fiber Handle, Frame Lock, Stonewashed Cleaver Razor Blade with CPM S35VN Steel, Leather Sheath

INITIAL REVIEW AFTER 24 HRS:THIS KNIFE IS JUST AMAZING! ! ! INCREDIBLE ENGINEERING, SUPERB CRAFTSMANSHIP, QUALITY MATERIALS AND BEYOND AN EXCELLENT VALUE. Katsu is an emerging superstar that deserves a more detailed review from more experienced knife people. Many knife enthusiasts looking for a budget folder know of Kizer and Civivi. I'm not knocking those brands, but IMO, Katsu shines brightest for low to mid range budgets. With only 24 hrs of receiving this beauty, I'd place it up there with higher end folders like Cold Steel, CRKT, Kershaw and others. Once Katsu's really become known - I'm guessing their prices will increase or at least they should. Not that I'm not pleased with paying under a hundred dollars for it, but this model could very easily sell for $200 - $300 once the word gets out.UPDATE AFTER 100 HOURS:WITH THIS PREVIOUSLY UNKNOWN COMPANY - I took a chance and I'm beyond glad that I did. American / Japanese materials and styling, with it's unique deployment mechanism, this knife greatly intrigued me. I originally wanted to get the all Damascus 'Bamboo' model, but decided on this whopping 4" sexy folder. I have quite a few three inchers and just wanted something larger and different. A precision piece of engineering such as this deserves a comprehensive review.I AM ABSOLUTELY & IRREVOCABLY BLOWN AWAY BY THE QUALITY OF THIS AMAZING FOLDER! IT IS DEFINITELY WORTH MUCH MORE THAN IT'S MSRP. After nearly 100 hours of getting acquainted with this Katsu, I've decided that it's value is just "MORE"! In fact, everything about this TiCF VG-10 Baby Beast is MUCH MORE than I expected. My first attempt at this cool deployment mechanism went very smoothly without any hitches. I can see myself playing with my new tool / toy for many years to come - absolutely no BS or hype. It's a gorgeous, fully functional and a fun cutting tool / fidgeter!When I first saw the Katsu about a week ago, I was very drawn to it's unique Higo deployment variation with it's modified drop point reverse tanto blade shape. I've been selectively collecting knives for more than 25 years now and I keep asking myself the same question. . . why another knife? Simple answer - excellently engineered with fine innovative craftsmanship, genuine quality materials, reasonably priced along with more than 300 good reviews. NEAR ZERO TOLERANCE SPECS! For my tastes, this knife is near perfect! I really like titanium, carbon fiber, stone washed Japanese VG-10, sleek innovative designs, superb engineering and well executed craftsmanship. This knife is certainly all of that and more. Yes, there are better knife steels available, of which I do have, but VG-10 is beyond decent and more than sufficient for my everyday tasks. I actually enjoy sharpening good steel. I became very quickly addicted to fidgeting with my new knife as soon as I got it and had to actually force myself, on my first evening with it, to put it down and go to bed, lol!This knife arrived very quickly - five days to Hawai'i, was razor sharp out of it's box and deployed as smooth as silk. The genuine leather sheath and Hessian cloth sack that came with it will be useful whenever this folder is not in use, but it's new permanent home, at work or home, will normally be in my pocket. This is a folder that I'll be proud to whip out whenever the need arises, even if it's just to open a letter or box, but it is very capable of doing much more and at it's price point it won't bother me at all to use it every chance I get.Whether Katsu Knives were made in Japan or China makes no difference to me depending on specifically "where" in China. This incredible piece of engineered craftsmanship is a high quality piece. It does have the Japanese Kanji for Katsu and VG-10 laser engraved (not just etched) on the blade without any indication of the Country of Origin. According to Katsu's Website, they very plainly state that their KITCHEN knives are made in Yangjiang - China's world renowned Knife Capitol, similar to what Seki City is in Japan. So again, IMO, so what if it's made in China. . . ?! I'm not Chinese. I am part Japanese (Samurai Descent), so it has nothing to do with national preferences. I was open minded enough to get a grip and not let this fact be a deal breaker for me and I'm beyond happy! Besides, with Amazon's great return policy, it really was a no brainier. Remember, China has a lot of history for producing pretty incredible weaponry and they do outsource their VG-10 from Japan!The milled titanium handles and clip is very well done and the folder's blade is excellent. The only issue that I've run into is the fact that because the clip is made of titanium, it's very difficult to clip the knife onto and remove it from my 5.11s. Titanium is known to be at least twice as strong and stiffer than steel, but is half it's weight. If they made the clip out of more flexible stonewashed stainless steel, that would easily resolve the problem. To get around that, I just used the clip to attach a paracord lanyard that I quickly made. The more than adequate jimping at the back of the blade on the thumb flip mechanism with the ergonomic handle design will prevent your fingers from slipping onto the razor sharp edge. You just need to be careful of your thumb after deploying the blade just as you are with thumb stud assisted openers. I tested the edge on thigh hairs and with virtually no pressure, the entire area that the edge glanced over became hairless. Once you get used to it's Japanese Higonokami Deployment Mechanism, you can choose to deploy it with a nice, slow and smooth movement or very aggressively easily whip it out either as recommended with your thumb or with the right side of your index finger. Part of the fun will be to figure out how / what's best for you. I had absolutely no problems whipping the blade out with my first try. IMO, once you figure out exactly where to place your index finger on the stud, deployment can be compared to an assisted opener and is more effective compared to using your thumb. This is a gravity / friction mechanism. It can be a little hard on your finger, but you'll toughen up, LOL. 48hrs with this knife and well over a 1000 flips, the pivot fastener required a touch of Loctite ($5), but many good quality folders often do. It will be an excellent EDC for normal use, but when I need something tougher, my Kydex sheathed Custom CPM-3V Field Knife will be at the ready.IMO, this knife is currently the best value for pocket knives on Amazon - I'd go as far as to say that it's a hidden gem. Did I mention how sexy it is? Any hotter and it would be smoking, LOL! If you're reading this and are on the fence regarding this folder, now's the time to take the plunge - buy it, you won't regret it. I used to sell high quality name branded knives for years, this could easily sell for at least three times, maybe up to five times more (as a custom knife) than their MSRP. My cheapest Ti Folder is $300 and my most expensive is $750 - All American Made. I actually really like this folder more than I like my $750 Custom Titanium Damascus Folder. This is more than likely made in China which explains how this incredible piece is selling so inexpensively on Amazon. Made in America = $300, Made in Japan = $200 and Made in China = $100! I'm just being real. I'll always prefer American Made because our quality is generally a lot better, but our prices are just too often, ridiculous. The tight tolerances, perfect balance, ergonomics, great materials and innovative design could easily warrant an appropriately higher price.Some argue that this knife is too heavy, but I do own other large solid titanium folders and this isn't any heavier than any of those - proportionately. IMO, this has an excellent weight for it's size. I only spent three days with this piece and have already decided that I just needed to get Katsu's All 'Damascus' Higonokami Model. My only question was if the clip on the 'Damascus' model was going to be made out of Titanium too or Stainless Steel. The Amazon Community was very helpful - It's steel, so it'll be more flexible than my first Katsu which will make it much more pocket friendly.FYI, I have absolutely no affiliations with Katsu and have not received anything in exchange to write this unbiased review - this model deserves someone to tell it like it is. As I warned at the beginning - comprehensive review, lol. Hope this helps someone.

This knife is just fun. The blade is unconventional, and the level lock takes practice. It’s sharp. The bearings are smooth. Its appearance is novel. Appears well made. Value is good. I’m pleased with my choice. It just a cool blade.

fantastic knife, has become the one tool for work that is always with me.

I like the knife a lot, but question the value for money.Pros:Materials are all very nice.Fit and finish is very good. Blade rotates on the bearing smoothly, and positively locks into place.Unlocking and folding the blade isn't difficult - can be done one handed.Blade is attractive, nice size, and very sharp.The materials appear to be as claimed (steel parts are are steel, titanium parts are titanium, carbon fiber parts are carbon fiber).Cons:The single handed blade deployment is a little awkward. Completely do-able, but will take a little longer to position the knife in your hand and execute the move than other knives I've used. Might cause fumbling in a crisis situation.The pocket clip is somewhat pointless to me, and just gets in the way in your pocket, holster, or in your hand. The exception to this is it improves grip and stability while deploying the blade with one hand (right handed).The blade unlocking (folding) mechanism isn't the most convenient/efficient placement.The leather holster is nice, but I'm not sure how practical it is, or how many people will use it. Save a little on cost by eliminating it?Neutral observations:For a titanium and carbon fiber knife, it feels a little heavier than expected. But not too heavy.Value:Comparing this ($100+) quality knife to a similarly sized cheaper ($12) knife of similar size, shape, and features:Where this knife wins: The cheaper knife has a plastic handle, cheaper blade, and a harder to activate unlocking mechanism (same style, just less comfortable and harder to activate, and can't be done one handed).Where the cheap knife wins: The ability to to deploy the knife is much easier and quicker due to a tab of the back of the blade instead of the thumb grip reeded part of this blade. Additionally, it has a spring assist, and has a wider, more comfortable grip.Bottom line: well, yes, of course I like this knife better, but is it 9 times better? It's subjective, but I'd say no. Knock $40 off, and it'd be a 5 star review.