Description
A four inch handle, a three and a half inch clip point, and a slab of natural stag between steel bolsters. This is a traditional lockback in the old shape, not a tactical folder wearing wood.
| Overall length | 7.5 inches |
| Blade length | 3.5 inches |
| Handle length | 4 inches |
| Handle | Natural stag between steel bolsters |
| Steel | 440C stainless steel |
| Included | Hand-stitched leather sheath |
Suited to: deer camp, a tackle box, a coat pocket on a fishing trip. It opens with two hands and locks solid, which is the right arrangement for a knife you use standing still rather than one you deploy in a hurry.
Care: 440C is genuinely stainless, so rain and blood will not mark it and you can wash it in the sink without ceremony. The pivot is where a folder dies, not the blade. Rinse grit out of the joint, shake the water clear, and put one drop of light oil on the pivot. Stag is bone-hard and needs nothing at all, though it will slowly deepen in color where your hand rests. Do not soak the handle or leave it against a hot dashboard, because heat is the one thing that loosens natural material against steel.
How 440C behaves in a folder
440C takes a keen edge and gives it up sooner than a high-carbon tool steel would. That is a fair bargain in a pocket knife, because you will strop it on the tailgate rather than clamp it in a jig. It comes back fast on a fine stone and it will not rust while it sits in a damp jacket for a season. What 440C is actually good at covers the tradeoff properly.
Living with stag
Every piece of stag is a different piece of antler, so the ridges, pits and color on your knife will not match the photograph exactly. That is the nature of the material and not a flaw. The texture gives real grip with wet hands, which smooth wood does not. The cost is that stag is not perfectly symmetrical and never will be; if you want two scales that mirror each other precisely, buy a synthetic handle.
The size question
Seven and a half inches open is a full-size traditional folder. Closed it is a shade over four inches, which is a real presence in a trouser pocket and a comfortable weight in a jacket. Buyers stepping down from a fixed blade find it small; buyers stepping up from a slim modern EDC find it substantial. If you want something with a Damascus pattern in the same pocket-knife format, the Fallen folder is the obvious comparison.
Questions buyers ask
Is there a pocket clip? No. It ships with a leather belt sheath and is designed to ride there or loose in a pocket.
Can it be opened one-handed? Not reliably. There is no thumb stud or flipper. This is a two-hand knife by design.
How do I get grit out of the pivot? Warm water, a drop of dish soap, work the blade open and shut, then dry it completely before oiling. Cleaning a folder properly takes about five minutes.
Model: BMK-653
Derek Mitchell –
This exceeded what I pictured in my head before ordering. Lockup is rock solid with no wiggle in any direction. Shipping was fast and everything arrived well packaged.
Douglas Peterson –
Not going to lie. This exceeded my expectations by a lot. Pocket clip is sturdy and holds it right in place all day. Would send this as a gift again in a heartbeat.
Dorothy Mendoza –
This pocket knife completely won me over the moment I picked it up. Blade centering is perfect right out of the box. Opens smooth every time with just a flick of the thumb. This maker just earned a repeat customer.
Jerry Thomas –
This turned out to be way better than I thought it would be. Action smoothed out even more after a few days of carry. Already added a few more items from this maker to my cart.
Kevin Taylor –
This is one of those purchases that just makes you smile. Opens smooth every time with just a flick of the thumb. Detent is snappy without being stiff to open. Can’t say enough good things about this purchase.
Megan Coleman –
This seller clearly knows what they’re doing with quality like this. Every piece I’ve gotten from Black Mamba Knives has been solid. Already planning my next pickup from this maker.
John Ross –
This pocket knife punches way above its price point. Black Mamba Knives is quickly becoming my go to shop for knives.
Antoine Evans –
Kept picking this pocket knife up just to admire it after it arrived. Pocket clip is sturdy and holds it right in place all day. Lockup is rock solid with no wiggle in any direction. This is my new favorite in the collection.
Logan Turner –
Can’t stop showing this off to everyone who comes over. Opens smooth every time with just a flick of the thumb. Liner lock is tight with zero blade play. Already telling my friends to check this out.
Megan Sanders –
Bought this on a whim and it turned out to be one of my favorite purchases this year. Opens smooth every time with just a flick of the thumb. No hesitation recommending this to anyone looking.