Description
Six and a half ounces in a folder that measures five inches open. The BMK-VG is dense for its size, and the weight sits in the bolster and the steel rather than in bulk you have to carry around. Pick it up expecting a light pocket knife and it will surprise you.
| Overall length | 5 inches |
| Blade length | 2.8 inches |
| Handle length | 2.3 inches |
| Steel | 1095 + 15N20 Damascus, 352 layers |
| Hardness | 58–60 HRC, oil tempered |
| Weight | 6.5 oz |
| Handle | Micarta handle with Damascus bolster |
| Pattern | Wind & Mix twist Fire pattern Damascus Blade, Extreme custom Brass File-work |
| Included | Hand-stitched leather sheath |
Where it earns its keep: pocket work with a short leash. Opening cartons, trimming line, breaking down packaging, cutting an apple at a desk. The blade is under three inches, which keeps it legal in more places than a long folder and keeps the cutting edge under your knuckles where you can steer it.
What a short blade gives up
A blade this length is precise. You can choke up on it, put your thumb on the spine, and take a shaving off a piece of wood without the tip wandering. What you lose is reach and belly. Slicing through a thick roast or batoning a stick is not this knife’s work, and forcing it there strains the pivot rather than the edge. If you want a folder that can do more of the heavy end, the longer Fallen folding pocket knife gives you more blade to work with.
How Micarta wears
Micarta is layered fabric set in resin. It does not swell, crack or shrink when it gets wet, which is why it turns up on knives that live in a wet pocket or a work glove. Over a few years the surface polishes itself where your fingers sit, and it goes from a slightly dry, grippy feel to something smoother and darker. That is normal. If you want the grip back, a light rub with fine sandpaper resets the texture in a minute.
Keeping it: the Damascus is high-carbon, so it will spot if you close it wet. Dry the blade and the pivot before it goes back in your pocket. A drop of light oil in the pivot every month or two keeps the action smooth and doubles as rust protection. The Micarta needs nothing at all, and the Damascus bolster takes the same care as the blade. Never put it in a dishwasher. Our notes on cleaning a pocket knife cover the pivot in more detail.
Questions people ask before ordering
Is it a pocket clip knife? No clip. It rides loose in a pocket, or in the hand-stitched sheath named in the table above.
Will the pattern rub off? No. The pattern is the boundary between two steels folded together, so it runs through the whole blade. Sharpening exposes new pattern rather than removing it.
Is this a good first Damascus knife? It is a fair one, provided you accept that carbon steel needs drying. If you would rather not think about that at all, read how to choose an EDC knife first.
Model: BMK-VG
Peter Turner –
Knew this pocket knife was special the second I opened the box. Liner lock is tight with zero blade play. Can’t wait to see what else this maker has to offer.
Colton Morris –
Best pocket knife I’ve ever owned. Hands down. Detent is snappy without being stiff to open. Great buy overall.
Kimberly Jones –
Should have read more reviews before ordering. Liner lock barely holds the blade open. Not what I expected for the price paid. Even with USA shipping this took way longer to arrive than promised.
Peter Williams –
Bought this on a whim and it turned out to be one of my favorite purchases in a while. Lockup is rock solid with no wiggle in any direction. This maker nailed it with this one. Nice to support a Memphis based knife maker, shipping was fast even internationally.
Harold Hayes –
Feels way more premium than the price suggests. Liner lock is tight with zero blade play. This seller nailed it with this one. Black Mamba Knives is quickly becoming my go to shop for knives.
Kenneth Turner –
Photos don’t do this pocket knife justice at all. Pocket clip is sturdy and holds it right in place all day. Liner lock is tight with zero blade play. Deployment is fast and confident every single time. This maker clearly takes pride in their work.
Sarah Sanchez –
This is one of those purchases that just makes you smile. Scales feel great in hand and don’t feel slippery at all. Liner lock is tight with zero blade play. Lockup is rock solid with no wiggle in any direction. This one’s a keeper for sure. Nice to support a Memphis based knife maker, shipping was fast even internationally.
Ronald Rodriguez –
Ordering again from this company the second I finish writing this review. Blade centering is perfect right out of the box. Pocket clip is sturdy and holds it right in place all day. Can’t recommend this enough.