James Brand strives to create functional yet gorgeous knives that last a lifetime. The Portland, Oregon-based outfitter’s latest rendition of its stalwart Folsom model aims to serve as everyday-carry equipment with added flair courtesy of swirling Damascus steel.
Mississippi-based Damscus metalworker Chad Nichols forged 2.75-inch drop-point blades with a raindrop pattern for just 100 Folsom examples, each of which is paired with four-inch black Micarta handle.
As Gear Patrol notes, other key features that James Brand devised when it launched the Folsom as its first outdoor knife are retained, including a liner lock, ambidextrous triangular opening slot, reversible stainless steel clip, tip-up carry orientation and bronze hardware. It also boasts an ultra-slim profile to minimize bulk as much as possible.
On James Brand’s website, the Folsom carries and impressive 4.9-out-of-five star average rating based on 32 reviews, which bodes well for the company’s claim that it’ll be “the knife that you will have and use for a lifetime.”
Priced at $249, the limited-edition Damascus Folsom is available through James Brand’s website. Alternatively, the standard Folsom with with a Carpenter CTS-BD1 steel blade and a G10 composite handle starts at $99.