Home / Knives / KA-BAR Grows Ek Collaboration Line with First Folding Knife

KA-BAR Grows Ek Collaboration Line with First Folding Knife

January 4, 2024

Here’s a little catchup from the pre-Christmas rush: KA-BAR’s ongoing collaboration with Ek Knives recently bore its latest fruit. It’s the Ek Folder and it is, as the name elegantly implies, it’s a folding knife entry in the series – the first, in fact.

The Ek Folder interests for several reasons, not least of which in that it’s a sizable visual departure from the usual Ek Knives style. If you aren’t familiar, John Ek is a custom maker, most famous for his Model 1 Commando Knife, a close cousin to the KA-BAR USMC and a blade made by, and for, soldiers during World War II. The Ek Model 1 embodied, and helped to codify, the utilitarian, hard use military aesthetic that is still a jumping off point for many modern projects like Ken Onion’s Homefront or a slew of TOPS Knives fixed blades.

The Ek Folder carries narrow even though it is a big knife

But the Ek Folder departs in large degree from that classic style, with a design that leans more into trendy modern folder tropes. The large, 4-inch blade almost has an Eastern flair to it, with a long, linear, slender drop point such as you might see on a Kwaiken-like. It is still obviously a rugged, intuitive user blade shape, and should share a hard use/tactical job description with its fixed blade family members, although on a smaller scale; and you could certainly EDC this one if you aren’t bothered by a bigger knife. In either role, the flipper blade (complete with ceramic bearing pivot) should hold an edge for a goodly time and laugh at rust, thanks to its black coated S35VN recipe.

Ergonomically the Ek Folder couldn’t be any simpler, with a pair of rod-straight FRN scales forming a completely neutral profile. The scales have a narrow ridged texture to them, and the knife is held together with the signature Ek cross-style hardware. And while this is a big knife, it should carry pretty damn well, considering it weighs 3.2 oz. and comes with a deep carry loop over pocket clip – which is reversible, by the way.

The Ek Folder debuted just before Christmas 2023 and is available now.

Knife in Featured Image: KA-BAR Ek Folder

The information provided by KnifeNews.com (the “Site”) is for general recreational purposes only. The views and opinions expressed on the Site are those of the author or those quoted and do not necessarily reflect the views of any entities they represent. All information on the Site is provided in good faith, however, we make no representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, availability, or completeness of the information on the Site. Under no circumstance shall we have any liability to you for any loss or damage as the result of the use of the Site or reliance on any information provided. Your use of the Site and your reliance on any information on the Site is solely at your own risk.

Related Items