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Dylan Mallery Drops Back-to-Back Fixed Blades with Artisan

March 15, 2021

Artisan Cutlery is making some prototypes of two new fixed blade designs from returning collaborator Dylan Mallery available for purchase. These knives differ in application and form quite dramatically.

Hystrix

The Hystrix is the latest in a long tradition of fixed blades that reapply the karambit-style finger ring in a totally different style of knife. Instead of the curved blade of a karambit, it has a slender drop point shape. It’s a similar profile to Mallery’s Archaeo folder, albeit larger at 3.92 inches long, and while it differs in style from a karambit, there’s definitely a self-defense/tactical angle to the Hystrix, although it seems like it would be equally capable in more mundane EDC and light outdoor chores. The full tang Hystrix’s handle scales are made from G-10, and it weighs 4.06 oz.

Silax

More traditional-looking than the Hystrix, the Silax looks ready for camping and hiking, accomplishing light and medium cutting jobs in the great outdoors. The aerodynamic wharncliffe blade marks it as a Mallery design. At 5.11 inches long, it provides a lot of (very) gently curved cutting edge, and if the pronounced tip precludes some heavy duty applications, it also provides tangible benefits in other, detail-oriented arenas. The handle is simplicity itself, and also capped with G-10 scales; at 6 oz., the Silax weighs a bit more than the Hystrix, but that’s to be expected.

Artisan Cutlery Silax

Both knives, in this prototype form at least, have blades made from AR-RPM9, Artisan Cutlery’s propriety stainless steel. AR-RPM9 was created to provide solid, dependable performance without adding to the overall cost – and the Hystrix and Silax’s MSRPs come in well under $100.

Once these prototypes are gone, no more availability is guaranteed until the full production release. As far as when that will be, no dates have been given for either knife at this point.

Knife in Featured Image: Artisan Cutlery Hystrix

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