Mike Snody Makes Artisan Debut with Big Folder

January 31, 2023

Artisan Cutlery has a boatload of new knives on the way. The class of 2023 includes the company’s first collaboration with Mike Snody, and it’s a big boy. This piece brings the over the top attitude of Snody’s custom work to modern production folder package.

First thing’s first: check out this blade. It measures an intimidating 3.86 inches, which pushes it out of everyday carry for all but the more adventurous among us. Bigger chores, maybe outdoors ones, seem like this one’s calling. The blade shape is a drop point with a flamboyant harpoon swedge; it looks undeniably cool, and brings to mind some of the brash shapes Snody draws up for his custom pieces. But, like those non-Artisan predecessors, the swank visuals do not impede what is, at its heart, a classic, hardworking edge profile.

The Snody prototype in a closed position

Also hardworking is the blade steel, which on these prototypes is AR-RPM9. This stuff is one of a recent spate of proprietary steels, formulated by Artisan for the explicit purpose of being affordable but still performance-oriented. The Snody folder isn’t 100% ambidextrous, but its opening method is: there’s a long, comet-shaped cutout in the blade for one-handed deployment with either your left or right paw.

The handle has a boisterous pistol grip profile, tapering progressively over its length while arcing downward. The end result is something that is equally as boisterous as the blade but, once again, without impeding the rock-solid ergonomics. The fixings are expected from Artisan at this point but certainly nice: multiple Micarta options for the scales, a liner lock, and a sculpted pocket clip.

There’s no release date for the Snody folder yet, but Artisan is usually pretty quick on the draw.

Knife in Featured Image: Artisan Cutlery Mike Snody Folder

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