Artisan Cutlery Corsair S35VN Cleaver Knife

Cleaver-style knives are taking the EDC world by storm. The Corsair from Artisan Cutlery is on the more aggressive end of the spectrum. Featuring a razor-sharp tip with a scalloped spine, it’s a nasty piercer. However, at just under 3 inches long, the S35VN blade has plenty of edge for slicing, too. When you need to get up close and personal, put a finger in the choil and choke up. The handle is a sight to behold as well. Made from carbon fiber with a titanium frame lock, it’s both lightweight and impressively strong. If you like pocket carry, the Corsair has a right-handed tip-up clip; if you prefer to tether, attach the anodized metal loop and tack it onto a pack or lanyard.

Developed by Crucible Industries (one of the leading manufacturers of specialty steels for the cutlery industry) and Chris Reeve (pioneer of the integral frame lock, featured on the Gent), S35VN is perhaps the most balanced blade steel ever created in terms of all-around performance. It’s made through a process known as Crucible Powdered Metallurgy, which results in near perfect consistency in the distribution of carbides. Compared to conventional melting practices, the CPM process produces a steel characterized by superior dimensional stability, grindability, and toughness.