Artisan Cutlery Hyperion S35VN Frame Lock Knife

The Artisan Cutlery Hyperion looks like a slip-joint your grandfather may have handed down, but it’s backed by some of the best materials around. The primary material used is S35VN stainless steel, which is hailed for its excellent corrosion resistance and ability to hold an edge. To gain access to its impressive capabilities, press the flipper tab and the blade flies right open, thanks to the ceramic bearings. Keeping the blade secure is a titanium frame lock. The frame is surrounded by carbon fiber scales, a design choice that complements the satin-finished blade nicely. At 9 inches overall, the Hyperion is no small knife, but it weighs just under 5 ounces for ease of carry.

Developed by Crucible Industries (one of the leading manufacturers of specialty steels for the cutlery industry) and Chris Reeve (arguably the most famous knifemaker in the world), S35VN is perhaps the most balanced blade steel ever created in terms of all-around performance. It’s made through a process of powdered metallurgy known as CPM, 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.