Artisan Cutlery Mastiff S35VN Folding Knife

Like the beastly dog it takes its name from, the Artisan Cutlery Mastiff is built for brute force. Measuring 8.5 inches in total length, this chunky folder has the size to tackle tough cuts and chops. Another reason it’s well equipped for tough tasks is the thick 3.8-millimeter blade, which is made of S35VN stainless steel for top-of-the-line edge retention. Moving to the handle, the knife has a titanium frame with a carbon fiber scale on the other side to keep weight down to a minimum. Finishing the design is a titanium clip and a flipper tab for smooth and effortless deployment.

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.