I’m a big fan of Steel Will Knives. They won me over when I reviewed their Gekko 1505, a big boy folder that’s reputed to go head-to-head with any fixed blade. I love that knife. And now they have mini-Gekkos for those fans who requested a smaller, more EDC-friendly version.
But I digress. At Blade 2016, I stopped by to see what was cooking at this relatively new company — they’ve been around for a little over a year now — and I was immediately impressed by the array of prototypes they had on display.
For a burgeoning company to continue to expand their product line is a testament to their vision. I get the impression that they want to keep evolving. They want to continue to push the limits of their design concepts to create an ever-increasing inventory of optimal knives. So far, they’re doing a heck of a job. If you watch the video above you’ll get a quick snapshot of what’s currently in development.
The Druid folder comes with both clip-point and drop-point blade options.
One new knife that caught my eye was the Druid 290 folder. What’s intriguing about the Druid 290 is its grip. It’s grip-tastic! The rubber-like material, made from nylon and fiberglass, on the handle will allow the user to get a purchase on the knife in any condition, even the most extreme. Inclement weather, rain, sleet, snow? No problem for the Druid.
Specs
- Steel: N690Co
- Handle material: Nylon & Fiberglass
- Blade-HRC: 58-60
- Finish: Satin
- Lock type: Liner-Lock
- Folded length: 5.2″
- Full length: 8.94″
- Blade length: 3.74″
- Weight: 6.28 oz
- MSRP: $120
A nice solid leather sheath. Both the sheath and the knife for $120. Seems like a killer deal. Should be available soon.
Since it is so grippy, Steel Will sells the knife with a leather sheath. Beyond the grip, the blade features a thumb plate to make it easier to open. What a great addition. Think about it. You’re out hunting in upstate New York in November. It’s snowing outside. You’re wearing gloves. You need to open your knife to cut a branch off your treestand. Obviously, you don’t want to remove your gloves to handle the cold blade in the frigid weather. If you have a druid on your hip, you’ll have no problem accessing the knife and opening it — with your gloves on — to cut off the branch. Pretty cool.
Check out the Steel Will website for more information.