Artisan Cutlery Darkwing review: A sexy, sinister slicer

If you want to explore the world of knives, be careful: it’s a slippery slope. In short, I went from someone who only had one Swiss Army knife to someone who had cabinets full of fixed blades, folders, automatics, and an array of sharpening accessories. And as my collection has grown, so has my mentality toward knives.

Where initially I only wanted the most useful all-around knife – a blade whose many functions would dictate its appearance – I now look at knives the same way I look at bicycles or cars: some are for everyday utility, some for hard work or very specific environments, and some are just for plain fun.

If Artisan Cutlery Darkwing ($212-370) was a car I would compare to the MX-5 Miata. Some people may think it’s silly, some people may think it’s cheesy. But its performance more than makes up for its price, and most of all, it’s undeniably fun. Which is probably why it broke its Kickstarter goal forty times over before reaching full production. I’ve been using (and playing with) a sample for a few weeks to see what it can do, and who will find it as much fun as me.

In short: You have more practical knives for everyday use, but few that are as impressive, capable, and enjoyable to use. For all its aesthetic beauty and aggressiveness, the Darkwing feels great in the hand, requires low maintenance, and offers daily utility. It will be difficult to sharpen when the time comes, and it is not suitable for bushcraft, but as a blade you will love using as well as the look of it, it is a real winner.

Compare it to the best pocket knives in our guide.

Artisan Cutlery Darkwing Review

This knife marks an update to Artisan’s existing Darkwing, with many of the same design cues but some notable differences. For starters, the latest Darkwing moves from the basic frame lock to a top-liner lock. Additionally, the new Darkwing blade makes a notable update to the steel – opting for S90V in place of the previous blade’s S35VN. I will explain the advantages and disadvantages of these changes in detail below.

Most notable, however, is the Darkwing line’s dramatic expansion in distinctive aesthetics variantsEach with subtle physical differences. There are four production versions and one very limited, luxury iteration. I tested the Blackwing variant, which uses titanium handle scales and has a black stonewash finish.

All iterations use the same steel and have many of the same performance benefits, though other options offer G10 handle scales, glow-in-the-dark inlays, and/or a black DLC coating.

The limited edition Blingwing features a mirror-polished blade and trippy titanium damascus handle scales. This is also approximately $1,000.

Blade size and steel

If you demo Darkwing publicly, it doesn’t matter what version you have, there will be some comments on it. Its curvy lines and aggressively angled blade are equal parts sexy and sinister. If you don’t like drawing attention to yourself, be careful when using it in public.

Artisan lists the shape of the blade as a curved tanto, and while that’s technically true, I’m inclined to call it a clip point. To be sure, it has a very aggressive piercing tip, but from there the edge of the blade suddenly cuts into the abdomen in one fell swoop. Near the choil, the blade appears to have an almost flat edge, but it has a subtle concavity that defines the recurring tanto designation.

In use, this makes it excellent for piercing and peeling, and makes for additional slicing on belly cordage or, tilted forward, making charcuterie.

As far as steel goes, I couldn’t be happier that Artisan went with the S90V. As I’ve become a full-fledged knife enthusiast, I’ve learned what steels I like. And even though I have plenty of sharpeners, I really appreciate a blade that holds an edge – it’s the S90V’s calling card. Out of the box, Darkwing slashed through a sheet of paper over the green like a self-propelled mower.

On the other hand, when the time comes to sharpen this knife, it will be an exercise in patience. The angles on the blade and steel will work slowly and deliberately.

handle

If I had my druthers, I would opt for canvas micarta every time. Its classic look and sticky feel are everything I want in a reliable knife. The titanium scales on the Darkwing are the complete opposite – but I don’t hate them here. Titanium is not only highly durable, but it also keeps the weight down. And besides, it works better aesthetically. This is a tactical EDC, not a classic belt knife your grandfather gave you.

If there’s a downside, it’s that the entire design is biased towards the right wing. Between the top-liner buttons and the pocket clip, this knife is not made for lefties.

lock, action

I don’t dislike the frame lock, but the top-liner is more satisfactory and will cut down on your Band-Aid budget. With ceramic bearings, the Darkwing opens and closes smoothly. There is zero blade play, although I did loosen the pivot screw a small amount to relieve some of the blade hesitation when pressing the button release.

As far as opening is concerned, the generous cutout makes it easy to open with a flick of the blade. I have large hands, but the cutout has plenty of room for my thumbs. And that’s good because I think thumb studs are unnecessary. They are so close to the pivot, there is almost no leverage to open the blades. I can guarantee that when you open the knife, you will use the cutout and forget the thumb studs are even there.

If anything, I think the knife is begging for a flipper. I find myself reaching for it, but it’s not there. Still, the cutouts are satisfactory, if a little slow.

tests

During the two weeks I’ve had the Darkwing, I’ve put it to work as EDC. This included an initial paper test that was so satisfying, several sheets’ worth of paper strips were scattered across my floor. I used the sharp point to make some marks on the wood, pierced and sliced ​​through some hermetic product packaging, and cut through some paracord.

The Darkwing is an absolute winner – I also know the recurve edge will be great for paring and shaving. It’s certainly not a bushcraft knife – the lock won’t stick, and the tip won’t withstand heavy pricking – but you can cut a heck of a marshmallow stick.

Conclusion: Pricing, availability, who is it for

Except Blingwing, darkwing The variants – Blackwing, Toughwing, Glowing and Hellwing – range in price from $212 to $370 (early Kickstarter buy-ins are available until June 18). This is not a budget blade, but the steel, combined with the titanium architecture, ceramic bearings, and unique aesthetic, justifies the price.

It is not for everyone. I wouldn’t say this should be anyone’s first knife or their sole quiver option. But if you’re like me and you’ve figured out what you want in a daily carry and can appreciate the design and material choices behind a unique blade, this is a fun, fierce folder.