When you’ve got been across the knife world in any respect prior to now 31 years, you’re conscious of the sway the Sebenza has on the knife market. It’s the benchmark by which all different high-end manufacturing folders are judged. Its easy form and powerful titanium framelock have appealed to knife knuts from the very starting.
Consequently, plenty of manufacturers have tried their arms at making a titanium framelock in their very own model in hopes they’ll hit the identical goal the Sebenza does. Artisan calls its tackle the icon the Satyr — and it’s fairly good. Its refined simplicity performs the identical notes because the Sebenza, but it surely gives sufficient distinction to make it a knife price contemplating if you’re available in the market.
Briefly: Artisan Cutlery Satyr is a big, skinny blade with a easy form and stellar execution.
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Metal
S90V -
Grind
Partial flat grind -
Lock
Body lock -
Blade size
3.35″ -
OAL
7.76″ -
Weight
3.85 oz. -
Worth
$200 -
Nation of origin
China
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Glorious slicing capability -
Clear, refined look -
Properly machined deal with for good grip -
Excellent all-around metal
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A bit bigger than you want for EDC -
Some would possibly discover the finger flick deployment awkward
Artisan Cutlery Satyr Knife Assessment
First Impressions
The very first thing you discover if you get the Satyr in hand is simply how clear it’s. Two broad chamfers run alongside the deal with inside the center portion of the blade coated. Very effective diagonal strains grace the handles as nicely. The hits are refined, however fairly grippy.
After that, you discover simply how tall this blade is. A number of knives dwell on this measurement vary, 3.25-3.35 inches of blade size, however few are this tall. The blade on the Satyr is greater than an inch broad, making the general footprint of the knife really feel like a Hershey bar — skinny however very broad.
These two issues set the tone for the remainder of the blade. Good or unhealthy, this knife may be very properly made with uncommon dimensions.
Design & Supplies
Greater than a decade in the past, one of many first YouTube knife reviewers, Nutnfancy, talked in regards to the significance of knives weighing lower than 4 ounces. Over time, I’ve discovered this threshold to be a very good one. Knives beneath this weight appear manageable, whereas knives over it appear unnecessarily cumbersome.
On the weekends in denims or throughout the week in slacks, even with the additional width, the Satyr carries nicely. In denims, it principally disappears, and although in slacks, it’s noticeable however not obtrusive.
Deployment proved a bit difficult. You’ll be able to, after all, slowly open it along with your thumb like some other knife. However the Satyr is absolutely designed to be flicked open along with your center finger. It’s a bit difficult, however after you have the muscle reminiscence, this methodology works exceptionally nicely — quick however safe.
I’ve been finger-flicking Spydercos and different knives for years, so I used to be used to the motion. But when that is your first finger flick-opening knife, it can really feel like a little bit of finger yoga for certain.
The blade itself is S90V, an exceptionally hard-wearing metal that retains plenty of corrosion resistance. Together with MagnaCut and M390, S90V sits on the high of the metal charts (circa 2024). The advertising and marketing claims that the blade is “sandblasted,” but it surely simply appears like a foggy satin end.
The clip right here can be price mentioning. It’s a sculpted titanium clip with a “blind” attachment, which means the clip is screwed into place with the screw head accessible solely when the knife is disassembled. Not solely is the clip properly made, but it surely’s additionally low profile and stays out of the best way when utilizing the Satyr.
Use
In use, the Satyr may be very succesful. Due to the tall blade and a skinny grind, it’s a bit slicier than its Idaho-made inspiration. Again and again, I used to be impressed by simply how good a cutter this knife was. It tackled some heavy cardboard with ferocious aggression; it lower apples, cheese, and salami like a kitchen knife; and it handles marking duties and fireplace prep work with ease.
The mix of excessive wear-resistant metal and very good grind make the Satyr a stellar EDC knife, particularly in case you have larger arms. Moreover, the effective diagonal striations not solely look good, however they aksi present good optimistic grip with out being overly aggressive.
Conclusion
If the Satyr the Artisan’s swing on the Sebenza, it’s a aggressive providing. It’s refined sufficient to utter in the identical breath because the Sebenza, however totally different sufficient to advantage consideration by itself.
I discovered it a bit giant, as I want blades beneath 3 inches, however given its measurement and further capabilities over a 3-inch knife, I discovered the carry trade-offs worthwhile given the rise in efficiency.
When you’ve got giant handles or want a bigger EDC, the Satyr is a superb alternative. And it prices greater than $200 lower than the Sebenza with a metal that’s roughly equal to — or higher than — what the Sebenza has proper now.
