submitted by Chris Van Hoven
It’s a big EDC market out there, and tons of awesome gear is released all the time. We made The Drop to help you discover the latest and greatest essentials worth a spot in your EDC.
Morgan Koens is a custom fixed blade maker with a lot of experience creating functional and beautiful knives. Coming from a long history of designing fixed blades, the Shikari exemplifies how he executes a folding knife design, showing his skill and passion for the craft.
The Kansept Knives Shikari SBL has a 3.35” modified clip point blade made of CPM S35VN steel, a premium stainless steel offering excellent edge retention, corrosion resistance, and toughness. The blade has a black stonewashed finish that gives it a rugged and stealthy look. It can be easily opened with the rear flipper tab or by disengaging its namesake button lock, which also serves as a safety mechanism to prevent accidental closure. The blade runs on a ball-bearing pivot system, ensuring smooth and fast deployment with a snap.
The handle of the Shikari SBL is made of black and white “Gmascus,” a composite material made from layered G-10 that mimics the appearance of Damascus steel. The handle scales also feature an anodized titanium bolster that adds strength and durability to the knife. Its contoured shape fits comfortably in the hand to provide a secure grip, while a lanyard hole and titanium pocket clip offer options for easy carry.
What we like: Its big-bellied blade using premium steel makes it suitable for any outdoor task you can throw at it. We also like how the clip point shape echoes its fixed-blade DNA with a long thumb ramp and slick accent swedge.
What to watch out for: If this particular design isn’t to your liking, multiple versions of the Shikari are available, from more premium options featuring 20CV steel and Damascus / Timascus handles to more affordable variants that use 154CM steel to suit your budget. Also, take note that the button lock and clip are, unfortunately, not ambidextrous.
Final verdict: The Shikari SBL combines utility and pleasing aesthetics in a compact and elegant package with an easy-to-use, safe button lock and a comfortable handle with stylish flairs from tip to clip.
