This Stunning EDC Knife’s Blade-to-Handle Ratio Is Just Magical

Merlin. Gandalf. Doctor Strange. These names spark immediate chatter among fantasy, movie and comics fans the world over, arguing over who might be the greatest wizard of all time.

Now there’s some new competition on the block, and it’s made of steel. Say hello to Artisan Cutlery’s Wizard Series, which made the jump from Kickstarter by raising $147,347 on that platform, nearly 500 times its modest funding goal.

The project took off there — and got my attention — not only for the knife family’s looks but also its specs, including one incredible blade-to-handle ratio. And now you can buy the knives directly.

Magical mechanisms

Dreamed up by rising knife designer Dustin “Dusty” Rhodes — see CJRB’s brain-melting Prototype Nanner — the series consists of four total knives.

All have the same design and measurements but employ different materials — and naturally rise in price as those ingredients get tastier.

But before we get into the material details, let’s talk about the design, which is pretty special.

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Rhodes set out to create a knife with as big a blade as possible in as small a package as possible. The result is a 4.17-inch handle housing a 3.47-inch clip-point blade.

The key to a handle that’s just over 20 percent longer than the blade? Deeply considered design and slick internal geometry, which squeezes a surprising amount of cutting real estate into one svelte silhouette.

Adding to the appeal is the fact that this knife has not one, not two but three methods of deployment, all hingeing upon smooth, nearly friction-free ceramic ball bearings.

Classic thumb studs allow for easy ambidextrous opening, a front flipper presents a stylish second option and a button lock doubles as a deployment and locking mechanism, precisely keeping the blade and handle in line.

Meet the Wizards

As I mentioned above, there are four knives in total, differentiated by their construction materials.

First up we have the Sorcerer, which features a titanium handle with a blue-and-white carbon inlay resembling camouflage.

It also boasts a sand-polished S90V steel blade with a hardness of HRC59-61 and a titanium clip.

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One step up from the Sorcerer is the Mage. Like the Sorcerer, it has a sand-polished S90V blade.

Where this option distinguishes itself is with Titanium Damascus, present in the pivot collar, the pocket clip, the backspacer and the swirling blue inlay.

Whereas these two knives stand out with their handle materials, the next variant is most notable for its blade material.

As you might imagine, the Magna-Mage features CPM MagnaCut steel (HR62-63), prized for its blend of toughness, edge retention and corrosion resistance.

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Finally, we have the Enchanter. Like the first two options, it features an S90V blade, but this one is mirror-polished, perhaps to keep up with its stunning housing.

See, along with its pocket clip, backspacer, clip insert and pivot collar, the Enchanter’s entire handle is made of Titanium Damascus.

The overall effect is positively iridescent. It’s no Excalibur, but I am pretty sure it would still catch even the mighty Merlin’s eye.

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Availability and pricing

All four knives in the Wizard Series are available now from Artisan Cutlery at what I might call “pre-discounted” prices.

The Sorcerer currently costs $214, the Mage costs $320, the Magna-Mage costs $374 and the Enchanter costs $749.

Artisan Cutlery

Artisan Cutlery Wizard Series

• Starts at $214
  $285 (25% off)

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