This Stunning, Small, Minimalist EDC Knife Is Not One to Overlook

Big Idea Design has pared its best-selling fixed blade into an even more discreet folder — all without losing its spirit and best features.

Big Idea Design Overlook EDC Knife handle closeup

By Sean Tirman

Published May 30, 2025

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In early 2024, Big Idea Design — an EDC brand known best for its array of pens and pocket tools — launched a fixed-blade knife called The Lookout. It was an immediate hit, raising over $127,000 on Kickstarter.

Since then, The Lookout has become a best-seller and staple of the brand. Now, this knife has been given new life in Big Idea Design’s Overlook, which takes the same iconic silhouette and pares it into a more discreet, carry-friendly folding format.

Big Idea Design Overlook EDC Knife open in hand — This knife maintains its inspiration’s spirit, while paring it into a more discreet, carry-friendly format.

No longer a fixed point

If you compare the Lookout and Overlook side-by-side, you’ll notice their silhouettes are virtually identical. The shape and form of the original have been almost entirely maintained in this new version.

But it’s not just the silhouette; the similarities are deeper than that. For instance, the specs are virtually identical.

Most wonderfully, the Outlook retains its fixed-blade sibling’s blade steel: Böhler M390.

While the Lookout measures 6.2 inches long (pretty compact for a fixed blade), the Outlook is just a hair longer at 6.25 inches long. That means their blade lengths are similarly comparative, with the former measuring 2.2 inches and the latter clocking in at 2.62.

Most wonderfully, the Outlook retains its fixed-blade sibling’s blade steel: Böhler M390. That’s a major boon for fans of the original and anyone who understands the overall value and performance of this super steel.

Big Idea Design Overlook EDC Knife half open, lock side — New additions include an integrated frame lock and ceramic ball bearing pivot.

Neat, discreet, can’t be beat

Of course, there have to be numerous differences between this knife and its inspiration. Otherwise, it wouldn’t actually be new, nor would it be a folder.

The handle is titanium — another shared element between this knife and the Ti Lookout (the original was also offered with Ultem, wood and G10 scales). However, it now has an integrated frame lock to keep it safe and secure when deployed.

This knife collapses down to 3.6 inches long. That makes it much more discreet and carry-friendly than its non-folding fixed-blade counterpart.

The Overlook also features a ceramic ball-bearing pivot for smooth deployments. It’s paired with thumb studs, which serve to make this knife ambidextrous, and a reversible deep-carry pocket clip.

Best of all, its folding action means this knife collapses down to 3.6 inches long. That makes it much more discreet and carry-friendly than its non-folding fixed-blade counterpart.