The Original Tactical Folding Knife Gets a High-End Redesign

Once again, it’s been penned by Bob Terzuola, the CIA’s former knifemaker and the man who literally wrote the book on tactical knives.

Fox Knives Bob Terzuola Original Gangster ATCF Knife blade closeup

By Sean Tirman

Published April 22, 2025

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Updated April 22, 2025

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Back in 1986-87, Bob Terzuola — the man who literally wrote the book on tactical knives — designed the ATC for the U.S. government. He aimed to create a lightweight, robust, discreet, versatile, durable, ambidextrous tool for security and military personnel.

In retrospect, it’s safe to say that his success was tremendous. The ATC — the original tactical folding knife — is still the benchmark by which other, similar pocket knives are measured. It’s been often imitated, but never truly surpassed.

Now, Terzuola has teamed up with Fox Knives on the Original Gangster ATCF, a modern, high-end reinterpretation of that groundbreaking knife.

Fox Knives Bob Terzuola Original Gangster ATCF Knives — There are three configurations of the Original Gangster, including two with Micarta handles and one with titanium.

A legend reborn

While a standard reissue of this legendary knife would have been noteworthy on its own, this isn’t just a recreation. It’s a serious modern upgrade.

There are three versions of the Fox Knives Original Gangster. Two of them have bead-blasted Micarta scales — one in black and the other in OD green. The third, however, gets a stonewashed all-titanium handle.

That’s not all. This new version also sees the drop-point blade get a material swap for MagnaCut. This super steel helps increase the knife’s performance even further, while maintaining one of its core tenets: corrosion resistance.

While expensive, MagnaCut is an exceptional steel that fits beautifully in this iconic design. Honestly, it’s more than most people need for EDC (despite its popularity), but it does jibe extremely well with the knife’s tactical, rugged intent.

The knife retains the original liner lock and ambidextrous thumb stud deployment, but it also has a flipper for even speedier operation.

Fox Knives Bob Terzuola Original Gangster ATCF Knife — While the knife has the thumb disc from the original ACTF knife, it also gets a flipper deployment.

Elusive, but not unattainable

If you’ve visited Fox Knives’ website and seen this knife, you might have been frustrated to find it tagged “Cannot be sold in the USA.” Sadly, it’s true: Fox Knives cannot sell this knife in the United States.

But there’s good news. You can get it in the States, just not from Fox. Specifically, it’s being sold directly, exclusively through Bob Terzuola’s site. If you’re an American citizen and want to get your hands on this legendary knife, that’s the only place to get it.

While this may change in the future — Blade HQ actually has a landing page for the knives, despite no actual listings — it remains to be seen when, if ever, that comes to pass.

Interestingly, Terzuola Design only lists two of the configurations — the black and titanium versions. It appears that when the OD green version launches, Fox may sell it in the States (and it could be available elsewhere).

Pricing and availability

As mentioned, the black and titanium versions of the Fox Knives Original Gangster ATCF knife are exclusively available through Terzuola Design. Both knives cost $295 apiece.

While the OD green version hasn’t yet launched, Fox has it listed for $336, although that price could change depending on the circumstances, retailers and so forth.