This Popular Tactical Knife Just Upgraded Its Blade Steel and Lock — and Got Lighter Too

The Ka-Bar folder formerly known as Coypu changes one letter — and a number of key ingredients.

Published February 13, 2025

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Updated February 13, 2025

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For as much criticism as Prince got over changing his name to a symbol and going by The Artist Formerly Known as Prince (aka TAFKAP), it’s important to remember two things.

First, the move was actually in defiance of Warner Bros., which failed to release his huge backlog of music consistently. Second, the guy was truly one of the greatest musicians of all time, by any name.

ka-bar coytu folder hero — The new Coytu’s black-on-black color scheme certainly does not subtract from the tactical vibe.

Big takeaway: Not all name changes are what they seem. Which brings us to the latest release from Ka-Bar, the Coytu Folder. That moniker may remind super fans of an earlier Ka-Bar offering, the Coypu.

Like Prince, the brand has its reasons. The new knife’s upgraded blade, lock, shape and weight leave it so distinctly evolved from the Coypu, it only made sense for the name to shift as well.

In any case, the Coytu already has the makings of an icon.

Better ingredients, better flipper

Quick history lesson: Introduced in 2018, the Coypu was a heavy-duty liner lock knife with a glass breaker and seatbelt cutter aimed squarely at first responders.

At less than $30, it was also super wallet friendly, an achievement reached with entry-level materials, including 15Cr knife steel.

Even accounting for inflation, its successor is pricier, but for good reasons. For starters, the blade steel is AUS-8A. While also an affordable stainless steel option, most consider it to be at least a notch above 15Cr.

The shift to a Crossbar lock immediately bumps the Coytu from two-handed to one-handed closing capability — and also doubles the deployment options. You can trigger the grippy back flipper or slide the Crossbar’s tabs and flick your wrist.

At 3.5 inches, the blade is a bit shorter than the original’s 3.75 but still provides plenty of cutting edge and acuity for most jobs, especially with loads of grip-improving jimping on the spine.

As Knife Center’s own David C. Andersen notes, the design has tactical and rescue vibes but could also serve as a great camping folder.

More notable here is the locking mechanism. The Coytu replaces the liner lock with an ambidextrous Crossbar.

ka-bar coytu folder off side — From tail to tip: glass breaker, pocket clip, seatbelt cutter, GFN handle, Crossbar lock and AUS-8A blade.

This shift immediately bumps it from two-handed to one-handed closing capability — and also doubles its deployment options.

You can either trigger the spiky, grippy back flipper or slide the Crossbar’s tabs and flick your wrist.

One other change worth mentioning is the handle. The new silhouette is noticeably more ergonomic, and the scales are made entirely of glass-filled nylon (aka GFN).

ka-bar coytu folder off side folded — The Coytu’s generous back flipper and blade jimping should ease use even when wearing gloves.

Jettisoning the Coypu’s stainless steel bolster not only improves comfort but also helps shed weight, dropping the total package from the original’s 7-plus ounces to a slimmer 5.6.

Even so, fans of the Coypu will be glad to know the Coytu retains two of its key features, the glass breaker tip and seatbelt cutter.

That checks out, because hey, it’s not like Prince suddenly ditched his guitar when he became TAFKAP — something for which we should all be eternally grateful.