Why Don’t More EDC Knives Employ This Space-Efficient, Performance-Boosting Blade Style?

Kansept’s new Fermi reminds us of all the recurve edge has to offer.

Published December 5, 2024

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Updated December 5, 2024

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By most expert accounts (including the good people of Knafs), there are more pocket knife blade shapes than you can count on two hands — as many as 16, depending how you classify the variety of hybrids, blends and permutations.

In addition to looking cool, the S-shaped contour actually extends the edge of the blade, giving you more effective cutting capability than you’ll find in, say, a standard drop-point of the same length.

Some, such as the Persian, look stunning but don’t necessarily offer a huge functional advantage in the context of EDC. Others, such as the drop point, offer plenty of utility without a lot of a fanfare.

A rare group of others offer a winning combination of eye-popping looks and practical capability. That’s where we situate the blade style of a new Kansept knife called the Fermi. It’s a recurve, and we wish we saw it more often. Here’s why.

kansept fermi full — The base model Fermi features a Blackwash CPM 20CV blade and a green Micarta-inlayed handle.

No trouble with the recurve

Most blades have a single curve beginning at the point and sweeping backwards into a straight section of the edge and eventually hitting the handle. The recurve edge, however, has a little waggle in it, resulting in a slight S-shape.

You can classify the recurve as its own shape (as Knafs does), but as sites like KnivesShipFree point out, the edge can be introduced to pretty much any classic blade shape.

In addition to looking cool, this contour actually extends the edge of the blade, giving you more effective cutting capability than you’ll find in, say, a standard drop-point of the same length.

It also positions the edge at multiple angles against whatever you are cutting, creating a scenario with some resemblance to what you get with serrations, in a much different way.

kansept fermi off side — This offside angle provides a nice look at the S-curve that boosts the Fermi’s effective cutting capability.

What does that bonus real estate get you? The recurve best showcases its value when you are pulling your blade through something, using the cutting edge from the base to the point, a motion known as a draw. For that reason, recurves are great at slicing, whether you’re talking tangerines, tape or twine.

As Blade Mag notes, the recurve gives the edge a belly for plow/furrow-like cuts as well as detail work involving a reverse pinch grip. It also provides a pocket that can lock in the material being cut, which can be handy for cutting through tougher materials.

Recurves also excel at chopping and slashing, which makes them great for clearing vegetation, which is why you’ll see them pop up on various machetes.

So why don’t we see the recurve edge more often? One big downside is that sharpening them is not as (pardon the pun) straightforward as it is with other knives.

It’s not impossible, but you do have to pay attention and continually reorient the edge to the hone to get the desired result.

kansept fermi folded — The Fermi deploys via ambidextrous thumb studs, while a pocket clip keeps it safely on your person.

Focus on the Fermi

That solitary drawback hardly dampens our excitement about the Fermi, which is designed by Michael Burch, founder of Burchtree Bladeworks.

The Fermi boasts a number of compelling traits beyond its blade, a 3.11-inch recurve-edged clip-point made of CPM 20CV or Damascus steel, offering reliable edge retention and corrosion resistance no matter which of the four treatments you choose.

Deployed via ambidextrous thumbstuds, that blade is held in place by an inset lock mechanism built into ergonomic handle scales made of various combos of Micarta, titanium, carbon fiber and Timascus.

All four varieties of the knife weigh 4.9 ounces and come with a sturdy one-piece titanium pocket clip. That’s reassuring, because a knife and blade this good-looking and versatile is something you’ll want to keep secure in your pocket for many adventures to come.