This Stunning New EDC Knife Proves the Original Super Steel Is for Real

Kansept’s latest release boasts a blade with literally thousands of years of history.

Published October 16, 2024

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Look, it’s no secret what the hottest blade steel of the moment is. Gracing premium knives from some of the most respected names in the business, including Benchmade, CRKT and Leatherman, MagnaCut continues to hog the spotlight thanks to its unprecedented combo of toughness, edge retention and corrosion resistance.

Damascus properties can vary based on the types and proportions of steels used, but the tough edge retention and shimmering sheen unite them all.

Magnificent as it is, however, MagnaCut is hardly the first super steel, nor is it the only one with mesmerizing power. The latest release from Kansept, the Tarkin, includes two fantastic-looking, sub-$200 editions that recognize the enduring beauty and potency of what is essentially the original super steel: Damascus.

KANSEPT Tarkin Frame Lock Bead Blasted Titanium Handle

Kansept Tarkin Frame Lock K1078A4

$189.89 at Kansept

Millennia in the making

Before we dive into the details of these new knives, though, let’s quickly revisit what makes Damascus steel so special.

The origins can be traced at least as far back as Alexander the Great, who died in 323 BC. From that time period, we have record of Middle Eastern blacksmiths working with wootz, a special steel from India with a rippling finish and superior edge-holding ability.

kansept tarkin flip side — The Tarkin’s distinctive Damascus steel catches the eye from pretty much every angle.

Its secrets were later lost for generations, until 1981, when two Stanford metallurgists experimented with a high-carbon formula that produced a similar substance.

Nowadays, blacksmiths produce contemporary Damascus steel by working different steels into folded layers. Properties can vary based on the types and proportions of steels used, but the tough edge retention and shimmering sheen unite them all.

Modern mettle

Kansept two Damascus-bladed Tarkins are no exception. Along with the four other Tarkins, they’re designed by Matthew Christensen, a veteran Illinois-based knife maker who specializes in crisp-flipping frame lock and liner lock folding knives.

Deployed via a front flipper, the Tarkin’s blade is 3.42-inch drop-point tanto with a flat grind. Note that at the back of its generous belly, a section is scooped out to form a forward choil, enabling you to choke up on the blade for detailed piercing and cutting tasks.

kansept tarkin folded — The hole-bearing Tarkin costs $9 more, but hey you can see the Damascus ripple even when its closed.

The handle is noteworthy too: it’s made of bead blasted titanium, which helps keep it it on the lighter side, especially in the case of the holed-out model K1078A5, which is otherwise identical to the K1078A4. Both versions feature a sculpted titanium pocket clip and a steel capped frame lock.

Of course, if you are partial to modern super steel, the four other editions of the Tarkin boast CPM 20CV, which is no slouch in its own right. Just make sure to never forget its roots — ancient alchemy dating back more than 2,000 years.

Availability and pricing

The Kansept Tarkin knives with Damascus steel are available now. The full titanium handle edition costs $189.89 while the holed-out titanium handle version costs $198.89.