This Stunning Slipjoint Combines USA Knife Traditions with European Craft

What do Italian and French winemakers have to do with EDC? The connection runs deeper than you might think.

MKM Jaques knife blade being sharpened closeup

Published March 18, 2025

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Updated March 18, 2025

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Lots of folks think of everyday carry — keeping practical tools on you as much as is reasonable — as a very modern concept. But the roots go back hundreds (or potentially thousands) of years.

For instance, if a farmer keeps a folding blade on them when going about their day, that technically falls under the everyday carry umbrella. In fact, it’s this very scenario that inspired the MKM Jaques EDC folder.

MKM Jaques knives open on rocks — The Jaques’ Wharncliffe blade is an ideal workhorse shape for EDC and outdoor use.

International knife

Legendary knifemaker Jesper Voxnaes designed the Jaques. It was created specifically for MKM (Maniago Knife Makers) — a co-op of four of Italy’s most significant knife brands (LionSteel, Viper, FOX Knives, and Mercury).

But its internationalism goes beyond both its Danish and Italian roots. American knifemaking traditions and French and Italian winemakers also inspired the design.

[Its] unique combination of influences has resulted in a design that’s somehow both familiar and novel, old-school and fresh at the same time.

According to Voxnaes, this cutting tool is based on those “used by European winegrowers in both Italy and France,” combined with his love of “American slip joint patterns.”

The Jaques is a reinterpretation of several traditions that have been combined like never before. That unique combination of influences has resulted in a design that’s somehow both familiar and novel, old-school and fresh at the same time.

MKM Jaques knives closed on rocks — All six configurations of the Jaques are gorgeous, so it’s tough to pick a favorite.

Traditional, meet contemporary

The Jaques’ uniqueness doesn’t stop at its design. Its material makeup also combines old and new.

For example, the blade is a Wharncliffe shape with a manual nail nick deployment — both of which scream “classic.” However, it’s built from MagnaCut — an extremely contemporary super steel that’s one of the most popular at the moment.

Furthermore, the handle has a very traditional Barlow-style teardrop shape. However, it features two ergonomic cutouts that make gripping it more secure. Plus, depending on the configuration, it’s made from modern materials — titanium, carbon fiber, Micarta and G10.

While the knife still has a slipjoint mechanism — meaning it doesn’t lock — it does have a ballbearing pivot and comes with a ballistic nylon zip pouch. It’s been a while since I’ve encountered a knife that masterfully blends old and new like this one.