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The Cinderella Knife That Stole Blade Show West Is Finally Available

The surprise Best in Show winner, Poikiloblade’s Orca, has arrived. Here are the final specs, hands-on notes and how to get it.

poikiloblade orca macroPhoto by Mykim Dang for Gear Patrol

By Steve Mazzucchi

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A couple of months ago, a virtually unheard of brand called Poikiloblade stunned one of the world’s biggest knife conventions, Blade Show West, with the Orca, a pocket knife so undeniably unique, gorgeous and well-crafted, it couldn’t help but rise to the top, winning both “Best Factory Folder” and “Best in Show.”

I subsequently tracked down one of the brand’s founders, Andy Wang, who shared the back story of the brand, its name and logo and the killer whale-inspired knife that shocked BSW.

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Of course my big final question was, “when will this knife be available for purchase?”

Wang said they were working with retailers/distributors to bring it to market swiftly, and while it popped up on multiple sites last month it seemed to always be accompanied by “coming soon.”

poikiloblade orca hero
The logo is fittingly a chameleon, as the brand name comes from the term “Poikilotherm,” which describes organisms, such as lizards, that possess a variable body temperature fluctuating in harmony with their environment.
Photo by Mykim Dang for Gear Patrol

Today, however, soon is now, as the knife is currently available for purchase at EDC Lifestyle and Penchetta Pen & Knife. Woot! 

Key Orca details

Last month, Wang graciously lent me his own personal Orca for some hands-on time and let me tell you, I was quite sad to have to send it back home.

The Orca is big, sharp, durable and totally qualified for backcountry use, yet it looks so good it feels like it belongs on a very fine mahogany desk. Sort of like James Bond in a tuxedo, right before he suddenly has to spring into action.

Because as eye-popping as the knife is, it’s equally hype-worthy on the performance side.

What follows are the specs and my largely positive notes after spending a few days with the knife that won the West. They should provide a pretty good sense of what makes the Orca so special.

poikiloblade orca in hand
The blade is made of high-performance Böhler M398 steel. The handle consists of two intertwined slabs of titanium, one darkened with a coating to create the killer whale-like contrast pattern.
Photo by Mykim Dang for Gear Patrol

Specs

  • Overall Length: 8.61″
  • Blade Length: 3.57″
  • Blade Thickness: 0.157″
  • Blade Steel: Böhler M398
  • Blade Style: Drop Point
  • Blade Finish: Mirrored Stonewash
  • Edge Type: Plain 
  • Handle Material: Titanium
  • Handle Color: Black / White
  • Backspacer Material: ZircuTi
  • Pocket Clip Materiał: ZircuTi
  • Opener: Flipper Tab
  • Lock Type: Frame Lock
  • Weight: 4.69 Ounces
  • Country of Origin: China
poikiloblade orca details
Clockwise from top left, a few features worth calling out: minor jimping on the blade, the rear flipper tab for snappy deployment; the iridescent ZircuTi pocket clip; the confidence-inspiring frame lock.
Photos by Steve Mazzucchi for Gear Patrol

Notes

  • Nice heft, feels great in the hand, substantial.
  • Smooth rear flipper deployment with a very satisfying shuh-CHUNK.
  • Frame lock is sturdy as hell.
  • Super sharp blade, I know because I put quite a nick in my pinky in it while slicing up some peppers
  • Jimping on the blade feels a bit ornamental. Not useless but not as purposeful as most.
  • Blade also has the rare attribute of a fuller, lightens it up without sacrificing strength. Another quality that in this case may be purely aesthetic.
  • Two-toned handle is a striking look resulting from some clever craftsmanship.
poikiloblade orca closeup
Knife nerds will no doubt be talking about the legend of the Orca for years to come.
Photo by Mykim Dang for Gear Patrol
  • Big sharp and durable and totally qualified for backcountry use, yet it looks so good it feels like it belongs on a very fine mahogany desk. Sort of like James Bond in a tuxedo, right before he suddenly has to spring into action.
  • One of the best-looking knives I’ve seen in years.
  • A true conversation piece.

Availability and pricing

The Poikiloblade Orca shown on this page is available now for $680. A more affordable version with a black titanium pocket clip rather than a ZircuTi one is also available at Penchetta for $449.

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