There’s nothing wrong with prioritizing usefulness over aesthetics, especially when it comes to pocket knives. However, The James Brand has long made the case that you don’t need to.
Founded in 2012, the Portland company designs what it calls “products made with premium materials, a minimalist design aesthetic and clear attention to the details” — an ethos perhaps best captured in its original knife: the Chapter, which just got its first significant overhaul in over decade.
The James Brand Chapter 2
The James BrandThe James Brand The Chapter 2
Specs
| Blade Material | S35VN steel |
| Blade Shape | Drop point |
| Weight | 2.9 ounces |
With its clean lines and pared-back design, the original Chapter knife included a deep pocket clip, titanium frame-lock construction and sealed ceramic bearings — all attributes found on the Chapter 2, as well.
However, machined 6Al-4V-grade titanium now makes up that pocket clip, which now features a tip-up carry orientation based on customer feedback. As for the blade, it’s forged from American-made S35VN super steel from Crucible Steel Company. The handle is still made from titanium for a total package that weighs 2.9 ounces.
