This Beloved Brand’s Best EDC Knife Just Got a Stunning Material Upgrade

Thanks to its generous proportions, meticulous machining and high-end ingredients, The Barnes shot to the top of The James Brand’s lineup upon its introduction four years ago.

So impressive is it, The Barnes has long been a mainstay of our guide to the best grail knives you can buy. 

The James Brand

Accordingly, since its launch, the boutique Portland-based knife maker has released a number of dazzling limited-edition variants, including ones with Damasteel blades and snakeskin (carbon-fiber inlay) handles.

And while it’s a bit more affordable than those four-figure releases, TJB’s latest flagship flex might be its boldest yet. Meet The Barnes Arctic Storm + Stainless.

Same great blade, hot new handle

No need to further bury the lead: The big news is that the knife’s excellent titanium handle is getting a visit from Fatcarbon. 

This tiny Utena, Lithuania-based outfit’s many-splendored carbon-fiber handle treatments have been blowing up the knife space of late, so it was only a matter of time till TJB made their acquaintance.

The James Brand

The Barnes adds Fatcarbon in a characteristically cool, classy fashion, incorporating a tempestuous blue, black and grey inlay that absolutely pops without compromising the knife’s overall style.

Also retained is the big beefy business end: a 3.5-inch drop-point blade made of Bohler M390 super steel.

Integral excellence

Of course, The Barnes would not be The Barnes without the locking mechanism that made it famous.

So relax, the integral framelock, part of a handle that is CNC-machined from one solid billet of 6AL4V titanium, is here too. 

The James Brand

In addition to the impressive craftsmanship this handle boasts, it’s also super sturdy and low maintenance thanks to the extreme streamlining of parts (aka failure points). 

The blade deploys on a stainless steel pivot and ceramic bearings, and stays secure in the pocket courtesy of a clip also made of CNC-machined titanium, plus a paracord lanyard. 

The James Brand

This new Barnes comes boxed with a coin featuring an arrowhead (all TJB knives are named after one) encircled by the words “Analog Artifact / Some Things Will Never Go Digital.”

And why wouldn’t it? After all, it’s bad luck to gift a knife without exchanging a coin, whether you do so in Portland, Utena or anywhere else on God’s green Earth.

Availability and pricing

The James Brand’s The Barnes Arctic Storm + Stainless is available now in the US only for $799. Only 24 have been produced, so don’t snooze if you are interested.

The James Brand

The James Brand The Barnes Arctic Storm + Stainless.

• $799 at The James Brand

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