This Already Excellent EDC Knife Just Got a Sleek, Affordable Upgrade

Vosteed’s Marten gets a makeover and drops some weight thanks to one key component’s meaningful material swap.

By Steve Mazzucchi

Published April 25, 2025

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Updated April 25, 2025

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When it comes to upgrading a product, a few queries regarding superlatives nearly always come up.

Can we make it lighter? Can we make it tougher? Can we make it look cooler?

More often than not, all these goals can be achieved by answering one fundamental question: Can we make it carbon fiber?

vosteed marten folded hero — The addition of carbon fiber only adds to the balance and beauty of the Marten.

With regard to the handle of Vosteed’s already awesome $99 Marten pocket knife, the answer there is a resounding “yes!”

And wow, did they nail it with the new A1608 variant — without breaking the bank, either.

Cased great, less filling

Not unlike a certain well-advertised light beer, the real appeal of this new Marten is delivering everything that makes the original so appealing, in a slightly leaner package.

Toward that end, the original aluminum scales get swapped out for carbon fiber ones, dropping 0.09 ounces from the total package, to 2.81.

The incomparable top liner lock, hinging on a smooth pivot screw, makes deployment a joy.

That’s not gonna change anyone’s life, but it does make the whole affair just a bit more nimble.

That little sliver of agility only enhances an EDC knife that’s incredibly well machined and immensely fidget-friendly.

vosteed marten button lock drop — A simple tap of the button, at this angle, brings the blade smoothly back into its handle.

The source of those superlatives is a feature that remains unchanged: the incomparable top liner lock. This hybrid of a liner lock and a button lock, hinging on a smooth pivot screw, makes deployment a joy.

That’s the case no matter whether you activate via the ambidextrous thumb studs or a push of the button and flick of the wrist.

vosteed marten cf detail — Carbon fiber gives the A1608 a much different look than its seven aluminum-handled brothers.

Either way, you can return the blade home via a reverse of the latter action, all with one hand.

Of course, I would be remiss not to mention, you know, the blade itself. Constructed of 154CM steel, it’s a 2.98-inch drop point, just short enough to maximize its potential legality in stricter regions.

vosteed marten off side in hand — As with the aluminum-handled varieties, the A1608 has a stainless steel pocket clip that is reversible.

While that particular steel is not a chart topper, it is considered a very reliable, affordable option that’s comparable to D2.

It’s also a big reason Vosteed was able to upgrade this knife in an unmistakable way while only adding 10 bucks to the price.

Availability and pricing

The carbon fiber-handled Vosteed Marten (A1608) is available for pre-order now and will ship in early May for $109.

Vosteed Marten (A1608)

$109 at Vosteed

About the Author:

Now managing editor, Steve has served in a variety of roles with GP since 2019. Having previously written and edited for such publications as Men’s Health, Men’s Journal, Esquire and ESPN, he enjoys covering a range of topics — but mostly those pertaining to cycling, snow sports, pocket knives and motos — and dreams of a utopian world in which everyone’s bike seat is at the proper height.