Oknife, a member of Olight’s O-family, has a Kickstarter campaign going to fund a super-lightweight knife designed by Ken Onion.
Here are the quick specs:
| Overall Length: | 7.36″ |
| Blade Length: | 3.16″ |
| Blade Material: | S45VN (60 – 62 HRC) |
| Handle Material: | OAL aluminum |
| Lock Up: | Framelock |
Flashlight Inspiration
The design is based off of the Olight Arkfeld flashlight, taking some geometric cues from the shape and thinness. The intent is to make the lightest, toughest frame lock folder they possibly can. Current prototypes are running at 2.57 oz (which is incredibly light for a 3-inch folder, especially one with 0.12″ thick blade).
The OAL Aluminum
This is Olight’s proprietary aluminum, reportedly harder that 6061 aluminum and with better yield and tensile strength than TA2 titanium. These are the properties that allow them to make a frame lock out of such a light material and without liners.
The handle is also generously textured, giving it a solid grip that in uncharacteristic of aluminum handles.
The Kickstarter and Options
They’ll be releasing the XEN-OAL in two different versions: a matte blade handle with DLC coating, and an olive green handle with a stonewashed blade (the materials stay the same, though).
The campaign started in November and has reached all its stretch goals, which means that, now, each knife will come with a XEN-OAL coin and a titanium bead with a cord.
But it’s not too late to contribute. The campaign will be going until December 18, and they still have several early bird special rewards that get you the knife (or two) early and at a discounted price. $130 is the standard for one knife in the Kickstarter before it releases early next year with an MSRP of $189.
Check out their Kickstarter campaign here to get in on the action.
I think this is a great opportunity to get in on the ground floor with a really handsome new blade design by a premier name in blade making. I ordered the Manganas Steel Aurelia knife that is due for release late 1st quarter 2025 and also this knife. I just sent my son for Xmas Giant Mouse’s ACE Sonoma V2 titanium (#158 of 400 limited series). I also presented two son-in-laws with personalized custom Buck 110 folders. I carry a Kershaw Titanium Iridium (<100 knives were made).
There is something uniquely satisfying about owning and using one of a limited run of knives when you think about how many people there are on this planet, or just here in the USA. Imagine there are less than 100 Kershaw Iridium knives made or only 400 Giant Mouse Sonoma knives made on this planet. I can’t wait to find out how many of the Manganas Aurelia Blades will get made. I think that knife promises to be the most handsome and exceptionally built blade of the aforementioned.
Wow! great Christmas gifts. Most of readers wished they had someone in the family with enough knife knowledge to make them feel like a kid at Christmas. Your son and son-in-laws will be stoked. And you are right about owning limited run knives. Its mental, but they just feel better riding the pocket.
Thanks for the heads up on the Aurelia. We missed that announcement.