Product Review

Look familiar? It should.

The Daktyl non-traditional pocket knife is seriously bare bones; we’re talking phalanges here. It’s named after a finger for a reason: set it in motion with one quick action and watch the jaws drop.

Oregon designer and inventor Tom Hitchcock rejoins the ranks with this impressive feat of engineering. Feel like you’ve seen it before? That’s because it pays homage to the Hole In One side opener that owned the scene when it was in production a few years ago. The Daktyl is choosy though. It takes only the best of the previous design, adds the Slide Lock innovation, and reduces the already-minimal part count.

Opening and closing the blade is similar to the action on the Daktyl predecessor. To open, simply press the front lever mechanism with your thumb and rotate the blade outward until it fully extends and securely clicks into place. To close the knife, press down on the lever to disengage, then swing the blade back into the closed position.

The Daktyl comes with an added security measure—the Slide Lock mechanism. When the knife is in the closed position, sliding the lever at the top of the handle backwards clicks it into place and reduces the chance of it opening unexpectedly. When open, sliding the lever forward locks it into place, which is exactly where it’ll stay until you reverse the procedure to disengage and return it to the closed position. As an added bonus, the blade is completely ambidextrous, rotating both to the right and to the left.

The new modified wharncliffe blade is so unique we had to give it a new name too. Meet the “Hitchcock” blade style. Best at fine-tip tasks and stellar at slicing, it’s a versatile blade in a compact package. Attach it to your belt loop or, even better, crack open a beer with the carabiner at the pivot end of the closed blade.

The digit is the evolutionary advancement that sent us straight to the top of the food chain. Likewise, this powerful design boosts the Daktyl to the top of the EDC pack.

Specifications:

Blade Length: 3.050" (77.47 mm)
Edge: Plain
Steel: 420J2
Blade Finish: Bead Blast
Blade Thickness: 0.145" (3.68 mm)
Grind: Flat
Closed Length: 4.422" (112.32 mm)
Open Length: 6.813" (173.05 mm)
Weight: 2.4 oz (68.04g)
Handle: 420 SS
Style: Folding Knife with Slide Lock