This Stunning New EDC Knife Boasts a Formidable Blade, a Rare Lock and a Unique Handle

Premium steel, slick mechanics and mesmerizing handle scales mark this fine flipper as an instant classic.

Close-up of a folding knife with a blue patterned handle and a partially visible blade marked "ARTISAN.

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By Steve Mazzucchi

Published April 29, 2026

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Some brands shoot to prominence so swiftly that it’s easy to forget how nascent they may be.

Such is the case with Artisan Cutlery, which only came into existence in 2018. Yet, together with the Butterfork and CJRB labels under its umbrella, it has already become an industry stalwart.

Folding knife with a stone-patterned handle and a large, angular blade resting on a black mug. — The premium blade and lock are cool, but the crystal titanium handle really takes this knife over the top.

It doesn’t hurt that the blades are built in YangJiang, which is essentially the Portland of China in terms of its knifemaking prowess.

Still, let’s take a breath and appreciate a true showstopper, the immaculate new Mousebird.

Crystal blue persuasion

While there are three variants, I’m pretty zeroed in on the 1889G-CBU skew, thanks to its handle, which we will get to in a bit.

Can’t say I was surprised to see this particular knife is designed by one Dusty Rhodes.

Folding knife with a textured blue-gray handle and a partially open, stonewashed blade marked "ARTISAN. — As he is wont to do, Rhodes has penned another unique knife that celebrates form while delivering function.

AC put faith in this kid early and was quickly rewarded, as the many-splendored Wizard Series raised almost $150,000 on Kickstarter, nearly 500 times its goal.

Rhodes has worked on a number of whimsical projects for AC and CJRB since, including the Nanner and Beest, but when it comes to blending form and function, the Mousebird tops the charts.

Folded pocket knife with a blue-gray marbled handle and partially visible stainless steel blade on a gray surface. — I love how the angular shape of the thumb slot is echoed by the pivot screw when the blade is retracted.

The business end is a 3-inch modified clip-point blade made of S35VN, which is widely prized for its edge retention, strength and corrosion resistance.

The shape may be a bit divisive, but it’s not for show.

Knife with a textured blue handle and a silver blade stabbed into a dark, smooth stone against a black background. — Nothing to see here, just the Mousebird doing its best Excalibur impression.

The large cutout essentially combines both a thumb slot and a fuller, enabling snappy ambidextrous deployment (helped along by a smooth ceramic ball bearing) while lightening things up.

Meanwhile, generous jimping on the back half of the spine, together with some contouring, gives you all the traction and leverage you need during intense detail work.

Close-up of a textured blue-gray folding knife spine and locking mechanism against a black background. — The seldom-seen top liner lock is one of the handiest mechanisms, as it enables one-handed blade retraction.

The Mousebird also boasts a top liner lock, which not only secures the blade firmly but also allows for swift retraction at the touch of a button.

Of course, the most notable feature is the ergonomic handle, whose shape neatly counterpoints the blade while providing a reliable, comfortable grip.

Close-up of a textured blue-gray metal knife handle with a pocket clip and four screws on a black background. — Don’t be surprised to see more and more knives with this handle treatment popping up; it’s simply glorious.

Here it’s made of crystal titanium, a material produced by superheating a high-grade titanium alloy, causing its molecular structure to surface large 3D grain patterns resembling meteorite stone.

In addition to being gorgeous, it makes every handle unique, right down to the detail-oriented icing on the cake: a matching reversible tip-up pocket clip.

Availability and pricing

In addition to the the $230 treatment shown on this page, the Artisan Cutlery Mousebird is available now in two $200 variants.

Folding knife with a textured blue-gray handle and a partially serrated stainless steel blade.

Artisan Cutlery Mousebird

Starts at $200

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.

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