Home / Outdoors / Knives & Multi-Tools

A Cult-Favorite EDC Brand’s Exceptional Integral Knife Gets Its Most Stunning Blade Ever

Now featuring Hakkapella Damasteel, this is the finest edition of this billet titanium folder yet, and it’s bound to be a collector-favorite.

Close-up of a folding knife with a patterned Damascus steel blade and textured black handle.The James Brand
Add Gear Patrol as a Preferred Source on Google

By Sean Tirman

Published

·

Updated

If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more

There was a time, not as long ago as you might think, when pocket knife steel was pretty limited. Only a few variations existed, and many brands chose not to specify which type they used for their blades.

A lot has changed, including the wide array of options. Now, super steels — once the top-of-the-line options — are increasingly the norm. But that doesn’t mean there still aren’t exceptionally special versions.

In fact, a beloved brand just gave its first-ever integral folder an opulent reissue, boasting one of the finest steels presently available. Allow me to introduce The James Brand The Barnes Stonewash + Damasteel.

Folding knife with a patterned Damascus steel blade and textured gray handle with a lanyard loop.
The Barnes’ stunning signature minimalist silhouette remains, but the blade gets a major upgrade.
The James Brand

Swedish super steel

It’s crucial to mention that, prior to this new edition, The Barnes was no slouch. The standard version comes with Böhler M390 steel, which is among the most popular and beloved of the current moment.

So, when I say this knife gets a major upgrade, I want you to understand the gravity of that statement. It takes a lot to beat M390 at all, let alone by a bit margin.

Close-up of a folding knife with a patterned Damascus steel blade engraved with "JAMES" and a textured handle with screws.
Not only is Hakkapella Damasteel gorgeous, but it also offers superior strength, corrosion-resistance and a spectacular edge.
The James Brand

But that’s the case, as this knife is equipped with Hakkapella Damasteel DS93X, evidenced by its remarkably beautiful wavy pattern. Of course, it’s far from just outstanding looks, which is has in spades.

This steel also offers superior corrosion resistance, strength, edge properties and more — the likes of which make lesser steels look like children’s playthings by comparison. That’s the biggest draw of this new take on The Barnes, but it’s far from all the knife has to offer.

Folding knife with a patterned Damascus steel blade and textured gray handle with a pocket clip and lanyard.
As an integral folder, the knife’s handle is made of a single piece of material. That means more strength and fewer parts to maintain.
The James Brand

A titan of EDC

The Barnes is The James Brand’s first-ever integral folder, meaning its handle is made from a single, unbroken piece of material. In this case, it’s crafted from billet titanium, which makes it lightweight yet incredibly strong and stable, all the more so since it has fewer parts and therefore fewer fail points.

Its only moving part, in fact, is its pivot — a ceramic ball-bearing mechanism that allows the blade to extend and retract with remarkable smoothness. That’s managed via a pair of thumb studs on the blade, allowing for ambidextrous deployment.

Close-up of a gray textured handle with a black and white braided cord looped through it on a metallic surface.
The integrated pocket clip also boasts lanyard holes, and the knife comes with a removable lanyard.
The James Brand

It also has an integrated frame lock, a classic locking mechanism based on the original liner lock, but more robust. And it has an integrated pocket clip with a pair of holes at the end for the included removable lanyard.

Along with the knife, the package ships with a TJB-branded coin, an homage to tradition and superstition, and a brand-first. While that’s hardly a make-or-break for this knife, it’s definitely a nice additional EDC-friendly perk.

Black textured folding knife with patterned blade and braided lanyard in a black box with a round patch.
Each Barnes comes with a die-cast double-sided TJB coin, the brand’s first.
The James Brand

Pricing and availability

The James Brand The Barnes LTD Stonewash Ti + Damasteel is now available on TJB’s official site for $1,299.

About the Author: Sean Tirman is an associate editor at Gear Patrol who specializes in EDC, cannabis and outdoor gear.

Read More

Want to stay up to date on the latest product news and releases? Add Gear Patrol as a preferred source to ensure our independent journalism makes it to the top of your Google search results.

add as a preferred source on google
, ,