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One of the Best Tiny EDC Knives Gets a Ground-Up Redesign, Improving It in Nearly Every Way

Often imitated but never replicated, this spectacular keychain blade receives a bevy of refinements to further set it apart from the pack.

Black textured folding knife handle with an orange geometric logo and a brass loop on a gray surface.The James Brand
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By Sean Tirman

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It’s hard to believe, but 2017 was nearly a decade ago. That’s also when The James Brand first launched its Elko, arguably among the best keychain EDC knives to come out in that timespan (and perhaps ever).

Now, the brand has returned to what might just be its most influential design ever with a relaunch of The James Brand Elko. While it retains much of what made the original just a perennial hit, it also gets a swath of noteworthy alterations to make it better than ever.

Folding knife with a textured olive green handle and a stainless steel blade marked "JAMES.
The Elko retains its signature size and silhouette but gets some noteworthy updates to make it better than ever.
The James Brand

Big in spirit

If you were already familiar with the Elko, you’re going to notice some fan-favorite features are returning. That starts with the overall size and shape. This knife, like its predecessors, folds down to about the same size as a house key, and its weight is just as negligible, making it an easy addition to even a crowded keychain.

The drop-point blade is still made from Sandvik 12C27 steel, a long-standing favorite in the knife industry (French brand Opinel famously uses it for its iconic knives). And it still measures just 1.6 inches and has a “nail slot” (like a combination of a nail nick and a thumb hole) for ambidextrous opening.

Black folding knife with textured handle and brass lanyard hole on a gray surface.
The Black Fire colorway, with its gold pry bar attachment point, might be the most striking one of the bunch.
The James Brand

The handle also retains its slip joint mechanism (so the blade doesn’t lock, but it does spring into place to stay secure both in use and during transport) and boasts 6061 aluminum handle scales. And yes, its tail is still a hybrid keychain attachment point and a pry bar.

At its core, this is the same knife we’ve all come to love and appreciate. However, even a cursory glance can tell you there are some major changes between the original and this new edition.

Black folding knife blade labeled "THE ELKO" with textured black handle on gray surface.
The grip pattern and handle shape have been altered to offer better ergonomics and security.
The James Brand

Pocket protector

Ultimately, the changes are what make this new edition of the Elko even more well-rounded than the original. Of course, the brand needed to be careful not to lose the special sauce that made the Elko so good to begin with

“The Elko was one of the first products we ever made,” says Ryan Coulter, The James Brand’s founder. “This new version improves the proportions, grip and overall feel while keeping it small enough to live on your keys without a second thought.”

Black textured pocket knife and keys attached to a black metal carabiner clipped to a black denim pocket.
When closed, the Elko is still about the same length as a house key, making it a great addition to your carabiner keychain.
The James Brand

As mentioned, the handle scales are aluminum, just like the original. However, they’ve been much more refined. Where the original’s scales were geometric, these new ones are even more gently beveled, making the grip more ergonomic — an important factor, especially for smaller blades where a secure grip is essential to both function and safety.

The grip pattern has also been adjusted. The original scales were smooth, whereas these new ones are dimpled, almost like a golf ball. Alongside the shape, this improves the overall grip and makes for a nice, tactile feel.

Altogether, this new take on the Elko keychain EDC knife is sleeker, more secure and just looks better. And that’s saying a lot, since I already loved the original so much.

Hand holding a small black folding knife attached to a keyring with a silver carabiner and keys.
The knife retains its signature Sandvik steel blade, slip joint mechanism and ambidextrous thumb hole manual deployment.
The James Brand

Availability and pricing

The James Brand Elko launched today, April 7, on the brand’s site in four distinct colorways for at $65.

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

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