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A Venerated EDC Brand’s Most Technical Knife Gets an Innovative British Redux

While the groundbreaking material helps elevate it, this knife is already a masterpiece of minimalist engineering.

Close-up of a folding knife with a textured brown handle and a partially serrated metal blade.The James Brand
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By Sean Tirman

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Back in 2021, The James Brand launched The Barnes, the brand’s first-ever integral folder. Since then, it has remained among the Portland outfit’s most stunning, beloved offerings.

It has even gotten a few special-edition launches, like one with a gorgeous and strong Hakkapella Damasteel blade and another with Fatcarbon handle inserts.

Now, that trend continues with The James Brand The Barnes Solidwool, which is among the most innovative reimaginings and might just be the most elusive, exclusive take on this EDC knife yet.

Folding knife with a polished steel blade and a textured beige handle on a gray surface.
While the base knife remains as spectacular as ever, those unique handle inlays elevate it even further.
The James Brand

Wooly bully

What separates this particular knife from other versions of The Barnes is its handle inserts. As mentioned, other editions have received similar treatments, such as carbon fiber and Micarta. But this version is special, even among its peers.

The inserts on this version (on the presentation side of the knife and along the spine) are crafted entirely from bio-based material. In fact, it’s something more commonly found in textile factories: wool. Crafted by UK-based brand Solidwool, the knife’s handle inserts are made from a unique combination of 50 percent wool and 50 percent bio-resin.

Close-up of a folding knife with a textured beige handle and a silver blade on a gray surface.
Because of the nature of the wool fibers, no two resin inlays are alike, making each knife unique.
The James Brand

While as strong and sturdy as other synthetic composites, this material is far more sustainable because it doesn’t use petroleum or plastic in any form. And it has another benefit, in that it offers rarity and uniqueness.

Because of the nature of wool fibers, no two resin inserts are alike. Each has its own unique texture, making for a knife that’s singular in appearance.

Hands holding and examining raw wool fibers with a blurred brown background.
Solidwool, a British firm, designed this unique bioresin as a sustainable alternative to traditional petroleum-based composites and plastics.
The James Brand

A close shave

I could tell you that the Solidwool inlays make this knife special until the cows come home, but the truth is that this is a really impressive knife even without them. That’s not to say the Solidwool inlays aren’t innovative and impressive (they are), but that’s far from the only thing to get excited about with this launch.

Beyond the inserts, the handle is crafted from a single, unbroken piece of solid billet titanium. The Barnes is, after all, an integral knife, so this makes sense. It also means the knife handle is incredibly lightweight, strong, stable, durable and sleek, down to its frame lock.

Matte gray metal device with a black and white braided cord attached, resting on a gray surface.
The handle is still crafted from a single piece of solid billet titanium, making it incredibly sleek, lightweight, strong and durable.
The James Brand

The other side of the knife is no slouch, either. The drop-point blade is Böhler M390 super steel, an incredible performer across nearly every metric, especially corrosion resistance, edge retention and toughness.

Altogether, it measures 7.8 inches long, including a 3.5-inch blade, and it weighs 4.6 ounces. It also has a low-profile pocket clip, an included paracord lanyard (which is removable), a ceramic ball-bearing pivot and more.

Silver folding knife with a smooth blade and a lanyard attached to the handle on a gray surface.
This remains among The James Brand’s most stunning offerings, which is clear from any angle.
The James Brand

Availability and pricing

The James Brand The Barnes Solidwool is now available on the brand’s official site for $799. However, there’s a catch: only 24 examples exist, making this perhaps the most exclusive, elusive take on this innovative folding knife ever built.

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

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