The Baskin (ATZ-1853G) is a compact titanium frame lock from Artisan Cutlery, designed by Mike Gavac — the maker behind the Gavko-styled Great White. It pairs a chisel-ground CPM S90V tanto blade with a stonewashed titanium handle, all at a featherweight 83 g (2.93 oz). For anyone who wants a serious little tanto in a premium steel, this is one of the most pocketable folders Artisan makes.
The Baskin's chisel-ground S90V tanto blade in stonewash — compact, hard-wearing, and light.
Mike Gavac: From Great White to Baskin
Mike Gavac, known in the knife world as Gavko, first teamed up with Artisan Cutlery on the Great White — an S35VN tanto with a bold, aggressive profile. The Baskin takes that same design language and shrinks it into a 7.09-inch (180 mm) package. Where the Great White is a statement piece, the Baskin is built for the pocket: it opens easily, carries small, and rides on a titanium pocket clip that keeps the compact profile low-profile in the hand.
Blade and Steel: Chisel-Ground S90V Tanto
The Baskin's blade is 2.95 inches (75 mm) of CPM S90V, heat-treated to HRC 60-62. S90V is one of Crucible Industries' powder-metallurgy super steels, with very high vanadium carbide content that delivers class-leading edge retention — at the cost of a little more effort at the sharpener. Knife Steel Nerds' deep dive on S90V explains exactly why it stays sharp for so long. The tanto profile is ground flat with a chisel grind and finished in stonewash, which hides the scratches of everyday use and gives the knife a hard-wearing, no-nonsense look.
Titanium Handle and Frame Lock
The handle is machined from titanium, with a matching titanium clip and ceramic ball bearings in the pivot. The frame lock is integral to the handle — the lock bar is part of the titanium scale itself — which keeps the knife light while delivering strong, dependable lockup. At 83 g (2.93 oz), the Baskin is lighter than other Artisan titanium folders such as the Io (84.4 g) and the Weyden (97.5 g), making it an easy choice for minimalists who feel every gram.
Baskin Specs at a Glance
| Specification | Baskin ATZ-1853G |
|---|---|
| Blade length | 2.95 in (75 mm) |
| Blade steel | CPM S90V, HRC 60-62 |
| Blade style | Tanto |
| Blade grind | Flat (chisel grind) |
| Blade finish | Stonewash |
| Blade thickness | 0.11 in (2.7 mm) |
| Handle material | Titanium |
| Clip | Titanium |
| Lock type | Frame lock |
| Pivot | Ceramic ball bearings |
| Overall length | 7.09 in (180 mm) |
| Closed length | 4.13 in (105 mm) |
| Weight | 83 g (2.93 oz) |
| Price | $199.99 |
Who Should Carry the Baskin?
The Baskin is aimed at carriers who want premium materials in a pocket-friendly size. A 2.95-inch blade slips under the common three-inch carry limit used in many jurisdictions, and the featherweight build disappears in a pocket.
- Compact 2.95-inch S90V blade for serious cutting in a small package
- Chisel-ground tanto with a scratch-hiding stonewash finish
- Full titanium handle, clip, and integral frame lock
- Ceramic bearings for a smooth, satisfying action
Things to know before you buy:
- The chisel grind puts the edge bevel on one side only — sharpening takes a slightly different technique than a conventional V-edge
- At $199.99 the Baskin sits at the premium end of the Artisan lineup
- The compact handle may feel small for very large hands
Verdict
The Baskin is Mike Gavac's compact answer to the question of whether a premium tanto can be an everyday knife. With S90V at HRC 60-62, a titanium frame lock, and a featherweight 83 g build, it packs flagship materials into a pocket-friendly package. If you want a small, sharp, serious tanto that disappears in the pocket, the Baskin deserves a closer look.
Find your ideal everyday carry configuration — explore the Artisan Cutlery folding knife collection or see the Baskin product page for premium EDC folders built for reliable everyday carry.
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