Artisan Cutlery Cobra Review: M390 Carbon Fiber Folding Knife

Artisan Cutlery calls the Cobra its take on a folding karambit, and the name fits. This ATZ-1811 series knife pairs a curved, finger-ring handle with a modified tanto blade, making it one of the most distinctive folders in the current lineup. It is available in two very different personalities: premium carbon fiber versions in S35VN or M390, and budget G10 versions in D2. Here is everything you need to know before choosing one.

Design and Ergonomics

The Cobra's curved handle is contoured to fit the hand, with a finger ring at the rear for extra retention. That ring is the karambit signature: it lets you keep a firm grip during fast, controlled cuts and makes the knife feel locked into your hand. The premium G-series versions wear carbon fiber scales, which keep the knife light and give it a technical, modern look. The pocket clip is stainless steel with a tip-up, right-or-left carry option, so the Cobra works for both left- and right-handed carriers.

Blade and Steel

The modified tanto blade is flat-ground with a satin finish on the M390 version and a sand-polished finish on the D2 version. Steel choices break down cleanly by series:

• M390: 3.15 inch blade, premium powder metallurgy stainless with superb edge retention, hardened to HRC 60-62.
• S35VN: same 3.15 inch blade geometry, Crucible stainless with a good balance of edge retention and toughness.
• D2: 2.99 inch blade, the budget tool steel workhorse, still hardened to HRC 60-62.

Action and Lockup

Both series run on a ceramic ball bearing pivot, which gives the flipper a smooth, fast opening action with little effort. The lock is a liner lock, a proven and easy-to-maintain mechanism that suits the knife's everyday role. In hand, the Cobra opens with authority and locks up with a solid feel, and the finger ring gives you extra control during use.

Cobra Specifications

Spec	M390 / S35VN (G)	D2 (P)
Blade length	3.15 in (80 mm)	2.99 in (76 mm)
Blade thickness	0.15 in (3.8 mm)	0.15 in (3.7 mm)
Overall length	9.06 in (230 mm)	8.98 in (228 mm)
Closed length	5.91 in (150 mm)	6.02 in (153 mm)
Weight	5.47 oz (155 g)	5.47 oz (155 g)
Handle	Carbon fiber	G10
Hardness	HRC 60-62	HRC 60-62
Lock	Liner lock	Liner lock
Pivot	Ceramic ball bearing	Ceramic ball bearing

Cobra Variants and Pricing

The Cobra is sold in four configurations, each with multiple colorways:

• S35VN carbon fiber: Rose, Mint Green, or Gray handles at $107.24.
• M390 carbon fiber: Grey, Rose, or Mint Green handles at $112.49.
• D2 G10 (flat): Black, Orange, or Green handles at $59.24.
• D2 G10 (curve): Black or Black+White handles at $59.24.

That price spread is the Cobra's real strength: you can step up from a $59 D2 user to a $112 M390 showpiece without changing the ergonomics you already love.

Who Should Buy the Cobra

Buy the Cobra if you want a folding knife with real karambit character — the finger ring, the curved handle, the aggressive modified tanto profile — but you still need a pocketable, legal, everyday folder rather than a fixed-blade specialty tool. The D2 G10 version is an ideal first karambit-style knife; the carbon fiber M390 version is the one collectors will remember.

See the Artisan Cutlery folding knife collection for the full Cobra lineup and its stablemates.

---

Whether you choose D2 or M390, the Cobra proves a folding karambit can be practical, comfortable, and affordable — a distinctive addition built for reliable everyday carry.