Artisan Cutlery Holm 1875 Review: S90V Steel Folding Knife

The Artisan Cutlery Holm 1875 is one of those lines that rewards a closer look. On one side, the flagship variants pair S90V steel with premium handle materials like titanium and fat carbon. On the other, the 1875P range swaps in AR-RPM9 steel and colorful, everyday-friendly handles. It is a family with a foot in both worlds — collector-grade and carry-grade.

Holm 1875 at a Glance

• Series: Holm 1875, Artisan Cutlery's premium S90V folding knife family.
• Blade steel (flagship): S90V — a high-alloy powder metallurgy stainless steel.
• Blade steel (P series): AR-RPM9 — a budget powder steel with a strong value reputation.
• Handle options: titanium, titanium with fat carbon, copper with wood, steel with micarta, plus several 1875P finishes.
• Positioning: a collector-focused flagship line with an accessible sibling series.

The S90V Blade

S90V is a powder metallurgy stainless steel known for very high edge retention. Its generous vanadium content forms hard, wear-resistant carbides — which is why knives in S90V hold a working edge for a long time between sharpenings. The trade-off, as with most high-wear steels, is that S90V takes more patience to sharpen than softer stainless steels, so a fine stone or strop should stay in rotation. For collectors and enthusiasts who value edge longevity, S90V is one of the benchmarks in premium EDC steel.

Handle Materials Across the Lineup

Variant	Blade steel	Handle material
Holm 1875	S90V	Titanium
Holm 1875	S90V	Titanium and fat carbon (holiday exclusive)
Holm 1875	S90V	Copper and wood
Holm 1875	S90V	Steel and micarta
Holm 1875P	AR-RPM9	Black gold G10 inlay (black PVD blade)
Holm 1875P	AR-RPM9	Acrylic
Holm 1875P	AR-RPM9	G10 and wood
Holm 1875P	AR-RPM9	Red wood
Holm 1875P	AR-RPM9	Rose gold

The Holiday Exclusive

The standout of the S90V range is the holiday exclusive: titanium scales with a fat carbon inlay. Fat carbon is a compressed carbon fiber material with bold, marbled patterning — every piece looks different, which is exactly what makes exclusive runs appealing to collectors. Combined with the S90V blade and titanium structure, it is the most premium expression of the Holm family.

Copper and Wood: A Traditional Twist

For carriers who prefer warmth over high-tech materials, the copper and wood variant is the most distinctive of the standard lineup. Copper develops a natural patina with use and is a favorite among carriers who like their knife to tell a story, while wood brings a traditional feel rarely seen in modern EDC. If you choose this version, keep in mind that copper responds to oils, acids and time — a patina is part of the charm, and a quick polish restores the bright finish whenever you prefer.

Who Is the Holm For?

• Steel enthusiasts who want to experience S90V edge retention in a production folder.
• Collectors drawn to the holiday-exclusive fat carbon version and limited-run appeal.
• Traditionalists who like wood and copper handles on a modern platform.
• Budget-minded carriers who want the same Holm silhouette in AR-RPM9 with playful handle colors.

Final Verdict

The Holm 1875 family does something rare: it keeps a single model number relevant across two very different audiences. The S90V versions are serious premium EDC knives with genuinely interesting handle materials — titanium, fat carbon, copper and wood — while the 1875P range makes the design accessible in AR-RPM9 with handles that range from acrylic to rose gold. If you have been looking for an S90V folding knife with character, the Holm is worth a close look. Titanium carriers will also appreciate how the titanium versions combine light weight with a premium feel.

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Explore the Artisan Cutlery Holm 1875 and browse the full Artisan Cutlery catalog for premium EDC knives built for reliable everyday carry.