artisan cutlery hoverwing

Artisan Cutlery Hoverwing Review: M390 Titanium Frame Lock

Artisan Cutlery Hoverwing Review: M390 Titanium Frame Lock
Artisan Cutlery Hoverwing M390 titanium frame lock folding knife

The Artisan Cutlery Hoverwing is a full-size flipper built around a simple idea: give the everyday carrier a premium blade, a light titanium handle, and nothing that gets in the way. With an M390 drop point riding on ceramic ball bearings inside a TC4 titanium frame lock, it lands at just 4.06 oz (115 g) — remarkably light for a knife with a 3.94-inch blade. Here is the full breakdown.

Artisan Cutlery Hoverwing Review: M390 Titanium Frame Lock

Titanium TC4 handle construction and ceramic ball bearing pivot define the Hoverwing carry experience.

Hoverwing Specs at a Glance

Blade length 3.94 in (100 mm), drop point
Blade steel M390, HRC 60-62
Blade stock 0.15 in (3.8 mm), flat grind, satin/coated finish
Overall length 8.98 in (228 mm)
Closed length 5.04 in (128 mm)
Handle material Titanium TC4, titanium pocket clip
Pivot Ceramic ball bearing
Lock type Frame lock
Weight 4.06 oz (115 g)

Design and Build

The Hoverwing keeps a clean, purposeful silhouette. The TC4 titanium handle gives it a premium feel without the weight penalty of steel scales, and the satin/coated blade finish stays understated. The flat grind keeps cutting geometry efficient, while the drop point profile handles the broad mix of daily cutting tasks. A thumb slot on the handle (as the product description notes) supports comfortable, secure grip during use.

The M390 Blade

M390 is a powder-metallurgy stainless steel known for high edge retention and strong corrosion resistance — a combination that makes it a favorite for premium EDC knives. Here it is heat-treated to HRC 60-62, on the higher end of the range, with a flat grind to keep the edge geometry cutting-friendly. For a deeper dive into the steel itself, see our M390 steel guide.

The Hoverwing family spans three blade steels: this M390 titanium flagship, an S35VN titanium variant, and a D2 steel-handle version (ATZ-1801P) with a stonewash finish, HRC 59-61, and the same 3.94-inch drop point profile.

Action and Carry

Flipper deployment runs on a ceramic ball bearing pivot, which typically delivers smooth, fast opening with minimal break-in. At 4.06 oz the Hoverwing is light enough to disappear in a pocket, and the titanium clip keeps it anchored for tip-up carry. The frame lock offers a solid, low-profile locking platform.

Who Is the Hoverwing For?

  • Carriers who want a full-size 3.94-inch blade without a heavy handle
  • Fans of M390 edge retention in a user-friendly package
  • Anyone who prefers titanium, frame-lock construction with ceramic bearings

Explore the Artisan Cutlery folding knife collection to compare the Hoverwing against the full premium lineup — built for reliable everyday carry.

Reading next

S35VN Steel Explained: Properties, Sharpening, and Best Uses
Artisan Cutlery Predator Review: S35VN Titanium EDC Knife

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