Artisan Cutlery Kami Review: Titanium Folding Knife Family

Kami — the Japanese word for a spirit or deity — is a fitting name for a knife that shows up in three very different personalities. The Artisan Cutlery Kami is a full-size folder built around a 3.78-inch blade, offered in stone-washed S35VN on micarta, sand-polished S35VN with titanium damascus accents, and a black PVD S90V prototype dressed in forged carbon fiber. Same platform, three distinct characters.

The Kami Family

All Kami versions share the same geometry: a 3.78-inch (96 mm) blade, 0.13-inch (3.2 mm) blade stock, flat grind, 8.43-inch (214 mm) overall length, and 4.65-inch (118 mm) closed length. Where they differ is materials and price:

Version	Price	Blade / Handle	Weight
Kami S35VN Micarta (OD Green)	$199.99	Stone-washed S35VN, HRC 60-62 / OD green micarta, titanium clip	132 g / 4.66 oz
Kami S35VN Titanium	$299.99	Sand-polished S35VN, HRC 60-62 / titanium with titanium damascus backspacer and pivot collar	143 g / 5.04 oz
Kami S90V Prototype	$199.99	Sand-blast / black PVD S90V, HRC 59-61 / titanium with forged carbon fiber	110 g / 3.88 oz

Blade Design

The Kami's recurve drop-point blade is the heart of the design. The recurve adds belly for slicing while the drop point keeps the tip low and controllable for detail work. In S35VN — a well-balanced stainless from Crucible Industries — heat-treated to HRC 60-62, it is a genuinely practical everyday blade. The S90V prototype trades some toughness for dramatically longer edge retention, a good reminder that steel choice is a tradeoff, not a ranking.

Handle and Materials

The Kami family shows off three of the most popular premium handle materials in one lineup:

• Micarta — layered fabric-and-resin composite that grips well in wet or gloved hands and develops character with age. The OD green version is the field-friendly pick.
• Titanium — lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and strong. The S35VN titanium version adds titanium damascus to the backspacer and pivot collar for a premium accent that matches the damascus tradition covered by pattern welding.
• Forged carbon fiber — the S90V prototype pairs titanium with forged carbon fiber, giving the lightest Kami in the family at 110 g.

Both titanium and micarta have earned their place in premium knives: titanium for its strength-to-weight ratio and micarta for its grip and aging.

Action and Lock

Every Kami runs on a ceramic ball bearing pivot with a titanium frame lock and a titanium pocket clip. The bearing pivot gives smooth, controlled deployment, while the frame lock provides a strong, simple lockup. At this blade size — over 3.5 inches with a substantial handle — the Kami is a hand-filling knife that still carries comfortably thanks to its flat grind and slim profile.

Kami in the Pocket

• Micarta version — the daily user: grippy, practical, and easy to maintain.
• Titanium version — the dress knife: sand polish, damascus accents, and a bit more heft.
• S90V prototype — the steel nerd's pick: maximum edge retention in the lightest package.

The Kami is a reminder that one good platform can serve many personalities. Pick the material that matches your carry style, and the Kami will earn its name.

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Find your Kami — explore the Artisan Cutlery folding knife collection for premium EDC folders built for reliable everyday carry.