Building the Gambit: A Masterclass Design By Ray Laconico

What is the Gambit?

The Gambit is Artisan Cutlery’s winning play, a sleek, elegant tool designed by the legendary Ray Laconico. We have been holding onto this design, perfecting it, and waiting for perfect opportunity to put our pieces into play. Our goal is not to simply release something hot and new in an ever-expanding market, the gambit is designed for the long game. For the first time in the History of Artisan Cutlery we are offering a model with interchangeable inlays! The gambit will allow any user to quickly swap inlay pieces to match their personal style. Coupled with the versatility of this Ray Laconico design the Gambit may simply turn into the only knife that you’ll ever need, with an incredibly versatile form factor that emphasizes ease of use while still providing a comfortable grip and easy carry, we can easily see the Gambit making a play to be your new EDC.

Who We Are?

We are Artisan Cutlery, a US based company with close ties to our manufacturing facility in Yangjiang China, Over our 7 year lifetime we have put all of our effort into creating some of the best folding knives available on the market with an emphasis on high end materials, exceptional ergonomics, interesting design language, and comfortable pricing. Over the last 3 years we have successfully funded multiple Kickstarter campaigns including the Perfect Pyrite and the Boa designed by Johnathan Shaw. Using Kickstarter as a platform has allowed us to bring some truly incredible designs to market. We have amassed an incredible team of US based designers and artists to help us bring unique new knife designs to market and into the hands of our fans around the world. For this project we have been working closely with Ray Laconico, one of the most well-known names in the knife industry.

Our Collaboration

Our team has had the pleasure of working with Ray Laconico since 2019, beginning with his very first design with us, the Artisan Centauri. In the following years Ray has been one of our most reliable designers, consistently coming to us with incredible designs and fantastic advice on how to improve our manufacturing techniques. The Gambit is an extra special project for us. We talked with Ray about this particular design for years but we just couldn’t settle on how to do it justice. Ray came up with the idea for interchangeable inlays and that was it, we knew that we had to make this design a reality! And now we’re ready to bring the Gambit to life!

What’s Coming?

Our goal is to release six unique versions of the Gambit designed to cater to the needs and interests of new members of the knife buying community and long time fans alike, additionally we are planning on offering a variety of inlay materials so that anyone who owns a Gambit will be able to swap their style on a whim. We are also planning to expand the catalogue of inlay materials offered after the release of the knife as well as allow free access to a 3D printing file for those who want to design their own scales.

Laying the Pieces

Key Features

· Blade Material: All versions of the Gambit feature premium S90V steel (HRC 60-62) for exceptional edge retention and durability.

· Blade Styles: Flat ground drop-point, with a variety of finishes including Sand Polish, Black PVD Coating, and Mirror Polish.

· Handle Materials: We are offering multiple initial inlay options ranging from Black G10, OD Green Micarta, and Titanium Damascus, as well as versions with Full Titanium Scales and Full Titanium Damascus for a luxurious touch.

· Lightweight Design: Weighing between 83g (2.93oz) and 99g (3.49oz), perfect for EDC.

· Smooth Action: All Versions on the Gambit run on a ceramic ball bearing pivot assembly paired with a reliable, sturdy frame lock.

Specifications

The Gambit is the perfect EDC for someone looking for that Goldilocks sized knife, not to big, and not too small. Featuring a 3.5” long blade, an overall open length of 8”, and a maximum width of 1.16” when closed, this knife is comfortably slim in the pocket, but large enough to be substantial in the hand during use. All versions of the knife come with a stick-style pocket clip for easy carry.

Design Philosophy

Ray Laconico is well known for his functional and minimalist designs. As someone who has designed some of the most well-known and well-loved EDC knives of the last decade Laconico has always manage to find a way to create tools that look and feel fresh without ever sacrificing functionality. The Gambit strikes a different chord than some of Laconico’s more recent work, favoring a more linear shape and a slightly wider blade. This knife is designed with the simple philosophy of, “If you could only have one knife, what would it be?” and to that end we have done our best to build this knife in such a way that makes it ideal for as many situations as possible. We love how this knife presents as relatively small and light in the pocket, but when deployed, the knife feels deceptively large. Coupled with the wide, flat-ground blade this mid-sized knife suddenly feels like a full-sized tool that slices like a razor.

Meet The Pieces 

·G10 Pawn

Let’s keep it simple. The Pawn series Showcases everything that’s great about the Gambit without the bells and whistles. This version includes a simple contoured G10 inlay with diagonal crosshatching for additional grip. We want the opening option for the Gambit to be something that is simple and accessible with materials that are durable and long lasting.  

·Rugged Rook

For those looking to add a elegant but durable touch to this already elegant design the Rugged Rook series features a smooth contoured green micarta inlay that will age and develop character over time as the knife is carried and used. This beautiful material is made from natural canvas and provides just the right amount of grip even in slippery situations. This is the perfect configuration for someone who loves the outdoors and wants a tool that will age and grow along with their adventures!

·Black Knight

Trying to go incognito? We’ve got you covered with the Black Knight series, a fully blacked-out version of the Gambit with sleek carbon fiber inlays. The slight shine of the Carbon Fiber perfectly offsets the black PVD coating used on the body, blade, and hardware of the knife, not only making this knife a classy carry with a suit or dress pants, but also making it highly durable and corrosion resistant. Our PVD coating process creates a clean matte finish that is highly durable and chip resistant and wears beautifully over the life of the knife.

·Blasted Bishop

Sometimes simplicity is best. The Blasted Bishop series does away with the option for inlays in favor of a full blasted titanium frame with just a little bit of milling detail. The clean gray titanium finish is perfect for a no-frills user who just wants to see the beauty of the material itself come through. No extra inlays, just a solid framelock on a beautifully designed tool.

·Queen’s Gambit

Now we get into something special. The Queen’s Gambit series steps up its scales to an ultra-premium set made from milled Titanium Damascus. This luxe material is made by carefully folding together different grades of titanium and then anodizing the whole piece to bring out a dazzling array of blue and purple tones. The effect turns the already classy Gambit into a real conversation starter.  

·King’s Gambit