Gianco’s Placed Atoms just launched the Maker Knife 2 on the Kickstarter crowdfunding platform, with a minimum pledge of around $69.
The Maker Knife 2 is described as being “more than a blade.” They add – “it is a platform.”
The idea is that “makers don’t buy things, they get starting points.” This starting point costs around $69, which is said to reflect a 30% discount compared to the eventual retail price.
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They say that “the blade doesn’t just open or close.” The Maker Knife 2 features a “nano-precision blade system” that allows for stop-less blade extension.
This was the main design goal for MK2025: to give makers full control over cut depth without clicks, presets, or compromises. Just smooth, continuous motion – and the confidence that the blade will stay exactly where you decide.
The product demos make the blade extension and retraction seem smooth and effortless, by pulling or pushing on the finger loop.
It’s basically an EDC magic trick. Moves only when you touch the ring.
It also features an accessory docking port, which is said to be a “a modular interface designed for expansion.” Basically, it means you can attach a lanyard band, pocket clip, or mini lanyard string.
The different accessory docking port attachments means you can use it with bands and beads of all kinds.
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“Hot-swap blade system?” “High resolution blade?” It’s not an EDC knife, it’s “a platform.”
I bought a Giaco Kickstarter tool before – see The Giaco Whatever Screwdriver YOU DON’T NEED. It’s more of an impractical fidget toy than a practical tool. The Maker Knife 2 seems to be similar. I like pocket jewelry, but am passing on this one. Still, the engineering seems interesting and it seemed worth sharing about.
jorgay
I really want better updates from Giaco on the flashlight I backed years ago. The maker knife is neat, but I won’t back it unless he gets a lot more forthcoming and frequent with updates on the flashlight production.
Kevin
Wait, so you backed it a few years ago and still haven’t received it?
Jason
Welcome to crowdfunding. I ordered a smart deadbolt over 10 years ago, and by the time it shipped 3 years later mainstream lock companies had been launching better products.
Mark W
Sounds like Jorday is asking for updates, which I think is a reasonable ask for crowdfunded projects. There’s a difference between backing something and waiting for the final product to ship, and backing something and wanting semi-regular updates.
There was an animation project that I backed that took 10 years before they sent the final product, but they made enough updates and teaser clips that I never regretted it. Different story when its 6 months past the estimated ship date and you haven’t seen an update in 9 months…
Steve
I’ve backed three of his projects so far. The original maker knife, the fidget screwdriver and the flashlight. The first two I think were both delayed a little bit but did come and I was very happy with the quality updates on those two projects were pretty good. The flashlight I agree has been a little tough but I think at least from watching his responses has been tough on his and end as well. He did mention that the reason he was so slow to put out updates is because there just wasn’t much to comment on. While I know that’s no excuse for not keeping people informed, I don’t think he has quit that project at all. At least from my experience.
EBT
AvE just pushed out a blade… more like an EDC Scalpel.
https://aveworkshop.myshopify.com/products/ecd-scalpel
His other knives … sold out.
(they are more like kits…you assemble)
Stuart
Looks like the Gerber, but at more than 4X the price.
https://www.amazon.com/Gerber-Prybrid-Pocket-Utility-31-003739/dp/B084CXY3DT/?tag=toolguyd-20
EBT
Good call. I like that Gerber has two options: Xacto blades or utility blades version. Thanks!
Commando bunny suit
I carried both prybrids for quite a while. They do what they are made to do….. But I could always tell they were in my pocket… Too heavy….. I wanted a maker knife but they were too pricey on eBay. I finally found a perfect STL file and printed it. The prybrid weighs 92 grams my 3d printed one weighs 27 grams and works very well.
Scott K
Do you have one these? I remember looking into this a while back but I recall reading about a lot of injuries due to mechanism stiffness…I’ve had a Shard on my Amazon wishlist for a while but never pulled the trigger because of my Micra. I know they have different purposes but it’s more practical to me I don’t like too much stuff in my pocket.
Stuart
Yes and no. Yes because Amazon says I bought one in June 2021, no because I have no idea where it went.
Generally, I don’t think hobby blades are well suited for utility tasks.
Ray
CountyComm offers another less intricate alternative: https://countycomm.com/products/slide-lock-titanium-craft-knife-blades
I have the utility blade version and am quite pleased with it – form factors don’t get much smaller than this.
Aram
I have this item, and I am a fan of it.
…the only drawback is that if I leave it in my pocket for an extended period, the knob can loosen itself and leave me with a stabbing object in my pocket.
CountyComm does good work, IMO.
Steve
I bought the original AvE knife and do enjoy it. Small X-Acto knife looks very intriguing. I have not read anything about it though. Just saw it at the end of a video but he is another that I have no problem supporting.
Bonnie
This reads like a parody of the EDC community.
IronWood
Exactly; an uncomfortable-looking utility knife boasting a “hot swap high definition blade with modular interface docking port” for $70 is not a serious thing.
Bonnie
Right? Like… it’s a fancy grip for a razor blade.
HmmmDusty
To be fair, EDC has long become a parody of itself. It’s a bunch of tacticool fidget toys bought mostly by kids and by dudes who work in offices.
Stuart
So? Whatever makes people happy. What I’m tired of is people – starting with marketers – pretending these things are something they’re not.
HmmmDusty
Not saying anything is wrong with it, just pointing out that imo it has long moved past the initial premise of EDC to what is now fancy expensive gadgets that oftentimes are sold based more on looks than function, oftentimes at premium prices.
MM
I don’t think there is anything new about the idea of EDC blade being fashion items for some. If you looked at pocket knives available in 1850 you could buy anything from a very basic utilitarian model with a plain wood handle and a single blade to super fancy gentleman’s knives with ivory or mother-of-pearl handles, precious metal inlay, decorated liners, and all sorts of exotic blades with fancy filework. The former was an everyman tool, the latter was for a gentleman to show off. Even earlier in history it was common for upper-class men to wear weapons in public, the design of which was dictated almost entirely by the fashion trends of the day. The sword we call a “rapier” has its name come from Spanish: ropera, which means “dress sword”. It wasn’t a weapon of war, it was a fashion accessory for men–a symbol of social status. Samurai swords were similar–they were mostly a symbol of rank more than a fighting weapon and their style of decoration (scabbard, guard, etc.) was the haute couture of their day. A blade might be passed down for many years but the fittings would be swapped out as fashion dictated. The Jambiya and Kris are other examples from elsewhere in the world; they can be used as weapons but they are primarily art objects to signify the owner’s status.
I think the main change is that we now carry around tiny knives instead of huge ones.
Stuart
EDC is whatever you want it to be. Wallet, watch, tools, etc.
For some it’s about functionality, and others it’s mainly about joy. Most seek a balance between the two.
Embellishment is not new.
Alex
The whole point of these is surely that they are cheap and can be abused. Over engineering one is mad, imho. I can get a proper folding knife for that money. (Full disclosure – I have a limited edition utility knife on order which is legal for me to edc here, which many aren’t. Its half that price, and there is no hyperbole either)
John
The extremely thin profile and smooth surface of the handle looks like it would be difficult to grip and control the knife safely. Yes, I realize there is an decent-sized audience for highfalutin trinkets like this, but I’ve jabbed myself with a utility knife enough times to know this nano knife Kickstarter is a non-starter for me.
Bonnie
Eh, that part I think is fine, as long as you’re using it for certain tasks and not like, trying to carve wood. I use a bare razor blade often enough to make cuts while making things, and you have surprisingly good control just holding the blade.
CMF
I might be one of those “highfalutin trinkets” audience sometimes. I like knives, tools, or anything that is well made, premium quality materials, and is like Stuart put, “pocket jewelry”.
Hard to say from the pictures, could be nice, could be cheap crap. But they lost me in the marketing of “it’s a platform” and the rest of these more drama than proper description.
Mike
I backed the first gen knife because i thought it was neat. Dont think i ever used it besides to fidget with.
Robert
I used to pay attention to Kickstarter. Even, to my chagrin, backed and waited excessively for a couple of items.
I finalized realized a lot, if not most, of the campaigns are a cause, not a cost effective solution; starting with the built in exhortation to back it at the level where you give money without ordering the product, because you believe in it.
Nathan
So where is the design file so you can print your own for 5 dollars.
Wayne R.
Sticking with Stanley.
notinuse
Yep, Stanley 99E for me. $7 all day at Home Depot. I guess I’m just a clod.
KokoTheTalkingApe
“Nano precision”? So a billionth of what, a mile?
I am curious about how the blade lock works though.
Jimbo
I will keep caring my Buck 110
Daniel L
The amount of corporate marketing speak in the ad copy made me throw up in my mouth a lil.
Seriously. Its a utility blade, not a lifetime supply of Viagra.
These folks are *way* too hot for their knife.
TomD
Exactly. It’s moderately interesting but the marketing copy that would make ChatGPT blush turns me right off.
Stuart_T
Reminds me of the crowdfunded Toler Tools “Union” multi-tool that my well-meaning neighbour bought for me. Endless delays and updates. When it finally arrived, it was a very strange beast indeed, and IMHO, pretty much impractcal. The blade is decent, but that’s about it.
https://tolertools.com/
Ben
I had the first maker knife, I tried to like it, but it quickly got so loose that it kept opening in my pocket, dust from a shop environment kept getting in every crevice and it just didn’t work well.
Went with the turnback knife and have been extremely happy.
William Adams
The Turnback knife seems to be out of stock, and only fully extends/retracts — no in-between positioning
kent_skinner
I work in the shop, and have nice tools. But this seems more like “cos-play in the shop”. It’s not for me.
But hey, buy what makes you happy.
MM
I think this style of knife has its uses, it’s super slim and the blade is small and inoffensive. If someone wanted an EDC knife that was office-friendly something like this is a good choice. I can see why there are so many similar models out there, it would basically disappear in a pocket, purse, backpack… This seems like a bling version of that. If someone really wanted to show off they could get a Damascus or ceramic blade for it.
Jared
The “Screwpop Ron’s utility EDC knife” is an excellent, cheap, utility knife that can disappear in small places.
The knife I carry in the office is the Boker Ovalmoon Swivel – which isn’t nearly as cost-effective (clearly more of a luxury choice), but it’s unique, useful and so tiny you won’t notice it even in dress pants.
ElectroAtletico
Milwaukee Fastback’s are less than $10. I can purchase 7 of them for the price of that gimmick “knife”.
William Adams
I did get:
https://countycomm.com/products/ti-grip-precision-hobby-knife
and put it in my bag, but have never had occasion to get it out, so despite buying:
https://www.metmo.co.uk/collections/metmo-multi-drive
it hasn’t made it into a bag….
I just carry a Gerber Exchange-a-Blade, and if I need depth control, use an old miniature Stanley — this looks to be a bit too large to replace the EAB in a coin/watch pocket of a pair of jeans, and I’d like to know how much force would be required to move the blade when deployed, and if such a forced movement would damage the mechanism….
EBT
LOL. I forgot someone gave me this as a present. Its a small, utility knife that was in my kitchen drawer. You know, “that” drawer. Always there for opening a difficult package or quick open of some amazon box for making into flat-art recycling ready.
Thing is, I like my old standby Stanley utility knife with swing open feature to access up to 5 new blades. Never have a pack of blades near when I need it and always buying a pack to then find, “oh THAT’S where I left them!”.
mattd
If I was going to buy a pocket jewellery utility knife for $80ish I would probably go with the rivery zero as I like it’s look an mechanism better than most of (and there are now 1000’s of boutique fancy $80+ utility knives now) the other options. The only fancy utility knife I have bought is a “titanium balisong utility knife” because I saw it on social media posted for $80ish, thought it was cool and unique, and then someone in the comments posted the aliexpress link for the same exact knife for $30 so I got it from there. I have been happy with that purchase overall, but realistically if I need a utility knife I still use either a fastback or a STANLEY – 10-499 both of which are $10ish and seem more functionally use full that the fancy knives.