The Pocket Fixed Blade has Never Looked So Good: JP Bladesmithing Fang EDC Review

Over the years that I’ve been collecting, using, and evaluating knives, I’ve come to value function over form. By that, I mean that I’ll take an ugly but ergonomic knife over one that looks amazing but feels awful in hand. The sweet spot, of course, is where the circles intersect on the Venn diagram of form and function.

That intersection is precisely where the Fang EDC from JP Bladesmithing lands. This is the first knife I’ve had from the brand, and I’m impressed. It’s sized right for an EDC fixed blade knife, with enough blade to get the job done while still being pocket-friendly.

It might not be perfect for everyone, but that’s okay. We all have different wants and needs when it comes to an EDC knife. Tell you what, though: The Fang EDC will tick an awful lot of boxes for most folks.

In short: The Fang EDC from JP Bladesmithing isn’t just a pretty face. Sure, the stonewashed finish on the blade looks amazing next to the custom resin handle scales. But the visual appeal is secondary to the stellar utility the knife delivers. It’s a hot commodity, though, so you’ll need to custom order one directly from brand.

JP Bladesmithing Fang EDC Review

The Fang EDC is a bit deceptive; it feels and handles like a larger knife than it truly is. Don’t get me wrong, you’re not field dressing large game with it. But despite its small size, it’ll handle quite a few of the more common daily knife chores.

First Impressions

The Fang EDC runs just 6 inches from end to end. The blade is 2.25 inches long. Interestingly, compared to an original size Swiss Army knife like the Huntsman, the Fang is actually a hair shorter. With such a short blade, odds are you won’t run afoul of any local ordinances governing knife length.

JP Bladesmithing went with AEB-L steel for the Fang EDC. That’s a solid choice, as AEB-L steel keeps a good edge while not being a bear for the average user to sharpen. I’ve owned and used several knives made from AEB-L and never had trouble with any of them. The blade has a black stonewashed finish that I like quite a lot.

The handle scales are J. Hue Brasscore Resin. On its website, JP Bladesmithing lists this particular iteration of the knife as the Brasscore Fang EDC. This knife is available with several other handle material options, including micarta and G10. But given the choice, I highly recommend the Brasscore Resin. It’s just gorgeous and really adds a pop to the ensemble.

While the Brasscore Fang EDC is listed as sold out on their site, you’re able to get one as a custom order from JP Bladesmithing.

My postal scale indicates the knife weighs 2.4 ounces naked and 3.7 ounces with the sheath. For comparison, with the sheath it’s just a touch heavier than a standard deck of playing cards.

Speaking of the sheath, it’s a well-made leather design that includes a pocket clip. The leather is thick and durable. The pocket clip is easily removed via a couple of screws, should you want to slim things down a touch.

Field Use and Testing

The Fang EDC arrived on my doorstep several weeks ago. As soon as I had it unboxed, I put it into my EDC rotation. I’ve had the opportunity to use the knife both indoors and outdoors. It’s done everything from open packages and break down boxes to some light carving whilst sitting by a campfire.

Earlier this week, we had a cold snap with overnight temps dipping down to the 30s. As we still have peppers and a few other plants in the garden, we needed to get them covered. The Fang EDC came in quite handy as we cut cordage to tie everything down so the covers wouldn’t blow away.

I also used this knife for a couple of intentional tests. First, I cut off a hank of ¼-inch sisal rope and then began chopping it up into smaller pieces. The blade did okay with this material, but it required a bit of sawing. What’s nice is that the Fang EDC has a slight belly to the blade, making slicing chores a little easier.

Next, I sliced strips of corrugated cardboard from a shipping box, then cut it into bits going with and against the “grain” of the cardboard. The blade had no trouble with this, as I’d expected. However, I did notice that by this time, the blade had dulled just a touch. Given the work it had done up to this point, I wasn’t surprised. A few passes on a leather strop took care of it.

While the sheath holds the knife securely, it’s a little bulky with the clip attached. I found it was more comfortable to remove the clip entirely and just slide the knife and sheath into my pocket.

Who Needs This Knife?

I’ve long preferred a fixed blade over a folder for EDC, all other things being equal. The Fang EDC is an excellent option in that regard.

When I’m out camping or otherwise occupied with wilderness pursuits, I like to have a little more blade length available to me. But for routine carry and use around the house or on the job, the Fang EDC works beautifully. And I mean that in two different ways. It does the work well, and it looks gorgeous while doing it.

This is a great knife if you’re concerned about looks as much as you are about performance. It isn’t just a pretty face, mind you, but it is definitely eye-catching. This Brasscore iteration of the Fang EDC runs $245, so it’s not exactly an impulse buy for most folks. But it’s definitely a knife that you’ll want to show off at every opportunity.