Like a butterfly-style knife, a gravity knife only requires a couple of simple flicks of your wrist to open and close. This sort of efficiency has come under scrutiny, and owning and operating a knife like this could land you in legal hot water.
That said, they’re also a ton of fun to use. Enter DailyCarryCo: a low-key, blade-centric brand that currently offers five knives, all of which are gravity-style. I came across the brand’s TiSlide and was originally drawn in by its simple, sleek design. Finding out it was made entirely from titanium and used M390 blade steel was the chef’s kiss in my eyes.
So, knowing that most of us will never be hung up by our parachutes in a tree — the whole reason this style of knife was invented in the first place — why would anyone need to carry a gravity knife? I took the TiSlide out for a few weeks of testing to see if there was a reasonable justification for owning one.
Aside from being a great fidget toy, the TiSlide is durable and reliable. At 4 inches closed, and featuring a 2.75-inch blade, it’s also compact but effective. As knives go, this is a viable tool either as an EDC or utility knife. Either way, this knife has the potential of being one of the most satisfying knives you’ve ever owned.
In short: The TiSlide gravity knife from DailyCarryCo is an excellent asset for anyone with only one free hand who needs a knife. Additionally, it’s a great precision tool for anyone needing to make specific cuts in tougher materials.
The TiSlide gravity knife from DailyCarryCo is an excellent asset for anyone who needs a knife with only one free hand. Additionally, because of the M390 steel and titanium body, it’s a great, hard-working precision tool that makes specific cuts in tougher materials. Just keep in mind that gravity knives are a legal red flag in some states. Make sure you check your local laws before picking one up.
- OAL: 4”
- Blade length: 2.80”
- Blade steel: M390
- Blade shape: Tanto
- Grind: Flat
- Hardness: 58-61 HRC
- Lock type: Handle
- Carry: Right or left hand, pocket carry
- Weight: 3.2 oz.
- Price: $200
Pros
- Minimal look
- M390 steel
- Ease of use
- Titanium frame and handle combo
Cons
- Not legal in many places
- Major time suck for people who like to fidget
DailyCarryCo TiSlide Gravity Knife Review
Design & Features
Made from a sandblasted Grade 5 titanium frame and handle housing, and boasting a nearly 3-inch-long M390 Tanto-style blade, the TiSlide is both sleek and unique.
From an engineering perspective, a lot of work went into the design and machining of this knife. But the build itself is very simple. In fact, the whole knife is held together by a single screw in the tail, which allows the housing to open and close smoothly and with ease.
From there, you have an additional screw and nut that act as a stop for the blade, and a magnet to keep the housing closed in your pocket or open when deployed. It’s actually a marvel to behold; I have spent plenty of time admiring the machine tolerances that allow the TiSlide to operate as well as it does.
The version of the TiSlide that I tested has since been replaced by a version with a pocket clip. My model is meant to sit in your pocket, a belt sheath, or in an EDC pouch. This newer version is especially interesting, as I would be worried about the knife opening in my pocket — unless it was tucked into the edge really tightly. But I have not tried it, so I can’t attest to its performance.
First Impressions
Sitting on a table, you might not even know that the TiSlide is a knife. However, once it’s in your hand and deployed, there’s no mistaking what this tool is designed to do.
It’s also difficult to keep yourself from opening and closing it over and over again. The ASMR alone is enough to keep you occupied for hours. Listening to the M390 blade slide down the titanium channel is enchanting (I mean, for some people).
Out of the box, I could tell this is a very safe knife. I realize that sounds a little odd for a style that is ultimately aggressive and has come under such legal scrutiny. But for daily and EDC use, there is no way for the TiSlide to close while gripped by your hand.
To deploy, the handle pivots open and the blade slides out so your grip eliminates that possibility. That said, it does take a few cycles of opening and closing to get used to which is the top and bottom.
As far as design in general, I don’t think a knife like this could be as effective with any other blade shape than a tanto. It completes the modern look, but as far as function is concerned, the TiSlide is designed to slice and pierce. A dagger-style blade, as I’ve seen on other Out The Front knives, could be effective as well, but tanto equals tactical.
If you truly needed to escape your parachute, or defend yourself, the tanto shape will prove to be the most efficient and effective.
In the Field
Early on in testing this knife, a friend of mine asked if it was practical for outdoor adventures. It may not be the most obvious choice, but ultimately, I believe it is. It is built from premium materials and carries a tough, reliable design. The M390 stainless steel blade holds an incredible edge, and titanium is one of the strongest materials around.
I think a knife like this would be great out on the trail. The blade will slice through rope quickly and cleanly, and it will leave your other hand free.
But that’s not what I used it for.
For me, the TiSlide became a utility knife in my workshop. It’s great for precision slicing and cutting. Between the tanto blade shape and the M390 steel, I easily carved through leather and phenolic paper, which I sometimes use for knife handle liners. It sat on the edge of my workspace and in the front pocket of my apron.
It quickly became a reliable asset that required little to no maintenance. I used it as an EDC as well, but I think this is where the pocket clip, found on the latest version, would have improved the entire EDC experience.
I don’t like things sitting in my pocket besides my keys and wallet. If I were ever in a jam where I only had one free hand and needed the knife fast, having it stuffed in a pouch or sheath wouldn’t be optimal. In my mind, the only way to carry the TiSlide is in the top pocket of your shirt, jacket, or vest.
In Conclusion
As an engineer and knife maker, the TiSlide really became a workshop staple for me. It split its time between being a precision workhorse and a showpiece, and I’ve come to rely on it.
Leaving it in the shop also eliminates the whole legal situation that surrounds gravity knives, as I am not out and about with it in my pocket. In Connecticut, the TiSlide is a big, glowing “no-no” for me.
I doubt it would land me in jail for carrying it, but it would come with a hefty fine if I were ever found out by the local fuzz. Either way, anytime you consider a knife like this, do your homework before you spend the money. I rely on Knife Rights’ LegalBlade whenever I’m in these situations. I recommend you do the same.
That said, if you’re looking for a fun, fidgety widget that’s a reliable cutting, slicing, and piercing tool, the TiSlide is it. Even now, in writing this review, I’ve cycled the knife about a hundred times. It’s satisfying, safe, and serious when you need it to be.
