Max Knives × Elsa Forge MKE3 — 440C Stiletto, Kydex Neck Sheath

Overview

A stiletto is a knife that trades cutting capacity for length and slenderness: narrow blade, thin section, very fine point. The MKE3 follows that logic all the way with a one-piece construction — blade and handle cut from the same 440C steel, no scales, no assembly. 77 mm of edge, a 90 mm handle, 2.5 mm thick, and just 67 g on the scale.

Technical details

One-piece 440C blade and handle, plain edge. Edge length 77 mm, handle length 90 mm, overall length 176 mm. Thickness 2.5 mm. Weight 67 g. Kydex neck sheath with chain. Designed by Elsa Forge for Max Knives, numbered series.

Uses

A one-piece build has no glued tang, no rivet, no scale: nothing that can develop play. That is what makes a stiletto robust in spite of how slender it is. The format is carried flat, at the neck, under clothing — hence the kydex sheath and its chain. As with any blade, carrying it in public without a legitimate reason is an offence in France.

Care

One-piece 440C is the easiest thing to maintain in the whole catalogue: nothing to strip, nothing to oil. Wipe it after wet use and sharpen the point carefully — it is the thinnest part, and the easiest to damage on a coarse stone. Rinse the kydex from time to time.

The designer

The MKE3 is an Elsa Forge design for Max Knives, released as a numbered series. Each piece carries its number.

Legal notice. Carrying a knife in public without a legitimate reason is an offence in France and in most European countries, and neck-carry blades are specifically restricted in several of them. Check the law that applies where the order is delivered before purchasing.