Max Knives MKO49 — OTF automatic knife, D2 tanto blade, carbon fibre inlay

Overview

What sets the MKO49 apart from its neighbours is the material of its handle, which carries a carbon fibre inlay. It drives an 85 mm D2 steel tanto blade, 2.5 mm thick, out through the nose of the handle, OTF double action. Closed it measures 130 mm; blade out, 215 mm; on the scales, 109 g. A belt clip lets it hook over the edge of a garment or a strap, and the sheath delivered with it is Cordura.

The carbon fibre inlay

Carbon fibre is not a metal but a textile: carbon threads woven into a sheet, then set in a resin that locks them in place. That weave is visible, and the regular chequer pattern is exactly what you see on the MKO49 inlay. The material owes its reputation to an unusual ratio between stiffness and mass: for a given volume it brings rigidity without adding weight, which is why it turns up on bicycle frames as readily as on knife handles. It is untroubled by damp and does not conduct heat the way aluminium does, so the gripping area keeps a neutral temperature, outdoors as much as in a workshop.

Nylon on one side, Cordura on the other

Most automatics in the series travel in a smooth nylon sheath; the MKO49 arrives in Cordura instead. Both are polyamide fabrics, but they are not woven the same way: Cordura uses thicker yarns and a denser weave, which gives it that faintly rough feel under the finger and the matt look familiar from travel bags and field gear. Where fine nylon stays supple and discreet under a garment, Cordura puts a more substantial wall around the knife. Two fabrics, two ways of protecting the same piece.

Technical specifications

The blade is a D2 steel tanto, 85 mm long and 2.5 mm thick. The handle features a carbon fibre inlay and measures 130 mm, which is the length of the knife at rest; blade deployed, the whole reaches 215 mm. The mechanism is OTF double action. A belt clip is fitted to the handle. Stated weight is 109 g, and a Cordura sheath is supplied.

Care

The carbon fibre inlay cleans with warm water and mild soap on a soft cloth: keep away from aggressive solvents and abrasive powders, which dull the surface resin. The D2 blade should be dried after use and will take a very thin film of oil before a long spell in storage. As for the sheath, brush Cordura dry once any dirt has hardened, rinse it if needed and let it dry in the shade, never on a radiator. Lastly, check that the belt clip screws are tight.

Legal notice. Age-restricted item (18+). In France this knife is a Category D item: legal to sell but reserved for adults, with age verification at checkout. Automatic and OTF knives are restricted or prohibited in many countries — the United Kingdom, Germany and several US states among them. It is the buyer's responsibility to check the law that applies where the order is delivered before purchasing.