Max Knives P52B — All-black butterfly knife, 98 mm 3Cr13 blade

Overview

The P52B plays on no contrast at all: the 98 mm spear-point blade carries a black finish, the two steel half-handles are black as well, and the silhouette reads as one piece whatever position it is in. Shut, the knife measures 117 mm; open, handles assembled, it reaches 215 mm. The blade is made from 3Cr13 steel, a stainless grade shared with several references in the same family.

The all-black choice

Choosing a piece that is black throughout is not purely a matter of taste. A dark surface throws back far less light than polished steel: under direct lighting the knife sends out no flash, and the eye takes in its overall shape first rather than the reflections cutting across it. That uniform treatment from end to end also erases the visual boundary between blade and handles, giving the P52B a more substantial presence than its 98 mm blade might suggest. Black shows dirt less obviously than a bright finish too, even if it still asks for a soft cloth to stay sharp-looking.

Technical specifications

The P52B takes a 98 mm spear-point blade in 3Cr13 steel, treated to a black finish. Its lengths are 117 mm closed and 215 mm open. The two half-handles are steel in a black shade, each hinged on a separate pivot placed at the heel of the blade, which they frame when the knife is shut. Both the blade and the handles are steel, and both are presented in the same black finish.

Care

On a piece that is black throughout, the useful habit is the simplest one: a soft dry cloth over the blade and then each handle after use. Ban polishing creams and scouring sponges, which would leave lighter patches on the finish. One drop of light oil per pivot is enough to keep the rotation even, and a veil of care oil on the steel before a long spell in storage shelters the knife from damp air.

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. Balisong (butterfly) knives are restricted or prohibited in a number of countries — Germany, Canada and several US states among them — and customs will seize the parcel. Check the law that applies where the order is delivered before purchasing.