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A lot of pocket knives look like they were designed for a tactical catalog. The Carter from The James Brand goes the other way. It is slim, clean and quietly beautiful, but it still brings a modern locking mechanism and a quality blade steel. If you want one knife that can ride in your pocket every day without looking aggressive, the Carter deserves a close look.
Who makes it
The James Brand designs knives, tools and carry accessories with a minimal, design forward look. The Carter is designed in Portland, Oregon, and made in Yangjiang, China. The brand calls it the most advanced knife it has ever made, and the Carter was also the company's first knife with a slide lock.
What it is
The Carter is a folding pocket knife built for everyday carry. It uses a drop point blade in VG-10 stainless steel, a steel the brand notes was designed to handle the abuse of the culinary world before finding a home in pocket knives. It pairs that blade with fully sculpted scales, an ambidextrous thumb disc for opening and a slide lock to keep the blade secure.
Here are the specs for the standard Carter from The James Brand:
- Blade steel: VG-10 stainless steel
- Blade length: 2.8 inches (7.0 centimeters)
- Overall length: 6.5 inches (16.7 centimeters)
- Weight: 3.0 ounces (85 grams)
- Lock: ambidextrous slide lock
- Blade shape: drop point, in straight or serrated edge options
- Opening: ambidextrous thumb disc
- Scales: machined G10, with natural Micarta and carbon fiber versions also offered
- Pivot and hardware: stainless steel with Torx screws
- Bearing style: phosphor bronze washers
- Clip: stainless steel, deep carry, reversible, tip up
There is also a Carter XL with a 7.8 inch overall length for bigger hands and heavier work.
Why it is cool
The slide lock is the headline. A small slider on the side of the handle locks the blade open, and sliding it back releases the blade. The James Brand describes it as secure, easy to understand and ambidextrous, and it works just as well for left handed users as right handed ones. Combined with the symmetrical thumb disc, the whole knife is easy to open and close with one hand.
The design is the other draw. The scales are fully sculpted, so the knife feels smooth and comfortable rather than blocky. The pocket clip is the deepest the brand has ever made, which means the Carter sits low and discreet in a pocket. It is also reversible, so you can set it up for either side, and it can be removed completely if you prefer to carry the knife loose or in a pouch.
And the color options are part of the fun. The Carter has been offered in a range of handle and blade finishes, from all black to coyote tan, olive drab green and blue, so it is easy to find one that matches your taste.
How to use it
The Carter is a daily task knife. Use it to open packages, break down boxes, cut cord and tape, slice an apple at lunch or trim a loose thread. To open it, push the thumb disc with either thumb. To close it, slide the lock back with your thumb and fold the blade into the handle, keeping your fingers clear of the edge.
Choose the standard Carter if you want something discreet that rides comfortably all day. The brand recommends the Carter XL if you have bigger hands or need a full size knife for hard work every day.
Care
VG-10 resists corrosion well, but it still benefits from basic care. Wipe the blade clean after use, especially after cutting food, and dry it before closing. Clear out lint and grit from the handle now and then, and add a small drop of knife oil to the pivot if the action starts to feel gritty. Sharpen it on a fine stone or ceramic rod when the edge starts to drag. The clip uses Torx screws, so keep the right driver on hand if you want to swap it to the other side.
Who it is for
The Carter is for people who want an everyday carry knife that looks as good as it works. It suits left handed users thanks to its fully ambidextrous design, and it is a smart choice for anyone who prefers a slim, light knife over a heavy, tactical one. It also makes a great gift for someone who appreciates good design.
Looking for more pocket knives? Check out the Benchmade Bugout 535, the Spyderco Delica 4, the Kershaw Leek and the Opinel No. 08. For more, visit our everyday carry hub.
