This Compact, Super-Affordable New EDC Knife Is Inspired by Classic Japanese Utility Blades

Once you’re tapped into the EDC knife world, it’s hard not to appreciate the influence of Japanese craftsmanship on the industry. From the tanto blade to the higonokami folder to the Samurai-inspired fixies, the impact runs far and wide and strong to this day. Yet another example is the latest release from Kansept spinoff Tenable, the cheekily named Toothpik. This budget-friendly banger takes inspiration from a unique design that’s been around much longer than any of us have been alive. Ancient ace More specifically, we’re talking about the Kiridashi, classic Japanese utility knives that, Daily Carry Co points out, “have been a mainstay in ancient Japan for carving wood or bamboo for centuries.” The word can literally be translated as “to carve out,” and Japanese blacksmiths, influenced by Samurai culture and blades, hand-forged the original examples.