So what does all that have to do with anything? Today we’re looking at the Kansept Orlok, a design by Terry Cour II. He’s the guy behind 1931 Leatherworks, and I’ve followed him on Instagram for a while because the man makes some undeniably cool stuff. His goal with the Orlok was simple: build a reliable EDC with trusted materials, solid comfort, and real-world capability. Something ready for whatever task rolls its way.
And you can see that intention right away. The Orlok has its own personality, but after reviewing the Nahual not long ago, I can’t help but feel like this one is at least a close relative. Anyway, let’s get down to brass tacks.
The Orlok comes in at 6.89 inches overall with a 3.03-inch blade, which gives you roughly a 3.86-inch handle. Like most modern folders, it’s riding on titanium scales. I’m perfectly fine with that since I’ll take titanium over stainless or aluminum any day. The milling on the handle reminds me of insect tunnels under tree bark. It’s different, it’s interesting, and it actually looks great in person. Mine has a bronze anodized finish that plays really well against the blackwashed blade.
In hand, the Orlok fits me with a full four-finger grip. The forward choil is sized right and really lets you choke up for detailed work. The texture is grippy without being aggressive, and I don’t have any hot spots to complain about. The knife uses a nested liner lock, which is a nice change from Kansept’s usual line of frame locks. I love a good frame lock, but there’s something refreshing about a clean, well-done liner lock that just gets the job done.
Now, I call my Orlok “Mr. Squeaky” thanks to the steel-on-steel sound the lock makes. I’ve tried graphite. I’ve tried working it in. The squeak is still there, living its best life. Lockup, though, is excellent, and the lock bar is tucked far enough inside that it’s not getting bumped loose during use. There’s barely any real estate to push it over, and you’d think that would annoy me, but I actually love it. It’s secure and out of the way.
The clip is Kansept’s typical milled titanium setup, placed close to the center of the handle. It rides high enough that most of the knife stays tucked in my pocket, and retention is strong enough to keep it from trying to escape when I’m not paying attention. There’s zero wiggle in the clip, which I really appreciate after a couple of questionable clips I’ve tested lately. Tension is dialed in just right, making pocketing and un-pocketing a smooth experience.
The blade is a modified sheepsfoot with a harpoon-like swedge on top, giving it a little attitude. Deployment can be done with the front flipper or the thumb hole. The front flipper is money—easy to slow roll or snap open with authority. The hole gives you the same options, including a solid middle-finger flick that feels great on this knife. That forward choil and harpoon ramp work together nicely, giving my thumb a natural place to anchor.
The grind is a flat grind, something we’re seeing more and more these days, and paired with the blade shape it makes the Orlok a very capable slicer. Cutting performance has been excellent. The S35VN holds up well, rarely needing more than a quick touch-up unless I’ve been pushing it hard all day. The tip is surprisingly effective too, especially for a blade with a downward-pointing profile. That’s what I love about modern designs: they blend features from multiple blade styles to give you a hybrid that works better in the real world.
In the end, the Orlok checks a lot of boxes. It’s unique enough to stand on its own, even if it shares some DNA with a few recent designs. It’s well-built, comfortable, capable, and simply enjoyable to use. Just a good mix of smart design and quality materials that’s going to keep you smiling every time it hits
