Hornbill: Titanium & G-10 EDC M390 Folding Knife 【Launching Soon】

Folding knives have lost their way. We are bringing them back to the essence of cutting.

After Heron launched, it received recognition far beyond our expectations. Many people said that this knife — a folding knife built around pure cutting performance — redefined what sharpness should feel like.

But EDC has never had just one personality.
Some people love Heron for its slim, restrained precision. Others want a knife with stronger presence, more weight in the hand, and the confidence to handle almost anything. Equally powerful, but with a completely different character.

So we created Hornbill.

Hornbill shares the same heart as Heron: Böhler M390 super steel. The same third-generation powder metallurgy. The same strict heat treatment. The same water-grinding process. The same uncompromising sharpness.

If Heron is the purist that takes one thing to the extreme, Hornbill is the other side of the family: an all-scenario workhorse built to handle whatever comes next.

One family. Two personalities.
One built for precision. One built for versatility.

Hornbill puts the choice directly into the hand that holds it.

Two handle materials. Two completely different personalities. Due to the different material characteristics, the titanium version features a hidden rear screw, while the G10 version uses an exposed screw design.

What makes Hornbill cut so cleanly?

It is not mystery. It is obsessive engineering.

Hornbill’s blade is made from Austrian Böhler M390 super steel — a material normally found in high-end custom knives. Produced through third-generation powder metallurgy, M390 has an extremely dense and uniform carbide structure at the molecular level.

But even great steel is not enough on its own. Without the right heat treatment, it is still just a piece of metal.

So we pushed M390 to its limit: vacuum heat treatment, cryogenic treatment, and triple tempering.

The result is a solid 60–62 HRC hardness — extremely tough, remarkably stable, and built to stay sharp.

We also refused to save cost on the blade geometry.

Through an extremely time-consuming six-stage water-grinding process, we shaped a precise V-ground thinning structure that dramatically reduces cutting resistance and delivers a smooth, clean slicing experience all the way through.

At this point, Hornbill and Heron share the same uncompromising sharpness.

But Hornbill’s true difference begins with its blade shape.

• Heron is an agile thin blade, designed for ultimate precision.
• Hornbill goes in the opposite direction — with a wider blade and a fuller belly.

A wider blade means stronger cutting flow. The fuller belly keeps more edge engaged through long cutting paths, making tasks like slicing rope, breaking down boxes, and preparing food smoother, cleaner, and easier.

With weight biased slightly toward the blade tip, the blade’s own mass becomes part of your cutting force.

The same uncompromising sharpness, but with more versatility and confidence.

That is the foundation of all-scenario cutting.

When the knife is closed, the sharpened edge is perfectly suspended inside the handle, without making physical contact with the handle itself. This prevents edge wear at the source.

With a knife this sharp, the real danger is not the edge. It is instability.

For us, safety is non-negotiable.

Hornbill uses an Axis Lock — a widely respected locking structure known for its strength, stability, and ambidextrous operation.

The moment the blade fully opens, a steel crossbar slides into place and locks across the full width of the blade tang — followed by a crisp mechanical click.

That sound means one thing: It is locked. You can use it with confidence.

Once locked, Hornbill feels almost like a fixed blade — solid, unified, and stable. No matter the angle of force. No matter the pressure. No blade play. No wobble. No vertical movement. No side-to-side looseness.

Another major advantage of the Axis Lock is its naturally ambidextrous design.

Whether you are left-handed or right-handed, flick the flipper and the blade deploys smoothly. Pull the crossbar, and the blade drops back under control. Opening and closing can both be done with one hand. During the entire closing process, your fingers stay clear of the blade path.

Smooth operation is an experience. True confidence is the foundation. Hornbill delivers both.

A great knife should not merely be usable. It should feel right.

That smooth, secure sense of control is part of the experience itself. 

And it begins the moment your thumb reaches the flipper. Hornbill’s flipper tab has been ergonomically refined, allowing your thumb to fall naturally into place. Push once, and the blade opens instantly — no need to look, only muscle memory.

On the spine, we added jimping for extra thumb traction. When your thumb presses down during harder cuts or more controlled work, the jimping provides additional grip and control, keeping the blade connected to your hand without slipping.

Hornbill’s blade is wide, with a full belly that fills the palm and provides a stable, confident grip. The handle comfortably accommodates all four fingers.

Long-term comfort depends on a subtle and precise balance point.

Hornbill is not a featherweight knife — Its forward-biased weight distribution helps the blade naturally fall into the direction of the cut.

To achieve this without compromising the structural strength of the titanium handle, we performed complex internal weight-relief milling inside the handle.

When you apply force, you do not fight the knife. It moves with you. Every edge has been smoothly chamfered, reducing fatigue even during extended use.

Whether left hand or right hand, forward cut or reverse cut, Hornbill feels like an extension of your hand.

That natural control is exactly what an all-scenario workhorse should deliver.

The meaning of EDC is not how hardcore a knife looks. It is whether you will actually carry it.

Hornbill can go more places than you might expect.

The morning kitchen. The afternoon workstation. A weekend trail. Your everyday tool pouch. Take it out. Open it with one hand. Get the job done. Close it. Put it back.

Hornbill’s pocket clip uses recessed flat-head screws. No raised edges. No scraping against your hand.

Draw it. Return it. Smooth and clean. No snagging on clothing. No grinding against fabric.

Hornbill’s surface is built to withstand daily bumps, friction, and pocket wear. Carry it in your pocket, toss it into your bag, use it day after day — it is designed to keep going.

An all-scenario workhorse should be exactly like this: Always within reach. Never letting you down.

Titaner is built around the belief that titanium can make everyday life better.

Titanium is non-toxic, skin-friendly, and highly corrosion-resistant. It is a super material safe enough to be used in medical implants. No matter how harsh the environment gets, titanium remains clean, pure, and rust-free, guarding every adventure you take it on.

But this time, we also want to highlight the surface treatment. You will notice that the titanium handle has a grey, matte texture. You may also wonder how the gold accents on the hardware are achieved. 

The answer comes from a special PVD treatment.

Whichever version you choose, the flipper tab, pivot screw, and Axis Lock crossbar all receive a gold-toned PVD finish. The difference lies in the materials: the flipper tab is made from titanium, while the pivot and Axis Lock crossbar are made from 416 stainless steel.

That touch of gold is what brings both personalities together. It gives the titanium version its calm strength, and the carbon fiber version its lightweight precision — all within the same family identity.

A knife’s character is also written in the sheen of its blade.

Hornbill’s blade comes standard with a micro-blasted finish. Its even matte surface is understated, fingerprint-resistant, and keeps the focus exactly where it belongs — on the cut itself.

If you prefer a more refined look, you can upgrade to a satin brushed finish. Fine hairline textures flow subtly under the light, adding a sense of hand-finished craftsmanship and ritual to the blade.

The journey of Titaner Hornbill does not begin on a production line. It begins with a solid block of GR5 titanium. Like Michelangelo approaching marble, we use high-end CNC machines to carve each component with hours of precise machining. Every edge receives smooth CNC chamfering.

To be honest, this is a time-consuming and labor-intensive process. It is also something very few people are willing to do. But we believe true quality should not need to be explained in a manual.

The moment you hold it, you will understand. The warm, smooth feeling that seems to merge with your palm. The flawless details that remain comfortable from every angle. The complete absence of sharp, uncomfortable edges. All of this tells you one thing: Our obsession was worth it.

For us, “Engineered for a Lifetime” is not just a promise engraved into metal. It is a philosophy that grows and evolves together with you. And this Kickstarter campaign is where that philosophy comes alive.

Our designers are not working alone inside a closed workshop. They stand here with you — our most trusted companions and co-creators — listening to the real echoes of every idea and every suggestion. We believe that a great product is not designed out of thin air. It is shaped by the real experience and wisdom of the people who truly rely on it.

The moment of unboxing should also be part of the experience. Your Titaner Hornbill will arrive in a beautifully designed gift box. Whether you are rewarding yourself after a long year or giving it to a fellow gear-loving friend, this is the kind of gift that can earn a genuine “Wow.”

It is also worth mentioning that the gift box is made from 100% recycled paper. Yes — while chasing hardcore engineering, we still want to do something small for the planet.