Artisan Cutlery Cleo Knife Review
The Artisan Cutlery Cleo knife features copper scales, a button lock for great action, and (fantastically) a 2.52″ Wharncliffe blade. Read on to see more!
Official Specs
Here’s a link to the Artisan Cutlery Cleo knife.
Versions
At least two versions of the Artisan Cutlery Cleo knife are available. There’s this copper version and a titanium handle version, too.
Price
The Artisan Cutlery Cleo knife has an introductory price of $139.99, down from the MSRP of $186.66. Titanium is $10 more (and also on sale).
Package and Manual
What’s Included
- Artisan Cutlery Cleo knife
- Cleaning cloth
- Carry pouch
- Papers
Look
The copper of the Artisan Cutlery Cleo knife really looks great. I love a small knife, and the Wharncliffe blade is so very usable. One thing to note about this version of the Artisan Cutlery Cleo knife is that while the copper doesn’t look sealed, there’s not at all a strong copper smell.
Both sides of the Artisan Cutlery Cleo knife look great! The scales match – both sides are copper.
The blade finish is described as “Sand Polish.”
Open / Close / Lock
Opening the knife is possible in two ways – first, there’s the thumbstud. It’s plenty accessible over the copper scales.
It’s also ambidextrous, so righties or lefties should have no problems here.
The other way (and maybe the better way) is the button lock. By depressing the button lock when the knife is closed, a flick of the wrist will open the knife easily. To lock the knife, just release the button when the blade is fully open. It’s a great option!
The button is also, of course, the only way to unlock the Artisan Cutlery Cleo knife. It’s a bit of a frame lock mechanism, but all that stuff is just internal, and a button is the way that’s accessed.
That’s not a complaint at all – the button lock works great!
Build and Feel
I’ve stated and overstated that I love a small knife. The Artisan Cutlery Cleo knife is a very nice small knife. A blade length in this range (2.5″) is exactly what I prefer! Weirdly, a blade length of exactly 2.5″ can (on some knives) seem too short. I’m sure most people will understand that immediately (since it seems most people prefer 3″ blades). This 2.5″ blade is perfect for my needs (opening boxes. 😀 ).
The blade is perfectly centered.
There’s a ceramic ball bearing pivot, and I found it very smooth.
Both pivots have a TORX bit, so you will be able to lube or tweak the action however you like.
The blade has a beveled edge and is very comfortable knife to carry.
Matching the other appointments around the knife, the Artisan Cutlery Cleo knife has a metal standoff backspacer.
It’s not a frame or liner lock, but there’s a cutout on both scales. This aids in comfort when wielding the knife.
Here’s another shot of the backspacer. I believe this is stainless, while the pocket clip is titanium.
Size
Blade Length 2.52″(64mm)
Blade Thickness 0.1″(2.5mm)
Overall Length 5.91″(150mm)
Closed Length 3.39″(86mm)
Weight 107.6g/3.8oz
Above, you can see the Artisan Cutlery Cleo knife with the Civivi Elementum in orange G10. I use that knife so much!
Here’s the knife in hand:
Below, you can see the Artisan Cutlery Cleo knife with the venerable Convoy S2+. The version below is a custom laser-engraved Convoy S2+ host by GadgetConnections.com. I did a full post on an engraved orange host right here! Or go straight to GadgetConnections.com to buy your Convoy S2+ now!
In the photo above, you may note that the SRM (standard reference material) flashlight for comparison has changed! I used a TorchLAB BOSS 35 for ages. Now what you can see as the 18350 SRM is the Hanko Machine Works Trident. While I have not reviewed or tested the Gunner Grip version seen here, I have tested a Hanko Machine Works Trident Total Tesseract in brass. I love the Trident, and it’s a striking contrast next to the inexpensive Convoy S2+, which also makes a great standard reference material.
Steel / Cut / Oats
The steel used here is S90V. As stated above, the blade shape is a Wharncliffe.
Here are some details on S90V steel:
https://www.alphaknifesupply.com/Pictures/Info/Steel/CPMS90-DS.pdf
I don’t know too much about steel, and I have not sharpened the Artisan Cutlery Cleo knife. Here are some more details from newjerseysteelbaron.com:
A favorite among folder and kitchen knife makers, S90-V is known for taking an exceptional satin finish to match its excellent edge retention properties.
Retention
The product page doesn’t state this, but the clip is what I call a “3d” style (milled, not stamped) clip. There are two screws, in an “over under” layout.
The clip may be moved to the opposite side, but allows only tip-up carry.
The other means for carrying the Artisan Cutlery Cleo knife is the included, branded zipper pouch.
It’s a fine pouch. There’s a tab on one end – a loop actually, so you can secure the pouch to your bag, if you wish.
Inside the pouch are two slips. The one used here is big enough for the knife, but the other is tighter – probably more suitable for a pen or something slimmer.
Summary and Conclusion
As I say in every knife post, I like small knives. The Artisan Cutlery Cleo knife is properly in the range of knives that I like. And I like this one a lot! It’s well built, has a fantastic blade shape and a great action, and is fairly reasonably priced.
Notes
- This knife was provided by Artisan Cutlery for review. I was not paid to write this review.
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