The world of knives and knife enthusiasts is a niche culture centred on one of the oldest man-made tools. With the advent of AI and smart weapons or the continued progression of projectile firearms, it is the knife that has endured and repudiating replacement. Regardless of how you cut it, the knife is an enduring tool needed by humanity.
Forever Cutting Edge
Knives or edged weapons have been an instrument for daily use or self-defense from the moment man picked up a sharp stone. The knife has remained a relevant tool for nearly unlimited uses. With too many types to hone in on, the knife is by far one of the greatest and simplest tools to have ever existed. Its design truly cannot be improved upon; a hand-held sharpened tool that can stab, puncture, slice, and chop. True, the blade designs, material, manufacturing process, and handles can and will continue to see improvement, but the base, the edged tool, remains a constant. Even within the minds of science fiction writers, the blade continues to be an important tool and weapon. Even in the likes of Dune, the blade has become the primary physical weapon, given that technology has forced projectile weapons to limited use. It is not our intent in this article to reduce this to the annals of fiction and fanboy daydreams, but the blade is a timeless and useful apparatus.
This leads us to the focus of this article, a company named Reiff Knives. This small but impactful business is forming its own cult of cutlery. The approach of Reiff is simple: take time-proven designs and combine them with quality materials to ensure a product that can stand on any occasion and perform regardless of the environmental factors. In this, Reiff has focused on form and function; the need for dragons and jewels on their products is left to others. A Reiff Knife is a tool of purpose, meant to meet demands head-on and complete the task given without compromise.
Who is Reiff
The owners of Reiff Knives are Ben and his brother, Stu. This is a family-owned and operated business; both brothers and Ben’s wife work with a small crew to design, test, and produce their products. The basis of passion stemmed from Ben and his brother growing up and playing on their grandparents’ land in West Virginia. It was there, the love of the outdoors, hunting, fishing, and all-around tom foolery that cemented their zest for a woodsman lifestyle. Like anyone, when you live a lifestyle as a hobby or profession, the need for the right clothing and equipment becomes more than a luxury; passion begins to dictate lifestyle.
Part of the process Reiff has undertaken is the use of technology. The use of both CAD (3D modelling) in conjunction with 3D printing permits improved use of resources to design and test how a blade will feel and function. The time it takes to cut and machine a blade can quickly drain money and time from a small knife business. Reiff uses this capability to produce working prototypes, diminishing the time and materials needed; and when the product is ready for trials, the functioning blade is produced for real-world testing. Their prototyping and designing have led to a better product and a warranty unrivalled in the knife world. They offer a warranty not just on the product’s durability but on lost or stolen knives (with accompanying police report). Reiff wants to ensure their customers are not only taken care of but can authentically recommend their products to their peers. The company ensures these individuals can trust their lives with their products. Incidentally, with the loss of my Ek Knife Combat Bowie (Desert Warrior Edition) in San Diego Bay during a timed combat surface swim during Marine Reconnaissance training in 1995, I have a preconceived notion of what I expect from a knife. Beginning this journey with Reiff is already off to a good start, given that Reiff only issues Kydex sheaths resistant to corrosion and rot. We are off to a good start.
There were two provided blades for us to evaluate, the Vicon and Circadian. The blade designs are similar, with the size of the blade and handle being the differences overall.
The Vicon
The first to be covered is the Vicon. The Vicon name historically derives from France for strength and leadership with traits of nobility, but also symbolizes victory and distinction. This is fitting given the quality and craftsmanship of the blade as a reliable and trustworthy tool. The blade measures at just over 5 inches with an overall length of 10.2 inches. Blade thickness is 3/16, which provides a respectable blade without over-committing to a blade too large or thick for reasonable field use. With a CPM Magna Cut steel, the blade is meant to perform in the harshest environments while ensuring a strong resistance to corrosion and excellent edge retention. With a PVD coating to protect the blade, Reiff scales the full tang handle with a Micarta handle contoured for comfort and exceptional grip, even when wet. The clip point design and overall feel are reminiscent of my issued K-Bar, but with a refined impression. The design sits naturally in the hand and doesn’t overfill the palm. The blade and scales are extruded at the hilt for protection for the end user, while the pummel is textured for impact and allows for the use of a retention lanyard.
The Vicon lends itself as an ideal candidate for a true field craft knife; this equates to a blade that is comfortable for use as a tool as much as it is for a fighting knife. The handle shape makes it want to sit solidly inside the palm without too much swell; it fills but doesn’t protrude, with gloves keeping it from wanting to rotate when slashing or puncturing/stabbing. I found the sheath to be extremely well built with the intentions of extreme environments such as maritime or mountain terrains, with a heavy emphasis on retention. The compatibility aligns with #8 Chicago screw kits and is Blade-tech compatible for those with other hardware. The Vicon is what I hoped my Ek could have been while retaining the beloved features that made it so advantageous to me. The full tang with a drop point design makes the knife robust and simple, with a true user-friendly design.
The interaction with Reiff has been one based on transparency. Reiff has made it a point to ensure we understand their company and method of operation.
The Circadian
The Circadian series derives its name from the rhythmic pattern of daily life; the Circadian series is part of that rhythm; it provides assurance and dependability within your journey, giving you peace of mind. The Circadian is meant to be part of your base, a daily part of your rhythm of life. That said, the Circadian is also the same as the Vicon, but like the Genie from Disney’s Aladdin, all the cosmic power is in a little bitty living space. The same clip point blade design, the same CPM Magna Cut steel, but the blade measures 3 ¼ inches and the overall length is 7 ¼ inches. The full tang design allows for maximum strength, and the Micarta handle scales offer the same grip in all environments. Like the Vicon, the swell in the grip is perfect for even gloved hands and is formed to allow the blade to sit naturally inside the hand for use. Though the handle is shorter, at 4 inches, it’s similar in length to a Glock 19 when compared to the Glock 17.
The Circadian is the smaller version of the Vicon. What is useful is that the smaller size makes carrying the Circadian on your belt, in a bag, or on your gear without having to make daily carry complicated. If mounted on the body, the belt is obvious, and with the options of the sheath, one can choose a litany of options. I mounted the Circadian for use inside pouches on most of my kit, making ease of access and use seamless. I added some Velcro to the sides of the sheath after removing the belt clip, and now I simply Velcro the knife in where needed for professional use. If needed, I can order a second sheath for belt carry in uniform or plain clothes. The smaller blade makes quick work of more specific tasks that may require more precise movements, and I find that smaller blades can offer a more practical approach to self-defence or emergency use. The tip of the blade feels more attached to your natural state of index. This is a subjective statement and is based on my time in training and deployed.
Final Cut
Without sounding like a fan boy, I do look for a specific classic design. I prefer the full tang for the robust, long-lasting nature of a utility knife, and between the choice of steel and the scales, it ensures a long-lasting tool that can hold up to any reasonable needs I may encounter in the real world. A knife should be at home as a tool. Based on your needs, the tool should perform its tasks at a reasonable level of expectation.
Reiff has taken the requirements of the knife and started from the basis of quality over quantity. This approach fosters the desire to create purpose-driven tools. The proven clip point or sheepsfoot design is function-driven. Whether it’s the choice of steel, the coatings used, or the selection of materials, Reiff has chosen to make a tool intended to last. This family-owned and operated company is creating high-end, purpose-built tools for all occasions. Reiff knives are traditional and cutting-edge.
