You’ve seen the videos. James Hobson and the Hacksmith team have spent years building things that shouldn't exist—plasma lightsabers, Wolverine claws, and Captain America shields that actually bounce. But their latest project isn't a movie prop. It’s a pocket knife. Specifically, The Smith Blade, a titanium EDC multi-tool that basically broke Kickstarter by raising over $15 million CAD in a matter of weeks.
Honestly, the hype is kind of insane. People are calling it a "Leatherman killer," which is a bold claim when you’re talking about a company that’s dominated the belt pouches of dads and engineers for forty years. But the Smith Blade isn't trying to be a pair of pliers with a blade attached. It’s a blade-first tool that’s been over-engineered to the point of absurdity.
What is the Smith Blade Exactly?
At its core, the Smith Blade is a 21-in-1 multi-tool housed in a Grade 5 titanium (Ti-6Al-4V) frame. It weighs about 3.3 ounces, which is roughly the weight of a standard deck of cards. That’s the first thing you notice—it’s light. Most multi-tools feel like a brick in your pocket, but this one is meant to vanish until you actually need it.
The centerpiece of the Pro version is the M390 steel blade. If you aren't a "knife person," all you need to know is that M390 is a "super steel." It’s incredibly hard, holds an edge forever, and resists rust like a champ. Hacksmith famously marketed it by showing the blade cutting a cheaper Swiss Army knife in half. While you probably shouldn't go around butchering other people's pocket knives, it makes a point: this thing is tough.
The 21 Features You’ll Actually Use (and Some You Might Not)
The Pro Edition is the one everyone is talking about. It’s got 21 functions packed into a 5-inch frame. Here is the breakdown of what's actually inside this titanium sandwich:
- The M390 Blade: A seax-style blade that’s great for precision.
- The Bit System: A patent-pending 4mm bit retention spring. It comes with Phillips and flathead bits, but it also includes a literal pen bit for writing.
- The 90-Degree Driver: You can stick a bit into the side of the tool to get more torque, which is a lifesaver when a screw is stuck.
- The "Accidental" Protractor: This is my favorite part. During prototyping, they noticed the ball detent made marks at specific intervals. They leaned into it and turned it into a 15-degree incremental protractor.
- The Survival Kit: A ferrocerium fire striker for sparks and a tungsten carbide glass breaker.
- The Quirky Stuff: There’s a bubble level built into the handle. Do you need a 2-inch bubble level every day? Probably not. But when you’re hanging a picture frame and don't want to walk to the garage, it's there.
There are no pliers. No scissors. For some, that’s a dealbreaker. But for the "Everyday Carry" crowd, the tradeoff for a slimmer profile is usually worth it.
Why is it So Expensive?
Let's address the elephant in the room. The Smith Blade Pro retails around $289 USD (or about $340 CAD). The Lite version starts lower, around $129, but it loses the "super steel" and most of the features.
People on Reddit and YouTube have been arguing about the price for months. "It’s just a knife," some say. But they're missing the manufacturing reality. Hacksmith isn't outsourcing the Pro models to a massive factory in China. They’re machining them in-house in Ontario, Canada.
Grade 5 titanium is a nightmare to machine. It eats drill bits for breakfast and requires slow, precise passes. Each handle takes hours to mill. When you factor in 35 individual components, M390 steel, and Canadian labor costs, that $250–$300 price tag actually starts to look somewhat reasonable compared to high-end boutique knives like a Chris Reeve or a Benchmade.
The Fidget Factor
The most human thing about this tool is that it was designed to be played with. James Hobson and his lead developer, Benjamin McDonnell, are self-admitted fidgeters. The blade opens with a very specific, mechanical "cliclicliclick" sound. That’s intentional.
They used neodymium magnets and a titanium retention spring to make the bit storage feel like a high-end bolt-action pen. It’s "fidget-friendly." In a world where we spend half our lives waiting in lines or sitting in meetings, having something tactile in your pocket that feels like a piece of aerospace equipment is a weirdly huge selling point.
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Is the Smith Blade Right for You?
Look, if you’re a mechanic who needs a heavy-duty pair of pliers every ten minutes, keep your Leatherman Surge. The Smith Blade won't replace a toolbox. It’s an "engineering outsider's" take on the pocket knife. It’s for the person who wants a premium blade but also needs to strip a wire, tighten a glasses screw, or level a shelf without carrying a 10-ounce hunk of stainless steel.
The Kickstarter campaign was a massive success, and units have been shipping out through late 2025 and into early 2026. If you’re looking to pick one up now, you’re likely looking at the Hacksmith online store.
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Actionable Next Steps for EDC Enthusiasts
If you're considering jumping into the titanium EDC world, here is how to handle the Smith Blade:
- Check Your Local Laws: The Smith Blade features a locking blade. In places like the UK or parts of Europe, this might be a "no-go" for public carry. Hacksmith did mention non-locking "international" variants, so make sure you're buying the right one for your zip code.
- Pick Your Tier: If you just want a cool knife, the Lite is fine. But if you want the "Hacksmith experience," the Pro is the only one with the M390 steel and the full 21-tool layout.
- Maintenance is Key: Titanium doesn't rust, but M390 steel can still get "tea stains" if you leave it salty and wet. Grab a small bottle of KPL (Knife Pivot Lube) to keep that clicking mechanism smooth and hit the blade with a bit of mineral oil once a month.
- Bit Customization: The tool uses standard 4mm bits. You aren't stuck with what’s in the box. You can swap in Torx bits if you work on electronics or hex bits for furniture assembly.