NEGATIVE ZERO

High tech, exotic materials, revolutionary, high speed, hard use, multitool, locking, spring assist, fancy…

The list of things and features this knife isn’t is long. The ZERO isn’t many things, but the things it lacks aren’t bugs, they are features. Unapologetically simple, the ZERO is what it is because of what it isn’t. Say that ten times fast.

This is a friction folder inspired by one of my favorite knives, the Svord Peasant (made in NZ). The Peasant is a simple knife with character at a super affordable price point. The use of affordable yet functional materials in a simple design is something that captured me. To clarify, a "friction folder" is a type of non locking folding knife that relies on friction to limit the movement of the blade. The tang of the blade extends past the handle when the knife is closed, this is used to open the knife and prevents the blade from closing while in use. When I started designing the ZERO I wanted to put my own touch on those concepts, using the tools and technologies I have access to. Firstly a friction folder like this has essentially one function, to slice, this knife would be an unwise choice for a defensive tool or any hard use application. However, it excels at slicing tasks, packages, food prep whittling, skinning… 

The edge geometry and stock thickness were chosen for that purpose. The 3d printed scales compliment that purpose while also allowing me to offer this knife at a lower price point and experiment with more intricate designs. For those who have bought any of my 3d printed tools, you know how strong this stuff is. It is surprisingly robust material when used correctly. I have used rubber washers in the construction, and this allows me to use standard hardware (without fine threads) and still achieve consistent friction throughout the travel of the blade and predictable adjustments. Altogether this is a simple, lightweight, fidgetable, USA made folder.

Unfortunately, I cannot sell these knives for $20 bucks like Svord, that wouldn’t even cover my material costs, not at the scale I am operating at, on top of that there are time and equipment costs. This is a starting point, this knife is a bit of a blank slate, a project that allows me to flex my creativity muscle while also offering a unique tool at a lower price. If there is interest in something like this there are many possibilities for the future. That includes different scales, colors, shapes, patterns, materials, blade steels…

Naming a knife is difficult in many cases. You don’t want to copy another makers name, which is getting increasingly more difficult as the years tick by. It is also easy to find a name that is “cool” that just comes across tacky, SPARTAN WARRIOR 3000 type stuff… Having said that I know Negative Zero sounds like it is trying to be cool. Understand it is self-deprecating, after all there is no such thing as -0. I wanted to pay homage to the Svord Peasant in some way, “zero” came to mind, like “loser” or “nothing” but that was taken so I started to think of things that wouldn’t be taken because it doesn’t exist or it is just dumb enough. Negative Zero, NZ was my way of tipping my hat to the New Zealand company. It also allowed me to strikethrough the word and have it mean something.

At the end of the day if you use this knife and smile, then I have accomplished my goal.