Designer Paul Munko’s latest production collab is coming out courtesy of Kizer. Called the Melody, it is a modern slipjoint with a fluid profile and uncommon blade shape.
Munko is an established knife designer now, but his own roots can be traced (hah) back to the world of graphic design. Each Munko release benefits from characterful visual quirks that give his pieces a unique identity. A good example can be found right here on the Melody’s blade. While it is technically a drop point, it has been compound-ground, with a thinner grind on the majority of edge but a thicker, tougher flat grind for the tip and belly. And while the non-locking, 2.84-inch blade shouldn’t ever be used as a pry bar, it does help keep the tip healthy even when piercing is necessary.
And yes, this is a slipjoint design, with a full backspring setup just like the classics of yore. It’s in keeping with the overall retro feel of the Melody – retro in the sense of old guitars, or classic cars, rather than actually historical slipjoints, as the design here is obviously a far cry from those venerable patterns. The key materials here are all modern, with S35VN for the blade steel, and aluminum for the main portion of the handle; options for the inlay are either rosewood or titanium, the latter only appearing on the special Rainbow Damascus bladed version.
As a dedicated EDC piece, the Melody has quite a bit of capability. It also has an exceptional amount of carryability, with a total weight of just 2.09 oz. Safety has also been taken into consideration, with a 90 degree half-stop in place. (If you’re unfamiliar, a half stop is a notch in the blade tang that stops a slipjoint knife from immediately snapping shut by catching it against the backspring). The Melody comes with a 3D sculpted titanium titanium pocket clip as well – although, take note lefties: this one is non-reversible. The clip hardware has been hidden to keep the Melody looking as clean as possible.
It is coming soon.
Knife in Featured Image: Kizer Knives Melody