You might’ve seen the WE Knife Double Helix at some point. We couldn’t decide whether it was more of an industrial or steampunk look, and then the Editor grunted from across the room, “It looks like DNA.” Of course it looks like DNA once someone points it out to you. In any case this is not only a very pretty, very interesting looking knife, it also has an incredible lock up that is nearly impossible to accidentally defeat. It’s a double detente system that keeps this knife locked in both the open and the closed position. This means it’s secure and highly unlikely to accidentally open or close if it’s being used as intended.
Slide Lock
The Slide Lock is a bit different from most other locks. Almost all locking mechanisms on almost all knives are inside the knife. With the Double Helix, the lock is outside the knife and is clearly visible. WE Knife named this clever thing a Slide Lock. The slide screws through the spring, which runs down the outside of the anodized, stonewashed titanium handles and circles around a bit at the bottom. When you pull down on the slide, the bar pulls out of the tang on the closed side and allows the blade to swing open until it hits the stop in the tang on the opposite side.
Now, functionally, this means hand placement takes a bit of getting used to before you can make it work at optimal capability. If you’re putting pressure on the spring with the palm of your hand, it doesn’t open as well as if you put your hand in a better spot. It also means you have a knife that, once you learn the trick of it, opens easily and quickly.
The WE Knife Double Helix has a 3.3” CPM S35V clip point blade with a blade thickness of 0.16” and a hollow grind. It has a ceramic ball bearing pivot system and titanium hardware. It comes with a right carry, tip-up pocket clip. It’s 4.6” closed and weighs about 4.55 ounces.
WE Knife Double Helix
- CPM S35VN, Clip Point
- 3.3” Blade Length
- 0.16” Blade Thickness
- Hollow Grind
- Slide Lock
- Titanium Handles and Hardware
- 0.63” Handle Thickness
- 4.55 Ounces
- 4.6” Closed
- 7.9” Overall
The WE Knife Double Helix is a pretty knife with a ton of functionality, a fantastic lock, and a seriously clever design. If you’re interested in these knives, click any link in the article or simply click the button below.
All images courtesy of Smoky Mountain Knife Works – smkw.com.
