Overview & First Impressions
Most production knives are named after a designer or a number, and then occasionally one arrives with an actual idea behind it. The Bestech EYE OF RA BG23 is one of the latter, taking its name and its visual language from Egyptian iconography and translating it into a practical D2 and G10 folding knife. Beneath the theme it is a well-built liner lock with a gray PVD blade and the kind of solid construction that has made Bestech knives a fixture in the budget-premium bracket of EDC knives.
Materials & Construction
The blade is D2 finished in gray PVD, which is a sensible pairing: D2 gives excellent wear resistance and edge life, while the PVD coating adds meaningful corrosion protection on top of a steel that is only semi-stainless. That combination means you get tool-steel cutting performance with more forgiveness than bare D2. The G10 handle scales are impervious to moisture, temperature and hand oil, textured for grip, and the liner lock runs on washers rather than bearings, which makes it smoother in gritty environments and easier to service at home.
Design & Details
The design language is the differentiator here. The blade profile is a leaf-shaped drop point with a pronounced swedge and a strong tip, and the handle has a sculpted profile with a finger groove and a sculpted clip side. It looks designed rather than assembled from a template. Opening is via a thumb stud with a crisp, confident action, jimping on the spine and the flipper tab gives traction without being aggressive, and the lockup is early and solid with no vertical or lateral play. It is a knife that feels deliberate in the hand.
Real-World Use
As an everyday cutting tool the EYE OF RA does everything a folding knife should. The D2 edge handles cardboard, zip ties, rope and packaging for weeks between touch-ups, and the blade geometry slices cleanly rather than wedging. The G10 grip stays secure with wet or oily hands, which is why it works well in a workshop or a garage. The knife is light enough for pocket carry all day and sturdy enough to lean on when a job needs some pressure. It is not a hard-use chopper and does not pretend to be.
Ownership Notes
Maintenance is straightforward: keep the PVD coating intact to preserve corrosion resistance, wipe the blade after wet use, and clean the pivot occasionally if you work somewhere dusty. The washers need no servicing beyond a drop of lubricant, and the screws are standard Torx. Buyers who already own Bestech knives will find the same dependable build quality, and anyone who values a knife with a distinct design language will find the EYE OF RA more interesting than the average budget folder. It is also a good demonstration of why D2 remains the enthusiast's value steel. What separates it from other folding knives in the value bracket is that D2 steel plus the PVD coating delivers real cutting endurance without demanding constant attention.
Who Is This For?
Buy it if you want a knife with genuine visual character that is also a competent daily cutter, or if you are building a collection of themed designs. Buy it if you have dismissed budget D2 folders as boring and want to be proved wrong. Skip it if you need a knife you can neglect completely, since D2 still asks for basic care. For the money it is one of the more characterful options available.
Final Verdict
The EYE OF RA BG23 is what happens when a manufacturer puts design thinking into a value knife. The materials are sensible, the build is solid, and the aesthetic gives it a personality that most knives at this price simply do not have. It cuts well, carries easily and looks interesting doing it.
