Overview & First Impressions
The Loki began life as a custom fixed blade, and Steven Dunnuck's design has now been translated into a practical folding knife without losing its character. Dunnuck is a Long Beach mechanic by trade, and the knife reflects that background: a 3.0-inch Nitro-V blade with a distinctive Wharncliffe profile, a flat grind, and a 0.125-inch thickness that balances durability with cutting efficiency. Overall length is 6.88 inches, which puts the Loki firmly in the compact category. Two trims are available, the B1058A1 with a blackwash blade and black Micarta handle, and the B1058A2 with a stonewashed blade and purple Micarta. Within the Tenable knives range the Loki is the precision instrument.
Build Quality & Materials
Nitro-V provides the blade steel, and its combination of edge retention, corrosion resistance and sharpenability suits a knife with a Wharncliffe geometry that will be sharpened often to keep the point keen. The 0.125-inch stock is a deliberate middle ground: thicker than the ultra-thin folders that sacrifice strength, thinner than heavy-duty folders that lose slicing efficiency. Micarta handles are moisture-resistant and develop grip over time, and the two trims differ in colour and blade finish rather than construction. The liner lock is a proven mechanism, and its placement in a compact handle keeps the exterior clean. A mechanic's tool is only worth having if it works reliably when hands are dirty, and the material choices here reflect that priority.
Design & Craftsmanship
Wharncliffe geometry is the reason to buy the Loki. A straight edge running to a low point gives exceptional control for detail work, because the cutting edge stays in contact with the material rather than curving away. For opening boxes, cutting stencils, trimming hose and cable, or working around a gasket, that control matters more than raw blade length. The blackwash finish on the A1 trim hides wear and gives the knife a purposeful look, while the A2's stonewashed blade paired with purple Micarta makes the same tool look considerably more refined. Dunnuck's ergonomics are progressive rather than traditional, keeping the compact handle usable with a full grip. It is a design that rewards a user who understands what a knife is for.
Performance & Real-World Use
Detail cutting is where the Loki separates itself from general-purpose folders. The Wharncliffe tip reaches into materials and lets you control exactly where the cut ends, which is the reason this blade shape has always been favoured by electricians, mechanics and anyone who works with cable. At 6.88 inches overall the Loki carries comfortably, and the flat grind produces a slice that a thicker blade cannot match. Nitro-V takes a fine edge with minimal effort, so keeping the point razor sharp is realistic rather than aspirational. For daily tasks the knife is capable and unobtrusive, and for precise work it is one of the better shapes you can carry.
Carry & Ownership Notes
The two trims divide neatly: the B1058A1 blackwash and black Micarta version is the low-profile working choice, and the B1058A2 stonewash and purple Micarta version is the one that invites comment. Because the blade geometry and mechanism are identical, the choice is appearance and finish durability. Cleaning the pivot occasionally and stropping the edge is the entire maintenance requirement, since Nitro-V resists rust well. EdcMall stocks both Loki trims for buyers who want a compact folder with a genuinely useful blade shape rather than a decorative one. For anyone who works with cable, hose or packaging, the Tenable Loki is the most task-specific of the folding knives in this group, and the one whose blade shape does the most talking.
Who Is This For?
Buy it if you do detail work and want a compact Wharncliffe folder in a stainless steel that sharpens easily. Skip it if you need a broad, bellied blade for skinning or heavy slicing, because the Loki is designed around precision.
Final Verdict
The Loki is a mechanic's knife in the best sense. It is compact, precise and easy to keep sharp, and the Wharncliffe geometry means it does exactly what you ask of it.
