Overview & First Impressions
Fur grading is inspection work: a pelt is turned, brushed, measured and marked, and the knife on the table trims a damaged edge, cuts a repair patch and slices a length of binding tape. It must be sharp enough to cut hide cleanly and tough enough not to chip when it meets a staple. The Tenable Riflestock B2131S3, with a Nitro-V blade and a lock back, is a calm, sturdy answer to that.
Materials & Construction
Nitro-V is a nitrogen-enhanced stainless designed as a tougher alternative to 440C-class steels. It holds a good working edge, resists staining from the natural oils and salts in hide, and does not chip easily, which is the quality that matters when a blade meets a hidden staple or a bit of grit in a pelt. Tenable knives pairs it with twill carbon fibre for a light, rigid handle.
Design & Details
A lock back is the traditional choice for a knife used with wet hands, because the release is at the spine and cannot be triggered by a grip on the handle. The Riflestock's blade is a modified drop point with a strong tip that can be used for controlled scoring, and the handle has a slight forward finger groove that keeps the hand from sliding onto the blade during a pull cut.
Real-World Use
On the grading table the knife trims a torn edge to a clean line, cuts a repair patch from matching hide, slices binding tape and opens bales of pelts. It also cuts the plastic wrap off a bundle without slicing the contents. Among folding knives used in hide and leather work, a lock back with a strong tip is the safest shape for a table where hands are wet and the work moves fast.
Ownership Notes
Hide is salty and slightly acidic, so wipe the blade and oil it at the end of every session, even with a stainless. Blow dust out of the lock recess and keep the spring free of wax. Strop the edge weekly; Nitro-V responds well to a light touch and does not need a coarse stone unless it has been damaged. EdcMall lists the Riflestock in four handle variants. Hide work destroys EDC knives that were chosen for looks. This one has survived a season of salty pelts and staple strikes, and the edge has needed nothing beyond a strop and one light pass on a ceramic rod.
Who Is This For?
Buy it if you work with hide, leather or heavy fabric and want a lock that cannot be released by accident. It suits the furrier, the tanner and the taxidermist. Skip it if you want a fast flipper for everyday carry, because a lock back is deliberately slower to close.
Final Verdict
The Riflestock B2131S3 is the right knife for a wet table: a lock back that stays locked, a Nitro-V blade that resists salt and staples, and a handle that keeps the hand behind the edge. It is not flashy, and on a grading table flashy is the last thing anyone needs.
