Sao Knife Pocket Knife 14C28N Blade Deer antler stalk Handle SK260514-2

Length：125mm
Blade Length：45mm
Blade Thickness：3mm

Blade Material：14C28N
Blade Finish：Hand-finished satin

Handle Material ：Deer antler stalk
Lock Type：Slip Joint

Model Number：SK260514-2

Sao Knives SK260514-2 - Product Overview

The Sao Knives SK260514-2 is a handmade traditional folder from Max Sao's Sichuan workshop - a maker who owned hundreds of Spyderco, Benchmade and Cold Steel knives before falling for the classic GEC, Queen and Northwood bone-handle era. This one pairs a hand-finished satin 14C28N sheepsfoot blade with cream stag antler with burgundy bone bolsters scales, brass hardware and an old-school nail nick. It sits naturally among traditional pocket knives and classic folding knives in our catalog, and its 14C28N blade steel brings modern edge performance to a vintage pattern. Cream-colored stag with black jigged crowns sits over burgundy-dyed bone bolsters - a color combination straight out of the great traditional-knife era. The small 45 mm sheepsfoot blade opens on a nail nick and rides a classic slip-joint spring. As a pocket EDC knife, it is built to be used, pocketed and handed down.

Sao Knives SK260514-2 - 14C28N Blade Selling Points

14C28N is Sandvik's nitrogen-alloyed martensitic stainless: excellent corrosion resistance, 59-61 HRC hardness and a very fine carbide structure that takes a genuinely sharp edge and hones back on any ceramic rod. For a traditional folder that will see food packets, twine and pantry duty, it is the sensible modern steel choice.

Sao Knives SK260514-2 - Core Selling Points

• Hand-finished satin 14C28N blade at 59-61 HRC - handmade fit and finish on every piece.
• Cream stag antler with burgundy bone bolsters scales: natural material, each knife's pattern is one of a kind.
• Classic nail-nick opening keeps the profile slim and the look period-correct.
• Brass pins and liners deliver the warm traditional look that ages beautifully.
• Thin 3 mm blade stock with a full flat-profile grind makes it a superb slicer.
• Sheepsfoot profile: a controlled, task-first blade with no aggressive piercing tip.
• Modern stainless steel means no forced patina maintenance unless you want one.
• A genuine maker-built knife at a fraction of US handmade pricing.

Sao Knives SK260514-2 - Where It Earns Its Pocket Time

• Desk and paperwork duty - envelopes, blister packs and zip ties all yield to the thin satin blade.
• Pocket carry with suiting - bone scales and brass hardware look at home next to a watch and a leather wallet.
• Kitchen and picnic prep - cheese, apples and salami slice cleanly on the fine traditional grind.
• Range and camp odds and ends - cordage, food packs and kindling feathering all suit the sheepsfoot pattern.
• Gifting and collection - a boxed handmade knife with natural scales is a milestone gift that actually gets carried.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are Sao Knives made?

Sao Knives was founded in 2022 in Sichuan, China, by Max Sao, a former collector of hundreds of Spyderco, Benchmade and Cold Steel knives who turned to building the traditional bone-handle knives he loves.

Is this a lockback?

Slip-joint models are held open by a backspring rather than a lock, following the classic pattern; they are accepted in many jurisdictions where locking blades are restricted. Always confirm your local law before carrying.

How do I care for natural bone and stag handles?

Wipe dry after use, keep it out of prolonged soaking, and feed the scales a little mineral oil or beeswax a few times a year. Avoid leather sheaths for long-term storage.

Will the blade rust or patina?

14C28N is a stainless steel with strong corrosion resistance - no forced patina needed. Keep it dry and it stays bright.

Are the scales identical to the photos?

Bone and antler are natural materials. The photos show the representative pattern; your knife's figure will be unique.

Sao Knives SK260514-2 - Steel Comparison Table

Steel	Typical HRC	Edge Retention	Corrosion Resistance	Toughness	Sharpening Ease
14C28N (this knife)	59-61	Good	Excellent	Good	Very Easy
Nitro-V	58-60	Good	Very Good	Very Good	Very Easy
D2	58-61	Very Good	Fair (oil it)	Good	Moderate
8Cr13MoV	57-59	Fair	Good	Good	Very Easy

Glossary of Key Terms

14C28N
A Sandvik nitrogen-alloyed stainless steel at 59-61 HRC - corrosion resistant, easy to sharpen and stable at a fine edge.

CPM-154
A powder-metallurgy version of 154CM with a finer carbide structure; better edge retention and toughness than conventional stainless of its class.

Slip Joint
A non-locking traditional action held open by a backspring. Legal in far more places than a locking blade and classic in feel.

Nail Nick
A small crescent groove in the blade used to open a traditional folder the old-fashioned way - two-handed and deliberate.

Jigged Bone
Natural bone scale carved with a textured pattern before dyeing; it grips better and ages with a warm patina.

Stag / Deer Antler
Natural sambar-style antler scale - every pattern is unique, with deep texture that only improves with handling.

Brass Pins
The traditional fasteners that pin bone or stag scales to the liners; polished brass is part of the classic look.

Patina
The gray-blue oxide a carbon-bearing steel develops over food acids and time. It is protective, not rust - many traditional-knife owners chase it.

Sao Knives SK260514-2 - Who Should Buy / Who Should Skip

Who Should Buy

• Traditional-knife fans of GEC, Queen and Northwood patterns who want a handmade alternative.
• Collectors who value natural bone and stag over polymer handles.
• Gift buyers who want a boxed, personal, handmade knife rather than a factory folder.
• Users who want modern 14C28N edge performance inside a vintage pattern.
• Anyone who prefers a slim two-hand nail-nick opener over fidget flipper knives.

Who Should Skip

• Buyers who need a hard lock for heavy utility or defensive cutting tasks.
• Anyone who insists on exact published dimensions - some SKUs in this run do not list them.
• Users who want one-hand thumb-stud or flipper deployment; this is a nail-nick knife.
• People who dislike natural-material variation - bone and antler are never uniform.

Sao Knives SK260514-2 - Care & Maintenance

1. Wipe the blade dry after each use and leave the knife open to air-dry before closing it away.
2. Feed natural bone and stag scales sparingly with mineral oil or a beeswax balm a few times a year.
3. Keep the brass pins and liners bright with a light coat of oil; patina on the blade is normal and welcome.
4. Avoid soaking the knife in water - bone absorbs moisture and can crack as it swells and dries.
5. Do not store the knife long-term in a leather sheath or drawer; tanning acids and trapped humidity pit steel.
6. Open and close the blade by its nail nick with clean, dry fingers; never flick it hard against the stop.
7. Touch the edge up with light passes on a fine ceramic rod or 3000-grit stone; these thin blades need little metal removal.
8. Keep cutting tasks to paper, cordage and food - prying with a traditional folder will bend the thin tang.
9. If the action ever feels gritty, a drop of oil at the pivot and a gentle work-back-and-forth usually restores it.