Tenable Link B1068A4 Blackwash 14C28N Blade Black Micarta Handle Liner Lock Folding Knife

The Tenable Link B1068A4 delivers tactical sophistication with everyday practicality. Featuring a compound grind and subtly tanto-inspired blade crafted from premium 14C28N steel, this folding knife combines a keen point and thin edge for exceptional cutting performance. The blackwash finish and black Micarta handle provide durability and a secure grip, while the neutral handle profile with forward choil ensures comfortable control. Multiple deployment options—including a prominent front flipper, opening hole, and thumbstud—offer smooth, versatile operation. The internal liner lock mechanism provides reliable stability and safety. Designed by Johnathan Shaw of the Kansept team, this knife balances sharp tactical aesthetics with refined EDC functionality, making it an ideal choice for those seeking both style and performance in a dependable everyday carry blade.

SPECIFICATIONS

Overall Length	7.15"/181.6mm
Blade Length	3.0"/76.3mm
Blade Thickness	0.137''/3.5mm
Blade Material	Blackwash 14C28N
Blade Style	harpoon blade
Blade Grind	Flat Grind
Blade Finish	Blackwash
Handle Material	Black Micarta
Color	Black
Lock Type	Liner Lock
Weight	3.59oz/101.8g
Model Name	Link
Model Number	B1068A4
Designer	Triple Stripe Knives

Tenable Link B1068A4 - 14C28N Harpoon Blade Liner Lock

The Tenable Link B1068A4 is a folding knife drawn by Johnathan Shaw of Triple Stripe Knives and built to be used hard without looking disposable. The 3.0 in blade is Sandvik 14C28N stainless in a blackwash finish, flat ground into a harpoon profile with a manual opening hole - a slower, quieter, more deliberate open than a flipper, and one you can work without repositioning your grip. The 3.5 mm stock and liner lock give you a knife with real spine, and 0.137 in behind a flat grind means the edge stays stable through cardboard and strapping. The Black Micarta scale keeps the whole package at 3.59 oz. Browse our Tenable knives and 14C28N knives collections.

Sandvik 14C28N in a Harpoon Profile

14C28N is the steel that made budget knives good. Sandvik's nitrogen-alloyed martensitic stainless runs at 59-61 HRC in this pattern, which puts it well clear of the 8Cr13MoV that used to define this price bracket. You get strong corrosion resistance, an edge that resists chipping even when you cut into staples or wire, and a sharpening job that takes minutes rather than an afternoon. The harpoon tip adds a swage notch behind the point: it reduces drag on the pierce, gives you a thumb index point for detail work, and looks the part. Compare it against Nitro-V, CPM-S35VN and D2 tool steel in the table below before you decide.

Why the Link Belongs in Your Pocket

• 3.0 in (76.3 mm) Sandvik 14C28N blade at 59-61 HRC with a harpoon point.
• Manual opening hole: quiet, controlled, and workable without regripping.
• 3.59 oz (101.8 g) in a 7.15 in (181.6 mm) frame with real spine behind the edge.
• Flat grind on 0.137 in (3.5 mm) stock - a stable, non-chipping working apex.
• Caged ceramic ball bearing pivot for a smooth, consistent action.
• Stainless liner lock with solid, play-free engagement.
• Designed by Johnathan Shaw of Triple Stripe Knives.
• Backed by EDCMALL: authentic stock, tracked worldwide shipping, simple returns.

Best Uses for the Link

• Everyday carry - 101.8 g with a 3.0 in blade, sized to disappear in a jeans pocket.
• Cardboard and strapping: the flat-ground harpoon tip pierces then slices.
• Camping and hiking - the point is fine enough for detail work and strong enough for tent pegs and kindling.
• Fishing and field tasks, where a harpoon tip is easy to place and control.
• Left- or right-handed carry - the clip remounts and the opener works either way.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who designed the Tenable Link?
Johnathan Shaw of Triple Stripe Knives, the designer behind the Kansept Link and several other harpoon-profile folders in the store.

Why does the blade have a hole?
It is a manual opening hole, not a fidget toy. It gives you a slow, deliberate two-stage open that is quieter and more controlled than a flipper, and it lets you open the knife without repositioning your grip.

What is a harpoon blade good for?
The swage notch behind the tip reduces drag on the pierce and gives you a thumb index point. It is a strong, controllable profile for slicing and detail work rather than a survival chopper.

Is 14C28N good enough for daily hard use?
Yes, within reason. It combines strong corrosion resistance with good edge stability, so it resists chipping; what it does not do is hold a ragged edge through hundreds of feet of cardboard the way a vanadium super-steel will.

What does the rose gold finish actually look like?
A warm, bronze-gold metallic coating over the steel. On the red G10 version it is the whole aesthetic - a bright, high-contrast pocket knife rather than a blacked-out tactical one.

Sandvik 14C28N vs. Common Pocket Knife Steels

Steel	Typical HRC	Edge Retention	Corrosion Resistance	Toughness	Sharpening Ease
14C28N (this knife)	59-61	Good	Excellent	Good	Very Easy
Nitro-V	59-61	Good	Very Good	Better	Easy
CPM-S35VN	58-60	Very Good	Very Good	Better	Moderate
D2 Tool Steel	58-61	Very Good	Fair	Good	Moderate
8Cr13MoV	57-59	Fair	Good	Good	Very Easy
AUS-8	57-59	Fair	Good	Good	Very Easy

Sandvik 14C28N is a nitrogen-alloyed martensitic stainless that reaches 59-61 HRC in production heat treats. It gives up some raw edge retention to CPM-S35VN and D2 in exchange for excellent corrosion resistance and edge stability that is almost impossible to chip. HRC figures are typical mill ranges, not a guarantee for any single blade.

Glossary of Key Terms

Sandvik 14C28N
A nitrogen-alloyed martensitic stainless from Sandvik, hardened to 59-61 HRC in production knives. Excellent stain resistance, a fine stable edge and very easy sharpening - the best all-round budget-to-mid EDC stainless.

Harpoon Blade
A profile with a swage notch cut behind the tip. It reduces drag on the pierce, adds a thumb index point and gives the blade an aggressive silhouette.

Liner Lock
A spring steel bar inside the handle that snaps behind the blade tang on opening; press it sideways with your thumb to fold the knife closed.

Ceramic Ball Bearing
Pivot bearings made of ceramic that stay glassy smooth, cannot corrode and keep the flipper action consistent in humid pockets.

Flat Grind
An edge whose flats taper in a straight line from the spine to the apex - a strong all-round geometry that slices well and resists chipping.

Compound Grind
A blade that carries two grind angles, usually a thinner primary bevel near the edge and a thicker one toward the tip, balancing slicing and tip strength.

Stonewash Finish
A tumbling process that bead-blasts the steel into a uniform matte grey, hiding carry scratches and killing glare.

Who Should Buy the Link

• You want a designer-level harpoon folder at a mid-range price.
• You prefer a manual opening hole over a flipper tab.
• You want a bright, characterful knife - red G10 and rose gold is not a wallflower combination.
• You carry in either hand and need a configurable clip.
• You want 14C28N's corrosion resistance and easy sharpening in a larger, more substantial frame.

Who Should Skip It

• You need a discreet, blacked-out work knife. Stonewashed and blackwash versions exist, but this family is visually loud.
• You will not spend five minutes learning a manual opening hole - it is not an automatic flicker.
• You want a hollow-grind razor. The flat grind prioritises strength and a stable apex.
• You need a blade over 3.5 in or a heavy chopper.
• You dislike G10 or Micarta and want titanium or carbon fiber scales instead.

Care & Maintenance

• Wipe the blade dry after every use; 14C28N is strongly stainless but pocket sweat still speckles bare steel over weeks.
• One drop of quality knife oil at the pivot monthly, then cycle the action so it spreads through the ceramic bearings.
• Blow pocket lint out of the handle channel and lock track with compressed air before oiling so grit never grinds inside the pivot.
• Sharpen on a 1000-grit water stone or diamond plate; 14C28N grinds fast and takes a keen edge in a handful of passes.
• Finish on a loaded leather strop with light pressure - heavy passes round the apex and undo the edge you just set.
• Rinse with warm water and mild dish soap when it gets grimy, then dry thoroughly before it goes back in the pocket.
• Never pry, twist or use the tip as a screwdriver; side loads snap tips far faster than cutting ever will.
• Check the pocket clip screws every month or two with the correct Torx driver so the knife never rides loose.
• Store the knife closed and dry, never in a damp leather pouch that holds moisture against the steel.