Tenable Orion B1089C1 Blackwash Nitro-V Blade Purple Micarta Handle Liner Lock Folding Knife

The Tenable Orion B1089C1 represents JB Stout's refined production interpretation of his custom designs, blending the inspiration of the SquirrelMaster XL with elegant curves and purposeful engineering. Crafted from premium Nitro-V stainless steel, the blade delivers superior edge retention and corrosion resistance, while its CNC-textured stone-wash finish enhances grip and cutting efficiency with a distinctly tactical appearance. The precision clip point design excels at piercing tasks, while the integrated fuller groove reduces weight and improves cutting performance without compromising durability. The purple Micarta handle provides exceptional grip texture and tactile control, complemented by smooth ceramic ball bearing deployment that supports both thumb disk and flipper operation. Featuring a secure liner lock mechanism with one-handed release capability, this knife ensures confident, safe handling in any situation. The manageable blade length and bold aesthetic make it ideal for discerning EDC enthusiasts who demand both form and function. JB Stout's commitment to quality craftsmanship is backed by his guarantee—any knife failing due to material or workmanship defects will be repaired or replaced free of charge. Built to last generations with proper care, the Orion combines precision engineering with artistic design excellence.

SPECIFICATIONS

Overall Length	7.15"/181.6mm
Blade Length	3.07"/78.1mm
Blade Thickness	0.137''/3.5mm
Blade Material	Blackwash Nitro V with CNC Milling
Blade Style	Clip Point
Blade Grind	CNC Milling
Blade Finish	BBlackwash
Handle Material	Purple Micarta
Color	Purple
Lock Type	Liner  Lock
Weight	3.5oz/99.2g
Model Name	Orion
Model Number	B1089C1
Designer	JB Stout

Tenable Orion B1089C1 - Nitro-V Blackwash Clip Point Liner Lock

The Tenable Orion B1089C1 is JB Stout's production take on his SquirrelMaster XL custom pattern, stretched into a full-size folding knife that still carries at 3.5 oz. The 3.07 in Nitro-V blade wears a blackwash finish and a CNC-milled fuller that cuts weight, adds spine stiffness and gives the flats a pattern you normally only see on custom work. A caged ceramic bearing pivot under the flipper tab makes the open fast, and the liner lock engages with a solid, play-free snap. The Purple Micarta scale keeps grip in a wet pocket and wears into its own patina. If you want a daily carry blade with real designer DNA, this is it. See more Tenable knives and JB Stout designs.

Nitro-V and a CNC-Milled Blackwash Blade

Nitro-V is a nitrogen-enhanced martensitic stainless. Nitrogen does for corrosion resistance what chromium cannot fully do on its own, and it lets the alloy stay at 59-61 HRC without becoming brittle. In real use that means a fine clip point that survives the lateral loads that chip harder, more wear-resistant stainless. It sharpens quickly on a 1000-grit stone and responds well to a strop, so a working edge is never more than a couple of minutes away. The blackwash finish is not just cosmetic either: the tumbled dark surface hides carry scratches and kills glare, which matters if you use the knife outdoors or in a workshop.

Why the Orion Belongs in Your Pocket

• 3.07 in (78.1 mm) Nitro-V clip point at 59-61 HRC - tough for its hardness.
• Blackwash finish with a CNC-milled fuller: lightweight, stiff and genuinely custom-looking.
• Full-size 7.15 in (181.6 mm) frame that still carries at 3.5 oz (99.2 g).
• 0.137 in (3.5 mm) blade stock, thick enough to trust and thin enough to slice.
• Caged ceramic ball bearing pivot with a fast, repeatable flipper action.
• Stainless liner lock with clean, play-free engagement.
• JB Stout geometry: SquirrelMaster XL heritage, refined for production.
• Backed by EDCMALL: authentic stock, tracked worldwide shipping, simple returns.

Best Uses for the Orion

• Everyday carry - 99 g with a 3.07 in blade is the sweet spot for a jeans or work-pants pocket.
• Cardboard, tape and package breakdown with the fine clip point.
• Camping and hiking - Nitro-V resists humidity and takes a fast touch-up on a pocket stone.
• Food prep on the trail, where the thin hollow belly slices rather than crushes.
• Collector display - the blackwash CNC-milled blade and JB Stout geometry carry real presence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who designed the Tenable Orion?
JB Stout. The Orion is his production refinement of the SquirrelMaster XL pattern, stretched and softened into a full-size everyday carry folder.

What does the CNC milling on the blade do?
It cuts the fuller and surface relief into the blade flats. It removes weight, stiffens the blade slightly and, crucially on a blackwash blade, creates a light-catching pattern that makes the knife look custom rather than production.

What is Nitro-V like in daily use?
Nitro-V is a nitrogen-enhanced stainless at 59-61 HRC. It is noticeably tougher than most stainless in this hardness band, so a thin, fine clip point survives lateral loads, and it sharpens quickly on any water stone.

Is the Orion a flipper?
Yes, it opens on a flipper tab over a caged ceramic bearing pivot, and the milled fuller also gives you a thumb purchase for a slow, controlled open when you want one.

How does the Orion differ from the Tenable Link?
The Orion is the JB Stout line: a clip point blade with a milled fuller and canvas Micarta or copper-foil G10 scales. The Link is the Triple Stripe Knives harpoon, with a flat grind and an opening hole. Different designers, different blade geometry.

Nitro-V vs. Common Pocket Knife Steels

Steel	Typical HRC	Edge Retention	Corrosion Resistance	Toughness	Sharpening Ease
Nitro-V (this knife)	59-61	Good	Very Good	Better	Easy
14C28N	59-61	Good	Excellent	Good	Very Easy
CPM-S35VN	58-60	Very Good	Very Good	Better	Moderate
D2 Tool Steel	58-61	Very Good	Fair	Good	Moderate
CPM-20CV	59-61	Excellent	Excellent	Good	Moderate
8Cr13MoV	57-59	Fair	Good	Good	Very Easy

Nitro-V is a nitrogen-enriched stainless that trades half a step of stain resistance for noticeably better toughness than 14C28N, so a thin clip point survives lateral loads that would chip a harder steel. It sharpens quickly on any stone. HRC figures are typical mill ranges.

Glossary of Key Terms

Nitro-V
A nitrogen-enhanced martensitic stainless at 59-61 HRC. Vanadium carbides give edge retention, nitrogen gives corrosion resistance, and the alloy stays unusually tough for its hardness.

Blackwash Finish
A dark tumble-and-etch treatment that reads near-black at a glance, killing glare and hiding carry scratches far better than a satin finish.

CNC Milling
Computer-controlled cutting used here to machine the blade bevels and surface texture, giving repeatable geometry and a decorative milled pattern on the flats.

Clip Point
A blade profile where the spine drops concavely near the tip, leaving a fine, fast point with plenty of belly for slicing - the classic American pocket-knife shape.

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

Copper Foil G10
G10 laminate layered with etched copper foil so the scale shows a warm topographic-map pattern. Every sheet comes out unique.

Micarta
Layers of linen, canvas or paper compressed and cured in resin. It gets grippier when wet and wears into a personal patina over years.

Who Should Buy the Orion

• You want a full-size 7.15 in folder that still carries comfortably at 99 g.
• You appreciate designer geometry and want a JB Stout pattern without a custom price.
• You want a blade that looks custom - the blackwash plus CNC milling is genuinely striking.
• You prefer canvas Micarta or copper-foil G10 over plain metal scales and like a handle that changes with use.
• You want super-steel toughness without super-steel sharpening pain.

Who Should Skip It

• You need a compact office-carry blade. At 7.15 in open this is a full-size folder.
• You want a mirror-polished showpiece. The blackwash finish is matte and deliberately non-reflective.
• You expect a flipper to fire with zero break-in. Ball bearing flippers settle in after a few hundred opens.
• You dislike a pronounced finger choil on the blade. The Orion places your index finger right at the heel.
• You want a locking blade over 3.1 in, which is a legal concern in some jurisdictions.

Care & Maintenance

• Wipe the blade dry after every use; Nitro-V resists rust well but pocket sweat will still spot bare steel over time.
• One drop of quality knife oil at the pivot monthly, then cycle the action so it spreads through the bearings.
• Blow pocket lint out of the handle channel and around the lock before oiling so grit never grinds in the pivot.
• Sharpen on a coarse-to-fine water stone or diamond plate; Nitro-V grinds easily and takes a scary-sharp edge fast.
• Finish on a loaded strop - light pressure only, because heavy passes round the apex and dull the edge you just set.
• Rinse with warm water and mild dish soap when grimy, then dry thoroughly before it goes back in the pocket.
• Never pry or twist with the tip; the clip point is a slicer first and hard steel trades impact toughness for wear resistance.
• Check the pocket clip screws periodically with the correct Torx driver so the knife never rides loose in the pocket.
• Store closed and dry. A drop of oil on the blade before long-term storage keeps the blackwash finish even.