Overview & First Impressions
The Tenable Riflestock B2131 is the newest four-model series from Tenable knives, and it marks a real departure for the brand. Instead of the flipper-driven liner lock the company is known for, the Riflestock runs a lock back mechanism tuned for gloved, high-stress handling, with design input from Nick Swan and his law enforcement background. The result is a slim tactical folder that reads like a duty tool first and a weekend carry second, released across four handle trims in September 2026.
Materials & Construction
The blade is Nitro-V, a nitrogen-enriched martensitic stainless developed to sit between 14C28N and AEB-L in behaviour. In practice Nitro-V offers noticeably better corrosion resistance than D2 steel while retaining fine edge stability, which matters when a knife rides against sweat and rain for months. The B2131S3 applies a blackwash finish that hides scratches from daily use. Handles split between twill carbon fiber, shred carbon fiber, G10 and a water ripple Damascus blade option at the top of the range.
Design & Details
Design language here is deliberately plain, and that is the point. The handle is thin, the profile is neutral and the lock back sits flush so nothing catches on a pocket seam. Tenable knives shaped the grip with a modest palm swell and a forward finger groove, giving you two distinct holds without a single sharp transition. The S3 twill carbon fiber trim is the most subdued of the four, while the S1 pairs a Damascus blade with a light blue anodised aluminium handle for collectors who want the family's showpiece.
Real-World Use
This is a working folding knife, not a fidget toy. Opening is a two-handed or thumb-stud affair, which is exactly why agencies and field users like lock backs, since the blade cannot be flicked shut accidentally under load. Cutting performance on rope, webbing, hose and heavy cardboard is confident, and the slim handle disappears in a jeans pocket. The 4.5-ounce class weight keeps it comfortable for all-day carry while still giving enough mass for controlled push cuts.
Ownership Notes
Maintenance follows the steel. Nitro-V responds well to a 400 to 600 grit finish and holds a toothy working edge that bites into fibrous material. Because the alloy resists staining well, you can get away with a wipe-down rather than a full oiling routine, though the pivot deserves a drop of light lubricant every few months. Lock back mechanisms benefit from occasional flushing with compressed air, as pocket lint is the most common cause of a gritty action over time. If you rotate several EDC knives, the Riflestock is slim enough to slot in beside them, and it stays flatter in a pocket than most folding knives of the same length.
Who Is This For?
The Riflestock targets users who want a locking folder that behaves predictably under pressure. Duty personnel, hunters and hikers will appreciate the gloved-friendly shape, while commuters get a discreet anti-tactical look. Collectors who already own several Tenable knives should look at the S1 if they want the Damascus and aluminium combination, or the S3 if they want the most practical finish in the lineup.
Final Verdict
The Riflestock B2131 is a smart piece of portfolio expansion. Nitro-V is a genuinely good choice for a hard-use folder, the lock back mechanism is properly implemented and the four trims cover both tactical and collectible tastes. It will not win any speed-opening contests, and it is not meant to. For anyone who values a knife that locks up solid and opens without drama, this series deserves a close look.
