Kansept Baku K1056A8 CPM-S35VN Blade Titanium + Timascus Handle Liner Lock Folding Knife

The Kansept Baku K1056A8 represents a masterpiece of contemporary knife design, crafted by renowned designer Greg Schob. This slim, lightweight EDC folding knife seamlessly merges Persian and Japanese Tanto aesthetics, creating a versatile companion suitable for both casual and formal settings. Named after the mythological Japanese spirit that devours nightmares, the Baku embodies functional elegance that appeals to discerning collectors. The knife features a premium satin CPM-S35VN blade, renowned for exceptional edge retention and durability. Its clip-point design with flat grind delivers precision cutting performance across diverse tasks. The handle showcases a sophisticated combination of plain titanium and Timascus inlay, providing a comfortable, smooth gripping surface that feels equally at home in your pocket or hand. Engineering excellence shines through thoughtful details: an integrated D-shaped pivot prevents unwanted spinning during disassembly, while the smooth flipping action offers satisfying, effortless deployment. At just 3.35 ounces with a 7.27-inch overall length, the Baku maintains perfect balance between capability and portability. Available in sophisticated gray and blue colorways, this liner lock folder represents the pinnacle of modern EDC knife design, combining beautiful aesthetics with practical functionality that serious knife enthusiasts demand.

SPECIFICATIONS

Overall Length	7.27" / 184.8mm
Blade Length	3.2" / 81.4mm
Blade Thickness	0.118" / 3.0mm
Blade Material	Satin CPM-S35VN
Blade Style	Clip-point
Blade Grind	Flat
Blade Finish	Satin
Handle Material	Plain Titanium + Timascus Inlay
Color	Gray,Blue
Lock Type	Liner Lock
Weight	3.35oz/95g
Model Name	Baku
Model Number	K1056A8
Designer	Greg Schob

Kansept Baku K1056A8 EDC Folding Knife

The Kansept Knives Baku {model} is Greg Schob's take on a slim, formal-carry folder, built around a satin CPM-S35VN blade and a plain titanium handle with a Timascus inlay. CPM-S35VN is a Crucible powder-metallurgy stainless: niobium added to the S30V recipe refines the grain, which makes the edge tougher and easier to sharpen without sacrificing wear resistance. The Timascus inlay is a forged titanium composite in flowing blues and greys, and it is the reason this variant sits above the plain-titanium versions in price. A D-shaped pivot keeps the blade centred and stops it spinning during disassembly, and the liner lock knives lets it open fast one-handed. At 7.27 in overall and 3.35 oz it is a serious folding knives that still behaves like a gentleman's knife, and it belongs in an EDC folding knives rotation as much as a EDC gear kit.

Why the Baku Carries Better Than It Looks

• CPM-S35VN blade. A Crucible powder-metallurgy stainless with niobium refinement — tough, corrosion resistant and genuinely easy to maintain.
• Greg Schob design. The Baku comes from a Coast Guard veteran turned custom maker, with the Persian-meets-Japanese-Tanto profile that defines the model.
• Plain titanium with a Timascus inlay. Forged titanium composite in flowing blue and grey, set into a satin titanium frame — the standout finish in the Baku line.
• Slim, lightweight carry. 7.27 in overall and 3.35 oz, so it rides in a pocket without printing.
• D-shaped anti-rotation pivot. The pivot has a flat so it cannot spin when you tighten it, which makes blade-centring a two-minute job instead of a fight.
• Three opening methods. A flipper tab, a thumb hole and a finger flick all work, so it opens reliably with gloves or cold hands.
• Smooth, satisfying action. The bearing pivot and tuned detent give the Baku a crisp, confident open with no half-hearted snap.
• Claymore-grade lockup. The liner lock engages solidly with no blade play and no stick — the two failure modes cheap folders always suffer from.

Where the Baku Earns Its Pocket Time

• Everyday carry — light enough at 3.35 oz that it disappears in a pocket.
• Boxes, tape, zip ties and packaging, the jobs a carry knife does most.
• Office or formal carry, where a slim titanium profile reads as a tool rather than a weapon.
• Camping and hiking as a general-purpose cutting tool, not a chopper.
• Collector display — the Persian/Japanese Tanto profile is the reason people buy this knife.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Damascus real or just a pattern?
CPM-S35VN is a genuine Crucible powder-metallurgy steel, not a marketing name applied to a generic stainless. The 'CPM' prefix identifies the crucible particle metallurgy process.

How big is the Baku compared to other EDC folders?
7.27 in open, 3.2 in of blade, 3.35 oz. That puts it squarely in the mid-size carry bracket — larger than a sub-3-inch folder, noticeably slimmer than a heavy tactical knife.

Does it have a pocket clip?
Yes — a titanium clip set for tip-up carry, matched to the handle finish.

How do I open it one-handed?
Three ways: press the flipper tab, push the thumb hole, or flick it. The pivot runs on bearings, so all three are reliable.

Is there blade play out of the box?
No. The D-shaped pivot holds its adjustment and the detent is tuned, so blade centring can be set precisely and stays where you set it.

CPM-S35VN vs. Common Pocket Knife Steels

Steel	Typical HRC	Edge Retention	Corrosion Resistance	Toughness	Sharpening Ease
CPM-S35VN (this knife)	58-61	Very Good	Very Good	Very Good	Easy
CPM-S30V	58-60	Very Good	Good	Good	Moderate
CPM-20CV / M390	59-61	Excellent	Very Good	Good	Moderate
Elmax	58-61	Excellent	Very Good	Very Good	Moderate
154CM / ATS-34	58-60	Good	Good	Very Good	Easy
D2 Tool Steel	58-61	Very Good	Fair	Good	Hard
14C28N	56-58	Good	Excellent	Excellent	Very Easy

CPM-S35VN adds niobium to the S30V recipe, which refines the grain and makes the edge noticeably tougher and easier to sharpen without giving up wear resistance. It is the best-balanced premium stainless in this price band. HRC figures are typical mill ranges.

Glossary of Key Terms

CPM-S35VN
A Crucible powder-metallurgy stainless steel. Niobium is added to the S30V recipe, which refines the grain and makes the edge noticeably tougher and easier to sharpen without giving up wear resistance.

D-shaped pivot
A pivot with a flat ground on the barrel so it cannot rotate inside the handle when you tighten or loosen it. It makes blade-centring adjustments and disassembly much easier.

Timascus
A layered titanium composite forged from multiple titanium alloys, then etched to reveal a flowing pattern of greys, blues and purples. It is purely decorative, and it is the reason this variant costs more than a plain titanium handle.

Clip-point
A blade profile with a concave spine that sweeps to a fine point. Good piercing, with enough belly for slicing.

Flat grind
A blade ground with flat planes from spine to edge. Strong behind the edge, easy to sharpen by hand, and predictable in the cut.

Liner lock
A spring-steel liner inside the handle that folds in to block the blade tang. Fast and reliable, and lighter than a full frame lock.

Thumb hole / flick
Two of the three ways this knife opens: a round hole in the blade for a thumb, or a flick on the flipper tab. Multiple options mean it works with gloves, cold fingers or a weak grip.

Who Should Buy the Kansept Baku K1056A8

• You want a slim, sub-3.4 oz EDC folder that does not look tactical in an office.
• You appreciate genuine layered stainless Damascus rather than an acid-etched pattern.
• You are drawn to Greg Schob's Persian-meets-Japanese design language.
• You want a titanium-handled knife with a real flipper action at this price point.
• You collect Kansept's designer collaborations.

Who Should Skip It

• You need a heavy-use beater for prying and hard field work.
• You prefer a lightweight polymer or FRN handle for maximum durability per dollar.
• You want a large blade — 3.2 in is a carry-first size, not a camp knife.
• You dislike maintaining a Damascus blade or want a completely maintenance-free finish.

Care & Maintenance

• Wipe the blade dry after each use. CPM-S35VN is highly stain resistant, but fingerprints left for months will still mark the satin.
• Rinse and dry immediately after cutting acidic food or anything salty.
• Apply a thin film of knife oil to the blade every 4-8 weeks and after any wet use.
• Touch up the edge on a fine ceramic rod or a 1000-grit stone every few weeks rather than waiting for the knife to go fully dull.
• Keep the factory flat-grind angle when sharpening; reprofiling costs you the geometry the maker set.
• Blow grit out of the pivot and bearings, then re-oil. A gritty flipper is almost always a dirty one.
• Check pivot and body screws monthly and snug them carefully — titanium threads gall if overtightened.
• Avoid solvents and strong alcohols on the titanium finish and the Timascus inlay.
• Store closed and dry, not loose in a drawer with keys and coins.