In my extensive experience with pocket knives, I have witnessed a wide array of options. Throughout my career, possessing the most powerful and formidable tactical knife was considered a significant achievement. On numerous occasions, the stakes were high, and having an exceptional pocket knife proved to be a lifesaver.
After leaving that profession, I decided to shift my style and everyday carry (EDC) gear towards a more sophisticated and smart casual aesthetic. The allure of large, rugged knives, carbon fiber accessories, and matte black finishes gradually lost its appeal to me.
As I went through the process, I developed a strong liking for folders made in France. To be completely honest (and perhaps a bit biased), I was unaware of the abundance of exceptional knives originating from France. When the opportunity arose to try out the Deejo pocket knife, crafted in France, I eagerly seized it.
Although I received a complimentary product, I will provide you with an unbiased evaluation of a luxurious and customizable pocket knife. Continue reading to discover the performance of this knife.
Ordering My Deejo
Unlike most companies that send me products to review, Deejo stands out by not simply grabbing something off the shelf, checking it over quickly, and shipping it out.
What immediately caught my attention about Deejo as a company was their approach to shopping for a knife. Unlike the typical soulless online shopping experience of simply adding items to a cart and checking out, Deejo offers a truly unique and engaging process for creating a knife.
Upon reaching Deejo’s homepage, you will encounter a vast array of choices in the drop-down menu. Primarily, these choices revolve around the same fundamental knife, albeit with numerous variations. Feel free to personalize and create your own unique knife here.
You will be able to select from a variety of metal finishes, wood species, and three different sizes. Additionally, Deejo offers a range of blade designs referred to as “tattoos” for you to choose from.
Tattoo perfectly encapsulates these designs, as they would seamlessly fit in both a sleeve and on a blade.
With an array of options, including nautical themes, animals, motorcycles, guitars, sports, and various others, none of these designs come across as tacky or cheesy. Surprisingly, even the depiction of a guy downhill skiing manages to exude a cool vibe on the knife’s edge.
I found a few tattoos that deeply connected with me. After much contemplation, I finally settled on one that held the most sentimental value (I’ll elaborate on this later) in the 37g size. To ensure perfection, I opted for a mirror polish, as the contrast between the glossy blade and the engraved matte surface would reveal any imperfections in Deejo’s craftsmanship.
After finalizing the design, I proceeded to choose the wood accent for the handle. In order to avoid an ordinary, standard knife, I opted for an olive wood handle to complement my existing collection of pieces.
As I observed the progress of your design in the 3D design tool, I couldn’t help but be thoroughly impressed by what I saw.
I couldn’t resist taking advantage of Deejo’s engraving service. I wasn’t about to settle for anything less. It was crucial for me to explore Deejo’s capabilities and witness the masterpiece they could craft. Hence, I decided to customize my knife with a meaningful quote and completed my purchase with excitement.
Shipping
Not only will this review discuss the knife, but it will also delve into the experience of working with Deejo as a company, in case you haven’t picked up on that already.
Knowing that the knife I had custom ordered was being shipped from France, I wasn’t anticipating its arrival anytime soon. Although the website mentioned a 48-hour shipping policy for knives, I presumed there might be some flexibility when it came to custom orders.
I cannot say for certain if Deejo gave me preferential treatment, but this knife arrived at my doorstep much sooner than anticipated.
It only took a few days for me to receive my order after I confirmed it.
The item arrived in a stylish black gift box, securely protected. Opening the box proved to be a bit of a challenge at first due to its excellent packaging. However, after a few moments of effort, I managed to free the knife and it was now ready for my review.
First Impressions
Upon the swift arrival of this knife, I found myself doubtful regarding its level of craftsmanship. Considering the intricate design, engraving, and personalized wooden handle I had chosen, it seemed implausible that a company could swiftly assemble it and deliver it to my doorstep within a matter of days. I had little faith in its quality.
The craftsmanship was truly exceptional; it was far from being anything less.
Weight vs. Length
As I observed it for the first time, the immediate standout was its remarkable lightness. Oh, the sheer lightness of it! With a mere weight of 37 grams, it surpassed all my other knives in terms of being feather-light. Surprisingly, it even outshined my Opinel No. 6, a blade I had specifically chosen to minimize weight during my journeys.
Deejo goes beyond creating a mere lightweight knife. Unlike other knifemakers, they offer the 37g, their largest pocket knife. This knife is far from small, with a closed length of approximately 4.25 inches and an overall opened length exceeding 8 inches.
I was truly impressed by that. Although I had known the dimensions of the knife before purchasing it, experiencing its weight in person made me truly appreciate the design even more.
The Laser Etching
The laser etching displayed impeccable precision, clarity, and flawlessness. Although it may sound like a line from a beer advertisement, there truly is no other apt way to depict this remarkable craftsmanship. After much consideration, I ultimately settled on a design featuring a series of musical notes arranged in the form of a bar, highlighted by a prominent treble clef at its center.
My grandfather’s skill in playing the clarinet was exceptional, and he proudly displayed a plastic treble clef on his sliding patio door using a suction cup. This design, filled with intricate curves and twists, not only held sentimental value but also posed a challenge for the engraver. However, the engraver succeeded with flying colors.
The Engraving
I am not familiar with the process of engraving this specific type of stainless steel, but I believe it can be easily mishandled. However, when I had my grandfather’s beloved phrase, “You Win Some, You Lose Some,” engraved on the liner lock, the result was flawless. It appeared clean, well-balanced, and it seemed to have a greater depth compared to laser etching, although I cannot confirm that with certainty.
The Handle
The olive wood handle appeared incredibly appealing. If you haven’t yet added an olive wood handled knife to your collection, I highly recommend starting your search for one. Personally, I am deeply enamored with this type of wood, and Deejo’s interpretation of it truly does it justice. Despite its small size, the handle feels both authentic and rugged, yet still possesses a touch of elegance.
For Transparency’s Sake
I aim to be completely transparent. Although there was one aspect of my initial impression that didn’t completely satisfy me, I will hold off on explaining it for now. Considering my tendency to be difficult to please, the Deejo had already made an impressive beginning.
Living with the Deejo Knife
To be honest from the start, I don’t frequently carry the Deejo. It’s not because it’s a bad knife to have with me. There isn’t any issue with its design that prevents it from being clipped to my left front pocket. In fact, it’s quite the opposite.
The beauty of this knife is undeniable. It’s far too exquisite to be concealed within the worn pockets of my old Levi’s jeans. It wasn’t too long ago when I used to fasten tactical, automatic knives onto my pants. However, in my eyes, this knife deserves to be proudly displayed. It yearns to be in a place where I can admire and cherish it. I choose to keep it on my desk, readily accessible for both practical use and the pleasure it brings me throughout the day.
I only carry it when it perfectly suits the occasion, be it a romantic date night with my wife or when I’m donning a stylish jacket. It’s reserved for those moments when it can truly enhance my overall look.
This knife is far from ordinary; its exquisite appearance makes it an ideal gift. Moreover, it is reasonably priced. Check out the prices here to see for yourself.
The Steel
The Deejo knife features blades made of Z40C13 stainless steel, a grade commonly associated with French knife makers. I discovered that other respected French knife makers also utilize Z40C13 steel. I must admit that the knife arrived exceptionally sharp and only required a quick honing. After two months of using it daily, I can confidently say that it still retains an impressively sharp edge.
The Pocket Clip
The pocket clip of the Deejo knife is exceptionally strong. In fact, it can be quite difficult to slide it over the pocket stitching of a pair of jeans. However, this is done intentionally for a valid reason. Deejo claims that a significant portion of the knife’s structural strength is derived from the pocket clip. Based on its robustness, I am inclined to agree with their statement.
That being said, the overall thickness is still significantly thinner compared to my next thinnest knife, even considering the fact that the latter doesn’t feature a pocket clip.
The Blade Lock
The knife does include a liner lock, and it is of exceptional quality. When the blade is open, the sturdy stainless bar securely locks it in place, eliminating any significant movement. Any slight play that may be observed seems to be primarily due to the Deejo’s overall thinness, but it is barely noticeable.
Opening the Deejo
The Deejo knife lacks a thumb stud or flipper lever. However, this absence should not be seen as a disadvantage. Opening the knife forcefully would only diminish its elegance and sophistication. Although it can be opened with a flat thumb on the side, it truly shines when opened gracefully with both hands, akin to how a gentleman would handle a knife.
A Gentleman’s Knife
This knife is specifically designed for a gentleman, as it is not intended for field dressing game or cutting lashing for a makeshift camp, despite our shared love for manly pursuits.
In my perspective, it is best suited for the inner pocket of a blazer or sport coat. Alternatively, it can be securely stored in a pocket within a briefcase. In my personal situation, I find it most fitting to have it placed on the desk of a writer and editor.
Although this pocket knife is capable, it may not be suitable for prying open a paint can. However, if your main concern is self-defense, as long as you can open it with both hands, it could provide you with some time to escape.
Deejo recognizes that this knife deviates from the typical EDC-style. As stated in their FAQs, it is not intended for heavy-duty tasks. Its purpose lies in efficiently cutting meat, peeling and slicing fruit, as well as opening letters and packages.
To be completely honest, the abundance of Amazon packages I’ve been receiving lately grants me a brief moment of sophistication whenever I utilize its sharp edge to open one.
The Complaints
I have praised this knife quite a lot, but it’s crucial for me to clarify the aspects where the Deejo and I didn’t agree.
Do you recall the concern I expressed in my initial review? Well, let me elaborate on it: the Deejo knife requires some adjustment when held. Its sleek and minimalistic design results in a slim profile, making it difficult to obtain a comfortable grip immediately. However, after spending more time with this knife, I have become more familiar with it and have overcome the initial awkwardness. Nonetheless, it still requires a period of adaptation.
I have a major issue that arises when the knife is closed. The groove in the handle where the blade is stored is flat and about 2mm wide. When the knife is closed, the blade’s tip rests on the wooden handle, allowing it to move and potentially scrape against the wood, affecting the blade’s edge.
I am worried that this might make the blade less sharp. However, if we replace the flat bottom with a small v-groove, this issue would be completely resolved. Nonetheless, the Deejo still manages to maintain an exceptional cutting edge.
Overall Impression
At first, I was worried that opting for such an emotional design and engraving might impact my perception of this knife. Perhaps I should have selected something simpler to ensure an entirely impartial evaluation. However, I soon realized that these knives’ uniqueness lies precisely in their sentimental nature.
Deejo excels at personalizing knives, making it an incredible choice. Even if you opt for a simple model from their collection, the range of designs is so extensive that you can undeniably discover one that truly reflects your individuality. However, where Deejo truly stands out is in crafting custom knives.
The Deejo knife is undoubtedly one of the most exceptional and considerate gifts I can imagine. The level of thought and care dedicated to crafting the perfect knife for someone speaks volumes. When combined with its innovative design and superior construction, it becomes the ultimate gift.
I won’t ever give up my Deejo, even if hell freezes over. I highly recommend it to those seeking a pocket knife with a sleek, minimalist design and a touch of style.
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