Although some trends in EDC might lead you to believe otherwise, good things do come in small packages. And in the same way that paring down our EDC to just the essentials is no easy task, neither is designing a minimalist knife that doesn’t feel sterile and unequipped. If there’s one brand that’s up to the task, it’s Brooklyn-based design and manufacturing outfit, Craighill. They’ve brought their tastefully restrained design chops and timeless, organic aesthetic to the humble EDC pocket knife. The Rook debuts as their first entirely in-house knife design with a premium-quality look and feel, scaled down to a surprisingly compact form factor, built to last with top-notch materials.
What stands out most about the Rook is how approachable and beautiful its design is. From its compact footprint to its soft edges and friendly curves, the Rook invites you to handle it as a tool just as much as it invites you to admire it as a functional piece of art. A big factor in establishing this overall non-threatening feel for the knife is its size. The knife definitely measures on the small and slender side, at 3.25“ long when closed and about 0.75” wide. The all-metal handle affords a solid three finger grip, while the section formed from the lock recess and flipper tab, plus jimping on the back of the blade offer additional security and control.
The Rook deploys via a rear flipper tab with a satisfying snap, locking into place with a stainless steel frame lock mechanism. The 2.25“ blade takes on a standard drop point shape with enough belly to maximize its 2” cutting edge for general utility. Despite its smaller size, the Rook doesn’t compromise on its steel. It’s made with premium S35VN to deliver superior cutting performance for most day-to-day tasks that you’d tackle with a knife of its size.
The Rook is available in two color configurations: Tricolor and Stainless Steel. The classy Tricolor variant mates a raw brass front handle that patinas and changes color with age to a stainless steel rear handle and hardware, finished with a black PVD blade. The Stainless Steel version opts for a more muted, monotone steel look, letting the Rook’s silhouette and curves do the talking. Weighing in at 2.2 oz thanks to its all-metal construction, the Rook creates a sense of density and heft for such a small knife and inspires confidence and a feeling of substance in hand. While its all-metal build makes it slimmer and easier to pocket than many other EDC knives, its lack of a pocket clip or lanyard attachment point means you’ll need to carry it loose in your pocket or delegate it to desk duty.
Overall, the Craighill Rook is a beautiful knife that delivers that luxe experience of premium knives to a much smaller scale. In that sense it might not be the go-to EDC knife for everyone and every situation, but it ticks plenty of boxes for EDCers who value this flavor of industrial design and would make for an excellent gateway knife for anyone who appreciates beautiful, functional objects. If that sounds like you or someone you know, be sure to visit Craighill’s site at the link below to learn more about the Rook knife and the rest of their essential goods, ranging from keychains and stash capsules to desk knives and accessories.
