| Knife Name | DPx HEAT Hiker |
| Blade Length | 2.4″ |
| Blade Steel | 1095 stainless steel |
| Handle Materials | 1095 stainless steel with aluminum carabiner clip |
| MSRP | $75 |
It’s no secret that the DPx HEST/F 4.0 is one of my keepers and absolute favorite knives, ticking nearly every single one of my boxes for what I look for in a folder. But as great as the HEST is, it’s far from the only knife in DPx’s catalog. In my recent stint with carrying all manner of fixed blades, I also got the chance to carry the HEAT Hiker, the scale-less version of the fixed blade variation of the HEAT, which is DPx’s smaller, sub-3″ knife line. Stripping away the scales allowed it to present a new utility by way of a carabiner-style gate installed in the tang, which lets the HEAT Hiker carry out its namesake as a portable trail and outdoor knife, especially with its smaller 6.22″ profile (with a 2.4″ edge) and 3.2 oz with its sheath. The HEAT Hiker is built in the USA by Rowen Manufacturing in Idaho, who heat treats the knife to a respectable 60 HRC while keeping it lightweight, especially considering its built-in hard-use, fixie-favorite 1095 stainless steel with a black powder coating. I get a surprising number of questions about knives that come with a built-in carabiner, and now it’s easier than ever to make a recommendation that packs a lot of heat.
