It’s a big EDC market out there, and tons of awesome gear is released all the time. We made The Drop to help you discover the latest and greatest essentials worth a spot in your EDC.
The Kiridashi (Japanese for “to carve out”) is a general-purpose utility knife traditionally used in various tasks ranging from woodworking to farming. The Kansept Dash Mini embodies this concept and adapts it to modern needs, making it a small, sleek, and stylish knife choice for everyday carry. It’s designed by Dirk Pinkerton, a renowned knife maker with 18 years of experience in the security industry. He is known for his practical, no-nonsense, and purpose-driven models that are elegant, versatile, and comfortable. His design philosophy is simple: big enough to get the job done but in the smallest package, and I feel that’s reflected perfectly in the Dash Mini.
The knife has a unique Damascus blade that’s tough, sharp, and corrosion-resistant. The 1.69” Damascus blade has a jimped thumb disk that allows for smooth and easy opening with a ball bearing pivot. The handle is made of black twill carbon fiber, which is lightweight and durable, on top of looking great. It has a comfortable grip that fits well in the hand and offers good control over the blade. The Dash Mini measures 4.54” when unfolded and weighs just 2.01 ounces, making it compact and discreet.
What we like: Just like the Kiridashi, the Dash Mini can handle most utilitarian tasks such as opening envelopes, preparing food, scraping, or other small chores effectively, and it does so in a compact and attractive package.
What to watch out for: While built with premium materials, many will find the SRP of $140 a tough pill to swallow for a knife this compact.
Final verdict: The Kansept Dash Mini Damascus knife is a high-quality minimalist folder in a discreet and compact size that is fully up to handling whatever task you expect a knife to handle.
