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.
We’ve covered a number of Vosteed’s offerings in the past and have always been impressed by the value and unique designs they’ve offered, certainly bucking the trend of what constitutes a “budget” knife. But once in a while, every company takes the chance to demonstrate what they’re truly capable of, and thanks to a collaboration with Rob Saniscalchi of R.S. Knifeworks, Vosteed did just that with their most premium knife yet.
Originally dubbed the “Mayhem,” the RSKAOS is a knife taken to 11 in every possible way. It’s based on a custom framelock from R.S. Knifeworks but tweaked to be even more unique in this production version from tip to clip. Top-tier M390 steel known for its toughness and corrosion resistance, titanium handles, and an all-new top liner lock (think button and Compression) are the key features, with two blade shapes (3.46” wharncliffe and 3.3” sheepsfoot) and two colorways to give you four times the fun.
It’s a big departure from what we’ve seen so far from Vosteed, and I think it’s extremely refreshing that they can flex their design and manufacturing chops with the RSKAOS. It reflected in the knife’s original drop, where all four designs sold out in 20 seconds. It does so many things differently but capably, from the two blade designs leaning more towards utility, to a more futuristic design with the machined grooves in both the blade spine and body.
They even included a few smart and stylish flairs, like a copper-colored aluminum pivot collar on the regular titanium version and gilded aluminum accents on the black PVD titanium one. A minimal-knurled rear flipper tab complements the elliptical thumb, which in turn complements the rear lanyard hole. It really does feel like every aspect of the RSKAOS has been thoughtfully considered, and it deserves all the praise it’s been getting.
What we like: The RSKAOS is a welcome surprise from a brand that’s made a name for itself on the more affordable end of the industry, and is an excellent demonstration of their capabilities as knifemakers and collaborators.
What to watch out for: Premium features come with a premium price tag, but I think it’s fair, given the total package. Vosteed is planning on more stocks, so keep an eye out if you haven’t been able to snag one yet. One thing to note as well–the RSKAOS, unfortunately, only comes in a right-handed orientation.
Final verdict: Yes, Vosteed did that. And we want all of it.
