Knafs Lander Review: The Ultimate Open-Source EDC Knife?

Introduction: Enter The Petersen Era

If you have spent any significant amount of time in the online pocket knife community over the last decade, you absolutely know the name Ben Petersen. From his pioneering days as the face of Blade HQ’s YouTube channel to his universally recognized “What is up guys!” video intros, he has been a foundational pillar of the modern EDC (Everyday Carry) industry. After launching his wildly successful “Banters” line with WE Knife Co. and Civivi, he ventured out to start his very own independent brand: Knafs Co.

Expectations for his first flagship, fully independent folder were sky-high. The result is the Knafs Lander. Uniquely, the Lander isn’t trying to win industry awards for utilizing exotic aerospace materials, nor is it trying to pioneer a complex, mind-bending new locking mechanism. Instead, it aims to solve a very specific, deeply annoying problem within the knife hobby: making knife customization incredibly easy, safe, fun, and accessible to absolutely everyone without voiding warranties.

But beyond the clever modular marketing, is there actually a genuinely good cutting tool hiding underneath those swappable scales? In this exhaustive review, we break down the metallurgy, the internal mechanics, and the open-source philosophy of the Knafs Lander to see if it truly deserves a spot in your pocket.

The Apollo Connection: What’s in a Name?

Ben Petersen is a massive space nerd, and the Lander is a direct homage to the Apollo 11 Lunar Module (the “Eagle”). The knife’s design language is sprinkled with subtle, delightful nods to the 1969 moon landing. The pivot collar resembles a lunar crater, the original standard scales were launched in a color called “Lunar Gray,” and even the font used on the packaging mirrors NASA’s mid-century aesthetic.

More conceptually, just as the Apollo Lunar Lander was designed to be a modular vehicle that could detach its ascent stage from its descent stage to accomplish a complex mission, the Knafs Lander was engineered from the ground up to have its outer “skin” easily detach from its core chassis. It is a brilliant thematic tie-in.

Technical Specifications

On paper, the Lander 1 fits perfectly into the highly contested sub-3-inch EDC category. It adheres strictly to the “ounce-an-inch” rule, making it incredibly lightweight and discreet.

The “Fast Swap” Open Source Revolution

This is the Lander’s ultimate superpower and the primary reason it exists. On 95% of folding knives currently on the market, changing the handle scales requires completely disassembling the entire knife. You have to remove the pivot screw, carefully slide out the blade, catch the tiny ball bearings before they fall onto the carpet, deal with the tensioned lockbar, and realign everything perfectly upon reassembly. It often voids manufacturer warranties and is a massive headache for beginners.

Even more revolutionary is that Knafs has made the precise CAD (Computer-Aided Design) files completely Open Source. This means absolutely anyone with a 3D printer can download the exact dimensions for free from the Knafs website and print their own custom scales at home using PLA, PETG, or Resin. This open-arms approach has fostered a massive, highly creative aftermarket community. Companies like Way of Knife and Unlocked Composites now produce gorgeous aftermarket scales in titanium, copper, carbon fiber, and fat carbon, elevating the budget Lander into a premium showpiece.

Blade Geometry & Design Philosophy

The blade of the Lander features a very classic, utilitarian Drop Point profile. It is arguably the most versatile blade shape for everyday tasks. It provides enough belly for smooth slicing on a cutting board, while the tip drops down just enough to remain highly functional for piercing blister packs or opening mail.

Ben Petersen opted for a high Flat Grind. Because the blade stock is already quite thin at 0.10 inches (2.5mm), the flat grind tapers down to a very acute, slicey edge (usually ground to around 15-20 degrees per side at the factory). It doesn’t wedge when cutting through thick cardboard or apples, making it an exceptional, low-resistance slicer. There is a small sharpening choil at the heel of the blade, which is a highly appreciated detail that allows you to easily sharpen the entire edge without hitting the plunge grind.

Metallurgy: The D2 vs. 14C28N Upgrade

When the original Lander 1 launched on Kickstarter, it utilized D2 Tool Steel. D2 is a very solid, historically proven budget performer known for highly aggressive edge retention. However, D2 carries significant drawbacks: it is a “semi-stainless” steel that is highly prone to rusting in humid environments, and its large carbide structure makes it somewhat brittle and notoriously stubborn to sharpen. (Read more about its exact properties in our D2 vs 8Cr13MoV guide).

The Crucial Upgrade: Listening directly to community feedback, Knafs recently released updated versions of the Lander forged in Sandvik 14C28N stainless steel. This is a massive, highly consequential metallurgical improvement. 14C28N is a nitrogen-enriched Swedish steel that was explicitly designed for knife blades. It is virtually rust-proof, takes an incredibly fine, razor-sharp polished edge, and is exponentially tougher (more resistant to chipping) than D2.

If you are shopping for a Lander 1 and you have the choice, absolutely spend the extra few dollars for the 14C28N version. It pushes the Lander from a “good” knife to a “great” knife. See exactly how this Swedish steel stacks up against other budget titans in our 14C28N vs Nitro-V comparison.

Deployment, Action, and Lockup

The Lander utilizes a traditional Liner Lock mechanism nested inside the G10 scales. Deployment is achieved via dual, stepped thumb studs. The pivot rides on a system of caged ceramic ball bearings.

Manufactured by QSP (a Chinese OEM highly regarded for their meticulous fit and finish), the action on the Lander is phenomenal for the price point. The detent is crisp—not too hard, not too soft—allowing the blade to effortlessly fly open with a satisfying, authoritative thwack using either a standard thumb flick or a middle-finger reverse flick.

When you push the liner lock out of the way, the blade is incredibly smooth, often dropping shut with just a slight wiggle of the wrist. Out of the box, blade centering is typically dead-center, and there is zero vertical or horizontal lock rock.

Ergonomics and Pocket Carry Experience

The handle design of the Lander is purposely “vanilla.” There are no aggressive, tactical finger choils, no harsh jimping on the spine, and no weird angles. It is a highly neutral, “broomstick” style handle that gently swells in the middle. This means it doesn’t force your hand into one specific grip; it feels equally comfortable in a tight hammer grip as it does in a delicate pinch grip for detailed slicing.

The 2.75-inch blade length is universally considered the “Goldilocks” size for urban EDC. It is legally compliant in the vast majority of strict cities (which often enforce a sub-3-inch limit), yet it provides plenty of cutting edge to easily break down Amazon boxes or slice an apple.

The Pocket Clip: Knafs absolutely nailed the pocket clip. It is a deep-carry, folded-over steel clip. Crucially, the clip screws are fully recessed (flush) into the handle, meaning they will not snag, tear, or shred the fabric of your pants when drawing the knife. The clip is also fully reversible for left-handed users.

The Evolution: Lander 1 vs. 2 vs. 3

Because the original Lander 1 was such a massive hit, Ben Petersen rapidly expanded the lineup to cater to different segments of the knife community.

• Lander 1: The original sub-3-inch budget liner lock we are reviewing here (D2 or 14C28N steel). The best option for budget-conscious tinkerers.
• Lander 2: A significantly larger, more premium version. It bumps the blade length up to 3.25 inches, upgrades the steel to ultra-premium S35VN, and replaces the liner lock with a fully ambidextrous Clutch Lock (Knafs’ version of the famous crossbar/Axis lock).
• Lander 3: The newest iteration. It returns to the highly popular, smaller 2.75-inch dimensions of the Lander 1, but retains the premium S35VN steel and the highly fidgety crossbar Clutch Lock of the Lander 2.

The Budget Arena: Lander vs. The Competition

The $50-$60 budget knife market is an absolute bloodbath. Here is how the Lander stacks up against the reigning champions.

• Vs. Civivi Elementum: The Elementum is the undeniable elephant in the room. They are nearly identical in overall size, price, and intended use-case. Choose the Elementum if you prefer a sleeker, slightly more “gentlemanly” aesthetic and strongly prefer a flipper tab deployment. Choose the Lander if you prefer thumb studs, strongly desire the ability to easily customize and swap your scales, or prefer the open-source philosophy.
• Vs. CJRB Pyrite: The Pyrite features a highly addictive button lock mechanism and excellent AR-RPM9 steel. While the Pyrite might win on pure “fidget factor,” the Lander’s deep-carry clip with recessed screws makes it slightly better for actual pocket carry.
• Vs. Ontario RAT Model 2: The RAT 2 is the rugged, old-school benchmark. The RAT 2 runs on slower phosphor bronze washers and feels more like a disposable construction tool. The Lander, running on ceramic bearings, feels significantly more modern, snappy, and refined.
• Vs. QSP Penguin: The Penguin offers a unique sheepsfoot blade that excels at utility pull-cuts. However, the Lander’s drop point is far more versatile for general piercing and slicing tasks.

Maintenance, Disassembly, and Tuning

Because the Lander encourages you to take it apart, Knafs ensures the hardware is top-notch. It utilizes standard T6 Torx screws for the body and a larger T8 Torx for the pivot. (Pro Tip: Always use high-quality Wiha bits to avoid stripping budget knife hardware).

If you find your ceramic bearings getting gritty from pocket lint, or if you want to optimize the drop-shut action, disassembly is a breeze. Clean the pivot area with isopropyl alcohol, apply a tiny drop of high-quality knife lubricant (like KPL – Knife Pivot Lube) to the bearings, and use a tiny dab of Blue Loctite on the pivot screw to prevent it from backing out over time. If you are new to knife maintenance, be sure to check our comprehensive guide on sharpening systems to keep that 14C28N edge singing.

Pros & Cons Summary

Final Verdict: A Modder’s Dream Come True

The Knafs Lander isn’t trying to revolutionize metallurgy, and it isn’t trying to invent a gravity-defying new lock mechanism. It is trying to do something much more important for the EDC community: it is trying to revolutionize fun. And in that regard, it succeeds wildly.

By completely removing the anxiety and fear of complex disassembly, the Lander actively encourages users to tinker, to dye their scales, to engage with 3D printing, and to make the tool uniquely their own. It is a highly capable, reliable cutting tool, yes—but more importantly, it is a hobbyist’s dream canvas. For roughly $58, it is one of the safest, most enjoyable recommendations we can possibly make for both beginners and seasoned knife veterans alike.

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