Since its inception in Portland, Ore., in 2012, The James Brand has steadily grown its reputation for quality knives. To be fair, the brand’s classy aesthetics were never in question. But the quality of its USA-made knives has grown steadily. Several models have received glowing GearJunkie reviews in just the last few years.
Now, The James Brand has released what it’s calling “the finest and most technically advanced knife we’ve ever made.”
That knife is The Barnes Stonewash + Damasteel. It’s the most beautiful version yet of The Barnes, a super-popular EDC knife that the brand first released in 2021. The latest model, however, trades M390 steel for the gorgeous patterning of Hakkapella Damasteel DS93X, a Swedish-made metal known for its edge retention and toughness.
Despite the high price tag of $1,300, these knives are a limited run and likely to sell out quickly. The James Brand’s EDC knives have become increasingly popular, so a lavish upgrade with Damasteel will likely be a hit among blade lovers.
The Barnes Stonewash + Damasteel: Details
Despite a longtime reputation for products that stressed “form over function,” The James Brand has emerged as a serious contender among knife aficionados, according to GearJunkie knife reviewer Nick LeFort.
When LeFort reviewed The Kline in 2022, he said it could be “the one knife to guide you for years to come,” adding, “If you haven’t heard of The James Brand before, or considered owning one of its knives, now’s the time to start paying attention.”
Well, it seems that knife owners have, indeed, started paying attention. With The Barnes Stonewash + Damasteel, The James Brand has upgraded to the beautiful wave patterns of Damasteel, while retaining the previous features of its flagship integral pocket knife.
It still has the integral folder, which means the handle is made from a single piece of billet titanium. Having fewer parts makes it both lightweight and strong.
The blade’s stainless-steel pivot works by moving a pair of thumb studs. It also has a CNC-machined titanium clip with an integrated paracord lanyard.
You’ll also get a branded coin along with the knife, hearkening back to an age-old tradition of gifting coins with knives.
Pricing & Availability
To be clear, this isn’t the first time that The James Brand has released a version of the Barnes with Damasteel. In 2024, the brand dropped just 20 units of the model in a Snakeskin Copper + Damasteel version.
The Barnes Stonewash + Damasteel is another limited run, and the brand’s knives frequently sell out online. So if you’re looking to snatch one, you should probably act sooner rather than later.
It’s available now on The James Brand website.
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