The James Brand has never been shy about iterating on the Ellis – or any of their knives for that matter. Original full-size with scissors, then the Ellis Slim that ditched them, then various scale and blade configurations along the way. Each version chased a slightly different idea of what this knife was supposed to be.
Now, hot on the heels of the Elko relaunch, TJB has folded all that customer feedback into one cleanly resolved package. And it’s the most considered take on the Ellis yet.
A Slip Joint That Knows What It Is
Slip joints are having a quiet moment in EDC, and the Ellis leans all the way in. No detent flick, no liner lock, no AXIS mechanism to fidget with. Just a two-handed slip joint riding on phosphor bronze washers, with a half-stop built in for that extra bit of safety you want from a non-locking blade.
While heritage-inspired slip joints might not be as practical as they once were, they do carry a bit quieter, and stay UK-legal for readers across the pond. Pair that with a 2.6-inch Sandvik 12C27 drop-point blade and you’ve got a solid daily driver.
About That Clip
The biggest visible change from the Ellis Slim is the pocket clip. The old wire clip is gone, swapped for a low-profile machined stainless piece that sits flush against the dimpled aluminum scales.
What’s interesting is where TJB pulled the design from. The clip is borrowed straight from premium pen design, the kind you’d find on a Lamy 2000 or a Kaweco Sport.
The All Things Scraper Earns Its Keep
Opposite the blade is TJB’s All Things scraper, and it’s essentially a tiny multi-purpose tool. It can be used as a flathead driver, a pry bar, a sticker scraper, and of course, a bottle opener. There’s also a lanyard hole that doubles as a keyring attachment if you want to clip the knife to your keys.
Sandvik Sticks Around for a Reason
Steel snobs will note that 12C27 isn’t out here competing with M390 or MagnaCut, and we certainly get that. But, Sandvik’s workhorse stainless sharpens easily, resists corrosion, and holds an edge well enough for what an Ellis owner is actually cutting, which is mostly boxes, stickers, the occasional apple, and maybe a stray thread.
The Ellis isn’t a hard-use tactical folder. At 4.4 ounces and well under half an inch thick, it’s the kind of lightweight knife that you forget you’re carrying until you actually need it.
Spec Sheet
Brand: The James Brand
Model: The Ellis (2026)
Overall Length: 6.4″
Closed Length: 3.8″
Blade Length: 2.6″
Blade Steel: Sandvik 12C27
Blade Shape: Drop Point
Handle Material: 6061 Aircraft-Grade Aluminum
Clip Material: Stainless Steel
Lock Type: Non-Locking Slip Joint with Half-Stop
Thickness: 0.4″
Weight: 4.4 oz
Designed In: Portland, Oregon
Made In: China
Pricing & Availability
The new Ellis is available now directly from The James Brand for $99, in three colorways: Black + Stainless, Black + Black, and Grove + Stainless.
Recap
The James Brand Ellis EDC Knife (2026)
After years of tinkering, TJB finally landed the Ellis. Slimmer than a pack of gum, packing a multi-tool scraper, and yours for under a Benjamin.
