Portland-based EDC label The James Brand, founded in 2012 by Ryan Coulter, is a fan favorite given its high-quality products designed with simplicity in mind. Coulter really shook things up with the release of The Carter, a slim and lightweight EDC knife useful in many situations. And now the outfit is back with The Anzick, a MagnaCut outdoor chef’s knife made in collaboration with SITKA GEAR and professional chef Connor Gabbott. The minimal utility synonymous with The Jame Brand has made it to the kitchen table after two years in the making, whether that be inside or outside (or not a table at all).
Handmade and sharpened entirely in the US, The Anzick features a full-tang 8-inch CPM MagnaCut blade that boasts anti-corrosive properties and 62 HRC, with the full knife length coming in at 12.5 inches. MagnaCut steel is a combination of corrosion-resistant stainless steel and tough carbon steel, and here it’s coated in a food-safe black DLC. The high-grip two-tone G10 handle is textured and ergonomically designed for reliable control in multiple weather conditions. Bringing it all together is the Hypalon blade sheath, matching the black color on the handle and the blade. And with no rivets featured anywhere on the knife, (sometimes delicious) debris is kept outside.
The philosophy behind The Anzick was inspired by SITKA’s mission of providing hunters with reliable and detail-oriented tools. Alongside Connor Gabbott, a professional chef, photographer, and hunter, the three collaborators spent two years designing a knife that’s as durable as a field knife with the performance of a premium chef’s knife. Outdoor adventurers can now enjoy a hearty “home-cooked” meal using professional-grade equipment, instead of a ramen bomb or some other variation on peanut butter.
The Anzick will be available in a limited run of 600 units from The Jame Brand and can be purchased for $499 through the website.
