When it comes to pocket knives, perhaps no brand exudes elegance like The James Brand. With a selection of tools that also include sophisticated bottle openers and carabiners, the company always aims to level itself up from what it’s already done. In 2021, TJB came out with its first-ever integral knife — meaning the entire handle is machined from a single piece of metal rather than having two handle slabs connected via a back-spacer. It was called The Barnes and featured a titanium billet handle. Since then, there have been a few fancy limited-edition versions of The Barnes, but this latest release may top all of those predecessors.
Like previous editions, The James Brand’s newest Barnes knife is an integral 6AL4V titanium framelock with sealed ceramic bearings for the main pivot for a smooth open-close action. However, unlike the standard models, which utilize Bohler M390 stainless steel for the blades, this one has been treated to a Damascus blade from Swedish power metallurgy brand Damasteel. Specifically, the blade material used is a stainless powder-based steel alloy that combines 304L and 316L, called Damasteel Hakkapella DS95X.
This is not the first time we’ve seen The Barnes in a Damasteel blade, but it is the first time it’s been combined with this sort of carbon fiber from Fatcarbon Materials, with which has been fitted. Fatcarbon specializes in fancy takes on the material, and this inlay, called White Storm, brings an evocative nature to the knife.
As a play on the tradition of a coin being included with knife giving, The James Brand has included a die-cast double-sided TJB coin — the brand’s first — inside the knife’s box. Limited to just 20 units each priced at $1,349, the Damasteel and carbon fiber version of The Barnes has already sold out but you can check it out on TJB’s website.
