REVIEW – Pocket knives have been in my daily routine since I was ten, long before I had a name for everyday carry. I use one constantly for packages, loose threads, fruit, and all the small jobs that make a blade worth keeping close. Price has never been a perfect predictor of what I will actually carry. One of my favorite knives cost $26, while several more expensive models mostly stay put. That is why a $199 handmade folder has to earn its place. The Romance of Men Officer #1 Samurai folding knife nearly does. The gray titanium version is light, sharp, distinctive, and satisfying in the hand, although its included fake leather sheath is a strange mismatch that does not properly close around the knife.
The knife at a glance
The Officer #1 Samurai is an assisted-open liner lock folder from Romance of Men, a China-based maker known for Damascus steel blades as well as steel folders like this one. This version uses an M390 steel blade, a titanium alloy handle, and a gray matte finish. It looks more futuristic than traditional, and that personality is a big part of its appeal.
The presentation was underwhelming for a knife at this price. It arrived in a plain padded envelope, with the sheath loose and the knife inside a hard cardboard box that had a torn top. That did not affect the knife itself, but a premium-feeling product should arrive with better packaging.
In the box
- Officer #1 Samurai Folding Knife
- Polyurethane leather sheath
Specifications
- Overall Length: 6.8 in Open / 3.9 in Folded
- Blade Length: 2.9 in
- Blade Material: M390 Steel
- Blade Thickness: 0.11 in
- Blade Hardness: 61 HRC
- Handle Material: Titanium alloy
- Weight: 2.3 oz
- Sheath: Polyurethane Leather
- Folding mechanism: Assisted open, Liner Lock
Design and materials
The Officer makes a strong first impression. Its gray matte finish, crisp angles, and slim handle give it a clean sci-fi look while still providing enough texture to feel secure.
A short strip of polyurethane leather holds a turquoise-colored bead at the back of the knife. In Romance of Men product photos the bead looks like real turquoise, but the sample I received used turquoise-colored plastic instead.
That little strap did not inspire confidence. It ties into a loop in the body of the knife, but it snapped when I pulled the Officer from my pocket during testing. For an otherwise well-built knife, that weak lanyard feels out of place.
The built-in pocket clip is useful, but extremely stiff. It may loosen after months of carry, yet out of the box it takes more effort than expected. The small nub near the top of the knife is the assisted-open trigger.
Torx screws hold the body together, which is standard for folders in this class and makes the construction feel familiar.
The blade is fully plain edged with no serrations. Romance of Men chose M390 steel, a high-end blade steel known for corrosion resistance, strength, and strong edge retention.
The edge was razor-sharp right out of the box. That sharpness is one of the Officer’s best qualities, and it stayed sharp through my use.
At 2.9 in, the blade hits a practical everyday carry size. Fully open, the knife measures just under 7 in, which lines up with the listed 6.8 in overall length.
The sheath problem
The Officer includes a polyurethane leather sheath with a faux snakeskin look and a small snap on the front. It is nicely shaped on its own, but it does not match the modern gray knife visually.
The bigger issue is fit. Even after several attempts, I could not get the sheath to snap closed with the Officer inside. Maybe the material could be stretched or heated, but that should not be necessary.
The sheath also feels unnecessary because the knife already has a pocket clip. Dropping it might make the package cleaner and could help bring down the $199 price.
Using the Officer
Opening the Officer takes only a light press on the back nub. The assisted mechanism swings the blade into place smoothly, and the nub rotates into position as a finger guard to help keep your hand behind the edge.
Once open, the liner lock clicks into place and holds the blade securely until you release it to fold the knife shut.
The Officer feels excellent whether open or closed. The titanium alloy body keeps the weight down to 2.3 oz, yet the knife still feels sturdy. It settled naturally into either hand, and my fingers landed in comfortable positions.
In the pocket, the clip held firmly and the knife rode higher than many of my other pocket knives. It was still easy enough to pull when I needed it, although the clip tension remained tighter than I prefer.
The M390 blade handled my everyday tasks without complaint. A quick paper-shredding test made it clear how sharp the factory edge was, so this is a knife to handle with real care.
I carried the Officer regularly for a few weeks. Other than the early failure of the bead strap, I had no major problems. The blade is thinner than most of my other knives, which is more of a personal preference than a flaw, and after that use the edge still showed no signs of wear.
What I liked
- Sleek design
- Very lightweight
- Great build quality and edge
What I did not like
- Integrated pocket clip very tight
- Knife does not fit into the included polyurethane leather sheath
- Design of sheath clashes with knife design
Final thoughts
The Romance of Men Officer #1 Samurai Folding Knife is going into my everyday carry rotation. I like the futuristic look, the light titanium alloy body, the assisted opening action, and the sharp M390 blade. I still do not understand the included polyurethane leather sheath, especially since it does not close around the knife and clashes with the design. Even so, the Officer itself is a compelling high-end folder if the $199 price and unusual styling work for you.
For a wider look at what else is out there, I rounded up more of these in The Best EDC Knives I’ve Tested.
Price: $199
Product Link: Romance of Men
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Romance of Men
