Peter Carey x WE Knife Co. interweave utility, aesthetics and convenience in Nitro Mini

Whether you're anticipating a combat, wish to own a multitool for your camping trip, or are an avid collector, a knife has most likely been on your radar. With a provenance that travels back 2.5 million years on the timeline, the blade, the hilt and how they entwine into a cohesive entity represent an evolution worth millennia. The unison of these components has served countless purposes through embodiments ranging from hunting knives and weapons to kitchen knives and knives holding religious value. From being a tool of pure function, this sleek object two-steps into the realm of contemporary art and design, and now sits astride the barrier between the pragmatic and the artistic—looking sharp as always.

The recent collaboration between WE Knife Co., one of the largest Chinese manufacturers of quality knives and tools, and Texas-based custom knife designer Peter Carey, carved out a striking blade that injects a refreshing artistic audacity into the everyday carry (EDC) genre. Named Nitro Mini, this mid-sized pocket knife brandishes a classy feel with its titanium bolsters in tandem with a rebellious presence owing to its tattooed body—all the while flaunting modern materials and WE's characteristic opening action. The knife is realised in five different premium versions: four standard material arrangements and the fifth (and unmissable) Nitro Mini Damasteel featuring a black titanium handle and enrobed in the vivid contours of a nebula-fat carbon fibre inlay. Winner of the ‘Factory Best in Show’ award as well as the ‘Best Factory Folder’ at the 2022 Blade Show West, the knife is a shrunk-down and revamped manifestation of its custom counterpart—and an unequivocal must-have for serious collectors and connoisseurs alike.

The knives that are part of the EDC collection often fail to carry a look as sharp as their blades, making them tools one might not want to be seen with. It is safe to say that Carey's gnawing oeuvre serves this trend. With a professional journey that began 25 years ago, he enjoys a reputation for dexterously handcrafting custom blades, with his oeuvre underpinned by a specialisation in tactical folders and dress tactical folders. His work and the passion that propels it has inevitably resulted in due acknowledgement and recognition among the coterie of knife aficionados. The popularity and demand for his blades have spiked exponentially, making his latest partnership an alleviator amidst the clamour—allowing buyers to abandon the queues and bringing the Texan bladesmith’s renowned custom creations within reach.

Following the release of the four standard Nitro Mini models, Carey was reeled in by WE again, this time to design a premium—and conspicuously bolder—production version of his existing custom knives: the Nitro Mini Damasteel. The two versions diverge in dimensions, with the damasteel edition featuring a slightly larger blade spanning 3.13” (79.5 mm) and a smaller overall size at 7.46″ (189.4 mm). On the spectrum of blade sizes, the Nitro Mini falls into the category of a mid-sized blade; despite being a visually petite article, its substantial edge length allows it to perform more than just delicate work. With the silhouette of the drop point and the CPM-20CV steel as leverage, the potential for use broadens, and with reference to deployment, all configurations retain thumb studs and flipper tabs. The double thumb studs, flipper opener, and ceramic ball-bearing pivot unite to bring to fruition enjoyable fidgeting, a sturdy lockup, and a seamless process of use. The curving handle bears imminent resemblance to Carey’s custom and production knives, the simple shape fits easily in the hand, and the materials provide sufficient traction for a good grip.

Typical of Carey's design tendencies, WE’s Nitro Mini plays back the spare-no-expense approach during material selection. The product designer has, time and again, emphasised his commitment to delivering unparalleled quality knives by utilising the best materials--even if it costs an arm and a leg. This thorough consideration that goes into the material selection process is conspicuous in the newest addition to his knife designs. There are four standard variations in terms of the blade and handle compositions: black or brown linen Micarta, marbled carbon fibre, or copper foil carbon fibre. The hand-rubbed satin finish and the stonewashed finish of the blades exude finesse in unique ways. The fifth version, with a Damasteel blade, is perhaps the most eye-catching and is clad in psychedelic Nebula patterns of Fat Carbon for its sinuous scales. The handle sports a set of black, red, white, and blue Nebula Fat Carbon Fiber inlays that veil a frame lock mechanism opposite the knife’s primary facet. Attached to the handle is a flat-ground drop point blade sculpted out of Heimskringla pattern Damasteel.

The troupe of five knife-edged midget creations, all embodying distinct personalities and donned in diverse material configurations and finishes, annunciate the now-pervasive convergence of function and aesthetics. These miniaturised models of Carey’s custom creation boast the knife maker's meticulous craftsmanship in cahoots with WE’s knowledge and experience in providing high-quality product designs. With design innovation as the driving force, the collaboration birthed a knife design that looks sleek, functions well and is a joy to use. Through the Nitro Mini, Carey delivers not only a sharp tool with smooth and quick deployment but also a piece dressed to nines--a tool you would be proud to use, own and certainly flaunt.