They say wearing vertical stripes makes you look thinner… The new Kershaw Tilt 50th Anniversary employs a similar tactic, with a single black stripe running down its length, from handle to blade. Designed to celebrate the company’s 50th anniversary, the new Tilt is similar to its 2010 predecessor in a few ways – it sports that edgy, angular design that makes it so visually dominating yet ergonomically sound… complete with a Reverse Tanto-style blade that flips open when you need it and shut when you’re done. However, it also comes with this gorgeous detail that runs right across the knife. A black stripe gives the Tilt 50th Anniversary its distinct aesthetic, helping break the visual volume while also giving your eyes something to admire.
Designer: Kershaw
Measuring a staggering 5.8-inches when closed, the 50th Anniversary Tilt is definitely on the larger end of the foldable knife spectrum. A 3.6-inch blade brings the overall knife length to 9.4 inches, making the Tilt a large knife. That being said, it’s designed to be more of a collector-edition piece than actually focus on tactical compactness. The knife celebrates craftsmanship over all else.
A signature detail on the new Tilt remains its distinct ‘racing stripe’ that runs along both the handle and blade, creating a seamless continuity that feels beautiful to look at. The handle, made from titanium, uses a carbon fiber inlay to make this black stripe, while the blade itself is a work of sheer art. “Composite Blade Technology permanently joins two steels in one blade; corrosion-resistant 14C28N on the upper blade, tough and premium edge retention CruWear on the bottom,” Kershaw says. The black stripe is created using etching, and is aligned perfectly with the carbon fiber inlay on the handle.
Inheriting the smooth operation of the original, this Tilt employs KVT ball bearings for effortless opening and closing, and secures seamlessly with the Sub-Frame Lock. Black oxide screws on the handle blend right into the carbon fiber inlay, and a clever titanium clip also sports an angular profile, complementing the handle’s edgy design.
The Kershaw 50th Anniversary Tilt will be produced in limited quantities. The exact date of its availability isn’t mentioned (the website says ‘Coming Soon’), but it’s priced at a rather steep $500 for the knife, hinting at it being for collectors and enthusiasts.
