KATSU FA02, Axis Lock Folding Battle Axe, Titanium Alloy Main Body Frame, Sakura Blade Nemoto Design

If you can spot the extra $65 to gain this version with the titanium frame, high-impact steel axe head, and green-glow carbon fiber grip panels — then I highly recommend the investment.

The titanium frame gives a much lighter, overall weight than the steel-framed version and has a much better balance that is more weighted toward the head of the axe. Titanium is 30% stronger than steel at 30% leas weight, so titanium in your structural elements are always a win. Titanium is also much more costly to machine as it wears out cutters and bits much more quickly, so the +$65 on the cost of this model is completely worth it for just the titanium upgrade alone.

The “Magic Steel” is a high-impact tool steel that is formulated to have excellent sharpening and edge-holding qualities while having higher impact resistance. Compared to the D2 steel on the standard model, the “Magic Steel” is considerably easier to hand-sharpen and far more resistant to chipping off the edge when chopping harder objects. The “Magic Steel” therefore makes for a superb breaching axe head. Yes, ideal for a breaching tool — not chopping down a giant Sequoia. There are always going to be those critics of a portable, folding axe to claim that if you can’t chop down a giant Sequoia with it, then what you have isn’t an axe … don’t listen to those fools. 99% of what most people would heed in a small camp axe or as an urban breeching tool will be accomplished efficiently and effectively with this Katsu folding axe.

The release mechanism on this Katsu folding axe is exactly the Axis sliding lock mechanism found on Benchmade knives — very solid, very strong, very smooth, very quick and intuitive to engage and disengage. Yes, you can flick it open and closed like a double-action automatic with one hand. It is not necessary to do this, but you can if you want to.

The carbon-fiber shred, grip scales have green-glow embedded. This is a nice feature that adds visibility for finding the axe in the dark. The glow material is strontium aluminate which has an after-glow that lasts a good 8-10 hours. So, if exposed to daylight and indoor light during the day, it will gkve a modest glow all through the night.

The machining, contouring, finish, and fit of all the components on this Katsu folding are flawless and superb in every way. All movements are smooth. The lock-up in the open and closed positions are rock-solid with no wobble, and no binding either.

This Katsu folding axe comes with a fleece-lined, zipper pouch plus a Kydex sheath with the excellent, Tec-Lock type belt or strap clip. Everything you need is in the box. No need to hunt around for a custom sheath maker. No blade sharpening stone or puck is included, but at some point one just has to quit with demanding “moar free stuffs” when an already superb value is presented.

I like the accessory “key” that doubles as a lanyard ring and as a “cross bolt” lock for the axe head. The lock on the axe head is plenty strong enough without the addition of the key, but it is a nice, extra, failsafe enhancement to have readily available. I added a #16 O-ring behind the threads to give extra positive retention to the key that ensures it will not back out under vibration in either of its two positions / applications. Try this add-on — you’ll like it.

A lot of buyers in the U.S. might be apprehensive about the economy shipping. Don’t worry, be happy. It took just over three weeks for my Katsu folding axe to ship from Japan to my address in the U.S.A. For two of those three weeks, the tracking showed “USPS is Waiting to Receive the Shipment.” Don’t sweat it. Your package will begin showing its processing and location details as soon as it arrives in the U.S. Your package will get to you. Mine arrived padded and securely packaged, with everything in perfect condition.

It is refreshing to buy something that is perfect on delivery, right out of the box — with no headaches, no need for user mods, and no need for customer service before my first use of the item.

Treat yourself. Buy your Katsu folding axe with confidence. Honestly, the build and materials quality on this titanium, Magic Steel, carbon fiber glow, special edition is easily worth 3X the price. Register for the 10% discount and you’ll be even more golden.

Kudos to Katsu Knives for a superb and innovative product that gives strong pride of ownership. Great job! 👍

KATSU FA02, Axis Lock Folding Battle Axe, SLD-MAGIC Steel Blade, Titanium Alloy Main Body Frame, Sakura Blade Nemoto Design