Designer Raven the Pirate Explains the Ryson, Arison and Ryson E Folders

In a Blade HQ video, photographer and content creator Sam Tran, known online as Raven the Pirate, shops the store and explains how he went from carrying a knockoff Swiss Army knife to designing production folders for several brands.

Key points

• Origins: Tran said he came to knives by putting together tool kits for bikes, skateboards and computers, not through family tradition. His first real pocket knife was the CRKT Squid, a Lucas Burnley design.
• Ryson: Made with WE Knife and first designed for his own use, it falls between a small and large Sebenza in size and runs on washers with single-screw construction. Tran said he prefers that slower, "hydraulic" action to bearings.
• Arison: His collaboration with Chaves is a chunkier knife that keeps his spine notch, finger choil and micro-milled chamfer within Chaves' bold style.
• Ryson E: The Civivi version switches to a liner lock, bearings and a reversible clip, with G10 and micarta options, priced under $100 according to Tran.
• What's next: Tran said he is working on a modern slip joint but did not name the partner.

Quick take

Across the interview, Tran pointed to details such as the spine notch and micro-milling as signatures that carry through his work with WE Knife, Chaves and Civivi.

Watch the full video: Blade HQ