Bronze Hardware, Power and Hand Tools Design · 2021
K29 Folding Knife
- A' Design Award 2021 Bronze Winner in Hardware, Power and Hand Tools Design
- Awarded April 15, 2021
- CLIENT: Bergkvist
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 51,305
- Verification code F1143B0C38 · Verify this award
About K29 Folding Knife
Steel is combined with wood in this pocket knife design. In addition to a blade that can be folded out, it features a glass breaker, belt cutter, lanyard hole, and belt clip. The design comes in two editions: ‘Titanium’ in grey with olive wood and ‘Tiger’ in black with bocote. In order to display the natural qualities of the wood, its original appearance is preserved and no additional color is used on the material. Hex screws hold everything together securely and make it possible to replace parts.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- A striking pocket knife design in which steel is combined with wood. In addition to a blade that can be folded out, it features a glass breaker, belt cutter, lanyard hole, and belt clip. The dynamic lines and curves make the design stand out. It comes in two editions: ‘Titanium’ in grey with olive wood and ‘Tiger’ in black with bocote. In order to display the natural qualities of the wood, its original appearance is preserved and no additional color is used on the material.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- Total length, unfolded: 21 cm.
Total length, folded: 12.1 cm. - Tags
- knife, folding knife, pocket knife, outdoor, safety, adventure, foldable, collapsible, wood, steel
- Production Technology
- The knife is built up in layers. The handle has outside layers that provide volume, which is important for a safe grip. These outside layers are connected to the liners of the handle, to which the wooden parts are connected. The liners also have notches on top that assist in holding the knife when cutting. Hex screws hold everything together securely and make it possible to replace parts.
- Design Challenge
- Although it is not obvious when observing the pocket knife, the most challenging part was to find the right screws to use. The screws had to be suitable for use in the entire Bergkvist knife collection, to be readily available, and easy to remove and attach.
- Project Duration
- The design process started in the end of September 2018 in Berlin. The first version of the product was launched in April 2019 on the German market, with Italy, Spain and France following in the subsequent months.
- Operation Flow
- The K29 knife can be opened by using its flipper and/or thumb stud. It automatically locks with its Linerlock mechanism. To fold the knife back, the lock bar should be pressed to the side first. The K29 knife can be opened with one hand. In certain countries and regions it may be prohibited to use and/or carry a knife of this type. Consult the laws that apply to you when considering to buy or use such a product. Don't harm anyone, be careful, and keep knives away from children.
- Research
- Market research was done by the brand in order to determine the type of product to develop. During the design process, the brand also ran tests with users to assist in decision making.
- Inspiration
- To make the product stand out in the product category, a combination of materials and form language was used that was not available on the market yet. Through the creation of multiple prototypes by the manufacturer, as well as adjustments based on testing these prototypes, it was made sure that the knife was ergonomically and visually optimized.
- Image Credits
- Image #1: Mission Green Ltd., K29 Titanium, 2021.
Image #2: Mission Green Ltd., K29 Titanium and K29 Tiger. 2021.
Image #3: ExpertenTesten.de/ever-growing GmbH, K29 Titanium, folded, 2020.
Image #4: ExpertenTesten.de/ever-growing GmbH, K29 Tiger, 2020.
Image #5: Mission Green Ltd., K29 Titanium Balanced. 2021.
Video Credits: Mission Green Ltd., 2020. - Patents
- Registered designs. Design numbers 007510938-0001 and 007510938-0002. Bergkvist. 2020. European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO)
Colors of K29 Folding Knife
Design Interview about K29 Folding Knife
The idea was to design a knife that would fit the outdoor brand Bergkvist. At the same time, it had to be a unique addition to the collection of the brand.
The focus was to develop a unique folding knife with a striking design that could be protected by a design patent.
My client has been selling the folding knife for a few years now and the plan is for this to continue in the future.
The design process took a few months, which was followed by a couple of months for prototyping and discussing with the manufacturer.
The design was commissioned by the Bergkvist brand. A folding knife was on my list of products that I definitely wanted to design at least once, so it did fit my personal goals as a designer as well.
The production of the product is handled by my client in collaboration with a manufacturer.
I searched for a combination of logical functionality and novelty. I included specific aspects for ergonomics. The materials realize an interesting contrast. The wooden handle pieces have a large impact on the design and make it nice to hold.
The existing Bergkvist knives were an important inspiration, but I made sure to come up with something new and useful for the brand.
Adventurers, lovers of the outdoors, but also people who love to buy it as a present for someone else.
The form language and materials set the design apart.
The name K29 came up as a natural extension of the name of the knives that the brand already had. The designation communicates that it is the next one hand knife after K19.
Software packages for both 2D and 3D models of the knife, as well as an ergonomic database.
The balance between curved and angular lines and the way the wooden handle pieces are combined with the steel parts of the handle.
For finalizing technical details, I collaborated with the manufacturer of my client.
As with all mass produced items, technology has a distinct role. I had to take limits of effective production into account. What is possible in mass production is dictated by the machines that are used, and they all have their specific limits.
Ergonomic data influenced the handle design. Apart from this, my client gathered user feedback during the design phase that helped us with decision making.
One of the challenges was to find the right screws to use in this knife. There were a few requirements for them: they should not only be used in this knife, but they would be integrated in the rest of the knife collection too, they had to be widely available, and easy to remove and attach.
The collaboration with my client was pleasant and since the knife is a successful product on the market, I thought it might as well be a good candidate for an award.
During the design of this work, I learned that details might take time to work out, but that it’s worth it to pursue perfection.
Yes, if you’d like to develop your own product as well, have a look at www.ridzert.com