EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) – As I have gotten older, I spend less and less time out in the field for my job.
That hasn’t changed my love – or need – for a good knife.
In fact, I am now on a constant quest to find pocket knives that feel like they fit discreetly into an office environment.
The past few weeks, I have been carrying around a couple of RoseCraft moderns that fit that bill – the Joka, which has a gentleman’s vibe, and the Waya, which has a sleeker, bitier feel to it.
First, let’s take a look at the Joka (pronounced yoh-kuh and means “serpent”).
To me, the Joka conjures up the feel of a CEO or gentleman’s knife, but with its own twists.
Folded up, it can pass for a pen, especially with its deep-carry pocket clip. Nothing, absolutely nothing peaks out over your pocket with this clip.
The blade is nearly hidden when it is closed, too. The only thing that would indicate that this is not your average pen is the back flipper that pokes out slightly from the body of the knife.
Needless to say, the RoseCraft Joka is very discreet and is great for an office carry.
I have two of these knives – both come with split G10 handles, one gray and black and the other red and black.
The split G10 handles give them both the feel of having a “faux” bolster look. It’s a nice added touch.
RoseCraft also offers the Joka in green and black.
The two I have are identical except for the different colorways for the handles.
In fact, the action of the two knives are remarkably similar. Usually, two knives, even of the same make and model, will have slightly different action.
The opening method is a back flipper. You really have to be aggressive with it to deploy the blade, but once you get the hang of it, it flies out.
But you can’t be shy with it. If you are, the blade only partially deploys.
The blade is a 3.6-inch clip point, which has a nice “stabby” point and is perfect for opening letters or other light-duty EDC tasks.
One small nitpick: Both were not the sharpest out of the box. They still cut, but they aren’t razor sharp. That’s a bit of a minus, if you are sharpening challenged like I am.
Here are some other numbers: The Joka is 4.3 inches closed, nearly 8 inches when open and weighs 3.3 ounces.
It’s actually a pretty big knife, but in discreet packaging.
The Joka also has a lanyard hole and a reversible pocket clip.
Overall, it’s a classy, gentleman’s-type carry.
The Joka is currently listed for $29.99 on the RoseCraft website, marked down from $42.49.
Now on to our second featured knife of the week – the RoseCraft Waya – (pronounced way-uh, meaning “wolf”).
This one also has the feel of a subtle office carry, but is sleeker and feels like it has more of a bite than the Joka. The wolf moniker feels apropos.
The Waya is slightly smaller with a 3.4-inch clip point. It’s 4.2 inches when closed, 7.6 inches open and weighs 3.5 ounces.
Like the Joka, the Waya also has a two-tone G10 handle. The one I have is white and black. This knife also comes in green and black.
The back flipper activates this knife with a little bit more force than the Joka.
What I love are the thumb studs, which really rocket out the blade with just the right amount of pressure.
Just like the Joka, it has a reversible, deep-carry pocket clip (not quite as deep carry, though) and a lanyard hole.
This is totally subjective, but the Waya feels great in hand especially when you choke up and put your thumb on the back of the blade.
The Waya also came razor sharp out the box.
This one already has gained a spot as one of my favorites and I’ve had a hard time taking it out of my EDC rotation.
But I will have to sideline it for a while, just cause I have some other knives I need to carry around and write about. But it will be back in my pocket as soon as I am able.
The Waya is listed on the RoseCraft website also for $29.99, down from $42.49.
RoseCraft has been getting a lot of buzz, and rightly so, for its traditional slipjoints, but their modern knives combine function, craftsmanship and price into a complete package.
Here is a link to the RoseCraft website, the Joka and the Waya.
Here is a rundown of YouTube channels that I routinely watch for their knife and EDC content.
The Cutting Edge (formerly Last Chance Knives)
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