The Reate EXO hit the knife scene in 2021 to much fanfare. Its revolutionary design had everyone looking at gravity knives in a whole new light. Although there were things that could have been done better, its cool factor outweighed any minor gripes. However, Reate Knives eventually addressed those issues with the EXO-M, leading to a Blade HQ Exclusive model.
The Road to the Blade HQ Exclusive Reate EXO-M
The first time I saw a gravity knife was in the book Secrets of Modern Knife Fighting back in 1975. It was a photo of the most famous example of the breed, the WWII German Fliegerkappmesser (“Flyer’s Utility Knife”).
Also known as the Fallschirmjägermesser (“Paratrooper’s Knife”), it was a gravity-operated out-the-front (OTF) knife. That concept fascinated me—so much that I sat through the subtitled Polish movie Knife in the Water just to get a glimpse of its operation.
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Many years later, I finally added one to my collection—along with several of its post-war West German successors. Today, those knives remain some of the most fondled in my collection. However, I always felt that the brilliant simplicity of the gravity knife always fell short of its full potential. Not anymore.
The Original Reate EXO
In 2021, Reate Knives burst on the scene with their EXO series of gravity knives. Their innovative design featured a two-piece frame that pivoted at the butt end. Raising the front of the top handle piece allowed the blade to slide forward. Lowering it locked the blade securely in place.
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This elegantly simple design was executed with precision-machined solid titanium handle components with Micarta® inlays. It was available in a choice of three different blade styles—drop point, tanto, and dagger—and in premium steels like CPM® 3V® and Elmax.
The original EXO knives were nothing short of revolutionary. However, from a practical standpoint, they lacked a latch to secure the handle pieces together. When open, the user’s grip held the handle halves together to keep the blade locked—much like a latchless balisong. They also did not have a pocket clip and had to be carried in the included pouch.
Despite these limitations, the EXO quickly found an audience of devoted collectors and fidgeters. In the process, it set a new standard of design and engineering excellence in gravity knives.
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The Reate EXO-M
In 2022, Reate introduced the EXO-M. About 14 percent shorter overall than the original, it also added a sliding handle latch and a deep-pocket carry clip. Together, these changes made it much more convenient and practical for everyday carry.
The EXO-M retains all the key qualities of the first-generation design. It is also available in three blade profiles, all showcasing Elmax steel. Similarly, it also features 6AL 4V titanium handle components and a choice of Micarta or upscaled Damascus-patterned G-10 inlays.
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To be honest, I looked long and hard at the EXO-M. However, without actually handling one, I was hesitant to invest almost $300 to scratch my gravity-knife itch. Then, I got an email…
Blade HQ EXO-M Exclusive
Blade HQ is undisputably one of the powerhouses of Internet knife sales. Besides offering an incredible spectrum of brands and standard models, they are a leader when it comes to Exclusive products. These unique variants of standard knife models boast special materials, finishes, and other features that make them highly collectible. In the case of the EXO-M, they also made it irresistibly affordable—at least for me.
The email I received from Blade HQ offered an EXO-M with an aluminum handle and a drop-point blade for $129. It was the perfect opportunity and price point for me to experience the EXO design, so I ordered one immediately. Simply put, it was one of the best knife buys I’ve made in a long time.
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Before I even got the EXO-M out of the box, I was impressed. I’ve been involved in the packaging design side of the knife industry for about 20 years. Unboxing the EXO-M was like unpacking an Apple computer.
Its magnetically latched box revealed a classy accessory packet with two PVC patches, stickers, a microfiber cloth, and a spare screw kit. The knife itself was nestled in a custom-cut foam insert. In short, everything screamed quality.
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Flawless Craftsmanship
The knife itself exhibits the kind of craftsmanship I typically associate with the very best brands in the industry. Both handle components are painstakingly machined and feature a variety of subtle details to enhance their looks and texture. The handle latch is an improved, pivoting design with two small magnetic detents. Although it is right-hand biased for thumb operation, with very little practice, it can also be operated with the left index finger.
The drop-point blade has a flat saber grind and a partial swedge on the spine. It is crafted from Nitro-V—a variation of AEB-L stainless steel with small additions of vanadium and nitrogen. Sometimes considered a stainless version of 52100 ball bearing steel, it offers excellent toughness, good edge retention, and very good corrosion resistance.
To enhance its looks, the EXO-M Exclusive’s blade features a two-tone finish. The main bevels and swedge are cloaked in a black PVD coating, while the flats feature a contrasting satin finish. Its factory edge was very even and uniformly ground and shaving sharp right out of the box.
To allow convenient carry, the handle includes a deep-pocket rollover clip attached to the butt end of the handle. For a typical folding knife, this would mean tip-up carry, but for this unique design, it’s actually tip-down.
The clip is secured by a single Torx® screw and reversible for left or right-side tip-up carry. Its base is fitted into a machined recess in the handle, and a filler plate is provided for the opposite side. The clip is also black coated to keep the knife’s presence exceptionally discreet.
Operating the EXO-M
The EXO-M’s blade is fitted into a channel in the lower handle half. Bilateral oval steel plates are attached to the ricasso to form the foundation of the ultra-simple locking mechanism. These lock plates travel in machined longitudinal slots in the lower handle half and act as stops to limit the blade’s movement.
In the closed position, a machined notch in the rear of the upper handle half holds the blade in place. To open the knife, release the latch, pivot the upper handle half up, and tip the front of the knife downward. Gravity then allows the blade to slide into the extended position.
Now, squeeze the two handle halves back together and engage the handle latch. A second machined notch at the front of the upper handle half engages the back of the lock plates to lock the blade securely open.
To close the knife, reverse the process, tilting the front of the knife up to let gravity retract the blade. With very little practice, opening and closing the EXO-M is just as fast as a spring-driven double-action OTF. However, because it’s a manual process, in some ways it’s even more gratifying.
Performance
As cool as the EXO’s design is, to be useful, it still needs to “be a knife.” In that regard, it does exceptionally well. Its ultra-simple design allows the EXO-M’s blade to lock very securely. Although its operating tolerances require slight lateral blade movement, there is virtually no vertical play.
The handle ergonomics are pleasantly neutral, yet its thoughtful texturing ensures a secure, non-slip grip. As far as cutting goes, the blade’s edge is keen, and the high bevels give it excellent low-friction edge geometry. As an EDC cutting tool, it performs exceptionally well.
The EXO-M’s deep-pocket clip tucks the knife extremely low in the pocket. As such, my average-size hands need a slight grip adjustment to reach the latch. With a little practice, however, I was able to deploy the knife very quickly.
In the process, I also became addicted to the extreme “fidget factor” this design offers. Unlike some other “fidgety” designs, I also appreciated the inherent safety of the mechanism. As long as you hold on to the handle, nothing can really go wrong.
Perhaps the greatest benefit of the EXO design is its simplicity—especially when it comes to cleaning. Having personally repaired scores of spring-driven OTFs that became fouled by dust, I know how tedious disassembling them is. I also know, once fouled, they’re useless until cleaned. The EXO design is easily cleaned without disassembly with a faucet, some hot water, and some canned air.
The Blade HQ Reate EXO-M Realizes the Platform’s Potential
In summary, I am thrilled with my Blade HQ Exclusive Reate EXO-M. It allows me to appreciate the elegant simplicity of the EXO family of designs. More importantly, it satisfies my longstanding dream of a gravity knife that realizes the full potential of the platform.
Blade HQ Exclusive Reate EXO-M Specs
| Overall Length | 7.75 inches |
| Blade Length | 3.20 inches |
| Cutting Edge | 3.15 inches |
| Blade Width | 0.80 inches |
| Blade Thickness | 0.11 inches |
| Blade Material | Nitro-V |
| Blade Style | Drop Point |
| Blade Grind | Flat Saber |
| Finish | Black PVD/Satin |
| Edge Type | Plain |
| Handle Length | 4.55 inches |
| Handle Width | 1.02 inches |
| Handle Thickness | 0.48 inches |
| Handle Material | Aluminum |
| Color | Green |
| Weight | 3.40 ounces |
| User | Right Hand, Left Hand |
| Pocket Clip | Tip-Down |
| Knife Type | Gravity |
| Country of Origin | China |
| MSRP | $129.00 |
