Founded in 2008, warzone journalist, author, and adventurer Robert Young Pelton’s (RYP) company, DPx Gear, has become a globally respected and trusted hard-use knife and gear brand across the board. I originally met RYP well over a decade ago at the Atlanta Blade Show at his booth. We spoke a bit on and off at the show and have stayed in touch since. It was this relationship that led me to learn about the DPx Gear HEST/F 4.0 Ti.
The DPx Gear HEST/F 4.0 Ti
Over the years, I have owned and reviewed several DPx Gear knives. They have been nothing but stellar offerings from the company. My favorite knife from DPx has always been the HEST/F folder, and I am not alone in this. It may be his best seller.
There have been multiple variations of this knife made from D2 steel to a variety of super steels. Each version complements the others in the collection.
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One of my favorite aspects of a folding knife is a “flipper.” If a knife has a flipper, it has my attention. The HEST/F has a pivot flipper and a smooth bearing system for rapid fire deployment.
In addition, it also has RYP’s version of a pocket catch opener that doubles as a bottle opener. This catch snags the corner of a front pocket and deploys the blade as it is being drawn. Then, it opens a bottle of your favorite brew.
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The DPx Gear HEST/F 4.0 Ti is offered in MAGNACUT steel—an outstanding EDC steel for users in unforgiving environments. RYP has spent decades of his career in these environments, and his experience shows in every one of his knife designs. The 4.0 shines with a host of RYP’s patented features.
The knife boasts a Grade 5 titanium frame, custom-designed 7/64” hex screws, a 440 stainless lock bar, rapid opening/bottle opener notch, wire-stripping jimping, a tungsten carbide glass breaker, a hex drive socket, and a deep carry reversible pocket clip.
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As with all other DPx Gear offerings, the 4.0 comes complete with a lifetime warranty. The MAGNACUT blade comes in at a practical length of 3.15 inches. This is pretty much all one would need for daily tasks with a folding knife.
The HEST/F Ti is Beyond Sharp Out of the Box
I have owned a couple of variations of the HEST folding knife, and they all arrived beyond sharp. Upon initial inspection of the 4.0, I noticed this model seemed even sharper out of the box.
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Not sure why, but I did the typical shave my arm hair and fingernail test. Of course, that is the easy stuff, and now my forearm has a bald patch. Then, I headed to my local Menard’s to buy a couple of things to cut up—a thick construction cone and some ratchet straps.
I started with the construction cone. It is made of a thick, rubbery plastic that is designed to withstand being run over by vehicles multiple times. It was impressive how easily the blade pushed through and just sliced the cone up like it was nothing.
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Then, I wanted to see if the rubber-like cone had dulled the blade. So, I moved on to the ratchet straps. I repeatedly folded the strap so that it would have ten layers that the HEST would have to cut through with a single swipe. It had no problem at all.
Let me repeat that, ten layers, one swipe, zero snags. I am now a fan of this MAGNACUT super steel. Stay tuned for more knife reviews made of it.
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Comfortable Grip for EDC and More
The HEST/F has been offered up in a variety of handle materials; this version is available in GRADE 5 Titanium. With the blade closed in a tight fist grip, the HEST Ti is designed to smash a window, a coconut, or a head with its tungsten carbide glass breaker.
With the blade open in a forward grip, the knife begs to be used throughout a lifetime of adventures. And that is not hard to envision when you consider who designed it.
And if your epic EDC adventures include tasty, bottled beverages, the HEST has your six with that as well.
The DPx Gear HEST/F 4.0 Ti is the Magnum Opus
With each release of the DPx HEST/F, it becomes harder to envision how it can be improved. Maybe it can’t. This folder has really set the bar for DPx when it comes to fixed blades. Even though each reimagined version of it seems primarily the same, Robert Young Pelton finds a way to refresh it for collectors, even if it’s just in materials.
In this example, he used high-end GRADE 5 titanium and Magnacut steel, which really impressed me. I, for one, am not sure exactly how this design could be improved. It’s like RYP’s Magnum opus of knife designs. An everlasting classic that will be around, slicing up and cutting things when most are long gone.
I enjoyed working with the DPx HEST/F 4.0 Ti. The fit and finish did not disappoint. And like all the HEST folders prior, it will find itself being carried in my pocket for a while. I highly recommend grabbing one of the folders while they are available, because some of Pelton’s designs are in limited supply and sell out quickly.
DPx Gear HEST/F 4.0 Ti Specs
| Weight | 4.80 oz |
| Overall Length | 7.82″ |
| Blade Length | 3.15″ |
| Blade Thickness | 0.19″ |
| Blade Steel | Magnacut |
| Pivot | Flipper on bearings |
| Rockwell Hardness | 60-63 |
| Blade Coating | None |
| Handle Material | Titanium |
| Frame Material | Sandblasted Ti-6Al-4V Grade 5 titanium alloy frame with 440C insert |
| MSRP | $468.75 |
