Pocket knives are a reflection of who we are. The tools we carry often say as much about our taste and temperament as the way we dress, the car we drive, or the music we listen to. For most of us, changing the look of a knife has meant swapping scales, clips, or hardware from aftermarket vendors who build for a handful of popular platforms. But what if the knife itself was designed to change clothes? That’s the question Vosteed asked, and the Vombat is their answer.
The Vosteed Vombat
Vosteed is a young company with an old soul. Founded in 2021 by Johnny and Yue, the brand grew from a simple but powerful idea: bring designers, machinists, and end users together under one flag. It’s a collaborative culture that listens first, blending engineering and community to shape what modern pocket knives can be.
Vosteed quickly earned a following for knives that feel premium without the price tag of legacy makers. The company does this by using top-shelf materials like Elmax, M390, and S35VN alongside titanium, carbon fiber, and Micarta handles.
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In a short time, Vosteed has established itself as a legitimate player in the EDC world. It isn’t trying to be the loudest or the flashiest brand in the room. Just the one that makes you feel like you’re part of the process. From crowdsourced feedback on lock geometry to community input on colorways, Vosteed has proven that a brand can be both innovative and personal.
Modular Mindset
Enter the Vombat, a knife that evolves. This is a mid-sized EDC folder with a 2.92-inch blade of Böhler M390 steel, running a crossbar-style lock enhanced by a unique “Ball Roll Bar.” That small polished sphere inside the bar reduces friction, giving the action a smooth, hydraulic feel that’s addictive to work. Deployment is glassy. Closing the blade feels deliberate but effortless. The tolerances are dialed in.
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What really sets the Vombat apart is its modularity. The knife was built from the ground up to let users change its clothes. The handle scales can be swapped in minutes without the frustration of stripped screws or misaligned hardware.
Whether you want to switch from aluminum to micarta, from cool tones to warm, or from sleek to rugged, the Vombat makes it possible. Vosteed even encourages third-party and 3D-printed options, opening the door for a level of personalization that’s been rare in production knives.
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For years, customizability has been the domain of aftermarket shops and small-batch builders. Vosteed flipped that dynamic on its head. The Vombat comes ready to evolve with you, and that’s a refreshing take on EDC ownership.
First Impressions of the Vombat
Out of the box, the Vombat hits that perfect middle ground between tool and collectible. It feels dense and balanced in the hand, with machining that lands somewhere between precision instrument and pocket art. The shape is boxy at first glance, but once it’s in hand, those lines disappear. The handle relaxes into the palm without hotspots, and the edges are soft to avoid fatigue over longer sessions.
The wire pocket clip is a deep-carry design that rides low and discreet. A small spacer inside the clip adds extra rigidity without bulk, a clever touch that makes the design feel thoughtful rather than just trendy.
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Thumb studs are present but secondary in reality. This knife really wants to be run through its lock tabs. Pull them back, and the blade falls open or closed under its own weight. The action is confident but not flashy, which suits the knife’s personality perfectly. I was hoping for a lighter action that can deploy with any technique, but it’s best run from the studs.
The Vombat’s Blade
The blade stock measures .118 thousandths of an inch, plenty thick for a sub-three-inch design. M390 was the right choice here. It’s a steel known for its ability to hold an edge longer than most users will ever need. It resists corrosion well, keeps its polish, and still has enough toughness for hard daily use.
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The downside, as anyone who’s tried to sharpen M390 knows, is that it can be stubborn to bring back once it’s dull. That’s the tradeoff: remarkable longevity in exchange for patience on the stones.
The geometry of the blade does a lot of the heavy lifting. A tall, flat grind keeps the knife slicing thin behind the edge, while a healthy belly forward of center makes it a joy to use for food prep, cord cutting, and general household tasks. Dual jimping zones provide secure control, whether choking up for fine work or running it in a more traditional grip.
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Change of Character
My test model was the A4107 SKU. It features dark bronze scales that look more like burnished copper after a few days of carry. Vosteed doesn’t specify the coating, but I’d bet it’s a Cerakote-style finish. It wears slowly and resists typical scuffs.
Vosteed sent over a variety of swap kits, different scale materials, hardware finishes, and color combos. I decided to run the full rotation.
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The sand denim micarta scales immediately transformed the knife. They felt warm, organic, and inviting, the kind of material that tells stories as it wears. This kind of Micarta picks up oils from your hands, darkens, and develops a patina unique to your habits. Within a week, mine had that “broken-in denim” vibe that looks both honest and cool.
To round out the look, I swapped in stainless hardware and traded the black thumb stud and spacer for anodized blue. Suddenly, the knife went from stealthy to stylish; earth tones meeting subtle color pops that felt personal without being loud. The whole conversion took less than ten minutes.
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That’s the brilliance of the Vombat’s design: it invites participation. Instead of a knife that ages with scratches and dings, this one evolves through intentional changes. It’s the first production folder I’ve handled in a while that feels like a small canvas for self-expression, not just a cutting tool.
Off the Table, Into the World
I carried the Vombat for a few weeks, cutting everything from rope and leather to cardboard and fruit. The M390 edge bit deep and clean, holding its sharpness through dozens of boxes and mail without complaint. Food prep was effortless thanks to that high grind and belly-forward geometry. The lock felt secure at all times, with no lateral play or blade rock even after repeated drops and flicks.
I’ve handled dozens of knives that try to chase modularity, but few that execute it with this much refinement. Too often, the parts feel like afterthoughts or marketing gimmicks. The Vombat’s modular system is both functional and satisfying. Each piece threads cleanly, fits precisely, and maintains the integrity of the frame. Nothing rattles. Nothing feels compromised.
Final Cut
At the time of writing, the Vombat sits on sale (40% off) for $139, with scale kits around $27 each. That’s remarkable value for a knife running M390 steel, precision machining, and true modular capability. You can outfit one knife for work, swap scales for a night out, or just experiment with colors and textures for fun.
Vosteed deserves credit for taking a concept that could have been a novelty and turning it into a legitimate platform. The Vombat isn’t just a good knife for its price; it’s a good knife, period. It cuts beautifully, carries comfortably, and invites you to make it your own.
If you’ve ever found yourself staring at a knife and wishing it could look a little more you, this is your opportunity. Swap the scales, change the accents, and see what happens. It’s like getting a new knife every few weeks without needing to buy one.
Honorable mention to the Vosteed Mink, which arrived alongside the Vombat. I’ve only just begun to handle it, but it feels promising. A fixed blade that carries the same DNA of clean lines and smart ergonomics. Testing is on the horizon, and if it performs as well as the Vombat, we might be seeing the start of something special from this young brand.
A good knife makes you want to cut things. A great one makes you want to carry it every day. The Vombat does both and gives you the freedom to decide what it looks like while doing it.
Slice safe.
Vosteed Vombat Specs
| Blade Length | 2.92 inches (74.11 mm) |
| Cutting Edge | 2.75 inches (70.00 mm) |
| Closed Length | 3.81 inches (96.78 mm) |
| Overall Length | 6.72 inches (170.09 mm) |
| Blade Material | M390 Stainless Steel |
| Blade Thickness | 0.118 inch (3.00 mm) |
| Blade Hardness | 61 HRC |
| Blade Style | Zulu Drop Point or Bowie |
| Blade Grind | Flat |
| Blade Finish | Black Stonewash |
| Handle Material | Aluminum |
| Handle Thickness | 0.49 inch (12.50 mm) |
| Pivot Construction | Caged Ceramic Ball Bearings |
| Locking Mechanism | Crossbar |
| Pocket Clip | Stainless Steel Wire (Tip-Up, Right/Left Carry) |
| Weight | 2.96 ounces (84 g) |
| MSRP | $139.00 |
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