Most knife enthusiasts are familiar with Work Sharp, known for its top-of-the-line sharpening equipment. However, in an unexpected turn of events, the company has deviated from its lane and entered the knife race. At the recent 2025 Blade Show, Work Sharp officially unveiled its new RMX folding knife, and it is surprisingly cool for a first knife.
What Makes the Work Sharp RMX Special?
Instead of taking on an easy challenge for its first knife and releasing a fixed blade, the company jumped right in with a folder. However, Work Sharp didn’t even take an easy route there, either. Instead, the brain trust said, “Hold my beer and watch this.”
The result was a knife that is as innovative and well thought out as Work Sharp’s lineup of sharpening systems.
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One of the first things I noticed was the incredibly lightweight integral magnesium frame. Integral frames are typically found on very expensive, high-end folders, which I felt was a bold move for an initial offering. So, imagine my surprise when I learned that this was a sub-$150 knife. Wut?
But it only got better from there.
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Housed within the integral frame is a replaceable pivot, for which Work Sharp provided the necessary tool. However, this isn’t an ordinary replaceable pivot for general repairs. This pivot is interchangeable between two different types of pivot cartridges: manual and automatic.
You read that right.
In roughly a minute, you can take your manual folding knife and convert it to an out-the-side automatic. Everything you need to make the magic happen is included with the RMX. This includes the automatic pivot cartridge with torsion spring and the wrench tool (2mm hex for pivot screw and magnetic key for installing the pivot).
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In addition, the kit also includes an “Oops Kit,” with a pivot o-ring, pivot screw, clip screw, lock button spring, additional torsion spring, and pivot bearing.
Finally, Work Sharp also thought ahead and ships the RMX with the manual pivot installed. As a result, the knife is even available in prohibitive states. Not to mention, even if you live in a prohibitive state, you can EDC the RMX in manual, but swap to auto for home use.
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Two Sizes, Two Blade Profiles
The RMX is available in two different sizes: a full-size (7.5 inches overall) and Compact (5.8 inches overall). Although the Compact model is only available in drop-point, the full-size model is available in drop-point or reverse tanto. All three models include short sections of jimping along the spine of the blade and handle, merging at the ricasso.
The drop point blades on both the full-size and Compact models are constructed of M390. However, the blade on the reverse tanto is constructed of CPM-3V.
M390 is a high-performance stainless steel that offers excellent edge retention and wear resistance. CPM-3V is a high-carbon tool steel that delivers extreme toughness and wear resistance, while maintaining a serviceable edge.
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All three models feature a comfortable finger choil at the ricasso. The placement of the choil allows users to choke up on the edge for much finer detailed work. In addition, the choil also assists with sharpening, allowing for an even grind the full length of the edge.
The blade is held in lockup via a button lock that doubles as the trigger for the automatic pivot. However, the button lock not only serves to hold the blade open, but it also locks it closed in manual mode. So, you never have to worry about it accidentally coming open in your pocket.
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However, with that said, there is no locking mechanism when the knife is configured for auto. But the button isn’t sensitive and requires an intentional actuation. So, ideally, it won’t open on its own in your pocket.
Just beware that if you carry anything firm in the same pocket, it may act as a solid enough backdrop to engage the button if it is pressed against it. Be aware of what you carry in the same pocket.
Carrying the RMX
Configured for tip-up only carry, the RMX features a reversible pocket clip for right- or left-hand carry. The clip is placed high on the butt of the knife, allowing the knife to sit low in the pocket. For this reason, it stays well concealed until needed.
I thought the design of the pocket clip was very clever. The inset for the clip is a triangle, which fits the aesthetic of the Work Sharp logo. Likewise, the knife features an insert that fills the space on the obverse side, which really highlights the collusion with the logo.
I have been carrying the full-size model with drop point, which weighs a lightweight 2.70 ounces. This is the heaviest of the three models, with the other two weighing 2.24 and 2.40 ounces. The combination of its incredible light weight and the 0.5-inch-thick handle makes the RMX virtually disappear in the pocket.
Handling the Work Sharp RMX
With the RMX design coming from a company that specializes in sharpening equipment, the obvious question is: Is it sharp? Oh, yeah. It was very sharp right out of the box. When it arrived, I immediately threw it in my pocket and used it for all of my typical tasks.
As expected, it was very adept at opening packages, letters, and other various media. Not to mention, it made quick work of getting into the summer sausage and slicing it up for everyone on the pontoon boat ride.
But I was curious about its edge retention. So, I conducted some specific tests that I have done over the years.
First, I pressed the edge through the corner of a thick catalog in an attempt to cut through the whole thing. Although I made it all the way through, it took some effort and veered slightly off-center. But it cut through cleanly.
Next, I sliced through some heavy-duty leather that I have lying around from a previous project. First, I used the tip and it easily sliced a section off a corner. Then, I sliced a longer section off with the middle of the blade. It cut through the leather straight and easily.
As a gun and knife writer, I get boxes that I don’t want sitting out on the road, advertising what I have in the house. So, I used the RMX to cut a box from a Hornady safe into small pieces that would fit into a grocery bag. By the end of the box, it was getting a little tougher.
Finally, to see if it was still sharp, I held it in the chest lever grip and cut up a bicycle inner tube. It cleanly sliced through the rubber, bisecting it into six smaller pieces.
Cutting to the Point
I have been a fan of Work Sharp sharpening systems for years. So, when I heard they were making a knife, I was more than just a little intrigued. I wasn’t sure what to expect for a first offering from the company, but the RMX didn’t disappoint.
After carrying it for a couple of months and putting it through focused testing, the edge is still serviceable. However, it is not as keen as it was when it arrived and will need some love. But that is what my Work Sharp Ken Onion MK.2 Sharpening System is for.
If this is what Work Sharp is capable of right out of the gate, I am eager to see what else is in the hopper. Something I would love to see is an RMX 2.0 with interchangeable blades. That would be a sequel worth showing up for.
Work Sharp RMX Specs
| Blade Steel | CPM-3V (reverse tanto), M390 (drop point) |
| Mechanism Type | Auto / Manual |
| Lock Type | Button Lock |
| Overall Length (Open) | 5.8 or 7.5 inches |
| Overall Length (Closed) | 3.4 or 4.3 inches |
| Blade Length | 2.4 or 3.2 inches |
| Handle Thickness | 0.5 inches |
| Total Weight | 2.24, 2.40, or 2.70 ounces |
| Handle Material | Magnesium |
| Handle Finish | Black Cerakote |
| Blade Profile | Reverse Tanto or Drop Point |
| Blade Material | CPM-3V |
| Blade Finish | Satin |
| Blade Hardness | 60-62 HRC |
| Blade Sharpening Angle | 15° |
| Clip Type | Mini Deep-Carry |
| Clip Position | Tip up, Reversible |
| Lanyard Hole | Yes, With Pocket Clip Removed |
| Country of Origin | Responsibly Sourced Globally, Bench Built in Oregon |
| Warranty | Lifetime |
| MSRP | $129.95 or $139.95 |
