While most EDC knives try to cram every possible tool and feaure into their designs, The Wells from The James Brand is the absolute opposite. A masterclass in minimalism, The Wells is a pocket flipper that’s all about visual purity, opting for a sleek MagnaCut stainless steel blade encased within a clean, minimalist Aluminum 6061 handle. Barring the thin pocket clip on one end, a button lock, and The James Brand logo, nothing interferes with The Wells’ aesthetic. The result is something so pristine it looks precious, and like the kind of EDC you’d carry in the pocket of your expensive suit rather than with run-of-the-mill outdoor clothes.
Designer: The James Brand
Available in a silver or even a special all-black variant, The Wells embodies the clean elegance of a ‘gentleman’s EDC’. The American-made flipper features a slick handle that’s reliable to hold onto thanks to a bead-blasted texture, along with a sheepsfoot/wharncliffe blade that flips out effortlessly with the flick of your finger. Measuring 2.875″ / 7.3cm, the blade has a gently curved edge that’s great for cutting, slicing, shearing, whittling, and even gently rocking while you chop away. The point at the edge of the sheepsfoot blade gives you the ability to pierce through objects, packets, boxes, tapes, and plastic film easily, letting you then slice right through.
The knife comes with a sweet flipper action and a button lock that reliably keeps the blade open when in use. Deployable with a single stroke, the blade slides out ever so gracefully thanks to the stainless steel caged ball bearing mechanism, and can be made to retreat back into the handle by pressing the button. Counter-sunk screws hold The Wells’ two-part handle together, as well as a minimalist pocket clip that lets you easily slide the EDC into your pants or breast pocket for carrying around with you. There’s no carabiner hole on this because The Wells is a little too dignified for a carabiner. Moreover, carrying it with your keys or other tools would be kind of a sacrilege considering The Wells has rather solo-performer personality.
The Wells gets its name from the Wells projectile point found in Cherokee County, Texas. Named after one of the first American-made implements, The Wells is also James Brand’s first true flipper knife, paying tribute to its heritage. The knife starts at $425 for the silver variant, or you can splurge a little more to get the all-black model for $439.
