Apart from it’s strikingly good looks, the first thing to note about the Forebear is it’s size  and weight. At only 1.3 ounces and just 3-3/8″ long (and barely 3/8″ thick) it’s the epitome of compact. It’s available with either G10 or Ultem scales (the plates that cover the knife handle). G10 is a composite material made by layering fiberglass sheets soaked in epoxy resin, which are then compressed and cured under high pressure. It’s valued for its strength, durability, and resistance to wear and environmental factors. Ultem is a high-performance plastic known for its impressive strength, heat resistance, and chemical stability. Neither is better – choose whichever appeals to your sense of aesthetics.

As with many small pocket knives, the Forebear features a slip joint blade opening mechanism. Unlike locking knives, which have a locking mechanism to secure the blade in place, slip joint knives use tension from a spring to keep the blade open. The blade can be closed by applying pressure to overcome the spring’s resistance, which allows it to fold back into the handle. There are deep nail nicks close to the tip of the blades, which make the blade very easy to open. A backspring keeps the blade from inadvertently closing in use.

Both blades have a Wharncliffe blade shape, characterized by a straight cutting edge and a spine that curves gradually downward to meet the tip at a sharp angle. This design creates a strong, pointed tip making the blade ideal for precision cuts, control, and utility tasks. It’s an excellent choice for tasks requiring control, such as whittling and carving, and for cutting tasks where precision is key.

The blades are made of 12C27 steel – a high-quality stainless steel produced by the Swedish company Sandvik. This steel has a reputation for durability, sharpness, and corrosion resistance. It contains about 0.6% carbon and 13.5% chromium, giving it good edge retention and making it relatively easy to sharpen compared to higher-carbon steels.  The blades are hardened to around 56-59 HRC (Rockwell Hardness), making them tough enough to resist chipping and withstand regular wear and tear.

Both blades are chisel ground – one side is flat from spine to edge while the other side has a single bevel. This makes them ideal for use as marking knives. With those slender straight blades they also excel as whittling knives. In fact the smaller blade looks almost identical to my German chip-carving knife. And straight out of the box they’re super sharp.

My only caveat is that the long blade isn’t ground level – it has a noticeable dip at the tip. This really doesn’t affect its use, and when I sharpen the blade I can level the cutting edge. Still, it is a disappointment. Otherwise the fit-and-finish on the knife was superb.