Created with Sketch. Created with Sketch.
Toggle menu
888-225-9775
Free Ground Shipping on Orders over $99
  • 0
  • Coming Soon
  • Knife Styles
  • New Arrivals
  • Knives
  • Gear
  • Kitchen Cutlery
  • Tools
  • Sale
  • View More
  • Shop by Brand
  • Case
  • Spyderco Knives
  • CIVIVI Knives
  • Kershaw Knives
  • Cold Steel
  • ESEE Knives
  • We Knife Co.
  • Boker
  • CRKT
  • TOPS
  • View all Brands
  • Coming Soon
  • Knife Styles
  • New Arrivals
  • Knives
  • Gear
  • Kitchen Cutlery
  • Tools
  • Accessories
  • Sale

    • Shop by Brand

  • Case
  • Spyderco Knives
  • CIVIVI Knives
  • Kershaw Knives
  • Cold Steel
  • ESEE Knives
  • We Knife Co.
  • Boker
  • CRKT
  • TOPS
  • View all Brands

    • Ray Laconico

    Minimalist Titanium EDC Folders by Designer Ray Laconico

    Ray Laconico brings a fine-art sensibility to the modern titanium EDC folder. Based in Visalia, California, he came to knifemaking in the mid-2000s out of a background in fine art and a growing passion for collecting pocket knives and fixed blades. Working out of his home shop, he became renowned for crafting immaculate custom titanium frame locks and fixed blades—handmade pieces like the Jasmine, EZC, and Bear that now sell through show lotteries, custom drops, and secondary market auctions at a premium.

    Laconico's design philosophy is strict "less is more": clean lines, functional ergonomics, smooth manual actions, and zero unnecessary flourishes. Our premium selection showcases these streamlined platforms utilizing bead-blasted titanium, Micarta, and G-10 handles paired with steels like 14C28N, AR-RPM9, and CPM-20CV. By highlighting iconic configurations developed by Ray Laconico—including his earliest mass-production hits at Kizer Cutlery, his budget-friendly CIVIVI EDC models, his premium WE Knife Co. titanium folders, and his Monterey Bay Knives mid-tech collaboration with Sanford Owen—you secure a cutting tool refined down to only what matters.

    From the CIVIVI Sokoke's sculpted G-10 profile to the WE Knife Evoke's contoured titanium frame, Laconico's work emphasizes soft, neutral handles with smooth chamfered edges that adapt to any grip. Classic hallmarks of his distinct design language include versatile drop and clip points, front-flipper and thumb-stud deployment on ceramic ball-bearing pivots, and understated finishes free of aggressive jimping or complex handle cuts. Browse our inventory to acquire a purpose-built, refined tool engineered for daily carry.

    Knifeworks Pro Tip: Laconico's front-flipper and thumb-stud folders run on ceramic ball-bearing pivots tuned for a light, fast action. Avoid over-tightening the pivot screw, which can bind the bearings and slow deployment—snug it down just until side-to-side blade play disappears, then back off a fraction of a turn for the smoothest release.

    Need assistance verifying specific pattern specs, pivot hardware, or shipping policies? Contact our team in Columbia, LA at 888-225-9775 for direct product assistance.

    Designer
    Ray Laconico
    Design DNA
    Fine Art & Custom Knifemaking Roots
    Core Materials
    Titanium, Micarta & G-10
    Design Origin
    Visalia, California USA
    Mechanism Variety
    Front Flipper, Thumb Stud, Crossbar Lock
    Style Focus
    Minimalist "Less Is More" EDC
    Compare Selected
    Who is Ray Laconico?+

    Ray Laconico is a premier custom knifemaker and industrial designer based in Visalia, California. With a background in fine art, he turned his passion toward knifemaking in the mid-2000s after collecting pocket knives and fixed blades, and became known for crafting immaculate custom titanium frame locks and fixed blades from his home shop.

    What is the CIVIVI Sokoke by Ray Laconico?+

    The Sokoke is a highly popular EDC folder designed by Ray Laconico for CIVIVI, featuring a 3.35" 14C28N (or Damascus) drop-point blade, front-flipper or thumb-stud deployment, and sculpted G-10 or Micarta handle scales.

    Is the WE Knife Evoke a Ray Laconico design?+

    Yes. The Evoke is a premium titanium frame lock designed by Ray Laconico for WE Knife Co., featuring a 3.48" CPM-20CV (or Damasteel) clip-point blade, front flipper and dual thumb stud openers, and contoured 6AL4V titanium handles.

    What are the design hallmarks of a Ray Laconico knife?+

    Laconico follows a strict "less is more" philosophy—soft, neutral handles with smooth chamfered edges, versatile drop and clip point blades, front-flipper and thumb-stud deployment on ceramic ball-bearing pivots, and understated finishes free of aggressive jimping or complex handle cuts.

    What knives did Ray Laconico design across his production partners?+

    Ray Laconico designed early influential hits like the Gemini, Feist, and Yorkie for Kizer Cutlery, the Sokoke for CIVIVI, the Evoke for WE Knife Co., the Prado for CJRB Cutlery, and custom mid-tech designs through Monterey Bay Knives, the brand he co-founded with Sanford Owen, along with additional partnerships at Vosteed and Alliance Designs.

    What is the CJRB Prado by Ray Laconico?+

    The Prado is a full-sized EDC folder designed by Ray Laconico for CJRB Cutlery, featuring a 3.75" AR-RPM9 steel blade, thumb-hole deployment, a smooth Crossbar Lock mechanism, and G-10 or wood handle scales.

    What steels are typically featured on Ray Laconico collaboration knives?+

    Budget-friendly CIVIVI models like the Sokoke run 14C28N steel, the CJRB Prado runs AR-RPM9 steel, and premium WE Knife Co. models like the Evoke run CPM-20CV steel, spanning entry EDC to high-end collector tiers.

    Ray Laconico designs: production collaboration lineup at Knifeworks

    Design PlatformSignature Lock TypeAction / DeploymentBrand PartnerTier
    WE Knife Evoke ★Titanium Frame LockFront Flipper / Thumb StudWE Knife Co.Ultra-Premium
    CIVIVI SokokeLiner LockFront Flipper / Thumb StudCIVIVIEntry EDC
    CJRB PradoCrossbar LockThumb HoleCJRB CutleryMid-Range
    Kizer Gemini / Feist / YorkieLiner Lock / Frame LockManual Thumb StudKizer CutleryMid-Range
    Monterey Bay Knives CollabsTitanium Frame LockFront FlipperMonterey Bay KnivesHigh-Premium
    Vosteed / Alliance Designs CollabsLiner LockManual Thumb StudVosteed / AllianceEntry EDC
    🛡️
    Authorized dealerEvery Ray Laconico design knife ships with full manufacturer warranty coverage.
    🚚
    Same-day shippingShips from Columbia, Louisiana — 888-225-9775
    🏆
    Minimalist design historyFeaturing the "less is more" profiles that shaped CIVIVI, WE Knife, and Kizer's EDC lineups.
    📞
    Call us before you buy888-225-9775 — we carry premium designer lines in stock.