The MX101-AW-20CV uses CPM-20CV, a high-vanadium powder-metallurgy stainless developed by Crucible Industries. CPM-20CV delivers edge retention and wear resistance at the top tier of production knife steels — it holds an edge measurably longer than CPM-S35VN or 154CM in sustained cutting use, and competes directly with M390 in both edge retention and corrosion resistance. For a manual flipper at this price point, CPM-20CV is a meaningful steel upgrade over what most production knives in this category offer.

Acid wash is a surface treatment that uses an acidic solution to etch the blade steel, creating a mottled, high-contrast pattern with light and dark variations across the blade flat. The result is a surface that looks intentionally aged or weathered, with a visual character that satin, stonewash, or DLC finishes cannot replicate. Practically, the etched surface hides the fine scratches and carry marks that accumulate on a blade over time, making the acid wash Mordax a better-looking knife after six months of pocket carry than a satin blade would be.

No. The Mordax MX101-AW-20CV is a manual flipper — it deploys via a flipper tab on the blade spine with no spring or coil mechanism. It is a standard folding knife legal in all US jurisdictions where folding knives are permitted and in most international destinations where automatic knives would be prohibited. No compliance form is required at checkout. The button lock provides the same positive, authoritative lockup found on Pro-Tech's automatic lineup.

The Mordax is built to the same machining tolerances and uses the same button lock mechanism as Pro-Tech's automatics — the difference is deployment. Where a Godfather or TR-5 fires via coil spring with a button press, the Mordax deploys via flipper tab with manual wrist action. The Mordax carries no automatic knife legal restrictions, can be shipped to a wider range of jurisdictions, and requires no compliance form at checkout. For buyers who want Pro-Tech quality without the legal complexity of an automatic knife, the Mordax is the platform.

The Mordax's weight comes from its thick aluminum handle frame — at 0.51 inches, the handle is built to be substantial in the hand rather than slim and lightweight. The 0.17-inch blade thickness also adds mass compared to thinner EDC-oriented knives. This is a deliberate design choice — the Mordax is a full-size working knife for buyers who want a hand-filling grip and a blade with rigidity, not a sub-3-oz carry piece. For that use case, the weight is a feature rather than a limitation.

The Mordax measures 8.25 inches overall when open with a 3.62-inch blade. Closed length is 4.62 inches and handle thickness is 0.51 inches. It weighs 5.41 oz. The black deep-carry tip-up clip keeps the knife below the pocket line when clipped despite the substantial closed length.