Haven’t heard of Deejo? That might be because Deejo is a French brand which has just recently begun to break into the US market.
Nimble, sleek and thin, this knife from Deejo is made for everyday use. It’ll fit in your pocket, and the chances are, you’ll forget it’s there. This knife measures at 7cm when closed (4.3 inches), yet weighs only 37 grams (about 1.3 ounces).
Disclaimer: I am not a knife expert, and am not versed in the technical aspects of knives.
Here are my thoughts on the knife after using it so far:
Pros
- Fully customizable and comes in countless designs and styles
- Beautiful, detailed design
- Looks great in the backcountry and in the city
- Very lightweight and perfect for carrying in your pocket everyday
- Sharp – easily cuts through boxes, papers and fruit (the main things which I cut with this knife)
- $74.90 for the 37g knife with a tattoo design
The exact Deejo knife style that I have is the 37 gram version with a black titanium finish, rosewood handle and Topography tattoo design. You can customize your own at my.deejo.fr, and the potential combinations are endless.
- First choose your size; either 15g (7 cm closed), 27g (9cm closed) or 37g (11cm closed)
- Then choose your finish; either mirror, grey titanium, or black titanium
- Then the handle style
- And finally the tattoo style, which is the design on the blade of the knife
Note that the tattoo design is only on one side of the knife. I’m left handed, so when I hold the knife, the side that’s facing me is plain black.
The blade is made from 420 stainless steel, which is said to be easy to sharpen, and “soft yet tough”. It also won’t rust or corrode. According to KnifeUp.com, the material’s “ease of sharpening, stain resistance, corrosion resistance and cost will make for an excellent starter knife” however, the “softness of the steel means that the blade can be dented and dinged quite easily”. It’s sturdy and does the job for average users, but is not ideal for survival knives.
When you unfold the blade completely, you’ll hear a click, and the blade will be securely in place. To close the blade, press down on the metal part of the handle with the word “PRESS”. It’s straightforward.
Accidentally putting the Deejo knife in the washing machine and dryer. The knife survived, but not without minor scratches.
I forgot that my knife was in my pants pocket and ended up washing it in the machine with hot water and then drying it in a commercial laundry dryer. The knife stayed in my pocket the entire time, and didn’t look much different when I found it from when I first got it. The wood handle is a bit lighter; it looks like the washing removed the wood’s finish. The blade was closed the entire time and is exactly the same.
Clip at the back of the knife, however, looks a bit scratched up. The pivot of the knife, which protrudes out slightly has some blemishes as well. All in all, I certainly wouldn’t recommend putting your knife in the washing machine, but it didn’t permanently damage the knife. I might need to oil the knife and apply something to the wood, which feels a little dried out.
Is traveling with a knife a good idea?
If you do decide to travel with a knife, you’ll have to pack it in a check-in bag, so is it worth it? If you’re one who always carries a knife with you while at home, you might find it useful. You never know when you’ll need it: whether for cutting open things, cutting food, or possibly even for self defense.
Interestingly, Anthony Bourdain (RIP) traveled with a knife. In a New York Times interview, he stated that:
“If it’s a place with heavy street crime, I have this sneaky credit card that turns into a knife. It’s not something you’d want to get into a serious fight with, but it might be a rude surprise should someone grab you from behind as you enter your hotel room.”
Cons
- It’s difficult to open single-handedly since there is no thumb stud.
- The knife is not for the hardcore outdoors, or cutting wood or anything along those lines. It’s not the knife I would choose if I needed to survive in the jungle for a week.
- Suggestion for Deejo: I’d like to see a version made for left handers.
The Verdict
This knife from Deejo is ideal for minimalists who want an everyday knife that can get the job done. I love the tactical black look and the wood handle, making this knife great looking yet functional.
Where To Get It
- my.deejo.fr – this page allows you to customize your knife design
- Huckberry.com – Huckberry is an online men’s retailer which only curates the best stuff
- Amazon.com
What are your thoughts? Leave a comment below.
The Deejo Knife was provided for this review. As always, this Deejo Knife review contains only my honest views and opinions. 🙂 Find out more about me and this site here.
For left handed :
http://my.deejo.fr/cart/deejo-wood-en/deejo-wood-37g-juniper-wood-br-left-handed.html
Thanks for that tip, Ced!
I just picked up one of these on clearance at REI and as a modest knife nerd of many years, I find it an excellent “Gentlemen’s Knife” for light duty use that you really don’t notice in your pocket. My biggest complaint is the lack of a thumb stud or slot for single handed opening. Good bang for the buck and GREAT eye appeal, so it doesn’t intimidate people around you as a 100mm blade would normally tend to freak out people seeing it. Smooth operation and lockup is solid with easy release. If only it had a thumb stud…..
I agree, it really needs a thumb stud. It’s a bit of a challenge to open single handedly.
They do have a one-hand version: https://www.deejo.com/en/deejo-black/839-deejo-wood-37g-one-hand-coral-wood-black.html
Thanks for pointing this out!
The blade is pretty, but it’s just aesthetic. It is better to have a good steel!
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Hi Wiley Kevin! Thanks for the spam comment.
I am told these knives are designed in France parts sourced in China and assembled in France. Is this true. I can’t find anywhere in the paperwork to say where the parts come from
It might be a French company but it’s made in China.
Nice letter opener and conversation piece but not useful for much else.
As one more familiar with knife technology, use and construction, here is my opinion of the Deejo Knives: They are artful looking knives, that appear to be marketed to casual users, who are more interested in style over substance. The design does not particularly lend it to safe use, as there is nothing to prevent your hand from slipping onto the blade, as most well made every day carry knives have. 420 Stainless steel is common in lower-end knives, this steel has about .38% carbon. The low carbon content means that it’s very soft in comparison to most others, and it doesn’t hold an edge as well. Blades made from this material need to be sharpened frequently and are more likely to chip. It does not rust easily. The term “every day carry” knife is normally appied to a well made knife capable for a number of uses and environments. In smy mind, this knife, while extremely attractive, doe not lend itself to serious everyday, practical use. If you live in the City, and desire a stylish knife for occasional, mild use, this knife may be for you.
This is wonderful! I used to love ceramic knives, but these days I started cooking more and received a Japanese steel knife as a gift. Only after receiving it I could understand how important the quality of the material really is.