The Real Steel Huginn is a real winner, and you might just call it the best folding knife.

That’s a stretch, but it definitely deserves your attention if you like classic lines, don’t like a lot of pomp and circumstance or bells and whistles, and appreciate solid ergonomics and a strong lock.

The Real Steel Huginn, designed by Ivan Braginets, is a great knife in its own right, and our WMK exclusive, with a VG-10 blade and a brown linen Micarta handle, is even better.

Here’s what you need to know.

Real Steel Huginn Specs

In terms of specifications, our WMK exclusive Real Steel Huginn is the same as the base model:

• Closed length: 4.63”
• Blade length: 3.63”
• Weight: 3.5oz
• Finish: Satin
• Edge: Straight/Plain

It also has dual thumb studs, a pocket clip, and a liner lock. It has no lanyard hole.

Blade Steel and Profile

The blade steel of this Real Steel Huginn, like the standard model, is VG-10 steel, which is an elder alloy, to say the least, but a great one, and one that is well-suited, chemically, to resist corrosion.

VG-10 may be old, about 60 years at this point, but it still hits hard. It contains carbon at 1%, chromium at 15%, cobalt at 1.5%, molybdenum at 1%, and vanadium at .2%.

At a full percent of carbon, VG-10 has plenty of carbon to take a razor sharp cutting edge. Cobalt helps with that, as does vanadium, in small part. Folding knives made with VG-10 will also hold an edge, while this stainless steel blade remains workable enough to be easy to sharpen.

The molybdenum and vanadium also both make the steel tougher and stronger while improving grain structure. They also make it less likely to chip or fracture when struck, dropped, or otherwise under stress.

And, not that this is a secret, but one of the keys to this alloy is the sky-high concentration of chromium, which at 15%, makes this steel exceptionally corrosion-resistant.

Normally, this much chromium would be a red flag as this element makes steel soft, but in this case it is a nonissue thanks to the healthy helpings of carbon, cobalt, and vanadium.

As for the blade profile, it’s a pretty standard drop point with an attractive fuller running just under the spine. It’s not too small for outdoor chores, and while it’s not a small knife, it’s compact enough to easily carry for EDC without it bogging you down.

In other words, it’s a good pocket knife for everything from opening packages to basic camp chores.

Handle Materials

Most versions of the Real Steel Huginn are available with either Micarta or G10 scales. In this respect, ours is no different in terms of ergonomics, as it is made with Micarta handle scales.

Our version, however, comes with brown-tone linen Micarta scales that are unique to White Mountain Knives.

It should come as no surprise that Micarta is an excellent material for EDC as it is not absorbent, is fairly UV stable, and will not rot or corrode.

In other words, it’s maintenance free. You don’t need to do anything to it, for it, or with it. It’s just fine the way it is.

The other great thing is that Micarta is so durable and offers a great grip in all conditions. It has a nice tactility to it and even when wet and cold is not slippery.

That latter part, though, is not exclusive to our version - it’s just good to know.

Handling, Ergonomics

The handle scales of our exclusive Huginn follow the same dimensions and shape of the others in the same line.

The Huginn has very graceful, albeit nondescript handle scales and dimensions. Not quite as broomstick-like as the CIVIVI Elementum, but with much more curvature than boxier knives like the Schrade Divergent, the Huginn’s handles offer a nice flow and form that is comfortable to use although fairly plain.

Unlike knives with more basic, linear form, these knives features graceful curves and a slightly filled palm swell, which makes them more comfortable in the grip than some other knives.

Not to mention the fact that they index well and are unlikely to roll.

Lock Type, Deployment

If there’s one thing about this knife that makes it popular, it’s the lock type. Real Steel has officially dubbed this a “Slide Lock,” but they aren’t fooling us and the rest of the knife community. We know an AXIS locking mechanism when we see one. That’s what it is, even in Real Steel can’t call it that since Benchmade owns the name.

Whatever you call it, they are very strong and also both right and left friendly. They are also very unlikely to fail and moreover, keep your fingers out of the way when closing the blade. They can also easily be deployed and closed with one hand.

Which, by the way, is also easy to do thanks to the dual thumb studs. That alone might make a Huginn a good contender for title of “best” folding knife.

Is It the Best Folding Knife?

Well, that’s a high bar, and some features in pocket knives appeal to some users, whereas others don’t.

Our best suggestion if you’re not sure is to give it a go for yourself. Pick up one and add it to your collection, and if you’re feeling really bold, throw it in your EDC rotation.

For under $80, you could do a lot worse!