Isham Bladeworks Blackstar

It’s a beautiful little folder. Drop dead sexy blade if you like clip points.
Super light. Mine weighed in at 1.4ozs.
The liner detent is also very light, easily overcome. If you’re not careful you will cut yourself sooner or later.
If I were a collector, I would want one.
It would work well as a light use dress knife.
Not sure if I’ll keep it. I’m not really collecting anymore but it’s hard to let something this gorgeous and limited slip away. Sexiest looking folder that I own by far.
Regurgitated pic.
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I really like the design of the Blackstar, but I ended up getting rid of mine. First, here's my video reviewing and explaining the knife:


I really like the shape of the handle and blade. The m390 is great, and seemed well heat treated. The G10 with carbon fiber inlay looked good, but I'm not sure it looked better than one or the other. Maybe a carbon fiber shield inlay would have gone better with the traditional inspirations. It flipped great, actually I was amazed by how easily it could be flipped open and closed. It also was easy to carry due to the low weight and clip.

However, I sold it because it just isn't a knife that's well designed for use. The detent ball spring system makes for good flipping, but it doesn't how the blade open well enough for use. It would break the detent and start to close in about any use harder than opening an envelope. Cutting apples, food prep, breaking down boxes, even opening boxes. Anyone who chimes in with the classic and totally worthless "you're not supposed to put pressure on the spine" either doesn't actually use their knives or hasn't used a knife with this spring detent system. I use slipjoints all the time, as much or more than locking knives, with no issues of them closing. I actually think the upturned clip point blade shape exasperated this, as it would catch on things.

I'd love to see this design as a true slipjoint with a backspring and no flipper (with or without the clip), or scaled up to a 3.5" blade as a locking flipper. Now THAT would be a great design.
 
It's been some time since... But..

Ergos suck.
Detent system is horrid as described above.
Blade tip stabbed me more than the item to cut. Oh man that up sweep is a collectors thing only.
Action was not good on this sample.
The quality of the knife materials and how it was put together was nice. Ie milling etc.

I'd recommend passing on this one. It won't be apart of anyone's edc. As a collectors piece sure, it's fine. It looks nice and I hate ishams designs overall.
 
No doubt Elijah's designs come across as Love them or Hate them and it sounds like you have a valid reason to hate this one. I for one am intrigued by Ishams work and was thinking about picking up a modern traditional but I think i'm going to pass on this one. I would love to see his produce a true traditional slip joint with a back spring. Thanks for getting back to us Mo2.
 
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