This is the second Elishewitz custom I have had the privilege of owning. Allen’s knives are superbly crafted and completely handmade, which makes them all that much more incredible. Many makers out there are using various CNC machines to produce many parts of their knives but Allen still does it all by hand.

unlike the benchmade version however, this model has hollow main grinds and the tip is flat ground. The Benchmade version has flat ground all the way around. Also, this model has a slightly recurved main edge while the Benchmade model has a perfectly flat edge. These are fairly significant differences as it changes the blade geometry.

The modified tanto blade of the Stryker gives it a pointing prodile allowing easy penetration and lends itself to both pratical uses as well as self-defense use if necessary. Steel on this guy is ATS-34, as it was popular at the time. I noticed that Allen’s grinds were not totally perfect on this knife, though its not obvious from looking at it. Running your finger down one side of the blade reveals that there is a slight imperfection in the grind, well-hidden by the Satin finish. Were it a mirror finish, the mistake would be obvious.

The Titanium handle is not a framelock on this one, but does have Titanium liners for the liner lock, all fully bead-blasted. Lockup is perfect, and has tons of room for wear. Pocket clip on this one is one of Benchmade’s, which was typical for Allen’s knives at that time.

Overall this is just a really sweet knife with a great history as it was his first collaboration with Benchmade, and has gone on to become one of their most popular designs. Their relationship has since deteriorated (as many of Benchmade’s have) and he now works with CRKT. The Custom Stryker is a very understated and practical user especially if you are planning to carry it.

Specs:
Blade Length: 3.5″
Overall Length: 8″
Blade Steel: ATS-34
Handle Material: Titanium

My first Allen Elishewitz custom folder was this Omega folder… after wanting one of his folders for as long as I could remember, I finally got one. Allen Elishewitz was a legend in my mind, with all his collaborations with Benchmade in the beginning, when collaborations weren’t as common as they are now. His designs really struck me as beautiful and functional.

This Omega folder is one of the larger ones from Allen and like most of his knives are designed with self defense in mind. I’m not sure how that factors into this knife design, but it apparently does. I’m not well versed in Bladed Martial arts so I would not be able to say.

The knife has great fit and finish and lock up not good when I received it second hand. I sent it back to Allen for a tune up and asked if he could refinish the blade and handles for a price. He sent it back with the handle refinished and added a new larger back stop for the blade so the lock would engage properly. He did not refinish the blade however and said that it was his policy not to refinish them… I could not remember the reason. I really wanted the blade refinished because the bead blasted flats were kind of scuffed and dirty looking. But I couldn’t complain for $20 return shipping!

The knife came back in great shape as far as the cleaned up bolsters and liners were concerned, and lock up was solid. The blade had a slightly angled alignment to the handle kind of like a gun grip, but much more subtle, which I think was for self-defense functionality. The blade is double hollow ground and has a satin finish on the grind with blasted flats. Allen was one of the first makers to use mixed finished on the blades and this is one of his earlier examples of it.

Overall a nice blade, that you can get for a fraction of what a current Elishewitz costs. Not as refined, but still a very nice blade.

Blade Length: 3 3/4″
Blade Steel: ATS-34
Bolsters: Titanium
Handle: G-10