A lightweight EDC with an M390 blade that can cut through almost anything…
Check on Kickstarter
From humble beginnings as a Boy Scout whose motto was “Be Prepared”, I’ve always appreciated the utility of a good multi-tool pocket knife.
But before we get started, let me ask the very strange question…
I’m excited to introduce our 21st-century take on the classic pocket knife — one that’s much more suited to the concrete-jungles and technology of today than the trusty pocket-knives of the past.
It’s called the Smith Blade, and if you happen to have superhuman strength, well, you can cut through almost anything with it. But where are my manners!
The World’s First Proto-Lightsaber, or building Giant Mechs, like the Power Loader from Aliens, or simply from my varied attempts at becoming Iron Man, catching bullets with a real life Bullet Proof Suit from John Wick – or maybe coating my own skeleton in Adamantium in order to become Wolverine in real life!
When I’m not inspiring the next generation of kids into science, technology and out-of-the-box thinking; I’m probably in my lab working on a new prototype project, or prototyping products for www.Hacksmith.store.
You see, I’m a bit of a jack of all trades, a 21st century MacGyver – and if you hadn’t guessed, it’s actually the meaning behind the Hacksmith Logo; a multi-tool and an anvil!
I wanted to create the ultimate lightweight EDC. Regular pocket knife multi-tools didn’t cut it. Traditional multi-tool pliers were all too big and heavy.
I needed something I could always carry, no matter what – NO EXCUSES.
It’s packed with twenty-one genuinely useful tools engineered to keep you prepared for anything life throws at you.
And it’s light. At only 95 grams (3.3oz), you won’t even notice you’re carrying it.
Slimmer and lighter than the former king of pocketable pocket knives, the Smith Blade is crafted with modern advanced materials like Titanium alloys (Ti-6Al-4V) and M390 blade steel. It’s packed with tools to unlock your inner MacGyver — minus the mullet.
Whether you’re a hands-on maker, or perhaps a mom or dad who is expected to know how to fix anything and everything, the Smith Blade is built to be there when it matters most. From household repairs to backwoods camping… from writing that note when nobody else has a pen, to playing family IT guy or “certified” DIY electrician swapping a light switch, it’s got you covered.
And when the job’s done?
Crack a cold one with the boys using the built in bottle opener. The Smith Blade has got your back.
The Features
1. A M390 BLADE that can CUT THROUGH OTHER BLADES
M390 is simply put, one of the best blade steels money can buy. Produced in Germany through a process called powder metallurgy that seems almost like science fiction, there’s a reason why it can literally cut other knives in half.
2. 15° Adjustable Protractor
The protractor. The unsung hero of the design of the Smith Blade, that gives it its unique signature opening-sound and increases the fidget factor ten-fold.
I came up with this by accident, after I noticed the ball-detent was scribing a perfect radius on the edge of the blade. What if we just put more divots on the blade, at 15° increments?
3. Nail File
Good files need to be hard. Our blade has insane hardness, clocking in at a 61-63 hardness Rockwell C Scale. Seriously, why hasn’t anyone done this before?
4. Bit Retention Storage Spring
The patent-pending and most unique feature of the Smith Blade. Integrated 4mm bit storage in the front-scale of the knife!
Safe, secure, and drop-proof; it’s seriously the best. And of course, it’s compatible with any 4mm precision screwdriver bits, especially our friend’s 4mm bits over at Linus Tech Tips.
5. Tweezers
Honestly, I don’t know why tweezers aren’t in every single multi-tool out there. It’s a serious pain point, because when you need them, you need them!
6. Wire-strippers
Wire strippers that actually work. We’ve added grooves to help guide your wire, from 12-20ga, and I’m constantly impressed at how well they work.
7. Metric & Imperial Ruler
As Canadians, we really do love the metric system… but our proximity to our American brothers and sisters means we use both. And thanks to global trade, you’ll probably run into things that are designed both in Metric and Imperial, so don’t worry, we’ve got you covered for both!
8. Reversible Belt Clip & Deep carry variation.
A pocket knife is personal. With a reversible belt clip and options for deep carry, there’s a combination for you that offers ultimate pocket-ability.
Bonus points: If you wear the best pants in the world (the Smith Pants™ coming soon…) the Smith Blade fits perfectly into the integrated tool loop and is quick-drawable for the speediest of repairs!
9. Bottle Opener
Sure, you can try and use your teeth, or the edge of a table, but a good bottle opener? It’s today’s equivalent of carrying a lighter, you never know when someone needs one!
10. Pry Bar/Staple Puller
Pop open old used paint cans with ease, or remove those pesky staples.
11. Philips 4mm Bit
As part of the standard 4mm bit load out, the trusty Philips (or crosshead) style screwdriver.
12. Flathead 4mm Bit
While flat-heads are truly awful screws, you’re bound to encounter them more often than not.
13. Pen 4mm Bit
But wait, what if we just had a 4mm bit that is also a pen?
14. SIM Tool/Sewing Awl
Sometimes you need a pokey-thing. From SIM trays to emergency sewing sessions, our 2-in-1 sewing awl has got you covered.
15. Glow in the Dark Illuminator / Radioactive Tritium.
Drop your knife? The glow-in-the-dark illuminator stays lit for up to a few hours, helping you locate your blade with ease.
And the Founder’s edition? Yup, we put a vial of radioactive Tritium in it. It’ll glow for 15-20 years in complete darkness!
Don’t worry though, the weak beta radiation can’t escape the glass vial – the glow actually comes from phosphorus inside the vial that’s being excited by the radiation!
16. Ferrocerium Fire Striker
4, 8, 15, 16, 23, 42… Well, if you find yourself stranded on an island, the Smith Blade even comes with a ferrocerium fire striker!
17. Tungsten Carbide Metal Scribe
Tungsten: one of the most dense elements in the universe, is also super hard – letting you scratch hardened steel, to even glass!
18. Emergency Glass Breaker
In a pinch, you can escape a locked car by using the tungsten-carbide to shatter tempered glass!
19. Bubble Level
I don’t know about you, but making sure something is perfectly level scratches a deep OCD itch, and with one in your pocket at all times…?
20. 90-degree Bit Driver
To get into tight spots, we’ve included a 4mm bit driver on the side. Convenient!
21. Extended Ruler on Edge of Blade
Measure up to 192mm (~7.5″) from end to end!
The Lightest EDC?
All of those features, and it still only weighs under 95 grams or 3.3oz. On your belt, in your pocket, or in your purse; the Smith Blade is engineered to be your perfect Every Day Carry, I mean, it’s literally why we made it.
I was tired of continually looking for that pesky new multi-tool I impulse bought on the internet. But they always ended up in a drawer somewhere – never on my person.
Conventional multi-tools are often too large or heavy to truly be an everyday kind of carry, but the Smith Blade’s slim form factor and ultra-light weight?
It means you have no reason not to carry it every day!
Smith Blade Versions
We’re excited to announce there are three versions of the Smith Blade to keep it affordable, customizable, and suited to your own needs, with upgrade paths down the road for different blade steels, belt clips, and even new tools! Currently, only the Smith Blade Lite features color finishes. We may offer anodized finishes on Standard/Pros post-campaign as an additional add-on but this has not been finalized yet.
From great to amazing to fantastic, each Smith Blade version is worthy of a permanent place in your pocket as an Every Day Carry that won’t let you down.
Let’s dive into the feature comparison!
Lite Edition [ 7-in-1 ]
The Smith Blade Lite only weighs 88g, featuring an awesome 14C28N stainless steel blade that far exceeds the average pocket knife.
Standard to all Smith Blades, it also features the 15° degree protractor that also gives the Smith Blade its’ signature sound when opening, almost like a ratchet spinning free.
In addition to pastel colors available via Titanium anodization, we also have a few vibrant PVD coatings available!
Physical Vapor Deposition is an industrial process that creates a super hard coating that is robust, corrosion resistant, and vibrant – my personal favorite is the oil slick finish, which is unique to each knife!
And the best part? Smith Blade Lite customers get a future 15% off coupon towards a Smith Blade or Smith Blade Pro so you can upgrade down the road!
Currently only the Smith Blade Lite is able to come in different colors. Standard and Pro come as natural titanium.
Standard Edition [ 14-in-1 ]
The Smith Blade. This is where the multi-tool really starts to shine and stand out from any other pocket knife out there, with the integrated 4mm bit precision screwdriver set.
Featuring 14-in-1 tools, you’ll get absolutely addicted to fidgeting with this. The spring-to-slide-to-magnetic-yoink of the 4mm bits will have you fidgeting for hours.
Not to mention the blade action with the ever-so-satisfying ratcheting sound…
Pro Edition [ 21-in-1 ]
We pulled out all stops for the Pro Edition of the Smith Blade. Featuring the incredible M390 blade, this knife can cut through pretty much anything… you just might need superhuman strength to do it.
And the Tungsten Carbide glass breaker, might just save your life!
Founder’s Edition [ 21-in-1 ]
The Founder’s Edition is a super limited serialized run of the Smith Blade Pro with some extra features up its sleeve and a special finish.
The Hacksmith carries #1 of 999, but the remaining 998 are up for grabs.
And don’t worry, they don’t all just say 1/1000, nope, each one is genuinely a unique # engraved on the side for all to see from # 001 – # 999. Cement your place in history with a Founder’s edition today!
Featuring radioactive tritium instead of glow in the dark plastic, you’ll be able to find your Smith Blade in the dark for up to 20 years!
These ship first as soon as the campaign finishes, the packaging is hand-signed by the Hacksmith, and include a Smith Blade Lite!
Become a Founder today!
Pricing
We have done our absolute best to try and keep the price of the Smith Blade as affordable as possible – it’s not easy competing against the giants who dominate the multi-tool market as a small business – but we’re doing our best.
High-quality knives with M390 blades can typically cost upwards of $500, but we’ve managed to cut that price in half, while also including 20 additional and useful tools!
Because premium materials like Titanium and M390 come at a high cost, and both complicate and slow down manufacturing – we wanted to make sure we’d have a <$100 option, which is why we decided to create a Lite edition – but don’t worry, even the Lite comes cram-packed with useful tools to make it an Every Day Carry you won’t want to forget!
And from Lite to Pro, they all feature the 15 degree blade protractor that gives the Smith Blade its signature and ever so satisfying sound when it opens!
Specifications
Hacksmith Tools
15 Products Designed & Produced
Hacksmith.store
50+ Product SKUs stocked
Over 25,000+ happy worldwide customers
Knife Laws & Legality
At Hacksmith Tools, we take compliance seriously. We actively ensure the Smith Blade meets legal requirements in every country we ship to. For regions with stricter knife laws, such as the UK, Germany, France, and Australia, we offer a specially designed variant of the Smith Blade featuring a non-locking mechanism, a <2.99” blade, and a two-hand opening design.
This variant maintains all the same core tools and functionality while aligning with local regulations to help ensure smooth delivery through customs. And if you move somewhere else? You can buy a regular locking blade from us to upgrade your knife back to(?) normal!
If you reside in one of these countries, we strongly recommend selecting the non-locking version add-on during checkout to avoid delays, package seizures, or other issues with importation.
We’ve done the legal homework, so you can carry your EDC with confidence.
Manufacturing in-house & Timeline
We’ve launched the Smith Blade on Kickstarter to raise funds in order to re-invest into H.E.R.C.’s manufacturing capabilities to allow us to better serve our audience, and customers. By manufacturing in-house we will be able to respond faster to changes, quality control, and accelerate future product development; and even offer more customization than ever before.
The main use of the money will be on a CNC production line for machining the raw titanium into Smith Blades. The average cost of a single CNC machine (16-tool, 20k rpm spindle, auto-probing) is around $50-60K USD + tooling and fixturing.
While we’re continuing to revise and improve our machine paths based on efficiency, tool-wear, and cycle times, it currently takes approximately 2.5 hours to machine the two halves of a single Smith Blade due to the complexity in the design and bit-retention. To maximize part production, we are planning on setting up lights-out-automation to ensure these machines are running 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Assuming no part failures, that means one CNC machine is capable of producing ~9.6 Smith Blades per day, running 24/7. That’s approximately 300 Smith Blades per month, per machine.
Our initial goal on Kickstarter is to raise $250,000 in order to setup a production line of five CNC machines, which would then be able to produce 1500 Smith Blades a month, which would be enough for us to produce and ship all early-bird rewards in September-October.
This is a huge investment on our part, as it means we need to continue selling Smith Blades into the future in order to actually make any kind of financial return, and support the overhead and employees of H.E.R.C.
But that means you can rest assured; the Smith Blade is not going anywhere. We will continue to support, produce, develop, and improve our products for Hacksmith.store — that’s our commitment to you.
If the campaign does exceedingly well, we will purchase even more CNC equipment in order to meet demand and get Smith Blades out to you guys as soon as possible. The better the campaign does, the sooner you get your rewards! And as a YouTube channel turned product business; we will be sharing more video updates than the rest of Kickstarter campaigns combined!
We can’t wait to take you on this manufacturing journey with us!
Shipping, Duties, Taxes, VAT & Tariffs
Duties, Taxes, and Tariffs. No one likes them, but they’re a part of international commerce and there’s no way around them. So let’s break them down!
Shipping estimates are provided (but not charged) with your pledge at check out. Once the campaign ends and you complete your backer survey, the final shipping rate will then be charged – you will also have an opportunity at this time to add any extras to your order! We do this to ensure the lowest rate possible for you.
Taxes & VAT are automatically charged based on your location through the Kickstarter platform. These will be charged at campaign end. Sorry, there’s no way around this!
Duties and tariffs vary based on your location, and are typically charged by the shipping company at customs clearance into your country – we do not have any control over this.
US TARIFFS:
These have been in the news a lot. They keep changing, and there is a lot of confusion around them. A tariff is charged to the consumer, you, by your own country at customs import — just like a duty fee or tax.
Because the US keeps changing its tariff rates, we cannot give concrete information at this time, however, we will do our best to minimize the impact to you. We can do this by importing Smith Blades into American distribution networks, and pay for the tariff at the manufacturing cost instead of the retail price. This substantially lowers the tariff and removes additional processing fees normally paid by the consumer. Unfortunately, this does mean shipping to USA based customers may take longer.
Smith Blade Standard, Pro, and Founders edition should qualify for USMCA (United States Mexico Canada Agreement) and have zero tariffs or very minimal.
Smith Blade Lites shouldn’t be any more than $10 in tariffs to US customers.
About Hacksmith Industries
Founded in 2013 by James Hobson and Ian Hillier, Hacksmith Industries began with a mission: to inspire the next generation of makers through their hit series Make It Real—where fictional tech from comics, movies, and video games is brought to life as real working prototypes.
From building the world’s first real-life lightsaber to piloting giant mechs, Hacksmith Industries became a global symbol of engineering creativity. In 2018, the team began designing products for Hacksmith.store, and by 2020, Hacksmith Tools was born—bringing maker-grade tools to fans and professionals alike.
Now operating out of H.E.R.C, the team has created a skunkworks-style facility capable of prototyping, testing, and manufacturing almost anything—no matter how ambitious.
Following the massive success of the Mini-Saber, we’ve doubled down on product development—this time, entering the Every Day Carry space with the same innovation and engineering rigor that made us famous.
Manufacturing Smith Blades in house will allow us to serve you better, implement design improvements immediately, and come out with new products regularly!
Designed by makers, for makers—Hacksmith Tools are built to perform, built to last, and built to inspire.
The Smith Blade Team
