Knife Review: Artisan Cutlery Butcherling – Compact Powerhouse with Cleaver Swagger

Welcome back, fellow knife enthusiasts! Today, we’re diving into an exciting new release from Artisan Cutlery — the Butcherling. As its name suggests, this blade brings a bold cleaver-style design in a compact, everyday-carry-friendly package. Whether you're a collector, an EDC lover, or just appreciate well-crafted tools, this one’s worth a closer look.

Unboxing the Butcherling: First Impressions Count

Artisan always knows how to make a good first impression. The Butcherling arrives in a sleek, modern box that features clean branding and the Artisan logo front and center. The box is dressed in dark tones with crisp fonts — minimalist but sharp, just like what’s inside. Flip it over, and you’ll find some product details on the back.

Inside the box, you’re not just getting a knife — Artisan throws in some extras:

• A cleaning cloth for keeping your blade in tip-top shape

• A couple of Artisan stickers to rep the brand

• And of course, the knife itself, secured neatly and ready to impress

Design & Build: Let’s Talk Materials and Ergonomics

The Butcherling features a gray titanium handle, giving it a rugged, premium feel while keeping the weight manageable. The handle is 4.37 inches long — just the right size to fit comfortably in hand without overwhelming your pocket space. Grip ergonomics are excellent, with a solid in-hand feel and a shape that accommodates a secure hold, whether you're using it in a utility or food-prep role.

There’s a lanyard hole at the end for customization or carry preferences, and yes — it features a deep-carry pocket clip that is fully reversible, making it lefty-friendly. That’s always a welcome detail.

The lock mechanism is a crossbar lock, a reliable and easy-to-use system that keeps the blade secure during use while allowing for smooth one-handed operation.

Blade Breakdown: Steel, Style, and Performance

The Butcherling’s blade is where things get even more interesting. It’s crafted from S35VN steel, known for its excellent edge retention, corrosion resistance, and toughness — all ideal traits for a working EDC knife.

• Blade Style: Cleaver

• Blade Length: 3.23 inches

• Finish: Stonewashed — for that rugged, low-maintenance look

• Grind: Flat — aiding slicing performance

• Thumb Studs: Yes — easy blade deployment

• Jimping: Present — provides extra thumb grip for precision cuts

The cleaver blade shape is bold and functional, excelling in chopping, slicing, and food prep while standing out in your collection. Despite its stout profile, the Butcherling handles tasks with surprising finesse thanks to its clean edge geometry and quality grind.

Final Specs

Let’s wrap things up with the full rundown:

• Handle Length: 4.37”

• Blade Length: 3.23”

• Overall Length: 7.6”

• Handle Material: Gray Titanium

• Blade Steel: S35VN

• Lock Type: Crossbar Lock

• Blade Style: Cleaver

• Pocket Clip: Yes, Reversible

• Extras: Lanyard hole, Thumb Studs, Jimping

Availability & Final Thoughts

As of the release of this review, the Artisan Butcherling is available exclusively in one variant — the gray titanium version — and is now live on our website.

In short, if you're looking for a compact cleaver with premium materials, great ergonomics, and a bold look, the Butcherling checks all the boxes. Artisan Cutlery continues to deliver quality and style in equal measure.

If you enjoyed this review, be sure to check out our other blog reviews and our YouTube Channel stay up-to-date on the latest blades. Thanks for reading — and until next time, stay sharp!