Review: The Deejo 37g Folding Knife | Pocket Innovation

We review the Deejo 37g folding knife - the largest in the European brand's collection of high-quality, minimalist, stylish knives.

The knife is one of the earliest tools adopted by man. Its origins may have been as simple as a found sliver of stone or shell that featured a sharp enough edge that could be used for cutting, slashing, or scraping, but it has evolved into so much more. 

There is no question that the knife may still be the most common tool in the human arsenal, and after thousands of years of continuous development, it exists in countless forms and is constructed of a multitude of materials.

Like many Canadians, I tend to carry a knife in my pocket almost every day. In fact, just about the only time I do not have some type of folding blade on my person is when I am preparing to board a commercial aircraft. Rules are rules, after all.

Deejo 37g Folding Knife blade with engraved artwork
Deejo 37g Folding Knife. Photo: Russell Purcell

Over the years, I have accumulated a wide assortment of different folding knives and multi-tools, and I make my daily selection only after I have considered what activities I have on my agenda and where my travels are going to take me.

Recently, while shopping at a local outfitter, I stumbled upon a relatively new player in the Canadian knife market- a European brand named Deejo.

Where are Deejo Knives made?

Deejo is a trademark that belongs to Coriolis, a boutique design firm located in Bagnolet, France. Coriolis founders Luc Foin and Stéphane Lebeau have been creating innovative cutlery and outdoor gear since 1995 under two banners, Baladeo and Deejo, and their products are sold all over the world.

deejo 37g folding knife up close of wording on the blade
Deejo 37g Folding Knife. Photo: Russell Purcell

The Deejo 37g Knife’s main features and our test impressions

What sets Coriolis apart from other companies in this sector is the fact that the company strives to manufacture its products using only the highest quality materials and with an equal focus on both form and function. The company’s products seem to represent the perfect melding of both traditional and modern materials.

In the case of the stunning Deejo folding knife, the sheer simplicity of the design is what initially caught my eye. The two Deejo knives that were on display at my local retailer were from the company’s Naked line, which is comprised of basic models stripped down to be as lightweight as possible but still offer the end user the full functionality one expects in a fine-cutting tool. These marvels of engineering are constructed of 420 stainless steel (noted for its durability and ability to hold an edge) and are available in three sizes, classified by weight – 15g, 27g, and 37g.

Deejo 37g Folding Knife scale compared to coins on a table
Photo: Russell Purcell
Deejo 37g Folding Knife scale compared to coins on a table
Photo: Russell Purcell

Look and feel

The look and feel of each Deejo knife are impressive. Although delicate in appearance, they are robust enough to tackle just about any duty expected outside of dedicated tactical use. Their slim design and near-feather weight make them perfect for keeping in a day pack or gear bag where space is short and excess mass can quickly put a damper on your fun.

Deejo knives are the perfect choice for fashion-conscious individuals or those who have to dress up for work, as the slim design is easily slipped into a pocket and is lean enough that it won’t upset the lines of a suit or create an imbalance in the hang of a jacket. It doesn’t hurt that should one notice your Deejo, it is attractive and aesthetically pleasing and will spark some interesting conversations. The same cannot be said of a painfully pedestrian-looking multi-tool or the menacing presence that often comes with selecting a heavy tactical-type folder as a knife for everyday carry.

Deejo 37g Folding Knife close shot of blade
Deejo 37g Folding Knife. Photo: Russell Purcell

Deejo models can also be ordered dressed up to taste with either a vibrantly coloured polycarbonate handle insert or, better yet, a carefully crafted strip of fine wood to give it some extra character and natural beauty.

All Deejo folding knives feature a straight-edge blade housed in a locking frame. A slim-line retention clip has been integrated into the design to keep the knife within easy reach, either in a pocket or on a belt.

If you want to create your own design, the Deejo website (https://www.deejo.fr/) offers consumers the ability to customize their knives to reflect their own personality or individual style.

Deejo 37g Folding Knife thickness compared to stack of quarters
Photo: Russell Purcell
Deejo 37g Folding Knife thickness compared to stack of 3 quarters
Photo: Russell Purcell

The 37g is Deejo’s most giant knife compared to the 15g and 27g options

I selected the largest model, the 37g, which is a comfortable 11 centimeters in length when folded. The ergonomics of the knife are impressive, as the bulk of its substance is comprised of the blade, but it feels really balanced.  The almost skeletal twin-loop design of the frame feels natural in the hand due to its subtle curvature, and the extra depth provided by the addition of the wooden handle strip makes it easy to grip.

The blade is very thin, so unlike on some pocket knives, there is no fingernail groove or post to help deploy the blade. However, it flips open with ease, and the blade will lock in place as a small retention peg on the lever arm clicks into a notch in the large, round, fixed fastener that holds the knife’s components together.  To close the blade, one simply applies light downward pressure on this lever to disengage the lock mechanism.  It’s simplicity at its finest.

Deejo 37g Folding Knife product shot with blade out
Deejo 37g Folding Knife. Photo: Russell Purcell

Three blade finishes

There are three blade finishes available – mirror, grey titanium, and black titanium. I chose the black variant as I wanted to also sample the Tattoo option, which allows the consumer to select from a wide array of designs that are permanently etched into the blade. The Tattoo process is available on all three blade finishes, but the Tree pattern I selected seemed best depicted on the darker surface. Deejo also allows the customer to have the knife inscribed, as long as you can keep your prose to 35 characters.      

My knife was ordered, manufactured, and delivered halfway across the world in a mere four days. That is impressive! The build quality is better than I expected, and the knife is almost perfect, although there is a small flaw in the Juniper wood at the rear of the handle. I think this gives it a little extra character and definitely provides evidence that the material is really wood.

The titanium finish on the blade seems on par with some of the treatment processes I have seen on military-type watches and gear, so it should hold up well to normal light-duty use.

Takeaway and Deejo 37g Folding Knife Specs

In short, the Deejo folding knife has been conceived to be as unobtrusive as possible. Its lightweight, minimalist design is so aesthetically pleasing to the eye that each knife stands as a piece of functional art that anyone would be proud to carry on a daily basis.

While there are several Canadian retailers handling Deejo’s more basic models, the only way to get the Deejo that really suits your style and personality is to order it directly from the company via their aforementioned website. Pricing ranges from 19,90 € for the entry point to the lineup, the Deejo Naked 15g, to as much as 49,90 € for a fully-featured Deejo Tattoo 37g model like the one you see in the photographs that accompany this piece.

  • Overall Length: Approximately 7.7 inches (19.6 cm)
  • Closed Length: Approximately 4.3 inches (11 cm)
  • Blade Length: Approximately 3.5 inches (9 cm)
  • Blade Material: Stainless Steel or Carbon Fiber
  • Handle Material: Stainless Steel or Carbon Fiber
  • Weight: Approximately 37 grams (1.3 ounces)
  • Locking Mechanism: Liner Lock
  • Opening Mechanism: Thumb Stud
  • Pocket Clip: Yes, for easy carrying
  • Blade Type: Folding, with a range of designs and customization options
  • Carry Options: EDC (Everyday Carry), pocket-friendly
  • Customization: Deejo offers a range of options for customizing the blade, handle, and more.
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Author:
Russell Purcell
Russell Purcellhttps://www.flickr.com/people/autoexposurecanada/
Russell Purcell is an award-winning automotive journalist and photographer based in Vancouver, B.C. His passion for automobiles was sparked at the tender age of six, when a family friend gave the wide-eyed first grader a ride to school in a track prepared Porsche 911 RSR. He continues to fan the flames by building an impressive library of automotive related books as well as a vast collection of interesting automobilia and motoring artefacts. Russell is a member of the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada, and is active on Twitter as RoadTestRuss.