This Update to a Classic Pocket Knife from the CIA’s Former Knifemaker Boasts a Premium Blade Material

Tactile Knife Co. designed its new Mariner 2 in collaboration with the legendary Bob Terzuola.

Published August 8, 2024

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Ah, 1988. Coming to America was on the big screen, “Sweet Child o’ Mine” was on the radio, and Santa Fe-based knifemaker Bob Terzuola was just hitting his stride. Having already crafted fixed blades for CIA operatives overseas and introduced the concept of the “tactical knife” with the ATCF (Advanced Technology Combat Folder), Terzuola unveiled a heavy-duty pocket knife for everyday use.

The Mariner 2 features MagnaCut, the hottest super steel in the knife space these days, thanks to its rare balance of toughness, edge retention and corrosion resistance.

Dubbed the TTF-2 Marine/Rigging Folder, it featured a sturdy sheepsfoot blade, a titanium handle and a no-nonsense prescription: “recommended for yachtsmen, riggers, packers, truckers, and anyone who requires a quality cutting tool.”

Fast forward 36 years, and the folks at Tactile Knife Co. are bringing it back, baby. They got hold of a functional original and got Terzuola himself involved, consulting on the design with twin objectives: honoring the original and updating it for optimal EDC in 2024. The result? The eye-popping new Mariner 2.

Tactile Knife Co. Mariner 2

$429 at Tactile Knife Co.

Tactile Knife Co. Mariner 2

So, how does the new iteration compare to the original? There are a number of key similarities, as well as a few big differences.

For starters, Tactile’s crew channeled the original’s aesthetic, returning to the classic sheepsfoot shape for the blade. However, they scaled its length down to 2.98 inches, just short enough to pass muster in areas with laws requiring blades to be less than 3 inches.

tactile-knife-co-mariner-2-nintendo — Contrary to popular belief, the top-selling Nintendo game of 1988 was not *Lee Trevino’s Fighting Golf*. Nope, it was *Super Mario Bros*.

At the same time, as this story’s headline calls out, they upgraded the blade’s steel. The Mariner 2 features MagnaCut, the hottest super steel in the knife space these days, thanks to its rare balance of toughness, edge retention and corrosion resistance.

Safe to say MagnaCut’s inclusion plays a major role in the new release’s hefty pricing.

tactile-knife-co-mariner-2-knife-flashlight — The Mariner’s 2.98-inch MagnaCut blade is easily its most notable feature.

Beyond its upgraded blade, the Mariner 2 carries some notable Terzuola nods, including a rugged yet lightweight Grade 5 Titanium handle and a low-profile 3D-machined pocket clip embossed with Terzuola’s signature dragon head logo, which Tactile says “represents Etz Nab (also Etz’nab), the Mayan God of flint tools and edge weapons.”

Machined and assembled in Tactile’s Dallas shop, the knife also features the brand’s first-ever dovetailed thumb disc, a high-retention liner lock held by the backspace, an overall length of 7.16 inches and a weight of 3.58 ounces.

mariner knife comparison — This graphic illustrates the differences between the original knife and the Mariner 2, most notably the latter’s shorter blade and streamlined pocket clip.

Availability and pricing

Like its blade material, this knife is hot. The first production run sold out quite quickly. However, according to Knife News, more units are on the way, and on Tactile’s own site, you can sign up to be notified when the next batch is available.

Just be prepared to crack open your piggy bank. If there’s one thing here that doesn’t remind us of 1988, it’s that $429 price tag.