This Small Utility Knife Rethinks What’s Essential in an Everyday Blade

Back for a second run, the beautiful Grovemade Task Knife is “all about tradeoffs,” the brand says.

By Jack Seemer

Published August 7, 2024

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Updated August 7, 2024

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Grovemade’s Task Knife isn’t the sharpest tool in the toolbox. That’s intentional.

The brand, which just rereleased the Task Knife after a sold-out debut in 2019, says the knife is “all about tradeoffs.” It’s not a versatile pocket knife designed to cut through anything and everything. In fact, it isn’t a pocket knife at all.

That’s because the Grovemade Task Knife, unlike your favorite SAK, isn’t supposed to leave your desk. It doesn’t have a dozen functions. And, no, it isn’t scary sharp.

It’s a tool designed for what Grovemade calls “light duty use” — otherwise known as opening boxes and the occasional letter. And while it can be sharpened, you might never find the need to.

Grovemade Task Knife

$60 at Grovemade

Simple by design

That’s not the say the knife is without any tricks up its sleeve. Machined from a solid piece of undisclosed steel, it features a flat-edge handle that stands upright, keeping the exposed blade facing downward for safety.

According to Grovemade’s lead designer, Sean Kelly, the knife’s design borrows a lot from the shape of a kiridashi, a Japanese utility knife used in traditional woodworking.

“We were inspired by the simplicity of those knives: a knife that’s just made from one piece of metal,” he said when the Task Knife first came out. “It’s just so beautiful and so specific.”

Experts in desk essentials

Though Grovemade isn’t necessarily known for its knives, it has offered several throughout the years. Instead, the company specializes in all things related to the modern desk, including monitor and laptop stands, as well as writing tools.

“We followed in the progression of Grovemade as a company, and created something very specific for the desk,” Kelly said of the Task Knife.

It currently comes in two colorways — black and silver — and retails for $60. The knife doesn’t come with a separate stand, nor a sheath, meaning it likely won’t make into your EDC any time soon. Nor should it.

“This is just something that you can use all the time,” Kelly said. “You don’t have to refill it; it’s not garish; it doesn’t have bright colors or anything like that. It’s just simple.”