Bleeding Edge Innovation: WE Knife Company Banter Blade
Quick Answer
The WE Knife Banter is a compact, value-priced EDC folder designed by Ben Petersen. It runs a 2.9-inch CPM S35VN blade (about 58 to 60 HRC) on a nested liner lock with a smooth caged ceramic ball-bearing pivot. At about 6.52 inches open and just 2.89 ounces, with G-10 or wood handles, it is widely regarded as one of the best knives around the $100 mark.
WE Knife Banter: quick facts
What steel is the WE Knife Banter?
CPM S35VN (about 58 to 60 HRC) on standard models; some Blade HQ exclusives use CPM 20CV.
What are the Banter dimensions?
A 2.9-inch blade, 6.52 inches overall, 3.62 inches closed, about 2.89 ounces.
Who designed the WE Banter?
Ben Petersen (formerly of Blade HQ); it is a liner-lock folder with a ceramic ball-bearing pivot and titanium thumb studs.
Is the Banter a good budget knife?
Yes — reviewers consistently rate it among the best folders under about $100 for its steel, action and build.
WE Knife Company‘s approach to creating and producing everyday carry (EDC) knives is deceptively simple: Seek out the biggest blade-heads you can find, then give them free rein to design the knife of their dreams. The latest WE Knife Company innovation comes to us courtesy of Ben Banters, whose Banter Blade is the star of this Talon Sei “Stuff and Things” unboxing and video review (definitely check out the Talon Sei channel for other awesome reviews). But before you click “play” on the video, here’s a closer look at what WE Knife’s latest guest designer has to say:
I’m not gonna lie, if you’d told me a year ago that my knife design would be arriving in your mailbox today, I would have chuckled. There were too many roadblocks, too many details that wouldn’t work out, too many pieces and parts. But life has a funny way of taking me weird places that turn out to be pretty darn fabulous. I’m grateful WE gave me the opportunity to design a knife for them. They made magic of all the knife nuances I’d been thinking about for the past nine years. What a thrill it has been to throw my own hot mess idea on paper, then hold it in my hands.
This knife doesn’t look like a “hot mess” to us–it looks like a bit of steel that belongs in our own EDC kit like, yesterday. It can be yours for free if you win the Armory Life Giveaway! It runs through September 30, and features loads of other awesome prizes like a Springfield Saint Victor, a backpack from Safariland and more. Click here to enter!
If you ever thought about having a well-stocked armory with the accessories to keep you shooting and having fun, here’s your opportunity!
Each week you have a chance to win a drawing that will put you closer to completing your armory. If you miss the weekly prize, you can still win it all with the grand prize. Register for each week and for the grand prize and keep your fingers crossed – it could be you.
Reader Favorites
Field-to-table reference desk
From tag to table — official season dates for all 50 states, plus safe doneness temps for your harvest.
| Species | Archery | Firearm |
|---|---|---|
| Deer | Sep–Oct | Nov |
| Elk | Sep | Oct–Nov |
| Turkey | — | Apr–May |
All 50 state wildlife agencies, plus how seasons, tags and licenses work.
Find your state → Network| Doneness | Target |
|---|---|
| Rare | 125–130°F |
| Medium-rare | 130–135°F |
| Well-done | 160°F+ |
Safe pull temps for venison and steak, from Popular BBQ.
View full chart →
Hey, thanks for the video loved the knife, about the “crotch rocket” though, consider trading it in for a Harley Davidson, you’ll NEVER be disappointed; I’ve been riding one for many years and have to say, “there’s NOTHING like riding a Harley. If you ride one you’ll never go back to a ” rice burner” LOL, Thanks Al.