The name Biblio has a cool backstory. It’s inspired by The Biblio Bar in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, where the concept for GiantMouse took shape. This literature-themed spot, filled with creative energy and intellectual vibes, became the birthplace of a brand that thrives on innovation. The Biblio knife pays homage to that origin, and the Biblio XL takes that legacy and scales it up—literally.

I’ve been drawn to GiantMouse lately, and with every model I try, they inch closer to being my favorite knife brand (right up there with TRM). Their attention to detail is fantastic, and I have yet to get a knife from them that wasn’t dialed in perfectly. The Biblio XL follows suit, arriving with crisp action, clean machining, and a presence that demands attention.

It’s rocking blue G10 scales, sculpted in all the right places for a comfortable grip. I’ve been on a bit of a micarta kick lately, so I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about this, but the color combo with the black hardware just works. The texture is on the smoother side—not abrasive but not slippery either. It’s one of those handles that feel good in hand without shredding your pockets.

Speaking of pocket-friendliness, the wire clip is fantastic. I’ve always been a fan of these because they just disappear in the hand when the knife is in use. GM executed this one perfectly—easy in and out of the pocket, and it blends well with the rest of the hardware.

One small but very appreciated detail: T8 screws throughout the body. No annoying T6 bits here. If you’ve ever stripped a tiny screw while trying to maintain a knife, you know why this matters. It’s great to see companies listening to enthusiasts.

Now, let’s talk about the star of the show—the Vanadis 4E blade. This is my first time using this steel, and man, am I impressed.

Vanadis is a high-performance tool steel that balances toughness, edge retention, and wear resistance, making it an excellent choice for knives. It’s often compared to CPM-4V, offering similar performance, while being tougher than M390 and S30V but without their corrosion resistance. Against CPM-3V, it holds an edge longer but isn’t quite as tough, and while it lacks the rust resistance of steels like Vanax or LC200N, it makes up for it with durability and cutting performance. In short, it’s a workhorse steel built for serious cutting tasks—just be mindful of maintenance.

The blade shape is an interesting drop point meets sheepsfoot hybrid. There’s enough tip for precision work, a nice scoop of belly for slicing, and GM’s signature flat grind that absolutely sings when cutting. Pair that geometry with this steel, and you get a knife that just glides through material. It’s crazy how much blade geometry and the right steel can enhance performance—this knife is proof of that.

The Biblio is a flipper, but it also has a thumb hole for deployment. Having both options is always a win in my book. The action is silky smooth, thanks to the bearing pivot, and the detent is well-tuned—snappy, not too light, not too heavy.

In hand, it’s super comfortable. You can hold it in a relaxed grip, using the cutout near the lockbar, or choke up on the forward choil for a more controlled grip. The latter feels great for detail work, though it’s not ideal for every task.

If I had one nitpick, it would be the jimping on the spine. It’s placed a little too far forward for my natural grip, making it only really useful when using the forward choil. Not a dealbreaker, but a small detail I noticed.

If you’re after a super slicey, high-quality EDC with killer looks, the Biblio XL is an excellent choice. There’s a sea of knives out there, and it’s getting harder to say one is better than another—it all comes down to what speaks to you. But GiantMouse continues to nail the details, and that’s why they have such a loyal following.

This one’s a winner. If you love what GM does, you’re going to love the Biblio XL.