Handle and Comfort

I’ve always appreciated clean lines and design that makes you stop and take notice. With the Tiran, Tacray leaned hard into that idea. The titanium handle is sculpted in a way that feels like something out of a stealth tech lab. It’s futuristic without being overdone. The lines are angular but thoughtful. The entire handle feels precise and balanced.

There’s a generously sized index finger notch that accommodates different hand sizes. For me, it’s large enough to almost fit two fingers in comfortably. I like the symmetry between the pivot screw and the button lock. They’re close in size and visually aligned, which adds to the knife’s mechanical feel.

The handle itself is fairly straight, which works well in hand. There’s enough length and surface area for a secure grip, and the milling along both sides gives your fingers a natural landing zone. It helps the knife lock into the palm without feeling aggressive or busy. It honestly reminds me of the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber—sleek, sharp, and intentional.

The black titanium coating on the handle has held up impressively well. After regular carry, I expected to see some signs of wear, especially around the edges or where it contacts keys and gear, but it still looks nearly new. That’s not always the case with coated titanium, some finishes wear quickly or show snail trails. Whatever Tacray used here feels more durable than a standard coating, and it really helps the knife maintain its stealthy, high-end look over time.

There’s no jimping anywhere, which I actually appreciate. It keeps the profile clean and the knife smooth in the pocket. The lanyard hole is placed at the top of the handle in an unconventional spot, but it works. I don’t tend to run lanyards on most of my knives, so I left it as-is.

Lock and Carry

The Tiran uses a button (or plunge) lock, which has gained popularity over the last decade for good reason. It’s easy to operate, fast, and generally reliable. When you open the blade, the lock engages with a soft click instead of the more aggressive snap you get from a framelock or linerlock. It’s a quieter, more refined kind of feedback.

Lockup is solid, with no play in any direction. The engagement does feel a little light, but that could just be the impression from how thin the frame is. This isn’t a hard-use folder, and I wouldn’t treat it like one. Button locks rarely show up in that category anyway. Closing the blade is as easy as pressing the button. Thanks to the bearings in the pivot, the blade drops shut with very little effort. It’s smooth, satisfying, and feels dialed in.

The milled titanium pocket clip is a good design overall. It has the right shape and tension to suggest proper engineering, but I do have a couple of nitpicks. It could stand to be just a bit longer, and I’d like to see a little more spring to help it slide into the pocket easier. As it stands, getting the knife clipped can take more effort than it should. The placement is fine, but I do think the logo on the clip should’ve been blacked out to match the rest of the knife. That would’ve pulled the stealth look together nicely.


Blade and Performance

Now for the highlight of the Tiran—the blade. This thing is gorgeous and performs just as well as it looks. Tacray went with a reverse tanto profile, made from ZDP-189 steel with a DLC coating. That’s a bold move, and I respect it.

Right now, the market feels stuck on repeat when it comes to blade steel. You see the same names constantly—S35VN, D2, 14C28N, M390, and now MagnaCut dominating headlines. Don’t get me wrong, those steels work, but it’s rare to see something like ZDP-189 anymore. It’s a super steel with outstanding edge retention and the ability to reach very high hardness levels. The only downside is its weaker corrosion resistance, but Tacray addressed that with a DLC finish.

The blade shape fits the knife’s overall design perfectly. It’s aggressive and elegant at the same time. Reverse tanto is a style I’ve come to appreciate more over the years. It gives you a strong tip for piercing while still offering enough belly for slicing. The Tiran handled everything from cutting rope and breaking down boxes to trimming insulation with ease. It can even do food prep, but it’s kind of like lighting a cigarette with a lightsaber—cool, but not exactly practical.

What surprised me most was how well this knife cuts. The blade stock is already thin, but Tacray ground the edge even thinner. Geometry is everything here, and the Tiran slices through material with almost no resistance. It’s one of the best cutters I’ve used in a while. I haven’t had to resharpen it yet—just a few passes on a strop to bring it back to shaving sharp.

The finish on the blade is another standout feature. Near the spine, it has a matte DLC look, but as you move toward the edge, it transitions to a near mirror polish. I think that subtle ombre finish helps reduce drag and improves slicing. Honestly, I’d love to see the entire blade done in that polished DLC. It looks great and feels even better in use.


Closing Thoughts

The Tacray Tiran is one of those knives that feels like it was built with purpose. The design language is different without being alienating. It’s thin, lightweight, stealthy, and full of small details that add up to something special.

This knife won’t be for everyone, and that’s kind of the point. It’s not chasing trends. It’s doing its own thin, and doing it well. If you’re looking for a high-performance slicer with a unique aesthetic and a steel that actually stands out, the Tiran is worth a serious look.