Three Folding Knives, Three Budgets: Artisan Cutlery Caruso ATZ vs CJRB Pyrite Light and Bowie Pyrite

Introduction

Getting three new folding knives at once is a good excuse to compare them directly, and this trio covers a wide price spread: one from Artisan Cutlery and two from CJRB, a subsidiary of Artisan Cutlery that uses similar build quality but slightly lower-end materials at lower prices. The lineup includes the $200 Artisan Cutlery Caruso ATZ, the $60 CJRB Bowie Pyrite, and the $30 CJRB Pyrite Light.

All three arrived with carry cases and cleaning cloths in the box, a small but consistent packaging touch across the range.

CJRB Pyrite Light: The $30 Everyday Winner

The Pyrite Light is the most affordable of the bunch, and it punches well above its price. It features blue FRN handles, a button lock, ceramic ball bearings in the pivot, and a Warren Cliff blade in AR-RPM9 steel with a flat grind.

The blade finish delivers a striking sheen that looks far more premium than the price suggests. The deep carry pocket clip is tip-up only but reversible, which makes the knife ambidextrous alongside its dual thumb studs. The blade stock is fairly thin, so it should be a notably slicey cutter, and the ergonomics check out with a forefinger indent, light spine jimping, and very few hot spots.

The AR-RPM9 stainless steel is high in carbon, easily sharpened, and offers good corrosion resistance, which makes it a sensible choice for a budget folder. For $30, the action alone is excellent.

CJRB Bowie Pyrite: The $60 Style Pick

The Bowie Pyrite shares the same AR-RPM9 blade steel but steps up to stainless steel bolsters and rosewood handles, with a 3.15-inch clip point blade and a fuller. There is enough room above the fuller to open the knife with your thumb, and dual thumb studs and the button lock give you three opening options.

The action, again on ceramic ball bearings, is excellent for the price. Inside, the liners are skeletonized to reduce weight, and there are barrel spacers near the tail, a lanyard spot, and a stainless steel pocket clip that is tip-up only and not reversible.

Of the three, this is the one that stands out on looks. The Bowie-style clip point paired with rosewood and bolsters is a genuinely handsome combination at $60.

Artisan Cutlery Caruso ATZ: The $200 Flagship

The Caruso ATZ is the premium option here, normally around $200 with markdowns below that on the brand’s own site. It is a big full-size knife with titanium handles, an S90V blade steel, a 3.54-inch clip point blade with a flat grind, and a titanium frame lock.

The titanium pocket clip is tip-up only and reversible, the handles are hollowed out to cut weight, and the contoured top edge flows cleanly into the blade spine. The jimping and index-finger notch work well for a choked-up grip, with no hot spots found during handling. One quirk: a small front nub and cutout near the thumb studs make an interesting visual when closed, but there is not enough surface area to front-flip the blade open, so dual thumb studs do the job instead.

Which One Should You Buy?

Each knife earns its place at a different budget. The Pyrite Light proves that $30 can still buy excellent action, an ambidextrous design, and a beautiful blade finish. The Bowie Pyrite is arguably the favorite of the three for anyone who values classic looks, thanks to the rosewood handles, bolsters, and Bowie-style clip point at just $60.

The Caruso ATZ is the choice if you want premium materials, with titanium handles and S90V blade steel in a full-size frame. A note on the steel choice across the CJRB pair: AR-RPM9 is easy to sharpen and corrosion resistant, though edge retention is not expected to be its strongest trait. That trade-off makes sense for humid or wet winter climates where corrosion resistance matters most, and it is the main reason the flagship uses S90V instead.

Conclusion

This trio shows how a single brand family spans the market: same careful build quality at every rung, with materials scaling from AR-RPM9 and FRN or rosewood up to titanium and S90V. Pick the Pyrite Light for value, the Bowie Pyrite for style, and the Caruso ATZ when you want the full premium package.