Knafs Little Lulu: A First In-House Fixed Blade Built on Stubborn Craftsmanship

Introduction

Some knives are just products. The Knafs Little Lulu feels different. It is the first knife made entirely in-house by Knafs, built by Ben Petersen himself after years of learning the knife business from behind the camera and in front of it. Ben bought a CNC machine, nicknamed it CNC-3PO, and with help from a childhood friend at Mountain Path Designs, machined the Little Lulu right out of a garage in Utah.

Knafs itself started humbly, with Ben and his wife Athena building the brand from their kitchen table into a company with a devoted following. The Little Lulu represents the moment Ben decided to bet on himself, and it shows in the details. The Lulu line is named after Lulu Pass in Montana, a place important to Ben and Athena where the environment is harsh and things struggle to grow. That story of legacy, resilience, and stubbornness runs through the whole design.

Specifications and Materials

The Little Lulu keeps things compact and purposeful:

• Overall length: 5.2 inches
• Blade length: 1.9 inches
• Blade steel: MagnaCut
• Finish: Stonewashed, flat grind
• Scales: Green linen Micarta
• Sheath: Kydex pancake sheath with belt loop

Because it is made in Utah, it is made in the USA. The Kickstarter listing specifies “made in the USA with foreign and domestic parts,” a supply chain detail Ben explains in depth on his own channels and in the Kickstarter campaign itself.

Who the Little Lulu Is For

The first reaction most people have when handling the Little Lulu is that it is genuinely small. That will not suit everyone, especially riders of the medium to large fixed blade camp. But the compact size comes with real comfort: a nicely shaped finger choil up front and scales that taper from thin at the blade to much thicker at the back, giving a surprisingly secure and comfortable grip.

The intent behind the design is everyday carry first, but with a second life as a whittling knife around a campfire, which is one of Ben’s own favorite pastimes and a common activity at bushcraft gatherings. For outdoorsmen, it works well as a fine-detail knife. If you are new to carrying fixed blades and hesitant about something larger that draws attention, the Little Lulu slips into a pocket or onto a belt with total discretion.

The Sheath: Practical but Polarizing

The included Kydex pancake sheath is made in-house as well, and the construction quality is genuinely good with solid, snap-in retention. That said, pancake sheaths are a matter of taste. The added side material takes up a bit more pocket real estate, and the Kydex belt loop will not be for everyone, especially if you prefer a pull-the-dot style loop for belt carry.

There are easy workarounds though. A discreet carry clip or UltiClip can be added for pocket carry, and the sheath lends itself well to neck carry. For anyone heading to bushcraft events or doing more hiking, neck carry is arguably the most natural way to carry the Little Lulu.

How It Performs Outdoors

As an EDC knife, the Little Lulu does well: it is slicy thanks to the flat-ground blade, and the 90-degree spine lets you strike ferro rods for fire starting. But honestly, this knife screams more outdoors than pure EDC, and that is intentional. Ben designed the Lulu line as an outdoor knife, drawing inspiration from his travels abroad where he needed compact fixed blades like this for specific tasks.

The bottom line: if you want both, you can have both. It performs respectably as a discreet daily carrier and shines as a small outdoor utility blade.

Pricing and Availability

At the time of this writing, the Little Lulu is funding on Kickstarter for $195. Run number two offers 650 units, with delivery expected in late November, and run number three follows with delivery in early January.

Conclusion

The Little Lulu is more than a knife; it is the story of a builder finally making something on his own terms, machined in-house with real attention to comfort, materials, and story. If you want a compact, USA-made MagnaCut fixed blade that doubles as an EDC piece and a fine outdoor details knife, it deserves a close look. Just know what you are getting into with the small size and the pancake sheath before you commit.