Monterey Bay Knives Tusk Review: A Small Titanium Back Lock With Serious Steel

Introduction

The Monterey Bay Knives Tusk is a small pocket knife that stands out for a few reasons. It pairs a compact titanium handle with S90V blade steel, and it does so at a price that is uncommon in the current knife market. It is a back lock design, which is increasingly rare among overseas-made knives that tend to favor button locks. The result is a classy little folder that fits neatly into a coin pocket or key pocket while still offering a useful amount of blade.

This review covers the design, the steel, the build quality, and the practical trade-offs that come with a knife this size. It also looks at one area where the factory cut corners, and why that matters more for some owners than for others.

Who This Knife Is For

The Tusk is aimed at people who want a genuinely small carry knife rather than a full-size folder that happens to be slightly smaller than average. It is noticeably compact next to knives like the Spyderco Delica or the Ontario Rat 2, and it is much smaller than a Spyderco Paramilitary 2. Despite the small handle, it carries roughly the same amount of sharpened blade as the Delica, which makes it feel like a lot of knife for its size.

This is the kind of knife that disappears into a coin pocket or a key pocket. It is also a good option for anyone who prefers a more gentle, less intimidating carry. The slim profile and classy appearance make it easy to pull out in an office lunchroom without drawing the wrong kind of attention. It is one-hand openable, which sets it apart from many traditional slip joints that require two hands.

If you are looking for a small, lightweight, everyday carry knife with premium materials, the Tusk fits that role well. If you need a hard-use tool for heavy tasks, this is not the right shape or size.

Main Strengths

The biggest strength of the Tusk is the combination of materials at the price. It uses full titanium scales with no internal liners, and the blade is S90V, a steel that is more than capable for everyday cutting tasks. The knife weighs about 1.4 ounces, which is remarkably light for a full titanium folder.

The blade measures just under 2.75 inches, and it is thin behind the edge, which makes it an excellent cutter. It also has a bit of a headpin character to it, meaning it can handle light poking tasks as well as slicing. The back lock engages securely, and the knife locks up with confidence.

The design itself has a lot of appeal. It feels like a spiritual successor to the kind of small, slicy back locks that designer Al Mar was known for. The aesthetic is refined and understated, and the overall package is something you would be happy to show off. At around 75 dollars, it delivers a level of material quality that is hard to find at that price point.

Things to Consider Before Buying

The main downside of the Tusk is the hardware. The factory used free-spinning T6 screws, and the pivot assembly is not a true Chicago screw setup. Instead, a screw is threaded into one side of a cylinder with thread locker and treated as a Chicago screw. In practice, this means the screws are not uniform in length, and disassembly can become a serious headache.

If you never take the knife apart, this may not matter to you. A drop of oil applied to the pivot is enough for routine maintenance. But if you are the kind of owner who likes to fully disassemble and clean your knives, be prepared for a frustrating experience. Reassembly is fiddly, and the free-spinning screws multiply the number of failure points.

The handle texturing is another point to consider. It looks classy, but it is a fairly low-frequency pattern that feels abrasive against the skin. It also continues underneath the pocket clip, which can cause the knife to grab slightly on the way into a pocket. A smoother, higher-frequency pattern or flat titanium would have been more comfortable.

There is also the question of origin. The Tusk is one of Monterey Bay Knives’ overseas-made models, produced in China. That is not inherently a problem, and quality is about effort rather than geography. But in this case, the fastener issue feels like a corner cut that could have been avoided with proper Chicago screws.

Buying Advice

If you are looking for a small, classy, lightweight pocket knife with premium steel, the Tusk is worth serious consideration. The S90V blade, full titanium construction, and sub-3-inch cutting edge make it a compelling package at around 75 dollars. That price is especially notable given how much the cost of materials has risen in the knife market.

The key advice is simple: do not take it apart. The factory clearly assumed nobody would, and the fasteners reflect that assumption. For normal use and routine oiling, the knife will serve you well. If you are the type of owner who enjoys full disassembly, this may frustrate you more than it delights you.

For most people, the good outweighs the bad. The Tusk is a solid, well-designed little knife that offers a lot of value for the money. It is off the beaten path in a market dominated by button locks, and it brings a touch of class to everyday carry.

Conclusion

The Monterey Bay Knives Tusk is a small knife with a lot to like. It combines a compact titanium handle, S90V steel, and a back lock design into a package that is both practical and elegant. The price is right, and the cutting performance is excellent for a blade this size.

The main caveat is the hardware. Free-spinning screws and a non-standard pivot assembly make disassembly a genuine ordeal. But if you treat it as a maintenance-free carry knife and simply oil the pivot when needed, it is a joy to use. For anyone seeking a refined, lightweight, everyday carry option, the Tusk is a strong choice.