Artisan Cutlery Simoon V2 Review — A Working Knife Goes to Gunsite

I’ve always believed that a good pocketknife is one of those tools you don’t really appreciate until you need it. Whether you’re opening packages, cutting rope, trimming material, or handling any number of everyday chores, having a dependable knife close at hand can make life a little easier.

Over the years, I’ve carried quite a few pocketknives, ranging from inexpensive workhorses to more expensive offerings. While I appreciate quality materials and craftsmanship, I’ve never believed a practical everyday carry knife needs to cost a small fortune.

Recently, Artisan Cutlery reached out to RangeHot and sent me several knives for evaluation, including the Simoon V2.

Rather than simply examining the knife on my workbench, cutting a few pieces of cardboard, and calling it a review, I wanted to carry it for a while and see how it performed during everyday use.

As it turned out, I had an excellent opportunity to put it to work.

First Impressions

The Artisan Cutlery Simoon V2 is a folding pocketknife featuring a 3.47-inch Bowie-style blade manufactured from AR-RPM9 stainless steel.

The knife I received has a black PVD-coated blade and green G10 handle scales, though several other color options are available.

G10 is a fiberglass-reinforced composite often used for knife handles because of its strength, moisture resistance, and dimensional stability. The blade is made from Artisan Cutlery’s proprietary AR-RPM9 steel, a powder-metallurgy stainless steel designed to balance edge retention, toughness, corrosion resistance, and affordability. Artisan lists the blade hardness at approximately 59–61 HRC.

One of the Simoon V2’s more interesting features is its Recoil Lock V2 mechanism.

This spring-loaded, crossbar-style locking system automatically engages when you open the blade. Retracting the locking bar on the spine or the ambidextrous thumb studs recessed at the top of the handle lets the blade close without requiring the user’s fingers to cross its closing path.

The system accommodates both right- and left-handed operation, and the knife also incorporates a ceramic ball-bearing pivot for blade deployment.

On paper, the Simoon V2 offers a respectable set of features, especially for its approximately $50 retail price.

Taking the Simoon to Gunsite Academy

In September 2026, I attended Gunsite Academy’s 556 Defensive Carbine course in Paulden, Arizona.

The five-day course involved extensive time on the range, numerous shooting exercises, and working with firearms and associated equipment throughout the week. I brought the Simoon V2 as my primary utility knife.

Throughout the training, I reached for it regularly. Opening ammunition boxes, cutting and trimming targets, and handling the occasional bit of material that needed attention did not seem to dull or wear the knife.

None of these jobs involved particularly demanding or exotic cutting tasks. However, they were exactly the sort of everyday chores a folding pocketknife is intended for.

And frankly, that is the kind of testing that interests me.

I wasn’t interested in seeing whether the Simoon could cut through a steel bolt or survive being driven into a log with a hammer.

I wanted to know whether it would serve as a dependable working knife while I was occupied with other things.

Throughout the five days at Gunsite, the Simoon performed the cutting tasks I asked of it without issue.

After returning home from Gunsite, I continued carrying the Simoon for another couple of weeks.

This gave me a chance to evaluate the knife outside the training environment and form a better impression of its size, weight, and suitability for everyday carry.

At 3.32 ounces, the Simoon is reasonably lightweight for a folding knife with nearly three and a half inches of blade.

As far as pocket comfort is concerned, I would describe the knife as acceptable; however, it is a bit on the larger side, and you may feel that when sitting or stooping.

Artisan Cutlery also sent me their smaller CJRB Gobi for evaluation, and I found that knife a little more comfortable in the pocket, primarily because of its smaller dimensions.

Its size represents a reasonable compromise between portability and having a useful amount of blade available when needed.

One aspect of the Simoon that has caught my attention is how well the factory edge has held up.

The knife arrived with a sharp factory edge, and after five days of use at Gunsite, followed by additional everyday carry, I still haven’t sharpened it, as the blade is still plenty sharp.

Now, I haven’t done any scientific edge-retention testing, nor have I compared AR-RPM9 steel directly against more expensive blade steels under controlled conditions.

However, I can speak from experience.

While more exotic and expensive blade steels are available, a good working knife doesn’t necessarily need the latest premium alloy to do its job. It needs to take an edge, hold that edge reasonably well, and remain serviceable through regular use. So far, the Simoon has met those expectations.

The Recoil Lock V2 is another feature worth noting.

Modern folding knives use numerous locking mechanisms, including liner locks, frame locks, lockbacks, and crossbar-style systems.

The Simoon’s Recoil Lock V2 secures the blade when open while letting the user disengage the mechanism without placing fingers in the closing path. When the knife first arrived, I found the lockup to be snug and positive.

After carrying and using the knife, that hasn’t changed.

I examined the blade for movement in all directions, including side-to-side and front-to-back play, and as best I can determine, there is none. The blade still locks securely into place, and the mechanism feels essentially the same as when the knife was new.

The opening and closing action also remains consistent, with no noticeable change in operation.

That’s something I appreciate.

A folding knife is a mechanical device, and its dependability depends not only on the blade steel but also on the quality and durability of the pivot and locking mechanism.

Although I wouldn’t suggest that a few weeks of use constitute an exhaustive mechanical endurance test, I am pleased that I haven’t noticed any deterioration in the Simoon’s operation.

After completing my evaluation, I took some time to examine the Simoon and compare its present condition with how I remembered it when it first arrived. My conclusion was pretty straightforward.

Other than being a little dirtier, the knife is essentially the same as when I took it out of the box.

The blade remains sharp, the action is smooth, the lockup is snug, and there is no detectable blade play.

Nothing has loosened, broken, or given me any reason to question its continued serviceability.

Now, I don’t pretend to be a professional knife tester or metallurgist. My evaluation is based on the same practical expectations I apply to many of the products I review for RangeHot.

Does the product function as intended? Does it hold up to normal use? Is it reasonably well constructed? And does it represent a fair value for the money?

Based on my experience so far, the Simoon V2 has done quite well in those areas.

Of course, I also recognize that a few weeks of carry cannot tell us how a knife will perform after several years of regular use.

Nevertheless, I believe its performance during my evaluation speaks favorably to its initial construction and overall quality.

Final Thoughts

I’ve spent a considerable amount of time evaluating firearms and related equipment, and one lesson I’ve learned over the years is that dependable performance often matters considerably more than advertising claims or an impressive list of specifications.

Would I suggest that the Simoon V2 is the finest folding knife ever manufactured? Of course not.

Nor would I claim that my relatively limited evaluation proves it will withstand years of abuse.

What I can say is that the knife has performed every task I’ve asked of it, and after several weeks of regular carry, I haven’t found anything that would discourage me from continuing to use it.

With a retail price around $50, that’s a respectable showing. Sometimes a good product doesn’t need to be revolutionary or particularly expensive.

It simply needs to work.

Specfications

Model: Simoon V2

Blade length: 3.47 inches

Overall length: 7.99 inches

Closed length: 4.53 inches

Blade material: AR-RPM9 stainless steel

Blade hardness: 59–61 HRC

Blade style: Bowie

Blade finish: Black PVD

Handle material: G10