See What Others Are Saying

Real feedback from real users. Read reviews from fellow enthusiasts and see why Golden Designworks knives stand out in quality, innovation, and design.

Based on 176 reviews
94%
(165)
4%
(7)
1%
(2)
0%
(0)
1%
(2)
B
NUGGET
Brian
Absolutely golden 😁 love it

Absolutely golden 😁 love it.

Excellent

Excellent folder. Surprisingly lightweight for its size. Action ridiculous, and a crazy sharp factory edge. All the different methods of deployment make this a super fidgety knife. So glad I grabbed one. Nicely done with this model, Golden!

J
SLIM
Josh Steinman
The slim is a definite home run

Another incredible knife from golden design works. The slim is an amazing knife, that’s hard to put down. The attention to detail that went into the design is apparent just by looking at it. I couldn’t be happier with this one. Thank you!

S
SLIM
Steven
Typical Golden Designworks quality

Typical Golden Designworks quality, i.e. premium materials with excellent fit and finish.

C
SLIM
Carlos 'Monsoon Pain"
Light , elegant, Golden

Delivery was relatively quick, the 'Slim' was my 2nd choice, as the Caliber was sold out. However, I'm happy with my choice! Ultra light, attractive, thin blade for delicate cuts. Not hard use, but that's OK. When I post pics online (knife enthusiast groups) it's a big hit, and conversation starter for sure

Change the color not knife!

Great upgrade in color!!

A
SLIM
Adam Maultasch
Beautifully Done !

I would recommend this knife to anyone who is serious in the knife community!! It’s a wonderful addition to my collection and the customers service is amazing ! Just a wonderful experience all the way around !!

G
SLIM
Gregg Barash
Very Unhappy

This was the third golden design purchase, I was happy with the other two purchases, but I made a poor decision to purchase this knife. I can’t open it with my thumb. I thought I would be able to, but were the thumb pieces located I have zero leverage so it says in your literature to buy or use a T8 wrench which I purchase and then I found out that the small thumb piece is actually smaller so I had to purchase another wrench And then I discovered that once you take it off, you can’t adjust it to another position. Since I can’t open the knife, I can just look at it basically it’s beautiful, but I believe I’m going to sell it because I don’t like the design and I can’t use it and I’m sorry I purchased it.

Hi Gregg,

I’m sorry to hear you’re having a frustrating experience with the Slim. I appreciate your past support, and I genuinely wish this one had worked out better for you.

This design is somewhat sensitive to finger placement due to the slimmer handle profile, and resting fingers on the lockbar can make the knife harder to open. It’s not an issue with the thumb stud location itself, but I understand how it might feel that way if the lockbar is being pressed.

Just to clarify a couple points, the thumb stud screw is T6 (as noted on the site), while the rest of the hardware is T8. And also, the studs were never intended or described as adjustable or repositionable, so I’m sorry if there was any misunderstanding there.

If you’d like help troubleshooting or getting the most out of it, I’d be happy to walk you through it.

- Blaise

C
SLIM
Conrad Broadhurst
Great Handman ship

It was worth the wait.

A
SLIM
Alex Amarra
Perfect

Action is super good with multiple deployment options. Ergos are good, certainly lives up to being Slim. The button is a good addition to the frame lock bar. With the blade being so drop shutty it certainly keeps your fingers out of the way when closing the knife. I would say this makes for a real good EDC/ gentleman’s pocket knife. The materials and design are exquisite making this one of the best best knives I’be had.

T
SLIM - LTD
Thomas Scott Edgington
Not for the money

Nice knife but the Damascus isn’t what I’d scored, and overall just doesn’t measure up for thst kind of money. I’ve got a couple other knives, but this isn’t REATE quality, and the uocgarge for the blade is just wrong.

Hi Thomas,

Thanks for the feedback. I’m sorry to hear the Slim LTD didn’t meet your expectations, especially after opting for a premium version. I always want people to feel like they’re getting solid value from my work.

I understand that the added cost for a Damasteel blade compared to the regular variants can be tough to justify, and that’s exactly why so few are produced. That said, Damasteel carries significantly higher material and production costs, which is reflected in the pricing. Believe it or not, my margins are actually lower on these limited pieces, as they’re offered simply as a way to create something more limited and special. I believe the pricing is fair and consistent with similar Damasteel offerings in the market.

Each Slim is handled by Bestech’s top-level manufacturing team, with my own design, tuning, and spec decisions layered in. While they aren’t produced by Reate, I’ve had many customers say the quality is right there with them, and the pricing reflects that small difference as well. The LTD versions are a true small-batch build, and I stand by their quality and finish. That said, I understand if this one just didn’t land for you.

If there’s anything I can do to help or talk through it further, feel free to reach out directly.

- Blaise

E
SLIM
Erin D.
Awesome knife.

Love the “fusion lock” mechanism. Smooth action, easy to carry, has been my go to EDC knife since I got it.

T
SLIM - LEFT HANDED
Torey Casey

Man love it got the green one have both of their framelock (top framelocks) and they are both two of my absolute favorites and I have an embarrassing amount of knives! They keep making Lefties I will keep buying them!! Great designs and the quality top to bottom outstanding and as a plus great people!

B
SLIM
Billie
No corners cut. Great design

At 2.75 ounces its lightweight but still a great size blade and handle. No pivot lash or lock stick, good detent not too heavy for the front flipper. Thumb studs are grippy, blade is almost drop shut out if the box.

Functional gimping that doesn't cut corners. Its extended anywhere your thumb would rest on the spine, and continues around the corner that allows for grip when using the front flipper.

To me, what justifies the price are those little details that other expensive knives always seem to over look.

Examples include:

Hidden screw for the pocket clip, its subtle but its just one of those things that separates a good design from a great design.

The notch for the frame lock being inside facing the blade, rather than outside being an eye sore. So many good designs get this wrong.

The flat landing pad under the pocket clip that can help your pockets from getting chewed up by the milling.

There is no hardware visible on the show side of the knife. Just another element that separates a good design from a great design.

No billboarding or excessive branding whatsoever. One logo on the inside of the handle that you have to disassemble the knife to see.

T8 hardware for maintenance. You only need to remove 2 screws to open the knife up for any maintenance. Another great design choice that you can just tell was thought about and implemented by someone who knows knives.

All these details combined with hand written notes, DOB card, nice carrying case and overall package just makes you feel like you bought somthing special.

On top of that customer service is friendly and responsive. I asked via email what the bearing size was to install some Skiffs and Blaise responded the same day with the size and even a direct link to the ones I would need. Super convenient and helpful.

I read another review of a guy complaining about the the thumb studs being "big" like it wasn't clear and obvious from the pictures. Its a design choice, something that is intentionally different from all the other thumb studs. On top of that, you can simply remove them! He also mentions that the thumb studs are not needed in tandem with the thumb hole. I guess this person just doesn't appreciate multiple deployment options. Thats like saying it doesnt need a front flipper or anything else because it has a button for the lock that can be used for deployment. What a silly review.

Thumb hole with thumb studs is my favorite deployment, I get to use the studs with my thumb and the hole for reverse flick. Best of both worlds. There's unfortunately not that many knifes that offer these together so I for one appreciate it and prefer it.

R
SLIM
Randolph B Hamrick
Nice but too small for my taste

I didn’t think it would be that small. I would love a larger size.

Hi Randolph,

Thanks for the feedback. I totally understand if the Slim ended up feeling a bit small for your taste. It was intentionally designed to be compact, lightweight, and easy to carry, but I get that some folks prefer something with more presence in hand.

I do try to list as many dimensions and technical details as possible on the site, and always encourage folks to reach out if they have any questions before purchasing. That said, I appreciate the honest input, and it’s great to hear you still found it to be a nice knife overall. Feedback like yours helps shape what comes next.

- Blaise

K
SLIM - LEFT HANDED
Kenneth Dovich
Sweet little pocket pal

Love the design. Action is what I come expect from GD. I would consider this a gentleman carry for me . Keep up the awesome work and look forward to your next creation.

L
SLIM
Lance Smith
Awesome

Like it so much I made a reel that I’ll be posting on instagram soon

L
SLIM
Lakesha Moore
Excellent

Action is perfection! It’s beautiful, lightweight, and fidgety without tiring the hands. Love the multiple ways of opening and the beautiful thumb studs. This thing is a 20 out of 10.

B
SLIM - LTD
Brett Schlifka

This is an outstanding knife with great action and ergonomics. Very spicy.

j
SLIM - LTD
jordan
Great knife

Super comfortable and lightweight.

E
SLIM
Eric Nelson
Very Nice EDC

This is a great knife and very pocket friendly. I'm still a bit biased in favoring the Caliber which is an exceptional knife whether full sized or sub sized. I also think a larger version of the Nugget with a button lock release would be the ultimate perfect knife. But back to the Slim, it is a wonderful knife and certainly does not disappoint. Can't wait to see what Blaise cones up with next!

D
SLIM
David Crowe
Amazing Everything

Action, lock, look, sharpness, all excellent out of the box. Packaged well, packaging is good, and shipping went great. Was a long wait, but was warned up front, and knew what to expect, but was like waiting to open Xmas presents. Was worth it though, and can't wait on future projects.

W
SLIM
Weiran Deng
GOAT knife in my collection!

Magnacut blade, ingenious button frame lock, light weight titanium handle.
This is my new GADA (Go Anywhere Do Anything) knife and I personally consider this is one of the best knives of all time, well, unless GD releases something else, hopefully soon.

T
SLIM
Tarkan
What a knife

I have to say this is another banger from Blaise!! The more you handle this Slim beast the better is gets and the better colors come out!! Don’t wait buy it now!!

R
SLIM
Ruiji Cheng
Better than good knife!

Handle feels kinda “SLIM” when doing spydie flip. Other than that, it’s perfect. When I’m typing this I’m getting better at the spydie. So, it’s perfect lol.