The Hack N Slash
The Hack N Slash is a slipjoint folding knife designed by François-Louis Toussaint. It starts from the silhouette of a Thiers folding knife and pulls it taut: broken spine, direct lines and a design recognizable at first glance. 2.5 mm 14C28N blade, handles varying by version, hand assembly and fitting in Courpière, in the Thiers basin. A pocket knife made to be used, from a quick snack to opening the post.
Description
The Hack N Slash is a slipjoint folding knife designed by François-Louis Toussaint and assembled in Courpière, in the Thiers basin. It is a personal model: it begins with the silhouette of the Thiers folding knife, then moves away from it. Taut lines, a broken spine, tighter proportions — you can recognize it closed before the blade is even out.
A design that breaks the line
The broken spine interrupts the curve of the handle and immediately gives the Hack N Slash its silhouette. Where a traditional folder rounds things off, this one draws a line. Open, the knife measures 21 cm and weighs about 135 g: enough material to fill the palm without becoming a burden in the pocket. Closed, it measures 12 cm, with a handle no more than 14 mm thick. The tension in the design does not come at the expense of comfort: once open, the knife finds its balance and the hand quickly understands where to settle.
The slipjoint, simply explained
The mechanism is a slipjoint, the historic folding-knife system of the Thiers basin. A Z20 backspring presses on the blade tang: it holds the blade open while cutting, keeps it closed in the pocket and provides noticeable resistance when closing. It is not a locking mechanism — the knife can still be closed and simply requires a deliberate action. When opening, the blade stops against a hardened pin stop. No button, no latch: just a properly fitted spring. For more detail, see the page understanding how the slipjoint works, or browse the other slipjoint knives.
A pocket knife made to be used
The 2.5 mm 14C28N blade, with a flat grind and satin finish, is designed for use: a quick snack, bread and saucisson, string, parcels and letters. A knife you take out without thinking and wipe before folding away. Its limits are those of any folding knife: no prying, twisting, striking or batoning. When the job calls for a fixed blade, a fixed blade is what you need. It cuts, accompanies you and proves useful — it is not a crowbar with a wooden handle.
A recurring model with changing versions
The Hack N Slash is not a one-off piece: it is a recurring model released in different versions and series. Some already have names — Rustique, Poids Plume, Vive la France — and earlier versions can be seen among the workshop’s past creations. The design, dimensions and mechanism remain; handle materials, optional bolsters and finishes evolve from one series to the next and according to workshop stock. The options actually available are those shown on this product page, and two Hack N Slash knives share the same silhouette without being identical. The current version is made to order, with dispatch from the workshop within three weeks, and laser engraving of the handle is available as an option. Each knife leaves with its leather sheath, certificate and pillow-box packaging.
Assembled and fitted in the workshop
On this production model, some preparatory operations — heat treatment and preliminary grinding — may be entrusted to specialist partners in the local basin. Design, fitting, assembly, finishing and final inspection are carried out in the workshop in Courpière. Every piece is finished by hand: blade centred, spring fitted and mechanism checked before dispatch. This fitting work is what separates a handcrafted folding knife from one taken straight out of a shipping carton.
The Hack N Slash is the most personal folding knife in the range. To compare it with more traditional designs, see the other pocket knives; if you prefer to hesitate methodically, the guide how to choose a pocket knife is there for that.
Data sheet
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Blade steel14C28N
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Blade thickness2.5 mm
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Grind profileFlat grind
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Blade finishSatin finish
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Nail nickStamped
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Spring steelZ20
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Spring thickness2.5 mm
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Liner materialZ20 steel
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Liner thickness1.5 mm
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Maximum handle thickness14 mm
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MechanismSlipjoint
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Blade stopHardened pin
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Pivot typeRivet
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Knife caseLeather
History & inspiration
The Hack N Slash was born from a reflection on the silhouette of the Thiernois folding bag. I looked at this drawing for a long time: the line, the proportions, the balance between blade and handle. The Hack N Slash keeps the logic and leaves it voluntarily. The back breaks, the lines tighten, the knife becomes more nervous than a traditional folding knife.
It is necessary to be precise on one point: the Hack N Slash is not a Thiers. LE THIERS® is a collective brand, with specifications defined by the region's cutlers - proportions, construction, spirit. Hack N Slash does not respect it, and presenting it as a Thiers would be dishonest. It is a free reinterpretation: he assumes his kinship and claims his distance.
The name tells about this method. “Hack” means taking a known form, twisting it, recomposing it. “Slash” is the gesture of slicing, said bluntly. And yes, the whole thing slips a nod to the geek worlds that I frequent — a smile in passing, not a program. The real subject remains cutlery: a contemporary design, nourished by the cutlery culture of the Thiers basin, made for cutting today.
Materials
The blade is made of 14C28N, a stainless steel of Swedish origin developed for cutlery. Thickness 2.5 mm, flat grind, satin finish: a matte and regular surface, which shows few traces of use. A steel that cuts well, stands up to daily use and is maintained without any particular constraints.
The mechanics are simple and robust. 2.5 mm Z20 dorsal spring, 1.5 mm Z20 plates, hardened nail stop, riveted axle. Optional, 4 mm Z40 bolsters reinforce the presence of the ends of the handle and add a steel contrast at both ends.
The handle is made of polished wood. The essence changes over the versions, series and workshop stock: the materials actually available are those proposed in the selector of this sheet, and certain series may introduce new ones. Each material changes the way the knife reads — lighter, warmer or more contrasting — and each piece of wood has its own grain. The photos are therefore not contractual: your knife will look like the images without copying them.
On this series model, the heat treatment and preparatory grinding can be entrusted to specialized basin partners; the rest of the work is done in the workshop, according to the steps detailed in the manufacture of an artisanal knife. The knife comes with a full-grain cowhide sheath made by a local leatherworker, a certificate, all in a berlingot box.
Use & care
The Hack N Slash is a pocket knife for everyday tasks: preparing a snack, cutting a string, opening a package or mail, helping out at the table. It is not designed for prying, twisting, striking or stabbing, and does not replace a fixed knife when the effort requires one. Out of use, it is the mechanism or the blade that toasts.
Maintenance takes just a few steps. Wipe and dry the blade after use, especially after acidic or salty foods. No dishwasher, no standing water: the 14C28N resists corrosion well, but no steel likes to soak, and a wooden handle even less so. If the pivot becomes less fluid, a drop of fine oil on the axle is enough; never force the mechanism.
For sharpening, a water stone or any support suitable for stainless steels is suitable; If in doubt, entrust the blade to a professional rather than improvising. For storage, keep the knife dry; in case of prolonged storage, remove it from its leather case, which can retain humidity. The detailed instructions are gathered in the guide how to maintain a folding knife. Well treated, this knife lasts a long time.
FAQ
Is Hack N Slash a Thiers?
No. LE THIERS® is a collective brand with precise specifications, supported by the cutlers of the Thiernois region. The Hack N Slash is inspired by the silhouette of the Thiernois folding chair but does not respect these specifications: it is a free reinterpretation, with a broken back and tighter lines. He assumes his kinship without claiming the appellation.
Why is this knife called Hack N Slash?
The name describes the method. “Hack” is to divert an existing form: starting from the design of a regional folding and recomposing it. “Slash” is the gesture of slicing. The whole thing also slips a nod to the world of video games, assumed but secondary: the main subject remains a French knife designed for cutting.
How does slipjoint mechanism work?
A dorsal spring presses on the heel of the blade. It keeps it in the open position during cutting, keeps it closed in the pocket and provides resistance when it is closed. A hardened nail stop stops the blade when opening. There are no buttons or latches: support comes from spring tension and the shape of the heel.
Does slipjoint mechanism lock the blade?
No. The slipjoint mechanism is not a lock: the blade can close if force is exerted in the closing direction. The spring provides firm support, sufficient for all normal uses of a pocket knife, but you must cut with the edge and avoid movements that push the blade towards the handle.
Can the Hack N Slash be used every day?
Yes, that's even its reason for being. Snacks, string, packages, mail: these are its natural uses. The 14C28N blade withstands daily use and is easy to maintain. Just respect the limits of a folding chair: no levering, no twisting, no hitting, and wipe it clean after use.
What handle materials are available?
The handle materials evolve over the versions, series and workshop stock. Those actually available are proposed in the selector of this sheet. Each piece of wood has its own grain: two knives of the same species are never strictly identical, and certain series may introduce new materials.
Are the different Hack N Slash the same?
No. The Hack N Slash is a recurring model, available in versions and series: Rustique, Poids Plume or Vive la France have already existed. The design, dimensions and mechanism remain constant; materials, options such as bolsters, finishes and availability change from one version to another. This sheet always shows the current version.
Where is Hack N Slash manufactured?
In Courpière, in the Thiers basin. On this series model, certain preparatory operations — heat treatment, preparatory grinding — can be entrusted to specialized partners in the basin. The design, adjustment, assembly, finishing and final inspection are carried out in the workshop, piece by piece.
How to maintain and sharpen the Hack N Slash?
Wipe and dry the blade after use, avoid the dishwasher and standing water, and put a drop of fine oil on the axle if the pivot becomes less fluid. For sharpening, a stone suitable for stainless steels is suitable; a professional can also pick up the edge. For extended storage, store the knife dry and out of its leather sheath.
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