In the classic 1980s film Crocodile Dundee, the iconic Bowie knife captured the imagination of a generation — rugged, bold, and brimming with character. So when BESTECHMAN set out to create its very first knife, the team made a bold decision: they invited renowned designer Ostap Hel to reinterpret that legendary silhouette as a modern folding knife — one you could actually carry every day.
That is how DUNDEE was born.
Speaking about his design philosophy, Ostap Hel explains:
"All my designs are based on basic geometry, smooth transitions, and the Golden Ratio concept. However, in my collaborations, I'm always trying to experiment with new shapes and ideas to fit my partner's unique style and manufacturing capabilities."
That philosophy runs through every line of the DUNDEE. Clean geometry, balanced proportions, and honest functionality — the core values of BESTECHMAN, distilled into a single tool: simplicity, utility, and reliable materials, at a price that makes sense for everyday carry.
The Wood-Handle Series: Where Natural Wood Meets Serious Steel
A classic design deserves more material possibilities. The DUNDEE lineup has now been expanded with a wood-handle collection — three natural handle materials, each paired with three blade steels, creating nine distinctive combinations to choose from.
Three Woods, Three Characters
Red Shadow Wood — Fine, deep grain with a calm, understated tone. The most classic choice of the three.
Olive Wood — Flowing, cloud-like grain, warm and elegant. No two pieces are ever alike.
Golden Sandalwood — Rich golden hues with a dense, hard texture. It feels solid in hand and only grows more lustrous with time.
Natural wood brings warmth to a tool that is otherwise all business — and like a good leather wallet, the handle develops a unique patina the more you carry it, becoming unmistakably yours.
Three Steels, Three Flavors
D2 tool steel — The classic value pick. Hardened to 60–61HRC with excellent edge retention, ready to be your daily workhorse.
14C28N (cryogenically treated) — Premium Swedish stainless steel, taken a step further with cryogenic treatment. Outstanding corrosion resistance and near-zero maintenance.
Damascus (acid etched) — Layered, forged patterns revealed through acid etching. Every blade carries a flowing, one-of-a-kind pattern — a functional piece of art.
One Solid Foundation
Whichever combination you choose, every DUNDEE wood-handle model shares the same rock-solid fundamentals:
Overall length: 205mm / Closed: 120mm — standard everyday carry dimensions
Blade thickness: 3.2mm / Handle thickness: 11.9mm — a substantial blade that cuts with confidence
Ceramic ball bearings — smooth, flickable one-handed deployment
Liner lock mechanism — secure, reliable lockup
Satin-finished stainless steel hardware — T8 pivot, T6 handle screws, easy to maintain
Stainless steel clip, polished — secure carry, smooth draw
Stainless steel barrel backspacer — structural rigidity with clean looks
Blade finishes vary by model: D2 and 14C28N versions feature stonewash flats paired with satin bevels (some in full stonewash), while the Damascus versions showcase their forged character through acid etching.
In Closing
What makes the DUNDEE special is the way it merges cinematic romance with pocketable practicality. There are no gimmicks here — just Golden Ratio geometry, honest materials, and a knife that simply feels right in hand. From D2 to 14C28N to Damascus, from Red Shadow Wood to Olive Wood to Golden Sandalwood — there's a combination out there that was made for you.
Classics don't die. They just find new ways to be part of your everyday.