Some knives earn a following. The Bestechman CICADA'S WING earned a community. When it first launched, it quietly became one of those budget knives that reviewers kept recommending — thin blade, smooth action, and a weight you genuinely forgot about. Now Bestechman is back with the sequel, the CICADA'S WING-TL, and after going hands-on with it ahead of the September 24 launch, here's what you need to know.
The One Big Change: Top Liner Lock
Let's address the headline first, because it changes everything about how this knife feels — and nothing about why people loved it.
The "-TL" stands for Top Liner Lock, and Bestechman has paired it with a push-button release. If you've handled button-locked knives before, you know the appeal: press, and the blade swings free with almost zero resistance. Closing the CICADA'S WING-TL is a one-handed, two-second affair. In our time with it, the lockup felt rock solid for everyday tasks — no blade play, no uncertainty. The handle is also noticeably cleaner in profile, and the grip feels more secure than the original's.
What Stayed the Same — and That's a Good Thing
Bestechman was smart here. The things that made the original a community favorite are untouched:
Blade: 3.15" (80mm) of 10Cr15CoMoV, just 0.091" (2.3mm) thick. It's a slicer, pure and simple — packages, food prep, everyday tasks. The modified drop point is as practical as ever.
Footprint: 7.205" (183mm) overall. Still an easy, deep-pocket carry.
Still Featherweight
Weight was one of the original's defining traits, and the TL keeps it:
G10 versions: 85g / 3.0 oz
Resin & wood versions: 76g / 2.68 oz
Micarta versions: 79g / 2.79 oz
Frankly, any of these will disappear in your pocket.
Nineteen Versions at Launch — Unusual, and Welcome
This is where Bestechman went big. Nineteen configurations at launch is rare at any price point:
G10 (BMK24A–H): Jade, Black, Champagne, Light Blue, Purple, Misty Blue, OD Green, and more — with satin, black painted, black PVD, and gold PVD blade finishes — $59.9 MSRP
Ultem & Resin (BMK24J, R1–R4): The Clear Ultem with a pink painted blade will turn heads — $69.9
Micarta (BMK24-M1–M4): Blue, Green, Grey, plus a black PVD variant — $63.9
Wood & Resin (BMK24-W1–W2): Stabilized wood with red or black-and-gold resin — $76.9
Favorites from the original return alongside entirely new pairings. If you can't find one you like here, we'd be surprised.
Early Verdict
The CICADA'S WING was a community-built favorite, and the TL feels like Bestechman's direct answer to that community's feedback. It keeps the soul — thin blade, light weight, pocket-friendly — and fixes the one thing users consistently asked about. For $59.9 and up, this one deserves a spot on your radar.
The CICADA'S WING-TL launches September 24, 2026. We'll have a full long-term review after launch — and with 19 versions out of the gate, there's plenty to test.
Stay sharp.