Kizer's NeoWave September 2026 collection includes a quietly practical addition: the Cabox II, a fixed-blade evolution of designer Jonathan Styles' classic Cabox folder. Where the original won fans as a compact utility folder, the Cabox II 1128A3 takes the same design language outdoors, adding a rear retention ring, contoured Micarta scales and a Kydex sheath, all for $69.95.
Designed for Hard Outdoor Use
The defining feature of the Cabox II is the heavy-duty rear finger ring. Positioned at the butt of the handle, it locks the blade into your hand during hard use, preventing drops and slips when conditions turn wet or gloved. Jimping machined around the outside of the ring adds purchase for grip changes, reverse-hand control and smooth transitions between utility cutting and more precise field tasks. For users who move between batoning kindling, processing game and food prep at camp, that retention point turns a simple knife into a far more secure tool.
Jonathan Styles' original Cabox built its reputation on functional minimalism, and the II preserves that spirit while upgrading the ergonomics. The Micarta scales are contoured with a generous finger groove and strategic spine jimping, giving a locked-in, fatigue-free grip that stays secure even when the handle is soaked. Kizer describes the handle work as engineered for exactly the wet, demanding conditions where smooth synthetic scales tend to fail.
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Blade steel | AEB-L, satin finish, 60 +/-2 HRC |
| Handle material | Micarta |
| Overall length | 8.49 in / 215.66 mm |
| Blade length | 3.59 in / 91.23 mm |
| Blade thickness | 0.118 in / 3.0 mm |
| Weight | 4.80 oz / 136 g |
| Lock type | Fixed blade |
| Designer | Jonathan Styles |
| Blade style | Drop point, full flat grind |
| Sheath | Kydex, belt and gear compatible |
| Price (MSRP) | $69.95 |
| Status | Listed September 2026; colorways include PVD and brown variants |
AEB-L: The Razor Steel That Grew Up
AEB-L began life as razor-blade steel, and its fine, even carbide structure is the reason it takes an exceptionally keen edge. In knife duty it has become a cult favorite for a simple set of tradeoffs: it is easy to sharpen back to hair-popping sharpness, it resists micro-chipping thanks to its fine grain, and its near-carbon toughness lets thin edges survive lateral stress that would damage more brittle premium steels. Corrosion resistance is adequate rather than exceptional, but a satin-finished 3.0-millimeter blade with reasonable care is a non-issue for most users.
Pairing that steel with a wide 3.59-inch drop point and full flat grind is a deliberate choice. The geometry bites deep with low drag, whether the task is feathering wood, processing game or breaking down cardboard. This is a knife that rewards regular stropping with a working edge few steels at the price can match.
Value Against the Field
At $69.95, the Cabox II competes with established outdoor fixed blades from Ontario, ESEE's budget line and Morakniv's higher-end models. Its differentiators are the retention ring, which almost no competitor offers at this price, the designer pedigree, and Kizer's typically tight fit and finish. Buyers wanting maximum steel for minimum money may still lean toward a Mora, but as a crossover EDC-plus-camp knife with a designer's touch, the Cabox II carves out its own niche. Kizer also lists black PVD and brown Micarta variants for those wanting different looks.
The Verdict
The Cabox II 1128A3 is a thoughtful evolution rather than a reinvention: it keeps what made the original likable and adds exactly the features a fixed blade needs, including a retention ring for hard use and a proper Kydex sheath for carry. With AEB-L under the satin finish and Jonathan Styles' name behind the geometry, it stands out in a crowded budget-outdoor segment. Full specifications and availability are on Kizer's official product page.