Chinese custom knife brand SAO KNIFE has officially unveiled its latest collaboration with independent EDC designer AMMO—a limited-edition folding knife collection dubbed "Military Rank." Spanning four distinct tiers from entry-level to ultra-premium, the lineup culminates in the flagship "General" edition featuring zirconium Damascus handles and Swedish powdered steel blades, limited to just 10 pieces worldwide.
The collaboration marks a significant milestone in China's EDC scene, uniting SAO KNIFE's manufacturing expertise with AMMO's signature aesthetic. Known for hits like the "Graviton" pry bar, "Singularity" knuckle duster, and "Wormhole" magnetic slider, AMMO has built a reputation blending sci-fi, cyberpunk, and mecha influences into functional hardware. For this project, SAO KNIFE handled premium material sourcing and precision machining while AMMO oversaw industrial design and user experience tuning, resulting in a complete concept-to-production pipeline.
The Four-Tier System
The collection uses military hierarchy as its design language, creating clear product differentiation:
Private (¥1,300 / 75 pieces) – The entry point features titanium construction with an M390 blade, finished in uniform bead-blasted silver for a standardized tactical look.
Artist Soldier (¥1,500 / 75 pieces) – Steps up with a hand-rubbed satin M390 blade paired with stonewashed handles, leaning into a vintage tactical aesthetic.
Legion Commander (¥2,100 / 50 pieces) – The flagship tier employs DLC black-coated blades with full black hardware, using high-contrast design for visual impact.
General (¥5,500 / 10 pieces) – The collection's apex. Zirconium Damascus (Zircuti) handles with acid-etched Swedish powdered steel blades, complemented by superconductor pocket clips and matching powdered steel backspacers. The rare material combination and extreme craftsmanship position this as a true EDC art piece.
All four variants feature a versatile deployment system supporting middle-finger flicking, front-flipper action, and traditional thumb opening—adapting to different carry preferences and use cases. SAO KNIFE and AMMO are also offering modular accessories, allowing users to customize their builds and achieve "one knife, multiple configurations," continuing AMMO's philosophy of modular design seen in his previous slider releases.
Market Positioning
With pricing spanning ¥1,300 to ¥5,500 (approximately 180 to 760 USD), the series targets the mid-to-high-end EDC market strategically. The General edition's extreme scarcity and material costs position it for elite collectors, while the 75-piece runs of the Private and Artist Soldier cater to daily carriers seeking functional art.
The collaboration demonstrates the maturation of China's knife industry in both materials science and precision manufacturing, while AMMO's creative direction injects a distinct mecha-inspired aesthetic into a market often criticized for homogeneity. The Military Rank series is now available for pre-order through SAO KNIFE's official channels and authorized dealers.