Rustproof, No-Steel Knife: Terrain 365 Narwhal-AT Review

Few things can ruin a good knife. The two that do are human error and rust. The human aspect can be eliminated with a little coaching. Rust, however, never sleeps. It creeps into corners and crevices and can ruin a knife quickly. If you take care of your knife, making sure to clean it properly, you can keep rust and corrosion at bay.

But let’s be real, when’s the last time you cleaned your knife? I clean my pocket knife whenever I do something messy with it, but it’s not a deep clean. I usually wash off the blade, hit the pivot and crevices with compressed air, and let the knife dry. Then I reapply lubricants where needed.

However, the majority of us carry folding knives around with a little tape residue, maybe some juice from an apple, or even sweat. Then we take them out, expose them to the elements, and put them back in our pockets. This leaves two options: Either we all treat our knives with more care, or, invest in a knife like the Terrain 365 Narwhal-AT and never worry about rust and corrosion again.

Although some low-effort cleaning is still necessary to ensure the pivot is clear and free from grit, the Narwhal-AT’s composition, made from dendritic cobalt and titanium, renders rust and corrosion a nonissue. If that doesn’t sway you to drop $400 on this knife, its overall look, feel, and attention to detail just might.

In short: With the Narwhal-AT, Terrain 365 has created one of the most resilient and therefore dependable knives on the market. At $400, it’s not cheap, but you never have to worry about it failing you, and you never have to worry about it rusting or corroding.

Terrain 365 Narwhal-AT Review

Design & Features

The Narwhal-AT is a full-size flipper folder that uses dendritic cobalt, instead of steel, for its blade. Dendritic cobalt, known as Terravantium in the Terrain 365 world, is impervious to rust and corrosion. It is also non-magnetic and doesn’t need to be heat-treated to perform better than the leading knife steels on the market today.

On a microscopic level, Terravantium is considered “toothy,” which allows it to make precision cuts for a prolonged period of time. In fact, it could be years before you ever have to sharpen the Narwhal-AT.

Playing off the rustproof factor, the Narhwal has titanium scales, hardware, deep-carry pocket clip, and backspacer. Additionally, the pivot has brass bearing cages with ceramic bearings, and there is a ceramic ball detent in the pocket clip for easy retrieval and putting away.

Like all of the other Terrain 365 knives that have been released, the attention to detail is obvious with the Narwhal-AT. From the jimping on the spine of the blade, backspacer, and flipper tab, to the Hyperglow rings around the pivot and the reliefs cut into the handle, every aspect serves a purpose.

Sure, the knife looks great overall. However, those elements aid in the overall function of this full-sized, fully capable EDC knife.

First Impressions

Although the Narwhal-AT has an overall length of 8.15 inches and weighs 4.5 ounces, it all balances out nicely in your hand. This plays well with the spear point blade, which is great for plunging, stabbing, slicing, and cutting — all with a hint of precision.

Both are aided by a generous choil in the belly, behind the pivot.

The flipper tab has a low profile with jimping machined into it. It grabs your index finger just right to create a smooth, audible, strong lock-up. While some people question the efficacy of a frame lock mechanism, in all my time testing knives, I’ve never had an issue with it slipping out of place and closing the blade.

Considering how aggressive the lock-up is when you flip the Terravantium blade open, I don’t see that being an issue here either.

The Narwhal possesses a few elements that complete the build and, I think, will nudge those on the fence into buying one. First, the use of Hyperglow around the pivots. Not only does it look great, but it also helps you find the knife when your shorts are crumpled up in the corner of your tent in the middle of the night.

Second, the ceramic ball detent on the pocket clip, which creates an incredibly smooth retrieval and stowing experience. There’s no hang-up coming out or going back in.

In the Field

I learned the Narwhal-AT can take a lot of abuse. We all know how strong titanium is, but dendritic cobalt is also very strong. In fact, it’s stronger than most blade steels. So, I put the knife through the paces. I wasn’t overly rude, but I was demanding.

One wonderfully rainy day, I used the Narwhal-AT to dig some pulp out of a stump. On another occasion, I used it as a draw knife to shape a piece of wood for a project with my nephew. Both of those tasks can dull a knife due to the demand they put on the material. However, even now, roughly 6 weeks after performing those tasks (and many more), the knife is as sharp as a scalpel.

I’ve been a long-time fan of Terrain 365 and Prometheus Design Werx, which collaborated to create the CAS OTF I reviewed this past winter. So I knew the quality I was getting into with the Narwhal-AT.

However, I am not the biggest fan of titanium-handled knives. Historically, they’re not the best for grip, unless they’re treated properly.

In all reality, I preferred the Canvas Micarta variant of this knife. That said, I’m still stoked Terrain 365 sent me the all-titanium version. The more I am work with the handle materials, which the brand machined, treated, and finished the right way, the more my mind changes.

Throughout the 2-month testing period, I never once had an issue with keeping a good grip. That said, between the Narwhal-AT and the Big Idea Design Ti Pocket Knife II, I am now a fan of titanium. Both brands have restored my confidence in the way the knives grip.

Conclusion: Who’s It For?

Overall, the Narwhal-AT is as fun to admire as it is to use. It’s the kind of knife that an enthusiast would invest in because they know it’ll exceed their expectations. It has exceeded mine — and not just because of the rust-proof design. This truly is a strong, durable, dependable knife.

It can also be used in any and all environments. It’s nigh invincible. 

It also requires minimal maintenance for long-term use. I’m not sure when I’ll need to hone the edge on the Terravantium blade, but when I do, I know a little effort will go a long way. See, I was raised in an environment where if a blade wasn’t heat-treated, it wasn’t reliable, because it was too soft.

But dendritic cobalt is not steel. For something soft, it’s still tough. But that softness is what will aid in resharpening it.

If you want a knife you can use hard and put away wet, here you go. Both Terrain 365 and I suggest you wash it down after a dip in the ocean, but that’s really the extent of it.

If you will ever spend $400 on a knife, you might as well make it one you can keep on using without giving much thought.