The MDV Folder – Purpose-Built for Personal Protection
Born from the minds of Michael Donvito and Jack Nevils, the MDV Folder is the evolution of the original MDV fixed blade, now in a precision-engineered folding platform.
If you don't know who Michael and Jack are check them out HERE.
Developed in collaboration with the legendary Bram Frank, this knife incorporates his innovative Bramp friction-opening feature, making it fast, reliable, and uniquely capable.
If you don't know who Bram is, check him out HERE.
Why This Folder Stands Apart:
D2 Tool Steel Blade – Rugged and wear-resistant, with the proven MDV fixed-blade geometry for maximum cutting performance.
Frame Lock (Left-Side Placement) – Intentionally designed for better control during off-hand transitions and enhanced defensive application. Not just for lefties, once you try it, you’ll understand.
Black PVD-Coated Body & Blade – Corrosion-resistant, low-profile finish for operational use.
High-Traction Scale – Ensures a secure grip under the harshest conditions.
Glass Breaker Tip – Emergency-ready, integrated into the design without compromise.
This is more than a folding knife, it’s a professional-grade personal protection tool. Compact enough for pocket carry, yet engineered to perform like its fixed-blade counterpart.
Trainers Available: MDV Folder Trainers in both titanium and steel are offered in our Training Tools category.
If you’re serious about your tools, this might be the most thoughtfully designed folder you’ll ever own.
This has more than meets the eye. I realized it was not only able to be (somewhat) “auto-“ opened forward, but it can do it backwards (so to speak). That you can draw it from your pocket and rub the thumb flipper on the back/spine of the blade to open it as a regular/hammer grip, or you can turn it and pull it in a somewhat “backwards” fashion, rubbing the thumb flipper and open it into an ice pick or Karambit style grip. It takes a little getting used to it, but not too much. Otherwise….WOW! This fits so well in my hand, that when I make a fist, my hand spreads just enough that my hand basically is held in place by its curve of the half ring, or hook, and then up to the hilt. It almost squeezes my hand into a good grip. But like I said this knife seems to be at home in both the hammer grip or a Karambit style. It has a pretty wicked window break. At the end/ pommel (kinda) it has a curious flair to the sides. It is so you can get a better grip when pull it in an icepick fashion. It is really ingenious. The clip is not a deep carry for those reasons. This way the blade always clears your clothes before it fully deploys. The half ring or hook is great for retention, but it can also be used offensively. While in a icepick manner you do not even have to open it to be able to use that as a deterrent. ….AND..OH MY GOD….this is the only knife I have ever seen (or heard of) that has a right side frame lock…..LOVE IT. That was one of the reasons I kept coming back to see if it was back in stock. This will be a “daily driver”(EDC). I’ll probably need a another one. …oh, and the Defense Driver, wow, love it..!
I order 2 MDV,MDV fold,the echo and im going to pick up the crow karambit.im extremely happy with your blades,well made and I trust carrying them on me as my edc..i also watch your videos..keep up the amazing work..
MDV2 Folder I like this knife excellent recurve blade,glass breaker has some heft which I prefer in this type of blade! Self defense or rescue it just works! I also have the MDV plus 1 as well as the respective trainers they work for me check them out!
Very good knife, love it, but please chamfer the very sharp edge of the locking spring cut-out as it gets caught on clothing, if you swap the clip to carry on the left side (see pic).
I’ve had the MDV since its inception and have loved it. Went to a training course and was excited for the folder release. I wasn’t able to purchase one until recently and now I have a love-hate relationship with it. It’s an amazing blade with great features. However, when I went to casually draw it out of my pocket, I felt a slight tug and noticed it sliced open my pocket! Although these jeans may never carry it again I can say without a doubt, “it will cut.” Thanks Mike and Captain for the great products you keep pushing out! I will be a Skallywag for life!
Everything I’ve had in my hands so far is on point. Good form and function and quality. So glad my brother turned me on to Skallywag Tactical . The collection is going to grow.
As you can see, I have many of your tactical knives . This folder is my favorite EDC. I love how it deploys in many useful ways . I love the shape and the functionality of the blade and it is very sharp. Would recommend this folder to anybody that wanted a really good EDC !
The ergonomics of this knife are perfect for my XL size hands. It seats so well in the hand and held in place by the frame on top and bottom. I really like the dorsal fin when open that allows me to push in or pull back with a firm grip. The ball bearings are still a stiff deploy. Flipping alone only goes halfway, requires a flip and flicking motion to deploy all the way out. It’s gotten a little looser the more I’ve played with it, but still requires that double motion. The frame lock is on the opposite side of most knives. I thought, maybe to make it harder to collapse during use? Either way, a non issue, just changes the muscle memory. Can still open and close one handed, safely. The glass breaker is perfect open or closed. Great grip on the open handle and when closed with the addition of locking in with your thumb wrapped over the top for a firm hit. The texture and edges feels great in the hand. No hot spots, just perfect feel and grip all the way around. This is a great defensive blade shape. I own the MDV, and saw this V2 and knew I had to have it to ba able to carry anywhere, and was not disappointed. They nailed it with the ergos. Only complaint would be a smoother deploy so there’s no fumbling under stress. Quickly becoming my favorite knife to carry.
Great feeling handle feels good in my big hands. Once again you knock it out of the park. You guy are the go to for me for blades. Keep up the great work.
Mike from Fernley Nevada
My favorite knife. I've been carrying it every day for two years. It's very fast, easy, and reliable. It feels good in ice pick and in foregrip. I removed the little glass breaker on the back so I have a nice spot for my thumb in ice pick grip. I love that you can buy an identical trainer.
The one thing that I don't like about it is the clip. The way it's attached makes it so there can be a lot of wear on those two thin pieces over time. I've found after drawing it a lot over a long period of time it does tend to get looser at some point and in order to feel safe with it in my pocket I end up bending it back in place with pliers so it's tight enough again. But after enough times doing that it does eventually snap. I had to get a replacement clip once.
Great knife all around, the clip will wear down eventually and that's the only reason it's not 5 stars :)
Was looking to replace another brand I've had for the last decade with one that's a bit more "people" oriented, but still having a subdued narrative in the way it looks clipped in a pocket. I was getting directed towards fixed blades, but this fits the need while still being clipped in a pocket.
A perfect EDC folder. Small enough to carry easily while being plenty large enough to defend yourself. An excellent companion for its brother blade the MDV +1.
This blade is worth every penny! Check out Skallywag on YouTube for how to open the blade efficiently. The action is smooth and the knife is light. This is the best folder I have ever carried! It is now my everyday carry.
I bought MDv folder (live and drone) when I saw the video of GM Bram Frank doing a review. I really like the design, shape of the blade, functionality and quality. It's a blade with an all around functionality in mind. The blade is razor sharp straight from the box. Irs design is brilliant for both cutting and poking. I love the hook on the butt end as it increases hold retention and protects your fingers from being injured when you use the window breaker. The handle fits well in the hand, whether us it in conventional or reverse hold, and you can still grip another object while holding it. I highly recommend it.
Bought the fixed blade MDV+1 and fell in love. Bought the folder to make it easier to carry and all I can say is WOW. This has become my go to EDC pocket knife. Also picked up the folder trainer to make it feel more natural when deploying and using it. Amazing blade!!
Hands down the best fighting folder I’ve come across. From the big things to the little things, this knife checks the boxes and then some. The thought process that went into the design is second to none.
I ordered one for my son a while back so I'm familiar with the high quality of this folder. Ordered 2 more, one for me and one for his older brother who is a first responder. He is adamant about only carrying one good blade and this it.
The knife's pivot screw constantly comes loose when using resulting in an unreliable and dangerous self-defense tool. When I reached out to customer service via email, the email bounced back meaning they don't have customer service. Furthermore, when I sent a message through the website, the company did not respond. It seems like they built the entire company to be one way - sell a product, but not back it up with customer service. Recommend avoiding this company when shopping for a new knife.
This is the folder I’ve been looking for. Has all the features I want and the ergonomics are perfect. No hiccups on deploying from pocket fabric, great retention In hand, Blade is perfect length and shape. Thanks for doing the homework and investing time and money in a blade like this.
She’s a beauty! Still working to break in and improve my deployment/ handling. It’s very sharp as I have learned. Do yourself a favor and get the trainer if new to this kind of EDC. I’m working up to getting one before I need sutures.
I had my MDV Folder D2 personalized with my favorite scripture 'Psalms 23'. The work was flawless and the MDV build quality will withstand years of use and it's got a sharp edge right outta the box.
