Automotive design and knife making may seem like distant disciplines, but when it comes to precision, performance, and form-driven function, the overlap is undeniable. A well-built sports car and a well-crafted knife both rely on the right materials, balanced engineering, and visual clarity rooted in purpose. In recent years, a few standout collaborations and tributes have emerged, knives designed not just with automotive influence but with direct inspiration from legendary cars. From the skeletal geometry of the Maserati Birdcage to the brute force of the Mustang Mach 1 and the refined legacy of the Cadillac Coupe de Ville, these knives carry more than cutting power, they carry stories. Here’s a closer look at five blades born from automotive icons.

Spyderco’s Edgerati is directly inspired by one of the most unique race cars ever built, the Maserati Tipo 60/61, better known as the “Birdcage.” Designed by Spyderco co-founder Sal Glesser, the Edgerati’s handle features a lightweight, skeletal aluminum construction that draws from the Birdcage’s innovative spaceframe chassis. The knife’s open, lightweight design, performance-focused materials, and visible mechanical elements reflect the same priorities that shaped the Maserati more than six decades ago: strength, precision, and efficiency through engineering.

Produced between 1959 and 1961, the Maserati Birdcage was created for endurance racing events like the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the 1000km of Nürburgring. It earned its nickname from its unique chassis, made from approximately 200 thin chromoly steel tubes welded together to form a rigid but extremely lightweight structure. The open “birdcage” design reduced weight while maintaining torsional stiffness, giving it a major advantage over the heavier monocoque chassis used by its competitors at the time.

The first version, the Tipo 60, featured a front-mounted 2.0-liter DOHC four-cylinder engine producing 200 horsepower. The engine was tilted 45 degrees to lower its profile in the chassis, helping to lower the car’s center of gravity and improve handling. Sir Stirling Moss drove the car to victory in its first competitive outing in 1959.

Following its early success, Maserati introduced the Tipo 61 with a larger 2.9-liter engine making 250 horsepower, allowing it to compete in the under-3.0-liter racing class. It saw multiple victories at the 1000km of Nürburgring and proved its speed at Le Mans in 1960, clocking 169 mph down the Mulsanne Straight. Despite its potential, reliability issues and difficult weather conditions prevented the Birdcage from winning at Le Mans.

Over time, Maserati developed several mid-engine variants, including the Tipo 63, 64, and 65. These continued the lightweight philosophy but shifted to larger engines, including a 3.0-liter V12 and even a 5.0-liter V8 in the final version. In total, Maserati built only 10 mid-engine Birdcages before retiring the concept in 1965. Notable drivers of the Maserati Birdcage included Carroll Shelby, Ken Miles, Dan Gurney, and Roger Penske.

Like the car that inspired it, the Spyderco Edgerati prioritizes strength, control, and weight reduction through thoughtful design. Its handle is machined from solid aircraft-grade aluminum and hard-coat anodized to improve durability and grip. The cutout pattern isn’t just cosmetic; it reduces weight and echoes the exposed geometry of the Birdcage chassis. These openings also reveal Spyderco’s Compression Lock system, a sturdy and reliable lock mechanism built into a recessed channel on the inside of the handle scale.

The blade is made from CPM-S30V stainless steel, a particle metallurgy steel known for excellent edge retention, corrosion resistance, and toughness. It measures 3.57 inches in length, with a full-flat grind that favors slicing performance and control. A straight spine and textured choil allow for a forward grip, giving the user better blade control, much like the Birdcage’s low engine placement gave drivers sharper handling.

The Edgerati has an overall length of 8.22 inches when open and folds down to 4.70 inches. It weighs just 3.3 ounces, keeping it easy to carry and fast in the hand. A reversible tip-up pocket clip makes it fully ambidextrous, and the oversized Round Hole in the blade allows for smooth, one-handed opening. Built in the United States, the Edgerati is a high-performance cutting tool that applies the principles of race car engineering to everyday carry.

The Boker 1969 Mach-1 Damast takes design cues and material inspiration from one of the most iconic American performance cars ever built, the 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1. Created in collaboration with Boker and designer Tommaso Rumici, this knife blends real components from the classic car into a modern folding design. It’s built around performance, visual accuracy, and mechanical connection to the muscle car era.

The Ford Mustang debuted on April 17, 1964, at the New York World’s Fair. It was introduced as an affordable, stylish, and compact sports coupe designed to appeal to younger buyers. Ford positioned it as a new class of vehicle: the “pony car.” The name was inspired by the P-51 Mustang fighter plane, and its galloping horse emblem quickly became one of the most recognizable badges in American automotive history.

Demand for the Mustang was immediate and overwhelming. In its first 18 months, Ford sold more than a million units. Its long hood, short deck proportions, and wide array of customization options made it a runaway success, and it didn’t take long for performance to enter the picture. By 1965, Ford was already offering GT packages, and Shelby-American had transformed the Mustang into a legitimate track car with the GT350. As rival automakers rolled out their own pony cars, most notably the Chevrolet Camaro and Dodge Challenger, Ford responded by continuously upgrading the Mustang’s powertrains, suspension, and styling to stay competitive.

By 1968, the battle for dominance in the muscle car market had intensified. To keep pace with GM and Chrysler offerings, Ford revised the Mustang’s platform to handle larger engines. This led to the introduction of the Mach 1 package in the 1969 model year, a performance-focused trim level designed to bridge the gap between the Mustang GT and the more race-oriented Boss and Shelby models.

The Mach 1 was offered exclusively with the “SportsRoof” fastback body and came standard with a 351 Windsor V8. Optional engines included the 390 FE and the powerful 428 Cobra Jet. The package added visual and functional upgrades: a matte black hood with pins, optional Shaker scoop, front and rear spoilers, SportSlats (rear window louvers), chrome accents, competition suspension, and unique badging.

Ford positioned the Mach 1 as both a street performer and endurance machine. In 1968, racers Mickey Thompson and Danny Ongais took a trio of Mach 1s to the Bonneville Salt Flats and set 295 speed and endurance records in officially sanctioned events, over 500-mile and 24-hour courses.

The car struck a chord with buyers. In its first model year, Ford sold more than 72,000 Mach 1s, easily outselling the GT and even the Shelby variants. It delivered big-block power, aggressive looks, and street credibility, all while staying more affordable than some of its high-spec siblings. The 1969 Mach 1 became one of the defining trims of the first-generation Mustang.

Boker’s 1969 Mach-1 Damast takes styling cues and physical material from the original Mach 1 to create a knife that’s as mechanically rooted as the car itself. The 3.23-inch Damascus blade, hand-forged by Chad Nichols in his “Wavepool” pattern, includes metal sourced from the car’s wheel hub, suspension, and control arms. The blade rides on ball bearings and opens manually with a removable thumb stud. A stainless steel linerlock keeps it secure during use.

The aluminum handle is anodized in “Silver Jade,” a subtle metallic green that captures the tone of classic late-‘60s paint colors. The sloped spine of the handle mimics the Mach 1’s fastback roofline, while finger grooves echo the curve of the car’s rear fenders. A gold inlay on the front scale nods to side trim, and the stylized pivot screw resembles a classic wheel hub. Even the straight-profiled stainless steel pocket clip is shaped to reflect the original Mustang’s chrome door handles. The knife measures 7.80 inches open and weighs 4.09 ounces. It’s made in Boker’s Solingen, Germany, facility and ships with a floating display stand.

Boker’s 1969 Z28-Damast is a tribute to one of the most iconic American muscle cars ever built, the Chevrolet Camaro Z/28. Developed in collaboration with Italian designer Tommaso Rumici, this knife blends visual cues and mechanical inspiration from the Z/28’s peak years into a high-performance folder with unmistakable character. The blade, handle, and detailing aren’t just stylized, they’re deliberately engineered to reflect the car’s legacy in both form and material, including steel sourced from original Camaro parts.

The Camaro Z/28 was born out of necessity in 1966. Chevrolet needed a car to compete in the over-2-liter class of the SCCA’s Trans-American Sedan Championship. The standard Camaro lineup lacked a suitable engine for the class, which had a 305 cubic inch limit. Chevrolet’s Vince Piggins solved this by combining a 327ci block with a 283ci crankshaft to create a 302.4 cubic inch V8. The resulting engine revved high, produced well over 350 horsepower in street trim, and closer to 450 in racing form, and helped define the Z/28’s race-bred identity.

The name “Z/28” wasn’t developed by the marketing department; it came straight from Chevrolet’s internal option code sheets. The Trans-Am performance package was coded “RPO Z28” (Regular Production Option Z28), a designation that just happened to stick. Unlike names like SS or RS, Z/28 didn’t stand for anything. But it sounded technical, it was different, and it became synonymous with the Camaro’s most race-focused trim.

Although only 602 units of the necessary 1,000 Z/28 were produced for 1967, the model was allowed to compete after clever homologation work. The car quickly proved itself in competition. Mark Donohue and Craig Fisher earned the Z/28’s first Trans-Am win in August of that year at Marlboro Motor Speedway. That momentum continued, and by 1969, the Z/28 had cemented its image as the definitive track-capable street car.

The 1969 model in particular stood out for its redesigned exterior. A raised cowl-induction hood improved airflow to the engine bay, while wider 15x7 wheels with Firestone E70-15 raised white letter tires gave it a planted, aggressive stance. Functional vents, subtle spoilers, and the grille and rear panel badging completed the look. It wasn’t just about looks either, the 1969 Z/28 was one of the quickest-handling American cars of its era. Its 302ci small-block V8, paired with close-ratio gearing and a well-tuned chassis, delivered sharp response, high-revving power, and race-ready balance.

Chevrolet built 20,302 Z/28s in 1969, a massive jump from the 602 made in 1967. By then, the Z/28 had proven itself not just as a homologation special but as a legitimate high-performance street car with serious racing roots.

Boker’s Z28-Damast captures the look and feel of the ’69 Camaro with deliberate material choices and small, accurate design cues. The 3.15-inch drop-point blade is forged from Chad Nichols Damascus using steel from an original Z/28’s upper A-arm. The layered “Tread” pattern, inspired by tire prints and hood lines, brings visual depth to the steel and recalls the flow of the Camaro’s iconic cowl-induction hood.

The blade opens via a blue thumb stud and locks in place with a stainless steel linerlock. The aluminum handle is finished in “Le Mans Blue,” based on a color-matched analysis of an original Z/28. Subtle bodyline references, including gill-like indentations, a notchback rear profile, and a miniature integrated spoiler, are machined into the handle’s contours. The pivot screw is modeled after classic muscle car rims, and the milled pocket clip resembles a period-correct chrome door handle.

Weighing 3.49 ounces and measuring 7.32 inches overall, the knife offers a solid in-hand feel without bulk. It’s handmade in Boker’s Solingen, Germany facility, known for precision manufacturing, and ships with a floating display stand, designed to highlight the knife’s lines much like a show floor highlights a restored classic.

The High Grain Designs Deville draws from the timeless design and presence of the Cadillac Coupe de Ville. Built by Bestech and spec’d with premium materials and smooth mechanics, the knife reflects the same balance of luxury and mechanical integrity that defined Cadillac’s flagship coupe for decades.

The Cadillac Coupe de Ville made its debut in 1949 as a high-end trim level of the Cadillac Series 62, introduced at the GM Motorama as a showpiece of modern luxury. At the time, it was one of the first two-door hardtops ever produced, eliminating the B-pillar for a sleeker, uninterrupted roofline, an innovation that set the tone for luxury coupes in the decades to follow.

Throughout the 1950s, the Coupe de Ville evolved rapidly, adopting the era’s signature styling cues like massive tailfins, wraparound windshields, extensive chrome trim, and increasingly powerful V8 engines. Cadillac leaned hard into the jet-age design language, and the Coupe de Ville became one of the most visually striking vehicles on American roads. These were cars built as much for presence as for performance.

In 1959, the model reached one of its most iconic design peaks with its towering tailfins, dual bullet taillights, and long, horizontal proportions. Even as other brands competed for attention, the Coupe de Ville remained the standard-bearer for American luxury, offering amenities like air suspension, power accessories, and richly appointed interiors.

During the 1960s, the Coupe de Ville continued to refine its design, trading excessive fins for lower, cleaner lines and more conservative styling. It became a standalone model in 1965, distinct from the Series 62, and was powered by large-displacement V8s in the 429 to 472 cubic inch range. Cadillac also introduced innovations like automatic climate control, tilt/telescoping steering wheels, and advanced suspension setups to maintain ride quality on America’s growing freeway system.

By the 1970s, the Coupe de Ville had grown even larger, stretching beyond 230 inches in length, and fully embraced its identity as a rolling expression of status and refinement. The styling was bold but more squared-off, with concealed headlights, vertical taillights, and vinyl roofs becoming standard. Interiors featured woodgrain panels, plush upholstery, and a near-silent cabin. The 500 cubic inch V8, introduced in 1970, further emphasized smooth torque and effortless cruising.

Despite tightening emissions regulations, rising fuel costs, and shifting consumer preferences throughout the 1980s and 1990s, the Coupe de Ville remained a mainstay of Cadillac's lineup, gradually transitioning from its traditional rear-wheel-drive, body-on-frame construction to a more modern front-wheel-drive, unibody format. While it evolved to meet modern standards in safety, technology, and efficiency, the Coupe de Ville never lost its core identity as a symbol of American luxury. After more than five decades of continuous production, Cadillac retired the Coupe de Ville nameplate in 2005, closing the chapter on one of the most iconic and influential luxury coupes in automotive history.

Like its namesake, the High Grain Designs Deville is long, sleek, and deliberate. Measuring 7.91 inches overall with a 3.15-inch cutting edge, it’s a full-size folder built with premium materials throughout. The blade is made from CPM-MagnaCut, hardened to 62–63 HRC for high wear resistance, edge retention, and corrosion resistance. It features a clean vertical belt satin finish and a hollow grind, offering a sharp, consistent edge with a timeless look.

The handle is constructed from stonewashed titanium with blue carbon fiber inlays that give it a subtle two-tone finish, adding both grip texture and visual depth. Titanium hardware, including pivot collars and a matching backspacer, keeps the build light but durable. The knife rides on ceramic bearings with hardened washers, delivering smooth manual action and a secure, solid lockup.

At 4.6 ounces, the Deville carries with a bit of presence, just like the car, but without feeling bulky or awkward in the pocket. It's produced by Bestech, known for their high-precision machining and consistent fit and finish, and designed by High Grain Designs with a clear focus on elevated materials and clean, usable lines.

The Nissan Z has always stood for accessible performance, but it’s also carried a strong sense of identity, from the smooth lines of the original 240Z to the sharp edges of the modern Z NISMO. That lineage now extends beyond the road and onto the cutting board with the Z NISMO Precision Sushi Knife, a limited edition blade designed to reflect the same values as the car it’s based on: balance, control, and attention to detail. But to understand this knife, you first have to understand the car and the history behind the name.

The story of the Z begins in 1969 with the launch of the Datsun 240Z (S30), a car that redefined expectations for what a sports car could be. Developed under Nissan’s then-president Yutaka Katayama (known affectionately as “Mr. K”), the 240Z combined sleek design, a smooth inline-six engine, independent suspension, and solid reliability, offered at a price well below comparable European cars. It was an instant hit in the U.S., with over 160,000 sold in just the first four years.

As the years passed, the Z evolved to meet changing tastes and regulations. The 260Z and 280Z (mid-'70s) featured engine size increases and minor design revisions, while the 280ZX (S130) in 1978 softened the formula with more luxury, more weight, and a focus on grand touring. In 1984, the 300ZX (Z31) introduced turbocharging and digital displays, and in 1990, the second-generation 300ZX (Z32) pushed boundaries with a twin-turbo V6, four-wheel steering, and a wide, low stance that made it one of the era’s standout Japanese performance cars.

After a brief pause, Nissan revived the Z with the 350Z (Z33) in 2003. Built on the FM platform with a front-mid engine layout, the 350Z brought the Z back to its roots: two seats, rear-wheel drive, and a V6 engine. The follow-up 370Z (Z34) launched in 2009, sharpening the formula further with more power, better handling, and tighter proportions.

The current generation, simply named the Nissan Z (RZ34), debuted in 2022 as a continuation of the legacy. Designed with nods to the original 240Z and the ’90s 300ZX, it blends retro-inspired styling with modern technology. Under the hood is a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 (VR30DDTT), producing 400 horsepower in base trim. For the first time in decades, the Z returned as a direct competitor to cars like the Supra, Mustang, and BRZ, offering both a six-speed manual and a performance-tuned automatic.

The 2024 Z NISMO builds on the RZ34 platform but focuses heavily on improving high-speed stability, handling consistency, and track-day readiness. Power is up to 420 horsepower and 384 lb-ft of torque, thanks to increased turbo boost, a performance intercooler, revised electronic wastegate tuning, and recalibrated ignition timing. The car comes exclusively with a 9-speed automatic, tuned by NISMO for quicker shifts and improved thermal durability under load.

Beyond raw power, the Z NISMO receives significant chassis and aero upgrades. The suspension uses stiffer springs, dampers, and anti-roll bars, while the front end is reinforced for better rigidity. Brakes are larger and paired with a more aggressive ABS program. The bodywork is reshaped to reduce drag and increase downforce, with a longer front fascia, integrated canards, and a functional rear spoiler. Red accents and NISMO badging add visual contrast to its otherwise menacing, minimal design. Nissan’s goal was to produce a car that feels sharper on track but still usable on the street, more precise than a standard Z, but not punishing or stripped down.

To commemorate the Z NISMO’s blend of heritage and engineering precision, Nissan collaborated with renowned Japanese sushi master Chef Hiroyuki Terada and esteemed knifemaker Satoshi Kiryu to produce a limited-edition Z NISMO Precision Sushi Knife. This unique creation embodies the shared values of Japanese culinary tradition and motorsport performance, precision, control, and meticulous craftsmanship.

The 8.27-inch blade is forged from VG10 core clad steel, known for its exceptional edge retention and corrosion resistance. Expertly ground and finished with a kuro zome (black-dyed) oxide film, the blade mirrors the Z NISMO’s sculpted, aerodynamic surfaces. Its kiritsuke-style profile ensures long, clean slices ideal for sushi preparation, while the carefully shaped edge geometry provides a sense of intent and sharp control, much like the finely tuned responsiveness of the car’s drivetrain.

The handle is crafted from polished buffalo horn, a material long prized in Japanese knife-making for its durability and connection to tradition. A striking red spacer within the handle reflects the unmistakable red accents exclusive to the NISMO edition’s bodywork, further tying the piece into the vehicle’s performance aesthetic.

Each knife is individually numbered and presented in a custom black-lacquered box featuring brushed metal accents and NISMO branding. The interior lid showcases six generations of Z logos, paying homage to Nissan’s enduring sports car lineage. Limited to just 240 pieces, a tribute to the original 240Z, each knife bears the Z logo, Chef Hiro’s signature, and Kiryu’s insignia, marking its exclusivity.