Published: April 28th, 2025

The collaboration between Ward and Ho is the backbone of Revo’s design identity. Ward is responsible for bringing the mechanical and visual aspects of each knife to life, while Ho provides the business insight and customer-facing intuition that help shape the company’s product strategy and brand culture.

Together, they approach knife design from very different angles. Ward prefers to work in isolation, sketching free-form designs uninfluenced by current trends. Ho, on the other hand, actively studies the market, not to copy what’s popular, but to ensure Revo does something different. This creative tension helps produce knives that not only look original but feel deliberate and fully realized.

One of the earliest examples of this philosophy in action was the Recoil, a folder with a large thumb disc and bold, unconventional lines. The design may have seemed odd to some, but once in hand, it proved to be ergonomic and highly functional. The Recoil and its equally experimental sibling, the Berserk, set the tone for what Revo would become: a brand unafraid to push boundaries, even if it meant taking creative risks.

Bringing production stateside wasn’t just a business decision; it was a philosophical one. The founders wanted Revo to reflect their values and their pride in American manufacturing. Today, every U.S.-made Revo knife is machined, finished, assembled, and sharpened in their Colorado facility, with Ward personally overseeing sharpening and final quality control. As the company grows, they’re committed to expanding their domestic lineup even further, with more and more of their products being made in the United States.

Revo’s design process includes multiple phases: concept sketching, digital modeling, initial prototypes, and full production samples. Before any knife is greenlit, it’s field-tested over several weeks. During this time, the knife is carried, opened, used, and evaluated under typical user conditions. If a pivot loosens or a lock shows any weakness, adjustments are made and documented.

Though they haven’t officially partnered on co-branded products, Revo maintains close relationships with many other knife companies and makers. The team frequently shares knowledge and support behind the scenes and values an open, collaborative approach to the industry. Early mentorship from Spartan Blades helped shape their perspective on the importance of community over competition, something they carry into every show, conversation, and collaboration.

Looking ahead, Revo continues to expand both its domestic and imported lines. A U.S.-made fixed blade version of the Canyon folder is currently in development, bringing the model’s striking design and usability into a new category. On the import side, the company is preparing to release the Javelin, a folder with upscale looks and premium detailing, without the premium pricetag. Prototypes of the Javelin were shown at S.H.O.T. Show 2025, and the design reflects Revo’s continued commitment to design-first, user-focused innovation.

As the company moves forward, Revo remains grounded in the belief that knives are not just about materials or mechanics. They are about identity, experience, and connection. With that in mind, Ho and Ward continue to build a brand that reflects their story, their values, and the kind of products they’d want to carry themselves.