https://the-gadgeteer.com/2026/05/11/tacray-vinto-titanium/
Reate Knives doesn’t usually show up on a budget EDC list. Look at the brand’s recent catalog and you’ll see titanium frames, M390 blades, and prices that sit comfortably north of $300. The Horizon D in carbon fiber, the Reate Iron series, and the various Mini Horizon variants all hover in that range, and that’s been the brand’s lane for years.
That’s why the new Reate Horizon X stands out. According to BLADE Magazine’s New Knives: April 2026 spec sheet, the Horizon X launches at a $97 MSRP. That puts a Reate folder under $100 for the first time in recent memory, and it’s also one of the few sub-$100 folders shipping with a crossbar lock, the same general mechanism that Benchmade’s Axis lock made famous and that’s since spread across Hogue, Kershaw, and CJRB’s premium lineup.
What’s in the Spec Sheet
The Horizon X is a slim folder built around a 3.2-inch 14C28N blade in a stonewashed finish. The handle uses Fatcarbon Glass, which is a glass-fiber composite from the Fat Carbon material brand, and the lock is a crossbar setup. Overall length is 7.3 inches and the knife weighs 2.78 ounces, which puts it under the typical weight band for 3-inch folders in this price tier. Reate is producing the Horizon X in China at its own factory, the same Reate factory that builds the brand’s higher-end lineup.
Why the Price Tag Matters
A quick walk through the rest of the Reate catalog shows where $97 lands on the brand’s price ladder. The Horizon D in carbon fiber is a discontinued $400-class folder that still trades briskly on the secondary market, per Knife Informer’s coverage. The current Reate Iron series sits between $325 and $650 on KnifeCenter, depending on inlay choice. The Reate 9D-V2 framelock retails for $235 at Chicago Knife Works.
| Model | Price | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Reate Horizon X | $97 | BLADE Magazine, April 2026 |
| Reate 9D-V2 framelock | $235 | Chicago Knife Works |
| Reate Iron (Micarta or CF) | $325 to $335 | KnifeCenter |
| Reate Horizon D CF (discontinued) | ~$400 | Knife Informer |
| Reate Iron CF + MokuTi | $650 | KnifeCenter |
The Horizon X drops below all of that and lands in territory that’s been dominated by CJRB, Kizer’s Begleiter line, Civivi, and Vosteed. Those brands have been pushing the sub-$100 ceiling for the last two years with crossbar locks, mid-range steels, and milled clips. Reate moving into that bracket isn’t a price war so much as it’s the brand testing whether its production quality scales down to a price point it hasn’t targeted before.
The Lock and the Handle
A crossbar lock at this price isn’t a first, but it’s still a short list. Most sub-$100 crossbar folders come from CJRB’s Pyrite line, Civivi’s Baby Banter 2 and Qubit, and a handful of Vosteed models. Adding a Reate name to that list raises the floor on what shoppers can expect from the category.
Fatcarbon Glass is the more unusual choice on the handle side. Fat Carbon is best known for the layered carbon-fiber composites that show up on customs from Shirogorov, Reate’s own higher-end pieces, and aftermarket scales for Spyderco and Benchmade hosts. The glass variant swaps the carbon weave for a glass-fiber composite that’s typically lighter and cheaper to produce, which lines up with the 2.78-ounce weight and the $97 sticker.
14C28N is a familiar Sandvik steel that Kizer, CJRB, and Civivi all use at this price point. Sandvik positions it as a fine-grain stainless with edge retention and corrosion resistance in the working range, which is why it’s become a staple at the sub-$100 tier. It’s not a super steel, but at $97 it doesn’t have to be.
Where It Fits in The Gadgeteer’s EDC Lineup
For readers tracking new EDC drops, the Horizon X slots in next to a few recent picks: the Kizer Begleiter 2.9, the Tacray Vinto, and the CJRB Gobi we featured earlier this spring. All four sit under $100, all four are built for actual pocket carry, and all four come from brands that are now competing on lock mechanism and handle material rather than steel alone.
Reate is the heaviest name on that list. The brand’s reputation is built on tolerances, action, and finish, and the Horizon X gives shoppers a look at Reate’s production at a price point that sits well below the brand’s usual $300-plus tier.
Availability
The Horizon X is currently listed at reateknives.com with dealer stock expected to follow in the coming weeks. KnifeCenter, Blade HQ, and the rest of the regular dealer network haven’t picked it up yet, so check BLADE Magazine’s New Knives: April 2026 entry for the official spec sheet and the most current retail availability before ordering.
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(as of June 15, 2026 05:14 GMT -05:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
