On the Cutting Edge: The 5 Best Features of the Tekto Romeo Folding Knife

Before we dive into the 5 best features of the Tekto Romeo Folding Knife, let me tell you about how I came into keeping a knife in my everyday carry gear. 

“Phone, keys, wallet” – that’s always been my leaving-the-house checklist. Especially if I am really on the go, I’ve adopted the mindset that anything else I need I can probably find along the way. I mean, what more do you really need?

I hadn’t even heard of the idea of an “everyday carry” until I found myself deep down in the hole of Instagram when I first developed an interest in heritage quality and rugged menswear. Via the route of looking at boots and jeans to develop my personal style, I intersected with the super-committed, on the border of the rabid, EDC community.

Despite not really having a handle on the huge variety of everyday carry items, I could really appreciate how certain creators I came across were highlighting their everyday gear not just as functional tools, but as displays of earned patina. Now that is my language.

I have always loved playing with tools, despite not often carrying any with me. I’m pretty hooked on those sword-forging reality shows, and a sucker for craftsmanship in any form.

It wasn’t until a stint in the grocery industry that I really found an appreciation for having a sharp tool at an arm’s length from me at any point. Stacking fruits and vegetables that often came packaged in heavily taped boxes (sometimes accompanied by an indestructibly strong zip tie) first dictated the need to add a knife to the everyday carry roster, and I’ve carried one in some fashion pretty consistently since then.

My first was a cherished little beater from a big-box sporting goods store, which was just the right size to slice off a piece of an apple (still miss that one).

As I’ve gotten a little older and gravitated more toward function and performance over style, I’ve started looking for less bulky options that do the job well while taking up less space. Enter the newest offering from Tekto Gear. It’s a rising name in the everyday carry world Tekto is quickly covering ground with its intentionally engineered tools, specifically blades designed for long lives of everyday use.

The Romeo Folding Knife fits the bill for what I’m looking for in a sleek, utilitarian knife while not sacrificing quality and staying within the sweet spot for a price range. 

Curious about what we’re digging about the Romeo model here at Next Luxury? Read on for the top five things we think you should know about Tekto Gear and the Romeo blade they’ve just brought to market (and find out how you can get one in your pocket, too).

Tekto Romeo Folding Knife: Quality First

I mean, this one goes without saying. It’s all about quality. If you have also purchased a knife (or anything, really) that feels after a while like it was designed only to break so you have to buy a new one, it’s time to start thinking about the kind of investments you make to complete your everyday carry.

Coming in at $119.99 on their website, the Tekto Romeo Folding Knife is bracketed in the higher-end category of everyday carry gear. The premium quality of this model is equal parts material and design, but we’ll get to the material details in a second.

Let’s focus on the design first. I am personally in love with the dark, sleek design, which strikes an interesting balance between a classical tactical feel and a refined edge (no pun intended). On the tactical side, there’s a super discreetly built-in clip for easy belt or pocket access. If you’re a diehard romantic when it comes to your knife collection, you’ll be happy to know this design is based on the quintessential American Tanto silhouette, optimized for daily carry.

Tekto’s Romeo blade is built to last and built well. Above all else, you have to notice the weight of the blade. How is this blade so tough AND so light?

Romeo Folding Knife Weight: Possibly Lighter Than a Feather (But Way More Durable)

When we say this blade is light, we mean this blade is LIGHT. Survey says that the Romeo Folding Knife weighs less than one-tenth (.09) of a pound. How is that even possible?

Well, that’s where the materials come in. Both the handle and blade were manufactured out of materials chosen and curated specifically for their lightweight qualities without sacrificing their toughness.

Carbon fiber is often a top choice for knife handles for both utilitarian applications and for pure aesthetics (you would know this if you were watching those blacksmith shows with me). In fact, carbon fiber is one of the hardest artificial materials we’ve created in the man-made world, able to handle pressures far outweighing its own weight without breakage or buckling. On the aesthetic side, the handle reflects oncoming light via the individual carbon fibers, giving the knife a subtly different appearance based on the environment.

While carbon fiber is a star here, the real heavy hitter is the M390 steel used in the crafting of the Romeo blade. Nicknamed “Super Steel,” M390 is known for durability beyond the bounds of most other metals.

Tekto chose the M390 in an effort to extend the lifespan of the blade. Durability doesn’t just mean tough and hardy, but also expert in retaining a sharp edge (again, over most material competitors in the blade sphere). Retained sharpness means less frequent sharpening on your part, which ultimately adds time to the life of the knife.

While we’re on the topic, it’s worth mentioning that Super Steel is also super corrosion resistant, so no fear of damage out in the elements.

Tekto: A Made-in-USA Brand

Before even diving into the Romeo specs upon release, I always like to do a little research on the brand side to get a clear picture of the product and where it’s coming from. I was really excited to find that Tekto is based in here in the United States, and even more excited (as a proud lifelong New Englander) that they’re based right above me in the great state of Maine.

Maine is a place where you quickly learn the importance of a trustworthy tool, especially the further you get into the wilderness. The team behind Tekto conceptualized the brand as it is now out of a small garage in Portland, Maine, one of my favorite spots to escape for the weekend. Doesn’t get cooler than that, in my opinion.

While the search for the highest quality materials takes Tekto all over the globe, the raw materials are gathered together in Maine for assembly. Outside of the Romeo, Tekto has an array of other products (knives and beyond) worth taking a look at on their website. And the best news is that your purchase goes to supporting smaller, start-up brands as they continue to grow their footprint in the global market – that’s the American Dream, folks.

Romeo Folding Knife’s Sweet Price Point

In the buzz around the premium apparel world, you hear a lot of talk about “cost per wear” as a justification for getting maximum use out of something you pay a little more for with the intention of getting a longer, more quality lifespan out of the product. I’ve never heard anyone talk about cost per slice before, but that would probably be the most sensible unit of measurement for Tekto’s Romeo. 

At just under $120 retail, the Romeo is a calculated and intentional purchase versus a sub-$5 box cutter at the checkout line, but I urge you to think about its use over the lifespan and the value you’ll add over time as you grow to love the natural patina. But hey, if you’re a diehard everyday carry expert, you already knew that.

In their partnership with Next Luxury, Tekto has sweetened the deal for you: using our code, you’re entitled to 20% off your Romeo order, plus being able to take advantage of Tekto’s free shipping and free returns on all orders in the United States. Not bad, right? Use code LUXURY on their website to grab one and start the journey with a Romeo of your own.

Tekto Romeo Folding Knife Final Thoughts

Whether your intent is to head to the mountains and live off the land or open a few envelopes and packages per week at home, a lightweight and trustworthy knife is definitely on your list of day-to-day essentials. And if you aren’t already, adding a Romeo to your daily carry might tip the scales enough to turn you into a full-blown EDC nut.

Regardless of how you plan to use it, you can score a sweet discount by using our Next Luxury exclusive discount code – LUXURY on the Tekto website for 20% off and free shipping. Can’t lose on that one!