Paul Alexander has become one of Spyderco’s most popular and prolific designers. His first non-locking folder, the Nand, introduced us to his techno-primitive design style, which combines sleek, futuristic lines with classic simplicity. Springboarding off that pattern is his COBOL, which expresses his unique variation of the Ball Joint Non-Locking Mechanism with a more dramatic, Asian-inspired aesthetic. The upswept blade is a hybrid of traditional Japanese tanto pattern, and the katana-style point of the Americanized tanto. Precision machined from M390 partical metallurgy stainless steel, its saber ground primary bevel flows seamlessly into a flat grind at the faceted sleep. On the opposite end of the blade is extended into a tail that allows the knife to be opened one handed like a classic straight razor. The handle of the COBOL features solid titanium scales with integral spring arms and seated ball bearings. When the knife is opened, the ball bearings index holes in the sides of the blade to hold it in place. Hand pressure on the blade’s tail and a generous choil at the base of the edge further guarantee a safe, secure grip. To round out the completely ambidextrous design, the COBOL includes a reversible deep-pocket wire clip that offers a choice of left or right-side, tip-up carry.