The Artisan Cutlery Sirius is one of those knives that quietly builds a following. Designed by Ray Laconico — the same designer behind popular Artisan releases like the Fragarach — it is a sleek front-flipper EDC with a drop point blade, a recessed thumb stud, and a ceramic ball bearing pivot. And because Artisan sells it across a huge range of steels and handle materials, there is a Sirius for almost every budget.
The catalog currently tracks 14 Sirius variants, from a $70 AR-RPM9 G10 version all the way up to a $399.75 CPM 20CV titanium flagship. This guide walks through every tier so you can pick the one that fits your carry style and wallet.
The Sirius: a Ray Laconico design
Ray Laconico is known for clean, ergonomic knife designs that prioritize how the knife feels in the hand. The Sirius is a textbook example. The handle is shaped to disappear into your palm, the blade nests into the handle when closed — the spec sheet says it "almost disappears" — and the thumb stud moves into a milled groove so nothing snags in the pocket.
The Sirius is a gentleman's flipper in the best sense: refined lines, no tactical styling, and a pocket profile that stays low. It works in an office as easily as it works on a weekend hike. If you are looking for a non-threatening, everyday-carry-appropriate folder, this is the shape to beat.
What makes the Sirius different: dual deployment
Most front flippers are front-flipper-only. The Sirius gives you two opening methods:
- The front flipper tab — the primary deployment, sitting at the top of the handle. A press rolls the drop point out smoothly on the ceramic ball bearing pivot.
- The recessed thumb stud — tucked into a milled groove on the blade, so it does not break the clean silhouette when closed. It gives you a thumb opening option if you prefer that action.
That dual setup is rare at the Sirius's price points, and it is a big part of why the design has stuck around. For more on how front flippers work compared to other openers, see our front flipper vs top flipper guide.
Every Sirius variant compared
The Sirius comes in two body lines — 1849P (liner-based budget builds) and 1849G (premium builds with titanium frames). Within those, Artisan rotates steels and handle materials. Here is the full ladder as we track it:
| Variant | Steel | Handle | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1849P | AR-RPM9 | Black PVD blade, G10 | $70 |
| 1849P | S35VN | DRC Micarta | $128.55 |
| 1849P | S35VN | Black DLC Micarta | $128.55 - $139.99 |
| 1849G | S35VN | Titanium | $200 |
| 1849G | S35VN | Fat Carbon + Titanium | $237.49 |
| 1849G | 20CV | Titanium | $216 |
| 1849G | CPM 20CV | Black PVD titanium, Timascus clip | $399.75 |
All Sirius variants share the same 3.54-inch drop point blade profile. The flagship 1849G versions list a blade thickness of 0.11 inches, a flat grind, and hardness around HRC 59-61 for the 20CV build.
AR-RPM9 G10 ($70): the budget entry
The cheapest way into the Sirius family is the 1849P with an AR-RPM9 blade and G10 handle, often in a black PVD finish. AR-RPM9 is Artisan and CJRB's budget powder steel — it holds an edge respectably for the price and is much easier to sharpen than the premium steels above it. At $70 you get the same Laconico profile and the same dual deployment, just in simpler materials. This is the version to pick if you want the design without the premium spend. You can see how it stacks up against other budget Artisan knives in our ArtisanCutlery budget picks roundup.
S35VN Micarta ($128.55): the sweet spot
Step up to the 1849P with an S35VN blade and Micarta handle and you get a serious upgrade in steel for about $58 more. S35VN is a well-established stainless with good edge retention, corrosion resistance, and toughness — a genuine all-rounder. The DRC and OD Green Micarta colorways are the popular ones here, and there are black DLC blade versions at $128.55-$139.99 if you want a darker look. For most EDC buyers, this is the tier where the Sirius becomes a "keep it for years" knife. S35VN's balance of toughness, edge retention, and corrosion resistance is well documented in [Knife Steel Nerds' steel-by-steel ratings](https://knifesteelnerds.com/2021/10/19/knife-steels-rated-by-a-metallurgist-toughness-edge-retention-and-corrosion-resistance/ "Knife Steels Rated by a Metallurgist" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow"), and it is covered against other mid-range options in our 154CM vs S35VN comparison.
S35VN titanium ($200): first step into the 1849G line
The 1849G moves to a titanium build, which changes the feel of the knife: stiffer frame, more premium texture, and a different pocket presence. At $200 you get the S35VN blade with a milled titanium handle. This is where the Sirius starts to feel like a "nice knife" rather than a "good knife."
20CV titanium ($216) and Fat Carbon ($237.49)
Two interesting mid-premium options sit close together. The 20CV titanium build is nearly the same price as the S35VN version — a strong value, since 20CV (like M390) is a top-tier powder steel for edge retention. The S35VN Fat Carbon + titanium builds swap the plain milled handle for a Fat Carbon overlay, which adds a distinctive layered look at $237.49.
CPM 20CV flagship ($399.75): the collector's Sirius
At the top sits the 1849G with a black PVD-coated CPM 20CV blade and black titanium handle, finished with a right-side Timascus pocket clip for tip-up carry. This is the full-spec flagship: 3.54-inch blade, flat grind, HRC 59-61 hardness, titanium frame lock. If you want the definitive Sirius — the version that shows off everything the design and Artisan's machining can do — this is it. 20CV is chemically very close to Bohler M390, a relationship Larrin Thomas documents in his [M390 and 20CV deep dive](https://knifesteelnerds.com/2020/06/01/m390-steel-history-and-properties-and-20cv-and-204p/ "M390 Steel - History and Properties" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow"), and it is covered in depth alongside M390 and Elmax in our premium steel comparison.
How the Sirius fits into Artisan's lineup
The Sirius is a front-flipper EDC, which puts it in a different lane than Artisan's button-lock knives like the REVEL or the Tomahawk family's D2/M390 builds. It is closest in spirit to the Fragarach — also a Laconico-influenced premium build — but the Fragarach is a larger, more expensive S90V titanium frame lock. Our Fragarach review and Tomahawk family guide give you the comparison points.
If you are trying to understand where the whole brand sits by price, our ArtisanCutlery price-tier guide maps every tier from budget G10 to premium titanium.
Who is the Sirius for?
The Sirius fits a specific buyer: someone who wants an elegant, capable folder with dual deployment, doesn't want a tactical look, and wants the freedom to choose steel and handle material by budget. Concretely:
- Under $100: the AR-RPM9 G10 version is a great first "nice knife."
- $100-$150: the S35VN Micarta builds are the value sweet spot.
- $200-$250: the S35VN/20CV titanium builds give you premium materials without collector pricing.
- $400: the 20CV flagship is for people who want the definitive version and a Timascus clip.
Pocket carry and daily use
One detail worth calling out is how the Sirius carries. The clean handle profile and the recessed thumb stud mean nothing protrudes to catch on pocket lining, and the included pocket clip keeps it tip-up and out of the way. The 3.54-inch drop point is a legal carry length in most US jurisdictions — state rules vary, so check our knife laws by state guide before relying on it — and it handles the standard daily rotation of boxes, packages, and food prep without drama. The flat grind on the premium builds also makes the knife a surprisingly good slicer for its size.
If you are pairing the Sirius with the rest of your carry, it works well in a two-item kit: a knife plus a small flashlight covers most everyday situations. Our how to build an EDC kit guide has more on rounding out the setup.
Verdict
The Artisan Cutlery Sirius is a rare thing: a design that works at $70 and still makes sense at $400. The dual deployment, the Laconico ergonomics, and the drop point blade are constants across the family; what changes is steel, handle material, and fit-and-finish. Pick your budget tier and you get a coherent, handsome, capable knife.
Start with the AR-RPM9 G10 Sirius if you want to test the design cheaply — or browse the full range on [Artisan Cutlery's site](https://artisancutlery.net/products/artisan-cutlery-sirius-1849g-s35vn-blade-titanium-handle-folding-knives "Artisan Cutlery Sirius 1849G" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow") — or jump straight to the S35VN Micarta or titanium versions if you already know you want the premium build.
FAQ
Who designed the Artisan Cutlery Sirius?
The Sirius was designed by Ray Laconico, known for clean, ergonomic folding knife designs. He is also behind other popular Artisan releases such as the Fragarach.
What steel options does the Artisan Sirius come in?
The Sirius family spans AR-RPM9, S35VN, and CPM 20CV. The AR-RPM9 builds are the budget entry at $70, S35VN sits in the middle at $128.55-$237.49 depending on handle, and the 20CV flagship tops out at $399.75.
Is the Sirius a front flipper only?
No. The Sirius offers dual deployment: a front flipper tab as the primary opener plus a recessed thumb stud that tucks into a milled groove when closed. Both ride on a ceramic ball bearing pivot.
What is the blade length of the Sirius?
The Sirius has a 3.54-inch drop point blade across the family. The premium 1849G builds list a blade thickness of 0.11 inches and a flat grind; the 20CV flagship is rated around HRC 59-61.
Which Sirius variant is the best value?
For most buyers the S35VN Micarta build at $128.55 is the sweet spot — a proven stainless steel with a comfortable Micarta handle at a mid-range price. If you want the cheapest way into the design, the $70 AR-RPM9 G10 version is hard to beat; if you want maximum steel performance, the 20CV titanium builds at $216-$399.75 deliver.