The WE Knife High-Fin XL in one paragraph
The WE Knife High-Fin XL (WE24010 series) is the bigger, bolder sibling of the original High-Fin, and it was designed by Michal Gavac of Gavko Knives — the same maker behind several of WE's most distinctive titanium folders. Where the original High-Fin ran a 2.98-inch blade, the XL stretches to 3.48 inches of CPM 20CV reverse tanto with a hollow grind, all riding on a 6AL4V titanium frame lock with a machined diamond-pattern texture. Current WE24010 versions sell for $305 to $325 on the official WE Knife store, plus a Hakkapella Damasteel limited edition at $740. It is a premium, all-titanium frame lock that keeps the sculpted, angular look of the High-Fin family while giving you a blade that is actually useful for daily cutting work.
Specs: the WE24010 platform
Every current High-Fin XL shares the same skeleton. These are the numbers WE lists for the whole WE24010 family:
| Spec | WE Knife High-Fin XL (WE24010) |
|---|---|
| Blade length | 3.48 in / 88.3 mm |
| Overall length | 8.15 in / 207 mm |
| Closed length | 4.67 in / 118.7 mm |
| Blade steel | CPM 20CV (Damasteel Hakkapella on the DS1 LE) |
| Blade hardness | 58-61 HRC depending on finish |
| Blade style | Reverse tanto, hollow grind, 0.13 in / 3.2 mm stock |
| Handle | 6AL4V titanium, diamond-pattern machined, 0.48 in / 12.3 mm thick |
| Lock | Frame lock |
| Pivot | Caged ceramic ball bearings |
| Weight | 4.03 oz / 114.3 g |
| Clip | Titanium, tip-up right carry |
The 3.48-inch blade is the whole point of the XL. The reverse tanto gives you a reinforced tip for piercing and a long straight section for slicing, while the hollow grind keeps the edge geometry thin behind the tip. That combination makes the High-Fin XL a much more general-purpose cutter than its compact predecessor — it handles cardboard, packaging, food prep, and detail work without feeling delicate.
Why the diamond-pattern handle matters
Gavko's signature on this design is the machined texture. The handle is milled with a subtle diamond pattern that WE describes as shark-skin-like, and it does two jobs at once. First, it gives you traction: an all-titanium frame lock can feel slippery when your hands are dry, and the micro-texture keeps the knife planted without needing aggressive jimping or a coarse G10 scale. Second, it is what makes each colorway look like a different knife. Light plays across the machined facets differently depending on the finish, which is why the black, blue-purple, golden, and tiger-stripe versions all read as distinct designs even though the geometry is identical.
The frame lock itself is worth a quick note if you are newer to locks — WE uses a standard titanium frame lock here, which flexes the lock side of the handle to catch the blade tang. Our frame lock vs liner lock breakdown explains why that design tends to feel more solid in hand, and our strongest folding knife lock comparison shows where frame locks sit against crossbar and button locks in strength testing.
CPM 20CV: the steel choice
WE pairs the XL with CPM 20CV, the Crucible-made powder metallurgy stainless that is chemically near-identical to Bohler M390. It carries roughly 20% chromium and 4% vanadium, which puts it in the top tier of production knife steels for edge retention and corrosion resistance — the trade-off being that it takes more effort to sharpen than simpler steels. WE heat-treats the High-Fin XL to 58-61 HRC depending on the finish. If you want the full metallurgy story, Larrin Thomas's M390 and 20CV article at Knife Steel Nerds is the definitive read, and we compare it against S90V, Elmax, and other premium steels in our premium steel face-off.
For an EDC context: 20CV is overkill for light office cutting, but it shines if you use one knife hard for weeks between sharpenings — boxes, zip ties, plastic clamshells, rope, and the kind of mixed daily cutting that dulls budget steels in days. The reverse tanto tip is also genuinely useful for opening tasks because the reinforced point takes the abuse instead of a fragile drop-point tip.
The current colorways and pricing
WE currently lists six CPM 20CV High-Fin XL versions plus the Damasteel limited edition on its official store. The four core finishes, with official WE store pricing:
| Version | Handle finish | Blade finish | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| WE24010-1 | Black titanium | Black stonewashed | $305 |
| WE24010-2 | Blue / purple anodized | Stonewashed | $305 |
| WE24010-3 | Golden polished | Polished gray | $315 |
| WE24010-4 | Tiger stripe pattern flamed | Polished bead blasted | $325 |
Additional flamed and polished-gray editions with hand-rubbed satin blades have also appeared in the lineup at different points, so if you see a High-Fin XL with a satin blade, that is one of the rotation finishes. The one to hunt for is the WE24010-DS1 with a Hakkapella Damasteel blade: WE lists it at $740, and it is currently sold out on the official store — Damasteel versions of WE titanium folders tend to move fast and then linger on the secondary market at a premium.
Dealer pricing runs close to WE's own numbers. KnifeWorks carries the blue-purple WE24010-2 alongside other finishes, so you have a couple of established dealers to compare against WE's direct store pricing.
How the High-Fin XL fits the WE lineup
WE Knife is at its best when it lets designers run, and the High-Fin XL sits in the middle of a catalog of Gavko and other maker collaborations. It is heavier and more substantial than thin-carry folders like the Fluxor and Skynix, but lighter and more pocketable than an integral knife like the Arrakis. If you already own a WE titanium knife, the High-Fin XL differentiates itself with the hollow-ground reverse tanto and the diamond texture — nothing else in the current lineup feels quite like it in hand. You can browse the full family on the official High-Fin XL product page, which carries every finish and the live Damasteel listing.
For buyers weighing WE against other premium brands, our WE vs Kizer comparison and the WE Knife buying guide cover the wider field.
High-Fin vs High-Fin XL: what changed
If you are comparing the XL against the original High-Fin, the differences are simple to track. The original High-Fin (WE22005) carries a 2.98-inch 20CV blade in a 6.98-inch overall package and weighs about 98.9 g (3.5 oz). The XL adds half an inch of blade and over an inch of overall length, pushes weight to 114.3 g (4.03 oz), and keeps the same family look — the angled reverse tanto, the machined scales, the thumb-stud deployment. Both are Gavko designs; the XL is simply the version sized for people who found the original too small in hand. If you already own the original and love the geometry, the XL is the natural upgrade; if you are choosing between them new, the XL is the more versatile cutter and the original is the more pocket-friendly one. WE's own dealer listings describe the XL as the response to requests for a bigger High-Fin, and that is exactly what it delivers.
Action and daily-carry ergonomics
Deployment on the High-Fin XL is thumb-stud only — there is no flipper tab, which keeps the profile clean and gives the knife a more deliberate, traditional opening feel. The blade rides on caged ceramic bearings, so once the detent is overcome the swing is smooth and the blade drops into the frame lock with a solid click. The detent on WE titanium knives is typically set firm, which means the stud needs a confident push on day one; it loosens into a sweet spot with use. Owners in WE's review section describe the strong detent as the one adjustment period, and it is worth knowing before you buy if you are used to lighter-studded knives.
Carry is tip-up on the right side with a titanium clip that matches the handle finish, and at 4.67 inches closed the XL rides as a full-size folder — comfortable in a main pocket or a belt-adjacent carry position, but too large for a coin pocket. The 0.48-inch handle thickness is moderate for a titanium frame lock, and the machined texture gives enough grip that the knife does not skate around in the hand during harder cuts.
Who the High-Fin XL is for
Buy the High-Fin XL if you want one premium titanium frame lock that does not live in a display case. The 4.03-ounce weight is heavy enough to feel solid but light enough for all-day pocket carry, the 20CV edge lasts, and the reverse tanto handles real cutting rather than just looking sculptural. It is not the knife for someone who wants the smallest possible carry — at 4.67 inches closed it is a full-size folder, not a fifth-pocket knife — and the strong detent means the thumb stud takes a deliberate push to deploy, which some users love and others find stiff at first.
Verdict
The WE Knife High-Fin XL is Gavko's take on a do-everything titanium frame lock, and it delivers. The diamond-pattern handle is one of the most comfortable machined textures in production, the 20CV blade is a genuine cutter rather than a showpiece, and the four core colorways give you a real choice between $305 and $325. The Damasteel DS1 at $740 is the collector's version; for everyone else, the black WE24010-1 or the tiger-stripe WE24010-4 are the picks that show off the machining best. If a premium titanium folder from a brand that consistently nails maker collabs is on your list, the High-Fin XL earns a spot on it.
FAQ
Is the WE Knife High-Fin XL a Gavko design?
Yes. The High-Fin XL was designed by Michal Gavac of Gavko Knives as a larger follow-up to the original High-Fin. Gavko has a long-running collaboration with WE Knife, and the diamond-pattern machined titanium handle is a signature element of his designs for the brand.
What steel does the High-Fin XL use?
The standard WE24010 versions use CPM 20CV, a powder metallurgy stainless steel chemically similar to M390. The WE24010-DS1 limited edition uses Hakkapella Damasteel instead, at a higher price.
What is the blade length of the WE Knife High-Fin XL?
The blade is 3.48 inches (88.3 mm) with a reverse tanto profile and a hollow grind. Overall length is 8.15 inches and closed length is 4.67 inches.
How much does the WE Knife High-Fin XL cost?
The four core CPM 20CV versions cost $305 to $325 on the official WE Knife store: the black and blue-purple editions at $305, the golden polished at $315, and the tiger-stripe flamed at $325. The Damasteel DS1 limited edition lists at $740 and is currently sold out at the official store.
Is the High-Fin XL a frame lock knife?
Yes, it uses a 6AL4V titanium frame lock with caged ceramic ball bearings in the pivot. The blade rides on bearings for smooth deployment, and the frame lock provides the solid lock-up you expect from a premium titanium folder.
Quick specs recap
- Designer: Michal Gavac (Gavko Knives)
- Blade: 3.48-inch CPM 20CV reverse tanto, hollow ground
- Handle: 6AL4V titanium, diamond-pattern machined, frame lock
- Pivot: caged ceramic ball bearings, thumb stud opening
- Weight: 4.03 oz, tip-up right-carry titanium clip
- Price range: $305-$325 (20CV), $740 (Damasteel DS1)