Vintage Micarta – sometimes called “old stock” – refers to phenolic composite materials made back when companies like Westinghouse, Bakelite, GE (Textolite), and International Paper were cranking out the good stuff.

These slabs were originally made for industrial use – insulation, aerospace, you name it – not for looking pretty on a knife. But decades later, the knife world caught on. The result? A tough-as-nails material with character you just can’t fake.

The exact origins of most vintage Micarta are a bit of a mystery. By now, it’s nearly impossible to pin down who made what, or when – just know it’s older than the internet, and probably younger than the Magna Carta.

The Perfect EDC

Originally designed in the 80s by industry legend Bob Terzuola as a pocket knife to be used and carried every day, this heritage release pairs a MagnaCut sheepsfoot blade with a Grade 5 Titanium handle that doesn't take over your pocket. Tactile did their best to maintain the OG Mariner's aesthetic and spirit but scaled it down to comply with the sub 3" knife laws, added a 3D machined pocket clip with Bob's signature dragon head logo, lowered the footprint, and swapped in a dovetailed thumb disc to create a modern throwback and testament to precision machining.

Fun Fact: The dragon head represents Etz Nab (also Etz'nab), the Mayan God of flint tools and edge weapons.

Heritage Series -
Innovation Meets Classic Design

The original Mariner came out in the 80's but reimagining the design with modern techniques and standards came with challenges. It's Tactile's first time using a dovetailed thumb disc that utilizes compression from a set screw to secure it in place and a liner lock that is held by the backspace – increasing its retention.

Tactile loved the Mariner 2 R&D process since they could discuss the design directly with Bob, had a functional model in hand which was a great starting point, and their main priority was to honour the original as best as possible which is pretty cool. Hopefully this is the first of many classic designs Tactile can bring back into production.

Manufactured From Premium Materials

Bob Terzuola was one of the first knifemakers to integrate modern materials into his designs like, for example, utilizing titanium as his go-to handle material which was a 'space age' and rare commodity at the time for smaller makers. Tactile stayed true to his pioneering spirit with the Grade 5 titanium handles and 3D milled clip but upgraded the blade to top-of-the-line MagnaCut steel.

Made in USA -
All Under One Roof

Everything Tactile produce is machined, assembled, QC-ed, and serviced in their Dallas, TX machine shop and comes with a lifetime warranty.

Features:

• Titanium handle with Vintage Micarta show side
• Thin, slicey 2.5mm blade
• Premium Magnacut blade steel 63-64 HRC
• Stainless steel insert liner lock
• Titanium thumb disc
• Titanium 3D milled clip
• Caged ceramic ball bearing pivot
• Lanyard cutout
• Perfect for work and daily tasks
  
• Originally designed by Robert 'Bob' Turzuola in the 80's
• Made in Texas, USA