KNIFE MFG. CO.
US · company · est. 2019 · decks
ActiveKnife Mfg. Co. is a Chicago-based fingerboard deck brand established in 2019, describing themselves as "fingerboarding for the freaks." They handcraft 5-ply Canadian maple decks in multiple molds and sizes (32mm-36mm), released through limited drops.
- Known for hyped drops and fast sellouts.
- Graphics and craftsmanship get frequent praise.
- Some say the mold feels similar to Cowply C2.
- Retail pricing seems reasonable; resale is often criticized.
- Shipping delays and customer support draw repeated complaints.
Decks
- Ply Count
- 5-ply
- Width
- 32–36mm
- Price Range
- $48–$48
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2018
Brand Founded in Chicago
Founded in Chicago by Andy Eclov as a side project exploring raw, hardcore skate-influenced branding, dark aesthetic identities, and handcrafted decks.
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2019
Brendan Houston Joins as First Team Rider
Brendan Houston became the first rider to join the Knife team and helped produce the brand's decks during its first year of operation.
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2023
March
Original "Hand of Doom" Deck Release
Knife released the original Hand of Doom graphic, which became one of the brand's defining signature deck designs.
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2024
June
First International Appearance at Fast Fingers
Andy Eclov and team rider Brendan Houston traveled to Fast Fingers in Germany, marking their first major international event appearance and realizing the global reach of the brand.
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2025
Top-Ply Lot Number Stamping Introduced
Knife introduced top-ply stamped lot numbers on all handcrafted decks to track batches, improve quality control, and document shape revisions.
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2025
"TOTAL FIDELITY" Photo Book Published
Knife published "TOTAL FIDELITY," a 92-page hardcover photography book by Andy Eclov documenting the brand's history, travels, filming missions, team decks, and video production from 2022 to 2025.
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2025
October
"Utilitarian" Full-Length Team Video Premiere
Premiered the brand's first full-length fingerboard team video, "Utilitarian", filmed and edited by founder Andy Eclov, accompanied by the Andy Cole Pro "Scratcher" chrome deck release.
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2026
Chicago Warehouse Expansion & Mold Redesign
Knife redesigned its deck production and molds from scratch and moved into a larger private warehouse and workshop space in Chicago to expand manufacturing capacity and support international distribution.
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