GiantMouse x Carryology ACE Grand Auxikko | Exclusive Release

A sharp take on a fan-favorite icon, built to thrive outdoors and every day alike.

Meet the GiantMouse x Carryology ACE Grand Auxikko.

Created with one of the top knifemaking brands in the industry, this handsome workhorse rounds out our GiantMouse collaboration with honed performance, dependability, and ruggedness.

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In a world crowded with standout knifemakers—each chasing its own vision of steel and edge—it takes something rare to strike the right chord. Few brands manage to hit that balance of style, performance, and everyday utility in a way that feels tailor-made for our readers, our ethos, and frankly, our own pockets. GiantMouse does exactly that. Which is why, when it came time to choose a partner for a collaboration, the decision wasn’t really a decision at all. It was inevitable. And over the years, that partnership has evolved into something sharper, stronger, and more dialed-in than ever.

Back in 2023, we introduced the GMxC Riv Auxikko. Compact, capable, and built for everyday carry. The following year, the collaboration returned with something sharper and sleeker: the GMxC Sonoma Auxikko, a gentleman’s folder pared down to pure refinement. Then came the twist. Months after its debut, the Sonoma Auxikko claimed one of the industry’s highest honors: the 2024 BLADE Show Award. Cue the celebration. A late-night call. And somewhere in that adrenaline-fueled haze came the inevitable question: what if this wasn’t just a duo? What if we completed the family?

First… a small everyday carry companion. 
Second… a handsome functional blade for all occasions.
Third… what would be the absolute ultimate addition?

Looking to Iconic Lines

With the other two product category bases covered, our minds collectively went to the next natural category… a real deal “proper” pocket knife. One that fills the hand. Something really tough that could be used for serious outdoor adventures, but balances the line as an EDC tool. A knife that represents GiantMouse’s history, design philosophy, and overall product collection. We dug deep into GiantMouse’s vast catalog, past and present.

Our previous worked together had been inspired by the ACE collection. But we’d never considered GiantMouse’s highest tier of knives, the GM product collection.

In our search, we sought knowledge from our Carryology contributor and massive GiantMouse fan, the legend himself, Piotr Ma. Piotr enthusiastically told us his favorite knife of all time, one he regularly uses on his expeditions in the Tatra mountains of Poland. Okay, we thought we might just be onto something.

Enter the GM5. The GM5 folding knife is one of the most iconic knives from the GiantMouse collection. When they first designed it, their intention was to create their “magnum opus”. They call it their most ultimate folder to date. Made in Italy from titanium with Elmax blade steel, it was an instant favorite. The only problem? It was limited to 300 pieces and vanished quickly.

Later on, GiantMouse released a slightly modified version of the GM5, which they called the ACE Grand folding knife. This version was made with green canvas micarta handles, which patina nicely, have incredible grip, and frankly, allowed them to keep costs just a bit lower than an all-titanium construction. And yep, as you might have guessed, that knife also sold out crazy fast. The GM5 lineage has been a powerhouse. GiantMouse told us the GM5 and ACE Grand were the two most requested products to bring back. So why not make what the community was itching for?

The GiantMouse x Carryology ACE Grand Auxikko was born.

Cutting-Edge Craftsmanship

First and foremost, this specimen is manufactured to exacting standards by one of GiantMouse’s “go-to” production partners in Maniago, Italy. Known as the “City of Knives”, Maniago is a historic center for knife making, with a rich history of knife making dating back over 600 years. Here, the craft evolved from artisanal workshops to modern high-tech manufacturing facilities.

The biggest and most obvious design change? Just like the GM5, our version also has fully milled titanium scales for durability and toughness, and well… X-factor. While there are plenty of pros/cons and other handle materials out there, titanium is a clear winner. However, while the GM5 was a framelock folder, our version is a nested liner lock. This effectively locks the blade in place so it can be used for chopping and other extreme use cases, without fear of slipping. And it can be deactivated easily with just a light thumb press. Additionally, it allows for two full titanium handles unlike a framelock.

On the scales, just like we implemented with the Riv Auxikko and Sonoma Auxikko, we laser-engraved our own Carryology auxikko pattern. This pattern, etched into the surface of the titanium, not only looks amazing, but provides a nice tactile feel and additional grip for bare hands, wet/cold hands, as well as gloved hands out in the field.

The blade shape? Some really nice geometries here on this high Saber Flat Grind. Incredibly strong and stout. Yet still makes precision cuts and slices. And the pronounced swedge provides a fine point for piercing without losing strength at the tip, usually the Achilles’ heel for many other styles of blades. 

Thumbs Up for Easy Opening

The elegantly named “thumb hole” is the method for opening here. Milled directly into the blade, it’s the exact same style and shape as our Riv Auxikko (just a bit larger) and allows for both thumb flick-to-open and using any finger on the opposing side to flick to open.

The blade quickly snaps out of its protected titanium coffin via a butter-smooth ball bearing pivot mechanism. Nothing fussy or complicated here. Extremely reliable as well as dead easy to clean, lube, and maintain after hard use. 

On the spine of the blade, just at its midpoint, you’ll find some jimping. This provides just enough grip without being overly aggressive on your index fingers, to choke up on the blade and do precise cutting and slicing work.

Blade steel? The same we used for our last two collaborations. Elmax. GiantMouse loves using this steel for their higher-end knives, as it goes back to the early years of Vox and Ansø’s knife-making. Swedish Elmax, from Uddeholm Steelworks, has been a favorite among Scandinavian knife makers for many years. A powder steel known for its corrosion resistance, stability, edge retention, and high wear resistance. With a rating of ~60 HRC (Rockwell Hardness Scale), it takes a razor’s edge well and keeps it, even under hard use.

Ambidextrous Carry

A reversible clip allows right-handed and left-handed users to carry however they prefer. For me personally? I’m right-handed and keep my knives in my left pocket. The reversible clip allows me to keep the blade in its proper orientation, forced closed when in my pocket, without fear of opening as I reach into my pocket.

Sized for Adventure

The past two collabs were focused on daily carry. While this beauty can absolutely be carried as an EDC blade, it really shines outdoors. With an extremely useful blade length of 3.3125″ (81.14mm) and a frame length of 4.5″ (114.3mm), when fully opened and locked, it sits at 7.875″ (200mm). While not heavy, the 5.1oz (144.58g) gives it a nice, confident feeling in the hand. Everything about this blade feels premium, like it can handle anything you throw at it.

Oh yes, the orange. Building upon the family means the same DNA. And hey, after the BLADE Show West 1st place award, we felt like if it wasn’t broken, let’s not try to find something to fix. So on the extremely stout rear spacer as well as the two pivot mechanism rings, we went with orange anodized aluminum. Just a tasteful dash of color expression without being loud and obnoxious. 

And finally, while we’re talking about that hefty back spacer, there’s some minor jimping for grip as well as a 5mm hole milled in for adding on a 550 paracord (or UHMWPE cord if you’re fancy) lanyard and a bead from your favorite custom maker. Or you can just leave it naked and appreciate the clean lines of this fine tool.

Introducing the third and very likely the final member of the GiantMouse x Carryology Auxikko product family, the ACE Grand Auxikko.

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