Lately, this little Tekto A2 Badger Automatic Knife has been my everyday carry pocketknife. I like automatics, but I prefer to keep my EDC a bit discreet. Its compact size and 1.85-inch blade get the job done without drawing unwanted attention.
That is exactly what I need during the week. I am not putting myself in situations where a full-size knife would be welcome. This little guy is opening boxes, slicing sandwiches, and maybe cutting into frozen burrito wrappers. That daily stuff. Even so, it still feels like a capable tool if I needed more from it.
Tekto A2 Badger Automatic Knife Specifications
At 3.30 inches closed, the Tekto A2 Badger is easy to carry with the reversible pocket clip or loose in a pocket. Tekto also includes a simple carry pouch, but I am not a fan of the Velcro closure. For me, the clip or pocket carry makes more sense.
The aluminum handle and 1.85-inch D2 steel blade keep the weight down to just 2.18 ounces. Opened, it is still only 5.26 inches long with a width of 0.48 inches. There is a sliding button on the side to deploy and retract the blade, plus a glass breaker on the bottom.
The handle is 6061-T6 aluminum with what appears to be an anodized finish. It is a nice match to the matte black titanium-coated tanto blade. That blade has a fine edge with a hardness of 58-60 Rockwell. If those numbers do not show how compact it is, the photo below shows it next to a standard Bic lighter.
About the D2 Steel Blade
Choosing a steel for a knife blade usually involves compromise. We all want a blade that stays very sharp. However, the same properties that help a blade hold an edge can also make it harder to sharpen.
A hard blade resists wear. That helps with edge retention. But sharpening requires removing a small amount of steel to restore the edge. So a blade that resists wear may also take more work to touch up.
D2 is on the “holds a great edge” end of that scale. It takes a sharp edge and should hold it through regular use. Touching it up when it starts to dull will take some extra work. In my opinion, that is a fair tradeoff. A decent sharpener does not have to be expensive, and sharpening is a good skill to have.
Deployment and Blade Play
On the long end of the contoured deployment button, the grooves have increasingly wider spacing. The shorter end has narrow, even spacing between the grooves. Both sections provide good traction for deploying and retracting the blade.
The sliding button has a good amount of tension. It is easy enough to operate, but not so light that it feels careless. The day my Tekto A2 Badger arrived, the first thing I did was show it to my wife. She could open and close it easily, which says a lot about how manageable the action is.
While the blade was fully extended, there was a tiny bit of play. It is not a big deal, but it is there if you look for it.
The Legality of Automatic Knives
I live in Utah, one of several states that have never restricted the sale or public carry of automatic knives. Historically, it has been easier to get your hands on an automatic knife than alcohol. The American Knife & Tool Institute tracks legality by state. Here is their link to state laws regarding automatic knives.
Even California allows automatics with blades under 2 inches, making the Tekto A2 Badger a size that may matter in some restricted areas. However, knife laws vary by location. Check your local laws before buying or carrying any automatic knife.
How I Tested the Tekto A2 Badger
I carried the Tekto A2 Badger as a normal everyday carry knife. I used it for the kinds of tasks I actually need a small pocketknife to handle.
My use included:
- Opening boxes and packages
- Slicing food
- Cutting wrappers and small packaging
- Testing the factory edge on paper
- Repeatedly opening and closing the blade to evaluate the deployment feel
Out of the box, its fine edge sliced thin curls off paper, so it passed my initial sharpness test. The side notches and machined grooves also make the handle easy to control for such a small knife.
Pros and Cons of the Tekto A2 Badger
At $139.99, the price is fair for a compact automatic knife with a D2 steel blade. It is not perfect, but its faults are minor.
Pros
- Compact size works well for discreet EDC
- D2 steel blade offers good edge retention
- Automatic deployment is easy to use
- Reversible pocket clip
- Lightweight aluminum handle
- Glass breaker adds emergency utility
Cons
- Small blade limits heavier cutting tasks
- Tiny bit of blade play when fully extended
- Tanto blade may take more care to sharpen than a drop point
- Included pouch is not as useful as clip or pocket carry
I would prefer a drop point blade when it is time to sharpen it, but the tanto shape does offer a bit more utility at the tip.
Tekto A2 Badger Coupon Code
Tekto provided the A2 Badger for testing and evaluation. If you decide this compact automatic knife is a good fit, coupon code INDUSTRYOUTSIDER saves 10% at TektoKnives.com.
You can check current pricing here: Tekto A2 Badger at TektoKnives.com.
Conclusion
It should be pretty obvious by now that I like the Tekto A2 Badger. It is compact, easy to carry, quick to deploy, and built around a D2 steel blade that should hold up well to regular EDC use.
This is not a large work knife, and it is not trying to be one. Instead, it makes sense as a small automatic knife for daily tasks where portability matters. If you want something discreet that still opens quickly and feels solid in the hand, the A2 Badger is worth a look.
If you decide to buy one, coupon code INDUSTRYOUTSIDER saves 10% at TektoKnives.com. You can check current pricing here: Tekto A2 Badger at TektoKnives.com.
As always, I’d like to thank the folks at Tekto Knives for sending me their Tekto A2 Badger for testing and evaluation.