In this review, we’ll share our thoughts on some WESN products to help you decide if you should add them to your EDC.
Whether you’re just getting into the EDC gear scene or are a long-time enthusiast, you know that there’s no shortage of brands to choose from.Â
However, determining which of those are worth your investment and which fall short isn’t so cut and dry. The solution? Reach out to your fellow gear nerds, and get their informed opinions about whatever gadget you’re looking to add to your everyday carry setup.
That’s why in today’s WESN review, we’re going to share our hands-on experience with six different products from their lineup — then give an overall verdict on what’s worth it and who it’s right for.
About WESN
The Detroit, Michigan-based WESN is a relative newcomer to the EDC gear and knives scene, having been founded in 2016. But they’ve already made quite a name for themselves in the everyday carry community thanks to unique and finely tuned designs.
While they started with knives, WESN has recently branched out into other popular EDC categories like carabiners and multi-tools as well.
Oh, and the name? The stands for the cardinal directions: West, East, South, and North, meaning that you can take these knives and tools with you just about anywhere.
What I’ve Tested from WESN
So I’ve been carrying around gear from WESN for a few years now and had the chance to try out a half dozen of their most popular items.
I’d like to go over each one in more detail and give you my impressions of where they work great (and where they could maybe be improved).
Microblade
I’ve been carrying the Microblade around for quite a while now, and it’s become an indispensable part of my everyday carry setup.
It’s small and convenient but sturdy simultaneously, with a satisfying deployment action and firm locking mechanism.
This is easily one of WESN’s most user-friendly products, and it’s affordable compared to their other knives. I’d highly recommend it for just about anybody.
Samla
The Samla is another addition to the sub-$100 knife club, and it’s made in a really cool and unique retro style (almost like a straight razor for shaving).
I picked up the rosewood handle edition and found it to be a nice desk and household knife.
The slip action friction folding mechanism is different from most knives out there today, so it may take some getting used to. But once you get a feel for it, it’s as smooth to deploy as most assisted-opening knives.
Pocket Sharpener
Now, I’ll preface this: I don’t really use my knives so often or for such heavy-duty tasks that I need to sharpen them frequently.
So I can’t really imagine a situation where I’d need to sharpen my knives on the go so bad that I’d carry this as part of my EDC setup.
That said, the quality of materials on the Pocket Sharpener is really good for the $35 price.
A 400 grit plate on one side will let you put a new edge on old or beat-up knives, and the ceramic plate on the flip side will let you hone them to a razor edge.
QR Quick Release
Alright, so good news first: The QR Quick Release is a really good design for this product.
However, I don’t really use these quick-release devices because I don’t like adding even more length to my usual carabiner.
So is WESN’s quick release good? Definitely. It’s sturdy and durable, and the release mechanism is just strong enough without being hard to use. If you like this style of gear, WESN’s QR is worth buying.
CB Carabiner
Even though the CB is pretty pricey for a carabiner, I’m really in love with this piece from WESN. It’s been part of my everyday carry for years, and I barely leave the house without it.
The coolest part here is that the CB Carabiner is made with a super durable and minimalist one-piece construction.
That makes it both stylish and a good investment. And since it’s just the right size without being too bulky, I’ll probably keep using it for at least another decade.
MT Multi-Tool
The MT Multi-Tool is the most recent addition to my everyday carry — and I’m not 100% convinced that I love it yet.
Really though, that might be because I just don’t have much need to carry a multi-tool in general. I pretty much always get by just fine without one.
WESN’s multi-tool is a minimal take on the tool side, but it’s not a small or compact piece of gear.
It focuses on offering just a pry bar, bottle opener, and flathead screwdriver. But to my hands, it’s slightly too bulky to want to carry around daily.
Frequently Asked Questions
Let’s wrap things up by answering the most common questions we’ve heard you guys asking about WESN.
Are WESN Knives Any Good?
I’m a big fan of WESN’s knives, especially the Microblade. It’s a great knife at a good price.
Are WESN Knives Made in China or USA?
At this time, WESN does not disclose where their knives are manufactured.
Where is WESN Located?
WESN’s headquarters is located in Detroit, Michigan.
Final Verdict
So overall, I think you’ll be really happy with anything you get from WESN — as long as the price point is within your reach.
There’s no doubt that these are pretty expensive products, but they’re really high quality with unique designs that get a lot of love around the EDC community.
Questions? Comments? Leave them below!
I was told by a WESN rep that the blades are manufactured in Sweden.
Blade HQ shows China as the source for the WESN Microblade. I prefer the similarly priced Spyderco Manbug. Maybe because I already carry one. It’s just my personal preference.