UCO Whidbey Pushfold

Design & Features

With an overall length of 7.6 inches, the UCO Whidbey Pushfold stands out as a full-sized folding flipper knife. It features a 3-inch flat-ground drop-point blade made from D2 steel, coated in Titanium Nitride (TiNi) for enhanced corrosion resistance. The handle is constructed from glass-reinforced textured nylon, offering both durability and grip. A button-style Pushfold lock mechanism ensures secure operation, while the slim profile and deep-carry pocket clip make it ideal for everyday carry.

The Whidbey pairs practical design with dependable materials, making it a versatile choice for a broad range of users. Selecting TiNi-coated D2 steel was a smart move—offering strength, ease of maintenance, and resistance to the elements. The drop-point blade with a Scandi grind significantly improves its utility and adaptability in both daily tasks and outdoor applications.

Comparable to the Grivory material used in Benchmade’s Griptilian and Bugout lines, the reinforced nylon handle scales on the Whidbey provide excellent texture and grip. While alternatives like G10 or Micarta offer greater rigidity, UCO offsets this with steel liners—keeping the total weight under 3 ounces without compromising structural integrity.

Button-style locks, like the one featured here, are becoming increasingly popular. The Pushfold mechanism is intuitive, secure, and keeps your fingers safely out of the blade’s path. It complements the flipper-style deployment nicely, allowing for smooth and safe closing with one hand.

First Impressions

Although the Whidbey isn’t marketed as a premium knife, it incorporates features typically favored by seasoned users. TACTIC FLEX finds that UCO has gone above and beyond for newcomers, making the Whidbey an impressive introductory knife. For those just entering the world of EDC or outdoor blades, this is a great place to start.

Despite the lightweight build, some purists may view the glass-filled nylon scales as a downside. However, in use, they provide a satisfying balance of grip and portability. While materials like Micarta or G10 might enhance the knife’s tactile impression, they would also add bulk—something the Whidbey smartly avoids.

One initial drawback is the absence of a lanyard hole, which could improve accessibility and align with the knife’s practical design.

In the Field

Upon receiving the Whidbey, it immediately struck me as a strong candidate for a beginner’s knife—particularly for a younger user. I plan to gift it to my niece, who’s just getting into hiking and camping. After a month of field use, my opinion remains unchanged.

Despite temporarily swapping it in for a much more expensive $400 knife, I found the Whidbey to be a dependable and enjoyable companion. Even in wet conditions, the grip remains secure, and the TiNi-coated D2 blade has held up admirably against moisture. Though it may need sharpening sooner than some higher-end alternatives, that only adds to its value as a learning tool—ideal for teaching new users how to maintain a blade properly.

The opening and closing action is quick and smooth, and the Scandi grind enhances slicing efficiency. This grind, paired with the drop-point blade shape, makes the Whidbey intuitive and highly capable in a range of cutting scenarios.

One minor issue that has surfaced is a slight rattle in the button lock. This is likely due to the tolerances in the locking mechanism, but it has no functional impact and is barely noticeable during use.

Whidbey Mini

An important note for those considering the Whidbey for younger or smaller users—UCO also offers a Whidbey Mini, which retains all the same great features but in a slightly smaller form factor. The Mini is about an inch shorter overall, making it more manageable for smaller hands without sacrificing performance.

Conclusion

While affordability has become a key metric in the knife market, a truly accessible knife also needs to offer dependable materials, practical features, and ease of use. The Whidbey checks all these boxes—and then some. The inclusion of a button lock, Scandi grind blade, and thoughtful ergonomics makes it a standout choice for both beginners and seasoned users.

Whether you use it as your daily carry or toss it into your camp pack, the Whidbey is built to perform. It’s an excellent entry point into the world of knives and a reminder of how far budget-friendly tools have come.

TACTIC FLEX strongly recommends the Whidbey for anyone—especially younger adventurers—looking for a reliable, safe, and easy-to-use folding knife. UCO has done a commendable job packaging high-end features into an accessible platform. While I’ll miss carrying it, I’m confident my niece will appreciate every bit of what the Whidbey has to offer.