Gentleman’s Ditch Knife: The Bruja by American Kami

While attending the 2016 Usual Suspects Network Gathering  a couple months ago, one major standout to me was American Kami. While they had a ton of great knives, hatchets, and other implements, I spied several deceptively thin blades on the table that caught my eye. I soon learned that there were called Bruja knives.

Constructed completely out of titanium, the Bruja is a very thin blade. Easy to disappear on your person thin. Easy to go right between your ribs thin. On the end, it's about the same thickness as a nickel.

Of course this also means that the blade is hard to hold all on its own. You probably noticed the holes in the handle, so it's choose-your-own-adventure as far as what to cover with. There are endless guides online on how to wrap a handle in paracord. Obviously, I didn't follow one of these and just went to town:

I also tried skateboard tape for a super-thin profile. While it offers more grip, there's not a whole lot for the hand to gain purchase on

A personal favorite was tape. Yes, at this point it looks like something that inmate 5675 from cellblock D fashioned in his spare time. Except for that it's made out of titanium. I can't see that as a negative here.

Included with the Bruja is a super low profile kydex sheath. So low profile in fact, that once you wrap the handle it might not work for you anymore.

This is not an oversight, but a feature. Once you get your handle wrap how you want it, you break out a heat gun or a hair dryer and finish a custom fit for the holster.

American Kami advocates the use of a lanyard system for IWB carry.

While I could try and explain how the lanyard system works, DJ Urbanovsky of American Kami made a video specifically to demonstrate the how's and why's, which you can check out here:

After Googling “Bruja” however, I found it to be both strange and foreign–so therefore shifty and not to be trusted. From where I sit, the more descriptive name would be: The Gentleman's Ditch Knife. It's something for everyday carry, that hopefully you don't have to use everyday.

You can visit American Kami online here.

NEXT STEP: Download Your Free Target Pack from RECOIL

For years, RECOIL magazine has treated its readers to a full-size (sometimes full color!) shooting target tucked into each big issue. Now we've compiled over 50 of our most popular targets into this one digital PDF download. From handgun drills to AR-15 practice, these 50+ targets have you covered. Print off as many as you like (ammo not included).

Get your pack of 50 Print-at-Home targets when you subscribe to the RECOIL email newsletter. We'll send you weekly updates on guns, gear, industry news, and special offers from leading manufacturers - your guide to the firearms lifestyle.

You want this. Trust Us.