Every collaboration starts with a question - and this one was no different. Why do we carry?
For most of us, EDC goes far beyond utility. It’s about the small rituals that shape our days, the tools we rely on without thinking, and the satisfaction that comes from using something well-made, every single day. That way of thinking naturally led us to Ikigai the Japanese philosophy centered around purpose, balance, and joy in everyday life.
Okinawa is one of the world’s recognised Blue Zones - rare regions where people consistently live longer, healthier, and more content lives. While lifestyle and diet play a role, what stood out to us most was the emphasis on purpose. For the Okinawans, Ikigai isn’t a trend or a talking point, it’s lived. It’s the reason you get up in the morning, the craft you dedicate yourself to, and the pride taken in everyday routines.
That philosophy became the foundation for our latest collaboration with Tim Kingsford.
Following on from our first Kingsford Knives collaboration the Nascence AC Exclusive in Aug 2024, we wanted this next piece to go deeper. Not just in execution, but in meaning.
A royal blue titanium anodising was chosen as a deliberate nod to Okinawa’s Blue Zone identity: calm, enduring, and intentional. The gold stonewashed hardware represents longevity, balance, and the appreciation that comes with time and use. Each knife is individually anodised by Tim as part of a tightly controlled run of just 15 pieces, all finished to the same exacting standard.
The result is the AC x Kingsford KwaiKing Ikigai. A small-batch run of just 15 knives, each serialised inside the handle and paired with an exclusive Kingsford x Adventure Carry collector coin (each coin takes 2 hours to make. See Tim's video below). It’s a knife built for those who care about the story as much as the steel.
The Kingsford KwaiKing production is based on Tim’s original custom KwaiKing design.
A Kwaiken-style folding knife superbly translated into a production model by Vosteed Knives, featuring their proven top liner (compression) button lock mechanism. Tim is an exceptionally talented Australian knife maker, and just as importantly, he’s genuinely great to work with. We feel incredibly privileged to collaborate with him on the KwaiKing production run.
We could talk about Tim and this knife all day, but rather than take our word for it, here are professional knife reviewers who have been raving about the KwaiKing too - so you know we’re not just biased.
More than anything, this piece is a reminder of why we love EDC. The joy of carry, the respect for craftsmanship, the support of makers like Tim, and the community we’re all part of. Because when you carry with intention, even the smallest objects can carry meaning.
Our AC Exclusive KwaiKing Ikigai drops on:
Saturday, 24 January 2026 at 12PM AEDT.
NSW, VIC, TAS: 12PM AEDT | SA: 11:30AM ACDT | QLD: 11:00AM AEST | NT: 10:30AM ACST | WA: 9:00AM AWST | NZ: 2:00PM NZDT
Bookmark the drop page and set your alarm.
