Published October 9, 2026

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Updated October 9, 2026

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While the brand is best known for its iconic USMC Fighting Knife, its State & Union sub-brand’s latest model comes from different stock. However, it’s no less formidable and shares a similar pedigree.

It’s called the State & Union EK103, and it brilliantly blends heritage and modernity into one impressively formidable and surprisingly carry-friendly package.

The EK103 draws inspiration from two different knives. The first is hinted at by the blade’s name.

You see, the EK isn’t an acronym or alphanumeric designation. Instead, it refers to the Ek Commando (created by John Ek), a tactical knife that may not be as widely known as the USMC Fighting Knife but is no less impressive and storied.

The EK103 borrows its handle design from that legendary knife, boasting contoured scales on a full-tang blade, lifted almost directly from the Ek Commando.

The other part of the knife, the blade, is derived from the 6420 OSF Folder, another State & Union design. Unlike the 6420 OSF, this is a fixed blade, not a folder, though it shares a similar blade shape and the knife’s signature fuller (or blood groove).

The EK103 looks intimidating and beefy. And while it’s a highly formidable fixie, it’s actually a lot more discreet and compact than you might expect.

Unlike the USMC Fighting Knife, which measures a whopping 11.875 inches, the EK103 is only 8.2 inches, making it much more discreet and way easier to carry. It also weighs a mere 8 ounces, and it comes with a lightweight (albeit very robust) sheath.

The full-tang blade is built from S45VN steel, granting it superb corrosion resistance, balanced toughness, excellent edge retention and solid overall performance.

And the full-tang blade’s handle scales are built from Ultramid, a high-performance polyamide that’s strong, rigid, stable, resistant to chemicals and deformations and generally durable as hell.

The State & Union EK103 is now available on the brand’s site for $250.

About the Author: Sean Tirman is an associate editor at Gear Patrol who specializes in EDC, cannabis and outdoor gear.

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