Model sizes and locking mechanisms
The Tao II, Pulsar and Zen are folding knives for everyday carry, but differ in size, steel and lock type. Tao II has an 89 mm blade and 210 mm overall length, while Pulsar is shorter at 85 mm and 193 mm overall. Zen is 210 mm long with an 87 mm blade. These measurements can help narrow the choice if you prefer a more compact folder or a longer one.
Pulsar uses Kunwu’s XT Lock. Zen uses a frame lock, where part of the handle moves behind the blade tang to hold the blade open. The official product listing identifies Tao II’s blade and handle materials but does not specify its lock mechanism, so check the individual configuration details when comparing locks.
Steel and handle options
The listed Tao II configuration pairs a Vanax stainless steel blade with a titanium handle. The Pulsar and Zen configurations described by Kunwu use ELMAX steel; both have titanium handles, with Pulsar’s handle specified as diamond-textured titanium. The Tao II’s listed blade is 3.5 mm thick, compared with 3.1 mm for Pulsar and 3.4 mm for Zen. Steel, handle finish and other specifications can vary across configurations, so check the details for the specific version.
Kunwu’s background
Kunwu says its team came together in May 2019 to make folding knives, bringing prior experience in knife production and design. Its current catalog includes folders with different locking mechanisms and configurations, giving shoppers practical points of comparison without assuming every model shares the same materials or features.