Knife, flashlight, and pen. The compact version.

The First Mate v3 is the smaller First Mate — 4" × 4" (105 × 105 mm). Knife slot, flashlight loop, and a spot for a short pen. Built for a lighter carry: Swiss Army or small folding knife, AAA or AA flashlight, and a pen up to 10 cm. If you don’t need the full-size First Mate but still want your three essentials organized, this is it.

The basics

• Size: 4" × 4" (105 × 105 mm) with AA loop
• Holds: knife + flashlight + short pen (up to 10 cm)
• Loop options: AAA (D 15mm) or AA (D 18mm)
• Full-grain leather, hand-stitched, hand-burnished edges
• Made by hand in my Kyiv workshop, one at a time

What fits

Knives: Swiss Army Pioneer, Cadet, WE Banter, and similar small knives. Short pen up to 10 cm. Flashlights: AAA loop tested with Olight i3t and ReyLight Pineapple Mini. AA loop tested with Olight i5t.

The leather (and why it’s named on the label)

• Crazy Horse (Rusty) — waxed pull-up. Scratches rub out with your thumb, color shifts with carry.
• Ponte Wax (Chocolate) — vegetable-tanned, rich brown, smooth finish.
• Koala (Black) — smooth, even, minimal marking.

All full-grain — the top layer of the hide, not corrected or bonded scraps.

Who it’s not for

If you carry a full-size knife like a Para 3 or Bugout, the standard First Mate fits those. For multi-tool carry, look at the First Mate Fatty.

FAQ

What’s the difference between the v3 and the standard First Mate?
The v3 is smaller (105 × 105 mm vs 120 × 120 mm) and designed for smaller knives. No pen loop option — the short pen slots into the main pocket alongside the knife.

Which loop — AAA or AA?
AAA (15mm) for thin pocket lights like the Olight i3t. AA (18mm) for slightly thicker lights like the Olight i5t. When in doubt, measure your flashlight’s body diameter.

Who makes it and where?
I do, by hand, in my workshop in Kyiv, Ukraine. Every order ships with a handwritten note. We’ve shipped 7,000+ orders and earned 600+ five-star reviews.

Pick your leather and loop size. Add to cart. Ships within a few days, handmade and ready to carry.