The James Brand × Death & Co

Few people are as reliant on their hands, pockets, and tools as a bartender. We started a dialogue with Death & Co nearly three years ago, and we knew immediately that we wanted to work together. The shared appreciation of great people, analog experiences, and quality tools paved the way for an authentic partnership.

Owned by partners David Kaplan, Alex Day, and Ravi DeRossi, Death & Co is one of the most significant and influential bars to emerge from the current craft cocktail revival. Since its opening in 2006 in Manhattan’s East Village, Death & Co has been a must-visit destination for drink and cocktail enthusiasts, and the winner of several major industry awards, including America’s Best Cocktail Bar and World’s Best Cocktail Menu at Tales of the Cocktail. Boasting a supremely talented and creative bar staff and uniquely innovative menus, Death & Co is also the birthplace of some of the modern era’s most iconic drinks. Our shared values around craft, analog experiences and culture brought us together and have made the partnership with Death & Co an absolute pleasure.

“The James Brand celebrates its products through authentic stories and relatable characters, an approach that aligns with our values,” said David Kaplan, co-founder of Death & Co and CEO of Gin & Luck. “I saw a company both passionate and uncompromising in its pursuit of excellence, with a strong sense of identity and commitment to connection. At Death & Co, we believe cocktail culture is all about connection. The environment, the ritual of crafting a cocktail, the perfectly executed serve—it’s all both transportive and grounding. Our co-branded Pike serves as the perfect tool for curating these lasting moments and experiences.”

Death & Co bartender Jack Stevenson found his way to Los Angeles, after time in Denver (where he’s from) and Arizona. He wasn’t somebody who knew early on that he would become a renowned mixologist, but his love of the culture and the art of helping others to have an amazing experience was intoxicating, literally. Jack loves what he does, and he’s damn good at it. In Jack’s pocket you’ll always find three things: a Sharpie, a wine key (duh) and a pocket knife. Check out our video interview with Jack below to see what makes him tick, and why he’d love to make your next drink. 

The TJB × Death & Co Pike has a slim in-pocket profile and is a modern interpretation of a classic pocket knife form. It features a modified sheepsfoot blade made from DS93X Rose Damasteel, with black PVD-coated stainless steel inlays and a laser-etched handle. This edition is limited to just one hundred units, and makes a great gift for those who appreciate the value of craft and the importance of details.