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First Look: Drop-Forged KA-BAR Elishewitz Pocket Tool

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First Look: Drop-Forged KA-BAR Elishewitz Pocket Tool

Designed by Allen Elishewitz, KA-BAR’s USA-made drop-forged EPT pairs a 2.5-inch blade with a clip-equipped sheath for easy pocket carry.

KA-BAR has expanded its line of drop-forged steel tools with the Elishewitz Pocket Tool, or EPT. Designed by veteran maker and former Force Recon Marine Allen Elishewitz, the compact fixed blade targets the growing daily carry market with a format tailored specifically for pocket carry rather than belt wear.

Built for Daily Duty

The EPT centers around a short, broad 2.5-inch drop-point blade ground flat to a 20-degree edge per side. KA-BAR crafts the knife from 0.1875-inch thick 425 high-carbon stainless steel, hardened to 56–58 HRC. The stout blade geometry offers plenty of strength for routine cutting tasks while keeping the overall footprint manageable.

Because the knife utilizes a one-piece drop-forged construction, the skeletonized handle is integral to the blade. A finger ring integrated into the butt end assists with control during use while serving as a quick-draw indexing point when pulling the knife from a pocket.

Pocket-Friendly Carry

Elishewitz Pocket Tool at work in profile.

Rather than relying on a traditional belt sheath, the EPT comes equipped with a custom USA-made sheath featuring a reversible, loop-over wire pocket clip. This setup allows the fixed blade to ride deep inside a pocket in much the same manner as a standard folding knife.

At 6.75 inches in overall length and weighing 3.2 ounces (0.2 lbs for the knife alone), the U.S.-manufactured piece delivers the structural integrity of a fixed blade without adding unnecessary bulk to a daily kit.

Elishewitz Pocket Tool (EPT) Specs
Designer: Allen Elishewitz
Overall Length: 6.75 in.
Blade Length: 2.50 in.
Blade Width: 1.70 in.
Blade Thickness: 0.1875 in.
Blade Steel: 425 High Carbon Stainless (56–58 HRC)
Blade Type/Grind: Drop Point, Flat Grind
Edge Angle: 20 degrees per side
Construction: Integral drop-forged 425 stainless steel
Weight: 3.2 oz. total (2.24 oz. knife weight)
Sheath: USA-made sheath with reversible wire pocket clip
MSRP: $78

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FIRST LOOK: SOG Knives 40th Anniversary Fat Guard Bowie

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FIRST LOOK: SOG Knives 40th Anniversary Fat Guard Bowie

SOG marks four decades with a limited, 500-piece run honoring its original MACV-SOG combat bowie root.

To mark four decades in business, SOG Knives has released a limited-edition homage to the blade that started it all: the 40th Anniversary Fat Guard Bowie. Drawing direct design cues from the original S1 Bowie introduced in 1986, the new release pays tribute to the covert fighting knives carried by MACV-SOG personnel during the Vietnam War.

Historical Roots, Modern Production

The 40th Anniversary model centers around a 6.1-inch clip-point blade forged from AUS-8 stainless steel. SOG finished the steel with a black PVD coating for added corrosion resistance and reduced reflection.

SOG 40th Bowie 1

True to the traditional combat bowie silhouette, the handle is built from stacked leather, offering a classic aesthetic alongside a contoured grip. A substantial brass guard and matching butt cap frame the handle assembly. Production is strictly capped at 500 individually serialized units, with each knife’s specific number etched directly into the pommel.

Commemorative Display Package

Rather than shipping as a standalone tool, SOG packaged the anniversary Bowie as a complete collector’s set. The knife sits inside a handcrafted pine display case outfitted with a clear glass viewing lid and an engraved anniversary plaque.

Accompanying the fixed blade inside the presentation box is a custom SOG 40th anniversary Zippo lighter and a signed certificate of authenticity. For field carry or storage, the set includes a heavy-duty black leather belt sheath, complete with a front-mounted snap pocket containing a touch-up sharpening stone.

The 40th Anniversary Fat Guard Bowie package is available directly through SOG’s website while supplies last.

Knife Reviews:

Brazilian Bonanza: A Bevy Of Brazilian-Made Custom Blades

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Brazilian Bonanza: A Bevy Of Brazilian-Made Custom Blades

Hot custom knives from Brazilian makers.

There must be something in the Amazonian water. In the global phenomenon of custom knives, there are few geographic locales that sizzle hotter than Brazil. The country has sharp makers and attracts talent, creating some of the world’s most desirable knives. Here is a look at some of the steel expertise emanating from the equatorial nation and its cutlery shows.

Romário Ribeiro Fighter

Romário Ribeiro Fighter

Sleek and dark, Romário Ribeiro’s 12-inch fully integral fighter of 52100 carbon steel won the Best Handle Award at Salão Paulista de Cutelaria 2025. It’s no wonder, with a seamless and intricate keyhole-style construction, and jacaranda wood and 24k gold inlays creating a boundless night sky motif, complete with a rising crescent moon.

Gustavo Schuenck Fighter

Gustavo Schuenck Fighter

Winner of the Best Fighter Knife Award at Salão Paulista de Cutelaria 2025, Gustavo Schuenck’s blade is aggressively beautiful. San mai steel of 9½ inches with a black phosphate finish ties together with the knife’s pitch-colored jacaranda handle. The nuanced recurve toward the heel offers flow in the build, paired with an understated yet sweeping guard.

Alexandre Biguna Bowie

Alexandre Biguna Bowie

Near-perfect symmetry of Alexandre Bigunas’ basketweave mosaic damascus bowie can’t help but fascinate. The meticulous work on the 10-inch blade is contrasted by the striking color of the sub-hilt’s mammoth-molar handle and pair of amethyst stones on either side of the guard. Topping off Bigunas’ work, 24k inlay, including his signature on the blade.

Júlio Cézar Ribeiro Gentleman’s Slip Joint

Júlio Cézar Ribeiro Gentleman's Slip Joint

Simple, clean and classy are the driving ideas behind Júlio Cézar Ribeiro’s gentleman’s slip joint. The Brazilian’s spotless execution also caught the judges’ eyes at Salão Paulista de Cutelaria 2025, with the knife winning Best Traditional Folder. Notable aspects of the knife includes the swooping spine of the RWL 34 steel Wharncliff blade, maintaining the knife’s overall geometry with its teardrop mother-of-pearl handle.

Lizandro Bertoni Bowie

Lizandro Bertoni Bowie

Lizandro Bertoni’s bowie is a study in contrasts. The flats of the 16-inch, 1085 and 15N20 damascus blade dominate with a starburst-like mosaic pattern, but give way to a cross pattern at the edge. Further, the busy ornamentation of the blade is contrasted with the calmer design of its walrus-ivory handle and the smooth lines of its texturing.

Vanuti Fiori Dagger

Vanuti Fiori Dagger

Dang sexy is all that can be said of “Lady of the Night,” a collaboration between knifemaker Vanuti Fiori and engraver Gabriel Krebs. It’s not only the lines of Fiori’s integral dagger that drip sex appeal, but also Krebs’ alluring feminine -form scrimshaw on its mother-of-pearl inserts.

Francisco Wlach Gaucho

Francisco Wlach Gaucho

Francisco Wlach takes the workingman’s gaucho knife to a different level with the execution of his knife’s 10-inch laced mosaic blade. Wlach creates movement on the blade with a very uniform pattern over the majority of the steel, contrasted by a more subtle pattern along the edge. Gold inlay, integral bolster and mammoth-tooth handle would make this blade any gaucho’s pride.

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First Look: Civivi High Grass Field Knife Ready For Fowl Play

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First Look: Civivi High Grass Field Knife Ready For Fowl Play

Engineered for upland hunting and fine-detail game prep, Civivi’s latest fixed blade puts precision first.

Civivi is expanding its lineup of dedicated field tools with the High Grass Field Knife, a compact fixed-blade built specifically for upland hunters and small-game processing. Designed by Michigan custom knifemaker Matt Gentry, the production model translates years of hands-on experience in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula into an accessible, purpose-built knife where fine control takes priority over raw size.

The inspiration for the High Grass stems directly from Gentry’s time spent pursuing small game with his son across Michigan’s northern terrain. Rather than modifying a general-purpose camp knife, Gentry set out to build a nimble tool optimized for delicate field-dressing tasks of fowl and small game.

To achieve that level of precision, the knife features a 2.93-inch drop-point blade with a flat grind and an ultra-fine tip, making detail work around joints and skinning far more manageable. Dual sections of jimping along the spine provide tactile indexing points, allowing users to safely choke up on the blade for tight, controlled cuts.

Field-Ready Materials

Civivi High Grass profile

Civivi opted for Sandvik 14C28N stainless steel for the blade stock, heat-treated to 58–60 HRC. The steel offers a solid balance of edge retention, corrosion resistance and ease of resharpening in the field. A stonewashed finish helps mask the inevitable scuffs and scratches that come with regular use.

For the handle, natural Guibourtia wood scales offer a classic look that honors traditional hunting gear while maintaining a comfortable, ergonomic fill in the hand. Stainless steel hardware keeps the construction secure, and at an overall length of 7 inches with a weight of 2.26 ounces, the knife carries light on a belt or in a pack.

The High Grass Field Knife ships ready for the field with a molded black Kydex sheath. The setup features a T-Clip mounting system designed by knife industry veteran and BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall of Fame® member Bob Terzuola, providing versatile attachment options for belts or pack webbing. A pre-tied black paracord lanyard comes installed from the factory for added draw leverage.

High Grass Field Knife Specs
Designer: Matt Gentry
Overall Length: 7”
Blade Length: 2”
Cutting Edge: 3.09”
Blade Thickness: .12”
Blade Steel: Sandvik 14C28N (58–60 HRC)
Blade Grind/Finish: Flat grind, stonewashed
Handle Material: Guibourtia wood
Handle Thickness: .56”
Knife Weight: 2.26 oz.
Sheath: Black Kydex with Terzuola T-Clip
Extras: Tied black paracord lanyard
MSRP: Starting at $59

Knife Reviews:

Cool Custom: Jon Christensen’s Mythical Undertaking

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Cool Custom: Jon Christensen’s Mythical Undertaking

Guardian Sword proves a painstaking quest.

It’s easy to toss around the word epic and difficult to describe Jon Christensen’s recent work any other way. Of course, the subject material for his two-handed sword made it challenging for the results of the project to be anything other than mythical.

The Montana-based ABS master smith captures the ancient Greek myth of Perseus and Medusa in 16 hand-engraved iron panels inset into the 410SS handle and a bulino-engraved bronze shield on the guard of his Guardian Sword. Among other things, the handle features gold, bronze, copper, silver, custom alloy and mother-of-pearl inlay and is punctuated with Medusa’s head on the butt.

Jon Christensen
Jon Christensen

“The bulino engraving was very challenging as it was my first,” Christensen confessed. “There was a ‘paying my dues’ stage of time spent, which I just had to accept.”

It might be said that the entire project was an exercise in dues-paying. In addition to challenging himself with a new engraving technique, he was also delving into an unfamiliar subject. Christensen gave himself a crash course in the story of Medusa before conceptualizing the panels. But the client who commissioned the sword raised the bar on his retelling of the myth.

“Before starting on the project, the collector requested my interpretation of the story be approved by Tufts University, which is known for a strong program in classical mythology,” he said. “I compiled and submitted a document of the concept showing drawings and descriptions for each scene, as well as the overall sword. They replied saying, ‘It was a masterful interpretation.’”

The Guardian Sword handle, with the panels depicting the Greek myth of Perseus and Medusa.
The Guardian Sword handle, with the panels depicting the Greek myth of Perseus and Medusa.

The sword is reminiscent of the one featured in Benvenuto Cellini’s sculpture of Perseus, showcasing the same unique shape in its 37.5-inch W2 blade, with a hamon. While this aspect of the sword presented challenges, Christensen admits it was the easy part of the Guardian. Much of the 4,000 or so hours he dedicated to the work were focused on the handle, engravings and accurately retelling the ancient myth.

“The time on completing the blade would be measured in weeks, the handle scenes in years working under a microscope,” he said.
Epic, indeed.

“Yes, the scope of the project was very intimidating at times. I had to constantly manage my thoughts to the task at hand,” Christensen said. “As the saying goes, ‘How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.’”

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First Look: Field-Ready Böker Naturensöhne MK II NXT

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First Look: Field-Ready Böker Naturensöhne MK II NXT

The multi-tool market has long been divided between heavy-duty plier platforms and traditional red-scaled pocketknives. Böker bridges that gap with the Naturensöhne MK II NXT, a fresh take on the classic multi-functional folder built specifically for outdoor utility.

Created in collaboration with Die Naturensöhne, the popular German YouTube duo known for their bushcraft challenges, this tool ditches shiny plastic for field-ready ergonomics. The handles feature textured forest-green G10 scales that offer a solid, slip-resistant grip when working in wet conditions.

At the core of the tool is a 2.8-inch drop-point blade made from Sandvik 12C27 stainless steel. Finished in a muted grey stonewash, the blade relies on a traditional nail nick and non-locking slipjoint mechanism. That two-handed opening makes it a legal-friendly option in regions with strict lock-knife regulations.

naturensoehne-mk-ii-nxt-2

Instead of clogging the frame with rarely used gimmicks, Böker packed in targeted outdoor implements:

  • A wood saw for clearing branches or notch-cutting
  • Mini combination pliers for light bending tasks and quick repairs
  • A reamer and awl for punching leather, wood, or gear
  • Fine tweezers and a scale-mounted toothpick
  • A dedicated glass breaker located at the pommel

Weighing in at 4.23 ounces and measuring 6.57 inches overall, the MK II NXT carries like a standard pocketknife thanks to an integrated tip-down pocket clip. For campers, bushcrafters, and daily carry enthusiasts looking for multi-tool versatility without the bulk of a full plier chassis, Böker’s latest collaboration delivers a slick, highly functional compromise.

Naturensöhne MK II NXT Specs
Overall Length: 6.57″
Blade Length: 2.80″
Blade Thickness: .09″
Weight: 4.23 oz
Blade Material: 12C27
Handle Material: G10
Opener: Nail Nick
Opening: Manual
Country Of Origin: Asia
Color: Green
Blade Color: Gray
MSRP: $129

Knife Reviews:

New Knives: July 2026

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New Knives: July 2026

Bevvy of new blades with a distinct edge.

Summer brings a focused shift toward portability and pocket-ready performance, highlighting a diverse lineup of high-tech folders and streamlined carry options. This month’s selection focuses on the incredible versatility of the modern knives, showcasing the work of veteran masters with decades of experience alongside award-winning new makers. Whether you are looking for an ultra-premium custom bowie to round out a collection or a hard-use automatic for daily carry, our July 2026 roundup proves that the industry’s drive for innovation remains as sharp as ever.

Pro-Tech Knives Avalon

Pro-Tech Knives Avalon

Lock: Button Lock
Deployment: Thumb Studs
Blade Length: 4.25”
Blade Material: MagnaCut
Blade Pattern: Drop Point
Scales: 6061 Aluminum
Overall Length: 9.25”
Weight: 3.69 oz.
MSRP: $310
Country Of Origin: U.S.A.
protechknives.com

Lin Rhea Slip Joint Folder

Lin Rhea Slip Joint Folder
Jocelyn Frasier image

Blade Length: 4”
Blade Material: 80CrV2
Blade Pattern: Drop Point
Scales: Micarta
Overall Length: 9”
Knife To Know: Includes sheath made by Kay Rhea
Maker’s Price: $1,300
Country Of Origin: U.S.A.
Maker’s price for a similar knife: $1,300

Work Sharp RMX Thumbstud

Work Sharp RMX Thumbstud

Blade Length: 3.2”
Lock: Button Lock
Blade Material: M390
Blade Pattern: Drop Point
Handle: Magnesium
Overall Length: 7.5”
Weight: 2.6 oz.
Knife To Know: Handle is integral, reversable clip
MSRP: $140
Country Of Origin: Assembled in U.S.A. from foreign components
worksharptools.com

Cody Adolphson Vest Bowie

(Jocelyn Frasier image)
Jocelyn Frasier image

Knife Type: Vest Bowie
Blade Material: 1084/15N20
Damascus Pattern: Dark Core Feathered Damascus
Blade Pattern: Drop Point
Blade Grind: Flat
Handle Material: Ancient Walrus Ivory, Nickel Silber Accents, Damascus Pommel
Guard: Twist Damascus
Overall Length: 10”
Maker’s Price For A Similar Knife: $1,400
Country Of Origin: U.S.A.

Justin Burton Kukri

Justin Burton Kukri
Jocelyn Frasier image

Blade Length: 10.5”
Blade Material: 80CrV2/15N20
Blade Pattern: Twisted Damascus San Mai
Blade Grind: Flat
Handle: Black dyed curly mango with red G-10 spacers
Guard: Nebular Fat Carbon
Knife To Know: Custom bead made with Elforyn Supertusk and Damasteel
Maker’s Price For A Similar Knife: $1,500
Country Of Origin: U.S.A.

TOPS Knives Sidekick Diver

TOPS Knives Sidekick Diver

Designer: Ana Espinoza
Blade Length: 5.75”
Blade Material: N690
Blade Pattern: Spear
Blade Finish: Black Traction Coating
Scales: G10
Overall Length: 11.25”
Weight: 12.8 oz.
Sheath: Black Kydex
Knife To Know: Integral line cutter on the spine. Also available with a double edge.
MSRP: $395
Country Of Origin: U.S.A.
topsknives.com

WE Knife Dracarys

WE Knife Dracarys

Lock: Frame Lock
Blade Length: 3.58”
Blade Material: Böhler M390
Blade Pattern: Clip Point
Blade Grind: Flat
Handle Material: 6AL4V Titanium
Overall Length: 8.13”
Closed Length: 4.55”
Weight: 3.66 oz.
Knife To Know: Limited to 199 pieces, 6AL4V titanium pocketclip, caged ceramic ball
MSRP: $370
Country Of Origin: China
weknife.com

Chad Fox Bowie

Chad Fox Bowie
Jocelyn Frasier image

Blade Length: 9.25”
Blade Material: W2
Blade Pattern: Clip Point
Handle: Koa
Overall Length: 14.5”
Knife To Know: Salt blackened mild steel
Maker’s Price For A Similar Knife: $950
Country Of Origin: U.S.A.

Colten Tippetts Neck Knife

Colten Tippetts Neck Knife
Jocelyn Frasier image

Name: Dinker
Blade Length: 2”
Blade Material: Ladder Damascus
Blade Pattern: Drop Point
Handle: Desert Ironwood
Overall Length: 3.5”
Knife To Know: Also made in 01 Tool Steel with Dymondwood handles.
Maker’s Price: $150
Country Of Origin: U.S.A.

Craig Camerer Slim Pickers Fighter

Craig Camerer Slim Pickers Fighter
Jocelyn Frasier image

Knife Type: Fighter
Blade Length: 7”
Blade Material: 1080/15N20
Blade Pattern: Dancing Martian Damascus
Blade Grind: Flat
Handle: African Blackwood
Guard: Nickel Silver
Overall Length: 12.5”
Maker’s Price For A Similar Knife: $750
Country Of Origin: U.S.A.

Bear & Son Cutlery Auto Bold Action XIV

Bear & Son Cutlery Auto Bold Action XIV

Blade Length: 4.5”
Blade Material: S35VN
Blade Pattern: Drop Point
Blade Grind: Hollow
Handle: Aluminum
Overall Length: 8.75
Weight: 1.5 oz.
Knife To Know: OTS Automatic, tip-up carry.
MSRP: $230
Country Of Origin: U.S.A.
bearandsoncutlery.com

Grissom Knife & Tool Baby Zeus

Grissom Knife & Tool Baby Zeus

Lock: Liner Lock
Blade Length: 3.15”
Closed Length: 3.93”
Blade Material: Sandvik 14C28N
Blade Pattern: Modified Tanto
Scales: Micarta
Overall Length: 6.87”
Knife To Know: Ceramic bearings. G10 scale available.
MSRP: $89

Check Out Other Months:

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