Discover the winners of the 2025 BLADE Show West Custom Knife Awards—nine categories of world-class craftsmanship.
Salt Lake City once again became the hub of the knife world as the 2025 BLADE Show West took over the Salt Palace Convention Center October 10-11. Now in its fourthyear in Utah, the event drew an impressive mix of custom knifemakers, manufacturers, and collectors from across the country and abroad.
At the heart of the weekend stood the Custom Knife Awards—always one of the most anticipated moments of the show. Makers went head-to-head across nine categories, putting their best work forward for consideration. Judged by a panel of anonymous experts, the entries were measured on design, originality, choice of materials, functionality, and overall execution.
The results reflected the diversity and skill of today’s custom knife community. With a crowded field and no shortage of standout pieces, the 2025 competition underscored why BLADE Show West continues to be a must-attend event for knife enthusiasts everywhere.
Best Custom Hunting Knife And Overall Best In Show: James Rodebaugh
Discover the winners of the 2025 BLADE Show West Factory Knife Awards. See which knives earned top honors at the premier blade event.
The Factory Knife Awards at BLADE Show West have quickly built a reputation for fierce competition, and the 2025 edition raised the stakes yet again.
Staged October 10-11 inside the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, this year’s contest saw one of the largest turnouts to date. Makers and manufacturers from across the globe rolled in with their finest designs, all chasing the coveted BLADE Show West trophies. With six categories to judge and no shortage of stellar entries, the panel of anonymous judges faced an uphill battle narrowing down the winners.
In the end, the awards highlighted the very best production knives on the market today. Here’s a look at the blades that rose to the top and earned recognition at the final BLADE Show of the year.
Best Factory Folder And Overall Best In Show: Mr. Mr. Designs Titan
Photo: JFrasier
Best American Made Factory Knife: Tactile Knife Co. Skeletonized Rockwall
The ultimate lineup of custom fighter knives—from integral designs and sub-hilts to exotic materials like copper damascus and mammoth tooth.
Fighters are some of the sexiest knives going. With many, even their curves have curves. Those less curvy make up for it with straight-line designs that look born to perform. If sex really does sell, fighters are the capitalists of cut.
Randy Caston
Randy Caston’s fighter features a 9 5/8-inch blade of 1084 carbon and 15N20 nickel-alloy steels. Scales: blackwood. The guard is mild steel. Overall length: 14.75 inche.(SharpByCoop image)
Adam Deville
A nickel damascus with a Dragon Skin core forged by Adam Deville sporting a snakelike fuller completes the 10.5-inch recurve blade of Jordon Berthelot’s integral fighter. The scales are marbled carbon fiber. Overall length: 16.5 inches. (SharpByCoop image)
Dennis Friedly
Dennis Friedly outfits his fighter-art knife in a 7.75-inch blade of hollow-ground CPM 154 stainless. The scales are mammoth tooth and the guard is 416 stainless. The engraving is by Ray Cover Jr. Overall length: 13 inches.(SharpByCoop image)
Patrick Harp
A 6-inch recurve blade in a full-flat-ground crushed W’s and copper damascus forged by Baker Forge & Tool top off a sub-hilt fighter by Patrick Harp of P. Harp Designs. The handle is basswood burl and the guard and sub hilt are wrought iron. Overall length: 11 inches. (SharpByCoop image)
Peyton Ramm
ABS journeyman smith Peyton Ramm opts for a 6 1/8-inch blade of a Transition damascus of 1084 carbon and 15N20 nickel alloy steels for his fighter. Handle frame: damascus. Scales: mammoth ivory. Guard: crushed W’s damascus. Fittings: same as guard but w/24k gold and silver inlays. Overall length: 10.75 inches. (Jocelyn Frasier image)
Steven Ramos
Peregrine by Steven Ramos offers up a 6-inch blade of hollow-ground RWL-34 stainless steel in a green canvas Micarta® handle with red fiber spacers. Bolster: 416 stainless steel. Overall length: 10.5 inches. (SharpByCoop image)
Dan Tompkins
A 5.75-inch blade in convex-ground Riptide Ultra Coppermascus by Baker Forge & Tool and a black Richlite guard and handle comprise the double-edge fighter by Dan Tompkins of Evolution Cutlery. The copper spacers are also by Baker. Overall length: 11 inches.(SharpByCoop image)
The tomahawk, from its American Indian origins to its modern renaissance as a highly sought-after custom-forged tool and defensive weapon.
Arnold M. Chernoff offered a wide-ranging review of the American Indian tomahawk in the November-December 1975 issue of The American Blade.
As Arnold pointed out in “Tomahawk!” the hawk was a weapon and tool used to maximum effect as the former by both American Indians and American colonists, often more savagely by the early colonists than the Indians. Arnold outlined a plethora of hawk designs with roots in the American West, from stone-headed war clubs of the Crow, Sioux and Cheyenne to metal-bladed models used by the Crow, Sioux, Blackfoot, Osage and Canadian Cree.
Examples included everything from the foregoing stone-headed versions to fancier ceremonial types.
Crow Chief Plenty Coups holds a fine tack-decorated pipe tomahawk circa 1880 during a visit to Washington, D.C. (Smithsonian Institution, Bureau of American Ethnology, Washington, D.C. image)
The Indians were not limited to using the stone-headed versions exclusively early on when English settlers first landed at Jamestown in 1607. As the settlers learned to their chagrin, the Indians had metal hatchets, probably French trade goods that had filtered south. In fact, Chernoff wrote, Capt. John Smith, Jamestown’s “noted chronicler,” was credited with introducing the word tomahawk, gleaned from the Indian vocabulary.
As time passed, the hawk evolved from hammer poll to spike heads, and eventually the pipe hawk, the latter of which Chernoff stated had an English origin around 1700. Some presentation pieces were for important chiefs, including one made for Tecumseh by the British, sporting a gold-inlaid panel in the blade with his name in script.
Later in the 19th century, the pipe hawk began to lose its practical function among Indians and assumed more of a ceremonial role as a “scepter, mace or badge of authority.” In recent years, though, the tomahawk has enjoyed a renaissance in both the custom and factory knife industries, with some of the finest examples fetching top dollar among users and collectors.
Explore this collection of new hunting knives featuring custom blades forged with premium materials. Find your next heirloom fixed blade.
Step into the world of custom-crafted cutlery, where art and function meet in the field. This collection showcases the diverse and spectacular work of today’s finest knifemakers. We’re taking a look at a stunning array of new hunting knives, each forged with meticulous detail, featuring exotic materials like Sambar stag, ironwood, camel bone, and intricate Damascus steel.
Rocco Handmade Bear Creek Hunter
Blade length: 6” Blade material: 1095 carbon steel Blade grind: Convex Scales: Sambar stag Spacers: OD green canvas Micarta® and vintage tan, red and black fiber Pommel: Aluminum Guard: Soldered brass Overall length: 10.5” Sheath: Leather belt model w/snap strap Maker’s price for a similar knife and sheath: $495 Maker: Rocco Handmade (SharpByCoop image)
Rod Harris Antler Hunter
Blade length: 4” Blade steel: S35VN stainless Blade grind: Flat Scales: Sambar stag Guard: 416 stainless Overall length: 9.25” Knife to know: The stag is from the customer’s first deer kill; Rod Harris is a member of the Australian Knifemakers Guild Maker’s price for a similar knife: $650 at press-time exchange rate Knife to know: The Antler Hunter is the first time Rod Harris has both had one of his knives published and made a knife with a stag handle Maker: Rod Harris (Rod Hoare image)
Eland Green Huntin Buddy
Knife type: Hunter Blade length: 3.5” Blade material: Bulldog damascus san-mai Blade grind: Flat Scales: Bead-blasted ironwood Overall length: 7.5” Sheath: Belt model, tooled black leather Maker’s price for a similar knife: $400 Maker: Eland Green, lostwoodknives.com (Jocelyn Frasier image)
Zane Dvorak Integral XL Hunter
Knife name: Integral XL Hunter Blade length: 5.5” Blade material: Ghost-Fire Damascus of 1084 carbon and 15N20 nickel-alloy steels Blade grind: Convex Scales: Black G-10 Overall length: 10.5” Maker’s price for a similar knife: $2,500 Maker: Zane Dvorak, zdforge.com (Jocelyn Frasier image)
Shawn McIntyre Dress Hunter
Blade length: 3.75” Blade material: A twist W’s damascus of 1084 carbon and 15N20 nickel-alloy steels Blade grind: Flat w/convex edge Scales: Heirloom-fit camel bone Handle frame: 1065 carbon steel w/matte blue finish Guard: Same material as frame Overall length: 7.75” Maker’s price for a similar knife: Check w/maker for more info Knife to know: Best Hunter Award Winner, 2025 Australian Knifemakers Guild Melbourne Knife Show; inspired by the classic Jerry Fisk Sendero hunter; Shawn McIntyre is an ABS master smith Maker: Shawn McIntyre (Rod Hoare image)
Dauntless Clifft Bowie
Knife name: Clifft Bowie Blade length: 7” Blade material: 125Cr1 carbon steel Blade @the thickest: .25” Blade pattern: Clip point (also comes in a harpoon point) Construction: Hidden tang Scales: Natural canvas Micarta® (also in black G-10) Overall length: 13” Country of origin: USA Sheath: Leather w/retention strap; ambidextrous carry; by Chattanooga Leather Works Knife to know: Won Best American-Made Knife at BLADE Show Texas 2025 MSRP: $575 Company: Dauntless, dauntlessmanufacturing.com (SharpByCoop image)
Charlie Lloyd Hunter
Blade length: 5.75” Blade material: Cu-mai Blade grind: Flat Scales: Ironwood Guard: Hot blued Overall length: 10.5” Knife to know: Charlie Lloyd is an ABS journeyman smith Maker’s price for a similar knife: $750 Maker: Charlie Lloyd (SharpByCoop image)
Camille Sennegon Hunter
Blade length: 4.5” Blade material: W’s multi-bar (6 bars) damascus of O2 carbon and 15N20 nickel-alloy steels Blade grind: Flat w/convex edge Scales: Curly gidgee Guard: 304 stainless steel Overall length: 9.25” Maker’s price for a similar knife: $1,300 Knife to know: Camille Sennegon is a journeyman smith in the ABS Maker: Camille Sennegon (SharpByCoop image)
Jak Knives #187
Knife type: Hunter Blade length: 4.1” Blade steel: 14C28 stainless Blade thickness @ricasso: .118” Blade grind: Flat Blade pattern: Drop point Scales: A Western Australia desert hardwood called Minniritchie Liners: G-10 Overall length: 8.85” Sheath: Leather belt model Maker’s price for a similar knife and sheath: $300-$400 at press-time exchange rate Maker: Jak Knives (Rod Hoare image)
DB Blades Varis
Blade length: 3.9” Blade steel: Nitro V stainless Blade grind: Flat Blade thickness @ricasso: .157” Scales: G-10 Overall length: 8.66” Sheath: Synthetic Knife to know: Varis won the Best Hunting Knife Award at the 2025 Queensland Knife Show; Dominic Binker is a member of the Australian Knifemakers Guild Maker: DB Blades (Rod Hoare image)
Under The Bridge Knife and Tool M.O.A.
Knife type: Hunter Blade length: 2.75” Blade material: Cruwear carbon steel Blade grind: Full flat Handle material: Burgundy linen Micarta®, Fordite and silver metallic carbon fiber Overall length: 6.75” Maker’s price for a similar knife: $375 Maker: Under The Bridge Knife and Tool (SharpByCoop image)
Pcocks Customs Slug Life
Blade length: 3.54” Blade material: Mosaic damascus of 1084 carbon and 15N20 nickel-alloy steels Blade grind: Full flat Scales: Ringed gidgee Pins: Carbon fiber Knife to know: Tapered tang; Slug Life won the Best Hunter Award at the 2025 Perth Knife Show; Peter Cocks is a member of the Australian Knifemakers Guild Sheath: Belt model of Australian leather bearing Peter’s leather texturing stamp and finished w/a Barry King border stamp Maker’s price for a similar knife and sheath: $750 at press-time exchange rate Maker: Pcocks Customs (Rod Hoare image)
Discover the Cold Steel Mini Wasp Stinger. Get full cutting power in a compact, discreet EDC fixed blade forged from premium 52100 steel for ultimate reliability.
When you think of Cold Steel, you’re probably thinking about the gear trusted by professionals and enthusiasts who rely on their tools daily. They’re seriously recognized as a leader in the outdoor knife and tool industry, always pushing boundaries with performance and craftsmanship. But let’s talk about an EDC essential that packs a serious punch while keeping a low profile: the Drop Forged Mini Wasp Stinger.
Compact Carry, Full Power
This isn’t your average pocket knife; it’s a masterful blend of compact design and unrelenting strength. The whole idea here is to give you full-sized precision and cutting power in a discreet package that “flies under the radar.” Seriously, weighing in at a mere 7.6 oz. and with a sleek 10.25-inch overall length, this fixed blade dagger is portable enough to ride unnoticed until you need it.
So, what makes it so tough?
It’s drop-forged from premium 52100 high carbon steel. This material ensures the 4-inch dagger-style blade delivers both exceptional durability and razor-sharp performance. Plus, with a robust 6mm thickness, this thing is engineered to tackle even the toughest tasks without breaking a sweat.
Precision and Confidence in Your Hand
Beyond the blade, the design is all about control. The handle features Micarta handle scales that ensure a secure, comfortable grip and, most importantly, a slip-resistant one in any conditions. That’s a huge boost of confidence for all tasks.
To keep you ready for action, the Mini Wasp Stinger comes complete with a Secure-Ex® Sheath for safe, easy storage and quick access.
This tactical dagger is truly engineered for those who demand both precision and reliability. If you’re looking for an ideal companion for discreet carry without sacrificing an ounce of power, the Mini Wasp Stinger might just be the EDC that belongs in your collection.
Built on collaboration, craftsmanship, and a no-compromise mindset, GiantMouse celebrates a decade of redefining what everyday carry can be.
GiantMouse Knives is hitting a major milestone in 2025—10 years of pushing the envelope in knife design, quality, and everyday adventure.
What started back in 2015 as a bold idea between a few passionate knife guys has grown into something much bigger. Over the past decade, GiantMouse has carved out a loyal following among collectors, adventurers, and EDC enthusiasts around the world—people who want tools that not only perform, but inspire.
From their iconic limited runs to reliable production models, GiantMouse has built its reputation on standout design, top-tier materials, and the kind of quality that makes a knife feel like it was made just for you.
“This anniversary is really about the people who’ve been with us since day one,” the company shared in a statement. “GiantMouse is for folks who demand quality, chase adventure, and believe their gear should tell a story. Ten years in, and we’re just getting warmed up.”
To celebrate, GiantMouse will be rolling out a year’s worth of anniversary content in 2025—including exclusive behind-the-scenes features, community shoutouts, and a look back at some of their most legendary designs. If you’ve ever carried a GiantMouse blade (or thought about it), this is a celebration you’ll want to be part of.
