Josh Wayner, Author at BLADE Magazine

Fast And Furious: Our Top Picks for the Best OTF Knives On The Market

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February 22, 2023

Fast And Furious: Our Top Picks for the Best OTF Knives On The Market

Despite A Rocky History Of Legality, OTF Knives Have Endured And Are Some Of The Most Popular Pocketknives On The Market Today

As its name suggests, an Out The Front (OTF) knife is a fairly straightforward affair. In short, it has an enclosed handle with a blade that deploys from the front–the bolster, hilt or what have you. In general, these fast-from-the-gate options are small, most with an average blade length of 3-3.75 inches, though there are certainly larger examples.

The knife is distinct from its “Out-The-Side” cousin, at least as a switchblade–one of its most common forms–in the variety of the way the blade is brought into action. Furthermore, the OTF knife needn’t any push-button, assisted-open system to flash cold, hard steel in the wink of an eye.

Overall, OTF knives are a fascinating, if not slightly intimidating, corner of the knife world. In this guide, we’ll look at some of the history, usage and types of OTF knives. Then we’ll show you some of the best options on the market today. Get ready to flick into action.

Legality Of The OTF Knife

In the past, these knives were favored by paratroopers and sailors. However, thanks to a media campaign in the 1950s that showed automatic knives as the tool of choice for criminals and underworld types, including popular movies like “Rebel Without A Cause”, automatic knives were banned nationwide. The Federal Switchblade Act passed into law on August 12, 1958 and effectively banned auto knives across the country.

Going into 2023, the panic over OTF knives and other switchblades has somewhat subsided. Most states now allow ownership and carry of OTF, and other types of, automatic knives. However, 11 states still have a blanket ban. Furthermore, there are some issues when it comes to what many places call ‘stabbing instruments’ and other vague terms. Where this becomes an issue is some states that allow automatic knives have laws against double-edged blades. Given many OTF knife options fall into both categories, certain models have a narrow window of legal ownership.

As always, if OTF knives or switchblades tickle your fancy, please check your local laws before picking one up. Better safe than sorry.

Types Of OTF Knives

As mentioned above, there are four types of OTF knives. Each has positives and negatives, and the prices will vary wildly. It’s important to know the differences so you purchase the option that best suits your needs.

Manual OTF Knife

The most basic and least expensive OTF knives are the manuals. They are exactly that, knives that deploy and retract through manual operation. The most common way of doing this is via a slider on the handle. The upside is that you are in total control of the speed of your blade. However, it may not have the wow factor of other knives on the list. But hey, you’ll be safe while using it.

Single-Action OTF Knife

These knives feature a powered deployment, usually with a button of some type, but require you to manually retract the blade to reset it. And it isn’t retracting like you might think. You pull a handle at the bottom to both retract the blade and recharge the spring so it’s ready to deploy again.

Double-Action OTF Knife

When you think of an OTF knife you probably think of double-action OTFs–better known as fully automatic. The blade deploys and retracts with the touch of a button or flip of a switch. Prominent companies like Microtech and Cobra-Tec make dozens of different double-action OTF knives.

Gravity Knives

The four-leaf clovers of OTF knives are definitely gravity knives. Few companies still make them. The blades deploy and retract with the help of gravity.

The Reate EXO is one of the most popular gravity knives on the market today and a great example of the style. Just take into account your local knife laws as some places have specific laws banning the ownership or carry of gravity knives.

What To Look For In A Quality OTF Knife

You can find decent, but basic, OTF knives in the $30 range, but expect to pay ten times that for a model that extends and retracts on its own with the push of a button. Though, the sky is really the limit when it comes to the features on these knives, as some can easily jump over $1000 depending on what’s included.

The rub, for the price, is that even the expensive options do not do well for anything other than basic and light use as they are not as strong as other types of knives.

The basic selling point of OTFs–aside from inherent coolness–is convenience. Read that as they can be entirely used with one hand. It’s best to think of the OTF knife as a refined gentleman’s blade: a cutting tool that you could rely on for daily life and its inconveniences.

OTF Blade Quality

The main issue surrounding blade quality on OTF knives is how light the blades have to be to function. Because the blade is entirely surrounded by the handle, the blade itself cannot be wider or longer than that existing space. As a result, most OTF knife blades are short and light.

These blades are rarely what we would call a full-profiled knife and many are under 3 inches despite a full-sized handle. These blades are not especially strong and are essentially for cutting only, though there is utility in thrusting or stabbing depending on the strength of the locking mechanism.

The small tang area is where the mechanisms are anchored, and this space is usually quite insignificant in surface area. It is entirely possible and even easy to break OTF knives if used improperly.

Practicality Of OTF Knives

If you are in the market for an OTF knife, realize that there are better designs for most daily work that are substantially stronger and can handle a much wider variety of tasks, not to mention are cheaper. OTF knives do have their niche, much like karambits, balisongs, and friction folders, but each of these designs has hard limits on what they can accomplish as opposed to a fixed blade or a suitably strong folder.

Best OTF Knives

SCHRADE VIPER OTF

Coming in at a relatively low cost (comparatively) is the Schrade Viper. The knife lacks some of the features of higher-end OTF knives, but at 1/10 the price of some of the others on this list, it is a good starting point should you want to familiarize yourself with the OTF style in general.

The knife is a bit more manual than others in that it is assisted opening but needs to be manually closed. The overall structure of the knife is not cheap. The handle is made of aluminum and includes an integrated glass breaker in the pommel. It also features a manual safety system for opening and closing the blade to ensure it only opens when you want it to.

MSRP: $75

SMITH & WESSON M&P OTF

The M&P OTF retails in the same range as the Schrade Viper and is largely a product that appeals to an entry-level crowd. Many OTF knives on this list retail for more than some of S&W’s guns–a telling sign this market is for the discerning individual. with the M&P OTF, you get a large degree of utility without some of the additional features and glamor of higher-end models.

Like the Schrade, this knife has an integrated glass breaker in the pommel and is similarly assisted opening/manual closing. If you already own an M&P pistol, you’ll notice that the handle contouring matches the slide machining cosmetically, including a safety lever that resembles the one on the pistol. MSRP: $70

HOGUE KNIVES COUNTERSTRIKE

Hogue’s new Counterstrike is a flagship design that is sure to impress, not only with its modest price point for a fully-automatic knife but also the materials it is made from.

What sets the Counterstrike apart is not just that sweet-spot price, but the high-end materials it’s made from and its excellent strength. Among these is the MagnaCut blade, which itself is a prime selling point. This steel is among the best in the industry and gives the Counterstrike excellent edge retention and adds rigidity to the already thin OTF blade profile. Additionally, the knife has a glass-breaker pommel, aluminum, and carbon fiber handle, and is made in the USA.

MSRP: $400

KERSHAW JENS ANSO KAPSULE MANUAL OTF

The Kershaw Capsule is a small manual OTF excellent for concealment. At just 3.25 inches while closed and with a 1.9-inch blade, this small knife is a great self-defense tool because of its size and unassuming appearance.

However, it’s much more than that. The spear point blade works like a box cutter. The tip is great for puncturing the and edge can handle the type of slicing work you’d expect from a commercial box cutter. It’s convenient and compact enough that it can even fit on a keychain.

MSRP: $35

MICROTECH ULTRATECH D/E

Microtech is one of the companies that popularized the modern OTF knife. In fact, most knife enthusiasts would go so far as to say that Microtech is completely responsible for this trend and has set the bar for all OTF knives going forward. The Ultratech is a solid example why the company calls the tune.A dependable OTF, the knife displays an excellent balance in terms of material, strength, and utility. It is a fully-automatic design that opens and retracts with the same switch. If you want an incredibly reliable OTF knife for your daily use, the Ultratech is arguably the knife on this list with the most pocket hours across the board and is from an established OTF brand. Like others on this list, it features a glass breaker pommel and is made in the USA.

MSRP: $310

HERETIC KNIVES ROC

Now here is something you don’t see every day. The Heretic Knives ROC is visually stunning, it is just so rare to see a curved blade on an OTF knife. The company no longer has the ROC listed on its site as of this writing, but it is available and in stock online. The ROC accomplishes its one-of-a-kind appearance by using a curved handle to match the blade, which overall seems like a no-brainer.

But it just isn’t seen these days, despite the advantages in self-defense or martial arts. While it resembles a karambit, this knife lacks a finger ring on the pommel. The ROC is a fully-automatic design that retracts and deploys on its own. If you are in the market for an eye-catching OTF design that is USA-made, you’d better get them before they are gone.

MSRP: $750

PIRANHA RATED-R

The Piranha Rated-R is one of the most discreet and well-designed knives on this list. The others we’ve looked at have release buttons/switches on the side of the grip in line with the spine of the blade, whereas the Rated-R has it conveniently mounted where the thumb rests near the end of the handle.

It is a fully-automatic knife and requires no movement of the hand to deploy and retract the blade thanks to the switch location. Unlike most of the others here, it lacks a glass breaker pommel, further adding to its discreet appearance. The knife is on the higher end of cost for OTF blades. But like any semi-custom product, it appeals to a certain customer that has specific needs for a strong, durable, and unassuming knife. The Rated-R is made in the USA.

MSRP: $490

BENCHMADE AUTOCRAT

This list wouldn’t be complete without a knife from Benchmade. The company has been producing visually attractive and highly functional blades for the most demanding end users: hunters, cops, rescue crews, anglers, and bushcrafters, among many more. The Autocrat is the most sought-after Benchmade OTF model and it has an excellent reputation for strength and sharpness.

The knife is in the same cost range as most high-end OTF knives at $500, making it an investment for most people but a steal for those who desire American-made quality. The knife is fully automatic and is available in two colors. It does not include a glass breaker pommel, making it easier to use in the hand and a bit more classy in overall appearance.

MSRP: $500

Read More

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Bayonets: An Iconic, Historic Blade

Josh Wayner

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February 11, 2023

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Few Blades Are As Historic As The Bayonet. The Knife Has Evolved Into An All-Rounder Still Issued By The Marines.

Oddly enough, the history of the bayonet likely began in the hunting field, not the battlefield. By at least one account, the edged weapon was a tool of the French boar hunter in the 1500s. Tusks and a bad attitude, it’s understandable why these gents strapped their hunting knives to the muzzles of their muskets.

Soon after some enterprising soldier figured the invention–in original French baïonnette–might prove useful in warfare, and the iconic edged weapon was off to the races for the next four centuries. Presently, bayonets have essentially become military relics, if employed generally only as a training tool to acclimate soldiers to close-quarters combat.

Despite this, these fairly antiquated edged weapons still stir the imagination of military heroics of yore. Not to mention, in nearly all their versions, bayonets remain one of the coolest and most accessible historic edged weapons to collect.

In the article, we’ll look at some of the major styles of these modified edged tools, how the implement has evolved and who actually continues to make them. So gird your loins, we’re charging forward on bayonets.

Major Bayonet Styles

A bayonet is so much more than just that. There were, and still are, several different designs of the implement, most mirroring the technology and ethos of war fighting of its particular era.

Plug Bayonet

The plug bayonet is the earliest known bayonet and dates back to the 1500s or 1600s. The idea is rather simple. if you couldn’t use your gun to shoot or simply don’t have time to reload you turned to the knife. In this case, typically a double-edged dagger with a rounded handle that affixed the implatment directly in the muzzle of a musket barrel.

These earliest bayonets were really fully-fledged daggers in their own right. They lacked a proper pommel as can be imagined, but they could be used exactly like any other dagger. Most in this era were used in a manner of last resort. If a soldier found himself out of ammunition or facing a fast-moving enemy, he would likely want to put in his bayonet and hope for the best.

The bayonet at this time was the product of changing warfare. While firearms were becoming more prevalent on the battlefield, they were slow to load. Additionally, the close-quarters combat of the medieval era still reigned supreme. In turn, soldiers required an option to hold off infantry and cavalry charges once their one shot was spent.

Offset (Socket) Bayonet

While it may surprise some, the classic socket bayonet most think of during the flintlock era of warfare was not in full use by 1700. Attempts had been made prior to developing an offset bayonet allowing the soldier to load and fire with it attached. But it wasn’t until several critical battles in the late 1600s that evolution took hold. In particular, the battle of Killiecrankie in 1689. HereScottish Protestant forces were thoroughly defeated by Jacobite Scottish Highlanders, who charged and destroyed their enemy with broadswords and targes.

This defeat came in part due to the plug bayonets the Protestants utilized. In what would be a rather ironic turn, the Scottish Jacobites would eventually meet their end and the end of their cause at the tip of the bayonet. Outfitted with socket bayonets at the Battle of Culloden in 1746, the British were able to let loose a point-blank volley on the charging Highlanders, then finish the rest with their bayonets. The British had even devised tactical doctrine for the use of the weapon, training to a charging man to their side, instead of in front to strike beneath his raised sword arm.

History Of The American Bayonet

M7 Bayonet — The M7 is a legendary American bayonet that is still manufactured today.

Americans were somewhat slow to adopt the bayonet in warfare, giving the British somewhat an edge in the early days of the Revolutionary War. Of course deadly in charges, attached to the British Pattern 1769 Short Land musket–or Brown Bess–the implement also was somewhat a psychological weapon. Said to be the most feared weapon of the British arsenal, the Red Coats mass assaults with a long, gleaming triangular knife at the end of their muskets made all but the most disciplined break.

The Continental Army proved a quick study once trained with the bayonet by Maj. Gen. Baron von Steuben at Valley Forge in 1773. By the end of the war, there were even strokes of genius with the American use of the bayonet, such as when American Lt. Col. Alexander Hamilton (also the first Secretary of the Treasury) led a bayonet-only assault on redoubt 10 during the last days of the Battle of Yorktown.

Early on, the Continental Army utilized a triangular socket bayonet similar to the British, however on the French Charleville Musket. But its use spread and the wicked device was eventually found on the Brown Bess–the most used arm of the Continental Army.

The bayonets in American service were standard European-style socket-mounted with triangular blades. This remains so through several iterations, including the Harper’s Ferry 1801 pattern, 1807 and 1810 Springfield patterns, M1816, and M1855.

The M1855 served through the Civil War, where it saw extensive use on the Springfield rifle muskets. The .58 caliber rifle muskets loaded the same way as old muskets and could fire quickly and were very accurate and had substantial range. The bullets used in these guns had a hollow base that expanded into the rifling when it was fired, thus imparting spin. The war was devastating, and there were many bayonet charges, most with mixed results and high casualties.

More accurate firearms and the introduction of repeating arms mitigated the effectiveness of the bayonet during the Civil War. It is estimated, only around 1 percent of all casualties were a result of bayonet wounds.

Sword Bayonet

Despite the effectiveness of “cold steel” assaults waning in the face of technological advancement, the bayonet persisted, though evolved to remain relevant.

A more interesting detour around the time of the American Civil War, was the multi-purpose sword bayonet used by the British. The British Infantry Rifle of 1800–1840–later known as the Baker Rifle–utilized this style. The idea, essentially, was to give soldiers the ability to stave off cavalry charges when used as a bayonet, but also outfit them with a side arm–a short sword–for close-quarters combat. These sword bayonets had knife handles mated to exceedingly long blades, sometimes over 20 inches.

Surprisingly, this style of bayonet was used all the way into World War I, despite little evidence the elongated blade provided any advantage. Perhaps the most famous final rendition was the Pattern 1907 Sword Bayonet, found on the British Short Magazine Lee Enfield rifle in the Great War.

The American bayonets of the pre-WW1 era were a bit more well-designed. The bayonet designed for the American Krag rifle (the M1892), for example, had an 11.7-inch blade and could serve as a camp tool as well for daily chores. The Americans ended up following the Europeans’ lead in World War I a bit with the M1905 bayonet, which sported a 16-inch blade. Additionally, there were 17-inch versions used on the trench shotguns and backup rifles like the M1917 Enfield.

Knife Bayonet

M9 Bayonet — The M9 bayonet works as a traditional bayonet but is more commonly used as a fighting/camp knife.

After WWI, most militaries of the world focused on making the bayonet in the form of a camp knife, something that was worth it to carry for general use that had more than one regular use. The time leading to WW2 produced the highly functional and realistically-sized M1 bayonet for the M1 rifle. The M1 carbine was also set up to use one, and it had its own small setup in the M4 bayonet knife. These knife-style bayonets eventually ran through several iterations leading up to the M7 bayonet for the M16 rifle in the late 1950s.

As a regular tool, the knife bayonet is great and doesn’t remove any of the function in either role. It can be used for all sorts of tasks and also be mounted on the gun. The later M9 became a full-on utility and fighting knife for the M16 series. It is a large, Bowie-style knife that closely resembles the Ka-Bar. It added some additional utility features like serrations for cutting straps and rope and a wire cutter. Later on, the OKC-3S knife bayonet was adopted by the USMC. These remain standard today.

Bayonet Realities

The reality of the bayonet is that it is not a principle fighting weapon. Today we are seeing most rifles fitted with a mountain of accessories, from variable power optics, lasers, suppressors, and bipods.

The bayonet has, for most of its history, been a weapon of intimidation. Very few times did any two armies charge each other with bayonets, usually one side fled first. Even in our modern era there have been bayonet charges, but again to no effect other than to scatter the enemy.

Edged weapons do have a role in modern warfare; everyone needs a good knife at minimum. If your rifle has no provision to attach one or you’re using a suppressor, there is no real need to carry a bayonet specifically as opposed to a dedicated knife that serves your purposes.

Bayonets will always be a curiosity not because of how they were used, but rather why they were used well beyond their abilities. While it is certainly a dangerous thing and absolutely lethal, getting that close to your enemies means you’re having an exceedingly bad day. But, as history has shown, a man with a sharp stick and nothing to lose can sometimes win the day.

Read More

The M7 Bayonet: From Combat To Campsite
Best M9 Bayonet Options For The Civilian Enthusiast
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Best Nakiri Knife: What To Know About This Japanese Kitchen Classic

Josh Wayner

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February 2, 2023

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Best Nakiri Knife: What To Know About This Japanese Kitchen Classic

Have vegetables that need knocked down to size? Get chopping with the Nakiri.

The Japanese people have historically produced excellent knives specialized for dedicated tasks. The culture of the region did not put a heavy emphasis on speed and slop, but rather precision and the utmost perfection of a given craft. Following this ethos came a specialized knife dedicated to culinary artistry.

The Nakiri (also Nakiri Bōchō) was developed specially for cutting vegetable and not much of anything else. The blades on these knives are thin, sharp and, surprisingly, not as ancient as we understand many Japanese blades.

In this article, we’ll explore the history of this dedicated tool, its modern uses and look as some of the best nakiri available. So, chop, chop… let’s get cooking.

History Of The Nakiri

Many blade styles we associate with Feudal Japan came into use after Western contact was established. The Nakiri was one such product and it came at a time of significant modernization in the country.

Traditional feudal culture in Japan would come to an end over the course of the 1800s, culminating in a tremendous shift from a medieval society to a completely industrialized nation. These culinary tools became a feature of Japanese blade makers, and eventually, they arrived at a point of heavy specialization.

The Nakiri is a vegetable knife, plain and simple, in fact, the name translates to ‘knife for cutting greens’. It was made over time to excel at this one task. As a result, it isn’t ideal for much else.

Despite its round, tipless shape it is not a cleaver. The blades on these knives are very thin, sometimes to the point of being fragile. They should not be used against bone or even used on meat for the most part. The entire concept is that the Nakiri makes clean cuts in veggies, as opposed to the more coarse, crushing cuts found on chef knives.

Nakiri Vs Western Chef’s Knife

Looking at the Nakiri next to common Western chef knives isn’t exactly a fair comparison. The chef knife is meant as a multipurpose blade that cuts virtually anything in a kitchen without missing a beat.

Most Western chef knives are derived from our own historical camp knives, seax blades, and Central European ‘messer’ knives. These are structurally far more robust and usually taper down to a fine tip with a thicker spine at the handle. Not so with the Nakiri.

Its shape is slim and has a straight edge, meaning in one motion it can be made flat against the cutting board. The height of the blade from the spine to the edge is also greater, enabling the hand to come to rest above the cutting surface. Contrast this to the Western chef knife, which works in a back-and-forth rocking motion. The Western chef knife is in theory not as efficient for motion, but how much this matters is subjective to the user.

The Nakiri Edge

While the knife is commonly available on the commercial market with a standard, double-beveled edge, many traditional Nakiri boast a chisel-beveled. In short, as previously mentioned, one side of the blade is completely flat. Depending on if you are right- or left-handed determines which side your blade is beveled. Advanced users can take advantage of this feature for enhanced cosmetic presentation of food, such as spiral peeling, ornamental julienned strips, and more.

Advantages Of The Nakiri

Honestly, one-on-one against a standard chef knife in your own kitchen you may not notice the difference at of an Nakiri. The exception being, in the overall style of your food presentation. Furthermore, if cooking is part of your livelihood, you will like the shape, style, and ease of use of the Nakiri. It is a tool that can be used to step up the cosmetic end of delicacies

In short, if you spend time with this knife style in a professional setting, where aesthetics are equal to edibility, you might find the Nakiri an excellent companion. Home chef’s, on the other hand, might discover there cuisine doesn’t gain much with one at hand.

Disadvantages Of The Nakiri

The elephant in the room, you need more knives to accomplish a given task if you use a Nakiri for its intended role. This doesn’t jib with many pro or amateur chefs in the west.

Most Western cooks appreciate the flexibility and ease of the Western-style chef’s knife, a dedicated vegetable chopper seems redundant. In turn, it’s a great leap to investing in a specialized tool such as a Nakiri.

Best Nakiri Options At Every Price Point

Toshu Hammer Finished

Made in Japan, the Toshu knife is made to work without compromise. The knife is not traditionally constructed, rather it is made of all stainless steel and is dishwasher safe. This is an important consideration for the home chef short on time. The knife features the beveled “Edo-Togi” grind, meaning that it isn’t double-beveled like most Western knives. It is very easy to keep clean, and sharp choice for everyday vegetable chopping vegetables duty.

MSRP: $213

Hinokuni Shirogami #1 Tall

A custom Nakiri from a smaller maker, the Tall Nakiri might be the perfect large-format vegetable knife. If you are making salads, working on squash or melons, or trying to dice up a large quantity of veggies, this knife will knock them down to size. The knife is a labor of love, the maker of this brand is a young blacksmith that is well-versed in traditional methods. Interestingly, the knife is made of an uncommon (in America) type of carbon steel, Shirogami #1. This is a blade steel favored by the best Japanese smiths. However, neglected it can easily corrode. Like many traditional items, regular care is necessary to maintained it, but do so and the blade should last a lifetime.

MSRP: $180

Shun Cutlery Classic

This Japanese knife is popular, well-constructed, and made in… China? No surprise, the broad Western market sees just about everything made in China these days. While not exactly up to the quality or authenticity of a true Japanese Nakiri, Shun Cutlery does a great job with this knife for the price. Chef among these assets includs using a novel layering method. The blade itself is not entirely Damascus, rather it is a stainless core sandwiched in layer of Damascus. It is a great starting point for getting into Nakiri but is priced in such a way that it may be your only one for years.

MSRP: $170

Kai Seki Magoroku Watakake

This Kai knife is a genuine Japanese-made Nakiri, fully sized in every way but price. Retailing at under $20, this is a great knife to add to your drawer if you want the function of a Nakiri but don’t do enough dedicated veggie chopping to warrant a several hundred-dollar in expense. Many people are just casual cooks and can certainly appreciate the utility a Nakiri brings, though just not enough to make a hobby of fleshing out an entire Japanese kitchen set. This knife is not of the same quality as the others on this list in terms of the overall construction but is certainly capable of most uses. Considering chopping veggies are the end use, you should do just fine, except perhaps in some of the most advanced techniques that require the features of a custom knife.

MSRP: $20

Shun Cutlery Dual Core

Another great product from Shun, the Dual Core Nakiri is a dull Damascus blade of 72 layers of VG10 and VG2 steels. As far as production Nakiri knives go, this is probably as good as it gets before you start to look at custom options. The knife here is priced higher, more than double that of the other Shun listing in this article. The manufacturing process results in a blade holds its edge longer and remain in service for extended periods of time, especially in a high-production restaurant setting. As a production knife, this product is great for showy use in a hibachi, but also easily replaced should it become damaged. The styling on this knife isn’t quite traditional Japanese, though patrons and guests will likely not notice that minor detail.

MSRP: $330

Masamoto FH Japanese

Masamoto’s product is a reasonably priced, high-performance traditional Nakiri made in Japan. This knife is just about as good as it gets from the standpoint of function and traditional appearance. Made of modern steel and reasonably corrosion-resistant, it’s a forgiving knife. But you still need to care for it after every use. The handle is made in traditional style out of buffalo horn and magnolia wood, both of which add to its already incredible appearance. It is not the most costly Nakiri here by far, though when combined with the extra maintenance needed to keep it ship-shape, isn’t for someone who will just throw it in the dishwasher.

MSRP: $229

Yoshihiro Hayate

Last on this list is certainly not the least. The Yoshihiro Hayate is a handcrafted, high-end Nakiri that is for use by the most discerning culinary aficionado. The knife is made of extremely hard and difficult-to-work with ZDP-189 steel. Not only is it beautiful, but the knife is also NSF-approved for use in commercial kitchens, making it one of the most expensive single-use products in a restaurant. However, thanks to its superior steel and impressive edge retention, the knife will ultimately save the chef effort on high-volume cutting and other laborious tasks. This Nakiri is made with excellent materials in the handle as well, including premium ebony with a sterling silver ring. Completing this knife is a lacquered cover for storage. Of note, this knife is double-beveled, making it great for use with both hands as opposed to specializing to left or right. If you decided to spend the money on something like this, you will never need to seek out a replacement. Short of a completely custom knife made to your hand and style of cutting, this is as good as it gets.

MSRP: $700

More Kitchen Knives:

Best Japanese Kitchen Knives Worth A Look
Best Chef’s Knife Options Available Today
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Best Kitchen Knife Set To Upgrade Your Galley

Ahoy Matey: Rigging Knife Buyer’s Guide

Buyer's Guides

Josh Wayner

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January 30, 2023

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Battened down the hatches, we’re going full-speed ahead talking about the sailor’s rigging knife!

Rigging knives are a particular type of cutting tool developed in conjunction with sailing ships. There is not a particularly well-documented history on the use of these knives, but by the Age of Exploration, the tool was quite common aboard virtually every vessel.

Bear bones, the rigging knife was designed to cut line. Together with the equally common marlinspike, it could be used to manage lines by cutting, splicing, and freeing knots. The simplicity of these tools has given them long life, and as a result, the knives are available in modern versions suited to our uses today.

The knife has not changed much in hundreds of years, a testament to how it was perfected before it became miniaturized and able to fit in a pocket.

Use And Evolution Of The Rigging Knife

The rigging knife is a similar case. You are almost always better served by a heavy fixed-blade knife than by a small, delicate folder. But, as time has gone on, the need for chopping through lines thicker than your arm has declined for most nautical enthusiasts. In turn, as line material changed from Manila and natural materials to nylon, large-blade rigging knives went the way of the tri mast. In its place, a smaller folding version became the norm.

The rigging knife has, like the penknife, been a multitool of sorts for generations. The earliest examples were of course dedicated to their task. As times changed, it was combined with similar tools that were also at one point their own thing. Let’s take a look at some of the tools likely found on a modern rigging knife.

Sheepsfoot Blade

Long before this profile was in fashion for EDC knives, the sheepsfoot profile was used for cutting rigging. The blade shape was perfected over time and was considered the best way to cut heavy lines. The cleaver-like abilities of this profile, when combined with a thick spine, allows it to chop through thick line as well as be pounded through with a mallet if need be. The lack of a defined tip reduced the chances of injury as it couldn’t really be used to stab or otherwise harm by thrusting.

Marlinspike

The marlinspike is a linework tool and it is quite simple in terms of how it’s used. It is like a large needle of sorts, meant to work in between tightly tied ropes in order to loosen knots. That is just about all it does. This less-than-glamorous job is of the highest importance on any vessel from canoes to warships and the lack of it can cause serious issues.

Historically these tools were not small, some even exceeding 20-plus inches. Heavy rope, 5 inches or thicker, was common for mooring lines and these massive marlinspikes could move even the largest lines. Today most people use much thinner lines, usually 1-inch or so, on recreational vessels. Half-inch is common for duck boats and other flat-bottom craft. Kayaks and canoes usually work with a 1/4-inch line. Most of the work a modern marlinspike encounters is going to be on a relatively thin nylon line, making huge spikes unnecessary.

Shackle Key

The shackely key is a must to break open a problematic shackel on deck.

The shackle key is just that, a key for unlocking shackles. Shackles are a D-shaped clip used to attach various parts of the rigging together. These devices are usually tightened down beyond what can be accomplished with bare hands, so the key is applied and used to open it. There isn’t a high degree of utility for this accessory on most small, single-person watercraft. Many people, however, still find the tool useful for other duties. If not, it’s prized for its connection to sailing’s golden age.

Top Rigging Knives Available Today

Davis Instruments Deluxe Rigging Knife

Inexpensive, rugged and handy, Davis' rigging knife has all based covered. — Inexpensive, rugged and handy, Davis’ rigging knife has all based covered.

This is among the most baseline functional rigging knives on the market today. Davis‘s knife is inexpensive, under $30 retail, and has every single tool you want in a rigger. Because of salt water’s corrosiveness, the knife is constructed completely out of stainless steel and is easily kept clean and in service. If it ever gets to the point rusting out it won’t break the bank to replace. Functional knives like this lack glamor, but for what it is used for you will have a hard time finding something that truly exceeds it in utility. The folding knife features a marlinspike, shackle key, screwdriver, and blade.

MSRP: $27

Gill Marine Multitool

A modern iteration of the classic rigging knife, <a href= — Gills’ option offer a nice update to the design—particularly the G10 handles.” width=”696″ height=”431″> A modern iteration of the classic rigging knife, Gills’ option offer a nice update to the design—particularly the G10 handles.

This tool retains many of the necessary, time-honored features common to rigging knives but adds some much-need advancements. Taking a hint from automotive rescue tools, the Gill tool a glass breaker and strap cutter to deal with tie-downs and hard-surface obstacles. The blade locks open, which is more than can be said of most rigging knives. The edge of the blade has deep, scalloped serrations that won’t hang up in nylon rope. To increase grip in wet conditions the knife has a machined G10 handle in bright orange. Lastly, the knife has an integrated screwdriver and shackle key. It does not come with a lanyard but has a pouch that can be worn. Interestingly, the knife has a titanium coating, something not usually found on tools at this price point.

MSRP: $45

Old Timer Mariner

In terms of classic appearance at a very low price, the Old Timer Mariner is just the ticket. The knife is relatively simple, it has a classic sheepsfoot blade and a functionally tapered marlinspike. The knife is of traditional construction and isn’t made of materials that are particularly resistant to salt water. That said, this style has been in use for decades and is just about what you think of when you imagine what your granddad or great-granddad may have used in the early part of the 20th century. As is common in traditional designs, the blade is nonlocking. Taking into account that many modern versions of this knife incorporate this safety feature, it is up to you to decide if you want the added liability in wet conditions.

MSRP: $27

Parker River Bosun Knife

Parker's River Bosun Knife harkens back to the earliest versions of the rigging knife. Expensive, it more than speaks to your maritime cred. — Parker’s River Bosun Knife harkens back to the earliest versions of the rigging knife. Expensive, it more than speaks to your maritime cred.

If you find that you are in the market for the luxe version of a rigging knife, look no further than the Parker River Bosun Knife. This one isn’t at all on the cheap side, you could easily buy every other knife on this list and still have money left over. But, for the discerning mariner, a tool like this is not just a status symbol but a nod to a long-past way of doing things.

This knife is made in the original bosun knife style, fixed blade and all. It lacks any other adornments, including a marlinspike. However, just like in the old days, you can of course buy a separate marlinspike and tie it on with a lanyard. The interesting part of this knife is it really has not lost function over a multi-tool in that the blade aspect. Having a separate knife and marlinspike allows larger models of, thus makes them easier to use and not hinder you with a folding mechanisms. The knife comes with a leather sheath and is available with custom engraving.

MSRP: $315

Perkin Handcrafted Rigging Knife

Traditional in design, Perkin's rigging knife is built for heavy usage, but offers throwback appeal. — Traditional in design, Perkin’s rigging knife is built for heavy usage, but offers throwback appeal.

Another traditional fixed-blade design is the Perkin Handcrafted Rigging Knife. It has many of the same features as the Parker River example and even comes with a leather sheath with an integrated marlinspike loop.

The knife is heavily constructed and bears a thick, heavy spine. It is substantial enough it can be pounded through rope much in the way these knives were originally used. The physical construction is simple, a pinned scales and a bolster. Overall this is a good entry-level kit if you want a classic setup for your boating adventures.

MSRP: $64

More Knife Buyer’s Guides:

What To Know To Get The Best Dive Knife
Best Benchmade Knife: What Are The Company’s Classics
Choosing The Best Throwing Knife Buyer’s Guide
Bone Handle Knife: Tips For Picking The Best One

Bone Handle Knife: Tips For Picking The Best One

Buyer's Guides

Josh Wayner

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January 25, 2023

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Bone Handle Knife: Tips For Picking The Best One

There’s something primal about a bone handle knife. We break down this eye-catching natural material, show what to look for and give you some top picks.

Bone has been around as a handle material just about as long as we have. It is safe to say that ancient cultures across the world have used bone as a handle material for as many as 100,000 years. Perhaps longer. Nobody knows for certain because these materials don’t last forever, even if perfectly preserved.

Bone Handle Knives History

Antler and bone have been used across the world and by virtually all peoples. We see, however, a distinct trend around 12,000 to 10,000 BC where they became the choice handle material for stone or volcanic glass blades. These handles were often carved to allow the instillation of replacement blades, given the brittle nature of the material.

These types of blades were state-of-the-art technology for millennia, with their traditional means of construction still in common use with many cultures at the time Europeans began exploring the world. The stone blades were extremely sharp and could last for months or even years if properly maintained.

Ancient people were experts at shaping these stone blades, and they could do so with great precision. Many of them were not small either, some stone spear points rival modern Bowie’s in length. The strength of these knives is largely dependent on the skill of the craftsman, and some of these blades and their handles still exist today.

Fast forward to the early modern era around 500-1000 years ago, we see that bone is purely a decorative choice on most knives. While functional, there is more of a challenge to working with it than there is wood. Wood in most cases is easily shaped while bone is a much more finicky medium. Bone is substantially more brittle, and it is harder to seal and finish. While it may seem like a durable material, it is quite porous and can shatter if struck.

In a way, bone went from being the material of choice to the choice of those who perhaps wanted to show off. Today this is the same story. It is hard to find individuals who carry around knives with ancient mammoth ivory grips, but they do exist. Will that same individual use that knife for camp work like ancient man? Again maybe, but not likely at the cost of that material.

Common Types Of Bone Used In Handles

Bone

Ken Hall’s sgian dubh features a 4.25-inch blade of twist damascus in a blend of 1075 spring and 15N20 nickel alloy steels. The pommel is formed from stone and giraffe bone. The African blackwood handle not only is ideal for its carvability but also in keeping with the sgian dubh’s name, which is Scottish for black knife.

For the most part, bone handles were typically made from whatever animal was available in the region. In ancient times, this could be any type of bone that was easily hollowed out or shaped. The femur bone (thigh bone) was quite common. Equally popular were the bones of the arm, and even the jawbone, depending on the animal.

Antler

Antler is and always has been a better alternative than skeletal bone. Antlers grow on members of the deer family only, from the skull and are semi-vascular. This means they have blood flow and skin while they grow. What makes them appealing then and now are they are shed by the animals yearly. This makes them easier to source, not requiring a kill to obtain. Furthermore, antler is extremely strong and dense, much more so than skeletal bone. In turn, it is less prone to shatter and is substantially less porous, meaning it is easier to finish and maintain.

Ivory

Ivory is another material that falls into the bone category. Elephant ivory has been strictly regulated for years. As a result, the material is exceedingly rare and possession of an unaccounted-for sample can land you in trouble. The ivory trade has been bad for the elephant population worldwide, but the animals are largely out of danger now, though this has not lessened ivory restrictions. It is a semi-grainless material that is not only strong but also easily shaped—lending to its popularity.

Mammoth Tusk

Raffir fossil mammoth ivory comprises the handle of Danish knifemaker Tommy Astrup’s mosaic damascus fixed blade.

While there are regional laws pertaining to mammoth tusk— California, New Jersey, and New York you can’t transfer it—this ancient material is generally legal to sell and possess. (Always check your local laws to make sure this holds true for you.) Given restrictions on ivory, this material has become more common in recent year, sparking a rush to collect it on the Siberian tundra. The permafrost makes it so that these tusks are almost like new. Working with it is no more challenging than working with modern ivory, given the state of preservation is usually excellent. Other ancient materials that are suitable for use on knives include the tusks of walruses and narwhals, but these too are regulated in some states.

Most Desirable Bone Handle Knives

Beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder. While bone handles are certainly attractive, they are not always the best choice for daily use.

The main reason, aside from antlers, most bone material gets very expensive very quickly. Mammoth ivory can run well into the thousands of dollars for enough to make a couple of handles. For this reason, you typically see it as thinner scales as opposed to a full carved grip. If you go that latter route, the finished knife cost can skyrocket into the thousands, perhaps even over $10,000 on a nicely executed custom knife.

Pros And Cons Of Bone Handles

In the world of Micarta and G10 there is little advantage in bone or antler, particularly in durability and longevity. Like any naturally occurring material, there is the presence of unseen flaws that may become liabilities during use. These materials aren’t weatherproof in a true sense and can take on moisture and pull in oils. The mineral structure is different on each bone or antler and as a result, there is no true gauge for strength across the board. The ergonomics are also a challenge as most of these bones and antlers are shaped in a preexisting manner by the animal they came from.

This is not to say that they are useless, rather it is a matter of personal preference. Some people truly prefer how these materials look and feel and that is their right. That does come with accepting that they may be restricted to certain uses as opposed to other handle materials. For instance, hard chopping work and batoning are difficult on handles due to flex and vibration, and bone or antler may simply crack at the pins if a strike is not performed perfectly. The nature of these materials is sentimental, not just to the individual but to mankind as a whole being that they have been with us since the beginning.

Top Bone Handle Knives

Wess Barnhil Gentleman’s Hunter

A custom offering by Wess Barnhill, the Gentleman’s Hunter was featured in the November 2022 print issue of Blade alongside some other fantastic bone or antler-handled knives. Modestly priced for a Damascus steel blade, Barnhill’s knife displays an excellent profile and layout for real-world use but is so damn beautiful you’ll probably want to keep it safe from blood and guts! Barnhill’s portfolio features several knives with natural material handles, each a work of art.

MSRP: $1400

Mark Fleming Forged Southwest Trail Bowie

This knife was featured in the December 2022 print edition of Blade Magazine. Mark Fleming is an ABS journeyman smith, but his work looks exceedingly masterful at this point in his career. While this particular knife is custom, a similar piece will run you about $1,900, which is quite reasonable for such a complex execution. The knife as featured included an awesome-looking ancient walrus ivory grip, itself a relic.The grip material was salvaged from a native fire spindle that was used to start friction fires. Interestingly, you probably could still use this in that manner and you wouldn’t be outside the times. Grip indentations for starting friction fires are common on many knives today.

MSRP: $1,900 (for a similar design)

Rapid River Knifeworks Kodiak

Rapid River Knifeworks offers a tremendous number of custom services and a wide range of knife products. Located in Michigan’s upper peninsula, the company has excelled in adding traditional flair to its lineup and the products stand out from others across the board. The Kodiak is a hammer-forged knife that is offered in a dizzying number of configurations, not even including custom engraving. The variant we’re concerned with here comes with elk antler as a grip material, and it sure does look great! Unlike many knife companies, Rapid River has a showroom you can visit in person.

MSRP: $175

Randall Knives 3-Piece Carving Set

Randall Knives needs no introduction here, however, we are pleased to take a look at a less-prominent product from their standard lineup—its 3-Piece Carving Set. The set comes with a 9-inch carbine knife, serving fork, and sharpening steel, all of which are finished with stag handles. The set includes a storage box and the company notes that you should not put them through the dishwasher. Randall Knives, of course, offers some very well-known classics in natural material handles, many of them available in their standard lineup. If you so desire, you can also take a look at having something custom-built, but you had best get your orders in now. The company website is currently taking orders for delivery in four years!

MSRP: $680

Silver Stag Universal Chef Pro

Silver Stag makes a great number of products that feature natural handle materials, but a standout example is the antler-handled Universal Chef Pro. This is an all-use kitchen knife that is at home in just about any setting—be it your home or base camp. The knife is ruggedly constructed and has a unique shape with a curved belly and sheep’s foot tip that allows it to be deftly handled for large tasks like carving down to fine dicing. Silver Stag offers a full line of antler-handled kitchen knives, as well as many other outdoor knives from filet knives to custom scrimshawed skinners.

MSRP: $218

More On Knife Handles:

G10 Knife Handles: Are They The Best?
Micarta: A Do-Everything Handle Material
Feeling Good: 4 New Handle Materials
Hall-Of-Frame Handles

Choosing The Best Throwing Knife Buyer’s Guide

Josh Wayner

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January 23, 2023

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Choosing The Best Throwing Knife Buyer’s Guide

Want to know what steel to fling and what at? We break down how to choose the best throwing knife and targets for high-flying fun.

Simply put, a throwing knife is an object that is either a true knife (capable of cutting and other work) or a pointed/tipped/edged object that is solely designed to be thrown with no other intended capability.

Any knife in theory can be thrown, however, most all knives are not intended to be thrown. There are several reasons for this, among them the fact that knives are edged tools and are reliant on their edge profile, blade shape, and handle style to be functional in their intended role. For instance, a chef’s knife isn’t designed to be batoned through wood. A knife it is, but it is not *that* type of knife.

Likewise with throwers—a throwing knife is purpose-made for the role and is usually stripped down to a point where it is not functional in most other roles.

Selecting A Throwing Knife

In selecting a throwing knife, you need to first look at what you want to throw it at and what type of throwing interests you.

Steel

The first criterion here is important because you want to choose steel of a high enough grade that throwing it doesn’t damage it. Knives break all the time and even the strongest edge can chip or even snap if it hits a hard surface with sufficient speed and force.

If you are a recreational thrower who likes to have some fun at your weekend cookout, you really can’t go wrong across the board. Lower-cost knives in sets mean you can get more of your friends involved and the good times can be made that much better. These knives are usually made of lower-quality steel, and it is not uncommon to see broken tips. These knives are usually inexpensive and are only made to maintain a tip, not an edge.

The medium-skill thrower is probably going to graduate to some better steels and more common profiles. It is in this category you start seeing true blade steels like 1055 and 1095 come up as opposed to just generic ‘stainless steel’. The knives at this stage are still affordable but are typically sold as individual pieces, meaning building a set gets pricey. At this level, you start to see real effort put into blade profiles and balance points, as well as an emphasis on the ability to throw repeatably.

Advanced throwing knives start to get expensive, sometimes into the hundreds of dollars—some even custom-made. These are the knives you see the most serious competition throwers using. The average recreational thrower would benefit from them, but unless you’re throwing every day the expense is not going to aid you. That said, an expert’s knives are going to be balanced perfectly as well as featured tailored grip style, tip and body to provide the most consistent performance. These are also nearly identical in weight and in the distribution of that weight along the blade and handle.

Designs

Some knives are tip-heavy, others handle-heavy. Others are slotted or have holes drilled to allow the addition of weight where necessary. The weight distribution of a knife largely depends on how you grip it—a topic too large to cover here. The abridged version is balance points vary depending on your throwing method, and as you learn you may gravitate to one or another depending on what works best. Typically, it is advisable to start with a perfectly balanced knife and then, once you have that skill, learn what style your body and throwing performs best.

Throwing Styles

Throwing styles vary depending on what you are trying to do and what style of knife you’re throwing. There are many methods to do this, not just the classic ‘hold by the tip and hope for the best’. There are two main types of throwing, rotational and non-rotational, and certain types of knives are balanced better for each.

Rotational throwing is where you throw the knife, and it rotates in the air before contacting the target. You’ll need to know or be able to estimate the number of rotations needed to arrive at the target with the tip. This is harder, but the more common type you see practiced in backyards everywhere.

The next is non-rotational, where the knife is launched straight on without spinning. This is usually for shorter ranges inside 15 feet.

Throwing Knife Targets

Throwing knife targets are wide-ranging. There are dedicated throwing targets that exist, but you should know examples made of foam or modern composite usually do not hold up for the long run.

Archery targets are commonly misused as knife targets, which is fine if you like wasting your money. Archery targets made of rubber foam are meant to stop target point arrows, in a sense, it catches them by means of friction. A knife can cut through these layers and ruin them and increase the danger of a rebound back at the thrower.

The best material for throwing knives is wood, especially slices of a tree trunk. It is not good to throw at living trees, as while the knives themselves won’t kill the tree, they can allow insects in which will destroy it.

Log slices have been used as throwing targets for time immemorial and there is hardly a substitute. They last for years, can be painted over again and again, and are cheap to replace. Most people make a stand to mount them on that can be folded up and moved.

If you are handy and like woodworking, you can make a wood block target using 4×4 posts cut into sections and glued together with the grain facing the thrower. This simulates a log slice but is more uniform in shape. The author has made this type of target and found it cosmetically nice, but not more functional than a log slice.

why Throw Knives?

To ask this question you need to understand that there is a very serious and well-researched answer… because it’s a hell of a good time!

Knife throwing has very little to do with self-defense these days, and while not out of the realm of possibility, it is just not a highly relevant skill. Today it is now common to find establishments called ‘axe bars’, where throwing blades and tossing back a few cold ones are the name of the game.

There are pro-level competitions out there, just like there are in any game or sport. There is some money in it if you’re good enough, but most people just like to do this because it is a good way to spend time together and win bragging rights.

Some Of The Best Throwing Knife Options

Cold Steel Perfect Balance Thrower

Resembling the company’s tough, powerful bowie knives, the Cold Steel Perfect Balance Thrower is every bit as rugged as its fellow products. But it is designed for the purpose of throwing, not necessarily day-to-day tasks. Though it is one of the few on this list with handle scales, it isn’t held up by this feature at all. This knife was designed to offer repeatable accuracy thanks to its well-managed profile, tip shape, and handle layout. A large thrower at 13.5-inches long and almost 1 pound in weight, it has no problem carrying enough energy to punch in and stick. The knife is not sold as a set, the price is for one without any carrying system.

MSRP: $38

Cold Steel Torpedo

Probably the most unique thrower on this list, Cold Steel’s Torpedo is deceptively simple, yet extremely effective. The Torpedo isn’t necessarily a knife. However, most throwing knives aren’t knives in the true sense either. They are in the same shape as a knife but aren’t meant for cutting or really anything else other than throwing.

The Torpedo is a 15-inch long, 1-inch thick, 32-ounce piece of steel sharpened into conical points at each end. It carries a tremendous amount of mass and is large enough it can be used for self-defense and even some types of hunting at close distances on small game. This thrower is a design that exceeds its simplicity and crosses into the practical for ownership.

Survival schools teach throwing for hunting, and many native and indigenous cultures have used similar methods for millennia. The fact that a direct hit from this massive steel cylinder results in a huge, deep wound is enough to convince even the most dedicated primitive survivalist of its utility.

MSRP: $38 each

Boker Magnum Mini Bo-Kri

Boker makes excellent knives and is known the world over for their quality. The Mini Bo-Kri is an example of this, as not only a well-balanced thrower, but unique in appearance and functionality. The knife comes with a dedicated leather sheath, which is an interesting addition considering most knives of this type aren’t carried in anything, but nylon covers. The shape is a hybrid profile featuring a Bowie tip profile and a Kukri blade curvature. This shape brings the tip to the centerline and allows for very accurate throwing using a few different styles.

MSRP: $43 each

Ka-Bar Thunderhorse Thrower

The only dedicated throwing knife to carry the Ka-Bar name, the ThunderHorse is a big knife at 15.6 inches in overall length and is made in the USA out of 1095 stainless steel. There are some important things to take note of when looking to purchase this knife.

The first is that it is relatively expensive for what it is, however, it is one of the better-rated throwers out there. It is very well-balanced and has a rugged surface finish. It is made of heavy-duty steel that can sharpened to hold an edge. Of note is that the handle has pinholes, so if you need to change the point of balance you can add weights or scales.

The ThunderHorse does not come with either a sheath or as part of a set, the price is per each. If you want the best in American quality from a well-known name, you should seriously consider looking at buying a few of these to complete a competition set for your next backyard BBQ or serious game at a local match.

MSRP: $70

Thrower Supply Traditional Mountain Man Knife

Any time you gather a bunch of guys together in the middle of nowhere with guns, knives, axes, and a plentiful supply of liquor you inevitably end up with a competition. Marksmanship has been the hallmark of these frontier gatherings, often called Rendezvous, for the past couple of centuries. This is not where knife throwing started, but it could be argued that it became a true sport.

The Traditional Mountain Man thrower considers not just how the original throwing knives looked, but also design features that are very close to what was used in history. The first camp throwers were just that, hunting and skinning knives that were thrown for accuracy. Over time, people inevitably realized that handles were easy to break, so stripped-down elements were added, and blades became heavier and stouter.

In historical fashion, the Mountain Man thrower has leather handle scales held in place with copper rivets. This is easily replaced in camp with basic tools if need be. The knife we see here comes with a matching, historical-themed sheath. It is sold per each, which is a bonus if you want to show off wearing your set at your buddy’s house. Nothing says you like throwing knives like three of these bad boys on your belt in matching scabbards.

MSRP: $47 each

SOG Fling Set

SOG is well-known for making affordable and rugged tools to cover all uses. The Fling knives are meant for the recreation end of the spectrum, and they sure are fun!

The knives come as a set of three, which is what you need for low-cost backyard fun. The blades are spade-shaped, making them strong and stout, ideal for common backyard targets that are less than professional in construction.

It should be noted that these knives are not what you’d call a ‘professional’ set. They come wrapped in 21 feet of paracord each—not something that cuts air easily and facilitates superior balance. However, these are fun knives and enjoy a far greater range of ownership than higher-end throwers.

For a person interested in getting into throwing or if you just want a fun day in the yard, these are an excellent choice at a very modest price.

MSRP: $47 set of three

Condor Dismissal Set

Condor makes a huge range of affordable weapons and tools for just about any use. Despite being an El Salvadorian company, it makes functional versions of just about any historical sword, including Japanese style, huge German Messers, right on down to survival knives and recreational items like the Dismissal set.

These knives are highly refined for the price and have a set of features that make them suitable for backyard use as well as for serious competition. The knives have four holes in the handle area, allowing the user to add weights or scales should they wish to adjust balance. The tip profile of this knife is aggressively pointed and can punch into most regular materials but is also obtuse enough to not to get damaged in the process.

If you are just entering the knife-throwing sports, this set is inexpensive enough to get you started but also feature-rich enough to let you hone your skills and truly improve.

MSRP: $102

United Cutlery Expendables Kunai Set

The Expendables movie series has been out for a while now, and it is always fun to watch. Many of the actors have a history with the knife industry, arguably none more iconic than Sylvester Stallone, who also happens to be the chief character in the series. While better known for Rambo and that character’s famous knives, Stallone’s crew in the films uses a wide range of knives and this set of throwers are replicas of the screen.

Anytime you get movie prop replicas you are reminded that most prop designers have no idea how they work, but this is not the case. These throwers are functional and feature unique ring pommels that can function in the same way as a karambit in the hand. This adds security for stabbing or slashing and also making it harder to get out of the hand in a fight. A word of caution, as much fun as these would be to spin on your finger, be aware that they are sharp enough to do some damage! The knives come as a set of three in a sheath.

MSPR: $55 set of three

Check out More of Our Buyer’s Guides

Best Benchmade Knife: What Are The Company’s Classics

Josh Wayner

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January 18, 2023

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An iconic knifemaker, Benchmade had earned the respect of discerning knife aficionados. Here are some of the best of what it has to offer.

The Benchmade company as we know it today began in 1980 as Bali-Song, Inc., later Pacific Cutlery Corp. Before its knives got popular on the national scene, the company went through a couple of initial changes in how they produced knives and where, ultimately settling on the ‘Benchmade’ name in 1987.

The hallmark of Benchmade knives has always been extreme quality. When the company began, they were making knives one at a time. While that is not always the case today, the same spirit of persistence and dedication to the end-user remains. Benchmade has made a name for itself across the board with hunters, military, and law enforcement.

Why Benchmade Gets Props

There is an obvious and easy way to explain why Benchmade dominates the production knife market. Their stuff just works. If you buy a Benchmade, it will not necessarily be the cheapest knife on the shelf, but for damn sure, it will do exactly what it was designed to do. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case with a wide swath of the knife industry, where quantity over quality reigns supreme.

The overall quality of Benchmade knives is something that the consumer should be aware of when purchasing blades. In the author’s experience, Benchmade knives have typically outperformed, or at least equally matched any competing model, regardless of price. That is not something that can be said for most other knife companies.

What Benchmade knives offer is something akin to an investment, a lifetime of use should you take care of it.

Great Benchmade Knives

There is no disparity in quality in the Benchmade lineup. But, for this article, the author selected 10 models that best represent what is good about Benchmade, ranging from specialized hunting knives to out-the-front pocketknives. Not all of Benchmade’s lineup is being produced today, and some of the most well-respected versions have been retired, though their descendants are equally as good if not better.

535 Bugout

If there had to be a standard issue pocketknife for across-the-board use today, you would be hard-pressed to argue against the Bugout. It is not the most expensive knife in the lineup, but it is well over the cost of today’s average pocketknife. The Bugout is a well-respected, reliable design, that is both lightweight and has a very reliable, folding and locking mechanism. Designed to stand out, it is available in bright colors, in this case blue. The knife features a blade designed for optimal use in regular situations. It is not exactly an outdoor knife, although it would be at home for small games and fishing.

MSRP: $180

539GY Anonimus

An interesting knife with an interesting name. This one is a hybrid field knife and every day carry fixed blade. The author received an early example of this knife from Benchmade and it has held up extremely well throughout use. The knife is low profile and has a relatively thin spine, making it unsuitable for some of the heavier camp chores and tasks. What it is great for is skinning deer size animals and smaller. To top it off, it has a wide degree of self-defense function. The knife has a notable choil to protect the finger—it makes for ample protection while thrusting hard or holding the knife tip down. Overall, this is a knife that meets a lot of needs and checks a lot of boxes while not being particularly flamboyant.

MSRP: $310

162 Bushcrafter

Out of all the knives on this list, the Bushcrafter is the model that the author has the most extensive experience. The author received this knife for an article in the print edition of Blade Magazine, where he put it through quite a bit of use. The knife has been a constant companion for outdoor chores and is an incredible product. A great deal of the author’s experience comes from fire making and working with bushcrafting materials, and while this knife certainly meets that task with flying colors, some criticisms can be had given the amount of time the author has spent with it.

The first of these is that this is a relatively small chore knife. The blade is not long enough for heavy work and wood splitting. It is a knife that is usable at the end stage after most of the splitting has been done, meaning you will need to carry additional tools. If you were trying to get a fire started with this knife it is great for striking a rod, which is sadly not included in the price. Many competing designs that have performed equally well if not better have come with striker rods in the same MSRP range. Why Benchmade included the loop but no striker is a mystery.

The handle ergonomics are a little bit more angular than is needed, competing knives that have smoother and more contoured handles are better for extended periods of work and generate fewer hot spots. For the casual camper, this is an exceptional knife. The author tends to fall into the category of outdoorsman that believes you need a 6-inch or 7-inch blade to get stuff done. Smaller blades are the favorite of many people, the author finds them to be fatiguing to use and many times difficult to dislodge from pieces of wood or harder to use when skinning large game on the ground. That said, this is a fantastic knife, the author wishes that Benchmade will come out with a slightly larger version with a thicker spine.

MSRP: $300

317-1 Weekender

If you are casually out and about with your friends on your party barge, this knife is an exceptional comrade. It is something of a modern pen knife in that it features two blades as well as a bottle opener. It is an excellent knife for daily use and covers just about all regular cutting chores you may encounter in your day-to-day existence, barring of course any heavy-duty uses. The knife is beautifully finished and has excellent accent work, it is surely something you will want to show to your friends.

MSRP: $275

15000OR-2 Meatcrafter

This is another knife that the author reviewed for the print edition of Blade Magazine. The author received one of the first initial prototypes for testing. The Meatcrafter knife is an excellent tool, something of a hybrid between a fillet knife, a kitchen knife, and a hunting knife. It is relatively thin in the spine and cannot be used for tasks such as splitting wood, or really anything above cutting soft material.

Benchmade has a series of these knives now, available in a variety of colors and blade finishes. The knife is very well adapted to its specific role. The author butchered a deer with the prototype, and it proved to be an exceptionally sharp cutting tool, so much so that it simply glided through the meat with almost no effort. Because of its thin blade and very fine tip, it can be used for boning out meat at just about any angle. The blade is flexible enough that it can be used to get into some nooks and crannies that thicker and stiffer blades would have a hard time with. The knife does have limitations, though, and one should take care to not drop it on its tip or put it through use that results in extreme bending or pressure on the tip, an example of this would be cutting into the ball joint on the pelvis of a large game animal. There is arguably no finer game knife on the market today than this one. It is quite expensive, but it is something that will last you a lifetime with care.

MSRP: $450

Station Knife

The Station Kinfe is available as a custom order option from Benchmade. The website has a configuration selector where you can pick out every detail of this knife. It is an all-purpose kitchen tool, able to do just about anything that you could imagine a knife could do, from slicing to dicing to breaking down meat and vegetables, as well as carving and serving. If you are a professional in the food service industry, this knife is something of the Holy Grail. Because of its unique shape, it can be used for a variety of cooking styles, not just traditional American cooking, but also different Asian, South American, and European styles. The use of the knife in these culinary arts tends to vary, and you’ll be prepared for all of them with the station knife.

MSRP: Starting at $280

945-221 Mini Osbourne

If you are looking for a pocketknife that truly sets you apart as a gentleman, the mini Osborne is one that you will certainly want to take a look at. The author has carried a version of this knife for a couple of years, it is not a heavy-duty, knife whatsoever, the blade is relatively thin, and the frame is lightly constructed. However, it is excellent at his job, which is a dedicated pocket knife. There are several variations of this knife available from Benchmade, it is a very popular design thanks to its lightweight and ease of use. The version shown here is at the top end of their design range, made of incredible materials, which will surely catch the eye.

MSRP: $700

34000BK-1 Autocrat

This is arguably the king of out-the-front knives. Bench made has truly made a name for itself in this category of knives, while it is quite expensive, it has probably the most reliable mechanism of any OTF knife currently on the market and is constructed with durability in mind. The handle is, not gimmicky, rather, it is simple in overall appearance. Critics of the knife would like to see more embellishment, but the author is just the opposite, OTF knives are not an inherently strong or reliable design. In general, simplicity is king, and reliability stands above that.

MSRP: $500

15060-2 Grizzly Creek

The Grizzly Creek is an excellent, professional-level field knife that can fit just about anywhere. It is not a camp knife in the sense that it can be used for a large amount of splitting or heavy chores, however, it is excellent for breaking down game, regardless of size. Because it is a folder, the blade is not especially long, making it not as good for big game. For all general hunting, it will work, though, you may have some struggles with large deer and above. The knife features a folding gut hook that can also be used to cut fishing line and a variety of other outdoor tasks. The price is right for a working knife; it is not the most embellished or interesting-looking product from Benchmade, but it will certainly do well given its features and intended use.

MSRP: $250

176BK SOCP

The last knife on our list is the discrete SOCP. This is a little dagger with a ring pommel designed to be used as a last-ditch item integrated into your gear. The knife can be used on just about any finger depending on what you’re trying to manipulate. At $130. It may seem a little bit overpriced for a small dagger, but it is a well-made tool that can get you out of some very sticky situations. It is worth noting, that not every municipality allows the carrying of a fixed-blade dagger, you’ll have to check your local laws if you plan to carry this knife.

MSRP: $230

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