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Mike Ableson

Tactical And Switchblade Combs That Keep You Looking Cool

A Switchblade Comb Is A Fun Take On The Knife Design. Unlike The Knife, The Switchblade Comb Can Be Taken On A Plane.

The switchblade looks cool. The blade firing out at speed and satisfyingly clicking into place is one of the great joys of the knife world. However, many legal codes of countries around the world don’t look fondly on the fast-moving blade. But that cool factor has endured and can be seen in switchblade combs. And they have the added benefit of being far, far cheaper than even the lowest-quality stiletto.

Switchblade combs?

Yes. It’s a comb that deploys like a switchblade. Maybe you’re looking for a comb with a burst of excitement, or a comb that isn’t made of cheap, flimsy plastic. Or maybe you’re a Jet or a Shark that needs to look good for their next rumble.

No matter what the reason, the switchblade comb is a fun little tool to have. This knife… I mean comb shows what the switchblade comb is all about.

Etrading Italian-Style Automatic Comb

Etrading Italian-Style Automatic Comb

This comb is a perfect example of what a switchblade comb can be. The handle is made from pearl-toned polymer, and the blade is made from 440 stainless steel that’s built to last. At nine inches in length, with a five-inch handle, the comb sits well in the hand and feels good to use.

The stainless bolsters help take the look to the next level, and it all comes together thanks to the push-button deployment that sends the comb out in a blink. Additionally, there is a trigger lock-out that prevents the comb from opening in your pocket or bag.

This is a fun piece that you can show off to friends and keep your hair well-coiffed too.

MSRP: $10.50

Tops Knives Tac-Rake

Tops Knives Tac-Rake

For something a bit more robust there is the Tac-Rake from TOPS Knives. This beard comb is of the fixed-blade variety (yes, not a switchblade but it’s so good) that’s made from black traction-coated steel meted to a tan canvas micarta handle.

It’s only 5.88 inches in total length so it’s probably not the best comb for a full head of hair, but it is specially made for a beard and will keep your facial hair looking clean and sharp. The fact that you’ll feel like a champ while using it is just an added bonus.

The included leather sheath makes traveling with the comb easy and stress-free.

MSRP: $105

Microtech UTX-85

Microtech UTX-85

This OTF comb is the Cadillac of combs. The blade is stainless, and the handle is anodized aluminum. It’s luxurious to use, and the dual-action mechanism deploys and retracts the knife in the blink of an eye.

The teeth are nice and fine so it’ll brush your hair and your beard with ease. Adding to the tactical nature of the comb, the glass breaker at the butt of the piece is a handy tool to have on your person. And, since this isn’t a proper sharpened knife, you can take this with you wherever you go from a baseball game to a restaurant and even on a plane.

MSRP: $340

BeardAir Tactical Beard Comb

BeardAir Tactical Beard Comb

For a tactical combing experience, there is this sleek comb from BeardAir. With a blade made from 17-4PH steel, and a handle made from aviation aluminum. It’s light and strong, and the automatic open/close function deploys the comb with speed and style.

Unlike the other combs on this list, the Tactical Beard Comb comes in all sorts of different colors so you can find the one that fits your aesthetic the best whether it’s a more traditional black knife with red accents or something more wild like the olive green and pink one above. 

MSRP: $59.99

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4 Perfect Pocketknives For Women

The Best Pocketknives For Women Are Knives That Are Easy To Maintain And Can Be Deployed In A Flash. These Pieces Stand Out From The Pack.

A pocketknife in and of itself isn’t gendered. It’s a piece of steel and aluminum, maybe Micarta®, that’s shaped to be a cutting tool. 

However, certain knives are better for women due to the convenience, the fact that they are a bit smaller, or that they are excellent knives that are great at protection as well as standard EDC tasks. Below are a quartet that stand out from a crowded field of knives, any of which would be a great gift for your wife, sister, or yourself.

Kershaw Leek

Kershaw makes excellent knives at excellent prices, and the Leek is no exception. With a 3-inch blade and coming in at just three ounces, the Leek would be a perfect carry in a bag or a clutch as it doesn’t take up too much space.

The drop-point blade of 14C28N stainless steel is shaped to be a great EDC cutting tool as well as a puncturing implement if called upon. The bead-blasted blade and steel handle give the knife a clean, monochrome look. Made in the USA, the Leek opens easily with a flipper, and will serve you well for a very long time.

MSRP: $79.99

Benchmade Mini Griptilian

Benchmade makes high-quality knives with exceptional craftsmanship. The Mini Griptilian is small, nimble, and rugged knife that will be your loyal sidekick. It starts with the glass-filled nylon handle that provides a great grip and can take a beating.


The 2.91-inch plain-edge drop-point blade is CPM S30V stainless steel, opens with a thumb stud, and has a flat grind designed for slicing through pretty much anything within reason. The AXIS lock is fun to use and secures the blade safely and solidly in the open position. At just 2.81 ounces it’s incredibly light and perfect for life on the go.

MSRP: $150

Brighten Blades Green Day

Brighten Blades is a small, women-run factory knife outfit based in Utah. The Green Day knife is part of the company’s “Not So Heavy Metal Series.”

The knife is a small, minimalist blade with a 2.5-inch 8Cr13MoV stainless steel blade and an aluminum handle in a rich green. The blade also comes with a suede carrying case to store in a purse or pocket. This also keeps the knife in one secure place and doesn’t allow for accidental deployment. 

The knives are fun to use and come in many different colors and designs. 

MSRP: $29.99

Victorinox Swiss Army Knife

The unstoppable Alpine Swiss Army knife (SAK) from Victorinox is a great pocketknife for women. Even this small version features numerous tools that will help every day, from a spear-point blade to tweezers, scissors, nail file, and screwdriver. 

All of the tools are made from stainless steel and are designed to last for life. The Swiss Army knife isn’t just for the intense outdoor enthusiast or craftsperson; the tool is excellent for busy parents looking to have a small toolbox at hand for whatever the kids can throw at them. The SAK is utilitarian and has endured for a reason.

You can also customize this version in 10 different colors, ranging from teal and pink to black and lime green.

MSRP: $21.99

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First Look: Kershaw Lucid

The New Lucid From Kershaw Is An Exciting New Entry To The EDC Market That Can Also Be Your Companion On A Jobsite.

There are thousands of knives that are great EDC options but nowhere near as many that can also handle the abuse of being a workhorse on the jobsite. The new Kershaw Lucid is an exception.

The handle provides an excellent grip. One side is a glass-filled nylon scale in a rich shade of blue, and the other side is made from stainless steel with a nylon inlay. The 8Cr13MoV blade holds an edge well and is easy to resharpen. The knife looks great, feels great, and sits well in the hand. The assisted flipper is fun and easy to use, and the frame lock keeps everything tight and secure. 

It’s a simple knife that is more than the sum of its parts. And there’s an elegance in that. Add in a price tag under $50, and you have a knife that’s a winner in multiple ways.

MSRP: $47.99

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First Look: Kershaw Noventa

The New Kershaw Noventa Is A Fun Knife. The Art Deco-Inspired Handle And D2 Steel Blade Make For A Showpiece That Can Handle Being An EDC.

Kershaw’s last product drop of 2022 featured the Noventa. The stylish drop point is inspired by Art Deco architecture with a two-tone blade made from robust D2 high-carbon tool steel. The hidden flipper adds to the sleek look and feel of the knife. 

The D2 blade is highly wear-resistant and retains an edge well. The two-tone black oxide and satin finish looks great and is a wonderful complement to the handle’s textured stonewashed steel. Aesthetically, this knife stands out from almost every other comparable knife on the market.

Kershaw’s dropped a beautiful knife at a great price. What more could you ask for?

MSRP: $79.99

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First Look: CRKT Xolotl Black

CRKT’s Newest Knife Is Inspired By Dia De Los Muertos And Is A Sexy, Exciting Folder Designed By Michael Rodriguez.

In honor of Dia de Los Muertos, knife designer, and former Green Beret, Michael Rodriguez has created a knife to honor the holiday, his heritage, and his military service.  

The new Xolotl Black from CRKT is named for the Aztec god of fire and lightning who ferries the deceased on their journey to the afterlife. It features all-black features from the coffin-shaped G10 handle to the liners and EDP-coated blade to give the blade a sleek, dark look. 

The blade is made from 1.4116 steel and is 3.64 inches in length. Overall, the piece is 8.64 inches long.

The flipper not only deploys the blade quickly but also acts as a cross guard to help provide a secure grip on the knife. The coffin-shaped handle features 21 ribs, which symbolize Rodriguez’s 21 years of military service. 

The knife is also a part of CRKT’s Forged By War program which donates of a portion of the money from every Xolotl Black sold and donates it to the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation, of which Rodriguez is the president and CEO. 

MSRP: $83

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First Look: CRKT Squid II Carbon Fiber

CRKT Has Reimagined The Squid II With Their New Carbon Fiber Version Of The Beloved EDC Folder. 

The Squid line of folding knives is one of the most beloved in the cutlery world. CRKT has given the classic a new look with the Squid II Carbon Fiber.

The Italian-made knife features a 2.68-inch blade made from Bohler M390 steel, designed for edge retention and to resist wear, and treated to a 59-61 HRC. The satin finish gives the knife a clean, elegant look. The steel is connected to the carbon fiber handle and stays securely in place via a liner lock, which is the first liner lock on a knife in the Squid line.

Even with the carbon fiber handle, the knife has a nice bit of heft at 4.9 ounces. As you would expect from the Squid line, nothing was forgotten. The new Carbon Fiber is an excellent addition to the Squid line.

MSRP: $195

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First Look: GiantMouse GMF4

GiantMouse Has Taken A Big Step With Their New Fixed Blade. The GMF4 Is The Company’s Biggest Blade Ever And First Camp-Style Knife.

It’s a new era for GiantMouse. The company has stepped into the world of camp knives with the new GMF4. The knife is the company’s largest blade ever and comes in multiple finishes.

The star of the show is the blade. The N690 blade is 5.65 inches long, and the overall length is 10.45 inches. The steel has a flat grind and comes in two finishes: a traditional stonewash and a PVD stonewash. The PVD version is married to a Double Black Canvas Micarta handle, and the traditional blade is meted to a Double Red Canvas Micarta handle.

The handle is sturdy. The high flat saber grind is razor sharp, and the jimping helps stabilize it when cutting. There’s been a lot of thought put into the construction of this knife. A prime example of that is the lanyard hole.

Designed for outdoorsmen and campers, the lanyard hole is placed on the front of the knife so if a branch sneaks in there and pulls at the knife, it will be pulled forward and out of your hand rather than potentially snapping back and slicing you open.

No stone has been left unturned with this knife, and it will serve any and all campers well for a very long time.

MSRP: $245

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