The 2021 Overall Knife of the Year® is the Fox Saturn. The 40th BLADE Show took place June 4-6, 2021, at the Cobb Galleria in Atlanta, Georgia. The event is the largest knife show on Earth, with attendees and exhibitors from around the world.

This prestige is what makes the awards at BLADE Show so vital to the knife industry. Below are the factory and custom award winners.

2021 BLADE Show Knife-Of-The-Year® Award Winners

Representatives from BLADE (www.blademag.com) distributed BLADE Magazine Knife of the Year® awards in 11 categories, plus awards for individuals’ career achievements. All entrants in the Knife of the Year® competition were evaluated by a super panel of undisclosed judges on a number of factors, including utility, design, creativity, materials, aesthetics, feel and other traits.

Overall Knife of the Year®: Fox Knives Saturn
Imported Knife Of The Year®: Fox Knives Saturn

American-Made Knife Of The Year®: Case Marilla

Most Innovative American Design: V Nives Metal-Tech

Most Innovative Imported Design: Maserin D-Dut

Best Buy: WE Knife Civivi Elementum

Collaboration Of The Year: Maserin/Solar

Manufacturing Quality Award: Heretic Knives

Investor/Collector Knife Of The Year®: Pro Tech Malibu Titanium Ultimate Custom

Accessory Of The Year: Ulticlip Ultimate Carry Solutions 

Kitchen Knife Of The Year®: Benchmade Meatcrafter Model 1550-1

Publisher’s Award: J. Bruce Voyles

Industry Achievement Award: Willey Knives

BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall Of Fame Inductees: Jay Hendrickson, and Billy and Beverly Mace Imel

2021 BLADE Show Custom Knife Winners

Hugh Bartrug Best Of Show: Jordan Lamothe

Best Fighter: Josh Fisher

Best Bowie: Steven Rapp

Best Folder: Javier Vogt

Best New Maker: Princeton Wong

Best Collaboration: (No Winner)

Best Art Knife: M. Daletzky

Most Innovative Design: David R. Davis

Best Damascus: Shayne Carter

Best Sword: Alekseyev Ilya

Yvon Vachon Best Miniature: (No Winner)

Best Fixed Blade: Jordan Lamothe

Best Tactical Folder: Brian Brown

Tony Bose Best Slip Joint: Luke Swenson (New Award)

Best Of The Rest: Chuck Gedraitis

Best Utility Hunter: Eric McCright

Best Kitchen Knife: Bill Burke

Best Handle Design: (No Winner)