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Balisong Knives: Top Butterfly Knives That Fly High

Buyer's Guides

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January 3, 2025

Balisong Knives: Top Butterfly Knives That Fly High

Factory balisongs reflect advances in steels, pivot action, designs and more.

The balisong has become a global symbol of precision and cutting-edge design, with Benchmade, Boker Plus, Schrade and Squid Industries among those pushing the boundaries of the knife’s craftsmanship. Incorporating high-quality steel alloys, handle materials and the smoothest in pivot technology have elevated the four companies’ latest balisongs—aka butterfly knives—and those of others as well to new heights of performance and aesthetics.

Boker Plus Papillon

The Papillon’s skeletonized scales combine aesthetics and function and reduce weight.

Inked Tanto Krake Raken Specs
Blade Length: 4.5”
Blade Steel: AEB-L stainless
Blade Grind: Flat
Blade @Thickest: .12”
Blade Finish: DLC (Diamond Like Coating)
Handle Material: Aluminum
Weight: 4.33 ozs.
Closed Length: 5.625”
Country of Origin: USA
MSRP: $295

Pros

Smooth Deployment
Lightweight Handle
Practical Finish

Cons

Potential Cleaning

The Boker Plus Papillon is a contemporary take on the classic balisong, blending traditional design with advanced materials and engineering. The skeletonized stainless steel handles, finished with a bead blast, provide a comfortable and secure grip, even during extended use. The heart of the knife is the blade of D2, a tool steel renowned for exceptional edge retention and durability. The stonewashed finish enhances the blade’s aesthetic appeal and corrosion resistance. The dimpled ricasso, a distinctive feature of the Papillon, adds to its tactical look and feel.

The ball-bearing mechanism ensures smooth and effortless blade deployment, a hallmark of high-quality balisongs. Overall construction is robust, designed to withstand the rigors of everyday carry and occasional tactical use. In short, the Papillon balances portability and functionality.

Schrade Alkemyst

The Alkemyst features an innovative spring-loaded latch on the bite handle, providing a user-friendly experience.

Alkemyst Specs
Blade Length: 4.5”
Blade Material: D2 tool steel
Blade Grind: Flat
Blade @Thickest: .12”
Blade Finish: Bead blast
Handle Material: Stainless steel
Weight: 4.1 ozs.
Closed Length: 5.25”
Country of Origin: USA
MSRP: $164.99

Pros

Good Action
Durable Finish
Lightweight

Cons

Small(ish)

Striking a balance of size and cutting power, the Schrade Alkemyst is a high-performance butterfly knife designed for beginners and experienced flippers. The sleek milled stainless handles reduce weight without sacrificing strength, making the knife easier to handle during extended use. The precision-engineered ball-bearing pivot system allows for smooth, effortless blade deployment. At the same time, the innovative spring-loaded latch on the bite handle provides a user-friendly experience. The Alkemyst is lightweight and portable, featuring a bead-blast finish for added corrosion resistance.

Squid Industries Inked Tanto Krake Raken

Inked Tanto Krake Raken Specs
Blade Length: 4.5”
Blade Steel: AEB-L stainless
Blade Grind: Flat
Blade @Thickest: .12”
Blade Finish: DLC (Diamond Like Coating)
Handle Material: Aluminum
Weight: 4.33 ozs.
Closed Length: 5.625”
Country of Origin: USA
MSRP: $295

Pros

Enhanced Grip
Excellent Blade
Good Flipper

Cons

Cutting Performance

The Squid Industries Inked Tanto Krake Raken is an exceptional blend of exact engineering and aesthetic craftsmanship. Upgraded for enhanced performance, it features deeper milling on the handles and substantial gimping for a superior grip. The handles are lightweight, channel-constructed 7075 aluminum, ensuring resilience and comfort. The highly anticipated Inked-DLC-coated tanto blade, crafted from AEB-L stainless steel, offers outstanding cutting performance, while the redesigned bushing/washer system reduces blade play for ultra-smooth flipping action. The knife is perfectly balanced for flipping and cutting tasks, making it a must-have for enthusiasts seeking reliability and style.

Benchmade 99 Necron

You can fine-tune the Necron’s balance and speed with adjustable tungsten weights and extendable handles.

99 Necron Specs
Blade Length: 4.59”
Blade Steel: CPM S30V stainless
Rockwell hardness: 58-60 HRC
Blade Grind: Flat
Blade @Thickest: .124”
Blade Finish: Satin
Handle Material: G-10
Weight: 4.21 ozs.
Closed length: 5.08”
Country of Origin: USA
MSRP: $500

Pros

Customizable
Latchless Handle
Good Looking

Cons

Expensive

The Benchmade 99 Necron is a high-performance butterfly knife designed for expert flippers and enthusiasts alike. The knife pays homage to Benchmade’s roots with the company’s classic trademark “Bali-Song” logo and adds modern features for enhanced performance.

The Necron has latchless G-10 handles and a scimitar-shaped blade, available in two customizable variants. You can fine-tune the knife’s balance and speed with adjustable tungsten weights and extendable handles. The knife boasts either jade or ruby red handles. The safe handle bears a hollow diamond texture, providing a tactile indication for users to avoid accidental blade contact. The Necron has a nylon sheath for secure storage.

Balisong Cuting Tests

In terms of blade patterns, the Krake Raken (left) with its tanto and Necron (right) with the scimitar contrast with the more traditional modified drop and harpoon patterns of the Alkemyst and Papillon, respectively.

I put the balisongs through the cutting board gauntlet that I use with most utility blades. Leather, wire, cardboard, heavy-duty tow strapping, paracord, nylon webbing and light-gauge tin were on the menu. However, it all started with plastic foam packaging peanuts.

Balisongs are used for all sorts of tasks, but with more flare. I started on the foam peanuts and moved on to various fibrous materials. The delicate peanuts told the tale of the tape. While all the blades completed the task, the Necron was on top from the start.

Each bali cut through the materials with a few setbacks. The tin showed a clear winner as the Krake Raken’s penetration scored on a colossal level, though the Alkemyst did very well due to its swedge and thinner stock.

Cardboard was tricky. The Alkemyst never made it through the box cardboard or paper towel roll. The Necron and Papillon sliced quickly, while the Raken was somewhere in between. The trend continued with the tow strapping and nylon webbing.

It was undeniable: the Necron, Papillon, Raken and Alkemyst sliced best, in that order.

Balisong Flipping Tests

The pivot systems of the four test balis are designed for a seamless combination of strength and fluidity.

Flipping each review bali had me picking a new favorite each time I switched them out, so don’t expect me to choose a favorite. I admit I was rusty as I hadn’t practiced in a while, but it was still fun.

I liked the weight and the way the Papillon flipped from the get-go. The latch helped with peace of mind in transport, as did the nylon carrying case. The skeletonized handle felt secure, made for a positive grip, and helped me confidently stop the action. It was smooth, solid and sharp as heck.

The Schrade Alkemyst was the smallest and lightest of the test flippers. It felt a tad slower due to the weight and handle length. Nonetheless, getting used to what you have is key. The spring-loaded latch on the bite handle is designed for convenience, ensuring a distraction-free flipping experience. The ball-bearing pivot system promoted smooth, effortless blade deployment.

A latch can add weight and create an imbalance in a bali, affecting handling during flips and tricks. In comparison, a latchless design offers enhanced balance and symmetry. The Squid Industries Inked Tanto Krake Raken and Benchmade 99 Necron are two examples of the latter.

It takes a while to manipulate the Inked Tanto Krake Raken as smoothly as possible, but it’s worth the time. I had to get used to not having a latch, as all my balis from the Philippines had them. However, I could tell the difference. Try it out for yourself.

After several years without offering a balisong, the 99 Necron is Benchmade’s first in nearly four years. I had to get accustomed to the feel, which is probably best. The action was smooth despite the lack of bushings—washers only for this one.

Ultimately, use what you like. Most balisong enthusiasts will weigh flipping over cutting. Try as many balis as possible to arrive at your favorite.

Best Seax Knives [Tested]

Dexter Ewing

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December 31, 2024

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Cut like a Viking with some top factory interpretations of an ancient design.

When knife fans think Vikings and Viking blades, the seax is at or near the top of the list. The seax (pronounced sax) blade shape originated in northern Europe from late Roman to early medieval times and was used widely by the Germanic tribes.

Seax means knife or cutting tool, both of which aptly describe the useful blade shape that is equally at home as a tool or a weapon. Typical uses include but are not limited to food preparation, general cutting, carving and more. Medieval warriors entered battle carrying swords, axes and the seax as a back-up. It was a very well-rounded knife design that played a prominent role in daily life.

Typical seax construction included forged carbon steel blades paired with wood, bone or antler handles. The handle often was adorned with decorative carvings or inlays. In size, the knife ranged from small utility models to swords and everything in between. It also was a symbol of status and identity. Today the seax comes in a wide range of materials, sizes, price ranges and more.

TOPS Knives Storm Vector

Storm Vector Specs
Overall Length: 18.25″
Blade Length: 12.63″
Blade Thickness: .250″
Blade Steel: 1095 RC 56-58
Blade Finish: Sniper Gray
Handle Material: Black Canvas Micarta w/ Blue G10 Liner
Weight: 24oz
Sheath: Black Kydex
MSRP: $360

Pros

Durable Carbon Steel Blade
Effective Chopper
High-Quality Sheath

Cons

Heavy Weight
Blade Coating Wear

A leading example is the TOPS Knives Storm Vector. Featuring a 12.6-inch blade of 1095 carbon steel and an 18.25-inch overall length, the Storm Vector is the largest seax of the test bunch. It’s an intriguing twist of seax meets machete that results in an interesting cutting tool. Done right, 1095 can hold an edge quite well but is also very easy to sharpen in the field, a major selling point. A Sniper Gray coating protects the blade from stains and corrosion and provides a subdued, tactical look.

The ergonomic handle is black Micarta®. Blue liners give a subtle pop of color to an otherwise dark knife. The handle’s curve, prominent finger grooves and expanded butt all help to make the knife feel as if it were molded to your hand. The Micarta corners are rounded for more comfort.

Make no mistake, this isn’t a lightweight. The blade is a quarter inch at the thickest and the knife tips the scales at a healthy 24 ounces. The side-break Kydex sheath has a button snap/strap closure to secure the knife, and a neat dangler belt loop allows the sheath to swing freely and not bind up on vegetation. Overall sheath quality: excellent.

Designed by TOPS Knives headman Leo Espinoza—inset holding one at BLADE Show West—the Storm Vector handles baton work like, well, a Viking. (image of Espinoza by BLADE® staff)

The Storm Vector especially excels at chopping. It has the weight to support it, as well as superior handle ergonomics. My hand felt very secure throughout testing; never did I feel as if I were losing control of the knife. TOPS has superb handle ergonomics on many of its larger fixed blades. Rounded, contoured Micarta edges make the handle comfortable to hold, even for extended periods.

TOPS excels at making superb outdoor knives and the Storm Vector is testament to this. It offers excellent fit and finish. If you want a heavy-duty chopper you can throw around and not have to worry about durability, the Storm Vector is it.

CAS Iberia Legacy Arms Witham Seax

Legacy Arms Witham Seax Specs
Overall Length: 17.25″
Blade Length: 12″
Blade Thickness: 0.217″
Blade Steel: 5160
Blade Finish: Satin
Handle Material: Leather-wrapped wood
Weight: 14.4oz
Sheath: Leather
MSRP: $170

Pros

Authentic Historical Design
Comfortable Handle
Good Blade Steel

Cons

Light Blade

Based on a 10th-century seax design and at 17.25 inches overall, the Legacy Arms Witham Seax from CAS Iberia is pretty impressive size wise. The 12-inch blade offers plenty of edged real estate paired with a simple handle sporting minimal adornment.

The 5160 carbon steel blade is flat ground with a convex edge for razor sharpness. A forward guard at the tang is inlaid with what appears to be copper diamond shapes. The motif carries over to the steel buttcap, which boasts the same adornment. The brushed finish of the guard and buttcap complements the blade’s satin finish, rounding out the knife’s overall appearance nicely.

The wood handle is wrapped with leather for a luxurious vibe. It definitely is comfortable to hold. The double-stitched leather sheath is dyed a light brown and features two horizontal carry belt loops. The sheath is pretty basic but is all that’s needed to protect the blade.

The Witham’s double-stitched leather sheath is dyed a light brown and features two horizontal carry belt loops.

The Witham Seax is very well made. The quality of finishing is superb and the cutting edge was reasonably sharp out of the box, though I was able to improve it using a coarse-grit diamond sharpening rod. The 5160 sharpens quickly and easily. The fit of both the guard and buttcap to the tang is excellent.

This is a slender, agile knife. It feels great. It is a bit blade heavy but not so much that it can be employed as a dedicated chopper. While it handles chopping well, I would opt for a design that is more blade heavy and also a more ergonomic handle. That being said, the Witham Seax shines as a general cutting tool. The blade has great bite and the 5160 responds well to steeling or stropping, something you can do easily in the field to prolong a sharp edge. The inlaid edges of the guard are a nice visual touch as well. This is as much a collector piece as it is a user.

Condor Tool & Knife Norse Dragon Seax

Decorative laser etching adorns both sides of the handle of the Condor Norse Dragon Seax, with the same motif carried onto both sides of the classy, well-made leather sheath.

Norse Dragon Seax Specs
Overall Length: 11.7″
Blade Length: 7.03″
Blade Thickness: .12″
Blade Steel: 1095 High Carbon Steel
Blade Finish: Natural
Handle Material: Burnt American Hickory
Weight: 6.24oz
Sheath: Handcrafted Welted Leather
MSRP: $101

Pros

Unique Blade Design
Attractive Aesthetics
Good Blade Steel

Cons

Slim Handle

The Condor Tool & Knife Norse Dragon Seax features a broken back seax blade design with an angled tip reminiscent of today’s reverse tanto pattern. The 7-inch blade is 1095 and features a two-tone finish—the bevels are satin finished and the flats sport the natural darkened finish a blade exhibits emerging from heat treatment.

The simple handle design is durable hickory with a single brass spacer where the handle meets the tang, accenting the handsome overall look. Decorative laser etching adorns both sides of the handle, with the same motif carried onto both sides of the classy, well-made leather sheath. At 11.7 inches overall, the Condor entry can tackle a wide variety of chores both indoor and out.

The Norse Dragon Seax does well on a variety of media thanks to its Scandi-like grind and easy-to-sharpen 1095 carbon steel.

The Norse Dragon Seax has great blade geometry, enabling it to sail through various materials with ease. The edge out of the box wasn’t quite keen enough but I was able to fine tune it with my arsenal of sharpening equipment very quickly. Once I got the edge to my liking, the Norse Dragon tackled cutting chores with aplomb. The hickory handle is comfortable, though possibly could be a bit thicker to make it easier to grip for folks with larger hands.

This knife is not a chopper. It lacks the mass and blade length as well as handle ergonomics for the activity. However, for a tool that slices and dices, this is it. As long as you limit it to cutting only, you should have no issues. In fact, it is a highly capable cutter that would find a good home in any fixed blade fan’s collection.

Emerson Knives Seax

Thanks to a conventional double “V” grind, whittling is no problem with the Emerson Seax Fixed Blade. The Wave design at the end of the ramp helps identify the knife as an Emerson.

Seax Specs
Overall Length: 9″
Blade Length: 3.9″
Blade Thickness: .125″
Blade Steel: 154 CM
Blade Finish: Stonewashed
Handle Material: Black G-10 epoxy/glass laminate
Weight: 5oz
Sheath: Kydex
MSRP: $279

Pros

Exceptional Handle Ergonomics
Durable Blade Steel
Versatile Blade Design

Cons

Short Blade Length

Emerson Knives, Inc., has folding and fixed-blade versions of the seax, the latter which is the entry for this review. It is more toward the tactical side, as most of Emerson’s knife line is. Ten inches overall, it sports the company’s superb signature grip ergonomics.

The handle curves encourage firm, non-slip purchase and the chamfer of the G-10 scales checks the comfort box. The handle surface is textured and sports a series of well-placed golf-ball-like dimples that further enhance purchase.

The spine thumb ramp terminates in another Emerson signature design, the Wave. Normally used on the company’s folders to assist in opening the blade, the thumb ramp/Wave allows you not only to lock in your grip but also to exert downward pressure to make cuts. One look and it’s an Emerson design for sure, so the thumb ramp/Wave serves as a visual identifier as well.

The 4.8-inch blade boasts a conventional double “V” grind, though the chisel cutting edge bevel is single sided only. The 154CM stainless steel holds an edge very well and is fairly easy to sharpen. The fold-over, taco-style Kydex sheath is drilled to accept a Blade-Tech Tek-Lok or similar belt attachment. The sheath is basic but a quality make and functions well.

To help enhance purchase, the handle surface of the Emerson Seax Fixed Blade is textured with well-placed golf-ball-like dimples. The fold-over, taco-style Kydex sheath is drilled to accept a Blade-Tech Tek-Lok or similar belt attachment.

Though the knife has a tactical design and feel, don’t let that discourage you from using it in outdoor or general settings. First and foremost, it is a great all-around cutting tool. The straight edge easily cuts cardboard, hose, plastic sheeting and foam, and more. It also handles whittling well, with the chisel-ground edge biting into wood aggressively and deeply.

One of the things I have always loved about Emerson knives is the company’s expert application of handle ergonomics. I’ve yet to use an Emerson handle I don’t like. In addition to enhancing purchase, the handle dimples help displace moisture, providing an excellent grip even with wet hands. Emerson builds knives meant for hard use, so don’t fear putting the knife through its paces. It is built for the long haul and won’t let you down.

More Buyer’s Guides:

Best Daggers: Top Options That Get To The Point [Tested]

Pat Covert

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December 30, 2024

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Best Daggers: Top Options That Get To The Point [Tested]

Modern takes on a Stone Age standard come in a spectrum of styles.

Daggers have been a favorite go-to blade of humans for many millennia. Before the advent of metals, symmetrical blade styles such as daggers and spear points, as well as projectile points, were the earliest formal cutting edges of Stone Age peoples. It was only natural these forms carried over into the Bronze Age and, indeed, through to today.

The knife with the decidedly pointed tip and double edge* played a prominent role in both World Wars and continues to be a prime choice of many operatives. Some prefer one for self-protection in the home or as an EDC, and many cutlery enthusiasts collect them for sheer sentimental value. As an everyday working knife there are better-focused blade options, but in a pinch the dagger can perform basic functions. Where it shines, however, is when used for stabbing and slicing. Let’s look at several factory options and put them through their paces.

KA-BAR Ek Commando Presentation Knife

The Ek performed equally well in quick pull-throughs on the pork tenderloin and in piercing/splitting the apple.

KA-BAR Ek Commando Presentation Knife Specs
Blade length: 6.625”
Blade steel: 440C stainless
Handle material: Walnut
Weight: 8.8 ozs.
Overall length: 12.625”
Sheath: Brown leather belt model
Country of origin: USA
MSRP: $351.64

Pros

Historic Design
High-Quality Materials
Secure Grip

Cons

Weight Toward Tip
Expensive

The Ek Commando Presentation Knife is a high-grade commemorative in KA-BAR’s historic John Ek Knife Co. series. It features a double-ground, slightly waisted spear point blade in a mirror finish. The blade has a long, flat ricasso etched with the Ek Commando Knife Co. shield logo plus KA-BAR Olean, NY above the guard. The handle is lacquered walnut and the guard and lugs are brass with copper-washed accents.

Fox Knives Tactical Elementum Dagger

The Fox Tactical Elementum Dagger’s serrations provide an added level of utility. The knife dispatched 2-inch-wide seatbelt webbing with gusto. The dagger blade may not be as effective as other, more utilitarian styles but it can still cut well when needed.

Elementum Dagger Specs
Blade length: 3.94”
Blade steel: Bohler N690 stainless
Handle material: Black polypropylene and Thermorubber (PP and TPE)
Weight: 3.53 ozs.
Overall length: 8.11”
Special feature: One side plain, one side serrated
Sheath: Kydex w/dual MOLLE mounts
Country of origin: Italy
MSRP: $123.40 at press-time exchange rate

Pros

Durable Finish
Ergonomic Handle
Compact

Cons

Niche Utility

Italian knife manufacturer Fox Knives originally designed the Tactical Elementum Dagger for flight crews of French combat helicopters. The knife boasts hidden-tang construction and a short blade in a matte black Idroglider finish. The two blade grinds meet in the middle at a small ricasso marked with the Fox logo, company location and blade steel. The handle has a ribbed double-guard at the top and six beefy diagonal ribs on the lower half terminating with a lanyard hole in the base.

Spartan-George Raider

The author tested the Spartan-George’s slim, trim blade for slice ability on pork tenderloin. Using quick, single pull-through strokes he cut off medallions of the tenderloin with ease.

Spartan-George Raider Specs
Designer: Les George
Blade length: 7”
Blade material: SK5 carbon steel
Handle material: Black thermoplastic
Weight: 7.1 ozs.
Overall length: 12”
Knife to know: Tribute to U.S. Marine Corps Raider stiletto of World War II
Sheath: Black injection molded
Country of origin: Taiwan
MSRP: $150

Pros

Great Edge
Comfortable Handle
Durable Finish

Cons

Narrow Blade

Knifemaker/United States Marine Corps veteran Les George designed the Spartan-George Raider as a tribute to the U.S. Marine Corps Raider stiletto of World War II. The sleek dagger sports a double-ground, black-powder-coated blade. The opposing blade grinds meet in the middle, leaving a small ricasso at the base upon which a small Spartan and George logo are tastefully imprinted. The handle incorporates a double guard and a large ovate checkered section on each side of the grip for enhanced purchase. The sheath includes a 1.5-inch-wide black nylon hanger.

Spartan Blades George Raider Dagger

$150.00 $111.99

Optics Planet $111.99

Prices accurate at time of publishing. Affiliate disclosure.

SOG Pentagon FX Covert

The SOG nailed one of the functions daggers do best—stabbing.

Pentagon FX Covert Specs
Blade length: 3.41”
Blade steel: Crucible Cryo S35VN stainless
Handle material: G-10, flat dark earth
Weight: 3.9 ozs.
Overall length: 7.52”
Special feature: Customizable grip
Sheath: GRN (Glass Reinforced Nylon) thermoplastic, SOG Universal Mount
Country of origin: Taiwan
MSRP: $189.95

Pros

Removable Scales
Full-Tang Construction
Enhanced Grip

Cons

Specialized Design

The FX makeover of the SOG Pentagon is both innovative in its cosmetics and versatility. The blade is black titanium nitride coated. The grinds meet in the middle and there is a section above the short ricasso grooved two-thirds of the way up. The name of the knife is finely imprinted on the top front grind and the steel type and country of origin on the back. The blade and full-tang handle are fully exposed around the perimeter of the scales with gimping below the guard and on the base. The scales can be removed by a single lug on the base, allowing them to be swapped out, or the skeletonized steel frame can be used without them.

Sog Pentagon FX Covert Fixed Blade Knife

$189.95

MidwayUSA $189.95 Blade HQ $189.95

Prices accurate at time of publishing. Affiliate disclosure.

Testing The Daggers

I tested the Ek and Spartan-George Raider for stabbing prowess by plunging them down through the core of fresh apples. The Ek took no prisoners, not only piercing through top to bottom but laying the fruit out in two neatly cleaved halves. The Spartan-George provided similar results, penetrating the apple but not quite splitting it in half due to the narrower blade width and thinner blade steel—though wicked nonetheless.

Pork tenderloin was the slicing medium. Using rapid, single strokes, I took the Spartan-George to task. The dagger is extremely sharp on both edges, so I took turns on each side of the blade doing pull-throughs on the hapless tenderloin. The knife sliced off perfect pork medallions at will, passing the slice test with flying colors.

The SOG Pentagon FX Covert (bottom) and Fox Tactical Elementum (top) proved useful when cutting paracord and rappelling rope. The shorter blades are very much in the scale to what many knife users are accustomed. The author indicated the test group’s two smaller daggers are easier to use than the larger ones “when getting down to the nitty gritty” is required.

After cooking the tenderloin, I tested the Ek in similar fashion and got similar results. The waisted blade profile shifts with more weight toward the tip and gives it excellent grab similar to a recurve. Like the Raider, the Ek performed quick pull-throughs with ease.

What the two smaller test knives, the Fox and the SOG, lack in size they make up for in ease of concealment. Both have EDC potential for a high degree of self-protection with a modicum of utility.

I tested the Fox’s serrated edge slicing standard 2-inch nylon seatbelt webbing and achieved excellent results. Likewise, the plain edges on both knives handled paracord in one pull stroke, and 3/8-inch rappelling rope laid flat on a wood surface in two strokes. Both daggers passed the pork tenderloin stab test with aplomb. Because they’re smaller, it’s easier to do detail and utility work with blades in their size range than with blades twice their length.

Dagger Sheaths

The Spartan-George Raider sheath (top) is more durable and versatile, while the Ek Commando’s commemorative leather sheath captures the period as it was intended.

The Fox has a MOLLE-compatible sheath with two simple DOTS gates that can be modified with a myriad of readily available aftermarket attachments. The SOG uses a proprietary setup—the SOG Universal Mounting System—developed for a group of the company’s fixed blades. Both of the smaller daggers can double as boot knives as well.

The sheaths of the Fox (left) and SOG (right) are radically different. The Fox has a simple MOLLE sheath with two simple DOTS gates, enabling you to modify it with a variety of attachments. The SOG uses a proprietary setup—the SOG Universal Mounting System.

The Raider’s black injection-molded unit is durable and versatile, while the Ek captures the period as it was intended. The Raider sheath lends itself to converting to a concealed inside-the-jacket shoulder rig as well.

Going Large Or Small

Daggers come in many shapes and sizes but all are primarily geared for self-defense, with any utility abilities a bonus. The first question you need to answer is whether a large or small dagger suits you best. Large daggers like the Ek and Spartan-George excel at sheer combat because they reach out and touch someone, aka an assailant, more easily. If ease of carry, especially concealed, is a top priority, both the SOG and Fox will serve you well. Choices abound in the world of the dagger.

*Despite recent advances in pro-knife legislation, check your local and state ordinances for laws concerning knives with double-edged blades. The same goes for concealed-carry knives.

Relentless Knives Curved Fillet Knife Review [Tested]

Msg Kim Breed (ret.)

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December 23, 2024

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Relentless Knives Curved Fillet Knife Review [Tested]

A fillet knife that sharpens while you cut? That’s the bold promise Relentless Knives make with its Curved Fillet Knife.

In its pursuit of the elusive long-lasting edge, Relentless Knives called on titanium, carbide, crushed diamonds and nature. Using beaver teeth as a model, the company promotes blades that “sharpen as they cut.”

A “Power Strip” consisting of ultra-hard carbide and crushed diamonds is permanently bonded to one side of the titanium edge. The basic concept is that as you use the knife, the softer back side of the blade wears away, exposing more of the hard edge. The need for constant resharpening is eliminated, ergo Perpetual Edge Technology.

According to Relentless, you need not worry about your blade rusting or discoloring, even in saltwater, a dream for commercial operations or the fisherman who forgets to wipe his knife off after use. The base line is that the knife—in this case the Relentless 6-inch Fillet Fixed Blade—must cut. Let’s see if it does.

Relentless Knives Curved Fillet Knife Specs

A “Power Strip” consisting of ultra-hard carbide and crushed diamonds is permanently bonded to one side of the titanium edge. The basic concept is that as you use the knife, the softer back side of the blade wears away, exposing more of the hard edge.

Company: Relentless Knives
Blade length: 6”
Blade material: Grade 5 titanium
Power Strip: Carbide/crushed diamond
Blade grind: Flat
Blade flex: Medium to stiff
Handle material: True Grit glass-reinforced ABS
Weight: 6 ozs.
Overall length: 12”
Sheath: Leather w/snap strap
Country of origin: USA
MSRP: $150

Pros

Innovative Perpetual Edge Technology
Rust and Corrosion Resistance
Exceptional Cutting Performance

Cons

Initial Roughness
Expensive

Curved Fillet Knife Cutting Tests

The paper slice is a quick way to check any edge. The fillet knife sliced strips of 20-pound copy paper without pressure, and I could feel the Power Strip grab the paper. Sharp, coarse cuts, the slices were not difficult to control and the handle felt comfortable.

The fillet knife crunched forcefully to 200 cuts very quickly. The author stated it cut great but it was weird feeling the flex. It seemed to slice smoother toward the last 50 cuts.

Single-walled cardboard was next. The first couple of slices were rough cuts, then it seemed to smooth out a bit making for faster slicing. The True Grit handle material really keeps the knife locked in your grip.

I started cutting scrap 8-ounce leather. At first the edge was still grippy while slicing, then seemed to find its groove and got smoother. The cutting action was very aggressive—I could hear every cut. Using the other end of the leather strip, I did some skiving. The slices were thin and I still heard every cut. Using a choke-up grip, control was very easy.

The knife produced nice curlicues. Note: use the edge close to the guard for stability. The Power Strip wanted to dig deeper into the scrap pine, so the author had to control cutting depth.

It was scrap-pine whittling time. The knife produced some nice curlicues. Note: use the edge close to the guard for stability. The Power Strip wanted to dig deeper into the wood, so I had to control cutting depth. It’s fun to try but watch out for your fingers!

It was on to half-inch sisal rope. The fillet knife crunched aggressively to 200 cuts very quickly. The challenge on my part was to watch for the blade flexing. It cut great but it was weird feeling the flex. It seemed to slice smoother toward the last 50 cuts. I was probably knocking the newness off the Power Strip.

Curved Fillet Knife Processing Game

Hunting season was in full swing where I live at press time, and I like cooking fresh venison backstrap. The fillet knife zipped through the meat quite smoothly and cleanly. With the temperature at 22°F, the handle stayed tight in my cold hand.

The knife zipped through the venison quite smoothly and cleanly. With the temperature at 22°F, the handle stayed tight in the author’s cold hand.

I found some whole tilapia to fillet. After thawing, it was ready for action. The knife excelled at preparing the fish. It glided along the bones in short order. Dang, I needed this blade when I was younger working for a commercial fish house in Wisconsin! I went back in to thaw out my fingers and fry some fish.

The final test was back to slicing the copy paper. What a difference from the first test. The edge was smooth slicing and a lot cleaner in the cuts. The more you use the knife the better it gets. Perpetual Edge all the way!

Final Cut

I’m impressed with the Relentless blade’s ability to stay sharp by itself. It’s very well suited for saltwater and freshwater use. Hats off to the Relentless crew. I would have to do a lot more testing to come up with any changes. I’m waiting for a Relentless hunting-style knife to come out soon. Stay tuned to the Relentless website (see below) for more details.

More Outdoors Knife Reviews:

Best Minimalist Pocket Knives: Small, But Mighty EDC

Abe Elias

-

November 27, 2024

0

Best Minimalist Pocket Knives: Small, But Mighty EDC

There’s no knife job too small for a compact cutter.

Folders come in all sizes and shapes.

Over the years, I have carried every size from compact and handy to needing to visit my chiropractor at the end of the day. I carry a Spyderco Para Military most often and other times I carry a Benchmade Griptilian. I can tell you that when I take out the Spyderco I get more comments on the size of the knife than the Griptilian.

I used to be a compact knife carrier and one of my favorites was the SOG Twitch II. I also favored two Kershaw Chives. To be fair, outside of some exceptions a compact carry did pretty much the majority of work I needed in an average day. I moved to the Spyderco only for the unexpected chores.

This time the focus is on smaller carries, the kind of carry a person in my age range would choose because his work is selling life insurance and he doesn’t need a blade that opens a person’s eyes as wide as a harvest moon. I put aside my regular carries for a number of weeks and downsized to bring you my thoughts on four factory compact carries.

CRKT MinimalX

CRKT minimalist pocketknife fuller — The fuller on the CRKT blade gives your index finger a nice purchase point for a controlled push cut while using a pinch grip.

CRKT MinimalX Frame Lock
Overall length: 5.3″
Blade length: 2.19″
Closed length: 3.2″
Stainless blade steel: 12C27
Scale material: Stainless steel
Locking system: Framelock
Pocket clip: Right side, low profile
Opening system: Flipper
Country of origin: China
MSRP: $60

Pros

Compact
Blade Utility
Aesthetic and Functional Features

Cons

Slick Handle Finish
Flipper Design Challenges

The first thing that strikes you about the CRKT MinimalX is how streamlined and compact it is. As probably will be the case with all four test knives, people with big hands might find them a bit difficult to use, a price you pay for the knives being compact and lighter.

To start, I have an issue with the handle finish. The stainless steel scales are a bit too slick. I find my thumb lacks purchase while opening the blade. To deploy the blade you use a flipper that sits even with the spine of the scales. CRKT provides a trim pocket clip mounted on a standoff platform. When closed, the knife is about the size of a pack of chewing gum.

Minimalist folded — The CRKT’s flipper is not proud of the back of the scales. According to the author, the tumble finish is a bit slick, though the finish color and smoothness accent the knife’s trim, compact proportions.

CRKT uses a pseudo chisel shape for the blade profile. It has a straight primary edge with a rounded chisel style tip. The blade works great for an urban EDC. As a handyman I used it several weeks for some fine trimming on door lock cuts in door frames, along with using it to scrape. Having a fuller on such a small blade adds character. It also provides a purchase point for a pinch hold.

The Darriel Caston design was hair popping sharp right out of the box. Lock up is solid as a vault. For a small carry, this is a well-built and excellent compact design. A knife like this could serve someone the better part of a lifetime.

CRKT MinimalX Gray Folding Knife

$86.99

Palmetto State Armory $86.99

Prices accurate at time of publishing. Affiliate disclosure.

Boker Plus DW-1

Boker minimalist pocket knife — Boker provides a great little storage case with the DW-1. “Good EDC cases are hard to find, and expensive,” the author wrote. “I was excited about the case as much as the knife.”

Boker Plus DW-1 Specs
Overall length: 2.8″
Blade length: 1.06″
Closed length: 1.6″
Stainless blade steel: AUS-8
Scale material: Zytel/stainless steel
Locking system: Framelock
Pocket clip: Right hand, tip up
Opening system: Thumb stud
Country of origin: China
MSRP: $39.99

Pros

Ultra-Compact
Specialized Utility
Durable Construction

Cons

Awkward Ergonomics
Limited Functionality

I would have to drop the term compact and switch it to micro for the Boker Plus DW-1. Designed by Chad Los Banos, the smallest of the review knives comes with a solid pocket clip and framelock. One scale is stainless steel and the other is Zytel. The knife has Chad’s trademark design written all over it.

This is a minimalist carry. It is a great little blade for opening Amazon packages, cutting loose threads and string—basically all the little chores. Bigger jobs are not in the DW-1 domain. If you tried spreading peanut butter with it to make a sandwich for lunch, you would not be able to eat the same day.

DW-1 cutting zip tie — The DW-1 is great for those small jobs that you don’t want to risk a visit to the dentist on. Face it, everyday life doesn’t normally have you felling a mighty oak with your pocketknife.

Don’t get me wrong, the knife is made well and would be great for someone who worked retail stocking shelves and the like. As for fighting off a zombie horde, you could sharpen a small stick with it.

It would fit someone who needs an available edge but wants a subtle carry. If I worked retail, I would use it as a companion edge to my full-size model so I would not accidently shred the contents of the box—not that I ever did (hint, hint).

Boker Plus DW-1 Lock Money Clip Knife Zytel 01BO573

$35.66

Blade HQ $35.66

Prices accurate at time of publishing. Affiliate disclosure.

GiantMouse Ace Riv LL

GiantMouse compact edc knife — The GiantMouse just barely falls into a compact size for the author. It offers two opening options: blade hole and flipper.

GiantMouse Ace Riv LL Specs
Overall length: 5.75″
Blade length: 2.44″
Closed length: 3.375″
Stainless blade steel: CPM MagnaCut
Scale material: Double black canvas Micarta®
Locking system: Linerlock
Pocket clip: Ambidextrous, tip up
Opening system: Thumb hole
Country of origin: Italy
MSRP: $276

Pros

Smooth Deployment
Stylish
Reversible Pocket Clip

Cons

Premium Pricing

There is nary a hot spot on the Ace Riv LL from GiantMouse. The bearings make the blade simply pop open via a flipper or thumb hole. Housing a linerlock, the textured Micarta® handle provides a good surface for a secure grip. The blade has a tip down profile, making it good for utility cuts.

“I like Spyderco’s Compression lock,” the author noted. “The system certainly screams innovation. However, it is not as agile operating one handed as other systems.”

GiantMouse provides a wire-style reversible pocket clip. I dislike wire pocket clips. Over the years, I have found them to be the least sturdy and they often get bent. The knife is a great compact carry with some style and not so small as to be heavily limited.

Spyderco MicroJimbo

The MicroJimbo blade has a very aggressive yet highly controllable tip. Only the slightest bit of pressure can puncture several materials.

Spyderco MicroJimbo Specs
Overall length: 6.22″
Blade length: 2.45″
Closed length: 3.8″
Stainless blade steel: CPM S30V
Scale material: G-10
Locking system: Compression Lock
Pocket clip: Ambidextrous, tip up
Opening system: Thumb hole
Country of origin: United States
MSRP: $245

Pros

Ergonomic Handle
Utility Blade Design
Compression Lock System

Cons

Borderline Midsize
Expensive

The Spyd e rco MicroJimbo is based on the original Yojimbo design named after a Japanese Samurai movie character. First off, the MicroJimbo borders on midsize. The handle size has always been a bit larger in proportion on the Spyderco Yojimbo line. Even on a compact carry, I favor having a handle that fits my hand. Control is key to enjoying any knife.

The MicroJimbo uses a utility style blade with a straight edge and aggressive tip. A stylized spine profile really sets the blade off. Spyderco uses the Compression blade-lock system. The textured scales are black G-10 with a wire pocket clip.

Minimalist pocket knife clip — Consider two different styles of wire pocket clips. The lip on the clip of the GiantMouse (left) is tighter to the scale, with a slight lift. The Spyderco (right) lifts the lip a bit to aid in trapping the pocket rim.

The shapes of Spyderco’s clips are more effective for attaching to a variety of pocket styles than most, though the fact that it’s in the wire style gives it the same issues as mentioned with the GiantMouse. Due to its distinctive look, the MicroJimbo might not be everyone’s cup of tea. It is a solid carry with an unusual style and loads of function.

Spyderco Microjimbo Sprint Run Pocket Knife 2.45" Wharncliffe CPM S30V Black DLC Blade G-10 Handle Pink

$257.00 $192.75

Optics Planet $192.75

Prices accurate at time of publishing. Affiliate disclosure.

EDC KIT

Compact cutters will do the majority of most common daily knife tasks. Add a little creativity and you can stretch their function sometimes.

My EDC kit consists of my wallet, keys, pen, butane lighter, flashlight, bandana and my knife. That sounds like a lot, and it is. There are times when I add to the kit depending on what I’m doing. No doubt, it obviously increases weight and bulk.

Carrying a large kit means that I buy cargo pants only for daily wear. If there is anything I can do to save space and weight, I start by carry more compact versions of my gear. Obviously, my knife would be a start.

Cold Steel Finn Bear Review: Light, Sharp And Up To Snuff

Buyer's Guides

Msg Kim Breed (ret.)

-

November 26, 2024

0

Cold Steel Finn Bear Review: Light, Sharp And Up To Snuff

A very simple and practical design, Cold Steel’s Laplander-inspired knife cuts through chores.

It’s nice to see a lightweight knife that can fill a multiple range of uses. While attending Norway’s ski school, I was introduced to the Laplander style of knife.

Very light and super sharp, it is used for most every cutting chore. The Cold Steel Finn Bear reminds me of such knives. And don’t let the thin blade fool you, it’s a sturdy cutting instrument.

Cold Steel Finn Bear Specs

Blade length: 4”
Blade steel: 4116 stainless sub-zeroed
Rockwell hardness: 56-57 HRC
Blade grind: Hollow
Blade @thickest: .098”
Handle material: Textured polypropylene modified diamond
Weight: 2.8 ozs.
Overall length: 8.5”
Sheath: Polymer; pouch type w/clip
Country Of Origin: Taiwan
MSRP: $20.99

Pros

Superb Sharpness
Lightweight
Edge Retention
Versatile

Cons

Thin Blade
Handle Shape May Not Suit All Users

Finn Bear Sharpness Test

Finn Bear Cuts Paper — The author checked the new edge for sharpness on the copy paper and the blade sliced quickly and smoothly.

Slicing 20-pound bond paper checked the new edge for sharpness. It sliced quickly and smoothly. I had to move my fingers quickly so I didn’t nick myself. It was a great factory edge to start off with.

Finn Bear Light-Duty Cutting

Double-walled cardboard was next on the docket. Again, the Finn Bear was very smooth in its slices. It worked faster with a push cut rather than a pull cut. The knife made full-blade-length slices. The edge was very aggressive. The tear-drop handle shape designed by Tapio Wirkkala provided great control.

I fetched a piece of scrap 8-ounce leather to slice next. The material offered no resistance to the super-sharp blade. I could hear the edge biting into the leather. It was hard to control the depth of cutting as the blade zipped straight to the bottom of the medium.

Finn Bear Cuts Rope — The Finn Bear quickly made 200 cuts in the half-inch sisal rope and was ready for more.

Using the other side of the leather strip, I did some skiving. The blade was very aggressive and cut as fast as I could move my fingers out of the way. It rendered smooth slices in the animal skin with hardly any pressure. I could hear the leather crunching sound with each pass. The tear-drop handle was very controllable.

Finn Bear Heavy-Duty Cutting

It was time to whittle a firestick from pine/fir wood. The Finn Bear produced the best curlicues I’ve seen in a long time—smooth wood cuts with multiple curls on each whittle. Performance at the task was excellent.

Next up: baton the knife into a 2×3. The thin blade split the wood in no time with no edge damage. Gripping the handle tighter to control the knife made the bottom of the tear drop seem too pointy for the shape of my hand—not uncomfortable, just harder to grip.

Finn Bear Cuts Wood — The Finn Bear produced the best curlicues the author’s seen in a long time—smooth wood cuts with multiple curls on each whittle.

It was on to the half-inch sisal rope. The Finn Bear quickly crunched to 200 cuts and was ready for more. I had to change my grip to more of a sidewinder style. I couldn’t place my thumb on the spine because of the blade’s thinness. No matter how I held the knife, it cut the rope. The knife is very sharp indeed.

Finn Bear Edge Retention Test

For the final test, it was back to the 20-pound bond paper. The Finn Bear sliced the medium just as quickly as the first time. I did have two tears in the paper but that was due to it being soggy. It rained the whole time I was testing.

Final Cut

Finn Bear Sheath — A sturdy integral clip attaches the synthetic pouch sheath to a vest, pack, etc.

I would make the bottom of the handle a tad wider for a better grip. The Finn Bear is a “should have” knife. It’s lightweight and cuts like the wind. It’s perfect for everything from camp chores up to chopping.

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Knife Steel Trends: What To Look Forward To In 2025

Pat Covert

-

November 11, 2024

1

Knife Steel Trends: What To Look Forward To In 2025

Knife industry pros give their takes on what the hot knife steels will be in the year ahead.

Every cutlery buyer faces a dizzying array of steel choices when it comes to buying that next knife, an array that represents the proverbial “double-edged sword.” While it’s nice to have choices, it can also be hard to keep up with so many options. Fortunately, industry professionals are available to help sort out which stainless and carbon varieties are either catching fire or cooling off.

Hot Steels for 2025

CPM Magnacut: Folders and fixed blades
CPM S30V: Hunting knives, tactical folders, custom knives
CPM S35VN: Tactical folders, custom knives, factory outdoor knives
CPM 154: Hunting knives, EDC knives, custom knives
CPM 20CV: EDC knives, custom knives, knives requiring heightened wear and corrosion resistance
CPM S90V: Knives requiring heightened wear and corrosion resistance
CPM Cruwear: Bushcraft knives and tactical fixed blades
CPM 3V: Bushcraft knives, survival knives, hard-use knives, tactical fixed blades
CPM 4V: Competition cutters, hard-use knives
M390: EDC knives, custom knives
1095: Factory outdoor knives

*The steels are listed in no particular order by the knife patterns/types for which they are favored most by users and makers, according to the story’s sources.

MagnaCut Reigns Supreme

Last year when BLADE took the temperature of steel suppliers, the clear-cut champion of blade materials was Crucible Industries’ CPM MagnaCut stainless. The creation of steel guru Larrin Thomas, MagnaCut remains on top and will stay there for the foreseeable future. Bob Shabala, president of Niagara Specialty Metals, praised the high-performance blade material last year and still does today.

CRKT MagnaCut blade knife — CPM MagnaCut stainless ruled among knife steels in 2024 and will continue to hold sway in 2025. A representative example is the new CRKT Q, a folder in titanium and carbon fiber designed by Richard Rogers. Country of origin: Italy. MSRP: $225.

“We have sold about 320 tons of CPM MagnaCut since its introduction in 2020. It is our biggest selling cutlery grade right now and I don’t expect that to change anytime soon,” Bob said, adding the qualifier, “This is from Niagara Specialty Metals’ limited perspective. I’m sure other mills are working on new grades which I’m not privy to.”

One reason MagnaCut is so popular is it embraces all cutlery genres with ease.

“CPM MagnaCut remains in high demand across various knife patterns,” Bob observed. “Some customers currently using MagnaCut for fixed blades are expanding into folding knives and have expressed plans to continue using the steel for their new designs, reflecting its versatility and ongoing popularity.”

Scott Devanna, vice president of technology and a metallurgist for SB Specialty Metals, tends to concur.

“I’m not sure there will be a new ‘super steel’ introduced in 2025. The introduction of new steels seems to have a three-to-four-year cycle, and with the recent intro of CPM MagnaCut such new introductions may be a few years off. We sell a lot of MagnaCut,” he stated. “I’ve learned over the years that new is very often the primary driver when new grades are introduced. This is what happened with CPM S30V, CPM 20CV and its European equivalent M390, and a few other grades.”

It should be noted that MagnaCut technically is going into its fifth year of existence. As you can see, it takes a while for a steel to work its way into the manufacturing pipeline and be given a thumbs up or thumbs down by the end user.

Specialty Grade Steels

Meanwhile, other specialty grade steels aren’t being ignored. In fact, many knife consumers prefer other steels that suit their needs better, both of the stainless and carbon varieties.

David Fleming Cowboy Knife — CPM 154 stainless will continue to be a steel of choice for custom hunting knives, here on the Cowboy Knife by David Fleming in a handle of sheep horn from a Rocky Mountain bighorn. Overall length: 7 inches.

“CPM S30V, one of the original cutlery-grade steels, continues to be one of our best-selling products,” Shabala noted. “Despite its age*, S30V maintains a strong position in the market, demonstrating its enduring reliability and widespread appeal among knifemakers.

Devanna agrees.

“CPM S30V is still a favorite for hunting knives, as well as CPM 154,” he noted. “For everyday carry folders, M390, CPM 20CV and CPM 154 are still used quite a bit as well.”

Scott said CPM S30V and S35VN remain strong for tactical folders.

Custom knifemakers aren’t as easily swayed by trends and tend to go with steels they are comfortable using, are time-proven to them personally, or geared to their particular customer base. While many are on the MagnaCut train, they tend to be more diverse in their choices.

“Other steels popular among custom knifemakers are M390, CPM 20CV, CPM 154, and to a lesser extent CPM S30V and CPM S35VN,” Devanna stated. “I have heard that CTS-XHP will be re-introduced, and this grade developed quite a following when it was readily available—especially for kitchen knives and high-end folders.”

Added Shabala, “CPM 154 is always popular with the custom makers.”

Carbon Steel

THE CARBON EQUATION
The outdoor crowd—bushcrafters, survivalists and open-air tactical users—has to be pleased with the attention they’ve been getting from the industry. These users’ requirements are different and they prefer a subset of steels all their own.

While major outdoor knife manufacturers like TOPS and ESEE still sell the bulk of their knives in 1095, they have been gradually offering their customers more steel diversity, including stainless versions such as S35VN. The TOPS Shadow Hunter has a 4.5-inch blade of 1095 carbon steel in a tungsten Cerakote®. Country of origin: USA. MSRP: $250.

“CPM 3V and 4V are favored for hard-use knives due to the steels’ toughness, while CPM S90V and 20CV are popular among users who prioritize wear and corrosion resistance,” Shabala observed. “CPM 3V and CPM 4V are carbon steels that continue to sell well in specific areas. 3V is in high demand for bushcraft knives and 4V is being used by the current national champion in BladeSports International cutting competitions, Ben Propst. His wife Sue Ann is now using it and in 2024 they both won cutting events in Kokomo and the Smoky Mountain Knife Works fall festival.”

“I think CPM 3V and CPM Cruwear—mostly for bushcraft/survival knives as well as tactical fixed blades—are gaining popularity in the market,” Devanna opined. “CPM 3V has proven itself over the years and continues to be a popular grade. CTS PD#1 was in this category but availability of this grade is a problem.”

While major outdoor knife manufacturers like TOPS and ESEE still sell the bulk of their knives in 1095 carbon steel, they have been slowly offering their customers more diversity in their lines, including such stainless versions as S35VN.

Overall Take

As Shabala and Devanna noted, MagnaCut will be the top dog among steels in 2025, but it’s certainly not the only hound in the kennel.

Scorpion 6 Knives — Shane Magnussen uses the CPM S90V supplied by New Jersey Steel Baron on his model BBV2 folder. Closed length: 4.54 inches. (SharpByCoop image)

The cutlery industry is so diverse in the competition among manufacturers, custom makers, genres of knives and budget categories, there’s room for many different stainless and carbon steels. While what’s in the works remains unknown to most, you can bet there are teams of metallurgists working on the next great knife steel as these words are written.

As a knife enthusiast and cutlery buyer your choices are bountiful in all categories—from EDC to outdoor, fixed blade to folder—and affordable to expensive. Some users buy one knife to last for years while others rotate their carry or require cutting fare for specific purposes.

The good news is your knife and steel options have never been better!

*Editor’s note: The first-ever steel both designed and made specifically for knife blades, CPM S30V has been used for knives since 2001.

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