Here are BLADE Magazine’s Featured Knives of the Week. Browse through these articles to find the best knives available from both custom knifemakers and factory knives.
The Texas Tooth Pick Was Common In 19th-Century Texas. Today, Boker Has Taken This Historic Blade And Given It A Modern Revival.
The Texas Tooth Pick was used by people of all types in Texas during the 19th century. Everyone from farmers and fishermen to lawmen and outlaws, the Texas Tooth Pick was a common knife due to its versatility. And now, the team at Boker USA is reviving this Lone Star classic and giving it a modern look at a flipper.
The VG-10 blade stays in place thanks to a linerlock and, as its name suggests, is narrow like a toothpick. The stonewash finish gives it a clean look, and the curved, textured G10 handle scales provide excellent grip.
Thanks to its narrow design, the piece is incredibly light. At just 1.52 ounces, there are many competing models out there where the blade itself weighs more. Thanks to the quality of its construction, this new Texas Tooth Pick is just as dynamic as the original but far more durable.
MSRP: $127.95
Editor’s Note: This post was written by Mike Ableson.
The New Iredale Is A Quality Multi-Blade Slipjoint That Stands Out As A Classic-Style Knife With A Minimalist, Modern Look.
The eternal debate of “classic vs modern” has been had across society for centuries. In the world of knives, that can come down to mechanical choices as well as design. Kershaw took the best of both worlds with its new Iredale.
Named for the Peter Iredale, a sailing ship that ran aground on the Oregon coast in 1906, the Iredale is a sleek knife for the 21st-century explorer. The model has three blades (a clip point, Wharncliffe, and Spey blade) all contained in a handle with black, polished micarta scales.
The non-locking slipjoint design allows for flexibility in the position of the knives so even with three blades, there are endless ways to position them to get the most from them. The blades are all made from 7Cr17MoV stainless and satin polished for a clean, traditional look. All three blades open with a nail nick for quick deployment.
The shipwreck of the Peter Iredale can still be seen in the sands of Fort Stevens State Park so you can take your new Iredale and explore around its namesake on a warm summer’s night.
MSRP: $47.99
Editor’s Note: This post was written by Mike Ableson.
If You Can Only Have One Knife In The Kitchen, The Chef’s Knife Is The One To Get.
When it comes to knives in the kitchen the alpha and the omega, without question, is the chef’s knife. A quality chef’s knife can do just about everything from butchering a side of beef and dicing up vegetables to crushing garlic and skinning a salmon filet.
Whether Japanese or German, stainless or high-carbon, forged or stamped, there are an amazing variety of chef’s knives available today, and there will be one at the right price for you.
History Of The Chef’s Knife
Humans, and their ancestors, have been eating hunted meats and foraged fruits for millions of years. The first predecessor of the chef’s knife, in the most liberal sense of the term, dates back 2.5-million years to what is now Ethiopia. Known as Oldowan knives, these sharp stone pieces were made by smashing rocks together to form fragments with razor edges to cut through game.
The first proto-knife found with protein residue on it dates back 250,000 years and was discovered in the Azraq Oasis in Jordan. It had the residue of horse, cow, and rhinoceros on it.
As time progressed, knives evolved along with humans. The discovery of fire along with different types of metals allowed the creation of the earliest forged pieces. The bronze and iron ages saw more quality metals turned into knives by skilled artisans.
Each new material allowed for better, more durable knives and paved the way for the steel models we have today. Chef’s knives, as we know them now, have been found dating back to before the Roman Empire and were modified versions of swords and other weapons.
Why Should I Buy A Chef’s Knife?
Look, if you want to try and cut through a medium-rare ribeye or slice veggies with a standard butter knife, good luck.
A quality chef’s knife will make your life in the kitchen much easier than if you tried to force it with a standard dinner knife. Will the chef knife be more money? Absolutely, but, as you’ll see with our list, it’s incredibly easy to find a strong, capable model without breaking the bank.
So you should have a chef’s knife in the same way you should have proper running shoes if you are a marathoner or a good driver if you golf. You could do those things without the right equipment, but it’s much easier and enjoyable when you have the right tools for the job.
5 Best Chef’s Knives
Chef’s knives, Japanese or German, should make you feel comfortable and secure in the kitchen, as well as make work there easier. This list has a little of everything from pro-quality damascus blades, to stamped models strong enough to be an everyday workhorse.
Misen Chef’s Knife
Misen Chef’s Knife
Award-winning cookbook author J. Kenji Lopez-Alt called this knife “the holy grail of inexpensive chef’s knives.” The 8-inch blade is made from Aichi AUS-10 high-carbon stainless steel, is ground to a 15-degree edge, and has a 58 HRC.
The sloped bolster and handle design encourages a safe grip while chopping. It’s light in the hand at only 8 ounces in weight and can mince herbs and cut through chicken bones just as easily.
An added bonus is that there are four choices for the handle color (blue, red, gray, and black). For a budget knife, this piece from Misen really is about as good as it gets.
MSRP: $65
Wusthof Classic Ikon 8-Inch Chef’s Knife
Wusthof Classic Ikon 8-Inch Chef’s Knife
An icon of German engineering, Wusthof has been making knives in Solingen, Germany since 1814. The Classic Ikon is a timeless all-around blade that makes an excellent addition to your home, while also having the chops to cut it (pun intended) in a professional kitchen.
The forged blade is triple-riveted to the black synthetic handle and has a 58 HRC. The half bolster cuts down on weight while also making it easier to sharpen. When you buy a Wusthof you can trust in the two centuries of work that has built the company into what it is today, and this model won’t disappoint.
MSRP: $200
Mac Knife Pro Series 8-Inch Chef’s Knife With Dimples
Mac Knife Pro Series 8-Inch Chef’s Knife With Dimples
This professional-level Japanese chef’s knife is a popular choice for chefs and home cooks alike. The 8-inch hollow-edge blade is made from alloy steel and a Pakkawood, triple-riveted handle.
What sets this knife apart from the rest on our list are the dimples on the blade. Known as a Granton edge, these dimples are more common on a Santoku knife than on a chef’s knife. Regardless, they allow for food to more easily slide off while cutting so you don’t have to deal with the frustrating task of peeling bits off the blade when you’re cutting stickier foods like potatoes or apples.
Made in Seki, Japan, the traditional home of Japanese knifemaking, Mac Knife has made something modern built with techniques developed over centuries.
MSRP: $195
Victorinox Fibrox Pro Chef’s Knife
Victorinox Fibrox Pro Chef’s Knife
The lowest-priced knife on our list punches above its weight and is a great addition to your kitchen. The price is kept down because the blade is stamped, but don’t let that fool you. This model has the same quality you would expect from everything else Victorinox offers.
The eight-inch stainless blade is married to an ergonomic, non-slip handle that feels great in the hand. Made in Switzerland along with the brand’s famous Swiss Army knives, the Fibrox Pro is easy and efficient to use. While it is listed as dishwasher safe, we recommend hand-washing and drying it as that will preserve the blade for longer.
An added bonus of the stamped blade is that this is the lightest knife on our list, coming in at just 6 ounces.
MSRP: $42.95
Miyabi Chef’s Knife
Miyabi Chef’s Knife
This is a professional knife and it looks the part. Made of 100 layers of damascus steel around a Cryodur-hardened SG2 micro-carbide steel core, it is topped off with a Masur birch handle. The damascus blade has a ridiculously hard 63 HRC and is ground to an edge between 9-12 degrees using the traditional Japanese three-stage honbazuke process. That sees the blade polished twice on custom whetstones and polished to a mirror finished on leather wheels.
This is one of the highest-quality kitchen knives on the market today. It’s also a love note to Japanese knifemaking from its tip to the end of the handle. Miyabi’s whole set of chef’s knives is of similar quality and if maintained properly, can last you a lifetime.
Cold Steel’s Newest Fixed-Blade EDC Is A Multi-Purpose Tool That Is Perfect If You’re Looking For A Knife That Works Just As Well In The Kitchen As It Does In The Forest.
Sometimes you want an EDC that’s a bit beefier than a folder or a multi-tool. The Cold Steel Razor-Tek is a high-quality piece that can slice through branches like it can a cucumber.
This four-inch variety, one of three models to carry the Razor-Tek name, is made from 4116 steel and has an included sheath that can be carried on your neck or belt or lashed to your pack. The textured GFN scales on the handle allow for a confident grip and will stay secure in your hand.
Unlike the larger Razor-Tek models (one has a five-inch blade and the other a 6.5-inch blade), the four-inch is not a recurve and instead features a plain-edged clip point blade.
Overall, the entire knife is just eight inches which makes it great for cutting in close quarters and nimble enough to work precisely when fine slices are needed. And best of all, it comes at an affordable price that will keep your wallet happy.
MSRP: $59.99
Editor’s Note: This post was written by Mike Ableson.
The Victorinox Swiss Army Knife Is An Icon. The Small Red Knife Has A Remarkable History And Is Popular All Around The World
Few knives are as immediately recognizable as the Swiss Army knife. The small red multi-tool has been manufactured for over a century and is known around the globe for its versatility and durability. Still made in Switzerland today by Victorinox, the Swiss Army knife has evolved as a tool since the founding of Victorinox in 1884.
History Of The Victorinox Swiss Army Knife
Victorinox was founded in the small town of Ibach in the canton of Schwyz in central Switzerland by Karl Elsener. It was initially just a small cutler’s workshop run by Karl and supported by his mother Victoria.
Just seven years later, Elsener was able to deliver his first major batch of knives to the Swiss military, and six years later patented the original “Swiss Officer’s and Sports Knife. That set the stage for a whole range of knives, each of which would be included under the umbrella name of Swiss Army knife, or SAK for short.
The Victorinox brand name came into existence in 1921. After Victoria’s passing in 1909, Karl chose her name as the brand name, but 13 years later the innovation of stainless steel swept through the knifemaking world. At the time the steel was known as “Inox,” and by combining that with his mother’s name, Karl created the brand name of Victorinox that has endured for more than a century.
After World War II, American GIs stationed in Europe took a liking to the Swiss Army knife and bought many of them, turning them into a popular souvenir to bring back to the states.
Since then, and the brand has continued to grow. Victorinox now makes other types of cutlery along with outdoor gear and watches. Rival maker Wenger, which also made a claim to the Swiss Army knife, was acquired by Victorinox in 2005, and its knives were absorbed into the Victorinox brand eight years later. The Wenger brand lives on through watches and other licensed products.
In 2017 the company produced its 500 millionth Swiss Army knife, a testament to the quality and popularity of the brand.
What Is The Best Swiss Army Knife?
That question depends on what you want out of your knife. Most all operate the same way, a slip joint with tools coming out of both ends of the knife thanks to a special spring system innovated in 1897 that every Swiss Army knife still uses today.
If you’re looking for a tool that can solve simple, everyday problems, there are many smaller models that will handle your needs. Many of those even fit on a keychain.
If you’re more of an outdoors person or just want something more rugged and diverse, there are many models that have dozens of different tools in them. You’ll see one with 73 tools in it shortly. Regardless of your wants or needs, Victorinox will have a knife for you.
Swiss Army Knife Options
The Victorinox Swiss Army knife is a living, breathing tool. New models come out regularly, and the team in Switzerland continues to find ways to create new tools and designs for the knives. Below are a trio that shows off what the SAK is capable of, from something simple to the opulently extravagant.
Signature Lite
Signature Lite
This is a prime example of how much can be deftly fit into a space so small. The Signature Lite is 2.3 inches long and weighs just .8 of an ounce. Even in those tiny dimensions, there are seven tools including a ballpoint pen, screwdriver, knife blade, and scissors. This is a quintessential Swiss Army knife. It can fit on a keychain and follow you wherever you go.
MSRP: $39.99
Trekker
Trekker
The Trekker shows how robust a Victorinox Swiss Army knife can be. This model features a dozen tools including three different screwdrivers, a can opener, and a wood saw. It’s designed for the outdoorsman, the hiker, the person camping under the stars. The Trekker does have a keychain loop although it’ll probably be better folded up in your pocket. At 4.6 ounces it’s far heavier than the Signature Lite but still far lighter than many other factory knives.
MSRP: $69
Swiss Champ XXL
Swiss Champ XXL
Last on our list is the most expensive model sold by Victorinox not including limited edition pieces. The XXL has so many tools in it that it doesn’t feel real. It’s 3.6 inches long, and in that space there are 73 individual tools. That’s not a typo. 73 tools.
Seven screwdrivers. Six blades. Three wire strippers. Too many wrenches to count. All that’s missing is the partridge in a pear tree.
The XXL also features some of the most unusual Swiss Army knife tools made today. That includes the pharmaceutical spatula, watch opener, fish scaler, and hook disgorger.
At 12.5 ounces it is a beast, and it even comes in a lined, branded case. While it might not be necessary for you, the Swiss Champ XXL flexes the design and manufacturing capabilities that Victorinox has developed in its decades of existence.
MSRP: $379
Editor’s Note: This post was written by Mike Ableson.
The CRKT Oxcart Is A Strong Folder That Can Be Your EDC and Do A Whole Lot More Too.
Designed by a Texan, Robert Carter, the new CRKT Oxcart is Lone Star tough. The assisted-opening folder is designed to be ambidextrous with a reversible pocket clip and can handle pretty much anything you throw at it.
The frame lock uses a thick lock bar to secure the blade in place once flipped open so you won’t have to worry about it coming back at you and nicking your fingers.
This is in no small part to the construction. The 3.05-inch blade is crafted from Japanese AUS-8 high-carbon stainless steel which is not only a strong metal, but it’s also exceptional at resisting rust too. The satin finish gives the OXcart a clean look too. The blade isn’t the only steel on this piece either. The handle is also made from stainless.
The strength of the Oxcart is remarkable considering that it weighs just under five ounces. When closed, the knife is just over four inches in length so it can easily tuck away on your belt line or into your pack. MSRP: $75
Editor’s Note: This post was written by Mike Ableson.
The CRKT Compano Sheepsfoot Is The Next Evolution Of The Compano Line And Follows In The Original’s Footsteps While Also Standing On Its Own.
Designed by Mike Bond, the Compano Sheepsfoot builds off of the original CRKT Compano with a new style of blade and flashier design. The original knife featured a slipjoint with a carabiner to connect to your keychain or belt loop, and that’s carried over to the newer model. The Sheepsfoot blade on the newer version is excellent for precise cutting when needed.
Yes, it’s small at only 1.44 inches in length, but when you’re looking for a good keychain knife the name of the game is ease of use and being good in tight spaces. The Compano Sheepsfoot checks both of those boxes.
The blade is made from satin-finished high-carbon stainless steel, and the handle & carabiner clip is also made from stainless. The stonewashed black finished with blue titanium nitride accents make this model visually pop when you first see it.
The slipjoint ring doubles as a great place to rest your index finger to get leverage when manipulating the blade or opening & closing it. Overall, this is a fun piece that will look great on your keychain or belt loop.
MSRP: $44.
Editor’s Note: This post was written by Mike Ableson.
