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.
Opening A Balisong Is One Of The Funnest Things You Can Do With A Knife. There Are Numerous Butterfly Knife Tricks You Can Learn To Up Your Game.
Opening most knives is either wholly forgettable or simply a fun way to fidget. Nail nicks, thumb studs, and opening holes like those on Spyderco blades are all common ways to open a knife that don’t leave much of a mark.
However, the butterfly knife stands alone. It’s so dynamic to open and manipulate that there are professional competitions showcasing new and exciting ways to make the knife dance in the hand. Once you know how to open and close the knife safely you’ll be able to build a skillset of more and more difficult, exciting butterfly knife tricks.
How Do I Open A Butterfly Knife
Before opening a butterfly knife it’s important to know which handle you’re holding. Every balisong has two handles: a safe handle and a bite handle. The safe handle is straightforward; holding this handle will protect your hand from the sharp edge of the blade.
The bite handle is one the side of the sharpened edge. Early on it’s incredibly important to keep your hand off of that handle lest you slice off a finger. More advanced tricks will have you switching handles, but you should only do that once you’ve mastered basic skills and can move the knife safely.
Luckily, there are many different types of trainer butterfly knives available to learn the moves safely without even having to worry about a sharp edge. These knives are made from steel, aluminum, and even plastic. We have a whole primer on finding the best trainer butterfly knife.
What Are The Different Butterfly Knife Tricks?
Just like other sports like skateboarding and figure skating, where tricks involve spins and flips, the names of balisong tricks all have fantastical names. From the more simply-named rollovers and aerials to the blender, the Van Gogh and the Neck Catch, and the Ladder Aerial to Reverse Chaplin, the names are as fun as the moves themselves.
And everything builds off basics. Once you can smoothly and confidently open the knife, you can learn rollovers (which involve rolling the knife around your thumb) and keep escalating until you’re throwing the knife in the air and catching it again in one smooth motion.
In the video below, professional knife flipper Corbin Lovins goes in-depth into all things balisong tricks from the basic to the complex. The young Hoosier won the balisong flipping tournament at Blade Show in 2019 and debuted his own line of Butterfly Knives, Strix, at the most recent Blade Show in Atlanta.
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?
There Are Few Factory Makers As Well-Known As Kershaw. The Oregon-Based Company Continues To Innovate And Create Top-Tier Knives.
Kershaw is a beloved knife brand set to celebrate its 50th year in business in 2024. In the years since the company was founded a half-century ago, it has delivered some incredible products that continue to set industry standards today.
Kershaw has become a staple of the knife industry at large and they represent a significant percentage of what is being regularly carried in pockets all over the country. Pete Kershaw began the company to create excellent outdoor knives and eventually partnered with Japanese company Kai to bring more high-quality products to market.
The modern Kershaw knife is a truly high-quality tool, and lucky for us, the company has a dizzying number of options that can fit just about any niche you may have.
Kershaw’s Top Ten
Kershaw has a large fanbase because the company is incredibly consistent at making quality knives at quality prices. These 10 have stood out as some of the company’s best.
Kershaw Leek
The Kershaw Leek is arguably the most prominent product that the company has released in recent years. This knife is the epitome of what you would consider being an everyday carry tool: it is light, sleek, and has an extremely reliable mechanism.
The lines of the product are immediately recognizable and it has achieved iconic status among knife enthusiasts. At the time of this writing, Kershaw offers over a dozen variations of the Leek, and, while the internal mechanism is the same, you get your choice as far as cosmetic features go. Currently, handle materials range from plain aluminum or color-anodized aluminum to exciting options like copper.
The actual copper handle material will patina over time, giving your individual knife a unique look as you carry and use it. Despite the fact that copper weighs a little bit more than aluminum and this knife costs a bit more than the other products in the Leek line, it isn’t for everyone. The Leek’s mechanism is an assisted-open type, and it is one of the more reliable and energetic on the market. In carrying Leek knives over time, the author has never had a failure to open or to remain closed.
The Skyline was one of Kershaw’s most recognizable products. The simple, black-handled knife
was one of the more popular carry options of years past and it earned a reputation for being strong and reliable at a good price.
There are, of course, other products that now fill its niche, but the Skyline will not soon be forgotten. Its status as a common, affordable, and reliable knife helps it make this list even though it is no longer available.
Many Kershaw fans have lamented the decision to axe this otherwise popular knife, and it has achieved a moderate collector interest since early 2021 alongside the Shallot and Camber, themselves very well-received by fans of their respective styles.
Skyline Knife Specs
Overall Length: 7.4 inches
Blade Length: 3.1 inches
Blade Steel: 14C28N
Weight: 2.5 ounces
Handle Material: G-10
Kershaw Lucha Carbon Fiber
At a hefty $500 retail the Lucha in carbon fiber is one of the more unique and interesting offerings currently had by Kershaw. This balisong is arguably one of the highest quality production blades of its type. Even custom options available on the market may not be able to match the Lucha in terms of overall fit and finish at the price.
For fans of this type of knife, this is certainly a holy grail item, and it boasts some very nice features. The blade rides on KVT ball bearings for exceptionally smooth handling. At a full ounce lighter than the original model, the carbon fiber Lucha features striking handles that are composed of blued titanium and overlaid carbon fiber.
The price is quite hefty for an EDC knife, though it’s without a doubt worth it to the person who loves flipping and twirling. While the fidget spinner craze ended a few years ago, you’ll probably find yourself playing with this knife in your hand more than you will end up performing cutting tasks with it.
Lucha Carbon Fiber Specs
Overall Length: 10.25 inches
Blade Length: 4.6 inches
Blade Steel: CPM 20CV
Weight: 4.9 ounces
Handle Material: titanium with Carbon Fiber Overlay
MSRP: $499.99
Kershaw Federalist
Taking a departure from today’s tactical and overbuilt blades, the Kershaw Federalist is a rugged gentleman’s knife that has a number of interesting and tasteful features. While the company does make a number of traditional styles of gentlemen’s knives, the Federalist is geared for that man of taste that still has to get some work done throughout the day.
This knife has a more traditional closing and opening mechanism reminiscent of the knives of yesteryear. It has a nail nick for opening and lacks any assist mechanism. In fact, the company lists this blade as a non-locking slipjoint with a dual-detent system. You’ll likely want to save this knife for general tasks and leave the heavy lifting to a more substantial tool.
In place of polished wood and silver inlay, the Federalist features green Micarta grip panels and a matte finish. Seeing as how assisted opening and larger, tactical-style blades have the majority of market share, it is refreshing to see that Kershaw is still catering to people who view knives as simple, everyday objects.
Federalist Knife Specs
Overall Length: 7.5 inches
Blade Length: 3.25 inches
Blade Material: CPM 154
Weight: 2.1 ounces
Handle Material: Micarta
MSRP: $169.99
Kershaw Launch 14
The Launch 14 is a large, automatic opening, cleaver-bladed knife. This is a hard-use tool that has the looks of a collector’s piece. Not all automatic-opening knives are meant for daily use, but this one breaks the mold and is geared for any task you may find on the job site or in your daily adventures.
The cleaver blade is not for everyone. Some people prefer to have a distinct drop point while others definitely prefer the more adaptable Wharncliffe style. The knife lacks a true puncturing tip, which to some could be considered a detriment. The steep tip angle on these cleaver-type blades is actually excellent for true cutting tasks where spear point or drop point blades may be too fragile.
Using a cleaver-style knife for puncturing can be achieved, although the stout angle of the tip may be too coarse for fine work. When it comes to cutting things like straps and heavy tubing, the type of knife we see here definitely excels. The Launch 14 is elegant in its execution and has very functional, subtle features, such as a recessed opening button and carbon fiber panels.
Launch 14 Knife Specs
Overall Length: 7.75 inches
Blade Length: 3.375 inches
Blade Steel: CPM 154
Weight: 3.2 ounces
Handle Material: 6061-T6 Aluminum, Carbon Fiber Scale Front
MSRP: $239.99
Kershaw Reverb XL
Borrowing the same features as its smaller namesake, the Reverb XL is a daily carry knife that has a wide range of uses for the outdoors. The knife has a long, upswept blade, reminiscent of fillet knives. Because of its size and light weight, it makes an excellent companion for the fisherman who enjoys working out of a canoe or kayak.
The knife doesn’t take up much space and doesn’t require an additional sheath. Not only that, at under $50, it won’t cause you financial issues if it accidentally falls overboard. The knife is very simple in terms of operation, it is a manually opening blade with a liner lock.
Although it lacks a fast opening blade, the discerning outdoorsman or angler shouldn’t find this to be an issue, considering that once the blade is out, it is likely going to get used for quite some time. If you find yourself in coastal towns, or perhaps going for a cold one after a fishing trip, this knife will not stand out like a fixed blade will.
Reverb XL Knife Specs
Overall Length: 7.4 inches
Blade Length: 3 inches
Blade Steel: 8Cr13MoV
Weight: 2.2 ounces
Handle Material: G10 with Carbon Fiber Overlay Front
MSRP: $53.99
Kershaw Lonerock RBK2
Knives with replaceable blades are something that have been around for quite some time. In the last 10 years, we’ve seen a greater interest in this style of knife, if you can even call it a knife in the first place.
The Lonerock RBK2 is a kit that includes a main, folding handle assembly, and a non-folding ‘buddy’ handle. The ‘buddy’ is simple and non-folding, but takes the same blades as the folding assembly. The basis of this system is meant for hunters as a means to keep sharp blades at the ready with no additional maintenance.
Keeping a good edge on the blade is no easy task in less than ideal conditions. Many people think that sharpening is as simple as pulling the blade through an off-the-shelf sharpener, but inevitably every knife needs to be professionally re-edged at a certain point. If your blade is replaceable, you shouldn’t have to worry about that latter part of the process. If the knife goes dull, simply pop in a new blade and keep working.
At just under $60 retail, the Interstellar is a mean looking knife that has function at its heart. While it appears to be an out-the-front automatic, the Interstellar is instead a manual knife that opens in the same way as a standard box cutter. The blade features a serrated tanto point and has an affordable price to match its rugged looks.
Kershaw lists this knife under their work knife category, and while it looks tactical, this knife is perfect for the job site. It is easy to use with heavy gloves on, and is excellent for controlled, one-handed operation. The tanto point is excellent for getting into those tight spaces and it is serrated for cutting through various types of cord and material.
People that work with materials like drywall will enjoy its ability to score easily before cutting. If basic folders and box cutters aren’t your style, you should really consider the Interstellar for your daily use. After a long day, you may want to break open some cold ones, and the Interstellar comes with an integrated bottle opener in its frame.
Interstellar Knife Specs
Overall Length: 6.9 inches
Blade Length: 2.7 inches
Blade Steel: 8Cr13MoV
Weight: 3.1 ounces
Handle Material: Glass-Filled Nylon
MSRP: $71.99
Kershaw Blur With Glassbreaker
The Blur is a rugged and popular design from Kershaw. Not only is it a suitable knife for daily carry, the glass breaker version is a simple-to-use and affordable rescue tool. Similar to Kershaw’s other assisted opening knives, the Blur can open with one hand and is ready to go into action. The glass breaker can be used with blade open or closed.
Additionally, the particular model we are talking about here also has a deep, swept belly with aggressive, scalloped serrations. This type of situation should make quick work of seatbelts or other types of common materials found in vehicles if someone needs to be removed quickly after an accident.
This knife features a pointed tip, so unlike other types of rescue tools that are designed to be completely blunt, you will need to take care not to accidentally stabbed or cut someone you were trying to free with this tool.
Emerson is well known for producing some exceptional tactical knives. The company needs no introduction here, and luckily, for us, they have collaborated extensively with Kershaw.
This particular knife, the CQC-10K, is striking to look at with its green scale handles and aggressive, Bowie tip. The knife features the patented Emerson Wave Feature that allows for an otherwise unassisted knife to open instantly upon draw. With practice, this knife can be drawn and opened in a fraction of a second, even faster than can be attained with an assisted opening mechanism.
This knife is not just for self-defense situations, it is ruggedly built, and should be an excellent friend for the field and trail. Thanks to its fine point, it can also be used for tasks such as fishing or skinning small game.
CQC-10K Knife Specs
Overall Length: 8.5 inches
Blade Length: 3.5 inches
Blade Steel: 8Cr14MoV
Weight: 5.1 ounces
Handle Material: G10 Front, 410 Stainless Steel Back
Marine Corps hero feted with Nawrocki knife at The Battleship Ball.
An unforgettable setting for a memorable event celebrating an American hero—all complemented by a beautiful knife by Brian “Rocco” Nawrocki—completed a tribute to USMC Sergeant Scott Bunker during last year’s 250th anniversary of the United States Marine Corps.
Assigned to Lima Company in 2005 during the Iraq War, Sergeant Bunker took multiple machine-gun rounds at point-blank range in house-to-house fighting, resulting in the loss of an eye, half a lung, several ribs and soft-tissue damage to his left arm. He was the guest of honor at The Battleship Ball 2025 on November 1, held on the deck of the vintage World War II Battleship USS North Carolina in Wilmington, North Carolina.
Event organizer/USMC veteran Dean Smith (left) congratulates Sgt. Scott Bunker after delivery of the Nawrocki tribute knife (in display case on the dais) during The Battleship Ball.
The handsome fixed blade Rocco made for Sergeant Bunker includes steel from the North Carolina for the blade and guard. The wood handle is teak from the battlewagon’s deck, along with purple heart ribbon spacers.
Boker Has Made A Beautiful Two-Blade Slip Joint That Is Both A Great EDC And Excellent As A Knife For The Outdoors.
New from Boker is the Trapper Red Bone slipjoint. Made of C75 carbon steel, the Trapper Red Bone looks good, feels good, and is an incredibly versatile knife. Both blades are 3.31 inches and length, and the whole piece weighs just 3.39 ounces. With a handle made of redbone with nickel silver bolsters, the knife looks the part.
Featuring a spey blade and a clip point. The Trapper Red Bone is a great EDC and can handle the day-to-day tasks around your home or office. It’s also a quality outdoors knife to handle fine detail work in your shop, whittling, or while camping or hiking. At just 4.25 inches while closed, it will easily fit into your pocket or into your outdoor pack.
The Trapper Red Bone comes with an MSRP of $99.95 and is worth it for someone looking for a high-quality, multi-faceted blade.
Editor’s Note: This post was written by Mike Ableson.
Damascus Pocketknives That Wow From Around The World.
Yes, some steels are of higher quality than others, but nothing is as eye-catching as a well-made damascus knife. And now, thanks to contemporary forging techniques, there are just as many high-quality damascus pocketknives as there are kitchen knives, daggers, and swords.
What Is Damascus Steel
Also called pattern-welded steel, damascus steel is made from forging multiple types of steel together. This can create different kinds of patterns in the finished product once the construction is complete.
Traditionally, damascus steel was created to imbue a sword with a desired blend of toughness and hardness. While cutlery is still forged this way for that purpose, today many damascus blades are made for the cosmetic look that comes from the acid etching or polishing done when the blade is complete.
You’ll see many damascus knives today constructed from the core of one type of steel and multiple layers of different steels on either side of it.
While the actual origin of the term “damascus steel” is unknown, many have connected it to the Syrian capital of Damascus and swords made or sold in the city in ancient times. Another theory is that the term is derived from the Arabic word “damas” which means watered, which describes the wave-like pattern that many blades can have.
Best Damascus Pocketknives
Boker Tiger-Damast
You know what you’re getting when you purchase a knife from Boker. Its legendary maker for a reason, and the Tiger lives up to its lofty standard. An elite collector’s knife, the Tiger is made from German tank parts from a tank destroyed in a battle in Latvia in 1944.
The non-stainless blade is made in the intrepid pattern by maker Chad Nichols. The handle scales are a burlap micarta design to echo the look of German armored vehicles of the era. This is the dream of any knife lover interested in military history.
MSRP: $719
Spyderco Delica 4
A damascus version of one of Spyderco’s most famous blades, the Delica 4 is a beauty. The damascus blade/titanium handle combo gives the piece a futuristic look and feel.
The blade itself is made from a VG-10 stainless core with 15 layers of forged-welded damascus on either side. The machined titanium handle gives the whole piece a ridiculous amount of strength and durability. Spyderco is a beloved brand for a reason, and this version of the Delica 4 keeps the good times rolling.
MSRP: $304.50
The James Brand Duval
The Duval is the first front-flipped knife from The James Brand, an Oregon-based company founded in 2012. The frame lock makes for easy opening and sturdy use of the Damasteel Rose DS93X blade.
The material is made of 100 total layers of a pair of different types of steel. It becomes stainless once heat treated and has excellent corrosion resistance and edge retention.
This modified sheepsfoot blade is married to a handle made from Rosewood, and the whole thing weighs just 2 ounces. The hardware is all stainless and the ball bearings are ceramic. This piece is built to last and last a long time.
For a company’s first foray into front-flipping knives, James Brand has knocked it out of the park.
MSRP: $399
Kansept Knives Convict
This knife from Kansept Knives, a Chinese maker, stands out in numerous ways. For starters, it features a sheepsfoot blade, a less common blade types. Designed by Chris Conaway and Sheepdog Knives, the Convict is a light, nimble knife that can easily handle the job of an EDC.
The titanium handle is as light and strong as you would expect, and the stonewashed finish lets the damascus pattern shine through. While it may not be sexy, the ceramic ball bearings not only let the knife flip open smoothly and will never rust so it’ll open smoothly for decades.
MSRP: $203
Rike Knife Humminging Mini Flipper
The smallest knife on our list is from Rike, but it packs a wallop of a punch.
The Hummingbird Mini is just 3.75 inches in total length and has a 1.5-inch blade. The Damasteel drop point flips open easily, and the titanium handle helps keep the whole construction to just .6 ounces.
This is an excellent keychain or neck knife. It even comes with a Kydex sheath designed to be worn on a lanyard for this purpose. Sure, it’s the smallest and least-expensive knife on our list, but it does everything you would want from an EDC. The fact that it won’t break the bank is another feather in the cap for this knife from the Chinese maker.
With More Than A Century Of History, The Trench Knife Soldiers On As A Historical Collectible And A Modern Outdoor Knife.
The trench knife may be the ultimate weapon for close-quarters combat. With a sharp blade designed for stabbing, and a finger guard that doubles as a knuckle duster, the blade is excellent for messy, claustrophobic situations, which you would expect as it was named for the intimate and brutal trench warfare of World War I.
By the time World War II began, trench warfare was nowhere near as common as it had been previously. In turn, the trench knife evolved.
The United States issued the Mark I in 1942 and 1943 to certain special military groups like the Army Rangers and Marine Raiders. The Mark I was a newer version of WWI trench knives, including a finger guard, a stiletto blade, and a skull crusher cap built into the pommel.
However, over the course of WWII, the trench knife gave way to the combat knife. Most notable of these, the US M3 fighting knife, which was adopted in 1943. The M3 became the framework upon which more contemporary bayonets and fighting knives like the M4 and M7 were built.
Can I Own A Trench Knife Today?
That’s a complicated question to answer.
The trench knife is classified as a dangerous weapon in many states and countries for a variety of reasons. Some places prohibit them because they have double-sided blades while others focus on the knuckle dusters or the length of the blade as reasons to ban them.
Owning or carrying a trench knife is banned in numerous countries including the United Kingdom, Australia, Ireland, Canada, China, and Singapore, among others.
In America, the knife is outlawed in some form in 23 states, and even among the states where it’s legal to own and/or carry, 18 of those states either only allow you to keep the knife in your home or require a permit to carry it on your person.
The only states with no permit rules for owning a trench knife are Texas, South Dakota, Indiana, South Carolina, Idaho, Hawai’i, Georgia, Arizona, and Alabama.
Modern Trench Knives
There aren’t many companies left making trench knives similar to those blades from a century ago. However, the two below are modern takes on the combat classic.
M48 Liberator Trench Knife
This is the souped-up version of the original trench knife. Everything about the Liberator is big and bold and in your face.
It starts with the 7.5-inch 2Cr13 cast stainless blade that is ground sharp on both sides. The blade has a satin finish and black oxide coating to add to its intimidating aura. The handle scales are made from a light, rugged fiberglass-reinforced nylon that provides a strong grip without adding too much weight.
And then there’s the knuckle duster tang. It both acts as a knuckle guard and an intense defense weapon. The added spikes on the handle allow you to use more force in case you are defending yourself. The knife fits into an injection-molded Vortec and nylon belt sheath that snaps shut and easily fits on your person.
It’s bad. It’s unapologetic. It’s the ultimate modern version of the trench knife.
MSRP: $79.99
Cold Steel Chaos Double Edge
A more muted version of the trench knife, the Chaos Double Edge from Cold Steel gives a modern, tactical spin on the old classic.
The blade itself is made from SK-5 high-carbon steel and is 7.5 inches long. The full-tang construction allows for a well-weighted knife that can be used to defend or to slice through dense brush. Both sides are ground sharp and meet at a spear point so the knife can puncture as you would expect.
The handle is made from 6061 aluminum and features a pair of D ring guards, which are a newer version of the old-school knuckle duster guards that is used for the same purpose. The pommel of the knife is tapered to allow for more force when using the cap to strike.
The included sheath is made from Secure-Ex and is both Molle-Lok and Tek-Lok compatible so transporting the Double Edge will be a breeze.
