New BLADE’s Complete Knife Guide on newsstands NOW!
BLADE’s Complete Knife Guide Spring 2015 is your knife bible for most every cutting need in the coming year and is on newsstands NOW!
In addition to providing you with the contact information for every factory knife, knife accessory and cutting need, the new BLADE’s Complete Knife Guide (BKG) keeps you in the loop for the latest industry trends, including the new wave of genticals that is flooding the cutlery landscape.
Want that special custom knife but are not exactly sure how to go about it, where to look or who to contact? In “7 Keys to Getting the Best Custom Knives,” Mike Haskew picks the brains of those who buy and sell the best custom knives for a living—custom knife purveyors/dealers. Read what the pros recommend on page 78.
Neck knives—aka neckers—are those handy little blades you can wear around your neck and are instantly accessible for whatever cutting job is at hand. Abe Elias takes you through some of today’s leading examples and also shows you other ways to wear them other than around your neck.
Are silky smooth folders at the top of your Christmas list? If so, join Stephen Garger as he explores a quartet of the top ones on both sides of the Atlantic in “4 Silky Smooth Folders.”
Officials of the American Knife & Tool Institute (AKTI) stated they are working to add Louisiana to the growing list of states that have changed statutes to more clearly define what is NOT an illegal knife and protect the rights of knife owners. Louisiana residents need to encourage their legislators to support SB 78, an AKTI release noted.
For more on the latest knives, knife legislation, knifemaking instruction, knife trends, knifemakers, what knives to buy and where and much more, subscribe to BLADE Magazine, the World’s No. 1 Knife Publication. For subscription information click on http://www.shopblade.com/product/blade-magazine-one-year-subscripti…?r+ssfb032212#BL1SU.
9 hottest Facebook makers help highlight the new BLADE®, on newsstands now!
Nine of the hottest Facebook makers, the latest factory knives for 2016, one of the hottest trends going in cool side tools and much more inundate the latest issue of BLADE® Magazine, on newsstands now!
With social media embracing the cutlery industry like James Bowie’s long-lost knife, Facebook is near or at the top of the list of those peopled by any and all who admire sharpened steel. As a result, BLADE used its BLADE Facebook page to poll its friends on who they think are the hottest custom Facebook knifemakers who post pictures of their work on Facebook. Check out the results of our Facebook poll in “9 of Facebook’s Hottest Makers.”
Along with the annual BLADE Show, the annual Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show is the place many factory cutlery companies introduce their latest knives. Feast your eyes on some of the latest in tactical, folding, fixed, traditional, hunting, bushcraft, automatics, flippers and other state-of-the-art blades in our edged exclusive, “Sweet 16s: The New Factory Knives for 2016.”
According to ABS master smith Wally Hayes, a side tool is “an ancillary tool for cutting, opening, turning; something useful and fun.” Cool side tools are flooding the industry, from the Dual Action Dragon Opener by Suz and Bob Terzuola on the custom side to the MacV Tool from SOG Specialty Knives on the factory side and everything in-between. Pop a top, cut a rug or whatever hones your edge with one of the latest in these handy multi-tools outlined in “Side-Tool Cool.”
Also this issue: How to build your own knife online; custom logo’d flipper folder tabs; some of the best EDC knives for under $50; the latest in pro-knife laws passed nationwide; the conclusion of Jeffrey Dane’s historical six-part series, “Bowie Legend: Fact or Fable?”; Chad Mock’s “Texas Ulu”; and much more in the latest issue of BLADE.
Stainless, high-carbon, super steels, see what 2025’s shakeups mean for knife steels in 2026.
Twenty-twenty-five saw radical change in the cutlery industry, but somehow the business of blades not only survived, in some ways, it also thrived. With new steels in the offing and despite a business environment made murky by the specter of tariffs, 2026 has several things going for it that could point to a year of continued resilience for knives.
Ironically, one of ’25’s biggest changes—the closing of Crucible Industries—did not turn out to be as debilitating as some thought it would be. While by mid-year there was no more Crucible, most of its coveted cutlery steels remained available, albeit under new manufacturer names (Knife After Crucible).
A steel processing company that came out quite well during the transition was Niagara Specialty Metals (NSM). Bob Shabala, NSM president, provided a look at the changes from an insider’s perspective.
Several sources say companies that manufacture their knives solely in the USA should experience little to no tariff-induced price increases in 2026. Case is such a company. The Crossroads Barlow features S35VN stainless blade steel and a black and tan Richlite handle. Closed length: 3.375 inches. MSRP: $118.99.
“Crucible’s decline didn’t happen overnight,” he notes. “Long before the shutdown, we saw signs of trouble: inconsistent allocations, slipping ship dates and growing uncertainty around future melts. As a steel processor that lives or dies by delivery reliability, we didn’t wait. We started to order more steel from Crucible to bolster our inventory in case something happened. We also reached out to Erasteel and Carpenter Technology to gauge their interest in supplying PM [powder metallurgy] steels. We have a long history with both companies and they were receptive to our requests. In September 2024, we started placing orders with both mills, not knowing that Erasteel would eventually buy the IP [intellectual property] and trademarks of Crucible in early 2025.
“In short, Crucible’s demise raised costs in the short term but also created an opportunity for us to buy high-quality steel from multiple suppliers. We diversified melt sources, invested in grinding/laser/ti capacity and kept steel flowing. The industry will come out of this with a more resilient supply chain, and makers will see faster builds and better consistency where it counts. If you’re a one-man shop or a major brand, you can get the material and the prep you need.”
Introduction MagnaMax Steel
Dr. Larrin Thomas, metallurgist.
Dr. Larrin Thomas is an acclaimed metallurgist whose web column knifesteelnerds.com is great reading if you want to stay current with knife steels. He sees the industry’s ability to bounce back over time as key to predicting events for the coming year.
“The huge changes in the ownership among steel manufacturers for cutlery consumers were minimal, mainly because the major players had a year to settle into their comfort zones,” states Thomas, whose portfolio as a steel designer includes the uber-popular MagnaCut. “Nothing changed as far as the king-of-the-hill steel. MagnaCut, which has been the most popular stainless steel among knife consumers for over two years, remains the top choice. That could change in 2026 because MagnaCut will be joined by a sibling dubbed MagnaMax.
“MagnaCut isn’t going away—its balance of edge retention, toughness and true ‘stainlessness’ keeps it the all-around benchmark. What’s new is MagnaMax: think MagnaCut-level corrosion resistance with meaningfully higher wear resistance, so edges hang on longer in abrasive cutting. That combination is why I expect MagnaMax to be one of 2026’s headline steels, especially in EDC folders, hunting/skinning knives, and pro kitchen blades that see lots of board or hide contact. MagnaMax complements MagnaCut rather than replacing it—pick MagnaMax when maximum edge life is the priority, MagnaCut when you want the ultimate do-everything balance.”
Knife Steels To Watch
AEB-L stainless will be one of the top blade steel choices for custom folders in 2026. Terry Jellison employs it on the blades of his Hobo Knife. Scales: mammoth ivory. Liners: brass. Closed length: 4 inches. The knife is not for sale. (Jocelyn Frasier image)
Despite or perhaps even because of the Crucible shakeup, manufacturers and custom makers have many steel options. Following is Larrin’s recap of the diversity of top-shelf options for 2026. First, the leading stainless steels for factory knives:
MagnaCut: Expanding across EDC folders, hunting knives and premium automatics as brands refresh the legacy of S30V/S35VN;
MagnaMax: Expect it to appear in the same knife types as MagnaCut and beyond. The appeal is simple: MagnaMax has the qualities of a stainless steel users already love (MagnaCut) but with more wear resistance for longer edge life, and;
LC200N and Vanax: Limited but visible in dive/fillet and salt-exposed knives where “no rust, period” is the spec.
Larrin’s top carbon steels for factory knives in ’26:
CPM 3V and CPM CruWear (aka NSM Wear): Factories use these steels selectively in choppers and survival/tactical fixed blades where warranty-safe toughness matters.
D2: The popular tool steel will persist in value lines, but you’ll see a gradual shift away from it toward tougher, easier-to-sharpen options. In the realm of carbon steels for custom knives, Larrin says Pop’s ProCut, a new blade material designed for use by bladesmiths, including in damascus, will shine. Its combination of nickel, tungsten and vanadium gives it high toughness and wear resistance while still being easy to forge and heat treat. It can be hardened in a 200°F window, which makes it extremely easy to heat treat. The high nickel content also makes it produce a bright layer in damascus. On the stainless custom side, Larrin says to watch these:
MagnaMax: Alongside MagnaCut and AEB-L, MagnaMax will be a go-to for customs where makers want a “set-and-forget” edge on EDC folders, hunting knives and chef’s knives. It delivers premium corrosion resistance plus a clear wear-resistance bump, which lets makers grind thin and still give customers long service intervals between sharpenings, and;
LC200N: It will fill a growing niche for dive knives, fillet knives, coastal EDC and pro kitchens where rust is the enemy.
Tariffs’ Affects On Knife Steel
Bear & Son is another company that manufactures its knives exclusively in the USA and that should experience little to no tariff-induced price increases in ’26. Its 11 7/8-inch White Smooth Bone Professional Fillet Knife features Sandvik 14C28N stainless blade steel. MSRP: $139.99.
Several sources say American consumers will see the effects of U.S. tariffs on both imported knives and/or the steel used in them in ’26—a double whammy in some cases. However, it’s too early to tell the overall impact tariffs will have on the prices American consumers will pay for imported knives. That said, enough has been done in the overall market to draw some conclusions as to what direction those numbers are heading in the knife market in general.
As for those who manufacture their knives in the USA, there will be little to no increase in prices, except for models that include some foreign-made parts. This is uncommon but a possibility, though for the most part, not a liability that cannot be overcome. Case, Bear & Son and others are among those that fall into this category.
The second group contains companies that do a large part of their manufacturing in the United States. Among those that fit into this group is Spyderco, which also has its “value line” of knives produced overseas. Sources say Spyderco can go with a bump in tariffs on its foreign-made knives, move all manufacturing in-house or ditch the value line entirely, though there was no indication at press time that the company will choose either of the latter two options.
Dr. Larrin Thomas says the new Pop’s ProCut blade material is designed for use by bladesmiths, including in damascus. Cliff Ivey combines it with 80CrV2 carbon steel for the damascus blade of his small hunter. Overall length: 6.25 inches. Cliff’s price for a similar knife: $450. (Jocelyn Frasier image)
Then there are American companies that produce the lion’s share of their knives overseas. CRKT is one such company. Sources indicate CRKT can work the tariff costs into existing pricing, move its manufacturing to a country that pays lower tariffs, or figure out a way to manufacture more of its knives domestically. Considering CRKT’s track record, it probably would be a mistake to underestimate the company’s ability to endure.
Bottom Line
While 2026 will have its challenges, barring any surprises, it should be relatively calmer than 2025 due to last year’s upheavals in the manufacturing sector and tariff-induced changes. Meanwhile, the cutlery industry remains healthy in both the budget, moderately priced and upscale sectors—and that is a very good sign.
According to the American Knife & Tool Institute, a Pennsylvania bill has been introduced to ensure knife liberties for the citizens of the Keystone State. HB 2548 would amend Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes. If the measure passed, the current definition of “offensive weapon” would be updated, including removing switchblades—such as the Pro-Tech Stinger pictured above—as an offensive weapon.
For over a year, AKTI officials indicated they have been working with Rep. Marc Gergley (D-35) and Jeff Pyle (R-60), and more recently with Rep. Michelle Brooks (R-17), to add Pennsylvania to the growing number of states that do not restrict knives based on their classification, for mere possession, nor allow cities to enact laws that are stricter than the state’s knife regulations.
Dan Lawson, AKTI legal contributing counsel, has been committed to seeing his home state remove all prohibitive laws on knives, including switchblades. In proposing an amendment to Title 18 to Rep. Marc Gergley in December 2010, Lawson commented, “It may be interesting to note that there are a number of states which never adopted a switchblade prohibition. These states include Oregon, Idaho, North Dakota and Arizona. I would suggest…that there is no discernible difference in knife crime in states with extremely stringent knife laws and states with relatively lenient or no knife laws.”
Since Nov. 28, when Rep. Michelle Brooks announced her intention to sponsor knife legislation, several other legislators have agreed to sponsor the bill, including Representatives Gergley, Pyle, Gabler, Cutler, Evankovich, Geist, Grove, Haluska, Harhai, M.K. Keller, Marshall, Metcalf, Perry and Youngblood.
In explaining the need for the legislation, Rep. Brooks noted, “The intention here is to remove the strict prohibition of switchblades and instead require that the implement must be, ‘for the infliction of serious bodily injury [and] which serves no common lawful purpose.’ In other states where switchblades are not strictly prohibited, these implements are used for various lawful purposes. For instance, many first responders use switchblades so they can open a knife quickly with one hand. This can be critical when trying to save someone’s life by cutting a seat beat or other obstruction to an injured person.”
For more on the latest knives, knife legislation, knifemaking instruction, knife trends, knifemakers, what knives to buy and where and much more, subscribe to BLADE® Magazine, the World’s No. 1 Knife Publication. Click on http://www.shopblade.com/blade-magazine-one-year-subscription-us/?r+ssfb071012 for more information.
A contemporary version of the Mount Rushmore of Knifemakers is one of many feature stories in the latest BLADE®, on newsstands now!
A contemporary version of the Mount Rushmore of Knifemakers, a secret of knife collecting, knives with nice butts, the Bob Loveless knife that changed knife history and more touch up the edge of the latest BLADE®, on newsstands NOW!
BLADE did an all-time “Mount Rushmore of Knifemakers”—the top four makers of the modern era—in the May 2015 issue. Afterward, one of the participants, Dan Delavan of Plaza Cutlery, suggested we do a Mount Rushmore saluting contemporary makers. The result is our poll of leading industry observers that pinpoints the top four makers—four to fit on our Mount Rushmore—from 2000 to 2017. Check out who they are, as well as the ones who just missed, in the latest issue.
Collecting custom knives must be fun and rewarding for you or else why do it? One way to make it fun and rewarding is to be successful at it, and one way to do that is to be aware of the life cycle of popular knife genres. BLADE field editor Les Robertson makes a living staying abreast of the life cycles of hot custom knife genres, something he has been doing for almost 35 years now. Learn what the cycles are, their history and how you can use them to enhance your collection in “The Circle Remains Unbroken.”
In knife parlance the end of a knife handle is called a butt—and knives with the nicest butts often are the kind that attract knife aficionados most. See why this is so and some examples of some of the best of their kind in “Knives With Nice Butts.”
Sniper Bladeworks is sharpening its presence in the independent retail market.
The Kansas City-based tactical knife brand has officially joined forces with Nation’s Best Sports (NBS), a premier buying group serving more than 450 independent sporting goods retailers across the country. As one of only a handful of cutlery vendors approved for NBS, Sniper Bladeworks will debut its partnership at the upcoming NBS Fall Semi-Annual Market, held August 18–21 in Fort Worth, Texas.
For Sniper Bladeworks, this moment marks a major step forward in its mission to get quality, hard-use knives into the hands of professionals and working Americans. “Heartfelt thanks to Tyler and the entire NBS team for entrusting our brand and product,” said Sniper CEO Adam Pener. “Being an approved NBS vendor means something, and we’re honored to be part of this trusted network.”
To celebrate the partnership, Sniper is rolling out exclusive show specials available only to NBS dealersthrough August 31. The deals include special pricing on best-selling models, early access to upcoming 2025 releases, and tiered ordering incentives for event attendees. “We built these specials just for the NBS audience,” said Sniper COO Houston DeFoe. “This is a rare opportunity to grab premium blades at unbeatable pricing, just in time for hunting season.”
Founded by former SWAT sniper Lance Abernathy, Sniper Bladeworks has earned a loyal following for its distinct ergonomic designs and no-nonsense performance. Its knives—many featuring the brand’s signature pistol-grip handles—are built with end-users in mind, from tactical operators to outdoor adventurers. The company relaunched in 2020 with a blockbuster Kickstarter campaign and has since completed three successful production runs, expanding its catalog of field-proven, limited-edition models.
While the knives speak for themselves, the team behind them is just as committed to service. “We’re excited to connect face-to-face with the NBS community in Fort Worth,” said DeFoe. “This show is about more than sales—it’s about building relationships with the family-owned dealers who serve America’s hunters, cops, EMTs, and outdoorsmen.”
At the show, dealers can expect:
Exclusive pricing on top models
Hands-on demos and live meet-and-greets
Sneak peeks at 2025 limited releases
Event-only ordering incentives
With this new partnership, Sniper Bladeworks cements its place in the gear rooms, range bags, and tackle boxes of America’s hardest-working knife users—right where it belongs.
