Category: 2017 Knives

Spyderco Releases 2017 Mid-Year Catalog with New Knives

May 28, 2017 / Tim / 1 Comment

It’s the middle of the year and that means a few mid-year updates are in store.

First up is Spyderco.

The iconic spider brand released its Spyderco 2017 Mid-Year Product Guide, which is 24 pages of bright pictures that showcase dozens of new (or improved) knives expected to arrive in the coming months.

But first a quick update about the Reinhold Rhino. The Rhino was a 2016 mid-year model that was highly anticipated but problems with quality control have caused issues with production. As a result, they’ve moved manufacturing facilities and upgraded a few things. It will now have peel-ply textured carbon fiber and G-10 laminate scales, a CTS XHP steel blade, and phosphor bronze washers.

On to the new knives, some of which were unveiled at the SHOT Show or Amsterdam Meet.

Spyderco Hundred Pacer

The Hundred Pacer is a snake-like knife from Johnny Liao and takes its name and styling from a Taiwanese viper. The layered G-10 scales create scale-like texture on the handle and the swept-point blade is made from CTS-XHP steel.

Spyderco Shaman

As essentially a larger version of the Native design, the Shaman, which comes in a SpyderEdge and plain version, is sure to capture some fans. The 3.58-inch S30V steel blade goes well with the matte-finished G-10 scales.

Spyderco Hanan

From Spydercollector

Brad Southard has his own style of knives and the Hanan is easily recognized as one of his designs. The curved gentleman’s folder uses a flipper to open the 3-inch S30V blade.

10 New Kershaw Knives You’ll Want to Buy in 2017

February 1, 2017 / Tim / 0 Comments

This year is already shaping up to be a great one for knife lovers. We’ve got a ton of new innovations coming out of the knife community, and some interesting new designs.

As always, Kershaw is releasing more than 30 knives that’ll sure to appeal to the masses. While there tends to be an overreliance on 8Cr13MoV steel and the SpeedSafe mechanism, the diversity of designs is encouraging.

You can find the full list of new knives on the Kershaw website, but here are the 10 we’re most excited to get in the coming months.

10. Kershaw Reverb

The first knife we’re looking forward to is the Reverb. This lightweight knife weighs 1.6 ounces and is billed as a knife for outdoor activities. With a 2.5-inch blade made from 8Cr13MoV steel, the Reverb features a multifaceted handle. The front is G-10 with carbon fiber overlays and the back is steel.

And another appealing aspect is the carabiner clip. I wrote an article a while back about the best knives with carabiners and this will surely make the list.

9. Kershaw Fraxion

I’m a fan of Jens Anso, so I was pretty excited to see the Anso-designed Fraxion. This is a sleek and slim knife with an all-black profile. It also has G-10 handles with carbon fiber overlays. It’s a manual knife with a flipper and uses 8CR13MoV stainless steel.

SOG Pushes the Boundaries of Multitools with 2017 Designs

January 25, 2017 / Tim / 3 Comments

The world of multitools has become stagnant.

When the first modern multitool was introduced in the late 1800s, it was truly revolutionary and groundbreaking. While the idea of combining a few tools into a single gadget dates back hundreds of years, this design was so well-conceived it remains in production to this day. Yes, I’m talking about the Swiss Army knife.

If you take a look at the design of the Modell 1890, one of the first iterations of the SAK, you’ll notice how surprisingly similar it looks to current Swiss Army knives. It just means that the design was near perfection.

Swiss Army Modell 1890

The design of multitools stayed relatively unchanged for decades until a young man spent time traveling abroad after graduating from Oregon State University with a degree in mechanical engineering. During his travels, he realized that the one thing multitools was missing were functional pliers.

That man was named Tim Leatherman.

In 1983, Tim completely changed the multitool landscape with his first design called the Pocket Survival Tool (PST). Now retired, the knife set the standard for what a multitool with pliers should look like — tools coming out of the two handles and the ability to fold into a rectangle.

Unfortunately, the way things work is that one company makes something revolutionary and the others just try to copy it and add small changes. It’s no coincidence that most multitools these days look like the Leatherman Skeletool (a very good design).

More than 30 years after that last true innovation in the multitool world, we’ve been waiting for the next big thing.

SOG may have found it.

SOG Baton Series Rethinks the Multitool

Most multitools fold up into thick bricks that take up way too much space in your pocket. That includes both SAKs and Leatherman types.

So SOG decided to do something a little different.

In conjunction with global design and consulting firm IDEO, which is responsible for such innovations as Apple’s first mouse and the convenient Swiffer, SOG created a new line of multitools called the Baton series.

Here is a quick look from GearSight:

When the tools are in the open position with the pliers (or scissors) engaged, it looks like any other pliers multitool. The difference is that the tool folds up into a relatively thin vertical design that’s more in line with a marker than a brick.

10 New CRKT Knives To Add To Your 2017 Wishlist

January 17, 2017 / Tim / 1 Comment

CRKT recently revealed its new offerings, and I’m pumped.

The company is releasing a fair amount of models that boast the CRKT charm, innovation, and splendor. While I (like many diehard knife enthusiasts) would like to see CRKT use more high-quality materials in its knives, its designs are always something to behold.

Unfortunately, there are far too many to put here, so I’m highlighting the 10 I’m most excited for. You can see more here.

1. Homefront EDC

Innovation is hard to come by these days, but Ken Onion took the knife world by storm last year with the reveal of his “Field Strip” technology. The original Homefront was the first knife to enjoy the technology, which allows you to disassemble a knife without the need for tools.

The knife was well-made and the tech was superb. CRKT is expanding the Homefront line with a few more models, including the Homefront Hunter and Homefront Tactical. My pick here is the Homefront EDC. It has a lot of the same features as the original, except for a slightly longer blade (without the fuller) and GRN handles instead of aluminum.

I’m excited to see what else they do with Field Strip in the future.

2. Bombastic

Another Ken Onion design, the Bombastic reminds me of his Hootenanny. It has a flipper opening mechanism, frame lock, and spear point blade profile (with a false edge). The blade is 3.3 inches and made of 8Cr13MoV steel. The handles are 2Cr13 stainless steel with glass reinforced fiber polyamide inlays. I enjoy the switchblade-inspired design with stylings from WWII.

New 2017 Benchmade Knives

January 10, 2017 / Tim / 3 Comments

With the new year comes new knives.

2017 is off to a great start with a slate of new knives from Benchmade.

The Oregon-based company revealed its new knives last month shortly after it announced the discontinuation of a number of models, including its entire line of HK knives. While the specific reasons each knife was discontinued can only be speculated, the new line confirms that some of the models got upgrades or were brought on over under the Benchmade name.

The new product lines (and special editions) are mostly what you’d expect from Benchmade with a few new tricks. The new knives also indicate that the 154CM steel standard for the Butterly Logo brand is likely becoming S30V (since all the new knives are that steel).

Take a look at what Benchmade has in store for you this year.

Benchmade 560 Freek

The 560 Freek is a manual-opening AXIS lock folder with a focus on well-made and grippy handles. Sound familiar? The Freek will appeal to fans of the Griptilian (or to those who want a little more from the Grip). The 3.6-inch drop point blade is made of CPM-S30V steel, but the focus really seems to be on the handle. It has what Benchmade calls dual durometer handles, which features Versaflex inlays for maximum comfort and durability.

This model seems to be one poised for wider market appeal among those looking for a quality EDC. There are a few versions of the 560, including one with serrations and a black blade.

Benchmade 590 Boost

The Boost shares some of the same qualities as the new Freek with one notable addition, the AXIS-Assist mechanism. Like the Freek, the blade is S30V with a drop point profile, except the length is 3.7 inches.

The Cutting Edge

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