When you need a simple, elegant, and high-quality knife, reach for the CIVIVI Bo Flipper.
Designed by Brad Zinker — a knifemaker known for his slim everyday carry knives — the Bo is an attractive design with details that will make you fall in love when the knife is in your hand.
The blade is a perfect EDC size at 2.92 inches with a gray stonewashed finish. It uses Nitro-V stainless steel, an alloy with exceptional toughness and good corrosion resistance that’s easy to sharpen.
There are so many things that make laser-engraved knives the perfect gift (something we’ve written about extensively), but basically they are functional and meaningful.
But what exactly should you get engraved on a knife?
That’s the million dollar question that can make or break your gift.
Our engraved knife experts at Knife Depot have engraved thousands of knives over the years, so we know a thing or two about what looks good on an engraved knife.
If you’re having trouble deciding what to engrave on a knife, here are some tips and suggestions.
Out of the thousands of knives we’ve engraved, names are by far the most common.
It just makes sense. While it may seem counterintuitive to have your name on a knife, it just makes things more personal than a generic knife with no engraving.
The CRKT Squid is often called the best “little big knife” available.
So what happens when you make it bigger and better? You get one of the best regular knives available.
The CRKT Squid XM is a larger version of the overbuilt Squid with a 2.95-inch blade and 7-inch overall length when opened.
Its strong drop point blade now features a black coating and tough D2 steel, making it great for demanding work tasks. The blade engages via flipper or thumb stud with the help of an IKBS ball-bearing pivot and assisted-opening mechanism.
The Native 5 Fluted Titanium photographed by the spydercollector
This article was first published back in May 2016. It was updated in November 2022 to reflect newer models.
Behold the wonders of titanium.
This metal alloy has so many advantages in its favor—from superior corrosion resistance to excellent durability—that it’s a coveted material. Even though it’s heavier than other materials like carbon fiber, titanium is surprisingly lightweight for a strong metal. The amalgamation of all these characteristics makes titanium one hell of a material for knife handles.
No company has done a better job at making titanium handles than Spyderco. So, we decided to take a look at six Spyderco knives that expertly utilized titanium handles.
Let’s kick things off with one of Spyderco’s best knives available: the Spyderco SpydieChef. Back when this article was first published, it wasn’t out yet. Since its release, this titanium folder has vaulted up to become not just one of best titanium Spyderco knives but one of Spyderco’s best knives ever.
What’s better than a timeless knife with a classic design? A knife with a laser engraving.
The Old Timer 6OT Golden Bear is a knife that’s been around for a long time but still feels as fresh and useful as any knife available today.
The Golden Bear features a classic buck-knife design with a 3.5-inch clip-point blade and a back lock.
Its blade is made from high-carbon stainless steel and has a nail nick for easy opening.
There’s nothing worse than trying to find the perfect gift.
You spend countless hours thinking about a gift only to see the recipient disappointed when opening it up.
But, there is one thing that has been my go-to gift with excellent results every time: engraved knives.
Here’s why.
Let’s start with one of the best arguments for a knife as a gift: it’s functional!
How many times have you given or received a gift that ends up stuffed deep into a closet or tossed in a drawer?
Now think of all the times you’ve pulled out your pocket knife in the last hour alone. If you’re anything like me, it’s a fair amount. I have used my knife to open packaging from Knife Depot, cut a straw in half (a long story involving my son), and break down cardboard.
If you’re worried the gift recipient may not be familiar with all the uses of a knife, share my look at 101 uses for the pocket knife.
Since the knife has been around for millions of years, countless variations and designs exist. This means you can find a knife that matches up with the personality of the recipient.
In terms of knife companies, CIVIVI Knives (a subset of WE Knife Company) is relatively new.
Yet somehow the brand has catapulted itself into contention for one of the best knife brands around. Its name has become synonymous with high-quality knives at shockingly low prices.
While these knives are made in China, more and more companies are proving that knives you buy from China can no longer be dismissed as cheap junk. So if you’re interested in seeing what CIVIVI has to offer, these are their 10 best knives currently available.
Let’s start with a no-brainer: the Elementum. The Elementum is no longer simply one of CIVIVI’s best knives but may be the very best EDC knife for its price.
Almost everything about the knife is perfect. It’s a good size with a 2.96-inch blade that flips open effortlessly and reliably. It has a simple yet ergonomic handle. It’s not adorned with a bunch of logos and numbers. Instead, it’s just a simple knife that works.
And because the knife has become so darn popular, CIVIVI has created this knife in more than a dozen different styles. You can the knife in your choice of handle material and color. There are higher-end versions and larger versions and versions with button locks and Damascus versions. The list goes on and on.
If you want to see just some of the variations, check out the CIVIVI Elementum collection here.
From a more people-friendly design to a more tactically-focused design, the CIVIVI Conspirator is a larger knife with a more aggressive profile.
OTF (out-the-front) knives are all the rage these days. Unfortunately, the automatic versions are illegal in many places. So, Kershaw decided to team up with Jens Anso for this unique manual OTF called the Kershaw Kapsule.
The Kershaw Kapsule is a small but compelling everyday carry with an eccentric design you won’t want to put down.
Here’s how the knife works: you manually push upward on the blue actuator until the blade locks into place with a button lock. When you want to close it, you push the blue button and manually pull it back down. It’s as simple as that and a unique opening mechanism.
This post was first published in 2020 and updated in 2022.
When you think of Smith & Wesson, high-quality knives might not be the first thing that comes to mind.
No, you probably think of great firearms… and Dirty Harry. But the truth is, Smith & Wesson also manufactures quality knives. They’re the type that appeals to law enforcement personnel and those interested in self-defense. These aren’t your average kitchen knives.
Smith & Wesson knives are versatile and rugged. They’re designed for the field, with sturdy blades that hold their cutting edges, and good grips for ease of use.
Over the years, Smith & Wesson has expanded its lineup of knives to include more than just search and rescue and first response knives. Still, those remain the bread and butter of the lineup.
So let’s cut to the chase. See which are the best Smith & Wesson knives.
We’re starting with one of the top-selling S&W knives at Knife Depot: the Smith & Wesson SWFR2S Extreme Ops.
This is a tactical folding knife that rivals any other rescue knife in this price range.
As a heavy-duty rescue knife, the SWFR2S feels great in the hands, thanks to its rubberized handle. Its partially serrated tanto blade is 3.3 inches long.
If you keep one knife in your car for emergency situations, this one should be it. It’s also available with engraving! It’s no wonder it was a Knife of the Week a few years ago.
The 1st Response is the companion knife of the first knife on this list. While it has a lot of the same features and blade length, it looks very different.
Who says you can’t get a good budget knife for under $25? The Smith & Wesson Sideburn begs to differ.
The Sideburn is a solid, budget-friendly everyday carry with a unique design that works well.
It has a 3-inch modified Wharncliffe blade made from functional 8Cr13MoV stainless steel. The blade profile offers a strong, piercing point with a subtle curve in the blade’s edge.
A flipper tab allows the blade to spring open manually but reliably, while a cutout notch allows for a more controlled method of opening.
© 2022 The Cutting Edge
Theme by Anders Noren — Up ↑