Author: Tim (page 11 of 113)

Timothy Martinez Jr. is the community director for Knife Depot and the editor of The Cutting Edge. If you have any questions or ideas for The Cutting Edge, you can contact him at Tim@knife-depot.com.

Best New Knives of 2022

December 23, 2022 / Tim / 0 Comments

It was another fantastic year of knives. So, with 2022 almost in the rearview mirror, we thought it was time to look at the best knives to come out this year.

Like all of our best-of lists, this selection of knives is biased and somewhat arbitrary. Here are a few qualifications. In order to qualify for this list, the knife had to have been available at Knife Depot. There are a ton of great knives out there, but we thought it would be somewhat odd to choose knives that we weren’t very familiar with.

We did take into account the reviews and opinions of others when selecting these knives, but they were pretty much selected by myself.

Let us know your favorite knives of the past year.

Kershaw Outlier

Let’s start with an easy one: the Kershaw Outlier.

The Outlier has been one of the top-selling knives of the year at Knife Depot, and the feedback has been positive all around. The design is nothing mind-blowing. It’s a tactical folding karambit, but it just works so well and the price is great. It reminds me of the great Fox Karambit, but at a much cheaper price price point.

It has a 2.6-inch hawkbill blade with a black glass-filled nylon handle. It can be opened with a flipper and assisted-opening mechanism or via thumb stud.

When I look back at 2022, I’ll think of the Outlier.

Hogue Deka

The Hogue Deka is not a new design, but 2022 saw the release of the definitive edition of the Deka.

The new Deka is one of the first production knives to receive the super steel MagnaCut on its blade. This steel is widely considered the best all-around steel ever made. For steel nerds, check out this highly in-depth article from Larrin over at Knife Steel Nerds.

Along with the MagnaCut steel, this version of the Deka has polymer handle scales which help cut down on the weight and price of the knife.

Spyderco Ambitious Lightweight – Knife of the Week

December 19, 2022 / Tim / 0 Comments

When Spyderco first came out with its value series named after admirable attributes in the late 2000s, the knives were the pinnacle of value for everyday carry.

As time passed, price creep has seen the value folders get more expensive… until recently.

Despite soaring inflation, Spyderco has delivered a brand new version of the beloved Ambitious with lightweight scales and a competitive price.

The Spyderco Ambitious Lightweight is the smallest of the value folders with a 2.42-inch leaf-shaped blade made from 8Cr13MoV stainless steel.

Kershaw 2022 Product Release #3 Now Available

December 16, 2022 / Tim / 0 Comments

In late October, Kershaw unveiled four new knives that would make their debut this year.

All four of these knives are now available at Knife Depot, so we thought it was time to bring you an in-depth look at these four new models from Kershaw.

Check them out and let us know which one catches your eye the most.

Kershaw Interstellar

Let’s start with the Kershaw Interstellar. This knife is the one that caught my eye at first in the reveal trailer.

Cold Steel SRK Compact – Knife of the Week

December 14, 2022 / Tim / 1 Comment

What happens when you make one of the best-valued survival-rescue knives a little more compact? You get one of the best all-around fixed blades, period.

The original Cold Steel SRK, which stands for Survival Rescue Knife and is one of the best Cold Steel knives, is a testament to hard-use, low-cost knives you can literally bet your life on. The rugged fixed blade has been a mainstay of the Cold Steel lineup for years.

So, when Cold Steel decided to bring a compact version to the masses, people were giddy with excitement.

The Cold Steel SRK Compact boasts the same performance as the beloved fixed blade but in a shorter, lighter, and thinner design.

CIVIVI Bo – Knife of the Week

November 21, 2022 / Tim / 0 Comments

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.

What Should I Engrave on a Knife? 10 Engraving Ideas

November 15, 2022 / Tim / 4 Comments

engraved knives

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.

Name

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.

CRKT Squid XM – Knife of the Week

November 14, 2022 / Tim / 0 Comments

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.

Top 6 Titanium Spyderco Knives

November 13, 2022 / Tim / 3 Comments

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.

1. Spyderco SpydieChef

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.

Old Timer Golden Bear – Knife of the Week

November 7, 2022 / Tim / 2 Comments

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.

Why Engraved Knives Make the Best Gifts

November 4, 2022 / Tim / 2 Comments

Engraved knife

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.

1. The person will actually use it.

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.

2. You can find the perfect engraved knife for any personality.

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.

The Cutting Edge

The official blog of Knife Depot