Every ounce counts.

When it comes to knives, you might be thinking to yourself what’s a few ounces? Is the Cold Steel Spartan at 10 ounces really so much heavier than the Kershaw Chill at 2 ounces? The answer is yes.

If you’re just going for a walk around the block, you might not notice the weight, but carry the knife for hours on end and you’ll feel that sag in your pocket like a ton of bricks.

I’m starting a series of posts about knives under certain weights for those looking to cut back on their EDC weight. So let’s start with the lightest a knife can get: less than an ounce.

Yes, knives that weigh in at under an ounce can be just as useful as those boasting bigger designs. Here’s a look at some of the best.

Spyderco Manbug

When you want a small knife, look no further than Spyderco. The famous spider brand is well-known for creating minuscule knives that look identical to some of their bigger counterparts. The Spyderco Ladybug and Honey Bee could have been on this list, but instead of completely stuffing it with Spydies, I thought I’d stick with a few, including the Manbug.

Nothing against the feminine-sounding Ladybug (which is a fantastic knife), but if I had to choose one knife with a typical Spyderco design under an ounce, it would be the Manbug. This knife is a little beefier and easier to wield than the Ladybug. It has a 1.875″ blade made from VG-10 and FRN handles. Coming in at .65 ounces, the Manbug is a hard-working knife that you’ll barely feel in your pocket.

Gerber LST Ultralight

The Gerber LST Ultralight was one of our Badass Knives of the Week a while back. How does a sub-ounce knife get that distinction? It features a reliable lockback design and has history on its side. The original LST was brought to market more than 35 years ago by Pete Gerber himself.

The ultralight version has a 1.96-inch blade made from 420HC stainless steel and glass-filled nylon handles — one of the first knives to ever use it. The best part is that this inexpensive and .6-ounce knife is made in the United States.

Victorinox Classic SD

When it comes to knives, it doesn’t get more iconic than the Victorinox Classic SD. This Swiss Army Knife model may be the best-selling knife ever with countless being sold around the world. The reason is simple: this tiny knife is lightweight, multifunctional, and all anyone can ask for in a small pocket knife.

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I can’t tell you when the kitchen knife block was invented or who it was invented by, but it remains one of the best inventions for the kitchen since sliced bread.

Prior to the knife block, the vast majority of Americans simply tossed their fine kitchen cutlery into a drawer, only to get dinged up and scratched.

The knife block offers a solution that saves space and keeps your kitchen knives protected from wear and tear. While knife blocks have their flaws — they’re often impossible to clean, sometimes dull the knives, and often come in unnecessary sets — they are one of the most popular kitchen knife storage solutions around.

With all that said, the basic design of the knife block and its prevalence in kitchens across the world make the knife holder ripe for parody and creativity. That’s where these knife blocks come into the picture.

These knife blocks prioritize artistry over function and they’re entirely impractical but they’re just so darn visually stimulating.

Wolverine Knife Holder

This is the block that inspired me to write this post. Behold the pinnacle of insanity in all its glory. The Wolverine Steak Knife Holder is one of the coolest and most creative knife blocks around, and it’s also the least functional.

The fists are made with a 3D printer from plastic but can only hold six knives. You’d only be able to store your steak knife set and would have to find another solution for your chef’s knife/paring knife. On top of that, the knives aren’t that easy to get out. Oh, and did I mention that the knives stick up out into the air?

The maker of this holder on Etsy seems pretty cool and straightforward about the piece as more of a conversation starter than a functional knife storage system.

Buyer assumes all responsibility for safety once purchased…. seriously, steak knives set backwards in a knife block? Use your best judgement when displaying, using, populating your home with animals or children… or drunk people.

All of you looking to get your hands on one of these hands is out of luck for now. The item sold earlier this month.

Star Wars X-wing Knife Holder

If you thought the Wolverine knife block was insane, the creators of this knife block said, “Hold my Bantha milk.” You may have already seen this knife block before — if you haven’t already bought a few as housewarming gifts — but it’s modeled after the starfighter most commonly recognized from the Battle of Yavin in Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope.

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