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10 Best KA-BAR Knives

June 19, 2024 / Tim / 21 Comments

KA-BAR is a legendary name in the knife world, with a legacy that spans more than a century—though it hasn’t always operated under the same name. While the iconic USMC KA-BAR remains its most famous blade, the Olean, New York-based company has built a surprisingly diverse lineup over the years.

By collaborating with some of the top names in the business—like Ethan Becker, Rick Hinderer, and Bob Dozier—KA-BAR continues to show a serious commitment to quality and innovation.

There’ve been plenty of solid new releases, but none have dethroned these tried-and-true classics.

Here are the 10 best KA-BAR knives you can get your hands on right now.

KA-BAR USMC Fighting Knife

Let’s kick things off with the icon—the original KA-BAR. I won’t go too deep into the history here (because I’ve already done that) but it’s worth noting that several companies produced the KA-BAR knife over the years. Still, the ones made by the company we now know as KA-BAR were always held in the highest regard.

Decades later, this legendary fighting knife remains a favorite among both military personnel and civilians.

Honestly, I could have filled this whole list with different versions of the KA-BAR utility knife. But to keep things varied, I’m letting the classic USMC model represent the whole family—like the Kraton-handled variants, tanto versions, short versions and more.

KA-BAR BK2 Becker Campanion

Just like I could’ve packed this list with nothing but fighting knives, I could just as easily fill it entirely with models from the KA-BAR Becker line. Ethan Becker is a true knife-designing savant, and his work with KA-BAR is all the proof you need. One standout in the lineup? The BK2 Becker Campanion.

‘Most Innovative American-Made Design of the Year’ Winners at Blade Show Since 1990

June 18, 2024 / Tim / 8 Comments

Every year, the finest knifemakers and manufacturers descend on Atlanta to reveal new knife models, talk shop, and receive awards at the Blade Show.

I’ve already delved deep into the past and laid out the “Overall Knife of the Year” winners since Blade Show first started in 1982.

In advance of the latest Blade Show, I thought I’d take a look back at a different category: the Most Innovative American-Made Design of the Year. This category (and its counterpart Most Innovative Imported Design of the Year) didn’t start until 1990, so that’s where we’ll pick up.

It gives a good insight into the thinking of the judges who pick the knives and whether any of these stood to the test of time (hint: many did!).

1990: Becker Knife & Tool Tactul II

The image features early Tactuls or possibly Divtuls — not sure which models or generations.

We’re starting with the very first entry in 1990: the Becker Knife & Tool Tactul II. These earlier knives are hard to nail down because they have evolved or gone the way of the dodo. You might not be familiar with the Tactul II, but you might know the modern day version better known as the KA-BAR Becker Tac Tool.

Before teaming up with KA-BAR, Ethan Becker had his own company who put out knives made by other manufacturers. The original description from Blade Magazine on the win says the knife is a “heavy duty diving/utility knife that is a saw, hammer/nail puller, screwdriver, chisel, pry bar and knife all in one.”

1991: Gerber Gator Serrated

A more recent version of the Gator.

The Gerber Gator feels like old news now but it was once one of the most innovative when first released. The overall design with the gator-like textured handle was superb. In fact, this — like the Tac Tool — remains a very good knife that’s still around.

1992: Equip USA El Diente

Image provided by Blade Magazine

I wasn’t able to find any information about the Equip USA El Diente, so I reached out to Blade Magazine (which sponsors the Blade Show) to find out more.

‘Overall Knife of the Year’ Winners at Blade Show Since 1984

June 17, 2024 / Tim / 35 Comments

With thousands of knives flooding the markets, it might seem like there’s so much overlap out there that all knives start to bleed together. If you actually believe that new knives no longer have much to offer, you have a lot of studying to do.

Every year manufacturers and designers work hard to bring something new and exciting to the table. To better illustrate how new knives are still proving their worth, we thought it’d be interesting to take a look at all the winners of Blade Magazine‘s “Overall Knife of the Year” award since the start.

The winners of this award are voted by attendees of the BLADE Show and a panel of special judges. These knives are typically prototypes at the time, but show real craftsmanship, expert designs, beautiful construction, and much more.

The first BLADE Show took place in 1982. From what I could find, the first Overall Knife of the Year award was given to a Fight’n Rooster knife, though I couldn’t pinpoint the model, so I didn’t add it here.

Also, the show did not have an Overall Knife of the Year winner in 1983. If I am wrong, please let me know. So with that, let’s start with the knife that won the award in 1984 and work our way to the present.

1984: Timberline Survival Hunter

(The image is of a skinner version of the knife made by Timberline’s Vaughn Neely. These old knives are hard to find.)

The Survival Hunter is a design by Vaughn Neely, who founded Timberline, and was a beloved knife. You still see these vintage Survival Hunters for sale but they tend to go very quickly. Like I said, these earlier knives are difficult to find information on, but it also won the American Made Design of the Year in 1985.

1985: Gerber Clip-Lock

The Clip-Lock from Gerber was a Black Collins design that’s now long discontinued. It had an unusual sheath design in that a clip locked it into place. Here is a quick video overview:

1986: Fight’n Rooster 7-blade Congress

I’m honestly not too familiar with Fight’n Rooster Knives, but I was able to find out that the company was started in the ’70s by Frank Buster. Most of them were traditional slip joint designs typically made in Solingen, Germany. This 7-bladed Congress was all I could find of the knife, but if it’s not the correct model, please let me know.

1987: Buck Titanium

The Buck Titanium was an interesting design with a titanium handle and an overall design reminiscent of the Buck 110 Folding Hunter. It had a monstrous pocket clip, which you can kind of see in the image above. It had a back lock and was just a solid knife.

Best Knives to Give to Your Dad on Father’s Day

June 4, 2024 / Tim / 6 Comments

We originally wrote this list back in 2012 but we’ve since updated it to include newer knives.

When you think back to your first knife, it’s likely that your dad was the person who gave it to you. So, to honor your dad with the same special gift he bestowed upon you, consider getting him a brand new knife for Father’s Day this weekend.

CRKT CEO Flipper

The CEO series from CRKT is the ultimate dad knife. This knife was originally designed by Richard Rogers as an understated slim folder that you could comfortably carry and use at work. It would slip into your pocket and could be mistaken as a pen.

Needless to say, it was a big hit. But the best version is probably the CEO Flipper, which has the same slim profile but with a flipper mechanism for easier opening.

Buck 110 Folding Hunter

Fewer brands exhibit class and quality like Buck Knives. Show your dad that you’re no slouch when it comes to picking character over value by giving him Buck’s signature knife the Folding Hunter. The knife features a woodgrain handle and a classic lockback system and is widely recognized as one of the most iconic knives of all time.

The Buck 110 is still one of the most affordable US-made knives. We also have it available for engraving.

Benchmade Bugout

If you want to splurge a little on your dad and get him something that’s known for quality and craftsmanship, opt for the Benchmade Bugout. This is the ultimate weekender or adventurer knife because it’s so lightweight yet durable.

Why Knives Make the Best Father’s Day Gifts

June 3, 2024 / Tim / 1 Comment

A novelty necktie. A “World’s Greatest Dad” mug. An apron for barbecuing.

If you’re a dad, chances are you’ve unwrapped a present on Father’s Day to find one of the above items and had to force a smile and say “thanks” with as much sincerity as you could muster.

If you’re a child and you gave one of these items, you have no excuses.

Father’s Day should be a time when you give or receive something that’s functional yet touching. Something that’s long-lasting but useful. And yes, this mystical gift that’s all of these things does exist: the knife.

Here are a few reasons why.

Knives are useful

The absolute worst part of a gift like a novelty necktie is that it’ll never get used. Maybe on some off chance the office will have a crazy tie day, but even then the tie will already be lost in the garage somewhere.

Gerber Pledge – Knife of the Week

May 22, 2024 / Tim / 0 Comments

Gerber Pledge

The Pledge is Gerber’s promise to offer a low-cost knife with a compelling design you can depend on. Gerber delivers on that pledge in spades.

Gerber makes some of the best high-quality knives made in America you can buy, such as the 06 Auto and StrongArm. But their budget-friendly models are some of the most underrated knives on the market, including our latest Knife of the Week.

The Gerber Pledge features a slim 3.7-inch blade with a full panel reverse tanto blade. This is a unique blade shape that offers additional versatility for everyday carry.

5 Huge Cold Steel Folders

May 20, 2024 / Tim / 5 Comments

This post was originally written in June 2016 and was updated in 2024 to include newer models.

Cold Steel is known for going to the extreme.

The famous knife brand often gets killed by critics, calling Cold Steel knives nothing but “mall ninja” junk. But any real knife enthusiast could tell you that Cold Steel makes some strong, well-designed knives for the hard worker, such as the Cold Steel Recon 1 and Cold Steel Voyager.

Despite having some down-to-earth knives for everyday carry, Cold Steel doesn’t shy away from the monstrous and preposterous.

So in today’s post, we’re looking at five huge folding knives Cold Steel currently makes. Some of these are in fact the largest folding knives on the market as well (except for the No. 13 Opinel with a whopping 8.75-inch blade). These may not always be practical, but they are always awesome. I also added a few clips from YouTube so you can see what these knives look like in the hand.

Cold Steel Ti-Lite VI (6″ Blade)

The Cold Steel Ti-Lite is a thin and sleek folder that looks like something out of the 1950s. When engaged, the knife features two bolsters that resemble a good ol’ switchblade—except this is a manual folder that engages with a thumb stud. Or if you’re carrying the knife in your pocket, the bolster doubles as a protrusion that catches the side of your pocket and engages in one swift movement (a la the Wave).

The knife has an overall length of 13 inches, which gives this an excellent reach. It has Zytel handles. This piercing point and quick-opening mechanism make this tool great for self-defense.

Cold Steel Luzon (6″ Blade)

The Luzon is another knife that’s ideal for self-defense. The knife was inspired by Lynn C. Thompson’s balisong collection. Designed by Mike Wallace, this huge folder has a 6-inch blade made from 8Cr13MOV stainless steel.

It uses the a regular liner locking mechanism and features a comfortable handle with enough texturing and grip to keep it in your hand. The Luzon comes in a smaller size, but why would you want that?

Cold Steel Talwar (5.5″ Blade)

When it comes to most intimidating knife ever, nothing tops the Talwar. Sure, it doesn’t have the largest blade, but 5.5 inches is plenty big enough when you have a fully serrated edge with a large slicing belly.

Hawaii Legalizes Automatics, Butterfly Knives, and More

May 16, 2024 / Tim / 1 Comment

Hawaii has officially repealed the ban on the manufacture, sale, transfer, possession, and transportation of various knives, including switchblades, butterfly knives (aka balisongs), gravity knives, and more.

This means you can legally own and carry all of these knives in Hawaii. It’s important to note that the ban on concealed carry is still in effect on all of these knives, so make sure to carry them out in the open.

Also, penalties when using these tools as part of a crime have been increased.

You can read the full law HB2342 at the Hawaii government website.

Kershaw Dividend Composite – Knife of the Week

May 7, 2024 / Tim / 3 Comments

Kershaw is no stranger to innovation.

On top of popularizing assisted-opening mechanisms, the brand helped pioneer the use of composite blades. This design combines two complementary alloys to make an attractive and high-quality blade.

This is best illustrated in our latest Knife of the Week.

The Kershaw Dividend Composite is a handsome American-made folder that excels as a hard-working everyday carry.

The 3-inch blade melds D2 steel on the cutting edge with Bohler N690 to harness the toughness of D2 and the corrosion resistance of N690. The process also creates an eye-catching zipper look where the two steels meet.

Top 10 Best-Selling CRKT Knives of 2024

May 7, 2024 / Tim / 4 Comments

This post was originally written in 2015 but was updated in May 2024.

Every now and again, we like to take a look at the best-selling knives here at Knife Depot to find out what models and designs are currently the most popular. While the best-sellers change pretty frequently, this is usually a good indicator of the types of knives people are reaching for.

We thought I’d be cool to share this information with you, so you can also see what knives people are picking up. We took data from the last 12 months but also mixed in some of our own proprietary calculations like revenue to determine the top-sellers from CRKT.

The original list only contained five knives and four of those are now discontinued.

10. CRKT Onion Throwing Knife

People love new knives, so many of the knives on this list were released in the last year or so. Coming in at number 10 was Ken Onion’s first foray into throwing knives: the aptly named CRKT Onion Throwing Knives.

Throwing knives are always among the top-sellers at Knife Depot, so when you add Ken Onion’s iconic name and design cues to a set of three throwers, you get a bestseller.

9. CRKT Ritual

The Ritual is an unusual knife in that it’s probably not a knife you’re going to be carrying around much because it’s big and gaudy. Still, people love this large folder from Alan Folts.

It’s inspired by Persian knife designs with a 4.37-inch upswept blade and Micarta and steel handle.

8. CRKT Squid Compact

You might not think so, but people love small knives.

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