Search results: "amazon" (page 2 of 4)

Sharp Ideas for Dad

Let’s be honest—your dad probably doesn’t want another “#1 Dad” mug this Father’s Day. He’s already got six of them, and none of them open boxes, prep steaks, or make him feel like an action movie extra. This year, give the guy who taught you how to tie a knot (or at least tried) something with an edge.

Whether he’s a backyard griller, a garage tinker-er, or the type who still carries cash and a pocket knife, we’ve rounded up the best blades and tools to celebrate Father’s Day the Knife Depot way: with passion, practicality, and a little playful sharpness.

For the Classic Dad: The Timeless Folder

Some dads have a taste for the old-school—and for them, a wood-handled gentleman’s folder never goes out of style.

Top Pick: Buck 110 Folding Hunter
A legend for a reason. It’s got that iconic brass bolster and lockback action that’ll remind Dad of the first knife he ever owned—and maybe the one he lost fishing in ‘86.

Bonus points if you get it engraved with his initials.

For the Everyday Hero: EDC That Works as Hard as He Does

Whether your dad’s fixing the fence, trimming kindling, or cutting zip ties off lawn chairs, he needs a knife that’s up to the job without weighing him down.

Top Pick: Kershaw Leek
Slim, sleek, and deceptively tough. The assisted opening is a fidget-friendly bonus, and the blade shape is perfect for everything from slicing apples to opening stubborn Amazon boxes.

For the Tactical Dad: Built for Action

Does your dad refer to his basement as “the gear room”? Is his idea of relaxing watching survival videos on YouTube while sharpening something? You need to go tactical.

Top Pick: CRKT M16-13SFG
With its beefy dual grind tanto blade and Veff serrations, this thing means business. If Dad’s ever uttered the phrase “just in case,” he’ll love it.

For the Sentimental Type: Personal Touches

Some dads want a knife that means something—a gift that’s more than just steel and edge. Consider pairing a blade with a story.

• Choose a model you both carry for a shared tradition
• Add custom engraving (“Love you, Old Man” hits harder than you think)
• Pair it with a handwritten note about a favorite memory—camping trips, BBQs, or backyard adventures

Quickfire Gift Ideas (Because We Know You’re Shopping Last-Minute)

• Multi-tool Combos – For dads who do all the things
• Sharpeners – He’ll appreciate the edge you helped maintain
• Knife Roll or Display Case – Show off the collection he won’t admit he’s proud of
• EDC Pouches – Because loose tools in cargo shorts are chaos

Summary

Father’s Day is about showing the guy who’s always had your back that you see him—and what better way than with something sharp, reliable, and undeniably cool? Whether he’s a minimalist EDC type or a gear-head with an affinity for tactical tools, there’s a blade with his name on it (figuratively—or literally, if you get it engraved).

Your Turn: What’s the Sharpest Gift You’ve Given Dad?

Got a great knife story about your old man? Share it in the comments or tag us in your Father’s Day carry pics. Let’s give dads the credit—and edge—they deserve.
#FathersDayCarry #KnifeDepotGifts

What’s the Real Difference?

Let’s clear something up: just because a knife looks like it could repel a zombie horde doesn’t mean it’s the best fit for opening Amazon boxes or slicing apples on your lunch break.

Tactical knives and EDC (Everyday Carry) knives often get tossed into the same bin—sometimes literally. But while they can overlap, they’re built with very different missions in mind. Whether you’re commuting to the office or training for the apocalypse, knowing what sets these blades apart can make all the difference.

So, What Makes a Knife “Tactical”?

It’s more than just black paint and aggressive angles (though, let’s be honest, those don’t hurt).

Tactical knives are designed for high-stress, high-stakes situations—think military use, self-defense, emergency response. That means:

• Fast deployment – one-hand opening is a must
• Strong, grippy handles – wet hands? Gloves? No problem
• Pointy with purpose – blades often have a tip optimized for penetration
• Durability – these blades are built to take a beating and keep slicing

Take the Spyderco Matriarch 2, for example. Based on the original Civilian model, it features a viciously serrated reverse-S blade that’s all business. Designed with input from law enforcement, the Matriarch 2 is compact, light, and devastatingly effective in close-quarters defense. It’s not the blade you loan to your cousin for opening his mail—it’s the one you reach for when things get hairy.

When to Go Tactical

Tactical knives shine in situations where performance and reliability under pressure are non-negotiable. They’re ideal if you:

• Work in law enforcement, military, or security
• Train for self-defense or martial arts
• Spend time in remote areas or survival scenarios

Basically, if your “oh no” moments are bigger than a broken zip tie, a tactical blade has your back.

What Makes an EDC Knife Tick?

Now, EDC knives are your daily driver—they live in your pocket, handle most cutting tasks with ease, and won’t raise eyebrows when you pull them out at a BBQ.

Typical EDC features:

• Simplicity and comfort – lightweight and easy to carry
• Utility-focused design – plain-edge blades, drop-point shapes
• User-friendly – non-aggressive styling, legal carry length in most areas

Think Spyderco Para 3 and the Benchmade Bugout. These knives slice, peel, cut, and pry without looking like they belong on a SWAT vest.

The Best of Both Worlds: Crossover Blades

Some knives toe the line beautifully. Tactical enough to handle stress, subtle enough for daily life. Here are a few crossover champs:

• Benchmade Griptilian – Strong grip, smooth axis lock, and ready for EDC or field use.
• Kershaw Blur – Assisted opening, grippy scales, and a blade that balances utility and attitude.

Summary

Tactical knives are built for the tough stuff—self-defense, survival, and worst-case scenarios. EDC knives, on the other hand, are the quiet heroes of everyday life. Choose based on your mission: if you’re commuting, go light and practical; if you’re patrolling, training, or preparing for chaos, go tactical.

What’s Your Take?

Are you rocking a low-key slicer or a high-speed tactical terror? Got a favorite crossover blade?
Drop your go-to knife in the comments or tag us in your EDC photo—let’s see what you’re carrying and why.
#TacticalVsEDC #KnifeDepotCarry

Not all folding knives are created equal—and in the world of EDC, only the strongest survive.

Whether you’re slicing open Amazon packages like a modern-day warrior or needing a blade that won’t quit when you’re deep in the woods, your everyday carry (EDC) knife is your most faithful sidekick. We’ve tested, flipped, flicked, and fidgeted our way through a mountain of folding knives to bring you our top picks that combine form, function, and a little fun.

Here’s our cut of the best EDC knives that actually deserve a ride in your pocket.

Spyderco Paramilitary 2 – The Legend Lives

This one’s basically the Chuck Norris of folding knives.

• Blade: 3.44″ S30V steel
• Open: One-handed via iconic thumb hole
• Pocket Feel: Slim and unassuming

Perfect for tactical types and urban ninjas alike. The compression lock is buttery smooth, and yes, you will find yourself opening and closing it for no reason whatsoever.

Buy

Civivi Elementum – Budget Beauty

You don’t have to spend a fortune to get quality.

• Blade: D2 steel, drop point
• Open: Flipper tab with buttery bearings
• Why it rocks: Classy wood, G-10, or micarta scales

This is the knife you’d take home to meet your parents—clean, reliable, and surprisingly sharp.

Buy

Benchmade Bugout – Lightweight Champ

If you’re counting ounces (and who isn’t?), the Bugout is a game-changer.

• Blade: S30V steel
• Weight: Just 1.85 oz!
• Pocket Profile: So thin it might vanish

Hikers, campers, and minimalists rejoice—this one disappears in your pocket but is always ready for action.

Buy

Kershaw Blur – Grip It and Rip It

Ken Onion’s masterpiece still punches hard.

• Blade: Sandvik 14C28N
• Open: Speedsafe assisted
• Vibe: Rugged and ready

Great for those who work with their hands and need a knife that can keep up (and not slip out mid-job).

Buy

CRKT Pilar IV – Small but Mighty

Don’t let the compact size fool you.

• Blade: 3.09″ clip point blade
• Design: Jesper Voxnaes—yes, that Voxnaes
• Standout Feature: Thumb slot opening with IKBS ball bearing pivot system

Ideal for utility tasks and anyone who likes a bit of heft in a compact form.

Buy

From budget-friendly bruisers to featherlight fidget toys, EDC knives come in all flavors. These folders are comfortable in the pocket, durable under pressure, and perfect for one-handed operation—because sometimes your other hand is holding a coffee, a dog leash, or your sanity.

What’s your EDC weapon of choice? Drop a comment and let us know what you carry daily—or better yet, snap a pic and tag us on Instagram. Are you all about the Bugout? Or do you ride with the Spyder? Let’s see what you’re packin’.

Stay sharp out there, friends.

Let’s face it—most “tactical” knives look like they were built for a zombie apocalypse… and not in the stylish, Mad Max way. But every once in a while, a blade comes along that blends battlefield grit with runway-worthy design. Enter the Tekto A5 SPRY Series—a knife that’s equal parts James Bond and John Wick.

We took a deep dive into this OTF (out-the-front) bad boy to see what makes it tick—and whether it’s all looks or the real deal. Spoiler: it’s not just a pretty face.

A Knife That Dresses Up and Throws Down

At first glance, the A5 SPRY could pass for something you’d pull out at a black-tie event (assuming it’s the kind of party where slicing through rope is on the itinerary). With its sleek aircraft-grade aluminum handle and clean lines, it’s got that “refined operator” vibe—like a secret agent who knows 12 languages and always carries floss.

But don’t let the polish fool you. This thing’s built for action. The D2 steel blade is as tough as they come—ready to take on EDC tasks, outdoor abuse, and the occasional overzealous Amazon box.

The Breakdown: Why It Works

Here’s why the SPRY Series isn’t just another tactical wannabe:

• D2 Blade Steel: High carbon, high chromium, high performance. It holds an edge longer than your buddy holds onto fishing stories.
• OTF Mechanism: With a flick of the switch, the blade snaps out faster than a cat spotting a laser pointer. It’s smooth, reliable, and extremely satisfying.
• Build Quality: Tekto’s fit and finish are top-notch. No rattle, no wobble—just a solid, precision-crafted tool.

Real Talk: SPRY in the Wild

I took the A5 SPRY on a weekend camping trip in the Rockies—half to test it, half to convince my family that nature is still cool. Over two days, it tackled food prep, feather-sticking kindling, and some impromptu zip tie removal (don’t ask). Despite dirt, sap, and questionable weather, it never flinched. The OTF deployment never jammed, even with some grime buildup. That’s the kind of reliability that makes you feel like you’re starring in your own action movie.

Check out this unboxing/testing video.

Looks Can Kill (In a Good Way)

One thing I appreciate about the SPRY is that it doesn’t scream “tactical.” It whispers it. Clean silhouette, refined edges—this is the knife that’ll impress your knife buddies and your design-obsessed cousin who still uses a butter knife to open packages.

TL;DR Summary

• What It Is: A tactical OTF knife with sleek styling.
• Best For: EDC, light outdoor use, tactical fans who also appreciate aesthetics.
• Why We Love It: Tough, sharp, reliable, and cool enough to make you invent cutting tasks.

Let’s Talk Knives

What’s your take on knives that blur the line between tactical and classy? Have you carried the A5 SPRY—or something like it—that surprised you in both looks and performance?

Drop your stories, thoughts, or your favorite “unexpectedly useful” knife moment in the comments. We’re always up for some good edge talk.

Sounds like movie magic, right? But with the right technique and tools, you can spark a fire using a knife. It’s not just survivalist fantasy—it’s a real, rugged skill every knife owner should know.

First, let’s talk gear. You will need a carbon steel knife with a sharp 90-degree file, something like the Cold Steel Wild West Bowie works well, and a ferro rod. Forget stainless blades; they don’t throw sparks well. This method uses the edge scraping against the rod to ignite your tinder. It doesn’t take much pressure, just the right angle and a clean strike.

Continue reading

This post was first published in 2017 and updated in October 2023.

They say a rose by any other name would smell as sweet… but if they were called stenchblossoms or crapweeds, I imagine they would be a bit less appealing.

The same thing goes for a knife. The almost universally acclaimed Ontario RAT Model 1 would still perform just as well if it were called the Ontario Elephant Earwax 7, but it might not be quite as popular.

While I acknowledge naming something is extremely difficult (I considered naming my son Humphrey), it can really kill the whole vibe of a knife. So I scoured the Internet and my memory bank to come up with a list of the worst knife names around. Many of these knives are well-made and perfectly usable but simply have a name that is off-putting.

This is my personal preference, so take that as you will. If you have any to add, let me know in the comments.

Note: I excluded custom knifemakers because they have a little more creative leeway. I also tried to exclude knives with people’s names. For example, I dislike all the Brian Tighe-related pun names (Tighe Rade, My Tighe, Tighe Coon, etc), but it’s the guy’s name so I let them be.

Finally, the LA Police Gear “The Best F***ing Knife” S35VN Every Day Carry Folding Knife (yes, that’s the full name) was considered for this list but I couldn’t figure out whether the overly descriptive and braggadocios name was so over the top it was the best name ever or the worst. I decided to leave it off for now.

25. Kershaw Wild Wild Turkey

Let’s start with one that’s a bit innocuous: the Kershaw Wild Wild Turkey. This now discontinued knife was actually a well-made and sleek gentleman’s folder. The steel was ATS 34 with titanium handles (if I’m correct). The name Wild Turkey is already a bit silly but the addition of another Wild takes things to another level.

I think Kershaw learned its lesson because future iterations of the knife were simply named Wild Turkey. Still, despite the name, this knife is still sought after by aficionados.

24. TOPS Felony Stop

Next we have the first of many TOPS Knives with the Felony Stop. Knives already get a bad rap because of their misuse by a few individuals and you don’t want to call attention to that fact. The name Felony Stop is a bit confusing anyway. Is it supposed to be an instruction to stop a felony or is the knife itself a felony stop? Either way, the knife wouldn’t be so bad if it didn’t say FELONY in big bold letters right on the knife.

The knife, designed by the great Laci Szabo, is said to be only intended for law enforcement personnel and specialists, so take that as you will.

23. CRKT Hootenanny

Hootenanny is an Appalachian colloquialism that originally started off as a Scottish word meaning party or celebration. It has since evolved to mean thingamajig or whatchamacallit or doohickey. So when you say pass me that “Hootenanny,” it just sounds funny.

Continue reading