Blade Complete Knife Guide 2023

As you peruse the pages of the BLADE Complete Knife Guide Spring 2023, in addition to all the new knives and sharpeners (page 12) for the coming year, our exclusive Knife Industry Directory and more, a notable item is the story on the knife designs of the masters (page 28). The featured knives are contemporary ones designed by some of the greatest custom knifemakers of the modern era (1970-2023), in alphaa-betical order, Tony Bose, Kit Carson, Bob Dozier, Ernest Emerson, Jerry Fisk, Bill Moran, Ken Onion and Bob Terzuola. Bose, Carson, Moran and Onion are members of the BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall Of Fame® and the others probably should be, too. Knives designed by custom makers reproduced by factory companies is, of course, nothing new. Cutlery Hall-Of-Famer Blackie Collins is generally credited…

The three featured cover knives showcase the advanced approach to symmetrical folder design and state-of-the-art materials practiced by Rick Hinderer and Hinderer Knives. The XM-18 3.5-inch automatic offers out-the-side deployment of a spear point blade of premium CPM 20CV stainless steel. The button-lock opener emerges from a textured 6Al-4V titanium handle anodized a gold color. The grip incorporates a ridged finger groove that curves into an integral single guard, and a hole for a lanyard on the spine of the butt. Weight: 5.5 ounces. Closed length: 4.75 inches. Manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP): $650. The Project X is a flipper folder equipped with a 3.66-inch clip-point blade of premium CPM S45VN stainless steel. The 6Al-4V textured titanium handle has a framelock to secure the blade open, and a pocket clip. A single…

For the contact information for the pictured knives/edged tools and sharpeners, see the Knife Industry Directory beginning on page 52. For the latest knives, knife news, trends, and more, visit blademag.com, BLADE®’s popular Instagram page @blade_magazine, and on Facebook and Twitter. 1. NANO/LIONSTEEL PATTERN: Gent’s knife BLADE LENGTH: 2.56” BLADE MATERIAL: CPM MagnaCut BLADE THICKNESS: .15” BLADE GRIND: Flat BLADE OPENER: Flipper tab & nail nick HANDLE FRAME: 6Al4V titanium HANDLE MATERIAL: A selection of them POCKET CLIP: Single piece of milled titanium LOCK: Framelock WEIGHT: 3.56 ozs. CLOSED LENGTH: 3.79” SPECIAL FEATURES: Removable flipper tab; tungsten-carbide glass breaker in the handle butt COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Italy MSRP: $275 at press time rate of exchange AVAILABLE: End of ’22 2. MIK-08/HALFBREED BLADES KNIFE TYPE: Medium infantry knife BLADE LENGTH: 6.69” BLADE MATERIAL: K110/D2 tool steel BLADE THICKNESS: .23” BLADE FINISH: Teflon coated HANDLE MATERIAL: G-10 WEIGHT: 13.2 ozs. OVERALL LENGTH: 11.77” SHEATH: Belt model; PALS/MOLLE compatible COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:…

The names—Bose (page 8), Carson, Dozier, Emerson, Fisk, Moran, Onion and Terzuola*—resonate across the world of custom and factory knives. Their designs are among the best and the brightest in fixed blade and folding knives, produced by manufacturers to exacting specifications and made to last. They come equipped with variety, fashion and flair, ready for use and for admiration as well. Blade and handle materials are as varied as the tastes or preferences that any designer, manufacturer and buyer could want. They work well for everyday carry, a foray into the field, or just generally having around when a job is at hand. And the consumer can take pride in owning a knife that has been conceived and brought to life with the master’s eye for detail. Some of the collaborations are…

High-performance blade steels long have been a major selling point in the knife market, and today’s premium cutting materials maintain that tradition. M390 and CPM S30V, S35VN, S45VN, 20CV, 154 and MagnaCut are just some of the steels popular in the supercharged realm. Regardless of your chosen steel or steels, it’s hard to ignore those of the high-octane variety. Using a knife with one of these state-of-the-art materials is akin to driving a sports car with a souped-up engine. There’s a thrill to using and owning both. Typically, high-performance blade steels are pretty much standard equipment on a large number of custom and high-end factory knives. Though the steels come with a healthy price tag, there are some overseas manufacturers who make knives with such blades at a fraction of the…

Knives come in all shapes and sizes, and, as far as using and collecting them go, very few of you can resist the allure of those with big blades. Simply put, no self-respecting knife guide would be complete without including this category. Big knives not only have a mystical magnetism, they have special areas of utility as well. In fact, big knives require that you learn a variety of handling techniques for you to be able to work them like smaller blades. Believe it or not, using a range of different knife sizes helps you become more creative in your approach to manipulating your edged tools. Therefore, you can see how big choppers aren’t just for chopping. Overall, a big knife’s lines, features and feel have a certain sex appeal. Owning a…