Awesome Knives

After turning himself into an ostrich, Bobby Duke took a rusty railroad spike and transformed it into an mini fighting knife inspired by a design by Kyle Royer. Towards the end of the video, the normally ebullient Duke opens up about his struggles with depression, reminding us that mental health issues can affect anyone.

These slimmed-down variants of Gerber Gear’s multifunctional Armbar pocket tools reduce bulk, while still offering more than just a knife. There are two versions: one with a screwdriver and another with scissors, both with a bottle opener at its rear. Each has a 2.5″ straight-edge blade with a frame lock and a textured grip.

Terrain 365’s sleek and modern flipper knife features an easy-to-operate detent-type slipjoint for opening. Its 3″ blade is made using the company’s rustproof, edge-holding Terravantium blade alloy and features titanium hardware and ceramic bearings for durability. Available with a titanium billet or carbon fiber handle.

This unique knife is named for Charles Lightoller, who helped women and children onto lifeboats on the Titanic and later rescued 127 men at Dunkirk. The compact EDC knife has a 1.9″ Damascus steel blade with a twist pattern. Its handle combines Damascus steel and rosewood. Includes a full-grain leather sheath.

While its primary purpose may be as a box cutter and utility blade, Defiance Tools’ little red gadget packs a few more handy features. It’s also got a saw blade, a jack knife blade, a 1/4″ hex drive with two screwdriver bits, and an LED flashlight.

Kitchen Knife Skills 101 teaches that the proper grip is to pinch the blade for maximum control instead of the natural habit of using a straight forefinger. Fiskars’ stainless steel Summit Knives make the optimum grip automatic by moving the pinch-zone up and away from the blade to the handle. Sold in a four-piece set.

Smart & Savior’s compact tool features a main module with a flashlight at one end and a sharp hobby knife at the other. It’s made from stainless steel with a titanium surface and holds closed firmly with magnets. Plus, it has a cutout on its cap so that you can hang it from a keychain or lanyard.

Typically, Damascus patterned metal is made entirely from steel. But it looks even more amazing with copper folded in. Tyrell Knifeworks walks us through the process of forging a gorgeous bowie knife by welding then pressing together layers of the mixed metals. The colors in the handle look awesome with the blade.

The 5PK is a compact utility knife that’s small enough to carry in the fifth pocket of your jeans. Each one is precision-machined from aluminum with a brass alloy lock button. Its slider design enables easy blade changes without tools, using off-the-shelf utility blades.

The TILI knife relishes in its simplicity. It has no hinges, pivots, screws, or other parts that can break. This purist’s full-tang knife is from high-carbon blade steel and small enough to carry every day. It has a versatile sheepsfoot blade, and its handle comes in skeletonized metal, resin-hardened hemp, and oak wood variants.

It was off the market for a while, but Ed Van Hoy’s awesome pocket knife is back. The stainless steel knife features a slick open frame design. When released, the blade flips out sideways, then locks into position. Available with a smooth or serrated blade.

Bomber & Company’s lightweight pendant sheath conceals a compact version of their B-2 Nano Blade. Its key-shaped 1″ blade locks in firmly and discreetly inside when not in use, and holds tight when you need it. Made from jet black 440C stainless steel for durability.

Bladesmith Ethan Kempf shows off the insane toughness of his custom Swashbuckler knife. He spent years perfecting the geometry and heat treatment of its 80CRV2 steel blade to produce the most durable knife we’ve ever seen. You can purchase his handmade knives on the Kemp Forge website.

The 535-3 Bugout retains the light weight that Benchmade is known for, while leaning in with next-level performance and design that isn’t strictly for the backcountry. Made in Oregon, the 3.24” blade has a milled carbon-fiber handle, premium S90V steel, signature blue highlights, and a lifetime warranty.

Swiss Army Knife maker Victorinox now offers their Classic SD and Classic Alox pocket knives in a total of 30 colors. So no matter what your mood or style, there’s one for pocket or keychain. The 7-function Classic SD has ABS plastic scales while the 5-function Classic Alox has embossed aluminum scales.

Perhaps the most important tool to keep in your pocket is a knife. Pocket knives can open packages, cut rope, offer protection, and save lives. But you don’t need a big, heavy knife to reap the benefits of this critical tool. Everyday Carry showcases a dozen great blades, each weighing less than 3 ounces.