Awesome Knives

Going back to the future, The James Brand reexamined their very first EDC knife and made the best even better. Smart changes in The Chapter 2 include a tip-up carry position and a fully-machined titanium pocket clip. Top-notch materials and a minimal aesthetic make Chapter 2 number one in our book.

We have one of those Swiss Army Knives with dozens of functions, and we use it all of the time. Popular Mechanics takes us inside the Victorinox factory to see how they make these versatile EDC tools. The process includes stamping and polishing blades, molding handle scales, and then hand-assembling the parts.

This pocket tool combines a 2.625″ Tanto blade with spring-loaded scissors. The scissors are more useful than those on other pocket tools thanks to their larger size, along with their micro-serrated edge. The knife features a fine-edge sandblasted blade, a liner lock, and deploys with one hand from its anodized aluminum handle.

This spartan and inexpensive pocket tool is ideal for sailing and fishing, but it’s also useful for camping and hunting. It combines a honed knife blade, marlinspike, shackle key, and bottle opener. Its stainless steel handle has a 2″ imperial ruler on one side, and a 5cm metric ruler on the other.

Artist Bobby Duke is one wacky dude, and we’re good with that. For this build, he thought it would be fun to make a concealed weapon that looks like a banana. After popping by Walmart to grab a banana, he went to the knife store to find a curved blade, then went back to his studio to grind, cut, and carve out the primate’s weapon of choice.

This pocket-friendly folding knife features a ceramic blade that’s sharp enough to slice through cardboard, clamshell packaging, paper, tape, and string, but less likely to cut skin. It has an ambidextrous design and is compatible with both rounded- and pointed-tip blades, which last about 11x longer than steel blades.

Titaner’s keychain- and pocket-friendly retractable utility knife is a great everyday companion for opening boxes and craft projects. It measures less than 3″ long when stowed and has a titanium frame with a brass retractor button and a built-in bottle opener. Available with a sandblasted or stone-washed finish and accepts standard trapezoidal utility blades.

This substantial folding pocket knife from GiantMouse features a titanium handle and a chunky M390 steel blade with a satin finish. It has a smooth-opening ball-bearing pivot, a frame lock mechanism, and a sturdy brass backspacer with a lanyard hole. A bent wire clip holds the knife securely in your pocket. It’s also available in an all-black version.

These fixed-blade utility knives feature an angled handle designed for optimal grip and comfort while opening boxes, removing cable jackets, cutting foam board, and other light-duty projects. The knife is made from G10 composite and includes a carbon fiber-reinforced nylon sheath. For corrosive environments, check out the carbon-bladed Zulu Zero.

This delightful gift set from Opinel and Monbento will make any lunchtime better. It includes an MB original outdoor lunch box, a limited-edition No. 08 folding knife with a nature-themed design, fork and spoon attachments, and a microfiber napkin that doubles as a carrying cloth. The lunch box features two stackable airtight containers for separating food.

The SOG Kilowatt is great for electricians, homeowners, or anyone who works with wires. In addition to its 3.4″ clip-point blade, it has a built-in stripper with openings for wires from 10-gauge to 22-gauge. It’s also got a spring-loaded UTP stripper for cable jackets and a durable glass-reinforced nylon handle.

Designed by Princeton Wong for CRKT, the Nucleus is a modern folding knife inspired by the mecha of Mobile Suit Gundam. Its blade and handle have sharp angles, and its design provides three opening methods. It comes in two versions: a 12C27 steel blade with a stainless steel body and G10 scales and a MagnaCut steel blade with a titanium body and carbon fiber scales.

Despite its bargain price, Mossy Oak’s pocket knife is handsome, versatile, and durable. It features a stainless steel drop-point blade, along with a built-in bottle opener, glass breaker, and pocket clip. Its stonewashed finish and wooden handle scales give it a great look too.

Holme & Hadfield makes this premium display and storage case that holds 40 to 50 knives. Its top section shows off your nine favorites under a clear acrylic lid, while two felt-lined drawers organize the rest of your collection, with extra space for other EDC gear. Its body and drawers are made from solid wood and feature smooth-gliding metal rails.

This trio of titanium pocket tools combines a pry bar with a flip-out mini knife. The tiny M390 steel blade comes in handy for cutting off price tags, opening boxes, and stripping wires. Each model has a sturdy pry tip, with various wrench configurations. The largest one, the Xbar Sid, provides greater leverage and has a built-in bottle opener.

Thailand bladesmith Wanchana Kanrangsee makes this absolutely stunning chef’s knife using the San Mai steel method. Its 325 mm blade incorporates folded layers of stainless and high-carbon steel to create a bold, one-of-a-kind design. Finishing things off is an ebony wood handle with a titanium liner. A special knife for a special person.