SOG's new Kiku XR is a vicious pocket bulldog with bite to back up its bark! The stout recurved tanto blade, carved Micarta or G10 handle, and unique lanyard hole won't be for everyone, but it's perfect for those who want a seriously sturdy small tactical knife. CTS-XHP blade steel should provide excellent edge retention, and the ambidextrous XR Lock is strong, snappy, and satisfying to use.
The new Nightstick from Gayle Bradley is highly refined with all the details in order. Slim and smooth G10 handles mean it won't be a nuisance to carry and the G-Clip equipped sheath holds the knife securely with no rattle that will give you away. And of course, the single-edged dagger profile is perfectly symmetrical and razor-sharp - everything we've come to expect from Spyderco!
The Justice offers a great combination of features. This duty-ready knife features a versatile shape so it is just as good at opening boxes as it is at more daunting tasks. It also features a glass-breaker and surprisingly good flipping action on durable washers that aren't as prone to grit as bearings can be. Plus, being part of Kizer's Vanguard tier of products, you can get all of this capability without breaking your budget.
The centerpiece of Justin Gingrich's titanium folder is his signature Delta Lock, which is one of the most solid locking mechanisms we have ever seen. The innovative multi-directional locking interface distributes force in five different directions, plus the V-shaped tang acts as a glassbreaker when the knife is closed. Combined with a versatile blade and attractive dimpled finish on the titanium handle, this is a premium knife with a heart of iron. We even have a few versions that were anodized by Justin himself, so be sure to check out this awesome design.
Maserin has introduced a pair of new designs from Alessandro Zanin that are perfect for self-defense and CQC. Don't let the wild shape scare you off - the fixed Badger and folding Ghost are highly specialized designs are agile in the hand, fearsome to behold, and built to last with a flair only the Italians can manage!
Designed by the renowned Jesper Voxnaes and constructed from a single slab of high-toughness SK5 carbon steel, Boker's impressive T-Hawk is functional, versatile, and nigh indestructible. The broad head is powder coated to keep rust away and is shaped for a blend of swinging power and precision for smaller jobs. G10 handles provide just enough grip, but for those who want to minimize weight, they can be removed and lengths of both olive and orange paracord are included to wrap the tang however you wish.
Kershaw's USA-made Blur is one of Ken Onion‘s best-loved designs thanks to its ergonomic handle, swift SpeedSafe deployment, and affordable price point. Available in a huge variety of handle colors, blade finishes, blade shapes, and edge types, you can add one to your arsenal in a configuration that works for you.
The latest addition to the KnifeCenter-exclusive lineup is the CJRB Crag, one of the best folding cleavers on the market at any price. Let's take a closer look at this shockingly affordable knife, the upgrades exclusive to this version, and why you should consider adding a folding cleaver to your collection.
CJRB is the budget subsidiary brand of Artisan Cutlery, and they make some of the best value knives on the market, period. Here's what you get for the Crag's retail price of $44.95: a stonewashed 3.4-inch D2 blade, contoured burlap Micarta handle scales, red anodized aluminum pivot collar, ceramic ball bearings in the pivot, a ceramic detent, skeletonized stainless steel liners, and a deep carry pocket clip. Truly, we're in a golden age of budget blades-it wasn't long ago that knives with these kind of specs would cost you three-to-four-times as much, but CJRB is dedicated to making premium performance attainable.
All that said, there's more to knife design than checking off a list of features. The reason we worked with CJRB to bring you this exclusive version is that we think the Crag is one of the best folding cleavers available at any price.
What is Burlap Micarta?
The Crag is a large knife but not a huge one. Thanks to its contoured burlap Micarta scales the Crag is a little on the thicker side, but it works on a such wide and burly-looking design. Plus, it adds a measure of comfort you just don't get with the standard flat-sided versions.
Burlap Micarta is made from sheets of natural burlap fabric, pressed together and sealed in resin to make a uniquely beautiful, yet tough-looking handle material. If you've never handled Burlap Micarta before, the texture is a little more variegated than the typical canvas or linen stuff, offering a bit more grip without feeling rough. It won't warp or crack even if it gets wet, and it's easy on your pocket (my poor frayed jeans are grateful!). It matches the hard-working character of the Crag, and it's tough enough to handle anything you can throw at it.
Cleaver Blades and Cutting Power
So, let's talk about folding cleavers. You can tell just by looking at them that a cleaver-style blade isn't going to excel at piercing cuts-it's just too wide at the point. Where a quality pocket cleaver pulls ahead, however, is in push cuts. The broad blade gives a nice gradual approach to the edge for shearing power, and the sheepsfoot-esque edge profile has a subtle curve that doesn't easily slip out of a cut when you're bearing down. As a result, the Crag is a cardboard slicing monster, with more than enough meat behind the tip to handle a little torque. With D2 blade steel providing exceptional edge retention for the price, this knife is ready to get some serious work done.
We answer a lot of questions about knives here at the KnifeCenter, and we think it's about time to start sharing our answers publicly for the whole internet to see. Today, we're talking about Phillips screwdrivers on multitool knives, a frequently requested (and extremely useful) feature that can be hard to find. What are the best knives with Phillips screwdrivers? Read on to find out!
Victorinox Cadet
The main challenge with finding a good Phillips screwdriver on a pocketknife is the thickness required. That X-shaped Phillips bit just doesn't play well with a skinny folding knife form factor, but the first entry on this list has found a sneaky way around that limitation. If you want a lightweight, minimal multitool with a Phillips screwdriver without a lot of bulk, the Victorinox Cadet is the way to go.
If you take a quick glance at the Cadet, you'll notice there's no obvious Phillips driver to be seen. However, the engineers at Victorinox have a couple tricks up their sleeve: they've actually shaped the pointy tip of the file to fit small Phillips screws, and the flat tip of the can opener to fit some larger Phillips screws. Since the tools are flat, you won't be able to exert a whole lot of torque, but it works great in a pinch and it's certainly better than nothing! In exchange for the compromised screwdriving power of the Victorinox Cadet, you get a tool that is affordable, ultra-slim, and ultra-light, making it easy to carry just about anywhere.
Gerber Armbar Drive
Stepping up to a tool with a truly dedicated Phillips screwdriver, the Gerber Armbar Drive is new to the market this year and built with heavier use in mind. In addition to a one-handed locking main blade, awl, hammer, bottle opener, and scissors, the Gerber Armbar Drive has a fold-out screwdriver that accepts common ?” bits.
Like the popular Gerber Center Drive, the screwdriver on the Gerber Armbar Drive is engineered to keep the tool dead-center, making it feel and work more like a dedicated screwdriver than just about any other multitool out there-no awkward, lopsided twisting here, just unfold the driver and go! Plus, since you're using a replaceable bit rather than an integral tool, there's no need to worry about damaging the driver, and you can swap it out to fit the task at hand.
Leatherman FREE K2
Stepping up from a budget-friendly import to a more premium USA-made option, the new Leatherman FREE K2 offers a nice step up in quality and usability. All tools, including the main blade, lock open and are accessible with one hand via Leatherman's magnetic FREE system. It also features a deep carry pocket clip, which makes this a true pocketknife replacement, if that's what you're looking for.
Leatherman has been leading the multitool market since their first innovative products hit the market in the 1980s, and their legendary warranty has you covered should anything ever go awry. As an added bonus, the K2 is available in a selection of attractive colors including Evergreen, Navy Blue, and Crimson Red.
EOS Screw Blaster
If you'd rather not compromise your everyday carry knife with a bulky Phillips screwdriver, consider the EOS Screw Blaster, a dedicated bit driver meant to stay out of the way on your keychain. Precision-made in the USA from anodized aluminum and very affordable at just $13.95, the Screw Blaster is an elegant solution for anyone who wants the ability to drive Phillips screws-or any other screw, for that matter-without lugging around the whole toolbox!