KNIVES 2022

NAME

OF THE GAME

by Christopher Cogley

For 2022, knife manufacturers continue to focus on everyday carry.

Bouncing back after the COVID pandemic that shut down the SHOT Show this past year, knife manufacturers are ready to get back to

business as usual. While there is definitely a wide variety of knives on display this year for nearly every conceivable application, the name of the game continues to be the everyday carry options that have become a necessity for everyone — from corporate executives and law enforcement to hunting guides and stay-at-home dads. Knife manufacturers continue to raise the bar on the quality of their EDC offerings by developing innovative new locking and release mechanisms, launching new designs that blur the lines between function and fashion, and improving standards of quality at prices that more people can afford. It’s definitely a good time to be in the market for an EDC your customers will be proud to put in their pocket.

BEAR & SON CUTLERY

Bear & Son will be featuring a pair of Carbon Farmhand folders at this year’s SHOT Show. Available in a 3.625- and a 4.625-inch size, the Carbon Farmhand folders are designed in the simplistic, Alabama-made style for which Bear & Son is famous. The knives have yellow aluminum handles and 1095 carbon blades. The Carbon Farmhand folders are available in either lockback or slip-joint versions, both of which feature an ambidextrous pocket clip. Booth #10125 (bearandsoncutlery.com)

BENCHMADE

Benchmade is releasing a new out-of-the-front automatic knife designed to deliver all the reliability that law enforcement and tactical operators demand, but with a price tag that even the tightest department budgets can handle. The 5370FE Shootout has a 3.5inch CPM-CruWear tanto-style blade that is spine-fired out the front. The Shootout features a textured CF-Elite carbon-fiberfilled nylon handle complete with a carbide glass breaker and a reversible deep-carry pocket clip. MSRP: $300. Booth #10357

(benchmade.com)

BUCK

Buck is releasing new Sport versions of two of its most popular folders. Designed to be lighterweight, EDC versions of the classic 110 Hunter and 112 Ranger, the 110 Hunter Sport and 112 Ranger Sport both feature anodized aluminum handles with OD green canvas Micarta scales and a newly designed deep-carry pocket clip. The clip-point blades on both knives are made from S30V stainless steel and include dual thumb studs. The 110 Hunter Sport has a 3.75-inch blade, weighs 4.6 ounces and carries a $170 price tag while the 112 Ranger Sport has a 3-inch blade, weighs 3.9 ounces and has an MSRP of $160.

Booth #10129

(buckknives.com)

BROWNING

This year Browning is paying homage to its hunting roots with the launch of the Guide Series folder. Created by Wes Hibben, whose father, Gil, designed the first hunting knives to appear in Browning’s catalog in 1969, the Guide Series folder has a traditional style with a 3.375-inch Sandvik 14V28N blade and a Micarta laminate handle. SRP: $150.

Booth #12238

(browning.com)

COLUMBIA RIVER KNIFE & TOOL

Columbia River Knife & Tool is launching three new updated versions of its classic M16 knife. All three of the folders in the M16 Deadbolt series feature CRKT’s Deadbolt locking mechanism combined with the Assisted Opening technology and the IKBS ball-bearing pivot system. The 02DB is a compact flipper with a 3.12-inch tanto blade, the 03DB has a 3.58-inch spear-point blade and the 04DB has a 3.89-inch tanto blade. All three knives feature D2 steel and the stylish aluminum handles that have become a trademark of the M16. MSRP: $150-$200. Booth #10051

(crkt.com)

ONTARIO KNIFE COMPANY

OKC is launching a new addition to its classic Old Hickory line. The new compact Old Hickory Machete is crafted in the tradition of the Old Hickory line with a classic American walnut handle accented with brass cutler rivets. The 9-inch 1075 carbon-steel blade has a phosphate coating designed to hold a fine edge. The Old Hickory Machete has an overall length of 15.6 inches and comes with a classic leather sheath. Booth #20305

(ontarioknife.com)

OUTDOOR EDGE

Outdoor Edge is featuring its new 3.5-inch RazorWork at this year’s SHOT Show. Designed to have 3.5 times the cutting edge of a standard utility knife, the RazorWork was created to handle a wide range of tasks in a variety of locations, from professional job sites to remote outdoor camps. The RazorWork accepts both 3.5inch utility blades and 3.5-inch drop-point blades. The blades are made from Japanese 420J2 stainless steel and the handle is a glass/ nylon composite and features Outdoor Edge’s Peak Performance grip. MSRP: $34.95. Booth #1220

(outdooredge.com)

SPYDERCO

As part of its Reveal Eight release, Spyderco is launching the Thin Red Line collection of folders that pay homage to the courage of firefighters around the world. The collection features four of Spyderco’s most iconic knives — the Delica 4, Endela, Endura 4 and Rescue 3 — which were designed specifically to meet the needs of first responders. The blades all feature VG-10 stainless-steel blades and have black fiberglass-reinforced nylon handles with a special Red Line insert to remind users of the selfless service of firefighters and other first responders. MSRP: $130-$155. Spyderco will donate a portion of all sales to the Wildland Firefighter Foundation. Booth #13113

(spyderco.com)

SOG

In 2022, SOG is continuing its commitment to provide knives for a wider variety of users. Among the new offerings is the Altair line, which is designed specifically to meet the needs of outdoor enthusiasts. Created to be lightweight, compact and versatile, the Altair line includes both a folder and fixed-blade option. Featuring CRYO CPM 154 blades and GRN handles, the Altair knives have a simple, minimalistic design that naturally lend themselves to the kind of functional versatility that campers, backpackers and climbers demand. MSRP: $139-$167. Booth #11263

(sogknives.com)

W.R. CASE

This year, Case is making a new statement with its Everyday Carry collection. The Marilla and Kinzua both feature S35VN stainless-steel blades and anodized aluminum handles, which are available in black, red or blue. The Marilla (MSRP: $165) has a drop-point blade; the Kinzua (MSRP: $140) has a tanto blade. Booth #13902

(caseknives.com)