Folding Knives

Folding Knife Reviews:

• Spyderco Southard Flipper Review

  If you have been following the production knife scene the past couple years, then you know that titanium framelock flippers have gotten extremely hot. This has a lot to do with custom and mid-tech makers that often se ... continue reading

• Kershaw Turbulence Review

  I've mentioned in previous reviews that I sometimes find that Kershaw's product line falls into a bit of a slump. In the $20-50 range you have a number of what I feel are quite frankly, forgettable knives. Typically i ... continue reading

• Strider SnG Review

  For many knife collectors the Strider SnG is a holy grail of sorts. Much like the Chris Reeve Sebenza, the Strider SnG represents the top of the line for production grade folders. Toss in a Hinderer XM, and you have w ... continue reading

• Kershaw Cryo Review

  At long last, the Kershaw Cryo. This is another one of those Hinderer/KAI collabs that tantalized knife collectors back at SHOT Show 2011 (or was it 2012? the years just blend together). Whichever year it was, we wait ... continue reading

• Spyderco Techno Review

  The Spyderco Techno is a small titanium framelock folder with all the fixings. It is designed by Polish maker Marcin Slysz, who doesn't seem to have much in the way of background information on the internet. According ... continue reading

• Brous Blades Silent Soldier Flipper Review

  Ah, it seems like only yesterday I was sitting down with up and coming knifemaker Jason Brous. Jason is a maker that caught my eye early on - his wild designs and youthful ambition told me this would be someone to wat ... continue reading

• Cold Steel Mini Tuff Lite Review

  When you get into collecting knives it is easy to get caught up in the moment. There is so much cool stuff out there that if you aren't careful you can easily get sucked away in a torrent of carbon fiber and titanium. ... continue reading

• CRKT Eraser Review

  The Eraser is a relatively new offering from CRKT and is arguably their most ambitious knife yet. Designed by Liong Mah, this large tactical folder is his first knife collaboration with CRKT although Mah has collabora ... continue reading

• Boker Pipsqueak Review

  The Boker Pipsqueak is a "little big knife" designed by Neil Blackwood of Blackwood Custom Knives and manufactured by Boker in Solingen, Germany. As an urbanite who primarily carries a knife for utility purposes, I ha ... continue reading

• Famars Lama Prima Edizione Review

  A relative newcomer to the cutlery scene, Famars is a company best known for crafting extremely high end shotguns. In fact, they happen to be the largest high end shotgun manufacturer in the world. Headquartered in Ga ... continue reading

• Benchmade 940 Review

  If you are as obsessed with knives as I am, you may be on the hunt for "the perfect EDC knife." You know, the one blade that has it all. Naturally, it is the perfect size, features great materials, is beautifully desi ... continue reading

• Spyderco Lum Chinese Folder Review

  Having previously reviewed a number of Bob Lum's creations (including the Spyderco Lum Tanto and the Benchmade Onslaught) I have always enjoyed Lum's elegant approach to designing knives. The Lum Chinese Folder is no ... continue reading

• CRKT Ikoma Sampa Review

  This is a guest post by my buddy Eric, aka "Ebbs" from HausofGuns.com. Eric is the founder, editor, and main contributor to HausofGuns.com, a Gun & Gear Review website for the Average Joe Shooter. After 12 months of r ... continue reading

• Benchmade 275 Adamas Review

  Designed as a tool for law enforcement and military personnel, the 275 Adamas could be the epitome of a hard use folder. The 275 shares the classic lines of many "normal" folding tactical knives, but is massively over ... continue reading

• Buck Vantage Pro Review

  I know my father has a couple Buck Knives stashed away in a sock drawer somewhere, and I wouldn't be surprised to learn that a majority of American men over the age of 40 are in a similar position. Buck is known for m ... continue reading

• Benchmade 581 Barrage Review

  Benchmade has always struck me as a company that both innovates and inspires. They can take a functional object, refine it's performance, and give it a slight twist to elevate a knife something beyond mere G10 and ste ... continue reading

• Iain Sinclair CardSharp 2 Review

  I can safely say that the Iain Sinclair CardSharp 2 is unlike anything else I have previously reviewed. A few months back the folks at Iain Sinclair contacted me about reviewing their latest version of their lightweig ... continue reading

• Cold Steel Ti-Lite Review

  The Cold Steel Ti-Lite is a knife that I received in a trade. As a collector I find myself often buying and selling knives, and I routinely get it hit up with trade propositions. I must confess, the decision to acquir ... continue reading

• Spyderco Paramilitary 2 Review

  I get reader requests from time to time to take a look at a particular knife. I try to oblige, although it isn't always possible. I really appreciate the feedback and it's extremely humbling to hear that someone wants ... continue reading

• Zero Tolerance 0350 Review

  My Zero Tolerance 0300 got a lot of looks when I carried it around. At over 9" long and with a weight of 8.6 ounces, it definitely raised some eyebrows. The excellent S30V blade was a force to be reckoned with, and I ... continue reading

• Benchmade Mini Griptilian Review

  As much as I enjoy discussing the latest and greatest knives, sometimes we need to stop and appreciate the modern classics. As someone who tries to stay on top of all the new stuff coming out, I can tell you that the ... continue reading

• SOG Visionary II Review

  To many, SOG is known for their more inexpensive knives. As far as folders go, when you say "SOG Knives" people often have images of the Aegis, Trident and Flash in their head. Perhaps a SEAL Pup fixed blade might be ... continue reading

• Cold Steel Voyager Review

  New for 2011, the updated Cold Steel Voyagers are taking the knife world by storm. There was a lot to like about the original CS Voyagers, but as technologies advance old classics need updating. And I gotta say, the n ... continue reading

• Chris Reeve Knives Umnumzaan Review

  The ink had barely dried on my Sebenza review. I was sitting peaceably at my desk and distinctly remember saying how it would be a good while before I got my hands on another Chris Reeve knife. Shockingly enough it wa ... continue reading

• Kershaw Nerve Review

  I could probably spend all of my time writing about Kershaw budget EDC blades. Their roster is deep, and for many it can be a challenge to pick out just one. Thankfully they are all pretty good so the odds are great t ... continue reading

• Emerson Super Commander Review

  Emerson fans are no stranger to the Commander. It's one of Emerson's (EKI's) original designs and is among their most popular models to this day. So it would seem like a no-brainer to take this classic knife and come ... continue reading

• CRKT Shenanigan Review

  I find myself typing this review as I usually do, in the wee hours of the morning. Dregs from a once cold beer are drying on the side of the glass at my desk, and knives scattered across the room are glinting faintly ... continue reading

• Benchmade 890 Torrent Review

  It has been decided - I am a total sucker for a cool "gentleman's tactical folder." I remember first drooling over the 890 Torrent when it came out in 2009. Flash forward a couple years, and today I am the proud owner ... continue reading

• Chris Reeve Knives Small Sebenza 21 Review

  I don't think many people get into the hobby of collecting knives with the idea that one day they will buy a pocket knife that costs hundreds of dollars. Well, at least I didn't start out my little edged adventure ... continue reading

• Kershaw Volt II Review

  It's been too long since I've examined a nice budget EDC blade. This time around I picked up a Kershaw Volt II, and could immediately tell that I grabbed a real winner. First off, the original Kershaw Volt is a true c ... continue reading

• Cold Steel Hold Out II Review

  Cold Steel has really been making a statement in 2011 with their new and improved lines of lightweight and ultra strong folders. Their updated series of Cold Steel Voyagers has really built up some buzz, and rightfull ... continue reading

• Spyderco Dragonfly Review

  The Spyderco Dragonfly is a knife that, frankly, I didn't think I would like. As far as every day carry goes, I'm into medium to large size folders. Maybe it's a macho thing, I really don't know, but I just felt like ... continue reading

• CRKT M16 Review

  My recent reviews of the CRKT Minimalist and the Drifter have proven that CRKT is legitimate contender in the affordable EDC game. But for many this is old news as knives like the popular CRKT M16 have been around for ... continue reading

• Boker S2 Review

  I've been drooling over Sniper Bladeworks custom knives for a long time now. For the uninitiated, Sniper Bladeworks is the brainchild of Lance Abernathy and Jody Muller. Jody handles fabrication and Lance comes up wit ... continue reading

• Cold Steel Spartan Review

  Tired of reading reviews on wussy EDC knives? Need something capable of holding off an army of blood thirsty Persians? Consider the Cold Steel Spartan. Yeah, I enjoy reviewing EDC blades just as much as the next guy, ... continue reading

• Spyderco Delica 4 Review

  Ah, the Spyderco Delica - is there a more classic EDC design? Well, if we are talking about modern folding knives, I'd argue there really isn't. One of Spyderco's most popular knives, the Delica 4, is the brand's brea ... continue reading

• SOG Aegis Review

  The term "aegis" has ancient roots. Commonly used in Greek mythology, aegis means "protector" and has been often symbolized in the form of a shield. In many ways the SOG Aegis is emblematic of a protector as well. If ... continue reading

• Spyderco Bob Lum Tanto Review

  I recently acquired a Spyderco Bob Lum Tanto. This is a sprint run (limited edition) knife limited to around 700 pieces. It's a pretty unique offering designed by custom maker Bob Lum. As you probably know, Bob recen ... continue reading

• Benchmade Bone Collector Mini Review

  I must confess I never grew up hunting. It was something my family never got into, and so I was deprived of that early introduction to the classic hunting knives that so many Americans get to enjoy. (My family was big ... continue reading

• Kershaw Needs Work Review

  In my opinion the wharncliffe is one of the most under-appreciated blade shapes out there. Many may write the shape off as a novelty, but in my experience a wharncliffe blade can be incredibly useful for a lot of ever ... continue reading

• Cold Steel Recon 1 Review

  I love it when knife companies refine their existing designs. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for new and exciting models, but I'm almost more excited when a "good" knife turns into a "great" one. Cold Steel did just that ... continue reading

• SOG Flash II Review

  SOG is a company that has always intrigued me. They have eschewed the more mainstream model of production knife design, which typically involves a team of in-house designers and a deep roster of freelancers, instead f ... continue reading

• CRKT Drifter Review

  For those who can't get enough high value EDC knives, or simply need a tool for every day use that is both well made and inexpensive, I think it's going to be tough to ignore the CRKT Drifter. For some, this may be th ... continue reading

• Ontario RAT 1 Review

  These days if you want a high value EDC knife, there are plenty of options. Kershaw and Spyderco make some great knives in the $30 and under category that are easy choices for EDC. If you want something that is both h ... continue reading

• Spyderco Sage 1 Review

  A while back I took a look at the Spyderco Sage 2. The Sage 2 is an absolutely fantastic knife and with it's eye catching titanium handle, I find that the Sage 1 often plays second fiddle. Case in point, it has taken ... continue reading

• Kershaw Blur Review

  While I enjoy reviewing all kinds of knives, it's the mid size edc "working man's" knives that I especially enjoy reviewing because these mid size EDC's are what spend the most time in my pockets and in my hands. The ... continue reading

• CRKT Ripple Review

  The CKRT Ripple is a design that had me doing a double take. The flowing lines and sharp looks were very "Ken Onion-y" and upon closer inspection the knife was in fact designed by Ken Onion. It turns out Mr. Onion has ... continue reading

• Benchmade Dejavoo 740 Review

  Today I am taking a look at the ultra classy Benchmade Dejavoo. Designed by the late Bob Lum, known for his simple and elegant designs and the Dejavoo is no exception. Now that he is no longer with us, his custom piec ... continue reading

• Al Mar Hawk Ultralight Review

  From big to small, I review them all. That little jingle may be pretty lame, but it is also pretty true. My last review was of the ESEE Junglas, 16 inches of high carbon steel. Worth a look if want a knife that you ca ... continue reading

• Spyderco Manix 2 Review

  The Manix 2 is one of those knives that I have been meaning to review pretty much since the start of this website. I've examined a lot of blades since then and now I finally have my thoughts on the Manix 2 together an ... continue reading

• Kershaw Junkyard Dog II Review

  To the average person the pocket knife has remained virtually unchanged over the years. But as collectors and enthusiasts know, this industry is full of innovation. In fact, I argue that there has been more innovation ... continue reading

• Benchmade 915 Triage Review

  Rescue knives often go unnoticed in the knife community. There are large groups of enthusiasts gathered around tactical, survival and edc blades, but I have yet to see the rescue knife develop such a loyal following. ... continue reading

• Mcusta Tactility Review

  I recently reviewed a Mcusta MC-1 and I was very impressed by this relatively little-known Japanese knife manufacturer. Based out of Seki, Japan, Mcusta is part of the city's proud cutlery making tradition that began ... continue reading

• Mcusta MC-1

  Nestled in the heart of Seki Japan, Mcusta has been a part of Japan's renown knifemaking industry since 1964. Often compared to Solingen, Germany, Seki is a knife-nut's dream. Rich in resources such as iron sand, char ... continue reading

• Emerson CQC7 Review

  With so much buzz about tactical knives these days, it's easy to get swept up in the latest trends. While I have seen a lot of great new knives come out recently, I'm still drawn to the classics... and you can't talk ... continue reading

• Spyderco Sage 2 Review

  Today I am looking at another beautiful knife, the Spyderco Sage 2. The Sage series is designed to pay homage to various pioneers in the knifemaking industry and to recognize some of the talented custom knifemakers th ... continue reading

• Benchmade 710 Review

  I recently did a review on the Benchmade Griptilian, a model I consider to be a classic Benchmade knife. The Benchmade 710 is another one of those classic Benchmade knives. The 710 has also been reviewed to death, but ... continue reading

• Boker SubCom Review

  Boker has recently done some great collaborations with custom knife makers (like the previously reviewed Boker Eskelibur). The Boker SubCom is another collaborative effort, this time with designer Chad Los Banos. A ... continue reading

• Spyderco Endura Review

  The Spyderco Endura is a knife that you won't fully appreciate until you hold it in your hand. I remember when I first saw this blade at a local gun show. I had heard a lot about the Endura from friends and on various ... continue reading

• Benchmade Griptilian Review

  The Benchmade Griptilian is practically a household name in the knife world. It is one of Benchmade's most popular designs and it appears in countless variations. And for each of these variations I know there are cou ... continue reading

• Kershaw Leek Review

  The Kershaw Leek is a very popular EDC knife designed by legendary custom knife maker Ken Onion. Between the Zero Tolerance knives and a couple other Kershaw reviews I have done, Ken Onion knives have received a lot ... continue reading

• Spyderco Gayle Bradley Review

  The Spyderco Gayle Bradley (C134CF) is one of those knives that was built for use and abuse, but is so nice I wasn't sure if I could bring myself to really scuff it up. I guess the only reasonable answer is to buy two ... continue reading

• Zero Tolerance 0550 and 0551 Review

  Today I am taking a look at the Zero Tolerance 0550, a special collaboration between ZT and Rick Hinderer. Rick has been making knives and self defense weapons for over 20 years. He started out specializing in Damasc ... continue reading

• Spyderco Native Review

  On paper the Spyderco Native looks like a truly awesome knife. Made in Golden Colorado, its light weight and small footprint make it ideal for EDC while it's S30V blade is made from some of the finest knifemaking ste ... continue reading

• Cold Steel AK-47 Review

  The original AK-47 rifle was designed by Russian Gunsmith Mikhail Kalashnikov in 1946. These guns were designed to be simple and rugged, and for these reasons the AK-47 design has enjoyed much popularity for over 60 ... continue reading

• Benchmade 14210 Heckler and Koch Snody Review

  For those looking for a rock solid edc knife with a sub 3" blade, the Benchmade 14210 may be just the ticket. This knife is part of Benchmade's Heckler and Koch (HK) line, which is a partnership between the two compan ... continue reading

• Zero Tolerance 0300 Review

  When Zero Tolerance first came on the scene the 0300 is one of their knives that really caught my eye. The graceful curves reminded me of some deep sea mammal while the construction reminded me of a semi truck. So I w ... continue reading

• Spyderco Caly3 Carbon Fiber Review

  Hands down the best part about operating a site like bladereviews.com is the excuse to play around with bad ass knives like the Spyderco Caly3 Carbon Fiber. This special version of the Caly3 uses exotic Japanese lamin ... continue reading

• Boker 01BO001 - Exskelibur I Review

  Every now and then I see a knife that I absolutely have to own. Now, believe it or not, my collection of knives is small in comparison to the size (and value) of many knife collectors, so I like to think I exercise so ... continue reading

• Cold Steel American Lawman Review

  When I hear the words "hard use folder" it's often accompanied by a mental image of dollar signs. For whatever reason, we have equated hard working blades with titanium, super steel, and triple digit price tags. Those ... continue reading

• Kershaw Skyline Review

  High value EDC knives always catch my eye so today I will be taking a look at the ultra high value Kershaw Skyline. The Skyline is an American-made, lightweight, EDC knife with all the features you would expect from a ... continue reading

• Spyderco Military Review

  Those in the military, law enforcement and contract defense firms require high quality gear designed to meet the rigorous demands of these types of positions. The Spyderco Military was designed to meet these demands a ... continue reading

• Benchmade 741 Onslaught Review

  Once in a while you run into a knife that really blows you away. The Benchmade 741 Onslaught is certainly one of those breathtaking knives for me. Designed by the late Bob Lum, the Onslaught is a large and elegant fo ... continue reading

• Benchmade 950 Rift Review

  Ah, the Benchmade 950 Rift. What a sweet piece of steel. The Rift originally came out in 2008 as part of Benchmade's "black class" which are designed to be military and police grade blades built for extreme duty. Des ... continue reading

• Kershaw Ken Onion Scallion Review

  The Kershaw Ken Onion Scallion is another one of those timeless EDC knives that should be considered by collectors and enthusiasts alike. The Scallion is a remarkable little blade that shares some great similarities ... continue reading

• Spyderco Tenacious Review

  I found the Spyderco Tenacious when I was looking for a good sized EDC knife on a budget. I did some research and saw the Spyderco Tenacious ticked a lot of my boxes. At the time I was interested in a knife with a fu ... continue reading

• Smith & Wesson CH400DLB Cuttin Horse

  The Smith & Wesson CH400DLB Cuttin Horse is another unusual offering from S&W. This knife is actually 2 knives in one, and for $15 I think it is just a plain cool knife. Lets take a closer look at what makes the Cutti ... continue reading

• Smith and Wesson SWBG2TS BORDER GUARD Rescue Knife

  The Smith and Wesson SWBG2TS Border Guard Rescue Knife is one mean SOB. I've been wanting to review this knife for a while now, and now that I've carried it I can finally do a review. Basic Information This kni ... continue reading

• Smith & Wesson SWMP5LS M&P Review

  The Smith & Wesson SWMP5LS M&P is an interesting looking EDC blade that is the subject of today's review. What we have here is a second generation MAGIC assisted opening knife. If you are unfamiliar with the MAGIC sys ... continue reading

• Smith & Wesson SWVIP Viper Gravity Knife

  I have something a little different for everyone today, the Smith & Wesson SWVIP Viper Gravity Knife. Before we go any further, lets take a look at this knife as it's a style that I have never seen before: The ... continue reading

• Smith & Wesson SWFRS First Response Knife

  The Smith & Wesson SWFRS First Response Knife is an emergency knife designed for those situations that you hate to think about but have to consider like a car accident or natural disaster. Smith and Wesson has put tog ... continue reading

• Smith & Wesson SW423B Oasis Linerlock Knife

  Smith & Wesson's SW423B Oasis is a robust liner lock knife. This is Smith and Wesson Knives' bread and butter; a no frills, rock solid folding knife done right at a price anyone can afford. The entire knife is ... continue reading

• Schrade 735RPB Mariner's Knife

  My grandfather served in the Navy, and my father has been a life long sailor. You could say being on the water is in my blood. Combine that with my interest in knives that are a little different and it was inevitabl ... continue reading

• Schrade TM1 Tradesman Hawkbill Lockback Knife

  The Schrade TM1 Tradesman Hawkbill Lockback Knife is a small folding knife designed with utility in mind. The concave shape of the belly is good for cutting textiles, rope or shrubbery. Traditionally these kinds of kn ... continue reading

• Schrade SCALY California Issue Pocket Knife

  The Schrade SCALY is small knife that has received a large amount of attention. There is a lot of interest in a discrete, legal, automatic knife and the Schrade SCALY claims to be just that. Below is my review of the ... continue reading