Folding Knives (2)

Cold Steel makes some interesting claims regarding this knife, stating that the Ultimate Hunter is a big game hunting knife with the best blade lock in the industry plus the strength and power of a fixed blade. That may be a bit of a stretch, but the Ultimate ...

The Boker Plus Double Action knife does have some good features which aren't obvious on first glance. This knife looks like an ordinary one-handed folder, but the construction quality and the extra slide lock have made the Boker Double Action a popular choice for automatic conversion as well ...

Tool Logic's SLP2 Multifunction Folding Knife makes the multi-tool approach to survival knives actually work. Similar in appearance to the Swedish Light-My-Fire knife, this version from Tool Logic offers much more than a magnesium firestarter and a cheap knife.

The SLP2's three-inch blade of 420J2 high carbon ...

Something you won't find in many folding clip knives is a built-in carabiner clip. The Leatherman C303 has it, plus a couple of tricks you wouldn't expect even from a company that makes multi-tools.

Leatherman's C303 was built for utility use, but the 3.2-ounce knife is a good size for campers ...

Smith & Wesson's H.R.T. O.T.F (Hostage Rescue Team; Out The Front) knives aren't quite as dramatic as their names, but they are useful. Check them out if you're looking for an assisted opening version of the classic stilletto.

With only three-inch blades, the H.R.T. knives lack intimidation factor, but the ...

Scaled down to only two thirds the size of the popular Spyderco Military knife, the ParaMilitary meets the needs of those who need a more discreet version better suited to pocket carry. This model created for civilian uses keeps the good features of Spyderco's larger tactical folder.

With a blade ...

Cold Steel jumped into the artistic pool with knives like the Talwar Folder, built in cooperation with designer Lynn Thompson. Called a pocket sword rather than a pocket knife, the Talwar combines the style of old Spanish weaponry with the usual invulnerable mechanics of Cold Steel products.

You'd expect ...

Classic pocket knives were nearly left behind when one-handed opening clip folders came along, even though modern clip folders lacked the grace of the old styles. Kershaw's Double Cross combines the best features of the modern pocket folders in a familiar, classic style. This traditional pocket knife with a ...

In spite of all the good features in this precisely built folding clip knife from Boker of Germany, the Boker Infinity is still a collector's piece. Buy it for the ceramic blade and the bragging rights to one of the sharpest but most limited pocket knives available today.

The Boker Infinity ...

The Kershaw Leek offers civilians an efficient pocket folder with an opening system that's as close to automatic as most owners can get. True automatics are reserved for law enforcement, military, and only a few other special categories, but the Kershaw Leek with Speedsafe provides reasonable one-handed convenience and ...

The Gerber Freeman Folder drew considerable attention when first produced. Now that the Freeman Folder Gut Hook knife has been around a while, it may be an even better deal. In fact, at today's more reasonable prices, it could be more tempting than it was when it won ...

The Gerber Obsidian packs useful extra features into a small pocket clip folder, including three basic tools along with the drop point blade.

Only four inches long when closed, the knife conceals three blades within its black ballistic nylon handle. The main blade is a three-inch-long, plain-edged clip point of ...

Although Spyderco's Military Digital Camouflage Knife was designed for military users, it's one of Spyderco's best choices for civilians as well, with a rugged build and special features other Spyderco lightweights lack. Anyone interested in a dependable folding clip knife should give this one a look.

Thumb stud opening systems ...

The Buck 279BK Folding Alpha Hunter offers the best features of the Alpha Hunter fixed blade in a drop point folder style. If you've dressed out enough game in your life that you don't need a gut hook, skip the Buck 278 and get this one -- the same ...

The Buck 179 Mayo Hilo, designed by Tom Mayo, took inspiration from the surf and the sharks of the Hawaiian coast. The Hilo is all about sleek lines, light weight, and shark-tooth efficiency.

The bead blasted finish may have been intended to simulate sharkskin, but you'd probably not make that ...

Buck explains the 183CM Camo Alpha Crosslock (PBS) as a Portable Butcher Shop. Although the small size of this knife also works well for small game, the bone saw blade makes field dressing larger animals like deer possible as well. If you hunt quail, you'll need Buck's regular bird ...

Kershaw's Whiskey Gap Lockback Folder has a nice look about it, with some of the old functionality of the Barlow popular in America's early days but cleaned up a bit with subtle modern refinements. The single clip point 2-1/4-inch blade of AUS6A high carbon stainless steel lifts by the thumb ...

With one of Smith & Wesson's easiest assisted opening systems, the S&W Military Police M.A.G.I.C. Scooped Tanto offers both tactical and emergency rescue features in a highly engineered but economical package. Manufactured to Smith & Wesson specifications in Taiwan, the knife is a good choice for anyone who needs ...

Smith & Wesson's Military Police Magic Assisted Tanto shows good quality in an American-sponsored imported design. The Taiwanese makers of the Military Police Tanto put together good features and good materials. Tactical users may be tempted and anyone who needs a good urban survival knife should take ...

A 3-3/8-inch knife with a 2-3/8-inch blade probably shouldn't be referred to as a folding hunter, but the Buck 55 comes very close to living up to that standard anyway. The Buck 55 is actually the pocket knife version of the Buck 110, which is the largest folding ...

The large oval thumb loop in the Gerber EZ-Out DPSF S30V technically makes this a knife you can open with one hand. Though that's possible, most people will continue to use two hands when unfolding this 8-inch lockback. The four-inch combo serrated high carbon stainless steel blade ...

Like its namesake, the Kershaw Junkyard Dog II Pocket Knife isn't pretty, but it's tough. The Junkyard Dog II is a little lighter than its predecessor, the all-stainless-steel Junkyard Dog I. With textured handle slabs of G-10, it's also a lot friendlier to the hands.

This is another ...

Master knife designer Steve Tarani partnered with the experts at 5.11 Tactical to develop the C.U.B. knife series, and the 5.11 Tactical C.U.B. Master Knife is just one of the interesting results. The claw -style cutting edge of the 2-3/4 inch blade -- made from S30V crucible steel -- ...

Now upgraded to include machine textured G-10 handle slabs, the new Crow offers improved handling in all types of weather. Opening the Spyderco Byrd Crow one-handed is possible. The trademark birds-eye loop in the blade responds even when your fingers are too numb to move -- it's certainly more ...

Jim Wagner's Reality Based Rescue Knife, manufactured by Boker of Germany, drastically revises the design of the usual rescue blade. The result is actually more tool than knife, with some real advantages if emergency rescue work is the main thing you intend for the RBR.

Many rescue knife designs build ...

Since the styles are so similar, I'm immediately tempted to compare this to the Buck Folding Hunter series -- but when I do, I'm a little bit disappointed in Buck. Every time I compare something American to what should be the same knife from Puma of Solingen, Germany, I ...

This plain edge version of the Boker Magnum has a solid feel even though it's only 3.5 ounces in weight. The machined aluminum handle gives it considerable strength, and the action is smooth and accurate. The top locking system uses a plunge lock button that won't release until solidly ...

I most appreciate the knives that take thought to comprehend, and the Cold Steel Espada V is a great example of a knife you won't completely get the first time you see it. Cold Steel continues to take chances and express some good ideas. This one is ...

Good knives are one of those personal possessions which just increase in importance the more used they get. Pull a good pocket knife out to cut an apple or whittle a tent stake, and you can look back to every day that put every scratch and dent and ...

The Folding Powerglide Tanto from Smith & Wesson uses some of the basic concepts of the balisong or butterfly knife, but modifies the system enough to qualify as a two-handed pocket blade. Though the action is slower than the traditional Philippine version, the Powerglide still provides the same compact ...

The Cold Steel Paradox operates smoothly but differently from the traditional balisong or butterfly knife. The modified design was created to put this knife in the same category as folding pocket knives. Any truly one-handed opening knife is subject to legal restrictions, and the Paradox is not a one-handed ...

This inexpensive mock butterfly knife by Ellington Manufacturing is designed only for safe training. Construction is similar in weight and action to the real thing, but durability is minimal. Still, balisong adepts need to start somewhere, and this simple and safe trainer is that set of "training wheels" you'll need. ...

Cold Steel intended the Voyager series to be both lighter and better than any of the competition. The Voyager does succeed in many ways -- getting used to a large knife this light may take a while. Even with a five-inch-long tanto blade of VG-1 high carbon stainless steel, the ...

The Cold Steel Voyager Medium Tanto covers a wide range of everyday needs -- good for camping, fishing, hunting, and handyman work, although the tanto point traditionally was the mark of a combat blade. If one-handed opening is an essential feature you need, consider the strength of your hand. ...

The Buck 112 Ranger already was a sound knife design for anyone who needs a rugged blade for hard everyday use -- and a dependable hunting or fishing knife for that impromptu getaway. In fact, I was skeptical of the changes that created the Buck 112FG -- it's ...

Although it doesn't greatly resemble its predecessor, the Buck 278 Folding Alpha Hunter is the upgraded version of the very popular Buck 110 Folding Hunter. The Buck 278 with gut hook is different enough to be a whole new knife. If you see traces of the 110 here, ...

Buck's small pocket clip folder, the Buck Rush in ATS-34 high carbon stainless steel, features the assisted opening system called ASAP. Buck claims the knife will be safer for pocket carry than a fully automatic knife and open with speed that's competitive with a standard switchblade.

When closed, ...

Folding knives with one-handed opening studs are sometimes a little too tricky to open in a hurry. If you've ever thought the side of your thumb was just too close to that cutting edge, you may like the Buck 750 Redpoint with Safe Spin Locking. Built for safe one-handed ...

This lightweight pocket clip folder is a little too military to be a great utility or camp knife, but the camouflage titanium coated tanto blade will still appeal to some. If you do need an emergency knife for a reasonable price, the Smith & Wesson Extreme Ops Serrated Tanto ...

Let's talk tackle boxes before bringing up the Buck Protege. If you fish, you probably do have a knife tucked away in the bottom compartment where everything gets wet and nasty. Not every knife will hold up to that, and probably you've stashed something cheap under the extra reel ...

A light but strong plain-edged knife well suited to everyday use, the Kershaw Scallion clips to your pocket and stays within reach. If you find yourself too busy to free both hands, the Speed-Safe feature designed by Ken Onion lets you open and close the stout blade with one ...

This plain and simple folder from Kershaw Ken Onion doesn't have any gimmicks or flash but works reliably. The Whirlwind's 3.5-inch Sandvik 13C26 stainless steel blade has a partially serrated edge for quick emergency cutting of rope, belts, or rigging. Textured injection-molded handle slabs are warm to the touch ...

Three of the most often-used field dressing tools combine in the Mossy Oak hardwood handled 3-blade Folding Knife from Browning. The Mossy Oak Folding Knife offers hunters a compact field dressing knife set, small enough to carry in the pocket. It's an unusual knife with blades that could ...

This unusual knife style -- discontinued by many manufacturers -- is so far still a standard offer at Case. Nevertheless the bird hook knife may be a collector's item unless you're a game bird hunter. The 3.5-inch clip point stainless steel blade could serve as an everyday pocket ...

The Buck Summit Folder adds several useful tools to a standard one-hand opening clip knife -- without the clip. Designed by mountaineer Peter Whittaker and a team of climbing guides, the Summit includes only the essentials.

Instead of a stainless steel pocket clip, there's an extra large steel loop at ...

This licensed replica of the vampire killer Blade's deadly Bloodbath Glaive rests securely on a boldly decorated metal stand, suitable for desktop, shelf or wall display. The United Cutlery version of the double-ended throwing knife used by Wesley Snipes in the Blade movie -- and by Kirk Jones in the ...

I'm not sure this is as new an idea as Boker makes it out to be, but the result is a good knife with improvements that could be a sensible industry standard. Personally, I consider a knife to be safe if I know how it works, so doubled blade locks ...

Part of Bluegrass Cutlery's revival of old Winchester knife designs, the 270 Folding Guard Lockback definitely has nostalgia value and collectability as well. Folding bladeguards aren't common and, in a practical sense, don't quite match up to either the convenience of a plain folding knife or the rugged functionality of a ...

With H&K's liner lock system, this tactical folder opens and closes with just one hand, without the complications of a true automatic knife. Thumb studs and locking system work as well for lefties as for the right-handed user. Fully open, the drop point blade locks securely -- release the ...

The Reventon Folder by the Italian tactical knife company Extrema Ratio will be a limited production run of only 2000 knives. The first go to the owners of Lamborghini's Reventon sports cars -- a limited edition of only 20 autos. Built as a survival knife for the high tech driver, ...