Cold Steel continues their mission of putting more knives into more hands with the SR1 Lite - a lighter and more affordable version of the premium heavy-duty folder. Instead of the pricy S35VN steel and G10 handles on the original version, the SR1 Lite features 8CR13MoV steel and Griv-Ex handles. As a result, this beast of a blade will only set you back $59.49.
The SR1 Lite is available in either tanto or clip point profiles, both of which use massively, almost unbelievably 4.8mm thick blade stock. We're not saying you should abuse these knives, but I'm not sure what would constitute “abuse” of such a tremendously thick slab of steel. This first batch is going fast, but we still have a number of the SR1 Lite Tantos in stock!
The Rat Model 1 is widely regarded as one of the best budget folding knives you can get for the money, and that is even more true right now with this special-priced variant. Durable AUS-8 stainless steel pairs with a foliage green handle - perfect for campers, hikers, preppers, hunters, or anyone who needs a good blade on a budget. At this price you can afford to stock up on this classic. Stash them anywhere you might need a knife or keep them on hand as gifts for the future.
These spiced-up Spyderco models look great anywhere… camping, EDC, tactical, and thanks to new glow-in-the-dark base material, even day or night! The handles are then individually hand-dyed by master Japanese artists with classic Ai Zome technique so that no two are identical. Behind the good looks are the performance-driven features you expect from these excellent models - VG10 stainless steel, bi-directional grip texture, four-position pocket clip, ambidextrous opening, and a sturdy back lock.
Dollar for dollar, nothing beats a Mora when it comes to utilitarian fixed blades. Their performance and fit-and-finish for the money is a true delight. The 511/546 “Basic” series is so-called because it is pure function. The 3.6” blade is highly controllable, razor-sharp, and pairs with a solid handle with an integrated finger guard for safety. Take your pick of stainless or carbon steel as well as handle colors. The new black and yellow 2020 editions look especially great!
With Father's Day coming up soon, a good multi-tool is always a great gift option, and with the Wingman and Sidekick on sale for less than $50 the timing couldn't be better. Solidly built around a set of combination pliers, a genre Leatherman invented, the toolset is mostly the same between these two models with minor differences. Pick the Wingman for the urban jungle with its scissors and combo-edge blade or the more outdoors friendly Sidekick which features a wood saw and plain-edge blade instead.
The Boomslang has recently been discontinued, which is a shame. This has always been a solid camp knife that can fulfill the roles of machete, chopper, and even woodcarver thanks to the broad finger choil that lets you choke up on the blade for more neutral balance. The Micarta handles offer just the right amount of grip and a shape that lets you choke back for maximum leverage as you chop. Being a Condor, it also comes with a high-quality leather sheath for protecting and carrying your blade. Pick one up now before they are gone.
Exotac may be the best thing that has happened to firestarters in recent memory. Their aluminum handled firesteels are manufactured in America and feature solid construction. The fireROD even has a small chamber for storing tinder so you always have something dry to catch the sparks which are sure to fly! We also love the nanoSTRIKER series which is perfect for your keychain. Pick some up and add it to your kit today.
Old Hickory has always given you a lot of performance for the money, and this new “Outdoor” Fillet Knife variation is no exception. This knife is American-made, includes a leather sheath, and features 440C stainless steel rather than carbon steel. It will work great in your tackle box, of course, but will also find a home in your kitchen as a boning knife and protein processor. If you'd prefer carbon steel, check out the new Old Hickory Mini Fillet which also comes with a handy sheath.
SOG's brand reinvigoration continues with the new Trident AT, an assisted-opener built around their capable XR crossbar lock. Even with its newly refined shape and stronger lock, this remains one of our favorite tactical rescue knives with two blade shapes to choose from and a cutout in the handle that lets you use the closed knife as a seatbelt cutter. It even has a subtly integrated glass-breaker at the front of the handles. It doesn't get in the way at all and it is right there when you need it!
A Spartan Blade has never been this affordable thanks to these “Silver Line” collaborations with KA-BAR! Designed by the Spartan crew and built by KA-BAR in their Olean, NY facility, these knives have the pedigree and rock-solid performance you would expect. The smaller Alala makes a great backup knife, the mid-sized Damysus is an all-around champ, while the larger Machai sports a wicked recurve and aggressive tactical blade. All three are ready for action!
For those who love Spyderco's popular folding knife models but want something that sets their knife apart, the Zome-style FRN handles on these Delica and Endura variants will add a touch of style to your pocket. The handle scales are molded in a light base color and then individually hand-dyed by expert Japanese artisans, so no two knives are alike. These new variants kick things up even higher with Glow-In-The-Dark base material so they really stand out at any time, day or night!
An essential part of any preparedness kit, the Leatherman Raptor is built around a solid set of medical shears. It has just the right selection of tools without it being overkill and it can fold down to fit the included sheath or in your pockets. Developed with EMTs, fire professionals, and special operations medics, the Raptor keeps all the proven essentials at the ready, because you never know when you might need them.
Few designers have been as influential in the tactical arena as the late Al Mar, with designs like his SERE folder providing a template for countless imitators to follow. While new brand ownership has moved production to China, we still have a selection of their premium Japanese-made knives in stock. Almost all of them are on sale right now so you can get your hands on one before our supply dries up!
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 four different directions, plus the V-shaped tang acts as a glass-breaker 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.
With the Condor Sentinel in your hands, you'll have what it takes to break through barriers and dismantle nearly any obstacle in front of you. The tough 1075 carbon steel construction can stand up to the worst you can throw at it while the grip comes from wrapped paracord, ensuring you have enough traction to swing hard and spare cordage on hand for emergencies. Putting this package over the top is a quality Kydex sheath designed by Julio Diez of 710 Custom Sheaths.
This subtle flipper hides its ferocity in plain sight with classy good looks and a low price tag. A liner lock underpins stainless steel bolsters and grippy milled G10 handle scales. Housed within is a reverse tanto blade that flips out with ease thanks to the Ultra-Glide pivot. This knife proves that you don't need a premium knife to get a capable one!
Ever heard of an “S-grind?” It's a little hard to tell from this picture , but the VG10 Wharncliffe blade on the new Boker Genios has one. S-grinds are more commonly seen on high-end kitchen knives, where they help prevent food from sticking to the blade while cutting. I like to think of it as an oversized fuller carved out of the middle of the blade, creating a hollow space behind the cutting geometry that helps reduce friction as the blade passes through material. It's a complex, uncommon blade grind and it definitely caught our attention here at the KnifeCenter.
In fact, the Genios is packed with unique features. The contoured titanium handles hide a patented low-profile backlock mechanism, allowing the handle to remain elegantly slim. Without the need for a bulky backspring housing, the knife also folds up extremely compactly, the perfect fit for the handsome leather pocket slip it ships with. Overall, if you're looking for a gentleman's knife that stands out without being flashy, the Genios should be at the top of your list.

While there are a dizzying array of knife styles, shapes, and sizes to choose from, all you really need is one good chef's knife. Since there is no ‘one size fits all' option when it comes to knives-and buying one can be a lofty investment-it's important to understand your personal preferences before you go shopping. Here are five tips for choosing a chef's knife that makes chopping, mincing, slicing, and dicing more effortless, accurate, and enjoyable.
What to Look for in a Chef's Knife
Once you hone in on what you're looking for, buying the perfect chef's knife will be a piece of cake. The most important things to take into consideration when buying a new knife (of any kind) are size, style, steel, handle, and weighting.
Messermeister Anatomy of a Chef Knife
Size it Up

Before you start worrying about how stylish it is, take stock of what your needs are in the kitchen. If you're an at home cook and don't regularly find yourself breaking down whole chickens or chopping vegetables into a fine brunoise, then 8”-10” blade length should be plenty. Most non-industrial counter tops and cutting boards aren't designed to handle much more than that, so stick to a size that's comfortable in your hand and maneuverable in your space.
Above all else, your knife should feel like a natural extension of your arm-instilling confidence, not fear, when you take to the cutting board. While big knives may look impressive, bigger isn't always better. If you simply can't decide between 8-inches and 10-inches, Messermeister offers a 9-inch blade-both with and without kullenschliff's-in their Meridian Elite collection that might be the perfect fit.
Pick a Style
Every chef has a preference that's all their own, so this is where you're going to need to pick a side: German or Japanese. There are pros and cons to each style, so let's take a look at the anatomy of the knife, hardness of the blade, and the blade angles.
German knives are typically characterized by a full-tang, bolster, thicker blade, and 15° - 22° angle. Making them sharp, but also sturdy. Also known as shoulder, shank or collar, the bolster is the thick portion of a knife between the blade and the handle. It can add stability and strength to a knife and protect the user's fingers of the gripping hand. Because of their beefier blade, they're less prone to breaking or chipping if you accidentally cut up against bone or drop it. This also means they're less adept at making delicate cuts, such as slicing sashimi or doing a fine julienne of vegetables.
On the other hand, Japanese knives are thinner and lighter, generally have no bolster, and the tangs vary by manufacturer. They typically boast 15 - 18° angle, which makes them impressively sharp, but a little more difficult to maintain. Because of their thinner blade composition they're able to make extremely thin slices, but can't tackle heavy duty tasks like carving a large melon as easily. If you're keen on this style, turn your attention towards ‘Santoku' knives, as this is what Japanese chef knives are known as.
Of course, there are exceptions to these rules and many brands, like Messermeister and Chroma, now offer hybrid options, which marry the favorite aspects from both styles into one versatile blade
Choose a Steel
The type of steel you choose makes a huge difference in both the durability of your blade and sharpness of your edge. Although there are huge variety of companies manufacturing numerous types of knives, you can basically break it down into two categories: high carbon and stainless steel.
Carbon steel is harder, sharper, and holds its edge retention longer than its stainless counterpart; however, it requires more maintenance to prevent it from rusting or discoloring. Stainless steel is the budget friendly option, easier to take care of, and gets the job done well, but doesn't offer the same longevity as carbon. Since stainless steel is softer, it needs regular sharpening to keep the edge straight and razor sharp. Luckily, any standard knife sharpener will do the trick.
Ask any professional chef what they'd choose and they'll likely steer you towards carbon steel as it offers more bang for your buck-especially in the long run.
Handle with Care
The key to having excellent knife skills-and keeping your cuts fluid over an extended period of time-is a relaxed and comfortable your grip on your knife. This means selecting a handle that's well-suited for your frame and size. If you have smaller hands, you'll want to reach for a thinner handle than someone with larger hands, who should choose a blade with a wider trunk. Many brands also offer ergonomic handles that fit comfortably in your palm and provide extra stability and support during extended cutting and chopping tasks. Ergo Chef and Messermeister both offer ergonomic grip.
Unlike typical Western-style handles that are flatter, Japanese knives often sport a round or oval handle. Most new users encounter a bit of a re-learning curve when it comes to adequately manipulating this style of knife, so keep that in mind if your knife skills aren't tip-top.
Weigh In
The final thing you want to take into consideration when selecting the perfect chef's knife is weighting. Weighting relates to the knife's overall balance i.e. how well the weight is distributed between the handle and the blade.
For knives that are 8 inches or longer (like a 10 inch chef's knife or long slicer), the balance point should be right where the blade meets that handle, meaning the blade and handle should weigh about the same. A center or rear-balanced blade places the balance point close to the hand where it can be more easily manipulated, improving agility and providing raw chopping power. For shorter knives (like a three inch paring or utility knife) designed for more precision cutting tasks, you can expect the majority of the weight to rest in the handle as opposed to the blade. This distribution provides increased control when navigating smaller, more accurate cuts, which is to be expected from a knife of this size.
Decisions, decisions...
While there may not be a simple recipe for choosing your ‘Goldilocks blade', identifying your personal preferences in each of these categories will make purchasing one that's “just right” a breeze. Remember, your chef's knife is the single most important tool in your entire kitchen, and can easily last you 25 years or more if well taken care of. So, try not to get too hung up on the price tag and opt for a knife that gets you excited to be in the kitchen and will be with you for the next quarter century.