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I've reviewed so many modern knives that it feels like the right time for a slight departure. My love for knives started with slipjoints—the kind your grandpa carried while cleaning his nails and reminiscing about the old days. But outside of a few manufacturers, traditional knife-making has faded. Case, Buck, and Schrade are still around, and you’ve got companies like GEC, Jack Wolf, and Peña keeping the flame alive, but the market is overwhelmingly modern.
Enter RoseCraft Blades. Founded by Andy Armstrong, a veteran in the industry, RoseCraft brings a fresh approach to traditional designs. His passion is evident in every pattern, blending heritage with innovation. And today, I’m looking at their Clinch River Button Lock—RoseCraft’s first foray into "modern traditionals."
When you're on the hunt for a compact and featherweight everyday carry knife, the options are as plentiful as gadgets in a spy's arsenal. Some are so light they moonlight as money clips—quite the party trick. Today, we're diving into a knife that not only fits this ultralight bill but also flirts with the idea of doubling as a money clip. But should it? Let's find out.
Enter the SOG Ultra XR Blackout edition—a folding knife that's as sleek as a tuxedo-clad secret agent. With carbon fiber handles and an axis-style lock, this knife tips the scales at a mere 1.2 ounces. Yes, you read that right. It's lighter than a paperclip convention. Closed, it measures 3.6 inches, extending to an overall length of 6.4 inches when deployed. The carbon fiber boasts a marbled, almost shredded appearance, giving it an aesthetic that's both sophisticated and ready for action.
The budget knife market is packed with options—some good, some bad. When a company aims to compete in this space, it needs to focus on materials and quality. Go too cheap, and you get a subpar product; go too high, and you risk pricing yourself out of the budget category. Then there are knives that land in a strange middle ground—enter the SOG Diverge XR.
At around $60, the Diverge XR sits on the upper end of the budget spectrum (depending on how you define "budget"). On paper, it seems promising: aluminum handle, deep carry clip, D2 steel blade, and SOG's XR lock—a variation of the Benchmade Axis lock. It looks decent, and that’s exactly what it is: decent. It’s not exceptional, but it cuts well enough. Let’s break it down—the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Knives are a lot like people—some are quiet and unassuming, while others command attention the moment they show up. Maybe it’s their size, their look, or just an over-the-top presence that makes them impossible to ignore. Today, we’re taking a look at a knife that refuses to be subtle: the Kansept Leviathan. This thing is large and in charge, though completely unrealistic as an EDC. So, let’s dive deep into this aquatic adventure and take a closer look at this beast.
Knife design is often a game of balancing aesthetics, function, and innovation. Some makers lean toward subtlety, while others push the envelope. With the Vivid, Jacob Lundquist takes his signature design language in a bold new direction—one that is ergonomic, visually striking, and built for everyday use.
For those who prioritize usability in an everyday carry flashlight, the Nitecore EDC23 offers a seamless experience with intuitive controls, a practical design, and reliable performance. Let’s break down what makes this flashlight stand out from the crowd.
Flat flashlights are cool, they’re hip, and they’re everywhere. It feels like every manufacturer is jumping on the bandwagon, and honestly, I get why. They’re compact, easy to carry, and packed with features. While searching for flat lights, I came across a brand I hadn’t heard of before—Turtle Creek. After checking out some YouTube reviews (all surprisingly positive), I figured I’d take one for a spin. Having recently reviewed the Arkfield Pro, I thought the Castor would make for an interesting comparison.
Some knives slice, some pierce, and some, like the Kizer Dogfish, strike fast and hold on tight. Named after the dogfish shark, a member of the Squalidae family, this blade takes after its namesake—a small but aggressive predator known for its tenacity and sharp bite. Dogfish sharks might not be the biggest hunters in the ocean, but they make up for it with persistence, adaptability, and a set of teeth that mean business.
Damned Designs patterns are quite iconic in the industry. Even though many of their designs share similarities, it's not unlike other makers such as Todd Begg or Ken Onion. Every knife designer has their own style and flair, making their work instantly recognizable, and the Invictus is no different.
The name Invictus comes from Latin, meaning unconquerable or invincible. However, it's most notably associated with the poem by William Ernest Henley, not Hemingway (common mix-up). The poem’s theme centers on resilience and inner strength, making Invictus a fitting name for a knife you can carry anywhere, confident that it will handle whatever life throws at it.
Jens Anso is a name that carries weight in the knife world. His designs are known for their clean lines, modern aesthetics, and an emphasis on ergonomics. If you've handled his work before, you know he blends function and form in a way that just makes sense. Anso has collaborated with some big names like Zero Tolerance, Böker, and now Kizer, bringing his unique touch to production knives.
Those who read my reviews know that I appreciate a knife that offers a high degree of utility. While I enjoy a variety of blade styles, my favorites tend to be wharncliffe, sheepsfoot, and cleaver blades. Any blade shape can be useful in different situations, but I find these three to be the best for general-purpose work. Knives with a good amount of belly are excellent for tasks like food prep and skinning, but a straight-edged blade offers better precision, ease of sharpening in the field, and a well-defined tip for detailed cutting.
That brings us to the Kizer Task, a knife that visually resembles models like the Gerber Flatiron, featuring a relatively straight blade profile and handle. This is a good thing—straight handles paired with straight blades tend to excel in utility and everyday carry.
DiamondBlade Knives has always been about pushing the limits of what’s possible with steel. Their Friction Forged process takes traditional tool steel and transforms it into something exceptional—offering incredible hardness at the edge while maintaining flexibility at the spine. The result? Knives that stay sharper for longer while resisting breakage.
The Fury Automatic carries that same cutting-edge (pun intended) technology in a compact, pocket-friendly form. It’s lightweight, snappy, and built for real-world use. Let’s take a closer look.
A good sharpener isn’t just about getting a razor edge—it’s about consistency, ease of use, and convenience. Work Sharp has built a reputation for making some of the most user-friendly sharpening tools around, and the Guided Field Sharpener is no exception. Whether you’re new to sharpening or a seasoned pro, this little tool delivers results without the guesswork.
Automatic knives are something that we, as Americans, can take for granted. Plenty of countries—and even some states within the U.S.—outright ban them. Heck, there was a time when even assisted-opening knives lived in a legal gray area. Thanks to organizations like Knife Rights and AKTI, we've seen laws shift, letting us enjoy certain knives without worrying about getting a slap on the wrist.
What kind of people would write collect and review multitools? Quite simple really- we are designers and do-ers, outdoors types and indoor types, mechanics, doctors, problem solvers and problem makers. As such, we have, as a world spanning community, put every type, size and version of multitool, multifunction knife, pocket knife and all related products to every test we could manage in as many places and environments as there are.