Most people run around the SHOT show floor looking at all manner of firearms, ammunition, and tactical gear. Not me. I spent the majority of the time looking for the best knives of SHOT Show 2026. The knife guys need some love, too, and there was plenty to look at this year.
In fact, there was so much to look at that there is no way on planet earth that I could see it all. I’m just one guy, and SHOT Show is huge. As such, I had to be selective and limit myself to knives from larger manufacturers that the general public will be familiar with and can purchase with relative ease.
So, here it goes. After running around like a madman for a few days, here are my top knives of SHOT Show 2026.
The Best Knives of SHOT Show 2026
Spyderco Charisma
One of the biggest trends I saw at SHOT Show 2026 was tiny pocket knives. If we’re being honest with ourselves, most standard knives are overkill for everyday use, so it makes sense to focus on a design as discreet as possible.
The Spyderco Charisma is, in my opinion, the most impressive micro knife of the show. At a silly 0.8 ounces, it felt like nothing in my hands when I first picked it up. The fact that it has a 2.98-inch CTS BD1N steel blade sets it apart from the crowd. The length of this Eric Glesser design allows the knife to maintain everyday functionality while being among the lightest pocket knives available.
It’s sweet, and brings a whole new meaning to “you’ll forget it’s even there.” The back lock mechanism keeps the blade firmly in place, and the fiberglass-reinforced nylon handle keeps the overall weight down while still providing a sure grip. If you’re looking to enter the micro-EDC space, this one can be yours for $130.
Benchmade Codex87 Horizon Edge
The biggest knife news from SHOT Show 2026 came from Benchmade with the Codex87 Horizon Edge. In fact, it’s so cool that GearJunkie Hunt & Fish Editor Rachelle Schrute did a solo write-up of the knife.
If you don’t have time to read her whole coverage, here’s the skinny: Benchmade took its Saddle Mountain Skinner, one of the best hunting knives made, and used a new technique to create a bi-steel edge. The main steel is Hakapella Damasteel, and Benchmade employed a laser-based fusion process to apply CPM Rex 121 to the edge.
The result is a knife that’s promised to provide the benefits of multiple steels in one knife. It certainly caught my eye, and I’m dying to see how it performs in the field. If it delivers as promised, it could be one of the biggest breakthroughs we’ve seen in modern knife construction.
CRKT M16-03BALI Balisong
The backstory of the CRKT M16-03BALI Balisong is what makes this knife so unique. It was designed by the late Kit Carson, a member of the BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall of Fame and designer of the popular M16 line of knives for CRKT. He passed away in 2014, so how did a knife, designed by him, pop up at SHOT Show 2026?
The design for the M16-03-BALI Balisong was found in his garage. It was brought to life by Live Sharp Industries, and now the iconic M16 knife series includes two butterfly-style knives, the M16-02BALI and M16-03BALI.
The M16-03, my favorite of the two, has a 3.38″ MagnaCut drop point blade, titanium handle, and begs to be fiddled with. It retails for $300 and may be one of the last new designs we see from the renowned tactical knife builder.
Buck 110 and 112 Slim Heritage Elite
Knives don’t get more classic than the Buck 110. But, despite the storied history, it’s a really heavy and bulky folder. Compared to modern, sleek knives, it’s not practical for EDC.
Buck listened to the complaints and delivered new versions of the iconic folder, the Buck 110 and 112 Slim Heritage Elite. Both lock-back folders are almost half the width of the original, considerably lighter, and have a deep pocket clip for tip-up carry. In hand, they feel like a pocketknife, not a brick.
The upgrade doesn’t stop at the size. Both blades are made with MagnaCut Steel, but maintain the classic, immediately recognizable style of the original from the ’60s. It’s one heck of a glow up, and I’m chomping at the bit to mess with one more.
Böker Backcountry 154CM
You know when you put a knife in your hands, and it flat-out feels right? That’s what I experienced with the Böker Backcountry on the SHOT showroom floor.
New for 2026 is a version made with 154 CM steel and a black G10 handle, which retails for $200. It puts a really sweet knife design at a bit better price point than its MagnaCut cousin.
The blade is 3.62 inches, the knife’s overall length is 7.48 inches, and it weighs a measly 2.05 ounces. As I said, it feels phenomenal in hand, and I’d feel very confident packing it into the woods to process big game. For backcountry, gram-counting hunters, it’s worth a look.
CIVIVI Purr
There are a ton of new knives from WE/CIVIVI, but this one had to be on my list because it was easily the most memorable of the show. While it looks a little ridiculous with a cat theme of all things, the CIVIVI Purr continues the trend of micro knives in a unique package.
It’s a flipper-style knife. When closed, the two flippers on the blade pop out of the top to form ears. The feline image is completed with an inlaid nose and smile in the G10 handle, and two screws forming the eyes. Yes, it’s silly, but it brought a smile to my face. I’m not even a cat guy, and I kind of shamefully want one.
The cat theme is rounded out nicely with the blade design. The tiny 1.83-inch Nitro-V blade feels exactly like a cat claw. It’s small, snappy, and fun.
Outdoor Edge Razor VX 7 and 8
I didn’t make it to the Outdoor Edge booth until my last day at SHOT Show 2026, and when I arrived, the smaller knife trend continued. This year, Outdoor Edge extended the Razor VX line with two new models, the VX 7 and VX 8.
Just like the rest of the Razor VX line, the knives use replaceable black oxide-coated 420 stainless steel blades, have a stainless-steel ball bearing pivot and liner lock, and are available in aluminum or G10-scaled handles.
What makes these knives different is the smaller blade lengths. The VX 7 ($40) is 2.5 inches, and the VX 8 ($50) is 3 inches. If you love replaceable blades and have been looking for a more compact carry, this is your answer.
Morakniv Garberg Grand
Someone had to buck the small knife trend, and Morakniv did it with the Garberg Grand. This is a big ol’, full-tang, Swedish Steel fixed-blade knife made for demanding bushcraft tasks. It’s also available in a black, carbon-steel version.
The full knife is 10.31 inches, with a blade length of 5.59 inches. Morakniv claims the thing will take an absolute beating and is strong enough to take down small trees. With the large size, it certainly looks like it can.
I obviously couldn’t test that on a showroom floor, but I did hold it in hand for a bit. The polyamide (aka nylon) handle is very grippy, and I would trust it in harsh, wet environments.
Both versions retail for $200, and it’s a great option for anyone looking for a knife that can tackle any task in the woods.
WE Notchline
The WE Notchline caught my attention because the brand typically isn’t associated with fixed-blade, hunting-style knives. The Notchline fits nicely into that category.
With a blade length of 3.45 inches, an overall length of 7.5 inches, and a blade width of 0.17 inches, the Notchline isn’t overbearing and is an overall great size for a do-all fixed-blade knife. It fits great in my hand, and there’s well-placed jimping along the back of the blade, which will provide a sure grip while cutting up big game.
The steel is CPM S35VN, and the handle is Copper Foil Carbon Fiber. It has a nice, rugged wood look to it, despite its composite construction. It’s exceptionally grippy and textured, but it looks cool as all get out.
Case Axe Handle
There’s a new kid on the block at Case Knives: the Axe handle, a new slip joint pattern designed by Bill Ruple. If it looks familiar, that’s because it should. It’s modeled after a custom collaboration designed by Ruple, but that limited-run version was very hard to get and very expensive. This version is available to the masses in the Case catalogue and will retail for $75-85.
It’s a touch smaller than the custom version at 4 inches closed and a 2.74-inch clip-point blade made from Case Tru-Sharp Steel. There are a variety of handles, all of which, in my opinion, look stunning. The name comes from the handle design, which is upswept at the end, just like, well, an axe handle.
If you’re a Case guy or love classic slip joints, this knife should be at the top of your list for 2026.
MagnaMax Steel
GearJunkie contributor Nick Lefort recently did a write-up on MagnaMax, a new, never-before-seen steel, which is obviously exciting. I scoured the showroom floor trying to get my hands on it, to no avail.
There was one manufacturer I was certain would have it. But when asked, they told me they were working with it, but didn’t have any knives with it on hand. Mission failed.
But it’s clear that a hot new steel is coming soon, and you should keep your eyes peeled for it during the upcoming year. I’m certainly chomping at the bit.
