Looking for a budget or premium blade to call your own? Or know someone who would love a new pocket knife — cough, Father’s Day, cough — check out these top blades to have in 2021.
Other than a weird year in 2019, the knife market has been scorching hot since 2018. With new brands, new platforms like “Drop,” and self-published knives from high-end custom makers, the bar for the average knife has been raised significantly.
Unfortunately, prices have also gone up.
Here are five new knives of various prices — from sub-$50 up to $300 — that would make excellent pocket companions for upcoming summer adventures or as gifts for the dads in your life.
5 Hot Knives for Summer
Kershaw Random Leek
The Leek is a mainstream knife classic — sleek form, excellent slicer, and one of the best-selling folders of all time.
But its tip has been a vexing problem since the beginning, so frail that breakage is common. Over the years, a few limited editions were made with more robust blade shapes. Now, everyone can get a Leek with a strong point, as Kershaw has made the reverse tanto model part of its lineup.
The 14C28N steel is still decent and the overall package retains its slim carry profile. Now, if they could just get rid of the safety …
Check Price at BladeHQ Check Price at Knife Country USA
SOG Terminus XR LTE
SOG’s phoenix-like rise back to enthusiast-grade knives is capped off with this knife, a sliding bar lock flipper with a deep carry clip, and an S35VN blade.
The real selling point, though, is the light weight. This knife comes in just at 2 ounces thanks to structural carbon fiber elements. That weight, coupled with the convenience of a fully ambidextrous design, makes the XR LTE an easy blade to recommend for the summer months.
Check Price at BladeHQCheck Price at SOG