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New Knives of the Week: February 27th, 2026
As the final week of February comes to an end, the knife community is being treated to a diverse trio of releases that bridge the gap between high-end modern engineering, nostalgia, and playful design. Leading the charge, Jack Wolf Knives has revisited a classic American pattern with a hardware overhaul that ranges from vibrant, layered composites to the timeless elegance of dark hardwoods. Pushing the boundaries of tactical aesthetics, Heretic Knives introduces a single-action automatic that pairs a "radioactive" UV-reactive handle with a stylized, cel-shaded...
Recent Articles
New Knives of the Week:
February 20th, 2026
As we settle into the mid-point of February, the knife industry continues to prove that innovation doesn’t take a winter break. This week’s arrivals show just how wide that creative spectrum can be, with Knafs and Boker each staking out their own territory in memorable fashion. Knafs builds on its growing reputation with the debut of its first button lock platform, offering compact, purpose-driven folders that blend youthful energy, thoughtful design, and serious cutting performance. At the same time, Boker taps into its deep roots with an...
New Knives at
S.H.O.T. Show 2026
SHOT Show always brings a flood of new gear, but a few releases this year feel especially worth a closer look. Pro-Tech expands its lineup with standout new variations like the full-size Avalon, a clean, modern folder designed for extra reach and real everyday utility, while CRKT continues to refine its lightweight EDC offerings with Ken Onion’s Counterpart Crossbar platform. Alongside those highlights, there are plenty of other fresh designs making their debut, from compact autos and updated button locks to new takes on familiar classics, all built with...
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New Knives of the Week 2026
January 9th, 2026
January is already moving fast, and this week’s lineup proves it. The week's new knives bring a strong mix of traditional design and modern utility, with fresh drops from Case and a heavy wave of new gear from CRKT. On the traditional side, you’ll see familiar American craftsmanship paired with updated materials, along with a brand new traditional pattern, and the 2026 Case Vault Pattern that leans into pattern history in a way collectors will appreciate. CRKT, meanwhile, comes in with a broad spread of everyday carry options, including compact fixed...
January 16th, 2026
January is still picking up speed, and this week’s releases keep the momentum going. Victorinox opens the week with its 2026 Limited Edition Glacial Blue lineup, applying a clean Alox finish to three familiar platforms that balance everyday usefulness with restrained, modern styling. Kershaw and Zero Tolerance follow with a heavy showing built around MagnaCut, updated lock designs, and a mix of manual and automatic folders that stay focused on real-world pocket carry. Hogue adds an SMKW-exclusive that leans into utility with a purpose-driven...
January 23rd, 2026
As the weather gets colder, the knife releases are heating up, and this week’s drop comes in with a clear focus on purpose-built designs and smart variations. Jack Wolf Knives leads the charge with a lineup that shows how much personality you can pull from one pattern, shifting the feel from ultralight and modern to more traditional and substantial just by changing materials and finish choices. Zero Tolerance follows with a sprint run that keeps the brand’s hard-use backbone but adds a more refined carry through carbon fiber and a wear-friendly blade...
January 30th, 2026
This week’s new releases bring together a wide cross-section of the knife world, with American and international makers showing very different takes on modern carry, fixed blades, and automatic designs. Hogue and SIG Sauer continue their close collaboration with compact, purpose-built tools, while Heretic adds a visually distinctive twist to one of its established platforms. WE Knife Co. and CIVIVI expand their lineups with material-driven folders that balance precision machining with everyday practicality, and Sencut adds another option...
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February 6th, 2026
This week’s new releases keep the focus on practical everyday carry, with a mix of modern builds and familiar patterns getting thoughtful updates. Vero Engineering kicks things off by expanding its Avid line with the new Avid 2, a follow-up to the award-winning original that keeps the same clean, work-ready direction while offering multiple finishes and handle options. Benchmade follows with fresh Taiga Green and Tan colorways across a few proven platforms, plus a new Shootout variation that leans into lightweight carry with a hard-use...
February 13th, 2026
As February rolls on in 2026, the knife world finds itself sharing the spotlight with a much larger milestone. Two hundred and fifty years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the tools we carry are once again reflecting the history, craftsmanship, and everyday practicality that helped shape the country itself. From the early days of frontier settlement to the workshops that supplied farmers, tradesmen, and soldiers, knives have always been quiet companions in American life, working far harder than they ever needed to be noticed...
New Knives at S.H.O.T. Show 2026
Benchmade
Benchmade arrived at S.H.O.T. Show 2026 with a focused slate of new knives and updates that build on long-established platforms. Across Black Class, Blue Class, Hunt, Water, and the expanding Cutlery Line, this year’s releases emphasize refined materials, practical size adjustments, and unique colorways. Popular models like the Bugout, Bailout, Osborne, and SOCP return with new steels, finishes, and handle configurations, while the kitchen and field offerings continue Benchmade’s steady push beyond everyday carry. If Benchmade’s SHOT Show 2026...
Boker
For 2026, Boker is tightening up its catalog by organizing new releases under three primary banners: Boker (which includes Boker Solingen and Boker USA), Boker Plus, and Boker Magnum. Solingen remains the German-made line, Boker USA, made in Denver, Colorado, covers the brand’s domestic production, Boker Plus continues as the home for modern production folders and automatics, and Boker Magnum rounds out the value-driven side of the lineup. Boker’s SHOT Show 2026 knives cover a lot of ground in a way that’s genuinely fun to dig into...
Condor
At SHOT Show 2026, Condor Tool & Knife leans fully into what it does best: large-format field blades and hard-use knives designed around real work, not trends. This year’s lineup brings together familiar Condor DNA and fresh refinements, with designs from long-time collaborators like Joe Flowers, Jason Breeden, Tony Lennartz, Paul Lackey, and Julio Diez. From full-size machetes and camp choppers to compact belt knives and utility blades, the focus stays firmly on practical geometry, durable steels, and handles meant to be used...
Microtech
Microtech’s SHOT Show 2026 releases balance big, statement-piece OTFs with a clear push toward more carry-friendly folders. Two Marfione Select single-action designs move into production this year, with the Halo IV becoming the first Halo to add a pocket clip and the Nemesis IV bringing its long double-edge dagger profile and safety-equipped deployment into a production-ready build. On the manual side, Microtech’s RAM-LOK makes its way onto the SOCOM Elite and SOCOM Delta, updating two longtime hard-use staples with...
WE/CIVIVI/Sencut
WE, CIVIVI, and Sencut are coming into SHOT Show 2026 with one of their most well-rounded lineups in recent memory, and it feels like every part of the catalog gets something worth paying attention to. WE leans hard into premium materials and bold silhouettes with knives like the Cryonix, Notchline, and Shadowhook, mixing aggressive blade shapes with titanium, carbon fiber, and high-end steels. CIVIVI continues to be the “real-world EDC” workhorse of the group, balancing compact personality pieces like the Purr...
Shopping Guides
Best Carving Knives
for the Holidays
As the holiday season approaches, the spotlight turns to the dining table, and few moments are more satisfying than carving into a perfectly roasted centerpiece. Whether it’s a golden turkey, glazed ham, or tender prime rib, the right carving set makes all the difference between rough cuts and restaurant-quality slices. This year’s lineup of carving knives and sets brings together trusted names like Victorinox, Wüsthof, Zwilling, Henckels, and Rada Cutlery; brands known for precision, craftsmanship, and lasting quality. Each set is...
Fishing Knives
Whether you are cleaning a string of crappie at the dock, slicing through braided line on a pitching boat, or breaking down a big redfish after a day in the salt, a dependable fishing knife makes all the difference. And with more knife makers turning their attention to water-focused designs, anglers now have more high-performance options than ever before. In this article, we are diving into the fishing knives offered by several of the biggest names in the industry, Benchmade, Buck, Gerber, Kershaw, and Spyderco, to see how each brand approaches life on the water. From rust-resistant steels...
Kitchen
Knife Anatomy
Kitchen knives are indispensable tools in any culinary setting, from professional kitchens to home cooking spaces. Their design is the result of centuries of innovation, combining functionality, craftsmanship, and precision. Understanding the anatomy of a kitchen knife not only helps you use it more effectively but also enables you to choose the right tool for specific tasks. Each part of a kitchen knife, from the handle to the blade, is carefully crafted to contribute to its performance, durability, and comfort. This guide explores the key components of a kitchen knife...
Kitchen Knife
Buying Guide
When it comes to purchasing kitchen knives, understanding the features and differences between knives can help you make an informed choice that complements your cooking style, skill level, and budget. Here, we’ll cover the essential knife types, blade materials, handle options, construction methods, and care tips, along with some brand recommendations. Most kitchen knives feature a blade angle between 15-30 degrees, with Western-style chef’s knives and paring knives typically having a 15-20 DPS...
Sailing Knives
and Tools
Life on the water demands tools that can handle unpredictable conditions, sudden emergencies, and the daily wear of salt and spray. A good sailing knife or multitool is more than just an accessory; it’s a safeguard, a problem-solver, and often the difference between a minor inconvenience and a dangerous situation. From cutting lines under strain to prying open stubborn fittings or escaping entanglement in rough seas, sailors rely on gear that performs without hesitation. In this article, we take a closer look at knives, rescue tools, and multitools designed...
Shopping and
Gifting Guide
Shopping for or gifting a pocket knife can be a thoughtful and personal experience, reflecting the recipient's style, needs, and hobbies. Whether it's for a seasoned outdoorsman, a handyman who appreciates practical tools, or a collector with an eye for craftsmanship, selecting the right pocket knife requires consideration of several key factors. This guide aims to simplify the process, offering insights and tips to help you choose the perfect pocket knife for yourself or as a gift...
Tools for Camping
Camping has a way of reminding us just how important the right tools can be. Whether you’re out for a weekend getaway in the woods or tackling a backcountry trek miles from the nearest trailhead, the gear you bring often determines how smoothly camp life unfolds. A good knife, hatchet, or multitool doesn’t just make chores easier; it turns challenges into simple tasks and ensures you’re ready for whatever the outdoors throws your way. Building a fire, preparing food, or setting up shelter all become faster and safer when you have dependable tools at hand, and the peace of mind...
Utility & Pocket Knives for Holiday Decorating
Holiday decorating brings out a surprising number of small tasks that are easier with the right tool in hand: trimming ribbon, opening decor boxes, shaping craft materials, tightening hardware, and assembling displays. Whether you prefer the precision of a compact utility knife or the versatility of a traditional pocketknife, the right blade can make these seasonal projects smoother, faster, and far more enjoyable. This guide highlights a selection of dependable utility knives and pocket knives that excel during holiday prep...
Written By
Drew Clifton
Drew is the lead writer for SMKW's Knives 101, crafting informative and engaging content for the world’s largest knife store. With expertise in knife history, design, and functionality, Drew delivers articles and product descriptions that educate and inspire knife enthusiasts at all levels.
Expert Reviewed
T.C. Barnette
T.C. Barnette is a dynamic media personality and the esteemed spokesperson for SMKW (Smoky Mountain Knife Works), where his passion for knives intersects with his captivating on-screen presence. With a magnetic charisma and deep expertise in cutlery, T.C. has become a beloved figure in the knife community.









