New Knives of the Week: October 2nd, 2026


New Knives of the Week: October 2nd, 2026

Published: October 2nd, 2026

New knives of the week, October 2nd, 2026, featuring three knife designs.

October has finally arrived, and this week’s new releases waste no time getting into the season. Case starts things off with a fresh SMKW exclusive that gives a traditional American pattern a bright modern treatment, while Kizer brings several exclusives into the mix, including glow-in-the-dark designs that are more than ready for Halloween. Victorinox joins in with a handful of SMKW exclusives covered in everything from classic monsters and headless riders to witches, zombies, and jack-o’-lanterns. Benchmade takes things in a very different direction, expanding one of its hard-use automatic families with new blade shapes, edge configurations, handle colors, and a more compact version for those who want the same idea in a smaller package. With October underway, the knife calendar is starting to look a little darker, stranger, and a whole lot more fun.


Case

SMKW Exclusive Crossroads Orange & Gray XR Barlow

Released: September 25th, 2026

The Case XX SMKW Exclusive Crossroads Orange & Gray XR Barlow gives the old-school Barlow pattern a brighter modern personality without losing its traditional character underneath. Its 2.5-inch CPM S35VN stainless steel clip point blade wears a stonewash finish and opens with a hollow nail nick, while the slipjoint mechanism keeps the action firmly rooted in classic pocketknife design. The 3.3-inch handle pairs bright orange G-10 scales with gray G-10 liners and bolsters, giving the knife a clean two-tone look with plenty of contrast. Stainless steel hardware and screwed construction tie everything together while making maintenance easier down the road. Measuring 5.8 inches overall and weighing just 2 ounces, it stays light in your pocket while still delivering the familiar proportions of a traditional Barlow. Made in the USA.


Kizer

SMKW Exclusive Halloween 2026 G.I.D. Jack-o'-Lanterns Madrac

Released: September 28th, 2026

The Kizer SMKW Exclusive Halloween 2026 G.I.D. Jack-o'-Lanterns Madrac comes dressed for spooky season, with a whole row of grinning pumpkins waiting for the lights to go out. Designed by SMKW’s President and CEO Tyler Pipes and limited to just 150 pieces, it uses a 3.05-inch Sandvik 14C28N stainless steel sheepsfoot blade with a black titanium coating and dual orange thumb studs. The 4.42-inch orange G-10 handle is cut with a glow-in-the-dark jack-o'-lantern pattern that turns the knife into its own miniature pumpkin patch after dark. Kizer’s Button Liner Lock keeps operation quick and straightforward, while the reversible deep-carry pocket clip works for either side. At 7.47 inches overall and 3.78 ounces, it carries easily enough to keep the Halloween spirit close long after the porch lights go out.

SMKW Exclusive Halloween 2026 G.I.D. Ghost Sheepdog

Released: September 28th, 2026

The Kizer SMKW Exclusive Halloween 2026 G.I.D. Ghost Sheepdog brings a friendly haunting to the Sheepdog, with a little ghost hiding in the handle until the lights go out. Designed by SMKW’s COO Joshua Hill and limited to just 150 pieces, it uses a 2.95-inch Nitro-V stainless steel drop point blade with a black titanium coating and dual teal thumb studs for one-handed opening. The 4.10-inch purple G-10 handle carries a glow-in-the-dark ghost inlay that lights up after dark, while the teal Clutch Lock hardware adds another pop of color against the purple and black theme. The reversible tip-up pocket clip keeps carry ambidextrous, while Kizer’s Clutch Lock keeps operation smooth and straightforward. At 7.05 inches overall and 3.1 ounces, it stays easy to carry while giving your pocket its own little ghost story for Halloween.

SMKW Exclusive Halloween 2026 G.I.D. Spider & Web Drop Bear 2

Released: September 28th, 2026

The Kizer SMKW Exclusive Halloween 2026 G.I.D. Spider & Web Drop Bear 2 looks like it crawled straight out of a haunted house and into your pocket. Limited to 150 pieces and designed by SMKW’s Misty Hughett, it pairs a 2.96-inch Sandvik 14C28N stainless steel sheepsfoot blade with a black titanium coating and dual purple thumb studs that add just the right Halloween pop. The 3.98-inch glow-in-the-dark G-10 handle is covered in a web pattern, with a black spider stretched across the scale like it is waiting for the lights to go out. Kizer’s Button Liner Lock keeps operation quick and straightforward, while the deep-carry reversible pocket clip works for either side. At 6.94 inches overall and 2.66 ounces, it stays light enough for everyday carry without losing any of its spooky-season personality.


Victorinox

SMKW Exclusive Strangelove Tinker

Released: October 1st, 2026

The Kizer SMKW Exclusive Halloween 2026 G.I.D. Jack-o'-Lanterns Madrac comes dressed for spooky season, with a whole row of grinning pumpkins waiting for the lights to go out. Designed by SMKW’s President and CEO Tyler Pipes and limited to just 150 pieces, it uses a 3.05-inch Sandvik 14C28N stainless steel sheepsfoot blade with a black titanium coating and dual orange thumb studs. The 4.42-inch orange G-10 handle is cut with a glow-in-the-dark jack-o'-lantern pattern that turns the knife into its own miniature pumpkin patch after dark. Kizer’s Button Liner Lock keeps operation quick and straightforward, while the reversible deep-carry pocket clip works for either side. At 7.47 inches overall and 3.78 ounces, it carries easily enough to keep the Halloween spirit close long after the porch lights go out.

SMKW Exclusive Haunted Hill Tinker

Released: October 1st, 2026

The Victorinox SMKW Exclusive Haunted Hill Tinker, designed by Izzy Hill, gives the classic Swiss Army Knife a proper Halloween makeover with a hand-drawn misty Headless Horseman scene stretched across the scales. Pale blue artwork surrounds the rider with glowing jack-o’-lanterns, moonlit clouds, and other eerie details that make the whole knife look like it belongs somewhere along a haunted back road after dark. It features a 2.62-inch Spey blade and 1.5-inch pen blade, both made from Victorinox proprietary stainless steel with mirror-polished finishes. The Tinker also includes Phillips and flathead screwdrivers, bottle and can openers, a wire stripper, reamer, punch, sewing awl, tweezers, toothpick, and key ring. At 3.6 inches long and 2.2 ounces, it keeps all that utility in a compact Halloween package.

SMKW Exclusive Zumbie Tinker

Released: October 1st, 2026

The Victorinox SMKW Exclusive Zumbie Tinker gives the classic Swiss Army Knife a goofy undead makeover that leans more toward Saturday-morning monster than straight-up horror. Designed by SMKW’s Brian Wilhoite, the ABS plastic scales feature a lanky green zombie wandering through a foggy graveyard beneath a full moon, with bold “ZUMBIE” lettering on the reverse tying the whole theme together. Inside are a 2.62-inch Spey blade and 1.5-inch pen blade, both made from Victorinox proprietary stainless steel with mirror-polished finishes. The Tinker also packs Phillips and flathead screwdrivers, bottle and can openers, a wire stripper, reamer, punch, sewing awl, tweezers, toothpick, and key ring. At 3.6 inches long and just 2.2 ounces, it keeps the whole undead toolkit easy to carry.

SMKW Exclusive Spellbound Classic SD

Released: October 1st, 2026

The Victorinox SMKW Exclusive Spellbound Classic SD, designed by SMKW’s Diana Hayes, turns one of Victorinox’s smallest multitools into a tiny Halloween storybook. Its custom ABS plastic scales are packed with playful spooky-season details, including a witch reading from a Spells & Charms book, glowing jack-o’-lanterns, flickering candles, crescent moons, a bubbling green cauldron, and a cute black cat keeping watch near the bottom. The artwork gives the little Classic SD plenty of personality without getting in the way of the familiar toolset underneath. It carries a 1.5-inch mirror-polished Victorinox proprietary stainless steel blade, scissors, nail file with screwdriver tip, tweezers, toothpick, and key ring. At just 2.3 inches long and 0.8 ounces, it is easy to keep on a keychain, in a pocket, or tucked into a small gear pouch.


Benchmade

Claymore (Drop Point)

Released: October 1st, 2026

This version of the Benchmade Claymore stays focused on the fast, hard-use performance that made the original such an iconic automatic. Its 3.89-inch 154CM stainless steel drop point blade is 0.11 inches thick and wears a black Cerakote finish that cuts glare while protecting against corrosion and wear. A push-button automatic mechanism fires the blade out the side and doubles as the lock, keeping one-handed operation quick and straightforward. The 5.01-inch Grivory handle comes in black or Ranger Green, with molded texturing, finger grooves, and jimping to keep the grip secure. Measuring 8.9 inches overall and weighing just 2.97 ounces, the Claymore carries surprisingly light for its size. A reversible tip-up stainless steel pocket clip handles carry, with a lanyard hole adding another carrying option. Made in the USA.

Claymore (Partially Serrated Drop Point)

Released: October 1st, 2026

This version of the Benchmade Claymore keeps the same hard-use automatic platform, but adds partial serrations for a little more bite when cutting through rope, webbing, or other stubborn materials. Its 3.89-inch 154CM stainless steel drop point blade measures 0.11 inches thick and wears a black Cerakote finish, with serrations cut into the rear portion of the edge while leaving plenty of plain edge toward the tip. A push-button automatic mechanism handles both deployment and lockup for fast one-handed operation. The 5.01-inch Grivory handle is available in black or Ranger Green, with molded texturing, finger grooves, and jimping for a secure grip. It measures 8.9 inches overall, weighs 2.97 ounces, and carries on a reversible tip-up stainless steel pocket clip. Made in the USA.

Claymore (Tanto)

Released: October 1st, 2026

The Benchmade Claymore Tanto puts a sharper, angular spin on the hard-use automatic platform, giving the knife a more aggressive profile without changing what makes the Claymore work. Its 3.89-inch 154CM stainless steel tanto blade is 0.11 inches thick and wears a black Cerakote finish that cuts glare while protecting against corrosion and wear. A push-button automatic mechanism handles both deployment and lockup, sending the blade out quickly with one hand. The 5.01-inch Grivory handle is available in black or Ranger Green, with molded texturing, finger grooves, and jimping helping keep the grip secure during harder cutting tasks. Measuring 8.9 inches overall and weighing just 2.97 ounces, it stays surprisingly light for its size. A reversible tip-up stainless steel pocket clip and lanyard hole round out the carry options. Made in the USA.

Claymore (Partially Serrated Tanto)

Released: October 1st, 2026

The Benchmade Claymore Tanto adds one more hard-use wrinkle to the lineup, combining the angular tanto profile with partial serrations for jobs that call for a little more bite. Its 3.89-inch 154CM stainless steel blade measures 0.11 inches thick and wears a black Cerakote finish, with serrations along the rear portion of the edge and a plain section toward the tip for more controlled cutting. A push-button automatic mechanism handles deployment and lockup, keeping one-handed operation fast and simple. The 5.01-inch Grivory handle is available in black or Ranger Green, with molded texturing, finger grooves, and jimping helping keep the knife secure in hand. It measures 8.9 inches overall, weighs 2.97 ounces, and carries on a reversible tip-up stainless steel pocket clip. Made in the USA.

Mini Claymore

Released: October 1st, 2026

The Benchmade Mini Claymore trims the hard-use Claymore platform into a smaller package that is easier to work into an everyday carry setup. Its 3-inch 154CM stainless steel drop point blade measures 0.10 inches thick and wears a black Cerakote finish, giving it the same dark, utilitarian look as its larger sibling while still adding protection against corrosion and wear. A push-button automatic mechanism fires the blade out the side and locks it securely for one-handed operation. The 4.18-inch Grivory handle is available in black or Ranger Green, with molded grip panels, finger grooves, and jimping adding traction without making the knife overly bulky. Measuring 7.18 inches overall and weighing just 2.56 ounces, the Mini Claymore stays impressively light in pocket, while a reversible tip-up stainless steel pocket clip and large lanyard hole round out the carry option. Made in the USA.


Written By

Drew Clifton

Person smiling in front of a garden and traditional building.

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

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.