Menu
History
Anatomy & Features
Guides
New Knives of the Week: September 11th, 2026
Published: September 11th, 2026
As September settles in and the first hints of fall start creeping into the air, this week’s new releases bring a little bit of everything to the table. Case keeps one foot planted in tradition while giving a familiar American pattern a more modern, colorful edge, while Heretic heads in the opposite direction with a pair of rugged folders that bring plenty of attitude without getting overly bulky. Kizer takes a well-known everyday carry design and pushes it into fixed-blade territory, while CIVIVI leans hard into nostalgia with an SMKW exclusive that looks like it came straight out of a school lunchbox. White River Knife & Tool rounds out the week with an especially limited American-made release dressed for the occasion in red, white, and blue. Between updated classics, hard-use folders, and familiar designs reworked from the ground up, September is off to a pretty interesting start.
Case
SMKW Exclusive Crossroads Purple XR Barlow
The Case XX SMKW Exclusive Crossroads Purple XR Barlow gives the old-school Barlow pattern a much more modern personality without losing its charm. Its 2.5-inch stonewashed CPM S35VN stainless steel clip-point blade opens with a hollow nail nick and rides on a slipjoint mechanism, keeping the operation traditional even with the upgraded steel. The 3.3-inch handle combines purple and gray G-10 scales with matching G-10 liners and bolsters, giving the knife a bold look while keeping the construction light and durable. Stainless steel hardware and screwed construction make maintenance a little easier than on a more traditionally pinned Barlow. Measuring 5.8 inches overall and weighing just 2 ounces, it slips easily into a pocket and keeps the classic Barlow proportions without feeling dated. Made in the USA.
Heretic
Marytr (Stonewash | Black)
Released: September 8th, 2026
The Heretic Martyr is a stout manual folder that packs a lot of working knife into a fairly lean package. Its 3.5-inch stonewashed MagnaCut tanto blade gives the Martyr a reinforced tip and plenty of edge for harder utility work, while the 0.154-inch blade thickness adds some extra confidence. Deployment comes from either the flipper or thumb hole, giving you two easy ways to get the blade moving. A button lock handles lockup, and the 4.9-inch black polymer chassis keeps the handle light while still giving you enough shape and thickness for a solid grip. At 8.4 inches overall and 3.88 ounces, it carries easily with a reversible tip-up pocket clip. Proudly made in the USA.
Martyr (Bronze | Black/Bronze
Released: September 8th, 2026
The bronze Heretic Martyr takes the same hard-use platform and gives it a much warmer, more distinctive look. Its 3.5-inch bronze-finished MagnaCut tanto blade keeps the reinforced tip and broad working edge of the standard version, while the 0.154-inch blade thickness gives it plenty of substance for tougher cutting jobs. The blade deploys smoothly via either the flipper or thumb hole, and the button lock keeps operation quick and straightforward. The 4.9-inch black polymer chassis provides a secure grip without adding much weight, helping it come in at just 3.88 ounces despite its 8.4-inch overall length. A reversible tip-up pocket clip keeps carry ambidextrous, and the bronze hardware ties the whole look together without making it feel overly flashy. Proudly made in the USA.
Kizer
X-Series Pioneer Fixed
The Kizer X-Series Pioneer Fixed takes one of Kizer’s better-known EDC folders and gives it the full fixed-blade treatment. Designed by L.F., it keeps the Pioneer’s familiar profile but trades the pivot and lock for a 4.21-inch Bohler M390 stainless steel clip-point blade built on a skeletonized tang. The 0.177-inch blade uses a flat grind and a Flat Brushed & Matte DLC Ultra finish, giving the knife a tougher, purposeful look without losing the clean lines of the original. Black carbon fiber and G-10 make up the 4.54-inch handle, with enough contour and texture to keep the grip secure during harder use. At 8.74 inches overall and 5.63 ounces, it lands in a sweet spot between a compact EDC fixed blade and something substantial enough for camp or utility work, while a black Kydex sheath handles carry.
CIVIVI
SMKW Exclusive PB&J Over Yonder
The CIVIVI SMKW Exclusive PB&J Over Yonder looks like someone raided the lunchbox aisle and turned the results into an EDC knife. Its 3.35-inch stonewashed Sandvik 14C28N stainless steel spey point blade uses a full flat grind and opens with dual thumb studs, giving it a simple, familiar deployment setup for everyday use. The real fun is in the 4.18-inch G-10 handle, where swirls of peanut-butter brown and jelly purple give the knife a color scheme straight out of a school-lunch flashback. A crossbar lock keeps operation ambidextrous and straightforward, while the reversible tip-up pocket clip works for either side. At 7.53 inches overall and just 3.07 ounces, the Over Yonder carries easily and still brings plenty of personality to your pocket.
White River Knife & Tool
SMKW Exclusive American Flag Ursus Cub
The White River Knife & Tool SMKW Exclusive American Flag Ursus Cub puts a bold patriotic spin on one of White River’s compact outdoor fixed blades, and only 10 are being made. Its 3.5-inch stonewashed MagnaCut stainless steel drop point blade measures 0.13 inches thick and runs on a full tang, giving the knife a tough, corrosion-resistant foundation for hunting, hiking, and general use. The 4.1-inch red, white, and blue American Flag G-10 handle gives this exclusive its unmistakable character while still offering the secure grip you want from a working knife. At 7.6 inches overall, the Ursus Cub stays compact enough for easy carry without feeling undersized. It comes with a black Kydex sheath fitted with a belt loop and ferro rod, rounding out a distinctly American-made package.
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.