Must-Have New Knives for 2017

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posted on August 16, 2017
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Bear Edge Double-Blade Guthook
This new knife from Bear & Son Cutlery is a dual folder sporting a 440 stainless steel skinning blade that measures just under 4 inches as well as a gutter. With a price that fits most budgets, it’s a great do-it-all pocket knife that features an aluminum handle, side pocket clip and liner lock. MSRP: $44.99.

75th Anniversary Buck 119 Special
The 119 Special turns 75 this year. To commemorate the life of this iconic hunter with a 7-inch 420HC stainless-steel clip blade, Buck has embedded a custom medallion in the handle and stamped the blade and leather sheath. This limited edition is also available with a gorgeous cocobola handle and brass trimmings. MSRP: $96.

CRKT Homefront Hunter
Designed by legendary bladesmith Ken Onion, the Homefront Hunter’s big-bellied 3.5-inch blade is ideal for field-dressing large game. And when the knife is finally covered in blood or mud, CRKT’s Field Strip design lets you take it completely apart, without tools, for easy cleaning of all the nooks and crannies. MSRP: $99.99.

Cold Steel Pendleton Custom
This beautiful limited-edition replica of the original drop-point hunter by California knife maker Lloyd Pendleton is hand-crafted and polished from strong Japanese steel. It has a thick, 3.5-inch blade, stainless steel bolster, tapered full tang and a beautifully polished black linen micarta handle. It’s a showpiece that begs to be worn belt-side. MSRP: $499.99.

Benchmade Nestucca Cleaver
Based on the traditional Alaskan ulu, this knife is the ultimate utilitarian. Arched blade, handle and finger hole allow multiple hand positions for wielding 4.75 inches of cutting edge. Perfect for skinning, cutting and even chopping, there’s a reason Alaskans still use this design: it works. Proudly made in the USA. MSRP: $150.

Western Crosstrail
From the brand that brought the Bowie knife to the masses, the new 9-inch fixed blade Crosstrail from Western sports a 3.75-inch titanium-bonded stainless steel drop-point, a full tang and a Delrin handle. Included nylon sheath and lifetime warranty make this a steal for the price. MSRP: $21.99.

GATCO Edgemate Knife Sharpening System
This package system from GATCO Sharpeners contains everything you need to put a professional edge on virtually any blade you own. Included in the hard case is a knife clamp/angle guide; extra-coarse, coarse, medium, fine and serrated sharpening hone; honing oil; and easy-to-use instructions that even you can follow. MSRP: $59.99.

Outdoor Edge Sharp-X Sharpener
This little pocket-sized sharpener houses a coarse tungston-carbide bit for reshaping a blade and fine ceramic rods to give it that razor edge. The X-base pivots out for a secure footing, and the sharpening angle is set at a universal 22 degrees. It’s ideal for pack or pocket carry for in-field tune-ups. MSRP: $12.50.

Work Sharp Combo Knife Sharpener
With the best of manual and electric in one unit, this may be the ultimate in simple sharpening systems. A fixed sharpening guide and abrasive flexible belt create a lasting convex edge with just a few passes. Fine-grit ceramic rod hones your cutting edge and is tapered to handle any size serrations. MSRP: $59.95.

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