This week, Las Vegas isn’t only a hotbed for Blackjack, UFC and shotgun weddings; it’s the home of SHOT Show, the annual trade show for the shooting, hunting and firearms industry (SHOT stands for “Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade”). The show isn’t all guns and ammo though — it’s also a place where knifemakers reveal the blades that they’ll release over the coming year. Here are six of our favorites (so far).
Gerber Fastball
The Fastball is a somewhat tactical but mostly EDC folding knife. It’s made in the United States and uses S30V steel and an aircraft-grade aluminum handle that’s available in three colors. The Fastball is built on Gerber’s B.O.S.S. system, which uses stainless steel ball bearings to provide a super-smooth transition from closed to open, and back again. Its Wharncliffe blade is three inches long, and the knife weighs 2.7 ounces.
Benchmade 365 Outlast
The 365 Outlast is purpose-built for rescue and survival. The knife borders on multi-tool — it has two blades, one drop-point (3.59 inches long) and one that’s blunted and serrated (3.15 inches long), as well as a carbide tip glass breaker and a rescue hook. The knife uses Benchmade’s Option lock, which allows users to lock and unlock each blade separately from the other. The 365 Outlast will retail for $300.
Buck Knives Sprint Collection
For 2019, Buck Knives is releasing a new collection called Sprint. There are variations between the different blades in the collection — blade shape and handle materials specifically — but the unifying factor is an EDC-focused design that’s sleek and modern. Knives in the Sprint Collection will range from $60 to $150.
Zero Tolerance 0393GLCF
Zero Tolerance’s 0393 isn’t new — it was introduced last year — but the details on this new version are. The brand is calling the new look a “working finish,” which is similar in appearance to a stonewash but is more adept at concealing scratches and marks gained during use. Perhaps more notable is the handle’s glow-in-the-dark carbon fiber inlay. The 0393GLCF will cost $350
Kershaw Misdirect
Kershaw has long provided budget-friendly pocket knives that contain practical features, but the Misdirect might be its best looking yet. The knife has a 2.9-inch modified drop-tip blade that Kershaw is calling “reverse tanto,” and a stainless steel handle. Everything about the knife is minimal and good-looking, both of which make for a highly desirable blade for everyday tasks (especially when paired with a $35 price tag).
Spyderco Para 3 Lightweight
The Para 3 Lightweight is another well-known knife that’s receiving a useful upgrade. Instead of the G10 material used by its predecessor, this new iteration uses handle scales made of injection-molded fiberglass-reinforced-nylon and a linerless build, thereby reducing the knife’s overall weight by 30 percent. The drop-point blade is 2.92 inches long and is available with either a plain or serrated edge. This new Para 3 will cost $140.
