Andre de Villiers Pathfinder: If you are looking for stripped-down, bare-bones, tough-as-nails tactical gear, it is hard to beat the folders produced by Andre de Villiers of South Africa. His Pathfinder model is an outstanding example of this, with a 3.75-inch blade made of S3035VN steel and a titanium handle. The knife weighs about 7 ounces. (knifecenter.com; 800-338-6799)
Benchmade 665/6500 APB: As can be expected from the company that pioneered the modern military and law enforcement auto opener field, Benchmade recently unveiled a couple of great new models. The 665 APB Assist has a spring-assisted opening mechanism while the 6800 Auto APB uses an automatic opening mechanism. Both feature a new ambidextrous button that functions as a blade release on the auto and a lock release on the assisted opener. The 154CM steel, drop-point blades are 3.6 inches long, and the grips are anodized aluminum or G10. Partially serrated and straight edges are available for the black- or stainless-finished blades. (benchmade.com; 800-800-7427)
Boker Magnum BMF: Boker’s Chinese-made Magnum line has long offered very good value tactical folders for the LEO on a budget. The company’s new Magnum BMF features an assisted-opening, serrated blade, a strap cutter and a window-breaking point on the butt. The 440C stainless steel blade is 3.75 inches long, and the handle is made of aluminum. The 4.8-ounce knife also has a sturdy liner lock. (boker.de/us; 800-835-6433)
Buck Knives 898 Impact: For 2015, the very traditional Buck Knives now has its own automatic in its folder lineup. Called the 898 Impact, this is a very practical, mid-sized utility folder that should be just right for everyday patrol work on the streets. The 3.13-inch blade is made
of S30V steel, and the handle is aluminum with a textured inlay for grip. Made in the U.S., it’s 7.75 inches long and weighs 4.1 ounces. (buckknives.com; 800-735-2825)
Chris Reeve Knives Sebenza 25: If there is a Rolex of tactical folders, most would probably agree that it is the Sebeneza from Chris Reeve Knives. The news this year was that the company has a new model with black Micarta inlays on the titanium handle frame. The S35VN blade is 3.63 inches long, and the entire folder weighs 5.2 ounces. (chrisreeve.com; 208-375-0367)
DPx Gear HEAT/F: If you are looking for both compact size and super strength all in one package, the new HEAT/F folder from DPx Gear is the ideal knife for you. There are several handle variations and both left- and right-handed locks available with this model. With its 2.26-inch, D2 tool steel blade, the HEAT/F has an overall length of 6.24 inches. (dpxgear.com; 888-233-3924)
Gerber Decree: The new Gerber Decree was designed with decades of input from real operators and field personnel as to what they most wanted in EDC folder. The end result is a tight, effective cutting tool that will stand up to hard use under any and all conditions. It comes with a 2.6-inch blade made of S30V steel as well as a rubberized, diamond-textured grip. It weighs 3.6 ounces. (gerbergear.com; 800-950-6161)
Kershaw CQC-2K: Kershaw Knives continues to add models in its joint venture with Emerson Knives. A scaled-down version of the Emerson Patriot, the new CQC-2K has some interesting features. Like the original knife, the CQC-2K offers both a thumb disk and a wave hook for opening. The 2.75-inch blade is made of 8Cr14MoV steel with a black oxide coating. The frame is made of 410 stainless with G10 grip panels installed. The carry clip is reversible. (kershawknives.com; 800-325-2891)
Ontario Utilitac: Ontario has updated the Joe Pardue-designed Utilitac folder into a great mid-sized, assisted-opening duty knife. The opening “snap” on this one is really impressive! Both stainless and black powder-coated finishes for the 3-inch, AUS-8 blade are available. The knife also has black G10 grips and weighs 3.2 ounces. (ontarioknife.com; 800-222-5233)
Schrade SCH501: Schrade Cutlery has become well known in recent years for its extensive line of very reasonably priced tactical folders. Don’t let the cost fool you—most of these knives offer great value as everyday cutting tools. The new Model SCH501 is an excellent example of this, with a 3.2-inch 9Cr18MoV blade and a steel frame with G10 scales. The knife weighs 5.1 ounces. (taylorbrandsllc.com; 800-251-0254)
SOG Trident Elite Tanto: Long the maker of some of the favorite cutting tools used by Navy SEALs, SOG is adding a tanto-point version of its popular Trident Elite assisted-opening folder in 2015. Not only does the folder have an excellent, all-purpose, 3.7-inch main blade of AUS-8 steel, but it also offers a built-in strap cutter on the handle and a small prying point on the butt. (sogknives.com; 888-405-6433)
Spartan Akribis: Few knife-making companies can match the real-life special operations background as the guys at Spartan Blades. The founders, Curtis Iovito and Mark Carey, have been there and done that three times over, so when they design a knife, you know it comes from practical experience. The newest version of their hard-charging Akribis folder features a black-finished, 3.5-inch blade made of S35VN steel and a titanium frame with G10 scales. (spartanbladesusa.com; 910-757-0035)
Spyderco Autonomy: The new Spyderco Autonomy was created at the request of the U.S Coast Guard to meet the demands of its rescue swimmers. Along with an oversized release button, the knife is made with a special open design for ease of cleaning after contact with seawater. The 3.65-inch blade is made of H1 steel, while the steel frame has G10 scales. (spyderco.com; 303-279-8383)
Steel Will Onrush: Steel Will’s new Onrush folder is available in both tanto- and drop-point versions as well as with a reversible carry clip. The Onrush features a 3.68-inch blade made from N690Co steel as well as G10 handle scales. The knife weighs 7.12 ounces. (steelwillknives.com; 877-969-0909)
Timberline Wortac-II: Some years ago, martial artist Kelly Worden designed a tactical folder for Timberline called the Wortac. This year the company has completely updated the model into a great working folder for LEO and military use. Along with the 3.9-inch, D2 steel blade, a new herringbone-pattern G10 handle and a reversible carry clip, Timberline has also added a glass-breaking point on the butt. (gatcosharpeners.com; 800-548-7427)
TOPS Tex Creek: TOPS has introduced a trio of new folders for 2015, but the one readers of Guns & Weapons will probably have the most interest in is the Tex Creek. Like many of the company’s other recent winners, this model was designed in-house by the company’s Vice President Leo Espinoza. It features a 4-inch, 1095 high-carbon steel blade and a steel frame with Micarta scales. The knife weighs 6.5 ounces. (topsknives.com; 208-542-0113)
Given the universal use by LEOs, the military and civilians, tactical folding blades continue to dominate the knife world.
If there was a major surprise here, it was that many old-line cutlery companies were aiming a wide variety of assisted opening and full-auto models at the uniform carry trade. (A warning here: While assisted openers are legal “most” places, the autos are restricted to credentialed LEO and military sales).
No matter what your personal views on blade length, steel or handle material, I’m sure you can find a model that will fit your needs out of my top picks of folding blades.
For more information on the folding blades mentioned above, please visit the following websites:
Andre de Villiers Pathfinder: (knifecenter.com; 800-338-6799)
