Top 10 Knives Everyone Should Own

For any self-respecting knife enthusiast, these are knives that should be in any collection. Consider them “essential reading” as you continue your knife journey. From old-school classics to high-tech wonders, these all have a story to tell, and taken together, they add up to a living history of what makes knife collecting such a passionate and rewarding endeavour!

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Buck 110 Folding Hunter 3.75" Blade, Ebony Wood Handles, Lockback, Leather SheathRetail price: $120.00, our price: $89.99
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Kershaw 1660 Ken Onion Leek Assisted Flipper Knife 3" Bead Blast Plain Blade, Stainless Steel H…Retail price: $124.99, our price: $61.99
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KA-BAR 1217 Full Size USMC Fighting Knife Fixed Blade 7" 1095 Black Clip Point Plain Blade, Lea…Retail price: $154.74, our price: $114.95
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Ontario RAT Model 1 Folding Knife 3.6" Satin Plain Blade, Black Nylon Handles, Liner LockRetail price: $59.95, our price: $39.95
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Buck 110 AUTO Folding Hunter 3.75" Plain Blade, Ebony Wood Handles, Leather SheathRetail price: $295.00, our price: $224.99
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Ontario RAT Model 2 Folding Knife 3.0" Satin Plain Blade, Black Nylon Handles, Liner LockRetail price: $55.95, our price: $37.95
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Opinel N08 Folding Knife 3.28" X90 Carbon Plain Blade, Varnished Beechwood Handle, Ring Lock our price: $23.00
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Ontario RAT Model 1 Folding Knife 3.6" Satin Plain Blade, Foliage Green FRN Handles, Liner Lock…Retail price: $59.95, our price: $39.95
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Kershaw 1660CKT Ken Onion Leek Assisted Flipper Knife 3" Black Plain Blade, Black Stainless Ste…Retail price: $144.99, our price: $92.99
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Ontario RAT Model 1 Folding Knife 3.6" Black Plain Blade, Black Nylon Handles, Liner LockRetail price: $62.95, our price: $42.95
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Buck 110 Folding Hunter 3.75" Plain Blade, Finger Grooved, Ebony Wood Handles, Leather Sheath, …Retail price: $130.00, our price: $99.99
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Spyderco Delica 4 Flat Ground 2-7/8" VG10 Satin Plain Blade, Blue FRN Handles, LockbackRetail price: $132.00, our price: $99.00
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Kershaw 1660CB Ken Onion Leek Assisted Flipper Knife 3" Composite Plain Blade, Stainless Steel …Retail price: $184.99, our price: $77.99
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Benchmade 535 Bugout AXIS Folding Knife 3.24" S30V Satin Plain Blade, Blue Grivory Handles our price: $200.00
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Benchmade 535BK-4 Bugout AXIS Folding Knife 3.24" M390 Black Cerakote Plain Blade, Machined Alu… our price: $350.00
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Spyderco Delica 4 Flat Ground 2-7/8" VG10 Satin Plain Blade, Black FRN Handles, LockbackRetail price: $132.00, our price: $99.00
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Spyderco Delica 4 Emerson Opener Folding Knife 2-7/8" VG10 Satin Plain Blade with Wave, Gray FR…Retail price: $149.00, our price: $111.75
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Buck 110 Folding Hunter LT 3.75" Plain Blade, Black Nylon Handles, Polyester Sheath, LockbackRetail price: $52.00, our price: $34.95
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KA-BAR 2217 Big Brother Fighting / Utility Knife 9-3/8" Double Edge Plain and Serrated Blade, L…Retail price: $218.72, our price: $163.95
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KA-BAR 1282 Extreme Fighting Fixed Blade Knife 7" D2 Black Combo Clip Point Blade, Black Kraton…Retail price: $242.76, our price: $181.95
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Spyderco Delica 4 Flat Ground 2-7/8" VG10 Satin Plain Blade, Gray FRN Handles, LockbackRetail price: $132.00, our price: $99.00
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Spyderco Delica 4 Flat Ground 2-7/8" VG10 Satin Plain Blade, Zome Green FRN Handles, LockbackRetail price: $132.00, our price: $99.00
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KA-BAR 1213 Full Size Fighting Knife 7" 1095 Black Plain Clip Point Blade, Kraton G Handle, Kyd…Retail price: $140.68, our price: $104.95
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KA-BAR 1218 USMC Fighting Knife Fixed Blade 7" 1095 Black Clip Point Combo Blade, Leather Handl…Retail price: $154.74, our price: $114.95
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Benchmade 535-3 Bugout AXIS Folding Knife 3.24" S90V Satin Plain Blade, Carbon Fiber Handles our price: $350.00
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KA-BAR 1283 Extreme Fighting Fixed Blade Knife 7" D2 Black Combo Clip Point Blade, Black Kraton…Retail price: $238.70, our price: $178.95
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Kershaw 1660ST Ken Onion Leek Assisted Flipper Knife 3" Bead Blast Combo Blade, Stainless Steel…Retail price: $124.99, our price: $79.99
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Ontario RAT Model 1 Folding Knife 3.6" Black Plain Blade, Coyote Brown Nylon Handles, Liner Loc…Retail price: $62.95, our price: $42.95
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KA-BAR 1214 Full Size Fighting Knife 7" 1095 Black Combo Clip Point Blade, Kraton G Handle, Kyd…Retail price: $140.68, our price: $104.95
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KA-BAR 2211 Big Brother Fighting / Utility Knife 9-5/16" Double Edge Plain and Serrated Blade, …Retail price: $195.50, our price: $146.95
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KA-BAR 2225 USN Mark I Fighting / Utility Knife 5-1/8" Plain Blade, Leather Handle, Brown Leath…Retail price: $154.74, our price: $114.95
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KA-BAR 1271 Fighter Knife Fixed Blade 8" 1095 Black Combo Drop Point Blade, Black Kraton G Hand…Retail price: $140.68, our price: $104.95
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Ontario RAT Model 1 Folding Knife 3.6" Satin Combo Blade, Black Nylon Handles, Liner LockRetail price: $59.95, our price: $39.95
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Spyderco Delica 4 Folding Knife 2-7/8" VG10 Black Combo Blade, Black FRN Handles, LockbackRetail price: $149.00, our price: $111.75
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Ontario RAT Model 1 Folding Knife 3.6" Satin D2 Plain Blade, Black Nylon Handles, Liner LockRetail price: $73.95, our price: $49.95
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Ontario RAT Model 1 Folding Knife 3.6" Satin Plain Blade, OD Green Nylon Handles, Liner LockRetail price: $59.95, our price: $39.95
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Kershaw 1660DAM Ken Onion Leek Assisted Flipper Knife 3" Damascus Plain Blade, Stainless Steel …Retail price: $164.99, our price: $109.99
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Kershaw 1660OR Ken Onion Leek Assisted Flipper Knife 3" Bead Blast Plain Blade, Orange Aluminum…Retail price: $124.99, our price: $79.99
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Spyderco Delica 4 Flat Ground 2-7/8" VG10 Satin Plain Blade, Orange FRN Handles, LockbackRetail price: $132.00, our price: $99.00
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KA-BAR 5011 Foliage Green Fighting Knife 11.75" Overall Fixed Blade w/KratonRetail price: $140.68, our price: $104.95
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Ontario RAT Model 1 Folding Knife 3.6" Black Plain Blade, OD Green Nylon Handles, Liner LockRetail price: $62.95, our price: $42.95
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Ontario RAT Model 1 Folding Knife 3.6" Black Combo Blade, Black Nylon Handles, Liner LockRetail price: $62.95, our price: $42.95
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Spyderco Delica 4 Flat Ground 2-7/8" VG10 Satin Plain Blade, Purple FRN Handles, LockbackRetail price: $132.00, our price: $99.00
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Spyderco Delica 4 Wharncliffe Folding Knife 2.87" VG10 Satin Plain Blade, Black FRN Handles, Lo…Retail price: $132.00, our price: $99.00
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Benchmade Bugout CF-Elite AXIS Folding Knife 3.24" S30V Black Cerakote Plain Blade, Graphite Bl… our price: $200.00
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KA-BAR 1220 US Army Fighting Knife Fixed Blade 7" 1095 Black Clip Point Plain Blade, Leather Ha…Retail price: $154.74, our price: $114.95
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KA-BAR 1259 Short Fighting Knife Fixed Blade 5.25" 1095 Black Combo Clip Point Blade, Black Kra…Retail price: $109.98, our price: $82.95
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Ontario RAT Model 2 Folding Knife 3.0" D2 Black Plain Blade, Carbon Fiber/G10 Handles, Liner Lo…Retail price: $72.95, our price: $49.95
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Ontario RAT Model 1 Folding Knife 3.6" Satin Plain Blade, Coyote Brown Nylon Handles, Liner Loc…Retail price: $59.95, our price: $39.95
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Spyderco Delica 4 Folding Knife 2-7/8" VG10 Satin Plain Blade, Stainless Steel Handles, Lockbac…Retail price: $160.00, our price: $120.00
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Spyderco Delica 4 Folding Knife 2-7/8" VG10 Satin Combo Blade, Foliage Green FRN Handles, Lockb…Retail price: $132.00, our price: $99.00
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KA-BAR 1251 Short USA Fighting Knife Fixed Blade 5.25" 1095 Black Clip Point Plain Blade, Leath…Retail price: $154.74, our price: $114.95
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KA-BAR 1258 Short Fighting Knife Fixed Blade 5.25" 1095 Black Plain Clip Point Blade, Black Kra…Retail price: $109.98, our price: $82.95
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Kershaw 1660OL Ken Onion Leek Assisted Flipper Knife 3" Bead Blast Plain Blade, OD Green Alumin…Retail price: $124.99, our price: $79.99
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Ontario RAT Model 1 Folding Knife 3.6" Satin D2 Plain Blade, OD Green Nylon Handles, Liner Lock…Retail price: $73.95, our price: $49.95
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Victorinox Swiss Army Classic SD Multi-Tool, Black, 2-1/4" Closed (Old Sku 53003) our price: $24.00
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Benchmade Mini Bugout CF-Elite AXIS Folding Knife 2.82" S30V Black Cerakote Plain Blade, Graphi… our price: $175.00
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Cold Steel 27BC Recon 1 Clip Point Folding Knife 4" S35VN Black DLC Plain Blade, Black G10 Hand…Retail price: $176.99, our price: $126.95
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KA-BAR 1250 Short USMC Fighting Knife Fixed Blade 5.25" 1095 Black Clip Point Blade, Leather Ha…Retail price: $154.74, our price: $114.95
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KA-BAR 1256 Short Fighting Knife Fixed Blade 5.25" 1095 Black Plain Clip Point Blade, Black Kra…Retail price: $115.48, our price: $86.95
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Top 10 Knives Everyone Should Own FAQ

This curated lineup brings together foundational designs that define knife history, spanning heritage pocket knives, military combat classics, and modern ultralight folders. Exploring these benchmark models gives you a hands-on standard for how blade geometry, locking mechanisms, and handle materials shape real-world cutting performance.

What makes a knife an essential addition to a collection?
Essential knives earn their status through milestone designs, proven utility, and lasting influence across the knife industry. Rather than chasing short-lived trends, these models represent benchmark locking mechanisms, classic blade geometries, and enduring build quality. Experiencing these foundational pieces provides a practical standard for evaluating modern ergonomics, blade performance, and everyday utility.
How do the locking mechanisms compare across these knives?
These folding knives span the spectrum from non-locking traditional mechanisms to high-strength modern designs. Traditional patterns like the Case Peanut rely on a slipjoint backspring for light everyday tasks, while the Buck 110 established the industry standard for the spine-mounted lockback. Contemporary models advance lock technology further, featuring the fully ambidextrous Benchmade AXIS lock and the Cold Steel Tri-Ad lock, which uses a stop pin to distribute heavy shock loads. To learn how each system functions, explore our folding knife lock types guide.
Which knives in this lineup are best for everyday carry?
Compact, lightweight folders with thin blade stock offer the best everyday carry experience for typical cutting tasks. Models like the Benchmade Bugout and Case Peanut excel in pocket carry because their slim profiles and slicing-focused grinds handle cardboard, food prep, and utility chores without adding bulk. Full-size options like the Buck 110 Folding Hunter or Cold Steel Recon 1 offer exceptional strength, but their weight and dimensions make them better suited for belt sheaths, tool kits, or demanding work environments.
How do traditional handle materials compare to modern synthetics?
Traditional handles provide warmth, hand-filling heft, and classic aesthetics, whereas modern synthetics prioritize weather resistance, mechanical strength, and weight savings. Materials like stacked leather on the KA-BAR and ebony wood with brass bolsters on the Buck 110 deliver classic heft and develop personal character with age. Engineered composites like G10, Grivory, and carbon fiber do not absorb moisture, drop pocket carry weight significantly, and maintain secure traction in slick conditions.
What is the difference between classic carbon steel and modern super steel?
Classic carbon steels excel in toughness and ease of field maintenance, while modern powdered steels focus on extended edge retention and rust resistance. Traditional steels like 1095, found on the KA-BAR, handle high-impact work without chipping and sharpen quickly on basic stones, though they require routine oiling to prevent corrosion. Modern stainless and powder metallurgy alloys like CPM-S35VN, M390, and MagnaCut resist harsh environments and stay sharp through extensive abrasive cutting, though they require diamond stones and more patience to sharpen.