Blade HQ have recently released their list of the best new pocket knives for 2019. The new knives are ranked by how many were sold during the year so obviously the knives released towards the start of the year will have an advantage over those that were released towards the end of the year.
Enough waffle though, let’s get straight into the knives list at the start of 2020..
9) Kershaw Mini Natrix Copper
There seems to be a copper model of everything lately, which is all good as I love the stuff. I love how it ages and patinas over time and I like the polished and new look of it too.
The Kershaw Natrix is inspired by the sweet looking Zero Tolerance 0777 model which was a limited run knife and much more expensive than the Kershaw version. KAI (owners of the Kershaw and Zero Tolerance brands) decided to make the design more accessible to people and have now done several releases using various materials.
This release has the copper handle and the upgraded D2 steel. It’s a manual flipper and uses KVT ball bearings for a nice smooth opening action.
MSRP on the Copper D2 model Kershaw Natrix is $103.94 USD but you can pick one up much cheaper at Blade HQ here.
8) Kershaw Barge Prybar
It wasn’t a new release for 2019 but it’s on the Blade HQ 2020 list so here it is, the Kershaw Barge folding knife with an integral pry bar function. I can’t say I’ve ever handled one but it looks very tool-like.
I wouldn’t usually encourage the use of a folding knife for prying but if Kershaw are going to add a pry bar function and sell the Barge for less than $20 then go for it, pry your little heart out.
Pick a Barge up for the toolbox at Blade HQ here.
7) Smith and Wesson M&P Spring Assisted OTF
If you want an OTF knife but you’re not ready to shell out the big bucks for a Microtech then I guess the Smith & Wesson M&P spring assisted Out the Front knife is for you. Or at least it has been for a lot of people shopping at Blade HQ last year as it was the seventh best selling knife for the year.
At less than $50 it’s definitely in the budget range of knives but it still has decent steel with AUS8. I would probably keep saving a couple hundred dollars more for the Microtech OTF though.
Still, plenty of people are out there now playing with their M&P OTF today. Pick one up at Blade HQ for about $45 today.
6) Boker Kalashnikov Warhawk
The Warhawk version of the Boker Kalashnikov automatic knife is a Blade HQ exclusive that was out of stock at the time of writing this article. Check their website to see if they have them back in.
It pays tribute to the American Warhawk fighter planes used in World War II and is a very cool looking version of the knife. Check out their whole range of Boker Kalashnikovs though as they come in a whole bunch of blade shapes and designs.
At less than $50 the Kalashnikov is a great knife. It’s an automatic knife so check the knife laws in your area.
See the full range of Boker Kalashnikov knives Here.
5) Spyderco Para 3 Lightweight
Definitely one of the better knives to be released during the year but this list isn’t about what was best but what sold the most. The Spyderco Para 3 lightweight with a plain edge and a black blade would be my pick. I believe the black blade has just come out.
We’ve seen plenty of G-10 Para3 versions with a whole bunch of different blade steels lately so I’m guessing there will be more Para 3 lightweight variations to come in the not too distant future. I wonder if there’s a Paramilitary 2 Lightweight version in the works at Spyderco? I know there’s a Tenacious Lightweight just around the corner.
Blade HQ has them online for less than $100 which is extremely good value for such an awesome knife. Check them out at their website here.
4) Boker Plus Strike Automatic
Another automatic knife from Boker that sold very well was the Strike, specifically the Blade HQ “Desert Warrior” version of the knife which is also sold out at the time of writing this article. I guess it makes sense that a best selling knife would be sold out. There’s plenty of other variations of the knife up on the website.
They come in a variety of blade shapes like the tanto, drop point, clip point, and dagger in D2 or AUS8 steel. Oh and they’re less than $50, hence their popularity with knife lovers.
See the whole range of Boker Strike automatics at Blade HQ here.
3) CRKT CEO
Getting to the pointy end of this list, at number three, is the very pointy CRKT CEO. A small stylish gentleman’s folder that won’t take up much pocket real estate and it’s very lightweight at just over 2 oz.
It has a carbon fiber-looking glass reinforced nylon handle, 8CrMoV steel blade, IKBS ball bearings for a nice smooth opening action. It’s designed by New Mexico knife designer Richard Rogers.
Blade HQ are selling the CRKT CEO for less than $50. Check them out here.
2) Kershaw Launch 4
This little baby is California legal with its 1.9 inch blade. It’s another Blade HQ exclusive and comes in both the blue or the red blade. The Launch 4 is a lightening fast automatic knife made in the United States.
They use the quality CPM-154 steel for the blade and the handle is aluminum.
And Blade HQ are selling them for about $75! Check them out here.
1) Benchmade Bugout Blackout
Another Blade HQ Exclusive comes in at number one in the form of the Benchmade Bugout blackout or all black version. Unfortunately this version is sold out but there’s plenty of other Bugout models available on their website.
I think the Benchmade Bugout and the Spyderco Para3 Lightweight are the two best knives on this list. Both awesome knives that knife nuts or novices would be happy with.
Check out the Benchmade Bugout models available on the Blade HQ website here.
What’s on your knife shopping list in 2020? Any new releases on the way that you’re excited about?
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