Everyday Carry

8 New Production Knives by Custom Designers

Authored by:
Ed Jelley
Reviewed by:
Bernard Capulong
Founder and Editor-in-Chief
14+ Years Reviewing EDC Products
8 New Production Knives by Custom Designers

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While carrying a high-end custom knife for day-to-day utility is certainly practical, dropping over a thousand dollars on one might not be. After all, a custom knife is like a functional piece of art, featuring rare materials, precision craftsmanship, and a level of finishing that can only be achieved by hand. Whether it’s out of your budget range, or simply long sold out, a custom knife may not be in the cards. However, there’s still a way to get all the design and functionality of a custom knife without breaking the bank: collaboration production knives.

Last year, we saw a huge increase in collaborations between production knife companies and custom knife designers. The trend continues, and the result is a bunch of affordable knives based on those unobtainable customs that we all long for.

Even though they’re not the “real” thing, production knives come darn close, with plenty of their own benefits. They’re way more affordable thanks to the more common materials they’re made from. Production knives are mass produced, so they’re much easier to get a hold of than a custom. It’s going to sting a lot less if you scratch up a $45 knife than its $1400 custom counterpart. You’re still getting a lot of the design and functionality of the custom at a more affordable price.

Here are 8 new production knives for 2017 that are based on high-end customs.


Kershaw Pub

Based on a custom carabiner knife by Dmitry Sinkevich

Kershaw’s Pub is a unique little folding knife that’s also part multitool. There’s an integrated carabiner clip that allows the knife to attach to your bag or belt loop for quick access. Even though it’s small, the knife is both capable and easy to handle. It’s a non-locking slip joint, so it’s worth looking at especially if you’re in an area with strict knife laws.

View on Amazon


Kershaw Fraxion

Based on the Jens Anso "Neo Flipper"

This high-tech looking knife is designed by Jens Anso, based on his popular “Neo” flipper model. For under $40, you get a knife with carbon fiber accents, G10 scales, a caged ball bearing pivot (for fast and smooth opening) and a flipper mechanism. This lightweight knife is perfect for EDC with its modest 2.75” blade and blacked-out appearance.

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CRKT Prowess

Based on the Ken Onion "Tirade"

The Prowess by CRKT is an EDC folder with a ton of useful features. This version features a combo serrated/plain edge blade with a black EDP coating for extra durability and a stealthy look. The Prowess bears close resemblance to Ken Onion's Tirade custom, but also draws inspiration from some of his other knives. Other features include a ball bearing pivot, textured flipper button, and glass-reinforced nylon scales for a firm grip.

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Zero Tolerance ZT0801Ti

Based on the Todd Rexford “Singularity”

ZT Knives are a bump up from Kershaw, both in price and in performance. But you're getting a lot more for your money, especially with the Todd Rexford 0801Ti. Its blade is made from ELMAX steel, a rare, super durable metal coveted for its ability to resist both corrosion as well as physical wear at the same time. You'll also find machined titanium handles that are both lightweight and grippy. The blade deploys via a flipper tab equipped with ZT's KVT bearing technology for rapid extension.

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Boker Plus Kihon

Based on the Lucas Burnley "Kihon"

Boker Plus's Kihon is based on Lucas Burnley's knife of the same name. This EDC flipper is crafted from titanium handles and features a sturdy frame lock mechanism. The wide blade shape is both well suited for both tactical and everyday use. The 3.25” blade is crafted from VG10 steel for increased durability and edge retention. The ball bearing pivot ensures a friction-free flipping action for quick and easy access to the cutting edge.

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Kizer Guru

Based on the Matt Degan “MC"

Kizer has been cranking out a bunch of really well-made collaborations. The Guru, designed by Matt Degnan is no exception. This knife features a 3” modified sheepsfoot blade that’s excellent for precision cutting tasks. The titanium scales have a deep finger choil for added control while ensuring a firm grip. The knife is available as both a flipper or standard blade opening style with two different scale designs.

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Spyderco Magitude

Based on the Peter Carey "Tremor"

Peter Carey's Magnitude design is part of the Spyderco Rubicon family. It's a liner lock flipper that packs in some serious custom-inspired design. To keep the knife lightweight, the handles are made from skeletonized titanium with a carbon fiber outer grip. The 3.5” blade is made from CPM-S30V stainless, and is deployed easily with one hand via the ball bearing flipper or signature Spyderco thumb hole. It's rounded out with a scalloped G10 backspacer and a unique pocket clip.

View on Amazon


Giantmouse GM2

Based on the Jens Anso x Jesper Voxnaes "F9" Collaboration

Giantmouse is a compelling new company you should keep an eye on. Their knives are all design collaborations between Danish knife makers Jens Anso and Jesper Voxnaes, but organized in the USA, and manufactured in Italy. Their GM2 is a full sized EDC folder with a bowie style blade. The handles are made from CNC machined carbon fiber, and feature anodized titanium accents throughout. At first glance, it's hard to believe that this knife isn't a custom.

Buy


 

Do you have a favorite custom-based production knife? Let us know what it is in the comments below!

Header photo submitted by Jim.

Bernard Capulong

Founder and Editor-in-Chief


About the Reviewer
Bernard Capulong is an everyday carry (EDC) gear expert, entrepreneur, all-around nerd, and the founder and editor-in-chief of EverydayCarry.com—the largest online community for EDC gear enthusiasts. Since founding Everyday Carry in 2009, he’s built over a decade of experience in the industry, reviewing and highlighting brands and products, including pocket knives, flashlights, wallets, watches, bags, pens, and much more.

Bernard is known for bringing everyday carry out of obscurity and into the mainstream, having been published or featured in various publications such as GQ, TIME Magazine, The New York Times, VICE, HYPEBEAST, Outside, and many others. He has also played a part in curating, designing, and developing digital and physical products, resulting in successful crowdfunding projects or limited edition collaboration products with established softgoods brands. He stays on the pulse of the EDC industry by attending trade shows, participating in online interest communities, and actively engaging with fellow gear enthusiasts on social media.

In addition to being the editor-in-chief and main social media personality for EverydayCarry.com, Bernard is an avid gearhead and collector in general. His personal collections span technical bags, fountain pens, digital cameras, retro gaming hardware, personal hi-fi audio gear, and mechanical wristwatches, to name a few. Bernard Capulong is a prominent figure and trusted authority in the everyday carry industry with a career dedicated to helping people discover this hobby and stay prepared with quality gear.

Discussion (23 total)

Eric Wilson ·
I feel like these lists are all paid for, which is unfortunate.
Patrick ·
Great advertisement for giant mouse knives
Aaron Pierce ·
Evan, Patrick, Eric---I couldn't agree more. I've felt for months now that most everything on this website is advertisement for Amazon sales. You look at some of the posts that people put on of their EDC and you see some really cool stuff. However, if it isn't readily available from Amazon, most of those posts never make it to the "staff picks" main page. And then you have cheesy write ups like the one above by somebody who is basically advertising for Amazon. Custom knife or not--scratches on a knife show that you use the thing.
Edmundo ·
yep, I completely agree - I skip over the "features" and go directly to the "newest" user submissions. I don't have a problem finding ways to spend my money without specific shilling.
Jess ·
I think the Cold Steel GoldenEye is a great value. You get great looks and S35VN steel for under $100, along with their unique uber-strong lock design that locks up tighter the more pressure is applied. It's also quite thin. I've been carrying it daily for a couple months now and love it!
MacFarlane ·
Why no fixed blades in this article? Far more interesting than all the Kershaws being pitched by EDC.
Ed Jelley ·
Any suggestions? Always looking to learn about new gear!
Frank Waldron ·
I agree I dislike Kershaws and that's all I've been seeing lately.
Tyler Condie ·
I have over 100 knives and I haven't found a knife that offers more dollar for dollar than Kershaw. You get a ton of bang for your buck with them compared to most other knife brands.
What don't you like about them?
James ·
They tend to be hit-or-miss when it comes to individual models. Some, like the Leek or the Tilt, are renowned for being very good value for the price. Others, like that one Emerson collab, are pretty generally regarded as crap. They have a lot of ability, but don't always use it as effectively as they could.
John Wallace ·
I agree. Kershaw does give good product for the value. For my situation , when I go to work I mostly use the blade on my leather man or kershaw. With the nature of my work the blade gets used hard. Now my favorite knife to carry is my spyderco manix 2. I take my spyderco everywhere outside of work, knowing I can depend on it with out abusing it. Long story short I believe kershaw makes some of the best "beater"knives in the market at affordable prices.
Robert Duncan ·
Yeah I wanna know what blades those are on the cover. Small fixed blades on top of leather sheath.
Zebadiah Ritselaar ·
Checking out the Giantmouse GM2 solves the mystery. All of the cover picture knives are from the Giantmouse site.
Britt ·
Not interested in any of those knives, but that flask at the end, where might one acquire such?
uniquepattern ·
Hummm, nothing from the likes of We or Reate?? How about some LionSteel??
Potronaut ·
Can somebody please let me know the names of those two blades with the leather sheath on the right and left side of the top picture? For some reason it was a good idea to showcase knives in the articles thumbnail but not even show them...
Zebadiah Ritselaar ·
Check out the Giantmouse site...
Hal ·
What is the fixed blade at the bottom of the picture?
Garrett ·
What are the small fixed blade knives on either side of the cover photo?
2 more comments