The Drop: Pro-Tech TR3 S45VN Series

It's a big EDC market out there, and tons of awesome gear is released all the time. We made The Drop to help you discover the latest and greatest essentials worth a spot in your EDC.

While all well-maintained and sharp knives can cut to some degree, one of the best things about everyday carry is that you can seek the best for yourself. Part of that is buying quality blade designs from reputable brands, with a Pro-Tech TR-3 being a good example. Pro-Tech makes some of the best automatic EDC knives in the business, and their iconic TR-3 tactical knife has always featured excellent blade steel and premium build quality with an attention to detail that's second to none.

They've recently updated the TR-3 to feature Crucible's new CPM S45VN stainless steel, bringing new life into this tried and tested design and making it even more deserving of your attention. S45VN is an improvement over Crucible's S35VN, which has been one of the EDC community's most favored premium knife steels for over a decade. S45VN features more carbon and chromium in the mix, with nitrogen and niobium added, compared to S35VN. Its use in the Pro-Tech TR-3 results in a knife with even more maximum sharpness and wear resistance compared to the same version of the knife, which features older steel.

The cutting edge of the Pro-Tech TR-3's drop-point blade is 3.25” long, with a flat grind that leverages the S45VN stainless steel's cutting potential. As an automatic knife, you can deploy the blade with a single hand, and a plunge lock in the textured aluminum handle holds the steel in place during use. This new edition of the knife is a BladeHQ exclusive, and it is available in several colors, handle textures, and configurations for left and right-handed carry to suit your requirements.

What we like: If you like pursuing the best tools for EDC, Pro-Tech's TR-3';s inclusion of updated CPM-S45VN stainless steel moves toward that goal in mind. Whether this is your first automatic knife or you want to upgrade your EDC daily driver, this new TR-3 will keep you on the cutting edge.

What to watch out for: As with all automatic knives, you must check your local laws, rules, and regulations before deciding to carry one. Aside from that, unlike some other EDC knives, the pocket clip on the TR-3 is not reversible, so make sure you pick the right one.

Final verdict: With the new premium CPM-S45VN stainless steel, Pro-Tech has brought new life to this made-in-the-USA automatic knife. And if you're in the market for a new automatic folding knife, this is one of your best choices.

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