As August turns to September, now is the perfect time to look back at the month and see some
of the cool stuff that crossed my desk.
I’m David C. Andersen, coming at you from the KnifeCenter, and these are the best new
knives from August 2019.
If there was a theme for August, it was this: this month saw a lot of updates and variants
of classic models land on our shelves, and on our list this time around.
First up is a couple of KnifeCenter exclusives, and the first one being the Spyderco Native
5 with smooth black G10 handles and a CPM CRU-WEAR blade.
The Native 5 has always been a great design, and with a great all around steel like CRU-WEAR,
it’s even better.
According to Crucible, the maker of the steel itself, you can achieve higher wear resistance
than D2, and greater toughness than M2 with this material.
The smooth G10 on this KnifeCenter exclusive offers a nice upgrade, too.
It’s not a polished finish, but it does have an almost silky feel in the hand.
Nice and smooth, very comfortable, and it’s kind to your pockets, too, when you go to
draw the knife.
It has the same great Spyderco hallmarks enjoyed by every Native 5: the forward finger choil
for more grip, strong lock back, four position pocket clip, and it has excellent cutting
geometry thanks to a full flat grind.
Next up is another KnifeCenter exclusive, the flat dark earth Chris Reeve Inkosi, and
it’s safe to say there’s no other Chris Reeve folder out there that’s quite like
it.
We’ve got both large and small sizes with all three blade shapes available, all featuring
this KG Gunkote, a very tough coating that makes this strong folder even tougher.
Another updated classic to hit our shelves this month is this limited edtion Kershaw
Leek.
It uses some tried and true elements from their parts bin to create one of my favorite
variants yet.
This is a liner locking version of the Leek, featuring carbon fiber scales, and it has
that same great SpeedSafe assisted action that’s made it a classic from day one.
Paired with that is a blade constructed using their proprietary composite blade technology.
We’ve got 14C28N steel at the spine, which would be a respectable cutter in it’s own
right, but they up the ante on the edge with CPM-D2 for even more edge retention.
The two pieces are braise welded together, we have this nice brass line between them,
and a cool stonewashed finish on the blade.
In our mind, this is a prototypical executive knife, and now it’s even better thanks to
upgraded materials.
Now moving from a spring assisted knife to a full automatic, we have a limited edition
Benchmade Infidel.
This version has bronze aluminum handles with the same aggressive ridges for traction as
the original model.
The slider on the cover of this knife deploys the double edged blade that’s now been upgraded
to S30V steel with a smoke grey finish.
The action of this knife is right up there with the best in the industry, too, and the
fit and finish is fantastic.
Now, these are going to be limited to only 3000 units, and that might seem a little high,
but it’s going to be sad once these are gone, because I think this version brings
a style that just elevates above that base model.
This has been an iconic model in Benchmade’s lineup, and this is the best version of it
yet.
We actually have another Benchmade that made our list this month, but I don’t actually
have one in front of me anymore, because they sold out so quickly, and that’s going to
be the Benchmade Mini Loco limited run, and like the Infidel, it pumps up the standard
model with higher-end materials.
The blade gets a bump up to CPM-20CV steel, and it has the same great cool grey PVD coating
as the Infidel.
The star of the show, however, are the Python micarta handles.
It’s not something you see too often in the production world, it’s more been the
realm of custom makers up to this point, but it looks fantastic and like nothing else out
there.
If you missed out on this knife, we’re sorry.
The best way to stay on top of these flash releases is to follow us on Facebook and Instagram,
where news like this usually goes out first, and you can find links to our profiles in
the description.
Next up is the Joker Balisong from Michael Zieba.
Now, not only are Zieba’s butterfly knives silky smooth and precisely made with some
really good materials, but they’re awesome to look at too.
The handles on this model feature rainbow anodized titanium, and the colors are clearly
inspired by the comic book villain that gives its name to this knife.
The signature thing that really sets a Zieba knife apart, though, are his backspacers.
Oftentimes he’ll incorporate skulls, and on the Joker model, we have skulls with jester
caps; very on-brand for this knife.
Then, if you actually look inside the backspacers on both sides, across the two is embedded
the phrase “Why so serious?”
I love the little tongue in cheek reference there, and this is one of his prettiest balisongs
to date.
Now we’ve got a new design from Smith and Sons, the Axiom fixed blade.
Now, this is a small knife that would be perfect for EDC, or even as a small companion knife
for hunters or campers, maybe even a main knife for day hikers who want to keep bulk
down.
We’ve got an AEB-L stainless steel drop point blade with a subtle ridged pattern,
and rather than creating drag, this is intended to reduce surface friction a little bit and
help things to release from the blade.
That’s especially helpful if you’re going to be doing any food prep with it.
Now, the handles are contoured very nicely, and I can actually get a full four finger
grip on this knife, but just barely, and there’s several different color variants to choose
from as well.
Two of my favorites are the blue and black G10 with the red liners, as well as this green
and black G10 with orange liners, although there are several others to choose from and
you can check all of them out at the KnifeCenter.
They do, of course, come with a nice leather sheath, and we get a nice hidden lanyard point
at the pommel as well.
Overall, the Smith and Sons Axiom is a really cool design from a very underrated brand,
you ought check ‘em out.
Now for another updated model, the limited edition Pillar LTD from SOG knives.
Now, this is a great tactical and survival knife design that sees the same materials
as the original Pillar, but with some upgrades.
The canvas micarta scales are now tan rather than black, and they provide a secure grip
that indexes very naturally.
It still has an S35VN blade, but now it comes with a bronze cerakote finish, and I love
the color of this.
It almost has a shimmer in the sunlight, and it’s gonna help protect the knife is harsh
environments, too.
I love the vibe of the whole knife, it reminds me a bit of a Spartan blade, which is an even
more expensive option.
That means that this knife, which is still made in the USA, represents a really nice
bargain on a fantastic tool.
Last this month is not strictly new, but it is new to us, and we are now stocking the
Overland Machete from LT Wright Knives, and as a bonus, this model comes with that awesome
python micarta.
It’s that same stuff the Benchmade Mini Loco used, so if you missed out on that but
really like that material, here you go.
Now, these are a little pricier than most machetes you’re gonna be used to, but that’s
because they’re a handmade product built right here in the USA with a lifetime warranty,
so it’s gonna be higher quality than just about any machete you’ve ever held either.
Now, I actually have one of these in my personal collection, and the twelve inch blade of 1075
steel wields very easily, and it swings nicely on brush, but it actually has enough strength
and momentum to work well as a chopper, too.
They designed this machete to be a one-tool option if you need it to be.
It has thumb scallops at the top, and you can choke up for carving work.
It also has a spear point blade that enables drilling, and they’ve even got multiple
lanyard points so you can swing safely.
It even comes with a well-made leather sheath with swiveling belt loops, also made in America,
and it’s got a hook for lopping the included shock cord to increase the security.
Thus concludes our best of list for the month of August.
Which one of these knives tickles your fancy to most?
Be sure to let us know in the comments, and let us know too if you think we left something
out.
In the meantime, you can see all of our products as soon as they come in using the link in
the description, and we’ll be sure to leave links to all the individual products you’ve
seen here too.
I’m David C. Andersen signing off from the KnifeCenter, see you next time.
We have a limited edintion…
Edintion
Now we’ve got a brand new designs from Smith…
designs.
We also get a nice hidden lanyard poit…
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Now is the perfect time to look at back at…
Look at the back of the…
Look at the back of the month!