There are two camps when it comes to knife making: one is made by hand in small batches and the other is machine-made. The latter is becoming more and more popular.
While the former tends to be more specialized (like laser cutting or stamping steel), both have their pros and cons. For example, it’s easier for a custom maker to make a unique blade with a machine-made blade.
Leatherman
Founded in 1983, Leatherman is a manufacturer of multi-tools. Their tools are all built with quality steel and designed to withstand tough use.
Leatherman tools are the best-selling multi-tools in the world. They come in various models for different purposes and are backed by a 25-year warranty.
Spartan Blades
Located in Southern Pines, North Carolina, Spartan Blades is owned and operated by retired U.S. Army Special Forces members Mark Carey and Curtis Iovito.
They’ve been producing high-end fixed blades for a number of years and have built quite a loyal following of military users and civilians alike.
Their current model is the Moros, which is a reliable and well-made utility knife that can perform a range of tasks from batoning to making feather sticks. It’s also a beautiful piece of work.
L.T. Wright
LT Wright started out making knives while working at his stair shop. He took them to shows and built up a following on forums.
Eventually, he had enough orders to quit his job and start making knives full time. He now makes a range of bushcraft and survival knives.
He uses his Pout House, an old building on his property, to look for inspiration and learn from his family members who have passed before him. The results are heirloom quality knives that are designed and built to last a lifetime.
Brous Knives
Brous Knives is a knife maker that uses functional design in conjunction with artistic flair to create some of the most innovative and visually stunning knives on the market. They are made by Jason Brous who started his company in 2010 and has been creating these unique blades since then.
He got into knife making because of the metal working skills he has honed for years. He specializes in CNC machining and is able to apply his artistic ideas to his creations.
White River Knife & Tool
White River Knife & Tool is a family owned and operated company. Named for Michigan’s White River in the Manistee National Forest which runs through their property, the company has a true passion for creating high quality knives.
They precision grind, hand finish and leather hone each knife to ensure a custom razor sharp blade every time. They back up their custom quality with a no-questions-asked lifetime replacement guarantee.
Old Timer Knives
Whether you’re an old hand at knives or just starting out, you can find some classics in the Old Timer line. They have a history going back to 1958, when Schrade started producing their own line of pocket knives.
In 2004 Taylor Brands purchased the rights to produce Schrade knives as well as the Old Timer and Uncle Henry brands, but production is still based in Asia, primarily China and Taiwan. Fortunately, modern manufacturing techniques mean the knives are of comparable quality to the originals.
Randall Made Knives
Founded in 1938 by Bo Randall, Randall Made Knives quickly gained popularity during WWII. A sailor asked Bo to make him a knife for use in hand-to-hand combat and soon everyone else wanted one, too.
Today, the company continues to produce knives that are handmade and designed for specific applications. No jigs or patterns are used, making each model unique.
Red Horse Knives
Red Horse Knives is an upstart Chicago-based maker that specializes in making high-end mid-tech knives for the military and law enforcement. They use cutting-edge technology to create knives that are practical and visually stunning at the same time.
Their Condor Cigar Cutter is a great example of this. It features a blade made of 154CM steel, which is the same material that is used for many top-of-the-line knives. The knife also features a slick design and a lot of hand-detailing.
TOPS
TOPS Knives was founded in 1998 with a mission to create the highest quality knives available. They have assembled knife designers from the military, law enforcement, outdoor professions and martial arts backgrounds to design blades that are hard to the core and perform best in extreme situations.
Their knives are made with 1095 high carbon steel. This steel has a balance of hardness and edge retention that is perfect for hunting, survival, combat or even everyday use.