Knife Awards 2023 | Blade HQ

[@crankythursdays]

Kershaw winning Best OTF & Microtech winning best folder, we truly are living in a knife renaissance

[@slywolfe]

Underrated comment

[@antimatter2380]

More categories! Best camping, best self-defense, best knife over 8 inches (machetes/kukris), best kitchen knife, best budget, best custom, best USA/Italian/chinese, best lock, best blade shape, etc.

[@Dieafreak]

Agreed. They put OTF’s in a separate category….. They’re automatics. They should have out the side automatics and out the front automatics categories. Italian traditional/Italian modern would be nice categories. The best knives by look and quality that I’ve had the pleasure of dealing with and holding in my hands are custom AGA Campolin’s and Latama’s from Italy. Especially custom Latama’s and also gotta mention last min Sardinian knives lol.

[@MichaelTodd-tq8dk]

They've gone woke... Won't happen.

[@TheTerribleTen]

This was awesome!!!! Recomendatioans: - links in description - more categories (best custom, best camping, most innovative, best design, etc.) - runners up / honorable mentions to the nominees - a highlight of the data points for the winner (number sold, largest order, etc.)

[@IntenseAngler]

Now this is my kind of award show right here 👍 Extremely well done y'all 👏👏 An awesome array of top-notch knife contenders too 🔪 Here's wishing the entire Blade HQ crew all the best going into 2024!

[@jumpyman92]

Knife with failing lock, win knife of the year 🎉 good job

[@stuartrollings602]

Howdy y’all! Very nice of ya to recognize all of these fantastic companies and blades! Happy New Year!

[@Ceskero]

Would also like to see some additional categories such as best budget knife, or best emerging knife company.

[@wrobinson1963]

I live in Columbus GA home of Fort Benning (now Moore argh) Gave my Microtech knife I bought from Blade HQ to my special force Sergent who is a 20 year vet. I had my initials on it because I never served. Being from Tennessee all family served. My friend is going down range on some sticky missions. God bless you guys!

[@GhostManCutlery]

My Knife of the Year is the Hogue Extrak, fallen in love with it since I got it. Slicey,

[@Henrythef1rst]

Hogue makes my fave knives too

[@robertbarnum7541]

Half my knives are Spydercos. For good reason. But I recently got my Knife of the Year, the Quietcarry Drift Large, in Vanax and titanium.

[@RealAndyOriginal]

Spydies ftw !

[@KingKsEDC]

Spyderco is king!

[@robertbarnum7541]

@@KingKsEDC I agree. I have gotten a few non-Spydercos along the way for various reasons, but really only trust their heat treat. I am in love with Spyderco's BBB-heat-treated PM2 in 15V.

[@richardvirchow3390]

I loved your 2023 AWARDS show - very clever, very well done and entertaining.

[@mikeblue385]

kershaw made a good showing. i'm a fan.

[@95666]

I'd like to see a category for larger fixed blades. Like 6" and up.

[@beentheredonethat5908]

The problem there is that the best fixed blades are not made by companies. Those are made custom by smaller black smith's. Companies keep using the same designs with new steel. I truth, best fixed blades right now, besides custom knives , go to mora and martinni in my opinion. Yes I can spend more and get better steel knives, but if mora and martinni make razor sharp knives that can kast a lifetime , are beautiful, and good for literally everything , be that bushcraft or military, keep the price affordable for everyone. I Am absolutely sick of companies claiming to have the best knives at price points that are insane , that simply do the samething as knives in the budget range. Any knife above 70 dollars is just stupid. The people who bug them don't even use them lol. I've seen knives tests of all of these , and not one put performs the budget knives by enough to be hundreds of dollars higher.

[@Elektroslag]

​@@beentheredonethat5908 not really bud. Bark River, LT Wright etc.

[@michaelcope2329]

Great job, best award show I've seen in forever. Might I suggest that knife of the year considerations should be made based off of only knives that won their category, hard to see how a knife that didn't win its category would win for knife of the year. Just a suggestion. Kudos on a job well done. This was brilliant.

[@MaFiiuH]

Show the knife (again) that won the award after each announcement, I think that would help.

[@seansmith4183]

Had you had the Glykon in for the OTF category and Microtech gets the hat trick.

[@wc4201]

They got it right.

[@ashtonalexander2431]

Loved the video! I would just like to see more categories like best camper, best budget knifer, and best custom. I think itd also be cool if you put all the category winners in some kind of field test and then determined the winner that way. Im sure thatd be easier said than done though

[@highratingstv9809]

always crush it with the info, but this was also so well edited and entertaining. definitely going to have to check a few of these out. Great video! also hearing from the people at the companies is superb content.

[@DONK0]

Great seeing the makers and representatives, you don't often get to see the faces behind the knives.

[@sheltermonkey6065]

How about a big round of applause for Lock Failure of the Year award?

[@spacecowboy301]

Surprised civivi vision fg wasn't a nominee for best folder

[@CharlyCD93]

MSI? Have y’all seen the ramlock failing?

[@numbnut9093]

Hahaha, you beat me to it😂

[@MrPocketfullOfSteel]

No one EVER had the Ramlock fail when Cold Steel did it.

[@_Bryant.R]

The idiots that cut themselves "testing" them gave me plenty of entertainment this year though.

[@thespicyswede9302]

Apparently not haha

[@cfltitan]

Not to mention their harshness QC that lets pretty full knives slide out of the factory. They’re nothing but a boutique brand anymore. Just a name to brag that you have.

[@UncleFjester]

*8:55** I want that T - Shirt!*

[@Cyanoblades]

The MSI is a sick knife

[@cnarvaezmx9377]

GREAT SHOW! TO ALL IN BLADE HQ A GREAT 2024!!! GOD BLESS US ALL

[@SoldMyKidsForKnives]

Wow!! This was so much fun to watch!! Thank you, George and everyone at BHQ. 😂

[@DavidJohnson-ol1cv]

Cool show and idea. Much better than the standard best knives of the year videos.

[@jakeva9802]

Grats to all the winners.

[@RichardPoogerman]

Well done, fun to watch 👍

[@TripleEEDC]

Leaving the Launch 18 off the list of automatics is huge oversight. It’s definitely better than the 15 and a better value. My pick for the win in that category would have been the Launch 16 though.

[@dalian3903]

Microtech definitely deserve knife of the year, the cypher ll cheff kiss 💋

[@chabongomongo]

Well done! I look forward to next year!

[@ChrisEvans-t1d]

How does my spyderco from northern knives rank up ? It’s called “the fallen” s45vn Blade ,flytanium scales

[@harpergamster6087]

Kershaw is dominating. They were a nominee for everyone.

[@ashtonalexander2431]

I thought for sure with how many categories they got into they would take it home with the Iridium but i guess it makes sense they didn't win knife of the year if that same knife didn't win folder of the year

[@AndrewBradley-kx4bb]

The TOOR mutiny is the best fixed blade of the year. It is also the knife of the year. The knife of the millennium is the WINKLER Crusher Belt knife with rubber handles!!

[@PREPFORIT]

ALL great winners all great choices.

[@keanu_alfaro]

i LOVE this! Happy New Year everyone!

[@jasonscott6906]

Fun videos guys. Happy new years to you all

[@pompeylad1977]

What a brilliant video, thoroughly enjoyed it, thanks 😁

[@lgavi3993]

Cool vid and a fun watch. Now I gotta go check out the winners haha.

[@tormentedslayer7498]

Hell yeah the Microtech MSI is a great knife!! I own one an i carry it everyday!

[@thespicyswede9302]

I’d love to know the reasoning or inspiration behind why certain knives won, and maybe a runner up or runner up for each category.

[@TerminalM193]

Kershaw livewire - Tanto magnacut is my knife of the year for 23. For it's price it's an absolute steal....

[@SketchyUncleSal]

Why would the narrows even make the list. That price point was ridiculous

[@keepitsharp-x4s]

totally agree, coming in with a steel pocket clip? cutting costs on a almost 600 dollar titanium scaled knife by throwing in a steel pocket clip? really benchmade?? shame, shame, shame.....

[@JCreole]

Put the links in the description to purchase the knifes

[@0017Bulldog]

This was totally awesome!!

[@Acerodelmonte]

You should put two more categories: Big Knives and Combat Knives

[@OreoDave]

I can support all of those wins. Cheers. 👐

[@madmax9664]

this was very fancy, and i felt underdressed.

[@soundped]

Add links in description. Also, a close up shot of the knife used to open the envelope!

[@chrisjosekuehl]

You guys missed out on not nominating the Bark River Mini Gunny, it’s in magnacut and is a perfect edc fixed, or small outdoors knife.

[@stephenyeung6341]

I love the MSI and it became my latest EDC. It’s has a great shaped blade with excellent M390MK steel that is incredibly sharp out of the box. The RAM-LOK allows the knife to be easily opened with a flick of the wrist. The blade locks up solidly and securely, but also unlocks safely and easily. The clincher for me, is the price point at which the MSI was offered. Not only is this a fantastic knife, but it is an incredible value as well. For OTF, Microtech is one of the perennial favorites, but Heretic, and Guardian Tactical also put out amazing products and Microtech can win every category. LOL

[@jhooks420]

Wait until you actually use it. I have sharpened my best friend's MSI multiple times. Each time he brings it in it has chips in the apex and a rolled edge. That 390 mk steel is way softer than the regular m390. Probably the heat treat. I have 14 ludts with regular m390steel and I can't do any damage to them. They are built like tanks. I own a HVAC business and beat the shit out of my knives. So to see the MSI take damage so easily is disappointing. All of the new ludts have 390 mk steel, but I only have 2 to test. They seem to be treated better. I haven't hard used them yet though.

[@stephenyeung6341]

@@jhooks420 thanks for the heads up. I am not too rough on my knives. I use them to open packages and carry them as a back up defensive weapon. I did shave some wood stakes to make them fit in the target holder, but the MSI is still razor sharp. I haven’t had to sharpen mine yet so I haven’t noticed that issue. If you don’t like M390MK, you may be out of luck. Seems like almost everything they put out has that steel. You did mention your LUDT is M390MK but doesn’t have those issues. Hopefully your friend just got a bad batch.

[@jhooks420]

@@stephenyeung6341 the old ludt that I'm talking about is regular m390. It's been tough as nails. The new gen 3 ludt that just dropped has 390mk. I haven't tested it well enough to have an opinion yet. The MSI is the only thing I have seen with the 390mk steel. To be fair..my buddy prys with his knives so I'm sure that's where the chip came from. But I was shocked to see the damage that was done in 1 day of work. It's 180 bucks so who really cares. He loves it though.

[@stephenyeung6341]

@@jhooks420 tell your buddy to get a CRKT Razel if he wants to pry. LOL. I have 3 LUDTs myself (and a Gen 3 on the way). I need to catch up to you. I have the original in S35VN, a gen 2 in Elmax, and a gen 2 in M390. Honestly, I probably have enough knives to retire them anytime they get dull and I’d still never run out. I need to unsubscribe from all the knife sites and stop watching knife videos!

[@jhooks420]

@@stephenyeung6341 We have razels but I haven't carried one in years. I loved mine. I am picky about pocket space. I EDC my ludt and a small amsler hurricane pry because they aren't pocket hogs. My buddy has pry bars and everything..he just doesn't care and will pry with whatever is in his hand at the time.

[@senorbarkbark]

Recommendation for future award videos. For the knife of the year award, all nominees could “battle it out” in multiple tests at the end to win the award.

[@5454randy]

Great editing!

[@lycan2965]

Yall prices be outrageous

[@timothyoakhart8860]

No Slipjoint category?

[@spacecowboy301]

Slipjoint is a folding knife

[@ronricker7827]

Great video

[@lucixmon]

Oh my god seriously the MSI? You know this is why it’s good to open up the voting to the public something’s because half of these “knife influencers” don’t even use their damn knives. Very disappointed BladeHQ

[@sharpconfit]

fun video! would've liked to see the best traditional knife category

[@Apex_grind562]

Love my MSI

[@jlogue751]

Microtech should have swept the otf and autos. Maybe they came out too late

[@tomjefferson2024]

I have a couple. They're Really Nice but in my opinion Overpriced. And their Warranty Repair Department is 10 weeks to get to it. Just got my Ultratech back yesterday

[@jlogue751]

@@tomjefferson2024 ouch..10 weeks hurts

[@lesterlute10]

Thanks for refueling my "lizard people of hollywood" conspiracy theory. 😂 Fr, great video. Little let down my iridium didn't take home the win, but I still love her. 😂😂 oh and that's messed up what you did to Jacob.

[@Terpinyaabish]

ITS OK JACOB WE LIKE THE SPAM EMAILS WITH DEALS lol happy holidays to the blade HQ family !!

[@TucoDog-ho6fw]

BHQ is leading the field on presentations like this.

[@masonk1l023]

Anyone know where i can buy kalashnikov parts? like hardware or handles in dif colors? i’m pretty sure it’s not a thing minus the silver and black hard ware on their web. but if y’all know somethin lemme know plz, thanks!

[@cfltitan]

Great video but kinda weird that you had entries for knife of the year that didn’t even win their category. That doesn’t make sense. If it’s not even good enough to win is specific category how could it be knife of the year??

[@HarryBallsich]

Knife of the year msi has a faulty lock that shuts with the smallest bump to the spine...

[@thalleshoward3962]

I always have been a Kershaw knives fan. My favorite fix blade is better than all of the ones in the video Rapid river makes awesome knives.

[@storlie4714]

Love it how protech ceo has his audio mismatched lol

[@johnmorgan4405]

And the award for huge melons goes too.....Bradford Knives!!! 2 wins!

[@BushRat253]

It would be cool if the knife of the year was actually in stock on the site! 😂

[@Mike-id8gu]

Love my Bradford 3.2! 👏

[@Ibetalkinvidyagames]

Jacob, dont you ever apologize for spamming my inbox. If you could spam it with "an item from my wishlist is available" instead of "whats new," I'd appreciate it.

[@Kokagott]

Fantastic video! BUT WHERE ARE BALISONGS?

[@nickuschrist5967]

I have 3 pt plus and love them all

[@silvia2408]

Great show, encores....

[@wgkincheloe2458]

I've seen 3 separate Good Boys fail on MC's channel. I have to agree with him, I think it's a Bad Boy and shouldn't have been on here.

[@clavididk1236]

Where the spydercos 😢

[@JerryLoffelbein]

Surprised and happy to see the Bradford Guardian 3.2 take the Fixie award. I assumed that since ESEE put something out, that they'd take it since they're very popular. While I might not want to cut myself out of a car with the Guardian, for normal knife uses, it's got my vote.

[@BruceJennersUterus]

Killer cowlick there George!

[@ddubsakadl]

Yes could someone help him out before we shoot the videos plz 😂

[@Flushandfit]

That was awesome 👏

[@bobdillon3085]

Microtech didnt even get nominated for OTF WTF

[@Capt_Brad_EDC]

Man that's crazy i'm in the Zirconium tier and i didn't get an email asking me for my input. Maybe only certain people got emails.

[@tgonzalez1983]

Were the awards based on sales? I like & own the MSI but it’s got problems.

[@bobbyknoth6985]

Recommendation:" king kong aint got nothing on me!"

[@owenwestphal623]

Looks like a magic show

[@JeffLegato]

Cool idea! Next year could you put the category title up on each section and have a shot of the winning knife after each category winner announcement?

[@isabellam1936]

I can’t believe the Bradford Gaurdian 3.2 win an award since it looks like every other Bradford knife they’ve been making for years. Come on now. Who gave that one out.

[@owenwestphal623]

Production team needs to learn about head room :/ Loved this award ceremony tho keep making them!!!

[@DG__3]

Need a name for the award itself. I propose "The Slicey". "And the Slicey goes too...". Something like that.

[@totschopper]

Anyone know what scales were on that shark cub?

[@chrisg258]

The handle material is ultem. I have a shark cub and love it.

[@totschopper]

@chrisg258 oh that's right blade hq has those👍🏻 I have the aluminum/slicer and g10 sharks foot. Absolutely love the slicer grind and I prefer the g10 handle, the aluminum scales are a bit slick with this small of a knife.

[@chrisg258]

@totschopper I have a shark foot with smooth ultem. They are slick too but but not an issue for me as I still get a good grip on it. There is alot of knife in the Shark Cub. good stuff no matter what the handle is made of!

[@Haywoodjablomie100]

Now if only you sold to Australia, i'd spend a bunch of money on these knives.

[@jasonmullins6638]

Love my fixed blades...no moving parts.😊

[@plausible.deaniability]

the narrows is a meme bruh come on nobody voted for it

[@chrisjosekuehl]

They have kids working at Blade HQ, they all look like teenagers, some in middle school, but the others looks like freshman, in high school.

[@diocalavera9415]

LIVEWIRE & PIOMERO ☠️

[@aproXXim]

Be nice if yall put half the effort here into your processing and shipping department. The first and last time I'm shopping here.😂

[@gz4789]

BladeHQ obviously does not follow knife community content...Microtech MSI has a New RAM lock which has been known and for failure. I suspect Microtech may have some influence over BladeHQ...knife with documented lock failure wins 2 awards..including knife of the year. What???

[@MrPocketfullOfSteel]

Well, of course they do. This is a silly blade parody. This definitely isn't your father and grandfather's knives.

[@tomjefferson2024]

BladeHQ Rocks and is My Go To for My Knife Addiction 🤣