Top 10 Knife Designers of 2021

[@ytcbk]

Mr. Joe Flowers is a really great designer. He not only retains most of the traditional designs of those native blades, he improves them in every way. He did this through historical research and his field knowledge as well as experience as an outdoorsman. Respect.

[@kirkpreston4864]

I’ve gotten into knives in the past year and this channel is great. Anyone want to talk knives with me?

[@roc20621]

looks like my reply got deleted: welcome to the party! go find some custom knife makers; pearson knives, stark, fairly knives- all great custom knife makers who create right here in the good old US of A! all have instagram/websites and their work is incredible; they'll build you a dream knife that will last a lifetime and again- made.in.america by craftsmen. good luck!

[@abc456f]

Anytime. Welcome to the brotherhood!

[@williammcintyre1396]

I have the Bona Fide. It is my go to work knife. I work in a high dust area, it's easy to break down clean and assemble at the end of the day. Love it!

[@c62west]

Great video! I LOVED seeing designers showcased.

[@nancybrown2700]

DCA, My very first intro in to owning a "real knife" was when my husband gave me my Buck 110! Then I got my hands on a Griptilian , and today though my collection still grows, my love for that knife design remains at the very top of my list !

[@johnwelch6028]

I own the 4 Max elite Thanks to the knife centre. I own a lot of cold steel and I have never been disappointed in their products. Especially anything Andrew demko Has designed.

[@ricardovazquez9113]

$140 USA made & 20CV. Thats a homerun for the Hogues

[@mikerodriguez3132]

Agree

[@Deadtileyedie]

Hogue been killing it fr. I have the upswept ex04 button lock, x5 spear point button lock, ritter, deka and compound otf and they all have amazing fit and finish, good steel, very well designed, made in America and GREAT materials for the money. They are still very under rated in my opinion. There button lock manual knives are super fidgety, strong and just fun!

[@twatmunro9563]

@@Deadtileyedie -- Completely agree. Hogue are making some of the best knives at the best values right now. Why they aren't more popular is a complete mystery to me.

[@5MERCADOH]

@@mikerodriguez3132 009909999999

[@whalehands]

*Kershaw Link has entered the Chat*

[@knifedaddy5791]

Awesome video! Thanks! Loved the format 🔪

[@RobinDetects]

Thank You so much all the education on designers. I found it Fascinating!

[@guitarhero8110]

I just got a 154cm griptilion that i love as well.

[@talisikid1618]

Carried one for 15 years.

[@mikerodriguez3132]

Hands down best knife guy on KZbin......just placed first order with knife center never again from Amazon

[@TChambers]

Still have my first Benchmade - Griptilian in 440C, guess I'm old... Still in mint condition and just feels great in hand.

[@paulthelefty]

Me too! Much carried and much loved!

[@barthaande893]

I love Voxnaes and Ferrum Forge for the looks and ergonomics. I love Ken Onion and Demko for the constant innovative designs.

[@CrpMag]

Ken Onion is an absolute legend. Love his knives.

[@ronaldjones3108]

Awesome! Wasn't surprised that Ken Onion was #1! Been carrying a Leek for a while now as my go to EDC. It has replaced my Benchmade Mini Feek believe it or not! We'll see what the future brings! Thanks for the great vids on KZbin!

[@Deadtileyedie]

I absolutely love my hogue x5! It feels alot like my microtech stitch but with a flipper and button lock. Hogue been killing it man. I have the deka, ritter, ex04 upswept, compound otf and x5. There fit and finish are damn near perfect for me, well designed, strong, materials used are GREAT for the money and MADE IN MERICA!!

[@JerryLoffelbein]

Shout out to McHenry & Williams. Their knife designs don't get much love today, but they invented the Axis lock that Benchmade purchased

[@gcvrsa]

Absolutely. I have the McHenry & Williams designed Benchmade 190 Drop Point Hunter and 192 Bird & Trout knives.

[@geico1975]

Yeah, my Dad's not a knife guy and has a white collar career, but for his birthday I got him that CRKT CEO and he loved it. Thinking about picking-up the newer compact version this year when it comes out.

[@knifecenter]

'Tis available now: kcoti.com/3HeQAKC

[@mostmuscular619]

Elliot and Chris Williamson are my favorite designers today-WE Malice is KING. Elishewitz, I've got one X5 in the first edition all black and 3 Hogue Deka's in colors, Earth, Fire, and Water-they are my sharpest knives without question. Vox, please increase the size of your finger choils. Cold Steel and Demko are an awesome team. Ken Onion is awesome, I've owned at least 2 Leeks, love his designs. Damn that MKM FOX Lucas Burnley Arvenis is a beauty!

[@matthewchavez6026]

I got your exclusive Hogue Deka a few weeks ago. Great knife!

[@hristo.bogdanov]

Elijah Isham is my favorite knife designer at the moment. Has something for everyone I guess. Some strange shaped blades and some very practical knifes too.

[@deeez00]

I'm saving this video for future purchases. 😉

[@JackintheMouth]

Never was a fan of Onion's aesthetics but dang the man is an absolute genius. That field strip tech is awesome.

[@Nudel-nc1cp]

I would add Marcin Słysz, Ostap Hel, Brad Zinker, Moletta and Sal Glesser to that list.

[@Arnoldyt200346]

Loved but missed the knife center special edition kwaiken! Crimson red. Wish you guys will do a run again!

[@paulsouders3489]

I like the dividend better than the leek

[@pants912]

That Hogue X5 is beautiful! Also I love the coldsteel AD-15

[@daltonbritt8620]

One day I will splurge and get the Osborne 940 and 945. The 940 has always been such a cool knife to me.

[@aschroederqli]

I'm ALL Cold Steel Knives so, LONG LIVE Andrew Demco! Their Tri-Ad Lock & their blade steel choices are remarkably SUPERIOR if you want to talk about tuff, long lasting, & sharp knives.

[@SpacenerdLP]

I was thinking of selling my Kwaiken auto, you changed my mind. Thanks David.

[@evictioncarpentry2628]

I sold my entire collection to keep only 3 knives. Sheepsfoot Grip. Original 940. And multiple bugouts. They really nailed it for me with these models.

[@masemasemasie]

I could never bring my self to sell my knives.

[@abc456f]

May not be in your top ten sellers, but I'd add Chris Reeve, creator of the Reeve integral lock. Before I got my first, I wondered if they were a lot of hype. Imo, they are not. When I took apart my sebenza and reassembled it, I understood. Very high level of fit and finish. And the tight tolerances aren't hype. Now I own three crk's and waiting for the sebenza 31 to come out in s45vn to make it four.

[@poonbandit9924]

I love ken onion, the kershaw leek has been my edc for 3 years now, my big thick hard use knives and utility knifes stay in the tool box.

[@DavidJohnson-ol1cv]

Hey DCA... love the channel and your work. I am looking for a recommendation on a hiking/camping folder. Could you recommend 1 for under $100, 1 between $100-$200, and 1 for $200 and over? Thanks

[@kevinstryker6440]

DCA single best CUSTOM knife (fixed or folding) in your opinion? Then best budget custom, and no cap dream costume knife (same as before, fixed or folding on both). Thanks for the videos you're all awesome!

[@gcvrsa]

I know that Knife Center is in the business of selling new knives, but it would be great if you could sometimes talk about old knives, too. Some of my favorite designers are Brad Parrish, Bill Harsey, and Blackie Collins, all of whom designed excellent knives for Gerber, back when.

[@The4cp]

Love to see the Deka in its original size.

[@VaansWorld]

That Condor is no joke! I think any half decent woodsman would want for nothing more than that knife. It literally is perfect. Same with the Enzo Trapper...love that knife too lol. Oh and about 90000 others

[@airpaprika]

My two favorite knife designers are Joey Cordova from Joe Loui Knives and Tim Stetzer.

[@fancyhitchpin8675]

Have my 440c Gtip' in my pocket as I watch.

[@paulthelefty]

Hah, me too, love mine!

[@E.L.RipleyAtNostromo]

I’ve been buying Condor choppers since they didn’t come with a sheath, which you had to buy separately. Their heat treat is excellent, and any big blade from them will be a real workhorse.

[@alexstrouse6333]

I am surprised you didn't have the Blur on the table, i think the Leek and the Blur are neck and neck on classic knives.

[@caspergroenland2293]

Hey, what is the best plier based multitool for not more than 60 to 70 dollars. Like the best for a bit of bushcraft and maybe a bit of survival and other things. Just a great allrounder. With a pocket clip, that is really important to me. Love the video's!

[@masemasemasie]

The leather man sidekick . It’s sixty bucks . Or the skeletool. Both made in america

[@polniypridumok]

Ken Onion is #1 for me too

[@maxlvledc]

At the knife center...makes sense. Wish you could sell Vero

[@masemasemasie]

Oh you make plierless leathermans right

[@maxlvledc]

@@masemasemasie I've done it a bunch, it's a simple and effective mod

[@masemasemasie]

@@maxlvledc nice I just heard of you off of tx tool crib and I heard that name before so yeah just wanted to say something

[@maxlvledc]

@@masemasemasie cheers!

[@jamesharris1493]

Hi David! I own a Hogue Xtreme model and I really don't like it much. The knife is nearly impossible to sharpen. The box reads to be careful with the edge? The knife has everything going for it except the clipped off point. For it's size it is truly light weight.

[@michaelreilly8890]

I know you guys don’t sell it but shoutout to Hogue and Doug Ritter for his redo of the mini and regular Griptillian style knives all modernized with the able lock and really high grade steel. One of my favorite designer’s. Too bad Benchmade decided to not make his knives any more

[@ChristopherKnN]

Have to love a big 'ol slab of Ken Onion

[@Alx161074]

Hi David, maybe you heard this question before, any review or info related to the knife brand Albatross?

[@jimmorrison4163]

My CJRB Ria is very hard to open with the thumb stud.

[@LookitsBrad24]

Maybe try lubing the bearings?

[@jimmorrison4163]

@@LookitsBrad24 Why are you responding to my statement with a question?

[@AdamHoooot]

I had the same issue. I can't open the thing. I gave it to my wife since she doesn't care about one handed open.

[@ferrumchnop6617]

Disassemble clean, lube, reassemble with proper use of locktite and just fidget with it to break it in. Or if your handy running over some of the metal wear points with some polishing compound on a small cloth dremel wheel could help too. Gl

[@jimmorrison4163]

@@ferrumchnop6617 Thx!

[@jolness1]

Osborne is a legend. There is a Doctor's knife of his for sale that I want so badly. I can't justify $1400 safe queens at this point though. $600 users? Sure haha.

[@wigglywrigglydoo]

Twosun also does really good knives for the price they charge for premium steels.

[@salesquinnton868]

can I take the crkt Mossback camping and can I Whittle with it and what one shud I take

[@oladushkycorp6752]

Kansei Matsuno makes great designs

[@StefanKaizur]

Joe flowers and Ostap Hel

[@youtubecensorseverythingIsay]

I carry a kershaw knockout and love the style, I used to carry a kershaw leek but found the blade too narrow, good video though thanks for posting

[@ashmerch2558]

Chris Reeve Rick Hinderer Andrew Demko Sal Glesser ( Eric Glesser too) Ken Onion Bob Loveless Mike Stewart Kit Carson Ethan Becker Last and certainly not least, my favorite fixed blade guy... LT Wright I could name 15 more I love as well

[@landscapingspecialist]

I own that machete. Its great for chopping.

[@lukeyboi0899]

Jesper Voxnaes & Justin Lundquist for me!

[@tphvictims5101]

There’s a bunch of home runs there. I’m looking for a 4” folder. 4” blade. Cpm 154, D2, s30v. I’m having an even tougher time finding a 5” folder. 5” being the LEGAL length in my state and it makes an impressive entry into any conversation 😉

[@paulthelefty]

I will own a Demco someday, probably 4MAX, but maybe AD10... or maybe both? 😎

[@brochdk4712]

Jesper Voxnaes, is the best designer imo, to combine utility and beauty. And I will say for the record that the Leek is a dumb knife. But i get that its cheap and pointy, which is nice.

[@MrTJohnston]

What do you guys put on the blades for the videos? They always gleam

[@BaritoneMonkey]

Probably just good lighting! But if it had to be something, my guess is mineral oil or similar to that. Often used to lube pivots as well as coat/protect non-stainless blades; food-safe and cheap.

[@knifecenter]

Just pull them from the box, hit the lights, and press record! -DCA

[@safromnc8616]

I probably have more Vox knives than all the rest put together.

[@Trevlee74]

Hogue and SOG do the axis lock infinitely better than Benchmade. Heck, they do everything better nowadays. In my honest opinion.

[@alexstrouse6333]

I heard now that Benchmade's patent on the Axis lock expired recently, but I could be wrong.

[@knifecenter]

You are correct.

[@dam1041960]

But they can still add to the time. If modified to improve the design

[@timfrost3781]

Looking for lightweight, easy opening, 3.5+” blade, without frame or liner lock, no tanto point, premium materials. Do you have a suggestion. I personally think you are doing a great job in your presentations. Never mind, found one. Mini Crooked River

[@Marc43666]

joe flowers and demko

[@Andrew_Pretzel]

I really like ka bar but I’m surprised there’s no buck on the list

[@GuillotineStare]

Griptillian is soooooo good. Ergos super nice

[@cintage]

Voxnaes, Vulpex, Ansø and Isham.

[@sunbunbradley]

WINKLER KNIVES!!!!

[@Cadwallader38]

I wish the field strip gen 2 used phosphor bronze bushings rather than some very eh bearings that get gunk in them quicker.

[@frankiejdwm_edc1037]

Haha DCA my first really nice knife was the 550-1 G10/20CV Griptilian, and I ordered it from KnifeCenter a few years ago. My last name ends in sen as well, 🤔🤔by chance I don't know???

[@dabeerguy79]

The hoge looks like they’re ripping off the ADV harpoon.

[@chasereichert7536]

👍2. here after 1 min

[@TheLastRanger]

I agree with you on Allen on Hogue. But my personal favorite is the dude (can't pronounce his last name, lol) from Poltergeist Works and Jessie Jarosz.

[@vachesamvelyan4895]

Brian Nadeau, Liong Mah, Chris Reeve, Adam Purvis ?????

[@Lazzoboy]

Spyderco! ! ! !

[@TheLastRanger]

Oh and thanks for ending the background music or making it so low I cant hear it. lol

[@bosse641]

It is still there. And what an irritant it is.

[@jakobandersson1944]

Vox allday everyday!

[@larrygray6516]

Try toning down the music In the background it is distracting.

[@johnfaustus1]

I don't want David C. Anderson coming at me from anywhere :)

[@btuthill9653]

The Griptillian was the worst blade I have ever used. It turned me off of Benchmade. The axis lock wouldn’t hold and the blade kept closing, often with my hand in the way. The blade shape was more axe like and less slicey than I would like. I regret buying it, but it did lead me into a number of better knives.

[@masemasemasie]

Woah dude that’s bad that’s never been the case with my bms they always were nice and slicey and would lock up perfectly

[@thatrealba]

I miss my Leek. 😢

[@I_Am_Victor]

You can't go wrong with CRKT CS Kenshaw Boker Condor Buck or Benchmade knives. But Gerber and Ka bar are companies who minimise quality and sold off gimmicks knives, So are not trustworthy. Good Vid Dave ☝️😎

[@littlemouse7066]

the terasaur is a copy of a Mora.

[@allemander]

That sheath, yes. The $40 full tang blade, not so much.

[@jaredappleseed7037]

Mines probably Eric glesser

[@paulsouders3489]

All i want to see is the 0762 lol

[@mylifematter]

Mick Strider and Walter Hoffman both missed the list by miles.

[@yesh3]

waiting for the fidget-handgun trend

[@knifecenter]

What is a revolver if not a fidget spinner? -DCA

[@snarflatful]

This would be a great video.....IF IT WERE ONLY 5 MINUTES LONG!

[@kjgas6945]

👍👍🤠🤠

[@SurvivalReviews]

Joe Flowers is so awesome and original he copied the Mora Knives almost exactly! What a genius pioneer! And it is more expensive!

[@severebald]

When will you do Top 10 Knife Designers of 2025

[@TheNWPrepper]

Enjoy your channel. However, I wish you would remove the music on your videos. Yes, it’s low volume but it’s also distracting from what you’re saying. Sometimes it’s difficult to hear you. It doesn’t add anything to the video.

[@ahmadaladas4047]

👍1

[@BetaBuxDelux]

What a good knife for a chick? The 940 is nice but not sure if it’s ideal for a chick.

[@Hunglikeagrimsmo]

Andrew Demko would have been my number one. Ken Onion wouldn't even have made the list for me his stuff isn't innovative other than the field strip but everything else is more over done and out dated in my book not to mention the over pricing for the materials just because it has his name on it

[@TovarichSputnik]

Love the videos but Wharncliffe has a straight edge. If it has a belly it aint a Wharncliffe. Not even "modified"! Grrrr! :-)