Knife industry trends?

shootist16

shootist16

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Are there any "new" trends that you see in the knife industry?

Seems to me that many manufacturers are making more low end knives. More zytel handles and cost effective steel.
 
I was thinking about trends just yesterday. Wondering where do we go from the 'tactical' folder. I don't know that the industry as a whole is heading towards more economical designs, it may just be companies like CRKT are becoming more prominent. I think maybe the trend is to try not to make 'trendy' knives. There's much more variety in blade materials, shapes, carry options, locks, and opening systems. It's a welcome shift from all beadblast tantos with black G10 scales and linerlocks, nothing against the design, just appreciate the greater variety now offered.
 
I think we are seeing a gradual shift away from tactical. Case in point, Benchmade. Several years ago they were leading the production tactical movement with the AFCKs and the Emerson CQC7s. Well, they still produce some great full-on tacticals, but they have diverged from that path with models such as the 550, 450, 330, 940,770, and the Outbounder fixed blade.

William Henry's stuff is still gaining momentum, and will accelerate rapidly once the ICONs hit the market. The ICON is a different type of gentleman's knife with a big size, light weight, and the MattLock, their own lock design.

Tactical will always be on the knife market and will be a favorite among knife users, but It's not going to be as prominent as it had been several years ago.

As Dennis pointed out, we are seeing an increasing number of low-cost knives. Both USA made and overseas. Back when I got into knives, if you wanted an inexpensive knife, you would have to settle for one whose design was kind of "blah". Nowadays, we've got the KErshaw lackout, Whirlwind, Scallion, Chive, and Vapor along with the CRKT stuff (pick any of the collaborations - Carson, Viele, Crawford, et. al.), and Camillus' EDC. These knives offer performance and value along with a key element - style.

That's about all I can think of....
 
Is anybody coming out with a line of tactical box cutters? :(

It's time to move away from this tactical image. Lets' focus on rugged utility knies.

n2s
 
It appears that there also is a trend towards the smaller, gentleman's-type knife. At least more choices in that direction.
 
I think we are seeing a trends that will take us more in the following areas for folders:

a) Various traditional, natural materials, and more "colorful" handle materials.

b) A larger assortment of more tradional folders with more modern components (like Kershaws Double Cross)

c) New steels and locking mechanisms.

d) More "gentleman's folders". However I think the name gentleman's folder is simply a more politically correct word for decorative, artsy, sophisticated tactical folders.
 
We have many trends going right now:
Low end/lower cost knives
New steels/blade material
Smaller sizes
New locks
Custom collaborations

I really like the custom collaborations. It gives you the chance to try the design without breaking the bank. This way you know which customs to set your sights on.

Paul
 
I see a trend towards brightly colored handles. It seems that I have been seeing many more knives with red, blue and green handles over the last year or so. I have even seen pink, purple, yellow. It would appear that manufacturers are trying to get away from the black, tactical look. Maybe the buying public has spoken and they have listened.

It is also nice to see more natural materials being used on handles. I personally think that a knife looks nicer with horn, ivory, some woods and MOP than G-10, micarta or carbon fiber. The fact that I am seeing more knives that use these materials must mean that others feel the same way.

I see a bit of a trend towards more gent's knives. Another one is tactical fixed blades. It appears that I am seeing more and more of both of these styles coming out all the time.
 
Less all-out full blown tacticals. More sheeple friendly designs that can still do it all.

I'm seeing 420HC coming into it's own. More and more companies are bringing out models which feature this blade steel. 440a may be on the decline as "low end" blade steel.

I'm seeing a big resurgance in the popularity of 440c among end line users and production companies. Expect to see more of this blade steel as people re-discover it's value.

More utility/defense designed medium size fixed blades.

More Securex and Concealex and less Kydex in use as sheath material.

And new folder lock designs out the WAZOO!
 
I see questions here and the market coming together, most have been mentioned already, smaller knives, less tactical, more color, and I'm glad to say, natural materials.

I also think that the 'quest for steel' has slowed a bit, but new combinations like Talonite have shown there are other options.

Blade shapes and finishes seem to be up and coming, as are new types of locks (although many seem to have rekindled their interest in slip joint knives).

I hope that knife companies will expand their marketing to a wider audience, much like the 'light' manufacturers have...tools that everyone should have handy, always.


Steve-O
 
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