440C Steel | Made in 🇺🇸

A neat tool in the Benchmade lineup, the SOCP Rescue Tool is an all-around performer. The slender profile fits well in my hand. It gives me both precise control over each tool, and safe space in which to work. I haven’t had to use it yet in any emergency situations, but it’s always there just in case I come across someone in need. Products like this try to do too much, too cheaply. Not this rescue tool.

Purchased in 2020 | ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

S30V Steel | Black G10 | Axis Lock | Made in 🇺🇸

How can a pilot not have the 737 Aileron in their collection? This knife was discontinued just as I started collecting, so I got it for a steal. It is knife #2. It was designed for pilots to protect the flight deck and so it’s not very good as an EDC. However, this is a true rarity in the knife world; a knife by pilots, for pilots.

Purchased in 2020 | ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

S30V Steel | Nebula FatCarbon Scales | Axis Lock | Made in 🇺🇸

Five years ago today, I brought home the first knife in my collection, this Benchmade Bugout. It is the original 535 that came with the Benchmade Blue grivory scales. Last year, as I was playing around with customization, I gave this special knife an upgrade to the beautiful Nebula FatCarbon scales that it wears today. The red, blue, and white look incredible mixed in with the deep blacks. It’s a fitting tribute to the knife that started it all.

Purchased in 2020 | ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Magnacut Steel | Blue Aluminum with Orange Backspacer | Crossbar Lock | Made in 🇮🇹

Every so often a knife really comes out of nowhere to impress me; this is one of them. I picked this up late last year, my first Les George design, and it is awesome. The locking mechanism is just as good as the Axis Lock, the ergonomics are perfect, and this is a very nice knife to look at. It will be a sleeper in the knife world, but it’s earned its spot in my collection.

Purchased in 2024 | ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

M4 Steel | Black & Red G10 Axis Lock | Made in 🇺🇸

The Benchmade Freek was a birthday present early in my collection. Although red and black are not my favorite colors, on this knife it works. There is also great texture on the handle scales. The blade shape is unique, a very good slicer, and M4 is my favorite steel. I love the size of the Freek; it’s a big knife while still being light. I always enjoy carrying it.

Gifted in 2021 | ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

S45VN Steel | Titanium Frame Lock | Made in 🇺🇸

I bought this knife as a trophy after completing the 75 HARD challenge. The program uses a Spade as its logo, and this incredible knife seemed to fit the bill. It has purple anodized titanium scales with a Royal Flush laser engraved on the surface. This is among the most ornate pieces in my collection. The knife itself is incredibly strong, able to go anywhere and do anything. To me, this knife embodies the principles and spirit of 75 HARD.

Purchased in 2023 | ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

S45VN Steel | Titanium Frame Lock with OD Green G10 Overlay | Made in 🇺🇸

The Hinderer Half Track is an interesting addition to my small-class knife collection. Usually in this class, designers give up on construction durability in exchange for compactness and weight reductions. Not really happening here. The Half Track feels just as strong as any of my full-size knives, just in a smaller package. It’s a little short in the hand, and deployment requires some focus, but otherwise I feel totally confident carrying it in lieu of its bigger brothers. I also really like the design lines.

Purchased in 2024 | ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Magnacut Steel | Titanium Liner Lock | Made in 🇺🇸

Tactile Knife Co. is a relatively new brand, with a machining shop located in Dallas. They have a growing stable of models, some of which they treat to special editions each year through their Seasonal Releases.

I’m a big fan of Tactile’s Winter 2024 Icefall collection, which added a marbled Cerakote finish of grey, white, and blue to their knives and pens.

This knife, in many ways, represents the growing manufacturing prowess of Tactile. Not only did they machine the topographic pattern into the full titanium scales, but they then added this truly unique finish. The result is a knife that truly resembles a winter landscape. The Magnacut tanto blade is equally unique, giving the knife a perfect cutting profile and striking profile.

I would love, and use, this knife more if the jimping on the liner lock was less sharp. It’s not a good match for dry thumbs in winter. Otherwise, it’s a very good cutting tool.

Purchased in 2024 | ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

M4 | Burnt Bronze Aluminum Axis Lock | Made in 🇺🇸

One of the few knives I’ve purchased off the secondary market. This knife was Benchmade’s 2021 SHOT Show knife and I bought #779/1000. That’s a cool number! The Presidio II/Mini Presidio II are not flashy knives and they get little attention, but the design is just about perfect. Awesome materials, very solid in the hand, and perfectly balanced. I like this one, not just for what the model is, but for the grey cerakote M4 blade. The colors are awesome and M4 is one of my favorite steels. This is a great knife!

Purchased in 2024 | ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Magncut Steel | Titanium Frame Lock | Made in 🇮🇹

A fine titanium frame lock, made cooler by its integral construction and blue anodization. Blue Dark Matter FatCarbon inlay adds a touch of class. Traditional Molletta design, this lightweight Italian folder is only held back by the slight difficulty it takes to disengage the lock. This knife looks like winter to me.

Purchased in 2024 | ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️