In this issue

Knives Illustrated December 2023 Issue - December marks one of the year’s busiest gift-giving—and gift-getting—seasons. If you’re reading Knives Illustrated, chances are pretty good that you’ll either give or receive a blade over the holidays, and that’s where we’re here to help! This issue features not only an expanded Gear Guide: Holiday Edition, but it also highlights some time-tested and intriguing models that’ll make the grumpiest grinch smile. For the hunters, we have the iconic Buck Folding Hunter. For those who want a touch of class with their knives, we show you the Woox Leggenda. And for those who want a hardworking fixed-blade tool, we introduce you to the Comanche from Smith & Sons. Are you hard to shop for? Leave our six-page Pocketknives Perfected photo section open on the kitchen table. The craftsmanship and skill on display will hopefully inspire your loved one to splurge on a gift for you! Whether you’re buying for yourself or someone else, the gift of an edged blade will never go wrong!

TIP TALK

UNDERSTANDING THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN BLADE TIP SHAPES AND WHY IT MATTERS

7 mins

HOLDING FIRM

GETTING A GRIP ON KNIFE HANDLE BENEFITS, MATERIALS, AND FUNCTIONALITY

9 mins

EDGE UP

TIPS, TRICKS, AND TECHNIQUES TO SHARP WHEN ADVENTURING FAR FROM HOME

6 mins

THE COMBAT KITCHEN

SLICE, DICE, CHOP, AND CUT: FOOD PREP WITH BLADES FROM POPULAR TACTICAL KNIFE COMPANIES

8 mins

MORAKNIV Classics

THESE TIMELESS BUSHCRAFT KNIVES HAVE BEEN UPDATED AND ARE BETTER THAN EVER

8 mins

ONE FOR THE ROAD

CHOOSING AN “EVERYWHERE KNIFE” CAN BE DIFFICULT DUE TO COMPLICATED KNIFE LAWS

9 mins

TRAVELING LIGHT

SOMETIMES, INEXPENSIVE UTILITY BLADES YOU PICK UP AT YOUR DESTINATION CAN GET THE JOB DONE

6 mins

MATCHED PAIR

JB KNIFE WORKS LAYMAN KNIFE AND GAMBIT HATCHET COMBO: ONE PICKS UP WHERE THE OTHER LEAVES OFF

9 mins

WHEN BIGGER IS BETTER

THE CAS IBERIA CHOP HOUSE IS A MACHETE THAT PROVIDES BIG BLADE CUTTING POWER

8 mins

KITCHEN KNIVES DON'T HAVE TO BE DULL

I have a confession to make. See if this sounds familiar. I take meticulous care of the knives I use for everyday carry, hunting, and general woods wandering. I wipe them down with an oily cloth after use and I never let them get too dull. Seldom do I have to restore a damaged edge. Most of the time I simply touch up the edges of my pocketknives with a few careful strokes across the rough bottom of a ceramic coffee cup. That’s usually all that’s needed. I don’t use my knives as screwdrivers or pry bars. As a matter of fact, I still have the very first knife I ever owned, an old Boy Scout knife that was handed down from my older brother. The blades have a deep patina that comes with using carbon steel over the years, but the knife is very usable still.

2 mins

CULINARY CUTS

FROM BASIC TO EMBELLISHED, GOOD KNIVES ARE THE WORKHORSES OF THE KITCHEN

7 mins

CRAFTY BLADE

GERBER’S TERRACRAFT FACES BOTH URBAN AND RURAL CHALLENGES LIKE A PRO

6 mins

ALL-WEATHER WORTHY

PROMETHEUS DESIGN WERX TERRAVANTIUM STS-AT: A RUST-PROOF EDC FOLDER

9 mins

JENNY WREN COMPACT

CRKT AND RMJ TACTICAL TEAM UP TO OFFER A RUGGED, AFFORDABLE CAMP TOOL YOU CAN TAKE ANYWHERE

6 mins

KNIFE-FIGHTING FALLACIES

The Top 5 Mistakes to Avoid When Carrying a Self-Defense Blade

8 mins

VICTORINOX VERSATILITY

LEGENDARY SWISS ARMY KNIVES: READY TO FACE ANY ADVENTURE HEAD-ON

7 mins

ON THE RING

SMALL, USEFUL TOOLS ON YOUR KEYCHAIN OR IN YOUR WALLET CAN SAVE THE DAY

8 mins

WRITE IT, SCOOP IT, PRY IT

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE HERE

8 mins

MULTITOOL SHOWDOWN

TAKE A LOOK AT HOW THESE POPULAR TOOLS STACK UP

6 mins

READY FOR THE WILDS

THE SLYSTEEL SURVIVAL KUKRI IS MORE THAN JUST A BIG KNIFE

7 mins

Free TO INNOVATE

GIANTMOUSE: WHEN TWO GREAT DESIGNERS LET THEIR CREATIVITY RUN WILD

3 mins

DON'T REST YOUR CASE

NOT JUST FOR COLLECTORS: TRADITIONAL FOLDERS FROM W.R. CASE & SONS ARE MEANT TO BE USED

7 mins

BK3 ADVENTURES

TOUGH JOB AHEAD? THE LEGENDARY TAC TOOL MIGHT BE THE PROBLEM- SOLVER YOU NEED

7 mins

PEARSON CUSTOM KNIVES

A NEW KNIFE MAKER GAINING A NAME

2 mins

TRAMONTINA 18

THE BLADE YOU DIDN’T KNOW YOU NEEDED

4 mins

TRYING A POWERED SHARPENER

WORK SHARP KEN ONION EDITION KNIFE & TOOL SHARPENER

6 mins

BENCHMADE MEATCRAFTER

EQUALLY AT HOME IN THE FIELD OR IN THE KITCHEN

5 mins

PARTNERING WITH POWER

GERBER GEAR’S STRONGARM FLEXES ITS MILITARY-STYLE MIGHT

6 mins

BACKYARD BUSH CRAFT

PUTTING YOUR BUSHCRAFT SKILLS TO USE AT HOME

8 mins

GIANT MOUSE ACE GRAND

FULL PRODUCTION UPDATE TO A LEGEND

4 mins

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Knives Illustrated Magazine Description:

Your guide to the best knives -- hunting, chef's, tactical, outdoor, collectibles, and more.
We bring entertainment and information to automotive, homes, outdoor and food enthusiasts and support communities where they can share their passions.Our magazines, web sites, apps, books, products, and videos provide the best information to enthusiasts, while our communities allow them to share with others who have similar interests.