Blade Show West is a wrap, and while that’s sad, there’s plenty of stuff out of Utah that needs discussing. We’re starting today with the Blade Show West Factory Awards.
Best Folder and Best in Show: Poikilo Orca
Poikilo is a new, somewhat mysterious shop that has been quietly showing off designs on social media for a while now. Blade Show West 2024 was the company’s first time on a big stage, and they won big, with the slick Orca model taking home the two top honors.
The knife is definitely a looker, with a blade shape that proves our recent hypothesis is correct: the Persian/trailing point style blade is seeing a resurgence in the production knife scene. The handle is where the cetacean influence comes into play, with a black/silver color scheme and an arcing shape like that of a killer whale in mid-dive.
Best Fixed Blade: MKM Pocket Tango
The Pocket Tango is an interesting knife, not only for its solid, characterful design, but because it is the first production piece from David C. Anderson, whose face most of you should recognize as he is one of the video personalities over at KnifeCenter in addition to being a custom knife maker.
Clearly a lifetime of handling knives informed the Pocket Tango design; you can see the refined taste of a knife aficionado on display with this one, from the multiple unique blade options down to the steel choice, which is MagnaCut, a welcome sight to just about any metallurgical maniac.
Best EDC Knife: GiantMouse Sonoma V2
It’s hard not to immediately recognize a GiantMouse design. Every blade comes from the combined talents of Jens Anso and Jesper Voxnaes, who have really honed a coherent, appealing house style that translates well into knives of all different sizes and shapes.
The Sonoma V2 debuted a few years ago and has been rolled out in several special editions since then. Its slimness makes it an easy daily driver, and the blade snaps into the role with aplomb. The liner lock design and handsome material choices round out the package here.
Best Imported Knife: CRKT Persian Frame Lock
CRKT first showed this one off mere weeks ahead of Blade Show West, with the intention of officially debuting it at the show. The knife made an impression in Utah as it reeled in the Best Imported Knife Award.
The Persian is the latest in CRKT’s growing corral of premium-style knives. A Richard Rogers design, it is fashioned from a handle made of titanium and carbon fiber, and its MagnaCut blade is – we have to say it! – a Persian-style one. Whaddya know.
Best American-Made Knife: Pro-Tech/Chaves Knives Redencion Auto
Pro-Tech isn’t just a company about automatics, but it is one of the titans in that category – and one of the coolest things they do is partner with custom makers to create auto versions of their famous designs. Ramon Chaves is the latest to get this superstar treatment.
The Redencion auto is modeled after the manual of the same name, and carries forward the appealingly simple, brutal look of that knife. These handles are steel, so you know that this fast-firing button auto will deliver the goods when it comes to hard use.
Knife in Featured Image: Poikilos Orca
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