Winter Knife Favorites: Made the Cut
The Best Blades For Winter
For the dedicated and the brave, chilly temperatures make for some of the best times of the year to go out and adventure. On the other hand, though, winter can also be a dangerous season to be spending time outside; when things go wrong, the stakes are higher. Getting lost in the woods in July is one thing… in January, you’re in an entirely different situation. Subfreezing temperatures, unpredictable weather, early sunsets, and more can all make a nice walk in the woods into a survival siutation. When your plans hit the fan in the winter, there are almost endless reasons to want a good knife on hand. Cutting branches to build a fire, self-defense, and more – the possiblities are infinite. In this edition of Made the Cut, we’re sharing some of the best blades to have on hand
Zero Tolerance/0990
OPEN LENGTH: 7.6”
CLOSED LENGTH: 4.4”
BLADE LENGTH: 3.25”
BLADE MATERIAL: CPM 20V
HANDLE MATERIAL: Carbon Fiber with steel overlay
WEIGHT:2.9 ounces
MSRP: From $315
zt.kaiusa.com
Kershaw/Launch 14
OPEN LENGTH: 7.75”
CLOSED LENGTH: 4.375”
BLADE LENGTH: 3.375”
BLADE MATERIAL: CPM 154
HANDLE MATERIAL: 6061-T6 aluminum, carbon fiber
WEIGHT: 3.2 ounces
MSRP: $240
kershaw.kaiusa.com
CRKT/Butte
OPEN LENGTH: 7.94”
CLOSED LENGTH: 4.57”
BLADE LENGTH: 3.36”
BLADE MATERIAL: D2
HANDLE MATERIAL: G10
WEIGHT: 5 ounces
MSRP: $125
crkt.com
Fällkniven/F1x Elmax
OVERALL LENGTH: 8.67”
BLADE LENGTH: 4”
BLADE MATERIAL: Elmax
HANDLE MATERIAL: Thermorun
WEIGHT: 7.83 ounces
MSRP: 2,265 SEK (estimated $220)
fallkniven.com
SOG/Aegis FX – Forest & Moss
OVERALL LENGTH: 8.8”
BLADE LENGTH: 3.7”
BLADE MATERIAL: CRYO 4116 Krupp
HANDLE MATERIAL: GNR and rubber
WEIGHT: 4.7 ounces
MSRP: $90
sogknives.com
Tops Knives/Silent Hero 4
OVERALL LENGTH: 8.88”
BLADE LENGTH: 4.25”
BLADE MATERIAL: 1095 RC 56-58
HANDLE MATERIAL: Canvas Micarta
WEIGHT: 6 oz.
MSRP: $210
topsknives.com
Now that you have some recommendations for the best quality knives to keep on hand this winter, get exploring this winter! But first, make sure you have all the tools and gear you need to stay safe when the trail takes a turn.
Editor’s Note: A version of this story previously appeared in the TREAD September/October 2022 issue.
