11 New Pocket Knives, Multi-Tools and EDC Items You Might Have Missed

Work Sharp has been on quite a run since getting into the knife-making business just over a year ago, and this darkly dazzling release continues that momentum, getting the form just right by focusing on the function. The business end is a 3.2-inch blade made of CPM 3V with a reverse tanto shape for extra piercing power and a blacked-out Cerakote finish for added corrosion resistance. The integral handle is formed from a single piece of magnesium augmented with a matching Cerakote treatment. Just like the original RMX, this one can be switched from manual to automatic deployment with the included tools and instructions.

Tacray’s MT1 was one of the best, most interesting EDC multi-tools that came out last year. And it actually has a suite of tools that are useful in your day-to-day life, including classics like a knife and bottle opener, as well as an integrated flashlight. Now, it gets a pair of new editions. One is done in a jungle-inspired camouflage, giving it a military tactical vibe, while the other is “Zombie Green,” which is much more vibrant and loud (with a toxic vibe).

Made of light but tough grade-5 titanium, the fifth edition of a multi-tool launched back in 2022 is its most highly evolved yet. The slim 4-inch, 1.1-ounce unit fits easily on a belt or pack or in a pocket while packing 10 major functions: a combo pry bar/box cutter/nail puller, bottle opener, 1/4″ and 1/6″ bit driver, metric/imperial ruler, hex wrench, fire starter and a 360-degree rotatable/releasable keyring, making it easy to detach actual keys when using any of the tools.

In stark opposition to the mass-produced, cheap plastic disposable lighters that crowd the market, the Swingtop stands as a testament to craft and cleverness. Not only is this a highly effective, efficient and reliable lighter, but it has the added benefit of a durable stainless steel construction and a fidget-friendly mechanism. It’s available for preorder in silver and black, but it will likely sell through quickly, so get it while you can.

This multi-tool pen further proves the point that small packages often contain multitudes of utility. The focus of Outdoor Element’s latest Kickstarter campaign is the pen-metheus, and EDC-ified pen/ fire starter with a strong selection of features. The adventure-ready design hides a replaceable fire rod alongside fire tinder hidden in the cap. Crafted from lightweight, hard-anodized aircraft-grade AL6061-T6 aluminum, the small-but-mighty 1.6 ounce writing implement is constructed to withstand weather, wear and life in a pocket. Available in safety orange, gunmetal grey and black, the pen-metheus is illuminating beyond its fire starting capabilities … it also includes glow in the dark O-rings and reflectors, making it easy to find when light is low. The pen is expected to ship in November 2026.

Is that Darude you hear? Nope. It’s a new edition of Leatherman’s best rugged outdoor multi-tool, the Signal. While it retains all the same tools that made it such a formidable adventure and EDC device, it also gets some tough and utilitarian upgrades, including a desert camo-inspired Cerakote finish on the blade and saw, as well as glow-in-the-dark accents that make it easier to find in low-light situations.

Thanks to its badass-looking 3.43-inch AR-RPM9 cleaver-like sheepsfoot blade, snappy rear flipper deployment, ergonomic 4.72-inch handle and inviting price points, the Crag was cool enough as is. But the latest variant is even cooler thanks to CJRB’s trendiest treatment: glow-in-the-dark G10 handle scales that are not only fun but also handy for finding your knife in dark places.

The Néo7 Alpine Folding Knife combines a featherlight weight of 1.45 ounces with a capable serrated stainless steel blade, an integrated ¼” bit holder, fiberglass-reinforced handle and multi-functional design to deliver a mountain-ready outdoor knife … all for less than $50.

The headline here has to be the unprecedented number of deployment methods this knife boasts, with the front flipper, back flipper, thumb stud, thumb hole and button-assisted flick adding up to a whopping five. But that’s not the only talking point, as it also features a full-bellied 3.4-inch drop-point blade made of S35VN, ergonomic aluminum handle scales and Vosteed’s super-strong take on a button lock, the Vanchor Lock.

Though Michael Walker perfected the modern liner lock, real knife nerds get more excited about the Blade Magazine HOFer’s Walker Blade Lock, a lesser-known mechanism that taps the power of a tensioned tab masquerading as a traditional thumb stud. The latest iteration is arguably the best-looking yet, thanks to a 2.93-inch sheepsfoot blade made of edge-retaining 14C28N, with a Titanium Nitride finish imbuing a darkly dazzling aesthetic, plus a matching black stainless steel handle with brown textured G10 overlays giving off wood-like heritage vibes while also boosting grip.

Fresh off winning Best Fixed Blade at Blade Show in Atlanta earlier this month, the Steven Dunnuck-designed Loki adopts a more pocket-friendly EDC form complete with a large nail nick/thumb slot hybrid for smooth deployment and a liner lock for securing the open position. Key qualities that helped it garner the major award remain, including a 3-inch Wharncliffe blade (available in both Nitro-V and Damascus) and ergonomic handle scales made of tough, grippy Micarta or G10.