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This week has seen some pretty monumental news in the everyday carry universe.
For starters, Spyderco is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, which means its bladed tool launches are even more special than normal (especially the anniversary edition of the beloved Native 5).
But this week also saw Benchmade drop an even thinner Bugout, quite a feat for a knife that was already a fan favorite for its slenderness and light weight.
And here’s the best part: that’s only two of 13 newsworthy launches we covered this week. There’s a whole lot more you can check out below.
Spyderco
Spyderco Native 5 50th Anniversary Amber Bone CPM S90V Sprint Run
Spyderco is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, which is a huge milestone by anyone’s estimation. As a part of the celebration, it has unveiled this take on its beloved Native series. But this isn’t a simple special edition; it’s massively elevated. That’s because it gets a special amber bone handle, hand-forged Damascus steel bolsters and an upgraded S90V steel blade. It also maintains many of its beloved elements, like a reliable, classic back lock and Round Hole deployment.
The Fisher Space Pen might be the single most important writing utensil since the invention of the pen itself. It has also gone to the moon on every manned NASA mission since the 1960s, including the recent Artemis II mission. Now, it gets a uniquely American anniversary edition that sees all the same award-winning features packed into a new American flag-themed package with an added bit of durability in the form of a Cerakote finish.
The rare Böker multi-tool, the 3.5-inch, 1.45-ounce Grift is made of durable, wear-resistant 420 steel and offers cherry-picked critical functions. The ridged edges of the business end are great for scraping, prying and gentle leverage, while the 90-degree angle of the main edge tackles package opening and the beveled edge on the opposite side delivers flathead driver functionality. The handle cutout, meanwhile, stores a Phillips head screwdriver bit, secured with tiny rubber bands. Inserted into the slot of the bottle opener (next to the flathead), it becomes a legit screwdriver, with surprising leverage.
Since its introduction, the Drop Bear has been among Kizer’s most beloved EDC knife silhouettes. This new take elevates its utility in a unique way without losing what makes it such a fan-favorite, like its approachable price and versatility. Available in two blade finishes and colors, this knife boasts a Nitro-V drop-point blade, crossbar lock, G-10 handle scales and thumb stud deployment. Its handle also glows in the dark, making it easier to find and use in low-light situations. And if you want something smaller, there’s also a Parakeet version with the same feature set.
The next evolution of Benchmade’s flagship EDC knife boasts two major upgrades. First, its handle is 33 percent thinner, enabling it to drop to just 1.72 ounces, notably lighter than the already quite light 1.85-ounce Grivory-handled classic. (That’s especially remarkable considering it’s made of hardier but heftier anodized aluminum.) Second, the Bugout Vapyr boasts a 3.25-inch premium CPM-MagnaCut super steel drop-point blade with a stealth black Cerakote finish (plus a bit of grip-improving spine jimping to boot). The result is a blend of toughness, corrosion resistance, edge retention and ease of sharpening for which there is no equal.
Based on Tim Leatherman’s original 1970s-born prototype, Mr. Crunch, the latest drop in the Leatherman Garage represents the final run for variations on that unique invention. Rendered in CNC-machined 420 stainless steel with a Scotch-Brite finish, gold PVD details and a custom leather sheath, the Captain’s Crunch boasts the rare locking pliers, plus multiple bit drivers, a ruler, a lockable 2.2-inch scalpel that can be swapped for a saw blade or nail file, wire and hard-wire cutters, a wire stripper and a pin vice.
With its textured G-10 handle (which really gives Micarta vibes), ergonomic handle shape and crossbar lock, this knife might remind you of Benchmade’s fan-favorite Bugout. The thing is, this one comes in at (under) half the entry price, making it a far more budget-friendly option. And while it’s not quite as high-end, it still has everything you’d need in an EDC context, including a hard-working D2 blade with a versatile shape, a deep-carry pocket clip, a lanyard hole and more.
Aulumu is growing into one of the most innovative tech accessories brands in the space. And with its new G05 Pro, it doubles down on its flagship MagSafe kickstand by implementing a five-function multi-tool. You get a screwdriver, steel file, saw, utility blade and SIM ejector pin all deployed from the aluminum housing, and at an affordable price.
The third iteration of this compact, capable multi-tool features a 0-18mm adjustable wrench, eternal pen, phone stand, bottle opener, #11 scalpel, glass breaker and tritium slots, all house in a durable and lightweight titanium form factor.
The Barnes is one of The James Brand’s finest knives, marking the outfit’s first foray into integral folders. That means its handle is crafted from a single piece of solid billet titanium, making it incredibly strong, lightweight and resilient. However, this edition gets the added bonus of genuine British wool resin handle inlays on the presentation side and the spine, developed by Solidwool. That also makes this Böhler M390 blade perhaps the most exclusive take on this knife ever.
Victorinox doesn’t let Switzerland’s trademark neutrality stand in the way of celebrating America’s semiquincentennial via this U-S-Alox featuring a red-white-and-blue handle festooned with 13 stars and “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” emblazoned on the blade. Other functions include a can opener, bottle opener, 3 mm and 7 mm flat head screwdrivers, wire stripper, reamer, punch and scissors. Available exclusively in the US, each of the 1,776 sequentially numbered units comes in a special gift box with a limited-edition certificate.
While the brand built its reputation on top-notch sharpeners, Work Sharp is quickly approaching the point where it’s better known for its actual knives, and this minimalist masterpiece certainly adds fuel to that fire. Built in Oregon and named for a hardy regional tree, the Madrone boasts a 3.25-inch M390 clip point blade, an integral aluminum handle with a protective Cerakote finish and a Work Sharp trademark: the ability to switch between automatic and manual deployment using the included tools and a bit of DIY knowhow.
While it might seem odd to tap one of the high-profile stars of the Jackass franchise to craft an EDC knife, those keeping close tabs on the everyday carry world already know Chris Pontius’s deep love and reverence for knives. Those unaware are sure to find out, now that he’s worked with venerated brand GiantMouse on the aptly named Ace Pontius. Available in three editions, they all sport the same versatile and performance-focused Elmax blade (complete with a finger hole deployment). However, there are two different handle options: titanium or G10 (in black or green).
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