Home / Outdoors / Knives & Multi-Tools

This Navy Seal-Designed Tactical Kitchen Knife Just Got a Game-Changing Upgrade

This was already my favorite kitchen knife, but thanks to this substantial refresh, it’s more appealing than ever.

Close-up of a knife handle with layered construction and two metal rivets on a green background.New West Knifeworks
Add Gear Patrol as a Preferred Source on Google

By Hayley Helms

Published

·

Updated

If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more

I get a thrill every time I use my New West Knifeworks Tactical Outdoor Chef Knife. It’s safe to say I’m obsessed, and in the year and a half that I’ve owned this unique kitchen knife, the joy I feel slicing, dicing and chopping hasn’t dimmed.

Knife with partially serrated stainless steel blade and green layered handle with metal rivet.
The addition of MagnaCut takes this knife up at least 10 notches.
New West Knifeworks

Which is why I was so excited to see my favorite knife receive a material upgrade — one so impactful, I may need to invest in this new version, as well.

Slice and dice

Much like the differences various activity-specific shoes, kitchen knives and EDC blades may seem similar on the surface, but subtle design differences create a world of separation between the two — specifically when it comes to steel.

Kitchen knives prioritize corrosion resistance and a keen edge and often use stainless steels like X50CrMoV15 or AUS-10, while EDC knives generally place a premium on qualities like toughness and wear resistance and opt for CPM S35VN, D2, CPM S30V or 1095.

Close-up of a stainless steel serrated knife blade with "New West KnifeWorks USA CPM-MC" text.
I cannot begin to tell you how useful this partial serration is, especially when slicing sensitive tomatoes or bread.
New West Knifeworks

In the past, you’d have to choose which qualities mattered more — there weren’t many knives that could hold their own in the kitchen and outdoors.

The original Tactical Outdoor Chef Knife solved that dilemma with a novel combination of kitchen utility and EDC steel, resulting in a blend of elegance and strength that has made it incomparable to any other knife in my kitchen.

Close-up of a serrated stainless steel knife blade with a brushed finish on a white background.
The TOC 2.0 MagnaCut Edition is a jack of all trades in the most elite way possible.
New West Knifeworks

Now it’s even better, thanks to this new edition that features MagnaCut steel.

The first TOC’s partially-serrated, clip-point blade utilized CPM S35VN, which is considered a super steel in its own right thanks to its excellent edge retention and rust resistance.

Top view of a knife with a striped wooden handle and a visible metal tang running through the center.
The G10 and rubber composite handle’s no-frills shape makes it easy to grip, even if my hands are slick from washing vegetables.
New West Knifeworks

The new Tactical Outdoor Chef 2.0 (MagnaCut edition) takes things up a notch (or 10) with a blade revision; MagnaCut is prized for its toughness and corrosion resistance, and is superior to S35VN when it comes to withstanding chips and breaking.

The addition of this premium “do-it-all” steel essentially takes what is my favorite kitchen knife ever and super-charges it.

Green and black layered handle knife partially sheathed in a brown leather case with black stitching and a metal snap button.
The handsome leather and secure magnets of the included sheath help keep things secure.
New West Knifeworks

The handle remains a combination of no-nonsense G10 and rubber composite, and the blade length, total length and blade thickness stay the same, too.

Oh, it probably goes without saying, but this knife should be the perfect culinary companion for extended outdoor adventures, too.

Availability and pricing

While the original version of this knife retails for $460, the upgraded steel of its successor means impacts the price tag: it costs $495.

The Tactical Outdoor Chef 2.0 (MagnaCut edition) is available now on New West Knifeworks’s official website.

About the Author: Hayley Helms is an associate editor at Gear Patrol specializing in outdoor gear. Once upon a time, she wrote for Men’s Journal, Gearjunkie and Shape. Whether it’s testing a new rain shell or putting a pair of hiking boots through its paces, she leaves no stone unturned (however, she always Leaves No Trace).

Stay Sharp

Want to stay up to date on the latest product news and releases? Add Gear Patrol as a preferred source to ensure our independent journalism makes it to the top of your Google search results.

add as a preferred source on google
,