Reputable Lock Blade Knife Manufactures

Some of these companies source parts and knives from abroad (China), but are know to be generally reliable. 

• Buck Knives $ to $$$

  • Economy Chinese made knives and some nicer US made knives

    • The US Made 110 and 112 are legendary 

  • The economy knives seem fine as starter knives for younger Scouts

• Gerber $ to $$$

  • Long history of making quality knives

    • Joe Gerber started stared distributing knives made by David Murphy in 1939

      • Knives became hugely popular

    • Other Gerber designers left to start other companies

      • Pete Kershaw started Kershaw Knives in 1974 

      • Al Mar started Al Mar Knives in 1979

    • Sparked knife industry in Oregon

      • Benchmade, Leatherman and others

    • Bought out by Fiskars in 1987 

  • Quality seems to have diminished a lot

    • Not sure if Gerber should be listed here anymore

  • Most are now made in China

    • The quality of steel seems to be lacking

    • We've seen some Gerber knives break during regular use

  • The economy knives seem fine as starter knives for younger Scouts

    • Designs seem fine, but steel seems to be subpar

• Kershaw Knives $ to $$

  • Previous knives were made in Japan

  • US versions are made in Tualatin, Oregon, USA

  • The majority of knives are made in Japan and China

  • Known for making good everyday use knives

  • Mother company is KAI USA, which also owns Zero Tolerance

    • Kershaw thought to keep bar below Zero Tolerance

• Victorinox $$ to $$$

  • Victorinox knives are all made in Switzerland

  • High quality finish and appearance

  • Not as heft as other knives

  • SO many options to choose from

• Opinel $ to $$ (not traditional US-style)

  • French folding design with mostly wooden handles

  • Not everyone likes these

  • Can be sharped razor sharp, but thin blades and weak hinges are not made for abuse

• Columbia River Knife and Tool Company $ to $$$

  • Made in Tualatin, Oregon

  • 5-minutes from Kershaw

• Cold Steel Knife and Tool $ to $$$

  • based in Ventura, California

• Boker Manufactory $ to $$$$

  • Make real budget knives and very high end knives

  • Some of ther budget knives are really low in quality

  • Different lines are from different manufactures

    • Böker Knives: Solingen, Germany

    • Böker Arbolito Knives: Argentina

    • Böker Plus Knives: Taiwan, China, Italy, USA

    • Magnum Knives: China

    • Fox Knives: Italy

    • Black Fox Knives: China

• Spyderco $$ to $$$

  • US made ones are from Golden, Colorado factory

  • Others are made in China

• Benchmade Knife $$$ to $$$$

  • Made in Oregon City, Oregon

  • They make some top end knives

• Emerson Knives $$$ to $$$$

  • All US Made

  • High and Ultra High end knives only

• DPx Gear $$$ to $$$$

  • Made in the USA

  • High quality and expensive

  • Backed by a lifetime warranty

• Zero Tolerance Knives $$$ to $$$$

  • High and ultrahigh end knives

  • Headquarters: Tualatin, Oregon, USA